Miri -"Christmas Eating Frenzy"- Malaysia- 27 Dec 2009

The Mini Christmas Tree on Hamamas

The Christmas Eating Frenzy is over now. Here's how it went.

Christmas Eve Sundowners on another yacht with 12 cruisers,

Christmas Morning -coffee and cake on Pied- A- Mer with 10 cruisers,

Christmas Lunch at a village Longhouse with some friends  plus the villagers plus plenty of very potent rice wine!

Christmas Dinner at the Park Everley with 12 othercruisers,

Boxing Day lunch at Steve and Jennie's, the local dive operaters, with many others- the red wine and beer flowed freely, not to mention the mountain of delicious food!

Boxing Day evening- farewell sundowners on the dock as 5 yachts were departing the next day.

How did we survive? Well we only just survived!

Sebastian Taking a Rest After the Christmas Frenzy!

Miri "Christmas Fun!" Malaysia 28 Dec 2009

We spent Christmas 2009 in Miri and oh what fun we had with all our friends!
 (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

24 Dec 6pm
We enjoyed a sundowners on a friends yacht along with a number of other cruisers.

Friends from Merlic 11, Sowelu and Vulcan

Friends from Marida, Pied de Mer and Merlic 11

Fran had Fun!

Tom had Fun!

Dec 25 10am
We enjoyed coffee and Christmas cake on Peid de Mer (sorry no photos!)

Dec 25 12.00pm

The next day we enjoyed a traditonal Malaysian Christmas lunch at a Longhouse in one of the villages. (See earlier Post),

Dec 25 6 pm

Then on Christmas evening we all gathered at the Everley Park hotel for a scrumptious Christmas dinner.

During the evening Fran from Merlic 11 organised the presents and played Santa.

Fran from Merlic 11 Enjoyed Being Santa!

Tom's Gift was a Cake!

Fran found a Bottle of Rum in the sack!

Not sure what Dave Received!

26 Dec 12pm

On Boxing day we had a delicious lunch at Steve and Jennie's

Steve and Jennie

Fran and the Girls Playing Up!

Steve and Fran having Fun!

Tom and Steve really Playing Up!

Dave and Fran from Merlic II

Sitske, Adri and Chris

26 Dec 6pm

We enjoyed one more sundowner evening with our great friends as a  number of yachts were leaving the marina the next day.

Farewell Dock Party

So that was Christmas 2009! Phew!

 (See Post Christmas Eating Frenzy)

Miri-Longhouse Visit -Sarawak- Malaysia-2009

While we were in Miri we were lucky enough to be invited  for Christmas Lunch at a village longhouse with some others cruisers.  The Longhouse family were friends of Leigh and Chai, our  hosts for the day. The villagers wanted to met some sailors and cook some traditional Malaysian food for us as well as showing us typical Longhouse life.There was plenty of food for all and the Rice Wine followed freely.

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Arriving at the Longhouse

Chai Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

Enjoying our Christmas Meal

Just Some of the Goodies!

Leigh Encouraging us to Try the Goodies

More Goodies!

 After lunch we joined in the fun with the rest of the Longhouse residents who were also celebrating Christmas!

Fran Dancing with the Locals

What an outing that was. Thank you Chai and Leigh and the Longhouse Family for a wonderful time!

Miri " Pre Christmas Activities" Malaysia 15 Dec 2009

While in Miri we attended a pre Christmas Luncheon at Sylvia,and her husbands' home along with Jennie Soh and Chris and Guy from Remora. Sylvia is well know in Miri for her fabulous cooking and craft activities and we were certainly thrilled to sample her fabulous meals and to admire her craft collections.

The Group Photo!

Just Some of the Yummy Food!

 We also looked though their photo albums and found this fabulous photo of them on their wedding day dressed in traditional Malaysia wedding regalia.

Chris and Fran Admiring the Photos.

The Happy Couple! Today and Yesterday!

14 Dec 2009

Another interesting outing  we attended was arranged by Nancy  who wanted to introduce us to her friends at an Evangelistic meeting and to enjoy a pre- Christmas Luncheon with the Church members.  There  were a large group singing the hymns including the young children who also sang and performed  on their own.

Nancy, Tom, Fran and Jennie enjoying the  Delicious Meal.

Thank you Nancy for arranging our special outing.

Miri -Christmas Parade-,Malaysia- 13 Dec 2009

On 13 dec 2009 we went to the Christmas Parade with Guy and Chris from Remora and Jennie and Matthew our Miri friends. Most of the religious groups in Miri are involved in the spectactular annual event. Once again Tom captured these night time photos using the powerful Nikkon camera.

After the service and speeches all the groups parade around the mian streets of Miri. It is a sight to behold
 (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

The Spectactular Stage

How Colourful is This!

Miri-Christmas Charity Concert- Malaysia-Dec 2009

While we were in Miri in Dec 2009 we attended a wonderful Christmas Charity Concert and Christmas Bazaar which was held in the the Gymkhana Club complex. The annual Christmas Concert helps raise funds to assist various charities in Miri. The organising chairperson was our good friend Jennie Soh who had introduced us to the activities of  the Mercy Malaysia group in Miri. 
(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Jennie (in Red) and the Organising Committee

Our Friend Sylvia's Stall

Even the Children had Stalls to Raise Money for Charity

The talented Miri Orchestra Choir, conducted by Mr J W Chong Kuok performed renditions of our favourite traditional Christmas Carols .

Miri Choir and Orchestra

The amazing Operafest Children's  Choir from Kuala Lumpur performed some remarkable arrangements of Christmas Carols. The Musical Conductor was Ms Fong Sun Yoke. This young group have given guest performances in many different countries around the world and have won prizes at an International level. They have also  sung alongside the Vienna Boys Choir.

The Amazing Malaysian Operafest Children's Choir

The Children;s Conductor

Michael Jackson and his (her) Shadow

We even had other entertainers!

Yet again the Miri Michael Jackson Look-a-like and Offsider performed a version of the Moon Walk.  Later the beautiful Belly dancers performed.

Miri's Own belly Dancers

To the delight of all the children Santa and his helpers distributed sweets and light refreshments were served as well.

Santa Guy and Helpers

This Santa (a fellow yachtie) had to have "ho ho ho" lessons  as he had been brought up in a country that had St Nicholas rather than Santa. We had such fun giving the lessons and "santa" went around for days before the concert "ho, ho, hoing"! 

Santa's Gorgeous Helpers! Some of the Mercy Malaysia Team

Thank you for a wonderful evening. Merry Christmas to All!