Sunday, October 30, 2011

Images of Kuching

This is the final installment of images of Kuching. It's been great sharing our experiences in Kuching, my wife's hometown. Today is a collection of pictures that don't really fall into any specific category, but which I want to share with you to finish up Kuching's recent dominance of my blog!


Kuching International Airport


A man takes a break from work under a shady tree


A beautiful flower outside Twinny Two bridal place in Kuching


A stall at the aquarium in Kuching


Totem-pole sculpture at Sarawak Museum in Kuching


Two museums in Kuching linked by a bridge


A variety of savoury foods on offer in Kuching


Scene of nature by a set of traffic lights in Kuching


Buying 'Kolo Mee' at a stall in MJC, Kuching


View of Kuching skyline from car park at Wisma Saberkas. The tall building in the distance is Chong Lin Plaza, where I lived between 2003-2004


Roadside scene at RPR Batu Kawa Phase II, Kuching. Taken from Fidelia's childhood home!


Kuching skyline from Penview Hotel





The Spring shopping mall, Kuching


Fidelia and Leah inside The Spring shopping mall, Kuching




Farewell from Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia! Hope you enjoyed the tour!










Saturday, October 29, 2011

Blog Flashbacks

Welcome to Blog Flashbacks Saturday!

The weeks seem to fly by, so here we are again. First up on Blog Flashbacks today is an essay I wrote along with my English tuition class around a year ago. The topic was on the role of elderly people and has been, quite surprisingly, a big hit on my blog ever since it was published! Check it out here:
















Second up today is a beautiful collection of framed photos of the Sultan of Pahang, which were on display at East Coast Mall. I was fortunately there at the right time to catch the exhibition. Now here's your chance to see these lovely photos:














Friday, October 28, 2011

Fidelia's Friday - Great trip

We finally went back to Kuching on 12th October 2011. We stayed there for 7 days. It went by very fast for us.

Kuching City, looking down from the plane...

When we reached home, my three sisters, Felicia, Florianna and Florina were there to greet us. My grandma (my dad's mum) finally was able to meet her English/Iban great grandchildren. She wasn't aware of our second daughter, Leah. Nobody told her that I gave birth to the second one. So, she was like "Whose baby is this then?" Oh, bless her!

Our grandma with her granddaughters and great granddaughters...

The first day was just a rest day for us. My dad cooked us lovely dinner! He is a very talented cook. He has been cooking for us since we were born even until now.

Home sweet home...


The second day was a busy one. We had to do all the preparation needed for the reception. After our dinner at home, my dad took us to Kuching Riverfront

Kuching Waterfront

The third day was a Friday. My dad took a day off work so he could take us to Damai Beach Resort. Before we headed to the beach, we went to Sarawak Museum. At night, we double checked the list for the reception and packed our stuff for a one night stay at Penview Hotel.

Damai Beach


The fourth day was THE BIG DAY for my sister, Felicia and for all of us. We enjoyed ourselves. We sang along with our dad when he sang "Only You". I had to go up to the room early because it was too noisy for Lauren. Leah was being such a good baby! She didn't cry even when people were passing her around like "pass the parcel" game.

Singing with our dad


The fifth day was not a good day for us. When we were about to check out we discovered that Felicia's jewellery box which she borrowed from the bridal shop was stolen from our room. It was there before we all went down for breakfast. It must have been stolen while we were not in the room. The hotel staff didn't seem to care and told us we must have misplaced it and insisted it wasn't the hotel or the housekeepers' fault. My sister had to pay RM500 for it! We were not satisfied with the hotel at all.

Penview Hotel, Kuching

Anyway, let us move on to our sixth day. My sister, Florianna flew back to Johor in the morning. We went to MJC, a place not far from my house to get some lunch. Of course we ordered Kolo Mee. My favourite noodle of all time. We also went to Sunny Hill to buy the best home-made ice-cream in Kuching.

This is where we bought our Kolo Mee...


Kuching Kolo Mee... yummy!


Sunny Hill Ice-cream...

On our last day in Kuching we went to Wisma Saberkas to meet a couple of my university friends. We went to my all time favourite restaurant called ALL JOY! They have the best ginger chicken ever. Our flight was at night and before we boarded the plane, we met my ex-classmate to give her DSLR camera back and she bought some chocolate for Lauren. 

ALL JOY Restaurant...

We really had a good trip! We are now looking forward to the next trip back to my home. 





THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME!! FOR LAUREN, HER HOME IS KUANTAN AND SHE IS HAPPY TO BE HOME!!!












Thursday, October 27, 2011

Taman Sahabat, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Taman Sahabat is a beautiful garden area in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. It literally translates as "friendly garden" and was created to highlight the partnership between Malaysia and China.

The park shows a relationship between Kuching city and China's Kunming city. We went there at night time and it looked very inviting and was warmly illuminated. Here are some pictures:




These stone tablets depicting each of the states that make up Malaysia were very interesting and beautifully done:








This is a statue of Zheng He who lived in the 14th-15th centuries. Apparently he made many voyages, including to Malaysia.


Chinese-inspired structure

















Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Kuching Market

The Kuching market was hot and smelly, but at the same time colourful and intriguing. My dad-in-law took me and my friend Kong for a walk around the market one hot morning . . . 



We passed the wet market first and it was way too smelly for Lauren!





By this time I was carrying Lauren around as it was too smelly and she had "no energy" as she lamented!





"Ikan bilis" - tiny fish which you fry until they are crispy and delicious!


A selection of newspapers at Kuching market


These strange things are coconut stalks; quite tasteless to me





A fine selection of chilis


Handing over the change . . .


A red juicy fruit named "jambu air"


More bags of my favourite "ikan bilis" or, anchovies












Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Kuching Riverfront

A visit to the Kuching riverfront is always best at night. That's when the lights of the city are visible and it's beauty clearly displayed.

I spent some time photographing a few scenes at the Kuching riverfront one night. Hope you enjoy!


Lauren sits for a picture with her aunty, Florianna


This is a fairly new addition to the riverfront scenery. It is named the DUN (Dewan Undangan Negeri), or in English, State Assembly


Here is a picture of Fort Margherita across the river. This was built by James Brooke for his wife Margherita. James Brooke was Sarawak's first 'White Rajah' or King. He reigned for 25 years from 1842 to 1868. Fort Margherita is now a police museum.


Close-up of the DUN


Looking along the Kuching River towards the illuminated town area. The rectangular Hilton Hotel stands prominently at the riverfront


The cruise boat docks by the promenade





The Sarawak river cruise is a lovely attraction. My wife and I went on the cruise when we were just married, giving scenic views along the river.











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