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Touring Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands

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Phi Phi (8)
Cruising through Phi Phi Islands.

Thanks to its majestic limestone mountains, rocks and pristine white sandy beaches, it is impossible to take a bad photo at Phi Phi Islands.

Located between Phuket and the west of the Strait of Malacca, it is believed the name of the group of islands named ‘Phi Phi’ originates from the word “api-api” in Malay, referring to the Pokok Api-Api or grey mangrove found throughout the island.

There are six islands in the Phi Phi archipelago, with Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lee being the famous ones.

Besides its mountains and beaches, its cliffs and caves have made it a popular tourist attraction site.

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Some stern reminders found on Bamboo Island.

The islands are part of Hat Nopparat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park.

There are plenty of tour packages available for those who want to visit the islands.

A day tour aboard a speedboat could cost you up to 2,800 baht during peak season (middle of October till end of March) when the place is packed with tourists.

During the rest of the year, the package tour price could even go as low as 800 baht per person which includes a pick-up from your hotel, drinking water and lunch.

The price of the tour package usually does not cover the national park entrance fee which costs about 400 baht per person.

Whether you are following a group tour or signing up for a private trip, here are glimpses of what await you at Phi Phi Islands.

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A clear blue sky at Bamboo Island.

1.Bamboo Island

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Any part of Phi Phi Islands can be perfect background for photography.

This small island is located between the coast of Krabi and Phi Phi Islands.

Its Thai name is Ko Mai Phai and its English name is kinda misleading.

Do not tire yourself walking around looking for bamboo because no bamboo grows on the island.

The name actually refers to the casuarina trees which cover most of the island.

Like the rest of Phi Phi Islands, Bamboo Island did not escape the damage brought by the Indian Ocean tsunami on Dec 26, 2004 wiping out most of the trees along its coastline.

Today, however, it offers a great chance for snorkelling as the Hin Klang coral reef spans between Phi Phi Don and Bamboo Island.

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A view of Bamboo Island.

2.Viking Cave

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Catching a glimpse of Viking Cave from the outside.

Sadly, visitors are not allowed into Viking Cave but most tour boats slow down to let tourists have a good glimpse of the cave.

Another misleading name, Viking Cave has nothing to do with the Vikings but owes its name to the painting found on the eastern southern walls of the cave.

The painting represent various types of boats including a Scandinavian drakkar.

These rock arts are actually quite recent, believed to be drawn by sailors taking shelter in the cave during a storm.

Now the cave is taken care of by a private company that holds the concession to harvest the bird nests found inside the cave.

3.Piley Cove

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The crystal clear water of Piley Bay

This is one of the most magical places in the world to swim in.

The colour of the sea is turquoise and it is so clear you can see fish cruising around you as you swim.

Boats can only enter the cove when it is high tide due to the low depth at the entrance to the cove.

The limestone mountain surrounding the cove protects it from high waves of the open sea making the water a perfect calming place to swim in.

The depth of the water here ranges between 5 to 20m, so wear those life jackets if you are not confident with your swimming.

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A group of tourists getting ready to swim in Piley Cove.

4.Maya Bay

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A stream of tourists coming into Maya Bay.

This is the most popular site on Phi Phi Islands, all thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio.

Yes, the Titanic’s leading man made this bay famous when the movie he starred in, The Beach was filmed here in 1999.

As beautiful as it is, it also might be the hardest place to visit of all the sites in Phi Phi.

This is because the place is so packed and filled with tourists that during high season, you might not even see white beach but only people as you approach Maya Bay by boat.

Thousands of people visit the bay and more than 30 boats are moored at its coast daily.

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The crowd in Maya Bay during low season.

5.Monkey Bay

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Spot the macaque at Monkey Bay!

Don’t forget to say ‘hi’ to the macaques which gave Monkey Bay or Ao Ling its name.

This place is famous for kayaking and snorkeling but most tour groups don’t make a long pit stop here.

Unless you are on a private tour or boarding the traditional longtail boat, you can always hop off and make a quick visit to see these primates.

Some tour groups offer the chance to feed them, but be careful not to get too close as they are known to bite and scratch.

6.Phi Phi Don

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Phi Phi Don.

The highlight of the Phi Phi Islands tour is supposedly none other than snorkeling off the coast of Phi Phi Don.

It is the largest island in the Phi Phi archipelago and the only one with permanent inhabitants.

Unfortunately, Phi Phi Don suffered the most damage of all Phi Phi during the 2004 tsunami where more than 1,000 people died.

There is a memorial built for those killed in the tsunami on the beach near Lohdalum Bay.

Some parts of the reef have been damaged but there are a few soft corals sprouting here and there.

There are still a few schools of colourful coral fishes found in the area and other marine organisms such as clams and sea cucumbers.

Phi Phi Islands and its visitors

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Visitors can always opt for these traditional longtail boats to bring you around Phi Phi Islands.

The islands are a well known holiday destination among Chinese, Singaporean, Malaysian and European tourists.

It was reported that Phi Phi produces about 25 tonnes of solid waste a day and up to 40 tonnes during the high seasons.

So if you are visiting the archipelago anytime soon, do not litter and always bring your garbage back to the mainland for disposal.

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Unique lamp post found on Phi Phi Don

More Krabi travel stories here:

Top five things to buy at Krabi Weekend Night Market

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Top five things to buy at Krabi Weekend Night Market

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Krabi Weekend Night Market (1)
Located at Maharat Road opposite City Hotel, Krabi Weekend Night Market opens Friday till Sunday from 5pm onwards.

Whether you are staying in Krabi town or 30 minutes away at Ao Nang beach, your visit to the southern region of Thailand would not be complete without visiting Krabi Weekend Night Market.

Located at Soi 10 Maharat Road opposite City Hotel, it’s open Friday till Sunday from 5pm onwards.

The market offers a great variety of food, affordable fashion items, local produce, exotic delicacies such as crickets and fried worms and tops it off with great entertainment.

It is a relatively small market, so an hour or two is sufficient enough to visit every stall and enjoy as much as possible.

Still, there are so many delicacies to choose from besides the usual and famous Thai food such as pad thai, mango sticky rice, tom yum goong, papaya salad or pineapple fried rice!

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Hearty portions and diverse dishes await seafood lovers out there!

Here’s KajoMag’s top five things to buy at the Krabi Weekend Night Market:

1.Bamboo Cocktails!

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Just like the sign says: Cocktail in the Bamboo!

What better way to start off your weekend in Krabi other than a nice shake of alcohol?

Served in cut bamboo with a slice of pineapple and a cute tiny umbrella, their cocktails simply compliment your tropical vacation in Thailand.

Whether it’s Mojito Strawberry, Mojito, Pina Colada, Kahlua Milk, Screwdriver, Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, Sex on the Beach, Long Island Tea; there are so many cocktails to choose from!

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Choose your cocktails here at Krabi Weekend Night Market!

2. Kao Cluk Ka Pi

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Take home some kao cluk ka pi!

If you take the time to observe the locals, you will see some of them buying packs of rice.

These rice packs turn out to be kao cluk ka pi – fried rice with shrimp paste.

The rice dishes come with shrimp or chicken served together with shredded unripened mango, shredded omelette, tiny slices of red onions and long beans.

It is a hearty meal, perfect for those who are famished after all that walking around the market.

3.BBQ heaven on a stick

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BBQ heaven!

We just made that up, the locals do not call it ‘BBQ heaven on a stick’.

But we are talking about all the glorious meat such as pork belly, chicken barbecued to perfection.

The meat is slightly sweet but tender and juicy, perfect to have with local Thai beers like Chang and Leo…or you can always have another round of bamboo cocktails!

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You can pick your spicy or non-spicy sausages.

4.Beach shorts

For the fashionista in you.
For the fashionista in you.

No matter how much you have packed for your island trip – trust us – you still have extra room for extra beach shorts.

Here at Krabi Weekend Night Market, there are more beach shorts to choose from compared to those in Ao Nang and way cheaper.

You can get comfortable cotton shorts with Thai motifs as low as 100 baht. The same items might cost slightly higher in Ao Nang.

5.Local art pieces

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Have personalised shoes handpainted by this artist.

The weekend market is also a great place for visitors to show some support to local artisans.

Here you can find handmade cut-out cards, hand-painted postcards and paintings.

You can even watch some of the artists at work, painting their masterpieces right in the middle of the busy market.

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Another artist at work in the middle of Krabi Weekend Night Market.

Read more:

Visiting Krabi’s Emerald Pool and Hot Spring

How to travel ethically in Thailand

Touring Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands

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Lawatan ke Kubu Hose di Marudi

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Lawatan ke Marudi, sebuah bandar yang terletak di utara Sarawak, tidak akan lengkap tanpa lawatan ke Kubu Hose.

Terletak kira-kira 100km dari Kuala Baram, Marudi dulu pernah menjadi pusat pentadbiran kawasan ini sebelum bandaraya Miri diasaskan.

Hari ini ia adalah bandar terbesar di daerah Baram.

Semuanya bermula pada tahun 1883 apabila Sultan Brunei, Sultan Abdul Momin menyerahkan wilayah Baram kepada Charles Brooke, White Rajah yang kedua.

Bahagian Baram menjadi bahagian keempat Sarawak dengan Mamerto George Gueritz dilantik sebagai Residen pertama.

Apabila pentadbiran Brooke memperoleh kawasan baru untuk mentadbir, perkara pertama yang akan dilakukan adalah membina sebuah kubu.

Pembinaan kubu bermula pada tahun 1889 dan telah siap pada tahun 1901. Kubu tersebut dinamakan sempena Charles Hose, yang dilantik sebagai Residen bahagian tersebut pada tahun 1891.

Kubu itu dibina dengan kayu belian di atas bukit yang menghadap ke sungai Baram.

Terdapat juga dua meriam besar yang diletak di hadapan kubu untuk melindungi bangunan tersebut daripada penceroboh.

Fort Hose juga digunakan sebagai pejabat pentadbiran dan rumah Residen.

Pada tahun 1899, bangunan itu menjadi tempat termenterai nya perjanjian damai yang akan mengakhiri peperangan di kalangan semua kaum di kawasan Baram.

Sejak itu, bangunan tersebut digunakan Pejabat Daerah, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Jabatan Imigresen, Jabatan Tanah dan Jabatan Penerangan.

Apabila orang Jepun menyerang Sarawak semasa Perang Dunia II, mereka menggunakannya sebagai ibu pejabat Kempeitai atau Polis Tentera.

Ia kali terakhir digunakan sebagai pejabat Pembangunan Komuniti Pusat Pameran Kraf Tangan Orang Penan.

Pada 24 Ogos 1994, sekitar tengah malam, Fort Hose telah terbakar hampir 100 tahun selepas ia dibina.

Pada tahun 1995, komuniti di sekitar kawasan Baram menyumbang batang kayu Belian untuk membina semula kubu.

Ia kemudiannya dibina semula mengikut dimensi dan reka bentuk asalnya.

Ia secara rasmi dinamakan semula sebagai Muzium Wilayah Baram pada 25 Mei 1997.

Di muzium ini, pelawat boleh melihat koleksi gambar yang diambil oleh Hose sendiri.

Kebanyakannya adalah potret Orang Ulu yang diambil pada awal abad ke-20 serta kehidupan seharian mereka seperti pemprosesan garam.

Tekstil tempatan, barang-barang manik, ukiran kayu dan barang upacara seperti topeng kayu yang digunakan oleh masyarakat Orang Ulu juga dipamerkan.

Ia juga menempatkan sape yang sepanjang 30 kaki panjang, sape terbesar dalam Buku Rekod Guinness Malaysia untuk menjadi yang terbesar seumpamanya.

Dibina pada tahun 2008, alat muzik seperti lute dibuat oleh pembuat sape Anyie Wan, Hillary Tawan Achai dan Noel Along Anyie.

Walaupun ia agak kecil berbanding dengan muzium lain di Sarawak, ia menawarkan panduan komprehensif untuk sejarah Baram dan rakyatnya.

Ia mungkin satu-satunya muzium di Malaysia yang memberi tumpuan terutamanya kepada budaya dan sejarah masyarakat Orang Ulu termasuk Kayan, Kenyah, Penan dan Kelabit.

Pengunjung juga boleh berjalan-jalan di taman sekitar kubu kerana ia menawarkan pemandangan sungai Baram yang indah.

Muzium ini dibuka Selasa hingga Jumaat (9 pagi hingga 4 petang), Sabtu dan Ahad (10 pagi hingga 4 petang). Masuk adalah percuma.

Read this in English.

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Memperingati mangsa tawanan perang di Kundasang War Memorial

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Dedicated to the lasting memory of the 641 British servicemen
Who died in terrible circumstances
In the Sandakan prisoner of war camp
On the death marches and at Ranau 1943-1945
They shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them

Demikianlah ayat yang termaktub pada batu plak hitam dengan bendera United Kingdom di English Rose Garden, salah satu taman bunga yang terdapat di Kundasang War Memorial (Tugu Peringatan Kundasang).

Di sana terdapat juga taman-taman lain termasuklah Australian Garden, Borneo Garden dan Contemplation Garden.

Terletak di Kundasang, tugu tersebut memerlukan dua jam perjalanan menggunakan kereta dari ibu negeri Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

Ia dibina untuk memperingati tentera Britain dan Australia yang terkorban di kem tahanan Sandakan dalam perjalanan ke Ranau.

Pada tahun 1942, seramai 2,400 tawanan perang dibawa dari Singapura sebagai buruh paksa untuk membina landasan kereta api di kem tahanan Sandakan.

Dari bulan Januari ke Ogos 1945, pada pengakhiran Perang Dunia Kedua, para tawanan perang dikerah untuk berjalan sepanjang 260 kilometer dari Sandakan ke Ranau.

Kebanyakan mereka dipercayai terkorban akibat serangan penyakit, kebuluran dan penderaan tentera Jepun.

Hanya 6 orang, kesemuanya warganegara Australia terselamat setelah mereka berjaya melarikan diri.

Penduduk tempatan turut membahayakan nyawa mereka dengan memberi makan dan menyorok tawanan sehingga berakhirnya Perang Dunia Kedua.

Dibina pada 1962, tugu tersebut juga memperingati pengorbanan dan kesengsaraan penduduk Sabah.

Ide untuk membina tugu tersebut datang daripada Major G.S. Carter, seorang warganegara New Zealand pada awal 1960s.

Ia kemudiannya dibina menggunakan dana dikumpul oleh penduduk tempatan dan asing di Sabah.

Malangnya, tugu tersebut telah terabai sehinggalah seorang lelaki Thailand Sevee Charuruks berjaya memulihnya pada tahun 2004.

Tugu tersebut sangat sesuai dibina di kaki Gunung Kinabalu kerana penduduk tempatan percaya awan-awan yang menyelaputi gunung tersebut melindungi roh-roh mereka yang telah meninggal dunia.

Surat-surat khabar mengenai perjalanan maut Sandakan (death march) tersebut turut dipamerkan.

Apabila memasuki kawasan tugu, para pengunjung akan memasuki Australian Garden dimana terletaknya bendera Australia dan plak berjudul ‘Kinabalu Kundasang War Memorial and Australia’.

Terdapat juga sebuah panel ditulis dalam bahasa Inggeris dan Melayu tentang sejarah sebalik tawanan perang di Sabah.

Sementara itu, Borneo Garden pula memperingati mangsa-mangsa peperangan di Sabah yang cuba menolong pihak tawanan namun terkorban.

Di Borneo Garden juga, terdapat pokok-pokok bunga yang boleh dijumpai di Sabah.

Manakala di Contemplation Garden, berdirinya panel-panel dibina pada tahun 2011 yang mempamerkan kesemua nama-nama mangsa peperangan tersebut.

Amat menyayat hati apabila melihat lebih 2000 nama yang terpampang sepatutnya diingati bukan sahaja sebagai mangsa tawanan perang, malah sebagai seorang sahabat, anak, bapa dan abang.

Yang lebih menyedihkan, sebanyak 38 nama tidak sepatutnya termaktub pada panel tersebut kerana mereka berjaya sampai ke Ranau walaupun dalam keadaan yang lemah.

Namun demikian, mereka telah ditembak mati oleh pihak Jepun kira-kira 12 hari selepas Jepun menyerah diri pada 15 Ogos, 1945.

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A visit to Fort Hose, Marudi, Sarawak

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A visit to Marudi, a quiet riverine town in northern Sarawak, would be incomplete without a visit to Fort Hose.

Located about 100km upriver from Kuala Baram, Marudi used to be the administrative centre of this area before Miri was founded.

Today it is the largest town in Baram district.

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Fort Hose, now known as Baram Regional Museum.

It all started in 1883 when the then-Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Abdul Momin ceded the Baram region to Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah.

The Baram region became the fourth division of Sarawak with Mamerto George Gueritz installed as its first Resident.

Whenever the Brooke administration attained an area to govern, the first thing it would do is build a fort.

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A detailed wooden carving decorating one of the wooden poles of Fort Hose’s gateway.
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The archway leading to the fort.
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Mannequins showing how it might look like to visit the resident at his office at Fort Hose during the Brooke administration.

Construction on the fort began in 1889 and were completed in 1901. The fort was named after Charles Hose, who was appointed as Resident of the Fourth Division in 1891.

The fort was built with durable belian hardwood on top of a hill overlooking the Baram river.

Two large cannons positioned at the front of the fort would protect the building against invaders.

Fort Hose was also used as an administration office and Resident’s house.

In 1899, the building became the site of a historical peacemaking ceremony that would end bloody ages-old wars among all the tribes in the Baram region.

Since then, various authorities have used Fort Hose over the years: the District Office, the Welfare Department, Immigration Department, Land and Survey Department and Information Department.

When the Japanese invaded Sarawak during World War II, they reportedly used it as a Kempeitai or Military Police Corps’ headquarters.

It was last used as a Community Development office of Penan Handicraft Exhibition centre.

On 24 Aug 1994, around midnight, Fort Hose was razed to the ground almost 100 years after it was built.

In 1995, the communities in and around the Baram area contributed Belian poles towards the fort’s reconstruction. It was then rebuilt according to its original dimensions and design.

It was officially renamed Baram Regional Museum on 25 May 1997 and declared open by former Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang.

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Traditional shields, wooden baskets used by the Orang Ulu communities.
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Some of the traditional music instruments used by the Orang Ulu communities on display inside the museum.
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A tribal mask usually used during an Orang Ulu ceremony.

Baram Regional Museum

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A view of the inside of the Baram Regional Museum.

At the museum, visitors can find a collection of photographs taken by Hose himself.

Most are portraits of the Orang Ulu taken in the early 20th century as well as aspects of their daily lives like salt processing.

Local textiles, beaded items, wood carvings and ceremonial items such as wooden masks used by the Orang Ulu communities of the region are also on display.

It also houses a 30-foot-long sape which made it to the Malaysian Guinness Book of Records for the being the biggest of its kind. Built in 2008, the lute-like musical instrument was made by sape makers Anyie Wan, Hillary Tawan Achai and Noel Along Anyie.

Although it is relatively smaller than other museums here in Sarawak, it offers a comprehensive guide to the history of Baram and its people.

It may be the only museum in Malaysia focusing mainly on the culture and history of Orang Ulu communities which include the Kayan, Kenyah, Penan and Kelabit.

Visitors can also take a walk in the park surrounding the fort as it offers an excellent view of the Baram River.

The museum is open Tuesdays to Fridays (9am-4.45pm), Saturdays and Sundays (10am-4pm). Admission is free.

Fort Hose
Fort Hose overlooks the mighty Baram river.
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There is a hanging bridge located right behind the fort.
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Take a walk at the park near the fort.

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PHOTOS: DBKU Orchid Park, a perfect place for plant lovers

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If you are a visiting botanist or horticulturalist to Kuching, the number one place you must visit is DBKU Orchid Park.

Constructed in November 2007, the park was finally opened to the public on May 5, 2009. The garden is made up of two areas – the nursery and the display area and houses a collection of more than 75,000 plants!

The entrance sign may say ‘Orchid Garden’ but it was upgraded to Orchid Park back in 2013.

If you are familiar with the names Lady’s Slipper (Paphiopedilum Sanderianum), Coelogyne Pandurata, Bulbophyllum Beccarii and the Vandal Dearei, then you have to visit this garden.

But if you come with almost zero knowledge on orchids like yours truly, you might need to squeeze some effort to appreciate the place.

My biggest disappointment after visiting the garden was the lack of information and signage. While not all plants came with a sign, those that did only displayed the names of the plants without any extra information, leaving me with more questions than answers after my visit.

For instance, was this orchid endangered? Where could this particular orchid be found? Is this orchid endemic to Borneo?

These were just some of the questions that popped up in my mind while I was going around the garden.

Nonetheless, the park is strategically located within the vicinity of the Astana and Fort Margherita, making it a good place for a quick visit, especially for tourists.

Plus, admission is free and it is open to the public every day from 9.30am to 6pm, except on Mondays.

Don’t forget to bring an umbrella or a sunhat. If you have a DSLR camera, the garden is perfect for macro photography – I brought mine and I was happy how the photos turned out in the end.

But I need help to identify these beautiful orchids so drop some names in the comment box if you recognise some of these beauties!

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International Bornean Frog Race: An ecotourism gem

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Other than the iconic species like orangutan and rafflesia, the potential of other wildlife species for ecotourism development in Sarawak can and should be further explored.

Sarawak Forestry Corporation’s (SFC) Chief Executive Officer, Wong Ting Chung said this at the opening of the 6th International Bornean Frog Race at Gunung Gading National Park on Apr 29.

According to Wong, “We have a multiplicity of herpeto-species (lizards, snakes and frogs) richly endowed with the said potential. It has not surprised the organisers that this event has become an annual event of the state’s tourism calendar and a good example of how we may build up or cater to a ‘niche market’ for ecotourism.”

Professor Dr. Gabriel Tonga Noweg, Director of the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), also spoke at the event. Tonga in his speech briefed on the objectives of the ‘Frog Race’, which are to educate the public on the need for environmental conservation, to promote the event as an outdoor activity for local and foreign tourists as well as to draw public attention to the threats against sustainable frog populations in the State.

This 6th edition of the International Bornean Frog Race saw the attendance of more than 200 participants from 18 participating countries including Australia, Singapore, Korea and India.

The ‘race’ is held on the last weekend of April every year in conjunction with ‘Save the Frogs Day’.

The event which is listed on the tourism calendar of events of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak and that of Tourism Malaysia is jointly organised by SFC and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Activities conducted during the 1 ½ day programme included workshops, talks, exhibitions, the highlight being the ‘Frog Race’, in which participants compete to win prizes in various categories of the race, namely Most Number of Amphibian Species Photographed, Rarest Amphibian Photographed, Best Photo Taken with: DSLR Camera, Compact Camera or Mobile Phone

Gunung Gading National Park is best known to host the world’s largest flower of which visitors from the world over flock to view the Rafflesia’s spectacular blooms.

Other attractions at the National Park include its rainforest scenery, waterfalls and the jungle trails which lead to the peak of Gunung Gading.

Wong (second right) and Tonga (right) during the launching ceremony of the race.
Wong (second right) and Tonga (right) during the launching ceremony of the race.
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