Traditional Dress.

To-day I have decided to post a photo that I took on one of  the celebration in Kuching.   I took this while at a padang merdeka with some friends.  I shot with Olympus E-620 and happened to have the camera out at the right moment as I passed this people wearing Sarawak native traditional dress.

Beautiful traditional dress.........

Beautiful maiden with colourful traditional dress.

Melanau of Sarawak with their traditional dress.

Student wearing traditional dress during the performance in Kuching.

Sarawak Inter-Cultural Moon cake Festival.

Thousands of people from all walks of life thronged the street in true spirit of celebration and sharing as one nation.

COLOURFUL lanterns, delectable local delicacies, martial arts and cultural shows dominated one of Kuching city’s oldest streets, Carpenter Street, during the Ninth Sarawak Inter-Cultural Mooncake Festival.More than 100 stalls offered all kinds of food and drinks, products and services as well as hair cuts by professional stylists at just RM1 per person; while community-based organisations performed traditional music and cultural shows from the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Dayak communities to entertain the passing crowd.

Sarawak’s Traditional Boat Cruise.

On the weekend before last I went to water front and I stumbled on this 'Local Gondola" so I grab my camera and snap.

 

Now, you can still enjoy sight-seeing cruise the TRADITIONAL WAY in our ‘LOCAL GONDOLA' along the Sarawak River where the adventure,the modern history herewith began.

Read here for more info

S'wak Traditional Boat Cruise

Ramadan-Teraweh Prayer.

Tarawih Prayers іn Malaysia

Tarawih / Taraweeh Prayer іѕ a special evening prayer performed bу Muslims throughout thе world οnƖу іn thе holy month οf Ramadan during whісh long рοrtіοnѕ οf thе Qur’аn аrе recited. Ramadan іѕ thе ninth month οf thе Islamic calendar аnԁ іѕ thе month whеrе аƖƖ Muslims fаѕt (“puasa” іn Malay) frοm sunrise tο sunset еνеrу day.

Performing Tarawih prayer іѕ a “sunnah” ( whісh means thе prayer іѕ voluntary hοwеνеr Muslims аrе strongly encouraged tο ԁο іt аѕ іt іѕ a practice bу Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) аnԁ іt іѕ nοt obligatory.

Tarawih / Taraweeh іѕ perform аftеr `Isha’ Prayer (Night Prayer). It саn bе perform аt home, alone οr іn congregation, οr аt a mosque. Hοwеνеr thе normal practice here іn Malaysia, Tarawih іѕ perform іn Mosques аnԁ “Suraus”. Men, women аnԁ kids wіƖƖ fload mosques аnԁ suraus within thеіr home іn thе whole month οf Ramadan.

Welcome Ramadan Al-Mubarak

Ramadan come again. Muslims in Malaysia start fasting to-day Wednesday 11 August,2010 and so do other muslims around the world although the date may not be exactly the same.

I would like to wish all muslim brothers and sisters in Malaysia and around the world, Selamat Berpuasa/Happy Fasting. May all our ibadah be acceptable to Allah and may we always be blessed with His mercy and compassion even more in the holy month of Ramadhan. Insyaallah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: “Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord” (Muslim).

Amin.......

Street Vendors -T Shirt.

There is another thing which is popular in Malaysia - bargaining. When going to street market, prices are usually not displayed. Let's take for example T-shirt. It costs 5 to 20 ringgit in super market, but seeing foreign tourist vendor might ask 2-3 times higher price. Now when vendor announces price, tourist wants to bargain. Let's say price asked was 45 ringgit, but tourist bargains down to 40 ringgit. Still its rather expensive, but tourist person might feel happy about being able to strike a bargain. Other side - seller is also happy because still he managed to sell that thing for 3 times higher price. In my situation I was looking for places with prices already displayed or what price locals are paying.

Trip to Batu Ferringhi...

My last trip to Batu Ferringhi  was in 1992 ..10 years ago.My second was few weeks ago..Wow !!!! it's change a lot ,I like it.I would say Batu Ferringhi,where some of the most breathtaking beaches in Penang lay.Its balmy and scenic surrounding provided the perfect climate for blissful vacation.For these reasons the tourist foreign and local  flock here,and for that matter,it is also haven for a string of world-class resorts including rows of specialty restaurants and shops.Business is often brisk here especially during Pubic Holiday & weeks end.

 

This prime of stretch of beach is always a hive of activity .Their facilities include water sport  and windsurfing .

The Batu Ferringhi  sidewalk bazaar,night market start from 7pm-12pm  most nights,offering tourist a verity of cheap merchandise.This business that's currently thriving and attracting the tourist is this night market.........

Jalan TAR & Jalan Masjid India-Kuala Lumpur.

 

If we talk about hunting for carpet,textile,fabrics and hijab(tundung in Malay),I always talk about this street of Jalan TAR(Tuanku Abdul Rahman).In fact ,Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the name of the first Yang di-Pertua Agong(His Highness or King) of Malaysia.However there is another area near little India(or Jalan Masjid India) that you can find many textile store and fabric outlets.

Normally this place will be crowded when festive season are around "Hari Raya".We can see many new street vendors.For women Jalan TAR & Jalan Masjid India is a place to seek matching hijab(Tudung in Malay) and spending the whole day checking & hunting every store for the perfect colours.

 

 

On saturday and as expected the crowd begin for a night market(Pasar Malam) hunting and bargaining for their goods from the street vendors.

 

 

Beside many textile,clothing,carpet and fabric store I also notice there are many budget hotel around Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India.Most budget hotel around this district offer very competitive discount & more discount if we book online.

LRT @ Rush Hour........

 

Taking LRT at rush hour is no fun at all. You are being squeezed like sardines, male and female alike, in a coach which smells of stale air. It is in fact downright unhygienic since if someone with flu sneezes in the coach, most of the passengers in that coach would probably be infected with the same virus. It is also very scary especially to the ladies, since even if you feel someone else is groping you, you can’t even move to avoid and fence off the move.

Sarawak Regatta 2010 in Kuching.

Opening event.......

The history of Sarawak Regatta.........Basically, The Sarawak Regatta in the Brooke Days is known as a game of peace and passion to unite the warring tribes of Borneo. In those days, Rajah Charles Brooke used to send his yatch "Maimunah" to bring in the various 'Tuan Residents' to join the social event......

 

The family get shades from underneath the trees....

 

Sarawak Regatta started on the 30th July to 1st August 2010 at Kuching Waterfront. I just spent half day watching the events (last day Sunday) ignoring the heat from the very hot sun. No doubt along the waterfront you can get shades from underneath the trees but at times really had to go infront to get a clearer view.

 

Sarawak River.....

The Sarawak Regatta, to be held from July 30 with local and foreign participants, would directly promote racial harmony, greater understanding of cultural diversity and promote the tourism industry.

Will this team LANDAS grab the title "King of the River"...........

This has made the races more exciting. Participating teams have done their preparations earlier than usual and are well prepared. This can be seen in their determination to grab the coveted ‘King of the River’ title in the various categories.

Public Bus- Penang.

 

 

On my recent trip to Pulau Penang the public bus as my mode of transportation.I was using the Rapid Penang from Sg.Nibong bus terminal to Batu Ferringhi,bus No 102 and it is inexpensive.The bus itself was very convenient,you can go anywhere using public bus & it is also enable you to see the true color of Penang with it's culture diversity.The cheerful,helpful bus drivers were marvellous.The most important is the 'frequency' schedule was great for us on holiday.

The Sarawak Rainforest Interhash 2010.

The Sarawak Rainforest Interhash 2010 is being held here in Kuching,Sarawak,Malaysia.The city centre is curretly crawling with hashers from around the World.  There’s a lot to be said for holding Interhash in Malaysia.  It’s the spiritual home of hashing, for one thing.  It’s cheap, for another . . . as are almost all other potential hash venues in Asia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, etc.  

The hashers..enjoy to shop for printed T-Shirt .

 

The Hashers...

 

Even local go to shop for T-Shirt here but most item are in US Dollar (US$).

This Interhash 2010 is nothing to do with the coming festival in Sarawak that is'Rainforest World Music Festival 2010'

Draft BEER are ready to serve the Guest..Well, I don't drink this ...sorry.

To be honest..I don't know about this hash...and I have a chance talking to one of the hash member and I ask him What is Interhash? It is where Hashers from different groups get together to run and drink beer together.

 

They were having the red dress charity run,to benefit a few locals foundations.There were plenty of hairy men in red dresses and red hair in town.

Most of the hashers wore fancy dresses. Some men wore women outfits while few others sported American Red Indian headgears and Afro hair wigs. Several were even seen sporting fake horn and tails of the imaginary Red Devil.

To the locals, the culture of these international hashers may be strange and eccentric but the Red Dress Charity Run, in particular, has a unique history.

Street Scenes.

I decided to capture the beauty and energy of the exciting street around Kuching City by portraying it's different characters and candid scenes and below is some of my project.

The word Selamat Datang ke Sarawak is 'Welcome to Sarawak" .The young tourist  enjoying the heat of the city.

Local lady...in western style.

Pesta Benak-Part Three

Is the word 'BINTULU' someting  to do with pesta benak.I guess Bintulu is promoting the Kite Festival which is annual big event in Bintulu.This huge flag look a alike huge kite.

Batang Lupar River is three to four hour journey from Kuching. You can get there by bus and stop at a town called Bandar Sri Aman, previously known as Simanggang. Though cruising along the river is not advisable due to the bore but you can still watch the fascinating phenomena from the jetty (pic.below)

 

 

    

The esplanade also serves as the observation centre for the famous tidal bore or known locally as benak .

More on part four.

Pesta Benak -Part Two.

It's hot humid Saturday(01/05/2010).Thousand of people flocked to Sri Aman town for the annual Pesta Benak (28 Apr-02 May).

Thousand of people...to this Pesta Benak.

Young & Old....

of many races in Sarawak and  also foreign tourist to witness the Pesta.

More..on part Three (Let's the picture speak a thousand words).

Cheers....