From the hotel window overlooking the Sarawak River, and in the far yonder is the new Sarawak Parliment House, still under construction.

Kuching enjoys an extensive coastline of 720 kilometers on the South China Sea, bounded by Brunei Darussalam on the north, Sabah on the northeast and Kalimantan Indonesia on the south.

Since James Brooke's time, but there are still many landmarks that are legacies from the White Maha Raja. For the first time visitor, it would be easy to imagine the scene in 1839 when James Brooke first landed in Kuching, and started a new chapter in the annals of Sarawak's history.

The Fishing boat anchored at the jetty just behind Wet Market at the far end of the Waterfront Park.

The Feline statues, a landmark of Kuching.	The dragon statue awaiting at the bank of Sungai Sarawak

There are many stories version about the origin of Kuching's name. In the Malay language, Kuching means 'cat'. Others say that Kuching originated from the Chinese word 'Gu Chin' which means 'harbor'. Another says that Kuching is named after a kind of fruit look like lychee called 'Mata Kuching' (Cat's eye). Whatever it is, it is quite a unique and queer name for a city.

One of the two Observation Tower, and river taxi's queing for passengers alongside it.

For 50 cents, you can take the river taxi across to the other bank of the river.	Motor powered, it is steered using a pair of oars at the front of the boat.

In heart of the city, there is a river separating the north and the south called the 'Sarawak River'. At the various jetties along the path, you can witness the unique sampan (wooden boats, also known as tambangs) crossing the width of the river to the other side. Riding a Sampan - a long boat - along the Sarawak River is an unforgettable experience. The trip across the river is well worth it and only takes about 5 minutes. The boats are powered by either small motors or cross by oar using a strange sizzor action by a pair of oars.

The brightly coloured deep-sea fishing boats anchored at the Jetty

The waterfront is about 1 km long and is also known as the People Place. Built for the people of Sarawak, it has many facilities such as restaurants, handicraft shops, entertainment hall, and the dancing water fountains

There are a number of sights to be enjoyed from the Waterfront. Other than that, you can see plenty of eating places most of them are opened only at night, the Sarawak Steamship shopping bazaar selling mostly handicrafts, an old fortified prison called the Square Tower which has been repainted, two multi-leveled gazebos that give rise to a great view of the city skyline as well as the Waterfront itself. Across the river are the Astana (the official residence of Yang Dipertuan Negeri ie: the head of state of Sarawak) as well as the Ford Margherita, a well-preserved colonial citadel.

At night-time this Waterfront area really comes alive; it seems that half of Kuching is out meeting friends, watching a show or just taking the night air.

The small cafe along the Waterfront Park, sipping a glass of local 'teh tarik', while lazily looking at the actvities on the Sarawak river.

A Dad, wearing a Transformer facemask, a technique of persuading his son to eat his meal at the Waterfront	At the Marketplace, the heavy consuming of the "Durian" - the king of all fruits by the roadside.

Family relaxing on the steps by the Waterfront while watching the 'Tambangs' passing by.

For those who has time to spare, the Sarawak river cruising servise is available after 7pm onward.

This fortified fort built by Rajah Charles Brooke to protect the people from the headhunters coming down from the river, it was built in 1879 and is called Square Towers.	The Dancing Water fountain, now often dormant

Our visit to Kuching was actually on an official trip. A group of doctoral and postgraduate students from my University participated in presenting conference paper at an International Design Conference that was organised by a local university in Sarawak. For two solid days, everyone were cooped-up in the hall, listening to and participaring in the proceedings.

The conference participants attentively listening to the keynote address in the Auditorium Hall.

Walking into Conference Hall at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) campus at Kota Samarahan	A unique architectural facade of the Creative Arts Faculty.

My group, busy with last minute refinements to their powerpoint presentation materials

On the last day, before our return flight back to Kuala Lumpur, we did an obligatory stopover at the UiTM Sarawak Branch Campus to deliver a talk on Nature Photography to the undergraduate students of Faculty of Art and Design there.

At the hotel lobby after checkout, awaiting for our transport to arrive.

At the Branch Campus at Kota Samarahan

The Art and Design Studios.

Pijoy addressing the undergraduates in the Auditorium

Karna also captivate the audiance with his talks

Once a naturetracker, always a nature tracker at heart. Nothing else satisfies us more than an opportunity for a quick dash into the wilderness. In between lunchtime and our 6pm flight back to Kuala Lumpur we sneeked of for an adventure into the countryside. About 30km from Kota Samarahan or about 40 minutes drive from Kuching, is the limestone caves of Gua Angin (Wind Cave) near Bau Town. Bau Town is famous for its gold mining in the past and lies about a one hour drive from Kuching city. The Wind Cave is geologically more interesting, as the effects of water in hollowing out holes in the ceiling and sculpting river channels were more pronounced. The Wind Caves – are a collection of naturally sculpted small passageways.

The cave derived its name from the draft of air, which passes through the passage leading to the Sungai Sarawak Kanan, on which it is situated. The most popular attraction here is the Western entrance of the cave, which has a small beach adjacent to the Sarawak River. Exploring the cave on the boardwalk and experience the thrill of walking in the dark, with bats flying by you in the darkness.

The tourist information kiosk at Wind Cave west entrance.

The cave limestone cliffs hanging over the Sungai Sarawak Kanan.

Over the weekends, this sculpted limestone cave cliffs sand beach of the Sungai Sarawak Kanan is full of picnikers

The signboard indicating the cave trails at the Wind Cave

The majestic overhanging limestone cliffs is really fascinating.	The wooden boardwalk leading into the Caves.

A powerful torchligh is a necessity in order to appreciate the beauty of the rock formations in the cave.

Your size is dwarfed by the height of the cave. At the far end is the opposite exit to the cave.

Total darkness will envelope the space as you get deeper and deeper into the trail.	Some of the eiree looking stalagtite and stalagmite rock formation.

In some section of the cave, the roof is often very low.

The boardwalk plying by the walls of the Wind Cave.

The boardwalk at the other outlet end of the cave.

Resting gazebos for visitors

Within a short distance from this Wind Cave near the Bau Town, there is another equally majestic cave called the Fairy Cave. Unfortunately, when we arrived at it that day, it was raining a bit , so we were advised by the local ranger that the steps in this cave will be quite slippery to venture. The mouth of the cave is at the top of a three-story staircase. Hence, we decided just to venture and take photographs only on the outside parameter of the Fairy Cave.

Between the Fairy Cave and the nearby Wind Caves, the Fairy Cave is larger and there is a small Chinese shrine in the main entrance. Some amazing stalagmites formation found in cave resembles to the Chinese Goddess of Mercy – Kuan Yin.

Fairy Cave has interesting rock formations, some resembling figures and animals. The cave has long been frequented by the Chinese living in the area, who come to pray at the cave formations, and who believe these formations are representations of "spirit beings", and thus gave the cave its name. Many shrines and altars are to be found in the cave.

Some weird serpant-head looking shape formation of a stalagtite

The hanging rock formation from the hill cliffs.	The whole hill facade is very eerie looking

Looking up vertically at the sharp-pointed overhanging	Many more strange looking rock formations

The Kancil car is of toy-sized in comparison to the cave wall height.	Sheltered from the rain right underneath the cave overhanging.

This visit has definitely and truly strengthens my desire to come back for a more longer visit in the near future to this beautiful Land of the Hornbills. The undisturbed natural setting is truly breathtaking. We all left Sarawak with a discontented feeling, because the time we spent here is too short for a truly meaningful trekking activity.