We'd decided that once a month, covid restrictions permitting, we'd get ourselves out and about.

And that time (extraordinarily -- where DO the days and hours go?) has rolled round again.

So today, in our hired Bezza, we headed for the temple at Beliong, not far from Asajaya (where we had such nice prawns on last month's outing).

You need lunch on the way, of course, so we dropped in at the Pinang Bistro. This is located in an area of Kota Samarahan that offers multiple eating possibilities. They were doing a brisk trade, and we can personally attest to the tastiness of the lontong and the nasi kukus.


To reach Fuk Teck Gong Temple -- which is effectively on an island, with sea on one side, and rivers on all the others -- you need to park your car, and catch one of the little boats that go back and forth across the Sungai Sabang. These accommodate foot passengers and motorbikes only. It's quite a nice little putter for just MYR 1 [GBP 0.20] per person per way.








The temple is a real joy. It's open (which is reasonably unusual in these covid-inflicted times). It's perched on the bank of this awesome river. It's tranquil. It's colourful. And the folks who look after it are really hospitable and friendly.















Having strolled around the grounds for a while, we climbed the Longevity Tower:




Before leaving, we went back to the main temple to buy a candle. I enjoyed using my tiny amount of Chinese in a conversation with one of the temple officials. He encouraged my Chinese efforts, superintended our candle offering, and gave us some incense with which to politely farewell the gods.

We talked about the usual things (where we come from, where we live, and how we got here). But we also talked about the prayer petition of most people at the moment: for "ping an" (this is a wonderful Chinese word that conveys the combined meanings of safe, well, without mishap, quiet, and at peace).

The primary position in this temple is occupied by none other than Tua Pek Kong (in Mandarin, he's Da Bo Gong). I'm very fond of this distinctively Southeast Asian deity, whom we have encountered already in Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Serian, and Muara Tebas.



All in all, a lovely experience, and one I'd happily repeat. We just need to figure out a way of exploring the rest of the little island...

Once back across the river (and we have no idea what happened to the cat who insisted on boarding our boat as all the passengers got off...), we headed back to Kuching and Earthlings. We'd been meaning to try this coffee place near Vivacity for a while, and a car made a visit easy (although actually we could just about walk, we reckon).

The premises are pleasant and airy, the staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the coffee is AWESOME. They have a great range, so it's a good place to try things out. I ordered the ice drip. I discovered cold brew coffee back in KL (it's NOT just cold coffee...), but I haven't had one in a long time.

I was told the Earthlings creation would be "wine-like", and it really was... It brings its own little ritual. The glass on the right contained sparkling water, as a "palate cleanser"; the carafe on the left held the coffee, which you pour over the ice-cube in the beaker in the middle. I wasn't sure whether I should drink out of the beaker or the glass, but hey, it doesn't matter -- it tasted delicious...


Tomorrow, Sri Aman!

But finally, some reminders of covid-era travel: