Kuching city is the capital of the sarawak region and the biggest city in the Eastern Malaysia . In Malay language Kuching meaning Cat . In this part of the world people are such a fan of cat that they build a whole museum on cat inside the city . This city is situated in the Borneo island and It was established by the borneo king in1827 . Kuching has lots of museum and the riverfront of the sarawak river is very beautiful . This river makes lots of delta island and mangrove forest before meeting to the sea . Wood curving by the Bidayuh people are really excellent in this part of the world .
penang to kuching flight :
I come here by flight from the Penang city . You can also get flight from the Kuala lumpur and malacca city towards here . Sarawak has some stringent rules which has to be followed by Foreigners as well as the Malaysian people also . When you come in sarawak you have to book a return ticket to peninsular malaysia or onward journey tickets to another country . Also you have to go through the immigration .
I don’t know that matter so When I went to check-in with my airlines , they asked me for the return ticket . Frankly speaking , I don’t have any return ticket , so . I have to book a return ticket on the spot towards the peninsular malaysia . I talked to some western foreigners , they said they are not asked for a return ticket . Might be for the weak Indian passport they asked for the return flight ticket . Now a days there is only air connectivity between the peninsular Malaysia and the Sarawak Malaysia . Previously there was passenger ships but now not available .
Kuching at a glance :
Public transport is almost non existent in the Kuching city . You will get very few buses and they are very infrequent . Mostly I saw public buses running without any passengers . In this city only reliable mode of transport is the online cab booking . I was going to book a online taxi , on that moment I meet somebody who is also going on that same way . so he give me lift almost towards my hotel . They are associated with the CPH travels . It is one of the oldest and premium travel agency in Kuching . At my first glance , it looks like , this city has much less population density than the peninsular Malaysia cities . People are more relaxed and talked to strangers also . It also has large buildings inside the city . Here chines influence is more than Indian .
After that finally , I reached to my hostel , but there is no receptionist so , I have to wait very long . One thing I have to say that hostel doors are only unlocked by the digital keys . The Hostel room is very big and cost 20 RM per bed . It was a gigantic 20 bed mixed dorm with kitchen and washing machine also .
Sarawak Water front :
After taking rest , in the afternoon I started to visit the city . The city is very beautiful and the river front is very nice and clean . Lots of people walk in the morning and evening in this area . This area is a heritage area and you can see also some heritage buildings . Boating in the Sarawak river is a popular activity and boats are racing against you . Opposite side of the river there is Sarawak Parliament and two sides of the river is connected by a Darul Hana Bridge .
This bridge have some unique shape and in the middle there is some sitting area . If you climb in this bridge , you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city and nearby landscape . Beside this bridge there is lots of street food vendors . There is lots of Barbique Shop also . Now I started to come back towards my hostel . On that way you can find some of the handicraft shops .
Handicraft Shops :
This handicraft shops sells different items made of bamboo and woods by the tribal people . There is mainly statues and masks of different sizes and also some house hold items . There is also lots of jewellery made by the local people . I buy a flute which have a unique bird’s chirp . There is also local dresses and some vendors selling different handicraft items .
Street food in Kuching :
Kuching is famous for it’s street food like Penang . In the Evening some streets were completely closed for the street food vendors . This streets are such crowed that it looks like “Mela” in our country . Mostly foods were chines . Here first time I see such a variety of chines foods . In a shop there might be 10 types of fruit and milk cold drink . This street starts from Tua Pek Kong Temple toward the Sarawak Water front . On this place if you are lucky , may also seen some chines cultural performances . I see the dragon dance . It is really mesmerizing . 5-10 people go inside a cover and they dance in a rhythm , so it looks like a living dragon .
Museum in Kuching :
Borneo Cultural Museum :
Borneo Cultural museum is the largest museum in the city of Kuching . In this museum has a large auditorium and which will be used for dance and music . It has specific exhibition on the Craftsmanship .
Now a days sarawak museum has been shifted to this building . It has rich collection of the History of the Land .
I don’t went inside because it is very expensive . For foreigner it cost RM 50 .
Sarawak Islamic Heritage Museum :
This is a free Museum . On that museum you can learn the history of the Islam and also how it spread in the Sarawak region . They have a very big Quran inside this museum .
They have different pots used during the earlier days of the Borneo kingdom . Lots of dresses and other thing were preserved here .
Cat Museum :
This is the Unique museum I have seen in my lifetime . This museum is situated little far from the main town and situated on a hill top . This museum is totally dedicated toward the Cats , their behavior and human interaction .
In front of the Gate there is a small pool where you can see different colored fish . After you enter this museum you will be given a key ring , where a small cat is presented .
Inside the Museum there is different statues of cats by different material and in different mood . You can see lots of pictures of cat . There is also a gallery presenting human interaction with the cat picturing famous personality with their pet cat .
Entry to this museum is free but there is a charge of 3 RM for entering with camera .
Orchid Park :
This is one of the best place , I visited in the Kuching city . It is situated in the part of the river where the Parliament building is situated . In this park you can see lots of flower plant which are mainly found in this region . Some flowering plants were kept in the green house for blossom . In this park , you can found some huge trees which are more than 50 meter in height .
Price : Entry to park is free .
Tua Pek Kong Temple:
This temple is the oldest temple in the Kuching city . It was established in the year 1839 . This is a temple of taoism . Beautiful curving were made on the rock surface of the temple wall .
I noticed some people of burning some specific types of papers . When I asked them they said , they are sending their message to the god by this way .
Gateway to Borneo Rain Forest :
Kuching is the entry point to the Rain forest of Borneo . I traveled from kuching to miri by Busasia . It cost 110 RM for the 892 KM route and takes almost 16 hours . In this journey you can see the countryside of Malaysia . Both side of the road is full of Palm trees . You can also reach Indonesian side of the rainforest from the Tebedu- Entikong border which is hardly 100 km . From Kuching city you get flight toward Miri and Mulu . Mulu is the famous for it’s caves .
Summary :
Kuching is the capital and the biggest city in the Sarawak , Malaysia . It is also the Gateway to the Borneo Rain Forest . Kuching city has lots of Museum and Natural park . Sarawak Riverfront and street food are the places to hang out in the city . Wood curving of the Bidayuh people are really you should not miss . When you come to Sarawak Malaysia you must have a return ticket to peninsular Malaysia or onward ticket to another country . People are very friendly and welcoming in Sarawak and you have a pleasant time here .
