Blog Archive

Rainforest World Music Festival 2006 @ Sarawak Culture Village, Kuching

This year is the 9th Rainforest World Music Festival (7th – 9th July), my cousin brother Kenny and I had went for the Sunday show. Before that I didn’t plan to go actually, cause I think there is no point listen to a bunch of people play drums, plus they are not famous so why waste the money. But everyone is talking about this festival, it only organize once a year. People around the world are coming for this music event, and the culture village is just like 14minuts drive from town (only if Kenny drive) so I just follow Kenny to the music festival.

Kenny pick me up at 10a.m from my hosue, and we first went to the Tun Abdul Razak Hall. An artist name Stephen Bennett was exhibiting his painting at the museum. Some of the picture can cost around USD4000 and higher. He exhibits the portrait paintings of people that he had met around the world including his travels around Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, and Kalimantan, the theme for the exhibition is called the “Portraits From My World”. His painting wes amazing, it was just like a real photo. There are two types in his portrait photos; one is painted with colorful colors. And another one is with original skin color. For me I like both, as each of them has it own beauty.

So after the museum, we had our breakfast at open air with Kuih Tiao and Sio Bee. We reach Santubong resort at 11.21am. We park our car there, and bough two tickets of music festival (RM60 each), and two shuttle car ticket (RM5 per-person) to bring us to the music festival and back to the resort when finish.

Upon entering the culture village, we have to wear a wristlet to indicated that we had bought our tickets. My wristlet number is 00001, how lucky. The weather is HOT!!! We then went to the auditorium to check out the schedule for the day. Then we start to roam around culture village, Kenny is a tour guide so he knows how to explain the characteristic of each ethnic group in Sarawak to me.

2.00pm, we went to a percussion workshop at Lagenda hall with the theme Feel The Beat. The group consist people from Korea, Madagascca, Latin America, Mongolia, and Malaysia. I felt very amaze on how they can combine all the instruments together and form a fantastic music beat rhythm. Everyone was carried away by the music, we dance, we clap hands, we laugh, and we all had a very good time.

The workshop last for about 40 minutes, and then we went to this Iban Longhouse, the Sarawak Bidayuh tribe dance with member of Biringkeng Tuaan, with the themes Menigal. When we reach, it was almost over, so we proceed to the next workshop at the auditorium. The themes for this workshop were Drones and Popes, this was perform by people from Austria, Scotland, and France but when we reached the hall the show was over. The three workshops are performing at the same time from 2.00pm to 2.40pm.

The time was 3.20pm, hungry :S we went to the food stalls to get something to eat. After surveying, I decided to eat Kebab (RM7). Is a half pizza, half burger thing. Kenny meet his friends, we sat down under the tree shade, and chill. The feeling that time was unexplainable, just imagine in a hot day. You eating bugger, drinking cold coke, while chilling under the tree, and breeze blowing at you. Plus there are a lot of foreigner hot chicks walking around.

We stayed until 4.30pm, then we went to the last workshop at the auditorium again. With the themes Kissing Cousins which will perform Bidayuh bamboo instruments plus Madagascan music instrument. Both of the instruments are made from bamboo. They all give introduction to each and everyone of the musical instrument, and also tell brief history on the musical instrument background. Its like a history class, and I almost fell asleep, seriously I hate history classes I fail my history exam from kindergarten until secondary school. This last workshop is kinda boring; when it ends we have to be inform by the MC that “ok, the show is over now. You can come up and try the instrument if you want.”. Then everyone just start to clap hands, and run for exit.

The night show starts at 7.30pm. We then went to the Damai beach; I wanted to take some shoots, especially sunset shoots. Wow~~seeing the sunset is beautiful, just if you are here beside me. We head back to the culture village at around 7.00pm, felt hungry. Kenny bough lots of food for me (my good cousin brother), we had bugger, coke, sausage, satay, and barbeque chicken for dinner.

The first group to perform is by Istamuzika from Malaysia, follow by Genticorum from Canada, then is Tengir Too from Kygryzstan, after that is Kilema from Madagascar, and then is Calle Sur from Latin America, then Les Yeux Noirs from France, and last is the Finale from all of the performance around the world. The rainforest was full of people, it was like the United Nation. People from around the globe gather together and celebrate. The RM60 entrance fees is all worth it, next year mark the 10th Anniversary of the Rainforest Music Festival, for me I will definitely go for it. See you all next year at the rainforest music festival my dear readers.

Enjoy the photos and clips.


Before I went to the music festival, Kenny had bring me to the Dewan Tun Abdul Razak (Tun Abdul Razak Hall) is situated just opposite the Museum Sarawak. As there’s an painting exhibition.


”Portraits From My World” an exhibit of portraits paintings of the people Stephen Bennett has met around the world.


The tall guy on the upper left corner is Mr. Stephen Bennett. Notice that he carries lots of camera on his neck. That is one of my dreams, to go around the world and take photos everywhere I go.


Inside the hall, the painting is displayed on the center of the hall.


This is an unfinished painting, wonder who is the old dude?


The name of this pretty girl is Jennifer Koo. Just look at how he painted the face, and hair. It looks so real.


This is a biggest portrait painting, it was hang on the center. This painting would cost more than USD4000, and guess how big it is?


Kenny standing beside the picture.


In this picture, the light on the face. It gives me a 3D feel, it looks so real.


His workplace, is a mess. I think every arties workplace is a mess.


Ok, after the exhibition. Our next destination Sarawak Culture Village.


We part our car at Santubong resort.


Tickes girls


Tickets on the left is for entering the culture village which cost RM60 each, tickets on the right is for shuttle car to bring us from the resort to the culture village, and later back to the resort again. Which cost RM5 per person


Kenny and his tourist guide friends.


Yeah baby, welcome to the Sarawak Culture Village


Before we enter, we have to wear this wristlet to prove that we had bough tickets.


Above is the restaurant.


Barbeque chicken wings, and drum stick. Cost RM2.50 each


Lots of booths had been set up to sells souvenir.


First I went to the Chinese House, which I had missed out last time.


Chinese altar


When I step in this house, it had somehow brings me back to the pass. I can still remember to old house that my grandpa and grandma live, the design is exactly the same. The table, how they put the knife, the cooking stove, the cupboard, and the thing that sit under each leg of the cupboard which you have to pour water in it to prevent ants from going to the cupboard. All of this is exactly the same.


Another view on the tradition Chinese house.


The first booth that we visit. This guy sells Tradewind Treasures from the South China Sea. All are ancient shipwreck jewelries and artifacts. Each item is individually handcrafted in sterling silver and in one of a kind.


Malay house


The interior of the traditional Malay house.


the bedroom of the Malay people


The Melanau house. The Melanau are one of Sarawak natives people, which live inside the forest.


They likes to eat sago, sago its like their local delicacy.


This is the Sago tree trunk.


Behold the stage for tonight event.


This dude must be the one who in charge of the sound system tonight.


This is the auditorium theatre, and guess what I saw in the theatre...


...some sleepy staffs.


The first workshop starts at 2.00. The themes for this workshop “Feel The Beet” a percussion workshop. We reach there 15 minutes before showtime, to get a good sit. They are setting up the sound system.


yeah, lets all standup and dance and I was standing on a chair.


Enjoy the clips. The group consist people from Korea, Madagascca, Latin America, Mongolia, and Malaysia.


At the Iban Longhouse. Menigal a interactive Sarawak Bidayuh tribe dance workshop with members of Biringkeng Tuaan.


At the Auditorium theater. “Drones and Pipes", a hurdy-gurdies, harmoniums, and a lof of hot wind. Pity is that when we rach, the show was over.


Is time to dig for food.


Suddenly I was crave for kebab, and I went for this stall called the Little Lebanon


See how he prepare the food.


My lamb kebab RM7. Kenny paid this for me.


After our lunch, we head back to the auditorium again for another workshop. The “Kissing Cousins”, is a Bidayuh bamboo instruments meet Madagascan bamboo instruments. For me it was more like a history class then a musical workshop.


I almost fell asleep in the auditorium


Now all of the workshop had ended, we have to wait till 7.30pm for the night shows to start. So we walk to Damai Lagon, and to the beach to take some shoots.


Welcome to the beach, I haven’t been here for almost one year. Times fly


Beautiful sunset, I just love sunset. Is very harmony, and beautiful. (12 July) a very special day, wish you’re happy always.


Is time to eat again, this round is for dinner.


we had coke, bugger, sausage, barbeque chicken, and Satay for dinner.


Let the music begins


Just if I had a digital SLR, then you guys can see clearly the performance on stage.


The Kilema group from Madagascar.


Just look at the crowd.


Everybody dance with the music. Who cares worldcup is just few hours away,


After the grand Finale which perform by every performance from all over the world, then it marks the end of the 9th Rainforest World Music Festival 2006. here is my ticket to get back to Santubong resort, see you all next year.
---------------------------
Kenny thanks for your sun block cream, I just notice that I didn’t suffer any sun burn :)
Another thing is Kenny you’ve use to talk to stranger right, do you see the yellow shirt girl, can you go over and…

To Sarawak Culture Village @ 9th July 2006, Sunday

I’ve went to the Sarawak Culture Village with my cousin brother Kenny to enjoy the Rainforest World Music Festival 2006. It’s from 7th to 9th July, but we just went for the 9th July Sunday show, and it was awsom.

I went to Sarawak Culture Village for movie last December 2005, and the photos is here.

For my dear reader who can't go the to Music Festival, photos and write-up in my next post :)

The Art of Nature

This is a very strange phenomena made by Mother Nature. I shoot this around 5.00pm at a Sunday evening; the clouds are like rice bowl while the Sun is in the rice bowl. I was really glad that I bring my camera with me; and I snap a lot of shoot that time. So now my dear reader I present to you The Art of Nature.

Dawn

I wake up early today to capture the beauty of the morning sky. Hm~~this is the first time I ever capture at dawn, and I think there is no different between dawn and dusk. But on second tough, when I look at the dawn scene, I can feel that a new hope is just beginning today. But when it is dusk, it will give me a feeling on everything is almost over.





Sarawak River, Kuching Waterfront, and my camera

While I bring my cousin across the Sarawak River, is shaky in the boat. It was dusk, and not must nature lights. But taking photos with original/nature light ca give the best result. I had done some experiment myself on shooting some low light photography. I change to a higher sensitivities level to get a higher shutter speed. A higher speed enables me to take pictures in poor lighting conditions, but with a very high noise level.

The results are not bad. I like my last photo the most, but one thing is the horizontal line is not balance. Why is this happen, because that day there is this fat dude sitting opposite me, causing the boat to become imbalance. And how much do you need to pay to cross over the river? RM0.30 day time, and RM1.00 night time.


The old historical shop lots opposite Kuching Waterfront


Almost dusk


Along


though it was just a few minutes boat ride, but it somehow make me feel uncomfortable. Shit!!! I’m getting sea sick.

-----------------------
Happy Weasak Day 2006 everyone :)

Climbing Mountain Singai

“Wilson, this Labor Day we go conquer Mt Singai, you want to join or not?” My friend called and asked me this. “No problem. Yes I like Mt Singai...er...but where is Mt Singai” I replied.

Mt Singai is located at Bau, and this mountain is belong to the Catholic Memorial and Pilgrimage Center (CMPCM)so everyone is welcome. We are in a group of fifteen people, we start our journey at around 9.00am, there is a church at the middle of the mountain, to go there need to walk the staircases all the way up to the church. I was quite impressed and curious on how the people actually bring all the building materials up to the mount and build the church??!! On our way up, there are 12 small check points, and each check point imprint a short story of Jesus. I shoot a lot of photos along the way, and the view is nice when we reach higher.

50 minutes later we reached the Catholic church. Some of my friend went for praying, and while my friend is busy praying I was busy shooting photos. The people who live here had plant a lot of beautiful flowers, and they had did a good job on keeping the place clean. I start to get worried after the sky turns to dark. Hope that we all can reach the top, and come down before it rains. After 20 minutes, we all start our mountain climbing.

At first I tough climbing this mountain will like walk in the park for me, but who know its quite challenging, some part of the mountain are so slanting that require rope to climb up. The mountain is cover with dense forest; some of the trees are very BIG and TALL. I was very tired, and actually plan to give up halfway. Suddenly I saw a small kid going down the mountain with his parent! How can I loose to a kid, so this made me go go go. After one hour and ten minutes, I had successfully reached the summit. My clothes are wet due to sweating, and I was exhausted.

At the summit, the air is fresh, the weather is cold, but very unfortunate the scene were covered by fog. I can hear bird singing, insect crying, and feel the refreshing breeze blowing. This is just simply the best way to relax your mind and soul. We all chat, we joke, and we laugh, after 40 minutes, is downhill time. This is the part that I like, cause is not as hard as going up I just need concentration, and focus on the way down. I start to race with my friends on going down, but for the girls they like to do it slow and steady. Going up it require one hours and ten minutes, believe it or not going down it only takes 30 minutes (and I also stop for photos).

When reach downhill, we stop at the pavilion to wait for the others. And lucky for us (the faster one), it start to rain. The few of us just sit there and standby to laugh at the slower one. The rain is pouring heavily, and we are all very hungry, wet, cold, and tired. We can’t wait anymore longer for the rain to stop, so we all rush down the hill to our car. This is a very fun and unforgettable experience. I have underestimate and look down on this mountain, next time before any of this mountain climbing, I will go for training to build up my stamina first.


Meet the gang. At first I still dono how tough it is to clim this mountain, but I just assume that it would probably like a walk in the park.


There are bridge and stairs way for visitor to walk all the way up the church


This is like a small check point, there is a cross like statue. It has a picture on the middle of the cross, and some description to describe the picture. Is about the story of Jesus.


A signboard that display layout on the church area


This is a open amphitheatre, I like the design


A very big pavilion


Star our journey. Destination Mt Singai summit.


One hour and ten minutes later, I reach the summit. On top of the hill, there is this platform


View from top of Mt Singai. It will be very beautiful if the fog is not around covering most of the scene


thirty minutes later, reach down to the starting point again. While I’m standing in the amphitheatre, two butterflies keep on flying around me. No mater how I chase them away, they still flying around me. What sign this is? I think I will strike lottery soon.


Luckily I went down fast, cause after I reach the church a few minutes later it star to rain


The rain keeps on pouring, we are all very hungry, cold, and tired. So we all run to our car despite the rain, but it was fun.