Sarawak Day 1

we started our journey real early in the morn, coz we opted for a morning flight to Kuching and had to catch a 5am bus from Melaka Sentral to LCCT. the next available bus trip is at 8am, and we definitely couldn't be on that one. whenever i am to be on an express bus, i would choose Transnasional..as they're usually very prompt (true for KL-Melaka trips, don't know about other destinations though). but for that morning, the bus was more than half an hour late. we were feeling sleepy for being up so early and looking forward to Kuching - my parents worked in Lundu, Sarawak before coming back to Melaka 22 years ago. my brother was even born there and this was the first time we went back.

i slept on the bus and only woke up when we were somewhere near LCCT. after having our breakfast, we head into the terminal and got the seats in front of those flat screen telly - all showing the world cup match. it was Netherlands vs Denmark if i'm not mistaken. i was bored and walked around several times while waiting. then a few guys distributed a newspaper section to everyone saying it's free - all six of us got a copy each, of the same thing. apparently it was a new special addition to Utusan about the World Cup, and my dad was even interviewed by a reporter.

few hours later, we touched down in Kuching. Kuching International Airport in Serian to be specific. the owner of chesu homestay was waiting for us and led us to the car. then she drove ahead of us to show the house that we rented for our stay. it was in Taman Gita Jaya. the house was fully equipped with everything - washing machine, kitchen utensils, fridge, gas stoves, rice cooker and made us feel right at home. there were even checklist of places of interest in Kuching, maps and pamphlets.

the living room

the dining area

the master bedroom

kitchen

after the owner showed us around the house, we dropped everything and went out for lunch - everyone was already starving. mom asked the owner about Halal eating places beforehand, and she said just go for those places manned by Malays - like we can distinguish Malays from the other ethnics there :p if they're wearing scarves, then it's fine..otherwise we couldn't really tell them apart.

we ate fried rice at the nearest food court as it was already past 3 and not much dishes left. then we asked the friendly stall owner about the nearest supermarket, and he directed us to emart. i was quite surprised when we arrived at emart, coz it was a bit different from here. there were different shops selling wet food stuff, dried food stuff, fruits, clothes, toys etc in the building which has a high ceiling and no air-cond. we walked around looking at the large array of veggies and found some stuff that we couldn't get here.

the gigantic fan in the middle

midin

we continued walking until we found the actual supermarket and started looking for things we need. to tell you the truth, we bought a lot of things that are available at the homestay :p we should have stopped and look around the house before going shopping.

then we headed back home and rested for a while. the first night, we cooked and ate at home before going out to the waterfront. took some pictures and we head back home. on the way we stopped by Benteng and checked it out. but we've had our dinner and were still full, so we didn't try anything. that was the first day in Kuching.

drenched all over

pictures googled

it was raining the whole morning, yet we still went out. luckily the rain seemed to stop (or rather drizzled) at intervals at the right time. my sister needed to change her Mykad, so we went to the state registry department at A.Keroh. mine was done at the Jasin's department years ago, but i didn't ask why dad told me to bring my sister to the former. maybe coz of the 2 hours processing time? i'm not sure.

it was a good thing we had our passports done there before, else i wouldn't know my way and would probably be a lost sheep there. we arrived around 9.30 and it was still raining. i planned to go earlier to skip the crowd, and also to skip the crowd at the Jcard Members' Day at Jusco Melaka :p. but the rain made us start later than intended, still there wasn't much people around at the department.

when i walked in the Mykad section, i noticed that the hours started from 7.30am..that's real early. i wouldn't want to work there, although it seems that they've a quite relaxed atmosphere. it took my sister just a few minutes to settle everything and we were off to Jusco while waiting for the 2 hours before the Mykad is ready.

i thought the rain would somehow lessen the huge crowd, but i guess the discounts offered are better than being warm at home. the cars queuing up to enter the parking lot was as long as during the weekends, maybe the lot even took leave from work just for the day :p i wasn't going to wait forever just to end up going round and round looking for a spot to park the car. so i decided to park at the opposite Melaka Mall and cross over. there the parking lot was mostly occupied. it was just 10am, and rain didn't deter anyone.

there were people already leaving with trolley full of goods by the time we arrived at the entrance. the throng of people were everywhere, flocking at the bags section, the clothes..everywhere. i didn't even move much, i helped my sister to choose a bag (one that she said could make her look a bit more grown up :p). then i went to purchase a pair of sandals coz the flip flops that i was wearing was getting dangerously slippery..i wouldn't want to slip with 'flair' on the wet pavement or puddles. owh, we even managed to lose an umbrella. the first time we left it, we got it back safe and sound. but we were not so lucky the second time :p

we decided to head back and get the Mykad (fortunately the two places weren't that far from each other) after we've done with the shopping part. i was relieved to be out of the 'ants' nest'. it was getting hard to breathe and hot at the same time.

after everything is settled at the registry department, we headed to Dataran Pahlawan for a movie. i was really looking forward to watch S.A.T.C. 2, but was devastated when i already missed the 12 something show..and the next was at 3.30pm. i was tired and wouldn't want to wait that long for the movie. so i just followed when my brother and sister chose to watch Toy Story 3. i am not a big fan of cartoons and would rather watch anything else but. yet the story was really good, and i didn't regret watching it. not even for a minute.

by the beach

initially the plan was for everyone to board a bus and head to Hat Yai this holiday and spend the time together. but problems like the political unrest and the drivers at the border dampen whatever high spirits i had prior to that.

so, we gathered in Port Dickson instead for the weekends. we stayed at Astana Apartment (formerly known as Sunshine Bay Resort) right in front of the beach. i didn't go for a swim tho. i used to love beaches and waterfalls the same, but now i love waterfalls more if asked. i hate having sands everywhere after coming out of the water, so i'll stick to just having walks on the beach :p

we even stopped by Muzium Tentera Darat when we were driving around the town. it was quite nice, and there were a lot of visitors when we were there. 

at the entrance

in the tunnel

the opposite way

mom and brother was interested in watching gymnastics at Politeknik Merlimau, as it was the nearest venue to our home. yeah, SUKMA has started officially today and a few events already being held for several days. since they were going there with my dad, i brought my other siblings to the mall. i'm not really a sports person, though i don't mind those who are really into it. i can watch any games, it's just that i'd rather be somewhere else sometimes, like today :p

we watched 'the A-team', i wanted to watch the movie ever since i watch the ads the other day.

picture googled

Liam Neeson and Bradley Cooper are good enough for reason to watch the movie. i don't usually go for action stuff, but i guess they would make it to be worth-watching. it was action-packed and hilarious at the same time. and the looney Murdoch-character was impossibly comical. some guys were giving comments throughout the time we were exiting the cinema..i rolled my eyes, but yeah the movie was good.

it's too long a wait for eclipse. i'm really getting excited by the look of the previews i saw at the cinema and during MTV Movie Awards 2010. hopefully they'll deliver it perfectly this time..