June 2017 – STB Newsletter

Third Semadang River Tagang 2017

The third edition of the Semadang River Tagang Festival will take place on July 28 to 30, it offers water activities and sports, fishing competitions and Kayaking among others.

Held along the Tagang area of Sarawak Kiri River near Kampung Semadang, about 30 minutes from Kuching, this year’s festival has expanded its repertoire by adding a Miss Tagang Beauty Contest, cooking competitions, music and dance, a food bazaar, exhibitions as well as games for children.

Festival Director Robert Kenneth stated that the main attraction of the festival remains with the fishing competition on July 29, with two categories called Local Anglers and Tourists & Media, offering cash prizes amounting in RM3,000.

This Festival is jointly organised by the Sarawak Agriculture Department and Kampung Semadang Tagang System Committee.

For more information, visit https://sarawaktourism.com/event/semadang-river-tagang/

Pesta Nukenen Bario

The 3-day food festival known as the Pesta Nukenen Bario, is held on July 27 to 29 at the Bario Village, located in the Bario Highlands which stands 3,200ft above sea level, just a 45 minute flight from Miri.

Celebrating the unique gastronomical and cultural heritage of the local Kelabit people, the organic food at the Nukenen prepared by the longhouse communities will be celebrated with festivities accompanied by traditional games and cultural dance and music performances.

Separated from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Nukenen festival is the perfect opportunity to get away from the city life, with good food and friendly people to accompany days of cool highland air and nights filled with immeasurable stars, visible in ways towns no longer allow.

Image shows traditional food displayed at the Nukenen. Photo retrieved from Sarawak Tourism Photo Library.

Gawai Carnival Redeems 2017

The Gawai Carnival Redeems 2017 is being held on July 14 to 16 at the Redeems Centre at Kampung Apar Singai, Bau in Kuching.

This annual Carnival, organised by the Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (REDEEMS), aims to showcase the authentic Bidayuh culture, tradition and heritage, as well as to promote tourism within the Singai Bau region.

The Carnival features traditional food, arts, crafts and cultural performances and culture through a festivities and community sports.

For more information, kindly contact REDEEMS Secretariat Tel: 082- 450 450 or visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1990259837860478/

Image of the longhouse being built for the Gawai Carnivasl Redeeems 2016, retrieved from http://www.redeems.my/

The Marian Boutique Lodging House

Formerly an all-girls boarding school dormitory, the Marian has been restored into Kuching’s first Heritage Boutique Lodging House.

The Marian is located next to the Bishop’s house at Wayang Street, on a tall hill overlooking Kuching city and the waterfront.

Steeped in history, from the dark original timber flooring and architectural flourishes, to the naming of the rooms after the former matrons and headmistresses such as Betty Johnson, Thelma Cook, Mary and Caroline Sharp as well as the founders of St. Mary School, the McDougalls, the Marian retains the Heritage of the building itself, while displaying elements of clean lines and modern simplicity.

The property now has 40 rooms ranging from dormitories, standard rooms, family rooms and a 2-bedroom apartment

For more information, visit their website at http://themarian.com.my/

Image of the Marian Boutique Lodging house. Photo courtesy of jeephotography.com

AirAsia Pontianak – Kuching Route Launch and Promotion

The Air Asia inaugural Pontianak-Kuching direct flight was inaugurated on June 5.

The 45 minute flight departed from Supadio International Airport in Pontianak at 12.10pm (Indonesian time) and touched down in Kuching International Airport at 1.50pm to a rousing welcome from the traditional kompang group.

Also present at the landing were the Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Assistant Minsiter of Tourism Datuk Lee Kim Shin, the Indonesian Consul-General in Kuching, Muhammad Abdullah, Chairman of Sarawak Tourism Board Datuk Haji Abdul Wahab Bin Aziz and Air Asia’s Chief Executive Officer Aireen Omar.

To celebrate the new route, AirAsia has launched promotional fares with tickets priced at RM89 one way until April 2, for the travel period of June 5 to September 30.

Image shows inaugural flight receiving water salute at Kuching International Airport.

Northern Sarawak Journalists Association pays Sarawak Tourism Board a visit

The President of the Northern Sarawak Journalists Association (NSJA), Andy Jong and exco member Thng Joo Hua paid a visit to the Sarawak Tourism Board office in Kuching, on 9 June.

The role of journalism in the promotion of the State’s tourism industry through media coverage of lesser known locations in Sarawak was discussed.

They also discussed the possibility of future collaborations for the benefit of tourism destinations and local-run facilities in Sarawak, particularly Miri and the Northern Sarawak region.

From the left, Mary Wan Mering, Andy Jong and Thng Joo Hua in the Sarawak Tourism Board meeting room.

Sibu Street Art Festival

Sibu is launching its debut week-long Sibu Street Art Festival on June 9 to 17.

The Festival is in support and celebration of all things around art and is spurred on by Sibu’s recent addition of culturally and historically significant street art murals that have added a little zest to the town’s walls.

As the murals depict different parts of Sibu’s life style, including food, old trades and a host of other attractions, it shows a personal part of Sibu’s communal identity as never seen before.

For more information on the Street Art Festival, visit the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sibustreetart/

Mural of a caricature of the old Sibu buses.

Mural of wrapped chickens and ducks as seen in the Sibu Marketplace.

Pesta Babulang

Watch water buffaloes in action at the Pesta Babulang of the Bisaya community in Batu Danu, Limbang, takes off on June 9 to 11.

Organised by the Bisaya Association, this annual event drives tourists to the streets of Limbang as exciting water buffalo races begin, and also spiced with decorative water buffalo ‘float’ competitions, beauty pageants and traditional Bisaya food fiesta, an affair for the whole community!

To get to Limbang one has to take a 30 minute flight from Miri, or a short 15 minute drive from Tedungan if you are travelling from neighbouring Brunei Darulssalam.

For more information, contact Mr. Peter Sawal at 6018-2448-254 or email him at peters1@nreb.gov.my. More information on the festival can also be found at http://wander2nowhere.com/2014/07/babulang-festival-and-buffalo-racing/

Images of Pesta Babulang, retrieved from Sarawak Tourism website.

Irau Aco, Lun Bawang Festival

On June 1 to 3, the 30^th Irau Aco Lun Bawang festival will be held at the Dataran Bandar Lawas, the northern frontier town of Sarawak

The Festival showcases the Lun Bawang’s community’s colourful heritage, with cultural dance and music performances, traditional handicrafts and featuring authentic Lun Bawang cuisine.

For the past thirty years, the Festival celebrated the passing-down of the community’s age old traditions

Lawas can be reached on a 45 minute flight from Miri.

For information on the festival details, visit Lun Bawang Association (LBA) Kuching Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lba.kuching

Meritin Hotel, Kuching

The Meritin Hotel, Kuching is open for business enjoying location at the epicentre of Padungan Street, one of Kuching’s oldest ‘food hubs’ naturally surrounded by local merchants and food shops, hawker stalls and cafes.

Just a short walking distance from Kuching Waterfront and other cultural and historical attractions, Meritin also offers the “bonus” of being surrounded on all fronts with Kuching’s chill nightlife..

The Meritin has 40 rooms and the Haza Café located on the ground floor of the hotel is the perfect place for business and social gathers, with a menu to die for.

For updates on room rates, please log on at https://www.facebook.com/meritinhotelkuching/ or contact their front desk at 6082-550 800.