Family Pre-Christmas Party

Sunday 23^rd December 2012

Natasha’s parents Suzy and Paul had a pre Christmas family party today at their house in Upwey situated in the Dandenongs, which are about 40 mins drive from Melbourne.  The six cousins on Natasha’s side of the family all love the opportunity to get together.  

The cousins

Steve, Jules and Nicky on Suzy and Paul's outside kitchen
veranda

Jules and Nicky arrive

Monday 17^th December 2012

Alan and I drove to Melbourne airport to pick up Jules and Nicky early on Monday morning.  It was beautiful day and, as Steve and Natasha were working and the children still at school, we went for a walk along the Gardiner Creek Trail, a tributary to the River Yarra which flows through Melbourne City.  It is close to where Steve lives.

Alan with Jules and Nicky over Gardiner Greek, Glen Iris,
Melbourne

A Day at Luna Park

 Saturday 15^th December 2012

Dius Computing, the software company that Steve works for had arranged to have their Christmas party for employees and their families at Luna Park.  This historic amusement park situated at St Kilda, Melbourne was established in 1912 and has been operating almost continuously ever since.  The roller coaster is the oldest wooden roller coaster in the world that is still operating and it is a very scary ride – not because of the drops but because of the shaking and rattling of the carriages as they pass over the tracks.

Emily and Ben waiting to go on the ghost train

Ben and Diane 

Ben and Diane waiting to go on the ghost train

Emily had her face painted at the party

Steve, Alan, Emily and Ben ready to spin

Alan chasing Ben on the bumper cars

Unfortunately because of other commitments Natasha was unable to join us but we had a great time there with Steve and the children. We had access to unlimited rides and Ben and Emily had numerous rides on the bumper cars, which I think was Ben’s favourite ride. But he was terrified of the pirate ship, which swung so high it felt you would go over the top!

Now you see Ben

Where's he hiding!

Off to Melbourne for Christmas

After another few days working on Moonfleet in Rebak on the 13^th December 2012, we flew overnight from Langkawi via Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne to spend 3 weeks with our son Steve, his wife Natasha and our grandchildren Emily and Ben.  Naturally we were every excited about seeing our family again.  Alan hadn’t seen them since they came to England in May 2010 for Alan’s mum’s 90^th birthday celebrations.

To add to our excitement our other son Jules and Nicky, his girlfriend, were joining us on 17^th December for 10 days over the Christmas period.  This was to be our first Christmas all together for 10 years.

Ben amused with grandpa's forfeit! Steve in background
making a carrot cake - yummie!

Which one should I choose

Return to Kuching town

Prior to leaving for Bako we had booked into the Merdeka Palace Hotel, although not much more expensive than the previous hotel, it was far superior.  We had a very comfortable room with lovely views over the grassy square known as Central Padang and to a large mosque

The view from our room at the Merdeka Palace Hotel

Christmas decorations in the foyer of the hotel

Alan at the Merdeka Palace Hotel

Alan slept most of the next 24hrs whilst I spent some time wandering around Kuching, through Chinatown and the old Waterfront.  When he was feeling better we unexpectedly  saw some cruising friends, Marilyn and Ray from Horizon, wander past the coffee shop where we were having at drink and arranged to meet up with them later at the Top Spot for dinner.

We met up with Ray and Marilyn a few times over the next couple of days and enjoyed having their company.

After a week in Kuching we were ready to return to Langkawi.  Unfortunately some of the attractions we would like to have done whilst in the area were either too far away to do in a short time, eg a visit to the Longhouses where the Iban people live up the Rejang River, inland from Sibu, or else not the right time of the year, eg. Semonggoh Orangutan Sanctuary because it was the fruit season and the Orangutans do not come down from the trees to be fed.

Once back on Moonfleet we only had a few days before we had flights to Melbourne to stay with our son Steve and his wife Natasha and our very special grandchildren, Ben and Emily.  A few more jobs were tackled before we left – mainly electronics.

Bako National Park, Borneo

There were a number of travel agents advertising various trips to the Bako National Park for around 500 ringits (£100)  each. This included all travel, food and one nights accommodation in a basic lodge.  However on discovering that one could book the lodge separately at the National Park’s desk at the Information Centre in the Court House, we decided to make our own arrangements to get there and buy to food as we needed it.  As it turned out we did the overnight trip for just 150 ringits (£30)each, as we discovered that instead of a taxi we could catch a bus back to Kuching which cost just couple of ringits. 

On the 4^th December we took a 40 mins taxi to the ferry dock to get a boat to the Park, which is situated on a peninsular at the mouth of the Sarawak River.  The park offers the chance to see native animals in wild.  At the ferry terminal we met a Dutch couple, also making their own way so we shared the cost of one of the small boats and a Guide between us.  As we approached the park and the open sea it was very choppy with the wind against tide, but the boat bounced off the waves at speed.

Sarawak River ferry dock to Bako National Park

Numerous trails at the Park

On arrival our first stop was at the Centre, a modern building with offices and a canteen.  We were able to leave our bags here before setting off with our Guide who initially took us on a path around the Centre where he pointed out some flying lemurs asleep in a tree and a green tree snake resting on a low bush

Our Guide

Flying Lemur

Green Tree Snake

The Bako National Park Centre

The trail, which took us a few hours to complete, initially led us along plank walks through the tidal mangroves and then along rocky, craggy tracks through the rainforest.  The park has many well-marked paths of varying lengths.  It was a very enjoyable trek made all the better because our Guide was able to point out all the flora around us.  He pointed out a wild bees nest –apparently these bees have no sting.

Alan on the trail

Small bees nest - only about 25cms long

However we didn’t see any animals on the trail, other than red crabs and mudskippers, until we returned to the path close to the centre.  Here we saw wild bearded pigs, macaque monkeys and the main attraction for me – the proboscis, or the long nosed monkey

Family of Bearded Pigs

Bearded Pig

Proboscis monkey

Alan had started to feel unwell on our trek and by the time we got back he was about all in!  We collected our bags and headed off to our accommodation

One of the chalets at Bako National Park

On approaching the chalet we were full of anticipation but the interior was very basic with torn lino on the floor and 2 small wooden beds – mine had a mattress with the springs poking out! There was no cooking facilities not even a kettle but there was a small, rusty fan attached to the ceiling. However when we arrived the electricity was off because they were working on the main power lines.  Alan collapsed on the bed feeling awful in the heat.  A couple of hours later the power was momentarily switched on again with a bang and one of the two overhead light bulbs fused!  It was another hour before it was finally turned on again.

The next morning Alan was still feeling poorly so we cut short our visit. As we left the views across the bay from Bako were stunning with the low clouds clinging to a small island and the macaque monkeys running across the beach.

Looking out from the Bako National Park Centre early morning

Kuching, Borneo

So on the 30^th November we fly to Kuching via Kuala Lumpur  and take a taxi to the Telang Usan hotel that we have pre-booked through Agoda.  The surrounding to the hotel were very dismal – disintegrating buildings, open smelly drains and littered wasteland.  The hotel was dated especially the public rooms which strongly smelt of cigarette smoke, however the en-suite room whilst not having a very pleasant view was large and very comfortable.  Breakfast was very Malaysian – curry or spicy noodles but there was a little water melon and sweet tasting bread to toast.

Sadly neglected buildings around the Telang Usan Hotel

Dining room at the Telang Usan Hotel with Festive decorations

River trips, Museums and the Top Restaurant

On 1^st December 2012, our first full day in Kuching is spent exploring the town.  We take an hours boat trip along the Sarawak River which, whilst an insight into river life and the contrast between the old and new Kuching, it was nothing special.  However the river boats here are very colourful and give interest to the river. 

Colourful river ferry

Fishing for fresh water prawns in the River Sarawak

Keep clear of this fisherman!

Old homes on the banks of the River Sarawak

And the New City of Kuching.

The very grand new Government Building

Kuching is an old trading town, with many old colonial buildings, which enhance the charm of the town.   James Brooke, a British adventurer, who after winding his way up the Sarawak River in his ship the Royalist, was asked by the Sultan of Brunei in 1839, if he would help settle the long standing disputes amongst the fighting factions of the country.  He was a very fair man and he not only talked both sides into a harmonious truce, he also insisted that the lives of the rebels be spared and they be allowed to return to their villages.  Consequently Brookes gained great respect and friendship from the Dayaks, the Malays and the Chinese and he was given the title of the Governor and Rajah of the Sarawak region of Borneo.  This was the beginning of the ‘rule of  the White Rajahs’ which was to last three generation and over 100 years.

The Victorian Square Tower built in 1879 as a dungeon
although never used for prisoners. However it was later used as a
 popular dancing hall

The Court House built in 1874 now partly used as a Tourism
Centre, Cafes and A Lebanese restaurant. 

The cafe inside part of the Court House

Alan outside the impressively columned old General Post Office
built in 1931 by Vyner Brook, the last rajah of Sarawak

We visited all the museums for which Kuching is renowned and found them very interesting – the Sarawak Museum, the Chinese History Museum, the Textile Museum and the Art and Craft museums.

Alan at the Art and Craft Museum

Diane outside the one of Sarawak Museum buildings

That evening we went to the recommended Top Spot restaurant for dinner.  A huge place; a food hall entirely devoted to fresh seafood and after you have made your selection they cook it for you.  The food was excellent and we could see why it was so popular.

Busy popular Top Spot restaurant

Choose your fish!

Alan about to tuck into his meal at the Top Spot