I GREW UP IN KUCHING TOWN

3 months ago 16

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(Nostalgia for Kuching of the 60s & 70s)

By James S L Yong (2020)

I grew up in Kuching Town
during the 60s and 70s scene
A place peaceful, safe and sound
with tree-lined roads so green

In 1965 I attended Nanyang kindy
My lovely school has moved I see
I still meet up with many a buddy
who shared Milo and naptime with me

I studied at St Joe until Form Five
Hard work, activities and games all round
A solid education for my whole life
Preparing for the world I was bound

Had a bicycle to zip around fast
Uphill on Golf Links was a bit of a chore
but zooming downhill was a blast
Crashed once and was quite sore

Time seemed to march on slow
The future exciting with less gloom
We listened to news on the radio
After the sound of the 8 o’clock boom

Electra House was our mall
India Street was really abuzz
Yummy makan at an Open Air Market stall
With added fumes from the CLL bus

Taxis stood at Gambier Road in a line
Driving you wherever you had to go
No aircon, meter or seatbelt but ’twas fine
You had to share the car with 3 or 4

Movies at Odeon, Rex, Lido or Cathay
I loved swordfighting and kungfu kicks
Clint, 007 and Bronson for bangbang frays
Remember one Indian elephant flick?

Swimmers spent time at the KMC Pool
Runners found Jubilee Ground so shiok
Sarawak Club links for Golf was cool
Taekwondo on Song Thian Cheok

Our Museum Gardens were a sight
With swings, slides and see-saw
and flowers, fishies and crocs that bite
The Police brass band was a regular draw

Climbing up Matang was a lark
As was fishing on Satok Suspension Bridge
Enjoyed boat rides to Bako National Park
or a picnic at a Santubong ridge

Television came to Kuching in early 70
Black & white but we loved it just the same
Neighbours crowded around the boxy TV
for the Ali-Bugner fight or a football game

I grew up in Kuching Town
now a City of beauty and grace
Tho’ some old sights have come down
lots of new ones are in their place.