e-borneo.com - Travel Borneo Blog

Eating Out: Atmosfera cafe Kuching - Relax and enjoy your cuppa

2008-07-24T16:41:00.001+08:00

Recognise this? Just as you were about to take the virginal sip of your anticipated latte, a child or a passer-by accidentally bumps into your chair, rudely jerking you from your seat killing “the” moment? It is not their fault, honestly, as coffee joints these days are crammed for space. To them, seating capabilities equals money. Therefore, the more customers they can seat, the more they can make.

Sadly, this business equation often compromises the customers’ comfort, which will slowly but surely taint their overall experience at the store. Nobody wants to have their Italian fashioned coffee, in a congested space.

The solution to these spacial deficiency is Atmosfera cafe.

Located just opposite The Spring shopping mall, Atmosfera cafe offers an ambience like no other. Glass panels which rise from the floor to the ceiling, and spread across the corner of the cafe instantly gives it and its diners a view of the outdoors. Aesthetically speaking, it is beyond beautiful.

On a recent trip to Atmosfera, I have brought along two willing friends to help me sample some of the offerings they have.

Alexandra Vasiliadis aka Alex, 19, and Naomi Craker, 23, from Melbourne, were two eager friends who were there to just get their coffee and chocolate fix while, as Naomi puts it, “escaping the daily grind.”

We were told that the popular smoothies in Atmosfera are the Mango and Pink Guava. We ordered the Mango.

It literally is made from fresh mangoes, blended to a thick milky consistency and topped with mango chunks.

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Atmosfera cafe Kuching - Relax and enjoy your cuppa

5,000 to attend Gambus Festival in Sabah

2008-07-24T16:39:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: The ninth state-level Gambus Festival to be held at the Sipitang Community Hall from tomorrow is expected to be attended by about 5,000 people.

The annual programme, which will gather more than 200 traditional musicians, is organised by the Sabah Brunei Community Association (PMBS) with the cooperation of Sabah Tourism Board (STB).

PMBS publicity committee member Saat Awang Damit, when met yesterday, said the festival would feature four competitions — adult ‘gulintangan’, youth ‘gulintangan’, group ‘gambus’ and solo ‘gambus’.

Seven teams will compete in the competition, including six representing Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Bongawan, Membakut, Beaufort and Sipitang, while Sandakan qualified automatically.

“There will be stiff competition from the Kpg Benoni team representing Papar to retain their Gambus category title and the defending Gulintangan champion team from Kpg Kalansanan (representing Kota Kinabalu),” he said.

Continue reading at: 5,000 to attend Gambus Festival in Sabah

Borneo Highlands Resort's Colours of Nature 2008 - Behold highland wonder ‘Eagle Flower’ in Aug

2008-07-24T16:36:00.000+08:00

KUCHING: Flower and nature lovers would not like to miss the Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) Colours of Nature 2008 that will be held at the resort from Aug1 to 31.

Organised in connection with Sarawak’s 45th independence anniversary and BHR’s eighth anniversary, the event is conceptualised to bring flower and nature enthusiasts together, discuss common interests and cultivate the love for nature among the people of Sarawak.

BHR marketing manager Tay Thing Swee said at a press conference here yesterday the event was aimed at promoting BHR as one of the world’s most popular flower and nature destinations by highlighting Sarawak’s rich flora and fauna and through it complementing the government’s efforts in promoting eco-tourism.

“The pristine plants and spectacular flower gardens form part of the high-altitude nature landscape at BHR and it gives one a truly “feel good” experience in the midst of flower gardens all around,” he said.

He said August was the miracle month for BHR where one can find the “Eagle Flower” blooming in abundance.

Continue reading at: Borneo Highlands Resort's Colours of Nature 2008 - Behold highland wonder ‘Eagle Flower’ in Aug

Sabah - Adventure Awaits

2008-07-23T19:26:00.001+08:00

From the rugged granite peaks of Mount Kinabalu, down to the rolling hills that surround it, to the verdant jungles where rare and endangered species roam to the magical blue waters, Sabah is truly blessed with an abundance of treasures from mountain high to ocean deep. It is no secret that The Land Below the Wind is where adventure awaits you..

Conquer the Peak of Borneo

Whether for its splendorous beauty or for the challenge of a climb, Mount Kinabalu is tirelessly and proudly recommended to visitors. This mountain, standing at a towering 4095 meters, is located in Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site and is the highest accessible mountain in Southeast Asia. Daily climbers conquer the mountain in 2 days while hardened athletes who run up and down the mountain in the annual Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon clock-in at about three hours on the same tourist route. More recently, the Via Ferrata opened routes that used to be accessible only to rock climbers for conquerors hungry for a different experience. While there are many trails already explored by the adventurous, there are many other undiscovered routes waiting to feel the footsteps of explorers upon them.

Trek the Trails

Lace up those hiking boots for a trek through the mystifying jungles of north Borneo. After being identified as a gold mine to some of Mother Nature’s best treasures, vast areas of Sabah’s rainforests are protected for crucial preservation. Among these areas is Danum Valley, situated in the south-easterly region of Sabah, known the world over for containing some of Asia’s last remaining primary rainforests and consequently home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife such as the Borneo Pygmy Elephant and the Sumatran Rhino. A demanding 8-day trek from Danum Valley will take you into Maliau Basin, the “Lost World” of Borneo within the enclosure of mile-high cliffs. As you breathe in the thick green scent of the rainforest on your hike, peer carefully through the trees and listen intently to your surroundings, for you may very well cross paths with some of Borneo’s rare and wonderful wildlife.

Two-wheel Deals

Employ the aid of a mountain bike if you’re looking for a little more speed and a whole lot more challenge through Sabah’s landscapes. 300 to 400 visitors traverse the Land Below the Wind on two wheels annually, taking on a rewarding journey like no other. Various cycling tour packages lasting anything between two and ten days, take cyclists through villages where they can stop and meet the Bajau natives of Kota Belud or the Rungus of Kudat. Some choose to take a journey through the historical Sandakan Death March route, while others search for the up and downhill terrains of Kundasang for a physically testing expedition. Certainly opt for a cycling adventure for a journey close to nature.

Shoot Through the Rapids

Get ready for a thrilling ride through the raging Padas River. Experience the ultimate rush of adrenaline as the fast flowing waters pitch your raft at an exciting speed downriver through rapids with names like the Headhunter, the Adrenaline Flow and the Merry Go Round. To get to this river is an adventure in itself – part of your journey there involves hopping on a train that has been in service for almost a century and riding it through the south-eastern countryside of Sabah. For mild adventure seekers, there is the gentler excitement of the clear-waters of Kiulu with a scenic bonus.

Caving Capers

About 10 kilometres from Sukau are the famous Gomantong Caves. Simud Hitam and Simud Putih are the two pitch-black crevices accommodating an ecosystem of bugs, bat and swiftlets. The swiftlets provide the expensive commodity of birds’ nests – constructed with the saliva of the small birds that make a health delicacy worth thousands of Ringgit by the kilogramme. Brave experts climb up flimsy bamboo and rattan ladders that reach up to the roof of the cave to collect the valuable birds’ nests, risking their lives with every minute spent far from the solid ground below. Make your way past this activity through to a dark maze of tunnels and caverns and find your way to the opening of Simud Putih by evening for a hair-raising show. When the sun begins to set, millions of bats take flight from their dark refuge into the open, blackening the open skies. You may well catch sight of serpent eagles and kites swooping down on these bats to catch their dinner.

Dive the Deep Blue

Beneath the sapphire waters that surround Sabah lie underwater thrills for scuba divers. It’s time to squeeze into your scuba suit and get ready to swim alongside an unbelievable array of sea life. Kapalai, Mabul and Mataking are among the stars of dive sites, as is the north-eastern Lankayan Island and the north-western island of Layang Layang. Then there is Sipadan Island, arguably the best dive site on earth, the home to countless species of sharks, thousands of barracudas, hundreds of green and hawksbill turtles as well as coral reefs rivalling the Great Barrier Reef. It’s no wonder that many have attested that any other dive site in the world pales in comparison to the colourful waters of Sipadan.

Source: Sabah Tourism Newsletter

Borneo Highlands Resort wins prestigious award

2008-07-22T18:02:00.000+08:00

KUCHING: Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) has gained further recognition when it won a four-star award in the ‘Best Golf Development’ category at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2008 at Marina Mandarin hotel in Singapore, Sunday.

The win makes BHR the first resort from Sarawak to win the prestigious award.

Last year, the resort’s Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club was awarded the ‘Best Golf Resort’ in Expatriate Lifestyle’s The Best of Malaysia 2006/07.

The Asia Pacific Property Awards is part of the International Property Awards programme, which is the world’s largest and most prestigious property awards, and a symbol of excellence in residential estate, development, interior design, architecture and marketing.

The other components are European Property Awards, Americas Property Awards, UK Property Awards and Arabian Property Awards.

The awards are sponsored and supported by CNBC Telivision, SIMA08, major newspapers and the world’s leading professional bodies in the property industry.

Continue reading at: Borneo Highlands Resort wins prestigious award

More needs to be done for Sarawak tourism

2008-07-22T17:59:00.001+08:00

STF lists poor public transportation, lack of direct flights among tourists’ grouses in Sarawak

KUCHING: Poor public transportation services, especially taxi service, are among the main grouses of foreign tourists arriving in Sarawak for a holiday.

Wee Hong Seng, president of the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), a body representing private sector key players in the state’s tourism industry, said based on initial feedback to its ‘We Care’ questionnaires, the respondents noted the need to use metered taxis, a clear fare for each destination, and to upgrade taxi drivers’ knowledge on the state’s tourism products.

“Foreign tourists want at least when boarding the taxis here, the drivers inform them about the tourist spots here and not the silent treatment,” he said here yesterday.

Wee said there was also the need to improve knowledge on tourism products among the tourist guides in Sarawak, so that the visitors would have a better understanding of what the state could offer.

Continue reading at: More needs to be done for Sarawak tourism

Potpourri of events at Borneo Cultural Festival impresses the crowds

2008-07-21T19:20:00.000+08:00

THE recent Borneo Cultural Festival at the Town Square in Sibu was a cultural potpourri and an eye-opener for first-time visitors.

The nine-day, Sarawak-tourism-calendar event hosted on an elaborate scale by the Sibu Municipal Council impressed many locals.

Besides showcasing Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage, the festival offered lots of entertainment and fun through traditional games, a Dayak beauty queen and warrior pageant, karaoke and singing contests, talent and fashion shows.

The staging of a traditional Malay wedding and a Chinese opera were rare.

Food lovers were pampered with a choice of specialities and delicacies from the Chinese community.

The trade show featuring dozens of booths was a crowd puller.

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Potpourri of events at Borneo Cultural Festival impresses the crowds

Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival - When jungle beat meets folk songs

2008-07-19T18:59:00.000+08:00

One of the four local bands which entertained the crowds

A foreign band at the show

Large crowds packed the venue

Photos courtesy of and Copyright to Hj Ahmed Shaheeb and Brunei Press Sdn Bhd

By Hj Ahmed Shaheeb

More than 18,000 tickets to the three nightly concerts of the 11th Rainforest World Music Festival, which kicked off on July 11, 2008 at the Sarawak Cultural Village were snapped up well in advance.

Six delegates from Brunei Darussalam together with the writer, Rafidah Jumat from Media Permata, Rano Iskandar of Ranoadidas.com, a popular social web site in the Sultanate, Luk Boon Hwa from Century Travel Centre Sdn Bhd, Chia Choi Nyuk Betty from Pan Bright Travel Service and Efarina Abang Haji Osman, Liaison Officer from TM Brunei were sent to the Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 on July 11-13, 2008 at the Sawarak Cultural Village in Santubong, a 45-minute drive from the state's capital, Kuching.

Organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and presented by Celcom, the award-winning festival is one of Malaysia's best known events. It is a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of Borneo.

Entering its 11th year, the Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival has evolved into a must-attend music festival. With 16 groups of local and foreign musicians performing this year, festival-goers can expect various genres of world beat ranging from celtic fusion, socca, folk, baul, fusion and traditional.

The festival site also had a variety of food and drink stalls, an arts and crafts area as well as a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs and CDs by the performing artistes, all this contributing to a fun filled, wholesome festival experience.

The event had a country fair atmosphere in the midst of lush greenery.

The performers hailed from all corners of the world such as New Rope String Band (United Kingdom), Yakande (Gambia/Guinea), Pinikpikan (the Phillipines), Adel Salameh (Palestine), Ross Daly Quartet (Greece), Fadomorse (Portugal), Kasai Masai (Congo), Hiroshi Motofuji (Japan), Cholo Valderamma (Columbia), Oikyataan (India), Beltaine (Poland), Sheldon Blackman and the Love Circle (Trinidad and Tobago).

Malaysia was represented by four bands comprising Anak Jati Bisaya Orchestra, Kan'id, Senida and Tuku Kame. Senida and Tuku Kame are the resident bands and performers of the Sarawak Cultural Village.

The festival maintained its formula of afternoon informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts, followed by evening perfomances on the main stage.

However, two fringe events - the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar (RWCB) 2008 and Folk Art Forum (FAF) - had been included to add more excitement to the festival.The RWCB was held on July 9-15, while the FAF was on July 9 and10.

Each daily ticket was priced at RM90 for an adult and RM45 for children aged between three and 12 years old. For a three-day pass, tickets were priced at $250 for an adult and RM100 for children aged between three and 12 years old. Tickets were made available online at www.ticketcharge.com.my and at the Visitor Information Centre in Kuching.

The Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival wass supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sawarak. It is also the winner of the Heritage and Culture PATA Gold Awards 2006. Also attending the opening of the event's 11th edition was Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. His presence created history as he was the first prime minister to attend the festival.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend

Spice Island - The spice of life

2008-07-19T18:56:00.000+08:00

Embark on a culinary adventure that runs the gamut from fine Malay-Indian cuisine to rustic Italian delights in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Many Sutera Harbour Resort guests, especially foreigners are invariably drawn to Spice Island, the resort’s signature Malay restaurant that proudly showcases the Malay Archipelago’s rich culinary heritage.

Staff in traditional apparel welcomed us warmly at the door while soft gamelan music played in the background. Miniature old-fashioned bicycles bearing baskets of local tidbits appeared on our table as we perused the extensive menu.

Chef Jitender Singh Bisht and his team took us on a spice-laden gastronomic adventure of Malay and Indian delicacies. The appetiser of Otak-otak Udang Rangup (RM18-RM42) and Sup Ikan Halia Muda (RM13-RM18) displayed two interesting facets of ginger. In the savoury, lightly spiced custard of minced fish and prawn, the ginger’s pungency and hotness came across stronger and sharper while the tangy fish broth had a bitter aftertaste.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: Spice Island - The spice of life

Ferdinand's Restaurant - An Italian affair

2008-07-19T18:55:00.000+08:00

Ferdinand’s, Sabah Tourism’s Best Western Restaurant in 2007, is the place to live it up with some fine Italian food and wine.

No welcome was warmer than the basket of country breads that appeared once we were comfortably ensconced in the charming outlet’s warmly-lit ambience. The oven-fresh offerings tasted even better thanks to the three scrumptious dips of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar and Grated Parmesan, Brinjal Tapenade (puréed brinjal with olives, capers and olive oil) and Tomato Salsa.

The menu lists a selection of classic Italian delights with the occasional modern accents thrown in.

We found comfort in timeless appetisers such as Smoked Beef Carpaccio with Baby Spinach, Lemon and Garlic Mousseline, and Tomato and Mozzarella Cheese with Pine Nuts but also relished the chef’s newer creation of Smoked Prawn with Salsa. What really captured our imagination was the simple Cream of Wild Mushroom in a Rye Bread Bowl.

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Ferdinand's Restaurant - An Italian affair

More arrivals from Philippines to Sabah expected with new low-cost flight

2008-07-19T18:52:00.000+08:00

Kota Kinabalu: More arrivals from the Philippines are expected following the inauguration of the twice-weekly direct service from Manila to Kota Kinabalu by Filipino low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific on Friday.

Cebu Pacific Vice President for Passenger Sales, Edwin Batuista at the launch of the service at Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminal Two, VIP Lounge in Tanjung Aru said the company was bullish with the prospect of businesses from the new sector.

Speaking to reporters, he said Kota Kinabalu is Cebu Pacific's second destination in Malaysia after launching its direct flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Low Cost Carrier Terminal two years ago.

"All we need is lots of marketing and promotions both ways," he said.

Continue reading at: More arrivals from Philippines to Sabah expected with new low-cost flight

Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 - A study in harmony

2008-07-18T16:06:00.001+08:00

The Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 proved once again that if you were looking for good music, this is where you would find it. The learning experience was a bonus.

Grappling with the term “world music” and what it actually means, I headed off to Santubong, Sarawak last weekend for the 11th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF2008) in search of an answer. The festival was to be an eye opener of sorts for me. Expecting what I’ve come to understand as one of Sarawak’s finest attractions – great music, days of fun in the sun, scenic views of the lush rainforest and delectable tuak – I was instead treated to something quite different.

Unfortunately, the RWMF2008 has not retained much of its low-key charm – some years ago, no one even knew where Santubong was – now it is a hub of activity. The Sarawak Cultural Village, which hosts the annual festival, was filled to the brim this year with over 22,500 people turning up over the three-day fiesta. And I don’t use the word “fiesta” lightly: think of corporate sponsor banners splashed indiscriminately, think of a funfair of foodstalls, (faux) tattoo booths, massage tents and hey, you could even get a caricature of yourself drawn for RM30!

In many ways, the lack of state sponsorship (if you hadn’t read about it yet, this year the RWMF2008, which is organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board, had its usual stipend of RM500,000 slashed to RM70,000) has bred a slew of unsightly props to an otherwise rather charming festival.

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 - A study in harmony

Baram Regatta 2008 - Sape goes global

2008-07-18T16:03:00.002+08:00

MIRI: The Baram Regatta 2008 will take on an international flavour for the first time in its century-old history.

The event will feature sape players from England, Kalimantan in Indonesia, Brunei and local Chinese and Malays who have become experts in playing this Orang Ulu guitar-like musical instrument.

The Baram Regatta, as the name implies, will be held along the mighty Baram River in the interior town of Marudi, 200km inland from Miri, on Aug 16 and 17.

This historical event marks a peace accord reached by warring Orang Ulu tribes in 1899 that ended the ancient practice of head hunting.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: Baram Regatta 2008 - Sape goes global

Sabah to conserve 78,000ha of mangrove, wildlife reserves

2008-07-18T16:01:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is permanently conserving wetlands and forests three times the size of Kuala Lumpur at a wildlife rich region on the state's east coast.

Sabah Forestry Department director Datuk Sam Mannan said the state cabinet approved the setting aside of some 78,000ha of mangrove and wildlife forest reserves in the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama region.

The cabinet made the move when giving its nod to the suggestion by the Borneon Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation Phase II programme to list the area as part of the global Ramsar Site Network.

Named after a place in Iran, Ramsar is an international convention on wetlands that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It it was first established in 1971 and came into force in 1975.

Continue reading at: Sabah to conserve 78,000ha of mangrove, wildlife reserves

Temple Festival listed on Sarawak tourism calendar

2008-07-18T15:59:00.001+08:00

SIBU: Minister of Urban Development and Tourism Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the unique Tua Pek Kong Festival that is found only in Sarawak has been included in the state’s tourism calendar starting next year.

The festival, the largest in South East Asia, has been fixed by the temple committees in Sarawak on the 29th day of the third month in the lunar calendar to coincide with the deity’s birthday, beginning this year.

The celebration this year fell on May 4.

With the joint decision, the 58 temples throughout the state will burst into celebrative colours annually on that day.

Wong, who is also Second Minister of Finance said in an interview on Wednesday that the festival was the second event listed on the tourism calendar for Sibu after the Borneo Cultural Festival. He said this was an effort of his ministry to attract tourists who were very much attracted by the unique cultures of Borneo.

He said in the first four months of this year, there had been an increase (29 per cent) in tourist arrival to the state compared to the same period last year.

“There has been a marked increase in the number of tourists from West Malaysia, and we shall commit ourselves to attract even more tourists to witness all the events lined up for them.”

Continue reading at: Temple Festival listed on Sarawak tourism calendar

Borneo Conservation Trust acts on protecting the Orangutans

2008-07-17T21:56:00.000+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Orang utan (OU) literally translating into English as “People of the Forest”, are “umbrella” species for the conservation of the tropical forests of Sabah.

Recently, Sabah Wildlife Department director Laurentius Nayan Ambu explained that, “because OU requires large areas of good quality habitat…ensuring their conservation in the wild would ultimately mean that the myriad of other species that share the ecosystem – including Proboscis Monkeys, Bornean Elephants, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Malayan Sunbear to name but a few – will also be protected.”

The recent news articles that starkly revealed that the majority of the isolated OU in the Kinabatangan area will go extinct in less than 50 years if nothing is done is indeed true.

For this very reason, the Borneo Conservation Trust (BCT) a state-mandated tax-exempt NGO established in 2006, and promoted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment was incorporated under the Trustee’s Ordinance 1951 to deal with the pressing needs to preserve the habitat and the migration route of Borneo’s most endangered wildlife along the Kinabatangan and the Segama Rivers.

This migration route referred to as BCT Green Corridor is part and parcel of BCT’s mission. As a first token step, BCT has purchased a 5-acre land in the Kinabatangan area to connect this corridor, supported by funds from Japanese individuals.

Continue reading at: Borneo Conservation Trust acts on protecting the Orangutans

Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2008... in pictures

2008-07-16T17:49:00.001+08:00

The 11th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival, held over three days from July 11 at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching, was certainly one of the liveliest, most spectacular musical events ever staged in the State. With workshops during the day as well as stalls selling all sorts of merchandise, souvenirs and food, the festival had so much to offer.

And of course, the highlights on all three days were the live sets in the evening, with performances you can’t find anywhere else.

If you missed this year’s festival, these pictures should give you an idea of what went on.

View Pictures at: Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival 2008... in pictures

Melodies of culture from the Kelabits

2008-07-16T17:46:00.002+08:00

Kan’id is the culmination of hard work and passion from a Kelabit youth outfit that showcases their culture and history.

TUTU’ Udan Nah Pera... the responsorial chant sung by Kan’id – a Kelabit youth outfit bent on preserving and promoting tradition passed down from their forefathers – is a lilting melody that will grab anybody’s attention. And especially if you’re at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 in Kuching, Sarawak.

These youth – dressed in traditional sepa’ ngarang (dance attire) – looked exuberant last Friday at the soft launch of their debut eponymous album, aptly slated right at the start of the festival.

It was a grand culmination of efforts for the youth – a dozen of them – who have honed their skills over many years and have rehearsed intensively for the last two months.

The album features 11 songs which present an overview of the Kelabit culture and history.

Inspired by the ancestral songs of the Kelabit and drawing upon the rich musical traditions of the Orang Ulu tribe along the Baram river, Kan’id hope to keep their history alive and pass it on to future generations.

Continue reading (incl. pics) at: Melodies of culture from the Kelabits

Muara Beach Festival in Brunei beckons fun seekers

2008-07-16T17:42:00.001+08:00

By Achong Tanjong

A variety of fun and exciting activities have been lined up for the daylong Muara Beach Festival 2008 to be held at the Muara Beach on July 27.

The 'Pesta Pantai Strongest Men 2008' will allow the public to demonstrate their strength, while other activities include a bread-eating competition, teh-tarik contest, handball match, beach volleyball, Bicycle Beach Speeding and a tug-of-war.

The beach festival will open with mass aerobics and a 6.30 am big walk that commences and concludes at Muara Beach.

The event is organised by the Mukim Serasa Village Consultative Council in conjunction with the monarch's 62nd birthday celebrations.

The organising committee has announced that attractive prizes are up for grabs.

Every year the event attracts large crowds of people from near and far.

The highlight of the event will be the karaoke competition, in search of the 'Bintang Hari Keputeraan.'

The competition is divided into three categories 'Men and Ladies Open,' '18- to 40-year-olds,' and 'Veterans' (for those over 40).

Members of the public are encouraged to take part in the many activities that promise to be fun for everyone.

The Pesta Pantai Muara - which aims to further enliven the festive atmosphere - is one of the popular events organised by residents of Mukim Serasa as an annual activity in conjunction with His Majesty's birthday celebrations.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

The best Friday in 11 years of Rainforest World Music Festival

2008-07-15T15:32:00.002+08:00

KUCHING: The Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) has once again lived up to its promise of bringing a fantastic line of artistes to perform here.

Although the finale was a wet and muddy affair, it did not dampen the mood of the revelers. The rain, which came on the first and final night of the festival, gave foreigners an added feel to the rainforest with some of them shouting ‘Welcome to Malaysia’ as they danced to the authentic beat on the muddy pitch at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

Co-chairperson of the festival, Gracie Geikie, when asked about the first night at a press conference on Sunday, summed the whole experience as ‘the best Friday in 11 years of RWMF’.

“People were just enjoying and dancing in the rain. It became a mud festival instead,” she said laughing.

Indeed, Sarawak Tourism Board has every reason to smile given the overwhelming response the festival has created.

The first night saw 7,219 visitors. The festival then reached a new peak on the second night with 9,063 visitors, exceeding the 8,000-visitor capacity. There was no loss in momentum on the final night for 6,291 came.

Continue reading at: The best Friday in 11 years of Rainforest World Music Festival

Sabah should use its rich culture to lure tourists

2008-07-15T15:30:00.001+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s rich multi-ethnic cultures should be fully exploited to lure tourists, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He said Sabah, with its 32 ethnic races speaking 50 dialects, could draw foreign tourists keen on seeing the traditions and cultures of the people in Borneo.

Noting that Bali first promoted its Balinese culture to lure tourists before selling their beaches, Masidi said Sabah's varied ethnic groups would definitely appeal to tourists.

“For this purpose, we are teaming up with Sarawak to celebrate next year's Kaamatan and Gawai festivals together and we hope to bring in a large group of German tourists,” Masidi said when launching The Mystic of Borneo: Kadayan, a book by Amde Sidek who wrote about his ethnic Kadayan community.

Continue reading at: Sabah should use its rich culture to lure tourists

Sarawak Tourism board to finalise campaign with Brunei airline soon

2008-07-15T15:29:00.001+08:00

KUCHING: Sarawak expects to finalise a tourism promotion campaign in several international cities with Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) soon.

Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Gracie Geikie said it would meet RBA officials on July 17 to finalise details of the campaign in cities, including London, Perth, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

“RBA will support the campaign by offering special fares (from these cities to Sarawak),” she said.

Continue reading at: Sarawak Tourism board to finalise campaign with Brunei airline soon

Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival venue bursting at its seams

2008-07-14T19:12:00.001+08:00

KUCHING: It was great music as thousands danced to the drumbeats at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong near here.

Partying all night long, music fans had a great time as the seven foreign and local musical groups thrilled them during the five-hour concert on Saturday.

However, the same could not be said for several hundred other disappointed music fans who had to be turned away as the venue could not accommodate them.

Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Gracie Geikie said the organisers had to close the main entrance to the concert at about 9.45pm as the crowd was getting too big.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival venue bursting at its seams

Sarawak Regatta goes national

2008-07-14T19:10:00.001+08:00

KUCHING: The popular Sarawak Regatta, which offers a rich purse of RM230,000 to winners, goes national this year.

Event organising chairman Rodziah Morshidi said all the states in the peninsula and Sabah had been invited to compete in the inaugural inter-state 20-paddlers race.

She said two other new categories – inter-varsity, and government and corporate agencies (both 20 paddlers) – had also been introduced in the annual event at the Kuching Waterfront from Aug 1 to 3.

"Entries were received from 283 teams (comprising 5,393 participants) as of July 11,” she told reporters at the Urban Development and Tourism Ministry office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here on Monday.

She expects more entries in the next few days as nearly 400 teams competed in last year’s event, which offered some RM150,000 in cash prizes.

Continue reading at: Sarawak Regatta goes national

Tourists regard Sibu central market as must-visit place

2008-07-14T19:09:00.001+08:00

SIBU: Many locals don’t even glance at Sibu Central Market anymore when they pass by because for them the novelty of the biggest market in Sarawak has worn off.

But tourists regard it as a must-visit place due to its concept and the myriads of goods under one roof.

Located at Jalan Channel opposite the town’s Express Boat Passenger Terminal, the market which is the biggest in Sarawak has separate sections for wet and dry goods.

It even houses hawkers from the former Lembangan native market which some locals have begun to forget ever existed.

There are more than 1,000 vendor stalls selling local delicacies, vegetables, fruits, jungle produce, garments, handicrafts and so on.

Continue reading (incl. pic) at: Tourists regard Sibu central market as must-visit place