The general plan for the third day was to explore the other side of the Kuching (north of Sungai Sarawak). After doing the short boat ride across the river (RM0.40/S$0.17 per boat ride), we were dismayed to discover that the Astana (a.k.a. Istana) was not opened. Felt strange to have this particular boat route then especially when the it was NEVER opened in the first place! Again it was rather crazy of us (or maybe it was just me) to attempt the sweaty 1-hour walk eastwards to the Kampongs (villages in Bahasa) by walking inland while bypassing the state assembly hall. I have to thank Sally here for indulging in my fantasy about "walking".

It was rather interesting (and refreshing) to wander around on this side of the river. The big Kampong (consisiting of 4 villages; namely Kampong Boyen, Kampong Gersik, Kampong Surabaya & Kampong Panglima Suman Lima) offers a contrasting difference as compared to the urban Kuching. While the area south of Sungai Sarawak is your usual city with its administrative and commercial functionalities, this side of the river represented the city with a personal touch of humbleness and sincerity. The neighbours probably knew each other well enough that no doors need to be locked. Children ran around with their neighbours as if the entire Kampong was their playground; it reminded me of the times where my cousins and I played in the backyard of my grandfather's shop.

After taking a short break (they were pretty surprised to see 2 tired urban dwellers dashing into a small shop desperately looking for cold drinks), we took a short walk to Fort Margherita (admission free but the directional signs was not clear). Named after his wife (Rani Margaret), Charles Brooke (2nd White Raja) built this ford in 1879 in order to protect Kuching from pirates. While it was used previously to house an exhibition about the police force in Sarawak, there were no exhibits currently in the fort though it does offers a good view of Kuching and it surrounding areas.

We took a much-required (due to that hardcore walk) nap before eating dinner (steamboat buffet, RM18/S$7.83 per head) at Hornbill's Corner Cafe along Jalan Ban Hock. There was no significant events that evening apart from the fact that I probably overate. Did another walk along the Kuching Waterfront; I ought to be shot for not resisiting the temptation to eat another chicken burger while we were on our way back to the hotel.