Kuching

I think we were all a little fragile after the On On and wanted to start the next day gently, but that was not an option. Lo picked us up at 09.30 and took us to the Sunday market. The market is great, they sell everything and maybe even a few things I didn't know you could sell. I didn't buy anything as I am still in the travelling mode and am very aware that I have to carry or ship everything I buy. After a couple of hours wandering we had Kaya toast for breakfast. Kaya is a kind of jam made from coconuts and a local specialty,it's very sweet and good in small doses.
We then stopped by at a wedding that one of Lo's photography friends was taking the photos for. Lo was off and also soon taking photos. Christophe joined him and us girls were left to our own devices. We were invited to sit at one of the tables, given a small present and invited to join in the wedding meal. Everyone were so welcoming, I am not sure that this would happen at a British wedding. Afterwards we had lunch at another corner cafe, 2 minutes walk from our guesthouse, I ate Kolo Mee, another Kuching speciality, which I love. Then we went back to get our swimsuits and Lo took us to the beach. We spent a good few hours stretched out relaxing and swimming, with Lo kindly taking photos. After that he took us to another beach where we watched the sun set, a nice end to the main part of the day. But we weren't finished yet. We had dinner with some of the guys from the hash run and yes, more beer was involved.
June 22nd, unfortunately, dawned bright and early. Lo picked us up at 0830 and off we went to catch the boat to go to Bako national park. This is a park just along the coast from Kuching that has many different kinds of monkeys, wild boars, mangroves and waterfalls.we took the boat and out pilot told us we could pay him later and that he would take us back when we were finished. So, boots off and a quick walk across the low ride exposed sand to the office. Everyone who comes here has to register and list where they are going when they come to the park. We decided to do a 90 min hike to a beach and back. So off we went. The hike was great and it was really nice to swim when we got to our beach. I guess we were feeling lazy,as when we saw our boat pilot there, we had him take us back to the main pier and the cafe for lunch. After lunch it was another hike to see the local monkeys, we didn't get to see the proboscises monkeys, but I saw lots of mukat monkeys, which was cool. Then we hiked back to the centre signed out and caught the boat back to the office and waited for Lo.
He came and took us to a really beautiful Chinese temple, we sat and had drinks overlooking the river and headed back to town. We only had time for a change of clothes and we were back out for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. One of Lo's friends sons was getting married and the relatives had come down to Kuching to be introduced. We were welcomed to the party. The food was so seriously good and of course, accompanied by beer.