Mabul 2016

Mabul oh Mabul, you always get better and better each year I return and this is my 5th year!!!  You did not disappoint except this year, I did not get to see a few of my favourite creatures -  I fear they might all be eaten!!!  Not even funny thinking this horrible thought passing in my head!!!

More new chalets, a new pier, and even the food selection at UC is different and obviously, it is nice to see all the familiar faces and most of them are still working at UC's and this includes PR my snorkelling buddy from Germany!!!  Although it is under "new management", Sudir (UC's son in law) is still learning the ropes but is doing the best he can.  He is always open to ideas and listening to guests recommendations etc and he implements where possible when within reason.  

Mantis prawn crab porridge

Initially, we were eating the freshest fish till we were fished out, then we ate loads of crabs and it was crab crab crab till I departed this year.  Slipper lobsters were hard to come by and we bought when we saw them for sale.  The mainland Chinese are definitely "spoiling the market" and there seems to be more slugs and bugs for sale this year round as even the Bajau's know how to capture the Chinese market!!!  As the saying goes, the Chinese eats anything and everything that moves!!  Fresh seafood prices are hard to bargain down and haggling fun is not as fun as the mainland Chinese will pay anything for them as in China they cannot get as fresh and it is very very much more expensive, so even "expensive" for the rest of us in Mabul is CHEAP for the mainland Chinese!!!

We had a bbq with the staff and also a steam boat night.  The two sisters now cooking alongside Uncle Ah Long in the kitchen is dishing out food a little bit more interesting - well for me, there is nothing much to do on the island if you are not in the water, and when you are out of the water, food seems to take priority in my day.  Besides making curry puffs, this time santan agar2 was also requested so we had fun mucking around in the kitchen.

MJ spoils me and sends over local fruits and keeps me happy.  JL also visited one day and we made more curry puffs together!!! J and Aufa came to stay 3 nights so I had a little bit more time with Aufa on the island.  The diving gals, A & A also came for a visit close to the day I was leaving Mabul but it was really nice to see them again even though they no longer work for UC.

Uncle Chang also throws a lavish dinner every year I show up  in Semporna and this year we had a special guest - Aufa!!!  Well, what can I say, I do not deny I get very special treatment from the UC family and staff and I want to thank everyone for always making my trip so memorable and enjoyable.

I lugged a floatie over, and ordered 2 "now loungers" so we had some water fun in the sun.  By now, I am guessing the water toys must be koyak already!!!  hahaha

So much more to say but am running out of time to detail everything as I have about 10 more blogs to complete before 2016 comes to an end!!!

On this note, a big thank you to the Uncle Chang management and staff again and we will see all of you again ... same place, around the same time but next year in 2017 and look forward to the wedding and birthday celebrations with all of you!!!

Apologies for the rest of the pictures... will re-arrange and elaborate next year!!! hahaha