Sunday, October 30, 2011

KUCHING THE CITY OF DIVERSITY


KUCHING, to me is both enchanting and the city of diversity. It is the capital city of the state of Sarawak and boast to be the largest in Borneo, forth in Malaysia and the most populous city with half of a million people. It is so enchanting with various interesting spots and places to visit and worth your holidays. The city of diversified cultures, ethnic groups, spoken languages and dialects and foods. It is also the mixture and the blend of ancient and modern sculptures, architecture, the traditional and modern lifestyle.

The city is divided into two areas, Kuching North(MBKU) and Kuching South(MBKS) and each administered by a mayor; Mayor for Kuching Selatan and Commissioner for Kuching Utara.

I joined the pax of ten on 5 days and 4 nights trip to the city from 24th of October 2011 until 29th.


The WATERFRONT, one of the main attractions of the city. One can strolls, relaxes, snapping photographs and visits several food and souvenir kiosks and bazaars.


Ready for river ride and to cross the Sarawak River for sight seeing and
to have a special meal, the laksa Sarawak and the tasty local specialty, the mee kolok.


The city with numerous cat statues.
In the background is one of examples.
The word Kuching means cat


Another cat statue in the middle of the city.


The same spot but different figures


The waterfront, the state assembly building in the background


The Waterfront, one may notice the ancient building in the near background
and the modern one in the far background


Pasar Satok, a famous wet market in the city and the main place for dwellers to obtain sundry goods. The salted ikan terubok or ITM(ikan terubok masin) is the main goods for visitors and the price varies according to size and quality. The vendor will wrap nicely for you and safe to bring it home. A good reminder for visitors, please be careful the floor is wet and slippery


The pottery and ceramic shop.
Various type of local made products are displayed and to be sold
The products are so fine and the price is reasonable


The King Prawn Meal at the TopSpot Sea Food Restaurant,
the most popular seafood court in the city



Another Cat Statue in the midst of the city.
The costume of the statue varies according to festivals
to mark the main festival of the Malaysians.
The present is the Deepavali costume to mark the appropriate festival.


The directions in the Cultural Village or the Living Museum. The sign shows the way to various seven main ethnics groups in Sarawak. It is the one stop museum and the showcase for Sarawak's rich cultural diversity. One could experience clearly the external and internal structure of the houses, their lifestyles, dialects, traditional dances and costumes.
The 45 minutes Cultural dance show for the audience are staged twice daily.
The village is about 35 kilometres from the city


Crossing the bamboo bridge, the Cultural Village. It is optional, good experience and interesting but some could not dare to cross over it and choose the alternative.


The Penan gentleman in the traditional costume.
He speaks Malay language fluently just by daily communication with the visitors.
The Penans are expert in using blowpipes, the main weapons for hunting animals and against their rivals if possible.


Orang Ulu plucking 'sape' the traditional musical instrument.
It sounds melodious and perform it in their special festivals and welcoming the guests.


At the main entrance and the exit of the Cultural Village


Pantai Damai, Santubong, just a stone throw from the Cultural village.

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre.
The place of rehabilitation the formerly illegal captured wildlifes especially the orang utans. The animals are freed back into the wilderness but under the government care. It is fortunate enough if one could see them hanging around nearby because they spend most of the time in the wilderness searching for food especially in the fruit season. They feed on fruits and durian is the favourite.


Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse, Padawan, about 60 kilometres from the city.
Human skulls are well preserved and kept to mark the heroic history of their ethnic in defeating rivals. The leaders of the captives were beheaded and their heads smoked for preservation.


Bidayuh Longhouse, it is about 200 metres long with all dwellers live in one place in harmony and traditional lifestyle. Most of them are farmers and cultivate hill padi as staple food, fruits especially bananas, pineapple and maize. The buildings are erected on poles, about 10 feet above the ground. The main materials are wood and bamboo which are abundant in the nearby forest. The floors are absolutely bamboo and should be replaced in time, the older one are used as fuel.

Welcome to Kuching and worth your holidays.
Whoever come to Kuching plan your holidays wisely or else will miss
some interesting spots and experience.

Thank you and all the best.



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