Kaul Festival of Mukah

Kaul is a traditional festival celebrated by Melanau people living along the coast of Sarawak. In the past, Kaul was seen as a religious ceremony to placate the spirits of the sea, land, forests and farms that make it the most important festivals in Melanaus Pagan.

It is a ritual purification and thanksgiving and a blessing to secure peace and good luck in their daily life. It was held at the beginning of the calendar that marks the Pagan Melanaus monsoon season has passed that affect their lives as farmers and fishermen.
This year's Kaul celebrations is from the 19th to 29th of April at the Kaul Festival site in Mukah.

Tibow,the 20 foot high  Melanau's Giant swing.

Synchronized Kite flyer in action.

View Kaul Festival site in a larger map

An evening by the Kemena riverside

A quiet evening to reflect on the next step in life.

Parang Ilang Sarawak

This is the Parang Ilang(Ilang Sword)
which belongs to my iban friend, Mr Richard Bilion.
This family treasure was passed on from his grandfather
and was once a headhunters weapon.
It's hilt was formerly decorated with human hair of its victims
which have since been removed.
The hilt is made from deer antler while the sheath
is made of 2 piece of wood joined together,
belian on one side and kempas on the other.

Bidding farewell to the last Chain ferry of Malaysia

My first visit to the small town of Kuala Penyu was also one to bid farewell

to  the old chain ferry of Kuala Penyu which will be retiring soon
once the new RM60 million bridge across the Sitompok River opens.

The 300 meters long chain ferry is the last and final one 

that's still operating in Malaysia today.

A water taxi carrying passengers and bikes across at faster
compared to the 15 minutes trip by the ferry.

Timetable of the ferry service which is provided free of charge
but sadly its final journey will be coming very soon.

Last piece of the bridge is yet to be joint during my visit.

An old rusty abandoned ferry lays beside the jetty
as a reminder of it's past glory and contribution to the people of Kuala Penyu.
It will be nice to have one preserve in a museum nearby for the future.

The old wooden shops of Kuala Penyu.

An abandoned boat by the swamp.

The old jetty to Pulau Tiga.

View Kuala Penyu Chain ferry in a larger map

Roses, lotus and cat

This shot reminds me of the poem of yesteryears,
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
So are you


and some cheeky ones,
Onions stinks
and so do you.


Cashews are nuts
and so are you.

Lotus before the bloom
a flower which symbolizes faithfulness
and inspire people through difficulties
and show their best part to the outside world
no matter how bad the circumstances may be.

At almost full bloom,
one that only stays for 3 days
after which it's petals falls one by one
until finally leaving the pod or seed head.

Seedlings of the next generation.

Blackie is up to something.

Oh! the itch,i think i need a bath...