Merdeka Day in Kuching.

The beautiful sun was shining and I have to put on sun glasses to protect my eyes 'Welcome to Kuching,Sir".

Yesterday 31 of August 2010 is Merdeka Day in Malaysia and its public holiday.

I started my day by walking from Padang Merdeka .Padang merdeka in Kuching,formerly known as padang central,is rather 'QUIET' this time around as this year's Malaysia Day is not held in Kuching.It was 09:00AM ,the beautiful sun was shining so beautifully that I couldn't resist capturing some photos of Merdeka fever in some parts of Kuching City.

The admin of this building 'Medan Pelita' is in a spirit of patriotic.

Street fruits vendor trying to be a patriotism ,using the flag (Jalur Gamilang) to protect him from sunshine........

Spirit of Patriotism '1Malaysia'  creativity of St.Joseph School students...

Bapak Malaysia image should be highlighted instead of our present PM.Another creativity of St.Jo School. (Jo is for Joseph not Abg Jo our state minister).

On my way to my home 'Desa Ilmu' this is Jalan Dato Mohd Musa of Kota Samarahan.This place is 30 mins drive or about 26KM from Kuching City.See the Jalur Gamilang on a street lamp pole and it's public holiday so not many road user to-day.

All above image captured using Olympus DSLR the official camera for Kuching Daily photo .

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.........

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.

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.

Spaoh District.

Just  had a walk in a traditional area of the kampong Spaoh . I took some random snaps of what I saw around the village and this wooden house attract my attention.

Walking Down Memory Lane in Sibu.

This building used to be a cinema before I left Sibu 25 years ago.To-day its a shop.

So long ago we didn't have any money to go to the movie,so we did try to see the movie free.This is where the Lido cinema in Sibu and its the Hotel now.I still remember sneaking into the cinema for free movie.

The old Rex Cinema.

Yeah...I miss the old cinema those day 0.50 cents for a movie for front row seat.

Cathay Cinema .Now its Star Cineplex.

Life during school days are full of mischievous fun....Skip class and go to the cinema in school uniform to watch Hindi movie.Those were the days of 60's & 70's.

Long Weekend....

I’m sure many people are looking forward for a long weekend which will start to-day (Friday) especially for those in Sarawak . Many are taking the opportunity to travel around be it locally or go somewhere outside Malaysia.

Vesak Day Year 2010 falls on Friday, 28 May 2010.

Vesak day is celebrated by Buddhist around the world, and in different manners all over the world. Though some countries occasionally use different date for this festival, most would fall on this same day.

Gawai Day or Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated in Sarawak on 1 June every year. It is both a religious and social occasion. The word Gawai means a ritual or festival whereas Dayak is a collective name for the native ethnic groups of Sarawak: the Iban, also known as Sea Dayak and the Bidayuh people, also known as Land Dayak. Thus, Gawai Dayak literally means "Dayak Festival". Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day.

Happy Gawai Day & Wesak Day to all Malaysian or popular known as 1Malaysia.........

My World Tuesday-Cat Museum.

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This week let us go to Cat Museum in Kuching Sarawak.

It's Christmas holiday this weekend,the festive season of giving & forgiving.Kuching is my hometown and Kuching is CAT in Malay.The World’s first Cat Museum, devoted to all things feline, is in Petra Jaya in the Kuching City North Hall. Cat lovers will find all range of exhibits, photos, feline art and cat souvenirs.

Many cats sculptures can be seen at various corner of the city.During festive season even the cat is celebrating.This cat here wearing Santa Claus costume,a red hat and a red vest.

I see a cat woman & the cat celebrating x'mas in the museum.

There are cat clock,umbrellas,mugs,brooches,plates,cups,key-ring,teapot and t-shirt on sale here.

Welcome to Cat Museum in Kuching,Sarawak,Malaysia.

My World Tuesday-A Short Trip to Sibu Town.

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My trip to Sibu Town is just for few hours as I have a very tight schedule.Well, Sibu was busier and more crowded then I tought.The locals from nearby village & small town along Rajang River come to Sibu on weekend for their shopping and outing.(Photo above is express boat terminal & jetty).

Sibu shipyard and old Malay Kampung as seen from Sibu waterfront along Igan river.

The sunset from the mighty Rajang River and the longest river in Malaysia.

The old bus at Sibu Town bus station or bus terminal.

Sibu central market is the largest wet market in Sarawak.It's clean and airy.

It was very interesting walking through it on a busy Sunday morning and checking out the local produce.Local fighting cock also on sale(Photo above).

The 'Buah Dabai' seem to be sold in every corner,it must be in season.Buah Dabai looks like a big olive.Just washed the fruits clean,then dunked them to soak inside warm water for at least 15 mins for buah dabai goes soft.I can't describe the taste because it's so mild.In Sibu buah dabai is cheaper,the most expensive were sold at Rm12.00 per kilo and the cheapest at Rm3.00 per kilo.

Local women are hard working person in Sibu.I can see most small time vendors at the market are women.They sell local forest vege and fresh fish from the river and are much cheaper in Sibu.

Sibu Town has a lot of motorbike and a few old vintage bicycle .Bicycle are legal and have licence to be on the crowded road.(see photo her licence or permit is issue by the Town Council plate # 03507)

Perhaps it will be more adventrous to take the express boat to other places, village and places in the interior along Rajang & Igan River.

My World Tuesday-Fort Margherita.

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After strolling along the Kuching waterfront,I hope on board a sampan or river taxi (Rm0.50cent) which will take you across to Fort Margherita.Named after Margaret ,wife of Charles Brooke(the second of the three "White Rajahs" who once ruled Sarawak.This 19th century fort was strategically built on a hillock  to protect the city from enemy or pirate attacks.To-day it has been converted into a Police museum exhibiting old cannon guns.

My World Tuesday: Day-City.

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I recently study that GO & SEE Kuching City life is as early as morning from 07:00AM.Kuching City is a day city.Night life is just so boring(not telling about night-club,disco and pub) the shops around main bazaars and India street mall will close around 06:00PM.

Since Kuching City rapidly developing into a tourist destination one can find of hotels in Kuching at a very reasonable rate.

For the backpackers maybe this is one of the best accommodation with reasonable rate.

Try to find some good backpackers hut or hotels and you will find a good one that suits your budget.