Pottery shop/factory 7th mile Kuching

We've been for several pottery lessons before and love it each time we go. Well, this CNY hols, we decided to revisit a larger pottery store/factory in Kuching. For full post click on title or visit my other blog - Visit to Kuching Pottery . (As long as shop is opened, just tell the owner you'd like to see the factory, and go visit. It's located right behind the store. If he's free, he'll even give you a proper tour. ) :)

@Martha , 2011

Kuching Riverfront

We always enjoy walking at the riverfront looking for odd knick knacks. 

 To read more of our recent visit here, please click Here for post on my personal blog.
@Martha , 2012

Sematan

You'll know you've arrived in Sematan when you see these shops.

Sematan is quiet fishing village almost at the tip of West Sarawak, about an hour and a half's drive from Kuching. Here time stands still.. things are slow going. This little town is famous for its never ending stretches of beach, seafood!, padi fields, pepper farms and fishing of course! It's also a place where fish mongers go to collect the catch of the day before heading to markets around Kuching.

I enjoyed our short stay there, simply because of the peace and quiet.
Here's some shots from the town of Sematan.

Heavenly seafood for very very cheap. Half of what we pay in town.

Tranquility.... not a soul in sight except us....and the sand flies. haha...

The Red House... by a beach near Lunduk

Nel...my free spirited girl...running by the waters...into the sunset...

village roads that seem to lead to nowhere

beautiful pepper farms



little J searching for shell

shells shells...beautiful shells..

So if you're in Kuching and long for some quiet..do head out there to Sematan. You can stay at Palm Beach Resort, which offers cosy chalets.

@Flourpaint, 2011

Gunung Gading National Park, Rafflesia

Seeing a Rafflesia is one of the most exciting part of life. :)  One of the best places to spot a Rafflesia is in Gunung Gading National Park , situated near the town of Lunduk, about 2 hours from Kuching.

This is a park famous for the growth of the very rare Rafflesia flower. However, the Rafflesia is not always in bloom, and if they do, it only lasts for a week. A Rafflesia grows as a bud for 9 months, blooms for about 7 days and then decays. To find them, you have to look for the host vine, or better still get a guide. A guide there costs RM50.

The first time we were there, we went without a guide. The Park Ranger there said there were no Rafflesias in bloom. However, since we had made a trip all the way there, I was desparate/stubborn enough NOT to belief in the park ranger.



There are several lovely falls there, some suitable for swimming in

 We hiked 2 hours in the thick, humid rainforest only to face disappoinment. Not a Rafflesia in sight. :( We even risked crossing a no entry sign to walk the Rafflesia route which was closed for repair of broken boards. I've to say, my kids were WONDERFUL. They walked those hours with us without complaining, Jo was carried every now and then when it got a little too dangerous.

Then I said a little prayer. Lo and behold, 2 burly men with tatoo all over their bodies appeared. They looked at me and asked "enjoying your hike?" I replied "...well, I came to see the Rafflesia, and didn't see any." They replied "We know where there is one! Want to follow us?"



Climbing a vine



I jumped in excitement and said "I'll follow you!" 5 minutes into the walk, I began to wonder if they were robbers or something...even my husband started wondering...... 10 mins passed, then they showed us a narrow trail off the main one. I began worrying a little. Then they man said "here it is!" I followed, looked behind a large tree, and there it was. :) A medium sized one....about 6 days old. I thanked them profusely...and was just so overjoyed at the sight of the Rafflesia. It's amazing how God answers simple prayers. :)

 

A Rafflesia bud which the men showed us. The rafflesia takes 9 months to bloom! and when it blooms, it starts decaying within 7 days.

The Rafflesia that took my breath away coz I was just so thrilled and overjoyed at finding one

 This year 2011, we found ouselves at G. Gading National Park again. This time we hired a ranger and found the trail more interesting. He provided us with lots of information about the Rafflesia and its host vine. He also showed us many other plants, some parasitic and stinky as well! We saw many buds and finally found a Rafflesia, one day before full bloom. The species we saw this time is different from  the one we saw during our last visit. If I'm not mistaken there are 2-3 different species in that park alone.

Rafflesia Bud (different species from the one we saw the year before)

Rafflesia Bud

Just a day before full bloom

Other interesting finds there include

 dried rotting Rafflesia

 Ive to google this up. But it was smelly!

So, if you're near Kuching, you should make your way to this park!

@Martha, 2011

Kuching- Cultural Village

Sarawak Cultural Village  is a place you must visit if you're in Kuching. It's a place where you and your family can get to experience a bit of the ethnic diversity found in Sarawak.

My children really enjoy this place. We've been there several times, and they get excited everytime we go. They've tried all sorts of ethnic musical instruments displayed there, tasted different types of goodies baked/cooked there, and Nel even went up on stage to dance the native dance and you'll see in one of the pictures, she got dressed up like them too. :)

One of the houses...Bidayuh i think

model of a headhunter's house. you see skulls hanging on the inside.

Man playing the Sape. He actually hand carves sapes and sells them. I was tempted to get one, but he didn't have one readily for sale. He also showed us how he uses wild honey to stick the frets in place.

See all these half made sapes? fully booked. The shop outside only sells souvenir ones. I would like to get a real one. He said to try on my next trip. Fingers crossed, I'll be the proud owner of one next time.

My little girl all dressed up. We paid RM10 to borrow the costumes

Lady showing us how weaving a mat is done

Finally if you're there, don't forget to catch the Cultural Show which goes on twice a day. That's always a fun show to watch.

(more to come on places to visit in Kuching- such as Sematan, GGading Rafflesia, Orang Utan Sanctuary)

@Martha , 2011