The Sarawak State Museum is the oldest museum in Borneo. It was established in 1888 and opened in 1891 in a purpose-built building in Kuching, Sarawak. Sponsored by Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak, the establishment of the museum was strongly encouraged by Alfred Russel Wallace.
                                                 

The Sarawak Museum was built in 1891 and was extended to its present form in 1911. The building was especially built to permanently house and display local native arts and crafts and collections of local animals as mainly encouraged by the famous naturalist, Alfred Wallace, who was then collecting specimens in the state.

During the Japanese Occupation, the museum was put under the direction of a sympathetic Japanese Officer. As a result, the museum suffered very little damage and remarkably little looting.

Today, with carefully planned renovation and proper maintenance, this old building is used as the centre to exhibit collections on the natural history of Sarawak.

The ground floor of the museum holds the natural history collection and specimens of Sarawak fauna — reptiles, mammals, birds, etc., all expertly prepared and mounted for display. The west wing of the museum houses Shell exhibition — petroleum industries of Sarawak.
                                                    

    A whale skeleton



The first floor displays exhibits of ethnographic artifacts such as models of longhouses of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak, musical instruments, various kinds of fish and animal traps, handicrafts, models of boats and others.
                                                   

Kuching Main Bazaar and Waterfront Sarawak

Kuching Main Bazaar and Waterfront in Sarawak has to be the most visited place in town as it is the number one place to shop for souvenirs, handicraft and also to enjoy the beautiful views of the Sarawak River or simply dine at one of the restaurants or cafes along this place which is also known as the Kuching Esplanade. Known to locals as Kuching Main Bazaar, you can find almost every ethnic handicraft at the shops here along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
                                                      

Apart from the tour services offered here, there are a number of other interesting shops to visit  along the Main Bazaar which are the Handicraft Shops, Souvenir Shops, Restaurants and even at one end, the famous Goldsmith Row. This place attracts all sorts of travelers as from my many visits here, I have noticed local travelers right up to backpackers and foreigners who are seen exploring the area. Chinatown is just around the corner if you should know.
                                          

                      Kuching ChinaTown                                                                

Kuching Waterfront is also a beautiful place at night as it is lighted well from one end to the other. Various vendors are seen along the main walkway selling all sorts of 'interesting' items. Food kiosk are abundant at various points while couples and tourist flock to enjoy the walk along here. A number of make-shift stalls sell souvenirs and crafts too but at a slightly higher price than the usual shops. The place usually simmers down around 9pm so, avoid going late as there is nothing to look forward to then. Be advised of snatch theft or robbers after dark along the waterfront too. 

On a side note, there are a few hotels located just near the Sarawak Waterfront namely The Hilton Kuching,Tune Hotels by AirAsia and Holiday Inn Kuching. For food, I would easily recommend Khatulistiwa Cafe and Restaurant. This very unique circular establishment cannot be missed as it resembles one of the Sarawakian Tribes, the Bidayuh people's Warrior House called the Baruk. They serve a good fusion of Sarawakian delicacies, Asian flare and Western food here. If you have been told of the famous Sarawak Laksa noodles, you can try them here too. Prices are above the coffee shop rates

Mount Santubong...A tale about Santubong and Sejinjang

                                  

Etymology

According to the Encyclopaedia of Iban Studies the original inhabitants of Santubong were the iban. Si-antu-ubong means 'spirit boat' in the Iban language. Antu is hantu in Malay which means spirit or ghost. Santubong are boat like coffins made from a single hollow log designed to represent the vesell in which a dead person will travel from this world to afterlife. Following another theory, the name Santubong is derived from "san choo bong" in the Hakka Chinese dialect, meaning "wild pig king" or "king of wild pig.

Legend
A legend often associated with the mountain is of two beautiful princesses of heaven, Santubong and Sejinjang. Santubong was an expert weaver while Sejinjang was an excellent rice tresher. When war broke out between two villages, Kampung Pasir Puteh and Kampung Pasir Kuning, the King of Heaven sent the princesses to keep peace in both villages. The villagers saw both beautiful princesses and stopped the war. After the war, both princesses taught the villagers their expertise and both villages began to trade and became prosperous. Many princes heard of them and came from the whole island to marry them, but all was denied by them. One day, a handsome prince came, and the princesses had a quarrel and exchanged blows because both of them fell in love with the prince. Sejinjang swung her tresher which hit Santubong's cheek. Santubong threw her weaver at Sejinjang, hitting her in the head. Putting an end to the quarrel, the King of Heaven cursed both of them into mountains. Santubong turned into Mount Santubong while Sejinjang was turned into Mount Sejinjang. It is said that both mountains resembles women lying on their back and a crack on Mount Santubong was the scar on Princess Santubong's cheek.

The entrance to the trail is controlled by a private company claiming to be the caretaker appointed by the authorities to maintain and collect rubbish left by visitors on the mountain. They charge an administrative fee of RM8 per person and also issue certificates for an additional fee. All parks are managed by Sarawak Nature Reserve as provided for under National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance, 1998 Sarawak.

A report has been lodged under the states' Talikhidmat which is under the purview of the Chief Minister's office of the collection of fee by the private company.

It takes between 3 and 4 hours to reach the summit and slightly less to descend again. Climbers need to take plenty to drink and some food to keep them going. A BBQ has been built at the top but begin your descent by 3pm to get back in the day light and avoid stepping on snakes that cross the path sometimes. A lucky climber may be rewarded with the chance of a rare Hornbill with a cream/yellow beak. These Hornbills are black and white.

Villagers say the well at the top never dries up, however this pond is often sadly full of rubbish today and should not be relied upon as a source for thirsty climbers. In fact Lord Medway reported it to be dry on his overnight expedition to the top in the 60's before the ropes and ladders were installed. Cub scouts and guides once camped at the top too on their expeditions.

                                 

Fort Magherita

Fort Margherita is an old fort built in 1879 by Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak situated inKuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The fort is an important landmark and monument in Sarawak's history which goes back to the Brooke Dynasty. The fort, built in the style of an English castle, was designed to protect Kuching from attack by pirates. It served as a Police Museum from 1971 before being handed over to the Sarawak state government and now is a tourist attraction in Kuching.

                       

         

 Fort Margherita is named after Brooke's beloved wife, Margaret Alice Lili de Windt, whom he married at Highworth, Wiltshire on 28 October 1869; she was raised to the title of Ranee of Sarawak with the style of Her Highness upon their marriage.
The fort was built on a hill overlooking the Sarawak River and situated on the north bank opposite the then fast expanding town centre of Kuching. The fort was well-equipped to protect the capital from river-borne invasions.
                                     The three storey tower block's battlement includes a watchpoint on top,a courtyard surrounded by a high wall with sharp glass shards inlaid for protection and set into the wall itself are wooden windows from where the cannons were fired. Executions of prisoners were carried out in this courtyard,right up to the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Fort Margherita is situated across the Sarawak River near The Astana, the official residence of the yang DiPertua Negeri Sarawak. Fort Margherita is accessible by road. It is a 15-minute drive along Petra Jaya, or a short river cruise from Pangkalan Batu, in front of Main Bazaar on Kuching Waterfront. It currently sits next to the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building.

Annah Rais Hot Spring

One incredible way to enjoy the contradicting twin elements of nature would be a visit to the new upgraded Annah Rais Hot Springs in Kuching, Sarawak.The Annah Rais Hot Spring was located about 70 kilometres from Kuching City, and the countryside drive took nearly two hours where you will bypassed the quaint Annah Rais Longhouse, a small native Bidayuh village. Found by early Bidayuh settlers 250 years ago, the hot springs had been guarded and preserved by the villagers since then. It was their belief that the hot spring was a sacred place for them to seek blessings and cures for various illnesses.

     

                                          Annah Rais Longhouse Home Stay
                                         Set along a narrow hilly road, the Annah Rais Hot Spring was another ten minutes drive from the Annah Rais Longhouse. Entrance fees to the hot springs were RM5 per adult; and RM3 per child aged 7 and below. The new upgraded facilities of the hot spring included a concrete walkway, steps to the river, and changing rooms and showers, which were important as these would make the hot spring area more comfortable and enjoyable for visitors.
                                       

                                          Annah Rais Hot Spring