Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

 Singapore - This morning after breakfast, Edmund and I went to Kranji War Cemetery and State cemetery.    War Memorial It was a sunny day and we were sweating under the direct sun.  There were no visitors during this time except some landscapers putting flowers on the grave stones. Located in the northwestern part of Singapore, the Kranji area became a military base in the 1930s and was a munitions depot before being converted into battalion headquarters for Australian troops after the Allied withdrawal from Singapore on 31 January 1942. Kranji was a key battle site during the Japanese invasion. With the loss of Malaya, the retreating Allied units were redeployed in a new defence perimeter around Singapore.  rows of tombstone of fallen soldiers Memorial register of the war dead at this war memorial.  Of the 2,690 burials and inscriptions of missing Australian personnel at the cemetery, 519 have their date of death recorded as between 8 and 10 February 1942...

 Kuching - What a good time to end the day to celebrate Sarawak Day.  Once we cross the river, it was crowded with people walking and about.   Water and fireworks with colourful buildings. The beautiful reflection of the colourful building on the river. Fireworks crowds at Merdeka square Cars were jammed on the roads and we could not take a grab back to the hotel.   We walked over to Merdeka square and passed the huge crowd celebration towards St Joseph's Cathedral. stained glass of St Joseph's Cathedral We waited for our grab taxi for about 45mins to arrive as he was in a traffic jam.    Fireworks from my hotel room

Kuching - After our dinner we thought we could cross the bridge but we were told that the only way across is via the sampan.  It cost us  RM2 each. that's us in this small sampan These small sampan (now motorised) can carry about 25 passengers each, bring ferry kampung folk living across the Sarawak River to the main bazaar and back. It is a cheap convenient way of transport. Though there is a good road and a bridge built to cross the river, it is still widely used by the kampong folks to come down to the town on the other side of the river bank It is a convenient means of transport that saves time and cost as compare for having to own a car and to drive a long way that may take around 20 minutes. The sampan took us across in less than 5 minutes.

Kuching - We wanted to try something tribal and unique, and this restaurant was recommended by locals at Sarawak Cultural centre.   This restaurant is located at Malay village and just across the Sarawak river. Entrance to the restaurant Nasi Ayam Kelok The chicken is soft and tender and it was a delicious meal. Umai Umai is a popular traditional native dish of the Melanau people in Sarawak, Malaysia, which is usually eaten by fishermen. Umai is a dish of sliced raw fish with a mixture of onions, chillies, vinegar, salt and lime juice. Linut This is a sago dish which the Melanau people eat instead of rice.  The server taught us how to eat this dish - you use the chopsticks to pick up the gooey dish, roll it up and dipped it into belachan chilli.  This is a not to my liking. Sup Tulang This is sheep bones soup and it tasted really good.  We even order another bowl of rice to savour this delicious dish.

 Kuching -  We came the day before and was told to come today as it's free due to Sarawak Day celebration; otherwise it will cost us RM50 each.   spending a day at the museum The museum was crowded today, but the museum is big enough to accommodate all visitors with ample space to move around.  Four floors of display items and there were much to look at. beautiful moon handing overhead On display were fabric, masks, bags and pottery used by ethnic race in Sarawak. Also on display was the proclamation of the union of Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Malaya into one Federation of Malaysia.   We left around closing time @ 4.30pm

 Kuching - After our hearty lunch, we walked along Jalan Padungan to have a look at the shop houses.  Most were closed for the Sarawak Day celebrations. Minced pork stall Snacks and noodle store Different types of noodles Kuching has many wall murals along China town and carpenter street, and this is one of them.

Kuching -  The ramen is delicious and beef is so tender.  It is a fusion ramen place and they love their sweet corn.  Almost all their dishes has sweet corn. small ramen stall sweet chai seed drink Refreshing apple cider Organic apple cider with sour plum & lime - that's my drink and it was very good.   The ramen is very delicious and the braised beef is excellent - just too many sweet corn for this dish. Bobo Cha cha This Bobo cha cha was what I was expecting, thick gravy with sago balls.  The sweet potato and yam was soft to perfection. Red bean with delicious toppings Total bill came up to RM70 (SGD 20.38) for both of us.

Kuching - The grab driver was willing to make a short stop at Kek Lapis Warisan - a famous Kuching cake shop. Kek Lapis factory At the side of the sales office, were factory workers making the kek lapis. The kek lapis is different from Singapore Kuek Lapis as they have numerous flavours of Lapis.

Kuching - first to breakfast, just a few blocks down the road has 2 Indian restaurants.  I was too hungry ate a piece of the dosa, then realise I have to take a picture of my breakfast. Masala Dosa Sarawak Cultural Village Book at Grab to this location, very far at RM69 one way.   The Grab lady asked whether we want her to wait to bring us back into Kuching city for RM120 - I told her we will decide and call her.   After few minutes into a chatty conversation, she said RM80 back into the city - we said ok. Entrance to the Cultural centre This village of diverse ethnicity spans a 17-acre site.  We can explore local ethnic groups via longhouse replicas, programs & cultural performances.   We follow the direction sign around the lake to visit all the ethnic groups to finally bring us back to the Theatre for an 1hr cultural performance. Rumah Cina - The Chinese home The Chinese people were primarily farmers, bird nest processing and also pepper p...