'miao'

If you've never been to Kuching, would you spend just one night there for your vacation?

Well, I did.

I call it my express getaway, where no one realises that I was 607 miles across the ocean the day before.

There are plentiful attractions in Sarawak but because of its vast area, places of interest like Bako, Gunung Gading National Park and Niah Caves require a lot of travelling time. Hence, with not much preparation except for my dear friend, Google and having bought my plane ticket only a week in advance, I had only one thing in my mind - Sarawak Cultural Village.

My hotel is right at the heart of the city along Jalan Ban Hock.

Rates start from RM 145 which is a fair price to pay for a major city like Kuching.

My quiet moment at the hotel lobby where at other times, were occupied by hoards of schoolchildren and a team of police officers who were there for some function.

Check out my bed, so huge that

it'll be a waste if I don't share it with these lovely people.

For dinner, I had my friend, Solomon to take us out for a nice decent meal. As he brought us to Topspot Cafe on some rooftop of a building, I was damn sure I also heard him say he was gonna let me try the famous ABC in Kuching (read it on someone's blog before too).

Turned out the PLACE was called 'ABC Seafood'! Drat.

They didn't even serve ABC.

We had dishes with rice. I really like the sliminess and crunchiness of the 'midin' and because there are so many like me, this type of vege is fetching a rather hefty price.

The next morning, it gets bright real early so I hopped over next door to this popular eating place for my early breakfast.

The Sarawak Kolok Mee may be a tad too dry for my palate but the prawn and char siew is very tasty and fresh.

Never leave Kuching without trying their Sarawak Laksa. For me, it's like the meehoon version of a very very mild Mamee Lontong. And if you're from either KL, Malacca, Ipoh or Penang, I bet you'll find your local laksa tasting much better.

You should not underestimate the popia from this shop. Looking at the 2 young girls working like clockwork wrapping and cutting, I knew it had to be good. And boy, it turned out to be excellent!

After a quick breakfast, we were picked up by a local guide to start our one-hour journey to the Sarawak Cultural Village. We paid RM 90/pax for a round trip and entrance fees included.

On the way there, we caught a view of what I believe was Mt Santubong.

It's dark....such poor picture quality...Hmph! But this is the entrance.

If you drove here, just pay RM 45/pax to enter.

As you see here, the entire village is built around this man-made lake.

The 'Do's and Don't' are always an interesting read.

The lake.

Basically, you can visit the unique traditional houses of each ethnic found in Sarawak.

Definitely not the family you would want to sell Fire Insurance to.

The Ibans are the widest population in Sarawak, making up 29%.

Me and mum in front of an Iban home.

With an Iban girl.

An Iban family.

The house of the Orang-Ulu is built on high wooden pillars.

So is the Melanau home, only with many more windows. :)

Most of the stairs are made from tree trunks which we had to climb up and down.

I wonder how they carry their furniture up into the houses.

We also tried crossing their bamboo bridges.

ooh fat faced me

Apparently, this tool is for extracting sugarcane juice.

Surprised there was also a Rumah Cina. Looked like my grandma's house a hundred years ago. (yeah rite, like i would know)

Dad said I used to sleep in one of these cradles while grandma rocked me to sleep.

Are you pulling my leg, Dad?

This looked more like something to put me in if you were giving me away. lol.

If going from room to room of each house is too boring, they certainly know how to inject some liveliness into this place by putting on live demonstrations of some of the ethnic's popular activities.

Like the Melanau and their sago making.

Or the popular cakes or biscuits made traditionally.

I found true love in these tapioca mini cakes which were sold for RM 1/four. They were simply divine!

One have to watch their cultural show while here, either at the 11am or 2pm slot. It's remarkbly funny especially during one particular sketch that involved the audience participation.

Looking at the condition of their bedrooms, be grateful of the bed you're sleeping in every night!

Modernism in terms of toilet signages seeps into this culture-driven society.

As my trip to this village ends, all is made even more memorable by this little green passport.

Visitors are invited to stamp a unique chop representing each village they've been to.

A task which of course Dad was ever so willing to do.

My entire trip was like Sejarah lessons (or is it Geografi) all over again ..

And of course, lots of pepper to follow.

Other things to remember Kuching by?

My first ever copy of 'Borneo Post' greeting me at my hotel doorstep,

and my scrumptious FISH meal at Kuching's Sugar Bun outlet..

In case you do not know, they usually only sell fried chicken.