It's about 400 km from Sibu to Kuching. We set out at 05.30, and made five stops:

1. For coffee at Mid-Layar. Afterwards we had to bodily remove a cat who'd installed himself inches behind our car wheels, and showed no inclination to move, even when the engine was turned on.


2. For lunch at Sungai Tenggang. Duck noodles from Mui Fah. Scrumptious. Really.



3. To explore something of the old Japanese settlement near Kota Samarahan, which I'd become aware of via these two articles by Priscilla Tawie. This is quite a story. In 1910, the third "White Rajah", Charles Vyner Brooke, invited Yorioka Shozo to work land near Kota Samarahan. Later that year, Shozo returned with 250 Japanese citizens (labourers, their families, teachers, doctors, and acupuncturists). They brought sakura wood to build a shrine, which still exists. Now it is surrounded by palm oil plantation, but in their day, the Japanese settlers focused primarily on rubber, while also growing pepper and pineapples (and rice for their own use). Shozo died of malaria in 1912, but his brother, Shosuke, took over the plantation. When the Japanese occupied Sarawak during World War II, the migrants were told to return home. The vast majority did, but some stayed, either living in disguise or working for the military. Some have descendants in the community to this day, and the history of these settlers is still commemorated in some of the street signs. There's a lot more to be discovered, given a little more time and a better map.








4. To buy rambutan, which -- judging by the number of roadside stalls supplying them -- seem to have come onstream with a vengeance now. A big bunch cost MYR 5.


5. To have coffee at Black Bean in La Promenade (excellent banana cake), and shop for provisions at Choice, a supermarket we have great regard for, and would use more often if it were closer.

Home by 16.00. The journey home after a road trip is often a bit draggy, but today has been full of interest. A nice rounding-off.