Sematan Beach, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
Tag: Kuching
Kuching Street Art
Kuching is a colorful place and the city is becoming a popular haven for street art.
Thanks to local arts festivals and even corporate sponsorships, more and more of the town’s blank walls are gradually being taken over by vivid murals. 
Many of the works portray scenes from local life… 
…whether it be human or wildlife. 
Paintings of orangutans are a common sight throughout the city. This one is small…
…while this one covers an entire wall facade.
Lens-Artists Challenge – Favorite Photos of 2019
Artistic.
For the last Lens-Artists Photo Challenge of 2019, we will show some of our favorite photos that we have taken during the year that are close to end.
Creative.
It’s always difficult to pick favorites but I like the way Patti divided her favorites into different categories, so I did the same, or almost the same.
Fun.
Here’s the proof, a smile says it all and means a lot. A smile is the shortest distance between two people.
Artwork created by nature.
A favorite image does not always mean that it must be perfect from a photographic point of view.
Pictures can convey feelings, evoke memories or special moments.
The true reality.
This orangutan lives in Borneo’s rainforests and belongs to a species threatened with extinction.
Our valuable nature.
We must take care of our nature and its inhabitants which all have an impact on the survival of the earth.
“Cherish the natural world because you’re part of it and depend on it”
-David Attenborough –
Lens-Artists Challenge #76 – Favorite Photos of 2019
Masjid India Kuching
The newly built one and only floating Mosque in Kuching is located on the banks of the Sarawak River, close to the newly built Harmony bridge whose shape symbolizes the balance of cultures living together in harmony.
“Harmony among our different religious traditions is essential for world peace”
–Dalai Lama –
This is the Old State Mosque, built in 1968 to replace an original wooden one built in 1852.
Its gilded cupolas make it one of the city’s most striking landmarks, particularly at sunset.
Memories from Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo Malaysia.
December 2019
Black & White Photography – 6
The above pictures are from the square along Sarawak River in Kuching. Every afternoon, both young and old can be seen playing with each other, many of them blowing soap bubbles, just for fun.
This skilled lady I saw in Valletta here in Malta the other day. Guess why she’s looking down.
Concentration! She really knew how to handle her little puppet on a string.
Back to the square in Kuching. This little girl seems to be looking for someone.
Finally, Fanny and I at home yesterday evening. Fanny did not like to wear a Santa hat, I can understand that. It’s much more fun to try to bite it into small pieces and so she did. It was cheap and it was Christmas Eve.
As usual, I also show my pictures in color. This time, I prefer to see all these images in color, except one. Guess which one..
Black & White Photography – 5
Wednesday, and my fifth colorless post, inspired by Susan’s black and white photo challenge.
As in my previous black and white post, I choose to show people. People in everyday life that I photographed recently when I visited the city of Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
Of these five images, there is actually only one that I’m happy with. As always, it’s up to the viewer to decide whether you like what you see or not. Which of these five pictures do you think I am most satisfied with. What’s your opinion of my b/w images?
As usual, I also show them edited in color, for those who want to compare.
Lens-Artists Challenge – On Display
Today’s pictures are from Kuching Sunday Market that I visited recently. I’m not so happy to show headless and half people though it’s not easy to avoid when there are so many people moving around.
Here you’ll find a huge variety of different kinds of fresh fruits & vegetables.
Guess it was high season for bananas.
Walking around here is an exciting experience, a colorful symphony with many more or less appealing scents.
Where they sell fish I pass pretty quickly, although the fish are naturally fresh.
I’ve promised myself not to show too many pictures in just one post, but sometimes it’s hard to avoid.
Whats your opinion, isn’t it better to show fewer pictures and divide them into different posts? I think so.
This post has seventeen images, it’s too much but the post is done and most important, it was fun.
Lens-Artists Challenge #76 – On Display
Signs on Sundays / Skyltsöndag
It’s Sunday, which means it’s time to share some signs again.
Since I just came back home from Malaysia, my signs are from there.
For some unknown reason, wordpress has restricted the possibilities to create a gallery. That’s why it looks like this, though I didn’t want it to look like this. Feel free to click on an image to see it more clearly.
It you look closely, there is a small gecko to the right on the sign.
I do…
This is my favorite. AisKrim.
The sign reminds me of when I saw a little girl standing by the river in Kuching. She sold homemade ice cream that she marketed with a handwritten sign, AIS-KRIM. Typically I didn’t bring my camera with me.
Alla kan vara med och skylta på söndagar tillsammans med BP som håller i trådarna.
Länk till övriga deltagare.
Sarawak People – Daily Life
“The best is yet to be”
– Robert Browning –
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous”
– Aristotle –
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson –
Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
December 2019
Flowers on Fridays
These beautiful flowers were taken when I visited Orchid Garden in Kuching, Sarawak. It’s obviously not some kind of orchid, but it is a beautiful flower that grows on large trees and has a lovely scent.
If I’m not mistaken, this is Plumeria flowers which are most fragrant at night in order to lure sphinx moths to pollinate them. But I could be wrong…
Which Way…
Harmony Bridge in Kuching, Sarawak.
Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park in Il-Mellieħa late afternoon.
The foot bridge in Tigne, Sliema from where you can watch the view of Malta’s capital Valletta on the other side.
Nerja, Andalusia, Spain.
Harmony Bridge – Kuching
Back in Kuching and to the new foot bridge “Harmony Bridge” which connect the North with the South City. Well, I’m not back in reality but in my thoughts when I look at my pictures.
I came back home with lots of images of this amazing bridge which is designed from the idea of Yin and Yang. It’s S-shaped and curved with two masts inclined in opposite directions.
The shape of the bridge symbolizes the balance of cultures living together in harmony.
This is Sarawak in Borneo, this is Kuching and I’ll hopefully be back soon.
Everyday Life…
Everyday life in different parts of our world. Above you see a family at the market in Kota Kinabalu in Borneo, Malaysia and then a woman selling Pancake Crepes along Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand.
All of these pictures are from my archive and memories from different trips. The images speak for themselves but you may be able to guess where they were taken. A few clues, three are from Malta one from Singapore, one from Sicily and the rest from Borneo, Stockholm and California. Click on an image to enlarge.
Kuching Food Market
There are always something going on here in Kuching. This is from the Open Food Market in China town. Carpenter Street was closed for traffic and instead of cars there were hustle and bustle of a completely different kind. As usual you must click on the pics in the gallery to see them in larger format.
Here you can buy cotton candy and get a smile for free.
Some kept a quite high level of hygiene.
Cooperation between mother and daughter.
Paella, at least enough for more than one.
I felt it quite difficult to take pictures in the twilight mixed with fluorescent lamps so the images are not the best but still I want to share at least a part of this event and hope you enjoy.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge
This is a great fun and for me a completely new challenge. To convert from color and use only black and white.
An indoor garage here in Kuching with the shadow of a man walking from the entrance.
This is a spiral staircase inside a very old mill completely made of stone in a small town in Malta. 
This image was taken inside a train in Singapore. This photo is not exactly the same as the one above. Just a small difference in light and contrast but I know that even a small difference can mean a lot and that’s
what I’ll try to learn in Cee’s weekly Black & White Photo Challenge.
WPC – Pedestrian
The Golden Anniversary Pedestrian Bridge Project at the Kuching Waterfront
is almost completed.
It lights up in different colors at night, is very curvy, which makes it much longer to walk from one end to the other and the pillars are shaped like a Hornbill. Kuching is located in Sarawak and is called “Land of the Hornbills”. I really do looking forward to be a pedestrian on that bridge when it´s completed.
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge / Pedestrian Theme by Krista Stevens
WPC – Windows 2
Yesterday, when I went out for a walk with my camera, I thought about what really gives a city its character. How much can windows and architecture tell about a city. These are all from Kuching in Borneo, Malaysia. Sarawak has it all – diversity, nature and adventure, also called “The Land of Hornbills”.
This is my second entry in this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge. You’ll find my last post here.
Bubbles and Joy
Sometimes, the image quality itself is not the most important.
Sometimes, it’s enough that the pictures can bring some joy. Hopefully you enjoy!
Click on an image to enlarge
Pics & Haiku
Sweat plays with boy´s hair
Pink and purple splatters skin
Hand up high says hi
–Kolkata India–
Salt pepper and sun
wrinkled cloth on wrinkled skin
solar powered eyes
–Tinsukia India–
Kuching Sunday Market
Visiting the market here in Kuching/Sarawak is a true colorful experience.
It’s called Sunday market but is also open on Saturdays. Click on an image to enlarge. 
That’s all for today from Kuching. Hope you enjoy!
Kuching Photo exhibition part 2
Here are some more images from the ongoing Photo exhibition along the Sarawak River here in Kuching. Hope you enjoy.
These are from Sarawak, the land of diversity. You have to click on the images to read the haikun.
“Mahogany soft – Dark brown eyes, lit from within – She knows a secret“
Tinsukia, India.“Hooded eyes, tanned skin – Wearing a hat and a grin – Camera ready”
Kota Gede, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“Art needles her face – Heritage patterned in inc – A walking vision”
Mrauk – U, Myanmar.“Joy should be simple – Like a dip in the river – Emerging reborn”
Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Kuching Photo exhibition
Yesterday, when I went out for a walk, there was a photo exhibition along the Sarawak River. I became so enthusiastic to photograph the amazing pictures and totally forgot to even think about setting my own camera, it was very close to the sunset. Anyway, I took some pictures that I would like to share.
To each picture there was a short text, but I mixed it up. Today when I go out I’ll try to be more organized. These are just a few of many photographs along the river, which shows people from different cultures in Asia. More to come…
Sunday Mix from Kuching
Kuching is divided by the Sarawak River where locals often catch fish and shellfish. There are plenty of fish in the river and fishing boats leave the nearby harbor early mornings so you can buy fresh fish in the local market.
The Sarawak River is listed as a location of the Crocodile Removal Zones, whereby the presence of crocodiles in this area pose serious human/crocodile conflicts. In July a 2.5 meter long Sarawak crocodile meet its end. This one was luckily behind bars at a rehabilitation center when I took the picture.
Getting from one side to the other is easy with small primitive boats. It takes a few minutes and cost 50 cent. A footbridge will be finished at the end of the year. That´s great for me who love long brisk walks.
Sunday stroll. Having a dog as a pet isn’t common here in Kuching because of the Muslims. For some reason, they don’t like dogs. In my thoughts I can see my funny little Fanny horsing around among the dismayed Muslims 😉 ..with all due respect!
Arrival Kuching
Back in the city of Kuching located in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
Back in the city of joy, flowers, bubbles and colors.
Time flies….
Etappmål (157/365)
Ett steg i taget, nyfikenhet leder till lärdom. Den här lilla tjejen som tittar på de olika mobilerna som ligger på display kommer säkert inom några etapper komma fram till målet i sin kunskap om hur det hela fungerar.
Bubblor (107/365)
På torget i Kuching var det roligt för både stora och små att skapa bubblor som for iväg med vinden och försvann. Bildkvalitén är inte den bästa men bruset får här ge vika för färgerna och glädjens skull.
Fasadklättrare (105/365)
Inte för att de direkt klättrar men på håll såg det nästan ut så där de hängde utmed fasaden.
Klicka på bilden under så syns de på avstånd vilket också förklarar en viss oskärpa.
Dåligt gömställe (100/365)
Inte lätt för en liten Proboscis att gömma sig när det prasslar bland löven vid minsta rörelse. Den här ungen fanns i det begränsade grönområdet intill Sarawak River. Så nära bebyggelse, fordon och människor trodde jag aldrig att de sökte sig. Den hade förmodligen sin familj tätt intill, fast de tycktes ha funnit ett bättre gömställe.
Sammanhållning (99/365)
Tycker det syns ganska tydligt att det finns en gemenskap här, en genuin sammanhållning dem emellan, att de trivs och har kul tillsammans. Något som man ser mycket av här på gågatan utmed Sarawak river i Kuching.
Malplacerat (81/365)
Kanske inte helt rätt plats, för en katt, att ligga och vila på marknaden i Kuching.
Tillsammans (77/365)
I en liten båt på Sarawak river. Här är man ofta tillsammans under flera timmar.
Fartens tjusning (75/365)
Det behöver inte gå fort, att sakta glida fram på Sarawak River, är en njutning i sig, när mörkret faller. I fören syns profilen av en Hornbill. Här, där jag är, i delstaten av Malaysia, som kallas ‘Land of the Hornbills’.
I fred (72/365)
Masjid Bahagian, Kuching City Mosque.
En plats för muslimer att vara i fred liksom hela Sarawak är en delstat i fred där ett flertal religoner och etniska grupper samsas. På marken syns minnesmärken, gammal gravplats. Här vilar man i fred och istället för stenar användes bitar av träd som ser ut att fått vara i fred under en väldigt lång tid.
Sida vid sida (69/365)
Här ligger de stora fiskebåtarna och guppar sida vid sida.
Liksom de mindre, där man sitter sida vid sida i var sin båt.
Upptäcker (65/365)
När man går på marknad i främmande land upptäcker man inte bara nya kryddor och grönsaker.
Lika ofta upptäcker man den lokala befolkningens genuina vänlighet, bara med ett leénde.
Här är vi på marknaden i Kuching och köper Paku Ikan / Sarawak Jungle fern.
En ätbar växt från regnskogen som vi hade hört talas om som du kan läsa om här.
Oftast när vi går på marknaden upptäcker vi nya grönsaker och kryddor. Ibland blir det bakslag men ofta även positiva och spännande smakupplevelser. Vi kokade dem i lätt saltat vatten som vi hört att man enklast kunde göra, men det blev lite som att tugga på ett smaklöst nystan. Ingen höjdare alltså men nu vet vi, de ska
wokas och kryddas för att alls kunna ätas och vi upptäcker och lär bara mer och mer.
😀
Efterfrågad (58/365)
En River Cruise utmed Sarawak River är en efterfrågad utfärd för många turister på besök här i Kuching.
De kallar sig “Hornbill River Cruise” eftersom Sarawak ofta nämns som “Land of the Hornbills”.
Den fina Näshornsfågeln skulle jag mycket hellre titta efter än att sitta i den lilla båten på floden.
Men då måste jag bort från staden och söka mig till regnskogen. Också en efterfrågad plats av många.
Kraft (55/365)
Det krävs kraft i fartyget för att ta sig framåt och för besättningen för att fånga fisk med kraftfulla redskap. Kraft behövs för att ta fångsten i land och hos säljaren som slutligen ger kraft åt köparen när fisken är uppäten.
Havets läckerhet (54/365)
Här ligger fiskebåtarna i hamn, en arbetsplats i vila, i väntan på sin besättning som ska ta dem ut på farvattnen för att fånga en del av havets läckerheter som sen säljs på marknaden och därefter tillagas för att slutligen hamna på någons tallrik och ätas upp. Den naturliga cirkeln är därmed sluten men fortgår ständigt.
Offentlig miljö (53/365)
Här läggs grönsakerna snyggt och prydligt upp i hopp om att få det mesta sålt innan kvällen…
…och på kommersen liksom på konkurrensen, är det snabbt full fart.
Som du ser är jag tillbaka på marknaden här i Kuching. Även om det inte precis känns som om jag går omkring här i någon offentlig miljö, eftersom jag av någon orsak förknippar en offentlig miljö med något striktare, så är det en offentlig miljö, alltså en plats som är öppen för allmänheten.
En väntande dröm (49/365)
Här, på Sarawak River i Kuching ligger ofta små fiskebåtar, som de som syns här.
Har sett hur de kastat nät och därefter legat kvar på samma plats i flera timmar.
Tror inte att de som sitter där drömmer om den stora fångsten. Tror snarare att det är en slags vila, en tid för eftertanke och meditation, där tankarna styrs mot en väntande dröm som förmodligen aldrig förverkligas.
Men det finns faktiskt väldigt gott om fisk i floden liksom räkor som ofta är stora som humrar. De tillagas och erbjuds på de lokala restaurangerna intill för en inte alltför dyr kostnad vilket kan vara väl värt att prova.
