I’d
been planning a return trip to Kuching for the past 1.5 years and finally got a
return ticket at a bargain earlier this year for the Maulidur Rasul weekend. I
left early on Saturday morning and arrived at KLIA at 09:30. After dropping off
my bag, I went to buy some buns before going through security check.
We
took off on time and landed on time. I had contacted my friend, SAK, who now
works and resides in Kuching and she agreed to meet me. We haven’t met since a school
reunion ten years ago (!). I had told her to come after 13:15 to give me enough
time in case my bag came out late and she wouldn’t have to wait long for me but
my bag made an early appearance so I decided to perform prayers while waiting
for her. SAK’s car was hit by a lorry and she had to rent a small car to get
around while waiting for her car to be repaired.
View as we were descending
Our
first stop was the Borneo House Museum. I thought the admission of RM19 for
adults was pretty steep and I suppose that explained why the museum was
deserted. We spent about 40 minutes there before driving to Santubong. I had
decided to visit Santubong/Damai – it would be my first time – and book three
different hotels for this trip.
The
trip took about 40 minutes and we arrived at Damai Beach Resort at 16:00. We
headed for our room at Block 1 and I was unimpressed with the gloomy exterior.
We went into our room on the ground floor (thankfully it didn’t face the pool
or it would be pretty noisy) and were disheartened to see the tired decoration
and ambience. It was dated and not very welcoming. Sure, the room was large
with a king bed, an extra spring bed and plenty of space to swing a cat or two
but that was about it. The bathroom made me feel as if I was in the mountains for
despite signs warning us to be careful and turn on the cold water tap first to
avoid hot water scalding, the water was just lukewarm even when we turned on
the hot water tap solely. I made some tea for myself and coffee for SAK then
went to check out the nearby Sarawak Cultural Village. I had dithered over
whether to visit the Village but after reading the reviews, I decided to give
it a miss. It must have had rained before we arrived for the ground was wet and
the Village looked even gloomier from outside.
I
returned back to the room and after chatting with SAK, I took a bath. We left
for dinner after prayers and drove to Buntal Village. SAK treated me to a
seafood dinner and it was great. Very satisfying and delicious although she did
say it cost more than it would in Kuching.
We
returned to the hotel quite late and I was already very sleepy when we got
back. It wasn’t long before I succumbed to sleep.
SAK
had a charity run early on Sunday morning and she left right after morning
prayers. I had a short kip before getting up. After showering and packing, I
went for a short walk along the beach before heading to the lobby. I informed a
tour operator staff that I wanted to book a seat for the 12:30 shuttle service
back to Kuching before crossing over to the restaurant for breakfast. I have no
complaints over the food but the hotel could have added a noodle station.
After
breakfast, I went to sit in one of the gazebos and sat reading while enjoying
the sea breeze. I returned back to my room at 11:45 and finished packing. Then
I went to the lobby to check out and wait for the 12:30 shuttle.
There
was a Caucasian couple with four large suitcases along with me and we stopped
at the Cultural Village to pick up a young family of four. The trip back took
an hour and the driver dropped the family off first at Kubah Ria Sunday market
before continuing on. I was dropped off next. I paid RM15 for my ride (Grand Margherita charged RM20 for transfer to/fro the Cultural Village) and went to
see if my room was ready. It was and I went directly to my room on the first
floor. I was a bit disappointed that my room faced the main road instead of the
river but the windows were soundproof and I couldn’t hear any traffic noise at
all so I had no complaints. And my, the room was heavenly! It was just the
right size, not too big and not too small. The bed was so inviting and I rested
for a bit and read my book. It was just too hot to venture out then. I checked
the BBC Weather prediction on Friday and it was forecasted to rain throughout
my trip but the weather turned out sunny and hot!
I
left at around 16:00 and went to Tun Jugah Mall (now a pretty much dead place
save for Popular Bookstore) before walking along the river where it was
shadier. I then crossed over to the Main Bazaar shops before crossing over
again. There’s a new bridge now which wasn’t there on my last trip during the
Merdeka weekend back in 2014. Shaped like an S, the pedestrian bridge is
supported with two cables from two steel towers topped out with stylised
hornbills which denote the state emblem. I walked up and across the bridge
gingerly. I couldn’t help wondering how deep the river was and what would
happen if I were to fall from such a height. Call me paranoid but I feel the
same way crossing most pedestrian bridges. I didn’t linger on the other side
and turned back shortly after reaching the end to make my way back across.
Towards the end, I met a young couple walking out their Maine Coon-Persian mix
pampered cat.
I
walked to Plaza Merdeka and then along Padang Merdeka to the museum. Yes, as
SAK had informed me, it was closed for renovation. What a shame. I didn’t get
to visit it during my last trip as it bizarrely closed then too and I couldn’t
visit it on this trip either. I turned back and walked along Carpenter Street
to the end then up the hill at Hilton. I bought dinner to go before returning
to my room. I spent the evening resting and reading.
On
Monday morning, I went down for breakfast at 09:20 and after a leisurely
breakfast (had my first Mee Kolok), I went for a brief walk along the river
before returning to my room. I checked out just before noon then sat at the
lobby reading while waiting for Zuhor. After performing prayers, I crossed over
to Sarawak Plaza for a 1.5-hour massage at Alternative Therapy Centre (Blind
Massage Centre). It cost even less than the hour-long massage I had in Melaka
just days before.
It
was close to 15:00 by the time I returned to get my bag. I crossed over to my
third hotel of the trip. I had stayed at this hotel at least twice before but
this time, I got to experience the new Astana Wing. My room was at level 7 this
time and from my room at the end of the corridor, I could just about view the
river and DUN Building. The wing was only opened early this year but I noticed the
hole covers in the bathroom were already rusting. Shame.
I
went out into the hot afternoon and it was time to do some shopping. I bought
some pelikat sarongs, a couple of caftans and some layered cakes before
returning to my room. I had a shower and performed prayers and quickly changed
when SAK informed she had already arrived. We drove to Lepau Restaurant for
some traditional Sarawak fare. I liked the ambience and setting and food. It was
almost 22:00 when we got back to the hotel, having had to park at Riverside as
the Astana Wing car-park was already full.
On
Tuesday morning, we checked out at 07:40 and brought our bags down to the
concierge at LG before returning to Sapa Restaurant at UG for breakfast. We left
at 08:40 and after getting our bags, hurried over to the car-park at Riverside
and drove to the airport. We arrived at the airport at 09:05 and after thanking
her and bidding her goodbye, I rushed in, placed my bags on the conveyor for
screening and rushed to drop off my bag and get the boarding pass.
The
plane took off on time and we landed at KLIA ten minutes earlier than
scheduled. I suppose my return trip would be after 2020 when the Sarawak Museum
is reopened. And no offence to my Sarawakian friends, but somehow I prefer Kota
Kinabalu to Kuching (and as evidenced by my many more trips to the latter
compared to the former).
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