September 18, 2026 – Note to Self

These days, whether or not a visa is required, an e-Arrival card or E-doc completed within 72 hours of arrival is necessary for entry into Australia, New Zealand, and most Asian countries. It records passport information for immigration officers and how, why, and when a visitor will arrive and depart.  These are free and can be completed online, but a new arrival document is required for every entry into the country. That’s usually not a problem, except in our case.

After leaving the Philippines, we first hit Malaysia, spending about 6 weeks in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Kuala Lumpur. Then we entered Indonesia when we visited Sumatra. We returned to Malaysia when we arrived here in Kuching. Tomorrow we fly to Jakarta; that’s Indonesia again. Next month we will hop a short flight to the independent city/country of Singapore, which requires its own arrival card. But since there are few Airbnb accommodations in Singapore, we rented an apartment just across the Strait of Johor “river” in Johor Bahru. You guessed it, Johor Bahru is in Malaysia! Sooo, as we make day trips to Singapore, we’ll need an arrival card every time we go. Note to self: Do a better job investigating complicated country borders, and stick to one country at a time, even if that means irrational city sequences and a zig-zag travel path. Looks like we’ll spend a good bit more time on the computer staying legal.

Being out of the country for so long each year no doubt means Stan and I miss out on some pretty wonderful holiday celebrations at home. A traditional Fourth of July party is one we especially miss. That holiday always makes us a little melancholy, thinking about family and friends gathering, cooking barbecue, kids running here and there, hot and sweaty but delighted to be in the company of cousins and all, awaiting watermelon and the fireworks after dark. We miss the patriotic feeling Independence Day inspires and the joy of being with family and friends on that day.

Stan and I had a bit of fun at a patriotic celebration here. September 16 was Malaysian Day, celebrating the 63^rd anniversary of the formation of the Malaysian Federation. It was our surrogate 4th of July.  Most of the dignitaries’ speeches and native cultural musical performances took place at the Borneo Convention Center.  We passed on those festivities, but we did take part in the best part–the street food and the massive, synchronized lights, fountains, and fireworks displays at the Kuching Waterfront. 

God blessed Kuching that day by clearing the smoke from the air. We saw blue skies for the first time since our arrival here. Kuching celebrated with Malaysia flags everywhere, music, and a long, crowded path of street food vendors hawking icy juice drinks, sweet treats, and moon cakes. The air was filled with the aroma of many sorts of sausages, pork, fishballs, and shellfish frying in vats of hot fat or grilling over charcoal fires. We were tempted, oh yes, we were tempted, but we have been in this part of the world long enough to know most of the food looks much better than it tastes. In our own style, though, we bought a bottle of wine with some plastic cups, and found a good place on the steps overlooking the river. Stan and I sat there, with thousands of Malaysians, enjoying the very pleasant evening, listening to happy (American) music, and watching synchronized lights and fountains while sharing wine with our neighbors, making friends.

After the climactic fireworks finale, we walked home, holding hands and thinking about the thrill of being here in this foreign land, watching this country celebrate its independence.

The next morning after the patriotic celebration, we woke to find the air was once again filled with dense smoke. It may be hazy and hotter than blue blazes, but we like Malaysia; we like the people here, the Chinese, the Malay tribal folk and the Islamic people who live together in peace, and we are happy to have spent a little time here.