White Bougainillea House

Took a left turn before reaching Damai Resort. And came down to the village of Santubong. Followed the road that encircled the village and met this white bougainvillea house. Malay houses here are either constructed as one level or two. Older houses are made from timber, while newer ones of concrete and brick walls. At the far background is the Mount Santubong.

Arches of Petra Jaya Mosque

The hundreds of tall column arches of the Petra Jaya Mosque are seen reflected on the clean terrazzo floor. I performed the Friday prayers here this afternoon.

Another view of the open air section of the Petra Jaya Mosque.

Lines and colours

Against the clear blue sky protrudes two white roofing structure of the godown amphitheatre ( foreground) and the pinnacle of the new Sarawak State Legislative assembly building is the far background. Here I attempt to make a simple composition using straight and curved lines and three colour hues.

Historical pillars of Kuching

Entrance to the Sarawak Tourism Complex

Kuching has more than its share of historical buildings in Sarawak. In fact I think more than. Compared to Bintulu for instance where there is none. Therefore a walk around downtown Kuching city is a journey into the past when the Brookes and then the later British colonialists constructed buildings in the tradition we name today as the 'colonial style'. The above entrance arch serves as balcony to what was before the Court House. As I walked in through the balcony I was impressed by the tall round columns that hold the ceiling of the verandah past the balcony space as seen in the picture below.

These columns look imposing and full of grandeur much inspired by the massive columns of Roman court house architecture. After the first Council Negeri meeting was held at Bintulu in 1876, all subsequent meetings from 1878 till1973 were held at this Court House. However very recently its was converted into Sarawak Tourism Complex building.

These pillars are tall probably 6 m high to my naked eye. I find the walkway or corridor rather narrow. In history, this building served as the General Post Office (1931) and still is albeit name change to Pejabot Pos Malaysia.

Most colourful building

Today I notice contractors are busy doing renovation works to this multi-storey car park's ground floor space. The playful use of colours no doubt to me makes it the most colourful building in Kuching.

Shophouse in Off Beat Colours

It's interesting to see these days how shopowners in the city are willing to makeover their shop.  The use of off beat colours add much lustre and live to the street. The square columns are made of bricks when at the time of their construction today's  reinforced conrete technology were unheard of.  I find the detailing on the pillars characteristic of the time just as the typical one floor building structure, of which the first floor was used as living accomodation for the shopkeeper's family. This is the traditional way of 'working from home', I guess. 

Kuching's Historical Buildings

The buiding in white is called the 'Square Tower' built in 1879 and is located within the Kuching waterfront area.  Of all the towns in Sarawak, Kuching has the most beautiful and a very sizeable collection of well preserved colonial buildings.  From  middle of the 19th century ( 1842) to late 20th century (1963) Kuching and progressively other towns in Sarawak were ruled and administered by the British. Many permanent buildings constructed then are still standing and in good shape even today. The Square Tower is one of them.

Today, the Square Tower has a gallery located on the first floor showcasing a brief history of Kuching waterfront area and the elaborate designs of the native peoples of Sarawak.

The ground floor space is taken up by a souvenier shop and a beautifully designed cafe.

This is how the Square Tower looked in the good old days when it was first used as a place for detention of prisoners, then as a fort and finally a dancing hall.

Sarawak River Cruise

Sitting by the waterfront I noticed at a distance the cruise boat bringing tourists to enjoy the evening sunset was moving slowing through the calm waters of the Sarawak River. Time was approximately 5.30 pm.

It passed by a mammoth building under construction. Once completed it will function as the new Sarawak Legislative Assembly building here called Dewan Undangan Negeri or DUN in short. The Kuching waterfront area has plenty of attractions for tourists to see and experience. The slow moving river keeps me reminded of the regular need to step back from the hustle and bustle of city madness. Go holiday .

The Astana by the Sarawak River

I went to downtown Kuching city today to do a bit of shopping. On the opposite side of the shopping area stood this rustic view of the Astana which is home to the present Governor of Sarawak. Back in the colonial days it was the residence of the Brooke's family who became the 'White Rajah ' of Sarawak for more than a hundred years. The beauty of Sarawak River is its stillness which is occassionally disturbed by the small boats that ply the river or the colourful small ferry boats called 'perahu tambang' that transport residents or visitors across the river at a token price of 40 cents per one way trip.

Blue Dome

A newly completed building is seen at Mile 7 Town, nearby the town's Wet Market.  I understand that it will accomodate a hotel, office space and commercial shops. Nice colour. Outstanding dome structure . I took the above shot from the Wet Market area in mid afternoon sun.

Kuching Mosque

Below are two views of the newly painted Kuching Mosque in down town Kuching City.

Stealy Steel and Colours

Seen at the Kuching Waterfront where the Sarawak Regatta 2008 was held was this captivating stainless steel sculpture. More images of this public sculpture are shown below.

The stainless steel sculpture stole my attention for minutes and so was the building in the background. I walked to have a closer look at the building. It is in fact a multi-storey car park that is well used because it is located at the heart of the city where roadsides parking spaces are hard to get.

What captivates me was the interplay of colours that are tastefully chosen . I think this building could fit the bill as as the most colourful building in Sarawak.

New Dewan Undangan Negeri building under construction

A river cruise boat passes the new Dewan Undangan Negeri complex , still under construction.

Kuching Mosque

A Kuching Mosque having newly painted in colours of pink, taken at a distance from India Street.

Let the sun shine through!

Light passes through the ceiing dome of Masjid Jamek, Petra Jaya , Kuching.

Mosque Architecture

Ceiling view of Masjid Jamek , Petra Jaya .

Smallest arch to a mosque

I believe this is the smallest arch to a mosque that I have have ever seen . Situated at the very busy Main Gambier Street, this sign is testamount to the religion of the early Indian traders who became experts in the spice trade and commerce in early Kuching has continued even to this present day.

Post Office columns

This building houses the main Post Office building in Kuching. My eyes were attracted to the interesting details of the columns . Kuching has the most and best collection of 'colonial type' buildings in Sarawak and most are within walking distance from the Kuching waterfront .

Wisma Pelita

This government building is called 'Wisma Pelita'. Taken in mid afternoon from the State Library building, while I was having a coffee break at the open cafe spot of the library.

A Building of Colours

What a daring, artistic and colourful treatment to a multi-storey car park, amusement center and food court all in one. This building is located in the city main tourist belt.