Come go Niah

After doing research, i found that Niah caves is a good place for vacation. I believe that some people might know Niah caves from friends, newspaper or school text book(history) but never come to there. In here, i got a chance to introduce all about Niah caves.  I believe that it is certainly one of the most important and unusual attractions to visitors.

Niah caves is located within the district of Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia. The cave is an important prehistorical site where human remains dating to 40,000 years have been found. This is the oldest recorded human settlement in east Malaysia.More recent studies published in 2006 have shown evidence of the first human activity at the Niah caves from ca. 46,000 to ca. 34,000 years ago Painted Cave, situated in a much smaller limestone block of its own, some 150 meters from the Great Cave block's south eastern tip, has rock paintings dated as 1,200 years old. The caves are also well known for the bird nest (Swiftlet) industry. It is a popular tourist destination in Sarawak.

There got some items that can be  found at Niah Caves. For example Pleistocene chopping tools and flakes, Neolithic axes, adzes, pottery, shell jewellery, boats, mats, then iron tools and ceramics. But, the most famous item can be found in the cave is the human skull dated at around 38,000 years BCE.

Annah Rais Longhouse

Today, i will like to talk about the Annah Rais Longhouse. Annah Rais Longhouse is a Bidayuh longhouse that located at Padawan District(the outside of Kuching), approximately 60km away from Kuching city. From Kuching city go to Annah Rais Longhouse will take around one and half hour drive. Although the journey take very long time to arrived but visitors will not feel bored because they will be amazed by the scenic countryside view. Like the beautiful mountain range, limestone hill, paddy field, palm oil plantation and.......

Before entering the longhouse, visitors will like to pay for entrance fee to entrance. The entrance fee is RM8 per person for adult and RM5 per person for children. This collected by the village's committee as community fund that will be used to maintain the Annah Rais Longhouse original structure and perserve the Bidayuh's cultures. Visitors are advice arrived early because the activities will start  from 10am. Besides, you will found the second longhouse that called Mr Edward Gunui at door no.71 inside the Annah Rais Longhouse.

In additions, I will like to suggest some transport to go to there. After doing some research, I found that taxi is  the only public transport to go to there.This is because, Annah Rais Longhouse is so remote and not many local people will travel to there. So, no bus services serving to there. The only public transport available for visitor is Taxi. Genarally, the local taxi will charge RM90 to RM110 for 1 way transfer from Kuching city to Annah Rais Longhouse. Besides, the other way go to there is rent car. The normal price is RM70 by small private car Perodua kancil, maximum 3 adult; or by 10-seater van at RM120.

During the trip at longhouse ,visitors, specifically visitors from oversea, they will know about the traditional way to live. Like way to cook, way to hunt and culture. As we know that, different culture has different custom. I believe that the knowledge that learn from this trip, actually can't found from text book or learn from school.

H-O-M=E

Take me go back home,

I miss my home,

No matter how far you are,

I still will back home.

Home is where  your growth,

Home is where your feel peacefully,

Home is where your gain love,

Home is where your feel safe,

Home is where your take you rest.

A home with a TV,

A TV that I can watch,

As long as I want,

A home full with food,

Those food that I miss,

I will try my best,

Get them all in my stomach.

My home is where my family are,

A place they waiting for me,

to bring success back.

Home have all of these good things,

No where as warm as home,

 Home like a heaven,

I like my home and I really like you.

Continue for Kuching trip

  CITY  LIFE                                                                                               

1.Kuching Waterfront

• The Waterfront, now transformed into a landscaped esplanade, was an important place in the founding of Kuching. Take a leisurely stroll along the Waterfront to explore its historical buildings and admire the modern sculptures, open-air theatre and the musical fountains. While doing so, imagine the scene back in 1839, when English adventurer James Brooke first landed here and created history in Sarawak. 

2. Tua Pek Kong Temple

• The oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak, the Tua Pek Kong Temple is believed to have been around since 1843 although official records only recognised its existence in 1876. One of the city's prominent landmarks, the Chinese pay homage to the Tua Pek Kong deity here for peace and prosperity. This temple is situated at the traffic light junction near Jalan Bazaar.

3.India Street Mall

• Along India Street, which is designated as a pedestrian walkway, are a variety of shophouses trading colourful textiles, clothing, crockery and other essentials in a manner which has not changed much in the past decades. Bargaining is very much a way of life here.

  HISTORICAL  BUILDING                                                                    

1.Sarawak Steamship Building 

 

• #Built in 1930, this was previously the office and warehouse of the Sarawak Steamship   Company.Extensively restored, its now houses a restaurant, a fast food outlet and a convenience store. 

 
   2.Square Tower

• It was built in 1879, the same year Fort Margherita on the opposite bank of the river was erected. Originally, it was used as a prison, and it even had dungeons. Then, it was turned into a fortress, and even into a dance hall.

3.The Court House

• The Court House was built in 1874 to bring together all government offices and be the venue for all state ceremonies. State council meetings were held here from the fifth council meeting in 1878 until 1973. Befitting its status, this is an impressive building with belian (iron wood) roof and is decorated with beautiful engravings reflecting local art form. It now houses the High Court, the Magistrate's Court and several government departments. Back in 1847, this was originally the site of a missionary which was turned into a judicial administration office. It was demolised in 1858 and two more buildings were put up in its place before the Court House came into being.

4. The Astana

• The Astana which lies in regal splendor across the river, is a majestic building with romantic history. The second Rajah, Charles Brooke, built this palace in 1870 as a bridal gift for his wife, the Ranee Margaret. Then known as the Government House, it is actually three separate buildings fused into one, with each connected to the other by short and narrow passageways. First occupied by Charles Brooke in 1870, it was the private residence of the second Rajah. It has undergone substantial alterations and renovations and is today the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the Governor of Sarawak. 

5. Fort Margherita

• Completed in 1879, Fort Margherita commands a breathtaking and strategic position along the Sarawak River, with a location chosen to overlook the long stretch of river approaching Kuching. Named after the second Rajah, Charles Brooke's wife, the Ranee Margaret, it was built in the defensive edifice/castle style of the late English renaissance. Fort Margherita has been converted into a Police Museum and many of its old cannons, cannon balls, guns, pistols, swords and other vestiges of its artillery can still be seen. The armoury still exists as does the condemned prisoner's cell. The Police Museum has a display of old police weapons, reconstructed opium dens and scenes of hanging and other forms of criminal punishment

 6.Round Tower

• Constructed in 1886, the reason for the building of the Round Tower remains a mystery. Because of its structure, it is claimed the building was meant to serve as a fort in an emergency. Instead it became the Dispensary and was then used by the Labour Department until 1980. It now houses a section of the Judicary department. In earlier days, the Round Tower was strategically located to provide an excellent view of the town.

 
  MUSEUMS                                                                             


1.Cat Museum

• The Cat Museum at the Kuching North City Council is the world's first museum devoted to cats. Here you can find a large range of exhibits of cats including pictures, books, souvenirs and etc.

 

 2.Chinese History Museum

 

• Located at the Waterfront, this museum is devoted to the Chinese community of Sarawak. It exhibits the routes of early trading, migration from various provinces of China, early pioneers, trading formation, political history and Chinese associations.

 3.Sarawak Museum

•  Originally built in 1891 to house and display arts and crafts of the indigenous people of Borneo, the Sarawak Museum has gained a reputation for having the single most comprehensive collection of Borneon artefacts to be found anywhere. After extensive extensions, the Sarawak Museum now straddles both sides of Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, with both buildings connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge. The original 1891 building was designed in style of a Normandy town-house and was extended to its present structure in 1911. The new wing, just across the road, was built in the 1970s and has a reconstruction of life in the prehistoric Niah Caves. 

Kuching, Sarawak

  INTRODUCTION                                                   

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia's largest state situated on the island of Borneo. Kuching  is one of the most interesting cities in Southeast Asia, and one  of the  most rewarding travel destinations in Malaysia. Its rich and varied architectural heritage mixes many styles and influences, whilst the relaxed hospitality of its charming citizens is an object lesson in multi-cultureless. It is also the perfect base for discovering Sarawak's interior.

Kuching's name is originated from many sources. In the Malay language, Kuching means cat. Some sources say that Kuching originated from the Chinese word "Gu Chin" which means harbour. Another source says that Kuching is named after a lychee like fruit called Mata Kuching (Cat's eye).

In the city, there is a river separating the north and the south called the "Sarawak River". Riding a sampan along the Sarawak River is an unforgettable experience. From the river, you can get a spectacular view of the Malay Kampungs (Villages) with a gorgeous mountainous background. You also get to see a far distant view of the 19th century Chinese shop houses, the Malay mosque, the square tower and the attractive Margherita Fort.

The narrow, bustling streets near the river are crammed with ornate temples, markets, historic buildings and traditional Chinese shop houses selling local handicrafts. Nearby is the Sarawak Museum with its beautiful gardens and the park built round the old town reservoir.

Kuching also lays claim to nine museums, many within walking distance of each other. Besides, there also got many temples. For example old Chinese temple. The temple was Brooke era buildings, with unique architecture, waterfront park, observation towers and museums.

     HISTORY                                                                                      

Kuching has a long history as a trading centre which, over the centuries has brought people from various countries to settle in the area. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Europeans and others have joined the many indigenous groups of the region to create a city which a rich and unique cultural heritage. Before the 19th century, Sarawak was a typical Malay principality under the control of the Sultan of Brunei. Sarawak was peaceful place. However, there were some tyrant officers (Sultan Representatives) from Brunei. Many Sarawakians were forced to pay high tax and local officers were sacked without any reason. These caused a large demonstration against the Brunei Empire. James Brooke, a rich English Adventurer was asked by the Sultan of Brunei to stop the demonstration in Sarawak. The demonstrators were no match to James Brooke's hatch, the Royalist. As a sign of appreciation, the Sultan of Brunei appointed James Brooke as Governor of Sarawak. James Brooke requested British Navy assistance to protect his position. He then chased out all Sultan Brunei's officers from Sarawak. With anger, the Sultan of Brunei tried to stop James Brooke but Brooke attacked the Sultan first. The Sultan was forced to sign an agreement and Sarawak was fully handed over to Brooke. From then onwards, James Brooke became the first English Rajah of Sarawak. The arrival of James Brooke, who become the first English Rajah of Sarawak, marked the beginning of Kuching as an important administrative centre and consolidated its role as a port. His successor, Charles Brooke, 1868-1917, was responsible for many of the historic buildings still associated with the waterfront. Since 1963 when Sarawak became part of the Federation of Malaysia, Kuching has changed and developed into a flourishing modern city.

Agriculture Park

Malaysian Agricultural Park is located in Shah Alam . There are many gardens in this park amongst which are the Spice Garden, Ornamental Garden, Orchid Garden, Cactus Garden, Bamboo Garden and Mushroom Garden. The park is unique because people come here to either explore, or for recreation. One of the  reasons to why the park is visited by many is because of the many activities that is in store for the visitors. Services provided are live demonstrations, cultural exhibits, accomodation, permanent displays and descriptions, and activities for educational purposes.

    Operating hours of the park:8:30 am-4:30pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
       +It is closed on Mondays except when Monday is a public or school holiday.

               Entrance fees :RM 3 per adult , RM1 per child