Once back to Hong Kong, joined up with friends to go away for a few days together. Picked Kuching in the Borneo side of Malaysia, because none of us have been there, and there are historical sites and some natural scenery to visit.
First impression is so many Chinese faces, Putonghua is so popular. It is a major migration port in the last 200 years for Chinese from the coastal area to come to work as farmers. Now the descendants become the majority population.
The old centre is not big, there are a few well preserved long rows of traditional two floors buildings to be seen especially in China town and Indian area.
Visited Chinese museum in an old court house near the
river, to understand the migration of Chinese to this part of the world.
Also Fort Margarita on the other side of the river, for the 200 years
old building, the history of Sarawak, and especially how the first white
rajah James Brook and descendants ruled the place.
Scattered around are Chinese temples, Indian temples and couple of very grand mosques.
It
is an easy place to wander around, safe, wide clean roads, no busy
traffic, no motorbikes, and very polite and friendly locals.
During hot midday, a good way to hide from the sun is to join a river cruise on a small boat for an hour up and down the river, to admire both new and traditional buildings along the river.
A good place for a
long midday rest is in The Common, inside Old Court House, they serve
very good cakes. Colonial style building, spacious high ceiling and open
courtyard in the middle with palm trees, wonderful atmosphere.
Another
fun activity is in the Upside Down House, where furniture are hoisted
on the roof. A staff is there to organise us in various postures around
the room and take photos. The result is hilarious, we enjoyed the
experience and laughed so much, felt like we were back to our teenage
times together.
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