Heavenly Retreat by Lee Shiuan

                                

                               If you never been to Sarawak, 

              what will you think of  when I first mention Sarawak?

                                                        This?

                                This?? 

                                                   dang dang dang dong dong

       or 

             

     THIS???!!!

                                                                                                             

  wu~~    wu~~    uh...   uh...    ah~

S   A   R   A   W   A   K

  
  Aha... Today, I am here to answer your question about Sarawak, mainly focus on its capital city, Kuching. Geographically, Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia. Sarawak is located at the Borneo Island. At the bottom of it is Kalimantan, part of Indonesia. Different from any other states, there is very few Indian in Sarawak and the most populous race is neither Malay nor Chinese; it is Iban. Apart from Chinese and Malay, Sarawak popularity is made up of Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and other minorities. The attraction of Sarawak would be the unique culture, extremely friendly and unsophisticated people and tempting foods.  

   Best Retreat From  H E C T I C N E S S     

    ~       ~       ~       ~       ~      ~       ~       ~       ~        

Airport

    There are 3 airlines in Malaysia providing direct flight from Kuala Lumpur. They are: 
1.Malaysia airline (http://www.malaysiaairlines.com)  
2.AirAsia (http://www.airasia.com)  
3.Malindo airline (http://www.malindoair.com). 
The standard flight journey from KL to Kuching is about 1 hour  45 minutes. 

    Hong Kong, Perth and Singapore are countries that providing direct flight to Kuching. Counter of booking hotel rooms, counter of travelling package and counter of car renting are several services counter provided in KIA.

Night view of KIA (Kuching International Airport).

Accomodation

 

    Start from 5 stars hotel, Kuching has Four Points Hotel which located in less than 1km from airport. Meanwhile, Hilton Hotel, Merdeka Palace Hotel and Pullman Hotel are the other luxurious accommodations that located at the heart of the city. There are also budget hotel available, such as Tune Hotel. Also, bunch of lodge and bed and breakfast(b&b) are available at the tourist spot, Waterfront. 

    The type of accommodation will be chose according to the tourists' preference. For those who want a comfortable, clean and luxurious enjoyment; multiple stars hotel will be the better choice. Oppositely, if you are asking for a different experience; I suggest you to book a b&b for less than RM20 at times and be a back packer. 

One of the lodges at the Ewe Hai street with classical artistic design.

Heritage

Cultural Heritage

Main Bazaar Kuching consists of:  
Top:  Ewe Hai Street    
Left bottom:  Indian Street      
Right bottom:  Carpenter Street     

Left: "Tuah Pek Kong" temple.
Right: "Yong Yan Ting" at Carpenter street. 

    When you have settle down in Kuching, please hurry up to pay a visit to the oldest street of Kuching, where we named as "mian bazaar Kuching". As you can see from the picture above, the Main Bazaar is lining up by old shop houses ---> a commercial centre ---> top visited spot. Previously, it is the location of the largest wet market in Kuching. By now, the wet market has been moved to other location for the hygiene of the city.
 

    Lets talk about Ewe Hai street first, it is made up of old shops and famous Chinese temples. During every 1st and 15th day of lunar calender, the temples are open for worshiping. Chinese celebrity eve, for example "chu xi ye", is the peak season. Most Chinese will go to the "tua pek kong" temple to pray for their family to be safe and healthy for the year. 

    Secondly, its Indian street. Yes you are right! Not only the design of the gateway of this street is full of Indian's style; the businesses at the street are mainly operated by Indians. Spices and fabrics businesses are the main income source of Indians. 

    Thirdly, Carpenter Street, at the right bottom of the picture above. As you can notice, the gateway of the Carpenter Street is designed with traditional Chinese style. In fact, gold jewelries, pawnshop and some traditional local goodies shops are queuing up for both local and tourists. 

   Above all, the whole Main Bazaar is flooded with the handicraft and souvenir shops.

Souvenir shop: The traditional handicraft is mainly made by Iban. 

Brooke"s Heritage

   In front of the classical street is the famous tourist spot---> "Waterfront" Kuching. It is the river bank of River Sarawak. Opposite to the ancient streets, the river bank is filled with hawking of wares, Indian chattier haggling, local style burger, Cake Lapis Sarawak and native jungle products. Apart from that, Waterfront is providing wooden boat ride which locally called "sampan" or "tambang" across the river from town to Malay village, Astana and an Orchid Garden. At the side of the town, we remain the Old Court House and Execution Ground that built during James Brook's governed. Yet, there is a Fort Magerita. The fort built in English castle style, for the purpose of defensing the attack of the pirates. 

    Hmm... ... As you can see there is bunch of historical places you can visit just at one spot, have you been seduced by those precious heritages? Or maybe there is a question like "is the main post office and court house still in use?"; uh, very sorry to tell you that please explore yourselves when you step to this "land of Hornbills", i am leaving some mysterious for you   XD

Main Post Office since 1932.

Sarawak Old Court House since 1874.

"Seduction" of the old fort at night. 
Located across a road from old court house.

 Fort Magerita, named after beloved wife of James Brooke (Margaret Alice Lili de Windt).
Built according to British castle style.
It was a jail and execution ground. 

Astana Sarawak since 1870. Heritage of Brook Dynasty.
Built by Charles Brooke as a gift to his wife. 

Night view of Astana. Astana is a variation of "istana", meaning "palace".

Sampan or tampan to the Malay Village, Astana Sarawak and Orchid Garden which across the river.
Price: 1 way RM0.70.
Noted: Please prepare coins as no change will be given back. 

Sarawak River Cruise from Waterfront to Santubong Sea.
Sight seeing cruise: Adult RM45 & children RM25, 0915 or 1515 (1hour 15mins).
Sunset River Cruise: Adult RM60 & chikldren RM40, 1730-1900 (1hour 30mins)
Noted: If you are lucky enough, you could see pink dolphin at Santubong Sea.
*Ticket price including light refreshment & performance by Bidayuh.

Sunset of Sarawak River in Waterfront.

Cultural Trace Back

Sarawak Cultural Village.
Traditional house of all the ethnics including Iban, Bidayuh, Chinese, Malay, Melanau, Baja and so of Sarawak is built inside.

These are some of the houses inside cultural village. For more,  please explore yourselves =P

Traditional apparel and dancing of Bidayuh.

                                   What?!!     TATTOO? 

Its actually impromptu art work of Bidayuh residence at Cultural Village.

Met a Bidayuh man performing traditional music at Waterfront and I was like "Oh, I am just so lucky!"

    First and second photos are the shoots from cultural village. Third is the moment captured when our Bidayuh friends at Cultural Village were performing. I have got a chance to stay for a few days at the Bidayuh long house, Cultural Village, along with other members of Interact Club from Brunei, Singapore and Sabah during high school. That was on 2008. We have got the chance to try on their traditional food and drinks like Tuak. I would say its a real essence from rice. Besides, we learnt to dance Bidayuh and Iban dances with them guiding us. The last day before we ended our trip, we had explored to the Mount Santubong. As for farewell gift, they drew me the unique tattoo graphic. 

Treasure Hunt of  FOOD

Refreshing Sweetie

Virgina Woolf said,

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” 
So are you thirsty? Local specialties are ready!  =)


   Which do you prefer? Greenish fresh dexterious flow from throat to tummy? Or smooth cooling coconut juice with crunchy natural flesh?

Top: Pure fresh sugar cane drink, Bottom: fresh coconut.

       IQ test:     What if sugar cane marry to coconut? Can you imagine their offspring??          

                                                          sugarnut?   o.0
                                       cococane??   0.o

Hybrids: Coconut sugar cane juice =)

     
   Melaka, Klang Valley and Penang people call this icy dessert "cendol" whereas in Kuching, they call it "ABC" or "ice kacang" or even "speacial". The ingredient of Kuching's version is slightly different from West Malaysia's. ABC Kuching is also made up of cendol, cincau(liong fan in KL), red beans and sago(green+pink+transparent colour). The taset is contributed by a few drops of rose essence and sugar. Most importantly, ideal milk is use for ABC. Although it is as fatty as santan (which commonly use in West Malaysia's cendol); it has no content of cholesterol. Anyway, for those who is used to the strong taste of santan, some stalls do provide the choices of ideal milk, or santan.

    "Metahon" is another fabulous dessert. Unlike the ABC, metahon gives a sharp, pure and refreshing taste. It is made up of cincau, slices of pineapple and longans, and added with few thin slice of lemon to light up your taste buds---> best choice to wake your sleepy afternoon when you strolling under the sun in the latitude of Khatulistiwa.

    "White lady". This shy look drinks tastes milky and crunchy with small pieces of nata de coco, longan and pineapples. A few drops of lemon juice is enough to enhance the taste to a perfect match.

                               

                                                   slurp  ~  ~  ~

ABC/ Ice Kacang.

Metahon.

White Lady.

   Are you grEEdy? Aww, no worries! The affordable price allow you to drink these 3 in a row without poking a hole to your wallet. For all the icy dessert shown below, it is less than RM2.00 (most stalls priced them about RM1.00++).

       Maybe part of the popularity in this world does not like milky sweet stuff; then, below are the alternative. There are bunch of eateries selling "tea c peng" but jut two that i found its really unforgettable. 
       Tips: be the early bird / you have to queue long. = /    

Tea c peng special. Concentrated wheat grass as the sweetener & taste enhancement.
(by  Yeo Kee , 101 commercial centre, Kuching) 

Tea c peng special with brown sugar+gula  melaka as the sweetener.
 (by Sin Choong Choon , Green Heights Commercial centre, New Airport Road, Kuching)

    Now lets move on to the main course. Laksa Sarawak and kolo mee Kuching are the MUST TRY when you come to Kuching. Else please don't tell me you traveled to Kuching. No, you are not =) haha

Satisfying Treats

           Danger! Some laksa Sarawak are non-Halal. "Halal" certificate at the stall if it is.

Top: Best laksa in town.
(by Eng's cafe, Jalan Pertanak, Kuching)

Bottom: Top rated laksa.
(by Foody Goody, Stutong Commercial centre, Kuching)

             Danger!  All kolo mee is non-Halal.

Top: Classic kolo mee (by Chong Choon)
Left bottom: Que mee with char siew oil topped with dumpling (by Sin Choong  Choon)
Second of right: Mee pok* with classical topping (by Sin Choong Choon)
Third of right: Hand made kolo mee (by Noodles Expert)
. 

    The top rated ---> most of the local love it. However, I personally think the top in the photo is the best as the gravy is made up of the best proportional of spices, santan, chili, water and the prawns are always the freshest. The best laksa in town as mentioned at above is actually "kolo mee" as the main ingredient. On the other hand, the top rated can choose to have "tua mee*" ("big size noodles" in Hokkien) or vermicelli. Traditionally its supposed to be vermicelli. However, courage and creative are needed in innovation. The first try of kolo mee into laksa has created the better taste. Kolo mee has the better absorption of gravy. The best laksa is only available from 4am to 7am. Late than that, the "tauke nio" will only left you a "paiseh, bo liao!*" ("Very sorry, its sold out!" in Hokkien).

    To be mentioned that Sarawak laksa is totally different from the other place's. Penang asam laksa presents a sour taste with kampung fish, sliced onion and cucumber, and peppermint leaves. On the other hand, laksa Sawarak is totally a different dish. Laksa Sarawak's gravy is made up of traditional secret recipe, each stall may have a slightly different taste. It is served with prawn, sliced eggs, beansprouts, and a little bit of coriander. Meanwhile, there are some homemade chilis+belacans for an extra taste with half a lime. Just like every laksa seller produce their own signature laksa is different from each other; the way you eat laksa with or without chilis+belacans is all depends on your creativity.

   There are variety of the noodles. You can have classical qiu mee*(curly noodles), mee pok(thinner cut of noodles with wider width), handmade noodles(more chewy), kueh tiaw*, vermicelli, ngiao chu boi*("lou shu fan" in Hokkien). All the noodles except the last three are made from the same dough, but the shape of the noodles is actually influencing the taste. The normal topping would be thinned slices of char siew and mince pork or chicken. There are also more fancy topping like kiao*("dumpling" in Hokkien), seafood(prawn, fish slice), processed product(meatball, fishball), organs (liver & small intestine) and others. About the flavour, they are offering the normal and char siew oil.

   Again, it's all about mOnEy mOnEy... Kolo mee rate from RM3.00 for the normal order; whereas laksa is slightly higher, rate from RM3.50 until RM6 according to the size of prawn of your choice.

Only Found in Local

    Except the individual meals, there are several must try dishes. Firstly, its a green vegetable that called "bilin" or "milin". Secondly, "paku" is another variety. As you can see from the picture, these "vegetables" are actually a member of fungus or plantae. If your taste buds need strong taste, belacan chili is the recomended. If you prefer a less seasoning way, cooked with traditional red wine would be your choice =)



                           =)  WE are what we EAT  (=
                         so let's eat FRESH & go GREEN

Top: Paku. Bottom: Bilin.
Only in Kuching.

Tomato mee. Fried kolo mee with seafood+chicken/pork slice+vegetable in unique tomato gravy.
There is also another version of kueh tiaw (fried with soya sauce in advance).
Only in Kuching.
Price: From RM3.50++.
*mostly Non-halal

"Kong Pia", a traditional food originate from Chinese "Foochow", Sibu.
Price: RM 0.80/piece.
Filling: Mince pork with special sauce.
*Non-halal

* To all my Muslim friends, please do not sad that it seems like    
   Kuching only have non-halal food =)
   NO~! It is not. Kuching is kind enough to offer you variety of   
   choices. 

Top Spot Kuching: Eating point of both local & tourists.
* provide only HALAL food

O-jian Kuching. 

Mix vegetable in yum basket.

Butter squid. Crispy outside yet chewy and juicy inside, with the rich butter milk aroma.

Butter prawn.
For lazy carnivore, you can request for the prawn without shell with the same price.
If the chef are professional enough, you could eat the whole prawn without peeling the shell. 

    Top spot is a famous seafood eating centre in Kuching. It is flooded with foreigners and local's everyday after the sun sets. All the fresh seafood, tau-fu, and vegetables will be displayed in front of the stall, in a tidy, clean and attractive way. For example, all sorts of fish, prawn, crab, soft shell crap, snail, 'tek tan' and shell seafood will line up neatly above the ice, waiting to be chosen by you.   Customer can come and choose the raw material they want and hand in to the kitchen. Or, you can just be a boss sit down, order and the seafood stall will arrange everything for you. As you can see, the o-jian(fried oyster) of Kuching is differ from Penisular's. Also, the mix vegetables is made up of broccoli, cauliflower, beans, long cabbage, carrots, black fungus ("mu-er" in Chinese), mushroom and either prawn o chicken meat to enhance the taste.  

    

    Therefore, just come & enjoy. Does not matter you are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Iranian or bla bla bla; Kuching welcome you with all sorts of delicacy. 

Night View 

Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sarawak shadowing her beauty in the river.

Night scene of Hilton Hotel and part of Kuchig city.

Capturing sparkling shine night scenery of Kuching.
Urban Sensation.

Cat monument at the golden triangle of Kuching.

"Tourism Ambassador" at the gateway of Pandungan.
He will be dressed trendily or traditionally according to the festive season.

Gift to be Bought Back

                          

                                               Kek   Lapis   Sarawak

Ordinary kek lapis. 

Batik kek lapis Sarawak. Fancy Design depends on the creativity of the baker.

Beautiful colour matching is triggering our desire. 

From 1st left till 3rd left are Batik kek lapis while the right one is the traditonal  kek lapis. 

    Kek lapis Sarawak serves the extraordinary temptation. Traditional flavour is usually called as "Indonesia kek lapis".  In fact, it was just a name and unrelated to Indonesia at all. The moment of the cake melts in our mouth, the thick aroma of butter will occupy all your sense. Yet, every single layer brings a different taste. Therefore, its hard to faded up to this dessert. Rather than that, Cheese, Horlick, Pandan, Chocolate, and Peppermint are the other common flavours. As people are more concern about health, kek lapis specialized store and bakery started to introduce prune and blueberry flavours. This innovation not only add on the nutritional value and fibre content; the cake is also becoming less sweet and less oily. 

   Touching the history, Batik kek lapis was introduced when the minorities in Sarawak realized the value of their precious inheritance, they got to imply their sense of art into kek lapis. 

Ending of Vacation

   As Goodbye to Bumi Kenyalang, I want to say that I love you. Every single tree, race, people, food, culture and norm are the best things I treasure much in life. I am a Kuchingnite but I used to fly every two month as I study at West Malaysia. I fall in love again and again every time I pack myself and back to Kuching. Every home coming is a new travel journey to me. The reason behind is not because its my hometown; it is, no matter where i went to, explored and gained the precious memory, they still can't beat Sarawak. Not to say about the uniqueness of food; the culture of Sarawakians can only be beat by no one. I can't stop learning from the people here. If you would like to say that I might be wrong, then please, tell me at where you could see Malays operating their food stall in a Chinese "kopitiam" that selling all sorts of non-halal food? Where else Indians, Malays and Chinese could share a table eating and in a period of eating time they becoming good friend? And where, the people will never ask what race are you but always celebrating every race's New Year like its theirs? As in, for example, during Chinese New Year, Malays friends will have an open house and Chinese, Iban are all their guest. 
    If you could tell me where is it, I am sure it has to be Sarawak=)
    Or maybe one day, whole Malaysia will be practicing this culture. I wish, as evryone does.  ,'')('',