Monday, March 23, 2009

Bau - Tasik Biru (Blue Lake)

The BLUE Lake (Tasik Biru) General view of Blue Lake Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Tasik Biru To be Opened To public on April 16, 2001. By: William N.P. Chai The Tasik Biru here, will be opened to the public on April 16. It much awaited opening has been delayed for over a year after the completion of some basic facilities under the restoration project, due to the present of arsenic been detected in the water. The facilities constructed included a six-stall canteen, toilets, pontoon gangway, viewing platform, footpaths, railing by the lakeside,a car park and landscaping. The new lake resort will be much bigger with an area of 19 acreas as compared to the former Tasik Biru which was 15 acres. Signboards have been put up at the lake side by the Natural Resources and Environmental Board of Sarawak (NREB), warning the public against swimming, fishing, bathing or drinking the water from the lake as the water contains high content of arsenic. A six-stall canteen Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Despite this, some people are seen swimming and catching fish in the lake. The state government through the NREB is in the process of engaging experts, most probaly from foreign countries to study the source of the arsenic, and ways of overcoming the problem in order to make the water safe for recreational activities. Re-opening of the Tasik Biru The news of the re-opening of the Tasik Biru, once a prime attraction of the town, is a very much welcome news for the people of Bau town. To many of the town folks, Bau town was never the same as it used to be after the Tasik Biru has gone- been de-watered by a mining company to enable the gold ore to be extracted from the side and bottom of the former gold mine lake. That was back in June 1990. Click here to enlarge The dewatering of the lake started on June 17, 1990, and the lake was closed to the public. Most people in the town are hoping that the re-opening of the Tasik Biru will bring back the former glory of the town. Penghulu Kueh Moh Huat hoped that the lake will attract more visitors to the town, hence more business opportunity to the shopkeepers, especially those dealing with food, drinks and souvenirs as what it used to be. The Forming of Tasik Biru General view of Blue Lake Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Tasik Biru which was formed from a open cast gold mining pit known as Tai Parit mine, operated by the Borneo Company from 1898 untill it was flooded in 1921. It was then known as Tai Parit Lake, subsequently, it became a popular pinicking spot although with limited facilities. The Bau District Council carried out development project to add some basic facilities around the lake in 1975. A bridge was built to span across a narrow part of the lake to enable visitors to access to the other side of the lake. It was renamed Tasik Biru, as the water in the lake appeared greenish bluish due to reflection from the green plants around and the blue sky. Since then it has attracted a lot of visitors to the lake which is less than a kilometer from the Bau bazaar. In 1977 there was a rent-a-boat system operating for those who like to paddle in the lake, the deepest point was about 300 feet deep. The boat renting was stopped after the bus tragedy in 1979. Bus Tragedy in 1979 It was said that the lake claimed one life in in an average of every three years. A bus carrying a load full of students and trainee teachers plunged into the lake in June that year killing 28 students and a trainee teachers. There had been a lot of legends related to the former Tasik Biru. Story regarding the flooding of the lake in 1921 An elderly man once told me a story regarding the flooding of the lake in 1921. Tt was said that one day, a group of miners stumbled upon a golden tortoise at the bottom of the lake. When they tried to catch the tortoise, the tortoise bored into the earth. As the miners hacked frantically after it, the tortoise bored further into the subterranean strata. Suddenly, a jet of water appeared and the mine started to flood. The frightened miners scrambled for the high ground. But the water kept rising. It looked as if the water would take a terrible vengeance and the mining settlement would be wiped out. Then an old man, said to be a bomoh, appeared on the scene and provided the solution, - he pushed a white man into the rising water. And strangely, the water stopped rising. Three "monsters" appeared in Tasik Biru In 1988, three "monsters" appeared in Tasik Biru. It aroused a great interest not only among the Bau people, but also from else where, as crowds swarmed to the mining town to witnessed the three strange huge figures in dark shed of about three meter long, swam below the water surface. The medium from the nearby Bong Low Sian Tze temple when consulted refered them as evil beings. He asked his assisted to burn some talismans around the four corners of the lake. Strange enough a day later, the strange figures disappeared. There was no such huge creatures been seen when the lake was dewatered in 1990! The jong regatta or model sailing boat racing Tasik Biru was also a venue for the once popular sport - the jong regatta or model sailing boat racing. Minature sailing boats were released at one end of the lake and letting the wind to blow them across to the other end of the lake to decide the winners. The regatta however has varnished as the Tasik Biru disappeared. Hopefully that when the Tasik Biru been restored, the jong regatta could be revived as well as a tourist attraction. Present and Proposed Development An artist impression of a proposed development project. Click here to enlarge The present Tasik Biru is far from its former appearance which has a more natural setting as compare to the present bare surrounding as a result of the mining activity. A lot of efforts surely needed to bring back the lake to its former glory. The Bau District Council has proposed a comprehensive development plan to turn the lake into a resort by adding more facilities. This includes constructing a suspension bridge or a floating bridge across the lake to the other side of the lake where a small hill is located. Footpaths, jogging tracks, hill climbibng facilties as well as chalets will be built on the hill slope. A floating restaurant and children playground and more food and drink stalls will also be constructed. The proposal has been submitted to the state government and is still waiting for the approval. If the project could be implemented according to the plan it will surely attract local and foreign tourists to the lake and contribute to the economy development of the town.

Bau - Fairy Cave

Fairy Cave General view of Fairy Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Introduction Malaysian caves are filled with mystery and some of nature's most beautiful sculptures. Most of the caves in the country date back to the Stone Age while some caves in Sarawak are over 60 million years old. Although major expeditions have been carried out by the Royal Geographical Society in London and the British Caving Research Association, many caves are still not fully explored and remain an alluring, enticing adventure for the nature tourist. Repeat visitors marvel at how a cave can change within months as the naturally humid Malaysian weather promotes faster stalagmite and stalactite formations. General view of Fairy Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Fairy Cave Not far from Wind Cave, flights of concrete steps lead up to a cave high in a limestone cliff just yard from the Indonesian border. Like the Wind Cave, there are plank walks so visitors can explore the passage. The cliff face also holds some outdoor adventure. Batman Wall has recently been opened up to rock climbers with routes of varying degrees of difficulty. A century ago, Bau was the center for the big gold rush of Borneo. The elderly Chinese who are still around in Bau can relate the varied happenings during their time. When gold was gradually exhausted in the mid 1900s, the town has turned into a confined quiet township with small scale family businesses being transacted between the Chinese and the ethnic group in rural Bau, the Bidayuh. Of late, Bau spring to life with the influx of tourists especially from the Asian regions popularizing the Fairy Cave and the Wind Cave. Located just north of Bau Town some 48 kilometers from Kuching, the Fairy aCaves lay majestically along the same range of limestone hilly range in the Serikin District. The cave is partly covered amidst the tropical rainforest along the slopes of the scenic limestone hills. Fairy Cave as the name implies possesses unusual stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousand of years to simulate Buddhist deities that attract groups of Chinese Buddhist and Taoist devotees and believers to them especially during Chinese festive seasons. Shrines are found sprouting from the cave entrance to the interior; at some instances with the joss sticks still burning showing the popularity of the cave to the locals. Going Caving General view of Fairy Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge There are seasoned cavers who will be willing to act as guides. They may be contacted throught the Malaysian Nature Society and through various nature adventure operators. Tour operators will arrange packages on request. Most caving expeditions are day trips though a visitor can choose to stay overnight. No overnight camping is allowed in most caves but budget hotels are available around most of the cave districts. Caving is normally done in the dry season which runs from March to October. Permits may be required when exploring some of these caves. These are available form the respective state forestry departments and cost from RM10 to RM40. What to Wear and Bring General view of Fairy Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge For the recreational caver, all that is needed to explore adventure caves is a reliable guide, safety helmet for protection and a powerful torchlight. More experienced cavers may want to bring their carbide lamps as well as harnesses, ascending and descending equipment and carabanners if they plan to abseil. Tropical caves are not as damp as those in Europe and the Americas, but they are chilly at times especially during storms and heavy rain. A light jacket is also recommended. As will all nature adventures, preservation and conservation of stalagmites, stalactites and all cave dwelling creatures are of utmost importance. In caves with known inhabitants, avoid flash photography as the light frightens the cave dwelling life forms.

Bau - Wind Cave

Wind Cave General view of Wind Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Introduction Malaysian caves are filled with mystery and some of nature's most beautiful sculptures. Most of the caves in the country date back to the Stone Age while some caves in Sarawak are over 60 million years old. Although major expeditions have been carried out by the Royal Geographical Society in London and the British Caving Research Association, many caves are still not fully explored and remain an alluring, enticing adventure for the nature tourist. Repeat visitors marvel at how a cave can change within months as the naturally humid Malaysian weather promotes faster stalagmite and stalactite formations. General view of Wind Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Wind Cave Located some 48 kilometers from Kuching, Wind Cave at Bau, meanders through a rocky outcrop on the banks of the Sarawak River. Wind Cave an “air-conditioned rendezvous” with its dark atmosphere occasionally accompanied by the cool breezes at intervals. An extensive car park allows visitors to drive right up to the cave entrance and you can wander on a plank walk from one side of the outcrop to the other. After visiting the cave you can take a cooling river swim or go for a boat ride. As the situation implies, it is almost impossible to tour the cave without a torch. Swallows and bats are plentiful. If you don'tt mind about their droppings, there's plenty to observe. A century ago, Bau was the center for the big gold rush of Borneo. The elderly Chinese who are still around in Bau can relate the varied happenings during their time. When gold was gradually exhausted in the mid 1900s, the town has turned into a confined quiet township with small scale family businesses being transacted between the Chinese and the ethnic group in rural Bau, the Bidayuh. Of late, Bau spring to life with the influx of tourists especially from the Asian regions popularizing the Fairy Cave and the Wind Cave. Located just north of Bau Town some 48 kilometers from Kuching, the Wind Caves lay majestically along the same range of limestone hilly range in the Serikin District. The cave is partly covered amidst the tropical rainforest along the slopes of the scenic limestone hills. Going Caving General view of Wind Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge There are seasoned cavers who will be willing to act as guides. They may be contacted throught the Malaysian Nature Society and through various nature adventure operators. Tour operators will arrange packages on request. Most caving expeditions are day trips though a visitor can choose to stay overnight. No overnight camping is allowed in most caves but budget hotels are available around most of the cave districts. Caving is normally done in the dry season which runs from March to October. Permits may be required when exploring some of these caves. These are available form the respective state forestry departments and cost from RM10 to RM40. What to Wear and Bring General view of Wind Cave Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge Click here to enlarge For the recreational caver, all that is needed to explore adventure caves is a reliable guide, safety helmet for protection and a powerful torchlight. More experienced cavers may want to bring their carbide lamps as well as harnesses, ascending and descending equipment and carabanners if they plan to abseil. Tropical caves are not as damp as those in Europe and the Americas, but they are chilly at times especially during storms and heavy rain. A light jacket is also recommended. As will all nature adventures, preservation and conservation of stalagmites, stalactites and all cave dwelling creatures are of utmost importance. In caves with known inhabitants, avoid flash photography as the light frightens the cave dwelling life forms.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE

Sarawak Cultural Village

Sarawak Cultural Village: "See Sarawak in Half a Day" is the claim made by Sarawak Cultural Village, a unique award-winning living museum offering an excellent introduction to local cultures and lifestyles. On a sprawling 17-acre site just a short walk from the nearby resort hotels, there are replica buildings representing every major ethnic group in Sarawak; Bidayuh, Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses, a Penan jungle settlement, a Melanau tall-house, a Malay town house with adjacent top-spinning court, a Chinese farm House and a Chinese pagoda. All the buildings are staffed with members of the various ethnic groups, in traditional costume, carrying out traditional activities. Each building has a "storyteller" who is expert in describing and interpreting traditional cultures and lifestyles.

After touring the village, you can enjoy a multi-cultural dance performance in the village's own theatre. There is also a good restaurant and a handicrafts shop on-site. Sarawak Cultural Village can also host theme dinners and parties (check with your hotel), and you can even get married here, in traditional Iban, Bidayuh, Malay or Orang Ulu style! Admission is RM 45 (Children age 6-12, RM 22.50, below 6 free.), or you can take a half-day tour from Kuching, including lunch and transport to and from your hotel, for RM 60 (Children RM 40). Open 9 am - 5 pm daily. Dance performances at 11.30 am and 4.00 pm. Tel: 846411, Fax: 846988, E-mail info@scv.com.my for tour bookings and enquiries, www.scv.com.my

Sarawak Cultural Village

Known as The Living Museum, it is situated about 32 kms from Kuching City. Located at the foot of the legendary Mt Santubong, it covers an area of 14 hectares of tropical rainforest. Since its opening in 1991, it is one of Malaysia's best-known and best-loved visitor attractions and an important showcase for Sarawak's cultures and traditions. Whilst here, you will be able to view replica of traditional dwelling houses of 07 ethnic groups in Sarawak, namely the Bidayuh, Iban, Penan, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Malay and the Chinese. Sample the warm hospitality of those who resides at the village and discovers the traditional and cultural diversities of the people of Sarawak in just one visit. After your guided tour, enjoy yourself as you will be entertained by the Village's own internationally famous dance troupe, with their most spectacular cultural dance performance at their in-house theatre.