Tracing old steps

Kuching airport was closed on 11 January 2011 because AirAsia plane skidded and this is not the first time. So I have to change my flight to the next day, 12 January and back to KL 14 January. I have already bought the train ticket with Senior citizen discount and it couldn't be used for the next day travel. What a waste!
My humble apology to all my friends in Kuching particularly the lecturers of Counselling Department in Unimas. I didn't tell anybody I was coming. My visit was short and my objective was to trace back my steps while living there for more than 6 years. I have a very special bond with Kuching - the city, the people and the nature parks.
I wanted just to lepak at the waterfront, drinking tea and eating laksa Sarawak in the evening and enjoy the breeze and the tranquility. I used to spend time there, to lepak and to mark exam scripts. The waterfront and the river used to be very clean but before I left, it has become neglected.
I missed Orang Utan Rehabilation Center in Semenggoh. Delima, the resident orang utan, is a delight and so was Richie, the male orang utan if he graced the center by coming down. I just love this place and always brought smiles to my face everytime I saw the orang utans. I wanted to see this distant cousins of mine again.
A day trip to Bako was another destination I planned. Bako is a uniquely beautiful nature park with proboscis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys, the bearded hog, the rascal macquats, the pitcher plants, the rock formations, the white sands and the breathtaking scenery.
Exploring the rows of shops near waterfront and at Jalan India would make me feel nostalgic. I wanted to do some shopping there.
When I arrived at Kuching airport, disappointment awaited me. It rained!! And it rained throughout the days I was there, imprisoned me in my hotel room.
I didn't get to do what I wanted to do though I braved the rain and walked to Jalan India and took a short boat ride across the river to visit the beautiful new building, the Dewan Undangan Negeri. I met a friendly Sarawakian Malay lady who was kind enough to ferry me in her car to the DUN and to the orchid garden. Thank you Haslinda, you are not a stranger anymore and I hope we could meet again one day.
So next time I must remember NEVER to visit Kuching before Chinese New Year. I forgot. It always rained before CNY.





At the imposing main door of Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak.


















The raindrops on orchids at Kuching Orchid Garden.
















I will see Kuching again, insyallah.