Kuching
Guide by Dr Clarence Lei
Kuching
is a nice place; many chose to settle in Kuching after their tour of duty! It
is designed as a “healthy” city. I first wrote this for a class reunion in 2006.
You
can start the day with light exercise: a brisk walk along the Sarawak
Riverfront or the cool Reservoir Park! There is so much greenery and
tranquility. You can experience so much unity not only amongst the people, but
even the birds and insects!
Sarawak
River is no longer good for swimming but the bigger hotels have pools.
AIR
TRAVEL
is currently the main way to reach Kuching, by Malaysian Airlines & or AA, Air Asis from Kuala Lumpur International
Airport or Johor Baru or Singapore to Kuching. Malaysian Airlines is about
RM300 – RM1000 one way, depending on when you book; AA is cheaper, about
RM150-300 one way + luggage. Malindo Air
is priced in the middle, but fewer flights. However, there is limited luggage
connectivity with AA & Malindo Air.
ARRIVAL: Taxis from the
airport are based on the coupon system, to be purchased before departure from
the airport. In town, taxis use meters
or on a fixed fare, ~ RM25. You can also uber ! Car rental available from airport or
hotel eg Hertz, ~RM300 for a Toyota Unser, email: kch@hertz.simedarby.com; Tel; 082
450740; Toll free: 1-800-88-3086
TOUR
AGENCIES:
Within Pullman Hotel, Catcity Holidays has a counter, please try to book in
advance; Tel 082-414 200 Counter opens Mond Frid 830am
– 5pm; Saturday 830am - 1pm, , mice@catcityholidays.com;
and inbound@catcityholidays.com 016 808 4198 (Ms Lek, whatsapp)
Within Hilton Hotel, Journey Travel
Agencies Tel 082 25 11 817, HP: 019 859 8316 Mr Peter Bong email: journeyborneo@gmail.com
I attach two updated leaflets: I
recommend the Sarawak Cultural Village. Please use walking shoes as it can be
slippery!
HOTELS: You can easily book through the hotel or websites eg Agoda.com. I can recommend
Pullman, Hilton or Riverside Majestic. Beach Hotels are an hour drive eg Damai Beach Resort Tel: +6082-846999,
or resvn@damaibeachresort.com;
RM 300
WALKING
TOURS
(just outside hotels in town):
(1)
Sarawak
River Waterfront: do not carry handbag or leave unattended items (e.g.
handphones) because of snatch thieves; otherwise Kuching is very safe. You may try River Cruise along the river
or take a small boat (“sampan”)
around the river to see the Governor’s residence and Malay kampungs. The NEW suspension bridge just open on
11.11.2017 !!
(2)
Waterfront
shops
(along Gambir Street, souvenir shops). You can get blowpipes, Orang Ulu beads,
Pua Kumbu weavings, mats, pottery at reasonable prices.
(3)
Emporiums/supermarkets/fast food (e.g. KFC,
MacDonald, Pizzahut, Coffee Bean, Suan Chicken Rice) are just next door to
hotels. Many affordable Chinese (NON Halal) coffee shops are nearby e.g. Fock Thai Tim Sum
Café at 54 Jalan Padungan 93100 Kuching, Lau Ya Ken Porridge & Food Stall
(Chef Ah Soon H/P: 019-8563128 for dinner, around RM15 per person) near GPO
Post Office at Carpenter Street, or try
his sister (Madam Sim Bak Huey) at No 27 Petanak Market (Tel 257611 Restoran
Didi (Malay) at Lot 202 Jln Kulas, 93400 Kuching, Tel 082 412 053. For Sarawak Laksa, try many stalls next to Kuching
Specialist Centre, or Sin Chong Choon Café. There is a good Halal seafood centre at
“TopSpot”: top of a car park next door to Pullman/Hilton hotels.
(4)
Sarawak
Museums
(from 930 am to 445 pm,), one of the oldest museums in South East Asia. Free
entrance. Tel 082 244 232. There is a small outdoor old café serving the famous
Sarawak Laksa, Belachan Beehoon (Halal) and ABC ice slush. The main museum is
closed for renovations but the Chinese Museum at waterfront is open.
SARAWAK
TOURISM BOARD Kuching Visitors’ Information Office, opposite the Sarawak
Museum/Merdeka Palace Hotel, more information and leaflets. Tel 082-410944, Fax
082-256301. Website: www.sarawaktourism.com
COMMUNICATIONS: Broadband Internet
is widely available, often free.
English and Malay are
widely spoken. Chinese dialects include
Mandarin, Hockkien and Khek.
EXCHANGE/BANKS:
There are abundant ATM
machines and credit cards are widely accepted.
There are also a number of money changers near the hotels mentioned.
PLACES
OF WORSHIP near the hotels
mentioned, including Kuching Mosque, temples, Hindu temple and churches (Anglican
St Thomas’s Cathedral, Tel 082-242625,
deankg@tm.net.my,
Communion on Sundays at 645 am, 815 am, 530pm. RC is St Joseph’s Church)
HOSPITALS,
nearby:
(1)
Sarawak General Hospital, Tel 082-276666.
(2)
Timberland Medical Centre, Tel 082-234466.
(3)
Normah Medical Specialist Centre, Tel
082-440055.
Clarence Lei Chang Moh
11 .11.2017
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