SAWADEE KA THAILAND

SAWADEE KA THAILAND

Thailand is a land of smiling and friendly people, exquisite and hot cuisine and astonishingly beautiful scenery. It is famous for Hongs, caves and narrow passages between the islands where canoeing is the most attractive pastime. Hongs are rooms inside caves with sandy beaches and crystal clear water. It is necessary to swim through a cave to reach a Hong. Some caves are known to have undiscovered pirate loot still buried inside a Hong.

Most activities can be centred around a beach, swimming in warm Andaman Sea or enjoying a number of cafes and restaurants scattered around beaches that can be entered barefoot. It is also possible to dress up and dine in town enjoying its markets, shops and choice of restaurants.

 

Thai cuisine is spicy and hot but can be quite enjoyable. Hot food is known to make the inside and outside of body temperature equal adding to the comfort in the hot climate of Thailand. In spite of being hot the food is tasty.

The local people offer smiles and although English is not commonly spoken in Thailand, it is easy to communicate. The people are charming and friendly. The scenery is so impressive that it has been used as a backdrop for many films. One island has been named James Bond Island since the famous movie has been filmed there. Now it is a major tourist destination and local boats ferry visitors since early morning hours returning on sunset that is an explosion of color and beauty.

Thailand is a vast country. There is a lot to see and enjoy. A visit to Thailand is delightful and unforgettable.

KUCHING, SARAWAK, BORNEO, MALAYSIA

Kuching    Sarawak

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, which originally was part of the Sultanate of Brunei. Mid 1800s brought it under the rule of Brookes' Family - the White Rajahs - which lasted until the Japanese occupied Sarawak. The Fort is a reminder of history of Kuching and is located on the Esplanade, a tourist attraction in itself.

History is visible everywhere in Kuching. However, Kuching is The City of Cats,

Kuching meaning cat in Bahasa Malay. It even has a Cat Museum.

Sarawak River and its waterfront are the center of town. Local boats ferry passengers from one bank of Sarawak River to the other. There are bridges across both, Santubong and Sarawak rivers but a ferry trip across is more fun.

Semenggoh Wildlife Center houses Orangutans and is easily accessible from Kuching. It is a rehabilitation Center for for many animals that cannot survive in the wild. Orangutans are well looked after . Once rehabilitated they are released into the wild.


 The jungle is orangutan territory but once a year it becomes the grounds of  Reinforest World Music Festival. The Festival takes place in Sarawak Cultural Village and brings musicians from around the world to Kuching.

Kuching is a delightful place. It has charm that makes the stay in Kuching unforgettable.

KUDAT SABAH The TIP of BORNEO MALAYSIA

KUDAT, SABAH, The Tip of BORNEO

The history of Kudat dates well before 1880s and its original name was Tomborungus. Owned by the Sultans of Brunei and Sulu and inhabited by Rungus Tribe, the settlement became the first capital of Sabah appointed to that status by British North Borneo Company. This is when Kudat acquired its name due to misunderstanding and mispronunciation – Rungus thought the British were enquiring about the grass called Kutad growing in this area and Tomborungus was rather difficult name to pronounce.

Kudat is a conglomerate of races, original inhabitants Rungus, Chinese brought here from Southern China to clear the jungle and establish coconut plantations and Malay.

The glory of Kudat as a capital of Sabah was short lived due to water shortages but nevertheless it continued to grow and develop into one of the prettiest towns in Sabah.  

Kudat is only 20 kilometres away from the Tip of Borneo. A visit to Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, the Tip of Borneo is rewarding, the views are spectacular, cafes and restaurants offer attractive cuisine, the rungus long-houses are worth visiting.

A drive through local villages and jungle is exciting and quite an experience in itself.

Back in Kudat there is a Chinese New Year celebration in progress. There are Lion Dances and music spreading through town.

It is wonderful to see that all inhabitants of Kudat take part and not just the Chinese community. The dances require a fair amount of fitness and can be exhausting, still young boys from all ethnic groups participate eagerly. The performance is enjoyable.

Kudat is an attractive town on its own. It is also a stepping step to the magnificent Tip of Borneo and Rungus culture. Visiting Kudat is an enjoyable experience.