Kuching: Cat Litter-box by the Sea

Kuching, the capitol of Sarawak in Borneo, is also the Malay word for cats. We are staying in the city center, within proximity of a fountain designed to look like cats at play. Near the waterfront, it is somewhat romantic until post-rain when the sewers overflow into the streets. The local food is great, however, and better than in Sabah, with more magic being done with chili peppers, coconut milk, and curry pastes. Unique to the region is laksa, a curried noodle soup with prawns that is highly addictive.

Kuching has alot more Straits Chinese than K.K., and this changed the dynamic considerably. For instance, I felt comfortable wearing shorts here but not so in conservative Sabah province.

On flying out of here, we observed part of the plane was held together with duct tape. I enjoyed watching the tape bubble up as air pressure strained it, but was slightly nervous at first. Duct tape is amazing, you know. Still, for that maintenance shortcut, we may not book a flight with Malaysia Berhad again.

June 22, 2007