Kota Kinabalu

I am on my journeys again, although this time it will be relatively brief and certainly less travelsome. Meeting the in-laws in Kota Kinabalu. That's Sabah. East Malaysia? Borneo? Look it up.

Anyway, to get here was something of an adventure. In the interests of cost saving, certain corners were cut. Let us just say that these corners will not likely be cut in future. But, nonetheless, we are here all well. Royal Brunei is not an airline about which you will find me waxing lyrical as to the sublime cooking. Their French Toast in particular would have shamed a child. Who hated cooking. And as for the person in front who insisted on pushing back his seat as far and as fast as possible, even though the movement was hampered by the table or even my poor knee... well, the less said the better.

So what do you know about Brunei? Anything? That would be more than me. I knew the richest man in the world was the sultan, until Bill Gates took over. And beyond that... Hmmm. Anyway. I have now seen representatives of their snake, lizard, crocodile and even proboscis monkey (Ally McLeod) communities. Fabulous. But no need to stay, to be honest. They have a water village and a lot of stuff dedicated to the sultan. Including the museum, which largely houses his collection of coronation gifts. Jenny Shipley can retain a sense of "job done" about the regulation green bowl, but Canada should hang its head in shame at the rather pathetic walrus statuette, waving a flipper to the, presumably rather bored, recipient. Actually rather fascinating.

And I am happy and good and it is fine to be here. More anon.