Day 10 - The End

This morning, we had our final Roti Canai. I said goodbye the group as they are head off for last minute shopping before flying out from Kuching. I finish up my paper work before getting ready for my own holiday!

Day 9 - Orangutan Semenggoh Wild Life Center

This morning we had instant noodles for breakfast. After breakfast, we packed our bags and say goodbye to the Ibans families - "Bye Bye Skandis Long House & roasters". The river was high as we went back down stream to Lamarak Jetty, so no boat pushing this time!

On the way back to Kuching, the group decided they want to see orangutans so we stopped at Semenggoh Wild Life Center to see the orangutans. The feeding time is at 3pm, but we arrive around 2pm and we waited, we was lucky enough to see the male orang utans coming out. He's name was Ritchie, he is the dominant male there and the park ranger had to feed him before he got grumpy! Then it started to drizzle, beside that, we saw two youth orangutans fed by the park ranger, they both were very playful and we also saw Mom & babies - they all were very cute!

The dominant male orangutan named Ritchie

At night, we have our final dinner at Top Spot where all the locals go - it's especially very busy during weekend. Top spot is at the top of a car park. They have a lot of variety of fresh vegetables and seafood. The group really enjoyed their last night dinner there.

Day 8 - Waterfall Walk

Early rise as the roosters make a lot of noise! We had simple fried noodles, hard boiled eggs, small cakes, tea and coffee for breakfast. While we waited to go for the waterfall walk, we saw Unsa & he's wife take out some rice padi and dry it under sun at the veranda.

Our guide demonstrates for us how to rubber tap 

Lara tries rubber tap, she comment: "It's hard work"

Walk to the waterfall - a real jungle!

The waterfall

 "Food is read!" We had fresh deep fried fish, local vegetables & fried rice; after lunch a few of us had a bath in the river! Was very refreshing to bath in the river, it helps to cool down.

Evening: After we had our dinner, they set up the night market along the communal area. They sell woven place mat, wood carving statues, purses & bracelets made from beads... The group bought a few souvenirs from them. Below is the picture of the Iban man with the traditional tattoo on his shoulder and his wood carving. The wood that they used is call Iron wood. 

At night, we had an early night, sleeping with our cozy mosquito net.  

Selamat Malam!

Day 7 - The Iban Longhouse

In the morning I woke up early and went to the market to get gifts for the longhouse. After I finish shopping, I meet up with the group, we went to a local Bollywood restaurant located at Carpenter street for Roti Canai - it's a type of flat bread made from dough, serve with lentil curry. 1 of the group's favorite breakfast! Sedap! (Delicious) Beside that, they do very delicious Lassie drink!

The lady making roti canai

Roti Canai with bananas

The Group enjoy it!
"Sedap! Satu Lagi" (Delicious! One more please!)

Roti Canai with Bananas

After having our breakfast, we head back to Borneo hotel and get ready to leave for the long house in private mini van. On our way to the long house, we stop a few times. 1st stop we stop to get pig's head, it's one of the Long House Ibans favorites and to drink 'Tuak' rice wine. 2nd stop, we stop at Serian local market, they sell lot's of fresh fruits, vegetables and I asked the group to go pick some tropical fruits to have with our meals at the long house. The group said it's very interesting because some of the fruits, they had never seen before! They picked a few like rose apples, soursop, star fruits, papaya & bananas.

'Paku Pakis'- Local fern, the group's favorite local vegetable

In the market, they sell maggots, which I never try before so i didn't know what it would taste like!

This lady is selling some savory 'Kuih'  - They are sweet, intricate like cookies, cakes and pudding. Kuih is more often steam or deep fried & its different in texture.

Rose Apple

Soursop: taste quite similar to custard apples

Star Fruits

After the local market shopping, we continue our journey to the 3rd stop which is Lachau for lunch.  We have BBQ chicken bun' Pao', Chinese dumpling 'Siew mai' and 'Kolok Mee'. At first, the group thought the 'kolok mee' looks like Maggie instant noodles! (but this is much better because they produce it on their own)

Kolok Mee

Chinese Pork Dumpling named 'Siew Mai'

BBQ Chicken Bun 'Pao'

After lunch, we continue our journey to Lemanak River where we meet our Iban boat man & the long boat. This time we were lucky because the river is not low, so there is no boat pushing for us. We arrive at the long house, the head of the long house Unsa welcome us, he speaks very good English.

There is a lady that helps us to prepare food, when our food is ready, she will always say "makan" means meal is ready and "minum" which means tea time. At night, we all sit on the floor & had our meals. The group like the meals because there are lot's of local vegetables like bamboo shoot, local fern  - the girls favorite -  they purposely bought from the market to ask 'Macik' aunty to cook for us! After every one & the Iban families had their meals. We bring out the gifts to give it to them at the communal area. It is a custom to buy gift for the long house families whenever we go and visit any long house in Sarawak.

Sitting on the floor having dinner

The Ibans ladies dividing the gifts, make sure each family got the same amount of gift. The group & I get them some daily use product such as toothbrush & toothpaste, chocolate drink 'Milo', Anchovies, Curry Powder, 'Belacan' made fromfermented ground shrimp... ect.

After giving the gifts to the Ibans families. The group and I start trying 'Tuak' is an alcoholic beverage made of fermented rice, yeast and sugar. First of all, before we all start drinking the 'Tuak', Unsa the head of the long house, he will pour a bit of 'Tuak' into a small cup to the ground, start worshiping the spirit before all of us can start to drink. The Ibans families all came out and join us. Woooo! Ha!

After a few drinks, the Ibans took out some music instrument and play some Ibans music and show us the traditional Iban dance demonstration.

Unsa worshiping the spirit before starting drinking the Tuak

Simone & David like the Tuak!

Wooo Ha!! (Cheers)

Ibans ladies playing music instrument with gong 

Demonstrate the traditional Iban dance

The group learning the Iban dance

After a long day, we sleep at the communal area, they provide us pillow, mosquito net, mattress and bed sheet. But we keep our torch handy next to us because the long house are using a generator and at about 10:30pm or 11:00pm the generator will be automatically shut off!

Day 6 - Flying to Kuching 'Cat town'

We had breakfast at Mulu Cafe. After breakfast, we packed our bag and are ready to catch our 2 different flights to Miri then to Kuching. The 1st plane is a bit exiting for some passenger because it's a plane that using propeller on both side of it wings. In Miri, between the flights we waited 3 hours for our next flight to Kuching and had our lunch or snacks in the airport.

We arrive at Kuching and the taxi to the hotel was a good ride, there are so many beautiful big houses to see along the way. Although Kuching in Malay does translate into "cat", there is not many cats running around in the city! But a few locals contended it was a variation of the Indian name for Port- "Cochin", as Kuching was first settled by Indian traders who set up their operations at Santubong.

Near our hotel, if you go up to the top of this building named Banguna Pelita, there is a cinema on top. The whole building from 1st floor to 8th floor is car park, LG floor & the Ground floor have some shops & a mini mart. But if you want to see the view of Kuching, Sarawak river, you can go to the top of the building which is the 9th floor: you will get very good view from there.

After we checked into our hotel, we refresh our self and meet up for dinner. We had dinner at the nearby Green Hill food court, they have the famous local 'Curry Laksa': coconut curry soup with vermicelli noodles and stir fried noodles!

Famous local Curry Laksa

After dinner, the group walk along the river front, it was quite nice, nice breeze from water front and there have few stalls selling snacks and souvenirs. Below is some pictures taken by the group.

Cat statues

 

Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak 'Kuching North City Hall

Astana is the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. It is located along the bank of the Sarawak River in Kuching, Sarawak. The Astana means 'Palace' in the local dialect.