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.

Outings

Mon 31 Mar 2025

We went to Taman Kinabalu to pick up the Chen family for dim sum lunch at East West. Orh jian (oyster omelette), siu mai, har kau, Tuaran mee and chicken porridge were some of the items we had for our delicious lunch.

With uncle Chen and aunty Linda

Tues 1 Apr 2025

We went to the Ark to pick up aunty Su Lee for lunch at the Club. Sweet and sour pork, brinjal and tenggiri fish was ready when aunty Kim arrived. She is still coping with the loss of uncle Charlie and I think it would be good for her to go out and meet up with friends. 

We heard about the 2 sets of Beaufort twins within 2 years story again. Aunty Kim had her stories about travelling to Hyderabad and London, and the search for a nursing home for her friend. Both ladies were chatting away and I had to interject as it was past 2 PM and is past the time to send aunty Su Lee back to the Ark.

With aunty Su Lee and aunty Kim

Wed 16 Apr 2025

Bikia was back since Monday. We went out for early lunch at Bornion and decided to try the Vietnamese pho noodle and Sarawak Laksa. Three bowls of noodles and 1 kopi ping costs RM50, a bit more pricey than expected.

Lunch at Vina Bun

Dinner at home consisting of vegetable, tau foo and salmon

Sat 19 Apr 2025

We were back at the Club for lunch consisting of nasi lemak, watan hor followed by Kit Kat chocolate and carrot cake for dessert. 

 

Wed 23 Apr 2025

We went to the airport to pick up Beh Ling at 8 pm. On the way home, we drop by Haru cafe for yam and sweet potato latte with omelette and croissant. 

Omelette and latte drinks 

Thur 24 Apr 2025

We were at the Club for lunch. 

Wed 30 Apr 2025

We were invited to Dr. Senthuran’s birthday celebration at Hoo Yuan restaurant.

L-R: Spencer, Margaret, Doreen, Dr. Senthuran, Tan Wah Koon, Adeline, KC Wong

March Birthday Celebration

Fri 14 Mar 2025

7th uncle took papa and aunt Didi (4th aunty) out for bah kut teh breakfast and Japanese lunch. They also visited 7th uncle’s house.

Breakfast at Telok Pulai Bakuteh, Taman Rahsna, Klang

(L-R) 4th aunty, papa, 7th uncle, aunty Jessie

Sat 15 Mar 2025

Met Beh Ling at Subang Jaya LRT station and we took Grab to Botanic Garden. We were in Klang for aunt Didi’s 70th birthday dinner celebration at Hao Xiang Chi. 

We had 3 private rooms and dinner was sumptuous. The APT song was a crowd favourite at Max’s table but was not Kimberly’s favourite. Chatted with Yi Ling as we were seated together.

(L-R) 4th uncle, 4th aunty, 2nd aunty, 2nd aunty-in-law, 7th aunty-in-law, 2nd uncle (seated), 7th uncle, Dad, 6th uncle, 3rd uncle, 8th uncle

(L-R) Pei Pei, 2nd aunty's eldest son, 3rd aunty's eldest son (Wee Ting) & wife, Yi Ling, 4th uncle's twin sons, me, 4th aunty, Beh Ling (seated), 6th uncle's daughter and son, Kimberly

(L-R) 4th uncle's youngest son, second aunty's 3 granddaughers (2 in hats are 2nd son's daughter & 1 standing is 1st son's daughter), 2nd son & wife, granddaughter & boyfriend (both standing), 4th aunty, Bee Yen & husband

Seated are 4th uncle's son's (Max Lee) daughters & wife and Lan Lan (1st aunty's daughter). Standing are 4th uncle's daughter's (Jolene Lee) children

(L-R) 6th uncle, 8th uncle, 2nd aunty, 7th uncle & wife, 4th aunty, 2nd uncle & wife, 4th uncle, 3rd uncle, Dad

2nd uncle & family (Jan, Kimberly / Chia Ling) and Dad

2nd aunty & family 

3rd aunty's son & his wife 

4th uncle & family

6th uncle & family

Yi Ling, aunt Jessie, 7th uncle & aunt Didi

Second aunty and aunt Didi with the hand-made 70 birthday cake

Roast chicken and pork ribs

Scallops two ways

After dinner, around 10 PM, we took Grab back to Puchong house. We slept for few hours before waking up at 4.30 AM for Beh Ling’s 5 AM Grab ride to the airport. 

Sat 22 Mar 2025

Third aunty is back from her overseas travel and met up with 4th aunty for her belated birthday celebration.

Seated: 2nd aunty, 4th aunty, 3rd aunty

Third aunty family CNY photo

Standing L-R: Wee Ting's wife, Siang Ting's daughter and wife

Seated L-R: Wee Ting, Shu Meng, 3rd aunty, Siang Ting

River & Rain

It's time for River and Rain's school year photos !

Our multi-talented River also won 5th place in the "Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design" category at the Austin Regional Science Fair.

CNY Visit

Sun 2 Feb 2025

We were at Taman Kinabalu at 12 PM for lunch with the Chen family. It has been many years (during our school days) since our last CNY visit.

Lee & Chen family