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1st time to East Malaysia and it was a great 7-day journey! If you think that East Malaysia has not much thing to offer, then you have to read this post nicely =)

Traveled more than 750km during the trip… and it makes me feel like… oh natural is so wonderful! Malaysia is soooo blessed!

“People live on trees in Sarawak”? C’ mon, see its modern city of Kuching! It’s even more advanced than some cities in West Malaysia.

So, what you can do in Kuching – The Cat City without Cats (I don’t see real cats there, that’s good I don’t like cat ) Haha

1. Visit to Sarawak Cultural Village + Damai Beach

It’s the best way to learn about Sarawak in 3 hours. It’s a real-life showcase of the Sarawak long houses and rich cultures.

Don’t tell me you’re Malay, Chinese, Indian first and Malaysian second; when there’re more races like Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau just in Sarawak.

The Orang Ulu Longhouse.

 Take a 5-min walk up to a resort at Damai Beach. The sea breeze is refreshing! Say Hi to South China Sea!

2. BBQ & Jungle Trekking at Bako National Park

YMCA! It stands for… You Might Catch AIDS… Haha! HIV/AIDS awareness yo!

 BBQ with bearded pig (山猪) at night! It just keep staring at the foods… At a point of time 5 bearded pigs gathered in front of our chalet! Oh goodness!

3. See Rafflesia, World’s Largest Flower at Gunung Gading National Park

 Good thing never come easy. You have to go through a lot of obstacles, sweat a lot and take the risk for not being able to catch the beautiful blooming moment.

We’re just too lucky! Finally after 1 hour ascending Gunung Gading, we found it!

4. See Orang Utan eat Banana at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre (Orang Utan Rehabilitation)

This Orang Utan is called “Delima” – Delima got a ‘child’ called “Annuar“. Given the name during the 1998 Anwar’s Courtcase. Oh these Orang Utan are so smart wei!

 A lot of foreign tourists from all around the world are here @ 9 am.

5. Taste Sarawak Laksa at Chong Choon Restaurant

Sarawak Laksa = Penang Curry Mee with prawns

 This famous old-school kopitiam, just minutes walk away from Riverfront. Every morning it’s so packed with customers craving for laksa…

But thanks to Bryan & Kim Travel Agency, I know there’re some other nicer Laksa at Kuching… Google Golden Arch Laksa 

6. Drink a cup of  Teh C Peng

 I don’t know why 3 layers Teh in West Malaysia just can’t be as good as the original one in Kuching.

7. Sampan trip to buy Sarawak famous Layer Cake

RM 0.50 per person for the boat trip and cross Sarawak River

 Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah – The best of the best in Kuching!

You can try it for free… as much as you like  It tastes better and very much more cheaper than the bakery shop!

8. Seafood dinner at Top Spot

 Prime location in the city center. There’re at least 6 seafood restaurants on top of this car park building… unique hor? Haha, good seafood and don’t be surprised to see Malay friends having seafood here too!

Want to see the real 1 Malaysia? Come to East Malaysia!

9. Eat Kolok Mee + You Char Kui (油条) at EXPERT Food Court, 3 Miles – Recommended by Bryan and fully supported by me! (After eating)

A normal restaurant but the foods inside are just… awesome!

Sifu!

Varieties of You Char Kuey for you to choose! It’s very crispy and not that oily. I like it!

 Kolok Mee – The most famous food in Kuching! This shop boasts the nicest Kolok Mee in town… as written in MAS Travel Magazine. And yes I think it’s aptly described 

10. Walk around Kuching main town area

 Tua Pek Kong Temple

Sometimes when you walk, you can feel the charm of city even more.

Start walking from Riverfront… Visit the Chinese Museum (Must Visit), buy black pepper at Main Bazaar (Pick the right shop), walk around at Attap Street (Chinatown) and Little India!

 Kuching, a peaceful modern town with lots of nice foods, natural wonders and… its warm and friendly people!

Why go travel so far to foreign country when East Malaysia has so much to offer?

The next time I’ll be back to Kuching… I guess… will be Bryan & Kim’s wedding in Hilton, Pullman or Four Points! Haha

At the mean time… checking out for AirAsia promotion!

How much was my flight ticket to Kuching ya……?

It’s just RM 46! Like you so much Uncle Tony!

My top tips for women travelling in India

Safe travel strategies for women in India

In December 2012, a young woman was viciously raped on a private bus in Delhi, India and she died of her wounds 13 days later. The Delhi Gang Rape provoked unprecedented outrage in India, condemnation around the globe and opened up discussion and debate about the safety of women in India.

I have travelled across India for about 17 months in total, over the past seven years — most of it solo. In all that time, I have rarely felt unsafe. Although I do not hesitate to pursue my travel dreams in India, I am always careful about my planning — to make sure I don’t arrive on a train platform alone in the middle of the night for example. And I am cautious about my dress and deportment. Here are my top safety recommendations and travel tips for women who travel in India.

1. Do your research

Going to India is just not the same as going to the Caribbean, Greece or even Thailand. It is massive, diverse, traditional, ancient … and it can be an overwhelming travel destination. Knowing as much as you can about the culture can help prepare you. For example, many tourists go to Rajasthan, but that doesn’t mean the desert state is westernized. Far from it — Rajasthan is one of the more traditional states in India. Wearing a tank top and shorts is just not appropriate in Rajasthan and can invite unwanted attention. On the other hand, in certain parts of Mumbai, like Colaba and Bandra, wearing revealing western clothing is much more acceptable.

2. Adjust your expectations

If you are from a western country like Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Germany or Australia, you cannot come to India and expect that you will freely be able to do all the things you do at home. You have to accept reality: India is a traditional society in the throes of great change. It is very wise to play it safe, as I do, and wear loose, modest clothes; refrain from overly friendly behaviour with unknown men; and be very cautious about moving around at night.

3. Be confident, not polite

I’ve had many online discussions with women who travel regularly in India about staying safe. Most of them stress that how you carry yourself plays a large part in your experience. If you are confident, you are less likely to attract unwanted attention they say, and I agree. Apparently, rapists look for women they perceive to be easy targets; women who don’t look like they will put up a fight.

As a Canadian, I come from a culture of politeness, but sometimes in India — often, in fact — polite doesn’t work. If I feel someone is harassing me for whatever reason, I have become very adept at either becoming very cold and ignoring them, or becoming quickly angry and saying “jaao,” loudly, which means “go” in Hindi.

4. Watch how you relate to men

In India, you have to be careful about how you relate to some men — specifically, less educated men working in service, transportation or hospitality. In other words, if you are overly friendly with an autorickshaw driver, you could inadvertently be giving him the wrong signals. It’s unfortunate that foreign women are sometimes seen as more “available” than Indian women, too — which doesn’t help.

Again, realize that much of India is still a traditional society, and in certain parts of society the genders do not mix. Many of the men in India are just not that sophisticated when it comes to flirting and dating, etc. Obviously, there are lots of educated and well-travelled men in the modern metros, like Delhi and Mumbai, who understand the signals we take for granted in the west. But lots don’t and will take your friendliness as an open invitation for sex. Err on the side of caution.

Recently, a Danish tourist was raped in Delhi after asking a group of men for directions. It seems these men were possibly homeless migrants, the kind of man you should definitely avoid as much as possible in India, especially in the big cities.

5. Use transportation strategies

I have travelled all over India, on overnight trains, in countless autorickshaws and taxis, and sometimes even on the backs of motorcycles. I have never felt unsafe, but I am cautious and I have come up with a couple of strategies, especially for travel at night. For example, when leaving a bar or restaurant, get someone to walk you to an auto or taxi. Or call someone, and loudly tell them the number of the taxi, so the driver can hear. Plan your travel so you don’t arrive in the middle of the night; and try to have someone meet you at the train station or airport. Many hotels and tours offer this service. Always let someone know where you’re going, and stay connected to friends and contacts via social media.

6. Carry a mobile phone

Carrying a phone is essential for both safety and convenience, I believe, as India is a mobile phone obsessed nation. Everything is done via text meesage, including train tickets and manicure appointments. You can buy a cheap phone, or get a SIM card for your regular phone, when you get to India. Prepaid rates are very cheap. Just make sure you have a copy of your passport and Indian Visa, and a passport sized photo with you when you go to the store to get the phone or SIM card.

7. Wear Indian clothes

Indian clothes are light, comfortable, inexpensive and appropriate to the climate and the need for modesty. I usually wear the three-piece salwar kameez, or Punjabi suit; or a kurtah and trousers when in India. But wearing Indian clothes is a bit controversial among my Indiaphile friends. Some say it just draws more unwanted attention; others say it draws respect and protects you. I am in the second camp. I am a big believer in the “when in Rome” philosophy of travel.

Not only do I wear Indian clothes, but I also wear Indian jewelry, and tell people I am married to an Indian man and that I live in Delhi. The family is the strongest social structure in India. As the wife of an Indian man, I am perceived as Indian, as part of the society — an insider — and even more importantly, as someone whose movements are probably closely tracked, and who will be missed. I feel my gold Indian ring draws a veil of protection around me … it works for me.