Kalimantan Barat Expedition: In Search of Lost Kingdoms of Draculas

I found a free wireless internet in Hotel Orchardz in the City of Draculas.

We left Kuching at 7.30 am for Pontianak but stopped at Serian to refill the tank with more diesel. We reached the border post at Tebedu and Entikong at 1030 am for immigration and vehicle checks. Thanks to letters from our counterparts we had no problems at all. There were many changers hanging around the border post and some of us changed for rupiahs.

With the border formalities done, I thought we would have more pleasant journey. There were houses on the sides of the road, decent houses and good but narrow road. After reaching the Sanggau junction trouble began. Amin, our driver was not sure which way to turn and had to ask a small boy for direction. After an hour trouble began when we entered a dirt, rocky and rough road. It was very bumpy road and later after asking a passerby we were going to have hell for 3 hours. Rough, rocky and lonely road in the middle to thick and swampy rainforest jungle.

Kalimantan Barat Expedition: In Search of Lost Kingdoms of Draculas #1

I am organizing an expedition to Kalimantan Barat/West Borneo in collaboration with friend from there.  The capital city of Kalimantan Barat is Pontianak that literally means DRACULA.  A legend tells of a forest full of pontianak/draculas that terrorized the people in the villages nearby.  The forest was pacified by the arrival of a holy man from Hadramaut, now in Yemen, from the family of al-Qadri.  My expedition maybe be called In Search of the Lost Kingdoms of Draculas!

The past weeks I have been preparing another expedition to Kalimantan Barat, western Borneo. I can't call this one trekking because four friends and I will be driven in a van, Ford Econovan.  We had a meeting last Thurday to work out shorter and safer route from Kuching.  The plan is to go to the past in search of old Malay kingdoms in western Borneo such as Sambas, Mempawah, Landak, Pontianak, Montrado, Kubu and may be others.

This expedition to the past will be joined by Professor Abdul Halim Ali from University Malaysia Sarawak;  Raslie Sahran, a cultural activist;  Aswandi and Awang Abdullah from the Sarawak Museum.  Later Antoni and Hasyim from the West Kalimantan Museum will be our local facilitators.

In the meeting we studied several maps from various sources including from Google, Lonely Planet, West Kalimantan Tourist Office and Sarawak Tourism Board.  As I lost my Nikon Coolpix camera, the others will bring their compact cameras such as Sony Cybershot and Cannon.  Other important tools are our mobile phones; I have a Nokia and Blackberry Curve with GPS capabilities.  A laptop too to store videos and pictures from the compact cameras will be essential.  And do not forget to bring medicines and vitamins and a torch light with Everyday batteries.  Here we go; we will leave at 7.00 am on the 24th, Monday.

This expedition maybe more expensive as we will be staying hotels and lodging houses.  The old kingdoms have been replaced by human settlements.  What they are like today will be reported in this blog when we come back in a week time.  Cheerio...

Tattoo For Your Hands: Exotic Design For New Fashion Trend Pt.3

This is the final part on tattoo for your hands showing the mystical motifs and designs created by the indigenous Dayaks of Borneo.  It illustrates the upper and lower hand that will completely cover your hands and make them real cool and fashionable.  Something unique and mystical to show of when you shake hands with other people.  You can add rings with large gems for your fingers, be it diamond, gold, ruby or American diamonds.  

World Eco-Fibre & Textile Forum 2008

New Book

This book covers constitutional history and discusses the Federal system of Government under the Constitution involving, inter alia, the distribution of Legislative and Execuitive powers, the rights and responsibilities of Federal and State Governments, the sharing of revenues and financial burdens and functions between the Federal Government and the States, the special protection for Sabah and Sarawak and the amendments.

The book is published 45 years after the formation of Malaysia at a time when it is so vital to carefully reflect on how this nation is moulded by the many historical events and challenges ... that preceded its birth, and by a Constitution so carefully and skillfully crafted to provide for the emergence of a strong, stable and functional Federal system of Government best suited for a multi-racial society.

It is published by Sweet and Maxwell Asia, a division of Thomson, Kuala Lumpur and launched on 29 August 2008 in Kuching, Sarawak.  The book would be of interest to political leaders and administrators involved in the management of Federal-State relationships, judicial officers, legal practitioners, politicians as well as teachers and students of laws, history, politics and government.

Borneo Book Specialist

Mohamed Yahia & Sons has been a Borneo book specialist for over 30 years.  It is going to the internet to market his books so that new and old customers can have access to the latest books on Borneo anywhere and anytime.  At the same time anyone, anywhere and anytime  can also promote their books on Borneo.  It sells and buys any book on Borneo.  It is conveniently located in Holiday Inn Hotel Kuching and can be reached by its website at http://mohdyahiasons.googlepages.com; telephone +6082 416928.

This company is also a licensed Money Changer that accepts major currencies and travellers' cheque.

THEY CAME BACK: THE GREAT GRAND NEPHEW OF BROOKE

This is Jason Brooke and a friend who came to say hello to Sarawak and I.  Jason is the grandson of Anthony Brooke, so he is great grandnephew of Sir Vyner Brooke, the last white rajahs of Sarawak.  This was his first trip to the former kingdom of his ancestors and was so happy to be able to see the people and the state in person after hearing and reading so much about them.

He was here for three weeks and managed to visit Simanggang the only royal district as Charles Brooke had his stint here for 10 years in the early 19th century.  Later he visited Betong near by and Kapit in the Rejang.

If you have been following my postings, history of Sarawak is alive and kicking.  Please give me hints and get your camera, or get your ticket an travel by Malaysia Airlines or Air Asia.