My trip to Kuching is quite unexpected actually. It was not in my 2011 resolution but since Mom belanja the airtickets, apa lagi...
Since this is my first time in Kuching, frankly I was like a kid who went to a funfair for the first time. My Nikon was clicking all the time that I think I am the reincarnation of the 90s tourist who have a large camera hanging from the neck, wearing shorts and fisher hats. Judging from my attire, I think I am like tourist from the 90s era.
Upon arriving at Kuching International Airport, my family and I were greeted by our driver/tour guide, Mr. Jeffery (I didn't get his last name). He is friendly and quite talkative; he cajoles us with his local insights about interesting places in Kuching. Not only that, he enlightened me with his views about the people, the city and of course, many things that made me ponder about my own hometown.
Us greeted by Mr Jeffery at the airport.
The steel hornbill greeting us at Kuching! We've arrived!!
So, we boarded his van and checked in our hotel i.e. Furama Apartments. It's unlike the usual hotels that I was so used to staying but it was good enough for a place to sleep. No Astro, old-fashioned airconds, cigarette smells permeated the air..it's clean though - at first glance, I was quite surprised with the state of the room and the amenities but after a couple of hours, I was content because within minutes, we have the Waterfront, three shopping complexes, India Street and a multitude of eateries available. It's also near one of the warisan here which is the Tua Peck Gong Temple. The room rate is quite cheap but I think you'll do better with Tune Hotel if you're looking for a cheap and chic place to stay. Honestly, I appreciate the geographical location of the motel hotel, so about the lack of amenities, I pandang mata sebelah sejalah. In fact, Mum mentioned that "kita bikin tidur seja bah ni...biarlah...rugi ja bayar hotel mahal-mahal..." Mmm, bah.
Not long after we checked in, we went out to look for lunch. The food here is quite cheap compared to KK but somehow I missed that Sabahan hospitality we get once we sat on the restaurant chair. Tourist jitters kot? After lunch, we went on foot to the Kuching Waterfront.
The shops opposite the Waterfront. I really love the antiquities of the shops.
More shops...trust me, you will be spoiled for choice if you want to shop for souvenirs!
The picture of a boy and his friend playing "singa" is my fave shot of the trip. Cute kan?
A couple of hours later, it rained in Kuching. So we immediately seek shelter at the Waterfront's mini amphitheater (or so I think, it looks like a mini theater minus the screen!). But that does not dampen my photog spirit...here's me, my cousin Kyrise and Nikon singing (or camwhoring) in the rain...
The RM60 per head (for adults) boat ride. If RM60 x 8 adults = mahal juga oh...
The Astana, where I think (if I'm not mistaken) Rajah Brooke stayed once.
My cousin. Kyrise learning her history.
The temple which is a few minutes away from our hotel.
The second day, I finally got a taste of the famous Kuching Laksa at Chinatown. It's GOOOODDDD!!!! I even tried the Wan Tan Soup...yummy!! Only one regret though, I didn't get to taste the ayam penyet...eiii...tapun-tapun!!
The Kuching Laksa (or what is left of it...in loving gastronomic memory)
After breakfast, Mr Jeffery brought us to the Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Selatan building to see the pictorial museum within.
One big family in the van.
Left to right: My cousin, Gabriel and wifey, Salvia; yours truly, Mom, my cousin, Albie; Aunt Kipilen, my grandma, my cousin Eter and Kyrise; and my Aunt Katrin and Uncle Roy.
We then proceed to the building entrance. At the entrance, as the rest of my family members were busy taking pictures, there was a man asking me in Mandarin, from which place are we from. Maybe dia tingu kami semua macam sokidon sana :P
So, I replied in the best huayu (huayi) I can...women Shaba lai!! Then, the man animatedly gestured and pointed and spoke in Mandarin again about the pictorial museum inside the building. Then, another man (who was there standing at the top of the stairs all along) asked again about where we came from. So, I told him (in English this time) that we're from Sabah and most of us are from Tenom. He enquired about Tenom and I explained to him that Tenom is one of the interior districts in Sabah. Then, I also told him that we were on a family trip. As I told him about my family, my grandma came towards me. I introduced her to him and he looked so happy to meet her. Then, Mr Jeffery exclaimed that he is the Mayor of Kuching South! Woah...we were so lucky to meet the Mayor himself!! Even Mr Jeffery told us that he himself never met the mayor in person and our family "ada hong"!
After a quick photo with the Mayor, we went in the museum. I couldn't help but think wouldn't it be nice if our city council would have a museum like this within its walls.
That's us fooling around with one of the exhibits.
Learning about the Rajahs.
So, have you registered yer bikes?? I wonder where do our ancestors paste these manilacard forms? Interesting...
Kyrise didn't finish her comments in the guestbook, so I helped her.
One more thing that I like at the Kuching South City Council was its mini garden or parks. Love the landscaping!
After that, we went to hunt for the infamous Kek Lapis Sarawak. Our tour guide then brought us to Dayang Salhah's Kek Lapis shop to buy those delectable goodies.
There was a massive crowd inside the shop. Luckily they were not hungry mobs. There's one voluptuous auntie who shoved me just because she wanted to eat a sample of Kek Lapis Oreo. Even told me to "MOVE IT". Dei, I was sandwiched between two other big aunties and they were hogging the "intimate" space, so how am I supposed to move out of her way? If I were her, I would help myself to the nearest samples there. It tastes the same also what?
After Kek Lapis Shop, we went on to Kuching North City Council which houses the Cat Museum. Mucho kawaii!!!
A family of...err, cats?
Among the displays in the Cat Museum.
Me and Kyrise posing in front of the city council building.
Since Mom and her sisters are avid fans of pottery, Mr Jeffery brought us to a pottery shop and mini factory about 20minutes from the city. I didn't fancy pottery so all I did was take candid snapshots of everyone. And looking at the pictures, I think I can take one or two as PLBS photos or ABMs.
Mom and aunt interested in pottery making and designing.
How's this for ABM? Okay students, what do you see here? ^__^
Me and grandma taking a breather. Luckily the seat didn't break because I am heavy!!
Me and Kyrise fooling around to pass time at the pottery shop while our mothers are spending more than half an hour choosing little vases to bring home.
After lunch, we went to Jong's Crocodile Farm! At first we wanted to pass this place because "di Tenom pun ada buaya" according to grandma. She was referring to a crocodile at Kg.Simpangan, Tenom. But since our driver insisted that the buaya in Sabah and Sarawak is different, we obliged. After all, this is Bujang Senang's place.
One of the crocs sleeping next to the gate. I chickened out watching them and this photo was taken by Kyrise. There were other animals there like otters, rabbits, snakes (ihhh...geliiiii) and many more.
After the visit to the crocodile farm, we spend the rest of the day shopping at The Spring. I was not into buying clothes, so I searched for MPH there. I found four books and got the whole lot!!
Books by authors I adore. Yes, I am a bookaholic. Sue me.
The next day were spent with more retail adventure at India Street looking for Batik Sarawak. Oh, we also went for movies at Medan Pelita and Riverside. My cousins and I also got the most expensive taxi ride ever - RM15 for a less than 5 minutes ride! It was raining heavily after the movie...damn it.
Taking a quick shot at the waterfront...again.
Here's a glimpse of India Street. There are a lot of shops here, too.
So, basically that's all about my family trip to Kuching. Hope you enjoy my post!!
