Rhythms of Borneo Unites the World

It was not been planned I flown off back to Kuching on July as I was about to start a new job at a new place. That’s why I didn’t participate to become the event blogger which entitle me to have a free admission ticket to the festival  and full coverage of the events. My wife and her friends had flown off to Kuching early as they had planned early to attend RWMF 2011. They flew off to Kuching on Thursday and I was all alone in KL. There, my wife will be joining my sis and cousin at the festival on Friday till Sunday.

My family back in the land of hornbill was kind of worried about me staying alone as the widespread of revolution news which will be happening on Saturday 9^th July 2011 in KL. On Friday, it was totally locked down starting at 12:00 midnight to the city centre. Since I’m worried about my own safety and boredom at home during the curfew, so I booked my flight back to Kuching using Firefly on Saturday. Quite surprise the price was cheap as it still in promotion price. Once I bought the ticket, I didn’t tell my wife and the rest of my family I’m going back to Kuching on Saturday. The only know I’m coming back to Kuching are my cousin and my sis which will be going to RWMF.

Jam at Jalan Tun Razak

FRU at Dataran Merdeka

Masjid Jamek interchange scenes. No civilian cars can been seen on the road.

Photographer from the press.

Jalan Istana with no cars on the road.

Since the city locked down, I took the LRT line to KL Sentral. Using Star LRT from my place interchange at Masjid Jamek for Putra Line heading to KL Sentral, I managed to took some photo of the pre rally event. It was totally odd for Masjid Jamek area which less people and cars on the road. The street was full with police and suspicious person will be checked. There were a lot of press and freelance photographer on the scene.  When I reach KL Sentral, there were a lot of policemen patrolling. I was lucky I managed to catch my bus to KLIA if not I will miss my flight at noon which is when the rally will start.

On board Firefly going back to Kuching.

My flight was not delayed and on time reach Kuching where my sis and my brother fetching me. My wife still can’t sense I was in Kuching as each time she call or SMS me, I will tell her I’m at the apartment. Apparently, she worried about my safety in KL due to the rally.

Reaching my brother cribs, I called up my mum in Sibu and she can’t believe I’m with my brother in Kuching. She called my bro and sis mobile for confirmation. It was to her relieves that I’m back in Sarawak as she also worried about what is happening in KL on that day.

After chatting and hang out with my brother family, so we off to Santubong side attending the Festivals at 4p.m. We will be checking in at One Hotel previously known as Santubong Resort. This resort were full and mostly who stayed they are the RWMF performers and the volunteers. The resort look WOW at the first place but when you see inside the room, you might be disappointed. It’s not well maintained. The only time they are in full are during the RWMF and the price is double or triple than normal.

The block we were staying on our first night in Santubong.

Look good to be true but the flooring has been eaten by termites, the air-conditioner also spoils.

View of Mount Santubong from the resort

Patrons to the festivals park their cars by the road sides near the resort.

Taking a break as the distance to the main road was quite far.

There were no free shuttle bus or van provided by the resort and they are private company took the opportunity to charge the passenger RM5 to the main road. At the main road, you need to pay another RM5 to use the bus to the festival sites. All is money and money.

So, we decide to walk all the way from our hotel room to the main road. It was our evening walks and managed to snap few photo along the way and drink our booze. Saw a lot of locals parks their cars beside the road heading to the resort and it seem normal for RWMF on second day it will be a blast. The walks to us 20 minutes to reach the bus check point. So we took the bus to SCV (Sarawak Cultural Village) and it took us around 8 minutes ride.

Damai Central, been told that the place was completed and open on time a day before the festival started.

Another way to the cafeteria.

Heneiken Banner

The centre stage at Damai Central

Nice view of the beach from Damai Central

We were dropped off at Damai Central, a new place in front of SCV which accommodate stalls selling merchandize, food and drinks. There were also center stage been built where the local band performs live. We hang out at the waterfront facing the beach and having our beer before entering SCV. Once we finish our drinks, we went to the Festival sites.

Main Entrance at SCV for the RWMF.

Heading to the Festivals sites

There were food and village mart open around the festival sites.

One of the passer buts looking at the temporary loo provided by the organizer.

Main Stage with performers.

The crowd was pack

My wife yet to know I was coming and we walked to the main stage area. Along the way, seem like Tin Hijau aka Heneiken is all out this year. Miss the tin biru(Tiger). When we were searching for them, they spotted us. My wife was full of joy meeting me and also mad at me because I lie to her.

Some of my friends from KL did saw me and there were happy to see me joining them for the festivals. My wife told me that the first day was better than second day performance and I do find it a bit bored as well. Even one of the uncle seating in front me were sleeping through out the show. But it change when the group from Dominican Republic performed name Joaquin Diaz. The uncle awaken and start to shake his booty. The crowd goes nuts when they perform and the party started till the last performers.

This uncle was sleeping through out the shows.

But when the band from Dominican Republic perform, he also performs with shaking his booty.

On the next day, we checked in Damai Puri. It lot much better than One Hotel Resort. The price also NICE. It was walking distance and you car need to have its own sticker for the festivals. Only those who are staying in Damai Puri and Santubong Holiday Inn (don’t know the new name of this hotel) can drive their cars to SCV. Without this special sticker, you may need to park your car at One Hotel Resort road. 

At Damai Puri beach

The sunset

We didn’t went to the workshop and only attend the concert. The crowd was less than the previous night as next day is a working day. Only those who take their leave or don’t mind to have a hang over day at work will come on the 3^rd night. The performers on this night were a bit better than the second night. I managed to go near the main stage to snap some photo. I met my cousin which works in STB taking photo of the events and I wish I can be standing behind the fence taking photo of the events close up.

Then we all decide to walked around the festivals sides as me and my cousin yet to explore the stalls open during the fiesta. Maybe next post, I blogged about Hair Tattoo as my cousin did it and my wife friend did her henna tattoo.

This is a video taken from a user uploaded to Youtube on RWMF 2011

Once they are done with their “Tattoo”, we went back to the main stage and joining the crowd. The last performers was from UK and their really rocks the house. I didn’t manage to capture any pictures as busy dancing to the groove. I can’t believe I’m dancing to Indian beats. The crowds keep on chanting “We want more, we want more” each time their stop performs, but every beginning have it ends. The end was a finale where all the performers will performs the last time to the crowd. This year was a bit lucky as there is no mud fest party like previous year during finale.

It’s a great event to attend for those who love music. You can jam with the performers at the workshop on the day time and party at night with the crowd. Maybe, after you read my post you might have an idea what you be expecting for on RWMF next year.

Note: No outside food and drinks are allowed at the festivals sites. So prepared a hefty price paying for the food and drinks inside SCV. You are advice either you have your food and drinks at Damai Central or at city centre before coming to Santubong.