The Hills Kuching

The Hills was originally a shopping mall. I remembered my last visit here more than a decade ago when it just opened. Even with its prime location in Kuching, it was unable to grow and sustain its competitiveness with other malls here.

Today, it has changed its concept totally and its ground floor space is mainly occupied by F & B outlets.

There is a Karaoke and Mr. DIY outlet on the first floor. The place has now shifted to co-working space concept.

It is kind of sad to see how the place has evolved since its inception. As Pullman Hotel is just adjacent to this place, there could still be a glimmer of hope for The Hills in the near future.

The Current State of Sarawak Plaza

Sarawak Plaza is probably the best performing shopping complex among the trio; Tun Jugah, Riverside and Sarawak Plaza.

The basement level is occupied by F&B outlets. If I remember correctly, there used to be a supermarket down here.

Among the last surviving Hartz Chicken Buffet outlets in Malaysia is located here.

Lea Sports Centre seems to be the main tenant here. There are still many empty lots here. Some were probably forced to shuttered due to the recent pandemic.

Hope this place could rise again. It is just s stone throw away from Grand Margherita Hotel which also happen to be my favourite hotel while in Kuching.

The Current State of Riverside Shopping Complex

During my younger day Riverside Shopping Complex used to be a go to shopping complex until bigger and more modern malls  started to make their presence in Kuching.

I was rather shocked with its current scenario now. Parkson used to be the main tenant here and they had totally moved out. The shelves which once used to display all sort of merchandises are still visible.

There are now many empty retail spaces with some businesses still hanging on. This place has seen a better day.

The shopping complex is ideally located at the city centre with the waterfront just opposite it. However, it might find it hard to survive as it will still need to compete with other newer malls.

Borneo Convention Centre Kuching

The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching also known as BCCK is a dedicated convention centre in Kuching. It is located at Kuching Isthmus which is surrounded by industrial area and is about 8km from the city.

From far, BCCK roof design reminds me of the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. The common area is quite spacious.

Various countries' flags are hung over the ceiling. There is still room at the common area to accommodate a few more banquet tables.

The VIP holding room is quite plush with luxurious white sofas and ceiling lights.

The banquet hall is the largest hall at this convention centre with a capacity of 2000 delegates.

There are also a few more meeting rooms of various size and capacity. This is my first time here and I find the facilities here satisfactory.

The only downside is probably the quality of the food served by the restaurant here. There is no buffet style dining due to the latest procedure and delegates are confined to their own table only. 

Electra House

Electra House was once the focal point of the city as it was the first multi storey shopping complex in Kuching. This is the place where the urban and rural people meet back then. Most of the city bus will converge here and turn this place to some sort of transportation hub.

The shopping complex adopts an open air concept and is not air conditioned. Sugarbun fast food outlet is at the ground floor and business seems to survive in the current competitive business environment.

Just opposite the complex is an open air food court (with the iconic observation tower which once house the fire station for the town). This once popular and important building still stands proud until this very day.

Bishopgate, Kuching

There is a tiny street which cut across Carpenter Street in Kuching which has some historical value not known to many. Most visitor will miss the gate as it is not so conspicuous among the shop houses along Carpenter Street.  However, the once prominent gate is now reduced to just a small portion of the brick wall.

 

Bishopgate Street derived its name after the gate of the Anglican Mission complex in the 18th and 19th century. The Anglican mission complex was separated from the shop houses of the bazaar by a brick wall.

 

The stout ironwood doors of the Bishopgate were used for pedestrian access to the Kuching's main thoroughfares, the bazaar and the Waterfront. Today, most part of the wall had to make way for a new road (which is a shame actually).

 

The official access to the Cathedral compound was from the front, that is from the Rock Road. The Bishop's watchman locked the gate at dusk, keeping the mission staff and families in and unwelcome visitor outside.

Balai Polis Sentral, Kuching

Balai Polis Sentral used to be the police headquarter for Kuching and was built during the Brooke era. It is now consider a heritage building and still function as an important police station for the city centre.

 

The police headquarter was built in 1931 adjacent to the Padang Merdeka and Post Office to replace the old one at the Round Tower in Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg. It is constructed wholly on concrete. All branches of the police force are based here.

Back then, the lower floor are the offices and the upper floor have living quarters for bachelors. It was once known as "Rumah Pasong (The Lockup)". The roof was once constructed of belian timber.

 

All of the access points (windows and doors) are strongly secured by metal grills and solid construction door which pretty much retain its original design and architecture.

St. Thomas's Cathedral, Kuching

Just beside the Padang Merdeka, stand a magnificent cathedral in the heart of Kuching city. It has a history of more than a century.

The Church of England sent its first missionary to Borneo in 1847 at the request and invitation of the first white Rajah, Sir James Brooke. The Revd. Francis Thomas McDougall, priest and doctor was chosen for this pioneer work and his team landed in Kuching on 29th June 1848 after sailing for 6 months from England. A considerable area of jungle-covered hill behind the old town then was given to the church by the Rajah.

On 28th August 1849, Revd. McDougall began the erection of a fine wooden Gothic Church capable of holding 250 persons. On 22nd January 1851, Bishop Wilson of Calcutta consecrated this church to the glory of God and in honour of St. Thomas, the Apostle. It serves as the Pro-Cathedral until 1920 when it was considerably enlarged and raised to the status of a cathedral. The old cathedral was situated at the site of the present Parish Hall.

The foundation stone for the present cathedral was laid on 15th October 1953 by H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent while the first sod was cut by Bishop Nigel Cornwall on 27th January 1955. The building was completed by May the following year. The greater part of the cost was given by the Christians and others in the Diocese as each parish sponsored a part of the building. The consecration of the Cathedral took place on the 9th June 1956 at the hand of Bishop Cornwall