Author Topic: Kuching? (Read 1466 times)

HIDDEN · « **on:** December 06, 2008, 06:52:44 AM »

Gentlefolks,

My name is Karsten, I'm a 51-year old German literature translator. My wife Yvonne is from Singapore, 42 years old and works as a cook. We're living in Hamburg, Germany.

We're planning to retire in Southeast Asia in the foreseeable future. Poking around in the Internet, I recently came across the MM2H program. It sounds a lot more sensible than anything any other country in the region is offering, and thus, we are seriously considering Malaysia as our old-age home.

However, KL and Penang seem to be too crowded for our taste. We're looking at Sarawak. We've already booked flights to check it out, we'll be in and around Kuching during the first two weeks of February 2009.

I wonder if there's anybody on this board who lives in or near Kuching and would be interested to get together for dinner and a drink at that time?

Thanks,

Karsten

HIDDEN · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2008, 10:31:46 AM »

Hi Karsten,

Welcome to the forum. You have definitely chosen the right place to keep up to date with MM2H.

Although I can't help with the dinner and drink as we live up in Penang I would advise you to keep an eye on MM2H developments are they may be about to get better.

Regards

Bob

HIDDEN · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2008, 12:44:24 PM »

Extract from BERNAMA, the Malaysian News Agency
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=306461

Quote

January 07, 2008 19:06 PM

More Brits Making Sarawak Second Home

KUCHING, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- More people from Britain are making Sarawak their second home under the
"Malaysia: My Second Home" (MM2H) programme since it was introduced in 2002.

Sarawak Immigration director Datuk Robert Lian said his department had approved 41 applications for social visit passes
from Britons under the MM2H programme.

"Last year alone, 17 Britons applied to participate in the programme," he told a press conference here today.

He said until last year, the department had issued 105 social visit passes to MM2H participants, including 45 issued last year.

"Taiwanese formed the second largest number of MM2H applicants, with 18, followed by Indonesians, with 13."

So it looks like you are not alone. Can these 41 MM2Hers come for your dinner and drinking session??
Don't talk about British soccer over the too many drinks. British soccer and drinks don't mix especially when a
German is present.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2008, 06:08:08 PM »

You may be a little out of date, Brits and Germans get on very well, whether talking soccer or not.

Bob

HIDDEN · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2008, 07:34:50 PM »

That's a new one on me!!

Cheers

Brian

HIDDEN · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2008, 07:03:54 PM »

News to me too!!

Do the Germans get on well with anyone apart from a few Austrians

HIDDEN · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:17:52 PM »

Quote from: HIDDEN on December 06, 2008, 12:44:24 PM

Extract from BERNAMA, the Malaysian News Agency
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=306461

So it looks like you are not alone. Can these 41 MM2Hers come for your dinner and drinking session??
Don't talk about British soccer over the too many drinks. British soccer and drinks don't mix especially when a
German is present.

Thanks for posting this article, thats very reassuring indeed! That "drinking session" could go down in history as a most memorable event - if I only manage to notify all of these 41 MM2Hers. I must confess, though, that I'm not particularly passionate about British soccer - but after a sufficient number of drinks, that might change, who knows?!?

To explore the greater vicinity of Kuching, does it make more sense to rent a car and drive ourselves, hire a cab with driver from day to day, or hire a cab for the whole time we'll be there (about 12 days)? Can somebody give me an idea of the cost of these options? Is it advisable to go for a four-wheel drive (more expensive)?

Cheers,

Karsten

HIDDEN · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:24:40 PM »

Quote from: HIDDEN on December 07, 2008, 07:03:54 PM

News to me too!! Do the Germans get on well with anyone apart from a few Austrians

Well, Fizzy, being from Hamburg with it's traditional ties to England, I actually feel more comfortable around (most) Brits than Austrians. Unless they start to pick a fight, that is ...

Cheers,

Karsten

HIDDEN · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2008, 09:02:15 PM »

Ouch Karsten...that hurt

I think we would get on well as I am not keen on football either. One of my good golfing buddies is German. Trouble he keeps putting his cigarette butts in my half empty beer cans

HIDDEN · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2008, 09:23:53 PM »

Quote from: HIDDEN on December 07, 2008, 09:02:15 PM

Trouble he keeps putting his cigarette butts in my half empty beer cans

Hmmm, that's a serious problem. I can offer two solutions:

a) Empty your beer cans faster than he can finish his cigarette,

or

b) Switch to my favourite, Gin & Tonic - certainly beats what you Brits like to call "beer" ... yukk!

This kind of problem-solving is known as GERMAN ENGINEERING, Fizzy!

Cheers,

Karsten

HIDDEN · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2008, 09:43:58 PM »

Hmmmmm....... I have a penchant for a wee dram of Jamesons

or a good old pint of Guinness.

But sometimes these are just not available so I have to make do with what is available to wet the whistle:-\ $:-\$ $:-\$

We have some good German BierHaus's here in KL....but not sure about Sarawak.....better check it out before you finally decide on MM2H location

HIDDEN · « **Reply #11 on:** September 11, 2010, 12:07:47 AM »

Sarawak is a brilliant place, my wife is from there and we met in Sibu Sarawak over twenty years ago. Currently in Australia but will be going back to live in kuching in two years or so.
It is an entirely different place to peninsular Malaysia. When we fly to Sarawak or Sabah for holidays we go Royal Brunei Air that way we don't have to go through KLIA.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2010, 10:19:06 AM »

Quote from: HIDDEN on September 11, 2010, 12:07:47 AM

Sarawak is a brilliant place, my wife is from there and we met in Sibu Sarawak over twenty years ago. Currently in Australia but will be going back to live in kuching in two years or so.
It is an entirely different place to peninsular Malaysia. When we fly to Sarawak or Sabah for holidays we go Royal Brunei Air that way we don't have to go through KLIA.

I would be interested in forum member's views on Sarawak vs Sabah. I guess it is easier enough to hop on an Air Asia flight and see for myself but it is handy to have some views regarding infrastructure and attractions.

It appears the beaches aren't too bad in either places

Spider

HIDDEN · « **Reply #13 on:** October 31, 2010, 04:14:49 AM »

Sarawak is a bit more developed compared to Sabah. I came across the folowing which I found illuminating for the whole of the island of Borneo:-

Total GDP
Kalimantan: US$53.40 billion
Sarawak: US$38.69 billion
Sabah: US$22.39 billion
Brunei: US$19.67 billion

GDP per capita / Average living standard
Brunei: US$50,5671
Sarawak: US$15,451
Sabah: US$6,991
Kalimantan: US$4,450

It depends on what you are looking for of course, but I like Sarawak where at the moment I am a regualr visitor but plan reside in due course. Under MM2H you are confined to Kuching, Sibu or Miri.

HIDDEN · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2010, 09:26:51 AM »

Quote from: HIDDEN on October 31, 2010, 04:14:49 AM

Sarawak is a bit more developed compared to Sabah. I came across the folowing which I found illuminating for the whole of the island of Borneo:-

It depends on what you are looking for of course, but I like Sarawak where at the moment I am a regualr visitor but plan reside in due course. Under MM2H you are confined to Kuching, Sibu or Miri.

Thanks PK,

So under the MM2H you can only purchase property in Kuching, Sibu or Miri ? Do you plan on going to Kuching?

Spider

News:

Kuching?