That may be a queastion most non-Asians eg. tourists from Europe may ask as you are not familiar with the condition over here.

According to my research, here is what i found out below.

As a precaution, you may want to be vaccinated for the following diseases.

1) Hepatitis A- To see a Doctor, 2 weeks before travel

2) Hepatitis B- To see a Doctor, 3 months before travel

3) Typhoid- To see a Doctor, 10 days before travel

4) Fever- To see a Doctor, 10 days before travel

5) Influenza- To see a Doctor, 10 days before travel

6) Japanese Enchephalitis (JE)-  Sometimes required, to see a Doctor, 1 month before travel

7) Malaria, the risks are minimal

The risk of malaria varies throughout South East Asia but appropriate preventive medicines are required for more remote areas. Measures should always be taken to avoid mosquitoe bites.  such as nets and creams.

Here is a  TRAVEL VACCINE PLANNER >> for you to download.

It is good to use as a checklist.

I was at Kuching International Airport earlier scheduled to depart on AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur. I saw at the checking in counter a banner sign that states that now if you are planning to buy a lot of souvenir or food to bring back home but due to the limited baggage allowance, you can now send your things through AirAsia cargo service. It is a door to door service.
What this means is that they will send it right up to your door step for ….. are you ready for this?

ONLY RM5.50 per kg.

So fret not, you can shop till you drop especially if you are fond of food items like Ikan Terubuk masin Sarawak, rattan mat, the famous Kek Lapis Sarawak, and so much more. All you have to do is to contact the Information cargo counter at Level 3 at Kuching International Airport to send your items to your home in West Malaysia. There is a contact number there: 014 2873330. I tried calling whole morning but the number is off. Perhaps they changed number? I went to the counter before 9am and no one was there. Perhaps they start work at 10am? But the last time when i walked past there, i saw a staff manning the counter.

whatever it is, you know that there is such service available here in Kuching.

Are you planning a trip to Kuching anytime soon?

Check out this

3D2N Destinasiku Sarawak >>

For the more adventurous, check out

3D2N Magic Mulu >>

For the rest of us who were not yet born, celebrating every year on this day, means having the day off to go shopping, travel overseas, balik kampung or just sleep in and watch the Day’s parade around the country . This day may not mean much to us unlike to our parents or grandparents.

so the question is how do we show our patriotism? Hanging the National flag at our house compound, or car antenna is a good way to show patriotism. Even talking about our independence with friends is a good way to remind Us how lucky we are. We must instill this spirit of patriotism or knowledge of how Malaysia has advanced so much in 53 years to our children lest they will forget the past.

With time, society and culture will evolve and remembering how we fought our freedom is something that we must cherish forever for generations to come.

Let’s be proud that we are Malaysians!

1Malaysia

Let’s ALL Join Hands to be One Malaysia and be the source for Transformation,

I will be checking it out in the next few days and let you know of my verdict.

Nasi Tumpeng from Pullman Hotel Kuching

I was at Pullman hotel recently and saw their 14 stations all lined up outside their Puzzle restaurant at the balcony area. Go check it out and break your fasts there if you are a muslim. If you are a non-muslim, just check out the variety of food there to satisfy your food desire.

Bon Appetite and if you are a muslim, Selamat Berbuka Puasa!

Pullman Hotel Kuching August Promotion

Having stayed in big city for several years, the weekend was always spent either shopping, watching a movie or just napping, I was curious how Kuching folks spent their Saturday afternoon. So I asked a few friends and here is what I found out and here was what I did.

Sarawakians have so much more advantange than city folks as they have the choice to do some of the activities below:

1) Go shopping at Spring Mall, Boulevard or the few shopping centre near Waterfront. Go window shopping, enjoy the FREE air-cond and watch cinema at the top floor.

spring mall Kuching

2) Go outskirt where they probably own a piece of land and tend to their plantation or fruit orchard. My late father used to do that bringing with him a few workers and tend to our hundreds of rambutan trees and pepper crop there.

3) Sleep to distress after a stressful work week which is a universal hobby

4) If you are a “tai-tai” of the rich, have high tea at the Kuching hotels in the city and gossip about the week’s happenings.

5) Go do some outdoor activity like go fishing near Muara Tebas or angling at the bridge heading towards Sejingkat.

6) Go rock climbing somewhere.

7) Go trekking at Borneo Highland

Go Deep sea fishing

Wow! What a big Fish!

Head on to the huge state library across the river and either read some interesting books there.

9) Or just simply go eat rojak, prawn fritters, ABC at the very popular coffee shop off Rubber Road in the city. The stall used to be located beside Old Rex cinema. They close at around 5pm.

Kuching desserts

What did I do over the lazy weekend? Well, I was driving towards Spring Mall and I found the place jammed and I figured that my time is well worth more than getting stuck for an hour in a jam, I decided to head on to Old Rex coffee shop and tucked in on some ice cold ABC/cendol and some fried tibits. Get lazy and just purrrrr…. away

Little Hainan Chicken Rice

Recently, my mother introduced me to The Little Hainan. Whenever anyone mention Little Hainan, what comes to one’s mind? The Hainanese Chicken Rice or the charcoal toasted bread splattered with kaya and butter.

So we arrive there and I surveyed the surrounding environment. Pretty cozy. The place is well decorated too. I like the place. I ordered their reknowned Hainese Chicken rice. It came in 3 mini balls of rice complete with chicken and pickles.

Now, those balls of rice looked familiar. I remember eating similar concept of balls of rice being served in a coffee shop in Ipoh town and Melaka too I believe.

Well, the dish looked tantalizing and I suddenly enjoyed the food. I have also tried their “Kou-Bak” ( stew pork) previously and it was good but when I ate there the second time, I find the meat a bit tough though. Having said that, I still think the place is worth a visit if you happen to be around third mile or Jalan Keretapi. It is located at a corner of a shoplot and just opposite KTS block of Apartments, near 3^rd mile Mc Donald restaurant, Kuching.

cozy purple bedroom

Batik Boutique Hotel is the latest kid around the block. She is from a different “genre” however in all aspects from checking in right up to room decoration.

Upon arrival at the hotel, do not bother to look for the hotel reception counter because there is not any available. Instead, you will be greeted by a coffee bar, have a coffee and relax at the sofa. The front desk will come greet you and at same time will serve you a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Dont you FEEL VERY WELCOME already? The officer will process your checking in. Then you will proceed to your room thereafter.

What I like about this hotel is the owner’s generosity. Request for an extra bed is “FOR NOW” FREE of charge, and this includes breakfasts too. This is their current promotion for the meantime.

They have also built a jacuzzi right at the backyard of the hotel. Go and have a dip and have the sun set over you.

For a nice dinner, you may consider checking out their inhouse Japanese Restaurant. Being a lover of Unagi, I give thumbs up for their Unagi. There are other dishes like sushi, tempura and many others. I was informed that a group of Japanese expatriates frequent the restaurant so the food must have passed their taste. The food is not too pricey either.

jacuzzi in courtyard

The hotel only has 15 rooms and because rooms are limited, the staff there is able to give you personal attention of your needs. When you come to Kuching, go check out the hotel. It is quite economical for you too if you have a third person coming in terms of the costs since an extra bed is FREE of Charge. The rate per room per night is only rm240 nett with 2 breakfasts or 3 breakfasts if there is a third person be it adult or child.

HURRY! BOOK THROUGH US FOR THIS SPECIAL OFFER!

Go here to make your booking: bestkuchinghotels@gmail.com

All we need is your check in/check out dates, and no of pax staying & of course type of room required.

]]> http://BestKuchingHotels.com/hotel-reviews/batik-boutique-hotel-the-new-kid.html/feed http://BestKuchingHotels.com/hotel-reviews/360-xpress-city-centre-kuching.html http://BestKuchingHotels.com/hotel-reviews/360-xpress-city-centre-kuching.html#comments Sun, 18 Jul 2010 01:48:48 +0000 Sandy Kang http://BestKuchingHotels.com/?p=1586

360 Xpress Double Room

This chic new hotel at Jalan Song Thian Cheok, Kuching sits smack right in city centre and enjoys almost 100% occupancy everyday.

Rooms are not large, no windows in room but one can watch on flat screen TV what is happening  in the streets outside (to compensate the no windows), free internet cable available, safe deposit box, hair dryer, kettle, mini fridge,2 bottles mineral water, fire exits available at both ends of corridor for every floor. A lebanese restaurant is available next door. It is 3 minutes walk from Grand Continental Hotel. The rooms do not come with breakfasts though but a step outside the hotel and you will be spoilt for choices on cafes from halal to non halal to choose from as they are available at every nook and corner. So food is not a problem. In fact, food in kuching is never a problem because at every shop lot there will always be a cafe.

The type of rooms that they have are the deluxe family room, deluxe double, deluxe twin and deluxe single rooms. Their bathroom however has a see through glass door. So you may be shy to stay with a business partner or friend of opposite sex unless you are travelling with your gf/bf or life partner.

Rates are competitive and their plus point are their free internet service, free self service laundry and free self service ironing. If you are on a budget, do not have any windowless room phobia and is all right with the see through bathroom glass door, then this hotel will suit your accommodation needs. Other than that, My view is that the rooms are rather cozy with its warm decoration and if I am travelling alone, i will choose this hotel.

]]> http://BestKuchingHotels.com/hotel-reviews/360-xpress-city-centre-kuching.html/feed http://BestKuchingHotels.com/hotel-reviews/mega-hotel-in-the-heart-of-miri.html http://BestKuchingHotels.com/hotel-reviews/mega-hotel-in-the-heart-of-miri.html#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:03:02 +0000 Sandy Kang http://BestKuchingHotels.com/?p=1565

Mega Hotel

I recently had the chance to stay at Mega Hotel, the can’t be missed blue and white vertical striped hotel for one whole week for my project. Having stayed at the hotel on their highest floor, 16^th, for one whole week, here are my thoughts and review of the hotel.

The hotel is of 4 star status. Their lobby is nicely decorated with the native design as it was also Hari Gawai when I was there. Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai!! (that is the Harvest Festival for the natives of Sarawak)

The hotel has grand foyer and the staff are friendly and courteous. All the receptionist female staff have the same 60s Audrey Hepburn hairdo or do you call it the air-stewardess type of hairdo which I thought was neat with their beige-brown motive print kebaya dress. A friend of mine used to call those hair do as the “Curry Puff” type of hairdo.

The room was large and comfortable with a fridge, 2 bottles of complimentary water, free wifi etc. Their hot/cold shower works well. The amenities inside the room is ok though nothing to shout of. Their gym is located on the 11^th floor though their swimming pool is at 4^th floor. It is a rule that guests who jump into the pool must wear swim shorts or swimming suit and not any other type of clothing. The management adheres to the rule strictly.

Their breakfast variety is reasonable with asian and western fare. There are many coffee shops outside the hotel and is within walking distance from the hotel that serves good Miri local food.

Mega mall is the adjoining mall to the hotel. Nothing much to shop there unless you need to book a tour, there is a travel agency, Tropical Adventure Tours & Travel (borneotropicaladventure.com) at the ground floor specializing in Mulu tours. There is also a shop across that sells genuine bird’s nest which is a favourite delicacy amoung the Chinese.

On the whole, I would stay at this hotel again if I were to go to Miri because of its very central location and its reasonable rate of rm180.00 per room per night with 2 breakfasts but I believe the hotel could do with a facelift.