Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 4 :: PM – around town & 'Mini' Sarawak River Cruise

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 4 

Location: Sarawak River Cruise.

Weather: Fine

Transportation: my feet

PM 

Well.. since I accidentally concluded my 5th day post, I'm kinda lazy to write more for this one.. So this will be a short posting. 

One activity that is a MUST while being in Kuching is the River Cruise. There are actually few tour, depending on ur budget. The biggest boat (and the most expensive one) is obviously the most happening cruise. That one cost RM60 for an adult. This boat cruise from 5-7pm along the river to see the attractions along the way. It is a 1.5 hour trip with commentary, refreshments and a cultural show.  If u take the last cruise (around 5pm), u will be able to view the sunset overlooking Mt. Santubong. If I'm not mistaken, the same cruise is cheaper by 10% in the morning session. Well, being a cheapskate, I opt for the smaller cruise hahaha. Cost me RM20 for the 1hr journey. Not so bad although it doesnt go all the way towards the edge of the river like the bigger boat does.

Experienced enough, we had some little drama where the engine wouldn't start and the boat already drifting away from the jetty hehehe. The guide said it's due to exhaustion coz it's been the same boat cruising through out the day. Anyway, it did roared back alive after few attempt.

Last but not the least, my final dinner in Kuching. Since i'm alone, it felt awkward to eat at the foodcourt on my own. So i decided to tapau back and eat in the room while watching some movies. I went to the same restaurant before and ordered the crispy oyster omelette, 4 fat butter prawns and sayur midin. All for RM40. It could be cheaper if it's for 2 hahahaha. Anyway, this is why i said u need to be more than 1 person to totally enjoy the seafood here. *sigh*

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 5 :: AM – back to Penang

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 5 

Location: Kuching International Airport

Weather: Fine

Transportation: plane

AM 

The journey is approaching the end. It's time back to reality. My flight departure was at 9.35am so as promised the night before, my pick up was at 7am. Basically i got the chance to see how busy Kuching is during weekday. Traffic was not that bad, just a bit busy along the main road. But of course, not as busy as in KL or Penang.

Paid RM20 for the trip (this is organized 'offline' since the shuttle to airport for Tune Hotel Kuching only starts at 8am and I was afraid that it'd be too late by the time I reached KIA). Luckily it took me only 30mins for the trip. Since it's still early, there weren't many people at the counter and since I already checked-in, i just need to drop my bag before heading to the terminal.

By noon, I was out of Penang airport and straight towards PG12. The taxi there was seriously 'cekik-darah". Imagine u need to pay RM30 just for a less than 10km ride. Dang!

All in all, this trip was OK. I feel that Kuching is a very relaxed city. The people is very friendly. I definitely need to come back with a lot more people coz eating alone really sucks. I need people to eat together to enjoy (and share cost) of the seafood hahahaha :p

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 4 :: AM – Satok W'end Market

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 4 

Location: Satok W'end Market.

Weather: Fine

Transportation: kak lili's car, my feet

AM 

Today's destination is the Satok Weekend Market. I went here courtesy of kak lili's car hehehe. This place is quite far from the Waterfront so walking is not an option. You could either take a bus or take a cab to get there.

This w'end market is similar like the morning market in the Peninsular. There is a wet side (selling fresh meat, veggies and such) and the dry side (clothing, souvenirs). You can find the simplest things like onions or cabbages to pets like cats and dogs to the weirdest things (to me at least) like this yellow puff fish or the 1st time I saw a slayed stingray. i wont talk about the ray as i dont eat them as well as sharks...

Let the photos below shows how colorful it was there. If only i was living there, i swear i would buy all those fresh food and cooked myself.

Bottom right: very weird fish. not for sale though..

Top right: Ikan terubuk masin. the popular "souvenirs" here :)

Brunch at a nearby kopitiam: mee kolok and another mee which i forgot..

Went back to the hotel around 10am. Then lazing around in the room for a bit before heading out to the Waterfront searching fo lunch.

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 3 :: PM – Kg. Boyan (kek lapis hunting)

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 3 

Location: Sarawak Cultural Village & Kg. Boyan.

Weather: Fine

Transportation: my feet

PM (night)

Next destination is across Sarawak River towards Kampung Boyan (Boyan Village). To get there, it’s easy. Just take a boat at and any jetty. But do note, although there might be a signboard saying the charge is 50cents one way at day time and RM1 at night, I was charged RM1 one way. Well, I gave RM1 and the uncle never gave me my change. It’s the same on return.

 Anyway, it was really a short journey. About 5mins crossing the 500m river hahaha. Don’t worry, the boat although small IT IS sturdy. There are 2 foodcourts. The first foodcourt I walked passed was kind of packed so I went to the one further. Based on the stall names, they looked rather identical. But food can wait. My first objective being there was to get some kek lapis.

Oh ya, there are 2 kek lapis shops within the area. The first one is Kek Lapis Mira and the second one is the most famous, Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah. Mira is located by the road side so u can easily see the shop even frm across the river. Dayang Salhah is a bit further walk but u wont miss the signboard. When I was there, there was a construction right in front of the shop. So if ure lost, just ask around.

There are variety of cakes here. And I mean A LOT. Normal sweet sour layer cake (that’s the typical basic cake flavor), all the cheesy ones and the mixed taste. According to the lady at Mira, Sarawak layer cake originates from a basic cheese cake. Then they just add and mix the flavor according to their creativity. I find it quite odd coz ever since I could remember, layer cake has always been the sweet sour cake. Maybe this is just how Sarawak cake differs. Aha! Among all this, the best part is that u can try all of them hahahaha! Here’s the bad side though, after trying all the samples u might get confused :p

Price ranges from RM10 to RM40. Depends on the type, flavor and size. A tip here, there are 2 types of layer cake. They’re either made of either butter or margarine. If u want the soft, fluffy and moist-y type (but high cholesterol and fat!), go for the butter one. Margarine is quite dry.

For dinner, I went to the 2^nd foodcourt and had the local delicacies – Mee Kolok kering and the C-ping (a.k.a at Peninsular as 3 layer tea). The food there is quite cheap, about RM4 for mee kolok and RM2 for the drink. Wayyyy cheaper than dinner at the Waterfront. “cut-throat” btul la kt situ.

The day ended with the night stroll along the waterfront. Just a short walk due to my “shopping baggage”.

Next up – Satok Weekend Market.

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 3 AM :: SVC

 Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 3 
Location: Sarawak Cultural Village & Kg. Boyan.
Weather: Fine
Transportation: tour pick up, my feet

AM 

Pick up was supposed to be at 9am but the tour-person-in charge gave me a call at 8.30am asking whether I was ready. Unfortunately i just had my shower so he said he'll go and pick up others first. Turn out, i was the last one to board. And lucky me, since I was alone, I can sit next to the driver : )

Anyway, it took us about 30mins to reach our destination, Sarawak Cultural Village (SVC). SVC is located at the base of Mount Santubong, 35km from Kuching Town. The tour price : SVC RM80 for return transportation and adult entrance ticket. But if u go separately, ticket price for adult is RM60/ kids 6-12yrs RM30. I read somewhere that u can get discount if u buy from tour agent, hence I dont really know how much is my actual ticket price. 

On our way there, we past by Kuching River, Petra Jaya, Samariang and towards Santubong. From far, I could see the legendary Mount Santubong and Mount Sejinjang. If ure Malaysian, u may know of the famous Princess Santubong and Princess Sejinjang song.

"Oh……Puteri Santubong,

Sejinjang sayang,

Kisah lama, Zaman mensia maya.

Puteri Santubong, Puteri Sejinjang,

Penjaga gunung Negeri Sarawak,

Manis sik ada dapat dilawan,

Anak dak Dewa turun kayangan.

Oh……

Santubong puteri bertenun kain malam,

Oh……

Sejinjang puteri menumbuk padi siang.

Satu hari nya dua kelahi,

Beranuk anuk sik renti-renti,

Seorang madah dirik bagus agik,

Seorang sik ngalah walau sampai ke mati.

Udah lejuk nya duak kelahi,

Lalu bertukuk nya duak puteri,

Sejinjang mengayun aluk ke pipi,

Tebik Santubong sampai gituk ari.

Tapi Santubong membalas juak,

Lalu ditikam batang belidak,

Sampei terkena Sejinjang kepala,

Lalu bertabor jadi Pulo Kera.

Kisah Santubong, kisah Sejinjang,

Asal berkawan jadi musuhan,

Kinik tuk tinggal jadi kenangan,

Pakei ingatan sepanjang zaman."

Generally, the legend goes around of the fight between 2 very close princess. There are of course, a lot of version for this folks' legend. I wont explain it all so u can read it here.  The scenery along the way was beautiful. Green and calm, I would say.

What i see along the way.. 

fm top left CW: Tune hotel, pass by old DUN, Mt Santubong, Mt Sejinjang

Back to SVC, this place has a lot to see. There are all the local ethnics home such as Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, as well as other minor tribes. I won't ramble here as the main SVC website already explained in detailed as to what are there to visit. But do take not, altho the entry on SVC is short, this is a MUST-GO place when ure in Kuching. It's the easies and simplest way of understanding who Sarawak are made of. 

 the entrance and the map

 Some of the local houses. U can climb, eat and try a lot of stuff in there :)

ok, the guy in the middle photo is very famous. if u watch the ads in TV, u'll recognise his face hehe. i only noticed him once i was back fm the trip

Apart frm visiting these houses and trying out their respecive delicacies, u must watch their cultural show. There are 2 cultural shows per day (11.30am and 4pm, each for 45mins) and during school holidays, an additional show will be available.

By the time I finished walking and having my own tour, I had around 30mins before the van picked us up. So I bought some banana fritters (very nice, price wise same like in Kulim) and coconut drink. Actually, Damai beach was just a stone throw away but the hot weather just turned me off to go for a stroll there. I was content with my fritters, coconut drink under the shades at the shuttle bay hehehe

Well, I was dropped off last at Tune around 3pm. PM journey to be continued after 2+ hrs of "nap".

Sarawak Cultural Village
Pantai Damai, Santubong,
93752 Kuching,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tel: (6082) 846 411
Fax: (6082) 846 988
Email: enquiry@scv.com.my
Website: http://www.scv.com.my

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 2 :: Night

 Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 2 
Location: Taman Kereta & Kuching Waterfront.
Weather: Fine
Transportation: my feet

PM (night)

At 7.30pm, I head to the nearby Kuching Central cafe to meet a friend from Malaysian Backpacker Club (MBC) for dinner. Kak Lielie said dinner was with her kids and I honestly thought that her kids mean schooling kids (since she looks quite young in her profile photo), so meeting her and her daughter kinds of confirmed that. But I was surprised that the rest of her kids were already waiting at a table in the foodcourt (Taman Kereta). Turned out that her daughter is the youngest of 4 and already 15 hahaha! Surprisingly more, she is already a grandma since 2 of his elder boys are already married. From 3 of us then became 7 adults + 1 kid. 

Menu for dinner were butter prawn, sotong msk kicap halia, ambel msk cili padi, pucuk midin goreng belacan, sup sayur gamat, sayur campur --> ~rm150.. murah kaannnnn???? last time I ate seafood with 2 mates cost us RM100. Unfortunately no photos of our food.. Once arrived, trus mkn. lapooo.. (altho the real reason was that I was kind of shy to take photo hehehe).

Dinner wrapped up around 9pm. Kak Lielie had to leave earlier to meet up with her tenants (she got few rooms being rented out). Since it was still early (considering i already had a nap earlier), I decided to take a stroll again along the river. Bought few porceline cats and a beaded anklet for myself in the night market there. Few snaps here and there. Of course, not many pics of yours truly since it's a solo trip.

Stopped by a local playing musical instrument. The string music really fits the atmosphere. Honestly, I could just sit there and people-watching with this kind of background music. The ambience was calm.



All in all, I think I don't mind if I were to move to Kuching. I like the feeling. Very nice people so far and satisfying dinner but I need more seafooddd!~

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 2 :: PM - afternoon

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 2 
Location: Semenggoh Orang Utan Sanctuary
Weather: Drizzling
Transportation: Jeep

PM (evening)

Pick up from the hotel was 1.30pm but I received a call at 1.15pm. Went down to the lobby and saw the uncle. Quite surprised since we're going via an SUV. He said since there're only 7 of use, this is easier. I was the first one to be picked so I sat in front :)

Journey to the sanctuary took around 30mins. Basically, there are 2 feeding time - 9am and 3pm so we're in time to watch few orang utans eating at the front area before going to the main feeding platform. This platform is only open for an hour during the feeding time, so PM session is 3-4pm. Do take note that these orang utans are wild orang utan and the Center is set in the jungle with no boundaries for these mammals. They come and go as they're pleased.

It's crucial to follow the rangers instructions I won't go into the details of the center as I have provided the link below. But I was quite excited to see these fellas in their natural habitat. Around 3, one of the rangers called out with fruits on the platform. Basically he simply yelled "Ooii! Ooiii!!" hehehe. No one showed up for the next 20mins. Maybe it's the weather as it started to drizzled (luckily the trees are quite thick so we the visitors won't get wet. If it's too heavy, there is a hut provided.

Anyway, a female orang utan named Lela was the first to come. She pretty much conquored all the food. I could see that a lot of people started leaving around 3.30pm since no other orang utan showed up. I decided to talked to the ranger asking if it is usually like this (not many orang utans showed up) if it's raining and he said yes. Pretty much depends on the weather. I was facing him with the feedingn platform behind my back. As I was taking, I saw trees far in front of me started moving so I told him. Guess what, it's the arrival of the big boss "Ritchie". He's the eldest and biggest among all the orang utans here. From the way the tree bend, I could tell that he's huge. But it didnt prepare me of the actual living being. saying HUGE is really an understatement. He's as tall as the ranger but the width is 3x :p Since he came from the back, Ritchie has to came across our viewing platform so we humans have to gv way to him.. When Ritchie reached the feeding platform, few more came but they all just snatched the fruits and ate while hanging away from him hahaha.

Well, because of him, I was the last one from our group to reached back to the jeep :) No pics from the Semenggoh Signboard since that area is in contruction for the new bridge towards the center.

Cost: Tour to Semenggoh Sanctuary RM40 (entrance fee + transportation)
http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-nr-semenggoh.html

Full photo album of Day 2 here

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 2 :: AM

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 2 
Location: Kuching Waterfront & Little India
Weather: Fine
Transportation: my feet

After googling that my destination today opens up early in the morning, I started my day early (early lah sgt --> 10-ish). So let me separate the day to 3 sections : AM, PM - afternoon, evening.

AM

The day before, I decided to take 2 tours while being here. With tips from a friend in the backpackers group in fb, I found a tour agent at the Grand Margherita Hotel. Of course, they're the 2 must-go places if u come to Kuching = Cultural Village and Semenggoh Orang Utan Sanctuary. So this afternoon, the Sanctuary would be the place. Morning was allocated to the most critical part of the trip --> CAMERA CHARGER HUNTING.

Bread for bfast then off to the Waterfront. Kuching Waterfront was in the midle of preparing for their Annual Regatta in the coming week. Along the stroll, u'll see Fort Margherita and Astana across the river. Along the way, u'll pass by the Chinese Museum, James Brooke Bistro and Kuching Main Bazaar; all in parallel with Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Main Bazaar. Oh, not forgotting the 3D mural painting of the old folks "Sang kancil dan Buaya" about how the smart-a** of a mousedeer fooled a group of crocodiles in order to cross the river w/o being eaten.

Otw to the Little India, I passed by the Old Court House. I'm not sure if the courthouse is still functioning though. Further walk along Jalan Gambir finally I managed to bought a temporary charger. Quite relieved, i started to snap photos hehehe. Well, the Little India here is a bit different than Penang's and KL's Little India. There weren't a lot of Indian's stuff. More of Malay-muslim items on sale. Bought Honey Sugarcane Drink to quinch my thirst and browsed around. And hey, there is no such thing as window-shopping so I packed up with new belt and 9 pairs of pants for my mum hahaha.

My lunch was a hard pau. So, DON'T BUY the PAUs sold by the shop along Jln Barrack (facing the side of the Old Court House). Look can be deceiving.

Full photo album of Day 2 here

Kuching, Sarawak Trip 2012 - Day 1

Date: 6 (Thursday) -10 (Monday) Sept 2012

Day 1
Weather: Raining
Transportation: AirAsia - shuttle van

The trip started off in 'kelam-kabut' mode. Almost cancelled it as I couldn't find my passport (although now I know that I could go with just IC to Borneo). With just 3 hours of sleep, I left Kulim around 4am and reached PG12 at 4.45am. Waited few minutes for Zaiedan to get out of the lab and sent me to Penang Airport. Dropped my bag and just sat for bfast at McD before going into the terminal at around 6.30am. Penang Airport just finished its exterior renovation so the internal area was very much still in construction.

Flight boarded and left in time despite of the heavy rain around 7.10am (kire aci la +/- 5mins).

Reached Kuching Intl Airport around 9am. After waited for the son of an aunt I met on the plane to pick up his mother, I walked out of the door and looked for Tune Hotel shuttle van but couldn't find it. When I called the hotel, they asked me to find the appointed travel agent 
(can't remember the name) over the car rentals area.

Actually, u have 2 options to go to the hotel/city area. 

1- take a cab (1 cab = RM26 /way)
2- take the hotel shuttle (in my case, Tune hotel) which cost RM10 BUT it's for minimum of 2 pax.

Since I was alone, the shuttle was the best option. Unlucky for me, there weren't anyone else going the same way. Actually there was, but by the time the agent came they already left for the cab. Silly me for telling that cab is cheaper for the 4 of them!

Anyway, on the way to the hotel, the driver (???) asked me when is my flight back and he responded that the earliest the shuttle depart fm the hotel is 8am which was too late for my 9.30am flight. So he offered to send me on Monday for the same price. Ok-lah since I know it'll be just me like that day. He also told me he's free the next day so if I want, he could bring me around for the area outside of Kuching (promoting tourist guide la ni..). I just told him I'll gv him a call if I need him as I haven't really planned my itenary yet.

So, I reached Tune Hotel at 10am. Since check in is at 2pm, I walked around to survey the area. I was actually in search of a camera shop since I didn't bring my charger (couldn't find it in time) Hence, the lack of photo. Went to Tun Jugah and Riverside Mall. For some reason, most of the shop was not yet open for business.

Well, I ended up buying a SE handsfree instead (my God, I left a lot of things! Lenkali xleh last minute packing and being in the midst of moving houses didn't help either).

Back to the hotel, I called in for the daily meeting at 1pm and later checked in at 1.45pm. The receptionist told me I could check in at 1.30 but i was in the middle of the meeting, so I told them to wait forst.

Dropped my bag in, snapped some photos of the room and... zZzZzZzzzzz :)

original plan was for 2pax but my ex-housemate couldn't go, so it turned out to be a solo trip.

The bed was super comfy that I only woke up around 8pm (qada' my 5 hrs of sleep!) hahaha. Not much photo since I was saving the battery until I bought a charger. So for night time, I just walked around the Waterfront to see how the view was. Had my dinner by the river, very $$$.

the famous Cat Status in front of Tun Jugah Mall

Thai Fried Rice - this version with crunchy salted fish. 

spellbound..

"I don't think I can laugh anymore. I am very tired. I am not happy. Not the least bit happy. I will have to live this lifetime all alone. Maybe if I die no-one will even know. What kind of a man will love me? All of you ask me if I'm lonely. I said I'm not. I said I am happy being alone. But how can I not be lonely? There are days when I don't even say a single word. I don't even know if I am alive. Why do I always say that I am happy, that I am fine? Because if I don't do that I might go crazy, feel like I'm about to die. I do yearn for happiness. I also want to laugh. I also want to be happy...to have happiness."

atam

lately i'm tired of everything..

so that's my excuse for lacking of updates....

i don't know what's the date for today, but i do know it's ww20.1

bz.. bzz... bzzz...


can't wait for my upcoming trip.
i need a break.


Krabi, here i come.
KNC, i'm leaving u for a week. don't be naughty~


p/s: at the same time, stress pk trip bln 9 nnt cmne.. pegi x pegi x pegi x...

Wordless Wednesday 3..

crocs addict - part 2

nah... my collection

crocs addict

i have 9. soon to be 10...


mksdnyer ape???