Jong’s Crocodile Farm – Backpackies goes backpacking in Kuching

After a disappointing visit to the Crocodile farm in Langkawi, Malaysia (where most of the crocodiles there looked like they haven’t eaten in weeks or had cancer or something) i wasn’t too enthusiastic about going to Jong’s Crocodile Farm in Kuching Sarawak. 

But when i heard that the famous Sarawakian man eater – Bujang Senang’s skull was on display at the park, and i had like few hours to kill, i thought, why the hell not?!
Entrance fee is now Adult RM 15, if you are Sarawakian (need id proof)is RM 10, if Child RM 8, and Sarawakian Child RM 5. 

Some pictures that i also dug up on Crocodiles 

30 ft. crocodile killed on Saipan Island in 1943 during WW2.

 

I kind of googled up the largest crocodiles online, as i was pretty amazed with how big these beasts were.
Some facts i dug up:
There are about 4-5 known crocs in the world that are 20 feet or bigger. 

1. Gustave in Africa, 20 feet, over 2000lbs.
2. Utan, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA, 20 feet over 2000lbs.
3. Crocosaurus in Parrot Island, Orlando, 20 feet over 2000lbs.
4. Chai Yai, In Thailand, 20 feet, 2500lbs.
5. The crocodile in Orissa, India crocodile farm that is supposedly 23 feet long

WHY THE HELL ISNT PAK INDON (the crocodile in Jong’s Crocodile Farm >INSIDE THIS LIST?!! PLEASE TELL ME WHY? HE WAS MONSTROUS! (Sorry we couldn’t get a clear shot of Pak Indon, because his cage was the most heavily guarded one of them all. Too many grills and bars!)
 

Steve Irwin with Chai Yai , the worlds largest captive crocodile in the world

 

OK and we are off to Jong’s Crocodile Farm.  

Its a bumpy road to - jong's crocodile farm Kuching

 

The farm is about 29Km from Kuching City Centre. You can get here by taxi, vans or by bus. The bus is the cheapest way there. But you need to walk quite a distance in, to reach the farm. Roughly about 1km.
The highlights of the farm is the “jumping crocodile show” where the show times are 11am and 3pm. 

Crocodile waiting to pounce on the bait @ the crocodile jumping show, Show times: 11am and 3pm.

 

You need to be patient, waiting for the crocs to align themselves, before they make the pounce.
 

The farm hands would dangle the pieces of meat on the wire, and then winch it down to the middle of the pond. Occasionally the meat would be bouncing up and down, just to attract the crocodiles attention. The farm hands also rang a bell before the feeding session. Amazingly, all the crocodiles came rushing to the feeding station. 

the final leap!

 

The crocodiles were really fast. I had to sit there ever ready – to capture this shot.
There are many feeding stations. If you miss one, then simply proceed to the next feeding station. 

These crocodiles somehow knows that its feeding time!

 

There are shaded seats so you don’t have to stand waiting for the crocs to take the bait. 

the pavillion to watch the jumping crocodile show

 

There was a very interesting section in the farm 

crocodile breeding site- trying to look for the nest was a pain the ass

 

The mother Lying unsuspectingly protecting her eggs

 

After straining our eyes to look for the nest. We finally found it! We were standing on top of it! No wonder 

This is what a crocodile nest looks like.

 

There are plenty of containment areas filled with crocodiles of all sizes. IM sure they must be breeding it for some other use. 

we could have swore this farm sells crocodiles! Buy one home?

 

Smile for the camera! Threesome!:D

 

baby crocodiles look so cute!

 

Finally i managed to see Bujang Senang’s Skull. Wished they had the entire body for show too.
Im still wondering why the farm turned the display box into a money box? Collecting funds to buy Bujang some after life stuff during Cheng Beng (Chinese Ghost Festival)? 

the skull of the famous Bujang Senang of Sarawak

 

a clearer shot of the skull.

 

Towards the end of the tour, there is a wall showing pictures of the crocodiles and also their victims. Wow…it made my tummy churn. There was one shot of a boy being eaten and they had to cut the crocodiles stomach to get his mutilated body out. His body was already in pieces! 

photos of crocodiles and the victims

 

pictures showing the eggs, and also explaining the entire hatching and life cycle of the crocodiles

 

There are also other animals there at the park like the giant dragon fish, birds, rabbits, sun bears, otters! 😀
Great place to visit if you are in Kuching Sarawak. Have fun backpacking!
www.backpackies.com 

You can find Jong’s Crocodile Farm at 

Address:
Jong’s Crocodile Farm
Siburan, 29Km Kuching-Serian Road
93250 Kuching, Sarawak
Tel:6082-24 2790
Fax:6082-25 4436 

 

Backpacking Asia: Colorful thirst quenchers of Asia

Planning to travel South East Asia? Get familiar with this saying – “If you aint sweating, you aint eating”!!
We thought it would be cool to share and introduce you to some of the unique drinks in South East Asia. ** We did a big NO NO to drinks that just has a glamorous name but tastes like drain water** So check our list out!

With so much herbs, spices and chilli, Asian food is famous for being spicy!

You better watch out what your eating when in Asia, or your bums gonna be farting turbo gas “complete with flames” for the entire night.
Don’t be a HERO, and just ask them to TONE IT DOWN! ( it is not cool when you start panting hard, while you wave your hands to fan your flaming mouth)

So with all the hype about Asian food being spicy, we are gonna twist this blog and write about these thirst quenchers found here in Asia.
Each country of place has their own ingenious “bar tender wannabes” that often pick and mix drinks at home. Here are some of the successful ones that are already on or should be in Asian Drinks wall of fame!

the famous teh tarik =

side ways pull? This is what we call a teh tarik kao kao!! (pulled tea, to the maximum)

NEXT UP FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Halo Halo from the Philippines

Halo Halo ( which means “Mix-mix” in Tagalog – Local Filipino language) is a desert drink that is served with shaved ice, milk, and a whole lot of other colorful ingredients like sweet beans, fruits, jelly, sago, and all served in a tall glass! There is no specific list of ingredients here, so just feel creative! Order of color also is up to you!
Here is something to get you started! – Halo Halo Culture

Next we are slinging our way to Singapore!
Checking out the symbolic drink of Singapore – The Singapore Sling

Singaporean Sling @ Long Bar, Raffles Hotel

The Singapore Sling was developed by Ngiam Tong Boon a bartender at the Long Bar @ Raffles Hotel Singapore in 1915. The drinks recipe has long changed. This is one recipe we lurveeeee Singapore Sling by Drinks Mixer. There is even a video showing you how to mix it!
All Singapore Airlines flights serve Singapore Slings! You can either buy it from the inflight magazine, or check out the boutique @ Singapore Sling Shop

The original recipe used gin, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine, and most importantly, fresh pineapple juice, primarily from Sarawak pineapples which enhance the flavour and create a foamy top.

Talking about Sarawak! If you are in Malaysia again, and have already given the Teh Tarik a go. You must check out The “Teh Si Special” or”Teh Si Tiga Lapis”! It is tea made with evaporated milk.

teh si tiga lapis! the dark layer below is rich gula melaka which gives it a creamy fragrant sweet taste

You can get it at any local coffee shop in Kuching, Sarawak. Costs about RM 1.20 a glass. Yummy!

We hop off to Thailand – “The Land of Chicks with dicks:”
Thailand’s Signature drink must be – Siam Sunrays!

Siam Sunrays is refreshing and it manages to blend all the spices and ingredients that is found in Thailand

The recipe for this revitalizing cocktail drink was created by Surasakdi Pantaisong. He was the winner of the 2008 Bar Tender Championship hosted by the TAT and THA at Siam Paragon in September 2008.

Siam Sunrays — Thailand’s new signature drink, is based on the very Thai ingredients that have made Tom Yam soup world renowned:

1. A splash of Vodka
2. Freshly-picked lemon grasses – aromatic touch and represents fresh and vibrant Thailand.
3. Kaffir lime leaves – accompanies the lemon grass very well.
4. Thai lime and Thai bird chili (phrik kee nuu) – Slight hint of hot chilies contras the ice cooling effect of the drink.
5. Young ginger meanwhile warms the spirit.
6. Soothing flavor of coconut is smooth and gentle on the palate, and brings some tropical balance to the mix.

To try this at home: check out the recipe, we haven’t tried it yet. If you do, please share with us your formula!

Siam Sunrays is now only available at hotels and resorts in key tourist destinations around Thailand. Wish they sold the Siam Sunrays in a takeaway bottle @ 7-11!
Vietnam
Heading up north, ok who hasn’t heard of the the Vietnamese drip coffee. You can get vietnamese drip coffee in almost any country in Asia. (at the vietnamese food stalls). What is refreshing is, and has a beautifying effect is the Tea with Longan and Lotus Seed.

Tea with longan and lotus seeds - The ultimate beauty health drink from Vietnam! Now you know why vietnamese girls are so pretty!

LAO
Laos coffee is very famous. If you are buying some, the famous brand is Lao Mountain Coffee.

But against the Beer Lao it stands in a different category. The front page of their website reminds us of some porn site XXXX, yikes! Beer Lao

beer lao - to enter or not to enter

Tasty and light Beerlao, is made with Laotian jasmine rice and one of the few Lao exports.It maintains an almost mythical status amongst travellers and world beer afficionados. The yellow logo with its tiger-head silhouette can be seen everywhere, and a large 640 ml bottle shouldn’t cost more than 12,000 to 15,000 kip in restaurants. It’s available in three versions: original (5% alcohol ), Dark (6.5% alcohol) and Light (2.9% alcohol).
Indonesia, you just got to try Sosro – Teh Botol– Sweetened Jasmine Bottled Tea.

Just ask any Indonesian. They will tell you that the Teh Botol is good.

The teh botol is just great to quench your palate after a fiery “nasi pedas” attack on your tongue. Check out what to eat in Indonesia!

So no matter where you are backpacking in Asia, look out for these life savers!
Although mineral water would also just do fine! 😀
Enjoy your trip! Surf http://www.backpackies.com for more free budget information.

Backpacking Kuching @ Rainforest World Music Festival 2010

Lets do the crazy dance @ Rainforest World Music Festival 2010

This July 9th to the 11th 2010 we @ backpackies.com are heading to the Island of Borneo -specifically Kuching Sarawak to check out the Sights and Sounds of the Much to talk about annual World Music Festival!

What to expect from it this year? We just don’t know. Some say it is affected by the World Cup playing in Africa. Maybe there will be less people going for this festival? You will be the first to know, as we sacrifice our beloved sport : spelled F.O.O.T.B.A.L.L for this exclusive coverage of the World Music Festival 2010 (psst, ok maybe we can still watch the finals after the festival, if we aren’t too drunk yet)

Get ready for some rumble in the jungle!

Lets take a look at scenes from last years event!
Starting off slow…..

Noreummachi (Korea) beating the drums in trance

Mesmarizing the crowd with a santa gig!

Red Chamber (Canadachina)

Heating things with the combined instruments …

Sekaa Jaya Jenggala (Indonesia)

Going naked and shouting crazy?!!!

Moana and The Tribe (New Zealand)

The crowd just grows into a frenzy especially when the artists are more energetic! YEAH WE LOVED IT!

sea of people at the festival, there is no reserved seats. make sure you find one quick! so be there early!

it is a jungle! There is no dress code! So i repeat, leave those high heels and skirts at home, for its SAMBA TIME!

Of course they dont go all the way fast…..organizers tend to want to slow things down so the end is a blast…..

Inti-Illimani (Chile)

free dancing at the end of the show. Well you are always welcome to shake your booty if the tunes are right for you. But we certainly recommend doing it at the end! 😀

partying in the jungle, on the jungle ground. Public isnt allowed on the stage! No worries! We had just as much fun down there!

Going crazy with fun

We werent kidding when we said, attire was freestyle!

We hope the event is better or just as good as last years! Will keep you updated!

Dont worry we have our cameras peeled on those sexy hunks and chicks…to keep you entertained!

Have fun! More infomation for this years Rainforest World Music Festival click on it.