Currently there are only two operational Cinemas in Kuching, namely the Riverside Cineplex, and the more preferred Star Cineplex. Star Cineplex is situated at the 9th floor of the Medan Pelita building, built primarily accomodating carparks for most of the levels. From the top of the building, you can get decent view over the Kuching CBD from a distance, and it actually covers a wide view of Kuching from other angles as well. For a not so frequent movie goer like me, I sure make use of my time up there, taking pictures of the lovely city of Kuching, be it day, or night.

Kuching in the Day and Night.






It was a scary experience taking those shots, using long time exposure (slow shutter speed) by placing my camera on the extended pillar outside of the corridor. Since I did not bring back my tripod, placing my camera on that conveniently only available steady surface seemed tempting enough, but it did not fall short of another risk. The risk of having my camera falling down 9 stories to the ground, should I make any silly movement and be as clumsy as a clown. Thank goodness, none of those happened.

I shall be leaving Kuching soon, and thus, I am taking as many pictures of this lovely city as I can. This explains my frequent updates on this catcity blog.

Once I am outstation, the only thing closest to home, would be viewing those pictures I have taken and reflecting on those wonderful times I have had in this remarkable hometown that had given so much to me and my life. Kuching is such a liveable city that, once you leave, you will be sure to feel heavy-hearted.

Hey everyone !!! How was the Chap Goh Meh celebration? Since it was the last day of Chinese New Year Celebration, the temples are flocked with people, especially the one popularly known Tua Pek Kong Temple in Kuching. The temple is one of the oldest, and yet still standing, right at the heart of Kuching, situated adjacent to other prominent landmarks as well, namely the Chinese Museum, Sarawak River Waterfront, and the Main Bazaar. Until today, the temple is still crowded with people on seasons and festivities, and remain a remarkable tourist attraction.

Tua Pek Kong and an Overlooking Full Moon

I had a privillege to tag along Allen on a photography journey after my Chap Goh Meh dinner to Tua Pek Kong. When we got there, the temple was already swarmed with people. While Allen was doing his stuff, I was doing my stuff too. Plenty of pictures were taken, and I had quite a difficult time steadying my hands since I left my tripod back in Perth (bad decision). Nevertheless, I did manage to get some satisfactory shots, though the pictures taken by Allen's DSLR would be much superior. Anyway, nothing much can be expected from a budget consumer camera for night photography.

Mini Cute Red Lanterns Everywhere

There were other people with normal cameras as well as DSLRs around too, hence our presence there happily snapping away was not that awkward after all. And I noticed that people taking pictures with family in front of the temple is a casual thing to do, since nowadays even mobile phones come with good quality cameras. Of course, I did not camwhore, it just felt a little off to camwhore in a religious place, would you not agree?

Allen in His Actions

For those of you visiting Kuching, do look out for the Tua Pek Kong Temple. It is quite easy to spot, especially if you are driving along the waterfront. It is actually at such a strategic location that if you are walking around the area, you will have plenty of places to explore from there on.

Who says Sarawak food is only known for its Kolok Mee and Laksa only? Our selection of local delicacies does not stop just there, it actually spans into a much wider variety, that many outsiders but Kuching folks only would truly know what is best, and where to find it. One of my friends brought his other friends from West Malaysia around Kuching, and while everything else fails to please and amaze the foreigners’ taste buds, my friend switched to one rare option: Belacan Bee Hoon.

Belacan Bee Hoon is considered as one popular dish, though not as commonly found everywhere as Kolok Mee and Sarawak Laksa. Since people who has very little experience with the taste and “interesting” aroma of belacan (a type of prawn paste, used for cooking or sauce) may find the belacan bee hoon rather unattractive from the first glance, this dish would usually serve to be a last resort. Nevertheless, just like durian, some people may distaste the foul smell, but some, would instantaneously develop a life-long addiction and craving for it. This happens for those friends from West Malaysia.


SARAWAK BELACAN BEE HOON




Usually Belacan Bee Hoon is primarily plain bee hoon served with Belacan Sauce, Cuttlefish and Cucumber. You have an option to add extra chilli, or even extra belacan into the bee hoon itself, should the taste be insufficient for your liking.

SONG KHENG HAI MARKET




The best place to get good Belacan Bee Hoon in Kuching would be Song Kheng Hai Market, at Padungan. There are two equally famous stalls selling Belacan Bee Hoon there, and those stalls only operate from 2.30pm-5.30pm every afternoon. During my last visit there, which was at the 7th day of Chinese New Year, so many other stalls along that row was still closed, and only the TWO Belacan Bee Hoon stalls were open. Look at the picture itself, with just those two primary stalls, the entire place was jammed packed !! Imagine what happens when all stalls are open on ordinary days.


At Song Kheng Hai market, There are plenty of other dishes to choose from besides belacan bee hoon, or to go along with it as side dishes. I would usually opted for Chat Kueh, which unfortunately was not open that day. We had Rojak to fill in the gaps, and washed all those scrumptious food down with, ice cold ABC Special.

ROJAK




ABC SPECIAL




For all those folks out there who has never tried this special Sarawakian dish, I suggest that you try it out the next time you stop here, after all, you wont find this elsewhere. There is no promise that everyone will love it, but if so many people are lining up the stall filling up the orders, I am taking that it is a very well liked dish locally. You will never know until you try it out yourself, like those friends from West Malaysia, they fell in love with Belacan Bee Hoon ever since their first encounter.


Side Note: It is getting a little quiet here lately, hence I guess I should make some noise. Come on guys, we should update this place more often. Anyway, a round of belacan bee hoon before I leave to Australia, anyone?

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