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5 things to do at Danau Sentarum Festival in West Kalimantan this October

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Danau Sentarum Festival is an annual event organised in Kapuas Hulu District which was started in 2012.

The festival is aimed to promoted the rich culture of people in Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan particularly around Danau Sentarum.

This year, Danau Sentarum Festival will be held on Oct 25 to 28 at three different locations including Lanjak, Batang Lupar and Putussibau.

With the theme “Stimulate Cross-Border Ecotourism in the Heart of Borneo”, the festival was launched as part of 100 Wonderful Events Indonesia by Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.

5 things to do at Danau Sentarum Festival in West Kalimantan this October
The Danau Sentarum Festival will spread out in different locations including Putussibau.

If you are heading to Danau Sentarum Festival this year, here are five things to expect during the event:

1. Join in the Danau Sentarum Cruise

During the festival, visitors are more than welcomed to join the Danau Sentarum Cruise which they will be taken on board Bandong boats to explore the lake.

It is a unique boat with the bottom designed by the Malays and the top designed by the Dayaks. The boat is used as both transportation and accommodation.

There will be two trips daily; one in the morning and another in the afternoon. Visitors should take this opportunity to observe the daily activities of people living in Danau Sentarum.

Plus, do not forget to bring your binocular just in case you can spot any birds along the way.

2. Watch traditional boat parade

Boats are important assets for the local communities of Danau Sentarum. Each tribes living in their area has its own unique traditional boats.

This year, the Dayak Tamambaloh tribe’s Parau Tambe boat by will lead the Traditional Boat Parade. The event will start from Lanjak town to Kedungkang, Melayu Island and Sepandan island, all around Danau Sentarum. 

It is definitely a sight to see with each boat will feature its own traditional music and dances. This activity will be held on Oct 27.

5 things to do at Danau Sentarum Festival in West Kalimantan this October
An example of a Malay village at Danau Sentarum.
3. Enjoy the music of Sentarum Ethnic Music Festival
5 things to do at Danau Sentarum Festival in West Kalimantan this October
Dusun Kedungkang, an Iban longhouse of Batang Lupar district, West Kalimantan.

What do Kalimantan and its Malaysian neighbour, Sarawak have in common when it comes to music? The sape.

This Dayak traditional lute will be featured together with rebana, sitar, gambus with other musical instrument at the Sentarum Ethnic Music Festival (Lanjak, Oct 26).

This is a golden opportunity to hear and compare the different sounds of various tribes in Kapuas Hulu regency, West Kalimantan.

4. Watch the one-of-a-kind Arwana Super Red Contest

Heading over to Putussibau, the contest to be held over the course of the festival aims to promote the conservation of the ‘dragon fish’, the Arwana Super Red (Scleropages formosus). Also called Ikan Siluk Merah in Indonesia, this fish in its vibrant colours ranging from red to chili ted is endemic to Danau Sentarum and has a reputation as one of the most expensive fishes in the world.

5. Have some honey at Culture and Honey Festival
5 things to do at Danau Sentarum Festival in West Kalimantan this October
An example of traditional tattoo of a Kayan Mendalam woman.

Beside arwana fish, another special commodity from Danau Sentarum is its honey. The honey is traditionally farmed and harvested by the Malay communities of Danau Sentarum.

The event will see a parade of 2,000 people drinking honey from bamboo cups.

And the best part is the local people will be donning their traditional attires during this festival. The Culture and Honey Festival will be held at Lanjak on Oct 25.

5 things to do at Danau Sentarum Festival in West Kalimantan this October
Are you up for a blowpipe challenge this coming Danau Sentarum Festival?

Other activities include a blowpipe competition, carving contest, traditional tattoo demonstration, dragon boat and bidar boat races and many more.

For more information on Danau Sentarum Festival, contact the organiser here or here or download the booklet here.

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5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia

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Danau Sentarum National Park is a unique seasonal wetland where the water levels can rise up to 12m during raining season.

Together with Betung Kerihun National Park and Kapuas Hulu District, the whole area was awarded the biosphere reserve certificate from Man and Biosphere UNESCO last July 2018.

Located in Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia, the park lies at the upper Kapuas River vasin.

It is a vast floodplain with 20 seasonal lakes, complete with picturesque freshwater swamp forest and peat swamp forest.

Here are five reasons why you should make your way to Danau Sentarum National Park:

1. Explore a maze-like peat land like no other

Travelling over the blackish water of Danau Sentarum is something that needs to be experienced at least once in your lifetime.

When dry season comes (June till September) and the water recedes, some of the lakes turn into narrowing channels while the channels turn into grasslands.

With all the trees that look almost alike and its winding channels, cruising through Danau Sentarum feels like going through a maze.

Plus, the vast floodplain leaves visitors wondering if there is something beyond the horizon of the lake.

5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
The national park covers 127,393.4 hectares whereby half of the area are lakes while the other half is swamp forest.
2. Do some birding activities

Pack your binocular and telephoto lenses to engage in birding activities at Danau Sentarum National Park.

About 240 bird species have been sighted at Danau Sentarum which include  the black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus), great argus (Argusianus argus), Storm’s stork (Ciconia stormi) and crested gowshawk (Accipter trivirgatus).

5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
Catch some birds on binoculars at Danau Sentarum.
3.Observe the trees and wildlife (on camera) along the way
5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
Like any other national park, do not litter at Danau Sentarum.

Danau Sentarum National Park is located at the Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative area. It is a government-led and NGO-supported programme that was initiated by a joint declaration by the governments of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia in 2007.

Today, it is one of the largest transboundary rainforests remaining in the world.

The whole island of Borneo is home to 6% of the global biodiversity though it only covers 1% of the world’s land area.

One of the areas which contribute to the high biodiversity of Borneo is Danau Sentarum.

It is home to 675 species of plants of which 13 are endemic to Borneo. Additionally, the park provides a natural habitat for orangutans, proboscis monkey, sun bears and arowana fish.

5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
If you are lucky, you will catch a stork landing on one these village jetties.
4.Watch sunrise and sunset over a floodplain
5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
A cloudy sunset view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang.

Thanks to its flat geographical feature, Danau Sentarum National Park gives picturesque views during sunrise and sunset.

And the best place to catch this view is at Bukit Tekenang.

Lonely Planet called Danau Sentarum a “photographers haven”,advising visitors to bring that extra memory card during your visit.

5. Learn about the Malay and Dayak cultures of Danau Sentarum
5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
Dusun Kedungkang, an Iban longhouse located near Danau Sentarum.

What makes Danau Sentarum National Park a unique place to visit is the people living in its area.

There are about 3,000 people living in the 20 villages enclaves within the park. About 90% of them are Malay while the rest are Dayak Iban people.

The Malays live in high-stilt houses connected by bridges while the Ibans live in traditional longhouses.

The residents are very welcoming and visitors should fully utilise their visit to Danau Sentarum by visiting at least one of these traditional villages.

5 reasons to visit Danau Sentarum National Park, Indonesia
A Malay village at Danau Sentarum.

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Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang

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A visit to Danau Sentarum National Park is not complete without a hike up to Bukit Tekenang.

With a towering height of 130m, the hill is one of the highest peaks in Danau Sentarum National Park.

The area was first gazetted as a wildlife reserve in 1982. Then in 1999, the area was declared as a national park.

Tourists can fly in from Pontianak to Putussibau, then take a four to four-hour-and-a-half hour’s journey to Semitau or Suhaid respectively.

From either Semitau or Suhaid, visitors can take a speedboat to Bukit Tekenang.

For Malaysians who are coming in from Sarawak’s Lubok Antu-Badau border, the closest way to get to Bukit Tekenang is from Lanjak town which takes about 40 minutes journey via speedboat.

It takes roughly 7 to 8 hours to drive to Lanjak from Kuching city.

At Bukit Tekenang, you will find a humble resort with basic amenities. So far the resort has welcomed both local and international tourists, especially from the UK and the Netherlands.

Not many locals live at Bukit Tekenang; the 20 families who do live there live by the lake on floating houses.

They are all fishermen living off the resources of Danau Sentarum (or Lake Sentarum). Apart from that, they also culture toman fish (Channa micropeltes) in cages.

Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
Floating houses at Bukit Tekenang.
Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
As always, don’t litter. A sign at Danau Sentarum reminding visitors to keep the national park clean by taking their rubbish with them.
Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
A map of Bukit Tekenang.
Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
A must-visit site of Danau Sentarum National Park.

Animals and plants who Danau Sentarum home

As for the wildlife at Bukit Tekenang, mammals such as proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), common treeshrews (Tupaia glis), and painted treeshrews (Tupaia picta) have been sighted at the area.

Overall, Danau Sentarum is home to about 240 bird species include the black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus), great argus (Argusianus argus), Storm’s stork (Ciconia stormi) and crested gowshawk (Accipter trivirgatus).

Additionally, the vast floodplain is habitat to more than 20 reptiles such as the viper, false gharial, estuarine crocodile and monitor lizard.

The trees found at Bukit Tekenang are the itchy tree (Baringtonia acutangula), grey satinash (Syzygium claviflorum) and kayu tahun (Carallia sp).

Meanwhile, the whole national park includesw 20 seasonal lakes and 40 small islands. The islands have freshwater swamp forest and peat swamp forest.

Peat swamp is where waterlogged soil prevents dead leaves and wood from fully decomposing. This consequently creates a thick layer of acidic peat over time.

The acidic peat causes the water around it to be brackish which explains the dark-coloured water of Danau Sentarum.

Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
Bukit Tekenang also has an office for Danau Sentarum National Park.

A breathtaking view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang

Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
There are resting huts located along the way up to Bukit Tekenang.
Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
The trail is only about 500m long.

For the unaccustomed eyes, Danau Sentarum might remind you of 2007 British-Australian horror movie Black Water.

However once you get to on top at Bukit Tekenang, you will understand how the blackish water elevates the beauty of Danau Sentarum.

The blackish water serves as a mirror, especially when sun rays hit the pond at sunrise and sunset.

For photographers, it gives a golden opportunity to capture the perfect landscape of Danau Sentarum.

The hike up to the hill takes less than 30 minutes. Relatively an easy hike, it has a 500m staircase with resting huts located along the way.

Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
Can you see the storm on the horizon?

Do take note that the water level ranges from 5m to 12m depending on the season. The rainy season is usually from October to May when the water level is quite high.

Meanwhile, during the dry season (June until September), some of the lakes may dry out and some parts of the channels turn into grasslands.

Although the national park is open for visitors all year round, different months of visiting might give visitors different kind of view from Bukit Tekenang.

If you are planning when to visit, imagine what kind of view you expect Danau Sentarum to have. It is either greenish forest swamp surrounded by water or greenery with patches of brownish grasslands.

Both views are equally mesmerising as long as you have Mother Nature on your side to give you clear weather.

Take in the mesmerising view of Danau Sentarum from Bukit Tekenang
If you are lucky, you might catch the sun in action when setting down.

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Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park

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Located in the province of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Danau Sentarum National Park is one of the most biodiverse lake systems in the world.

To give you an idea of how diverse; the park is home to about 240 recorded fish species.

Compare that to the European continent which has recorded about 546 species of freshwater fish, and Danau Sentarum has the equivalent of 40% of fish species for the whole of Europe.

The national park which covers an area of 127,393.4 hectares is basically a vast floodplain. Half of the area are lakes while the other half is swamp forest.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
One of the many channels in the complex lake system of Danau Sentarum National Park.

While most national parks in the world impose the heavy rule of ‘no fishing’ within its management area, the same rule cannot be enforced at Danau Sentarum National Park.

This is because there are roughly 20 villages located within the park’s proximity.

About 90% of the locals there are the Malay people while the rest are Dayak Iban.

With most of their villages built right next to a body of water, the lake also gives the villagers accessibility to the outside world besides providing

Most importantly, though, the communities rely heavily on the fish resources as their source of livelihood.

During a trip organised by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Indonesia from Nov 25 till 28, a group of media practitioners and travel writers paid a visit to Danau Sentarum National Park.

There, the group had the opportunity to cruise through the different channels of the lake system and observe the daily activities of local communities.

And it was not hard to find the locals at the Danau Sentarum. A number of them were seen on their boats busy with different kind of fishing gear.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
The local communities of Danau Sentarum rely heavily on fishing as their source of income.

Fishing nets of all kinds

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
One of the fishing gears, commonly called ‘pukat’.
Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
A closer look at the pukat.

One of the most common types of fishing gear used at Danau Sentarum is the pukat or gill net. The nets look like rectangular hammocks with wooden sticks to put them in place.

Pukat is commonly used all year round. However when the water level drops during dry season, this fishing method is not practical as the net is not entirely submerged.

Apart from the pukat, the locals of Danau Sentarum can be seen casting jala or nets from the bows of their wooden boats.

Jala allows the locals to catch different kinds of fish depending on the mesh sized used.

Another common fishing gear spotted along the lake of the national park was the bubu. This is typically a large cylindrical fish trap made from rattan, although they do make rectangular traps as well.

Some fishermen were still seen using good old hooks. This kind of fishing method is used to catch fish for personal consumption.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
Biawan fishes in cage cultures.

Are those wind chimes?

Bubu is not the only type of fish trap used at Danau Sentarum.

If you are cruising through Danau Sentarum, youmight notice small items hanging from trees along the lake and the stilts of the village houses.

They look like wind chimes from afar but in fact they are bamboo tube traps.

Called tabung by the locals, these fish traps are made from bamboo tubes tied in bundles. The local fishermen used them primarily to trap live ulang uli.

Ulang uli or clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) have orange bodies with three black bars. They are usually sold as ornamental fish.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
Tabung hanging from stilts at Danau Sentarum.
Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
These fish traps are made from bamboo tubes tied in bundles.

Fishing for a living at Danau Sentarum

Apart from ornamental fish, Danau Sentarum fishery folk process their various catches into salted and smoked products for sale.

And their products cannot get any fresher; the fish are immediately gutted right on the boats or their village wharf.

According to one fisherman, Abang Usman from Dusun (village) Semangit, it takes up to four days to completely dry the salted fish.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
Abang Usman from Dusun Semangit.

The salted fish are sold to a seller who comes to the village every two or three days to collect the processed fish.

He explained that the type of fish sold vary according to the season. In September, some of the common catches are toman, baung and biawan.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
A group of villagers gutting fish together to make salted fish.

Fish for food at Danau Sentarum

At Danau Sentarum, fish is the main source of protein for the local villagers. While salted and smoked fishes are tasty and ready to have with a bowl of hot steaming rice, they still can’t beat freshly cooked fish.

And one of the favourite ways to cook any fishes here is with asam pedas, or spicy tamarind fish. It is a Malay sour and spicy fish dish popular in Indonesia.

The added bonus of having your fish freshly caught, is that they don’t have that fishy smell.

So if you are making your way to Danau Sentarum, do not miss out on having a taste of the fish.

Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
Salted roes from toman fishes, one of the delicacies found at a Malay village in Danau Sentarum.
Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
It takes up to four days to dry these salted fishes.
Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
Fish smoking in the process.
Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
The local fishermen dry their fishes in front of their houses.
Observing traditional fishing methods at Danau Sentarum National Park
Toman fishes cooked in asam pedas.

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KajoPicks: 5 popular Indonesian romantic movies of the 2000s

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The early part of the 21st century was good for Indonesian movie industry.

This was when Indonesian movies started to penetrate and make waves in its neighbouring countries including Malaysia.

Indonesian horror movies such as Kuntilanak (2006) and Hantu Jeruk Purut (2006) were considered on par with Thai horror movies.

Besides its horror flicks, Indonesian romantic movies of the 2000s were also popular when they were released.

Even for those of us in Malaysia who might have never watched their movies, we would have at least heard their original soundtracks blasting through the radio.

So these are the top five Indonesian romantic movies of the 2000s that will make you feel nostalgic:

1.Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (2002)

Before American author wrote her book Slammed (2012) about a teenage couple connected by their passion for poetry, the Indonesians produced a movie based on a similar idea.

Cinta (played by Dian Sastrowardoyo) is the popular, beautiful school poet. Rangga (Nicholas Saputra) is the introvert, a nobody in school.

Their love story starts when Rangga’s poem was submitted to the school’s poetry contest and subsequently won, beating even Cinta’s work.

The movie was released in Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Singapore. In Japan, it was known as Beautiful Days.

Perhaps what catapulted Ada Apa Dengan Cinta to fame was its controversy for being the first Indonesian teen movie featuring a passionate kisssing scene.

But for those who have watched it, they will agree that Cinta and Rangga’s poems hit the nail right on the head making the movie worth the buzz.

Watch the trailer here. 

2. Eiffel, I’m in Love (2003)

Following the success of Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, teen romantic films started being trendy.

Eiffel, I’m in Love (2003) was the film adaptation of the best selling book of the same name by Rachmania Arunita.

The story plot follows Tita (played by Shandy Aulia) living a perfect life until her parents plan to matchmake her with Adit (Samuel Rizal).

The movie made USD6.4 million in box office and won Most Favourite Movie award at the 2004 MTV Indonesia Movie Awards.

Watch the trailer here. 

3.Heart (2006)

Heart (2006) is the story of childhood friends Rachel (Nirina Zubir) and Farel (Irwansyah). Rachel is a tomboy whom most guys feel comfortable with while Farel is the typical most handsome guy in school.

Farel falls in love with Luna (Acha Septriasa), the pretty, gentle girl that you love to hate (but you can’t).

Rachel then realises she is also in love with her best friend Farel and there you have it – a movie about friendship and a love triangle.

The movie’s soundtrack featuring Irwansyah and Acha in “My Heart” was the national anthem for dating couples when it first came out.

The song even won the Best Song at the MTV Indonesia Movie Awards in 2006.

Watch the trailer here.

4.Ayat-ayat Cinta (2008)

Like most Indonesian romantic movies, what is famous other than the film itself is the soundtrack.

This movie’s title tracks such as “Ayat-ayat Cinta” by Rossa and “Tercipta Untukku” by Ungu featuring Rossa were commercial successes.

As for the story, it is about a man pursuing his love in the Islamic way.

Ayat-ayat Cinta (2008) was the first Indonesian film to reach 3.5 million tickets sold.

Watch the trailer here.

5.Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (2009)

This is another movie breaking the 3 million tickets in sales, Ketika Cinta Bertasbih.

It is based on the best selling novel with the same title by Habiburrahman El Shirazy.

The movie has a similar theme with Ayat-ayat Cinta which is about Khairul Azzam (Kholidi Asadil Alam) looking for his love while being faithful to his Islamic faith.

Watch the trailer here.

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Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market

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Located on the border between Indonesia and Malaysia, Serikin is famous among local Sarawakians for its affordable household items and batik-themed clothing.

The reason why prices at the market here are so cheap is due to the fact that the sellers come from neighbouring country Indonesia.

The market is located about 15km from Bau town and 80km from Sarawak’s capital, Kuching city.

It is held every weekend and has been around for more than 25 years since it was first erected in 1992.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Pick your rattan furniture at Serikin Weekend Market.

Is it worth the drive to Serikin?

For foreign tourists, driving for more than an hour to Serikin might not be worth the trip.

This is because most of the items sold are household items such as kitchenware, woven mats, woven food covers, mattresses, pillows and rattan furniture.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
If you love woven items, Serikin is definitely a must-visit place.

Unless you are willing to pay for excess baggage fees or ship these items back home, these are not easy-to-carry items you want to haul across the airport.

If you are looking for a memento, you can find more compact souvenirs in more varieties at Kuching city centre than Serikin.

The Malaysian locals including West Malaysian visitors love the market as you can see them bargaining for items like woven mats and mattresses.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Woven mats of different sizes and patterns and rice winnowing baskets.
Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Buyers browsing through a selection of woven mats to purchase.

But if you are a fashionista visiting Kuching, the drive to Serikin is definitely worth the trip.

Serikin offers a wide range of affordable fabrics with colourful and attractive designs.

You might find similar designs in and around Kuching and other major towns in Sarawak, but bear in mind that the prices offered in Serikin are slightly lower.

Hence, this makes Serikin also famous among wholesalers.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Channel your inner designer by turning these fabrics into your own style of clothing.

Most of the designs for fabrics and clothing are Sarawak motif-inspired or batik-themed, perfect for those who want a pop of colour or a tribal design for their wardrobe.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
A range of batik-themed clothing on display at Serikin.

Some tips and tricks

If you are planning to do your shopping at Serikin, make sure you pack along some bargaining skills.

There is no guarantee bargaining will work in each stall, but it is worth a try.

Besides, the vendors tend to give some discounts if you purchase a large quantity.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Compare the price at different stalls before making your purchase.

Another shopping tip is to always compare prices. Some stalls sell the same item mostly for the same price but you can always ask to double check.

The market stretches over one kilometre so walking from one end to another can be tiring, especially under the hot sun.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Take your time to enjoy your stroll along the one-kilometre long market.

Plan your visit early in the morning or in the evening before it closes at 6pm to avoid the heat.

Even better, carry an umbrella and bring along a bottle of water for you to enjoy your shopping.

But if you forgot to bring your own umbrella or a cap, there are traditional woven hats easily available at the market.

There are grocery shops and small family-run cafes at the market just in case you need food and drinks.

After a visit to Serikin and on your way back to Kuching, you can always drop by to visit other Bau’s attractions such as Fairy Cave, Wind Cave and Tasik Biru.

Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
There are local farmers trading their produce at Serikin.
Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
A visitor browsing through denim clothing.
Serikin: Sarawakians’ favourite border market
Visitors can also pots and other kitchenware at this border market.

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Asian horror movies based on real haunted places

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Art imitates life, even in Asian horror movies, which shows how movie-makers draw their inspirations from their surroundings when making a film. And what more inspiration for a horror movie other than an actual haunted place?

Here are some Asian horror movies inspired by places with supernatural and unexplained histories:

1.Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

The Movie: The crew of a horror web series go to an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast. In true horror flick fashion, the whole trip becomes their worst nightmare.

Watch the trailer here.

The Haunted Place: This South Korean movie is based on one of the freakiest places on the planet according to CNN.

Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital in Gwangju was once a fully operational medical centre when suddenly, according to local legend, patients started dying mysteriously.

Now, it is an abandoned building filled with urban legends and ghost stories.

Urban legends vary, some claim there was a mad doctor who tormented patients and one of the more famous versions is that the owner himself was insane. He was said to be keeping his patients incarcerated until he fled to the US in 1996.

The hospital was forced to close seemingly in hurry because medical records, patients’ private possessions were still there.

A less exciting, yet equally grisly explanation for the condition of Gonjiam Psychiatric hospital is that it closed due to unsanitary living conditions along with a malfunctioning sewage disposal system and that its owner just fled the country instead.

2. Lawang Sewu: Dendam Kuntilanak (2007)

The Movie: A group of high school students from Jakarta are trapped in Lawang Sewu in Semarang, Indonesia. After one of them urinates in the complex but does not reappear, the rest come to look for her. One of them also happens to be menstruating when she enters the complex, which incurs the additional wrath of the ghosts and spirits within Lawang Sewu.

To their horror, they are haunted by several ghosts and angry spirits which include that of a Dutch woman, a man who had a ball and chain wrapped around his leg, and of course a Kuntilanak (an Indonesian version of a vampire).

Watch the trailer here.

The Haunted Place: According to urban legend, a Dutch woman is believed to have committed suicide in Lawang Sewu. On top of that, when the Japanese invaded in the 1940s during World War II, they used part of the building as a prison where apparently some executions took place. Five employees working there and Indonesian fighters also died when Dutch forces attempted to retake Semarang by sneaking back into the city through the building’s tunnel systems.

So if you’re the superstitious type, there’s a lot of potentially unsettled spirits in this building.

Despite its haunted reputation, Lawang Sewu is actually an intricate, colonial era building. Lawang Sewu itself means ‘thousand doors’ in Javanese which derived from the building’s numerous doors and about 600 large windows.

Construction started in 1904 and was used by the first Dutch East Indies railway company Nederlandsch-Indische Maatshappij in the Dutch East Indies in 1907.

Although renovations over the years have not returned the building to its full glory, the Semarang city government is still working on shedding Lawang Sewu’s supernatural reputation by repurposing it into an active social space.

3. Highland Tower (2013)

The Movie: Highland Tower (2013) is a Malay-language film directed by Pierre Andre. It follows a TV host named Shima working on a documentary based on the 1993 Highland Towers collapse.

Watch the trailer here.

The Haunted Place: The Highland Towers were three similar 13-storey apartment buildings in Ulu Klang, in Selangor, Malaysia.

Sadly on Dec 11, 1993, Block 1 of the Highland Towers collapsed resulting in the deaths of 48 people. The remaining two blocks were evacuated due to safety reasons.

This led to the two remaining buildings becoming a hideout for criminals and drug addicts.

4.Villa Nabila (2015)

The Movie: The film starts with a disappearance of a teenager at an abandoned house called Villa Nabila in Johor.

It is presented in documentary style in which a few people who claim to experience the supernatural were interviewed.

Watch the trailer here.

The Haunted place: Villa Nabila is an abandoned house in Johor Bahru, Malaysia overlooking the Straits of Johor.

According to local legend, there was once a wealthy Caucasian family that lived there. Tragically, somebody murdered the whole family.

Another tale shares a story of wealthy parents who died leaving a daughter named Nabila.

Allegedly, the maid killed Nabila and cemented her body in one of the walls of the house.

5.Karak (2011)

The Movie: Asian horror movies love to revolve around horrified students just like those in Karak (2011).

This film tells the story of four students heading back to their college in Kuantan after a night out in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

They encounter a massive traffic jam on the Karak highway and decide to use an alternative route.

And that is when the horror begins.

Watch the trailer here.

The Haunted Place: Karak Highway was built in 1970 and was opened to the public in 1977. One of the famous tragedies that took place there was a road accident in 1990 which saw 17 people killed.

The death toll includes 11 Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) police personnel during a collision involving more than 10 vehicles.

This 60km highway also carries a number of other ghost stories such as a yellow Volkswagen which disrupts road users and a wandering school boy looking for his mother.

6.Haunted Changi (2010)

The Movie: Asian horror movies, like their western counterparts, like to explore the terrifying experience of fimmakers or TV crew with behind-the-scenes or found footage concepts.

This is what you’ll find with Singaporean movie Haunted Changi (2010) which follows a group of local filmmakers investigating Old Changi Hospital.

Watch the trailer here.

The Haunted Place: The British government built this hospital in 1935. It was used as a military hospital during Japanese occupation in World War II.

Unsurprisingly, some said the souls of Japanese occupation victims roam this site.

Moreover, there have been reported sightings of homeless ghosts, patients who died in the hospital and a nurse carrying a baby.

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6 gorgeous Hollywood filming locations you can visit in Southeast Asia

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Have you planned out your 2018 travel destinations yet?

If not, how about walking the paths of Hollywood stars by visiting beautiful filming locations in Southeast Asia?

Here are the top six scenic Hollywood filming locations to visit in 2018:

1. Palawan, Philippines – The Bourne Legacy

One of the best beaches in the world is located in Palawan.
One of the best beaches in the world is located in Palawan. Credit: Pixabay.

El Nido in Palawan served as one of the filming locations for 2012 American film The Bourne Legacy.

Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) and Dr Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) were shot riding a boat to El Nido.

It is currently ranked number 4 in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of “20 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World”.

With its white sandy beaches and limestone cliff, that is not a surprise.

Some of it’s best places of interest are Seven Commandos Beach, Simizu Island, Bacuit Bay and Cadlao Island.

2. Khao Phing Kan, Thailand – The Man with the Golden Gun

James Bond Island
Khao Phing Kan is mostly known to many as “James Bond Island”. Credit to Pixabay.

The names Khao Phing Kan and Ko Ta Pu might not be familiar to most tourists visiting Thailand as most may know them as James Bond Island.

Ko Ta Pu is a 20 metre tall islet located about 40 metres away from Khao Phing Kan.

Before the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun where it served as a hideout for Bond’s antagonist Francisco Scaramanga played by Christopher Lee, the island was relatively unknown.

The island became part of Ao Phang Nga Marine National Park in 1981. Since 1998, tourist boats have not been allowed to get too close to Ko Ta Pu to prevent any more erosion of the base of the limestone islet.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t see it at all: according to Phuket.com, the two best ways to view James Bond Island are from boats or from the small beach on Khao Phing Kan.

Thanks to various factors including shallow water depth, stable warm temperature and rich nutrient supply from mangrove forests; the area is abundant with marine life.

It plays home to organisms such as blue crabs, mud lobsters, black sea cucumbers, brain coral, and striated herons.

3. Angkor, Cambodia – Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

One of the filming locations for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.
Ta Prohm, one of the filming locations for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Despite the success of finding a real-life Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie’s 2001 action-adventure film received generally negative reviews.

Angkor may have become the winner in this scenario, however, as it left such a great impression on the screen that more than 2 million tourists visited it in 2013.

Ta Prohm, one of the temples in Angkor was widely associated with the movie. So much so, it was dubbed the ‘Tomb Raider temple’ among tourists.

These 12th century ruins were originally built as a monastery and university by Khmer King Jayavarman VII. Today, one of the distinct features of Ta Prohm that make it a photo-worthy destination are the trees growing out of its hallowed halls.

To top it off, the temple is almost in the same condition it was when it was rediscovered at the end of the 19th century.

Its solemn ambience, intricate wall carvings combined with its jungle surroundings make it one of the most visited temples in Angkor region.

4. Maya Bay, Thailand – The Beach

Maya Bay
The view of Maya Bay in low season.

Maya Bay is one of two shallow bays besides Loh Samah located at Ko Phi Phi Leh island surrounded by 100-metre high limestone rocks.  Besides it’s gorgeous beaches, it is also a protected nature reserve under Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

Being a protected nature reserve, however, didn’t protect Maya Bay during the filming of The Beach (2000). Although the world was introduced to one of southern Thailand‘s great beauties, filming a Hollywood movie there turned out to do more harm than good for Maya Bay.

In an effort to make Ko Phi Phi Leh more “paradise-like”, 20th Century Fox, the studio behind The Beach (2000) reportedly bulldozed and cleared some sand dunes of native vegetation.

A group of environmentalists filed lawsuits against 20th Century Fox, the forestry department and the Thai agricultural ministry  for damaging the ecosystem in the island which they won in 2006.

Regardless of the lawsuit, Maya Bay is still famous among tourists – perhaps too famous – that it has recorded 5,000 visitors taking up the 250 metre long beach in one day. And that was the number recorded during low season.

Maybe the pristine white beach and crystal clear water of Maya Bay are just too irresistible.

5. Bali, Indonesia – Eat Pray Love

Will ride a bicycle through terraces of rice field like Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love?
Will you ride a bicycle through terraces of rice field like Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love? Credit: Pixabay.

Eat Pray Love (2010) starring Julia Roberts was filmed over a number of locations which include New York, Rome, Naples, Delhi, Pataudi and Bali.

In Bali, the film was shot in Ubud, a town surrounded by rice paddies and in Pecatu, a resort popular for its beaches.

In the film, Roberts was shot riding a bicycle through rice fields and swimming in Padang-padang beach in Pecatu.

Although not many were happy with the film, from critics to media including a travel blogger who wrote ‘Avoiding Julia Roberts in Ubud, Bali’, the island is lovely to visit.

Many are sold for its lush green paddy fields, surf-worthy beaches, colourful corals and unique cultures.

6. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam – Kong: Skull Island

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. Credit: Pixabay.

In 1898, a huge sea snake in Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province was sighted by a ship’s sublieutenant named Lagredin and his crew.

The story was even reported on The Hai Phong News, a French newspaper.

One century later, another creature emerged in the bay, a 104-foot-tall ape named King Kong in the movie Kong: Skull Island (2017).

The film was also shot in two other provinces in northern Vietnam, namely Quang Binh and Ninh Binh provinces.

The bay has up to 2,000 islets, most of which are limestone.

You might not find a huge sea serpent or a giant ape but it is home to 14 endemic floral species and 60 faunal species.

Other movies that were shot here were Pan (2015) starring Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard and Life (2017) starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

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The Parade of the Tatung during Chap Goh Meh in Singkawang

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In Sarawak (or Malaysia in general), there’s a cute tradition where young bachelorettes throw oranges into the river during Chap Goh Meh in the hopes of finding true love – hopefully by the following year.

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Chap Goh Meh is celebrated after the 15th or last day after Chinese New Year or Imlek

Chap Goh Meh in the Hokkien dialect translates to “the 15th night of Chinese New Year”. It is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, but usually see families and friends gather together for dinner together as it is the last day of the Lunar New Year.

In Singkawang, a town located in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, you might find Chap Goh Meh being celebrated somewhat differently.

For the locals there, Chap Goh Meh is kind of a big deal as it is a truly unique event that reflects the culture and community here.

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A 178-meter long dragon figure paraded during the Chap Goh Meh procession

Before I elaborate more on what I saw during my brief four-day stay in West Kalimantan, this sort of celebration is not for the faint of heart (though I think James Wan might be inspired for his next thriller).

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The Chinese New Year – also known as ‘Imlek’ – is when the local Chinese community believes the gods will gather together in Singkawang.

There are no direct flights to Singkawang, so you have to fly to Pontianak which is 145 km away. After reaching Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, you have to travel three to four hours by bus to get there.

With 70% of the population being of Chinese descent, Singkawang’s Chinese community is predominantly made up of the Hakka clan, followed by the Teochew, while the rest are Malays and Dayaks.

Enjoying the procession of the 565 Tatung

The festivities in Singkawang were already in full swing on Feb 11 as people began to crowd the streets hoping to get a glimpse of the 565 ‘Tatung’ or shaman, the highlight of the Chap Goh Meh procession.

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The parade of the 565 ‘Tatung’ or shaman, the highlight of the Chap Goh Meh procession.

Known as the ‘City of the Thousand Temples’, you will pass various temples of different sizes and structures every few meters as you approach Singkawang from Pontianak. It is not a surprise then that a large number of Tatungs will come and participate in the procession representing their temples and gods.

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The Tatung perform unbelievable stunts to the astonished crowd.

The Tatung usually begin to prep themselves the day before the festival. Their preparations usually involve them going into trances at their respective temples, each temple dedicated to a different god.

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While some were dressed in elaborate and colourful traditional Chinese warrior costumes, others were in traditional Dayak outfits with steel rods piercing their cheeks while they waved their swords in the air.

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During the Tatung ritual, the participants – in a trance – perform unbelievable stunts such as stepping on swords, piercing rods and swords into their cheeks, as well as cutting themselves with knives without sustaining any injuries or shedding any blood.

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Just to prove that their knives and swords are real and sharp, some perform demonstrations where they cut a variety of objects, from plastic cups to vegetables.

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Photo-taking is a must during this truly unique event.

On top of that, some Tatung performed bloody feats like biting the neck off a live chicken. According to our tour guide, a chicken was used since 2017 was the Lunar Year of the Rooster. (I briefly imagined what would end up being sacrificed in the Year of the Dog.  Thankfully, I was told that dogs had been prohibited for use in the festival thanks to outraged animal lovers all around.)

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A pilgrim praying during the parade of the Tatung.

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Planning a visit to the ‘City of the Thousand Temples’?

Being in the ‘City of the Thousand Temples’, it was a shame that I did not get to visit some, let alone learn a story behind each one or even what gods were worshiped there.

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This gave me an excuse to come back and visit Singkawang for Chap Goh Meh again next year, though I have to remember to book my accommodation at least three months ahead. As I understand it, the motels and hotels are usually fully booked during that time of the year.

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I was warned, however, that prices for accommodations might still double during this period even if you book early.

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With Chap Goh Meh happening once a year, Singkawang is definitely worth a trip for the adventurous.

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