Here’s the continuation of my Kuching visitation. Now where to next? Of course, it’s the Sarawak Cultural Village and one of their attractions is the cultural dance being held in the theater. Was lucky to go in early as I’ve gotten one of the good seat to sit on.

Dance Dance Dance!!!

In this dance show there is also a few scenes where volunteers are brought up the stage and one part of it is like the one below.

So shall I cut your hand for my food later? No~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wonder what she’s smiling about when her hand is going to be cut off. Well, it’s a play after all. But mind you, the blade is really really sharp. Of course, in East Malaysia, when I visited both Sabah and Sarawak, it will not be enough if there is no blow pipe demonstration. One thing about it is that the one doing this is great at shooting from a long distance. There’s a balloon situated about 10 meters away and he shoots it successfully.

What a guy!! Daniel The WEIRD ONE salutes.

Finally after all the cultural show, it’s time to go out and do some exploration on all the tribes and locals of Sarawak. Well, that’s why I came here. But bear in mind, if you’re not from East Malaysia, you have to pay RM60 to enter this cultural village. PAIN~~~ as in monetary issue. If you’re local, it’s RM45. If you’re student, it’s RM15.

So where to next? Get to visit a few places like the Chinese Farm House, Malay House, Melanau Tall House or turn right to visit the Bidayuh Longhouse, Iban Longhouse, Penan Hut or the Orang Ulu Longhouse? Decisions, finally decision made, it’s time to go right.

First stop is Bidayuh Longhouse. How to go there? They’ve shown the way.

Have to go there by crossing the bridge, which they called the Bidayuh Bamboo Bridge. So got to pose. I look weird, it seems my neck is stretching. I have a longgggggggggggg neck.

Princess Yen got a better pose than me. Wahhhhh… nice.

Well, then onward till we reached our destination which is the Rumah Bidayuh. By the way ‘Rumah’ means House in English.

Seems so normal? But wait till you look what’s inside.

I had my try on the rice grinding thingy, which I posed and it look absolutely fake. What did I meant by saying that?

This was what I meant. Failed!!! Next person….

Ehh, lucky I was grinding the rice, Princess Yen was riding a bike on the grinder. Hehehe.. *ouch* I sensed a pinch

Finally next stop, The Rumah Iban. For the information, the Iban is the largest tribe in Sarawak encompassing about 85% of the people there. Well, they used to be a headhunter tribe until modern civilization came. Anyway let’s get to the current new tribe and visit. As it was raining a bit earlier, the sky was a bit dark. Thus we also ran as fast to the Iban House.

The Iban Longhouse, Princess Yen in the middle of it. One can actually stay in this longhouse with a substantial amount of fee though. Shot with a 50mm and ISO about 800.

Well, longhouses doesn’t really look like that, but due to commercial purposes, had to be pleasing to the eyes. Where to next? Let’s visit some minor tribes which are the Penan.

Since then, it’s the Penan Hut. Others have longhouses, but the Penan seems to just have a hut. What’s there though? How does a real Penan dresses?

Yes, a Penan man setting rod for fish to be eaten. Such simple clothing. Wonders what will happen if I dressed up like that.

Sorry to disappoint though but there are more places to visit in Sarawak Cultural Village and yes, it will be covered shortly in the next post. Huh? That’s fast. Not really, just that I am tired and wanna sleep soon. Till the next one. By the way, do spread awareness of the beauty of nature and culture if you have it.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Is time for Travel Malaysia series. Well, this time is all about the Cat City. Way back in 2009. Yes, I have so many backdated posts to do, from Tibet to Kuching to etc etc etc. Now let’s say hello to the GIANT WHITE CAT in Kuching City in Sarawak, East Malaysia.

Giving the cat the greetings is what one should do if they ever go to Kuching. Well, at least it shows you’re at Kuching. Might even bring you luck and after that you can fly back to Genting Highlands for a casino.

Unlike other times, this time, there would be more exploration of the outskirts of the capital city of Sarawak, visiting nature. Where to? Let’s head on to Fairy Cave.

Selamat Datang (Welcome) Fairy Cave is situated about 45 to 1 hour drive from Kuching town. Well, but where’s the cave? It’s free of charge. But unlike other caves, it’s also a bit creepy. Well, why do you supposed they call it the Fairy Cave?

The entrance to the cave is now safer to go in. With steps to go into the dark dark entrance. Now wait, how do I know all these things? As title suggests, all thanks to my dearest princess who brought me for some sightseeing. Well, considering that I am in a LDR (Long Distance Relationship), it wasn’t easy and I do get to travel here to meet her.

Once inside, one needs to take care of their body posture. For those taller than me, at times you have to bend your head lower to avoid banging your head against the walls of the cave. Look at the next photo for reference.

Once inside, I looked back at how to go back to the entrance, the steps are way steep and you need to balance yourself before going through the steps. Pity though, however I described it, can’t seem to tell you how it is based on a photo. So those of you planning to do some adventuring should try going there.

The wonders and how it looked inside is superbly wonderful. You’ll get to know why is it called Fairy Cave. There are other smaller entrances, but those places are deemed out of bounds to normal visitors.

Legend has it that it’s called Fairy Cave as there are Fairy that protect these places. Unlike the fairy tales where fairies look harmless and on the good side, the fairies portrayed her are not the same. They are the protector of the caves.

Sometimes you would see remnants of offerings at certain part of the caves. It’s spooky at certain part of the cave. Well, the part further away from the light.

Of course, with me shooting all the way, Princess can’t seem to stand me.

Princess: “Oits… faster take photo then go up le!”

Me : Ahhh.. ok ok… sorry sorry! *shows pitiful face*

There are more steps and more steps to climb and after spending a few hours up there, it’s time to go back down.Here are some formation of the rocks at Fairy Cave close up.

Woah… beautiful and wonderfully creation of God. Just look at those structures.

Time to head out and time to take photos outside the entrance again.

Just look at how big the signboard. Princess was amazed. Well, I was amazed too. What’s this signboard now?

It’s the entrance to the Wind Cave. Another cave to explore? That’s Me and Princess, lovely or not? As my tripod was broken, this photo was took with both of us posing at the welcome board. Then stitching it together once more. Now guessed what was stitched?

By the way, we didn’t get to explore Wind Cave as there wasn’t enough time. So where to next? It’s time to visit some other places.

Time for some feast for the eyes. To look at a scenery full of greens. Won’t you give anything to play in this pool of water? But but but… basically photography can really fool one’s eyes. Why? The water in fact was actually very murky. There are no fishes in it and the smell was terrible.

Anyway, it was a tiring day and what better way than to take photos with my dear, Princess Yen. I am so lucky to know you.

What will be our next adventure? Just stay tune! There are more to come. This blog is active once more.

Popularity: 1% [?]

It was our final place to visit. The base camp of Mt Everest. I am one of the few who get to spent like 20+ days overseas and get to visit the base camp of Mount Everest or to the locals here, it’s called Mt Qomolangma. Before we even reached the base camp, we were given a sneak preview of what we’re going to visit. Mind you, even the sneak preview, we still got to pay. That’s like RMB40 again. Darn….

Now imagine for a sneak preview, it’s 40 Yuan. Well, in order to do that though, we wanted a better view, so we climbed up the smaller peak and boy~~~ it was superbly tiring. Must have been the thin air I guess. Well, it was tiring and guessed what, there are a few motorbikes going up and down that peak to ask us whether we want to hop on their bike to go up.

Since we were dead tired, it was a good offer. Only to be asked to pay 30 Yuan which we bargained to get it at 20 Yuan. Money suckers. Every thing is payment here and there. At least though we reached the peak to catch a glimpse of the Mount Everest. Also I get to sit on a local’s bike. Bumpy ride but an experience but then to pay that much, suddenly it felt not so worth it.

The top is a breath of fresh air. I get to see the top unlike others who are below being bothered by peddlers trying to sell their fossils being dugged out from the mountain. Yes, prehistoric fossils. Those shells.

From then onwards, I took out my gear, trying to capture the top of the mountain only to be blocked by a massive cloud. After waiting for 10 minutes, the cloud cleared and there it was, the tip of Mount Everest or Mount Qomolongma.

The mountain only to be blocked by a gravel of dirt. It feels so near, but the peak is 8000m+ above sea level. So after getting the great view, we’re on our journey once more. To go onwards to the Everest Base Camp, situated about 5000m+ above sea level. To think that I was able to stand cold on highlands, the cold here is crazy. My hand was frozen if I don’t have proper gloves.

When we reached the base camp, it was already getting dark, around 6pm, and with nightfall, the cold is getting crazier. It’s approximately 0 degrees Celsius. Early in the morning, Ek Wei woke up and showed us the thermometer he brought along. It’s below 0 degrees Celsius. Wahhhh~~~ and it’s about 530am. It’s time to wake up to reach the starting point of the track towards Mt Everest.

A proof that I was there.

The sight was splendid. It seems so near. If only I could have more time and tracked there. But I was feeling superbly cold and if I don’t get myself warm enough, my fingers could go frozen. What with when my gloves tore around the palm area. Wore 3 pieces of clothing to keep myself from cold, but it’s still not warm enough.

Cold until I can’t pose properly. It’s 5200m above sea level. This is still just below the rocks. Having trouble climbing up the cliff which is a mere 100 meters.

When we finally reached there, the sun came up and a Tibetan does his ritual there. See the peak covered behind by the clouds, that’s Mount Everest.

So fascinated by the beauty of it, I didn’t want to go back down, but being frozen is a far worst experience. So time to do some simple photoshoot before going down.

It was so cold. At least you can see the peak behind . Luckily the sun was a bit out so it was a bit warm.It’s WEIRD ME and Ek Wei.

Kenny came up later, so we didn’t get his photos. Well, group photo was done by ekwei as I brought my zoom lens and hands are too cold to change the lens.

After doing our shots here in Mount Everest, it’s time to go back down, and back to Lhasa Town, Tibet. Of course, one can go back with a souvenir to certify that you’ve been up there and it only cost 70 Yuan. Money again. ARGH~~~~

I was running out of RMB (Yuan) so didn’t want to spent it on unnecessary expenditures.

While on our way back sitting in the van, we stopped for a last time view on the splendid architecture of God’s and capture the scenic view of the Mount Everest bask in sunlight. The view was splendid, I wondered if I could actually one day go there again.

It’s time to go down, and after going down like 20 minutes, it seems that one of the people in the same van left his mobile phone at the base camp. Thus a call was made up there and someone brought the phone down. Of course, not all things are done for free and it’s 100 Yuan. What an expensive carrier. While waiting for the person to come down with the mobile phone, an exciting view comes into my focus, and I got this next shot.

Too much of foreground maybe, wasn’t prepared. Well, could have cropped it though, but I love to picture my photos thru the viewfinder and not by cropping photos. It takes practice. I ain’t a professional yet and I am hoping to take nicer photos in the coming future.

I guessed that wraps up the Mount Everest Base Camp trip. At least it was an experience worth having.

Ek Wei and Kenny wondering, is that all? Darn… can we go there again. I wished for it too.

Until then adios and good time reading.

ps: Upcoming post, a little bit about Malaysia instead. Too many overseas trip. Let’s talk about Beautiful Malaysia in the Land of Kuching.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Looks like Mt Everest is upcoming in this post. Or is it? When I first stepped into Pelkhor Chode Monastery, I was thinking to myself, not another monastery. I was hoping that we could actually go on our way to the trip towards Mt Everest. That’s all I ever wanted. But little did the 3 of us know is that there’s something unique regarding this monastery.

Yes, Pelkhor Chode Monastery is situated at 4050m above sea level. That’s like the peak of Mount Kinabalu, situated in Sabah. Surprisingly it wasn’t that cold and I was able to walk in with not so thick clothes. Unlike the other monasteries that we’ve been seeing all these while, these place is a little bit too far out of the country side. Thus we were able to see how was this monastery used to function.

The monastery is surrounded by walls, high and thick. This is so to look out for intruders and to prevent intruders from going into the monastery to attack it. Daniel is very impressed with the architecture of the whole structure of the area, but then that’s not what make this monastery famous. One thing though, for a monastery such as this, it’s 40 Yuan (there goes another RM20).

The picture below clearly depicts what is different about this monastery.

Look at the EYES along the walls. There are four pairs of them and this is what made this place unique. Another thing though, we are also allowed to go to the upper floors to take photos. The only catch is we have to pay 10 Yuan (another Rm5) which we all declined. (Doubt can ever take any superb photos with the sky so dark).

Finally other than these features, nothing much of this monastery. Though a funny thing happened while we were on the way out. A group of tourists (aunties group) wanted to enter the monastery only to find out they have to pay 40 Yuan for it. Then they gathered on the front gate of the monastery and took photos when the monks there asked them to leave for being cheapskate. They didn’t bothered the monk and took the photos and left with their bus. What a strange incident if you could actually see the monk’s expression and frustration of the so called cheap group.

Finally it’s time to move on. But little did we (when I say we, it means Me, EkWei and Kenny) know, we’re still are not able to continue our journey towards the mountain yet. There’s another monastery that we’re compulsory to make a stop.

This place is a whole lot bigger than the small monastery we’ve visited though. Using gold as ornaments. I must say it’s a fine monastery. Have another close up on the roof.

Yup, actually we’ve traveled quite a distance to reach this monastery and that’s why the sky is now bluish compared to the early darker sky. Kind of strange, the sky being so blue, unlike the ones I get to see here.

This monastery is also one of the most frequented. Well, with a big giant statue of Buddha, that could be the reason. Pilgrims or locals would come here, then they will walk past a path and ring the bell 3 times before going in. Then 1 time before going out.

This is the bell I am talking about.

Of course sometimes am able to capture certain shots that isn’t so monastery like. Just playing with my camera and testing it out. Well, either you can call me weird or maybe I just wanted to try something different.

But then maybe that’s not the real reason, do you see a group of people on the right? Yes, all of them are female and their doing some kind of ritual dance on the rooftop. I still don’t know why? But it sure is interesting.

The sun was blazing hot, but they still carried on doing the dance.

Soon it was time to say goodbye. Next photo is time to leave, and why is the sky so blue? I used vivid settings on my Nikon D300. That’s why it turned out that blue.

Where to next?

Let the photos do the talking and you do the thinking.

ps : In terms of photo shooting, something is not right with this photo. Though sometime rules are meant to be broken.

Finally it’s my turn to appear!

You don’t actually need a DSLR to take photos, this is proven by this person next.

Ahemz… see the camera PLEASE.

By the way, what do we all hoped to catch with our cameras here. The next photo will definitely give you an answer.

Wooots… more snow. Guessed that concludes this post. But wait where’s Mt Everest? Didn’t I mentioned it on the title. Ahemz… yup, it’s behind the lump of cloud there. Okay, then if you’re not satisfied, let’s sing.

I’ve got a feeling
Why the mountain hide from me x 2
hide from me~~~~
I’ve got a feeling
That maybe because I am weird x 2

Put away that cloud, let’s give it up
Go dance with me, let’s call it up
Why you so impatient, then just scroll down

Just scroll down, just scroll down, just scroll down~~

Woo hoo~~~~~

Popularity: 1% [?]

As most of the readers and twitters that followed me, you will know that on Friday 2nd April 2010, I will be off to Kota Kinabalu again. This time will be the 3rd successive year going there. Though there won’t be any mountain to climb this time. What a day because it’s going to be a company trip, and my flight is at 1040am later.

Yes, I can’t wait to splash once again in the island of Sabah, East Malaysia. I love the nature there. Somehow the nature over there can’t be compared over here.One of the island is Pulau Manukan.

Wonder what changed this year? I’ll be live blogging from here and yes, do keep track with me on this blog and on my twitter.

Adios. Gonna finish packing. Next trip after that? Where?

Popularity: 1% [?]