Hadrah is one of the Sarawak Malay Culture.

One more piece of good NEWS today: Firefly Airline is increasing their frequencies to KLIA-KK and KLIA-KUCHING routes to a total of six flights a day and seven flights a day respectively! Check it out at fireflyz.com.my now.

Kuching is a cosmopolitan city,and this is reflected in the faces on the streets.Kuching is home from people from virtually all of Sarawak's 26-plus ethnic groups.Sarawak is a unique and enjoyable tourism destination,and Kuching is the ideal base from which to go exploring.This rich and varied cultural heritage also make Kuching a great place to visit.One of the Kuching Malay Culture is  HADRAH.

The colourful attire and fashions worn by the people while performing hadrah. The performance of hadrah had indeed enlivened the celebration .

 

 

In the past,hadrah was only performs  during weddings,but now it is performed in open and public events,to greet honoured guest.
In a Malay weeding ceremony hadrah is played as the background music.Hadrah is played by some young and old people  and each player holds kompang.

The World's first Cat Museum......

From my mail box this morning from Malaysia Airline System (MAS).

or you also can go to Kuching from KUL (KLIA) by log on to this website 

FIREFLYZ

For those from West Malaysia who wish to visit Kuching,Sarawak now is the time to plan & book your seat.You don't need many things to carry if you are travelling to Kuching .A small bag pack to put necessary things like.map,travel document,camera and a bottle of drinking water .Clothing(cotton) and shoes is casual and comfortable (sport sneakers).

If you are within Kuching City,beside walking the Kuching Street and enjoy the Kampong view from the Kuching waterfront, I suggest you take a tour to the World's first Cat Museum in Petra Jaya Kuching.

The World's first Cat Museum,is devoted to all things feline,is in Petra Jaya in the Kuching City North City Hall.Cat lovers will find range of exhibits,photos,feline art and cat

City North City Hall.Cat lovers will find range of exhibits,photos,feline art and cat souvenir open daily 9am to 5pm (closed on public holidays).The admission is free but if you have camera......fee is Rm3.00 for camera and Rm5.00 for video.You can take a green bus from Kuching City centre and ask the local.

"Saya mauk pegi opis DBKU' or 'Saya mauk pegi museum Pusak (pusak is Cat in local Malay of Kuching).

See you in Kuching.

Museums in Kuching City.....

Honestly,I have found the most reasonable air fares directly from the official airline websites.And if you subscribe to their newsletter or like their facebook or twitter you are always informed of the upcoming discount or package well in advance,sometime even before it's out in the press for e.g.

Firefly Airlines

We have an EXCITING announcement tomorrow that involves NEW routes and LOW fares! How low can we go? Check back tomorrow (Feb 22) after 3pm (local time) for the juicy details... :)

Firefly Airline is flying to KCH from KLIA .....

 

The Sarawak Museum.....

If you have no time to travel to the entire Sarawak, you owe a visit to the Sarawak Museum. Some travelers commented that simply spend an hour at Sarawak Museum is as good as traveling to the entire Sarawak for a week. There are simply too many things to tell you about Sarawak in this museum. It’s located right in the city centre, and within a walking distance from major hotels in Kuching, especially Merdeka Palace Hotel. The best part of it is, the entrance to Sarawak Museum is free of charge, and no ticket purchase needed, nothing, so why not?

The rear view of Islamic Museum.....

The Islamic Museum is open daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm.It is located on Jalan P.Ramlee in the beautiful restored Maderasah Melayu Buildinh (1930).It is also accessible from the rear of the Sarawak Museum's new wing.The Islamic Museum present a clear picture of the rich historical heritage and special culture of the Muslim community in Sarawak and throughout the Malay-Indonesia archipelago,the traces connection with the development of Islam in the rest of the World.The museum consists of 7 galleries set around a central courtyard garden.each with a different theme.

The story of a war boat used by the Gensurai Iban of Sarawak.

The story of a war boat used by the Gensurai Iban,Saribas,Second Division to join th Rajah's forces against the rebels in Bukit Salong in 1915.

In December 1969,The Sarawak museum acquired as a new exhibit an Iban war boat which had accompanied one of the Rajah's punitive expeditions more than fifty years ago.This war boat had originally belonged to a Malay named Ate who lived near the mouth of the Rimbas. A roght tributary of the Saribas River.

In 1912,The boat was purchased from ATE by Tuai rumah ANDING ANAK MANJA and nine members of his longhouse at Gensurai on the layar.In May 1915,tha Rajah organised a punitive expedition against the rebels at bukit Salong on the upper Mujong in the third division.
Anding received an official notification from the government to participated in the expedition and with the help of his brother Menggin and firends Gaun and others,prepared the boat for war.

After the preparations were completed and teh night before the boat was dragged to the river.A small feast was held to give offerings in the long house and for the warboat.A bard was called in for the feast to chant a long house song called Renong Kayau so that the Gods of war would come and bless the boat and its crew.
The war boat was paddled by a crew of twenty five who were equipped with swords,shield and spear.At the bow sat Gendang Ak Menggin,Impin Ak Lindom,Baul Ak Ugat and his brother Wok Ak Ugat.Near the kitchen sat the two brothers Liman Ak Landon and Umpi Ak Landoh,who were responsible for distributing rice to the crew.At the stern of the boat were Pengarah Ak Dundang,Anyan Ak Menggin and Bunyau ak Machop,who are still alive now,sitting between the stern and the middle part of the boat.

Muslim Celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

Muslim in Sarawak today (15.02.2011) braved the rains to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad in Kota Samarahan.Mor than 8000 peoples from various sector,organisation and school participated in a procession and gathering  at Dewan Saurah field .The procession was led by the VVIP & VIP of Sarawak.

 

 

He say something here...1 Malaysia , 1 Ummah.

Your Travel Destination- Kuching,Sarawak.

Beautiful scenery awaiting you at Anah Rais Long House......

FIREFLY AIRLINE Irresistible fare !!! fly from KLIA to KUCHING from RM28.00

All-in air fares from Rm28.Booking from now till 16 Feb 2011. Travel period from 17feb to 31 March.

Travelling to Kuching on your own is not difficult as you may think.To-day I am going to list down one of the few places or attractions that you should not miss when travelling in Kuching.

 

 

If you want to stay over night just drop by this little Home Stay in Annah Rais Longhouse.

If you really don’t have time and budget to travel inland to places like Rejang river’s Iban longhouse, then Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse is your best choice. This is a very real authentic Bidayuh longhouse located at some 90km away from Kuching City Centre .They are working very hard to preserve the way it should be. If you prefer to stay back and to experience yourself the local way of living there, you can opt to stay with one of the local villager there who run a homestay program called Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure.

 

Beautiful isn't it...experience walking thru bamboo floor .

It is patronised by the tourists daily and many say that it has become a tourist place. Nevertheless, the local people still carried on with their traditional life there, despite lots of tourist visiting the longhouse everyday.

They still use traditional way to crush sugar cane for juice and the oldest skull still on show case and don't forget to ask them what the history behind the skull. Although the longhouse itself has already equipped with satellite or antenna, the main longhouse structure still remain pretty much original.

 

Even though the modern way of cooking is available but the people here still prefer using fire wood.

From Kuching city go to Annah Rais Bidayuh longhouse will take you about 90mins drive.Although the journey take a very long on single dual road but your will not feel bored because you will be amazed by the scenic countryside view,like the beautiful mountain range,limestone hill and paddy field.I found that taxi is  the only public transport to go here.This is because, Annah Rais Longhouse is so remote and not many local people come here. So, no bus services as the Bidayuh in this longhouse are mostly working in the city and almost all of them own a car. The only public transport available for visitor is Taxi. Generally, the local taxi will charge RM90 to RM110 for 1 way transfer from Kuching city to Annah Rais Longhouse. Besides, the other way  to go here  is rent car. The normal price is RM70 by small private car Perodua kancil, maximum 3 adult; or by 10-seater van at RM120 or the best way is join the local tour agent.

You Tube Channel-Sarawak Government.

SURPRISE !!!!! Sarawak Government have you tube channel..what about Face Book ,Twitter,Blog or Four Square ??? .

Anyway I am not interested in this channel..WHY ? don't ask me..however if you are interested go ahead tune or view the channel yourself..by all mean.