Boat cruise along the Kuching waterfront

Leisure at Kuching waterfront ...

Kuching street musicians

Dark Clouds

Dark Clouds over Kuching Waterfront area ( to the right)

Views of Kuching Waterfront

Views of the Kuching Waterfront.

Colourful Sampans

What strikes me today was the strong coat of new colours these 'sampans' or small river ferry boats at the Kuching Waterfront. So let the colours do the talking.....

Living Crafts

There is a tiny lane by the side of Carpenter Street in Kuching where I took these pictures today. Carpenter Street runs parallel to the Kuching Waterfront. Two subjects that drew my attention was a Chinese craftsman who seemed very adept in the art of making hardware items that has been mastered over generations. Along this narrow lane called 'Bishop's Gate' there is a small colony of these artisans who are still carrying out the age old tin smiting business. The early Chinese artisans who have honed their skills using tin have upgraded themselves through years of practise to newer materials like mild galvanised sheets and more recently thin stainless steel sheets. When I asked one of them ( pix above) how long he has been in the business, he told me in no uncertain terms " Fifty Years". Judging by his skillful hands ,deep concentration and precise execution I have no doubt that that he really talked the walk and walked the talk.
Further down the 'Bishop's Gate' lane a wall of paintings crowded the narrow five-foot way. Paintings by local artists were displayed for sale. By the look of it , the spirit of commerce is thriving well on Bishop's Gate lane. It's interesting to see how local artists have risen to the occasion too by demonstrating their talents in support of the growing tourism business around the Kuching Waterfront area.

Green setting

I spent a cool afternoon in the shades of these trees yesterday. This small urban park is situated within the Kuching Watefront area.

Pak Tambang

This relief sculpture depicts the unsung heroes of the Sarawak River. Made of bronze and mosaic and approximately 2m x 3m in size it is dedicated to the many generations of boatmen ( Pak Tambang) who have dedicated their lives for the safety and comfort of residents and visitors they successfully ferry daily. 'Tambang' refers to the small boat that they row or paddle (before) but now powered by a small inboard engine to cross the still waters of the Sarawak River around the Kuching waterfront area. This sculpture is located at the Kuching waterfront area.

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.

Chinese Temple near Kuching Waterfront

Located near the Kuching waterfront area this Chinese temple has become a popular tourist attraction these days. Built sometime in 1876, the temple houses the deity 'Tua Pek Kong' - a paternalistic god among the many gods in the Chinese pantheon.

Spinning Tops

Yesterday I came across a show and performance of spinning tops at the Kuching Waterfront's amphitheatre area. Most of the spinning tops were from the various ethnic groups of Malaysia. At the centre of the picture is one that is still spinning on a chair. A Kelantanese spinning top called a 'gasing' can spin for as long as two and a half hours.

A Star is Born

At the Kuching Waterfront's amphitheatre was a cultural performance by the school kids of SRK Buyong, free for all to see. The young singer does her vibes with the aid of karaoke and an excellent sound system while friends danced to the contemporary pop music.

While a star can be born with a golden voice another can just rise from a tapping feet. The young school children put on their best costumes, smiles and talent to the accompaniment of a traditional Malay 'zapin' dance.

River boat ferry

You need to board this small river boat ferry, locally called 'perahu tambang' to cross the Sarawak River that meanders by the Kuching City centre area. Fare is RM0.50 per crossing. The still waters of the Sarawak river makes the crossing a breeze. The boat is powered by a small inboard engine.

Kuching in bronze

At the Kuching waterfront is seen this bronze sculpture of a group of local cats. The city's named has been accredited to cats. One theory suggests that it derived its name from the spot where there were plenty of trees the locals here called 'mata kuching' that have seeds like cat's eyes. This spot close to where the city now is was a natural gathering place of ships and boats that came in to town to trade. Overtime the town was described by the river spot where the trading ships or boats berthed albeit by the shade of the 'mata kuching' trees. Another theory suggests that the prevalence of cats around the town had made people adopt the name 'Kuching' ( malay word for cat) to better describe the locality. Whatever theory you are inclined to follow it all boiled down to cats, cats,cats. Kuching is for cats.

A group of local cats in bronze in playful mood. Location: Kuching waterfront area.

Kuching Garden Scents

Wooden platter with scented flowers.

Went shopping for a wooden platter yesterday at the Kuching waterfront's handicrafts and sovenier shops. Now you can find lots of Sarawak's multi-layered cakes called 'kek lapis' sold at the sidewalk along the shops too.  The lady on the right sells such cakes. These cakes appear to be an important 'export' item of Kuching tourism currently.

CU View of Kuching's multi-layered cakes called "Kek Lapis" in Malay.

(Note: The price tag is in Malaysian Ringgit currency)

I finally got a wooden platter from one one the shops and  used it to display fresh cut flowers especially scented ones for room or study fragrance.The wood platter costs me RM 15.

The center flower is the white ginger ( hedychium coronarium) with its butterfly-like pure white flowers and yellow shades in the center.  On the right is the pink frangipani ( plumeria rubra) and the left one is the sweetly scented jasmine flowers ( jasminum multiforum) with its star-shaped tiny white flowers formed in a nice little bunch. 

Afternoon Break by the Kuching Waterfront

Sitting just a table away from the young lady we had a plate of banana, taufu and vegetable fritters for afternoon tea at the Kuching waterfront.  It was raining lightly and took time to sit longer for our afternoon time off.

Just across where we sat was this view of the new Sarawak State Legislative  Assembly building in an advanced stage of completion. Two trawlers passed by the quiet and calm waters of the Sarawak River where the popular Kuching waterfront area is sited.

Abstract sculpture to interpret

I took more pictures of the steel sculpture at the Kuching waterfront to understand the concept and meaning of the sculpture. I guess that what's abstract art is meant for. You interpret them at your own risk.

Well, why not give yourself a try at interpreting it........ :)

Ethnic design on Sarawak pavement

This is a view of the designs on the pavement at the Kuching waterfront area. This is typical of native designs of Sarawak. A similar design is shown below which I took from a gallery of native designs at the Square Tower which I mentioned in my recent postings here.

The above design is drawn by the famous native designer named Tusau Padan ( 1930-1996) on bark cloth. Typical of such designs, the motifs are mainly floral, dragon-dog designs, lizards, birds or human figures. Anyway it is interesting to note that these designs have a certain harmony interwined in them. Though they seem asymmetrical at times but in the end appear balanced. Even on the pavement the designs seem to grow from spiral upon spiral, branch out of branch. In the end there are no missing links only a natural flow.

Cool ambience inside Square Tower

I kind of like the cool ambience of the cafe which I thought was well decorated. Using ethnic design motifs, objects , materials and paintings the place looked classy and creative. Below are pictures of the small but inviting cafe.

This is another view of the Square Tower situated at the Kuching Waterfront area. The ground floor space is shared by the cafe and a souvenier shop while the first floor showcases the development of the Kuching waterfront area in a form of a mini exhibition and a gallery of native designs.