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.
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
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
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..
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.
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
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.
“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
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…
This is the fourth time I’ve joined Susan’s black/white photo challenge and to me it’s really a challenge, but a fun one. In last week’s b/w post I showed old vehicles but it feels more challenging to edit images of people.
These people dressed in traditional costumes are from the Iban tribe in Sarawak, Borneo. 
The Ibans are famous for their head-hunting past, their massive ironwood longhouses, their ornate body tattooing, their wonderful weaving skills, and of course their potent rice wine, tuak.
Next Monday I will be traveling to Sarawak again, probably for the last time…
“There are some four million different kind of animals and plants in the world.
Four million different solutions to the problems of staying alive” – Sir David Attenborough –
“Let us develop respect for all living thing. Let us try to replace violence and intolerance with understanding and compassion. And love” – Jane Goodall –
“Ever since we arrived on this planet as a species, we’ve cut them down, dug them up, burnt them and poisoned them. Today we’re doing so on a greater scale than ever.”
– Sir David Attenborough –
“If we [humans] disappeared overnight, the world would probably be better off.”
– Sir David Attenborough –
Most of these photographs are archive images from my travels on Borneo while some are taken here in Malta.
One of the few old trees still left in Malta. Too many trees are cut down to build wider roads.
Tree trunks and a bit of imagination can create different kinds of figures.
“The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on the earth.”
― Frank Lloyd Wright –
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.
To celebrate the end of the year, this week we share the most meaningful photo we’ve taken in 2017.
Wild Proboscis are only found in Borneo and Indonesia. With a threatening extinction it´s amazing to get the chance to meet this unique species in their natural environment. Moments I`ll never forget.
A favorite picture I took in Permai Rainforest in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia in April 2017.
Last but not least. After four years of waiting, I finally got my beloved four-legged little puppy home to Malta. A long-awaited new family member, an amazing dog that will bring a lot of joy for many years to come.
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge / 2017 Favorites – Theme by Ben Huberman
Riverbank Suite, Hilton, Sarawak State Legislative Assembly and Kuching City Mosque. Not exactly in that order 😉
Goodbye to all the amazing people we meet in the market and on the streets.
Symbols, Culture and traditions.
Kuching, a city in harmony, as written.
I almost forgot the amazing animals! Proboscis and OrangUtans are only found in Borneo, and there are lots of different kinds of birds. The rainforest in Sarawak is unique, these pics are from my last visit in Borneo.
Hopefully our flowers look the same as when we left Malta five weeks ago.
I’m not worried I just hope everything will go well. I’m looking forward to come back home to Malta. Then, after a week fly to Sweden and pick up our new family member Fanny, it will be fun and quite exiting!
This happy bridal couple were photographed by a professional photographer along the Sarawak river here in Kuching. Happily, I always carry my camera with me and couldn’t resist taking some pictures myself.
Happiness for me, among many other things, is to live on the small island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. Where it never gets too cold and you never see snow. 
Pure happiness at Valletta Carnival in Malta February 2016.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge / Letter H – Topic for this week is Happy
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
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.
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
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–
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!
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.
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…
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!
Back in the city of Kuching located in Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
Back in the city of joy, flowers, bubbles and colors.
Time flies….
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.
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.
Smidig och lätt, med mjuka rörelser och med ankaret, nästan graciöst vilande på sina axlar.
Attraktionen här är förmodligen inte särskilt ömsesidig men jag kunde bara inte låta bli att stanna kvar, så länge apan höll sig kvar. Han var så nära, bara ett par meter och det enda som skiljde oss åt var några buskar där han hela tiden på något sätt var mer eller mindre dold av grenar. Tills då, som på förra bilden, eller som här.
Att få se vilda djur i sin naturliga miljö är en attraktion som lockar många turister. Proboscis monkey, Näsapan, liksom OrangUtangen, som bara finns på Borneo, är dessvärre även en attraktion för tjuvskytte vilket har gjort att dessa unika djuren riskerar att utrotas helt. Men nu lämnar vi Bako, Naturen och Djuren..
😉
Att vandra i regnskogen betyder att man måste se upp med var man placerar sina händer och fötter. Marken är ofta kuperad, lerig och full av trassliga rötter plus att många trädstammar synes ha alla taggar utåt. De här bilderna är från vår vandring i Bako Nationalpark och klickar du på dem blir de som vanligt stora 😀
Helt rätt pose för ögonblicket ! Här syns tydligt den så speciella näsan som gett namn åt denna särpräglade apa som bara finns på Borneo. Näsapan, Proboscis monkey, sägs ha sin stora näsa för att attrahera sin partner men har även läst att den är till för att skrämma bort fiender. Oavsett, en enastående, om än besynnerlig varelse.
I Bako Nationalpark finns sexton vandringsleder med olika längd, natur och svårighetsgrad.
Man väljer också efter vilka djur man förväntas se och går sin egen väg, ensam, i par eller grupp. 
Vi valde den led som var störst chans att se Probiscis/Näsapor och som var lagom lång för att vi skulle hinna tillbaka i tid till båten, den brandgula vägen på en och en halv timme. Man får garanterat uppleva naturen
men att få se djur handlar mer om tur då de, liksom vi, av förklarliga skäl, allra oftast går sin egen väg.
Här har vi tur och får möta den så säregna Näsapan, som bara finns här på Borneo. Mindre tur att den vänder ryggen till så fort vi ser den. Vanligtvis syns de i grupp högt uppe bland träden vid gryning och skymning.
Den här satt ensam på marken mitt på dagen och åt. Har aldrig kommit en Proboscis så nära som här…
Håller mig kvar i Bako Nationalpark ett tag till. Parken är inte bara Sarawak´s äldsta utan också den minsta. Det unika är att parken representerar hela skalan av Borneos natur, från gles mangrove vid kusten till den tätaste djungel. Här syns ännu ett av naturen format stenblock, ser ut som sten på sten, men är bara en.
Den som besöker Bako Nationalpark kan, förutom vad man finner på land, inte undgå att upptäcka de fantastiska formationer som naturen skapat, där havet tar vid. Den här tyckte någon liknade en kobra, medan jag ser ett huvud av en vacker, stolt människa. Tror alla, i vår fantasi, skapar en egen personlig figur.
Nu är vi i Singapore, en modern storstad som inte är Av Naturen formad, men en spännande och intressant futuristisk metropol som jag med kamerans hjälp kommer att försöka återge, på mitt sätt…
Här var det högvatten när vi kom fram med den lilla båten till Bako Nationalpark.
När vi skulle åka därifrån såg det ut så här och vi fick ta båten från en annan plats.
Medan vi väntade på båten som skulle ta oss till Bako Nationalpark satt den här mannen och tecknade vad han såg. Själv använde jag som vanligt kameran för att på mitt sätt försöka efterlikna verkligheten, som jag såg den. Då vi båda, var och en på sitt sätt, skapar en imitation av vad vi ser, har vi då konstruerat ett plagiat ?
Kanske inte helt rätt plats, för en katt, att ligga och vila på marknaden i Kuching.
På väg mot Bako Nationalpark. Havet ligger spegelblankt och jag ser flera linjer. Hade vi åkt för någon månad sen hade risken varit stor att inte se några linjer alls då det kan gå hög sjö och ibland går därför inga båtar alls.
Fast egentligen såg jag inga linjer alls under resans gång.
Fanns så mycket annat att titta på som istället fångade mitt intresse.
🙂
