KUCHING.....the capital of Sarawak.....the largest state in
Malaysia. Kuching is also your first stop, when visiting sites like
Bako National Park, Sarawak Cultural Village, Semenggoh
Nature Reserve, Mulu National Park, Niah Caves, Batang Ai
longhouses, Damai beach and other 'fantastic' sites within the
adventurous state of Sarawak.
From the moment you step off the plane and drive through the
city to your hotel, you will notice that Kuching has a manicured
look. The streets are clean and the atmosphere laid back. The
city is basically free from heavy traffic and the pace is slow.
One thing you will also notice is the sense of strange
excitement that comes over you, like you have been taken back
in time. Perhaps it is knowing that you have arrived at a place
where traditions and rituals still hold true to the locals. Perhaps,
it is that you have set foot on lands where headhunters used to
roam.
Malaysia. Kuching is also your first stop, when visiting sites like
Bako National Park, Sarawak Cultural Village, Semenggoh
Nature Reserve, Mulu National Park, Niah Caves, Batang Ai
longhouses, Damai beach and other 'fantastic' sites within the
adventurous state of Sarawak.
From the moment you step off the plane and drive through the
city to your hotel, you will notice that Kuching has a manicured
look. The streets are clean and the atmosphere laid back. The
city is basically free from heavy traffic and the pace is slow.
One thing you will also notice is the sense of strange
excitement that comes over you, like you have been taken back
in time. Perhaps it is knowing that you have arrived at a place
where traditions and rituals still hold true to the locals. Perhaps,
it is that you have set foot on lands where headhunters used to
roam.
| Sampans for hire at the Waterfront |
| The Waterfront in Kuching |
| This is an antique store along the Main Bazaar that you just have to pop in and see for yourself. You can have your 'treasures' shipped back. The items are unique. The bargains are great. Arts of Dayaks 34, Main Bazaar, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak Tel: 082-232894 Email: borneo_touch@yahoo.com |
| Kuching Sites Waterfront, Courthouse, Textile Museum Square Tower, Chinese History Museum Astana, India Street, Fort Margherita Bishop House, Sarawak Museum Hong San Temple, Cat Museum Wet Market, Main Bazaar Go there..... |
| Shops along Main Bazaar |
| Sarawak is famous for its pottery. Just outside Kuching along Penrissen Road you will find pottery and earthen ware factories that are worth stopping at for some shopping or trying your hand out at the potters wheel. |
| Click on the play button above to see the potter at his craft - Yong Huat Earthenware Factory |
The stomping grounds of headhunters of long ago is now the
Kuching Waterfront. Famous for it's open air cafés and the
exciting Main Bazaar, the Waterfront is a promenade along the
southern river bank. It stretches for about a kilometre with the
hotels concentrated on the eastern end and the wet market on
the opposite end.
At the Waterfront you can also take a sampan (boat) ride
across river. For just pennies, ride the sampan across the river
to see the Astana (palace) built by Charles Brooke in 1870. It is
now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. While
crossing the river, ask the boatman his opinion on how the city
Kuching (which means cat in Malay) got it's name.
Kuching Waterfront. Famous for it's open air cafés and the
exciting Main Bazaar, the Waterfront is a promenade along the
southern river bank. It stretches for about a kilometre with the
hotels concentrated on the eastern end and the wet market on
the opposite end.
At the Waterfront you can also take a sampan (boat) ride
across river. For just pennies, ride the sampan across the river
to see the Astana (palace) built by Charles Brooke in 1870. It is
now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. While
crossing the river, ask the boatman his opinion on how the city
Kuching (which means cat in Malay) got it's name.
| Square Tower originally built in 1879 as a detention center for prisoners now houses Sarawak's historical and cultural treasures |
| Fort Margherita was also built in 1879 by Rajah Charles Brooke to fight off pirates sailing up the Sarawak river. It is now a Police Museum. |
The street known as Little India is really a pedestrian mall. If
you are looking for spices, textiles, traditional items and more
souvenirs this is another place to go. Walking along Little India
can be quite fascinating. Some of the things you see can take
you back. Who is that? It's the local 'medicine man'!
you are looking for spices, textiles, traditional items and more
souvenirs this is another place to go. Walking along Little India
can be quite fascinating. Some of the things you see can take
you back. Who is that? It's the local 'medicine man'!
Anyone who has ever been to Sarawak has had this thought
cross their mind....should I get a tattoo? It is hard to resist,
especially when the tattoos from these parts actually have a
meaning or a right of passage. I was almost at the tattoo artist
chair when up came a whole bunch of volunteers.
Ahhhh.....escaped!
cross their mind....should I get a tattoo? It is hard to resist,
especially when the tattoos from these parts actually have a
meaning or a right of passage. I was almost at the tattoo artist
chair when up came a whole bunch of volunteers.
Ahhhh.....escaped!
Meet Ernesto Kalum (right) and a fellow tattoo artist from the
Borneo Headhunters Tattoo and Piercing Studio on Wayang
Street. The first tattoo studio in Malaysia to provide
professional standard tattooing service, they promote the rich
traditional art form of tattooing which has been an integral part
of the Iban community for centuries. Ever since it's conception,
the studio has received many achievements. You can view
their website www.borneoheadhunter.com or stop by and see
their place of business.
Borneo Headhunters Tattoo and Piercing Studio on Wayang
Street. The first tattoo studio in Malaysia to provide
professional standard tattooing service, they promote the rich
traditional art form of tattooing which has been an integral part
of the Iban community for centuries. Ever since it's conception,
the studio has received many achievements. You can view
their website www.borneoheadhunter.com or stop by and see
their place of business.
| The Borneo Headhunters Tattoo and Piercing Studio on Wayang St. |
As you can see, Kuching is quite the fascinating place. I was
there for a couple of days and I really loved it. In fact, I am
going back and this time to cover the Rainforest Festival!
So, if you are interested in going to Kuching, let me put you in
touch with the experts who can show you around. A great way
to see Kuching and the surrounding sites is to use a 'Car &
Guide' like I did. Just email me at
info@fantasticinternational.com.
I want you to have a 'Fantastic' experience in Kuching.
there for a couple of days and I really loved it. In fact, I am
going back and this time to cover the Rainforest Festival!
So, if you are interested in going to Kuching, let me put you in
touch with the experts who can show you around. A great way
to see Kuching and the surrounding sites is to use a 'Car &
Guide' like I did. Just email me at
info@fantasticinternational.com.
I want you to have a 'Fantastic' experience in Kuching.
| Little India pedestrian mall |
| Rows of spice shops |
| Sarawak Museum Established by Charles Brooke 1891 is reputed to be the best in South-east Asia. |
| Sarawak Pottery |
Attention shoppers! Just across from the Waterfront is the Main
Bazaar! Here you can find baskets, blowpipes, textiles, swords,
tribal ear-rings, spears, local jewelry, antiques, and souvenirs
of all kinds. Come on down!
Bazaar! Here you can find baskets, blowpipes, textiles, swords,
tribal ear-rings, spears, local jewelry, antiques, and souvenirs
of all kinds. Come on down!
| Sunset on the Waterfront in Kuching |
| The Hilton Hotel -Kuching |
| The Hilton Kuching is conveniently situated along Kuching's spectacular Riverfront Promenade with panoramic views of the Sarawak River, Fort Margherita and the Main Bazaar. Business areas and places of interest are all within walking distance. |
| The Astana (palace) along the Waterfron was built by Charles Brooke in 1870. It is now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. |
| Some facts about Sarawak Sarawak is made up of 28 ethnic groups of which the Iban is the largest followed by the Chinese, Malays, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu and the rest. The Brooke family (British) ruled Sarawak from 1841 to 1946 and you can see the many references around Sarawak, especially in Kuching, that relate to the Brooke family also known as the 'White Rajahs'. |
| Some 'watering holes' on the Waterfront |
If there is anything a
shopper loves, it is a
bargain. You can't go
wrong here at the Main
Bazaar. With rows and
rows of shops to browse
through, time can get
away from you. Antique
lovers will have a hard
time deciding which
piece to ship back
home. Do we have to
have dinner tonight? I
haven't finished
shopping yet!
shopper loves, it is a
bargain. You can't go
wrong here at the Main
Bazaar. With rows and
rows of shops to browse
through, time can get
away from you. Antique
lovers will have a hard
time deciding which
piece to ship back
home. Do we have to
have dinner tonight? I
haven't finished
shopping yet!
| SARAWAK Nature at your doorstep. You are about to have an awesome time in the jungles and rivers of this exciting state |
| The Sarakraf Pavilion is another stop not to be missed if you are interested to know more about the arts and crafts of Sarawak. Housed in a colonial building, this gallery of handicraft is also a center that preserves the traditional arts. www.sarakraf.com.my |
| Sarawak River Cruise |
| A Unique Experience in Kuching.....says the brochure. Harbour Cruises show you their view of Kuching from the river. The sunset cruise starts at about 5.30pm and takes about an hour and a half. While on board the ship, light refreshments are served. Listen to the DJ spin some music and talk about the sites along the way. Included in the price of the ticket is a cultural dance. This is a great opportunity to take some awesome sunset pictures!!! www.cruises.com.my |
Exploring Kuching is relatively easy. If you are a guest at the
Hilton Kuching, which is right on the Waterfront, all you have to
do is step out of the hotel and walk across the street to start
your 'walking tour'....after breakfast of course....at the
Waterfront Café ....of the Hilton Hotel. With river views, wireless
Internet access, and a Steakhouse that serves some of the
best steaks in town (so plan to have dinner there), the Hilton
Kuching is the place to stay.
Hilton Kuching, which is right on the Waterfront, all you have to
do is step out of the hotel and walk across the street to start
your 'walking tour'....after breakfast of course....at the
Waterfront Café ....of the Hilton Hotel. With river views, wireless
Internet access, and a Steakhouse that serves some of the
best steaks in town (so plan to have dinner there), the Hilton
Kuching is the place to stay.
Along the Waterfront is where you can also catch a glimpse of
Fort Margherita, another historical site built by the Brooke
family. During it's time, the fort was used to fight off pirates that
came upriver. Today, the fort is a police museum. There is an
unusual story on how the fort got it's name. Perhaps it is
another question for the boatman.
No waterfront is complete without a jetty and ship for a sunset
river cruise. Kuching is no exception. So, plan to take this
cruise if you have some time. The boat ride up and down river
takes about an hour and a half, and you get to see a little of
'Malaysian life' along the banks of the Sarawak river.
Fort Margherita, another historical site built by the Brooke
family. During it's time, the fort was used to fight off pirates that
came upriver. Today, the fort is a police museum. There is an
unusual story on how the fort got it's name. Perhaps it is
another question for the boatman.
No waterfront is complete without a jetty and ship for a sunset
river cruise. Kuching is no exception. So, plan to take this
cruise if you have some time. The boat ride up and down river
takes about an hour and a half, and you get to see a little of
'Malaysian life' along the banks of the Sarawak river.
| For more information on Sarawak... Sarawak Tourism Action Council www.motour.gov.my or Sarawak Tourism Board www.sarawaktourism.com |
| By Travelling Gecko |
| Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites Strategically located in the heart of Kuching is the Merdeka Palace. It is within walking distance of the commercial district, business centre and historical sites. Winner of the Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award 2000 the hotel rooms and apartment suites are comfortable with furnishings tastefully decorated to evoke the era of Merdeka (Malaysia's Independence). Fronting the ceremonial Padang Merdeka (Independence Field) the hotel has six international dining outlets, wireless Internet access, gym, currency exchange and a doctor on-call. I had the pleasure of having lunch at the Ristorante Beccari which has a baroque setting and serves traditional Italian cuisine. I chose the five course meal. Need I say more about that lunch! |
| www.merdekapalace.com For hotel arrangements and tours info@fantasticinternational.com |
The
Villas
of Sunway
Villas
of Sunway
| Visit the Elephants..... Go there..... |
| Malaysia has..... Well developed infrastructure Stable economy Rich cultural diversity Political stability 130 million year old rainforest |
| Sunway Petting Zoo Go there..... |
| Spend the night in a treehouse resort Go there..... |
| Central Market once Kuala Lumpur's largest "wet" market is now a unique venue for locals and tourists alike. Refurbished old market stalls are now kiosks for individual merchants selling all kind of merchandise from personalised T-shirts and handicrafts, to portrait artists and interesting paraphernalia. |
| Central Market Kuala Lumpur Handicraft shopping Go there..... |
| Tour the Mangroves Go there..... |
| Payar Marine Park Snorkle with fish Go there..... |
| Save the turtles Go there..... |
| BOOK YOUR HOTEL WITH US |
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| Fantastic Malaysia |
| Step into a truly Asian experience Step into Malaysia |
