CHINESE NEW YEAR - "LIONS" PERFORMANCE

On second day of the Chinese new Year, we hosted a family & friends gathering at our residence. A Lion troupe performance was the highlight of the evening.

3 Golden "lions' and their "laughing Buddha" greeted us at the gate

Greeting everyone.

It's "Cai Qing" (picking the green) time. This "Lion" would be eating 8 oranges, drink 8 cans of "tiger" beer and finally picking the "green" believed to bring good luck, health and prosperity to everyone.   

The sounds of Drum, Gongs and cymbals during the performance

The "laughing puddha" was inviting the "Lion" to take the "green"

Fire cracker time

Saying good bye

Time for dinner

It was an evening of fun with firecrackers and the launching of a small "hot air" balloon.

Successfully launched - up, up and away!

The firecracker session with the "Lions" - a must watch to get the feeling of Chinese New Year!

CHINESE NEW YEAR EVE DINNER

We had a good feast at home on the eve of Chinese new year. It was indeed an evening to remember.

 Dinner for 3

 The traditional "Yam Pork"

 Hakka style stuff tofu and eggplant.

 Stir-fried Broccoli and Scallops. 

 Chinese sausages + salted duck slices

 Steamed prawns

 Roasted duck

A big "thank you" to my wife for the wonderful dinner.

  

GONG XI FA CAI !

Chinese around the world will welcome and celebrate the lunar New Year tomorrow. It's the year of the "Monkey"! Wishing everyone good luck, good health, good fortune with happiness throughout the year!

BANANA LEAF RESTAURANT- JOTHY'S CURRY HOUSE

Jothy's curry house is a popular restaurant in Kota kinabalu serving the Southern Indian authentic cuisine. It is famed for it's fish head curry and rice served on banana leaf. They also offer chicken, mutton, fish, prawns, squids and quails cooked in a variety of aromatic spices. We were there for dinner two days ago.

Located at Lot 1, G9, Api Api Center, Kota Kinabalu, it's open from 11am to 10pm daily

 Rice served on banana leaf with 4 different vegatables.

Our selections for dinner were Fish head curry, squids in sambal, curry mutton and deep fried quails.

 

 

 

 Close-up pictures of the dishes.

These were the free refill vegetables - cucumber, eggplant, bean sprouts and spinach.

Overall, the restaurant was clean with average service and good food. Price-wise, it's a bit expensive but worth it.  

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA AIRLINES: SYDNEY - BRISBANE

On our return trip to Brisbane, we selected Virgin Australia Airlines instead of Qantas. It's our first experience to fly with the second largest airlines of Australia. Virgin Australian was formerly known as Virgin Blue which started as a low-cost carrier in 2000 and turned into a full service airlines after 2011.  

  Virgin check-in and bag drop counters at Terminal 2

Our boarding gate at 38.   

Ready for departure.

 

Summer sunset closing in as our departure was 8pm.

Taxiing out to line up for take off.

Good bye Sydney!

Climbing to cruising attitude.

The comfortable B737-800 economy cabin - a generous leg room of 31" pitch. 

 

Refreshment - complementary coffee or tea with a snack were offered on this short flight.

 

Approaching Brisbane

Landed at 8:15 pm, 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

There is not much different in flying with Qantas and Virgin. Customer service-wise, they are compatible as both carriers have friendly and helpful crew. Economy class guests are provided with complimentary tea, coffee and water on all their domestic flights. In addition they also offer a selection of complimentary beer, wine, cider and soft drinks. Fare wise, they are almost par.