Tag: Cat City

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Malaysia Travel Guide

First Cruise Ship Of The Year Arrives In Kuching

First Cruise Ship Of The Year Arrives In Kuching

January 15, 2018

KUCHING, Friday: The Cruise Ship ‘Star Legend’ of Windstar Cruise docked at Sim Kheng Hong Port on January 8 at 8.45am, making it the first cruise ship to berth in Kuching this year.

194 passengers, mostly from Europe and the United States, were greeted with a traditional garlanding as they disembarked to visit Bako National Park, Sarawak Cultural Village and experience a tour around the Cat City.

This was the maiden voyage by Windstar Cruises and is the first of nine cruises scheduled to berth at Sarawak’s harbours.

Kuching is expected to receive three additional ships this year as compared to the six cruise ships from last year.

Last year 1,964 passengers arrived in Sarawak, with the Silver Shadow, Insignia, L’Austral and Silver Shadow docking in Kuching and the Silver Shadow docking twice in Bintulu.

In 2016, nine ships carrying 3,782 passengers with the Nautica, Astor, Hamburg, Silver Shadow, Seven Seas Voyager, Seabourn Sojourn and Insignia docking in Kuching and Silver Shadow docking twice in Bintulu.

Ten ships with 3,646 passengers arrived in 2015 with the Seabourne docking in Kuching once, Insignia twice and Nat Geo Orion thrice in Kuching while the Silver Wind, Statendam, Silver Shadow and Europa 2 docked in Bintulu.

Arriving cruise ships positively affect local industries such as attraction caretakers, food, and beverage and service providers, receiving an injection of a few hundred additional customers in one day.

“The gradual increase in cruise ships arriving to Sarawak is encouraging, as passengers from these cruise ships are a boon to the Sarawak economy in the port cities, creating a spinoff in the service industry from their patronage,” stated Director of Events and Corporate Relations, Angelina Bateman.

Cruise Ship Garlanding

Passengers disembarking and being garlanded by cultural troupe.

Cruise Ship memento

STB Director of Events and Corporate Relations, Angelina Bateman presenting memento to Captain Neil Broomhall, with General Manager of Kuching Port Authority Robert Lau on the left.

 

Issued by:

Communications Unit
SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD
T: +6 082-423600  F: +6 082-416700
E: [email protected]

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Malaysia Travel Guide

Teaspoon | 24-Hour Culinary Tour Around Kuching

Teaspoon | 24-Hour Culinary Tour Around Kuching

January 15, 2018

“Where to eat in Kuching?” might be the million-dollar question that leaves you stumped.

Here’s the list compiled by Teaspoon on to do list for 24-Hour Culinary Tour Around Kuching, just to help you out.

A HEARTY BREAKFAST @ SIN LIAN SHIN

Famous for their Kolo Mee, this bowl of thin, springy noodles tossed in fragrant lard and garnished with flavorful minced meat is definitely a favorite among us Kuching folks.  Besides the Kolo Mee, you can also order their thick and smooth skinned Kiaw for a more filling breakfast.

BREAKFAST Sin Lian Shin KOLO MEE

BREAKFAST Sin Lian Shin KIAW

BREAKFAST Sin Lian Shin (2)

BREAKFAST Sin Lian Shin

A PLEASING LUNCH/AFTERNOON TEA @ SONG KHENG HAI HAWKER CENTRE

One of the local delights you have to let your friends try is definitely the delicious and hot-out-of-the-wok Gong Pias from Rihga (Stall No.7), which is located at a corner around the back. They have 4 different kinds of fillings, Minced Meat (Original), Cheese, Garlic Ham. Come try out all the flavors!

LUNCH Song Kheng Hai RIHGA STALL GONG PIA

LUNCH Song Kheng Hai RIHGA STALL

Besides Gong Pias, Sio Bees and Rojak are also sold at Rihga. Their Rojak is one of the local favorites too. Crispy “Yu Char Kueh”, veggies, fruits and fresh boiled squids are mixed together with the savory prawn paste and garnished with finely chopped peanuts.

LUNCH Song Kheng Hai RIHGA STALL ROJAK

The next well-known stall would be Mao Zhong Drink Stall (Stall No.1) for their Sugarcane + Coconut drinks.  The sugarcane’s juice are freshly extracted from the plant and mixed together with coconut water and served with a generous amount of freshly scraped coconut meat.

SUGARCANE COCONUT DRINK

LUNCH Song Kheng Hai MAO ZHONG DRINK STALL (2)

LUNCH Song Kheng Hai MAO ZHONG DRINK STALL

Another one of Kuchinglangs’ favorites would be a plate of savory and delicious Belacan Bee Hoon which you can find at Belacan Bee Hoon, Cuttle Fish Kang Kong Stall (Stall No.4).

LUNCH Song Kheng Hai BELACAN BEEHOON STALL BELACAN BEEHOON MAKING

TAKE A LEISURELY WALK @ KUCHING WATERFRONT

The waterfront is as long as 1km and this is undoubtedly the most happening place you can find in Kuching.

AFTERNOON WALK Waterfront

AFTERNOON WALK Waterfront (6)

HAVE AN AFTERNOON CUPPA @ BLACK BEAN COFFEE TEA CO.

Hidden away at the edge of Carpenter Street, Black Bean Coffee Tea Co. is definitely a must visit if you want a cup of coffee.

TEA TIME Black Bean Coffee Tea Co. CAPPUCINO

A DELICIOUS DINNER @ HUI SING HAWKER CENTRE

Hui Sing Hawker Centre has remained one of the best in Kuching over the years and if you are after great tasting hawker food you can’t go wrong here.

DINNER SATAY

DINNER Hui Sing Hawker Centre HAP CHEN HIAN SATAY STALL SATAY MAKING (2)

DINNER CHAR KUEH TIEW

DINNER Hui Sing Hawker Centre JO TO METAHON

DINNER Hui Sing Hawker Centre

Have fun touring around the Cat City y’all!

More Delicious Kuching Foodie Info, only at Teaspoon.

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Malaysia Travel Guide

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

December 28, 2017

For the visitor to Kuching, the best way to explore this unique city is by foot.  This means, you simply need a pair of good walking shoes and you can walk around the old part of Kuching to see some of its tourist sites.

Kuching City is usually the main gateway into Sarawak as the main airport is located about 20 minutes from the city. Often called Cat City, because Kuching translates from Malay to cat, you will easily spot multiple cat structures which are also great for photo stops.

I would also like to share with you that Kuching city is a morning city, which means this place is best explored in the mornings when it is not too hot and humid. Most of the businesses close by 5.00PM and by 7.00PM, everything comes to a standstill here.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Tua Pek Kong Temple along Jalan Main Bazaar

Where to start in Kuching?

The best place to start your walking tours are from the Main Bazaar area where the Kuching Waterfront is located. I started in the morning about 9.00 AM and found that this is a great place to walk around, where I visited the Chinese History Museum and the prominent Chinese Temple called Tua Pek Kong.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Kuching’s vibrant Main Bazaar

From these two landmarks, just walk along the Main Bazaar where you will pass through a series of shops that sell ethnic Sarawakian antiques, collectibles and souvenir. This is probably the best place to get your souvenirs for Sarawak.

Along the Main Bazaar, you can spot some decades old businesses that are still trading goods like pepper, rice and so on. Once you reach the end, look across the road and you will see the Kuching Waterfront Bazaar, where you can find more authentic souvenirs.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

The new Darul Hana Bridge across the Sarawak River on the left

Crossing the New Darul Hana Bridge

From there, you can either take the newly opened 335m-long S-shaped bridge called Darul Hana Bridge that goes over the Sarawak River that links Pangkalan Batu and Pangkalan Sapi.

Visitors can now walk over to the Old State Legislative Assembly building passing through Botanic Gardens and Orchid Garden and also to the iconic Fort Margherita.

After this, head back across the Darul Hana Bridge and walk towards the Brooke Monument for a photo moment. This is also where the old Court House is located at. Walk into Jalan Barrack and you will find the entrance to India Street.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

India Street and the covered walkway

Called the India Street Pedestrian Mall, this old area has been given a beautiful makeover and is now a covered walkway. Traders are seen on both sides of the street selling all sorts of wares as I walk through and exit at Japan Power.

From the exit, keep walking along Jalan Market to see the old Kuching trading and business communities. While walking around here, do look out for some of the well known local eateries or coffee shops.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Carpenter Street in Kuching

After I explored this part of the city, I headed back to Carpenter Street which is just behind the Main Bazaar. I selected this because by the time I was done, it was lunch time and at Carpenter Street, there is a great place to try which is the Temple Food Court. It is located just opposite the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple at the end of Carpenter Street in Kuching

After lunch, I continued along Carpenter Street towards the end where I ended my walking tour of Kuching. This I where you will find the Hong San Si Temple, which is one of the most beautiful temples in Kuching.

In general, you can see this interesting part of Kuching in just under four hours on foot and very suitable for anyone who has half a day free in Kuching.

___________________
Photos by David Hogan Jr

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Categories
Malaysia Travel Guide

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

December 28, 2017

For the visitor to Kuching, the best way to explore this unique city is by foot.  This means, you simply need a pair of good walking shoes and you can walk around the old part of Kuching to see some of its tourist sites.

Kuching City is usually the main gateway into Sarawak as the main airport is located about 20 minutes from the city. Often called Cat City, because Kuching translates from Malay to cat, you will easily spot multiple cat structures which are also great for photo stops.

I would also like to share with you that Kuching city is a morning city, which means this place is best explored in the mornings when it is not too hot and humid. Most of the businesses close by 5.00PM and by 7.00PM, everything comes to a standstill here.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Tua Pek Kong Temple along Jalan Main Bazaar

Where to start in Kuching?

The best place to start your walking tours are from the Main Bazaar area where the Kuching Waterfront is located. I started in the morning about 9.00 AM and found that this is a great place to walk around, where I visited the Chinese History Museum and the prominent Chinese Temple called Tua Pek Kong.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Kuching’s vibrant Main Bazaar

From these two landmarks, just walk along the Main Bazaar where you will pass through a series of shops that sell ethnic Sarawakian antiques, collectibles and souvenir. This is probably the best place to get your souvenirs for Sarawak.

Along the Main Bazaar, you can spot some decades old businesses that are still trading goods like pepper, rice and so on. Once you reach the end, look across the road and you will see the Kuching Waterfront Bazaar, where you can find more authentic souvenirs.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

The new Darul Hana Bridge across the Sarawak River on the left

Crossing the New Darul Hana Bridge

From there, you can either take the newly opened 335m-long S-shaped bridge called Darul Hana Bridge that goes over the Sarawak River that links Pangkalan Batu and Pangkalan Sapi.

Visitors can now walk over to the Old State Legislative Assembly building passing through Botanic Gardens and Orchid Garden and also to the iconic Fort Margherita.

After this, head back across the Darul Hana Bridge and walk towards the Brooke Monument for a photo moment. This is also where the old Court House is located at. Walk into Jalan Barrack and you will find the entrance to India Street.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

India Street and the covered walkway

Called the India Street Pedestrian Mall, this old area has been given a beautiful makeover and is now a covered walkway. Traders are seen on both sides of the street selling all sorts of wares as I walk through and exit at Japan Power.

From the exit, keep walking along Jalan Market to see the old Kuching trading and business communities. While walking around here, do look out for some of the well known local eateries or coffee shops.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Carpenter Street in Kuching

After I explored this part of the city, I headed back to Carpenter Street which is just behind the Main Bazaar. I selected this because by the time I was done, it was lunch time and at Carpenter Street, there is a great place to try which is the Temple Food Court. It is located just opposite the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple.

Seeing Kuching City on Foot

Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple at the end of Carpenter Street in Kuching

After lunch, I continued along Carpenter Street towards the end where I ended my walking tour of Kuching. This I where you will find the Hong San Si Temple, which is one of the most beautiful temples in Kuching.

In general, you can see this interesting part of Kuching in just under four hours on foot and very suitable for anyone who has half a day free in Kuching.

___________________
Photos by David Hogan Jr

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