BIB Conference 2017 is Back in Kuching

The Borneo International Beads Conference 2017 is back.
It is currently held at Plaza Merdeka - a Shopping Mall + Hotel venue, right next to the previous venue - the Old Court House.

Actually went there yesterday after lunch but left without setting foot at the mall. The area was jam packed and we couldn't find any parking space. Disappointed!

So, this morning, we made it a point to leave an hour earlier, around 9 am. Just so that we can find parking space. Hais! Guess what?....We were not allowed to enter the Mall/hotel basement parking area before 10 am. Got such thing onekah???

Lucky us, we found a spot along the Main Bazaar. Phew!!
Off we went for a short sightseeing of the old bazaar area. This is the section of the city where we drive pass quite frequently but rarely stop to visit or shop.
If we do, only to a particular shop but not the whole stretch of the shops along this street.
This morning, we managed to take a peek at most shops - at least those that were already opened at 9++am.

Back to BIB, stalls were set up within the mall itself, therefore, it's way more comfortable with air-conditioning.

This year, however, I did not see any stall displaying beads from other countries. Most are locals. Not sure if it was because we were too early.

Here, let the pictures dothe talking.