Saturday 29 December 2012

Landmarks come and go...

Recently Kuching folks had witnessed the opening of the grand Merdeka Plaza, right in the middle of Kuching city (or should I called it the Kuching City Centre). It has changed the landscape of Kuchig especially the flow of traffic. Padang Merdeka used to be the biggest round-about here but now the road seems to serve the plaza. Coming soon is the 'old Kuching Plaza'. I doubt the younger generation knows the building. It is "opening soon" too. The plaza is given a facelift to make it one of the modern plazas in the city. For the sake of the younger generation, this building is situated next to Merdeka Palace, opposite St Thomas' Cathedral. What's the new name given to it? I think it's going to be Merdeka something.
 
The end of 2012 is also the end of Satok Market. The authority has allocated a new and modern site across the river, next to Upwell Supermarket. This place is commonly known as Kubah. The new site is known as Medan Niaga Satok (eventhough it is situated outside Satok). The ala Sydney Opera House building looks conducive. I don't want to dwell on this side of the story. We've heard arguments and counter arguments from both sides; the authorities and the vendors/hawkers.
 
On 29/12/2012 (the last day is 30/12/2012), I purposely walked around the market to take a few shots and chat with the hawkers. I know this place will be demolished right after 1/1/2013 to prevent them from coming back to do illegal business there. All those I talked to express uncertainties about their new place. A few said they have to move somewhere else, they included those who failed to get a place and those who are unwilling to move to the new site and are willing to move somewhere else. A man selling chicken and beef 'encouraged' me to take photos. He said after 26 years this place have to give way for other 'white elephant' project. A few asked me what newspaper I'm from. Well, one thing for sure is the 'scenery'. The new site will not be as colourful as Satok Market. The colourful tents and umbrellas are replaced by a building. The arrangement of the products will not be the same. In fact things will never be the same again. Words can't describe the difference. So, here I'm putting more photos instead of words.
 

Satok Market

the colourful cacti
attractive jewellery
imported fruits

fresh local fruits
 
ikan pusu (anchovy)

local kuih
fresh from the countryside

neatly arranged local fruits and veges


usahawan ikan terubok masin (uitm)
 
colourful canopy

 Welcome Medan Niaga Satok sayonara Satok Market..."Bidapud lagi..."

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