Gift Exchange?

CJ left us yesterday but not before getting the Elder and the Frenchman so delicious Hokkaido cheese and chocolate tarts.

Meanwhile, the Elder and the Frenchman gave CJ a t-shirt (Anti-social Social Club) and cards and dice set.  Please note the name of the set and the instructions found on the back.

In case you can't read what it says:

• Do not use play methods other than the cards themselves.
• Do not use uncivil methods such as throwing off the cards arbitrarily as this may injury eyes, bodies or cause accidents.

Sweet Sorrow

To quote Shakespeare "Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow"

One of the AIK started his vacation and the Elder and the Frenchmen had to leave him at the airport for him to be on his way:

Group hug!

Until Next Time!

This is the last time all three of us will be together in 2017.  With the changes coming up with our company (our division is being sold by the end of the year), who knows when the next time we will travel together again.

Last Lunch with CJ

CJ has a vacation scheduled starting this afternoon, so one of the AIK will be leaving us.

The weather was outstanding, perfect for a quick lunch trip to the Sunday Breeze Bar. The breeze, the blue sky, the sound of crashing waves on the shore... Who wants to go back to work?

CJ and the Frenchman had Beef Merguez with fries, while the Elder chose the Croquet Monster (Croque Monsieur).  While the merguez hotdogs were very good, the Elder was disappointed with his food.  He won't chose that next time we go back.

Good last lunch for the three AIK.

Merguez Hotdog and Croque Monsieur

Mission Accomplished

Since last year's Forrest Whitaker sighting, Eric has been obsessed to get his picture with him.

Forest declined the request last year. When we saw him again this year, we had to be a little tricky. I had to use my super duper extra long zoom lens in my best impersonation of a paparazzi.  The results are a little fuzzy, but I think it's unmistakable; Forest Whitaker in the flesh in Kuantan

Driving in Malaysia

Malaysia is a country that drives on the opposite side of the road from the US. That's not too bad to get used to, especially since the cars are constructed with the driver on the right side.

It does get confusing for a few days when driving to go to the correct side of the car to enter and drive.

But sometimes the signs can be confusing...

If I ask you, the reader, what does a red octagonal street sign with a white border indicate, most would say. "that's easy, it's a STOP sign"  But not in Kuantan, at least not inside the plant.

Here is the sign:

It is quite difficult to only SLOW at the sign, rather than STOP.

When we get back to the US, do you think that if I showed a policeman this sign he would understand why I only SLOWed at the STOP sign?

Three Thumbs Up Movie

Sunday evening rolled around and we decided to go see Thor: Ragnarok

This was a great movie.  We agree with Rotten Tomatoes very high 92% rating.

Even though the Elder did not see any of the previous Thor movies, there was nothing necessary in the other movies to follow the story line.  I did have to explain a few things that referenced older movies, but this did not distract from enjoying the movie.

Last time we were in Kuantan, we saw Dr. Strange. Thor: Ragnarok has the post credit clip that we saw then toward the beginning of the movie. That was a nice tie in.

Some of the favorite lines:

"He's a friend from work!"

"Welcome Dr. Banner, strongest Avenger!"

Brunch at La Casa

We headed to La Casa for the Sunday brunch but decide to order regular food.  CJ had the spaghetti meatballs, the Elder the eggplant and the Frenchman duck pasta.

The food was good but not awesome. CJ did have a question about his meatball and we talked to the owner, Thomas, about that.  He thanked us for the comment and went back to the kitchen.  He returned and told that he scrapped the meatballs and they are making a new batch.  He also comped us three Crème Brulée.

Another issue was that the appetizer, the beef tartare, showed up after the meal were coming out. We returned the main meal and asked them to keep them warm so we could enjoy the appetizer first.

This seems to be an issue in Kuantan.  The definition is as follows:

appetizer

noun

•  a small dish of food or a drink taken before a meal or the main course of a meal to stimulate one's appetite.

I think there is a disconnect with that definition in Malay.  Here is how to say it in Malay:

pembuka selera

I think we need to learn how to say that

Final Note about La Casa