Patricia Hului

Patricia Hului is a Kayan who wants to live in a world where you can eat whatever you want and not gain weight.

She grew up in Bintulu, Sarawak and graduated from the University Malaysia Sabah with a degree in Marine Science.

She is currently obsessed with silent vlogs during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Due to her obsession, she started her Youtube channel of slient vlogs.

Follow her on Instagram at @patriciahului, Facebook at Patricia Hului at Kajomag.com or Twitter at @patriciahului.

5 Malaysian movies inspired by true stories worth watching

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Movie makers immortalise people or events through their films.

Although their art cannot imitate life perfectly, some still manage to carry  its essence and convey the message they wanted to.

Here in Malaysia, the movie industry still has lots of room for improvement.

But there are a few local filmmakers daring enough to create movies inspired by true stories.
And here are the ones that are worth your time watching.

1.The Big Durian (2003)

This movie broke records by being the first and only Malaysian film to screen at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

The Big Durian’s director Amir Muhammad combined documentary and fiction to bring an event which occurred in October 1987 to the big screen.

On that day, a soldier named Adam Jaafar ran amok, shooting off an M16 rifle in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

The shooting spree left one person dead when a bullet ricocheted and killed Che Soh Che Mahmud, while several others were wounded.

Apart from Sundance, The Big Durian was also screened at the Singapore International Film Festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival.

2.Ola Bola (2016)
5 Malaysian movies inspired by true stories worth watching
Ola Bola.

Ola Bola was inspired by the true story of Malaysia’s football team scoring a place at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Russia.

The film was directed by Chiu Keng Guan and produced by Malaysian film powerhouse Astro Shaw.

Despite its commercial success, the film was disqualified from the 28th Malaysia Film Festival Best Film category because it contained less than 70% Malay language dialogue.

Following this controversy, all non-Malay categories were removed and made eligible to compete for Best Film.

3.Adiwiraku (2017)

When a group of schoolchildren in rural Peninsular Malaysia beat 20 elite schools in an English choral speaking competition, the story was destined to go viral on the internet.

For the students of SMK Pinang Tunggal in Baling, Kedah, participating in an English-speaking competition would have been impossible if it weren’t for their volunteer English teacher Cheryl Ann Fernando from Teach for Malaysia.

Against all odds and even to the team’s own surprise, they came out fifth place beating 20 other schools at the district level competition.

Inspired by this touching story, film director Eric Ong knew he had to make a movie of it.

Ong and his team’s work paid off when Adiwiraku bagged the Best Film Award at the 29th Malaysia Film Festival.

Watch the trailer here.

4.Dukun (2018)
5 Malaysian movies inspired by true stories worth watching
Dukun’s film poster.

Originally slated for a 2007 release, all the red tape surrounding Dukun was finally cut and it premiered in 2018.

Until today, no official statements have been given on why the movie was postponed but most suspect it was due to the film being inspired by the real-life murder of Malaysian politician Mazlan Idris.

An ambitious politician, Mazlan’s murder in the 1990s gathered so much public attention not only because he was a public figure but because of the brutal (and supernatural) nature of the killing and the fact that a Malaysian female pop singer happened to be one of the prime suspects.

After leaving her not-so-successful music career, Mona Fandey (whose real name was Maznah Ismail) made a profession change to black magic, becoming a bomoh or a local shaman.

In July 1993, Mona Fandey together with her husband Mohamad Nor Affandi Abdul Rahman and assistant Juraimi Hassan were reportedly performing a cleansing ritual on Mazlan.

During the ritual, the trio asked Mazlan to lie down, close his eyes and wait for money to fall from the sky. Instead of money, an axe came down on Mazlan, chopping his head off.

He was reported missing on 2 July 1993, but by then his bank accounts were cleaned out of RM300,000. Mona was soon after spotted on a shopping spree and driving a Mercedes Benz.

Her high-spending life was cut short after Juraimi made a statement to the police disclosing the location of Mazlan’s remains, which were buried near Mona’s house in Pahang. He was found in 18 pieces.

The trio were found guilty of Mazlan’s murder and were executed on November 2, 2001 at Kajang Prison.

Watch the trailer here.

5.Bukit Kepong (1981)

We cannot talk about Malaysian movies inspired by true stories without mentioning Bukit Kepong (1981).

The movie was based on an armed encounter which took place on Feb 23, 1950 between the Federation of Malaya Police and the gunmen of Malayan Communist Party during the Malayan Emergency.

The movie was directed by legendary Malaysian actor Jins Shamsuddin.

Over the years, it has become one of the must-feature films on national television channels especially during August, Malaysia’s National Month.

A special mention…

There is one upcoming Malaysian movie inspired by true events which might be worth the hype.

Director Adrian Teh (King of Mahjong, Hungry Ghost Ritual) is working on an action film highlighting the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Forces, otherwise known as Pasukan Khas Laut or Paskal.

Scheduled for a 2019 release,  Paskal is said to be a biopic of Lieutenant Commander Arman Anwar who, in 2011, led a Paskal team to rescue the crew of MV Bunga Laurel which was hijacked by Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Filming locations include Kuala Lumpur, Lumut, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna in Malaysia as well as Morocco.

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What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk

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Albert Einstein once said, “If a cluttered desk is sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?”

Most of us spend a lot of time sitting at our office desks every day. According to Herbalife’s Nutrition At Work 2016 survey, nine out of 10 Malaysian workers spend at least six hours a day sitting at their desk.

While Einstein might be right about cluttered desks and busy minds, a clutter-free office has it perks too. (Admit it, there are desks out there that look like a hurricane passed through your office.)

Besides being clean, clutter-free desks definitely offer less distraction as they keep your mind on the project you are working on. Plus, a minimalist office desk is always looks good on Instagram or Pinterest-worthy.

What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk
A clutter free desk offers less distraction when doing your work. Credits: Unsplash.

One of the best ways to have a clutter-free office desk is to go paperless. The trees would appreciate your effort too.

Furthermore, you can skip having letter trays and files on your workspace.

Always remember to put away all your books on the shelf unless you need them for your work.

Another tip to have a clutter-free desk is to make sure you clear your desk at the end of day.

That way you can come to a neat, organised office desk every morning.

Here are just the basic things that you need to achieve that clutter free office desk:

1. Planner
No matter if it is a digital planner on your smartphone or a good old book planner, everybody needs one.

It makes your working life easier to create new plans, organise your work and arrange your schedule.

What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk
Always plan your day ahead in order to be more productive. Credits: Unsplash.

2.Basic Stationery
No, you do not need colourful stapler bullets in your life. And no, you also do not need 12 different colours of highlighters unless you are in the creative field.

If you are in Malaysia, chances are that you will have all sorts of pens from various official functions, hotels or government agencies. Clear or donate them away.

Every job has different needs when it comes to stationery. The plan here is to narrow down which of these stationery are required for your job and stick to the basics.

What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk
Narrow down your stationaries needs. Credits: Unsplash

3.Stationaries holder
Now that you have all the stationery you need, it’s time to pick your stationery holder.

Again, pick the simplest of them all or choose the cutest mug out there and stuff everything inside.

What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk
Be very basics when comes to choosing your office accessories.

4.Sticky notes
A sticky note is a miracle piece of paper with a re-adherable ability. It works wonders by attaching itself to documents or desk temporarily.

It also helps people as a reminder or sometimes a to-do list.

For those who are nature-lovers and prefer to go paper-less, you can always use the app version of sticky notes on Windows 7, 8, and 10.

What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk
The ever useful sticky notes.

5.A small plant

Studies have shown that having some greenery in your office can have positive effects.

Plants reportedly can help reduce stress, increase your productivity and even reduce sickness.

So what are you waiting for? Pick a small plant which suits the size of your office desk.

What you need for the perfect clutter-free office desk
Have you chosen your plant yet? Credits: Unsplash.

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Ranchan Recreational Park, Serian’s famous picnic spot

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Ranchan Recreational Park in Serian might not be on top of everybody’s list of places to go for recreation but on weekends, the place is famous among local people as a favourite picnic spot.

It is accessible, located about 70km from Kuching and 5km from Serian offering waterfalls and pools surrounded by rainforest.

Ranchan Recreational Park and its facilities

Ranchan Recreational Park, Serian’s famous picnic spot

About 10 years ago, the facilities in the park were run-down and in need of an upgrade.

Over recent years, however, Ranchan’s facilities have improved significantly. The park now has a canteen and small eatery, a public toilet, and the trails are properly maintained.

There is a viewing tower, a suspension bridge and huts for resting.

Ranchan Recreational Park, Serian’s famous picnic spot

The park even has a hall which can accommodate up to 300 people at a time. It is available for rent to host official functions, dinners, charity exhibitions or even a concert.

For those who are looking for something small, the park has a lecture room to accommodate up to 60 people.

Otherwise if you’re looking for a place to stay in Serian, Ranchan Recreational Park also offers affordable chalets to rent.

Serian District Council is responsible for managing the park.

Ranchan Recreational Park, Serian’s famous picnic spot

There are several barbecue pits for visitors who are looking to roast their own food at the park.

However as the place is famous among locals and school kids, looking for nice private spots for a picnic might be difficult.

Visit this place during weekdays and you might have several pools to choose from all for yourself.

Beware of flash floods at Ranchan

Ranchan Recreational Park, Serian’s famous picnic spot

Besides being famous as a picnic spot, Ranchan is also infamously known for the ‘kepala air’ or the ‘water column’ phenomenon.

It is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the area when flash flood bursts down over the waterfall.

The management advises visitors to be cautious when taking a dip at Ranchan as this flash flood might occur anytime.

Make sure that you and your family members evacuate the area immediately when you see these signs:

  1. The first sign is the sky suddenly turns dark, especially in the hilly area and is accompanied by a the sound of thunder;
  2. The sound of falling rocks from the headwaters;
  3. Finally, water levels in the Ranchan pools will suddenly start to rise and bubble.

Here are some photos of Ranchan Recreational Park:

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8 easy Japanese recipes to try at home

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Forget about sushi and sashimi, there are easy Japanese recipes out there for you to try at home.

Fellow Asian countries like Malaysia already have the basic Japanese ingredients like rice and soy sauce.

Other traditional ingredients that you might require to make your own Japanese cuisine at home are miso, dashi, sake and mirin.

In Sarawak, most of Japanese ingredients are easily available at local supermarkets such as Everrise and Ta Kiong.

Here are 8 easy Japanese recipes for you to try at home especially on weeknights:

1. Omurice
8 easy Japanese recipes to try at home
Omurice. Credits: Pixabay.

For Malaysians, omurice is the closest thing you have to nasi goreng Pattaya.

It consists of fried rice covered with an omelette.

The rice is usually fried with chicken and various vegetables. Then a thin sheet of fried rice covers the top of the rice.

2.Tonkatsu
8 easy Japanese recipes to try at home
Tonkatsu anyone? Credits: Pixabay.

Tonkatsu is one of those easy Japanese recipes you might think is NOT so Japanese.

Tonkatsu (a combination of ton for ‘pork’ and katsu for’cutlet’)  is a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet often served with shredded cabbage.

It’s easy to make. Salt and pepper your pork fillet, then cover it with flour. Dip the meat into a beaten egg before coating it with panko. Panko is a kind of Japanese bread crumb easily available at the supermarket or a Japanese store.

Can’t find panko? Make your own bread crumbs by ripping up some bread, spread it on a baking sheet and put it in the oven at 300 F degrees for 6-8 minutes or until it’s a golden brown. Then crush it into powdery form.

You can either deep-fry the tonkatsu or bake it in the oven for a healthier option.

3.Katsudon

Once you know how to make your own deep-fried pork cutlet, now you can make katsudon.

This dish is a bowl of rice topped with pork cutlet, egg and some vegetables.

4. Gyudon

What you mainly need to make gyudon is beef, onion, dashi, soy sauce, mirin and salt.

Simmer the thinly sliced beef and onion with all the seasoning above. Once it is cooked, pour the beef on top of hot steaming rice.

If you like, add on a raw egg or soft poached egg.

For a complete Japanese experience, serve your gyudon with Japanese pickled ginger (beni shoga) and ground chili pepper (shichimi).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGdOZBQcbbg&pbjreload=10

5.Oyakodon

Oyakodon is almost similar to katsudon and gyudon.

But for oyakodon, the ingredients such as chicken, egg, scallion, onion are simmered together in soy sauce and stock.

After it is cooked, it is poured on top of a bowl of rice.

6.Onigiri Rice Balls

Forget about Korean kimbap, onigiri is much easier to make for that perfect lunch takeaway.

It is made from normal plain rice formed in triangular shapes and wrapped in seaweed.

Traditionally, the filling is usually made from pickled ume, salted salmon and other fancy Japanese ingredients.

But you can always make your own simpler version of onigiri with ingredients which are already available in your kitchen.

For example, tuna with mayonnaise, or even small portions of fried food such as fried chicken or pork.

7.Miso Soup with tofu

This is one of those easy Japanese recipes which only requires you to boil.

Apart from being easy to make, it is also a healthier cooking method.

Firstly, boil water your nori (seaweed) for few minutes. Then, put in some tofu and if you like some green onions. Finally, add in your miso paste.

8.Niratama Donburi

The word niratama comes from nira which means garlic chives and tama which is an abbreviation of tamago (egg).

So this dish is basically made of eggs and garlic chives stir fried together to make an omelette.

After that, put it on top of a bowl of rice and get ready to dig in.

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Legends and nature of Fairy Cave Bau

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Fairy Caves is one of the main attractions in the Bau area located about 40km from Kuching city.

The cave was named after a stalagmite structure which is said to resemble a Chinese deity.

The site covers around 56 hectares and is popular among local climbers.

Overall, Fairy Cave has eight separate walls with over 80 climbs in different ranges of difficulties.

Of course, there are more beyond the walls of Fairy Cave – you’ll find legends and nature interlacing together making it popular among local and foreign visitors alike.

Legends and nature of Fairy Cave Bau
A man-made fountain called ‘Titisan Air Fairy’, which translates to ‘fairy water drops’ was erected in the cave. The fountain has long since dried up but the boy’s statue remains.

Legends of Bau’s Fairy Cave

According to historian Chang Pat Foh, the legends behind the stalactites and stalagmites lie in the story of a poor boy and his mother who lived at a big Bidayuh kampung known as Kampung Kapur located near Fairy Cave.

One day, a Gawai celebration was being held at one of the kampung houses.

Curious, the boy came and peeped in on their celebration, which made the homeowner unhappy.  Rather than simply chase the boy away, the mean-spirited homeowner collected some sugarcane waste and gave it to him, telling him there was pork inside.

Happily, the boy went home and presented what he thought was a gift to share with his mother. When his mother found nothing but sugarcane waste instead, she was humiliated and so began plotting her revenge on the proud village folk.

She took a cat, put it in a beautiful dress and threw the cat into the middle of her neighbour’s Gawai celebration to the surprise of its attendees.

They began to laugh at the sight of a cat in a dress. Their laughter brought on a storm, and the sky roared with thunder and lightning. When the storm eventually stopped, all the villagers had turned into stone.

They are what make up the stalagmites and stalactites inside Fairy Cave.

Another version of the legend is that it was the boy who threw the cat in the middle of celebration and that the mother had instructed him to cover his head with a chicken basket so that the curse would not touch him.

Besides the Bidayuh community, the Chinese have also their own interest in the Fairy cave as the cave is believed to be home for Chinese gods and goddesses.

Some of the rock formations were even named after Chinese deities such as Kuan Yin, the goddess of Mercy.

Browse through this photo gallery of Fairy Cave by KajoMag:

Apart from mystical legends, Fairy Cave is also believed to play a role in Sarawak history as members of Japanese forces used it for shelter during World War II.

Later, communist fighters used it for the same purpose in the ’60s.

Fairy Cave and its nature

Besides being rich in legends and tales, the cave is also rich in nature.

Fairy cave, along with Wind Cave is home to the slipper orchid Paphiopedilum stonei.

This species is one of the highly prized orchids according to Hans P Hazebroek and Abang Kashim Abang Morshidi in National Parks of Sarawak.

Sarawak government gazetted Wind Cave and Fairy Cave as a nature reserve to protect the caves and the biodiversity inside.

The reserve is home to palms such as Arenga pinnata and Arenga undulatifolia.

There are also up to 14 species of bats, 12 species of snails and black-nest swiftlets found in the reserve.

A visit to Fairy Cave

Legends and nature of Fairy Cave Bau
A fantastic view from inside the cave.

There is a flight of  concrete steps leading up to the entrance located high in the limestone cliff, which makes this place not suitable for the elderly or small children to visit.

Next to the concrete steps, there is a narrow stone ladder covered in mold and in ruin. These were the old steps which led up to the cave entrance.

Once you get inside, there are plank walks for visitors to explore the cave.

Apart from that, Fairy cave makes a good site for a pleasant visit in the morning when the weather is a bit chilly.

If you are an avid photographer, the place offers a great location to explore outdoor photography.

The downside?

The disappointing part of Fairy cave is the rubbish. With only two dustbins on site, it’s time we start taking our litter home instead of leaving it behind at a nature reserve.

Legends and nature of Fairy Cave BauBring back your own rubbish, and start using reusable bottles for your drinking water.

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KajoPicks: 5 upcoming South Korean movies you can watch in Malaysian cinemas (June-December 2018)

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Over the years, Malaysian cinemas have featured more varieties of movies.

On top of the usual Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil movies, we have begun to see more choices such as Thai, Indonesian, Japanese anime and South Korean movies premiering on our big screens.

Thanks to the rise of Hallyu wave, Malaysians have shifted their interest to South Korean movies in recent years.

In 2016, Train to Busan became the Malaysian number one South Korean movie, racking up about RM4.8 mln on its opening weekend.

Earlier this year, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds opened at number one in Malaysian cinemas, winning against Chris Hemsworth’s 12 Strong and Matt Damon’s Downsizing.

Now, we have five upcoming South Korean movies we can look forward in selected cinemas till the end of 2018:

1. Champion (June 14)

This sports comedy film directed by Kim Yong Wan stars Ma Dong Seok, Kwon Yul and Han Ye Ri.

Mark (played by Ma) is a disgraced arm wrestler turned bouncer. Given up for adoption by his biological mother as a baby, Mark was raised in the US by an American family. The prospect of making money at an arm-wrestling competition in South Korea leads him back to his homeland where he searches for his biological mother but finds his biological siblings instead.

2. Believer (July 5)

In October 2017, the South Korean entertainment industry mourned the loss of one of its finest actors Kim Joo Hyuk.

Believer is Kim’s final film before his untimely death due to car accident.

It is a remake of Chinese-Hong Kong action thriller Drug War (2012).

3. The Accidental Detective: Returns (Jul 12)

This crime comedy film is a sequel to Kim Jung Hoon’s 2015 film The Accidental Detective.

It stars Kwon Swang Woo, Sung Dong Il and Running Man’s Lee Kwang Soo.

4. Along with the Gods: The Last 49 days (Sep 6)

This movie is based on webtoon Singwa Hamgge by Joo Ho Min.

It is the second installment after the first part, Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017).

The plot circles around the story of fireman Kim Ja Hong (Cha Tae Hyun) and grim reaper Gang Rim (Ha Jung Wood).

5. Monstrum (Sept 27)

When it comes to South Korean movies, we rarely see a period genre taking a slot in our local cinemas.

This year we have Monstrum, a period thriller directed by Heo Jong Ho.

It is supposedly based on a real case in 1527 during King Jungjong’s reign when an unknown creature threatens the King’s life.

The movie stars Kim Myung Min, Lee Hye Ri, and Choi Woo Shik.

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5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak

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Sarawakians are known to be proud for our own local food but we also appreciate foreign flavours even – and in some cases, especially – if it comes in the form of fast food chains.

While Sarawak already enjoys KFC, McDonalds, Nando’s, Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut, most of us want more.

Here are 5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak:

  1. Domino’s Pizza

Although in February 2018, Domino’s Pizza became the largest pizza seller worldwide, it has yet come to Sarawak.

Now there are two pizza restaurant chains in Sarawak, Pizza Hut and Pezzo.

A post shared by Domino’s Pizza (@dominos) on

2. In-N-Out Burger
For celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain who called our Sarawak laksa the breakfast of the gods, he called In-N-Out “the only fast food chain that I actually like, and think is reasonably good for the world.”

If Bourdain thought In-N-Out Burger was reasonably good for the world, it is good for us Sarawakians.

Their menu features three burger varieties; hamburger, cheeseburger and double-double (two patties and two slices of cheese).

A post shared by In-N-Out Burger (@innout) on

3. Jollibee

This Filipino fast food chain serves American style dishes such as burgers, spaghetti, chicken on top of some Filipino dishes.

Jollibee also offers a range of rice meals include Garlic Pepper Beef, Ultimate Burger Steak, All-day Garlic Bangus (milkfish) and Burger Steak.

As of April 2018, there are about 1,200 Jollibee outlets worldwide. Interestingly, the only Jollibee opened in Malaysia was closed down due to the 1997 financial crisis. Perhaps the next one will open in Sarawak?

A post shared by Jollibee (@jollibee) on

4. Dunkin’ Donuts

Sabah has Dunkin’ Donuts… so how come Sarawak doesn’t have one?

When it comes to doughnuts in Sarawak, we have to settle with local bakeries and Big Apple Donuts.

If we were to compare these two joints, Dunkin’ Donuts serve better coffee than Big Apple Donuts. What do you think?

5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak
A piece of doughnut goes well with a cup of coffee. Credits: Pixabay.

5. 4Fingers Crispy Chicken

At 4Fingers Crispy Chicken, the food is only prepared when you order which is why you can taste the crispiness of the chickens right away.

They serve Korean-styled fried chicken, which is usually seasoned with spices both before and after being fried.

Another highlight of this food joint, is its kimslaw, a side dish made of kimchi and coleslaw.

As for the fries, you pick your own flavour such as kimchi or seaweed.

This Singapore fast food chain was only established few years ago in 2009.

Now it has expanded its business to Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak
4Fingers Crispy Chicken

Any fast food chains you wish would come to our shore? Let us know in the comment box.

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Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring for natural healing

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When it comes to hot springs near Kuching, people automatically think of the Annah Rais Hot Springs.

For a lesser known, equally calming hot spring about 40km from Kuching city, there’s the Panchor Hot Spring located at Kampung Panchor Dayak which is accessible via Kuching-Serian Road.

It is famous among locals who believe a dip in the hot spring water will promote natural healing.

Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring for natural healing
Welcome to Panchor Hot Spring!

Among the minerals which had been found in the water are calcium and sulfur.

According to the information displayed on the board at the hot spring, the Panchor Hot Spring haspositive therapeutic effects for skin ailments.

On top of that, it is also believed the minerals in the water can help to soothe arteriosclerosis, rheumatism and joint pains.

Some visitors have a dip in the hot spring for its detoxifying effects.

Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring for natural healing
Visitors relaxing by the pool.

Firstly, here are the precautions visitors need to take when dipping at Panchor Hot Spring:

  1. Dip your feet first in order for your body to fully adjust to the temperature. The average temperature of water at Panchor Hot Spring is 42oC. Then slowly submerge your whole body into the pool.
  2. If you are not comfortable with the temperature, get out of the pool and take a rest. Visitors are advised to take cold water to alleviate any dizziness that might occur because of the hot temperature.
  3. Never ever jump directly into the pool. After your dip in the hot spring, do not immediately take a shower. Let your body temperature cool down first.
Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring for natural healing
Never ever jump directly into the pool.

Panchor Hot Spring Facilities

Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring for natural healing
A visit to Panchor Hot Spring gives back to the local community.

The hot spring is currently managed by the village security and development committee.

Thus, a visit to Panchor Hot Spring gives back to the local community.

Its facilities were upgraded by the Tourism Ministry in 2013 with electricity provided to the site.

There are wooden planks surrounding the pools making it convenient for visitors to sit by the hot spring while soaking their feet.

Visitors do not have to worry the about the weather as the pool areas including the corridors leading to it are covered with roofing.

Other basic facilities include a resting hut complete with benches and tables, public toilet and changing room.

Surrounded by forest, the hot spring makes another serene and short getaway from your hectic life in Kuching.

The hot spring is open daily from 7am till 10pm.

Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring for natural healing
Pathway leading to the hot spring.

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What makes a good tourism board website?

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Although some travellers prefer travel blogs and social media, tourism board websites still remain important resources for accurate information on travelling to a specific country.

Most tourism board websites have evolved over the years, utilising social media platforms such as Instagram to promote their countries and give more insights on travelling tips.

While others still have lots to improve on, (*cough cough* Malaysia…) here are some things which can make a tourism board website stand out:

1. Good travel stories

What makes a good tourism board website?
Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. Credits: Pixabay.

Gone are the days where tourism board websites are only filled with press releases of official events.
For example, Tourism New Zealand’s media section has plenty of stories (and story ideas) covering a wide range of topics from activities and sports to nature and ecotourism as well as insights on Maori culture.
Go behind the scenes of famous eateries in New Zealand as the website also features interviews with chefs.

2. Full of tips and guides

What makes a good tourism board website?
Yosemite National Park in California, US. Credits: Pixabay.

There are a lot of tips and guides out there but what we need is specificity.
Like in the blogosphere, some travel bloggers are specialised in luxury travel while others give backpacking and budgeting tips.
When it comes to a good tourism board website, what we need it to be is an all-rounder.
It needs to be full of tips and guides covering all travelling needs.
The Visit California website, for example, offers various tips from how to travel with kids to how to pack for a trip to California.

3. It is all about the details

A good tourism board website website will tell you things that you never thought you needed to know.
Is the place wheelchair friendly? Do they provide baby strollers?
Is it kid-friendly? Where else can you visit in the nearby areas?
Go To Bermuda for instance, even explains to its future visitors how it’s like to drive in Bermuda.

4. More about food please

What makes a good tourism board website?
A night view of Stockholm. Credits: Pixabay.

To write about eating places is more than just listing down what to eat at a certain town.
Again, travellers need and want the details.
One very good example is Visit Stockholm website.
If it is a restaurant you are looking for, it narrows down to budget, mid-price or gourmet categories.
Looking for a cafe? Do you want it to be a cozy, trendy or a classic cafe?
How about a place to hit at night in town? The website details to a bar, a place with live music, or a club and even an LGBT bar.

5. Don’t forget about pop culture

What makes a good tourism board website?Pop culture tourism is the reason why The Abbey Road in London is famous. We want to go where the famous people go, to eat what the famous people eat, to visit where the famous films or dramas were filmed.
South Korea capitalises the popularity of its Kpop and Korean dramas by promoting Kpop music festivals and filming locations.
Visit Korea website lists downs all the filming locations for famous dramas including Goblin, Legend of the Blue Sea, Love in Moonlight, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo and Uncontrollably Fond.

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Adidas kampung, the almost perfect hiking shoes

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Almost every Malaysian has heard of ‘adidas kampungs’ – the generic name for probably the most handy yet cheap rubber shoes made in Malaysia.

They usually come in black, but sometimes you can find them in white too.

Besides adidas kampung, these rubber shoes are also known as adidas paya, kasut kebun and kasut motong. All of these unique and hyperlocalised names have to do with going out to the jungle, farming or trekking. Why?

Adidas kampung, the almost perfect hiking shoes
Adidas kampung, a preferred footwear for Malaysian jungle.

The soles have strong grip on slippery rocks and muddy flats making them famous among farmers and rubber tappers.

They are perhaps the most preferred footwear when it comes to trekking in the Malaysian tropical rainforest.

This is because they are waterproof, easy to dry… and most of all cheap.

Sold mostly in sundry shops throughout Malaysia, they cost under RM10 a pair.

Adidas kampung, the almost perfect hiking shoes
They are recognised for their strong grip on slippery rocks and muddy trails.

 

Adidas Kampung in the news

Adidas kampung have made headlines in the news several times over the years all thanks to their usefulness.

During the 21st Mount Kinabalu Climbathon in 2017, for instance, Safrey Sumping won fourth place in the men’s open event was wearing a pair of adidas kampung.

In 2011, it helped another Malaysian win a place in the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon.

Danny Kuilin Gongot wore them when she beat New Zealander Anna Frost and American Brandy Erhortz, clinching the women’s title in the climbathon.

Besides assisting Malaysians to win international athletic events, they have also been great help during hard times.

When flood hit Penang back in 2017, volunteers turned to these shoes to help with the cleanup as they were perfect for wading through floods.

In some local universities, lecturers for nature-oriented courses such as Environmental Science and Marine Science made adidas kampung must-have footwear for field-trips.

The flaws of Adidas Kampung

Although adidas kampung might sound like the perfect shoes, they do have their own flaws.

First of all, they are not the most comfortable pair of footwear out there.

You need to wear adidas kampung with a pair of thick socks as they are also known for leaving its wearers with blisters.

Another thing is that although these pair of shoes are known for their waterproof ability, you can also get waterlogged.

A short walk in a stream will leave you walking around in tubs for shoes instead, making it a little inconvenient during your hike as you need to stop and pour the water out of your adidas kampungs.

Nonetheless, their extreme affordability still make these adidas kampungs one of the better choices of hiking shoes in Malaysia.

Plus, they work better than your normal running shoes when hiking through our muddy, slippery Malaysian jungle.

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