sarawak regatta

Sarawak Regatta

Sarawak Regatta bertempat di Kuching Waterfront. Acara yang berprestij yang diuruskan/dianjurkan oleh Pejabat Residen Kuching. Sudah semestinya acara yang tidak lain dan tidak bukan adalah acara perlumbaan perahu tempatan dengan disertai oleh Negara luar seperti Indonesis dan Bali. Aktiviti lain yang berlangsung seperti pameran kraftangan dan pertunjukan dari 'local entrepreneurs'.Lokasi: Kuching Waterfront, Kuching 
Organised by: Kuching Resident Office

 

laksa sarawak

Sarawak Laksa

Posted by kellysiew on December 6, 2011 in Noodles, Sarawak, Seafood

Ahh! I’m on a Sarawak food cooking spree! Unintentionally though, only because my mother brought in some goodies recently. And one of those, was the Sarawak Laksa Paste. Rejoice! Mum’s the best!

The Famous ‘Eagle’ Brand

Sarawak Laksa would probably be the second most named dishes when you mention the Hornbill state. Of course, I could be biased. And I don’t care what you say, this is the best laksa! (Yes very biased) *cross arms* Often people asked me what’s the difference between that and say, ‘normal laksa’, which depending on your state of origin could be very different but in general most people would be referring to Curry Laksa. Sarawak Laksa’s broth does not taste like curry at all, the broth is made mainly with sambal belacan, tamarind, galangal, lemon grass (and around 20 other herbs and spices) and coconut milk (not a lot though).

The taste of the broth, after adding some lime juice and extra sambal belacan, is a fine balance of rounded flavours, robust with the aromatic herbs/spices with subtle hint of Chili note, not overly rich. Topped with the omelette strips, shredded chicken strips, fresh prawns, bean sprouts and coriander, every mouthful will make you taste buds sing! Luckily, taste buds don’t really sing, otherwise it would be kinda weird.

CNN go rated Penang’s Assam Laksa as top 7 of World’s 50 most delicious food, I say that’s because they didn’t try the Sarawak Laksa! By the way Massaman Curry number 1? In Frank’s words… absolute nonsense! *hides*

I have just one more thing to say, that Sarawak laksa paste recipe is one of the most guarded secrets, upon googling there are few different versions of the recipes but alas most of them are not complete. One of their ways to make Sarawakians homesick, I’m guessing.

Since I was only cooking for 2, I didn’t use the whole packet (300g, serves 6). Feel free to double/triple the recipe as needed.

Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients:

Roughly 100g of Rice vermicelli, cook according to packet directions (usually just blanched)
10 King prawns deveined and peeled, reserving the heads and shells for stock
1 Chicken breast fillet
1 Egg
Big handful of bean sprouts
2 small Calamansi Limes
100g of Sarawak Laksa paste (“Eagle” brand, others might have different constitutions)
50ml Coconut milk
Salt and sugar to taste
700ml Chicken stock (homemade is best, but Stock cubes are acceptable too)
Coriander leaves (for garnishing)

Method:

Beat eggs and fry them thinly on a frying pan. Cut into strips. Set aside.

Blanched the bean sprouts for a minute, then drained and set aside.

Boil the Chicken stock in the pot, first boil the prawns and set aside. Poach the chicken breasts, then take it out and shred. Set aside. Add the prawn shells and heads into the stock, then add Laksa Paste and cook for at least 30 minutes. Sieve the spices and shells out of the stock and bring it to boil again. Add coconut milk and stir well. Turn off the heat. Taste and season if needed. I find that mine just needed a small amount of salt and tiny pinch of sugar.

Time to assemble! Place the rice vermicelli in a bowl, add the chicken strips, bean sprouts, omelette strips and prawns, then pour the laksa soup over the ingredients. Garnish with coriander leaves, and then a squeeze of lime.

Enjoy your laksa and do a silent dance, in your head.

Authentic Sarawak Laksa

SEMENGGOH WILDLIFE CENTRE, SARAWAK

By Admin On 17 November 2011 In National Parks

Location : It is located about 24 km south of Kuching and is situated within the boundaries of the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.

Open : Monday to Sunday (and public holidays) : 0800 – 1230, 1400 – 1600; Friday : 0800 – 1130, 1400 – 1600

Entrance fee : RM3 for adults and RM1.50 for children.

Introduction

The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre was established in 1975 to care for wild animals which have either been found injured in the forest, orphaned, or were previously kept as illegal pets.

When established, the three main aims of the Centre were:

• To rehabilitate wild animals who have been injured, orphaned in the wild or handicapped by prolonged captivity, with the objective of subsequently releasing them back to the wild.
• To conduct research on wildlife and captive breeding programmes for endangered species.
• To educate visitors and the general public about the importance of conservation.

The Centre has been a resounding success, caring for almost 1,000 endangered mammals, birds and reptiles from dozens of different species. However it is the orang utan rehabilitation programme that has made the Centre famous. In one respect, Semenggoh has been too successful – so many orang utan have been successfully reintroduced into the surrounding forest reserve that the forest’s carrying capacity has been reached, and rehabilitation activities have been transferred to the Matang Wildlife Centre, part of Kubah National Park.
As a result of its success, Semenggoh’s role has changed and it is nowadays a centre for the study of orang utan biology and behaviour, as well as a safe and natural haven for dozens of semi-wild orang utan, graduates of the rehabilitation programme. It is also home to numerous baby orang utan, born in the wild to rehabilitated mothers, a further testament to the success of the programme.

A visit to Semenggoh is a once in a lifetime experience – a chance to see semi-wild orang utan, ranging from tiny infants and boisterous adolescents to dignified mature adults, enjoying life in a secure natural habitat.

Orang Utan

The orang utan (pongo pygmaeus) is found in the rainforests of Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah), Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan) and North Sumatra. It is one of the world’s largest primates, and is almost completely arboreal (tree living). The word “orang” is Malay for “person” whilst “utan” is derived from “hutan” meaning forest. Thus, orang utan literally translates as “person of the forest”. The name fits well given the primates’ superior intelligence and human-like personalities. The orang utan is an endangered species and is totally protected by law in Malaysia, Indonesia and internationally.

To see more photos, please click here

Feeding Times

Morning : Between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Afternoon : Between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

As feeding time approaches, the semi-wild orang utan emerge from the rainforest, descending from the forest canopy to the lower branches of trees near feeding platform. But there are no guarantees and possibly only one or two orang utans may show themselves to collect fruit left on platforms.

Orang utan grab a coconut from the platform

Waiting for orang utan to show up.

Rules and Safety When Viewing Orangutans

On occasions, the orang utan may descend from the trees near the Centre HQ and approach visitors. Although this is likely to be an unforgettable experience, visitors should bear in mind that the orang utan, however tame they may appear, are still wild, powerful and potentially dangerous animals. The Centre is also part of a Totally Protected Area. Therefore the following rules & regulations must be observed when visiting the centre.

• Do not hold, feed, touch, play with or in any way disturb the orang utan, and always move at least six metres away from an animal that is on the ground. There are three very good reasons for this. Firstly, the animals may become too attached to humans, making it harder for them to survive in the wild. Secondly humans are able to communicate certain diseases to orang utan, and vice-versa. By eliminating contact the possibility of disease transfer is reduced. Thirdly, an orang utan may feel threatened and attempt to attack you – some of the Semenggoh wardens carry ugly scars from protecting thoughtless visitors from injury.
• Do not bring any food or drinks into the Centre. The orang utan and other animals at the centre already receive a balanced diet, and the smell of food may encourage an animal to approach too closely.
  

  Be quite
• Do not smoke in the feeding area or any other part of the Forest Reserve.
• Do follow the warden’s instructions and advice at all times.
• Do not collect, or pick plants or animals in Semenggoh Nature Reserve, or in any other Totally Protected Area.
• Do not litter. Please use the litter bins provided.
• Be quite.
• Turn the flash off on your camera!

Semenggoh’s other attractions

In addition to the orang utan, visitors will be able to see other endangered species at Semenggoh. The centre’s wildlife population varies, so it is difficult to say exactly what animals you may encounter on your visit. However, the centre has housed a wide range of wildlife, including rescued gibbons, porcupines, crocodiles and river terrapins. In the surrounding forest you will certainly hear the cries of rehabilitated gibbons, as well as the songs of a host of wild bird species. Brightly coloured lizards and various species of squirrel are also frequently encountered.

The wildlife rehabilitation centre is part of the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. The other major component of this conversation project is the Botanical Research Centre (BRC). With ethnobotanical gardens, wild fruit orchards, a “Fernarium”, a Rheophyte garden and more, the BRC has much to offer the visitor. Five nature trails and a plankwalk have been laid out to allow visitors the opportunity of seeing the various gardens.

Further details can be obtained at the BRC office or click here

Accommodation

There is no accommodation at Semenggoh and overnight visits are not permitted. Visitors must leave via the main gate by 1645 hrs.

Getting there

From Kuching, take Sarawak Transport Company (Tel : +6082-242967) bus No. 6, (6A, 6B, 6C). Tell the bus driver you wish to be dropped off at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and the bus will stop you at the gates. Once you get to the gates, you will be required to purchase an entry permit. From the gate it is a 30 minute walk to the Centre. The last return bus to Kuching is at 1700 hrs. The bus takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Semenggoh.

Visitors can also take a taxi from the main taxi stand in Kuching, or from outside their hotel. Local travel Agents also run guided tours to Semenggoh.