Working Across Borders

It's been over a month since my last post.  Am happy to report that things are moving at a relatively smooth clip.

But first, a rant.  We had some delays in April and early May due to inclement weather, which prevented the backhoe from doing its work many a day.  Once the sun decided to cooperate the banks didn't.  Thanks to Malaysia's ultra-efficient Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (Malaysian Companies Commission), our company records were not updated, which caused some two weeks of to-ing and fro-ing with the banks and the Company Secretary and the like.  Believe me, having money but no way to access your bank account due to a technicality is really annoying!

Hopefully, it's now all sorted out!  We begin work on our foundation this coming week.  Even the pool has been concreted and is sitting still until it is time to tile it once we are nearing completion of the whole project.

Meanwhile, I have been busy wading through suppliers of various kinds - linen, toiletries, web, software, you name it.....  While it's all been rather fun in a way, there have been moments when I wished things moved faster and people were just that much more efficient.  But hey, all in a day's work!

We've also been busy doing the groundwork for the interior design.  While it is all still preliminary, I think things are shaping up quite nicely.  One thing's for sure, this resort is turning out to be a cross-border project of epic proportions LOL!  Architecturally, it was designed predominantly remotely - with me in KL and the architect in Langkawi.  The logos are being done here in KL as is the interior design. Restaurant menu being put together between Perth and KL, staff uniforms designed in Melbourne and a cocktail menu also being put together in Melbourne itself.  The good thing is, with technology, most of it is being done via phone/e-mail/Skype, without the need for folks to fly to and fro too much :-)

By the way, all the folks mentioned in all these places are Malaysian or Malaysian-born.  So if you like what you will eventually see at La Pari-Pari, it's all homegrown talent that put it together :-)

I'll introduce you all to the characters involved in due course.  We're a motley crew but an enthusiastic one :-)

Cross your fingers, and I hope to meet some of you come 2012.

Ground Is Broken!

It's done folks!  We are finally really on our way!

On Sunday, April 3rd, we began construction of our little swimming pool.  I never thought I'd be so thrilled to see a hole in the ground!  It was both exciting and still a little scary at the same time.  After so long, I almost can't believe we have finally come to this stage.

I have always said I am a lucky girl with a charmed life.  And this weekend was no different.  My loved ones were there with me, some having flown in just for the occasion, including Kaeden, my sister's son who was with my sister Karen and I when we made our first trip out to Langkawi in search of a bed and breakfast.

Back then, he was a wee five-month old baby.

In May this year, he turns a precocious four.

Even Mother Nature was generous with her gifts.  Prior to us going to Langkawi this past weekend, it had been raining cats and dogs.  But I arrived on Saturday to the smiling sun and bright blue skies.  The morning of the groundbreaking, we were also gifted with the presence of a Large-Tailed Nightjar (thank you Wendy for identifying the bird) who was sitting quietly on a bed of dry leaves.

According to Wendy, it is rare that these birds stay still enough for anyone to get a good close-up photograph.  We later found out why....

Can you spot her two babies?  (Hint, they are in the lower right-hand corner)

We were all a little worried that the construction work might injure her and her babies.  Thankfully, she moved them away shortly after to, I presume, a much safer spot.

For more photos, visit our Facebook page.

.... And, we're off!!!

Finally, after three-and-a-half years since we began our journey, we will begin construction on April 3rd, which also, coincidentally, will mark my 42nd birthday.

I can't think of a better birthday present from the universe than this.

While this is something we have looked forward to for quite a while now, it has also been something that seemed on some days unattainable.  And I am glad that my tiny slivers of self-doubt have finally been conquered.

Now that the day draws near, I vacillate between being excited, hopeful and a little scared.

But I know it will all be more than okay in the end :-)

To those of you who have joined us on this journey so far, a big thank you.  While many of you may not think your contributions have been much, your presence alone on this blog and our Facebook page, plus the comments you've left have all served to feed our belief in this project's ability to come alive.

Cross your fingers, folks.  Hopefully, we will open our doors before the end of this year.