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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Kampung Benuk Bidayuh Longhouse, Sarawak

This Kampung Benuk Longhouse is just a short drive approximately 20minutes past the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre ( the Orang Utan Centre ). Stay on the same road once you get out of the centre and you do not turn off at all and you will come to Kampung Benuk. There are signs everywhere so do not be afraid.

Before entering the longhouse, one must pay an entrance fee of RM5 to enter the longhouse and wander around it. When I went, there weren't any people around at the visitor centre so I just helped myself in. Top is the entrance to the longhouse.

These are authentic longhouses so it is more realistic to see this than the cultural village.

There are still a few families living here but it's strange to see them watching tv with astro, playing PS ,and blasting their music with Hi-Fi!

The bamboo walk way. Very dependable n strong!

Upclose look of the bamboo path. i couldn't stop wondering how people then could make such strong long house!

This is the view of the village. Very simple n peaceful. Snakes and wild animals definitely won't be able to get up to this high long houses...

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre) , Sarawak

About 25 kilometres from Kuching , there is a small town named Padungan. This rehabilitation centre is just outside of this town. It is not a zoo showcasing Orang Utan in captivity but in the wild.This amazing centre was established back in 1975 with the main purpose is to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wild animals taken out from the jungles all over Sarawak. It's about 5km from Jong's Crocodile Farm. So, one can visit these places in a day.
This is the main gate to the centre. Entrance fee per person is RM3. We are allowed to drive into the centre. Otherwise, be prepared to walk a few kilometre distance to the main feeding ground.

A car park is provided to park your car. There will be a little bit of walking to do to get to the feeding ground. These trees are where the Orang Utan build their nests. Look like big birdnests!!


I am standing there looking at the map and timetable of the feeding hours of the exotic animals, On behalf of the centre, I would like to inform you that the feeding times are 9,00-10,00am and 3.00-3.30pm. Sightings of Orang Utan are not guaranteed even during feeding time. One may leave with disappointment even after a few hours of waiting.
I feel so proud standing there! I think I am doing something great in helping in preserving the wildlife...

I was so lucky as I went there not during the feeding hours and still able to catch a long glimpse of it. So adorable and Orang Utan really looks like ORANG ( human in Malaysia language). Beware and not to get too close to them as they can be very dangerous and ferocious and were known to attack people trying to protect themselves and their youngs.

Even though I only managed to see one Orang Utan, I am very satisfied.

A souvenir shop is just next to the park if you would like to purchase some gifts for friends and family. The restrooms are there too.

There are many types and species of pitcher plants found in this area. Above's are captured right in front of the restroom area.

These two species were found at the car park. Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a must visit place.

Serikin - Indonesian Border Market, Sarawak


Serikin is a small village at the border between Sarawak and Indonesia. It's about an hour and 10 minutes leisure drive from Kuching town centre. One does not need a passport to pass through the immigration as it's not yet in Indonesia. If you go from Kuching, go to visit Wind Cave and Fairy Cave before going to this market.

We have to cross a bridge before reaching the market..

During the weekends traders from across the border and nearby areas come to offer their wares and produce. They hawk authentic Indonesia sarongs, household items and food ranging from farm produce such as vegetables and fruits to seafood and meats. Along the way are also makeshift roadside markets selling anything from antiques to wild ornamental plants, exotic orchids to equally exotic fruits, local kueh to all types of pulut and fragrant locally grown rice sometimes recently harvested. Most importantly, the famous pepper of Sarawak!
Taking a memorable pic with the local.. There are many people selling homemade medicine, ointment etc. Bags are cheap but only if you know how to bargain!

I love these clocks very much but they are just too big to fit in my luggage to bring back. They are all handmade and you won't find anything like this back in your own world.


Tapioca worms, eat them raw and they will provide you with all the energy you needed for the day of hard work. But I don't need them. According to the locals, they are juicy and delicious.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Jong's Crocodile Farm and Zoo, Sarawak


JONG'S CROCODILE FARM AND ZOO


Jong's Crocodile Farm is situated at 29km Kuching/Serian Highway, a 25 minutes leisure drive from Kuching town centre. It is the largest and the only crocodile breeding farm in Malaysia. One is advised to spend half a day at the farm. We can come face to face with some of the South East Asia's most deadly predators, the saltwater and freshwater reptile - crocodiles.

We arrived at this farm's entrance in the morning and it was an enjoyable and relaxing drive. No traffic jam, no honks and everybody was so friendly. It's not very difficult to get there, it's just by the roadside and there are signs telling you where to go but the best option is to have a GPS with you. The entrance to the farm is quite plain and not attractive but it's one of the most fascinating place that I have ever visited.

There are 2 prices for the tickets. RM16 for tourists (even though you are from West Malaysia) and RM10 for Malaysians (their Malaysians are Sarawakian and Sabahans). I wonder why.. Anyway, it's worth it!


There are huge and deep concrete ponds and natural breeding grounds for the crocodiles to mate and multiply. This farm features thousands of crocodiles that range in size from tiny crocs to ferocious attackers/predators. Top is the adult range.
Besides that, the farm is home to a collection of local and exotic wildlife including birds, monkeys, cats, sun bears, deer, lizards and snakes. This sun bear above is licking and look at its long tongue!!!


A mischievous monkey stole an ice-cream from a little boy and savouring the ice-cream itself! How cute!


A peacock garden is also one of the main attractions there. We can get close to the wild birds in the aviary too. A heaven for birds' lover.

Otters are cute but these otters in this farm are super duper noisy. They are just like babies asking for food and snacks.. We have to give them something to eat to keep them quiet! This one above is stretching its hand out asking for something to eat.

Wild boars are very rare in zoo but we can spot a few in this Crocs farm aka zoo.. Strong animals..

This is an Araipama Pond. Araipama is a giant freshwater fish from South Amarica. It is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, reportedly with a maximum length in excess of 16 ft. and weight up to 200kg. After looking at all the animals, we can sit under the shading, watching the Giant Fish swim randomly, large plantation of lotus will bring you completely relaxation. What a beautiful acre of pond!

Within this farm and zoo lies a piece of naturally reserved rainforest where visitors can have the enchanting experience of walking freely along a high legged timber made walk path. At the bottom of these walk paths are lots of giant crocs but do not worry, they are incapable in reaching us. Good safety rules and precautions. Thumbs up!


This is ‘Bujang Sudin’. It is a giant crocodile from Sri Aman, Sarawak. He has been captured by a group of villagers after attacking their cows and poultry several times. It is approximately 18ft in length and 80 years in age and is kept in an individual pond. What a snob!

This was captured while walking on the walk path in the jungle reserve forest. This particular croc has a bent nose..and it's white in colour.

On the way out from the museum, we must go to visit the museum. It has all the history about some of the crocodiles captured and sent to this farm. Some are man-eaters.

The process of eggs hatching.


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Fairy Cave , Bau , Sarawak

FAIRY CAVE

Fairy Cave is a very beautiful limestone cave and it's very near to another famous cave (Wind Cave). It's only 22km from the capital of Sarawak, Kuching in the town Bau - a former gold mining town. The cave takes its name from a stalagmite structure at the entrance that is said to resemble a Chinese deity, Kuan Yin. Above is the entrance to the staircase that leads to the cave's entrance. I'll become a fairy after this this adventure!

No way I would climb this steep stairs to get to the cave about 5 storey high. Long time ago, people used to climb this to get to the top! Unbelievable! Pay me a million and I still wouldn't climb it! My life is worth more than that!

This is the modern stairs that people use nowadays to get to the cave. It's 5 storeys high. Very tiring but worth it..

The last flight of staircase to climb to the cave's entrance.

The view from the top. Don't look so promising and been wondering why it's called fairy cave..
Another steep , wooden , slippery stairs to the cave..My legs were shivering and so weak that I wanted to give up climbing up and going down...

The first view, great great view. I felt like I was in a fairy world! Could only see this in movie! I didn't regret all the weaknesses I had been feeling!
The best is at the top...Go and have a look yourself. Great exploration and no regret!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Gua Angin (Wind Cave) in Bau , Sarawak

Gua Angin ( also known as Wind Cave or cave of the wind ) is situated about 45minutes from Kuching town centre. It is also very near to Fairy cave and Sarikei (Sarawak-Indonesian market) It's in a town called Bau and it is a very popular and famous tourist attraction in Sarawak. I think it receives its name from the draught of air which passes through the passage.
To get to the cave, one have to pay RM3 as entrance fees. Well, and another RM3 for renting a torchlight. So the advice is that those who want to visit Sarawak and exploring its cave, please bring along a torchlight! There will be a bit of walking but it's acceptable. Not advisable to wear heels. Sandals, slippers and trainers are ok.

There are 3 entrances to the cave. There are maps all over and it is very well maintained making the walking enjoyable. But it is very very dark inside the cave so be very careful when you walk.

The wooden passage is very strong and it's totally out of my expectation as they only collect RM3!
The look from inside one of the entrance. Rubbish bins are provided all over the cave.
This is called the light from the sky. The light penetrates through a small hole of the cave. It's very dark inside but this picture is taken with a flash.
The major features of the cave include the stalagmites and stalactites, and pillars which form when these two join together. These are all common calcite formations. The minor features include floor cavities, pendants and current scallops. The limestone of the cave is pale grey or blue in colour and is fine-grained. Deposits of clay as well as thin layers of guano or rock phosphate are found throughout the cave.

Beautiful~
Birdnest in one of the bats' hole. Bloody red in colour and makes me wonder why?
Stream erosion is evident by the smooth horizontal grooves in the floor and scalloped walls of the passages. These current scallops have a honeycomb appearance and indicate the direction of the flow of water.

And lastly, lots and lots of bats inside...be prepared for a great adventure!!

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