I mentioned in my last post about having some expiring air miles and after redeeming for a return flight to Saigon, I checked my option and redeemed some points for the return leg from Kuching. I wanted to avoid school holidays so that decided when the trip would take place: the following weeks after my Saigon trip although I could also have gone a fortnight after. I then reached out to the hotel I usually stay at and made my room reservation.
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
I arrived at the airport and as the departure gate was A9, managed to perform prayers near the seats after gate A11 just before boarding. We took off on time and landed at 15:20. I quickly made my way through immigration and waited for the complimentary bus 103 for the city. It did come at 16:00 but I was preoccupied then with making reservation on Maxim after giving up on the bus. So I missed it despite trying to run after it. This made me determined to get the bus to the airport for my flight back.
The car ride took about 15-20 minutes and check-in was smooth. The problem I had was the room cards didn’t work so I had to go down to the lobby again and was reassigned another room. The room view was of the town and part of Hilton Hotel. I went out for a quick afternoon stroll before returning to the hotel. My friend would meet me for dinner and I wanted to perform prayers first. I didn’t plan to shop but went into a few shops to find if they had any hair bands of pua kumbu design and finally had to describe it to one shopkeeper who said she would come up with something.
I met up with my friend at 19:50 and she drove across the river to Barong Tinuk, a restaurant serving Melanau food. She ordered jellyfish umai (salad) and Dabai fried rice along with plain white rice, fiddlehead fern and smoked fish. I must say the food was delicious. Where else can one sample Melanau food anyway? We chatted and caught up through dinner and on the way to and from the restaurant. I took pity on her because she was from the office and still in office clothes so we finally cut short our conversation and said goodbye. I showered, laundered my clothes and dozed off.
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Having been to Borneo Cultures Museum in 2022, I decided to follow the Heritage Trail today. After a leisurely breakfast, I walked past the Main Bazaar to the Indian Mosque. Then I headed for the old Fire Station. It has since been demolished but the Drying Tower remains to this day as a landmark. Then I passed the City Mosque and walked to Gurdwara Sahib before heading for the Islamic Heritage Museum which is just behind Borneo Cultures Museum. It used to be a Malay College and a staff invited me in. I was confused at first until I found out that the building was then taken over by the museum. It was a relief to be indoors in the cool air-conditioned comfort!
After visiting all the galleries in the museum, I walked on to the Old Government Printing House. The Central Police Station is just across from the Printing House. Then I continued on to Round Tower and Textile Museum, the Japanese building and Old Court House and Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial. I’ve seen, come across and taken photos of these buildings on my previous visits but it gave me such pleasure to see these beautifully restored old buildings still standing. Next I walked past the Square Tower and went up the Darul Hana Bridge to get a better view of the Old Court House and Astana before turning to .Sarawak Steamship Building. I then went back to the General Post Office and walked past St Thomas Cathedral to the Sarawak Museum before walking to Hong San Si Temple. A quick visit to Hiang Thiang Siang Ti Temple which I stumbled upon the previous afternoon then I went to search for George Cafe but it was closing for the day. I crossed over and walked to Tua Pek Kong Temple and the Chinese History Museum. In all my previous eight visits to the city, I’d never been in so I decided it was high time I entered it!
Then it was back to the hotel to perform prayers and rest and a good thing too as it rained not too long after that.
The rain petered off sufficiently for me to venture out again at 17:20. I walked quickly to boat cruise counter and after paying RM19, boarded a boat. Besides the boatman, I was the only Malaysian there haha. We set off at 17:30 for an hour-long ride along the river. After the boat ride, I went to buy dinner.
After dinner, a quick shower and prayers, I went out again to catch the Darul Hana Musical Fountain show. I missed this on my earlier visit as it was raining throughout the day so I was determined to catch it this time. The show started just before 20:30 (there’s another show at 21:30 and an extra show on weekend) and lasted almost 15 minutes.
Friday, 12 December 2025
I brisk walked to the shop which owner agreed to make some customised hair bands before returning to the hotel for breakfast. I checked out at 11:45 and then crossed the road to wait for bus 103. This is why I keep staying at the hotel: it’s near the Main Bazaar and waterfront, near the cat statue and there are bus stops nearby. The bus arrived at 12:05 and it took us 70 minutes to reach the airport in the Friday lunchtime traffic. I went to the counter to change seats before performing prayers. My flight was at 16:20 so there was no rush.
We took off on time and landed at 17:55. It was dry at the airport but a light drizzle was waiting for me when I reached the last station.
So that was my ninth trip to Kuching and my last trip for the year. Alhamdulillah.
