KINO Kuching In & Out Magazine Issue #11 by KINO Magazine

N0 11 / JAN - FEB 2015

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Year of the Goat

FIRECRACKER

HOT ! In the heat of the bite Ecology

Don't Dump It! It's all in the news!

CALENDAR l MAPS l HISTORICAL STREETS l NIGHT SPOTS l LISTINGS

Acquiring the taste ... My occasional carnivorous indulgence does not include rack of lamb, lamb chop or mutton. It's been years and years that I've been trying to acquire the taste for goat's cheese, milk and mutton curry. I've been cajoled, enticed, persuaded and even tricked into tasting one great lamb dish after another. I always disappoint the chef. But I've a feeling that this year is a year of maturity for me. This year of the Goat might just butt me into a whole new culinary experience! Acquiring the taste for HOT Chillies is a whole different ball game. Our main "course" in this issue will make you sweat for more spice in your culinary life! (pg. 22-27). Acquiring the habit to recycle may not yet be an integral part of our lives but being green at this, excuse the pun, has not stopped many Kuching householders from doing their best to help our environment (pg.18-21). The Heritage We Live In marks the end of our series "History & Mystery". This grand finale is about Kuchingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Reservoir Park & its Aqueduct (pg. 28-31). The end of 2014 and beginning of 2015 bring people together for more than one reason. Whether it is the "Kuningan" for the Hindus in Bali, or Christmas by Christians, or simply the festivities by all when we pass into the new year, our article "Inter-Cultural Festivities in Sarawak" makes us proud of our multi-heritage (pg. 32-35). "BORNEO Insights", an brand new section, gives us the most incredible pictorial documentation of our flora and fauna (pg. 48-49). To all our readers and supporters, a happy, healthy and meaningful new year of hope and love to you.

Ah Chai, a newspaper recycler comes to my house once every two months and picks up about 90kg of accumulated old English and Chinese newspapers. He also picks up cardboard, paper and has even taken away an old television set from us once. Coming in his car, he weighs the papers on his well-used scale. First in the chain of the recycling process, Ah Chai contributes to our article "Don't Dump it!" on page 18.

MARIAN CHIN Editor-in-Chief

Condolences to the families of those on Air Asia Indonesia QZ8501

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Events in and out of Kuching How to donate

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6 issues a year

aN INDEPENDENT lifEstyle print & digital magazine WWW.KUCHINGINANDOUT.COM

Year of the Goat

FIRECRACKER

HOT ! In the heat of the bite Ecology

Don't Dump It!

EXCAT: from Taipei

It's all in the news!

N0 11 / JAN - FEB 2015

l5 WHAT'S UP l9 FLOOD RELIEF 15 I b KUCHING l 17 By the Way l

N0 11 / JAN - FEB 2015

In this issue...

I’m

FREE

6 issues a year

aN INDEPENDENT lifEstyle print & digital magazine WWW.KUCHINGINANDOUT.COM

Year of the Goat

FIRECRACKER

HOT ! In the heat of the bite Ecology

New year, Renewed hope

Don't Dump It! It's all in the news!

CALENDAR l MAPS l HISTORICAL STREETS l NIGHT SPOTS l LISTINGS

18 22 28 32 48

KINO Don't Dump It!

Ecology and your neighbourhood

KINO Fire Cracker HOT

A Chinese New Year Special: The world of chillies

KINO History & Mystery Part 4 of 4

Kuching’s Old Reservoir Park & its Aqueduct

KINO Inter Cultural Festivities

KINO COVER PHOTO: JONG SAW KANG

KINO Digital magazine is INside and OUTside of the printed magazine. Log onto www.kuchinginandout.com to read the latest copy online. Join us on the KINO facebook page – it is your platform to tell a story, share your thoughts, memories, talk about a recipe, see and post videos, and join us for competitions, events and more.

Like and subscribe to NOTIFICATIONS on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/kinomagazine

Sarawak’s kaleidoscope of cultures

KINO Wildlife

Raising awareness about the astounding flora and fauna

37 EDUCATION l 39 浪漫 l 40 NIGHT SPOTS l 42 CAT CITY WALK l 44 «NEXT STOP» l 46 CLASSIFIEDS l 48 KINO EVENT l

Bookaroo. Festival of children's literature Valentine of another kind Food worth going out of town for India Street and Gambier Street BUS ROUTES MAP, first steps... Listings

editorial MARIAN CHIN Editor-in-Chief Copy Editing AGNES BALAN KAREN SHEPHERD ART / WEB / photography JEAN VOON 013 813 2995 COREINFONET JONG SAW KANG CONTRIBUTORS STELLA CHIN, CH'IEN C. LEE, ELIZABETH LIM, NG AI FEN, MIKE REED, ANTHONY SEBASTIAN, KAREN SHEPHERD, CAPT DR THIRU JR, JO WILLIAMS, PEGGY WONG. ADVERTISING MARIAN CHIN 019 857 957 6 marian.chin@kuchinginandout.com ADMINISTRATION info@kuchinginandout.com PUBLISHER WHATMATTERS SDN BHD (518203 D) Published bi-monthly by WHATMATTERS SDN BHD (518203 D)

Next issue of KINO: MARCH-APRIL 2015

A Royal Icing Affair

All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner in whole or part may be allowed subject to written permission. The publisher is not liable for statements made and opinions expressed in the publication. KINO has 10,000 circulation for every issue. KINO has over 100 drop-off points in Kuching City. Printed by Infografik Press SDN. BHD. Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

l l l l5 Growing Up in Malaysia

by Boey

When I was a Kid...

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 5

Iamboey.com

JANFEBMARWHAT’S UP-IN-OUT & ARO 1 JAN - 21 APR

Wastra Exhibition Borneo A special exhibit at the Textile Museum featuring textiles from all corners of Borneo – Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia. Open Monday to Friday 09:00-4:45, weekends 10:00- 4:00. The Textile Museum is located across from the Old Post Office and between the Round Tower & Merdeka Plaza. HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: KUCHING – Textile Museum opposite the Old Post Office WHO: Sarawak Museum Department CONTACT: 082-244 232 or 082-240 298 or muhdzh@sarawak.gov.my

4 JAN

Urban Sketchers Kuching Urban Sketchers Kuching are a group based in Kuching who draw the city they live in and visit on tour. We gather at a Kuching location every first Sunday of the month to draw on location, capturing what we see from direct observation. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles. We support each other, draw together and share our drawings online. We also encourage members to write descriptions and stories associated with each sketch. Sketchers of any skill level are welcome –

whether you're a total beginner or an expert. HOW MUCH: Free, bring your own drawing supplies WHERE: KUCHING – SMK St. Joseph WHO: Urban Sketchers Kuching CONTACT: www.facebook.com/groups/ urbansketchers/

OUND KUCHINGJANFEBMAR hear and exchange stories with the crafters, and observe their creative processes. HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: KUCHING – Indah, 38 Upper China Street (Off Carpenter Street) WHO: Indah Gallery CONTACT: indahhousekuching@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/indahhousekuching

Fun Ride to Ulu Sebauh A 51km bike ride starting from Esplanade to Ulu Sebauh. Free entry, light refreshments and lunch will be served. There will also be a lucky draw, mystery prizes and a gift for each participant. HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: BINTULU – Esplanade WHO: PBB & Laku Management Sdn. Bhd. CONTACT: En Abdul Rashid 019-875 3678 En Mohd Firdaus 014-696 4810 En Mahyudy 012-874 2103

Momentum 2.0 Series 1: 8km Run Let's RUN 2015! Momentum Run 2.0 is now open for registration! There will be 4 Series altogether...and we will kick it off with a BANG starting from 8KM-Series 1 on the 18th January 2015. Grab your forms at RevRun Green Heights Mall/CJC Night Run. Run Categories: A. Short Distance Category for those aiming for Half Marathon (8KM, 12KM, 16KM, 21KM) B. Long Distance Category for those aiming for Full Marathon (8KM, 20KM, 25KM, 30KM)

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HOW MUCH: RM40 which includes a Brooks T and Medal WHERE: KUCHING – MBKS WHO: City Jogger's Club CONTACT: 016-589 2233 (Albert), 014-395 5194 (Agu), 012-887 0436 (Kee)

26-29

Smart Villages Workshop The Malaysian Commonwealth Studies Centre at Cambridge (MCSC), Cambridge Malaysian Education and Development Trust (CMEDT), the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) and the Inter Academy Panel (IAP) are undertaking a study of sustainable energy for ‘off-grid’ villages. The concept of the ‘smart village’ is that energy access acts as a catalyst for development – education, health, food security, productive enterprise, environment and participatory democracy. A series of workshop is scheduled to gather input from stakeholders involved in existing off-grid projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The first workshop of this series was held for the African region from 1-5 June 2014 at Arusha, Tanzania. The next workshop scheduled to be held in Malaysia for Southeast Asia countries will be organised by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM). UNIMAS will be partnering with Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in organising this workshop in Sarawak in 2015. The workshop will see the assembly of renewable energy experts, technology providers, funders, community projects leaders, corporations/ private sectors, policy makers, local authorities and government agencies of Southeast Asia countries sharing their input

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JANFEBMARWHAT’S UP-IN-OUT & AROUND Petroleum Asia 2015 Exhibition, the Asia Infrastructure 2015, the IEW Conference, as well as Technology Symposiums and Business Meetings. They will be there to network and benefit from the huge opportunities as demand for energy continues to grow across Asia. The event will also focus on the multi-billion dollar Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) initiatives which will spearhead the development of the energy and petroleum industry in Sarawak. It will provide the platform for oil & gas producers, technology suppliers, regulators, consultants and investors to update on new technologies, develop partnerships, enhance cooperation and explore investment opportunities.

on projects carried out in their respective countries especially projects that have stimulated economic activities of the respective society. The workshop will also discuss challenges, best practice as well as failures of such projects. WHERE: KUCHING - UNIMAS WHO: UNIMAS CONTACT: 082-581 000 or 082-581 388

27-29

The International Energy Week 2015 (IEW’15) Over 5,000 delegates and trade professionals will attend the business-packed International Energy Week 2015 which incorporates the ElectroPowerAsia 2015 Exhibition, the

WHERE: KUCHING – Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) WHO: AMB Exhibitions Sdn. Bhd. CONTACT: Ms. Fatia 03-4041 9889 fatia@ambexpo.com or http://www.iew.my/index.html

Dancing with the Stars Dancing with the Stars is both a showcase of what our Studio 23 dancers have been working on over the past year, and also a tribute to some of our favourite music icons. These superstars have not only entertained and inspired us - they have changed the game, revolutionising the music industry with their originality, passion and energy.

Arts & Crafts

Visit to Tabuan Jaya Fire Station

UPCOMING EVENTS Parent-child Valentine's Special March School Holiday Programme

Baking Class

Science Experiment

Kiidz Clubhouse will be collaborating with KINO on the upcoming children's cupcake decorating workshop in May

Story Telling

Kiidz Clubhouse – Activity & Play Centre for Young Explorers Level 4, Plaza Merdeka Mall, kiidzclubhouse@gmail.com, 082-425 988 www.Kiidzclubhouse.kuching.cc

Cooking Classes

Drama Class

Themed Parties

They still need your

Cash contributions can be made via bank transfers directly to the Malaysian Red Crescent Society's MBB Account No: 5144 2210 7228 or through cheque or bank draft issued in favour of the MALAYSIAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY, and marked "East Coast Flood Relief Fund" on the back of the cheque/bank draft, to be forwarded to: Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Lot PT 54, Lengkok Belfield, Off Jalan Wisma Putra, 50460 Kuala Lumpur Tel. No. 03-21438122/21428122 Fax No. 03-21435122 or credited into Malaysian Red Crescent Society A/C : Malayan Banking Berhad A/C No. 514 42210 7228. Donation towards the Malaysian Red Crescent Society are exempted from Income Tax. Please write at the back of your cheque your name and full address for us to send the official tax-exemption receipt. For further information , please do not hesitate to contact: Puan Nor Aziah Budin, Executive Secretary at 03 2144 9227/ aziah@ redcrescent.org.my

HELP

Hungry? HOP right in!

NEW Flinders Station offers awesome pizzas, burgers, steaks and more...

JANFEBMARWHAT’S UP-IN So if you Wanna Be Startin' Something, just shine up those Blue Suede Shoes, get dressed up and ready to Express Yourself as your favourite music superstar, then join us as we Come Together for an evening of fun performances (and an 8-course Chinese dinner), and stroll with us down a musical memory lane that's full of Radio Ga Ga! HOW MUCH: RM100, RM120, RM150 WHERE: KUCHING - Four Points Hotel WHO: Studio 23 CONTACT: Eileen 012-805 3005 or studio23kuching@gmail.com

31 JAN – 28 FEB

NEW HOURS 12pm-11pm Daily Closed on Wednesdays Reservations/enquiries: 082 455 997 denisphan68@gmail.com whatsapp: 019 889 6807

Song Plaza, Jalan Song Kuching

Valentine's Day is coming! SET DINNER will be photo spectacular!

Places are limited, so book now.

Warna Alam: Art Exhibition by Narong Daun & Friends An art exhibition by prominent Bidayuh artist Narong Daun and friends. Curated by Narong Daun, this exhibition will feature her recent works as well as selected pieces by emerging Sarawak-based artists. HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: KUCHING – Indah, 38 Upper China Street (Off Carpenter Street) WHO: Indah Gallery CONTACT: indahhousekuching@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/indahhousekuching

1 FEB

Urban Sketchers Kuching Urban sketchers are a group based in Kuching who draw the city they live in and visiting on tour. We gather at a Kuching location every first Sunday of the month to draw on location, capturing what we see from direct observation. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and

where we travel. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles. We support each other, draw together and share our drawings online. We also encourage members to write descriptions and stories associated with each sketch. Sketchers of any skill level are welcome – whether you're a total beginner or an expert. HOW MUCH: Free, bring your own drawing supplies WHERE: KUCHING – check our Facebook page for details WHO: Urban Sketchers Kuching CONTACT: www.facebook.com/groups/ urbansketchers/

Colour Rush 3.0 – Kuching The Colour Rush is a 5KM run for children with cancer, in conjunction with the International Childhood Cancer Day 2015. The colour comes in the form of edible powder, representing our hope, faith, and strength for these children. Our run will consist of runners from all walks of life, regardless of your background. Help us make this run a fun-filled, memorable, and meaningful experience. Register online or visit our weekend roadshow at CityONE Megamall or submit your form at Sarawak Sport Council @ Gym Counter. Gym Counter Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday (8am – 12 noon, 2pm – 6pm) HOW MUCH: RM50 WHERE: KUCHING – Le' Park, Civic Centre WHO: OurYouth.my CONTACT: http://colourrush.eventfeet.net/

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 10

N-OUT & AROUND KUCHING 1

Colour Rush 3.0 – Miri Register online or visit our weekend roadshow at Bintang Megamall or submit your form at Somerset Hotel Miri, No. 12 Kwang Tung Road. Counter Operating Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday 8:30am to 12:00 pm. HOW MUCH: RM50 WHERE: MIRI – Miri Indoor Stadium WHO: OurYouth.my CONTACT: http://colourrush.eventfeet.net/

Sam-Pat Handmade Bazaar Sam-Pat is a monthly bazaar featuring 100% handmade items by Sarawak artisans. Sam-Pat Bazaar focuses on independent businesses and unique wares covering a variety of genres, such as jewellery, paper craft, clay, henna art, doll-making, soap making and skincare. Visitors will be able to hear and exchange stories with the crafters, and observe their creative processes. HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: KUCHING – Indah, 38 Upper China Street (Off Carpenter Street) WHO: Indah Gallery CONTACT: indahhousekuching@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/indahhousekuching

Miri Country Music Festival 2015 A festival for both the young and the old; and definitely for country music lovers, activities at the festival include a bazaar offering various stalls selling wide varieties of food,

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 11

games and souvenir items. During the day there will be a music and dance workshop. The night concert features country music bands from all corners of the world, highlighted with a renowned act. The Miri Country Music Fest is believed to be the only country music festival in South East Asia. HOW MUCH: RM80 for Adult (inclusive 1st drink) & RM40 for Child (inclusive 1st soft drink/ice cream) WHERE: MIRI – Parkcity Everly Hotel WHO: Planet Borneo Conventions and Events – PLACE CONTACT: Ms Letitia Samuel 082-412 100 or letitia@placeborneo.com

Visit YM Fair at level 2,Tun Jugah T&C apply, while stock last

PORTER GAMING/MEDIA CONSOLE

RM360 RM230

Colour Rush 3.0 – Sibu Register online or visit our weekend roadshow at Star Megamall or submit your form at Tanahmas Hotel, Lot 277, Block 5, Jalan Kampung Nyabor. Counter Operating Hours: 9am – 9pm daily. HOW MUCH: RM50 WHERE: SIBU – Sibu Town Square WHO: OurYouth.my CONTACT: http://colourrush.eventfeet.net/

Bau Gold Miners & Their Rebellion Talk Talk organised by Friends of Sarawak Museum (FOSM), 2.30pm. Speakers: Desmond Leong & Choo Mun Hua HOW MUCH: FREE WHERE: KUCHING – Call for details WHO: Friends of Sarawak Museum (FOSM) CONTACT: Louise Macul 012-855 0588 or

TILLMAN TV/MEDIA STAND

RM320 RM230

APOTHECARY DBL-DOOR TV/MEDIA STAND

RM290 RM210

DANRIDGE TV/MEDIA STAND

RM320 RM210

YUN MING WOOD INDUSTRIES HP No:013-5723381 Tel: 082-864240

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LOT 2 24 , 2 N D F LO O R, T H E S P R I N G S H O P P I N G M A L L , KU C H I N G, S A R AWA K . +60111 056 0529

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JANFEBMARWHAT’S UP-IN-OUT & AROUND fosmuseum@gmail.com

1 MAR

Urban Sketchers Kuching Urban sketchers are a group based in Kuching who draw the city they live in and visit on tour. We gather at a Kuching location every first Sunday of the month to draw on location, capturing what we see from direct observation. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles. We support each other, draw together and share our drawings online. We also encourage members to write descriptions and stories associated with each sketch. Sketchers of any skill level are welcome – whether you're a total beginner or an expert. HOW MUCH: Free, bring your own drawing supplies WHERE: KUCHING – check our Facebook page for details WHO: Urban Sketchers Kuching CONTACT: www.facebook.com/groups/ urbansketchers/

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HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: KUCHING – Indah, 38 Upper China Street (Off Carpenter Street) WHO: Indah Gallery CONTACT: indahhousekuching@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/indahhousekuching

Momentum 2.0 Series 2: 12km & 20km Run HOW MUCH: RM20 Short Distance Category, RM25 Long Distance Category (includes medal) WHERE: KUCHING – MBKS WHO: City Jogger's Club CONTACT: 016-589 2233 (Albert), 014-395 5194 (Agu), 012-887 0436 (Kee)

Sarawak Marathon 2015 Bintulu Full marathon, half marathon, 10km run and 5km fun run. HOW MUCH: See www.ata.my/marathon for more details WHERE: BINTULU – Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) HQ WHO: Asia Tourism Alliance CONTACT: 086-334 425 or 086-331 758 or www.bintuluro.sarawak.gov.my

Operation Semut 1945: Anniversary Seminar This event is in conjunction with the Pustaka Negeri and will feature a sharing by a Special Z Unit survivor Jack Tredrea, historical author Judith Heimann, and other local independent researchers of this WWII covert operation in Borneo. 8.30am - 12.00pm. HOW MUCH: FREE WHERE: KUCHING – Pustaka Negeri Kuching

WHO: Friends of Sarawak Museum (FOSM) CONTACT: Louise Macul 012-855 0588 or fosmuseum@gmail.com Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) Adoption Day (call for dates) Through the support of local Kuching malls, the SSPCA organises regular off-site adoption campaigns for its animals to find loving homes. WHERE: KUCHING - Kuching Malls WHO: SSPCA CONTACT: Brenda Png 019-886 3118

COMING SOON IN MAY! New dates for events

Borneo Cake Exploration: A Royal Icing Affair KINO Events is proud to present Borneo Cake Exploration and Feast of Borneo 2015 featuring David MacCarfrae (UK) Master Cake Artist, judge on Canadian TV series "CakeWalk", Wilton Method Instructor and figurine artist Chef Jackie Tay from Singapore and fondant master and creator of the Runway Doll, William Tan. The event includes workshops, demonstrations, classes, competitions and a gala dinner. There will also be a cupcake and little cupcake topper workshop for children in collaboration with Kiidz Clubhouse. HOW MUCH: Call for details WHERE: KUCHING - venue to be confirmed WHO: KINO Events CONTACT: 013-813 2995 or eventskino@gmail.com

15 I b KUCHING llll

by Elizabeth Lim

ExCat: Chinese New Year in Taiwan It may be quite safe to say that Chinese New Year, otherwise known as Spring Festival, is everyone’s – well, almost everyone’s – favourite event of the year. Preparations in a Chinese dominated country can begin as early months ahead as homemakers start looking out for festive bargains as well as clearing and cleaning their homes up. A unique event that we do not have back home in Malaysia is the Weiya (尾牙) which I can equate to the annual dinner hosted by bosses for their workers and clients. Lavish dinners are served and never without the guabao (刮包) which many fondly refer to as Chinese hamburger. Braised layer pork generously garnished with salted vegetables, peanut powder and chopped coriander are sandwiched in a steamed bun. Yummy! On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, it is time for the gods & deities to return to heaven with the annual reports of what has transpired during the last twelve months. For this, sticky glutinous rice cakes, also known as niangao (年糕), are made and offered, especially to the household kitchen god. This is the Chinese equivalent of toffee, sticking his mouth together so he cannot tell tales on the household! New Year’s Eve is considered to be the most important feast of them all as all family members gather for a reunion dinner. Shabu shabu is served for its significance – the roundness of the steamboat signifies the completion of the family and the hot soup keeps

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Temple fests and processions add to the mirth of the occasion. Here, even the deities toast to each other a happy & prosperous New Year . everyone warm! Daughters can visit their parental home but must do the Cinderella act and leave before 12 midnight. Fireworks and crackers are lit up at the stroke of midnight and good wishes exchanged amongst all. Perhaps a short nap before the morning call beckons and main doors are opened to more firecrackers. Apparently the earlier you wake to light the crackers, the luckier your household will be... hence this is a morning that does not require any alarm clocks but perhaps ear mufflers instead! Day 2 is the official day for daughters to return to their parental home with their merry entourage of husband and children. This is a day that calls for great patience as the entire country is caught up in a massive traffic jam. Visiting friends’ homes is not common practice in Taiwan; most would prefer to meet outside at a common location for a good chat and/or meal. These days many families go on holidays, both domestic and abroad, during the long holiday period, which can be

anything from seven to ten days. Two days before the end of the long holidays, the highways get clogged up again with returning crowds. Chap Goh Mei, known as YuanXiao here, is also celebrated by eating dumplings to signify a satisfactory close to the New Year festival. The festive cheer remains for about a month here. In this month of feasting, which ends when the second lunar month starts, bosses who did not manage to invite staff and clients to the year end WeiYa would take the chance to treat them to a Spring Party (ChunJiu 春酒) … Speaking of which, I have to stop writing now as I am off to an early annual dinner… bon appetit to me KINO and Gong Xi Fa Cai to you!

Leaving Kuching to work for Singapore Airlines as stewardess, Elizabeth Lim relocated to Taiwan where she is presently living. Currently a holiday planner, she has a profound interest in the intricacies of the Chinese culture.

17 By The Way llll

by Stella Chin

New year, renewed hope

Gross national sadness aside, I am happy we have a new year to begin again. We get to shut down, reboot and keep our fingers crossed that the glitches will somehow right themselves. For those who have personally suffered the pain of bereavement, the loss of health, material possessions, security, sanity and spiritual crisis or deep searing betrayal and disappointments, a new year suitably brings with it renewed hope. Yet it is in suffering that we feel most at one with each other. It is in suffering that we go beyond ourselves either to console or to accept consolation. And it is in going beyond ourselves that we are at our personal and communal best. The paradox of life, the more we lose ourselves the more we gain. But then again isn’t it too easy to

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 17

FRISKYPICS

In the general scheme of global disasters, Malaysia had more than its fair share in 2014. But then again there is nothing fair about disasters and tragedies, man-made or natural. Two homegrown airlines lost three aircrafts and many lives when one disappeared, another got shot down and a third crashed into the sea, all in the space of one year. If we adopt Bhutan’s concept of measuring progress by the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of its citizens with its Gross National Happiness Index (google it!), ours would have registered an all time deficit for 2014.

spout pious platitudes from the comfort zone? I can tell you one thing, I am no longer totally comfortable with air travel. No longer do I ignore the bored looking air stewardess as she tugs the tab to inflate her orange safety jacket and pretends to blow the whistle. I cast nervous glances around me as I buckle the seat belt , a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, "This could be it, my last view of humanity”. What are my last concerns before the plane takes off? That at least my children are now technically adults and can take care of themselves, that I am at peace with myself, that my relationships with others are not fractured but whole. Then there is another sentiment, a plea to the highest heavens as the aircraft ascends and the ears pop, that I will land safely and live long

enough to see my children’s children. That I will be given many new days, months and years to practise wise living. Then as the imagination starts to take flight I see myself growing old and grey with my husband, both of us tottering geriatric steps towards the sunset. The irrepressible human spirit will always soar higher than any calamity or setback. Just as nature abhors a vacuum, the emptiness left by life’s losses will quickly be filled. How and by what is a choice each of us has to make. Have a meaningful 2015, may you gain wisdom , understanding and goodwill towards all. KINO

Stella Chin is a lawyer and a happy wife and mother of 3 children who enjoys writing, while dancing keeps her on her toes.

18 KINOECOLOGY by Karen Shepherd

Don Avoid discussing religion, politics or anything below the waist – that used to be the advice handed out to young ladies of good breeding on the subject of proper conversational etiquette. So investigating what people use after their number twos definitely rates high on the vulgarity scale. Of course, much of Malaysia is traditionally hand and water territory but this is a story about toilet paper - bog roll, loo paper, whatever you might call it - and specifically, the recycled variety. You see, when we wanted to test the waters of the practice of waste management here in Sarawak, we decided to follow a recycling trail of toilet paper to trace Kuching’s environmental movement (if you’ll pardon the puns!). In other words, when we answer the call of nature, does nature call? Reduce, reuse, recycle, reduce, reuse, recycle. It’s a modern day mantra. Say it enough times and you might achieve enlightenment. Save the environment, be a better person in just three easy steps! Environmentalism has been gaining momentum for decades, making global warming and deforestation

From your daily newspaper, our recycler, Ah Chai collects 7 tonnes a month. Our transporter, Jong collects 15 tonnes a day in 1 lorry. Our manufacturer, Madam Liaw (see pg. 20) has 5 trucks, collecting constantly. That’s a lot of old newspaper!

Ah Chai

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 18

't Dump It! the twin spectres of our times. Yet strangely, as a society, our environmental consciousness sometimes seems in direct proportion to our distance from nature, the preserve of city slickers from developed nations who learn all about it on their tablets and 52” TVs. Often, it seems like the netizens of New York are far more likely to ‘care’ about the ‘environment’ (inverted commas very much intended) than the orang of the ulu. All 10 top recyclers in the world are from so-called Western countries, with Switzerland recycling a whopping 52% of its rubbish. Sadly, according to official figures, Malaysia is down near the bottom of the heap, with just 5%. But what is the actual state of environmentalism, or more specifically recycling, here in Sarawak, where official figures are often subverted by private enterprise? Here we live cheek by jowl with the natural world – many of us still a short trip away from a host of natural wonders – plunging waterfalls, dense jungle, impenetrable caves, turtle islands and mighty mangroves. We are just 30 years

Jong

away from one of the most extensive and bio-diverse rainforests the planet has ever seen, though today sadly we also have the fastest rate of deforestation in Asia on our doorstep. Which all begs the question: how conscious of it all are we? Let’s talk toilet paper! Where does the trail lead us? Unlike Western countries where householders give it away free direct to big players, here in Kuching, recycling seems to be a private affair. In this case, we start with the Householder. Taught to recycle from a young age, she does it all – newspaper, bottles, cans. Plastic bags are reused, ice cream containers cleaned and refilled. When she has a stack of paper, she picks up the phone and in comes the recycler, the next person on the trail. Our Recycler runs a small business from his house, taking in anything from newspaper to tin cans to old electronic goods, which he

strips and sorts and then sells on. This is a cash transaction. Householders expect payment and our Recycler insists on it, even if his customers demur; he takes it as a mark of integrity. After all, this is business; a business that he has been in for twenty years; a business that he has used to feed, clothe and educate his family. He started selling ice cream from a bicycle and picking up trash as an additional source of income and a meagre one at that – at one stage he even used to trade old newspapers for new toilet rolls! But eventually he got his own car (not a traditionally environmental move!) and his business was born. For several years, the recycling industry expanded and prices went up; though eventually competitors flooded in. Our recycler has stepped back now, his children all grown, but he alone collects between five and seven tons of newspaper a month! (continued)

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure? The tedious job of sorting by colour and grade

The six-million dollar furnace that drives the recycling business 24-7.

The Churner

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 19

Dump it! 20 KINODon't (continued)

Our Manufacturer, Madam Liaw and the finished product

What seems clear is that, here in Sarawak, recycling is small-scale enterprise with a definite profit motive. But so what? Our transporter gives us the opinion: ‘Singapore

Kuching’s wastepaper reborn Enter our Transporter. The youngest of the group, he has been in this game for seven years, though his employer has been around nearer fifteen. His role is to take his truck around government offices, banks and recyclers like ours, to collect their unwanted paper. Hailing from Beliong, where his father works on a palm oil plantation, this is a country boy. But he is pragmatic in his approach: one load is much the same as another. But he does use the recycled toilet paper – fewer chemicals and lower in price – and presumably, easy access to abundant supply given his daily visits delivering up to 15 tonnes of potential pulp to our last link, the Manufacturer. Hai Ming Paper Mill hides itself in 7th mile. The first thing you see as you enter is a pile of waste wood that is used to stoke the gigantic boilers, in operation 24-7 for the last 30 years. This used to be one of two paperrecycling firms in Sarawak, before See Hua closed their recycling arm, churning out a

approach – everyone gets paid and so everyone is happy. The environmental benefits are just a bonus. Our householder, environmental by nature but also practical in the extreme, states that she would recycle whether she got paid or not, but adds that she would have to get rid of it anyway. Our recycler is happy he helps to keep the environment tidy and landfill to a minimum, but family definitely comes first. Our transporter, musing on the subject of the proposed ban on plastic bags, simply doesn’t see how it would work: after all, the people who make them have a right to earn a living too. And our manufacturer, although they stamp ‘recycled’ on their toilet roll, have the motto: ‘Better service, better quality and better prices.’ Not a cheep about the birds and the bees!

variety of paper products, including our area of interest, the recycled loo roll! Truckloads of paper enter, are sorted into various colours and grades for the various colours and grades of loo roll, before being flung into a churner (not a technical term!). This is an enormous blender that creates a maelstrom of paper pulp which feeds into a series of cogs and wheels and mangles and machines which, at the end, squeeze out a long line of toilet rolls. These are then shipped out to end in homes across Sarawak, including that of our own Householder. The cycle is complete! So, let’s also come full circle to our original question. How environmentally conscious is this apparently environmental loop? Do these players ponder the fate of the trees and the birds and the fishes? Well, yes; of course they all care about that; who would say otherwise! But is that the root of their recycling drive? In reality, not really. This particular habit seems to take the pragmatic

200 years to dissolve a plastic bottle...

This may have very different connotations in the restaurant trade but in this case, we are talking cleaning products. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) was born in KL in 2011 with the specific aim of promoting the 3R concept. It does exactly what it says on the tin: you bring your own bottle and they will fill it with cleaning products; environmentally friendly ones. Actually, you don’t even need to bring your own

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 20

can be clean because they are rich.’ After all, many Kuching folk are just a few generations away from genuine deprivation (though younger generations of Sarawak should take note), rooting their motivation as strongly in reuse and reduce as in recycle. Sayang, bah! How many times have we heard it when it comes to waste? In the words of our Householder: “Why should I buy expensive containers when I can get it for free?” Sometimes, in the West, where helping the environment is often a cause, profit can be seen as a dirty word. But Asians are, in this respect, much more honest. Make the world tidier, make life easier, make our environment cleaner, and make a little money along the way. Perhaps the West worries more because, frankly, they are more wasteful. In the end, all these multiple links – householder, recycler, transporter, manufacturer - add up to into one long recycling chain: a genuine environmental movement. And the system seems to work. KINO If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

bottle: they will supply one for you but, of course, recycled! Lillian Lee started the Kuching branch on the advice of her daughter, currently living in the environmentally-right-on USA. Interestingly, in this case, her drive to recycle started from a spiritual place. She was part of Tzu Chi, a Buddhist movement with one of its goals as promoting environmental protection. When BYOB came into her life, she started by sourcing the plastic bottles from Tzu Chi, though eventually her customers were properly trained and this became unnecessary. She told us that most of her customers were women and generally older – so the youth of Kuching need to get on the recycling train. They come to her for all reasons – environmental, productoriented and of course, price. As one of her customers said: “I come mostly because it is cheaper and easy to reach; and the people are friendly.” But no matter the motive, Lillian is spreading the word. She thinks more and more people in Kuching are starting to be educated on environmentalism. And she does her part. “Did you know,” she confided earnestly, “it takes over 200 years to dissolve one of those bottles.”

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 21

Ready to be shipped out to end in homes across Sarawak. The cycle is complete.

"Yes, Can Do... more?" Quotes from Kuching householders

“I think I am environmentally conscious, but I’m afraid to admit, I don’t use recycled toilet paper. I like my toilet paper pristine! I suppose we can all do more.” “We used to have no plastic bags. Fish came in newspaper and vegetables were wrapped in leaves. But plastic bags are very convenient.” “I’m always careful to turn all my lights off before I leave the house and I always bring my own container for fast food. Lots of people ask me why, but do you know how long those polystyrene containers last? Five hundred years!” “Recycling does help to reduce rubbish but this rubbish is also money.” “We need to look at the education. We used to be taught civics – keeping the beaches clean and not just throwing litter. It is important to start from young cultivating the habit.”

FIRE CRACKER Introduced to Asia by the Portuguese in the early 16th Century, the humble chilli has become a staple spice in Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Without chilli there would be no Szechuan kung pao chicken, no

KINO PHOTOS: JONG SAW KANG

sambal, no curry of any type and - unthinkable as it sounds no Sarawak Laksa.

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 22

23 KINO Chinese New Year Special

by Mike Reed

HOT For life forms without brains, plants are remarkably clever. One genus of plants has even evolved fruits that are harmless to birds (who distribute their seeds) but highly toxic to mammals, causing an intense burning sensation, blistering and even tissue damage with prolonged exposure. So what do humans, supposedly the most intelligent of mammals, do when they discover such nasty organisms? Well first they selectively breed them for many generations to massively increase the amount of toxin they produce, and then they eat them. The plants in question are of course the capsicum family, better known as chillies. And the burning sensation they produce is one of the highlights of many different cuisines, from Mexico to Malaysia and beyond.

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 23

The chilli is a native of Central and South America, and was brought to the Old World after the European discovery of America by Columbus, along with a host of other edible or otherwise useful plants we nowadays take for granted*. Introduced to Asia by the Portuguese in the early 16th Century, the humble chilli has become a staple spice in Indian, Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. Without chilli there would be no Szechuan kung pao chicken, no sambal, no curry of any type and - unthinkable as it sounds - no Sarawak Laksa. The power of chillies – their “heat” or spiciness – is determined using the Scoville Scale, which measures the effect of capsaicin (the main active ingredient) and ranges from zero heat units (sweet bell peppers) to 2.2 million heat units (the fearsome Carolina Reaper, current world record holder). (continued)

* Species introduced to Europe and Asia from the Americas. Cashew nut, chilli, cocoa, custard apple, dragon fruit, guava, tapioca, papaya, passion fruit, peanut, pineapple, potato, pumpkin, rubber, sweet potato, sweetcorn, tobacco, tomato, and even the species of yeast used for brewing Carlsberg in Shah Alam.

24 KINO Chinese New Year Special (continued)

Most of the chillies used in Sarawak are found on the lower to middle part of the scale, as Sarawakians wisely use chillies to season their food rather than show how tough they are. There are five main types of chillies found in Sarawak – the dozens of different kinds you see in the markets are mostly different sizes or stages of ripeness of these principal five. Cabik merah or red chilli, also known as cabik lombok, is the most widely used, served fresh when grown locally and dried or powdered if imported from the Indian subcontinent. An Indian derivative of the cayenne pepper, it is a medium strength chilli measuring 30,000 to 50,000 on the

Scoville Scale. Cabik padi or rice-grain chilli is originally a Thai variety that has become a Malaysian staple. It is a tiny, bright red chilli usually used as a condiment with kicap (dark soya sauce) and is the spiciest commonly served in restaurants, measuring 100,000 to 225,000 on the Scoville Scale. Cabik rawit is an Indonesian variety similar in strength to (and often confused with) cabik padi. It is frequently grown as an ornamental plant due to its bright and erect yellow and red fruits. It is usually dried and ground for making spicy sambals. Cabik hijau or green chilli is probably of Chinese origin and closely related to the Mexican

jalapeño. It is a mild chilli, rating 2,000 to 8,000 on the Scoville Scale, and an essential ingredient of kurmas, masak lemak dishes and green curries, as well as a tasty condiment when pickled in vinegar. Cabik gronong or strawberry chilli is the spiciest of Sarawak’s chillies (and often the hardest to find), rating 200,000 to 300,000 on the Scoville Scale. It is most likely a local variant of the habanero. In Sarawak, cooks don’t pile on the chilli like they do in Terengganu or Padang. Instead, respecting the tastes of others like all good Sarawakians, they cook with only a little chilli to add a subtle bite to the dish - or even none at all - and then leave it up to the diner to add

as much spiciness as desired. This can take the form of finely sliced green or red chillies, or even cabik padi, as well as various sambals (chilli pastes) of differing strengths. Visitors with a low chilli tolerance can safely tuck in. So why do we eat foods that burn and irritate? American psychologist Paul Rozin cites eating chilli as an example of constrained risk, like riding a roller coaster or skydiving, where we voluntarily experience pain and fear in the knowledge that it probably wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do us any real harm. Dr Rozinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theory may apply to those who happily eat a plateful of Carolina Reapers and gasp in speechless pain for the next hour or two, but the spicy food lovers I know think turning right in rush-

hour traffic is a more than adequate adrenalin rush. I prefer the more common explanation, that capsaicin binds with the receptors in the mouth and throat responsible for sensing heat. These receptors then send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and releasing endorphins. And we all know that lots of endorphins make you feel good, so eating chilli is surely a less stressful way of releasing them than running marathons. The problem with this is that chilli becomes addictive, in everincreasing doses. I had a university

Local chilliels in all their glory. Below from left, cabik hijau (green chilli), various sizes of cabik gronong (strawberry chilli), cabik merah (red chilli, large and small), cabik rawit, cabik antu and the small but deceptively spicy cabik padi (rice grain chilli).

Recipes

New Year Special 26 KINO Chinese (continued)

Documenting your «Grannys’» Selecte or forgotten to simply festive favourit roommate from Sumatra who refused to leave the house without a bottle of El Yucateco XXXtra Hot Habanero Sauce and would quietly douse his western meals with this near-radioactive substance. I sometimes wondered whether the people who washed his dishes ever experienced mysterious skin diseases.

In Sarawak, cooks don’t pile on the chilli like they do in Terengganu or Padang. Instead, respecting the tastes of others like all good Sarawakians, they cook with only a little chilli to add a subtle bite to the dish...

Finally, if you eat too much chilli for your own tolerance level, drinking lots of water won’t help. Capsaicin isn’t water-soluble and requires fats or oils to dissolve it, so unskimmed milk or yogurt is a much better bet. This is why lassi is such a popular drink after a spicy Indian curry. However the best safeguard is to take your chilli fix complete with antidote – chilli-flavoured cheese. This wonderful Californian invention combines high-fat Monterey Jack cheese with 500,000-Scoville-Scale red savina habaneros to produce an intense chilli high that fades painlessly after only a few seconds. A case of having KINO your chilli and eating it too.

Mike Reed, originally from London, is a tourism consultant, guidebook writer and self-confessed laksa addict. He came to Sarawak to visit a Gawai Antu 20-odd years ago and has been telling the world about the Land of the Hornbill ever since.

Have Chilli Sauces will travel...

1 2 3 4

1. Mina's Chilli Sauce Fresh Chillies (use 2 or 3 different kinds) Dried Chillies Onion Garlic Lemongrass Tamarind Salt and pepper Cooking oil Blend the ingredients together and slow cook for at least half an hour until it is a smooth paste. Can be kept in freezer for 2 to 3 weeks.

2. Hawker's cut chillies Slice up fresh chillies . Mix with white vinegar, pinch of salt and/or sugar.

3.Ani's Chili Sauce 1 kg Chillies (remove only the stems) 1 head garlic Salt Boil everything whole until soft. Blend and serve!

4. Auntie Brodie’s Chilli Sauce 5kgs Red Chillies 2.5 bottles (Yeo’s) white vinegar 2.7 kgs sugar Salt to taste 250-300gms garlic Wash, drain and blend chilli and garlic Simmer all ingredients for at least 1 1/2 hours, stirring constantly Cool overnight and then bottle.

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 26

from you!

Himalayan salt Garlic

d-to-be-Collected recipes, from the less known es by you the public!

Lemongrass Sugar

Mary's Mother-in-law's tongue

Acar chiLliES

Kapur sirih

“I learned this from my husband’s mother. Nyonya cooking is not easy. It takes time and patience and there are always a lot of ingredients. But, all my children like it, my husband likes it, and all my friends who come to my house at Chinese New Year like it too. So I make it!” Mary Chin

Vinegar

Tumeric

KINO PHOTO: JONG SAW KANG

This recipe makes about 1.5 kgs (120pcs) of chillies (preferably green). Generous amount of whiting (kapur sirih) for soaking. Stuffing

SAUCE

a) 2-3 kg unripe papaya b) 8-10 tbsp cooking oil c) 4-5 handfuls (1 large bowl) dried shrimp (finely ground) d) 400g shallot e) 250g garlic f) 5 stalks lemongrass g) 2 knobs lengkuas (thumb size) h) 2 knobs turmeric (thumb size) i) 1 knob belacan (thumb size) j) 10-15 Buah keras k) 1.5 bottles white vinegar l) 12-15 tbsp sugar m) Salt to taste

j) k) l) m) n) o) p) q) r)

6-8 tbsp cooking oil 4 heads garlic (whole) 3 stalks lemongrass 15pc shallots 2 knobs lengkuas (thumb size) 2 knobs turmeric (thumb size) 4 bottles vinegar 4kg sugar 10 tsp salt

Lengkuas

Unripe papaya

Prepare the stuffing! Stir-fry dried shrimp till fragrant. Set aside. Blend ingredients d) to j) and then stir fry until fragrant. Add in dried shrimp, vinegar, sugar, salt. Simmer to boil. Finally, in goes the grated papaya for further cooking over a slow fire for 8 to 10 minutes until all ingredients are well integrated. Stir continuously. Once done, set aside. Prepare the chillies! Slit chillies lengthwise and remove seeds. Soak in kapur water for 15 mins. Then rinse dry and set aside. Prepare the sauce! Blend ingredients b) to h) and then fry till fragrant. Then in goes vinegar, sugar and salt. Simmer to boil. Once done, set aside and let it cool completely. Final product Stuff each chilli with papaya mixture. Put them into a clean, sterilized glass jar and then pour over the sauce. Acar chillies are best kept for months in the fridge.

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 27

Shallot

Grated papaya

Buah Keras

Dried shrimp

Belachan

28 KINO HISTORY & MYSTERY 4th of 4 tales by Anthony Sebastian

The

Heritage we live in

Kuchingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Old Reservoir Park & its Aqueduct

The old aqueduct slowly crumbles with the passage of time, consumed by nature's inevitable push into an uncertain future.

The series began with Old town by the sea, Sarawak’s oldest town, Santubong. This second tale is about Lopez and Ali, two characters who interacted with Beccari and Wallace on Serapi and Peninjau. The third, Beasts of Lore, explores the uniquely Sarawakian connection between animals and people through beliefs, iconography and rituals. The series ends with a journey, The heritage we live in, through some of the mysteries of Kuching’s built-up heritage.

Living in quaint Kuching is living in amidst old things. Our heritage is not only confined to museums, but is all around us. We walk through it and drive past it. We live in it. It surrounds us like a fond memory, a reminder that others before us walked these same paths, admired the same views, and left them for us to do the same. For some people, like me, old towns like Kuching are extremely attractive places to live in. I call this the attraction of antiquity, and it is perhaps Kuching city’s most valuable character. Some, like the old courthouse, are grand and plainly visible, whilst many others lie hidden in secret corners, unnoticed, and unknown even to locals. Let’s visit just one of these. The word aqueduct usually conjures pictures of Roman aqueducts, enormous spectacular structures built 2,000 years ago to transport water to cities. Many of these engineering marvels still stand today. In Latin, ducere means “to lead”, and aqua means water. Put the two terms together, and we have the word aqueduct, describing a structure built to lead water from one place to another. Channelling water is the first feat of engineering that makes the growth of a town possible. By the 1880s, the thriving town of Kuching stretched about two kilometres along the southern bank of (continued) the Sarawak river. It had

30 KINO HISTORY & MYSTERY 4th of 4 tales

KINO PHOTOS: JONG SAW KANG

(continued)

two streams flowing into the main river: Sungei Gartak and Sungei Kuching. Sungei Kuching (sometimes called Sungei Mata Kuching) was a small stream originating from the hill behind where the Sarawak Museum stands today. It flowed past St. Mary’s school, past what is now Harbour View Hotel, and entered the Sarawak river between the Tua Pek Kong temple and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce building. A sculpture stands there today, marking the stream’s path. This was the only freshwater stream in “downtown” Kuching then, and was used as a source of water to the town. Both of these streams exist no more, filled up and built over. In 1887, a waterworks project was initiated in Kuching to supply water to the town, commissioned by the Public Works Department. Government reports record Kuching as the second town (in present day Malaysia) to initiate an urban water supply system after Penang. And they both built an aqueduct – the only two in Malaysia to this day. In the old days, waterworks were not just functional systems to supply water. They were also places of relaxation, scenic spots where town folk came for picnics and evening strolls. Collecting (and storing) water in lakes or tanks inevitably begins in valleys where rivers or streams flow, with forested slopes above the impoundments which serve to “catch” the water, hence the term water-catchment. In this valley lies Kuching’s Old Reservoir Park, a time capsule preserving the city’s first ever waterworks. Called Taman Budaya today, this park is the largest public garden in Kuching, about 15 hectares in extent. Its lake was created in 1928 to store water (reservoir), though has been modified over the years to its current layout. Explore this park a bit more deeply, and

you will find the old water supply structures built in 1887. At its highest point, the old waterworks lie hidden amidst old trees, comprising two square shallow tanks, lined with brick embankments. At its lower end, its outflow still remains, with iron joints and piping. Stroll around the facility and see if you can spot circular stone arrangements. These were the flowerpots of old, very popular during the late 19th century across the British colonies, used to create circular beds where roses and other flowering plants were grown. One gets a glimpse of what these waterworks might have looked like back in 1890, with manicured gardens, lawns and… the aqueduct, which lies across the path. Most of it still stands, although overgrown and broken in some places. It crosses a small valley, and takes a turn on the far slope. Here, a section of the aqueduct has fallen, and lies next to the pillars. Try and trace the supply lines down to where the lakes are now. Although not the most spectacular of aqueducts, Kuching’s small over-100year-old aqueduct is an important remnant of Malaysia’s structural heritage. As a historical monument, it is even more valuable because almost the entire waterworks system still remains. Complete with big trees, serene lakes and quiet walking paths, it takes you right back to a bygone era. It is a beautiful and invaluable example of Kuching’s heritage that is still lived in, preserved as is, as all heritage monuments should be. And, it is enjoyed today as it was before. KINO Tony Sebastian was born in Sibu, grew up in Marudi, Limbang and Serian. Nature his profession, history his passion, Kuching his home. A naturalist, traveller and writer, Tony's love for Sarawak is evident in the way he brings its tales to life.

1. A forgotten monument to Kuching's built-up heritage, our aqueduct still stands, resisting being banished to the invisibility of our past. 2. The old course of the Sg. Mata Kuching is still discernible in the Park, a river no longer flowing, but forever preserved as a testament to Kuching's history. 3. A metal valve lies forgotten exactly where it was originally placed, forgotten but still ready to play its part in its historical function. 4. A section of brick drainage, quietly resting right beside the path walked every day.

Across the path lies the aqueduct. Most of it still stands, although overgrown and broken in some places. It crosses a small valley, and takes a turn on the far slope. 3

32 KINOCELEBRATIONS by Capt Dr Thiru Jr

PHOTO: ©KIRKLANDPHOTOS FOR SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD

InterCultural festivities a la Sarawak

alaysia… Truly Asia! How many times have we heard this phrase blaring from the ubiquitous tourism promotional billboard? Yet, incanting this tagline doesn’t literally translate into an incredible assimilation of all things Asian. In some places in Peninsular Malaysia, this could mean multiple burgeoning immigrant populations contained within a single South East Asian nation: you may find yourself in Indonesia,

Bangladesh or Vietnam smack in Kuala Lumpur, the difference being a single street or two. But here’s the interesting series of contradictions and paradoxes: there will be places which resemble both Manila’s glitzy Roxas Boulevard and Cambodia’s Wild West at the same time. Still, credit to the person who coined the tagline; people have long attempted to figure out what exactly constitutes Malaysia. www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 32

Now if one thinks that visiting a major city in Peninsular Malaysia covers the full range of her people and culture, he’d flip immediately upon setting foot in Sarawak. I know because I did. Witnessing Sarawak’s kaleidoscope of cultures at every turn of the head can overwhelm any first visitor. Sarawak’s 40 or so documented sub-ethnic groups makes it impossible to draw specific boundaries which define Iban, Bidayuh, KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 33

Melanau, Orang Ulu or even the Malay, Chinese or Indian per se. In addition, they are joined by a dizzying array of intertwined indigenous tribes, some of which are still unaccounted for Sarawak is the true anthropologist’s playground since her cultures vigorously maintain each distinct tradition and community structure, yet blend together to create a uniquely diverse heritage. (continued)

KINOCELEBRATIONS 34 (continued) Take the Sarawakian Chinese for example. They belong to a wide range of dialect groups such as Cantonese, Foochow, Hakka, Hokkien, Teochew and Hainanese. Despite their cultures and community identities remaining largely intact, there are also many who settled in Malay areas, gradually adopting elements of the local culture and intermarriage with the Malay community. They are the Peranakan or affectionately Baba and Nyonya, culturally evolving into a synthetic set of practices, beliefs and arts combining both Malay and Chinese elements. Another example of such cultural assimilation is the Malay wedding ceremony, which features Indian traditions where the bride and groom dress in gorgeous brocades, sit in state and feed each other yellow rice with hands painted with henna. Likewise, many Sarawak Malays have adapted the Chinese practice of giving ang pow on their festivals – except that the packets are green and have Arabic calligraphy on them. While intercultural elements are evident for the three major races of West Malaysia, they are quite impossible to identify here, perhaps due to full mutual assimilation. Take the upriver Orang Ulu spread along Sarawak’s vast interiors in the north. In every longhouse, one would see Kenyah or Kayan folk alongside the Kajang, Kejaman, Punan, Ukit and Penan, not to mention the downriver Lun Bawang tribes, far upstream Berawan and Saban, and even the plateau Kelabits dwelling together. Indeed, Sarawak – Malaysia’s true blue 1Malaysia state – has several advantages, ranging from

food to fashion to festivals. Let’s start with food. Sarawak is widely known to be Borneo’s epicurean paradise. A number of culinary creations are drawn from each constituent native culture to produce what many consider to be Borneo’s best dining experience. These are coupled with colonial and immigrant legacies that further expand the spectrum of delicacies available for all taste buds. The most intimidating culinary experience would be the exotic sago worm that, in some places, is served as a side dish to whatever possible dish served, from the humble banana fritter to fried rice. A good time to remember not to bite off more than you could chew! The cross-cultural trait also ensures the Sarawakian’s morbid fascination for so many variations of the same meal (and often towards the outer limits of the human taste bud), for example a bowl of kolo mee that can be too sweet, too spicy or too salty! Native spices and condiments can be the heart and soul of certain dishes, although the quantity and proportions vary with geographical availability. Akin to south Indian practice, banana leaves are sometimes also used for those wanting a more traditional flavour. Cross-cultural elements are also manifested in each and every festival here. Religious festivals, cultural festivals, political festivals, sports festivals, media festivals or just-for-the-heckof-it festivals. We even have kongsi raya (shared festival) when annual community festivals coincide, like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya. No one knows for sure why Malaysians turn up in such large numbers at any kind of parade or festival and there is no shortage of theories to explain this – ranging from the fact that Malaysians are outdoor people to the weakness that Malaysians have for freebies – even if it’s just www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 34

...many Sarawak Malays have adapted the Chinese practice of giving ang pow on their festivals – except that the packets are green and have Arabic calligraphy on them. to collect the balloons! Young and old, rich or poor, Who’s Who and Joe Nobodies all turn up alike. The easiest way to understand the Sarawakian’s intensive cultural interaction is to appreciate the open door policy maintained during festivals. All her ethnic groups open their doors to everyone else, even during religious festivals. Such inclusivity is more than just a way to dismantle cultural barriers and foster understanding. The better news is that unlike in other parts of the world, you don’t need an invitation so feel free to gatecrash. The secret to enjoying any festival here is simply to turn up! Sarawak is indeed Freddy Freeloader heaven. Gawai Dayak would be the prime example. Enter any longhouse and watch how outsiders also gather around the ranyai (ceremonial tree) at the ruai (common veranda) of the longhouse. Watch how everyone equally enjoys the merry-making, feasting, drinking of tuak and their own wiggly version of the ngajat. KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 35

It’s no secret that people here get along better with each other in a manner those from the other side cannot fathom. Sarawak remains the prime example of cross-cultural assimilation because the multi-tribal psyche forces people to understand each other before expecting to be understood. It forces them to learn with the intention of gaining insight, instead of the intention to disagree. No belief or position is deemed incontrovertible, hence placing mutual respect and tolerance above all else. The secret lies in unlocking the different tapestries of culture intertwined within the Sarawakian mindset, made up of over 60 tribes. Rudyard Kipling famously said “East is east, west is west and never the twain shall meet”. But if there is any place on earth where “the twain KINO has met”, look no further than Sarawak. Capt Dr Thiru Jr is an amateur writer and musician outside his day job flying for a leading airline. A regular Joe from Penang, he currently lives in Kuching with his family, and two demanding dogs.

Freshly made in front of you

everyday...

...at the Chinese Hakka Farm House

@scv2u

www.scv.com.my

37 EDUCATION llll

by Jo Williams

Bookaroo: Bringing children and books together Once upon a time, not so very long ago, in the city of Delhi, a bookseller, a journalist and a story ma’am gathered to find a way to bring children and books together to celebrate the joy of reading. In a tiny bookshop they plotted and planned, schemed and dreamed until one fine summer’s day they spoke out……..

planned for January 2015.

“Bah! A children’s literature festival! That will never work!”

Come and join the fun at the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak from 11am to 5pm, meet writers, illustrators, and storytellers from near and far

Such a response only strengthened their resolve and even acted as a rallying call. Within a few days, others who shared their passion joined their ranks and Bookaroo was born – a 2-day children’s literature festival – with an outreach programme into schools, Bookaroo in the City. During the last weekend of November in 2008 some 3,000 children, aged between 4 and 14, flocked to listen to 36 speakers conduct 44 sessions. From pop-ups to puppets, pictures to poems, pirates to princesses, doodles to dragons, comics to cats, monsters to mice, stars to spies there was something for every child – and parent and grandparent! Year by year more was added – Bookart, an illustrators’ exhibition; a third day for schools; Bookaroo in the City’s reach extended to over 100 schools; more sessions with more speakers from all over India and the world; more children coming from further and further afield; Bookaroo travelled to other cities, 3 times to Kashmir and once to Pune, with a second festival

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 37

The journey continues as on the 28th and 29th March 2015 Bookaroo will be partnering with the Pustaka Negeri Sarawak under the patronage of the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Patinggi Dato Hajah Jamilah Haji Anu, to hold Bookaroo in Kuching.

who will make books come alive, including Sarawak’s newest writer for children, Golda Mowe. With thanks to our many supporters and friends especially KINO and the Permai Rainforest who have helped KINO to make this happen.

Swati Roy who is the co-owner of Eureka!, the children’s bookstore in Delhi, Venkatesh, journalist and co-owner of Eureka! and Jo Williams, storyma’am, three of the founder members of Bookaroo and current Festival Directors.

An Iban dream published Golda Mowe Author of "Iban Dream" I knew at twelve that I wOULD be a writer but having no one to support my choice of career, I was persuaded to study commerce in Waseda University, Japan. I played the role of mediocre student then mediocre employee to perfection. By the time I approached my mid thirties, however, my meeting minutes began to take on a script-like quality that many of my colleagues found disconcerting. Months of trying to juggle writing Iban Dream in the evenings and working a full time job during the day finally led to a deterioration in my health and morale. I was constantly exhausted and often experienced shoulder or back pain. When I finally resigned from a full time job in 2004, I had no training in writing or even in analysing literature, so I relied heavily on writer's forums and blogs to polish my techniques. I also depended on family and friends for part-time work that pay for my day-to-day needs. In 2012, I finally come across a publisher who was interested in Iban Dream. The paperback copy was published in 2013 and launched in Singapore at the Asian Festival of Children's Content 2013. I am now a published writer.

“One Shoe Can Change Your Life”

EMMA DANIEL

C1 & C2 Tingkat 1, Bangunan Kompleks Majlis Islam, Jalan P. Ramlee, KUCHING 082 507012

39 浪漫 llll

by Ng Ai Fen

A Valentine of another kind In the old days, before the innovation of modern technology or social networking tools, the only time of the year for singletons to meet a potential partner was during the Lantern Festival. On that particular day, young girls were allowed to leave their houses to see colourful paper lanterns in the street and join in competitions to solve traditional riddles in Buddhist temples, perform prayers and set adrift lanterns – bearing good wishes – on tiny boats. Young men would then take this opportunity to get to know the girls. Hence, the lantern festival, which falls on Chap Goh Mei (meaning 15th night in Hokkien dialect), is also dubbed as Chinese Valentine’s day celebrated by all Chinese around the globe. The festival – on the 15th night of the first month of the lunar calendar, is also known as the Yuan Xiao, usually celebrated with a family meal, fire crackers and decorations similar to the reunion dinner. The tradition goes back more than 2,000 years since the Han Dynasty with different versions of its legendary origins. One legend has it that villagers hung red lanterns, set bonfires, set off firecrackers, to pretend that the world was ablaze to avoid being burned by the heaven troops sent by Jade Emperor to incinerate the village. Since then, people have celebrated the anniversary of the 15th lunar day every year by carrying lanterns on the street and setting off firecrackers. Another more romantic version was a girl, named ‘Yuan Xiao’, sneaked

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 39

out from the palace to meet her lover on this particular day. It has since then evolved to include different customs in different parts of China and different parts of the world now, including stealing green onions, walking on bridges to cure sickness and drumming. The tradition of throwing mandarin oranges can be traced back to the rituals performed by the Hokkiens in southern China during the 19th century. There is a saying in Hokkien that goes “tim kam; chua ho ang”, which means the act of throwing mandarin oranges will get you a good husband. Today, Malaysians tend to congregate to light lanterns, inscribe Mandarin oranges with their names and their contact numbers, and then throw them into lakes or ponds, hoping that their future spouse will fish out the oranges, more as a fun activity rather than superstitious belief. In a similar vein, men also throw bananas with their contact details written on the fruits, hoping that the women who pick the fruits up will end up as their wives. “I have never known anybody who actually meet their spouse through inscribed oranges or banana,” said Chong in her 50s. The Hakka housewife said Chap Goh Mei has always been a family affair, where families celebrate with a feast at home or in restaurants, and eat

‘Tang Yuan’ (glutinous rice balls which symbolize completeness and togetherness). Even lighting up lanterns with well wishes on it, has only become a scene in Kuching in recent years, causing much unwanted pollution in the city. “We didn’t have the custom of throwing tangerines or lighting up lanterns to the sky in the past. I only heard about this in recent years,” said Penghulu Shey Hiong from Siniawan, who is now preparing for the upcoming Chap Goh Mei celebration at the old town some 30 minutes from Kuching. It has been the tradition of Sui Yue Gong, the oldest temple in Siniawan, to organise Yuan Xiao festival for the past 140 years. This year, it will be a grander full day celebration with the biggest fireworks planned for March 5. In the morning, there will be a street parade consisting lion dance, dragon dance, Monkey King and other deities’ parade and other some 30 groups, to tour from the temple to all eight villages in Siniawan. In the evening, the street parade will see a bigger group consisting of a lantern parade, performances, decorative cars to tour the old town to celebrate Yuan Xiao – one of the biggest Yuan Xiao KINO celebrations in Sarawak.

40 NIGHT SPOTS Five for the road! llll

For Kuching people, it sometimes seems like everything is far. It is far to park anywhere further than right outside your destination; it is far to travel across town; it is certainly too far to travel across river! But if there’s one thing guaranteed to motivate people on a mission out of their comfort zone, it’s food! Every expedition out of town demands a favourite refueling station and, in some cases, that may be the primary reason for going in the first place! So here we go with our pick of the best food adventures worth travelling for…

The Red Dragon – Bau/Sematan junction As you hurtle up the road towards Sematan, rising up on your right, is a simple structure topped, rather incongruously, with a striking Welsh dragon, red as the name suggests; the legacy of an actual Welshman! The unexpectedness doesn’t end there. At first glance, this is a coffee shop, filled with an unpredictable crowd – truck drivers, day-trippers, local folk. In actual fact, this is the place with the best British fish and chips in Sarawak! Golden brown, crispy beer batter and even chunky chips, served with salt and vinegar as standard – though you can opt for chilli sauce if you prefer local style! Far? Not at all! Who needs to travel to the UK when Bau is just down the road?!

Bantian Bistro, Puncak Borneo The first visit here, it seemed like a long way to go for food. Drive down past 10th mile until you reach the prison; turn right; go past the CMS clinker until you reach Kampong Petag. Once there, you can’t miss it. Would anyone drive this far for a meal? The couple at the next table answered the question – two students from KL, studying in Kuching, who had come on the recommendation of a friend from Malacca! What’s so special? This is the product of the marriage between a Bidayuh therapeutic masseuse and her Chinese husband from Perak. The place is pure kampong, atap roof, bamboo structure tacked onto the side of a modern building that also houses, rather surprisingly, Bantian Health Care Centre. The pace too is pure kampong – waiting time is up to an hour, as you are serenaded with tunes from the sixties and the lady boss passing periodically to ask you to be patient! Then the food comes – Chinese with a twist. Tilapia from Telaga Air, smothered in their signature sauce of bean paste and green apples; deep-fried crispy squid and delicate steamed chicken. A road to nowhere, maybe, but a destination in itself!

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 40

The Beach Seafood – Santubong Many favour the rustic charms of Buntal itself for their Santubong peninsular seafood fix, but The Beach is also a bestseller! The weather-beaten sign is unmissable along the main drag to Santubong. Once inside, a strange series of ramps leads you onto a giant jetty, where the restaurant comes into its name, soaring above a windswept curve of beach and sea. This beach is apparently famous for razor clams and flocks of birds, though sadly detritus from the nearby kampong is also very much in evidence. In the restaurant itself, tanks of lazy fish and other somnolent seafood line the walls and they can be served up to you in any style imaginable. Try the crab poached in coconut water – the delicateness of the sauce lets the fresh crab flavour really shine through. Just take your time and enjoy a lazy evening at the beach.

Beratok Hawker Centre, Kuching/Serian Road This one at least is an easy drive along the best stretch of road in Sarawak – the Kuching to Serian road – certainly the road with the greatest number of streetlights, arguably in the world! Beratok itself isn’t much to talk about; its most famous moment in history is as part of the ‘protected zone’ during the emergency. But it is the former heartland of the Hakka smallholder and near to the home of the agricultural college in Tarat. The result? The best veggies, arguably in the world! Take your pick of the garden – sticky okra, crunchy beans, butter soft aubergine – deliciously healthy. Many opt for the coffeeshop staple - Bihun Mani Chai – stir-fried with, arguably, the tastiest cangkok manis in the world! Also, consider the deer, dear? Thankfully the curfew has been lifted!

Food Valley Seafood – Batu Kawa Old Town Everyone knows the famous mee stall near the temple in Batu Kawa, but hidden in a dingy back alley is a gem definitely worth the trip – turn right before the lighting shop as you come into the old town and you’ll find it on the corner. You can find dishes here that are not on offer anywhere in Kuching. The pumpkin chicken is a revelation – crunchy caramelized pumpkin coated chicken! Order double or there might be a fight. Other gorgeousness includes the Hakka stewed pork and bitter gourd with salted egg. Actually, don’t leave without trying the cangkok manis. They are likely to trot out into the tiny garden next door to harvest it, and when it comes out, it is positively creamy, I swear! Even closer than Beratok! Definitely worth the hunt!

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 41

42 Illustrated MAP llll CAT City Walk - India Street and

Corner of the OLD QUARTER

(3) WAYANG/ MACDOUGAL

(4) MUSEUM GROUNDS / RESEVOIR PARK

(5) KENYALANG

(6) ANG CHENG HO/ SEKAMA

Taking a i CAT City Walk around town is the best way to see historical streets, their architectural monuments, heritage and shops. See what's selling, what's cooking and what's up, in and out! Next issue: WAYANG/ MACDOUGAL ...and more.

Gambier Street by Peggy Wong, a member of our Urban Sketchers Kuching

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44 «NEXT STOP» llll

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PRINT AND DIGITAL MAGAZINE LAUNCHED 1 ST ISSUE WITH THE J. Petan ak 1 ST KUCHING BUS ROUTES MAP ON THE 22 ND OF MARCH, 2013

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EMERGENCY Emergency Line / 082-365030 Civil Defense / 991 Fire / 994 Jalan S atok Ban Hock From Jalan Jalmobile to phone /112 n a l n PAmbulance Ja Police aand adungan/ 999 Police emergency service /999 HOSPITALS ur Borneo Medical Centre / 016 889 8302 Tim l a Kuching Specialist Hospital KG / 082-365384 nt r St. Joseph e C Multimedia Specialist & Maternity Centre / 082-428885 n Cathedral a Normah Medical Specialist Centre / 082-440055 Jal Sarawak General Hospital / 082-276666 J. Badru d di n a J. T Sarawak Medical J. T ri Centre / 082-442088 a m a n B u d ay i u H e e K Tan / 082-232259 g n an S ri O Da Timberland Emergency Medical mService a i l t l u PHARMACIES k i JalGuardian / 082-613259W an Watsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ell Personal Care Store / 082-239091 Legend Bus Routes via Bus Numbers is STATIONS k POLICE an h s District Police HQ - Kuching, Royal Malaysian Police, k 3A, K3 Hospital oo Main Bus Terminal Jln Simpang Tiga / 082-241133 Bampfylde Cr l K8 Heights n Central Station. Jln Khoo Hun Yeang / 082-241222 Ja a al J Satok Station. Jln Nagor / 082-245522 Kuching 8G Hospital Bus Stop Gita Station. Jln Matang / 082- 254417 General Hospital K11 Santubong Station / 082-846222 Padungan Statio. Jln Kemajuan / 082-335930 K1, K2 Pondok Taxi Stand Summons Beratok Station. Jln Kuching-Serian / 082- 864235 From Jalan Masjid Huts Sekama Station. Jln Sekama / 082-332522 Sg. Maong Station. Jln Tun Hj. Mohd. Adruce / 082-256800 Kota Padawan (Batu 10) Station. Kota Padawan 16 Km, Jln. g n Kuching-Serian / 082- 612222 nta i with associated bus numbers L Siburan Station. Km 27, Jln. Kuching-Serian / 082-864121 at u B n a Tapah Station. 082-867236 All Buses Lead To and From Jalan Masjid Jal Wisma Saberkas Station. Wisma Saberkas / 082-253535 BDC: K8, 8G Police Station Tabuan Jaya / 082-360999 Boulevard Shopping Mall: 2, K3, K6, K10, K13, 3A, 6 Police Patrol (24Hrs) / 082-244444 Wisma Cat Museum: K5, K5C, K15 TOURIST INFORMATION Green Heights Commercial Center: 8G Saberkas Tourist Police Unit (Kuching Waterfront) / 082-250522 Hilton Hotel: K2, K2, K16 The TouristSpring Information Centre / 082-246575 Jalan Hospital Umum: 1F/1FA, 2, 3A, 6, 1C,K6, K8, K10, K13, K18, K17, 8G Airport-Kuching K5, K5C, K15 Mall International Airport / 082-454242 BJalan atu Astana: LintaK12 Jalan Green: Immigration Department / 082-245661 ng K18 Jalan Hj Taha: K12, TAXI Jalan Matang: K7 ABC Taxi / 082-341818 Jalan Satok: K7, K5, K5C, K15 Kuching City Taxi Radio Call Enterprises / 082-348898 Jalan Stutong: 8G, K8 Taxi (Red and Yellow colour) / 082-882466 Premier 101: 8G Executive Taxi / 082-480000 Jalan Masjid (Bus Station yellow and green buses departs-final station are from here) Simpang Jln. Kwon Lee Bank: K2,K1, K16 CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES Tiga Jln. Padungan: K2, K1, K11, K16 Roundabout Australian Honorary Consul / 082-23350 Jln. Pending: K2, K1, K16 Brunei Consulate / 082-312681 Jln. Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce: K12, Chinese Consulate / 082-233816 Konsulat Indonesia: 8G, K8 Consulate of the United Kingdom / 082-207272 Kuching Sentral Station: K3, K6, K10, K13 French Honorary Consul / 082-415588 Kuching Specialist Centre: K8 New Stutong Market: K8 Indonesia Consulate / 082-460734 Regional Bus Terminal: 1FA, 2, 3A, K3, K6, K10, K13, 6 Immigration Office / 082-245661 Sarawak Plaza: K2, K1, K11, K16 Sarawak Government Office / 082-222222 Semenggok Wildlife: K6, 6, HOME SERVICES St. Joseph/St. Teresa: K18, K8 The Commission of The City of Kuching North / 082-234654 Sungai Apong (fishing village): K2 Council of the City of Kuching South / 082-354200 Tabuan Jaya: K8 The Spring Mall: K8, K11, 8G Post Office-Pos Malaysia-Kuching / 082-347677 Timberland: 1C, 1F/1FA, 2, K3, K6, K10, K13, K18, K17, 3A, 6 SESCO-Electricity Service / 1 300 - 88 3111 Waterfront (Main Bazaar): K2 , K1, K11, K16 Astro / 1 300 - 82 3838 Wisma Saberkas: 3A , 2, 6, 1C K3, K8, K10, K13, K17, 8G TM / Fax No : 082-239 257

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TooNsoun Enterprise SDN. BHD. MOSQUITO SCREENS FOR DOORS & WINDOWS Protect your family by installing mosquito screens in your home. We specialise in glass and aluminium including windows, doors, glass & stainless steel fittings and shower hinges. We also supply other hardware, fittings and power tools. Alex Ung 017-877 2770 toonsounenterprise@gmail.com

Maxtrack

WINDOW DRESSING is what we do so well. With a wide variety of modern blinds, we can accommodate all design tastes. Automated or manual, we have the solution for both residential and commercial needs. 082-231677

FIRE SAFETY PRODUCTS

AIR CONDITIONERS

DO YOU want to protect your family and premises from fire hazards? Are you prepared if your house is on fire? LEADING SAFETY PRODUCTS can provide you with basic fire protection such as fire extinguishers and fire blanket at affordable prices. We also supply personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety boots etc. Tel: 082-369 692/366 028 H/p: 019-885 3913 Fax: 082-366029 Email:lspsb99@yahoo.com

LOSING YOUR COOL, CALL THE BEAR! The professional choice for air cond service, installation and advice. Here at GLAC, we guarantee that you will be satisfied with our products and service offerings. T: +6082 - 237 988 HP: +6017 - 818 4522 www.GreatLittleACServices.com www.facebook.com/GreatLittleAC

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 47

Celebrate the Year of the Goat with Gift of V KOOL Serendipity Promotions with great savings and experience in a whole new way. Call us now to make an appointment to grab this special offer and trust V KOOL window films to give you a clearer view and a cooler world! How Turn Tint Shop @ 082-422 716 or 082-230 199

CONSTRUCTION

Provide both interior and exterior design and build services to suit your needs. Adam Lee: 019-857 0716 Eric: 012-833 8246 coveringsmy@gmail.com facebook.com/Coverings.com.my

48 KINOWildlife

BORNEO insights by Ch'ien C. Lee

Rainforest Pictures of Tropical Asia www.wildborneo.com.my

Rafflesia TUAN-Mudae

With a background in biology and environmental education, wildlife photographer Ch'ien Lee made the move from California to Kuching in 1996, fulfilling a life-long dream of living in the tropics. His images of Southeast Asian nature have been widely published internationally and he continually strives to use imagery as a means of raising awareness about the astounding flora and fauna that we share this planet with.

Photographed from within: a new perspective on the giant Rafflesia flower. With a color resembling rotting flesh and a fetid odor to match, this enormous bloom (Rafflesia tuan-mudae) reaches up to a meter in diameter and entices flies into the recesses of its interior where they will serve as unwitting pollinators. It has no leaves, stems, or roots of its own, and as a parasite it relies completely on its host vine (Tetrastigma) for nutrition. Photo info: Nikon D2x, 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye lens | 8.0 sec, f/11, ISO 100

by Ch'ien Lee

A Royal Icing Affair

New dates for events!

David MacCarfrae (UK) Master Cake Artist, Judge on Canadian TV series "CakeWalk" & creator of the royal wedding cake of His Royal Highness Prince Edward

Royal Icing Masterclasses 22-27 MAY 2015

1. Elite Royal Icing 2 Day Masterclass – RM2,000 2. Victorian Rose Cascade 2 Day Masterclass – RM2,000 3. Royal Icing Inspiration 1 Day Masterclass – RM1,000

Chef Jackie Tay (Singapore) WMI Instructor & Figurine Artist

NEW Full Courses 1-4!

Wilton Course 1,2,3,4, Shape-N-Amaze & Children's Workshop* 17-21 MAY 2015 1. Wilton Course 1,2,3 & 4 4 Day Foundation Class – RM2,750 2. Wilton Shape-N-Amaze – Tools: RM350 4 Hour Part 1: RM250 4 Hour Part 2: RM350

*in collaboration with Kiidz Clubhouse, details TBC

William Tan (Malaysia) Innovator of Runway Doll Fondant Demonstrations and Workshops 23 MAY 2015 1. Longevity Man 3 Hour Masterclass – RM300

24 MAY 2015 2. Runway Doll

Feast of Borneo

1 Day Masterclass – RM850

Join us for a culinary adventure as 3 chefs prepare a feast from 15 lesser known ingredients from our Borneo jungle in May 2015.

Early bird pricing available, contact Jean: 013 813 2995 or eventskino@gmail.com

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BORNEOCAKEEXPLORATION

BCE Cake Decorating Competition 2015 Theme: Flora & Fauna Royal icing and fondant cakes, traditional and modern categories. Open to the public, RM50 entry fee. Special pricing for Masterclass students. Register by 7 May 2015.

A EVENT

Life Inspired or Li is Asia's brand new lifestyle TV channel in High-Definition Astro Channel 728 Rerun: The Great British Bake Off starting 6th February 2015, every Friday at 7.30PM

A EVENT

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BORNEOCAKEEXPLORATION

A Royal Icing Affair

with David MacCarfrae

22-27 MAY 2015 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia