31-Jul-2025
Just over a week ago, we headed back to Kuching from Singkawang.
Waiting for our bus. A 0600 departure meant we had to miss breakfast, which we grieved over a little, as the Swiss-Belinn breakfasts had been so good...
The hills we'd admired every morning were noticeably less clear, and the atmosphere thickened as we went along. Ms G. Maps was marking a major fire to the west. OK, we thought, so we're back in the season of the smoke pollution...
The bus journey was even longer that time, topping out at 7.5 hours. Delays at the Malaysian border.
The only other thing of note about the journey was a rhinoceros beetle, who suddenly appeared on Nigel's leg a little way down the road on the Malaysian side of the border. We didn't want to put him on the floor of the bus, as we thought he could easily be trodden on. Nor could we very well ask the driver to stop to let the beetle out. So we housed him temporarily in our sandwich box, and released him into the garden once we got home. Hope he's all right...
We called him Alexander...
So that was that. Singkawang over.
Since we've been back, it has been extraordinarily hot, and the air has been pretty bad, factors that have curtailed our normal routines somewhat.
Plus, we've been incredibly busy. Such a large washing backlog to tackle. And a fridge to stock back up. Not to mention friends to catch up with. And nuisancy website hosts who rampage round making a mess, which then has to be sorted out, bit by bit, as each fresh aspect of their folly comes to light.
We've also been booking up for our next trip. This is a nice thing to be doing, but it's definitely time-consuming. Websites don't always cooperate; reliable information is not always available; much humming and hawing needs to go under the bridge before decisions can be made.
Add in a dentist here, an audiologist there, and there's just been no time to think...
However, the week has held some pictorial elements of note, and here they are, in chronological order:
Croissants at Madeleine to celebrate a good outcome at my new dentist's
Always fun to catch up with the Jalan Padungan mural productions
Still in progress, but looking good
It was Sarawak Day while we were away, and the flags and regalia are still in evidence
We really enjoyed visiting this lovely little celebration of local art at City One Megamall on Saturday. What a talented lot of people we share our Sarawakian space with
Evelyn Chia
Wong Heng Lee
Mae Bayu
Wang Qing
Liew Jia Xi
Emmanuel Osakue
Yvonne Yeo Suh Chan
Stephanie Henry
Our friend Judy Pearson. This one pays tribute to those who suffered at Batu Lintang Camp during the Japanese occupation
Also by Judy, this celebrates AirBorneo, and the journey home to Sarawak. I find this picture very evocative
Quendy Lim E-Xuan
Roxanne Liew Shu Yi
Meanwhile, back in town, the new St Peter's now has a new statue
More Sarawakian pride
Almost got the colours right...
Had to memorialize this beautiful latte seahorse, from Moon and Sun
This is sad. For some reason we can't fathom, our condo management have taken down the tree on the lawn. "It was old," we were told when we asked. Yeah, well, I'm old, but I still have a purpose in life... Old trees provide habitats. The birds loved this one. And it's in the middle of the goddam lawn. Even if it had keeled over, it wouldn't have hurt anyone. We'll miss you, poor tree...
Back on the croissant trail, here's... well, you can see. Not sure what that accent is doing on the "o", but hey...
A pretty good almond croissant
It has been a strange week. Terns poised on the edge of the cliff, waiting to take off again.