Back in time

We visited Fort Margherita yesterday. Since it is reopened after a period of restoration work.

It was a fine morning when we were there. And Saturday was hubby's birthday so the birthday man's wish was to visit the fort and he got his wish! Everyone got to visit one of the historical places in Kuching as well.

To go to the fort, you have to drive to the back of the old DUN building. Follow the road and you will reach the fort in no time. You could see the new DUN building on the right side of the fort.

So many photos I took at Fort Margherita but I would be sharing only some of them.  The fort was amazing, well maintained and everything felt so surreal.  It was like I were stepping back in time, during the colonial time with all those interesting exhibits, and the fort structure with solid wooden floor. You simply have to be there, so much to see and learn.

The receptionist was very friendly and knowledgeable. She was sharing with us some stories of the White Rajahs. 3 floors of exhibits in the fort and we also climbed up to the rooftop via the spiral staircases.

A bit of a challenge going up the narrow spiral staircases. It was hanging on the wall with a big pole supporting the other end. Nothing in between. Totally have that insecurity when I climb them. Cannot miss a step or I bet I would be tumbling down. Furthermore Jamie was too scared to go up or down. In the end, I have to carry him through the staircases all the way.

Fort Margherita, named after the Ranee of Sarawak (wife of Charles Brooke, 2nd Rajah)

Front view

The English-style white fort

Dum spiro spero - in Latin it means "While I breathe, I hope"

Opens daily including public holidays

Canon

James Brooke, 1st White Rajah

Sailed to Sarawak in Royalist

Where is the "bear"? To them, that was how Borneo looked like back then

Weapons from the Brunei Sultanate

Figurehead from the great ship, H. H. S Zahora

Flag of the Kingdom of Sarawak back then

The Kingdom of Sarawak's national anthem

Spiral staircases, one end attached to the big wooden pole while the other end onto the wall. Nothing in between! How secure would you feel?? ^^

Scary and challenging to climb up and down. At one stage, I have to crawl up than walking up. Lol

Rooftop overlooking the Sarawak river

The shooting range

Beautiful green

The park outside the fort

The thrill of walking on the planks overlooking outside 

Prison door

Fort Margherita's history

Hope you enjoy the photos. I would love to visit it again but when the kids are bigger. They may not understand or interested in the history now but they did have a good time walking up the spiral staircases and enjoying the warm sun and scenery there.

This time

Finally, it is Friday again. Last day of exam today. It is over and the kids can declare "Merdeka". Wish them all the best.

On a not-so-good-note, do you still remember that my fridge broken down on me in June??  Oh no, my fridge is fine and working well but this time it is my dryer's turn. It stopped functioning for me last week. Warranty has long expired. So frustrating. It couldn't come anytime better than now as it is year end and the weather is pretty wet during the monsoon season.

Will need to get someone to fix my dryer. Meantime I will be frequenting the nearby self-service coin laundry centre for my laundry need.

This morning I got these young plants from my mum. Lemongrass and cili padi!!

This time, I am going to plant them at the backyard when there is a small plot of land. Hope they grow well there.

Wishing everyone Happy Weekend! See you all next week. 

Aglio e Olio, sans the chilli

This is a quick and last minute menu on the table this evening.  I were running out on errands with kids and by the time we reached home, it was over 5pm.

During the evening, there aren't many food outlets operating in my area other than those franchise food outlets. Not so healthy and economical. *wink* So I decided to whip a quick dinner for me and my kids. As I were going through the fridge, I found the necessary ingredients to cook ourselves a simple spaghetti dish.  Aglio Olio. 

Just a week ago, we had Aglio Olio with bacons at this café and I thought Aglio Olio did tasted well with bacons other than prawns or mussels.  So, my home-cooked Aglio Olio with bacons version was created this evening.  Since I do not have any chilli flakes at home and the kids do not take spicy food, I omit the chilli.



Serves 3

Ingredients:

Spaghetti

4 strips Bacons, sliced into smaller slices

4 Button mushrooms, sliced into thin slices

3 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil

8 garlic cloves, chopped

Yellow pepper, half, sliced into smaller pieces

Salt and white pepper to taste

Italian parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

Parmesan cheese, grated



Methods:

1. In a boiling pot, add in the spaghetti and let it cook for 12 minutes before drain.  Set 3 tbsp. of spaghetti water aside for later use.

2. In a pan, heat up the olive oil.  Toss in garlics and sauté for 30 seconds.  Add in the bacons, button mushrooms and yellow pepper and let it cook for a minute.

3. Toss in the spaghetti and spaghetti water.  Mix them well.

4. Season with salt and pepper.  Add in the parsley leaves and mix well to combine.

5. Turn off the heat and add in the cheese.  Give it the final toss before dish out.



Other recipe : 

Spaghetti mushroom carbonara  

Spaghetti bolognese

With the clan

*Non-halal*

Just me and my kids in this new establishment. Clans One Cafe. Does it remind you of something?? Mobile phone game? Clash of Clans? Ring a bell?

Anyway, the owner of this café must be a die-hard fan of Clash of Clans. The decor of this cafe was based on the famous game; how tastefully chosen to give a different and thrilling dining experience. We enjoyed looking through the decors.

Halloween decors were still up there. Initially I planned to come here on 31 October to try their Halloween special but something caught up that day.

The menu

The menu

Alcoholic and beers served

If you are wondering its whereabout, Clans One Cafe is located in Trinity Hub, Jalan Datu Tawi Sli. I have been frequenting that area lately. The previous two posts were on the cafes found in the area.

Clans One Cafe is at the back of the Hub, same row with Big Cat Corner. Not visible from the main road so you would need to drive further in to spot the cafe.

Last Wednesday, I spent my lunch with my own clan of little people over here. A little break for my kids from the school exam revision. Everyone had a good time and lunch. The kids running up to the 1st floor (castle tower) to look around. Basically they felt at home here; not many customers that time too.

Woody-looking tables

One part of the 1st floor

Could you spot my princess?

From the 1st floor looking down

We started off our lunch with this spaghetti aglio olio. Special request for no spicy as my kids could not take too spicy food.

Spaghetti Aglio Olio (RM15)

Next was this amazing Fish N Chip served in a wooden board. Love the fish fillet that was well coated in batter. Not those frozen fish fillet but fresh fish fillet.

Fish N Chip (RM19)

I had this lunch set of grilled chicken rice chop with an add-on drink and I opted for watermelon juice for only RM3.50.

Grilled chicken chop rice (RM9)

Overall the chicken chop was nice; not too dry. But the rice on the other hand, was too dry. Nearly choked myself there. Did not finish the rice as I were worry of indigestion but I like the chicken chop and coleslaw.

Scary-looking (but colourful drink) glasses

I guess they weren't over with Halloween. Love the idea that they served their fruit juices in these skull glasses. Apple juice and watermelon juice.

My clansmen and I walked out with full tummies and total bill of RM58.50. Not bad for our first visit.

Yes, I were here

Another busy and blooming food court in Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli. In this new commercial area, Trinity Hub (before Biaramas office), I have been to 31 31 Cafe and The Best Corner. And this food court is named "Yes" Cafe.

front view from the road

Competition was tight among the food courts here. It was evident as it was hard to find parkings and seats on weekends as well as during lunch and dinner times on weekdays.

Back view from The Best Corner

I were here on the Friday when my kids had their Deepavali school holiday. We were here slightly before 11am. It was just nice; "Yes" Cafe was not too crowded and everyone was hungry as we woke up late and missed our breakfast.

I tried out the laksa stall as right before we reached there, I could smell the fragrant smell of the laksa.  Couldn't not resist the temptation.

I ordered the normal size for RM6.  It came swiftly and I were the first to eat my food.  The laksa was alright, but slightly oily to my liking.  I could have better laksa elsewhere but this bowl of laksa was just nice to satisfy anyone's craving.

The boys shared this plate of fried noodle from the fried stall.  RM6.00 per plate. I wonder why they put 2 slices of fish meat on the top. I would personally prefer fried shallots or spring onions to garnish my noodle, or even better with prawns for the price I paid. Not much ingredients other than eggs, small slices of chicken and few stalks of vegetable. Anyway, my boys enjoyed the noodle very much.

My girl had her favourite dish from the Western stall.  RM5 for this simple set of hot dogs, fried egg, coleslaw, hams, baked beans and peanut butter toast.

Dinner, interrupted

We went to this new food court, The Best Corner which is the next row of this food court where I had dim sum early last month.

We reached there around 7pm and the weather was cold. Somehow we did not expecting any rain. 

So we went to order our respective food. I came upon this claypot food stall. Somehow the idea of having claypot dishes sounded good on a cold evening.

So I ordered a stewed lamb and kacangma with one plate of white rice for RM17.

Soon my order came before the others. By the way the others were having kampua.

My claypot dishes came first. I loved both. The lamb stew was not too thick and just nice to my liking. The kacangma on the other hand was very thick. Perfect to warm your soul if you are able to finish up the whole claypot of bitter motherwort and ginger soup!!

I were just taking 2 mouthful of my food when suddenly without warning the rain fell on us! We were seated at the walkway but the wind was so strong, it blew rain onto us. My dinner was interrupted and we had to scramble and find shelter inside the food court. Unfortunately no vacant (dry) tables around so after few minutes of standing around, we decided to pack our dinner home.

The others packed their kampua while I packed mine to be brought home.

The rain did get smaller when we scurried back to our car.  We did get a bit of the shower since we did not have umbrella with us or even in the car.

Did not expect such abrupt weather that evening but our dinner was not totally spoiled. At least we got to eat in the comfort of our home after that experience.