Kuching Talk 7 : BarZing Boutique Club

We have some fun time at BarZing Boutique Club during their Grand Party events dated 29th September 2009. BarZing is a new renovated club located at Travillion Mall, Jalan Pandungan, Kuching

I reached the Club around 7.45pm, it’s still very quiet as the crowd still yet to arrive. In Kuching, the night life will only started after 10pm.

Our group, Ong, Lee, Claira, Rudy, Ellin and Angel were there before me arrived. And, Chua, Adeng with friend, Hanim and husband and Wong progressively joining in. Before 10pm, BarZing shall be the nicest place for a relaxing drink and chit-chatting for working crowd.

Alcohol and Music all the night ………..

Kuching Talk 6 : Sighseeing Of Kuching

Khatulistiwa.
Located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. Circulat hut modeled on a Bidayuh skull house is popular with tourists. A nice, breezy open-air restaurant downstairs, serving up local and western favorites and open 24 hours. At night, the hut’s upper floors open up as a bar and club.

Tua Pek Kong Temple
Located at Jalan Padungan. This temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Kuching and located strategically at the heart of Kuching, just opposite of Chinese museum. Built in 1843.

Sarawak River Cruise.
The tour of this riverine town of Kuching takes 1-1/2 hours. Among the attraction is the panoramic view of the traditional malay house built on stilts, the densely grown nipah palms, fishing villages and vegetable markets. RM 60 for adults.

The Astana
“The Palace” in English, resides the current Yang di-Pertua Negeri or the Head of State of Sarawak. Situated on the north bank of the river, jusr across the river from Kuching Waterfront. It was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke as a gift to his wife Margaret.

State Legislative Assembly Building (Dewan Undangan Negeri)
Sited majestically on the opposite bank of the famed waterfront

Carpenter Street
Famous for what may be decades already, the “Kolo Mee” is what people line up for everyday.

Souvenirs Shop located at Jalan Main Bazaar

Kuching Talk 5 : Sunday Market

Sunday Market or pasar minggu, is located at Satok.

“Just opposite the Wisma Satok.” Yap told me. “It started since Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon of the next day”

I have made a visit to this huge market on Sunday early morning after my breakfast. These Sunday market is like a huge hypermarket, without air-conditioning. Hundreds of stalls offering a huge variety of goods which inclusive handicrafts, food, fruits, vegetables, potted plants, jungle produce, pets, bundle clothing, magazines, toys and etc.

“How is the experience ?” Chua asked me on the next day.

“Similar to Pasar Malam at Peninsular.” I said. “It’s just the market here is so huge that might take time to walk to every corner of the market.”

Kuching Talk 4 : "Cat City"

The name of the city, Kuching, is derive from the Malay word kucing, meaning Cat and many refer to Kuching as the "Cat City".

I don't really sure about that, but I keep asking Paidi, when the first time he drove me to this city.

"Mana Kucing ? Mana Kuching ?" (In malay word, meaning : where are those cats)

Paidi smiles at me," Nah, see there..the Cat that welcome you to Kuching."

Well, we are talking about Cat Statues which located at Kuching City. If you are Amazing Race's follower, you should have seen those Cat Statues before.

The first Cat Statue located the roundabout beside the fire station and entrance to the Chinatown. This will be the Cat Statue that I always meet and say "Hi, morning !" when I enter to Chinatown for breakfast, buy newspaper, laundry and etc



Second Cat Statue located toward the end of Chinatown of Jalan Padungan and around those clubbing districts, such as MOJO, Ipanema, Grappa and others.



And the 3rd Cat Staue shall be next to Kuching Waterfront areas, surrounding by Sarawak Plaza, Tun Jugah, Riverside Majestic Kuching, Hilton Hotel and others.

Kuching Talk 3 : Santubong - Sarawak Cultural Village and Damai Puri Resort and Spa

20/09/2009, 1st day of Hari Raya,

“To visit Santubong ?"

That morning, I keep asking myself on the above question during breakfast time when I was having dim sum at Jalan Padungan, Chinatown area. (oh.. so miss the dim sum located at Jalan Ipoh and Sri petaling.)

The way of Restaurant in Kuching serve the dim sum quite difference if compared with peninsular. Well, I was sitting there, as what we usually do in peninsular, we just waiting for them to carry various dim sum or dishes from table to table for us to choose. But, Kuching is somehow different.

“Can you please bring some dim sum over here ?” I asked the girl when she come to get order for drinks.

“Sorry, you need to go to the food stalls there and select ?” she answered me.

“Huh..?” I look at her, still a bit uncertain.

“Yes, just over there” She said. “After you have selected the dim sum, we will send it over to your table.”

“Ok”. I walked over there and did some selection of dim sum that display on the stalls.



I have decided to drive to Santubong after the breakfast.

With the map drawn by Goh and road side signs that show “Damai / Santubong”, I have a very safe drive until Santubong. It took 45 minutes drive from Kuching, or around 30km distance from Kuching.

I drove direct toward to Damai Puri Resort and Spa. Damai beach is Kiching’s nearest public beach. There is a small section of beach which is free to use by the public. Goh has told me the beach at Damai has nice sand but the water is not particularly clear. “East coast of peninsular shall be much better.” Goh said.

I do agreed with him. However, the Damai Puri Resort have very nice hard and soft landscaping works. The pool, Spa, the beach, the benches and umbrella make it an ideal place to stay in for relaxing. My friend, wong has confirmed to visit kuching on October, may suggest him to stay here for his holiday.



Next destination is Sarawak Cultural Village, just 5 minutes walk from Damai Puri Resort. Entrance fees, RM60.00 for adult.

As described by it’s brochure … Sarawak Cultural Village is Living Museum with a difference and a world class cultural paradise. The finest “living mussem” in Southest Asia. Sarawak Cultural Village combines history, traditional, lifestyle and architecture with a dash of education and a portion of theatre, to create a unique multi-cultural extravaganza.

Seven unique traditional houses, scattered over a beautiful 17 acre site, give the prefect introduction to Sarawak, its people and its cultures.

After paying the entrance fees, I was given a “Passport” and my journey start from Bidayuh Longhouse.

1. Bidayuh Longhouse.


2. Iban Longhouse.



3. Orang Ulu Longhouse.


4. Penan Hut.


5. Melanau Tall House


6. Malay Town House


7. Chinese Farm House


It was a pleasant walk journey and I managed to collect all village stamps on the “Passport”. I left around 3.30pm and did not wait for the cultural dances which will start from 4.00pm to 4.45pm.

On the way back to Kuching, I have stopped at Kampung Buntal, 17km from kuching, due to the famous fresh seafood as told by Goh and highly recommended by SK as well. I entered Teo Seafood which located at riverside and ordered Prawn, Cuttlefish and vegetable for me alone.



This will be my second meals after the morning dim sum and I managed to finish all the great fresh seafood in Chinese style and it cost me RM 29.40 including rice and drink. Well, I need to rush back to BDC, Kuching for swimming session after the heavy seafood. LOL