From Berlin to Kuching

So let me tell you how this story came about. I was on my way flying back home to Kuching from Singapore. I was sitting at the last row seat 30D and actually these 2 Caucasians sitting next to me at 30B and C. Initially I thought they were from Australia so I didn't really pay much attention. After landed, Fabian was asking the passenger in front of him like where is the best place to stay in town and how to get there. I heard the conversation and suggested him the 360 hotel in Hock Lee Centre. We then left the aircraft. We met again when we collecting our baggage at the rotating belt in arrival hall so I went to approach them to offer my number and tell them to look for me if they need any help or something. Fabian told us they don't really have a local sim card and asked if I would be able to drop them off somewhere in the downtown. I promptly accepted their request and drove them down to the city centre. So we started to chat in the car and there was where the story began and how we made our friendship. So after arriving at the Persinggahan hotel, Fabian left me his and his girlfriend Tabea's facebook so we could keep in touch. The next morning (Saturday 11 August) I received an invitation from Fabian over the Facebook messenger to join them for dinner at the Kuching festival. So we tried something really special which most probably Fabian and Tabea could not find in Germany, like: fried durian, fried ice-cream etc. While we were still walking around the festival, Tabea saw a German Shepherd competition and we went there. It was at Jubilee Ground where I used to have my Sports Day back in high school. I think they really find it interesting because it is not common to see German dogs in Malaysia, in Kuching and even a pet competition like that. We went to the rooftop bar for some beer afterwards. On Sunday, we went to the Bako National Park for a 3.5 hours 5.8km jungle trekking. Fabian said it was the best trail among all the trekkings he had in Malaysia. I suppose it means Sarawak has the best nature conservative effort to keep the rainforest in its best state. We went for seafood that evening and both Fabian and Tabea said the pepper crabs were really really great. On Monday, they went to Semenggok for the Orang Utans which I did not follow but I brought them to the famous hawker stalls at Jalan Song that night for local delicacies like the Laksa, 3 layers teh C special. They also tried stingray and clamps for the first time. Daddy actually brought some canned drinks by Sundrop upon my request, so I drove them back to my house to get the drinks. We then went to Little Lebanon for some chilling session. Tuesday, I drove down with Zhann to pick both of them up after the checked out at 10.30am. After which we drove all the way up to Damai where all the nice beaches are. I am glad that Fabian likes the Damai beach and he would love to stay there if he has not booked this bus ticket to Miri yet. So we went to the sea and the swimming pool for swimming. We also had this "Vitamin Juice" which was the mixture of grape, watermelon and honeydew and we find it really refreshing. We wanted to hop on boat for dolphin watching but unfortunately the time slot did not really fit in. It's okay, there is always next time right? =) Later we drove to Buntal village to have some light seafoods like the curry stir fried bamboo clamps, Bidin with red wine and cekur manis ("Mani Cai" in chinese and scientific name "Sauropus androgynus") with eggs.The bidin was really good that Fabian ordered a second plate. We also had coconut and Tabea said it tasted good as well. We drove back to Kuching after the meal and we were caught in bad traffic because it was peak hour. Fabian wanted a haircut so we brought him to one of the best hairdressers in town, fortunately he loves his new hairstyle, so does Tabea I think, haha. We had our last meal in Kuching at Sushi King Boulevard and just as always, the Japanese food was awesome. Finally we went to Kuching Sentral and that was the time when we said Goodbye and Auf Wiedersehen. It was a fun trip to host friends from Germany to tour around Kuching. Fabian and Tabea, I hope you guys find Malaysia a warm and hospitable country and I can't be more welcome if you guys would like to visit Kuching again! Also I hope I get a chance to visit you guys in Germany soon, be it in Berlin or Stuggart. Do keep in touch and it is good to meet friends like you. Freundschaft für immer.

I wish we could go for backpacking together around the world some time in the near future. Of course, I also hope that I could visit you guys in Germany real soon! Have fun for the rest of your trip!

Tabea, Zhann, Fabian und me