Gulf Golden Insternation College of Aviation

I have been working @ GGIFA Bintulu Campus since 15 September 2010 as a Ground Instructor whilst working towards my CASA licence and ratings conversion to the Malaysian equivalent. My hope is by January 2011 I will be able to have my credentials to instruct flying training as well.

WAC of Sarawak state

So far I have enjoyed my stay at GGIFA. I have learnt much and contributed a little to the College. I have experienced what an aviation instructor's life is like at a training school.

Some of the snapshots I have taken (for my memory) of my short stay in Bintulu.

My Ground Wing office

Snapshots of student life

Student computer facility and library

FLIGHT SIMULATOR VIDEO

GGIFA & BINTULU VIDEO

EAGLE FORMATION 1

EAGLE FORMATION 2

EAGLE FORMATION 3

Where I stay - the school hostel

Jepak BBQ (Bintulu)

One of my students Jason throws a post- JAR exam celebration at his dad's get away in Jepak, on the 26th November 2010. By all account the 200 acre site is primitive - mostly newly planted oil palms in a no-man's land; but rustic and back-to-the-past feel was definitely there.

There is no piped water, sanitation and electricity. They rely on rain water, and solar power. But it's a hide-away! Who cares about the stuff that we need to survive in a town or city?

Stove on burning firewood boiling essential drinking water for the Indonesian workers living on the oil palm plantation site

Primitive but rustic timber 2-storey living quarters/ hide away

We get there like 7pm and started 2 fires using firewood picked from the ground and some charcoal. The boys have their fun trying to light the fire and keep it going. They cook up a storm of the usual chicken wing, steak, lamb meat. I get my wish list granted by Jason when he serves me a steak meat and papaya.

And the curry chicken and bread is to die for......

All simple stuff at a local BBQ. Nothing stands out but it is fun for the boys.

Boys trying to look busy and useful

And we even go to the beach some 200 m away for good measure and dip our feet in the South China Sea.

A bit of harmless card game after supper

BINTULU AIR SCOUT OPEN TROOP

BINTULU AIR SCOUTS OPEN TROOP held its inaugural meeting 2 November 2010 @ Beverly Hills Estate, Bintulu.

The meeting was held to call for the set up of the B.A.S. Open Troop and to form a Pro tem committee for that purpose.

Sarawak Assistant Chief Scout

The agenda - to form B.A.S. Open Troop for the advancement of the Air Scout movement

Flight Instructors Capt. Miraz and Capt. Ravee

Sudaryo, Looi, Kaswady and Bintulu Assistant Regional Scout Commissioner Samri

Izuandy, Mathilda and Bintulu District Scout Commissioner Janudin

The group was honored by the presence of Sarawak State Assistant Chief Scout (Air Scouts) Surdayo, and Assistant Regional Scout Commissioner, Bintulu, Samri Suhaili; and other dedicated scout leaders.

A historic decision was reached that night to pursue the formation of B.A.S. Open Troop with the expressed intention of involving young scouts from all over Bintulu and Sarawak to participate in the air scout movement and to be a useful member of the society.

BINTULU - SIBU - MUKAH - BINTULU

Captain Miraz allowed me to fly his plane on this nav.

I really enjoyed it although my rusty skills showed! I know my motor skills can only improve from now on. The main thing was I needed the fix!!!!!

MIRI 23 & 24 October 2010

After 6 weeks in Bintulu I just had to get away! So Miri was a convenient place to go to; 205 km away, paved roads, do-able in a weekend. It felt like the right thing to do......... Still does!

Miraz's Jeep was the ultimate vehicle.... bone-jarring when it was driven over the paved, yet uneven roads. One stretch was a killer. Not sure if it was a 20km or 30 km section; but it was enough to have to "ride the bumps" whenever the Jeep went over the humps and rolled with the uneven roads. OMG. It was as bad as flying through turbulence......

Who lives here?

Pitstop

We have to piss in the South China Sea to show our respect. Awesome!

Gwen is from the Philippines

Pitstop

The Jeep needs some fuel. RM120 each way?

Lutong Boat Club

Pitstop. Kilkeeny.

Anyway Miraz had a great deal at The Imperial Palace, very affordable and comfy, brand new.

So we stuffed ourselves mad with dim sum (can't get proper dimmies @ Bintulu), steaks + Penfolds 407, an Oyster Bay on the BYO back to Bintulu for Sunday night dinner (ha ha), plus other nick nacks.

Oh yes, we shopped too. Bought a bunch of T shorts because I only managed to bring 4 with me from Oz. Ha ha.

And the Lutong Boat Club was nice. Miraz's childhood friend Roger took us to the club and we enjoyed a Kilkenny and admired the lifestyle of the expats there.

Miri, I won't go there again if I have to take the road trip!!!!!

Next stops................. Kuching, KK, and Labuan...........................

DOMAINE CHANDON

LONG TIME FRIEND Sow Hon and his son Wenguang came visiting from Singapore. I took them out to the Yarra Valley, only about 25km from our home one Wednesday afternoon in late August. It was still Winter and we had some chilly winds that day. We popped into this small winery for a quick bite. Then we found my favourite winery, Domaine Chandon; with its nice architecture and cellar.

We also popped into Yerring Station where SH bought his favorite wines.

Isn't this beautiful? Winter can be beautiful to look at

Lovely Victorian architecture building @ Domaine Chandon