Good Vibes at the RWMF 2009

My trip to Kuching this time was mainly for the RWMF 2009, and since this is my first time attending I was naturally quite excited to experience the much-talked about event which is now in its 12th consecutive year and still going strong.

Having decided in advance to attend only Day 2, Saturday, I parted with RM100 for a day ticket, hoping that I would not be too disappointed. (That's the pesky pessimist/cynic/whatever in me talking ;))

A sape carved out of belian wood welcomed everyone at the the entrance.

The queue to enter.

Getting tagged.

My verdict?

I had a great time and thought overall it was a fabulous event. Nothing in the complaints department at all, and anticipating the thousands and thousands of attendees, I could see that a lot of effort and preparation has been put in by the organisers.

For the concert, at around 5:15 pm we staked a spot on the left slope facing both the main stage and Stage 2 (The Tree Stage - because it was built with two big trees through it), although the show only starts at 7:10 pm.

The main stage, and on the left background is the Tree Stage.

X marks the centre? In the background atop the slope is the VIP stand.

That's our 2mx2m orange spot right there.

I had bought a polytarp sheet earlier in the morning as Debbie had advised me to bring a mat so we can sit, chill and enjoy the show. Well, we weren't the only ones there early as evident by the many mats of all sorts already in place before we chose our spot.

Staking their territory with two teeshirts and a bottle of cold Sprite!

Food (very important!):

A wide variety of food and drinks were available and were reasonably priced. In previous years I read and heard grouses about the inflated prices of foods inside the venue, especially since no outside foood and drinks are allowed in. I guess the organisers must have taken heed of the feedback.

For a late lunch I had chicken and beef satay, rojak buah, teh c peng. For dinner (in the middle of the performances) I ventured to the other food mart beside the lake and had a freshly cooked black pepper chicken. Hydration was via water, 100 plus and Diet Coke which warranted a few toilet visits and had to brave the expected queues; at least it was moving.

Celebrity-spotting:

Kenny Sia. View from the back. Haha. Later, I said hello to him and chatted a short while about his marathons.

Astro TV host, Qi, on duty doing coverage.

Cheryl Samad. Anding. No pics.

Some others - I didn't know their names.

Stage Show and Workshop:

Show started on time - I like! Performances were top notch in terms of quality. Sadly, my camera battery went flat so was not able to take pics.

My favourite performers were the Kiwis - Moana and the Tribe - which also featured two Maori warriors. The haka bits were great, their songs thought provoking and entertaining. Kia Ora!

The folksy Jeff and Vida Bluegrass Band were quite entertaining, as with the Malaysian ensemble Akisa with their upbeat pieces. Lan E Tuyang, proudly Sarawak's own, provided the more mellow, reflective moments of the evening, playing soothing intricate tunes from their sapes. Earlier, a dedication was made for their leader and mentor, the late Uchau, who passed on about a week ago.

It was hot and humid, with a refreshing cool breeze later in the evening. Nice! The night before it rained quite a bit; I could imagine there were probably only a hardcore few who were watching the performance sans shelter.

There are a few workshops simultaneously in three venues on each of the days, from 2:00 pm till about 5:15 pm. We stopped by the one at the Iban Longhouse which was on 'instruments that are struck'. I don't know why I thought of percussions, it's actually more on strings? One instrument from Hungary(?) looked like the Chinese erhu, I thought.

Wobbly pic of the Bali troupe.

This man was seated right at the back near one of the doors, sketching the ongoing showcase.

Merchandise:

Only okay I thought. I got myself a white tee at RM25, and noticed later that the nice simple green design was by LimKokWing. However, the quality of the material is low and it's not 100% cotton. For this world-class event, they should be able to come up with better quality stuff, ample time to source around. This is one area where I think the organisers should look into as it's a huge potential revenue stream. Event goers usually are willing to spend money on quality merchandise items. (This reminds me of the RM80 tee that was sold at JM's concert. Too pricey, low quality).

A visitor checking out the tees on sale.

More variety of items can be made available, such as baby tees, stickers/car stickers, small note books/pads, pens, canvas tote bags...

Feedback:

It was a good idea to give away free stuff (either the 10 Year Anniversary CD or a mousepad) to encourage feedback. We just love freebies, don't we :)? However if it weren't for the MC's announcement during the concert I wouldn't have known this. At the exit, a big signage would've helped create more awareness.

Random pic. Nice!

Others :

The World Craft Bazaar was held at the same time near the Melanau House. Although for locals this may seem common, it gives foreign visitors the opportunity to view and learn about our handicrafts.

Beautiful Orang Ulu motifs.

The tattoo booths were a hit - they were still busy working on customers at the time we left at 11 pm! Very brisk business indeed.

Spray-on tattoo at the LimKokWing booth.

Henna tattoo from this lady's booth. The one on her back is in Sanskrit.

The X Pax booth provided a side show for those not interested in attending the workshops. Fire eating! Capoiera! Jamming!

Jamming on the drums.

Audience participation.

His stagename is Pi, short for Api.

I got these boys to line up and pose for me! Haha! They just got their henna tats done.

Tattoos spotted during the festival. This lady had both arms covered.

This may not be the real thing, am not sure.

This is real.

Making a fashion statement. And why not?

I thought, how appropriate.

Thanks to my 'hosts' Debs and Jerry for the company throughout :)

Debbie and Jerry clicking away :)

Will I be back next year?

I'll pencil in the dates.

Holding the Fort at Fort Margherita

Early Saturday morning after a mee kolok breakfast, I decided to take the sampan (perahu tambang) across Sungai Sarawak since I did not manage to do so on the previous trip due to the heavy rain and floods.

Boarding the sampan.

Boat fare was 40 sen per way. You just place your fare on the boat deck where the tuan bot is standing and take your own change, if any. I was surprised that the sampan had a small engine, I thought it was all manual labour ;) No wonder it took less than 5 minutes to reach the other side.

View from inside the sampan.

Alighted at the Kampung Boyan jetty, and walked through the quaint village towards the Fort. It was a short uphill walk, almost got lost once I was on the hill itself as there was no signage to indicate the direction and I missed the turn. I should have trusted my instincts and turned left once I reached the top.

Take the left at Kg Boyan.

The fort is named after Ranee Margaret, the wife of Charles Brooke. It sits regally on a squat hill slope overlooking the mighty triver; an all-white, smallish building built in 1880 to guard the river from pirates then. Reminds of White Castle - remember this fastfood outlet? My favourite in the early 90's back in college.

"White Castle"

The Fort is actually used as a Police and Prison museum, however currently they are carrying out major upgrading works around the fort, maybe ready in a few month's time. So there's no exhibition at all and the rooms are all empty. Too bad this was not made known to tourists, I guess some people would be disappointed to come all the way here and not see anything.

I like old buildings so it was fine with me.

What I liked about the Fort?

The courtyard with cannons.

The view from the roof is beautiful. Although only three floors high up a narrow spiral staircase, looking out to the Kuching skyline on a breezy morning was an experience for me.

Up the spiral staircase.

The door on the rooftop.

Next door is the State Legislative Assembly Hall, also a work-in-progress.

After soaking in the views I went downstairs and the caretaker told me to go have a look at the tengkorak if I dared to. I went, huh, tengkorak? He said, ya, kalau kamu tidak takut tengok, boleh pergi. Kalau takut tengok, jangan pergi.

So, of course I went.

It's located in the outer courtyard where the cannons are. The room with the skull is in the far corner, marked with an image of a white skull on the door.

Ledge leading to the skull room.

As I walked on the wooden ledge towards the room, I suddenly got the jitters. The closer I got to the closed door, the more scaredy cat I became.

This usually spells danger, no?

I hesitated in front of the door, took a deep breath, opened it....

.......looked inside, snapped a picture and closed the door as fast as I could.

Yes, ada tengkorak inside the bakul rotan.

Jeepers creepers. I broke into a small sprint as fast as my legs can take me, away from that door.

Spent some more minutes walking around and taking pictures before calling it a day.

All in all it was a short visit. Recommended and worthwhile only if you like old buildings, and have time to spare in Kuching. Hopefully once the upgrading works are completed it will be a more worthwhile visit.

In the meantime, just experience the sampan ride and enjoy the views :)

Daytripping and Nature Appreciation at Bako

Today was spent at Bako National Park, which is about an hour's bus ride from Kuching.

My day started early when the alarm went off at 6:30 am. Groggily continued to drift in and out of sleep till 7:00 am since I slept late the night before. Got up and got ready, walked to the bus stand to take the 8:00 am No. 6 Petra Jaya bus to Bako.

The bus ride was memorable indeed - a klickety-klank, rickety, bone-rattling experience. It is an old bus, surprisingly with a print-out ticket.

Reached Bako around 9:00 am, then shared a boat to the park which took about 25 minutes. The guest jetty is in a mangrove swamp area, so there are boardwalks till 'mainland' where you had to proceed to the registration office.

Cruising with a view. What's that mountain called?

On the boat.

Approaching the guest jetty.

The boardwalk.

At the counter, you can get a trail map from which you can choose the trail(s) you wish to cover. There's 16 altogether, ranging from 30 mins to a full 8.5 hours full day trek to the other end of the park.

My encounters with nature in pictures:

Bornean Bearded Pig. Reminded me of Pumba.

Long tailed macaques. Extremely daring and cheeky creatures.

I saw a family of 6 proboscis monkeys, jumping from tree to tree.

Quite up close, about 15-2o feet. I was startled at first when I heard the trees rustling. I swear one of them was looking at me in the eye.

A silver leaf monkey ('langur') feeding its baby.

Part of the 5.8km Lintang trail, boardwalk.

The beginning of Teluk Paku trail.

Near Tanjung Sapi trail.

Picturesque.

Another welcome signboard.

It was a hot humid day, I was happy I decided not to trek since I was not wearing proper footwear - only flip flops :).

Had lunch at the Kerangas Cafe around noon and later walked around some more while waiting for our boat to pick us up at 3 pm. Twice I was mistaken as a guide and park staff, probably because I was wearing a Bako Park wide brimmed hat I bought at the park shop. Haha. I should stop wearing clothes in khaki and grey.

I noticed there was this family wearing colour coordinated clothes - very fashionable yet tasteful - white, and green khaki pants for the mum, jungle fatigues for the son, white and khaki cargos for the dad, each person complete with designer looking bags, hats and shades. Wow, I was impressed. And somehow they didn't look out of place.

While walking and feeling excited about seeing the proboscis monkeys up close, I was daydreaming about how nice it is to be around beautiful nature all the time like this and to share your knowledge; the best thing was to become a tour guide. Can't be that difficult, no?

Then, suddenly, I saw something moving in the grass - a small brown, stripey snake slithered in front of me. I suppressed a shriek (came out like a squeak) and literally jumped back a few steps.

My daydream of becoming a tour guide vapourised instantly along with all the feel-good feeling of being in one with nature.

Alas, maybe I am not meant to be.

Twelve Things in Singapore..And Maybe Then Some

Spent the last 4 days down in the Lion City, Singapore.

And right now I am in Kuching for the RWMF; decided to bring my laptop this time to catch up with updating my blogs which I have deliberately not done while I was away :)

Singapore - affectionately known as SG, Sings, Singers etc - did not disappoint, and did not impress me that much either.

Having made no specific plans prior, I planned each day only after having my breakfast at the hostel I stayed-in in Little India.

A wobbly pic of my bunk bed at the InnCrowd Backpackers Hostel 2, at 73 Dunlop Street.

What I did :

(i) Got my fortune told twice.

The first was by this Indian man and his parrot (budgies?) along Serangoon Road. I got the Lord Murugan card, which is supposed to be good. Things are supposedly not too smooth for me, however eventually all will turn out well, and I will need take care of my health. And if I wanted to emigrate, South and East are my best options. Huh?

My fortune card with Lord Murugan.

The second time was at the Kwan Im Temple at Albert Mall. You know, the one where you burn the jossticks first, then get a canister full of sticks and you shake them till one stick falls out? I got No. 41, which is Bad. Bottomline : Be Alert. Don't assume all that seems to be good, is actually good.

(ii) Did the Sentosa Island bit via monorail S$3.

Was advised against spending S$19 for the cable car as there is no view right now save for a massive construction site, for the Resorts World Sentosa due to open 2010. It didn't even look half ready so I think it'll be behind schedule unless there is a miracle.

Very Gaudi-like, I thought.

Did the Merlion Tour and Walk. Then it rained so I left earlier than planned.

(iii) Orchard Road

Yupp, this is where my heart broke into pieces. Because I realised that I have lost my shopping skills and enthusiasm. I just could not buy any thing till the 3rd day. Anyway, I am proud that I didn't just give in to senseless buying. The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) isn't great at all, after all.

Also went to VivoCity, Raffles City, Bugis Junction etc. They all look the same after a while.

Shopahalics of the World United.

Wall decor at Bugis Junction.

Tired feet: sat on the steps in front of Paragon :) and watched the shopper-warriors stomp by with their LVs and Pradas.

Tip : If your feet and calves are sore after too much retail therapy, stop by the SVC for a free massage on the OSIM chair. I like this service!

(iv) Little India and Chinatown

Ventured and explored on foot.

A quiet morning in Little India Arcade.

Sign in Chinatown :)

(v) Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

I like this place. Wish we had something like this in KK. A mini-version would do for the appreciation of arts and culture.

An exhibition was on, titled I Love You, by an Indonesian artist Arahmaiaani.

The simple commemorative plaque.

(vi) National Library

There was a photo exhibition on - fantastic pictures of inmates at Surya Home and SunLove Home.

I love this place because it's modern, airy and spacious. Why can't we have libraries like that in Malaysia?

(vii) The Merlion

A must? For a photo-op, I agree :)

Posing in the hot mid day sun :P

(viii) Ice cream from street vendor

I had it once at the Bay and then at Orchard Road in front of Wisma Atria. Red Bean on wafer for S$1. Yummy on a hot sunny day.

(ix) Ate.

Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Malay cuisines, in the spirit of muhibbah.

(x) Tried the bus service

Rode on the bus twice. Got someone to explain to me how to read the schedule and fare tables.

(xi) Foot, Back and Shoulder Massage

Chinatown. Comparably pricey, but good. My shoulders and back were hurting and I needed a relief. My feet were also killing me by Day 3 as I walked an average of 10 km per day.

(xii) Mustafa Centre - 24 hours shopping

I heard about this place from Ian Wright on Globe Trekker. On Saturday night after a late dinner on arrival at the hostel, I decided to take a walk which took about 10 minutes. People were in a shopping frenzy! I thought the place was buzzing like it was day time rush hour, cramped and really confusing. I think it's a serious fire hazard, exits are not clearly visible and the whole place feels like an intricate maze. I can't imagine how in Singapore this is ever approved.

What I deliberately chose not to do due to budget constraints:

(i) The Zoo and Night Safari things.

(ii) The Singapore Flyer - I wanted to try this out, but the weather was bad so I cancelled this plan.

(iii) The Jerudong Jurong Bird Park. (Thanks for pointing this out, Tuty! Haha, I got mixed up. Duh.)

(iv) The Hop-On Hop-Off Tours.

I will try to post some pics later as Blogger is not very co-operative right now. (Updated)

So, is Singapore a sterile, boring, over-rated destination?

I'm still debating on that.

The Simple Plan

I just realised that in spite of all my planning I may have overdone it again.

Will be away this weekend-to-next weekend, then away again on third, and fourth weekend in July. That means all the weekends in the month. Then the same again in August.

Oh well. At least I will have some stories to tell when I return.