sarawak chinese Museum

We heard great reviews on the Chinese Museum in Kuching so we decided to have a look before it closes at 4:30pm. We almost couldn't make it as it was 4:25pm by the time we reached, but the nice man let us in. He is a volunteer worker to help maintain and operate the place. He saw us coming and knew we weren't locals and let us visit the museum for a while before he really shuts everything down by 5pm.

This museum is donated by the public and the influential Chinese people in Kuching and it's interesting to know about the early immigration of the Chinese people to Malaysia. Everything you want to know (how the chinese came to Malaysia) it's in this museum and it's very informative.There are currently  many chinese groups in Malaysia and some of them i've never heard of eg. Heng Hua and  Chao An.

At every section of the Chinese group there is a recorded conversation of their dialects that can be listen to, by just a push of the button. Some seemed like they are speaking in Korean and some has a mixture of cantonese and hokkien jumble up together.  Don't worry if you can't understand it. There is a translation for you to know what their conversation is right above the button.

As for Jo and I. we're Hakka but we don't know what kind of Hakka we are..but definitely our ancestors came from kwang tong.

Though my bro and I are Hakka, it's sad to say we can't speak our dialects and the uncle said it's a shame and can't blame us cuz most of the youngsters these days hardly speak their dialect. But we can speak Cantonese and Mandarin though as it's essential for a Chinese to know their mother tongue. Or risk getting ppl talking behind your back.

can you spot your family name?

Our family name was listed under this category. i'm not sure what it means though..my apologise cuz my mandarin is somewhat limited. :(

So if u're visiting Kuching be sure to take a stop at the Chinese Museum at Jalan Main Bazaar which is located right opposite Tua Pek Kong temple. Remember don't be late! we're just lucky to be able to get in :p

boy i would love to get this one home.

kuching trip el primero

It's been a long time since Jo and I hang out together and some quality time together as siblings. We also had a vision- to join the Amazing Race Asia (if possible) thinking it'll be an awesome experience so i booked us a flight to Kuching and Sibu a.k.a. Sarawak trip. As for the accommodation, my good friend Toh Soon was so kind to let us crash at his place for a few days and ferry us here and there to eat. Thanks man!


The first thing i wanted to do the moment i landed Kuching was....

                                        Eating Kolo Mee~~!!!! Oh how i miss it so much

        Jo and I enjoying our breakfast of the day at Sin Lian Shin coffee shop that sells the best kolo mee
We did a little sight seeing for the day at Fairy cave, Wind cave and the mysterious blue lake in a small town called "Bau". It's quite far from town so having your own transport is better or you could rent a vehicle to get there.

 Then we got hungry again, and went to Song Kheng Hai Food Centre at Jln Padungan for tea time :) We wanted to try food that can't be normally found in KL such as belacan meehun, kompiah (a popular fuchow bagel in Sibu) and thirst quenching desserts like White lady and Fa Lor Hon. I'll let the pics tempt u guys :p

belacan meehun

fa lor hon

white lady

 

  

                   

                                         Kompiah (fuchow bagel) with minced meat


To be in Kuching town not only u have to try their famous kolo mee, you have to try their kuching laksa as well. This coffee shop also serves one of the good kuching laksa around and parkin is so difficult to get. So becareful as u won't wanna get a fine ticket.

kuching laksa

toast bread with kopi ping

popiah

We also took the time to visit the Sarawak Cultural Village which is located about 45 minutes from Kuching town. Since i didn't have to chance to visit it on my last trip i'd figure this will be an eye opener for me and Jo to experience what Sarawak has in store for us in that village. To get there you can get a shuttle bus from Riverside Majestic hotel or the Grand Continental hotel the for a fee of RM10 adult one way.
The great thing about bringing a student card is to get the entrance ticket at a cheaper price. Jo and I got it for RM15 per person :). pretty cheap compared to the normal price charged. There were many different houses for us to visit in the cultural village : The Iban Long house, Rumah Bidayuh, Rumah Orang Ulu, Melanau,Orang Penan, even Malay and Chinese old house.

jo having fun with the "sumpit"

                   It was only RM1 for 3 tries and Jo got it on the 3rd attempt!

Along the way we also befriended two Singaporeans ,Cassandra and Qi Wen. Both of them are so friendly and there were lots to talk about. Funny thing is they thought Jo and I were a couple so i cleared the air by saying he's actually my younger brother. I guess it's not the norm where brothers and sisters travel together eh? I'd say they are my first Singaporean friends i'd ever had and they are so nice to hang out with :)

Cassandra ,Qi Wen and I

At the Bidayuh bridge with Jo and Cassandra

So that's now for our Kuching trip, up next i'll continue talking about my trip and about the Chinese Museum in Kuching town that just opened this year. Interesting find that day. Till then *Miao*

                     

 

SCMR Accomplished!

Hi all,

This is my ever first entry of my blog. Not quite sure how to start it but I’ve decided to blog about my interest and the things I like to do.

First of, i’m not a very sports person but ever since my friend Suet Ling asked me to join for last year’s Standard Charted Marathon run (SCMR) for 10km.I’ve began to jog, seriously.

I’ve also been active in badminton during my university days (still am) and jogging was just the beginning. Having a beautiful stadium in University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) I never knew how to appreciate it till I was in my final year/final semester that I went there to jog whenever I could.

So as a first timer in 10km I was nervous at the starting line. Luckily I had my music to accompany me, and Suet too, but i went ahead and I didn’t see her (sorry Suet!). I was happy that I could finish the race in 1 hour 22mins. I couldn’t believe it myself as I wasn’t a very active runner in high school, talk about merentas desa..=.=!

Then this year, as I was busy juggling my Final Year Project and preparing for viva voce, Suet texted me again asking if I wanna join for this year’s SCMR 10km. I replied that I wasn’t sure when will I be able to complete everything and be back in KL for the marathon run. So I told her I’ll consider it.

Once my schedule was out. I told her I was up for it….But….it’ll be 21KM!!! 

Why 21KM?! I don’t know..maybe I was so hyped up and wanted to challenge myself further. So I signed up for it. Thinking I was able to train in the stadium as well.

Unfortunately once I sold of my car I couldn’t get to Uni to train (buses don’t operate during semester breaks boohoo!) and training in a small park was demotivating. Though I hitched rides from my friends to train in Bkt Padang and UMS I felt it wasn’t enough. Then training for badminton seems to be the next closest thing since I was joining a small competition.

So when I got back KL and just trained 2 times I went for the run. This time I’ll be running with the guys.

However when we were about to reach Dataran Merdeka by foot (since we parked quite far), they’ve already started counting down “10, 9, 8..”

 Oh shit, we’re late.

Jogging there already warmed us up and we did a little stretching before starting the run, chasing the ppl up front. I was steady, running with the guys till the 4^th KM I had to stop for the loo…

Great timing..but nature called..what to do..

Panic struck me while I was waiting in the queue as many people passed me by, for fear that I’ll be the last. Right after, I quickly increase my pace and just go go go!

I know I’m already far behind the guys so I just do my best and keep my pace. By the time I only reached 11.5km and realized there is another 10KM to go..my heart dropped. The mental endurance came it. I can do it. I can do it!!!!  10 more KM only.. Why did I enter this run again?....pay to suffer?

Of course there is no room for doubt but just keep pushing yourself and say you HAVE to since u’ve been training for this.

As I saw the finishing line I was so happy!!! I kept my pace and keep jogging to the finishing line…till I stopped, noticing I was in the wrong lane!! The full marathon lane! Oh the blunder… Luckily there was a small gap in between the lane where I could squeeze myself and finish it off at the half marathon lane. YEY! Am glad I did finished the run in 3 hours and 6 mins..based on the time I saw on the board as I passed through it. To my surprised the guys told me I was just 3 mins behind them.:)

from left: Winson, me and Garrett the finisher of 21km run

Thank you guys for the good start of the run! I had a great time and a great experience to complete the marathon run which I never thought I could. Can’t wait for next year.

Next time I wanna improve my time.=)