Kuching - Things to do



Kuching was our holiday destination this time. There are different theories as to how Kuching got its name, some say its from the Kucing, Malay word for cat and another theory goes that it is from the name Cochin, trading Indian port and generic term for trading harbour in China and British India. Some sources say that it got it's name from Mata kucing, a fruit grew widely in Malaysia and Indonesia and so on.

Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort
View of the Jetty
Boat awaiting to take us to the Resort










It was a decision to be taken, should the stay be in a beach resort or a Jungle resort. I chose Jungle resort. We booked our stay for 5 days at Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort. We flew from Singapore to Kuala Lampur and from there to Kuching Airport. From Kuching Airport we took a taxi to reach the Batang Ai Jetty. Clicked some wonderful sundown pictures along the quite boat ride to the Resort.

           
Sunset


Iban Tribal longhouses
Situated it the middle of artificial lake, we chose to stay at the longhouse style room. Resort has swimming pool, tour packages to Iban tribe longhouse visit, waterfall visit, canopy walk and some in house activities for the guests. We had gone for Canopy walk and visit to longhouse. During canopy walk I could get some serene pictures of the lake and hills.

Canopy Walk
Serene nature

Urn of the village head


Iban tribes are the main inhabitants of the region and though they no longer have their traditional animistic beliefs as most of them practice Christianity, they do their tribal dances for the tourists who visit them. The hopes of spotting orangutans, hornbills went in thin air. The place was barren, the lake too didn't attract birds for they hardly had fish.

Boat-ride to Iban longhouse
Young Tribe dancing

Iban Tribe Longhouse




















Musical instruments playing for the dancers
Artefacts of the tribe 


Since the activities were limited in the resort area we decided to cut short our stay at longhouse resort and shift to Hilton Kuching. At Kuching we went to the Malls and visited museum, Sarawak Cultural Village and brought kek lapis (layered cakes made from different flavours) from Kedai Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah which is across the Sarawak River.

The Tribal Houses at Cultural Village

Exhibits
People in Tribal attire and exhibits

Tribal homes
Hot snacks for the tourists


Tribal Houses
Exhibits 
Tattoo equipment of those days



Kettles and other wares of that time


Wares
Stilt houses

Traditional Tribal Dancers 

Bamboo balancing dance

Blowpipe used for hunting

Final Cultural dance




Kuching State Legislative Assembly Building
We also went around the State Legislative Assembly building and the orchid garden at Taman Orkid, Kampung Istana. Damai Beach Resort is a beautiful place to relax at Teluk Bandung Santubong.
View from Damai Beach Resort

We went to see the Orangutan feeding at Semmenggoh Wildlife Centre but it was fruiting season and there was no sign of any primates around. The sanctuary rehabilitates wild animals injured, orphaned in the wild or handicapped due to prolonged captivities. Once their well being is ensured they are released to the wild. Orangutans are considered endangered species and totally protected by law in Malaysia and Indonesia. Their natural habitats have been destroyed by deforestation, human encroachment and their number has also been reduced due to illegal animal trade. Sanctuary is a second home for these primates which visits the sanctuary during feeding time (9am-10am and 3pm-3:30pm) when there is less food available in forests. Sanctuary is also a Botanical Research Centre.

Crocodiles in the reserve
Orangutans rehabilitated in the reserve

Guide educating the public about the conservation 
Kuching is a home to different races and so there are different worship centres of each communities.
Interesting part was that we went to Lyn's Thandoori Restaurant on the last day at Kuching and found that Lyn's husband was from Trichur Kerala....small world indeed. Food was really good.

Hindu Temple in Kuching

Night view of Sarawak River is spectacular with the back drop of well lit State Legislative Assembly building. It was a holiday to know different cultures and then we set off to Singapore.....

Night view of Sarawak River

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