Cat City
We had our first travel snafu today. We got to the airport at 8am for our 9am flight to only find out that it had been canceled. Fortunately, the next flight was just a short wait (2hours). It was on a smaller plane and we got to see the port city of Binatulu.
We have booked a wide variety of different styles of accommodations. Business hotel in KK, Homestay/B&B in Mt. Kinabalu, 4 star resort in Danum and now a backpacker hostel. It is very spartan but very clean. We have a single room – not a dorm and it has hot water and air conditioning. Both extremely important! (And a fast internet connection).
But we don’t plan to stay much in the room. We headed right out after arriving 3 hours later than planned. We made the information center just before closing so we could get details on buses for our trips the next 3 days. Next we headed for the Sunday Market which actually starts Saturday Afternoon. What an amazing market. So much better than KK. I’m feeling very comfortable here. The market was about 6 blocks long. All the vendors set up Easy-ups and tables. It is much more open than the wet market in KK. And what a variety of food especially the vegetables and fruit.
After returning to the hotel for a quick shower, we headed out for dinner at the Top Spot Hawker food court. It is located on top of a cement 4 story parking lot. The fish is beautifully laid out for you along with the vegetables. You select your vendor and then select your fish, how you want it prepared and any other dishes. We had a BBQ fish steak. I didn’t quite catch what it was. Stir fried Noodles in tomato with fish (Tomato Mee) and midin – stir fried jungle fern. We both loved the fern. It was so tasty – like a good stir fried green. They stir fry it with chili and shrimp paste (anchovy) to give it a really great taste. All this for only 46RM or less that $15US.
Tomorrow we hope to get up and try the local Laksa. We found the restaurant where Anthony B. had his dish. It isn’t far from the place we are staying. After breakfast, we’ll head for the orchid and pitcher plant nursery. We’ll have to go by local bus. We checked them out today. This is going to be one interesting transportation adventure.
Oh yeah – Why cat city? Kuching is the local word for cat.
I’d also like to thank everyone for their comments. It is great to hear from everyone while on the road.
Hi Marta, sounds like you’re having some interesting adventures of all kinds on your wonderful trip! I’m totally enjoying reading about them and I appreciate you taking the time to blog while on the road. It’s great living vicariously through your trip.
The stir fried noodle dish sounds different and also delicious!
Keep on having fun!
Hi again, I was wondering about the cat connection. Glad you mentioned the translation at the end! 🙂
I’m finding this all fascinating reading. I look for a new post and read it immediately.
It’s like – a few years ago, when I mainly read travel books just like this, from the library.
Everything sounds so exotic and different. I’m enjoying following your travels. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Really fun.
I have enjoyed reading about Borneo. Stir fried jungle fern..interesting. Glad you are enjoying yourself. Hope your transportation adventure works out.
You shouldn’t be thanking us, Marta. It is such a treat to pull up you blog every day and find these interesting and immediate posts.
By the way, tell George we are planning a GTG in St. Louis the end of August. Maybe you guys can come so he can visit the Botanical Garden.
Marta, I have really enjoyed following along with you on your trip!