Most of us were half asleep and the cup of coffee at the highway stopover woke us up and made us look forward to whatever was coming to us at the Kuching DRA.  The "adventurers" were Mark, Karyn, Eddie, Betty, Josephine, Mani, Betty and myself.

Taken at the famous Kuching River Waterfront.

The entire trip was organised and arranged by Rtn. Charlotte Teoh who I must say, did a good job.  Everything went smoothly and on time (including the plane).

We arrived at Senai at 8.30 am and boarded the MAS airline only to find that it was almost occupied with Rotarians!  Talk about in-flight Rotary fellowship!

The journey was surprisingly short, a mere 1.25 hours and we touched Sarawak soil (None of us had to urge to kiss the ground). A van was ready to take us to our hotel which was Holiday Inn and we were quickly whisked to a food court for our lunch (BRANCH on the plane was a miserable egg/rice with fruits).  After filling our stomach, we were ready for the city tour.
Kuching is an interesting city with its diverse multi ethnic groups and history.  Did you know that the name Kuching is derived from the "Mata Kucing" fruit and not the feline animal?
It was interesting to know that there are 2 mayors in Kuching, a Malay mayor for the north side of the river which has the historical and hotel sites and a Chinese mayor for the south side of the river which well developed for commerce.

The trip for me was more of a friendship bonding with the rest of my club members and it was definitely a fruitful/foodful trip.  I found out that all of them ('cept me),  kaki seafood and when you read on, you'll know what I mean.

Dinner was on our own so we walked a bit and saw a huge neon sign that said "SEAFOOD" and walked right up (it was 3 floors up).  Betty and Mark were order specialist.  After the voluptuous dinner (Mark's favorite word), we said goodnight and went back to our rooms.  It was still kinda early so Mark, Mani & me went for a night walk and ended at Cat City pub.

Friday - got up feeling fresh and after the heavy breakfast (compliments of Holiday Inn), got ready to go to Sarawak's acclaim Cultural Museum.  Mark and Karyn had to forgo the trip as they were required to attend the PETS and SETS.
                                                       Rtn. Eddie's new found friend   

The Sarawak Cultural Museum is really something you cannot miss if you go to Kuching.  Just like our Malacca's Mini Malaysia,  the difference is that they have people of different ethnic groups living in their respective houses to give the visitors a more realistic view on their way of living and culture.  You canpurchase souvenirs too while you browse.
The ethnic groups represented are Malanau, Orang Ulu, Iban, Bidayuh, Penan, Chinese and Malays.
   Now, the story of the hook.  Iban boys are required to fulfill certain rites in order for them to show that they are brave men.The first one is circumcision.  In the deep jungle of Sawarak, it is not possible for the Ibans to come out of the jungle just to locate a hospital for the circumcision, so the father of the boy will be the one doing it.  Since there are no anesthetic to numb the nerves, the young boy is awaken early in the morning and soaked in the river for a few hours.  The cold river water will then freeze and acts as a natural anesthetic.  The equipment for the process is natural too - sharpened bamboo.  The wound will heal in a week.  A tattoo on the leg in a shape of a hook is a sign for any Iban damsel to know that the young man is now a full fledge man.  Another tattoo is done if the man wants the ladies to know that he will be a good husband and able to fulfill her secret desires.  That is another story which you have to go to Sarawak and find out for yourself.

The journey back to the city took us about 40 minutes and we went for a boat cruise after lunch. The journey back to the city took us about 40 minutes and we went for a boat cruise after lunch.

The boat cruise was more of a resting time for us.  Nothing to do except sit and see the river. Some of us took the opportunity to catch a "cat nap".  We asked our tour guide, Melintan where was the best sea food in town and he recomended Benson Sea Food.  When we came back to the Jetty,  we went straight to Benson Sea Food and had tea break consisting of vegetables and fried oyster. We told to boss that we plan to come at night again and ordered in advance,  crabs, vegetables, crabs, prawns, crabs, fish and more crabs!

Dinner fellowship was at the Sawarak Club.  DG Fong Hoe Beng  gave out some of his plaques of appreciation to his District officers and the Guest of Honor was YB Datuk Wong Soon Koh who is the Minister of Infrastructure Develpment & Communications and also a Rotarian.

Taken with the Bidayuh people at the Sawarak Cultural Museum

One may think you would be full after the dinner at Sawawak club but our members kept some space for the crab feast.  We were one of the first to leave the Sarawak club for the crab appointment.

Saturday - Today is the actual day the reason we went to Kuching - DRA.  The morning started with the opening ceremony by Chief Minister of Sawarak, YB Tan Sri Mohd Taib Mohamad.  In his speech, he praised RI as a organisation which looks the world as a whole and solving problems which benefitted people of the world.  He is also happy that for the first time a District Governor is from Sarawak.

After all the formality, serious business of learning what the avenues of Rotary began.  We each went to different avenue of services to learn and later share with our members.  There was a difference in this year's DRA because for the first time, there was a chinese session on Rotary Information.

Governor's Banquet was held at Crown Plaza with the Deputy Chief Minister as the Guest of Honor.  The banquet saw the installation of Datuk Stephen Wan Ullok as the District Governor for the term 1998/99.

After dinner,  the eight of us went to Jupiter Discotech and boy! was there a merry making session. When it was time to go back, some of us had help carry the "not so sober" ones!
sshhhh ......We now know one of us had secret ambition of becoming a tour guide.

Sunday - the final day.  The session started with DGN Datuk Stephen Wan Ullok listing the goals of the District for the 1998/1999 Rotary year stressing the Rotary theme "Follow Your Rotary Dream."  DGN reminded us that we are all Rotarians because we care for the world we live in and that with this concern for mankind we must serve for the betterment of all.

A dialogue session was held with open discussions between the Panel of Past DGs and fellow Rotarians.  This session was chaired by DG Fong Hoe Beng.  A few issues were brought up such as the development of membership and the development of non-English speaking clubs.  On a lighter side, several Rotarians have also suggested various programmes to improve District Assemblies in future like "making golf legal" and having a "food fellowship".

PP Anthony John Twohill (District Treasurer) presented the District's Finance and Budget statement.  This statement seemed to point towards one thing: Future increase in subscriptions?

Two Rotarians, Rtn. Andrew Wong from Rotary Club of Bintulu and Rtn. Irene Lee from Rotary club of Kota Kinabalu gave a presentation on "My Impression of the District Asssembly."  Rtn. Andrew gave quite an en-dept and eye-opening presentation as he spoke, as a new Rotarian, about the way Rotarians should believe in the Spirit of Rotary, and not deviate from it because of technicalities and red tape.

A verbal promotion of the 2nd District 3310 Conference in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from 20.11.1998 to 22.11.98 was presented by the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu.  And not to be left out and outdone, a promotion of the 1999 Rotary International Convention in Singapore was presented in audio visual format.

The session was concluded with DG Fong Hoe Beng's final remarks and farewell (as well as appreciation) to all Rotarians, and a joining-of-hands between all Rotarians for their rendition of Auld Lang Syne.

- Reported by Rtn. Benny Soon with vote of thanks to Rtn. Karyn for the report on what went on on
Sunday 26 April 1998 of the District Rotary Assembly.