Where Mountain reaches the Sea - Gunung Santubong, Kuching, Sarawak

Although is about a 45 minute drive from Kuching City, we highly recommend  scenic lovers to visit places around Gunung Santubong. "Gunung" means Mountain in the local malay while "Santubong" is known as name of a legendary princess from Sarawak. As the mountain is situated on a geographical texture similar to an island, so, it easily overlooks the sandy beaches and the clear Sarawak ocean.

There is a park nearby the cultural village which overlooks both the sea and mountain. Although may be quite hot during afternoons, but it may be a good place to stop over just for a few shots of quality photography.

An iconic bird statue- Hornbill Statue is found here. As Sarawak is known as the "land of hornbills", which in Malay is known as "Bumi Kenyalang". 

The best part of this place is that they have a restaurant here. As the restaurant is just situated by the beach, it may be a good place to chill and have lunch or just a sip while enjoying the scenery.

One of the classic beach scenery taken there. 

The hornbill statue overlooking the lush green trees and the blue sea.

Kuching Festival- A Display ofCulture Diversity in Unity

 We did not planned beforehand to attend the Kuching Festival before our trip but was recommended by our Kuching friends to visit. After further research, we happened to find out the hotel we are staying, which is M HOTEL is actually just a few footsteps away from the festival.

Kuching Festival is held nearly a month in conjunction of Malaysia Day which falls on 16 September. According to friends, Kuching Festival is held several weeks before Malaysia Day and is usually one of the prime events in Kuching. To our knowledge, during the Kuching Festival, Sarawakians actually dismiss mall trips  visit this Festival every night.!

At first, we were stunned at the amount of food stalls in the festival. With easily 100+ food stalls, it is a big variety to choose from just for dinner or supper. Upon looking closely to the food stalls, we found out from local delicacies such as the Sarawak Laksa to Barbeque skewers, are being provided by vendors of different ethnicity and backgrounds.

What impressed us more is that the Kuching Festival actually imports Taiwan Food Stall Franchises and China Food Stall Franchises. A good example is this Hydrogen Ice-Cream Stall Shown above which we enjoy so much. Hydrogen Ice-Cream is actually the using of hydrogen to cool down the flavoured creams so that it have an Ice-cream texture. It was actually originated from Taiwan. 

This particular store which sells pancake with ice-cream attracts young crowds nearly every night. When we see the young crowds around the store, we saw from Malays, Chinese to other races all crowding and waiting in line for their turn to buy. This is such a common scene in Kuching.

The best part of this food night market in the Kuching Festival is that the organizers actually provide tables and chairs for people to actually sit down and eat. Tons of people are having their own feast around these tables.

Kuching Festival gives out a certain lively vibe similar to those in the famous ShiLin Night Market in Taiwan. The only difference is that the diversity of cuisines which can be found here is none comparable with any nightmarkets found in Taiwan. From Indian cuisine to Local Iban cuisine, From China BBQ Pork to Taiwan Ice-cream, what we are experiencing is actually a harmonizing of international flavours as one.

It is always great to visit Kuching, Sarawak, near the dates of the Kuching Festival around September. It is always mesmerizing and inspiring to experience a crowd which is diverse in terms of race and enjoying food of a long line of different flavours. Certainly, the Kuching Festival is a portrayal of Diversity being uniquely united.


For more information regarding Kuching Festival, you can refer to the following website:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Food-fair-Kuching-Festival/403449269759768

Sunset cruising down Sarawak River in the Cat City of Malaysia

 One of the major cities in Sarawak, Malaysia , is named as "Kuching" which in Malay refers to the cat. Playing a major role as an exporter of timber and natural gas, Sarawak is not only one of the richest state in Malaysia, but is also the biggest state in Malaysia, boasting an area of 124,450 km^2.

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak and also is the venue for prestigious international events and gala such as Jazz Festivals, Galas etc. More and more tourists are stopping by Kuching for a couple of days to explore en route to other major city hubs in Malaysia or Indonesia.

 

Sarawak River is well known as it flows through the middle of the city center. Iconic sites are situated near the riverbanks of the Sarawak River such as the Istana ( State Palace) and also the Dewan Rakyat ( State Parliament). Quality accomodation can easily be found along Sarawak River which enables one to overlook the beautiful horizon beyond Sarawak River.

One of our editors have went up on the Sarawak Cruise which along the Sarawak River. Sunset cruises or Dinner cruises are available on the piers of Sarawak River. Tickets for both cruises can be found near the piers and will cost from USD 15-30 per person. Duration of the Sunset cruise is about 1 -1.5 hours. There will be traditional dance performance featuring the local ethnics culture and also a free flow of beverages is available.

One of the iconic places which can only be accessed by cruising down the Sarawak River is the Brooke Dockyard. The Dock is being built by the Brooke Family from Great Britain during the 1800s to serve as a major dockyard for ships repairing. Although the operation has stopped since Sarawak gained its independence during mid 1900s, the structure remains there and serves as historical site till now.

The famous landmark which is across the banks of Sarawak River is the State Parliament. With a unique tent-like construction, it serves as a place for local ministers and leaders to interact and debate. 

A random Picture featuring the concrete bridge which connects transports and people from the both sides of the River. Taken during the Sunset Cruise at Sarawak River.

By having a diverse multi-cultural community, Kuching is made up of not only local ethnics such as Iban and Dayak, but also Malay and Chinese. We were lucky to see the practicing of the rowing of Dragon boats by the chinese across Sarawak River during the Sunset. 

Cruising at the Sarawak River for 1.5 hours the most is definitely a good way to spend the evening and it is certainly recommendable for travellers in Kuching.