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<b>Hotel di kuching</b></b> - Come Sarawak - Come Sarawak


<b>Hotel di kuching</b></b> - Come Sarawak - Come Sarawak

Posted: 08 Feb 2014 07:09 PM PST

Flying on an inaugural flight with Malindo Air was great experience. Love all the features inside the aircrafts. And it was more great to be able to revisit Kuching after the first one in 2005.

For your information, Malindo Air flies to Kuching 4 times daily.

7500th Boeing 7377500th Boeing 737 (9M-LNF).

So, what's interesting in Kuching? Plenty, actually. Malindo with collaboration of Sarawak Tourism Board had arranged tours around Sarawak for media who was on the inaugural flight.

Here are some ideas for you to start with if you plan to visit Kuching. This list is crafted based on places I visited only.

1Stay at Riverside Majestic Hotel. Riverside Majestic Hotel is strategically located in the heart of Kuching overlooking the Sarawak River. The hotel commands a panoramic view of the city and the Kuching Waterfront across.

The hotel has 241 comfortable rooms and offers chef's selection of signature dishes and tonic soups. Their kitchens are all certified Halal. For relaxation, you can go to the Borneo Odyssey Spa located on the Lower Ground floor of their sister property the Grand Margherita Hotel, or cool off in the hotel's swimming pool. A bowling centre and cineplex is also available in the adjacent Riverside Shopping Complex.

Riverside Majestic HotelFront view of Riverside Majestic Hotel.

2

Eat, eat and eat. For dinner, everybody is going to Top Spot Food Court. It is basically a hawker centre that sells mostly seafood. It is located on a roof top of a 5 storey car park right in the smack of the city centre. For exotic lunch, you can go to Absolute Tribal Restaurant located at Sarakraf Pavilion. For local kampung style food, you can go to Mount Serapi Corner.

absolute tribalInteresting entrance of AbsoluteTribal Restaurant.

3Go shopping! There are many places you can shop but if you want to look for food, fruits, seafood, go to Medan Niaga Satok. For gift items like pua kumbu, jeweleries and what not go to Main Bazaar. Another place you can go to to buy Kek Lapis is Dayang Salhah Kek Lapis. Another interesting place to buy crafts is Sarakraf Pavilion.

4Visit cat statues around Kuching. The most recognizable cat statue is the one near Kuching Waterfront, just opposite the Riverside Majestic Hotel. You can also find another one in front of the Little China Town along Jalan Padungan. There's another one at Jalan Abell. More if you walk around town.

cat statuesClockwise: A cat family near Riverside Majestic Hotel, Lonely cat in front of Little China Town and four cats at Jalan Abell.

5

See orang-utans at Semenggoh Wildlife Center.  Established in 1975, this center cares for wild animals which have either been found injured in the forest, orphaned, or were previously kept as illegal pets. The center also offers a rare opportunity to view orang-utans in their natural habitat. Although these recently released orang utan spend most of their time in the surrounding forest, they do return to the centre where they are fed twice daily at a "halfway house" feeding station. Over time the orang utan appear less frequently as they start to adjust to life in the forest. During the fruit season they may not appear at all, which is a good sign and shows that they are adapting well to their new surroundings.

orangutanOrang-utan right right above me!

6Experience Sarawak heritage at Sarawak Cultural Village. Situated at the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, this village, dubbed as Sarawak Living Museum, showcases fascinating   Sarawak's ethnic diversity at a glance. You will have the chance to the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak namely their traditional houses, crafts, musics and clothings. Sarawak Cultural Village  is also the venue for the World Harvest Festival and the Rainforest World Music Festival, an internationally renowned festival.

Sarawak Cultural VillageOne of the traditional houses.

7Take the Sarawak River cruise. The best way to see Kuching is from the Sarawak River located in the heart of Kuching. The cruise gives you a view of the city and its surrounding areas. You will see the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building, Astana Building, Kuching Waterfront, colourful villages, villagers doing their daily routines, cargo vessels and many more.

Sarawak river cruiseSarawak River Cruise boarding area at the waterfront.

There you go. I will elaborate more on some of the places above when time permits.

<b><b><b>Hotel di kuching</b></b></b> - Come Sarawak - Come - Blogger <b>...</b>

Posted: 02 Feb 2014 07:09 PM PST

attractionI am going to take you to a country which is full of islands. Any guess? Yes, you are right. It's Malaysia. There are878 islands in Malaysia. This country is known for its stunning sights and attractions. We are going to explore its astounding natural beauty that magnetizes vacationers/ tourists or visitors attraction. It's a country of exclusive culture and tradition. It's one of the best places on the globe with delicious cuisine and hospitable people. Kuala Lumpur is its capital with charming iconic Petronas Twin Towers.  Malaysia has many offshore geographical places. There would be around 510 which include ridges, sandbank and rocks. It's a multicultural state with many festivals and celebrations. Tour to Malaysia, is really a unique and pleasant experience.

There're lots of choices to stay in Malaysia, so it's tough to decide where to stay?

Mid-range hotels and 5 stars hotels with Chinese, Indian or Malaysian traditional cuisine and cozy rooms are easily available for vacationers/visitors anywhere in cities. You can enjoy luxury hotels or resorts located on islands. Accommodation is so cheap in Malaysia, you can easily get a room for $ 3 to $ 9 USD/night. Private rooms are available for $ 11 to $ 20 USD/night. You can camp in Taman Negara and can save lodgings cost.

Anyways, here're some suggestions.

Lone Pine Hotel, located Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, posses welcoming staff, stunning swimming pool, lip-smacking food, and calm atmosphere with beautiful sea views. You can get a huge variety of cocktails in bar corner.

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, located on Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang Island, is a fantastic family resort, offers services such as water sports, tennis court, delicious food, pools, cozy rooms, hospitable staff and family entertainment center. Its cuisine includes Bar & Grill pizzas and seafood, tea/coffee, snacks, pastries.

where to stay

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur, in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, is a fantastic hotel with superb services. Welcoming staff, comfortable rooms, suspended pool and delicious Malaysian food make it more worthy staying.

Tanjong Jara Resort, located on Batu, Dungun, is one of the top 25 hotels in Malaysia, offers services such as Spa village, Pools, tennis court, delicious dining out, air-conditioned rooms, seafood and bar. You can spend a relaxing morning with coffee and newspaper on the beach.

Berjaya Tioman Resort, located in Pulau Tioman, is a traditional Malay style resort, offers services like pools, golf, tennis court, spa, coffee, snacks, global drinks, tasty food, air-conditioning cozy rooms and water sports including diving, fishing, snorkelling etc.

The Majestic Hotel, Majestic Malacca, Cameron Highlands Resort and Sama-Sama Hotel, in Kuala Lumpur, Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa and Four Seasons Resort in Langkawi, Miri Marriot Resort & Spa, Mega Hotel, Grand Palace Hotel and Imperial Palace Hotel in Miri, Seven Terraces, Yeng Keng Hotel, Museum Hotel and Hotel Panega are also wonderful places to stay in Malaysia. 

As far as meal is concerned, you can have it in restaurants, western hotels , cooking own when living in camping or as a street meal and just have to pay $1 to $3 USD /head for street meal, $4 to $6 USD/head in restaurants while western food is a bit expensive. Malaysia is a Muslim country that's why drinks are expensive here. Anyways, here are some suggestions of restaurants for you.

Dining in the Dark, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, is an amazing restaurant deeply into darkness and offers delicious food including soups, desserts etc.

Malaysian-Food-2

Black Forest, located on Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, offers German cuisine.

Kebaya, located on Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang Island, offers good services and food.

Living Room Cafe Bar & Gallery, located on Batu Ferringhi, Penang Island, is a good place for families, lovebirds, special occasion or groups. You can enjoy Bar, Asian and Eclectic cuisine here until late night.

Top Spot Food Court, located Bukit Mata Kuching, Kuching is a family restaurant, offers best seafood and opens until late night.

Jambu Restaurant and Lounge, located on Crookshank Road, Kuching is a restaurant offers best pasta in town. It also deals with Bistro, Bar for cocktails and Tapas etc.

Black bean, The Heritage, Tribal Stove and Bella Italia are also superb restaurants in Kuching with the fantastic setting near river.

La Casa Kuantan, Crocodile Rock Pizza & Grill Restaurant, Satay Zul, and Dallah Restaurant in Kuantan offer great services with superb cuisine.

Malaysia is a country with many attractions or points of interests and more exciting thing is those are quite cheap. Here're some suggestions, and you must visit those places once you are in Malaysia.

Birch Memorial Clock Tower, located in one of the biggest cities of Malaysia named "Ipoh". Here're plenty of attention-grabbing sights such as museums, temples and historical buildings.

attraction

Galeria Perdana, Rice Museum, and  Padi Langkawi, in Langkawi, are amazing places with precious stuff and collection, to visit. Langkawi is a beautiful island with lovely beaches and plenty of interesting sights. Ave Stella Maris Catholic Chapel is a beautiful church. Langkawi Wildlife Park and Underwater World are educational and exciting places with lots of fun.

The Islamic city "Kota Bharu" is a great city with royal places, museums, and plenty of other eye-catching sights.

Taman Negara National Park is a beautiful park in oldest rainforest Taman Negara. It's a place with lots of activities like trekking, safaris, and canopy walks.

activities

Islamic Art Museum, Petronas Twin Towers, Putrajaya Bridge, Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Thean Hou Temple, and Lake Garden Parks are some suggested amazing places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Mount Kinabalu National Park, is the best choice for hiking, this Park is full of fun and will never disappoint you on your visit.

Malaysia is a land of festivals and celebrations as multicultural people exist here. Tourists or vacationers can enjoy these festivals almost every month of the year. Here are some suggestions for our visitors.

Tamil Community celebrates festival named "Thaipusam". It's a unique festival that is worth seeing. It can be best observed at Batu Caves in Selangor or Penang, in Januanry.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in February and last for 15 days. You can enjoy lion dances, fireworks, and delicious Chinese meal.

In April, Good Friday and Malaysia Water Festival are celebrated.

Wesak Day, and Harvest Festival are celebrated in May.

June is a month with amazing festivals like Hari Gawai and Dragon Boat Festivals.

July and August are the months with festivals such as the Rainforest World Music Festival, Independence day, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hungry Ghost Festival.

September becomes more colorful with Malaysia Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Hari Raya Haji, Deepavali Festivals of Lights, and Christmas are celebrated in October, November and December.

Malaysia is not less than a heaven for shopaholics. Super international brands have covered Malaysian market and have luxury stores here. Sales at shopping mall attract many tourists every year. Mega Sales held on Christmas and Independence Day and last up to two months.

Utama, BB Plaza, Fahrenheit88, Lot10, Plaza Low Yat, Suria KLCC and Sogo are some remarkable shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur.

shopping3

ICT@Komtar, Island Plaza, Midlands One Stop, Plaza Gurney, Prangin Mall, Queensbay Mall and Straits Quay are some suggested shopping centers in Penang.

Langkawi Fair is a beautiful place for a shop in Langkawi.

Malaysia is a country with beaches. Therefore, beach holidays can be enjoyed all around the year. Summer season is mild, and usually climate is pleasant in Malaysia so you can visit it in all seasons. Anyhow, December and January are two peak tourists' seasons.  From June until August is also a good time to enjoy beaches activities.

when to fly

I assure you, your vacations to this country holding natural beauty, would be a treasured and unforgettable experience.

Makan <b>di kuching</b> - Come Sarawak - Come Sarawak - Come Sarawak

Posted: 04 Feb 2014 07:33 PM PST

Went to Kuching for a business trip last weekend. Before I went, I insisted that I wanna see the Cat Statue (of coz ma, if go Kuching didnt see the cat statue, how can I consider that I have been to Kuching before lei). And there I went, Cat Statue in the town. Although not the 'real' one (I mean the first cat statue, original one), but I am still happy that I found it. This one is just located in front of Magarita Hotel.

Topspot Seafood

Hotel shutter driver told us that there is a nice place for seafood which is Topspot at the top of the parking lot. Luckily it was walking distance from the drop off point to Topspot. It was 5.30pm and we were really hungry. We walked to the top and saw 5-6 restaurant of seafood there. Opps, the shutter driver didnt tell us which restaurant offers the best seafood.

We walked along the place and all the waiters or waitress trying to lure you into their place. At first, my strategy was to patron which ever restaurant that has more customers. Since it was 5.30pm, which was still early for dinner, there were not many people there. Thus, my strategy doesnt work.

So, I went by instinct --> Bukit Mata Seafood. Hehe. If a kuching chap reading my post sure I kena scolding if I went to the lousy seafood restaurant. But, no choice la, no one recommend me ma.

The fella who took our order was really friendly and honest. We kept on asking about the price for each seafood, he patiently poked his calculator and told us each price.

Buttered Prawns (300g). We went for the small prawns as we already ordered one 'luxury' before that. Do not aspect this dish to taste like the ones in KL / PJ. This Kuching version was really buttery, sticky, and it was tasty! I should have order 500g!

Belacan Sabah Vege (RM6). Go Sarawak and eat Sabah vege. Hehe. Need to eat this coz I couldnt find it here in PJ. Normal only.

Mango Thai Style Fried Fish. I forgotten what type of fish already. It was a bit fishy taste and the sauce was so-so only.

Ta-da! our luxury item --> Lobster stir fried with black pepper. Woohoo~!!! It was really meaty and the pepper was really hot and the aroma was really good. Sarawak indeed has the best pepper, no doubt about it. Should have order a bigger one. Hahaha.

Guess how much was the bill for the two of us? RM57. Darn cheap! For RM57 u only can get a tiny lobster in PJ. When we left, it was 7pm and the sky was dark already. We walked pass another restaurant and they have the most customers out of all 6 restaurants. Oppsie! I think we went to the second best one. The restaurant we went also got lots of customers ok.

Taipei 101

Celebrated Mooncake Festival in Kuching. Actually didnt celebrate also la, just thought of eating a nice meal for this special occasion. Didnt dare to go to the town anymore coz it was dem difficult to find a taxi there (it took us 15 min to see the first taxi passed by). Walked out to the shophouses area in front of the hotel.

There is no western food, or higher class cafe or Japanese food, or Korean food. There is one Italian restaurant but I dont feel like eating cheesey things that night. Saw a Chong Hing Steamboat restaurant which was full of people. But my stomach was not up for super spicy 'ma latt' soup that night as well. There are lots of Chinese seafood restaurant there but all full house. I do think that the seafood there is more expensive than the one we had in Topspot.

So, we settled down at a Taiwanese restaurant. The milk tea was priced at RM3.50 each.

Taiwan Sausage (RM2.50). It has strong herbal taste in it which is quite good. But I still prefer the spicy sausage version.

Red Oil Dumplings (RM5 I think). I prefer Dragon-i version of this dish.

Mee soup (RM5)

Pork ribs mee (RM6).

The food served here was so-so only.

Hawker stalls

My hotel was near the airport, in other words, is far from town. So my choice of food hunting were really limited. We went to this Hawker center for lunch. Mee Kolo stall was closed. WTH! Go sarawak must try mee kolo but I didnt get to try it. This was our last meal in Sarawak, and I havent even mee kolo and sarawak laksa. Dem.

Chap Kuey. I think is mix pork parts with something that looks like kuey teow thingy. The soup tasted almost similar to bak kut teh but was not as strong taste as BKT.


ABC. The brown syrup tasted like sarsi.
Kam Pua Mee. Ah-ha, at least I tried something that only Sarawak has. It tasted almost like Hakka mee but it was more bland than hakka mee.
And I do not know what is this being called, it has 3 words and the last one was 'ding' (that was the only word I remember). Since we do not know what was it, we order it and see lor. It was mix pork, squid, mushroom, the kuey teow thingy in a strong ginger soup. It was like eating porridge but not so porridge-y like that. Hehe. weird.

And these 2 tiny things also I have forgotten the name. It was from the same stall as above. The bread was crunchy and slightly hard in texture. It has minced meat in it. Tasted not bad.


That was all I could try in Kuching for the 3 days. Of coz it was not much, I went there for work ok, not vacation le. All I could say that the food in kuching were not really my cup of tea le. I dont know how to eat their food. It wasnt that bad, but it wasnt that good either. Maybe I didnt go to the really really delicious one?