THE AIRPORT
Kuching Worldwide Airport, KCH
THE FLIGHT
MH2517 to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
THE ARRIVAL
The airport is 11 kilometres south of the centre of sleepy Kuching, within the Malaysian state of Sarawak, Borneo. It takes simply quarter-hour to drive by a short, monsoonal downpour. “Sarawak is crying since you’re leaving,” says our information. Cue to melting hearts.
THE LOOK
With its normal industrial gray decor, Kuching is not going to win any design awards. However it’s designed with the weather in thoughts, with a big porte-cochere that shields towards the torrential rain that may be a characteristic of this tropical island.
SECURITY
When Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore opted to create the state of Malaysia in 1963, Sarawak set just a few circumstances. One was that it retain autonomy over its immigration. So regardless that I am flying inside the nation – from Kuching to the capital, Kuala Lumpur – I nonetheless should clear immigration which incorporates scanning each index fingers. The method, nevertheless, is extremely laid again (no, do not hassle scanning your purse), and the smiling employees are pleasant.
CHECK IN
I’ve already checked in on-line, so it is a fast bag drop and negotiation for a non-middle row seat.
FOOD AND DRINK
Sarawak’s signature kek lapis is a plain butter cake, dyed in all the colors of the rainbow and assembled in slender layers to create little artistic endeavors, with flavours together with pandan and palm sugar. In the event you did not strive it on the meals stands on Kuching’s waterfront, you are in luck. Espresso Bean Tea Leaf seems alarmingly costly tea at 5 occasions the road worth, whereas a cup of tea tarek and kaya toast within the meals corridor prices MYR12.90 ($4.30). All of the Malaysian staples, together with hen rice and laksa are additionally served within the personality-free eating space.
RETAIL THERAPY
If it hadn’t been talked about a thousand occasions throughout your keep, Kuching means “cat” in Malay. A cat kitsch store sells feline-embellished hats and sculptures to remind you of your go to, in addition to some good, non-catified leather-based luggage. Hold an eye fixed out for the store on the entrance promoting Sarawak’s justifiably well-known pepper – be sure that it has the botanical identify written on the label to keep away from confiscation in Australia. A Plaza Premium lounge accepts walk-ins at MYR72 an individual.
PASSING TIME
Given most of Sarawak’s tourism relies round nature – orang utans, solar bears and Borneo’s jungles – it is heartening to see a World Extensive Fund for Nature (WWF) stand within the entrance corridor, alerting folks to the perilous nature of its ecosystems and biodiversity. Backtracking to my arrival every week earlier, the tourism stand within the arrivals corridor is run by probably the most pleasant crew I’ve encountered, who hand me maps, ideas and even provide to take a photograph of my arrival in Sarawak. Charging stations abound – important when so many people are utilizing non-paper itineraries. And a particular point out of the loos: water-spattered and reeking, there isn’t any rest room paper and the women of Sarawak seem to don’t have any intention. If there’s one factor airport authorities ought to get proper …
THE VERDICT
There’s not lots to maintain you occupied right here, and the meals is much superior outdoors. Do not go away it till the final minute to do all the pieces on the airport; eat and store earlier than you arrive. Like all Malaysia’s main airports, Kuching’s procuring choices are being upgraded. Hopefully they do not overlook the loos.
OUR SCORE OUT OF FIVE
★★½
Belinda Jackson was a visitor of Tourism Malaysia.
