Localised Nature Guide Training in Sibu: The next generation of Nature Guide

The localised nature guide training was conducted in November 2009. This is a Nature guide (tourist guide) certification course by Ministry of Tourism. It is an intensive 21 days course which started at 8.30 am and end at midnight.

The participants was exposed to various knowledge and skill namely guiding techniques, nature, bird watching, culture, adventure and more. They were stress out as the trainers demanded on performance of guiding skills, presentation skill, knowledge and attitude.

At the end, all ends well, friendship and teamwork was build. skill and knowledge was acquired. The cautions was given by the trainers especially on development of their knowledge and skill.


Lecturing on Eco-host.

Fisrt Aid Training given by ResQ 999 personnel.

Some of the interesting attraction during the trail examination.

From right to left (Hardy, Rody and Frankie). Picture was taken by Glen. The road to the Kemunyang Camp was flooded. So, water fight, it was an ambush by Glen etc.

A view from the lecture room toward the flooded football field and road.

Oil Palm Plantation in Tatau, Bintulu, Sarawak

I visited an Oil Palm Plantation in Tatau, Bintulu, Sarawak in mid of December 2009. I am always looking for interesting attraction any where i go. It help me keeping nature tourism in perspective. Hopefully, with those interesting things that i found will help in the nature tourism of Sarawak.

The oil palm plantation is about 2.5 years old. It just started with the planting of seedlings. From Bintulu airport, it took me about 1.30 hours to reach the plantation estate.

One of the morning in the estate, we found a beautiful moth. I wonder what is the scientific name. Usually in the olden days, if moth or insect come into the house, it mean that you will have visitor(s) soon.


A beautiful mountain infront of the Plantation office.

A grass hooper. I seldom found this species in the city area especially in Kuching City.

Another beautiful insect, the leaf insect which mimic the shape of a leaf to camoflage itself from predator. This is the first time I found this species.

The year 2009, is coming to an end and a new year with a new beginning. I am sorry that I have not been able to up date my blog last two weeks or months. I have plenty of photos from different place i have visited. Thus, wait for the next up dates. Some interesting pictures I will post are from Sibu and Sabah.

Merry Christmas to All and a Happy and Properous new year 2010. :)

away for 2 months

free invisible web counterSORRY I WAS AWAY FOR 2 MONTHS CONDUCTING NATURE TOURIST GUIDE COURSE IN SIBU & SERIAN SARAWAK. WILL BE UP DATING MY BLOG BY NEXT WEEKS

Ranchan Pool Recreational Park

Rachan Pool Recreational Park have always bring fond memories especially going picnic with family during my childhood years.

I always like to go to Ranchan pool as it is natural with modern facilities around. Ranchan pool is a public place where no charges is impose to visitor(s) who wish to do picnic and enjoy the montane stream.

a hanging bridge across the ravine.
Proper walk way being erected for the convenience of the young and old.
Tree top, walk way for the public to enjoy the forest canopy.
Chalets and hostel for visitors to stay. However, a minimum charges are impose for the hostel and chalet.

Traditional Musical Theater : Mak Yong

MaK Yong is a traditional performance which is conducted to the Malay Royal in Peninsular Malaysia. Thus, this theater have been handed down to the new generation of performer which now can be enjoyed by all.

We went to this theater at RTM Kuching. I love the music and appreciate the artistic of it but I do not really understand the language that being used during the performance.

The dancer of Mak Yong.
Beautiful traditional costume on the dancer. Love the music too.
One of the musician performing during the performance.

Kuching at Nite

I love Kuching at night especially some of the street with beautiful lighting and it is romantic. I guess couple and tourist love the night scene in Kuching, beautiful, calm and clean.

The photo below taken from the street at Sarawak Tourism Complex looking toward the river (Waterfront).


A picture taken in front of Sarawak Tourism Complex looking toward Carpenter street.


A view of the General Post Office (the white building). The building have quite a history. At the far back, the building lighted with warm light is the Merdeka Palace Hotel.


The entrance to Carpenter Street. It was call Carpenter Street because it used to have all sort of carpenter, gold smith etc. Even today you can still find some of the carpenters and gold smith.

Will publish more of Kuching City in the future. A good friend of mine have a good blog on Kuching too (willie)

Sarawak Tourism Complex

Sarawak Tourism Complex is situated in center of Kuching town. The complex have a wonderful history as police station and also court house. I am still trying to get full information on the history of the Sarawak Tourism Complex.

Currently, it house the Sarawak Tourism Information Center and it have function room and theater for performance.

I took the photos after I attended the Musical Charity Concert. I love this place at night.


The center garden of the Sarawak Tourism Complex.

The 'Little Lebanon' restaurant is housed at this building.

The lovely lighted and beautiful landscape around the Sarawak Tourism Complex.

Over looking toward 'Carpenter Street'. Carpenter Street got its name because it used to have carpenter, goldsmith, tin smith etc. It still have goldsmith, tin smith etc but not as many now.


The huge pillar around the complex. From the pillar, most people knows who influence the architecture design... the British.
I will feature some other building next to the Sarawak Tourism Complex soon and will be regularly updating the night scene in Kuching. Till then... have a good day.

MUSICAL CHARITY CONCERT IN KUCHING

A Musical Charity Concert was organized by Sarawak Music Society and Co-organised by Borneo Rainforest (Sarawak) NPO featuring a duo recital by Aki Utsunomiya (Piano) and Misato Sakai (vocal) on 22 september 2009 at 7.30 pm at the Sarawak Tourism Complex.

It was a rare occasion that Kuching have such kind of musical concert. I guess the music scene in Kuching is up coming and more younger generation is getting involved. The concert also featuring the homegrown musical band called D'artes ensemble.

Some of the song was composed and arranged by Laura Pranti Tutom a local composer and also Drs. Yousbar Djaelani a well known composer, arranger and also the conductor.

The evening started off by a lovely piano piece played by Aki Utsunomiya and followed superb soprano performance by Misato Sakai. This was a first experience listening to a wonderful pianist and suprano by some of the audience during that evening concert.

Miss Aki Utsunomiya and Misato Sakai given the audience a wonderful musical experience.

Misato Sakai graduated and major in vocal performance especially in Italian Opera and German Art Song and she also played the piano. she is currently lecturing in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. A wonderful suprano vocal by Misato.

A solo piano piece by Miss Aki Utsunomiya. Miss Aki Utsunomiya has numerous performance experiences and has appeared as a soloist in The Nishinomiya Symphony Orchestra in 1991. Currently she is the pianist at The Osaka College of Music.


D' artes ensemble and Drs. Yoesbar Djaelani as the conductor. D' artes ensemble consisted of eight young talented musicians from varies professional background.

Drs. Yoesbar Djaelani, currently a lecturer in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. He has wide experience in arranging, composing music and conducting concert. We were entertained by two wonderful piece of music 'Putus sudah kasih sayang' and 'Tunggu Sekejap' by P. Ramlee and arranged by Drs Yoesbar Djaelani for the concert and performed by Misato Sakai. The song that most of us can relate to but the intense suprano by Misato give it a different twist that most of us have not experience it before.


A lovely vocal duet by Misato Sakai (suprano) and Eddie Chan (Tenor) accompanied by musician. A wonderful evening coming to an end with another song by the musician and lastly a presentation of bouquet.

I was unable to capture another guest artist performing with the musician. He is Christopher Dino David Ebol playing the percussion and sape. They performed a song called 'Suara Bumi Kenyalang' composed by Laura Pranti Tutom.

I hope Kuchingite can experience more musical performance in the future.

Stutong Wet Market at Tabuan Laru, Kuching

Stutong Wet Market.

Kuching's wet market was situated at Jalan Gambir at down town. It was there for ages until 2006. It was decided by the council to move the wet market to Stutong at Tabuan Jaya. The Stutong wet market is a two floor building which house the seafood, meat and vegetable section on the ground floor and eateries place on the second floor.

The ample parking space at the Stutong wet market.

The local and imported vegetable sold at the market.

Fresh seafood (prawn, fish, crab etc) are available at a reasonable price at the wet market.

You can also find fruits at the market namely water melon, local fruit, banana, etc.

Beautiful Giam Waterfall

Giam waterfall with its mountain crystal clear stream water running through it. The waterfall is situated at kampung Giam, Padawan.

I love the cool and crystal clear water and it have some deep pool. This waterfall will be frequent by picnicker every weekend.

The scenery at the waterfall. I took this photos a few weeks back when it was hot and dry. The river stream is shallow.



A few 'sampan' was tied up at the side of the river. this is dry season. Imagine if it is the raining season, how high will the water go up and according to the local community this river is connected to the main river where you can paddle to town.

Pictures at Matang Wildlife Sanctuary

Matang wildlife sanctuary is an interesting place to visit as it educate the public about wildlife animal that are being protected.

Here is some of the pictures that I have taken during the trip.

The park ranger will feed the animals in its enclosure with suitable foods and vitamins. Some of this animal are even given task on how to extract food from its container.

An old parrot in its cage.Porcupine at the porcupine enclosure.

Macaranga species.
Students learning on the park management and wildlife.
Binturong or bear cat on its enclosure.