Damai Beach Resort past its prime by Adrian

Damai Beach Resort has been a popular place for Kuchingnites to spend the weekend or other days away from Kuching city. The resort has been perceived to be a luxurious resort for many local and international tourists. It was the place to be when you need to have fun and relax. I have not stayed at the resort since the day Serene and I spent our honeymoon there. It was then managed by Holiday Inn part of the InterContinental Hotels Group until 2007 and was turned over to Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

Moving forward to 2013. I was appalled by the conditions of the resort as we happened to stay a night at the resort on Feb  17.  It is very sad that the place is no longer in pristine condition. It is way past its prime...!  The pool areas have cracked or broken tiles which are very hazardous to small children. The room we stayed has musky mold smell and the TV channels selection are limited to about 10. It is so ironic that we can continue to list more negative than positive things. Anyway, here  is the kicker. Anything that you break or would like to have extra will be either be fined or charged. It is no longer "THE" place to be. We felt like a "communist resort" with all the fees and fines in placed.

Fine warning near the shaving station

Extra charge reminder at the coffee and tea making station

Partial list of imposed fees/fines

Moldy corner (Bath tub)

Moldy spots at the soap holder

Unfinished spackling on the bathroom ceiling

Fortunately, the natural beauty of the beach is still there and we manage to enjoy by walking on the sand. We just hope the management would do something to return the resort to its former tip top condition that everyone used to remember. Holiday Inn Damai Beach Resort the place to be regardless of the re-branding changed.

Verdict: Not recommended unless they make drastic changes. 

P/s Just a note the breakfast buffet stations are messy, unhygienic and not constantly refilled.

Ah Kong's funeral
by Adrian

We made an impromptu trip back to Kuching for Ah Kong's (grandpa in Hokkien) funeral. He has been very close to Serene. I remembered her telling me he dropped and picked her up from school from kindy until secondary school (high school). She said Ah Kong is a very nice and respectable person. He can be comical and funny at times. There are times we laugh at his choice of words and stunts. Having met him myself, I completely agree with her. He has lived a good life surviving World War II and visited many interesting places around the world.

Ah Kong's portrait @ the living room

Flower wreaths from relatives and friends

Grandpa's old pictures

A truckload of wreaths heading to the cemetery

Hearse van carrying grandpa's coffin

Ah Kong @ church during his funeral service

Ah Kong at his final resting place

May you rest in peace Ah Kong . (1^st December 1913 - 7^th May 2011)

Old Time Coffee House (December 2010)
by Adrian

There is an influx of fusion food with the mix of old and new kopitiam (coffee shops) in Kuching. This is one of the better establishments that I managed to try. Judge for yourself...!

House special toast

Peanut butter special bread top with condensed milk

Spaghetti

BBQ Chicken

Special Three Layer Iced Tea

Lam Mee

Fried Bee Hoon (Rice Vermicelli)

Overall the food and service are good. Here is the address if you guys plan to try it out.
Ground Floor, Lot 127, Section 54, KTLD Jln Petanak, 93100 Kuching.

Kuching Trip (December 2010)
by Adrian

This is a series of hard core food pictures from our trip to Kuching last December. The first were taken from a restaurant called My Restaurant located at Sama Jaya, Kuching. It is basically for meat lovers. The portion is quite huge but quite pricey for Kuching standard. Don't worry as the quality of food compensates for the price.

Mixed Grill

BBQ Combo

Ginger Bread scented apple & prune cake

Banana Passion

Instead of Oreo cookie, we were served "Stereo" cookie in the Ginger Bread scented apple & prune cake to top it off. Lol.....! Only in Kuching. Nevertheless, the verdict is excellent for overall quality of the food.