Huge tourism potential in Padawan

KUCHING: Penrissen and Padawan areas are a huge adventure playground and leading destination for sports tourism due to their diverse and panoramic landscapes.

Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim pointed out that the myriad landscapes, natural beauty, historical heritage, cultural diversity, sports and recreational activities promised plenty of thrills and experience for visitors.

“There are so many unique and attractive destinations, tourism products and activities that bring people, both locals and foreigners, to the area,” he said at the MPP Appreciation Night held at Riverside Majestic Lounge here on Friday.

As such, he added that it was not surprising that Borneo Highland which hosts the annual nature challenge, became the location of choice for many outdoor sporting activities like hiking, trekking, marathon, triathlon and cycling.

Among the notable sporting events that MPP has organised and hosted are the Borneo Highland Resort Nature Challenge, Hash Run, Padawan Raft Safari and Padawan 4×4 International Challenge.

“More importantly, organising these events bring considerable impact and benefits to the areas as well as to the local community especially in providing a stream of economic activities and enhancing community participation that helps to build and develop the entire area and community,” he said.

“There’s no doubt such healthy leisure and sporting events are able to draw people to the areas, often in large numbers, where they will spend money and contribute to spurring economic growth in the area,” he added.

Ahmad hoped MPP would continue to lead in organising more sporting events to promote and put Padawan on the world map.

“Hopefully the Padawan 4×4 International Challenge can happen this year as it was postponed last year due to unforeseen circumstances,” he said.

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357 coming for Padawan nature challenge

KUCHING: The BHR Padawan Nature Challenge – a cycling and trekking adventure – has so far attracted 357 participants.

Jointly organised by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR), this year’s challenge, which will be held on Nov 20, has added a new event, the MPP Chairman Cycling Challenge Trophy.

Organising committee chairman Bronnie Marshall Poris said the new category, which begins from the MPP Pitcher Garden at Kota Padawan and ends at the plateau of BHR, would cover a distance of about 57km.

“We have included this event upon the request of the Sarawak Cycling Association and to date, some 53 cyclists have confirmed their participation,” he said at the sponsorship presentation ceremony at the MPP office near here yesterday.

Bronnie said other categories to be contested were the Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge, the Borneo Highlands Run (Men), the Borneo Highlands Run (Women) and the Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge.

He said 52 teams had confirmed their participation in the Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge and 29 teams were confirmed for the 15km Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge.

As for the Borneo Highlands Run, which will cover a distance of 8km, he said 81 have confirmed their participation in the men’s  category and 51 in the women’s category.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: 357 coming for Padawan nature challenge

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Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge returns

KUCHING: The annual Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2016 will be back on Nov 20.

According to the organising committee chairman Councillor Bronnie Marshall, the event which entered the ninth year targeted 500 participants.

It comes under five categories: MPP Chairman Cycling Challenge, Penrissen Summit Trekking Challenge (open), Batu Panggah Trekking Challenge, Borneo Highlands Run for men and for women.

“For the ninth year, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) and Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) jointly organised the Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge to give opportunity for nature lovers and adventurous individuals to be close to nature and experience the environment and adventure tourism aspects of Padawan, including Borneo Highlands Resort,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Present were MPP chairman and Batu Kawah assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, deputy organising chairman Councillor Wadell Boyod and other committee members.

Bronnie said the objectives of the event were to encourage the public to take an interest in nature, sports and a healthy lifestyle; make Padawan a place for eco-tourism; and encourage collaboration between the public and private sector to promote eco-tourism in the State.

The MPP Chairman Cycling Challenge Trophy will cover a distance of 45 km from MPP Pitcher Plant Garden at 10th Mile bazaar.

The event is open to participants aged 18 years and above, with all participants to be insured.

The closing date for entry is Nov 1 by 3pm and participants will collect their numbers and attend technical briefings at MPP on Nov 18. They must bring along their original identity cards or passports and receipts when collecting their race pack.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge returns

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Annual Padawan Raft Safari 2016 ends on high note

KUCHING: The annual Padawan Raft Safari 2016 concluded on a high note yesterday, with Kampung Sungan’s ‘Puncak Mutiara Tebedu’ coming out tops in the Expert category.

The team clocked four hours, 57 minutes to earn itself the RM3,000 prize money and championship trophy.

Saati/SUPP Kampung Biya Jaber clocked four hours, 59 minutes to finish at close second, while Lanting Sadong placed third with a time of five hours, 12 minutes.

Other categories contested were Men’s and Women’s Open, Tourism Agencies and Hotel, Government Agencies and Kayaking.

In Kayaking, Eco Adventure Team was crowned champion with the fastest time of four hours, 14 minutes, leaving behind succesive runners-up Perkesa B and Perkesa A.

Kelab Rekreasi Lingga excelled in Men’s Open, while Tebakang bagged the Women’s Open winning title. Bunan Gega health Clinic emerged the best among the teams competing in Government Agencies event, while in the Tourism Agencies and Hotel category, the top prize went to BHR 4 Sekawan.

Earlier, Assistant Minister for Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said the annual programme served to not only promote recreational activities, but also inculcate in participants and spectators the values in nature conservation.

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The Padawan Raft Safari, a rafting event not to be missed

KUCHING: Just mention rafting and most people will imagine a group of people in an inflatable rubber raft bouncing over the rapids and cruising along fast rivers.

These days the rubber rafts are often associated with extreme sports, unlike their traditional counterparts made from logs or bamboo tied together and used as a water transport mode.

The traditional raft is steered along the river using a long pole.

When the water is deep an oar is used to navigate the raft.

Unfortunately, the traditional rafts have been replaced by boats and inflatable rubber rafts.

In Sarawak, however, traditional rafts are remembered annually with the Padawan Raft Safari (PRS) competition, which is into its 11th series this year.

The PRS is an annual traditional raft competition organised by the Padawan Municipal Council (MDP) since 2005.

With Sungai Padawan as the venue for the event, participants contested in various categories namely Expert, Men’s, Women’s, and Tourism.

This year the competition witnessed the highest number of participants, with 144 teams, 22 more than the number of teams in 2014.

PRS organising chairman Edward Kurik said meticulous preparation was carried out by the MDP with the cooperation of agencies such as the police, Rela and Sarawak River Board to ensure the smooth flow and safety of the participants.

Upon arriving in Kampung Timurang where the 26km Men’s category race began, the writer was amazed to see the number of participants that had gathered and how well the event was conducted.

Only the participants who have their life jackets on were allowed to inspect and collect their raft left at the riverbank a day before the competition.

The participant felt excited, with some teams seen on the premises as early as 6am for the race scheduled to start at 8am.

The two types of rafts that could be used in the competition were those made from logs or bamboos. Most of the teams wore a uniform and decorated their rafts to make them stand out.

Continue reading at: The Padawan Raft Safari, a rafting event not to be missed

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White Water Rafting in Padawan

Just last August I was invited by Sarawak Tourism Board on behalf on Sarawak Bloggers to participate in Padawan White Water Rafting Safari, which takes place annually for the past ten years in Padawan, Kuching.

And for someone who came all the way Borneo, I never knew white water rafting even existed here back home – what more to say that it’s been ongoing since 2004. I was practically living in the dumps.

And if you’re imagining this type of white water rafting, think again. Our version of white water rafting leans more to basic, hardcore version of the borneo rainforest style…

…with massive supplies of bamboos.

Yes, the Padawan Raft Safari is a bamboo rafting competition held annually in Padawan, Kuching, cruising all the way along the Sarawak Kiri river. I was accompanied by Hilda, another fellow blogger who made it through the trip and together we made such a quirky team! It felt as if we’re both major paparazzis, trying to capture every snapshots, moments and pictures throughout the event like nobody’s business.

Ever since its debut back in 2004, the Padawan Raft Safari has been gaining various supports from locals and tourists itself, and has been accommodating up to 200 participants per year. Divided into several categories, the competition hosts Expert, Men Open, Women Open, Government Departments and Hotels and Tour Agencies up to one’s strength and comfort zone.

Each categories has its own course of rafting throughout the river, with 40km for the Expert categories and 26km for the rest.

And of course, being no expert ourself both Hilda and I joined the ‘rest’ categories…on a long boat. You surely did not expect us to make the 26km worth on rafting on our own do you? ;) I’m sure we wouldn’t even last 10 minutes if we did!

It was definitely not an easy task to maneuver the 5m long worth of bamboo raft across the Sarawak Kiri river. The entire journey took us roughly three and a half hours and even on the long boat it seemed like an eternity.

You’ll need a very good raft to proceed, preferably those made from larger and dried bamboos for it to stay afloat and lighter to maneuver.

Bamboo rafting has been a traditional mean of transport for the Dayak tribe for the longest of time, and while most had upgraded theirs to a slightly modern long boat – the tradition still remains.

Bamboos are generally sustainable as it grows pretty quick, and most Dayak tribes used bamboos in many ways – from building longhouses to cooking and many more.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: White Water Rafting in Padawan

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Capturing Padawan’s beauty for locals and foreign tourists

KUCHING: A photo album of beautiful scenes in Padawan can be compiled for the viewing of the local community and foreign tourists. The pictures can be uploaded on the Internet or be part of a public photo exhibition.

“In so doing, I believe more people could be attracted to tourism spots in Padawan,” said Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang when launching Padawan Scenery Photography Competition and Kids Colouring Competition at SJK Chung Hua Sungai Tapang Hilir in MJC Batu Kawa here.

The half-day event was jointly organised by MPP and the young entrepreneur committee of Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Lo noted contestants of the photography competition had captured the best of Padawan sceneries to promote the area.

“The area is blessed with hills, jungles, rivers, villages and beautiful nature. Local photographers have taken thousands of pictures of attractive spots and selected the best for this contest which is set to lure tourists.”

Meanwhile, organising chairman Chai Hui Kiong said the photography contest aimed to discover, share and publicise hidden natural beauty and scenic locations in Padawan.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Capturing Padawan’s beauty for locals and foreign tourists

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Pitcher plant – unique and interesting

IF you’re caught out in the jungle without a shelter, building one from natural materials around you can help keep you dry and safe, especially when you have spend the night out in the wilderness.

You can use whatever resources Nature provides, but after getting the necessary raw materials – wood or bamboo — you may be left without nails.

Don’t fret. Just look for pitcher plants (nepenthes) and once you’ve found them, your problem is solved. The plants’ lianas or woody veins are the best alternative for nails to build huts or shelters with in the jungle. The lianas can also be used as ropes to bind wood or bamboo, and if kept dry, can last up to a year or longer.

Moreover, the pitchers can double as pots, commonly used to boil rice or tapioca. Normally, flour from these two staples is filled in the pitcher and pinned with a tiny wood, the size of a toothpick. The pitcher is then boiled together with water in the pot for several minutes until the rice or tapioca is cooked.

Carnivorous plant

The pitcher plant has generated a lot of interests among naturalists because of its uniqueness. It’s a species of plant that eats insects.

Also called carnivorous plant, it is found in nutrient-poor soil but still thrives because it obtains nutrition from insects it catches.

Carnivorous plants are predatory flowering plants that kill animals in order to derive nutrition from their victims. They eat things like insects, spiders, crustaceans and other small soil and water-living invertebrates and protozoans, lizards, mice, rats, and other small vertebrates.

A report in sciencedaily.com says pitcher plants rely on insects as a source of nutrients, enabling them to colonise nutrient-poor habitats where other plants struggle to grow.

Prey is captured in specialised pitcher-shaped leaves with slippery surfaces on the upper rim and inner wall, and drowned in the digestive fluid at the bottom.

If an insect tries to walk on the wet surface, its adhesive pads are prevented from making contact, causing it to slip on the water layer.

New research has found that during heavy rain, the lid of nepenthes, especially the gracilis pitcher, acts like a springboard, catapulting insects, seeking shelter on its underside, directly into the fluid-filled pitcher.

Eve’s cup and others

The pitcher plant is also known by many as Eve’s cup, fly-catcher, flytrap, huntsman’s cup, smallpox plant and water-cup, and is found in abundance in Sarawak.

One need not go to the jungle for a first-hand look at the plant as it can be found at Padawan Pitcher Plant & Orchid Garden at the 10th Mile Bazaar.

The Garden showcases lowland pitcher plants from around Borneo and protected plants in Sarawak. It now has about 30 species — from climbers N albomorginata (Kuching spotted) to non-climbers N ampullaria (Bau green).

Padawan Muncipal Council (MPP) agriculture officer Willie Ngelai, who heads the Landscape Division, said their pitcher plants were collected from the jungles in various parts of the state.

He said N albomorginata are found in the lowland and have narrow felted leaves and stems. This species has large quantities of slender pitchers with a conspicuous chalky-white collar below the peristome. Its colour varies from pale green to deep red, depending on the type. It consumes insects and termites.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Pitcher plant – unique and interesting

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Fanning Kampung Danu’s fame with Padawan Raft Safari

PADAWAN: Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talib Zulpilip said he will help to promote Kampung Danu here not only as a recreational raft safari destination but also a tourist attraction.

The Bidayuh village located not far from the scenic Borneo Highlands Resort, has tourism potential through river activities, for example raft for rent.

“I will work closely with the villagers in promoting the area. All the villagers need to provide are the rafts for rent,” he said.

Talib pointed out that he wanted to promote the Safari event overseas towards this cause.

“If the Padawan Raft Safari is introduced or marketed properly, I am sure many more people, including foreigners, will participate in it,” he stressed.

“This effort when it materialises will indirectly help increase the economic activities of the villagers apart from becoming a tourist attraction,” he said when met after flagging off participants in the Padawan Raft Safari 2013 held by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) at Kampung Danu yesterday.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Fanning Kampung Danu’s fame with Padawan Raft Safari

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Sarawak has more tourism spots to offer

KUCHING: The state has many unexplored potential tourism spots that should be explored and promoted.

In citing Padawan as an example, Assistant Minister of Culture Liwan Lagang said more emphasis should be given to promote potential tourist spots that are still unexplored in the area.

The Belaga assemblyman said he was amazed with the many beautiful areas and tourist spots Padawan had to offer not only to locals but also to foreign tourists.

“I understand that there are still many areas in Padawan that are still not being explored as tourism destinations yet this event is good for us to market our tourism products to the world,” he said when offciating at the ‘Discover Padawan Experience – Your Gateway to Culture, Adventure and Nature 2013’ exhibition at Kuching Sentral here yesterday.

Liwan said Padawan has a few established Sarawak tourism destinations such as Borneo Highlands Resort, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Jong’s Crocodile Farm which had attracted many local and foreign tourists.

“The government has also identified and developed a few tourism destinations in Padawan such as Annah Rais Hot Spring, caves, waterfalls in Padawan and Rafflesia in Kampung Temurang and Kampung Belimbing.”

In view of the richness of nature that Padawan has, he said various activities could also be offered to tourists such as jungle trekking, kayaking, cycling and other interesting activities in the tropical rainforest.

Liwan said Padawan had the advantage as a potential popular tourism destination due to its location which is not far from the city, beautiful and attractive tourism products and destinations as well as the good facilities maintained by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP).

“One of the products that you can highlight is your ‘Pansoh Lamb’ which is special because normally we only have Pansoh Fish and Chicken. This is the product that you should highlight, especially to the foreign tourists.”

Liwan said he is very interested with the activities that would be organised by MPP such as Padawan Raft Safari as well as Borneo Highland Nature Challenge and therefore, he had offered himself to be the participant of the activities.

Continue reading at: Sarawak has more tourism spots to offer

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More sponsors wanted for annual Padawan Fest

KUCHING: The Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) is calling for more sponsors for its annual Padawan Fest.

MPP public relations officer Abdul Razak Awang Bini said there are 12 events under the festival for sponsors to choose to be a part of.

“We hope the private sponsors can slowly adopt the whole event. There are 12 events under Padawan Fest 2013, which is an ongoing activity from March until October. We hope to move the events towards the private sector,” he said during the presentation of sponsorship from Natural Avenue Sdn Bhd (Special Cash Sweep) yesterday.

Natural Avenue contributed RM10,000 to the Padawan Raft Safari 2013 for its activity fund and prizes.

“In order to value our contributor, we will name the Expert category as ‘Cash Sweep Rafting Expert category’,” said Abdul Razak.

The other four categories for the raft safari are Men’s Open, Women’s, Government Agencies as well as Tour and Hotel Agencies.

This year’s event will cost around RM90,000, an increase compared to last year’s RM70,000.

Meanwhile, Natural Avenue general manager Jackson Lim said this is the 10th year the company has contributed to the event.

“This is part of our programme to support local community events. This year, everything is well organised, we will continue to support the event,” he said.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: More sponsors wanted for annual Padawan Fest

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Padawan Raft Safari, anyone?

KUCHING: Padawan Raft Safari 2013 is calling for entries now.

The event organised by Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) will be held along Sarawak Kiri river on July 7 with cash prizes of RM24,000 up for grabs.

Its chairman Lo Khere Khiang said the starting point will be at Kampung Annah Rais for kayaking and rafting (Expert’s category), Kampung Temurang for rafting (Men’s), Kampung Danu for rafting (Women, Government Agencies, Hotels and Tour Agencies).

The finishing point will be at Kampung Git.

The distance along the river is approximately 40km for the Rafting Expert and kayaking categories and 26km for other categories.

Rafting is divided into Expert, Men’s Open, Women’s, Government Departments, and Hotels and Tour Agencies while kayaking is open.

Lo added that for Hotels and Tour Agencies, rafts made from timber and recyclable materials will be provided in next year’s event.

“It will be different from bamboo rafting,” he said at a press conference after the municipal full council meeting here yesterday.

Registration for the competition ends by 5pm on June 28.

The registration fees are RM200 per team for Expert category while RM140 per team for Men, Women, Government Departments and Hotel and Tour Agencies and RM60 per team for kayaking.

Other interesting events lined up for that day are cultural performances, karaoke competition, food and tourism product line.

Another activity to be held in conjunction with the Padawan Events 2013 is a Borneo Highlands Resort Nature Challenge to be held on June 30 (Sunday).

Continue reading at: Padawan Raft Safari, anyone?
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500 entries expected for Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2013

KUCHING: The organiser of the Borneo Highlands Nature Challenge 2013 this coming June 30, is expecting around 500 participants for this year’s challenge, which offers lucrative prizes of more than RM9,000 in total for all four categories.

According to Borneo Highlands Resort (BHR) resort manager Zakaria Ismail, last year’s challenge which saw around 220 participants, had helped to promote the annual event, which enters its sixth consecutive year.

“We had participants coming from West Malaysia and Sabah and we believe that more promotions will attract participants, and at the same time promoting BHR as a tourism spot in Sarawak, particularly in Padawan area,” said Zakaria.

He was speaking at a press conference to announce the event at BHR Clubhouse yesterday.

Meanwhile, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the spillover from the event, which saw MPP as one of the co-organisers, will spur growth towards the tourism industry as it will lure outside participants to the state. The event was managed by Absolute Cool Event team.

“BHR has a lot to offer where visitors can enjoy nature on top of the Borneo Highlands and this opportunity should be used to promote Padawan as a tourism spot,” said Lo.

He added that BHR has all the right ingredients where apart from sporting events, visitors can organise corporate family days and functions.

Lo elaborated that the joint cooperation with BHR management in the event aimed to further strengthen the effort while creating an integrated approach with the local authority to promote BHR to the outside world.

The event yesterday also saw the presentation of sponsorship worth RM8,000 from Magnum to BHR.

The Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2013 is a running, cycling and trekking adventure where participants stand a chance to experience Padawan nature at its best.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: 500 entries expected for Borneo Highlands Padawan Nature Challenge 2013

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Kota Padawan Kuching Bike Ride Soon To Be Tourist Attraction

We always hear Kuching city as a tourist attraction which is very common these days. It is true that Kuching city has a lot to offer and great places to visit such as the Water Front, Main Bazaar, Golden Triangle, and lots more. This year, it is not just the city itself. Kota Padawan will soon become another great tourist attraction in the near future.

The event was held on Saturday, 23rd March 2013, Kuching Bike Ride at Kota Padawan. Its objective was to promote and introduce the Padawan area as well as the Borneo Peak. Just like last year, the Kuching Bike Ride which held at Muzium Sarawak on the 27th May 2012, to promote Pakej Percutian 1 Malaysia (CC1M). A total number of 700 participants’ joined the event last year.

As for this year, the Bike Ride event at Kota Padawan has a total of 200 participants. Kuching Cop Cycling Club (KCCC) and members of the public joined in the event.

It was officiated by YB Dato Sri Dr.James Dawos Mamit and as early as 8.30 cyclists started cycling a.m from Kota Padawan Pitcher plant landmark and ended at Kampung Beratan which was 8 km ride away from Kota Padawan town.

The popularity of the bike ride itself is actually one of the latest trends in the tourism industry especially in Malaysia.

Kota Padawan is only a small town and unlike Kuching City it has its own uniqueness that can attract local and international tourists. Among the things tourists will get to explore in this area will is the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, authentic Long House Homestay such as Annah Rais, Benuk, Kampung Darul Islam Belimbing Homestay as well as Rafflesia Homestay located in Kampung Temurang. Other than that, for those who loves kayaking, then Kampung Danu and Padawan will be the right place for them.

During the speech presentation made by YB Dato Sri Dr. James Dawos Mamit, Deputy Ministry of Malaysian Tourism, he commented that the reason why they chose Kota Padawan area, was not only to promote Kota Padawan itself, but, it was also meant to promote a healthier life style for Kuching citizen. He even added that cycling in the city area, it is not only dangerous but due to the exposed car fumes, the smell of road tar, and so forth can deteriorate our health in future.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Kota Padawan Kuching Bike Ride Soon To Be Tourist Attraction

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Cycling tourism to be a reality in Sarawak

KUCHING: Tourists who wish to cycle to experience the beautiful sceneries of Sarawak might find it easy to bring their bicycles to the state following the discussion between Ministry of Tourism Malaysia with Malaysian Airlines (MAS) and AirAsia.

Deputy Sarawak Tourism Minister Dato Sri Dr James Dawos Mamit yesterday said the two local airlines would provide the facility for tourists to check-in their bicycles.

“With such a facility, more tourists will want to ride in Sarawak to have a different experience. For instance, if tourists ride along Jalan Puncak Borneo, they can see a lot of interesting places along the way.

“It will definitely help to boost bicycle tourism not only in Sarawak but the whole country,” he told reporters after officiating at the Bike & Ride Padawan 2013 programme at Kampung Bratan at Jalan Puncak Borneo here.

On Malindo Air, Dawos believed the introduction of the new airline would further improve air connectivity in Sarawak in particular and East Malaysia as a whole.

“Of course, it is good because we need to have more airlines. It will bring positive impact to the tourism industry here.”

Malindo Air started its inaugural flights to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching last Friday and yesterday.

In his speech, Dawos pointed out that cycling tourism, which is getting popular, could contribute greatly to the country’s tourism industry if it was given adequate attention.

He, therefore, urged travel agents in the state to be creative and introduce different packages on cycling trips to accommodate the different needs of tourists.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Cycling tourism to be a reality in Sarawak

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Invitation to take part in Padawan Bike and Ride

KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism is inviting the people to join them on the Padawan Bike and Ride tomorrow (Mar 23).

Riders have the choice of two routes – the 14km Leisure Ride to begin at 9.30am or the 18km Extreme Ride at 8.30am.

The starting point is the Pitcher Plant and Wild Orchid Garden at Kota Padawan and the finishing point in the community hall at Kpg Bratan/Asah.

Deputy Minister of Sarawak Tourism Datuk Dr James Dawos told the press during a briefing at Padawan Munincipal Council (PMC) premises yesterday that more and more people were taking up cycling as a social activity for health and fitness as well as recreation.

“Cycling tourism is the latest approach to the development of tourism considering Sarawak’s striking and varied natural landscape and environment,” he said.

“Visitors appreciate authenticity and want a chance to be part of the real Sarawak and what better way to explore nature and other attractions than through biking,” he added.

“We hope that travel agencies and operators will identify and package this as a healthy holiday product and promote them to our visitors,” he said.

Continue reading at: Invitation to take part in Padawan Bike and Ride

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Rare Sarawak's ‘bekop’ a prized delicacy during durian season

KOTA PADAWAN: Bekop is a prized seasonal delicacy that is so rare that few people are able to obtain it, even if they are willing to pay a high price just for a taste.

The bekop tree only produces fruit during the durian season, 54-year-old homestay operator Sagen Adan told The Borneo Post recently.

“We don’t eat the fruit, only its seed which is traditionally cooked with tempoyak (fermented durian). This way, it can be kept for a few months,” he said.

Sagen, who hails from Kg Semban, said that some of his friends from Kuching would constantly ask him to send them bekop, such is their craving for this seasonal delicacy.

“Bekop is always in great demand, especially by village folk who grew up with its taste but are now working and living far away in the city.”

“But bekop is not easy to gather as you have to climb the tree to get the seeds. Furthermore, each tree does not bear much fruit. The squirrels also like to eat the fruit. So the villagers tend to keep what little that is harvested for themselves.

“Even if my friends were to pay RM100 per kilogramme, I would hardly consider going through all that effort as we don’t have enough for our own consumption,” Sagen said.

Bekop seeds have hard shells, which make them look like black marbles when cooked.

Continue reading (Incl. Pics) at: Rare Sarawak's ‘bekop’ a prized delicacy during durian season

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Sarawak River Festival slated for Oct 27, 28

KUCHING: Several Bidayuh singers will sing at Sarawak River Festival @ Ga Danu 2012 slated for Oct 27 and 28 at the field of pebbles beside the riverbank of Kampung Danu at Km 55 Jalan Puncak Borneo in Penrissen.

The singers include AF7 finalist Claudia Geres, a veteran Bidayuh singer Paul Kadun and blues singer Captain Miron Ganguly.

Their performance will be accompanied by Dirgahayu II band with their female dangdut singer.

The two-day festival is jointly organised by Maasa Event Management, Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and the village’s cooperative.

“There will also be gangnam style and poco-poco dance which visitors are welcomed to participate in,” said Maasa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert.

He said the three best dancers would receive special prizes from the organisers, and three lucky visitors will win three lucky draw prizes.

“We expect thousands to throng the festival venue that day as there will a variety of events and games held on the pebbled field that day,” said Ceasser.

“This is the first such river festival to be held in Penrissen and Padawan area that shouldn’t be missed by anyone.”

He said those interested to operate food and beverage stalls at the festival should register early by paying a RM30 fee.

The festival will kick off with live band entertainment on the pebbled riverbank of Kampung Danu from 8pm to 12 midnight on Oct 27.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak River Festival slated for Oct 27, 28

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Sarawak Tourism Board showcases ‘Padawan Experience’ at Matta Fair

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) showcased the ‘Padawan Experience’ at the just concluded Matta fair in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

It  said in a press release the ‘Padawan Experience’ highlights the adventure that can be found in the Padawan area near Kuching as STB bids to boost the arrivals of domestic tourists to the state.

“The domestic market is an important market for Sarawak and as at July 31, visitors from the Peninsular grew at seven per cent when compared to the same period last year.

“This positive growth resulted in a nine per cent increase in total visitor arrivals and as at July 31, a total of 2.3 million visitors came,” said STB.

Among the attractions in Padawan area are its flora and fauna, the Orang Utans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Cente, and the Bidayuh culture notably the longhouses and the ring ladies of Kampung Semban, it explained.

It added apart from the culture and nature activities that can be found here, there is also golfing at the Borneo Highlands resort and kayaking along the Padawan River.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Sarawak Tourism Board showcases ‘Padawan Experience’ at Matta Fair

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Inaugural Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt in October

KUCHING: The Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt 2012, to be held for the first time this year on Oct 28, would require participants to look for clues and answers while on a river.

It is organised by Ma’asa Event Management in collaboration with the Kampung Danu Development and Security Committee at Sungai Sarawak Kiri, also locally known as the Semadang River, in Padawan near here.

Ma’asa Event Management general manager Ceasser Robert said the event is open to local and foreign participations.

He said each team will comprise of two persons and the participating teams can choose to use either a kayak, boat or raft in the competition.

“They are required to answer questions prepared by the organisers and to look for the hidden treasures along the way,” he said.

He also mentioned that the participants would be flagged off at Kampung Bengoh, Padawan and the finishing point would be the river bank at Kampung Danu.

On the prizes, he said he champion team will receive a RM1,000 and a trophy while the first runner up will pocket RM500 plus a trophy and the third winner to receive RM300 plus a trophy.

‘There will be three consolation prizes of RM100 and a trophy each,” he said.

The registration fee is RM50. Those interested to participate in the event are required to bring along their own kayak, boat or raft.

Ceasser said the organisers can assist participants to source for the kayaks and boats but they must place their booking at least two weeks before the event.

“For those wanting to use rafts in the competition, they can make arrangement with the organisers or the local people near the event venue, to book their raft,” said Ceasser.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Inaugural Sarawak River Tourism Treasure Hunt in October

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