In Kuching Day 3 and Independence Day

Our third day started off with breakfast at the hotel. Thereafter, we decided to take a group photo at the tourist spot where they had 'Kuchng' statues.

This was the second time we were there but now with Izhar (our third son) who was absent before due to a wedding task. I have also decided not to join for their tour next since my back pain was quite severe. Without me they will be 'freer' to have more fun.

They went to Jong's Crocodile Farm and Zoo next. Here are the pics and video.

Next, they bought some Kek Lapis Sarawak from Mamasu. My other half once told me that these cakes take hours to make due to the delicate layering of the cake. Thereafter, they went back to the hotel since the haze condition is worsening and also Ihsan had to return the rented car later in the afternoon. During the evening we had fast food for dinner and they (me asleep) watched a movie in our room.

Yesterday is our Independence Day; we had our breakfast and finished up packing of our things to check out. Before checking out, I took a photo with the hotel staf who has been kind to us.

We took two taxis to the airport. After checking in our luggage, we decided to have early lunch at Skydine by Sumiran. This is simply because I saw that they served mee jawa and I remembered how I had mee jawa frequently in Bintulu Campus. The others had mee kolok and they told me that it tasted better than the ones they had before. Of course, food at the airport are somewhat pricey but it was worth it. 

We went to Gate 9 for our flight and I snapped a pic to show how bad the haze is. I posted it on the social media with the background music of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.

I certainly things will get better for the Sarawakians because it is indeed unhealthy and hazardous.

On arrival, we took two airport cabs (pricey and was told by my other half about a swindle attempt). For me, I just want to get home quickly and rest, which is what we did. So we celebrate Independence Day rather uneventfully. To see how Independence Day is celebrated (without all the politics that you see in the social media and just pure enjoyment by normal people), you may want to watch this.

Waking up today to our financial reality and we are about to collect our cats. So, it will be ontok-ontok phase again.

In Kuching Days 1 and 2

We took a flight from KLIA to Kuching on Friday morning. Let me backtrack a little. Ihsan drove back home the day before and most of the evening we had to pack our bags and also send most of our cats for boarding leaving only Yaya and Koko behind (with just two, the cat food we left won't finish that quickly). Ihsan had booked a cab to pick us up at 4,30am in the very early morning. We had already checked in and got our boarding passes and all we have to do is to drop our luggage (thanks to MAB staff for guiding which line we have to be in).

By half past seven, we were already on the plane.

Reached Kuching around half past nine and lingered around the airport for several minutes.

We had to take two taxis to our hotel, which is Imperial Riverbank Hotel. We dropped our bags there (the check-in time is at 2pm) and went for a walk around the hotel.

Luckily the haze was cleared after the storm on the day before, we were told. By 1pm plus, the hotel allowed us to check-in as our rooms were ready. Izhar rested a little before going over to another hotel for the wedding rehearsal. As we rested for the rest of the afternoon, we can hear loud music booming; we must be really at the centre where it is eventful (just next to Sarawak river).

In the evening, we went for a walk along the river bank and had dinner somehwhere near the huge Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak.

Ihsan has also hired a car for us to move around.

We went to the Borneo Museum and spent the whole morning there since the museum has four different levels (above the lobby).

Perhaps one highlight of the display there is the skull remnants of Niah woman, which is believed to be around 40,000 years old.

One can read also the articles here (paywall), here (open access) and here (Encyclopaedia Brittanica). Another is a model house within the museum (forgotten what it refers to). 

Right in the middle of the house are skulls, said to be collected from some battles.

There are other materials that refer to funeral ceremonial matters.

In the midst of our walk, met a UMS researcher conducting interviews about the museum. We chatted a little and told him we had tried some of the 3d interactive displays. Gave him some possible improvements to the museum e.g. human assistance at each display wing, an overall map for each display wing so that we don't miss any displays.

Near the end of our walk, we took the following photos.

At the top floor we took more group photos.

After Boreneo Museum, we went for lunch at Duduksama Kopitiam. As the haze was getting bad, we decided to just go to the mall. At the time, I was experiencing some back pain and my feet was hurting. So we finally headed back to the hotel.

During the evening, they went to Malaysia-China Friendship Park without me as I decided to get some rest.

I am still not sure if I want to go out today as I do not want to spoil the family's fun.