Kuching Sarawak - Part 2

Parking Charges in Kuching

To live in Kuching, many local residents drive as the taxi is quite expensive and the bus is quite rarely seen. However, the issue is insufficient parking in the city. In the city, there was parking charges and drivers who did not display their coupons were fined.

Parking charges in the city are shown above.

I saw a second hand Proton Persona for sale at 20,000 RM.

Kuching Sarawak - Part 1

St Joseph's Church. Kuching

Another view St Joseph's Church

Kuching - View from Hotel

I was at Kuching Sarawak, East Malaysia from 23 to 26 Nov 14.  This was my third time in Kuching, a place near the birthplace of my mum in Bintulu. I was told that my grandfather used to operate a pepper farm before immigrating to Singapore. In those days (probably in the late 1940s and early 1950s), people were free to travel and select their place of residence. That of course changed the fate of subsequenty generations.

The first time I was in Kuching was in Primary 3 (9 years old). The second time was in 2009. The taxi driver who drove me around said that there is little change in Kuching and it was the same many years ago.

When I was 9 years old, I remember visiting St Joseph's Church. In the church, My sister and I were chased around by a dog. My mum was visiting the grave of my grand mother who was buried behind the church. The church internal finishing was what I had recalled more than 35 years ago.

My grand mother had passed on in the year 1939 and it was 75 years since and nothing had changed. This would be almost impossible in Singapore due to city development.

I remember visiting a food centre which is still located at Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang in Kuching centre. I remember there were beggars looking for leftover food. At 9 years old, that left me a deep impression as I wonder why there are people eating leftover food.

I also remember visiting a river and was told there was crocodile in the river. I suspect that the river was Sungai Sarawak as it was within walking distance from the food centre. The river was a region for trade and commerce with the rest of the world as back then majority of the goods were transported by ships.

Altum Angelfish



6 pairs of Altum Angelfish

Nice altum Angelfish in possibly a 5 ft tank in a local fish shop. The temperature in the tank is regulated by a heater.

The photo doesn't really show the beauty of this simple setup.

Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre

Jian Bo Chwee Kueh in Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru Market - I went to try the Jian Bo Chwee Kueh. It was comparable to Blk 207 New Upper Changi in that it gives quite a huge serving of preserved raddish. The raddish seems to be diced in  bigger pieces. The photo doesn't give justice to the good quality as the stall assistant wrapped the paper before giving to customer which mixes the raddish. They were quite fast in serving but expect a queue during peak hours. Only 1 negative point, instead of sticks which although were the traditional means of picking up the Kueh, it would be good if they can give chop sticks or spoons. Otherwise it would be quite difficult to scope up the raddish.

The other dish I tried was the Teochew fish ball noodle. A simple dish at $3, but it was good. The quality of the noodle was different from conventional.The fish balls were meaty and made from quality fish as compared to factory manufactured fish balls.  There will be a queue during peak hour.

Electric Blue Balloon Ram Part 2

I have 2 electric blue ballon ram. They belong to the cichlid family of fish and are naturally aggressive in nature. One of the ram is bigger than the other by a few of millimeters and is the dominant ram in the tank (called Ram 1). The other ram has smaller dorsal fins (called Ram 2). Ram 1 being the dominant ram bullys Ram 2 by chasing it around the tank. Ram 2 has to go into hiding among the aquatic plants so that there is no direct eye contact with Ram 1. I sometimes feel sorry for Ram 2 because of the bullying. Ram 1 has dorsal fins that are outlined in black strip that makes it looks aggressive, however, there is minimal bullying of other fishes in the tank.

However, Ram 1 becomes sick with effects such as no appetite for food and lower activity in the tank. But being the dominant fish, it will still create the effect of chasing Ram 2 for a short distant.  In order to treat the fish, I have placed Ram 1 in a separate tank for medication. After Ram 1 is placed in a seperate tank, there is no more stress on Ram 2 and it becomes the only cichlid in the tank and its inherent aggressiveness begins to surface. Ram 2 starts to swim freely in the tank and starts to bully other fishes even thought they are bigger in size. It has started to develop dorsal fins that has black strip. I can't wait for Ram 1 to be cured of its sickness and return to the main tank for peace and order to be maintained.

The observation shows that balance of power is important not only in a tank but also in the world of international politics.

Fishes Asset
2 Electric Blue Balloon Rams
4 yellow Mollys
2 Dwarf Gourami
1 Marble Angelfish
1 Swordtail
1 Platy with black tail
1 Albino Cory
1 red Betta fish

Rest In Peace
2 Guppies