Trip to Kuching

Fri 25 Apr 2025

It was not ideal but our Kuching flight was retimed from 12.50 PM to 6 PM, to 11 PM and finally to 11.40 PM. We arrived at the airport on time and surprisingly the flight was full. I guess everyone else were also looking forward to the weekend trip to Kuching.

Firefly flight

At Kuching Airport, we waited for a few minutes for our Grab ride and arrived at Riverside Suite just before 2 AM.

Sat 26 Apr 2025

Bikia and papa went out at 7 AM to get breakfast.

After breakfast of Sarawak laksa and kolo mee, we went to the Borneo Culture Museum. We thought we would be there for only an hour. Turned out to be close to 2 hours.  

Objects of Desire exhibit

Burial poles

Gift shop

We decided to have lunch at the Museum restaurant which had fancy soft shell crab burger and egg Benedict.

Pretty bags

After cake and drinks at the Suite, Beh Ling and I went to the Hills. We were back on time for 6.45 PM pick-up by Stephen Lau for dinner at Sarawak Club. Stephen (72, starting pay was 1000, take home pay 884 and could afford 2 maids) was friendly and chatty. Dr. Kang (78 years old, living alone, widow), Paul Chew and 3 other people were waiting for us when we arrived. Dishes ordered by Dr. Kang were tomato kuey teow, midin (Sarawak fern), toufoo, chicken, prawns, bitter gourd with salted egg and vegetable. The food was good. Beh Ling gave gifts to them to thank them for dinner. 

Kuching tomato wantan ho 

Salted egg bitter gourd

Standing: Paul Chew (3rd from left), Stephen Lau (2nd from right)

Seated: Dr. Kang (2nd from left)

Stephen sent us to the waterfront and we caught the 9.30 PM light and sound show. It was about 800m back to the Suite and we took a few more photos along the way. 

Old Courthouse

Waterfront

Back at the Suite, Beh Ling applied henna on my hair to colour it. Had my shower at 12 midnight and we went to sleep at 12.30. 

Sun 27 Apr 2025

We walked to nearby Choon Hui coffee shop for breakfast. We found out from Dhayal later that day that this place was recommended by Anthony Bourdain. The porridge, Sarawak laksa, kolo mee, popiah and chicken feet were good. 

After breakfast, we went for walkabout at Chinatown where Beh Ling bought her pepper gifts. We took Grab to the Hills as Beh Ling wanted to get more gift items. Back at the Suite, we took our shower, finished our packing and left at 11.45. 

We went to CityOne for lunch at the Shangri La restaurant. Dhayal greeted us and we put our bags in his car. Uncle Bala, aunty Rey and Dhayal's children - Inid, Inesh, Ina were waiting for us. His wife Amita joined us later. Lunch consisted of brinjal, toufoo, pork, roast duck, steamed fish and pancake dessert. 

(L-R) Uncle Bala, aunty Rey, Beh Ling, Inesh, papa, Ina, Bikia, Amita, Dhayal, Inid

We were invited to Dhayal's spacious house and we had delicious cakes from Commons, Courthouse. He sent us to the airport at 4.30, a short drive from his house. This time our flight was on time, unlike our flight into Kuching.