MH0637 Malaysian Airlines - Departing Kuching Airport Terminal 2 11.20am - Arriving Changi Airport Terminal 2 12.50pm.

Sarawak, East Malaysia Day IV

Woke up bright and early to finish packing. Had to fully extend my backpack to fit in all the extra stuff without needing to carry an extra bag.

Enjoyed our last day having a breakfast spread. Took our time, but was still early, so thought of doing some last-minute shopping.

It was too early for even the shops to open though, so went back to our room to laze around instead.

Enjoyed the last view of the city from the room. The city still seems to be pretty much asleep, unlike in Bangkok when you can see traffic streaming in from 5.30am.




Went down to check out at 10.20am. Was getting worried when the driver had not appeared 10 minutes past the agreed pick-up time of 10.30am. Called the office and was informed that he was on his way.

The driver apologised when he finally appeared. Driving to the airport, we discovered the full bustle of a working day in Kuching. Definitely more crowded than weekends. We were informed that it was because some of the city-dwellers would drive back to their hometowns during the weekends.

Due to the renovations, was quite confusing finding our way round the airport. Found a souvenir shop to get some last-minute souvenirs for some colleagues.

Found the security clearance rather amusing. The gantry itself could not detect anything. But you have to go through it so that the security personnel could physically check you with the handheld metal detector.

Roamed about and was quite quizzical when our flight was still not called past 11am. Decided to wait at the departure gate. A guy at the counter waved everyone in, without even checking our boarding passes. Huh?

Another guy near the door of the plane however told us to wait as they were not ready for boarding. Minutes later, a stewardess appeared to instruct us to wait at the departure hall. Gosh, lucky we didn't have any carry-on luggage to have to drag to and fro.

Roamed about some of the souvenir counters until we got bored and finally sat down. A lady approached me to ask what flight I was taking. She seemed to think I'm going back to KL. Hmmm.

Finally heard our flight being called. Cutting it pretty close. 5 minutes til departure. Home... I'm on my way back.

Sarawak, East Malaysia Day III

Met some aunties in the lift going to breakfast. Apparently they were Singaporeans too on some package tour. We were given tables beside each other and one lady kindly advised us to take care of our belongings as she had lost her wallet the day before.

Later mused to K whether we had really friendly faces that people seems to love chatting with us or do we look like lost bimbos who look like they need help. :) Not that I was complaining. Had some very interesting conversations.

Waited quite a while at the lobby for the driver.

When he finally appeared, turns to be a super-friendly guy who enthusiastically filled any lag in conversation. It was a very long ride, but he kept us entertained with lots of tidbits of information.

We stopped by Buntal Fishing Village, which was famous for its seafood... to top up gas. Well, it was way to early to have seafood anyways. The guide however recommended that we try the seafood dinner at Topspot in town.

Soon enough, we reached Sarawak Cultural Village. It was already crowded with people. We ran into the driver we had the day before and exchanged hellos.

The Cultural Village seemed a bit different from the last time I was there, but can't actually remember much what was different. But remembered the place to be more vast then. Remembered the swing at one of the houses though, cause that was where I had taken one of my favourite shots from that last trip.

My choice of wearing a skirt don't seem so appropriate after all what with climbing all the tricky steps. But didn't have a choice with my jeans off at the laundry.

It was interesting to see the folks making love-letters at one of the ethnic houses on display. I didn't realise you can make it over charcoal like that!

It started raining somewhere in between the tours and K and I hurried through the last few stations so that we could get good seats at the theatre for the finale.

We made such good time we even had time to do some shopping at the gift-shop!

The theatre was still pretty empty when we came it so had our choice of seats. Enjoyed the traditional pied-in music that was playing.

The finale had changed a bit. But still loved it. Especially the opening sequence with the Puteri Santubong-Sejinjang song. I loved that legend-song! Had related parts of it to K on the ride. What song? Here goes...

Puteri Santubong, Puteri Sejinjang
Penjaga gunung negeri Sarawak
Manis sik ada dapat dilawan
Anak dak dewa turun kayangan

Ooo..Puteri Santubong
Menenun kain...siang
Ooo...Puteri Sejinjang
Menumbuk padi...malam

Satu harinya duak kelayi
Beranok-anok sik renti-renti
Sorang madah diri bagus agik
Sorang sik ngalah sampei ke mati

Udah lejuk nya duak kelai
Lalu bertukuk nya duak puteri
Sejinjang mengayun alu ka pipi
Tebi sentubung sampei gituk ari

Tapi Santubong membalas juak
Lalu ditikam bantang belidak
Sampei terkena Sejinjang kepalak
Lalu bertabur jadi pulo kera

Yalah kisah duak 'rang puteri
Suka kelayi setiap hari
Lalu disumpah raja kayangan,
Menjadi gunung negeri Sarawak

Kisah Santubong kisah Sejinjang
Asal berkawan jadi musohan
Kinek tok tinggal jadi kenangan
Pakei ingatan sepanjang zaman

They still had the sequence with an Iban warrior picking out victims from the crowd. The warrior is much much cuter this time around. And he had us in stitches with his antics! Really enjoyed the finale!

The driver asked us if we wanted to stop by the nearby Damai Beach on the ride back. Sure. But the rain started to get pretty heavy again. With pretty strong winds by the time we got to Damai Beach.




What a waste. The beach looked so lovely. But the red flag was up signalling to visitors that the waves were pretty vicious.

Asked the driver to drop us off at a nearby shopping centre. Had lunch at Coffee Bean. Was absolutely delish.



Back to the hotel again to have a short rest. Only went out in the late afternoon to catch the Sunset River Cruise.

Thought we were late. But found out instead that we were the only two persons taking the cruise. Sure was funny. Like we chartered the whole ferry!

View was fantastic, though it was still drizzling. We were served light snacks and drinks. Were treated to another traditional dance.



Then one of the staff came over to sit with us and gave us a personal tour of the areas were passing. They have really nice people over here.







Walked around the Waterfront for a while but most of the shops were already closed.

Went back to our hotel and ordered dinner. Started packing. Was a bit sad thinking our vacation was ending so soon.

Dinner was fantastic but was knocked out in exhaustion not long after.