A Trip That Touches

In the Airport before departing back to Selangor

With Quanyie, Sze Huey, and Yi Chin in the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

Yee Hong, Me, Nat, and Sze Ching showing our 'body' at Damai Beach. Haha. Love this pic.

Aaron, Nat, Yoke Heng, Amanda, Me, and Sze Ching in Friendship Park

In Friendship Park again, in front of Laksamana Cheng Ho's statue

In Front of our respective states

I like this picture

The boys in Merlin's house during the BBQ

Sze Ching sleeping in Amanda's Aunt's Guest House

At Amanda's Church (St. Faith)

With Amanda's family

A gal playing with Sze Ching in the church (cute)

One of the cat statue in Kuching

At one of the park beside Kuching Museum (Like this one)

Haha..standing in the empty pool

Haha..all showing no. 4 (just for fun)

Another group pic

In front of the museum

In front of the crocodile farm

Christine trying out a cowboy hat (this pic was taken illegally =p cause we were not allowed to snap any picture in the shop)

Nat saving me from the crocodile (ouch)

Group Pic

Sze Ching trying the tool used to process grain into soya (my bottle's there =p)

Me trying the sumpit in the Cultural Village

Haha..assasinator: Me, victim: Sarah

Jia Huei and I. This thing is used to separate the grain from its husk

Terence and I. forgot what this tool is used for

Cultural Performance. Enjoyed it!

Kashin and I at the Damai Beach

The boys at the beach

Me with Chau Wang. Haha. the leg belongs to Wen Jun

Green Road's Toilet..look how clean it is

Merlin's car sticker..(cute)

In front of Boon, Merlin, Josephine,Kashin's school

Brother feeding sister =)

At Hornbill Corner, having steamboat

In Boon's house

Front part of Boon's house. His Mercedes is obvious isn't it?

Forgotten what this is. Think it was a statue of a crocodile at Waterfront.

Nat was trying to fire me!! (In Fort Magarita)

In a boat, crossing over fron Waterfront to Fort Magarita

At a mini stadium in Waterfront

At Waterfront

Sze Ching forming frenship with Amanda's dog =p

Sze Ching at the imigration counter..hehe..candid

The Plane

Sze Ching and I in LCCT

Nat's first time flying. He was so excited!



28th-4th Dec 2006

A city which strikes a balance between development and nature, this is Kuching. A trip to this capital of Sarawak was something I’ve been looking forward to ever since it has been planned. Little did I know that this trip will be as meaningful towards the end as all I expected was to have fun all the way. But I got more than fun and I thank God for that.

We tasted, saw, and experienced so many things. Kole Mee, Tomato Koay Teow, Char Koey, White Lady were some of Sarawak’s trademarks while Waterfront, Carpenter Street, Cultural Village, Damai Lagoon, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Friendship Garden etc. were some of the places that we have been to. Many pictures have been taken and many wonderful moments were shared. On the last night of our stay, the most touching thing happened in Merlin’s house after the bbq. I was dumbfounded when I realised how sad many of them were, wondering why they behaved like that. Then, it stroke me that this might be the last time we would be meeting each other this year and since I am not a jpa scholar, the probability of me meeting them again was even lower. That moment almost made me cry but I didn’t. I never knew that going home from Merlin’s house could be that difficult. Touching last words were said, tears were shed, and hugs were given.

In a moment like this, there was no hatred.
In a moment like this, any mistakes would be forgiven.
In a moment like this, friendship was bonded and appreciated.

It was a different kind of feeling that I’ve never experienced. Memorable, truely memorable!

Most importantly, I must thank the entire hosts for this trip.

1. Amanda Albert – Nat, Sze Ching, Yoke Heng, and I stayed in her house in Kota Samarahan. Top class hospitality (There’s Astro! =p ). Amanda, knowing your dad, mum, and brother (Aaron) has been a great blessing. What a nice family that you have. You must’ve felt weird since you’re the only non-AUSMATian around there but you did a great job mixing with all of us. Most importantly, you are jovial all the time. I’ll surely miss your laughter and cheerfulness. As for Aaron, I never knew that I would click so well with you. Thanks for the clothes that you’ve lend me for Merlin’s bbq. I’ll remember the night chats that we had. Thanks for listening to me and encouraging me all the way. We’ll play badminton in an indoor court someday! =p

2. Roger – The Ketua Kampung, Tuai Rumah, or the Leader of the pack. He was the one who drove the van and planned the activities together with other ‘committee members’. This Prom King did a great job of course. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to borrow a van from your friend, driving us around, and planning our one-week holiday. Also, it has been nice meeting your girlfriend, Jacinta, for the first time.

3. Boon – My official driver. He was also in the ‘committee’.His house was the host for Yee Hong, Terence, and Chao Tung. Haha..Boon, thanks for organizing and driving us around in your white Mercedes. Your driving skill was not bad at all. I apologized for making you wait so long in Merlin’s house before we left. Pity you, you were so sleepy already at that time. Moreover, you were troubled by your toothache. Without you, transportation will definitely be a problem.

4. Merlin – Another important committee member. His house accommodated Sarah, Yi Jia, Yi Chiann, Nooi Hoay, and Quanyie. He was also another transport provider with his Green Myvi. Merlin, thank you for everything and especially for organizing the bbq.

5. Michelle – This committee member’s house was the home for Jia Huei, Christine, Wen Jun, Chau Wang, Doreen, Pei Fei, and Pui Ting. Many wasn’t it? But believe of not, they managed to live harmoniously in that house for one week, with lots of credits went to the fact that her house has 3 toilets. Haha, no need to rebut rebut. Jkjk..She didn’t drive but still one of the main contributor of this trip. So, thank you very much, Michelle.

6. Kashin – A new friend found. His house didn’t accommodate anyone but he drove Chao Tung, Terence, and Yee Hong in his white Proton Saga. He was from the same school as Boon, Merlin, and Josephine – SMK Green Road. Kashin, it has been nice knowing you. What a surprise it was to know that you were also currently studying in Kolej Teknologi Timur and knew my ex-schoolmate, Kelvin Goh and King Peng. Small world, isn’t it? It was really wasted that I couldn’t say goodbye to you face to face as you weren’t there at the airport when we left. But still, a million thanks to you.

7. Daphne – Her house accommodated Hsiu Li and she was responsible for introducing some of her friends to us. Daphne, it has been very nice of you to take the trouble to ask us out for meals. We appreciate it and meeting your friends has been a nice experience as well.

8. Esther Wong – Thanks for meeting up with us in Damai Lagoon. Thanks to you, the gals didn’t have to cramp like the guys (Esther booked another room and some of the gals overnight in her room instead). Oh, ya. Thanks for the homemade tuna as well. It tasted really special. The credits goes to the lemon =p

And to the rest who were directly or indirectly involved in this trip, thank you so much. I hope this trip has been as eye-opening to you all as it has been to me. With that, I end this meaningful entry. Thank you for reading.

p/s: Do visit Kuching if you haven’t done so.