The first Pullman hotel in Kuching. Pullman Hotel Kuching features 389 spacious and contemporary rooms with panoramic city and river views.

The locals are saying that Pullman Hotel is "haunted". Observe the photo above, bottom left and you will likely spot a figure near one of the windows. Photo shot from Pelita Car Park complex.

Photo of Siar Beach Resort

Photo of Siar Beach, next to the Siar Beach Resort Lundu which is about one hour drive from Kuching. Beach view facing a mountain shrouded with morning mists. Siar beach at low tide. Fresh water from the mountain flowing unto the beach at low tide. A distance view of the mountain from Siar Beach. The sea at the far end of the beach. About Siar Beach Resort. Siar Beach Resort occupies a secluded, peaceful and tranquility beach front with self contained bungalows units and basic facilities. Unfortunately, there is no white sand but sandy and muddy beach. Link to Siar Beach Resort home page. Be sure to bring enough drinking water because when I stayed there, water supply (which is from the mountain source) was cut off during the night during a heavy storm. I suppose water supply is not an issue during fine weather. Bring your food rations as well as unless you prepared to drive back to Lundu town for a meal. As for the beach, probably a one-star rating due to the fact that the main sea water body is far from the beach (approximately 500 meters away during low tide) in addition to the unsightly debris. And I cut my toe when I accidentally kick a submerged rock which was unseen due to the murky water. Recommended reading: * Photo of Sematan Palm Beach Resort

Fireworks during Sarawak DUN Complex opening

Photo of fireworks during the opening of new Sarawak DUN Complex. The fireworks display was the finale after the end of procession by various kind of decorative boat float.


A cute float from Kuching Port Authority, which graced the front page of Borneo Post.


Sarawak DUN FireWork - Photo by smilephotowork.blogspot.com


Sarawak DUN Fireworks - Photo by smilephotowork.blogspot.com

Video clip of the fireworks display during the opening ceremony of the new Sarawak DUN.




SEO: Pertunjukan Bunga api Sarawak DUN | Firework waterfront | Firework and float

Sarawak River Float 2009

Sarawak River Float 2009 will be organized on July 27, 2009 to commemorate the official opening of the new Sarawak DUN Building by the Agung and in conjunction with the sitting of Malaysia Ruler's Conference in Kuching.

The River Float will starts from the Toll Bridge (Tun Sallehuddin Bridge at Tanah Puteh) passing the new DUN Building and the Astana. The best viewing point will be from the Kuching Waterfront. Be there before 8pm on the 27th of July 2009.

Various organizations will participate in the events, including Kuching Port Authority, ASSAR, Sarawak Energy (SESCO), Samling Group. Naim Cendera.


Float from Sarawak Energy (SESCO). Their theme is of course, electricity power grid in addition to the alternative energy, i.e. wind power (turbine). On the side of the boat is an Iban motif.


Float from the ASSAR group. The float motto is "Sarawak's Premier Oil, Gas & Chemical Integrator Corporation". On their boat, you can see gas tank, laboratory tubes, and oil tanks.


Float from Kuching Port Authority. At the bow of the boat is decorative hornbill head, hornbill wings at side of the boat and at the stern, a cat (which represents Kuching).


Float from Naim Cendera promoting their housing product Naim Homes. Photo from PhotoBorneo.com

Photos to be uploaded soon.

About Sarawak

The Sarawak River or Sungai Sarawak is a river in Sarawak state of Malaysia. It is an important source of water and transportation for the inhabitants in southwestern Sarawak. It is also used in water-related sport activities such as the annual Sarawak Regatta which attract tourists from all over the world.

The Astana, the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Governor of Sarawak, is located on the north bank of the river.


SEO: bot hiasan sarawak | Perarakan Bot Berhias Sarawak

Photo of Sarawak DUN Building

Photo of Sarawak new Dewan Undangan Negri (DUN) Building (Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Hall), the latest landmark in Kuching.

The new Sarawak DUN Building is costing the state government about RM296.5 million.


Entrance to Sarawak DUN Complex ~ BinaPuri


The majestic Sarawak DUN complex ~ BinaPuri


Atrium of Sarawak DUN ~ BinaPuri


Sarawak DUN Chamber ~ BinaPuri


Construction of Sarawak DUN Complex - CMSB


Night shot of Sarawak DUN Complex.


The new Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building. Photo by Rafiq Mirza


Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sarawak. Photo by canonreflex


Sarawak Parliament. Photo by Asif Imtiaz


Perahu Tambang. Showcasing the old and the ultra modern. Photo by famptoP


DUN under the bright blue sky. Photo by framptoP



SEO: Koleksi Gambar DUN Sarawak | Galleri Gambar DUN Sarawak | DUN baru Sarawak | Komplex DUN Sarawak |

Photo of Sematan Palm Beach Resort

These are photos of Palm Beach, Sematan about one and half hours drive from Kuching. Not the Palm Beach at Florida.


At the background are the Talang Talang Islands.


A shelter next to the Palm Beach Sematan.


Jetty near Sematan Bazaar Waterfront.


Zoom: Jetty near Sematan Bazaar Waterfront.


Kites flying at Sematan Palm Beach Resort.


About Sematan Bazaar

Sematan is an old seaside pasar (market) on a rivermouth harbour. Traders from the Malay Peninsula, the Straits and Kalimantan have been coming here for a long, long time. To this day, boats laden with merchandise round the corner of Borneo and fetch up at the jetty in Sematan.

The pasar has a number of sundry goods and coffee shops where seafood is high on the menu. Look any way you like and you’ll see the sea, or the darkling flank of Gunung Pueh protecting the village!

Gunung Pueh, with winding paths (smugglers’ paths perhaps?) through the forest, its rocks, streams and waterfalls, is one Sematan’s hidden attractions. So is a Selakau longhouse tucked into a quiet valley nearby.

And then – the South China sea!

The shallow waters make Sematan a safe swimming beach. But beware of Jelly Fish ! Marine turtles nest safely in the sanctuary of Talang-talang islets; some occasionally lay their eggs on the long white beaches, devoid of human footprints, that stretch from Sematan all the way to Tanjung Datus, the westernmost cape of Borneo. Fishermen put out daily, out into the blue deep around the islands scattered offshore. Life proceeds as it has, since time immemorial.

Wheeling Around

The mountain-biking confraternity has discovered Sematan in a big way. These light two-wheelers take their riders practically anywhere, up and down mountain paths, across small streams, along the firm sand just on the tide line; they can easily be loaded into a boat for crossing streams and rocky bays.

On water, there’s more than fishing boats these days. Snappy speedboats take visitors to cruise around the islands, or see the sights from Santubong to Tanjung Datus. Brightly coloured sea kayaks plough the waters, trying to pick up what gentle surf there is.

It is perfectly possible to drive from Kuching for a day of fun, sun and sea, and return in the evening. But it’s a lot better to stay overnight... or a few nights in a row. There are a few lodging houses in the area, even a “homestay village” at Telok Melanau, and a couple of small hotels in the district town of Lundu (90KM from Kuching). Beach resorts, ranging from very basic huts to well-constructed chalets, are springing up.

And then there’s the option of spending a night in a tent under the stars, though this might turn out a bit chaotic if a sudden squall shakes the canvas.

The bottom line: Choose the kind of transport you like and the standard of comfort you require, but don’t miss out on Sematan. It really is the end!

About Sematan Palm Beach Resort

Sematan Palm Beach Resort (SPBR), is based on chalet-type accommodation. Some are open-plan A-frames with upstairs and downstairs bedrooms, others quadruplex cottages. The Family Rooms consist of two linked rooms which sleep up to six persons... or more. Head counts tend to be liberal, and no big fuss is made over one or two extra persons per room.

The rooms are well built and functional, with air-cond, TV and clean water. But no telephone line. Furniture, fittings, draperies are of good quality; little attempt is made at fancy decorations. The main attraction in Palm Beach Resort is definitely the sea and the landscape — guests don’t sit in their rooms to contemplate faux ethnic curios stuck to the walls!

Sea air, especially when combined with some swimming, beach jogging and kayaking, stimulates healthy appetites. The steady stream of air from the sea make kite flying enjoyable. The restaurant offers home-cooked fare. Dinner and breakfast are included in the standard tariffs. Barbecue pits are available for in-house guests who may choose to manage on their own, or ask for help from the staff.

Palm Beach Resort is becoming the haunt of scuba divers from Kuching and further afield. Such trips have to be arranged beforehand; kayaks and mountain bikes can be rented by anyone game to try, though bikers and paddlers usually come in groups, ready for an exhausting weekend of sport and fun.

Palm Beach Resort also caters for meetings and social functions. It can accommodate up to 120 persons, and there’s never any problem with special requests like wedding cakes.

Contact:
Sematan Palm Beach Resort,
Kg Sg Kilong, Jalan Seacom,
94100 Sematan, Sarawak.
Tel: 082-712 388/711 808,
Fax: 082-711788;

Photos of Macaca fascicularis at Sama Jaya Forest Reserve

I went to Sama Jaya Forest Reserve in Kuching recently and stumbled upon a gang of monkeys (Macaca Fascicularis). Sama Jaya Forest Reserve is also known as Stutong Forest Reserve.

Sama Jaya Forest Reserve is surrounded by housing estates and commercial blocks and the forest reserve become the sanctuary for Macaques (the monkeys). My rough count on the monkeys total to nine (9). 2 adult monkeys (the parent), 5 adolescence monkeys, 1 baby monkey and 1 infant monkey.

Below are some of the pictures on the monkeys:


An elder monkey breaking a plant shoot before eating it.


An adolescence monkey scratching his butt.


Another monkey up in the trees.


A monkey perched on branches. Notice his right leg grappling a bunch of wild fruits (buah buan).


A mother monkey with her infant.


One of unidentified tropical fruit eaten by the monkey.


YouTube Live: Macaca Fascicularis at Sama Jaya Forest Reserve #1


YouTube Live: Macaca Fascicularis at Sama Jaya Forest Reserve #2


YouTube Live: Macaca Fascicularis at Sama Jaya Forest Reserve #3

For hi-resolution photo, click Monkey Gallery or Monkey Gallery #2

Related post:
* Adventure of two monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

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Sarawak Warrior Monument

Sarawak Warrior Monument park which is located next to the Sarawak Museum complex in Kuching is built to honor past multi ethnic warriors of Sarawak namely Datuk Patinggi Ali, Sherip Mashor, Rentap, Rosli Dhobi, Sawing and Liu Shan Bang.

The park is actually build on an old plot of chinese graveyard, so don't be suprise if you stumble upon one of them ( there's lots of them!) while strolling in the park.

At the base of the monument are bronze plaques or murals depicting the local warriors. The Sarawak Warrior Monument was constructed in November 29, 1990


Sarawak Warrior Monument


Datuk Patinggi Ali


Sherip Mashor


Rentap



Rosli Dhobi


Sawing


Liu Shan Bang

Kuching City Councils - MBKS - DBKU

Kuching City being the state capital of Sarawak, East Malaysia is govern by two city councils that is the southern part by Kuching South City Council (Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan - MBKS). The south city council is also known as The Council of the City of Kuching South.

The northern part is govern by Kuching North City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara - DBKU). A portion of space on the lobby level in this building was allocated for the Cat Museum.


MBKS Council Building. Click on the image for larger size.

Photo taken from Sarawak Plaza car park.


DBKU Council Building. Click on the image for larger size.

Photo taken from DBKU terrace garden.

Information on Kuching Cat Museum, Kuching. A unique museum dedicated for the cat. A must visit for cat lovers.

If you love felines, do not miss the Cat Museum in Kuching which is the world's first museum devoted to cats. It is located on top of a hill called Bukit Siol. There are four main galleries having more than 2,000 cat artifacts and memorabilia from all over the world. One of its fascinating display is a mummified cat discovered Egypt sometimes between 3000BC - 3500BC. Discover for yourself the extraordinary world of cats.

Opening Daily: 0900am - 0500pm except 1st day of Major Festivals and Public Holiday.
Location: Lobby Floor, Kuching North City Hall building, Jalan Samariang
Link: www.dbku.gov.my/catmuseum