Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Memories of AURORA HOTEL

A very short post today. I'll simply lead you down memory lane ... Remember what used to be at the site of the current Hotel Merdeka in Kuching? If you can picture in your mind the old Aurora Hotel, then you are definitely a child of the 60s or 70s ...




Is it all coming back now?

Now for a little bonus - this is the design of the Aurora Hotel luggage tag. Ever seen it before?




Over to you ... Share with us your memories of this hotel and its various facilities.

21 comments:

  1. I remember Aurora Coffee House. I think many of us do.

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  2. I used to go with my Father to a Barber shop in the Aurora Hotel building when I was a boy.

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  3. First date in Aurora Coffee House. LOL

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  4. Wow, that's a great pix.

    Bank Utama was there before and I was one of the pioneer staff ( guinea pigs perhaps). Hair cut was by Uncle Liew..at Aurora Barber he is still around & now at Rubber Road, opposite SNAP HQ.

    Coffee House was our favourite lepak place with gf & friends... Coke Float was the drink of the day ...Sweet memories... Thanks Tuan Jaga..

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    1. Yes, Sinos. Remember you as a pioneer staff of BUMB. It was then under Tn Hj Bidari.
      7up Float as well.
      You may know Colin (Joe Form5 1980s) whose mum was a long-serving staff at Aurora Hotel (well over 20 years). Plenty of photos and memorabilia of the hotel with her.

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  5. What year do you think this photo was taken?

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  6. Barber was Mr Liew? Hmmm, that sounds vaguely familiar. I recall one stouter chap and one taller chap with sideburns

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  7. who has actually lived in one of the rooms before?

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  8. Great photo....and the memories.

    Aurora hotel and the vicinity was one of my favorite "hunting" grounds. Spent a lot of my pocket money in the cafe too. Been there with so many of my friends - boys and girls. I am sure many of us had walked passed it on our way to and from school - esp. those who lived in the nearby areas. Another thing, if some of you can remember, there was a decent size car park at the back and it was used as basketball court in the late afternoons and early evenings. Played there many times and of course at the museum next to it.
    The photo must be taken in the 60s. Never have the priviledge to use any of the rooms though and I want to know why if you admitted that you did. HAHAHAHA.
    Can you also remember the building next to it where Kuching Plaza was sited? I think it was owned by St Thomas's and they used to hold functions and fun fairs at the building. Any photos of these? What fond memories. Thanks James.

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  9. What were you "hunting", Mr John Lee ???? LOL

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  10. Anyone remember what was on the rooftop of Aurora Building?

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  11. Any one know what happen to the then owner of the hotel, the Tan family and their half dozen daugters

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  12. I recall Aurora Hotel was owned by Indonesian Chinese. Yes, a Mr Tan. He also owned the small petrol kiosk by the Sarawak River (near the current Chinese Museum). The kiosk is not there any more, of course.

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  13. Sorry to disappoint you historical jaga, my uncle never owned Aurora hotel nor did he have half a dozen daughters as mentioned by anon. He came from China and he had a brother who landed in Thailand.
    The small petrol kiosk by the Sarawak River (near the current Chinese Museum) was Tan Boon Tien.

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  14. The late Mr Tan was a contractor (1900) before he started the 2nd petrol kiosk in Kuching by the Sarawak River. Aurora Hotel was build by him and so was quite a few of the pre war shop houses in town.Sun Valley terrace was also one of his projects.
    I will try to meet up with his youngest son to get more info or pix when I'm back in Kg one day.

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  15. Taller chap with sideburns IS Mr. Liew, WJ. His older brother is the one selling kolok mee at the old St.Michael Canteen.
    Btw, the present St.Mike Canteen, operated by John, next to Timberland hospital has ceased operation. The hospital bought over the whole block for extention.
    Will help find out where he has moved or maybe he has wind up his business.

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  16. @NL - thanks. that's some new info to me ! Do you know the name of the shorter, stouter barber?

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  17. Don't know woh..WJ but I think I can find out if I do happened to pass by Mr. Liew"s barber at Rubber Road.

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  18. Good news guys, Ah John will continue his business at St. Mike coffee shop after the renovation of the hospital block. Heard that the hospital management has agreed to let him use his former shop to operate his business.That will be another 3 months from now, the earliest.
    Looks like we can still enjoy his 'ang tau peng' for years to come.
    Oh yes, he sent his regards to everyone and hope to see everybody at his 'new' shop when it's open again. Cheers!

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  19. The owner of the Aurora Hotel was Mr Tan Hoan Kie. I was a very close grind of his younger son, Tan Hock Thay, who was about 3 years my junior at St Joe in the late sixties

    Does anyone know where is Tan Hock Thay now ? I lost touch with him after returning to Sarawak from London when I finished my studies.

    Tan Hovk Thay did his degree in Economics at London University in the early seventies.

    Chrispian Chan Chiaw Huan
    Upper 6 science 1969


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  20. Does anyone still have contact with Tan Hock Thay, a son of Tan Hoan Kie, the original owner of the Aurora hotel ? Tan hock Thay was in upper 6 at st Joe in the early seventies.

    Chrispian chan Chiaw Huan
    Upper 6 science 1969
    8chris@gmail.com
    Now a registered migration agent in Australia

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