A night of storytelling and poems at Nusi Poetry

Published on February 5, 2019

Nusi Poetry was back for its second edition last Feb 2 in conjunction with the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019.

Initiated by Nading Rhapsody, an Avant-Garde Borneo ethnic world music ensemble, vocalist Opah Aspa explained that Nusi Poetry was an inter-ethnic and inter-language event.

“In each edition, we will show a different mosaic. This edition, we are presenting Nusi Poetry: Mosaic -Ngebat Mimpi which means ‘weaving dreams’ in Iban.”

She added, “Each and everyone of us we all have our own dreams. We spend our lives riding our own journey, weaving our way to our own dreams.”

During the event, 12 presenters from different walks of life shared their stories about achieving their dreams through poetry, chants and lyrics.

A night of storytelling and poems at Nusi Poetry

Teacher Philomina Wilson for instance, shared her story by reciting a poem called ‘Heaven’s Very Special Child’ by Edna Massimilla.

As a mother to an autistic son, she related with Massimilla who wrote the poem for her daughter who had Down syndrome.

Meanwhile, Dr Deborah Chong gave a glimpse of her life as a successful fitness athlete through a poem she wrote called ‘Dare to Dream’.

Sharing how she lived her life as a dream chaser, Chong attributed her success to her seven-year-old son who was born prematurely.

As for Raziv from local metal band Myopia, it was the first time he would actually read the lyrics of his song to his audienxe, instead of singing and yelling them out as he normally would.

He shared about the scepticism he faced in his life for being passionate about metal music, something he experienced since he first discovered his passion at 9 years old.

Sticking true to the spirit of being an inter ethnic and inter language event, the presentations were done in different languages such as Iban, Sarawak Malay, English and Melanau.

Other poets and presenters were Gabriel Fairuz Louis, Opah Aspa, Kulleh Grasi, Ronney Bukong. Calvin Mikeng, Raygyna Hayden, Neyna Radzuan, Dauz Iezara, Zakaria Hassan and Venu K Puthankatil.

The audience was also entertained by the band Imaginasi founded in 2013 by Shahrol, Naz, Zair and Zul.

KajoPicks: Check out these four coffee places in Bintulu

Published on January 31, 2019

Lifestyle

Apart from shopping complex, Bintulu is currently witnessing the rising number of different kind of eateries.

These include coffee places offering good coffee from dirty coffee to nitrogen-infused java and relaxing ambience for patrons to just hang out.

Here are four coffee places in Bintulu, Sarawak you need to check out:

1.Coffee Dream

Located at Parkcity Commerce Square, this coffee place has been operating since 2014.

Besides coffee, Coffee Dream is famous among the locals for its western food.

Omelette sandwich, spaghetti bolognese, mushroom soup, cheesy beef balls, mushroom cheese omelette, eggs Benedict, chicken Caesar salad are just the tip of their wide range of menu items.

For rice eaters out there, don’t worry because Coffee Dream has a selection of Asian favourites to choose from such as the typical nasi lemak.

While you are at it, might as well end your meal with one of their freshly baked cakes for dessert.

2.The Coffee Code Bintulu

KajoPicks: Check out these four coffee places in Bintulu — Do you like it dirty? Dirty Code from The Coffee Code.

The Coffee Code is Sarawak’s very own cafe chains. The first one was opened in Sibu, then Bintulu at Ibraco Town Square and the latest was in Kuching at Saradise, BDC.

When you’re at Coffee Code, how about giving the Dirty Code a try? It is their in-house version of dirty coffee. It is one of the best coffee places in town to spend your tea time because it serves wide range desserts.

Their specialty is perhaps waffles which come with different kind of toppings.

3.Escape Coffee

You can’t satisfy your coffee craving early in the morning at Escape Coffee. But you can satisfy your coffee craving late at night here because it opens from 12pm till 12am.

It is perfect for the late night work hustle since it provides free wifi.

Feeling hungry? They have good options of food on their menu such as beef sirloin steak, mixed grill, lamb chop, butter chicken waffle and chicken macaroni fruit salad.

4.Melt Cafe

The current star of Melt Cafe Bintulu, no, not its famed grilled cheese sandwich but its Nitro Coffee.

If you have not tried Nitro Coffee before, just imagine Guinness draft beer, only it’s coffee! Since the drink is infused with nitrogen, it has this rich, creamy head similar to Guinness.

So if you are a big fan of coffee, this beverage is definitely worth a try.

Longing for dessert? Give Melt Cafe’s Burnt Cheesecake a try. Some described Burnt Cheesecake as the alter ego to the classic New York cheesecake. The differences are this cake is burnt outside with toasty edges and without the usual pressed cookie base.

Of course you cannot leave Melt Cafe without trying its signature grilled cheese sandwich.

Style Series teams up with Miss World Malaysia 2018 for a good cause

Published on January 29, 2019

News & Features

Style Series is a series of events organised to share fashion concepts and empower emerging new talents in Southeast Asia and Europe.

The first of its event, Style Series Episode 1: China Rouge was held on Jan 27 at Chabo Dine and Bar.

And this time, the fashion event showcased a spectacular Chinese New Year Collection to raise funds for Miss World Malaysia’s Indigenous Digital Outreach Program (IDOP).

The Miss World Malaysia 2019 titleholder, Larissa Ping Liew explained that she collaborated with Kuching-based community building organisation to start IDOP.

She said, “One of the main reasons why I joined Miss World was because Miss World focuses so much on reaching out to people, especially underprivileged children around the world. Hence, I’ve collaborated with the Champions to run programs around the rural areas of Sarawak called the IDOP.”

IDOP’s first project was held in October 2018 where Liew and her team reached out to the Penan community nearby Long Seridan. There, they brought in computers, painted murals around the school, fixed their fans and lights as well as organised motivational sessions for the students.

“Why children in the rural areas?” Liew said, “We realised that there is a major education gap between the rural community and urban folk.”

According to the 20-year-old beauty queen, not many rural youth enjoy good quality education or have the opportunity to further their tertiary studies and change their status quo.

She continued, “Being there to experience the lifestyle of the children has motivated my team and I to do more this year.”

With funds raised from Style Series Episode 1, Liew and her team are hoping to reach out to ten different villages this year around Sarawak.

About Style Series

Style Series teams up with Miss World Malaysia 2018 for a good cause

Style Series was founded by Geraldine Sim, Wong Kai Lee and Roselyn Ling.

The main aim of Style Series events is to connect designers through fashion, while fostering a community of collaboration and inspiration.

For its debut, the events featured collection from Yacutha Borneo, Romyda KL, TeeCode, Wynka, Rozie Khan, Mastuli Khalid, Emil Hamlyn and Melor.

There were 40 looks featured on the runaway with celebrity model Amber Chia took the closing spot for the fashion show.

7 Sarawak firsts in transportation history

Published on January 17, 2019

Culture

‘Sarawak First’ may have become the main theme for newly registered Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), but when it comes to other firsts in Sarawak, here are some notable milestones in the region’s transportation history:

1.The first aeroplane to have landed in Sarawak

The first aeroplane which landed in the Land of the Hornbills was a sea plane. It landed on Oct 16, 1924 along the stretch of Sarawak river in front of Main Bazaar, Kuching.

7 Sarawak firsts in transportation history — The first aeroplane landed in Sarawak. Credits: Ho Ah Chon [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sarawak tried to launch its own government air service in 1929. They had two planes, namely the Royalist and Venus. Nonetheless, the venture did not last long.

The first land plane to touch down in Kuching on Sep 26, 1938. It landed on the then newly-built Kuching Landing Ground.

2.When Sarawak’s streets were first lit

Sarawak installed its first street lamps in 1906 in Kuching. However, there were no records of which specific areas where the street lamps were installed.

3.The first bullock carts

After the Brooke government imported Indian cattle, the number of bullock carts used to carry heavy loads started to increase in the 1870s.

4.The first form of vehicles for hire before taxis

The first few rickshaws were brought in 1895 from Singapore. Eventually the number of rickshaws began to increase, which prodded the government to introduce rickshaw stands just like taxi stands today.

They also imposed standard rates such as one mile costs 12 cents and 10 miles-journey costs a dollar.

Some of these stands were located at India Street, Gambier Road as well as at the end of Main Bazaar.

Ho Ah Chon wrote in Kuching in Pictures 1841-1991 that some of the wealthier people who lived in town kept private rickshaws for their own convenience.

He stated, “Those, with a tendency towards overweight often employed two pullers, because, at the best of times, going up or down a steep hill in a rickshaw could be dangerous, many people were decanted onto the road, sometimes with quite serious results, at the hill to Padungan, and on the bend of Reservoir Road.

5.The first car, bicycles, motorcycle in Sarawak

The manager of Borneo Company Limited J.M. Bryan brought in the first car to Kuching in 1917 (although some records stated 1907). It was a 10-12 HP Conventry Humber.

Meanwhile the third Rajah, Vyner Brooke brought the first motorcycle into the country. Another popular means of transportation was the bicycle which was first introduced in the 1900s.

6.The first railway service

The only type of transportation service that is not available now in Sarawak is train. But Sarawak once had a small railway line in Kuching.

It was about 10 miles long spanning from Kuching town to the 10th Mile. It provided both cargo and passenger service. The journey took about 15 minutes.

There were three engines in those days called Bulan (moon), Bintang (star) and Jean. Due to financial losses, the service was shut down in 1931.

During World War II, the Japanese took over the railway service. By 1947, the line was officially closed while the tracks were sold for scrap in 1959.

7.The first lorry in Sarawak

An unnamed local trader brought in a lorry back in 1912. Then, he made use of the 2-tonne lorry to give Sarawak’s first public bus service in the same year.

10 unexploded bombs found in Sabah and Sarawak over the past 10 years

Published on December 20, 2018

Culture

What would you do if you stumbled upon unexploded bomb in your backyard? Well, the best and only thing to do is to call the police.

Here in East Malaysia, discoveries of unexploded bombs have been reported from time to time. In most cases, these unexploded bombs were discovered by construction workers.

Additionally, a number of them were from the World War II (WWII) era. Beyond this, there are little details on whose bombs they were. Did most of them belong to Japanese or Allied forces?

Nonetheless, here 10 reports of unexploded bombs found in Sabah and Sarawak over the past 10 years:

1.Sandakan (Mar 31, 2010)

A WWII bomb was found in the compound of a driving school in Sandakan, Sabah. An excavator operator found it accidentally when digging a drain.

The authority immediately cordoned off and a bomb disposal unit from Kota Kinabalu flew in to defuse it.

2.Kuching (Apr 26, 2018)

We bet that when this grass cutter showed up for work on the morning of Apr 26 this year, the last thing he thought he would find was an unexploded bomb.

He found it in a drain near Kampung Sungai Bedil Besar, Kuching. After examination, the bomb was reported to be an unexploded ordnance (UXO) which is used for training.

3.Lahad Datu (Aug 20, 2018)

Unlike most unexploded bombs on this list, this one was launched quite recently. It was used during Ops Daulat when the 2013 Lahad Datu military standoff occurred.

The bomb belonged to the Malaysian Armed Forces and was believed to have not exploded during the battle against the Royal Sulu Army.

A plantation worker found it in the early morn of Aug 20 at Ladang Sahabat 17 Plantation.

4. Tawau (June 23, 2014)

While carrying excavation work to build a specialist medical centre, a group of construction workers found a remnant of World War II at the site.

The police bomb unit then immediately detonated the bomb. Reportedly, it was the first time such unexploded bomb was found in Tawau. The authority believed there could still be many bombs that have yet to be found.

5.Sandakan (July 28, 2017)

Can you imagine stumbling upon a 250kg bomb in your daily work? That happened when a construction worker carrying out excavation work at the Road Transport Department building, Sandakan.

And the scariest part? The 130cm long bomb, a remnant from World War II, was still active.

Authorities believed that it was possible for bombs to be found in Sandakan as the area was attacked during WWII.

6.Sarikei (Apr 24, 2018)

There can be a lot of things you can find if you start to dig the earth for something. The most common thing you would find are earthworms.

Meanwhile in Sarikei a man dug up an exploded WWII bomb near Tanjung Manis Fisheries port when digging the ground for scrap metal.

7.Sibu (Dec 28, 2013)

How many bags of sand are used to detonate a bomb? In this case, it took 50 bags of sand piled over the bomb before it was detonated an hour later.

Oil palm plantation workers found the unexploded bomb in Sungai Assan on an afternoon while working at the site.

8.Miri (Dec 7, 2014)

Watch out when trying to dig a hole to plant something, you might find a bomb instead.

A man in Miri was digging a hole near his house to grow coconut trees. Instead, he found a 5kg bomb measuring 38cm long and 11cm in diameter from WWII.

9.Bau (Mar 9, 2013)

Here is a bomb used during the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation. A villager in Bau came across it near his farm.

According to authorities, the 65-mm gauge mortar remained active all this time.

And this was not the first time a bomb has been found in the district.

10.Sarikei (Dec 16, 2018)

This is the latest bomb finding incident in Sarawak. A WWII bomb which was still active was found in Ulu Kedup, Sarikei.

A man found it while cleaning up the river afterbridge repair work.

Do you have any old stories about finding relics from WWII? Let us know in the comment box.

Paul Carling on being a young fashion designer in Sarawak

Published on December 15, 2018

Lifestyle

Paul Carling on being a young fashion designer in Sarawak

Paul Carling Rahit, the brain behind the Paul Carling label is a young Kuching-based fashion designer.

He curated the national costume for Malaysian representative Debra Jeanne Poh for the 6th Miss Grand International Pageant in Myanmar last October.

Inspired by the Rhinoceros hornbill, Sarawak’s emblem and a powerful symbol for its headhunter warriors, the 28-year-old designer called it ‘Tebengang the Great’.

Traditional embroidery methods were used to create its patterns from cowries’ shells, along with traditional beadwork adorned with brass bells.

After the photo of ‘Tebengang the Great’ was released online, some Indonesian fans were quick to claim the design was from Indonesian Kalimantan.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Business Instagram Account (@paulcarlingdesigner) on Oct 12, 2018 at 8:52pm PDT

KajoMag sat with Paul Carling to know his thoughts on the issue and what it’s like being a young fashion designer in Sarawak.

KajoMag: Why did you choose fashion design as a career?

Paul Carling: I was an IT student before. After some time, I realised IT was not my thing anymore. I tried to change my major few times but couldn’t. Once I managed to change my course to Design Technology majoring in Fashion, I decided to do my best.

I like making clothes and I used to make dance costumes when I was still in Unimas (University Malaysia Sarawak). From there, slowly and finally it became something I was very passionate about.

KajoMag: What is your favourite part about being a fashion designer?

Paul Carling: When I see a client feeling satisfied with the dress that I made, that is my favourite part of my job. I see my design as an art and art is freeing. When I design, the idea comes spontaneously.

Paul Carling on being a young fashion designer in Sarawak

KajoMag: What do you want women to feel when wearing your label?

Paul Carling: I want them to feel confident in them. Some of my clients come to me to customise their dresses because they could not find anything for them off-the-rack. For example, a full-figured lady usually finds it hard to look for a wedding dress in local bridal shops. Even if they could find one that fits them, it is usually an ugly-looking dress. So when they came in for a custom-made dress, it is a piece which is solely tailored for them. I love looking at their happy reactions when they wear these dresses.

KajoMag: Your national costume for Miss Grand Malaysia to the Miss Grand International pageant gathered a lot of backlash online from some Indonesian fans. What are your comments on that?

Paul Carling: As a fan of pageantry, this kind of issue is boring for me. It has been happening every year, maybe it’s a way for them to make themselves feel good or to highlight their own beauty queen. I noticed it is like some sort of trend to cyberbully other participants. As for their comments on the costume being from Dayak Kalimantan; we are from the same island and we do have the same culture. Those who said that are clearly not from Borneo. Nonetheless, the best part was that there were even commenters from Kalimantan defending the design.

KajoMag: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

Paul Carling: I hope I can finish paying off my debt (laughing). First of all I want to be free of my study loan. I don’t feel like I need fame. For me, I don’t think you can be happy if you are famous but without money. The same thing goes for artistes like singers; although they are famous but if they do not have gigs, they cannot put food on the table.

I think the same thing can be applied to us fashion designers. You need to know how to maintain your business and have a good relationship with your customers. Your returning customers are always the best because they will introduce you to other clients and come back for more orders.

KajoMag: From a young designer perspective who is based in Sarawak, what do you think the local industry needs right now?

Paul Carling: We should celebrate more of our young designers. We do have famous Sarawakian fashion designers but they will not be here forever. My fellow young designers would agree that we are lacking in ways to promote our collection and we are always being compared to the famous ones like Von Jolly Couture and Datuk Tom Abang Saufi. But they are already at the top of their games. For us, the young designers, we need support and more opportunities. It is not like we are asking for funds or money; just more platforms to showcase our designs.

For myself, I’m grateful that I made the smart move to get involved with pageantry. That was how I got my name out there. However, to make a name for myself in the fashion industry – no, I’m not there yet. Without platforms to showcase our designs, most young designers in Sarawak would end up staying in their workshops at home working as just a tailor.

Paul Carling on being a young fashion designer in Sarawak — A model wearing Paul Carling design during Sarawak Fashion Awards 2017.

For more information on Paul Carling and his designs, check out his Facebook page here and Instagram.

A Sarawakian love story of a pirate and a slave

Published on December 13, 2018

Culture

Owen Rutter (1889-1944) was one of the most celebrated English travel writers in the early 20th century.

He was also an English historian and novelist who travelled through Borneo, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Canada and the United States.

During his journey, he collected stories and legends for his long list of books.

One of those interesting stories Rutter recorded was a love story of a pirate and a slave published in his 1930 book The Pirate Wind: Tales of the Sea-Robbers of Malaya.

Daud, the Malay pirate and his slave girl

A Sarawakian love story of a pirate and a slave

There was a pirate – whom Rutter called Daud – who fell in love with one of the slave girls living on the Sarawak river.

Daud was so in love with her that he offered to buy her from her master but he was denied. (Slave women were often highly prized by their masters and more sought after compared to slave men.)

Since Daud could not get his woman through legal means, he began an affair with her instead. When night time fell, the slave woman would sneak out to the jungle into Daud’s arms.

Shortly after the affair started, her master found out. So the master sent word to Daud telling him to present himself at the court.

Obviously very much in love, Daud agreed to appear in court in order to free his lover and be with her.

On that day, Daud came to the court with his brother. After much discussion, those present in the court agreed that if Daud could produce a brass cannon, the girl could belong to him.

Rutter wrote, “The amount was enormous, even for a wealthy young pirate, but Daud agreed to the terms and he and his brother were allowed to depart.”

When the day of payment arrived, Daud showed up at the court without his brother. Unfortunately, he did not manage to raise the full amount, so he asked for more time to collect the money.

A Sarawakian love story of a pirate and a slave — Daud the pirate fell in love with a slave girl who lived on the Sarawak river.

The tragic end to a love story

The council then deliberated for a while. Finally, the court decided that Daud should leave his kris (a small Malay dagger) as a pledge.

Reluctantly, Daud agreed even though for him, his kris was his most precious belonging. But the thought of losing his woman was simply unbearable for Daud.

He then slowly unfastened the cord around his waist, bending down to lay his kris on the floor before the council.

It was the moment that the master waited for. Before Daud could even react, a group of men seized him from behind.

Then, one of the master’s men stabbed him with his own kris, as Rutter put it “into the hollow between Daud’s collar bone and neck – down to the heart that had beaten so wildly for the little slave girl.”

Unfortunately Rutter’s story ends there, and so we can only assume that the master went on his own merry way and that the slave girl mourned the loss of her lover and that of a happy ending.

But folk stories rarely have the happy ending so popularised by the Disney franchise. For more weird endings, check out these stories from Five interesting stories from Central Borneo.

Tebedu’s KLB Garden makes the perfect visit for families and couples alike

Published on December 10, 2018

Travel

If you are running out of ideas on where to spend quality time with your families and partners, here is a KajoMag-approved suggestion: KLB Garden.

Located about one hour and thirty minutes from Kuching city in the sleepy town of Tebedu, the garden provides a variety of activities for you to spend with your loved ones.

This border town of Sarawak and Kalimantan is also a trading hub for both Malaysians and Indonesians.

Tebedu's KLB Garden makes the perfect visit for families and couples alike — Beginning to look alot like Christmas in KLB Garden.

A huge garden for families with small children to explore

Overall, the garden prides itself on being able to house more than 100 different species of birds, fishes and animals such as deer, cows and goats.

They also have other animals such as peacocks, porcupines and rare fowls too.

Visitors can also see more than 20 different kinds of tropical fruits like rambutan, jackfruit, and dragon fruits.

Unfortunately, there were no signs to mark these trees. Thus, it was not entirely educational for those who were unfamiliar with these tropical species.

However, KLB Garden’s patrons can always keep a watchful eye on their surroundings. When you sit in one of its swings, for example, just look up and you will find a bunch of jackfruit hanging right above you.

The wide variety of flora and fauna makes it an ideal place for young children to learn and explore their natural environment.

Plus, visitors are allowed to feed the cows, goats and rabbits. This gives young children first-hand experience with animals.

For those who are not thrilled with the idea of ‘caged animals’ or a zoo, KLB Garden might not be the place to visit.

Nonetheless, the animals all looked well taken care of and the cages were clean. Rest assured, all plants and animals were allowed in with permits from the Forest Department.

KLB Garden – a perfect place to go on a date

Additionally, the garden made a perfect date idea for couples looking for other options besides the usual movie and dinner dates.

There are 2-seater bicycles provided for rent, conveniently romantic for couples in love.

Take your sweet time to explore the area on your bicycle while enjoying your surroundings.

And if your partner is the Insta-boyfriend kind, there are a wide range of Insta-worthy spots inside the garden itself.

Social media enthusiasts can away pose to their hearts’ content on a covered walkaway with arches of greenery.

Then, there are two old buses refurbished into cute dining halls with colorful interiors.

If you have a keen eye, then you might notice the small details put into the garden.

For instance, there was a wishing well with statues of Snow White and Seven Dwarfs.

Disney fans would definitely be reminded of Snow White’s song ‘I’m Wishing’; the part when she is pulling a bucket of water out of the well and The Prince makes his sudden appearance.

Speaking of details, rubbish and recycle bins as well as washrooms were located almost at every corner. Hence, making it convenient for all visitors.

Giving visitors a reason to visit Tebedu

KLB Garden was named after Kueh Lau Boo, a prominent Tebedu businessman. During the war against the communists, Kueh’s family was one of the four selected businessmen allowed to continue to do business in the town.

The 13-acre garden is expected to be a main tourism attraction for Tebedu. For local Kuchingites, the garden makes another perfect excuse to escape the city.

Read about other day trips you can make while in Kuching:

What to do in Gunung Gading National Park, Lundu?

What to at Santubong, Sarawak?

Kuching-Serian Itinerary: What can you do in one day?

Ranchan Recreational Park, Serian’s Famous Picnic Spot

Soak your body in Panchor Hot Spring

3 Easy Trails in Bako National Park you must visit

KajoPicks: The 6 best cafes with WiFi in Kuching

Published on December 5, 2018

Lifestyle

We’re not anti-social; we’re just into connecting with each other digitally.

Over the last decade, nightclubs in Kuching have been losing out to the growing number of cafes and coffee bistros.

Kuchingites have come to enjoy cafes (almost as much as we love our coffeeshops), probably because of our overall laid-back lifestyle.

While we do our best chilling in cafes, they have also become the ideal place to work as they provide all the necessities we need; coffee, cakes, light food and WiFi connection.

Here are some KajoPicks of the most comfortable cafes in Kuching with WiFi.

Coffee Obsession

KajoPicks: The 6 best cafes with WiFi in Kuching — Coffee Obsession id located at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (Picture source: Coffee Obsession)

Located at Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (formerly known as Jalan Keretapi), Coffee Obsession is one of the top KajoPick of cafes in Kuching with WiFi connection.

Apart from WiFi, Coffee Obsession has a great selection of light dishes for you to snack on while working on your laptop. Their interior is simple, yet cosy because of the pine wood tables and cushioned seats.

It is also a popular spot to host a small gathering and a hang out place to play games and read.

Tease by Jase’s Tea Room, ICOM Square

ICOM Square is basically a hub for innovation hubs.

So, it is no surprise that Tease is always swamped with digital nomads looking for a different environment to work.

Apart from the WiFi connection and soothing ambience, it also has a great selection of food.

Tease is closed every Tuesday.

Earthlings Coffee Workshop, Jalan Wan Alwi

As the name might have suggested, Earthlings Coffee Workshop regularly hosts a coffee workshop.

As one of the top cafes in Kuching with WiFi connection, it also has great selection of cakes to go with your coffee.

Earthlings Coffee Workshop has another branch set up at CityONE Megamall, Kuching.

bing! coffee

bing! coffee is no stranger to hipsters with laptops.

As of one of the first cafes of its kind to open in Kuching, bing! coffee also hosts live performances regularly.

Currently, there are three branches of bing! coffee in Kuching; Jalan Padungan, Green Heights and Premier 101.

Kai Joo Café, Lorong Kai Joo

Tucked away in the corner of Lorong Kai Joo, it is easy to miss this café as it blends in nicely with the rustic tropical surrounding.

This open-air café is the place to go if you prefer to work surrounded by fresh air and old Kuching.

Kai Joo Café is closed every Tuesday.

Starbucks

Starbucks is known globally for having all the necessities for people who work with laptops: coffee, cakes, light snacks and the all-important WiFi connection.

Among the places where you can find Starbucks in Kuching includes CityONE Megamall, the Spring Shopping Mall, Vivacity, Jalan Song and Plaza Merdeka.

Places to go If You Are Looking for Indigenous Food In Kuching

Published on December 4, 2018

Lifestyle

In case you are in the mood for something other than kolo mee and laksa….

Until 10 years ago, there were not a lot of places to go if you were looking for indigenous food in Kuching.

Fortunately, local food eateries have been sprouting like mushrooms.

For the love of food, KajoMag prepared a list of places for foodies to go if you are in the mood for indigenous food in Kuching.

Lepau Restaurant at Persiaran Ban Hock

Places to go If You Are Looking for Indigenous Food In Kuching — Lepau restaurant is located at Jalan Ban Hock – Picture source: Lepau restaurant

The word ‘lepau’ means ‘home’ or ‘house’ in the Kayan language.

Located in the heart of Kuching city, it is one of the most popular places to go if you are craving for indigenous dishes.

With a wide range of Orang Ulu and Dayak dishes, Lepau often host small gatherings and parties.

The Dyak at Panovel Commercial Complex, Jalan Simpang Tiga

Tastefully decorated with Dayak motifs, The Dyak is the place to go if you are looking for fine dining.

Arguably one of the first few Dayak cuisine establishments in Kuching, The Dyak has a range of interesting Dayak dishes for you to sample.

Mummy Patz at Rumah Asap Tabuan Dayak

Previously known as Patz Dayak Home Cook Special, this spot has been known to have delicious Dayak dishes among Kuchingnites for years.

Previously located at Tabuan Laru, the stall was always swamped with customers for lunch.

Recently, Mummy Patz relocated to Rumah Asap at Tabuan Dayak.

Rumah Asap at Tabuan Dayak, Batu Kawah, Kota Samarahan

Mummy Patz is not the only spot for traditional food in Kuching.

Recently, Rumah Asap is one of the most popular choice of places to go for traditional food in Kuching.

It is also definitely the place to go if you have a bunch of non-Sarawakian friends coming over to Kuching for the first time.

Unlike restaurants, Rumah Asap has a mash of various stalls selling traditional dishes where you and your friends can choose and share together.

AwahCafe at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) building

If you are looking for Bidayuh food, you might want to head on to AwahCafe.

You might notice that the menu is written in Bidayuh language with English translation.

Tribal Stove at Jalan Borneo

Another place to hit if you are looking for traditional food in Kuching is the Tribal Stove.

Located at Jalan Borneo, Tribal Stove serves Kelabit dishes such as nubaq layaq (mashed red rice wrapped in Isip leaves), lamud busaq keluduh (ginger flower salad) and labo senutuq (shredded beef).

Suggestions

Kuching - Page 8

A night of storytelling and poems at Nusi Poetry

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Here are four coffee places in Bintulu, Sarawak you need to check out:

1.Coffee Dream

2.The Coffee Code Bintulu

3.Escape Coffee

4.Melt Cafe

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About Style Series

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2.When Sarawak’s streets were first lit

3.The first bullock carts

4.The first form of vehicles for hire before taxis

5.The first car, bicycles, motorcycle in Sarawak

6.The first railway service

7.The first lorry in Sarawak

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Nonetheless, here 10 reports of unexploded bombs found in Sabah and Sarawak over the past 10 years:

1.Sandakan (Mar 31, 2010)

2.Kuching (Apr 26, 2018)

3.Lahad Datu (Aug 20, 2018)

4. Tawau (June 23, 2014)

5.Sandakan (July 28, 2017)

6.Sarikei (Apr 24, 2018)

7.Sibu (Dec 28, 2013)

8.Miri (Dec 7, 2014)

9.Bau (Mar 9, 2013)

10.Sarikei (Dec 16, 2018)

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KajoMag sat with Paul Carling to know his thoughts on the issue and what it’s like being a young fashion designer in Sarawak.

KajoMag: Why did you choose fashion design as a career?

KajoMag: What is your favourite part about being a fashion designer?

KajoMag: What do you want women to feel when wearing your label?

KajoMag: Your national costume for Miss Grand Malaysia to the Miss Grand International pageant gathered a lot of backlash online from some Indonesian fans. What are your comments on that?

KajoMag: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?

KajoMag: From a young designer perspective who is based in Sarawak, what do you think the local industry needs right now?

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Daud, the Malay pirate and his slave girl

The tragic end to a love story

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A huge garden for families with small children to explore

KLB Garden – a perfect place to go on a date

Giving visitors a reason to visit Tebedu

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We’re not anti-social; we’re just into connecting with each other digitally.

Coffee Obsession

Tease by Jase’s Tea Room, ICOM Square

Earthlings Coffee Workshop, Jalan Wan Alwi

bing! coffee

Kai Joo Café, Lorong Kai Joo

Starbucks

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In case you are in the mood for something other than kolo mee and laksa….

Lepau Restaurant at Persiaran Ban Hock

The Dyak at Panovel Commercial Complex, Jalan Simpang Tiga

Mummy Patz at Rumah Asap Tabuan Dayak

Rumah Asap at Tabuan Dayak, Batu Kawah, Kota Samarahan

AwahCafe at Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) building

Tribal Stove at Jalan Borneo

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