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.

The cheapest Black Berry in town

This could be the cheapest Black Berry mobile phone in town. I mean Bleck Berry. And it only cost RM4.50 (with battery) before discount. Photo shot at Asajaya bazaar in the district of Samarahan.

Majlis Berambih Keluarga Persatuan Melanau Kuching

Photos shot at the Majlis Berambih Keluarga Persatuan Melanau Kuching, held on July 10, 2010 at Wisma Melanau Kuching. The Majlis program book. The event stage. The Melanau dancers doing last minutes practice to welcome the VIP guests. VIP Guests - Left: Len Talif (PMK president). Center: Taib Mahmud (Chief Minister of Sarawak) and Right: Leo Toyad. VIP Guests - Aidan Wing VIP Guests - Left: Fatimah Abdullah. Right: Len Talif Launching of the Persatuan Melanau Kuching's official website. What is Berambih Berambih is a Melanau word for a casual social gathering that may involve having a meal together. The event may involve a small celebration that includes a feast, cultural show and other social activities. Acara berambih adalah acara perjumpaan antara rakan rakan, penduduk mahupun perjumpaan antara pemimpin dan rakyat jelata. SEO: Berambih Melanau | makna berambih | maksud berambih | apa itu berambih

A tiny mushroom found on the jungle floor at Mt Singai, Bau. Recommended reading: * Tiny Umbrella Mushrooms, Fungi, Series 10 * Orange cup mushroom, Fungi, Series 9 * Tropical orange mushroom, Fungi, Series 8

About Mt Singai

Mount Singai (1843 ft or 562 m) is located between Bau and Matang area, in Kuching. The locals usually visit this place on weekends to climb the long fleet of stairs till the top. This is where the Catholic Memorial & Pilgrimage Centre to be found. It is a popular weekend destination for devotees who seek solace and meditation with the Lord. The CMPC is located just halfway of the plateau. Access to the holy place is by foot only, from the mountain foot. 30 – 40 minutes is all it takes for a normal healthy person to reach the holy centre.

Bunga Misai Kuching - Orthosiphon stamineus

Orthosiphon stamineus or Misai Kucing (Malay for "Cat's Whiskers") is a traditional herb that is widely grown in tropical areas. The two general species, Orthosiphon stamineus "purple" and Orthosiphon stamineus "white" are traditionally used to treat diabetes, kidney and urinary disorders, high blood pressure and bone or muscular pain. Also known as Java tea, it was possibly introduced to the west in early 20th century. Misai Kucing is popularly consumed as a herbal tea. The brewing of Java tea is similar to that for other teas. It is soaked in hot boiling water for about three minutes, before being added with honey or milk. It can be easily prepared as garden tea from the dried leaves. There are quite a number of commercial products derived from Misai Kucing.

Dimocarpus longan malesianus fruit bud

Up close photo of Dimocarpus longan malesianus fruit bud. The fruit bud is about the size of a matchstick head. Dimocarpus longan var. malesianus, locally known as Buah Mata Kuching, is a subspecies of longan that is better adapted to tropical conditions. Longan fruit is consumed fresh, dried, frozen and canned. Fresh fruit is consumed to reduce fevers, and the dried fruit as a cure for insomnia. Leaves contain quercetin, with antioxidant and antiviral properties, and are used in the treatment of allergies, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Crushed seeds produce foam, which is used as shampoo. The wood is used in the construction of furniture and other articles. The tree is also planted as an ornamental. SEO: Euphoria longana, Euphoria longan, Nephelium longana, Nephelium longan, Buah Lengkeng, Buah Lenggeng, Mata Kucing

Shorea (Meranti) Nuts - Winged fruits

Photos of Shorea matured nuts. The nuts is also known locally as buah Engkabang or Mengkabang. In Bidayuh, it is called Buah Bekawang. Above: Look like a nipple fruit. Shorea is a genus of about 196 species of mainly rainforest trees in the family Dipterocarpaceae, from the type genus Dipterocarpus. Dipterocarpus, is derived from Greek (di = two, pteron = wing and karpos = fruit) and refers to the two-winged fruit. The genus is named after Sir John Shore, the Governor-General of the British East India Company, 1793-1798. They are native to southeast Asia, from Northern India to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Above: Four wings fruit Many economically important timber trees belong to Shorea. They are sold under various trade names including "Meranti", "Lauan" (or "Luan"), "Seraya", "Balau", and "Bangkirai". Other products from Shorea spp. include Dammar and Illepe. Dammar is a resin collected from a variety of species. It varies in colour among the different taxonomic groups. Shorea wiesneri is listed in many website as an important source of dammar. Note: The Shorea nuts was collected from 13th Mile Kuching Serian road. Recommended reading: * Photo of Green Grapes in the Tropic * Rambutan - Nephelium lappaceum * Barbados cherry in Borneo * Freak papaya from Borneo SEO: Buah engkabang | bekawang | mengkabang | buah meranti

Tropical White-breasted Waterhen

Photo of a tropical Waterhen with a bounty making a dash to the bushes. About White-breasted Waterhen The White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a waterbird of the rail and crake family Rallidae that is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia. They are dark slaty birds with a clean white face, breast and belly. They are somewhat bolder than most other rails and are often seen stepping slowly with their tail cocked upright in open marshes or even drains near busy roads. They are largely crepuscular in activity and during the breeding season after the first rains make loud and persistent croaky calls. In Sri Lanka, this bird is known as Korawakka in Sinhala Language. In Sarawak Borneo, this Waterhen is known as Manuk Keruak in Bidayuh Language.