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Kuching trip with my daughter – getting souvenirs, The Reef and the Regatta

Posted in Everyday Life, Food and Drinks, Leisure & Travel, Places to Eat by

I was in Kuching with my daughter for a wedding. After the event, we went to two places to get some souvenirs to bring back to Melaka. First was a trip to Kubah Ria.

KUBAH RIA

Kubah Ria is basically a market. My sister bought some midin, mi kolok and Sarawak Laksa paste. I, on the other hand, was looking for Chelum Chocolate Cafe. This cafe sells artisan chocolates. I saw on Instagram that it’s locally produced with very Sarawakian flavours. Thankfully, they have testers in the store. I bought the ones that my daughter likes, which are the ones with Sago Pearl and Tebaloi. The chocolate bars were priced at RM7/piece. I bought 40.

KEK LAPIS WARISAN

Previously, I have always gone to Kampung Gersik for my kuih lapis. This is someplace new. Honestly, I wouldn’t know the difference, but the idea of being able to watch how the kek lapis are made is interesting. Visitors can have a look at it at this outlet.

What’s more important is that I get to buy my kek lumut, kek belacan and Cadbury. They have the usual buy 10 free 1 promo, but I only bought 7. Cause everyone is on a diet. Plus, not everyone would appreciate the gesture of my bringing kuih lapis for everyone to eat at the workplace. Its availability in semenanjung has made it less exclusive. Although I do remember buying 1 loaf each for my colleagues in Hospital Jasin during my working period there. That was a long time ago. Over time, kuih lapis is just another cake to some people.

I did buy a few cat T-shirts for my husband and kids. Haneem really wanted a cat t-shirt. If I had more time, I’d probably shop for kain pasang with pua kumbu patterns. Alas, time was something I did not have.

Dinner at The Reef

Since we were in Kuching for the weekend, we felt that our chances of securing a table at Topspot would be small. Hence, my sister made a booking at The Reef. She put in an order for several dishes that were promptly served upon our arrival. Haneem really loved her midin, and she was able to finish her bowl of rice on her own! Good job.

After the dinner with my sister and her family, Haneem and I walked a little bit more to the Padungan cat statue. This particular cat changes its attire with the festive season. Since it is Deepavali, the cat was in an Indian outfit.

The Regatta

The Regatta and Festival Kraf Borneo was also happening during our visit. All this was organised at The Waterfront. So, we went there after breakfast on the day of our departure. We managed to watch a few boats racing. It was really fun and honestly got our adrenaline rushing too. The women with their oars and roars were such a beautiful sight. They were like warriors. The men, of course, were super sado.

I guess this sums up our girls’ trip to Kuching. It was too short and I look forward to another trip to Kuching again soon. Once I have saved up enough money. I really want to come during the time they’d play the Disney orchestra at The Waterfront. I wonder when their next show is in 2026. I really want to experience it. How fabulous it would be!

Kuching 2022: Food Glorious Food

Posted in Leisure & Travel by

I had this intense craving for Bing. Especially their chicken panini and coffee latte. Perhaps it’s the sauce, the mustard? Or the right amount of crunch to it. We don’t have Bing in Melaka but we do have Bing in Kuching. I missed it so much that as soon as we landed, I ordered it via Grabfood and had it delivered to the hotel. We devoured it straight up after checking into our room. In a way, this was to give my husband a glimpse of what I liked during housemanship, during my lunch ‘dates’ or weekend ‘dates’ with Stella. The taste, amazingly even after more than a decade is still the same.

Of course, it is not a visit to Kuching if you don’t go to Topspot. How can you skip Topspot?

TOPSPOT

As usual, it is Shop No 25. The evergreen menu is midin belacan, ambal kari, udang (shrimp) Nestum, bawal 3 rasa, oyster egg and salted egg crabs. We ordered a bit too much fruit juice. If you order a large jug, it is actually enough for 10 adults to have at least 2-3 standard glasses each. It is that much.

THE REEF

This is my first time coming here. My dad loved it so much. He ordered at least 10 dishes from mixed vegetables, prawns, squids, crabs, chicken and all. We were so full.

GULA APONG ICE CREAM

It doesn’t matter which shop you want to get it from. Just try it. It is no longer a Sarawak delicacy though cause we’ve got brands sprouting in Semenanjung. I particularly enjoyed the ice cream Mokti which is available in Melaka.

EAT AT THE WATERFRONT

I had the nasi goreng dabai and ‘sirap’ which is a different cordial from the ones you get in Semenanjung. In Kuching they use the Grenadine cordial.

MOM’S LAKSA

I used to enjoy Madam Tang’s Laksa at Spring Mall. I haven’t been there for a while so I am not quite sure if it still exists. Mom’s Laksa is not bad either. The broth is kids friendly meaning it is not that spicy or too herbal. Foreign tourists would enjoy it I think. Here, you not only can order Laksa Sarawak but you could also order Mee Kolok.

KOPI O KORNER

The breakfast here is great. Of course it is the usual Laksa Sarawak, Mee Kolok, Mi POk, Mee Jawa! In the afternoon they have nasi campur. At night, they are open for the goreng2 dishes.

Special mentions

Lok Thian (thai restaurant), Rumah Hijau and Singapore Chicken rice. I mean there’s probably more but I’d have to stay in Kuching to be able to sample it all. Ha ha ha.