I'm a self-made expat!

Skimming through my email inbox from my ipad, I recently came across a newsletter from an expat site I occasionally browse.

One of the articles was titled "self-made expat", a term new to me but describing me to a tee!

Expatriatism is growing all around the world with better living conditions, job offers and the thrill of travel all large factors. But I'm not any usual expat.

I didn't get sent to Malaysia by a company, neither did I relocate here with my whole family for any specific reason. I have a number of expat friends, mostly in Kuala Lumpur, who were sent here on a working assignment with their company from back home. It usually lasts for 2 or 3 years before the contract is up and they return home.

I am a self-made expat. 

I came here to Malaysia with no job, no money, all by myself. My Malaysian fiancee and later, wife, was the reason I expatriated to Malaysia.

Another factor was that I already knew Malaysia very well after living there for 2 years before I met Fidelia. I had already developed a love for the place, the people and the lifestyle.

Nobody sorted out my flight tickets. Nobody took care of a work placement and contract for me. Nobody took the time to organise insurance plans for me. Nobody transported all of my possessions half way around the world for me.

I am a self-made expat.

I took what I could in my suitcase and completely started my life over in Kuantan, just me and my wife. Now that sounds scary, and for a short while it was, but it has also provided me with an immense sense of achievement and satisfaction. I made it! I started with nothing, in a foreign town and country, and made it!

I'm also unlike other expats in that I don't really mix with fellow expats at all. I am immersed into life with the local Malaysians. My wife and I have found some magnificent Malaysian friends, both here in Kuantan and around the country. I couldn't ask for anything more in my life. Several years ago, it was an impossible dream. 

We send our daughter to the local kindergarten. When I'm sick I go to the local clinic or hospital. We go shopping down the road and buy Malaysian food. In another 4 years I'm planning to become a Permanent Resident and have my own IC card. 

Rather than living the 'expat life', I'd say I'm living the 'Malaysian life.'

2013 marks 7 years of living as a self-made expat in Kuantan, Malaysia. 7 exciting years where I've grown a lot, have my dream job, am my own boss, and best of all, there is no expiration date for my time here!

Dim Sum lunch at M.S.Garden Hotel, Kuantan

Dim Sum is a Chinese breakfast/lunch, like dumplings and filled with prawns and other meats and seafood. As you will see, they come in cute little baskets where you pay per basket.

Yesterday at M.S.Garden Hotel in Kuantan we enjoyed a dim sum buffet of RM19.90 per person. That is really good value!

Here is a selection of what we ate, and thoroughly enjoyed!

Lauren and her friend Sharmayne on another recent visit . . .

And a dessert table offering various kinds of jelly . . .

The M.S.Garden Hotel dim sum buffet promotion at RM19.90 is open until June 2013.

Shahzan Inn, Kuantan - Our stay, September 2012

The Shahzan Inn is a 3-star hotel in the heart of Kuantan town. Located right beside the town football field on Jalan Mahkota, it provides panoramic views of Kuantan ranging from Bukit Ubi to the town centre, Pahang State Mosque, Jalan Teluk Sisek, the Riverfront, Taman Gelora beach and Tanjung Lumpur.

The Shahzan Inn has had a new lick of paint recently and looks great at first sight.

The lobby is no less impressive. It's spacious, has comfortable seating areas, a small fish pond, Tourism Malaysia brochures and a lovely winding staircase which spirals up from the entrance to the next two floors. A chandelier hangs down from the top of the staircase.

First impressions count, which is why I can't be overly critical of the rooms. We were given a room on the 10th floor and we enjoyed wonderful sweeping views of Kuantan. We even watched a couple of football matches on the pitches below.

As far as the room was concerned, it was average at best, but overall satisfactory for a 3-star hotel. Importantly, the bed was comfortable and we had a good sleep despite the air-conditioning being a little loud.

We opened the cupboard door to find the fridge missing, and we had to laugh at the outrageous prices on the list of very mediocre items for sale as souvenirs from the room!

The bathroom was okay, the wooden mirror frame in need of a replacement, and no plug for the sink. The shower did have nice magnetic closing doors which kept the cubicle warm while showering.

The swimming pool is nice but small. Unfortunately for us it was raining in the afternoon, so we didn't use it. I did take Lauren down there for a look around though.

Breakfast in the Coffee House was very good. A variety of tasty food was on offer, and the tables and chairs were beautifully laid out too.

It seems that Shahzan Inn has created a great first impression hotel with a luxurious lobby and Coffee House, but possesses rather average and neglected guest rooms.

Swiss Garden Poolside

We're growing quite accustomed to lounging out poolside at Swiss Garden Resort & Spa. We're extremely fortunate to live "down the road" from this beautiful place!