Destinations: Kuching

Kuching: The Door to Borneo’

Text by SHAHIDA SAKERI Images by GAYA TRAVEL MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHY UNIT

Kuching is a beautiful city, proudly boasting a harmonious blend of colonial influences with a unique Borneo identity evidenced through architecture, food, lifestyle and languages of its natives. Here, English is widely spoken by locals besides Sarawak Malay and other ethnic tongues. In fact, most Kuchingites speak at least two other languages besides their mother tongue. These people have been living harmoniously and easily assimilated with other cultures without losing their identity – a lovely way of life that makes Gaya Travel team members personally find Kuching inspiring.

To really understand what Kuching is all about, we recommend travellers to consider the following experiences:

» Find peace at Homestay Kampung Melayu Tebakang (Facebook: Homestay Kampung Tebakang Melayu)

Unlike an ordinary holiday, a stay at a traditional village like Kampung Melayu Tebakang will whisk travellers off to an oasis of tranquillity and rustic charm. There are 19 homes that participate in this village’s homestay programme, each charging at the starting rate of around MYR100 per night. At Kampung Melayu Tebakang, travellers’ day will be filled with various village activities such as touring the village, cruising along Batang Kayan river, learning how to cook traditional delicacies like ‘Kek Jantung Pisang’ (banana bud-shaped cake) claimed to be the original ‘kek lapis’ (Sarawak layer cake), participating in a traditional Malay wedding ceremony, and plucking fruits if in season.

Tel.: +6 082 874 263 / +6 019 834 3182 (Encik Pathe bin Abdul Rahman)

» Immerse in Bidayuh lifestyle at Homestay Kampung Mongkos (www.right.sarawak.gov.my/ Homestay/Kampung_Mongkos/ introduction.shtml)

Located near the Mongkos River, approximately an hour and a half drive from the Kuching city, there is a traditional longhouse resided by the Bidayuh tribe, which is one of the many indigenous groups living in Borneo. Unlike the Penan tribe, who still hunt and move to a different location after a few days, the Bidayuh are settlers who traditionally live in a communal longhouse in the form of a wooden structure built on stilts with a row of separate family rooms. Everytime the Bidayuh tribe expands, extra rooms can be easily added, making the house lengthier, hence the name longhouse. When arriving at the longhouse as important visitors, old shaman would typically perform a ritual called mipis, believed to chase away evil spirits from harming the residents and guests, followed by residents welcoming the guests.

At this homestay, travellers can appreciate traditional Bidayuh dances such as Langgi Sidandut, Langgi Perang and Langgi Empujon, whereby each one of them are inspired from folktales. As Langgi Aruh is performed, guests are invited to join by stepping across bamboos to a fast rhythm without getting their feet trapped between them – the dance’s deceptively simple steps could become challenging. The best time to visit the longhouse is on the 1 st of June during Gawai or Harvest festival. Rooms are available from MYR60 each per night.

Tel: +6 013 576 4003

» Explore Bako National Park (www.bakonationalpark.com)

Kuching also offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts as it is the land where the endangered proboscis monkeys, orangutans and elusive hornbill can be found. Travellers

can visit Borneo’s tropical rainforests by exploring the national parks within Sarawak, one of them being Bako National Park, located 40 kilometres from Kuching and a mere 45 minutes’ drive to get to Bako National Park jetty, the jump off point to beautiful rock formations, wildlife, hiking trails and breathtaking scenery. The park is only accessible by boat, therefore travellers need to take a half an hour ride from the mouth of Bako River into the South China Sea, then coast along the Telok Assam beach, where the park headquarters is located. Along the way, travellers will get to enjoy taking in the stunning tropical environment and the iconic sea stacks. The fare for oneway boat ride is MYR15 per person for locals and MYR20 per person for foreigners.

Tel: +6 017 885 7798 / E-mail: pbptnbsarawak@gmail.com

» Learn about Sarawak ethnic groups at Sarawak Cultural Village (www.scv.com.my)

Sarawak Cultural Village basically embodies the essence of Sarawak by presenting the multiracial communities and their rich heritage all in one place. That’s why every itinerary to Kuching would not be complete without a

visit here. This living museum is set up to showcase and educate visitors on Sarawak’s major racial groups by enacting their respective lifestyles through food, dance, handicrafts and even favourite pastimes within the replica of their traditional houses. Interestingly, these individuals who enact the lifestyle are actually authentic village residents who represent their tribe and provide real information on their culture, tribe’s history as told by their ancestors and way of life. There are also cultural shows being staged daily at 11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for tourists’ enjoyment.

Travellers are recommended to try the village’s culinary offerings that feature Sarawak’s fine ethnic cuisine ranging from MYR35 to MYR48 per person. The entrance fee to the village is MYR60 per adult and MYR30 per child. Sarawak Cultural Village is also the venue for the internationally acclaimed Rainforest World Music Festival held annually, attracting thousands of music lovers and festival goers from around the world to listen to the best of world music.

Tel: +6 082 846 411

» Participate in team-building activities at Sumiran Eco-camp (Facebook: Sumiran Ecofarm)

A day at the Sumiran Eco-Camp is filled with energy and fun, besides helping to create stronger bond. The Sumiran Eco-camp is a training camp suitable for developing life-skills and doing outdoor activities including flying fox, jungle-trekking, kayaking, futsal and outdoor zumba, including playing futsal while donning batik sarong, which leaves everybody in stitches. The camp could also organise a bonfire and stargazing session.

Tel: +6 010 979 2061 / +6 012 881 1952 / +6 082 645 591 /E-mail: sumiran.ecofarm@facebook.com

This article first appeared in Gaya Travel Magazine Issue 10.4.