12-May-2024
We got back from our road trip this week. Before we handed the car back, we had time for a quick trip out to Sama Jaya. You have to tangle with Kuching's fearsome morning traffic jams to get here, but it's always a rewarding place to visit:
A Malayan box turtle
In time-honoured tradition, this little outing ended at the Tabuan Desa branch of Black Bean Coffee, where this time we had the chance to try some new Liberica (single-origin, as opposed to the blend that we normally have):
Home via the bush-cat traffic lights. Good to see the guys getting a spruce-up
We were only away just over a week, but that's plenty of time for things to change in Kuching:
The junction down the road now has flashy blue warning lights...
...and an accident black spot sign
Time for a change of festive gear... Wesak Day and Gawai are approaching, so the Big Padungan Cat is multi-tasking
Some things continue to crumble...
...while others continue to grow...
... and yet others just carry on being their adorable selves
There have been a couple of interesting talks this weekend. Firstly, Michael Heppell spoke on Bornean masks and their significance (they are variously used to keep the rice spirits happy, ease the passing of souls, demonstrate the difference between order and chaos, and scare the bejeebers out of recalcitrant children):
And secondly, we heard from Kim Hoskin, a former Border Scout with the force that patrolled the Tri Border Area during the period of Konfrontasi with Indonesia:
It's worth noting, too, that both our weekend speakers are octogenarians... Way to go.
And finally, the food diary:
Really good hakka mee from a stall at LSY
The beef version
We learn about salted eggs one day, and we try them the next...
A friend gave us some super-tasty fish. Salted and crispy, they're called dodok in Malay, and go well with a salad of terong asam and sweet potato
Now that Rumah Kopi has sadly closed, Flat is our Jalan Padungan go-to for leisurely coffee
Tirta Barong has changed its hours, so we now have an additional evening option for coffee/tea
It turns out we completely missed the Wesak Day parade yesterday... Seriously, Kuching -- so busy...