#tanahairku Murals in Kuching

My last post of the year 2015. Introduce these beautiful murals in Kuching to you. In September this year, I drove through Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street. There were skylifts parked on roadside at three different locations. Noticed they were doing the paintings, their artworks look so stunning. The colours are so eye-catching. I couldn't stop admiring at their murals. Each piece is a masterpiece. If you travel to Kuching city, remember to lift your head higher for these beauties.


The hornbill mural




The children mural




The leaping feline mural




Out of topic, just found the "signboards" so antique.




This alley and the stretch street is called Bishopsgate Street. There is one church at upper hill. In history the bishops usually came out for grocery, they walked on this path so it got its name from there.




2015 is going to an end. Wish you all have a wonderful countdown celebration. Happy new year to you all!

Night Market @ Siniawan Old Town 新尧湾老街夜市, Kuching

I have to admit that I am outdated for some famous attractions in Kuching. Siniawan night market is one of them. Despite it was launched in 2010, I never been there until last month. Shame on me. If you are keen to know more about the history of Siniawan town, you may click the links below:

History of Siniawan
Transformation of Siniawan

Siniawan night market is only available on weekends. Friday to Saturday, from 6pm to 11pm. Sunday, from 4pm to 11pm. It took me about 35 - 40 minutes drive to get there from my place. This place surprised me in many ways, there has variety of food, the karaoke activities, and the historical shops. The atmosphere is very unique and nostalgic.






This small town has 48 wooden shops in total. The street is not too long stretch. Two straight rows of shoplot, the middle walkway is vacant for tables. There are quite a number of stalls selling similar food. I found BBQ pork, fried chicken wings, grilled seafood, fresh veges and fruits, kuih-muih, dumplings, Taiwanese sausage, fried you cha kueh, okonomiyaki 大阪燒, ABC ice kacang, sotong kangkong, rojak, etc.





You can enjoy the live karaoke entertainment by evergreen singers. Most of them can sing very well!




Saw this stall selling Okonomiyaki 大阪燒 and yakitori.




This stall selling you cha kueh with different flavours of spreads. Selections of choice: Plain, chicken floss with mayonnaise, kaya with butter, mayonnaise with butter, sausages with mayonnaise, and peanut with butter.




The you cha kueh is freshly made on spot.




This shop is still keeping the old glass display cabinets. It looks so 60s!




My favourite chicken wings! I bought the plain and hong zao (红糟) chicken wings. 4 pcs for RM10.




Wooden signboard!




Most shops are still using the wooden door. This shop is keeping it perfectly well.




My friend and I have tried the ABC, chicken wings, you cha kueh (peanut with butter) and okonomiyaki. Both of us preferred the chicken wings the most.








The food and drinks are priced reasonably.  I was tempted to have the BBQ 3 layer pork as it was highly recommended by my friend. But after stuffing our stomach with the food we bought, we didn't have room to eat any extra bit. Reserve it for my next visit!

Ff you are interested to spend a night at Siniawan, there is one homestay available. The room rate for different types of room is as shown below:





This night market is amazing. But for tourists, the location is quite inconvenient for them to get there by bus. Perhaps it would be good to provide a shuttle bus service in the future.

Jungle Ferns & Fruits Available in Sarawak

At Medan Satok Niaga, you can see many exotic fruits and jungle products. Introduce some of it first and update from time to time later when I visit market again. Not all are available in the market at all time, some depend on the harvest season.


Salak - Snake Fruit




Buah Keranji Madu - Velvet Tamarind (Dialum Indum)




Different grades of Dabai (black olive). Dabai lovers know how to differentiate the grade. To choose the good grade of Dabai, its skin has to be thin and meaty.






There are three types of jungle ferns available in the market (as I noticed). This is the hairy ferns. If you are interested to try, you can have it at The Dyak or Dayak Ruai.






We call this "Paku".




This is "Midin". The cheaper midin bundle has more full bloomed young leaves which tastes not as great as the curled leaves.  




If you buy midin at the supermarket, one bundle costs RM5.




To be updated from time to time.

A Walk at Kuching Waterfront

After having Ah Yong ABC, I had a walk at Waterfront. Living in Kuching for so long, I rarely visit tourist areas. Most of the time move around vicinity of the area I stay.

Standing at the middle of Waterfront walk. North side to RiverBank Suites and Grand Margherita Hotel.




VMY2014, Visit Malaysia Year 2014




The first time I noticed the existence of embedded metal plate with the history of waterfront walk.




There are 4 ways of cruising Sarawak River.

1. Sarawak River Cruise, the most expensive one: Adult RM60, Child RM30. Package includes 1.5 hours of cruising, cultural performance, live commentary of iconic landmarks and light refreshments. Departs daily from 5.30pm to 7.00pm.








2. Sarawak Traditional Boat Cruise. Adult RM19, Child RM9. 1 hour duration. Departs daily from 10.00am to 6.00pm. They have 3 types of boat: Iban Long Boat, Malay Sampan and Orang Ulu Boat. Hmm.. I can't see much difference. Most of the sampan boats use motor now.






3. Sarawak Electric Cruise Boat. RM25 per pax. Speed might be faster than the traditional boat. The banner didn't state the departure time table and cruising duration.






One of the waterfront landmarks, Square Tower. Opposite across the road is Old Court House.




4. The cheapest way to cruise across Sarawak River: Sampan boat one way RM0.40 per pax.




Across Sarawak River, you can visit Astana and Fort Margherita. Built by second White Rajah, Charles Brooke. I should take a visit next time.





Scenery of Kuching Waterfront




There are a number of hawker stalls along the walk. I was tempted to have the roti John.

Medan Niaga Satok aka Sunday Market, Kuching

Sunday market is used to be our favourite place to shop during weekend in college years. It was located at Satok initially, last year they relocated to Kubah Ria, over Satok bridge. We like the open concept of Sunday Market at Satok. Despite the hot sun, we enjoy walking through stalls and shop. Every vendor has the tent, selling different stuff. Normally what attracted me to Sunday Market is Apam Balik, flower pots, puppies and veges with cheaper price.

There are different categories: kuih-muih, vegetables, fruits, chicken, salted eggs and fish, fresh eggs, fish, beef, gardening, pets, hardware, apparels and accessories, magazines and newspapers, coconut and drinks, etc. You won't find it boring, the local food will entice you to buy. Beginning of year 2013, every vendor was forced to move to new weekend market at Kubah Ria. Concrete and mortar buildings are ready for the vendors and easier for the patronages to mobilize at ease. But I still prefer the old Sunday market.. the atmosphere can't be duplicated.

My mum came to town the other day, she loves orchid plants. So I brought her there because that's the source we can get orchid plants from in Kuching. Apparently it's not as merit like last time. Below is the photos of our weekend market at Kubah Ria.