SARAWAK RIVER CRUISE

On-board entertainment: Performance of a cultural dance during the cruise.

Be it a leisurely sunset cruise or a starlight dinner event, a cruise along Sarawak River from the
Kuching Waterfront on board the mv Equatorial promises a memorable experience.

The Sarawak River Cruise is a fantastic way to turn a page back in history of Sarawak, through a cruise along the river that brings you past historical landmarks of Kuching.
A traditional ‘tambang’ yacht will take you past places of interest like the Kuching Waterfront, Square Tower (formerly a prison), a multi-purpose market, old State Mosque with five onion-shaped domes, a Malay house on stilts and the Satok Suspension Bridge before heading the other side of the river to see the Astana (former palace of the White Rajahs), Fort Margherita (now a police museum) and a fishing village.
If your cruise happens on a Sunday, you will get to see village children splashing along the river or diving from treetops while shouting greetings at you.

The ship’s interior has been completely renovated, establishing a new standard of luxury in river cruising. The double-decker mv Equatorial can accommodate up to 200 persons at any one time. The air conditioned Mariner Lounge at the lower deck is suited for elegant dinner event whilst the skydeck on the upper deck is ideal for sunset cruise. It also has a sheltered sightseeing deck with an open-air performance stage.

ENCHANCEMENTS
*Cultural performance by an Iban maiden and a warrior
*Sape music (a traditional Orang Ulu musical instrument) during dinner.
*Traditional cultural performance in full costume
 

DURATION: 1.5 HOUR ( SUNSET CRUISE ) 3 HOURS ( DINNER)
CAPACITY: 2 0 0 PAX
 

Includes:
•    Entrance fee
•    Guide fee
•    Transfer
 

Excludes:
•    Airfare
•    Beverage, tips & not mentioned in itinerary

[UPDATED] KUCHING WATERFRONT

 A major restoration and land reclamation project has become the most popular meeting place in the city.

Kuching Waterfront epitomizes how this city  has modernized without losing of its charm. Kuching is located on the Sarawak River chosen for its strategic and commercial importance and also for its enchanting natural beauty. In those days Sarawak River was the city's main highway. The river still retains its picturesque charm in today modern era. A meander on the Kuching waterfront is a walk through time; from Kuching's humble, ancient origins, to a modern city. No visit to Kuching would be complete without a stroll on the modern esplanade, or to sit, relax and experience a Sarawakian sunset. 

 Kuching Waterfront, a major rest oration and land reclamation project, has become the most popular meeting place in the city. Drab warehouses have been replaced with 900m long esplanade of beautiful landscaped and dotted with wooden benches, food stalls, restaurants and entertainment facilities. 

 Local waterway taxis (tambangs) at left and right.  White ship in the Middle is the MV "Equatorial", the Cruise ship that curse the river every day.

It is a leisurely way of glimpsing Kuching and it gives you a different perspective of the historic city.

 Kuching Waterfront Solar Energy - Newly installed in April 2010

At night-time the waterfront comes alive.

Monthly Dance and Music Performance 

Rounding up the 4th Sunday of each month, the dancer groups will be strutting their multi-ethnic diversity of Sarawak at the Godown Amphitheater Kuching Waterfront between 8:00pm - 9:00pm. The main routines will be focused on ethnic and traditional dances using their individual costumes accompanied by music and audience are encouraged to participate by joining in the dance!

The busy weekly schedules to expose the artistic talents of Sarawak are part of the efforts to bring up a generation of artists and enhance the appreciation of local cultures and ethnic traditions. These will lead to better understanding of the arts and crafts, cultures of Malaysia locally and also among visitors.

DEWAN UNDANGAN NEGERI SARAWAK

The New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building (Malay: Bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak Baru) is the current state legislative complex of Sarawak, located in Kuching, Malaysia. It is the meeting place where state assemblymen from all over Sarawak will meet and preside over debates and passing of laws.
The complex is located at the north bank of the Sarawak River in between The Astana, which is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak and Fort Margherita.
The building was officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on 27 July 2009.
This nine-storey high building is the venue for future Sarawak's new state legislative assembly sittings. The distinctive "payung" (umbrella) roof of the new DUN complex is an iconic landmark for Sarawak.
The architecture of the new complex combines unique elements of Sarawak's heritage with state-of-the-art intelligent building automation systems, multimedia communication facilities, and environmentally-friendly features. The new complex development covers and the area measuring is 172 acres (0.70 km2) near The Astana (Governor's Residence) on the banks of Sarawak River in Petra Jaya, Kuching. The new chamber can hold up to 108 members, each with their own office. It also has 142 seats for civil servants, 86 in the VIP gallery and 106 in the public gallery. Its architecture and design have meticulously taken into account the future needs of elected representatives.
The building is fully equipped with high-tech information and communication technology. This new DUN complex, perched on the promontory on the pristine bank of the Sarawak River and nestled between the Astana and Fort Margherita, has been described as one of the most beautiful buildings in Southeast Asia.
It is also a depiction of the state’s struggles and achievements over the years after gaining independence through the formation of Malaysia and as a multi-racial society. Reinforced by nine gigantic pillars and numerous arches, the building reflects the sovereignty of the people’s power as well as the support of all the races in the state.

PASAR SERIKIN @ SERIKIN MARKET

Serikin is a small Dayak Bidayuh village in Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. The town is located about 15km from Bau town and 80km from Kuching city.

Kampung Jagoi serikin is famous for its weekend market (known as Pasar Serikin) to local tourists from Malaya and Sarawak.

In the weekend market, you can find numerous items ranging from batik, handicrafts, fishes, birds, turtle eggs, herbal products and jamu, electrical items, electronic items, jungle produce and exotic meats.

You can enjoy services too, such as reflexology and traditional massage.

However, Pasar Serikin is open only on weekend; 7am-5pm on Saturday and 7am-2pm on Sunday.

For nature lovers, one can visit Ribuan Kangang (Kangang Waterfall), Ribuan Tuboh (Tuboh Waterfall) and jungle trekking.

For the lost or those who miss their buses and vans, taxi drivers and private cars normally meet at Serikin Malindo Cafe.

From Serikin, one can peep into Indonesia by a bike-ride (called ojek) of 15 minutes via jalan gajah.

GUA ANGIN @ WIND CAVE

Wind Cave atau Gua Angin terletak di daerah Bau (disebut baok), Kuching, dengan jaraknya daripada bandar utama Kuching kira kira 45 minit perjalanan memandu dan juga bersebelahan dengan Sungai Sarawak.
Pekan Bau pula terletak dalam perjalanan ke arah pekan Serikin di sempadan Sarawak-Indonesia, jadi sesiapa yang dalam perjalanan (atau baru pulang) ke Serikin (dengan syarat masih belum letih berjalan) boleh singgah di Wind Cave ini. Kawasan Bau kaya dengan sumber batu kapur asli dan oleh itu banyak gua yang terhasil dan kawasan lingkaran gua tersebut diberi nama Bau Formation.

Yang menariknya, gua di kawasan ini dahulunya dihuni oleh manusia pada zaman dahulu kala di mana sumber aliran air boleh ditemui di dalam gua ini.

Menurut sejarah, Wind Cave mendapat nama tersebut kerana terowong di dalam gua tersebut menjadi laluan angin sepoi sepoi bahasa yang keluar masuk dari satu pintu masuk gua ke pintu masuk yang lain (Tapi bila dah sampai ke tengah tengah gua tu, sebenarnya berpeluh juga).

Terdapat beberapa pintu masuk utama di Wind Cave, walau bagaimanapun salah satu entrance di sebelah selatan gua, iaitu bersebelahan dengan Sungai Sarawak ditutup buat masa ini. Ini kerana batu yang menampung jambatan kayu yang merentasi gua telah runtuh dan merosakkan struktur jambatan tersebut.

Jika hendak masuk ke dalam gua ini, jangan lupa untuk membawa lampu suluh kerana di dalam amat gelap, sama ada lampu suluh sendiri atau boleh disewa dengan kadar RM3. Bayaran masuk pula ialah RM3 untuk dewasa dan RM1.50 untuk kanak kanak. Anda juga boleh datang dalam kumpulan 5 orang dimana bayaran untuk satu kumpulan ialah RM10 (RM2 seorang). Sesiapa yang datang seorang atau berdua kena berani kerana jika tidak anda tidak akan berani masuk.

Formasi stalagmit, stalagtit dan formasi batu kapur yang lain di dalam Wind Cave dikatakan terhasil sejak 60 juta tahun yang lalu. Malah ada yang menyerupai seperti kepala buaya dan juga rangka buaya!

Disepanjang laluan gua tersebut, anda juga akan dihidangkan dengan bunyi cicitan dan terbangan kelawar yang menghuni gua tersebut. Kadang kadang tu, rasa seram pun ada.

Mungkin di sinilah tempatnya orang zaman purba kala beradu?

Setelah penat berjalan dan mahukan rehat, boleh bersantai di Baruk Shelter atau pondok Baruk yang dijaga rapi.

Anda juga boleh mandi di Sungai Sarawak yang berhampiran gua. Airnya agak deras tetapi cetek dan selamat untuk mandi.

Kawasan Wind Cave dilengkapi dengan bilik bersalin (untuk orang yang mandi di Sungai Sarawak), tandas, dan gerai makanan dan minuman. Selepas Wind Cave, selepas ini kami bercadang untuk ke Fairy Cave pula, yang terletak tidak jauh dari Wind Cave ini.

WIND CAVE

The Wind Cave is a very popular local tourist destination close to Kuching. It probably received its name from the draught of air which passes through the passage leading to the Sungai Sarawak Kanan on which it is situated. The name is translated as "Wind Cave" or "Cave of the Winds".

In fine weather, many groups from Bau and Kuching visit the cave. The most popular attraction is the western entrance of the cave which has a small beach adjacent to the Sarawak River. It is a favourite picnic and swimming spot that has gained in popularity after the closure of the Bau Lake for the mining of gold.

While some visitors take to swimming and relaxation in or near the river, others would explore the cave. Torches are needed to enter the cave and explore its passages. The stream provides easy access through the cave to the river. This cave is smaller than the Fairy Cave, but it has different formations and the cave stream adds a different focal point.

MATANG WILDLIFE

The Matang Wildlife Centre is about 35km from Kuching. Located in Kubah National Park, this large enclosed area of rainforest is home to endangered wildlife. There is a training programme here that teaches Orang Utans, who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. Visitors will be able to see lots of Orang Utans here, especially during feeding time. Besides these adorable primates, there are also Sun Bears, Sambar Deer, Civet cats as well as three large aviaries that house Sea Eagles, Hornbills and other birds in Sarawak.

Jungle trekking is also possible as there are four jungle trails here, the Pitcher Trail (takes about 2 hours), the Sungai Rayu Trail ( about 3 - 4 hours), the Sungai Senduk trail (about 1 hour) and Sungai Buluh trail (about 2 hours). Picnic spots, an information centre, accommodation facilities, a car park and a small canteen are available at the park HQ.