Eid in Kuching | Minci Moss

Serapi Hotel is the best choice of hotel (so far) if your travel plans involve a lot of visiting relatives who are staying around Matang or Petra Jaya. That was the uttermost decision-making point that made me choose this hotel as opposed to my usual selections around the Padungan area. This hotel should not be mistaken with another Serapi (Verdure) Hotel at Hospital Umum Sarawak. Our hotel is located near Satok.

I booked 2 Twin Rooms at the hotel for a 5D4N stay. It costs me a total of RM 1526.40. There was free parking space for our rented car (limited), breakfast and WIFI (too slow, we used our own line). I had one room with my daughter and my husband shared another room with my son. I decided to book two separate rooms for comfort because the kids are growing and the bed is too small to fit all of us together.

Check-in was at 2PM. We had a few minor inconveniences upon checking in. My room couldn’t be opened because the battery for the door was out. So, the hotelier gave me another room on the same floor. My husband on the other hand had a non-functioning air conditioner in his room. They had a really warm night and were so hot that they had to open the windows. They were given a new room the next day.

At this hotel, housekeeping is not done daily. You need to put in a request before 4pm. I just wished they would clean the bathroom better. The walls need some scrubbing.

Breakfast was ok. We really loved the chicken and fried dumplings. The selection was acceptable. The coffee was ok. Of course, the coffee I make at home tastes better. The location was great considering the activities we planned. Serapi Hotel is a bit further than town but there are plenty of eateries to go to nearby. Understandably, these places are not open on Raya. So, we really missed out on delicious mi kolok and laksa Sarawak. But I look forward to my visit in September for my cousin’s wedding.

As a child, I remember celebrating Eid very differently. It was a festive occasion that I looked forward to because I knew there would be plenty of delicacies to eat and of course, the most awaited duit raya. As I got older, especially recently, I realized that the vibrant and energetic aunts and uncles I knew were getting more frail. They have aged. So was I. Their vision is getting worse. Their steps are getting slower as they have a painful back and wobbly knees.

Their kids are part of the Sandwich Generation – myself included. We divide our attention between our parents and our kids. Sadly also to our jobs. Previously, hosting an ‘open house’ was a breeze for the elders because they have their kids to help them. Now that with added responsibilities, with their kids securing a job and raising a family – it is not that easy.

I suppose this is where traditions will begin to change for the family.

Similarly the death of an older family member – that too will change the family dynamics and how a certain occasion will be celebrated. The Sandwiches will gradually take the lead and create their own traditions and way of life depending on how they like it.

I’ve made it a mission to celebrate Eid at Kuching this year. I felt there were many days for us to travel and enjoy the festive season without compromising the kid’s school days. I used my WPUA this time and travelled with Malaysia Airlines. We departed from Melaka as early as 8am and arrived at Salak Tinggi Park and Ride. Then we took the KLIA Transit train to KLIA1.

At Kuching, I booked two rooms at the Serapi Hotel. There will be a separate blog post on that.

Most of our days are spent visiting relatives on both of my Dad and late mom’s side. It was a worthwhile visit. The kids love it too as they get a lot of packet money. They also enjoyed eating the kuih lapis. I mean, what is Raya without Kuih Lapis right?