Miaw Miaw si-Kuching

10 October 2010. Birdie is back.



I flew flew flew… like the beautiful Hornbill and reached the city of miaw miaw. KUCHING!

Okay! You might be wondering why the “miaw miaw bit”; a little language class - in Malay language, kucing means Cat thus Kuching is known as Cat City BUT I doubt it is because it’s cat inhabitant (didn’t see much too). It is actual famous for crocodile, orang utan and other Borneo animal which most of them close to extinction (Quick! Make a trip there fast!).

As it wasn’t a holiday trip hence I didn’t manage to roam around in Sarawak. Upon arriving I catch up with Kak Elvy and family (they transferred from Chiang Mai to Kuching, and obviously not that happy about it - I do agree with them here). Unfortunately for us the whole day was raining, so we just lepak (chill) at her house and eat and eat and eat (and played badminton). Only later at night we went out for dinner in town, that’s when I had my very first Sarawak Laksa. Yum yum.

HOWEVER, (yup… here’s the best part) I did manage to squeeze one day to walk (YUP! WALK, found out cab is kinda expensive here) around town, sad to say; most of the shop were close. Those that open did manage to make me part with my dollars though (good persuader).

To be fair, the Heritage Walk is very small PLUS most of the museums and shops were close, so; not much for me to share (good excuse for revisit!). I took a free shuttle from the hotel to Waterfront and took a stroll at the esplanade.

2 buildings that caught my attention was obviously the Astana and Dewan Undangan Negeri.

One can actually take a boat across but… lazy lar. Next trip when am on HOLIDAY mode perhaps.

Sooo… this lazy bump (referring to me of cause) decided to cross the street and go shopping instead. Hahhaaa…. Smart right? I know you'll agree with me.

You see, the great thing about states located in Borneo island (3 countries namely: Sabah & Sarawak belongs to Malaysia, Kalimantan belongs to Indonesia and one of the riches country - Brunei) is that the native/aborigines handicraft is unique and beautiful.

And this time around I shop with a purpose, jeng jeng jeng (my sound effect)…. I plan to do a give away on my next blog of things from Kuching and I hope to get something of it’s famous beads and Pua Kumbu design made famous by the Iban tribe (Sea Dayak). Nope! Not giving the guitar!

I walked around the India Street and saw a unique mosque located on a very small lane. Hemmm… Interesting.

Oh! This one was an eye-opening for me. Am sure it’s also available in other part of the world but let’s just let me brag abit huh :P. I saw the first KFC (I was very hungry and looking for food) in Sarawak run by speech & hearing impaired. WOW! Ordering was more of pointing to the menu, and they are super friend, dedicated and passionate. Oh! And by the way, it’s also a 24hrs outlet, provide FREE Wifi, serves Halal food (of cause lar) and accept credit cards. Changgih nye...

The I walked to 1874 Kuching courthouse and decided to snap a few pics.

Realized that wedding couples love taking pics here too.

Saw another wedding couple photo shot at the Post Office, spot the photographer?

Then of cause, if there’s India Street, there would definitely be Chinatown right?!

I was tired by then and decided to focus on buying a few kain pelikat (sarong/2mtr cloth) for my relatives from Indonesia (souvenirs when I visit them in January next year). Hemm... I seems to like almost every piece that the sales lady recommended. Argh…. Choices choices choices. Finally! These are the few I’ve selected. Hope they loike it!

:D

Got my darling sis this ring and her “I heart Kuching” shirt.

Mommy asked me to buy the famous Kek Lapis Sarawak ie Sarawak Layered Cake. Apparently the flavour, colour, design and recipe is very very different and it is unique to this state only. Bought for her 3 rolls!

Me? Got meself fridge magnets… yeay! Not only that, gotten all major tribe magnets of Sarawak! Super proud this little collection.



Watch this blog for my give-away from Land of Hornbill - Sarawak.

Hyperlink credits : Wikipedia, Virtualtourist