Taman Sahabat
Hey everyone, today is the day I am leaving home again to go back to Sunway to study, and its also a very special day for all the mommies in the world, especially my mommy. Happy Mother's Day to you, mommy and all the best to you. Here, I will introduce the new park in Kuching, it is called "Taman Sahabat" with Admiral Zheng He as the theme. Sahabat in malay language means Friend, and this symbolizes the friendship between China & Malaysia throughout the historical ages. The park was built in memory of the Great Admiral Zheng He, who sailed all the way from China to many other nations in the world's largest fleets of their time, in order to accomplish one very important mission, TO TRADE. Enough of history, let me show you the main entrance of the park. It is situated just around Jalan Song which leads to Tabuan Heights, or the junction which goes to Tabuan Jaya from Jalan Song. 
The Gigantic Gate is designed by Chinese Architects from the mainland. By just standing underneath it, you will notice all the important details that are applied and this parks comes alive during the night, when all the lights are lit, it shows a little Chinese Dragon rising in the heart of Kuching. There are 4 guarding lion statues around the entrance with a spectacular view from beneath.
Walking into the park, first, you will see this chinese building. It is actually a restaurant designed to look exactly like the ancient chinese coffeeshop. In the restaurant, they serve tea and sells delicious dimsum. 2 floors of seats and tables for everyone to enjoy the delicious meals fit for the emporer. 
In the center of the park, there is a pond which reflects the monuments from every angle. It is like a gigantic mirror reflecting the beauty of Chinese Culture, hidden within the lights of the dragon. The lights in the middle of the pond directs your view to Zheng He's enormous statue. There, you will see him holding a parchment in one hand, while the other waves to you in a majestic manner. The statue is actually placed on a boat made of stone which partially looks like a miniature size of Zheng He's Fleet during his time in the 15th century.
In the corners of the park, you will find many other chinese pavilions awaiting for you. These pavilions are also designed by China Mainland architects, giving you the exact feel when you are in China, resting in their pavilions. With bridges on one side of the pond, it leads you to the wishing well, where you wish for anything you want by tossing a coin into it. The more you toss, the better chance of your wish will come true. 
This heavenly park is the most beautiful park I've ever seen in Kuching. It consists of Both Chinese and Malaysian Culture in the park (I didn't include the other side of the park which has Malaysian memorials). The park closes around 10pm. So, if you wanna get your pictures taken, please remember to bear the time in mind.
The Gigantic Gate is designed by Chinese Architects from the mainland. By just standing underneath it, you will notice all the important details that are applied and this parks comes alive during the night, when all the lights are lit, it shows a little Chinese Dragon rising in the heart of Kuching. There are 4 guarding lion statues around the entrance with a spectacular view from beneath.
Walking into the park, first, you will see this chinese building. It is actually a restaurant designed to look exactly like the ancient chinese coffeeshop. In the restaurant, they serve tea and sells delicious dimsum. 2 floors of seats and tables for everyone to enjoy the delicious meals fit for the emporer. In the center of the park, there is a pond which reflects the monuments from every angle. It is like a gigantic mirror reflecting the beauty of Chinese Culture, hidden within the lights of the dragon. The lights in the middle of the pond directs your view to Zheng He's enormous statue. There, you will see him holding a parchment in one hand, while the other waves to you in a majestic manner. The statue is actually placed on a boat made of stone which partially looks like a miniature size of Zheng He's Fleet during his time in the 15th century. In the corners of the park, you will find many other chinese pavilions awaiting for you. These pavilions are also designed by China Mainland architects, giving you the exact feel when you are in China, resting in their pavilions. With bridges on one side of the pond, it leads you to the wishing well, where you wish for anything you want by tossing a coin into it. The more you toss, the better chance of your wish will come true. This heavenly park is the most beautiful park I've ever seen in Kuching. It consists of Both Chinese and Malaysian Culture in the park (I didn't include the other side of the park which has Malaysian memorials). The park closes around 10pm. So, if you wanna get your pictures taken, please remember to bear the time in mind.
Well, there certainly isn't much people around this time of the day. Hmm.. well, its green as heaven anyways. While walking down the walkway, you can just see those rubbish floating on the river or sometimes partially floating as well. Haha.. Besides that, we can see those hardworking sampan guys trying to get people to cross over to the other side of the river. It costs about 20 cents only per person to cross the river with these babies. 
Then then, at the middle of the walk way, we will see the fort built by Rajah Charles Brooke to protect the people from the headhunters coming down from the river, it was built in 1879 and is called Square Towers. On the building, there's these impressive Corinthian columns that reflect the colonial ages and the neo classical architecture designs too. It will soon be converted into an art museum in the future, and I hope to step into that little tower too. Looks creepy!! 
Standing infront of the Square Tower, you can view another architecture just opposite of it. It used to be the Court House, also built by the 2nd Rajah in 1879 as well. Another clock tower was built in front of it in 1883, making it as majestic as any court house should be in those days. 
Then there was also the Brooke memorial obelisk which was erected in 1924, at the corners of the obelisk is a bronze panel of four figures representing the Sarawakian community: Dayak, Kayan, Malay and Chinese. On it, there's also some historical text about these communities engraved beside each brone figure. 
So, on the other side of the river, we can see this majestic building or structure built in 1870 also by Rajah Charles Brooke. It was built as a bridal gift for his wife It was served as the palace for the Rajahs during those days and now as the offical residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, which is the governor of Sarawak. Left side of the picture, shows the recent official residence of the Governor while the right side shows the palace for the 2nd White Rajah.
Now, we move on down further the road, where you can see this magnificant colonial structure again with the famous Corinthian columns. It was built in 1931, as it consists of ornate facade with semi-circular arches, and very ornamentally designed cornice along the top. Serves currently as the major Kuching Post Office today, and also my favourite building of all Kuching. 
Then strolling down the road towards the Padang Merdeka, we can see this Methodist Cathedral to our left. Its the St. Thomas Cathedral, one of the churches that has the largest compound in Kuching. It too serves as the headquarters for the 1st company of the Boys' Brigade of Kuching. 
Then last but not least, is the beloved Sarawak Museum. Holds most of the ancient artifats of Sarawak history and biological preservations since the past. Built to resemble a Normandy townhouse, the old wing was opened in 1891. The Museum still attracts most tourists to discover more about this mysterious state of Sarawak. Also used to be called as one of the most beautiful architecture of those days. It stands today to serve more and more curious visitors to Kuching and to know more about it.
Following down along the streets of Padungan, you will see this straight statue erected in the middle of the cross roads leading to the Town Area which is under the North Kuching government, where shopping malls and branded items can be found. This statue consists of four cats with their signature hand up and waving to visitors again. With four cats at each angle, visitors from every angle can wave to them. On the top of this statue, there's also a big logo of the South City government. The logo also consists of the visual of cats and also in 4 directions. 
Next, will be in the city area of River Front. Here on the green grass, you will find another smaller statue of cats again. These cats are imitation of the real lifes of cats in the world. Wondering why there's a cat on the top of that log? Come on down here to Kuching and check it out. These bronze statues are the most beautiful and long lasting looking among the statues in Kuching. 
Well, I've showed you 3 cat statues in Kuching but frankly speaking, there's more for you all to find out. They are located almost in every place of Kuching and as Malaysia calls it "The City of Cats", I think it should be rephrased as "The City of Cat Statues". I believe that we do not have more cats than certain places in the world. And still, we have no answer to how the name Kuching originated. 
But I would know one thing that Kuching is famous for, would be the greens. This photo is taken behing the famous Sarawak Museum where you can see the antique aquarium of Kuching and the Merdeka Palace hotel. This is also a park where you can see memorials and statues erected to symbolize and to remind us of the past golden history of Sarawak and the mixture of 2 major populations of this land, The Dayaks and the Chinese. Till then, Byee... 
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