Kuching oh Kuching

When I said 'Kuching oh Kuching' I am not talking about my fat Mok and my Queen Mother, Raisa. They are fine and as spoilt as ever. Mok controls the household - nobody can tell him what to do and what not to do. He has his own mind. He will do it at his own time. When you call him. 'Mok, come here, sayang.' He will just look at you blankly and stays put. Give a few more minutes when you least expected, he saunters in and cuddles next to you to get your warmth. He is so adorable!

Now we are clear that it is not about Mok and Raisa that I am talking about, it is Kuching in Sarawak - the Cat City. I lived in Kuching for 6 years - an enjoyable 6 years I might say. I have formed an attachement to this city. I still go to my regular beautician, Azizah of Menard whenever I have the opportunity to be in Kuching. My dentist is still there and I went to see Dr. Ong for some repair work recently.

In 2001 when I first arrived in Kuching, I fell in love with the abundance of lush green of the environment. Driving leisurely to Unimas became such a pleasant routine, at 40-50 kilometers per hour. Everybody took their time and there was no honking or rude overtakings. I was stressed at first and silently cursed the slow drivers. But in time, I was in tune with their driving style and eventually follwed suit.

Weekends meant exploring the many nature parks in Kuching, sometimes with friends or students and sometimes alone. I became a regular visitor at Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, a place I loved to show off to my visitors. Bob Bowman commented that I smiled a lot watching the orang utans - a natural response which I didn't realise. When former sister-in-law, Kathy/Norarifah from Adelaide came to visit, we were so honoured to see Richie, the huge dominant male came down gracing the centre, to the delight of the tourists, foreign and locals. I have seen Richie many times but each time I was fortunate to see him again, it was sheer pleasure! Delima, the female regular there never failed to be on hand to delight everyone. I have been to Sepilok, Sabah as well but to me Semenggoh provides exciting sights of the orang utan at short distance. They are such beautiful creature.

Bako National Park is an attraction that no one should miss. Treking the many different routes provide diffrerent side of nature in Bako. I was so thrilled to see the various types of pitcher plants (nepenthes) from the tiniest to the biggest, in clumps or winding tendrils. Known as carnivourous plants, I only saw it for the first time at Fraser's Hills way up on high grounds.

The tame bearded boar, the rascal macquets, the shy proboscis monkeys, the silver leave monkeys, the many variety of birds there thrilled visitors, mostly foreign. Taking a boat around was an experience I never forget. The sculptured beach rocks and the outcrops of rocks in the sea present many facets, depending in which angle you look at it. I love Bako and will never be bored with it no matter how many times I go there. There is always something different to do and see each time.

My mentees had a great time camping for 2 nights in Matang Wildlife Centre. This is another place that beckoned me whenever I was free to explore nature parks. The pitcher trail was so amazing with large colony of huge ground pitcher plants. I was informed that the Ibans and the Bidayuhs use them to steam rice in it. The main attraction to me here is the river and the waterfall. I just love rivers (not the huge intimidating ones!) and waterfalls. Soaking myself in the cool river and sitting under the waterfall is therapy to the body and mind.

Gunung Gading Nature Park fulfilled my dream to see raflesia , the biggest flower. I was astounded to see it for the first time and couln't believe my eyes at the size of this raflesia. Unfortunately not many of my friends who came to visit me had the opportunity to see one as raflesia bloom in season.

I could go on and on talking about my experience treking the nature parks in Kuching and in Sarawak. So much so when my daughter, Ika, was asked by my friends who failed to reach me by phone, she would just respond by saying, ' Entahlah auntie, hutan mana dia masuk tak tahulah!'

It's not only the nature parks that captured my hearts, I find the people, Malays, Chinese, Ibans, Bidayuhs, Melanaus etc are so warm, friendly and helpful. Unfortunately after 6 years I was still unable to speak Sarawak Malay except a few words, here and there.

However, my last visit to Kuching left me with feeling of relief that I have moved back to Port Dicksosn. It upsets me to see all the lush greens have been destroyed to make way for housing. What shocked me most is that most of the houses are built on swampy lands. The paya was dutifully filled with soils, but a few months later houses came up like mushrooms. The soil was not even settled yet. There were ready buyers. I wonder how long it would take before the houses crack or crumble down. How come the government allow the developers build houses without waiting for the filled-in soil to firm up. Isn't there any laws or regulations against this?

Unfortunately in the long term, the buyers will loose. I was so shocked to see new rows of houses have been built near the Unimas traffic lights. I remember when I came 3 or 4 months ago, they were just cutting the trees and now houses? The soil there was soft and filling in takes time for it to settle. But houses are built and there are buyers - how frightening!

Kuching waterfront was my favourite place to relax but I find the river water is dirty now, not like when I first came in 2001. There were no fishing and peddling of wares was not allowed then. But now people fish there in the evening. It' so dangerous. No one seems to enforce the law. From the sixth floor of Holiday Inn Hotel, I could see the mirky water of Sarawak river is heavily poluted with rubbish floating downstream. What a pity!

Kuching, a place that has given me tranquility.