Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015

 Wishing all readers, visitors and fans of Sarawak travel Guide Merry Xmas and Happy New Year 2015. We would like to thanks everyone for their support and comments which will inspired us to provide more useful update and information regularly in the upcoming months.

Brace for more exciting and interesting events and celebrations that are being plan and organised in Sarawak for 2015. Plan your trip early so that you wont miss your favourite events.

We are looking forward to your continue support,readership and comments.

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year 2015

SARAWAK DELEGATION CALLS ON HUNGARIAN’S MINISTER OF STATE FOR ECONOMIC REGULATION

             Datuk Amar Abang Johari reviving a memento from Dr. Bagdy the Vice Mayor of Budapest City (second from left). Also seen, from right is Encik Liwan Lagang, Datuk Abdul Karim and Datuk Gramong. At left is His Excellency, Mohammad  Sadik.

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Tuesday - The Minister for Tourism, Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg, yesterday morning paid a courtesy call on Hungary’s Minister of State for Economic Regulations, Mr. Bela Glattfelder at his office, here.

                                                                       

The Tourism Minister, who was accompanied by the Malaysian Ambassador to Hungary, His Excellency, Mohamad Sadik Gany,  Assistant Minister for Tourism, Datuk  Gramong Juna, the Assistant Minister for Youth Development, Datuk  Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and the Assistant Minister for Culture and Heritage, Liwan Lagang, among others, discussed on possibility of joint collaboration in Tourism and  Heritage,  as well as the study of city planning and development during an hour meeting  with the Hungarian Minister and his senior officials.

             Hungarian Minister of State for Economic Regulation receiving a Sarawak Memento from Datuk Amar Abang Johari. Seen from left are Datuk Gramong, Datuk Abdul Karim and Datu Ik Pahon, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism.

Earlier, the Sarawak delegation attended the Budapest city development briefing at the City hall. Upon arrival at the office, Datuk Amar Abang Johari was met by the Budapest Vice Mayor, Dr Gabor Bagdy.

             Datuk Amar Abang Johari and his delegation being conducted on a tour to the South Pest Water treatment plant by Peter Uarga (right)

Later in the afternoon, the delegation also toured the Oganica Water’s environmental friendly South Pest Wastewater Treatment plant about 10 kilometres from the city centre and was given a briefing by its Business Development manager, Peter Uarga.

Also present in the delegation were the Pantai Damai Assemblyman, Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi and senior officials from the Tourism and Housing Ministries and from the Dewan Bandar Raya Kuching Utara.

Later in the evening, the Sarawak delegation was feted to a dinner at his Excellency, the Ambassador’s residence at Verecke Ut 72.

The 25-member delegation from Kuching ended the five-day working visit to Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary today.

Source: 

Corporate Communications Unit

SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD
4 November 2014

TOURISM MINISTER MEETS SARAWAK TOURISM PARTNERS IN VIENNA

Datu Amar Abang Johari (right) with his guests, from left, Gerald Stainoch and Henry Jedlsky. Also seen on the Minsters’ right is Datuk Talib and Dato’ Selwyn Das. together with the French journalist group at arrival in Kuching Airport.

VIENNA, Austria, Sunday - Sarawak Tourism Board today welcomed a group of The Minister for Tourism, Datuk Amar Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Openg who is currently on a three-day working visit here yesterday received four Austrian guests calling on him at Hotel Grand Wien here.

The guests, Gerald Stainoch of Jumbo Touristik GmbH, Henry Jedlsky of Reise Aktuell Travel News, Professor Waltrund Stienbock of Circle Diplomatique  and Maria Oetrak, an Austrian blogger met the Minister who was accompanied by the Malaysian Ambassador to Austria, His Excellency Dato’ Selwyn Das.

The Austrian guests shared experiences with the Minister and also exchange ideas on how to effectively promote Sarawak to Austrians and the German speaking market.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon, the Minister visited the World Museum Vienna. He had a meeting with Director of Museum, Dr Steven Engelsman on the possible collaboration and artefacts exchange especially on the ethnology with Sarawak Museum. They had a chance also to visit the ‘Borneo Gallery’ corner, a dedicated corner exhibiting about Borneo artifacts within the museum building. World Museum Vienna is considered as one of the world’s most important ethnological museum. It houses over 200,000 ethnographic objects, 75,000 historical photographs and 144,000 printed works on history, culture, art and daily life of predominantly non-European community.

Also present were Assistant Ministers for Tourism, Datuk Gramong Juna and Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip, Assistant Minister for Youth Development, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and the Assistant Minister for Culture and Heritage, Liwan Lagang, Pantai Damai Assemblyman, Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi and the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Datu Ik Pahon.

Datuk Amar Abang Zohari is leading a 25-member Sarawak delegation comprising staff from the Ministry of Tourism, Dewan Bandar Raya Kuching Utara (DBKU) and the Land Custody and Development Authority to Vienna Austria and Budapest, Hungary.

Source - Sarawak Tourism Board.

Issued by:     

Corporate Communications Unit

SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD

T: + 6 082-423600

F: + 6 082-416700

W: www.sarawaktourism.com

E: gustino@sarawaktourism.com

Date:  2 November 2014

Sarawak Regatta - A Grand Event

Sarawak Regatta is an annual traditional boat race held at Kuching Waterfront in Kuching, Sarawak. The event which attracts participation from government bodies, private and also international participants has a distinct historical and cultural significant in the history of Sarawak people.

The regatta is organised by the Kuching Resident Office and is normally held in the month of September in conjunction with the Malaysia day Celebration. The earliest known record of the event being held could be found in The Sarawak Gazette; on the 29th February 1872, which were held in front of the Astana, Kuching.

During the Brooke’s ruling era a boat race would be held to bring peace among the various ethnic races in Sarawak. An indication provided in the Sarawak Gazette showed that the event has been an important social event for social integration and goodwill for the people of Sarawak.

This year the event is being held from 4th- to 7th. September 2014 at the Kuching Waterfront, with participation from Individual , private companies and also government department across Sarawak.

The Sarawak Regatta is divided into different category and group. They are the Balok Boat, Bidar Boat, Kenyalang Boat and Tambang Boat-motorised and non-motorised. The decorative colourful designed longboats can accommodate from 7 and up to 30 paddlers, depending on the competition category.

The Balok Boat is manned by 7 men paddlers, while the Bidar Boat is manned by 10 to 30 paddlers based on the category being competed. The Kenyalang Boat is manned by 10 to 20 paddlers depending on the competition requirement. This year event saw the appearance of the Dragon Boat race, with participation from Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Brunei, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Other events are also being organised alongside the Sarawak Regatta; among others, Kuching Festival, the Malaysia Craft Promotion and Food Festival, Eatof Food Festival and Gendag Melayu Competition, which attracted a fair share of visitors.

The Regatta is one of the top tourist attraction events in Kuching, beside the Rainforest Music Festival. This Sarawak Regatta will be continue to be held annually not only for tourist attraction but also as a reminder of how peace and harmony be maintained among the people of Sarawak, regardless of race and religion. This yearly event always attracts lot of audiences both local and foreigners.

Sarawak Visitor's Guide 2014

Sarawak Tourism Board(STB) provide visitors and the travel industry with up-to-date travel information about Sarawak, has visitors' information centres in Kuching, Miri and Sibu. These information centres are stock up with wide range of guidebooks, maps, brochures and leaflets.

STB also publish an online guide, providing update on new events, attractions, travel products and activities. A pdf version of the Sarawak Visitor's Guide for Year 2014 is available for download HERE.

Damai Central – Multi-purpose Public Complex.

Damai Central Icon

Damai Central which is an innovative multi-purpose public complex is sited on a coastal land fronting the panoramic South China Sea and with the legendary Mount Santubong in the background. The complex is 40 minutes via Kuching-Santubong Road.

Damai Central Entrance

The complex which has Sarawak ethnic Concept design and snuggled between numerous resorts, with Sarawak Culture Village as adjacent neighbour, it provides the visiting public with enhanced facilities and activities.

Damai Beach

The complex is open to the public daily. Visitors can enjoy a sumptuous meal of fresh seafood at the Bayridge Fine Seafood  Restaurant  or a glass of wine or cold beer at the Escobar Bar and Grill while admire the sunset or just watching the ship and fishing boats passing in the distance South China sea.

Bayridge Fine Seafood Restaurant

Escobar Bar and Grill

Visitor can also comb the beach or have a swim in the sea. Among the facilities available at the complex are;

1.       Open lawn for banquet
2.       Concert Stage
3.       Amphitheatre
4.       Conference room
5.       Beach from BBQ
6.       Public toilet
7.       Shower room and locker for rent
8.       Bicycle for rent
9.       Camping Site.

Beside the Seafood Restaurant and the Bar and Grill, the complex also has;

 1.        Food court servicing variety of local dishes and drinks
2.       Souvenir  Shop and Café
3.       Wellness Centre
4.       Laundry Services

Locker for Rental

Laundry Services

It is a popular weekend destination for both local and visitors alike, as it strategically located among the tourist destination in Santubong Peninsula. Among the resort and hotels in proximity to the complex are the Damai Beach ResortPermai Rainforest Resort, Damai Puri Resort &Spa, One Hotel Santubong.

There are also the guesthouse and homestay available at the Santubong Village and also along the Santubong Road.

Damai Central Complex

Selamat Hari Gawai Dayaks to All.

Happy Gawai Dayaks to all readers, visitors and guest to Sarawak Travel Guide. Taking this opportunity to record my appreciation and thank you for the support and readership

Gawai Dayak or Pesta Gawai or Onu Gawai is being celebrated by the Dayaks community in SarawaK, East Malaysia in the first week of June every year. The Bidayuh, Iban and also the Orang Ulu had their own rituals and traditional ways in celebrating this event which marked the end of the rice harvesting season and the ushering in another year of bountiful harvest and goodness.

It is the time for merry making and gathering of family members from far and wide. Those working outside Sarawak always make the effort to be home with their parents, relatives and friends in the villages and longhouses.

There are variety of delicacies and menu to choose, from traditional cuisine to modern one. Some of them are chicken cook in bamboo, glutinous rice in bamboo and many more; each community has their own speciality.

It also the time of sharing as friends and stranger are invited to share in the celebration. This promotes unity and friendship among the various communities in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Various programs are held to make the celebration merrier and colourful, like beauty contest in traditional outfit like Kumang Gawai for the Iban community, Dayung Sikora for the Bidayuh, while the Orang Ulu community has their own Traditional Costume Beauty Contest. It is a feast for the eyes with the colourful rituals, traditional music and costume and variety choice of traditional cuisine and wine.

The official Gawai Dayaks Celebration in Sarawak is 1^st. June, every year but the celebration in the longhouse and the villages are held at different day and some last for a month.

HAPPY GAWAI DAYAKS TO ALL....