Back in June, I decided to take advantage of Malaysia Airlines offer and also utilise some of my expiring Enrich points and searched for tickets to Kuching. Early August looked to be good but I had to change my plans to depart on Caturday instead of Friday because I dithered a bit.
So early last Caturday morning, I left home and made my way to TBS. I arrived with enough time to get my physical ticket (can we already do away with this??) and browsed for buns (not much choice for flavour). The bus left at 09:03 and we reached KLIA at 09:59. After trying to check in online and seeing how full the flight would be, I decided to avail of the ticket upgrade offer and paid a bit extra for a Business class seat. This meant I could bring my suitcase on board without checking it in.
We landed at 12:40 and after trying to wait for the electric bus which runs from the city to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and passing the airport, I took Maxim to my hotel. Alhamdulillah, I managed to check in even though it was only 13:40.
After performing prayers and resting, I went out to the riverfront briefly before going to the Main Bazaar. I walked before turning left at the Old Courthouse and walking up to Plaza Merdeka. I passed through the shopping mall and explored the area beyond. It was drizzling by then and I wasn’t keen to stay out too long as I was coughing.
I turned back and walked along the Main Bazaar again and went to find dinner. I was in my room by 19:00.
On Sunday morning, I left at 09:50 and went to wait for the hydrogen bus but gave up after ten minutes. I walked a new route to the newly opened Borneo Cultures Museum. I reached at around 10:30 and after taking some photos, I went down to the main entrance. I was a bit confused when I saw people sitting and started wondering, ‘Do I join them? How does the ticketing system work? Do we go by row?’ and then I saw the ticket counter beyond and decided to make my way there. I joined the queue and no one shooed me away so I was in the right queue. But oh my, it was such a painfully slow process. One can pay by cash or Sarawak Pay but both were slow. The plus thing about paying by Sarawak Pay was the shorter queue but it was definitely not any faster. When I got to the counter, I understood why: you have to present your MyKad (different rates apply for Sarawakians and non-Sarawkians) and they would then print you receipt for your payment with your name on it. I’m not sure if a simple receipt couldn’t play the same role unless there are those who actually visit and make official claim for reimbursement and hence need their name on the receipt. I went up to the second floor (first floor actually; the museum calls the ground floor as first floor) to the children’s gallery first but didn’t stay long before making my way up to the next level. I spent 2 hours and 40 minutes in the museum. I then crossed over to Muzium Sarawak and National History Museums (the old buildings) but the former looked empty and the latter was closed for refurbishment.
I walked to the Main Bazaar and bought some layered cakes (made with butter instead of margarine and honey instead of sugar or so the seller told me) and two sarongs before returning to my room. It was threatening to rain then. I had some tea and bun and read my book.
I went down at 16:50 and only noticed it had rained while I was in my room. It must’ve been a quiet one as I didn’t hear the rain. My friend and her husband came at 17:14 and we drove to Sharing Downtown for early dinner. My friend is a local Kuching lady and the last time we met was when we sat for our SPM.
I was back at the hotel at 19:00 and packed before resting.
On Monday, I took Maxim to the airport. The journey took 20 minutes and there were a lot of people at the MAS counters. Thankfully I had redeemed my Enrich points for a Business Class seat so I skipped the queue and went in after ascertaining I could bring my suitcase, box of layered cakes and bag on board. I went through immigration and security clearance and made my way to Plaza Premium Lounge. It was pretty tiny and there was not many options.
We boarded and there really were a lot of people travelling as the ETD was 10:45 and people were still boarding at 10:47! The door finally closed and the plane taxied down the runway almost immediately. We took off at 11:00 so it wasn’t bad at all. We landed at KLIA at 12:40. I decided to take the train as I thought it’d be faster but I didn’t factor in the possibility of a train breaking down and our train rescuing the passengers of this earlier train. So I reached BTS at more or less the same time as I would had I taken the 13:15 bus from the airport! Then I had to wait for the LRT train. Anyway, Alhamdulillah for the rezeki and time that enabled me to go on this short trip. Kuching, I’ll be back. InsyaAllah.
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