The Night Market

I had the chance to take my camera for a quick spin after dinner on the last evening at Kota Kinabalu. I started off at the famous Filipino Market before drifting with the crowd towards the main market.

There were nothing much for me to buy actually. In fact, I would definitely get ripped off the moment I opened my moth at the market, so rather than spoil my mood, I decided to just enjoy the sight.

After about 20 minutes, I was basically done. It was time to head back to the hotel and pack.

The Promenade Kota Kinabalu

Unfortunately I was not referring to walking on the side of the beach here. But rather about the hotel I stayed in during my weekend at Kota Kinabalu. The Promenade happened to be where the MSH Scientific Meeting took place and staying there meant that I didn't have to worry about travels.

Anyhow, the hotel was more than capable of holding such an event. The rooms were just being refurbished. And you can tell from some unfinished fittings still left on some of the corners.
The wifi in the room was sluggish and not password protected. The TV channels were limited to 10, with only one sports channel. Luckily United were playing on Sunday, after I reached KL.

The lights on top of the main lobbyThe main lobbyThe reception areaA group of Korean climbers checking in. They looked to be very well prepared.On the first day, I had to get the plumbers to be sent because the toilet was getting clogged up from the previous tenant.

The breakfast was great actually. And the waitresses were attentive and polite, unlike some of the venues in KL which I was used to.

As for the hall, it struggled to accommodate the sheer number of delegates. We didn't plan for 500 people to start with, this being Kota Kinabalu and all. But we were wrong. Yes, we had to partition the ballroom for the pharma booths to fit in, which can get rather noisy. The ceiling in the meeting rooms were also rather low, but we coped OK. The AV system was UK although I stayed away from the wifi. My iPad has good LTE signal on the hall floor.

The bed was cosy enoughA nice seating area by the windowThe corridor from my roomThe hotel was also within walking distance from the town centre, the beach front and the Filipino Market which was a hit amongst the nurses. Transport in and out was simple via taxi.

On the whole, it was a pretty decent hotel. For lunch, I had some Chinese dim sum which was not bad. More of a working lunch rather than anything. Would definitely try it again if I return, although Sutera Harbour would still be my first choice.

MSH Meeting 2015

Traditionally, the Malaysian Society of Haematology held their scientific meeting yearly, alternating between Kuala Lumpur and outside. It was held at Shangri-La last year and Penang the year before that. So, this time it was again time to venture outside of Kelang Valley. So, it was Kota Kinabalu.

It was the first time the meeting was held there, and the initial plan was to both do a small meet up with a very selected topic covered. Initially, we wanted to talk about bleeding in pregnancy. It soon turned into a two-day event, the first day being about bleeding and the second about clotting, both with emphasis in women. It turned out to be a great program, with the help of the International Society of Thrombosis and Homeostasis. We got speakers from abroad to chip in, plus have a nursing workshop the day after. It was great.

Le President, Dr Alan Teh with his welcoming speechOn top of that, we had 500 delegates and secretariats turning up. It was much better than expected. I must say that I learned plenty. On top of the of course, there were great food!

I chaired one of the session and live blogged the whole event - except during Friday Prayers of course.

The participation from the Pharmaceuticals were also strong, with the booths oversubscribed. All the symposium slot were also taken. The whole weekend was a resounding success. There are also write-ups from yesteryear's meeting here.

The Bike Shop

Mahmud or Bob was a schoolmate from almost 30 years back at MRSM Terendak. I used to catch a ride from him to KL those days, as well as hanging around at his house during holidays, spending hours playing computer games. Those were the days.

After SPM, he joined a flying school and now with AirAsia, captaining an Airbus A320. He married a Sabahan, and had settled in Kota Kinabalu for many years. His parents still lived in KL.

I tried to hook up with him on Saturday night, but he had to fly to Canton, returning in the early hours of Sunday morning. The only way we could meet would be if he we can have breakfast on Sunday morning before I catch my flight home. And that was what we did.

And on the way to the airport - which was only around 10 minutes from my hotel - we stopped at his bicycle shop. He only opened last months and some of his orders had yet to be delivered. All the fittings should be ready in a month or two. None the less, the place was impressive. And the bikes weren't cheap!

I don't think I can afford this ...

We spend about 15 minutes at the shop where I had a nice look around. In fact, I might just buy a bike or two from him. A particular hybrid bike caught my eyes. Maybe taking up cycling may not be a bad idea after all. There were a few of my friends organising weekly night ride in Bangsar. It was also a good way to get fit, and to do other things outside work.

Returning Home

Three nights away initially seemed long, but with the talks and other stuff, the rest was limited. Maybe I should've returned on the Saturday evening rather than stay until Sunday. I had to wake up early still and the transport for the airport came at 8.30 in the morning.

But I had other plans that morning. Mahmud, an old schoolmate from MRSM came to pick me up to the airport, stopping over at his new bicycle shop - although he is a pilot actually - before another spot of breakfast after checking in.

Ready to leave the hotelWaiting to boardI slept very early last night, practically falling off to sleep the moment I reached the hotel after dinner and quick walk in town to get some gifts. The sun was already up by 6, and I got up at 5 in the morning. I did all the packing then before going down for breakfast, and later check out and waited for Mahmud at the lobby.

I reached KLIA just after 1 in the afternoon - hungry as I didn't really enjoyed the meal on the plane. Took the KLIA Express to KL Sentral before being picked up to the apartment. Anita and the boys were out for a birthday party at Kidzania, so I had a shower and headed out to town for some food.

Landed at KLIA

The big but empty bagNice to be back homeBack to the usual routine I guess. Good thing I cancelled my clinic tomorrow. The boys would be on their last day of holidays and they were keen to watch the Avengers. Better get that organised I guess.