It’s all about jazz! Borneo Jazz Festival

Shortly I’m off to my favourite Asian country – Malaysia – in time to be at the Borneo Jazz Festival (9/11 May) in Miri, Sarawak. (Staying at the ParkCity Everly Hotel)

The Borneo Jazz Festival was suggested around 2006 as a way to  increase visitor arrivals to Miri and the northern region of Sarawak. I’m expecting a fun-filled and entertaining musical experience while also exploring Miri – I have only had 2 days there and as I had a cold I didn’t get to explore as I would usually. I’m also looking forward to Sarawak Laksa for breakfast!

All About Jazz  said “The Miri International Jazz Festival [now called the Borneo Jazz Festival] in Sarawak province Malaysia, on the island of Borneo, can lay claim to being the only jazz festival on the South China Sea. A long line of tankers and cargo ships stretches across the horizon like buttons sewn on a vast blue cloth and attests to Miri’s century-old history as an oil town.

Located in the lush grounds of the ParkCity Everly Hotel, the stage facing the sea was the scene for two days of music, drawing artists from Thailand, Indonesia, the USA, Brazil, Holland and Switzerland. Now in its fifth year, the festival is the cultural jewel in the crown of the Sarawak Tourism Board, whose stated aim is to use the festival as a magnet to draw tourists to the province.” Read more on the All About Jazz website.)

Miri is the birthplace of Malaysia’s petroleum industry – oil was discovered in the early 1900s – and it remains the major industry of this city. With a population around 300,000 people, it is also a resort city and is near to the Sultanate of Brunei and Sabah.

The city is surrounded by four world-class national parks which is Gunung Mulu National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the world’s largest caves), Niah National Park (Historical and archaeological site), Lambir Hills National Park (diverse species of flora and fauna) and Loagan Bunut National Park (largest natural lake) – I hope to see at least one of them!

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30,000 visitors expected for Kalimaran Festival in Tenom

The 11th Kalimaran Festival, an annual Murut cultural celebration, will be held at the Sabah Murut Cultural Centre in Tenom from April 11 to 13.

Kalimaran refers to craftsmanship by the Murut ethnic.

The festival celebrates the richness of culture of the Muruts and presents most of their cultural aspects.

Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman was expected to officiate at the event at 7pm on April 13 at the Sabah Murut Cultural Centre.

The festival is co-organized by the state government through the Sabah Cultural Board and Tenom District Office in collaboration with the Sabah Murut Association.

Kamarlin said a new programme was added to the three-day event this year, that is the Tolak Bala ceremony to be held at 2pm on April 11.

He said the aim of the ceremony was to fend off any undesirable elements like bad weather to ensure the programme ran smoothly.

The 10th Kalimaran Festival held over three days in 2012, attracted 15,000 visitors.

“This year, we are targeting 30,000 visitors,” Kamarlin said in a press conference here yesterday, adding that the event was not held last year due to the 13th General Election.

“The event not only draws visitors from Keningau, Tenom and Nabwan, but also from Lawas and Sarawak as well.”

As of now, hotels in Tenom are reportedly fully booked during the duration of the festival.

He also believed that foreign tourists would participate in the festival.

The state government has adopted Kalimaran Festival as a state-level event since 2003, the first being held on April 4-5, 2003.

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Sarawak Tourism launches Borneo Jazz Car Sticker Campaign

MIRI: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) launched the Car Sticker Campaign here yesterday in conjunction with the upcoming Borneo Jazz 2014 to be held on May 9 to 10.

Miri City mayor Lawrence Lai and STB chief operating officer Datuk Rashid Khan launched the sticker campaign at Jalan Kingsway opposite the Resident Office here.

About 500 Borneo Jazz 2014 car stickers will be distributed to motorists through The Borneo Post office at Jalan Sri Dagang, Miri Waterfront and Visitors Information Centre at Jalan Melayu and those interested are welcome to collect the free stickers at these locations.

“This move by the organiser of the event is a welcome step to create awareness to members of the public and all road users about the upcoming Borneo Jazz to be held as part of major events in conjunction with Visit Sarawak Year 2014 and Miri May Fest,” said Rashid.

Throughout April, one lucky car owner spotted displaying the Borneo Jazz car sticker will stand a chance to win two sets of two-day tickets to Borneo Jazz 2014, worth up to RM280.

No slogan, question or purchase is required to participate in the campaign.

Fifty winners will be picked during the period and winners will be announced by the first week of May through Borneo Jazz website www.jazzborneo.com as well as by The Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo, and See Hua Daily News.

The contest is open to all cars including Bruneian or Indonesian cars spotted in Miri and it is only valid within Miri.

All winners are required to present their vehicle’s original car registration document at the point of prize redemption, and the prizes are not exchangeable for cash.

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For the Love of …. The NORTH BORNEO RAILWAY

Last week, I flew across the South China Sea, to catch a train.

Not just any ordinary train, but the Vulcan steam locomotive … and a mighty fine hunk of steel to ride on! Heh.

I love trains, and yes, I do jump up and down at the sight of them when no one’s looking... I don’t know much about the mechanics, but what I do know is that this particular ride is a heritage in its own right, one not to be missed. 

To hear the whistles blowing as the massive locomotive goes chug-a-chugging through the countryside got my heart bouncing around like a big ball of happiness and my face permanently plastered with a sloppy grin from start to finish!

Everything about this special train ride is either old or old-fashioned.

The vintage locomotive runs on the North Borneo Railway tracks which dates back to the 1890's (when the British colonists decided that building railways was the best way to tap the rich resources of Borneo).

It draws 5 Kawasaki-designed carriages that were built in the 70's. Both the exterior and interior were modified to reflect the era of the steam train. In each carriage, passengers are seated in comfy diner-styled seats, with opened windows and ceiling fans to enhance the overall heritage experience.

Buying tickets and boarding the train at Tanjung Aru Station was in itself a step back in time of the bygone era. Passengers are greeted by a bevy of station staffs, all smiling widely and proudly, in their colonial-style uniforms: crisp white shirt over khaki shorts, complete with a planter’s hat!

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Sabah’s delicacies to be featured during Visit Malaysia Year

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is showcasing its wide varieties of seafood and exotic local delicacies during the Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

This year, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) will collaborate with the Kota Kinabalu Food Festival (KKFF’14) and Sabah Cultural Board to organize the biggest food festival in Sabah, formally known as Citrarasa Sabah.

Visitors can expect three days of unforgettable dining experience, cultural performances, cooking competitions and more during the grand opening at KK Time Square from April 18 to 20.

Citrarasa Sabah will continue to run for one month with various participating hotels in Sabah hosting lunches and dinners serving signature Sabahan dishes.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministr Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, who will be officiating the event, said this is the second mega event for Sabah in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

“Through this event, it will be a great opportunity for tourists to sample local Sabahan delicacies as well as experience local culture,” he said.

The Citrarasa Sabah Food Festival 2014 will be celebrated in a fanfare atmosphere while hosting a three-day bazaar, where participating outlets would showcase their signature food menus for visitors to explore, taste and indulge.

In addition, visitors will have the option of purchasing discount vouchers that can be used at participating restaurants throughout the month of Citrarasa Sabah.

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