bakedbean

Hey Strider, you've just outted yourself

bakedbean

Just read your blog report Strider - wow I'm interested in that pic of "roadside plants". Any idea exactly what that is? We got served something that looked exactly like that in deepest southern Thailand. We had ordered a plate of mixed veggies and what we got was just like you've photographed with some oyster sauce and garlic (I think) mixed in.

Strider24

No idea what that one was, but the most popular in Sarawak is what looks like fishbone fern tip. They are sold by the bunch in the market and are basically tasteless and rather greasy texture. All the other roadside stuff was basically tasteless as well, with spiky bits and generally chewy. I'm a meat eater...except for witchetty grubs. Terrapin soup and python, were OK.

bakedbean

Ours looked like a plate of moist twigs. I suspect it was some kind of morning glory - probably oiked out of Lake Songkhla - very chewy. We also had a Thai Green Chicken Curry with it, which actually tasted pretty good and proper chicken in it, but it was just a bit too Green if you know what I mean . Amazingly, no ill effects the next day.

Witchety grubs and python? oh... please......

Strider24

Yeah moist twigs is a good description. Actually I was amazed watching the women even on a short walk of a 100m stoop and pluck grasses, leaves. berries etc and end up with an arm full either for the table or folk medicine, herbs or spices.
I'm told witchety grubs over the BBQ are nice and nutty, but not only I didn't try them, I didn't see anyone else either. Python done sort of rendang style tastes like chicken and Terrapin soup is tasty.. The pork was a bit of a worry as it was min 50%fat so I opted mostly for chicken.

bakedbean

I think I'm going to be sick

tuanton

Hi .... I am British, just joined the forum... living in Kuching for past 2+ years. Can help with info if anyone interested. Not joined MM2H programme as Sarawak has its own alternative property programme which gives renewable residency visa (12 months) but not necessary to have money on deposit as in the MM2H scheme.

Strider24

Hi Tuanton,

You just told us something not generally known. I know a lot of people on the MM2H forum that would love that little gem about property and 12 month visas.

If you feel up to yet another forum, try http://www.my2home.info as there so many ask and so few know anything about Sarawak.

I envy you being there as I find the place, people great and Kolok Mee is one of my favorites.

Met the new electronics manager for Tesco the other day and his home is out past Serian.

tuanton

Hello Strider24..... that was a quick response....
I can do another forum OK but this programme is only available to people settling in Sarawak only. Wouldn't want to start a rush elsewhere.
It is great here, my wife was born here but spent most of her life in UK but we have been coming to Kuching for last 25 years for hols before both retiring and settling here.

Strider24

Hi Tuanton,

Most know the Sarawak rules are different even for MM2H. They just don't know what the rules are. I confess the more I see of Sarawak, the more I like it and if I started again, it would be high on my list of places to settle in retirement. My MM2H is Peninsular only unfortunately. :curse:

My wife and I recently spent almost a week in a longhouse, preparing for a monster ancestor gawai festival, not far from Betong. Loved every second of it mucking in and being accepted as part of the "family". We stayed with other members of the family near Samarahan, having BBQ's and drinking rocket fuel.

bakedbean

So how do folks get information on this alternative property programme with residency visa? Is there a website detailing the procedures?

Yeh I know you don't want a rush of people to Sarawak but, c'mon you've spilt the beans now, so how to do it?

Must admit I know very little about Sarawak. Had long weekend in Kuching about 6 or 7 years ago but it was seriously monsooning at the time so didn't actually get to see much of the place unfortunately.

tuanton

No website, we were down in Immigration renewing our first 90 day social visit visa and checking on MM2H with them and were asked.... " which programme do you want to join, we have two". This was the first we had heard about the property programme and ultimately we joined it. You have to own property in Sarawak to join and have a sponsor who is Sarawakian, we were fortunate to have my brother-in-law. The visa has to be renewed each year and we have just renewed without any problem.

bakedbean

Oh isn't that interesting You'd think there would be something out there on the internet about it, wouldn't you? Or are they trying to keep it quiet?

sandcastle

That is awesome. I love the "insider" visa info. My guess is it isn't an intent to keep it off the internet, just no huge desire to put it on the internet :-/

By the way does anyone have suggestions for a rental agent for looking at houses/condos in Kuching?

bakedbean

For those looking for info on Sarawak and MM2H in Sarawak, my2home site has a link to the "updated" tourism site and includes a link to MM2H I believe. That site is here

There's also a looooong discussion about MM2H in Sarawak from those considering it here I've linked in to the last page (currently) but anyone interested can go back to start of discussion if they need the info.