Serapi Hotel

Posted in Leisure & Travel, Reviews by Minci 先生

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.

19Apr2024

Syawal 2024 – Changing family dynamics

Posted in Everyday Life, Parenting, Family and Relationships by Minci 先生

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?

7Apr2024

Parcel Kasih Sayang (PKS) 2024

Posted in Good Things by Minci 先生

It has become an annual activity to get my family members and close friends a gift for Ramadan. Nowadays, it has become easier for me as I just need to select them from Shopee and have them delivered to their homes. This year the PKS theme is healthy fruits and nuts as opposed to the Tiffins last year.

I also ordered my favourite cookies from an online baker. These cookies are for my siblings, in-laws and neighbours. I even put money packets inside for those who are celebrating Eid outside Melaka next week.

I went to Jonker Street last weekend and got 50 boxes of Beryl cookies. Those are for my relatives and random people in my thoughts. For example, our security guard at the workplace and at my kid’s school. I think I spent just above RM500 at Beryl’s. Parking at Jonker is a nightmare.

I have also been getting a few Ramadan gifts as well. For example, the Medjool dates that I look forward to every year from my bestie Mimie. Then there was a cute mug set from Waniraul and a Mahnaz gift box from Lily Tensai. I love Ramadan because of this. Connecting with old friends and family just to tell them that they are in my thoughts forever.

11Jun2019

Hari Raya, happy ke?

Posted in Everyday Life by Minci 先生

Raya is supposed to bring people close together but somehow I felt a bit distanced this year. Perhaps its my self diagnosed cyclothymia. Or just the things left unsaid.

No proper family photo.

No sesi salam2 cium tangan, cium lutut (LOL) mintak ampun. When in fact, I was very enthusiastic in Ramadhan to clean my house and get it sorted for Eid early on. Despite that, I pulled through the festivities. Get those eyebrows don, eyeliner on point, plaster on a fake smile and here we go. Seeking pleasure in the little acts of kindness and sedekah. InsyaAllah.

I like giving away duit raya to the kids. It is not a hefty sum but it’s enough. It is a form of sedekah. We started our morning with light breakfast at my MILs house followed by the Eid prayers. Then, we went to visit my husbands relatives before driving off to my parents house 2 hours away.

I have never actually visited the graves of my grandparents. My parents never brought me. My parents never did the same. They also hardly spoke of them – kinda reminds me of the Pixar movie, COco. Did something happen before that I do not know off? To be honest, the only living grandparent I get to meet for a while was my maternal granddad. I only remember him loving to watch that late night show of WWE wrestling. I have very little memories of him. Hence, when people say he was funny or smart – I am unable to relate.

Kuih lapis is almost a must in any Sarawakians home for Hari Raya. Only difference being when you’re a Sarawakian living outside the state, your choice of kuih lapis is a bit less extravagant. We choose those simple straight line design but in Kuching (my hometown), you have all sorts of kuih design laid out on the table.

My sister being the 3rd greatest cook in our family invited us over to her house on the 2nd day of Raya. Her menu spread was a fusion of Tganu-Srwk dishes which are Nasi Minyak + Laksa Sarawak. I think we spent about 5 hours at her place eating and eating with solat and movie watching in between. My dad even had an hour nap at her house. We watched The Pool ( A thailand thriller) and what was supposed to be a movie of suspense turned into a comedy once my brothers laced it with their humorous commentaries. Gosh. It was the same when we watched Misteri Delaila. Zul Ariffin became comical when I watched it with my brothers as they laughed at every emotional outbursts this muscular actor’s dialogues.

I had thought that Raya was over after spending 2 nights at my parents place but Mr Husband decided to end the trip with a short excursion to Bayou Lagoon Resort in Melaka. Till the next blog entry yah!

20Feb2015

xin nin kwai le

Posted in Everyday Life by Minci 先生

Its a long weekend for the general public and I am grateful to have at least a full 2 days off as compared to them. Despite not celebrating the Chinese New Year (CNY) .. I am still in a festive mood and trying to enjoy my quality time with my parents and of course Mr Husband and Hazeeq.

I try to make it a habit of visiting my parents at least once a month to see how they’re doing. Occasionally they would drive over to my place for a change of air.

My neighbour who is celebrating the CNY has been very quiet for the past 2 days. Perhaps they are celebrating elsewhere as we have yet to see the festive side of them for the past 3 years we’ve been living in this neighbourhood. I was looking forward to some lion dance and firecrackers or a glimpse of the lovely sweets and cakes but the gate is closed shut. HUhu.

After 2 full days at my parents house, it’s time to go home. The traffic from their place to ours was incredibly smooth. It was ugly yesterday as stated on the news. We heard that the journey from Malacca to Kelantan took up to 12 hours by car. Say what?? Thank god my parents house is just a football game away. Although it could get up to 5 hours, at most. Yikes.

Prior to reaching home, we stopped at Old Town White Coffee at KIP Mart for lunch. One of those places where people don’t seem to frequent at that hour of the day. We love lengang places. We abhor overcrowded areas unless we have to.

Anyway, HAppy CNY.

Xin nin kwai le..

Minci Moss

Influenced by everything. You knew me first ;)

Tag Archives: festive season