Writer bags prize for Kuching write-up

Leisurely leisure writer Farid Wahab won an iPad and a trophy from Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for his blog post about Kuching, Sarawak.

The article titled "Kuching: A peek into Sarawak's heritage" highlighted the places of attraction in the state’s capital.

The award named “Best Online Story” was presented by STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor during the board's media night in Kuala Lumpur.

Farid said he was pleasantly surprised when he was announced as the winner of the award.

“I did not submit the article for the contest," he said.

"I simply wrote it to document my experience in my travel blog,” he said further, adding he was simply invited to the event.

The night saw 150 media personnel treated to several courses of Sarawakian dishes.

They were also entertained by cultural and traditional performances depicting the state’s many tribes and ethnicities.

Sharzede said as of June 2023, Sarawak had recorded more than 1.9 million tourists.

She expressed confidence the state would hit its target of receiving three million visitors this year.

I am reachable at +6017-628 9812 (WhatsApp) and faridfreddy92@gmail.com (email).

Comments

Bali: Journey into the mythical realm

This terraced rice field draws tourists eager to soak in the scenic landscape. DESPITE proximity to the Muslim-majority Java Island, Bali has largely preserved its Hindu-Buddha traditions. It is impossible to travel on this tourism hotspot without seeing pura (temple) dotting the roadsides. History and geography have shaped much of the island's identity. Unlike Java which fell under colonial rule much earlier, Bali had evaded Dutch control for a longer period. Its northern part, which overlooks a major trade route, is lined with mountains, making it unsuitable for building ports and therefore less attractive to traders. As a result, Bali had less exposure to external influences, allowing local culture to thrive. I recently went on a three-night holiday in Ubud, a town roughly 37km from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Rich tradition Melukat is a Hindu Balinese ritual to purify oneself. Bali is nicknamed the “Island of a Thousand Temples” and few have become a tourist hotspot. ...

Resorts World Cruises: Voyage across Arabian Gulf (Part 3)

This is Part 3 of my review of Resorts World Cruises' packages in the Arabian Gulf. Click Part 1 and Part 2 for the rest of the review. Khasab fjords in Oman are dotted with craggy mountains and rocky islands. After the ship returned to Dubai from Sir Bani Yas Island, we set sail for Oman’s Khasab and Muscat the next day. As mentioned in Part 1, the trips to Sir Bani Yas and Oman are separate packages, but guests may combine them to enjoy an extended holiday. Up until this point, I hadn’t heard much about Oman, let alone Khasab, so this journey was especially exciting for me. Rich history, nature Khasab Castle was built in the 17th century to defend against maritime threats. Waking up in the morning and stepping out onto the balcony, I was greeted by a scenery that was both foreign and picturesque. The ship had docked at Khasab Port, and all around me were craggy, beige mountains — an impressive contrast to the glitzy Dubai metropolis. Though Khasab is one of Oman’s 11 governorat...

Resorts World Cruises: Voyage across Arabian Gulf (Part 1)

This is Part 1 of my review of Resorts World Cruises' packages in the Arabian Gulf. Click Part 2 and Part 3 for the rest of the review. Sailing across the Arabian Gulf, the Resorts World Cruises ship can accommodate up to 1,800 passengers. A FEW years ago, my mother and I saw a documentary about cruise ships. It quickly became our favourite TV show, drawing us in front of the screen once a week to satisfy our curiosity. To me, cruise ships seemed like a marvel — part resort and part shopping centre, floating out at sea. It's the type of holiday only the wealthy could afford, I often thought, wistfully hoping that one day I too, could go on such a trip. So imagine my delight when my editor texted me one afternoon asking if I would like to go on the Resorts World Cruises (RWC) maiden voyage across the Arabian Gulf. “Absolutely, I would love to go,” I replied within seconds, barely able to contain my excitement. The trip was special, because it combined two itineraries to create...

Leisurely leisure

Search This Blog