The people

Kuching
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Love Kuching, it's beautiful. Even though all the old buildings are a sign of their colonial past and the rule of the White Rajah's, the Malays seem to have come out the other side well. After Thailand I was kind of on the defensive when people approached me saying "Where you go?" because there it meant "How much can I get from you in a taxi". So the first Malay woman who approached me when we got off the bus in Kuching saying that almost got the usual "No thanks". She was actually offering directions. And it didn't stop there. Every time we headed for a bus, some helpful local would come by and tell us which bus stop at which time and which number to catch. The city also reminds me a bit of Brisbane - it's a river city too, relaxed, just laid back. It just has this easy grace about it (to steal a line from a guide book) and they are welcoming to tourists without putting on an act. Almost all signs have English translations and many locals speak a fair amount of English too. I'm evemn starting to pick up bits of Malay...strangely it's all stuff like the Malay for Jewellery store (there are about 5 Kedai Emas per block, Chinese influence being seen here) or "the life jacket is under your seat". But I'm also getting the helpful stuff like "push", "pull", "toilet" and all the pleasentries. It's a cool language and relatively simple. Oh, and of course what blog entry of mine would be complete without mentioning the food. I'm a simple girl, roti with daal and a cup of tea (never ask for sugar, it usually will get about 6 spoonfulls), so good! Keep meeting Malays who've been to Brisbane too. I was sad to leave the place after seeing so little (we stayed for 4 nights). Ooh, almost forgot about Ritchie! We went to Semmingoh Wildlife centre, they used to rehabilitate comfiscated orang utans there (they've since moved that operation) but they still have some of the animals that return to feed occasionally. They're free on the property and breeding but the staff put out some fruit on a feeding platform twice a day and sometimes they come feed (although apparently this is less and less frequent which shows they are becoming more and more adjusted). We waited from 10am until 3pm for the afternoon feed...went out there and waited at the viewing area for about half an hour. It started pouring down so half the group left. We were just about to give up after another 20 minutes standing in the rain when we saw some bending trees in the distance. And then a 120kg male orang utan named Ritchie came swinging through the trees. It was absolutely amazing. I can see why people work with primates. You know how people get kind of high when there's a larg rare animal around, like the get this child-like giggly thing happen and you just keep saying wow? Everyone, old and young were just awestruck. He was amazing. Very cool. Will have to talk more about it later (and we got video too...tourists!). After that we took a day trip to Bako NP. Beautiful place with Proboscis monkeys that feed in the mangroves. Saw a family of them (and one did a huge pee right in front of us). Funny looking guys, a bit Gonzo-ish. I'm getting my primate fill after a lifetime monkeyless in Australia.

Giant moth!
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Lucy

a lifetime monkeyless in Australia