Sarawak Bird Race 2010

Hey ya'll, been silence for a while, been very busy with work so that can explain why there's a lack of update on the blog. It's end of the year so a lot of last minute thing to be completed. Anyway, its October 2010, less than 3 months it will be a brand new year coming. So what's the new resolution of 2011? Not thinking about it yet? Well, I haven't have any idea myself :p.

So, to kick off October, lets start with a nature based post :p This will be about Sarawak Bird Race 2010 which will be held at the beautiful scenic Borneo Highland Resort. This is the 3rd year this event was organized. I've joined the first in 2008 but unable to be there for 2009 and sadly also have to skip this year's due to work commitment :(

Anyway, that won't stop me from delivering the information although it's quiet late. So, this event is particularly a bird race. Don't get me wrong, you don't have to bring your pet bird and put them into race in which those crossing the finish line first will win :p Specifically, this bird race is where the participants (in a group of two person) will try to spot and identify the wild birds they see in the events location. Meaning that like bird watching but with a sense of competition. It can be define as "A bird race is a “fun race” where teams of two compete against each other in searching, identifying, and recording as many species of birds within a stipulated time". So, those bird watchers and those who like wildlife (particularly birds here) should join this events. Normally bird watchers will do it for the sake of fun and hobby but here you put all those bird watching and bird identification hidden skills of yours to practice and in the running to win attractive price!

This event is jointly organized by Borneo Highland Resort and Malaysian Nature Society. The detail of the event are as follow:

The race is divided into two categories and the participation fees are as follows:

Long Race
(Buntal – Kubah National Park – Semenggoh Wildlife Centre – Borneo Highlands Resort)
RM100 nett per team of two

and

Short Race
Around Borneo Highlands Resort
RM60 nett per team of two

Additional information and fees
• Kubah National Park entrance fee – RM10 per pax **
• Semenggoh Wildlife Centre entrance fee – RM3 per pax entrance fee**
• Participation exclude meals and transportation
**Not included in participation fee

I know I know the participation fees and other cost look expensive but you can share with your partner 50/50 which I think will not be too much burden. Try to join and you won't regret paying for it :p To add to your motivation here's the prizes for each categories of the race:

The winning teams to be awarded as follows:
1. Long Race:
• 1st Prize – RM2000
• 2nd Prize – RM1500
• 3rd Prize – RM1000
• 4th & 5th – Congratulatory Prizes

2. Short Race:
• 1st Prize – RM500
• 2nd Prize – RM350
• 3rd Prize – RM250
All participants will be given a Certificate of Participation

Attractive? Of course it is, imagine how many Laksa and Mee kolok you can eat with those prizes (if you're a fan of those two highly addictive delicious food) :p

The detail tentative of the race are as follow (click the image to view large):

Apart from the race event, there will be some side events also organized such as Nature Talks by MNS Experts and Nature Walks. So for those who are new to bird watching this is time when you can learn a lot from all the experts at the event. There will be many experts bird watchers attending the events. For those who just build their interest in bird watching and has never done any, this is also the time when you can build your basic skills in it. So what are you waiting for, contact these peoples for more details of the race and registration: 

Benard Tiang ‐ (6) 016‐886 0139 – benard@borneohighlands.com.my
Susan Teal ‐ (6) 012‐855 1799 ‐ mnskuching@gmail.com
Anthony Wong ‐ (6) 013‐833 3163 ‐ antwong@pc.jaring.my

Hurry as this race will take place this weekends from 8th-10th October 2010!

For more information visit Borneo Highland Resort Website at http://www.borneohighlands.com.my

or click HERE

Sarawak Bloggers Street Photography

Street photography is all about freezing the moments of all things in the streets and freezing action is guided by the randomness. Well, at least that's what I think hehehe. Last Sunday (August 29, 2010) 11 members of Sarawak Bloggers have gone out for an outing or a mini street photography meet up. The whole idea is to exposed the present members to street photography and sharing knowledge about it. The sharing was done by Robin, (thanks man!) a big street photography enthusiast. Personally, Robin is very good in this field and I'm glad that I meet him (if you don't believe me try visit his blog, you'll be amazed :p ). 

Anyway I learned a lot of things during that session and what Robin share has really make me want to do more street photographing. Honestly, that was the first time ever I done street photography, I mean pointing my lens at random peoples and things. Before, I'm not so into street photography as I was afraid of getting the people mad and disturbing people's privacy and everything else. How could it not, imagine you're walking or in the midst of browsing through the items for sell at the street and suddenly someone you didn't know pointing the camera at you trying to take your photo. What would you feel? Awkward? Irritated? worry? pissed off? This is one thing in photography world which is so challenging I must say.

Doing street photography will surely get you into some troubles, like being scolded by people who mad at you taking their photo out of the blue and people will give you the WTF kind of look. But on top of that all, it is fun because you shoot something that is really random. Ok enough for the ranting, I can go all the way far doing that hehehe, now here are the photos I took (not as good as others' I think).

Sarawak Bloggers shutterbugs who turned up were Robin, Cyril, Fahriee, Angel, Yong Lim, Mike, Norman, Lance, Eve and Ivan. It's great hanging out with you all and nice knowing those whom I meet the first time, you guys rockzz :p

All in all it was a fun events, hope it will be organized again next time and hoping that many more Sarawak Bloggers member turn up, it will surely be more blast!! See ya...

p/s: More photos of this street photography session HERE

Buskers' Busking, Lights' Glowing

Shot at Kuching Waterfront on 150510 9.45 p.m

TUNE your HOTEL stay....

Last February, I want to go down to Kuching and wonder which hotel I want to stay in. There are few new hotels opened in this city last years (and some more might be open this year or next year). I thought I wanted to try those new hotel so I browse in the net for the info. While I was gazing through the information on one of the 5 stars hotel, I wonder is there any Tune Hotel opened in Kuching?. So I Googled that hotel and found the official site. Walla, they have their hotel in Kuching (what an ancient me, people might already know about this hotel exist in Kuching since the day it's opened :p ). Before this I never had any interest in Tune Hotel because I thought it's just like Air Asia, when you book last minute, you get higher price. I read more about that hotel and found out that it is kind of interesting. Plus the tag line "5-star sleeping experience at a 1-star price" adding more curiosity into myself to try this hotel. We all know that if a hotel is rated 5 stars we will get 5 stars services all the way but how is this Tune Hotel actually worth my stay.

So I make the online booking of a single room (as I'm travelling alone) for two night stay and to my surprise the price per night is just RM45.50! But like Air Asia's ticket price, that's not the final price. In the third step, I was brought to a page where I can choose what I need something they called Addon Purchases, things like  air conditioning, towels+essential toiletries kit and wireless internet access and of course I need the aircond, so I add on another RM42 (RM21 for each 24 hours), that's RM91 + 42= RM 133.

Then they show me how much I have to pay for the stay which includes service charge, service tax and admin fee. For that booking, my total price is RM167.91. I guess it's not bad if the sleeping experience will be like 5 stars

So the next day, I arrived in Kuching and I went straight to the hotel (because my bladder is full hehehe). That hotel is opposite the Kuching Hilton Hotel, just across the road (I was surprise by the way this block has transformed). Then I asked the security guard at the hotel's entrance do they have their own car park (because I drive). He said no they didn't have, but in the internet say got parking? I asked back, he still say, no there's no car park, not even in front here (along the road). I know that's the paid public car park because they're numbered. So I just park my car at one of the empty lot in front of the hotel and went in for check in. The lobby? not bad at all for a budget hotel, they even have their own mini convenience store there. My room is in the 1st floor and number 102, the view? the Hilton :p 

When I enter the room, I said, this is not bad for this kind of price, the bed look comfy and the toilet, the same of that you can get in the 3 star or even 4 or 5 stars hotel (in their lowest rate kind of room la :p ) Just one thing about the room, its quiet small but it's worth the price. During my 2 night stay, I found out that this hotel is worth my money as like most of my time traveling I only need hotel's room to sleep, bath and put my things, during the day I will not be in my room.

My Tune Hotel's bed and my messy stuffs

So today is the third time I stay here at Tune Hotel Kuching and I choose to stay in the double room with one queen size bed (the second time I stayed for 4 nights at less than RM400!). Apart from no car park available, it's not a problem for me as I can park in front of the hotel or inside the Hilton's car park (have to pay la of course). I like the room, especially the double room and the essential necessities they provide. For a person like me, I don't really need a sofa, bath tub and etc.. when I went on a trip like this, (as for the toiletries and towel I brought mine myself) unless I go for vacation that's a different story.  All that I have in Tune hotel's room for the price I've paid is worth every penny for a casual trip like this. Sometimes all we need is just a comfy bed and a hot shower (plus the air conditioning for me :p ). Even for backpackers this hotel can provide better comfort plus the convenient of it's surrounding. 

Adding to the Tune hotel's comfortableness is the strategic location where it's placed, the Kuching city center. Some major shopping centers are just few minutes walk from this hotel, the Kuching's waterfront is just a 5 minutes walk and many other tourist attractions and craft shops around the area are just within a distance. The night life? Some bars and lounges just along the strip from the Tune hotel, Bistros and eating spots can also be found easily. All can be reached on foot and  to go further than that spot is not big deal, go to the front desk, they will be able to help. Airport transfer also provided and tourist agents are contactable too.

So Tune Hotel is not bad at all, what more could be asked for with that kind of price. It is just another place for a low budget traveler like me who seek the best comforts and conveniences with the most affordable price (book online earlier to get better deals on the price, just like when you book Air Asia's tickets :p ).  I'm hoping that this hotel will be enhance in the near future and I think I would like my  Tune Hotel's room to have tv with Astro channels, I don't mind paying extra RM10 or 20 per night though :p . Next time you plan to go to Kuching, make sure you check the www.tunehotels.com first to add your choices of places to stay :) So see ya...