Hiking Backpack Zone

Kuching is sharing pretty much the same festivals as other region of Malaysia, though you may still find some local festivals that only Sarawakian get to celebrates. All festivals and events in Kuching are as follow:

1. New Year’s Day (1 January)

Public Holiday through out the entire Malaysia, and the world; and Kuching has no different too.

2. Chinese New Year (January/February)

Chinese New Year is fall on 1st day of every lunar calendar year, that may fall on any days during January or February.

Google it for exact date for the certain year you would like to know, eg. “Chinese New Year 2010″. Travel to Kuching two weeks ahead of the Chinese New Year is the best time for you to see the locals getting ready for the Chinese New Year festival. People in Kuching is often busy shopping for Chinese New Year goods and goodies during this time. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, locals will do their final shopping before noon, and after 2pm usually the Kuching is much like a dead town. Shops shut, businesses ended, everyone is at home getting ready for their reunion meal. For anyone who is still in Kuching on this day, the only place you can have your dinner is probably the fast food restaurant for instance KFC or McDonald.

In the midnight once the clock strikes 12am, the entire city is like entering into a war, you will be amazed by the fireworks on the sky, and even firecrackers are everywhere. The whole event will last for about half an hour to an hour before you can get a good sleep. It’s illegal though to play with fireworks or firecrackers; however it isn’t been fully enforced in Sarawak. You will not get this if you are in the capital of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur. Most businesses remain closed in Kuching from the first to the forth day of the festival, you still have to dine at the fast food restaurant during those days. However, cafe, pubs and bars are normally opened once the day turns dark.

3. Good Friday (March/April)

Nothing much special in Kuching during this day, it’s just a public holiday.

5. Labour Day (1 May)

Simply a public holiday. Business as normal for shopping malls and restaurants.

6. Wesak Day (May)

It may fall on any day during May be based upon which calendar year. For anyone who is at Kuching during this period, visit the Buddhist temples, in which the crowds are gathered on this special occasion.

7. Gawai Day (1 June)

This is the extremely important festival for the Dayak (indigenious people) in Sarawak, which celebrating the end of rice harvesting and welcomes the new planting season. Everyone in the longhouses in Sarawak will begin to celebrate the festival from the Eve of the Gawai day. On the Gawai day itself, that is 1 June, traditional rituals are held, dancing, plenty of local foods especially Bamboo rice and bamboo chicken. Should you be traveling in Kuching during this special event, you may take part in the Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the fun of the Gawai festival with the locals people. No walk-in traveler will be entertained during this day at most of the longhouses, except for pre-arranged tour from the tour company, and the invited guest by the local people.

For Annah Rais Longhouse, simply participate in the homestay program and you will get a chance to experience how the local people celebrate the festival at Annah Rais village.

8. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

As the name suggest, you will witness the dragon boats competition on this day through out most part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you may witness the dragon boat competition along the Sarawak River, at the Kuching Waterfront. Local Chinese will be making their own rice dumpling in this special occasion for their family. Most Chinese coffee shops in Kuching do selling them too, so you should try it!

9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July)

These are the infamous global event which will be held in Kuching every year. Rainforest World Music Festival brings together the planet renowned musicians around the globe and indigenous musicians from all parts of mythical land of Borneo to come to the same stage to perform for you.

Such event lasts for 3 days and will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village, next to Damai Puri Resort (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 km from Kuching. For more information about Rainforest World Music Festival, kindly visit their official website at http://www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com.

Fairly often during this period of time, Kuching hotels occupancy rate are all time high and can be fully booked quite often, therefore you are advised to book early if you intend to attend to such global event.

Resort that within the walking distance to the Sarawak Cultural Village are Damai Puri Resort and Permai Rainforest Resort. Damai Holiday Inn Resort is also within a walking distance, nevertheless it takes you a longer walk, approximately ten to fifteen mins!

10. Mid Autumn Festival (August)

Also called Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing much special accept eating mooncake (plenty of mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching kids carrying lantern at each corner of the streets when the day turns dark. Novice photographer will really appreciate such occasion.

11. Malaysia’s National Day (31 August)

It’s a nation public holiday, and in Kuching, it’s celebrated each year, check out at Central Padang at Kuching.

12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September)

It is believed by the Chinese that within the 7th month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the earth for feasting. In Kuching, take a look at this “hungry ghost event” that is held next to the old central post office. It’s always filled with crowd.

13. Christmas Day (25 Dec)

It is also another important event for the Christian in Kuching. However, special events’ arrangement mostly limited to each individual church only. Clubbers also gathered at certain pubs for counting down during eve of Christmas. Nothing much special in Kuching, better spend your time in Singapore’s Orchard Road I guess, should you happen to travel in this region!

That’s about all the festivals and events in Kuching. So plan your vacation wisely. Wish you have a wonderful trip soon.

For more information about tips and hints to travel to Kuching, visit Lester’s Kuching Travel Guide website. Also take a look at Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure website for more information about the homestay program offered by the local villager.

Snowshoeing is suddenly a favorite winter activity for lovers of the outdoors. It’s a fun and healthy way to get out and enjoy the snow. You can snowshoe just about anywhere — in the woods, on a trail or near a cross-country trail.

Besides being easy to learn, walking around with your snowshoes on is a great workout. It is like walking in shallow water. A single step is easy, but when you add up all the steps you take, it ends up being a good workout. You can get your legs in shape fast.

Getting around on snowshoes is a relatively safe activity. Snowshoes are very stable and offer a great method to travel in the snow and get an aerobic workout at the same time. They can be a terrific, low impact, winter-time cardiovascular workout that doesn’t punish your joints. If you are an experienced snowshoer and on the adventurous side, you will be able to explore some remote areas of our national parks that most people don’t get to see in the winter time.

How do they snowshoes work? They work by distributing the weight of the user over an area larger than the person’s foot by increasing the surface area that makes contact with the snow. This helps the user to not just sink past the surface of the snow. Snowshoe manufacturers call this a snowshoe’s flotation factor.

Snowshoes can have different designs, different features and be made from different materials. Choosing your model will depend upon personal preferences as to how they feel, but you should also take into consideration the advice of a salesperson or outfitter. They know that each model works best in one general situation. For example, if you are interested in starting to jog in the snow, you should go with a small running snowshoe. On the other hand, if you will be trekking through deep powder with a backpack, you will probably need a larger-bottomed model.

The biggest accessory you will need before you go out is a pair of trekking poles. A good pair of poles will help you keep your balance as you trudge around and will be especially helpful when coming down a steep hill.

Most snowshoes will accept most any type of shoe or boot. Since you’ll be in the snow all day, you will want to use a waterproof, insulated boot. Try to get the most comfortable footwear you can, as long as it is waterproof and warm.

One last thing to consider picking up to go with your snowshoes is a carrying and storage bag. You can use the bag to store your shoes during the off season and use it to carry them to the hiking area. You can often get them included as part of a package deal.

A word of warning, however, please be sure to tell a friend where you will be hiking to in case something happens and you don’t come back. Snowshoeing is almost always a safe adventure, but things can happen out in the woods.

I think the strongest benefit of snowshoeing is how it gets the people who don’t ski outside during the winter. It is an outstanding way for non-skiers to enjoy the snowy season.

Although he says to be just a snowboarder, Robert Jensen likes the sheer fun of snowshoeing around the park he lives near. He recommends browsing through some of the best snowshoe shops to get an idea of which snowshoes might be best for you.

You can have fun and healthy meals when cooking in Class C motorhomes while boondocking. Be prepared and plan ahead, and you will have success with meals in Class C motorhomes. Meals are easy when Class C motorhomes camping at RV parks, but they can be just as easy when boondocking if you read the tips below. You can enjoy cooking in Class C motorhomes and boondocking.

What are the meals that work well in Class C motorhomes?

Boonkdocking with Class C motorhomes means that one needs to be conservative and resourceful. This is why the best type of Class C motorhomes meals are One Pot Meals. One Pot Meals are both hearty and satisfying for everyone. In order to save on dishwashing, using the grill is another great type of meal for boondocking recipes in Class C motorhomes.

Use foil when cooking in Class C motorhomes and boondocking

Cooking with foil is a great way to cook when boondocking in Class C motorhomes because the clean up is easy. Foil can be placed on the grill or directly on a campfire or coals. Favorites for meals with Class C motorhomes are meat, potatoes, and cheese wrapped in foil. Use spray oil (non-hydrogenated) to help prevent sticking. Add vegetables for a more balanced meal. Some people even pre-cook the meats prior to leaving to camp.

Prepare and plan ahead of time

There are little to no emergency grocery stores available when boondocking, so by being prepared you can save stress by not forgetting anything. Pack foods that last awhile, such as cookies, canned goods, peanuts, fruit, energy bars, or protein bars. Look online or in RV cookbooks to prepare menus. You want to pack lightly and keep it simple. Prepare as much as you can before you leave town.

Take only the necessary cooking materials

If you will be utilizing a camping grill, then you should think about packing extra gas. You won’t be able to purchase these in a lot of places, so pack them ahead of time. Also, think about using biodegradable utensils, plates, and cups. These can be tossed, are environmentally friendly, and will help you save on using water.

Pack only the necessary pots and pans. Take a small can opener. Another good idea for boondocking is a plastic storage bin that you can pack foods in.

Pack in and pack out, and enjoy your meals while camping. Eat and be merry!

Julie Jacobs enjoys to travel and write about Class C Motorhomes. Read more RV articles at www.pedatarvcenter.com.

Outdoor enthusiasts need to have bags which will completely fulfill the requests of the often rough outdoor activities like hiking, trekking or rock climbing for example . They have to be strong and sturdy, comfortable, and easy to handle. The canvas backpack is a product which is perfectly fits requirements like these.

As you maybe already know, you will find that most of these bags are available in military shades such as Green, khaki, black and olive. However, you can choose also from the newer kind of canvas bags which have been designed as laptop bags and satchels. The most newer canvas products are designed to look very cool and stylish, come in other colors and are often printed with musters.

You can select your rucksack out of a great variety. This is because of the reason that the material canvas is strong, sturdy and simple. However, most of them are created out of cotton these days. If you want to have a really robust bag, you should look for one which is made out of hemp.

If the bag has parts made of leather this will improve the durability additionally. Most of the bags use closing clips. Canvas bags with zippers are very rare. That’s because clips are better for rough outdoor activities and just simpler if you’re carrying a really filled backpack.

There are rucksacks which are waterproof, but not all of them are. You should make sure that you buy one which is waterproof. It may be a little more expensive than other bags but it will be worth it.

But you can also impregnate your backpack yourself with an impregnating solution or spray. You should choose a product with petroleum or fluoropolymer. They are the best for making canvas impermeable. You also shouldn’t machine wash the backpack after impregnating, it will nullify the effect. Maybe you have to re-impregnate your bag from time to time, to keep the protection alive.

Maybe you’ll have some problems with handling a canvas rucksack because you are not customized with a bag without zippers. Things can easily fall out of the side pockets or even the main bag. But with the clips also comes the advantage of the easier use, especially with much luggage in your rucksack.

Most canvas products are said to be completely washable; however, you should know that it is not recommended and instead, you have to wash them manually with hands, else the water impermeability will be lost fast. You have to check the features of the bag before buying and have to make sure that it will fit your personal needs. After that nothing stands in your way to purchase your new canvas rucksack.

Two other kinds of canvas bags are the Military Backpack and the Canvas Messenger Bag. If you are interested, you can get some more information about them by clicking the links.

Many people went camping as children with their parents or grandparents and they made lots of wonderful memories of those trips. Now that you are grown it’s time to take your kids camping and make your own memories. You and your family will have these memories for many years to come. Your children can even share the camp stories with their children.

Before going camping you need to have a check list so you do not leave anything behind. You should put everything you will need for your trip on that list like sleeping bags, fishing poles, tents, flashlights, first aid kids, bug spray, food, drinks, and a battery operated lantern for every tent.

You should also plan a simple menu while on your trip. Hot dogs are a good menu item because the kids love to roast them over the open fire. Soup and stew is also a good menu item because it can also be cooked over an open fire.

Be sure to pack everything you need for making smores because you can’t have a camping trip with out smores. When choosing a destination for your trip try to find a place that has showers and toilets. It is much more sanitary but it is also safer than having your children go into the woods to use the bathroom.

It would also be a great idea to point out what poison ivy and poison oak look like to your kids so they do not get into it. You should also camp at a camp site and not in the wilderness. When you camp in the woods you have to be concerned with bears and other animals.

When you camp at a camp ground you are usually safe from bears or other animals because they try to stay away from all the people that are constantly coming and going.

When you go on a camping trip, how do you plan on cooking? You could take a Jetboil Hiking stove along with you. This is a hiking stove that is easy to set up and will get your food cooking in no time.

If you are looking for a way to get more exercise, either on your own or as a result of doctor’s orders, hiking could be the answer. In fact it can be beneficial in many ways, both physical and mental. When you decide to give it a try you will want to be sure you have everything you’ll need to be safe. Read on to learn a little more about hiking and how it could be the path to a healthier you.

A common image for lots of people when they think about hiking is one that has them perched precariously on a mountain with dangerous rocks below. This could very well be true should you opt for such a risky adventure, however this doesn’t mean you have to take a hike on such a dangerous trail. There are many other options that are safer.

For those that enjoy the forest, a trip to a national park and a stroll through the trees, either on a prebuilt path or one you determine as you go, can be good for the body and the soul. You can get every bit of what mother nature has to offer with no worries about dangerous cliffs or sharp rocks beneath you.

Other great places to hike include beaches and even deserts. These places, like forests, can often times be much safer than a cliff hanging adventure. With these choices you often have the option to stay relatively close to civilization. You can get tons of sun in the desert or even cool breezes next to the beach.

Regardless of which you choose, before you get started you will need to make certain you have the proper gear. This means wearing the proper clothes that are appropriate for the location. Shorts might work, but jeans may be more appropriate. You may also opt for boots rather than shoes, and you might also need a compass to help you find your way. Another key to a successful hike is to make sure you have lots of water.

Hiking provides an excellent way to learn more about nature and your surroundings and offers the benefit of great exercise as well. Before getting started, be sure you talk with your doctor and always remember to bring along everything you might need. Once your all set, get out there and enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.

Find great deals on MSR Hiking Stove by shopping online today. There you will find the many Hiking Stove choices you can make a decision on. Head online today.

Snowshoeing is suddenly a favorite winter activity for lovers of the outdoors. It’s a fun and healthy way to get out and enjoy the snow. You can do it just about anywhere — in the woods, on a trail or near a cross-country trail.

One of the benefits of snowshoeing is that it’s a great way to get fit and stay in shape. It’s an easy and affordable way to get out on your favorite trail that you might be using as a hiking trail during the rest of the year. Plus, it’s pretty inexpensive and super simple to learn how to do.

Getting around on snowshoes is a relatively safe activity. Snowshoes are very stable and offer a great method to travel in the snow and get an aerobic workout at the same time. They can be a terrific, low impact, winter-time cardiovascular workout that doesn’t punish your joints. If you are an experienced snowshoer and on the adventurous side, you will be able to explore some untouched areas of our national parks that most people don’t get to see in the winter time.

How do they snowshoes work? They work by distributing the weight of the user over an area larger than the person’s foot by increasing the surface area that makes contact with the snow. This helps the user to not just sink past the surface of the snow. Snowshoe manufacturers call this a snowshoe’s flotation factor.

There are several makers of snowshoes, each one makes some models with good features. Some of the most popular manufacturers are Tubbs, MSR and Atlas. Make sure you get some professional advice before you buy. A good adviser will base their recommendations upon the type of activity you’ll be doing, the type of snow you will be doing it in and other considerations, such as if you will be using them to trek to a camp site with a large backpack on your back.

One accessory most snowshoers use is a pair of strong trekking poles. If you use your poles correctly, you can maintain your balance better during your hike. You will really find them useful when you are going up, down or across a hill or slope.

If you don’t want to end up carrying extra boots with you, don’t worry about buying special shoes to use with your new snowshoes. A good pair of insulated hiking boots will serve you well and are all you really need. Make sure you bring your boots with you to the store to make sure they will work before you buy.

When it comes to purchasing snowshoes, many online retailers will offer a package deal that will include poles and a carrying bag. Many ski areas and outdoor stores are now offering snowshoes for rent.

A word of warning, however, please be sure to tell someone where you will be hiking to in case something happens and you don’t come back. Snowshoeing is almost always a safe adventure, but things can happen out in the woods.

A good pair of quality snowshoes can help almost any person enjoy the cold winter months more.

Although he says he is just a snowboarder, Robert Jensen absolutely loves the convenience of snowshoes and snowshoeing through the park he lives near. He recommends browsing through some of the best online snowshoe stores to get an idea of which snowshoes might be best for you.

Spain has numerous types of indigenous animals and is therefore very wealthy in wildlife. The other thing that will surely appeal to you about this country is the various climates and terrains that make Spain home to many types of birds. It is therefore a perfect country to visit for bird watching.

The birds of prey present in Spain are of over twenty unique species. People who love watching birds highly prize these birds and many of them are hard to spot. Many of these birds have their origins in Spain while others participate in yearly migration from Spain and back. Although this is the case, the birds will interest bird watching enthusiasts.

The various types of birds that fans of bird watching can spot in Spain include the Griffin and Egyptian vultures and the Golden Eagle. It is interesting to lovers of bird watching to note that Spain has four hundred Black Vultures on average and these vultures have their origins here.

The Black Vulture of Spain is the biggest bird of prey that is indigenous to Europe. Anybody hoping to spot a Black Vulture whilst bird watching in Spain is advised to visit the national parks in Andalusia in Southern Spain or to the Sierra Palada.

If you’re hoping to find a particular species whilst bird watching in Spain, be aware that many birds are migratory and are only in Spain for around half of the year. One example of a migratory bird that is quite rare in the rest of Europe but very easy to find in Spain is the White Stork.

The White Stork leaves Africa to move to Spain in January and February. The birds make nests in easy to see places and those who love bird watching can easily spot White Storks in Spain if they wish to see these birds as they usually create their nests in towns.

The other kind of migratory bird that you will like to see as you watch birds in Spain is the Flamingo. Flamingos move to Spain in large flocks that carry thousands of birds in the seasons of spring and summer.

There is a lot of opportunity provided by Spain when it comes to watching birds living in wetlands. The bird species which you can see while you watch birds in Spain’s wetlands include different types of cranes and ducks among others.

If you would like participate in the most appealing wetland bird watching that Spain offers, you should consider visiting wetland areas at the coast such as the national park found in Donana and the Ebro Delta.

Spanish mastiffs make very lovable family pets. In order to obtain further suggestions about bird watching in Spain follow the preceding link.

Many people went camping as children with their parents or grandparents and they made lots of wonderful memories of those trips. Now that you are grown it’s time to take your kids camping and make your own memories. You and your family will have these memories for many years to come. Your children can even share the camp stories with their children.

The first thing you should do before heading out on your trip, is to make list of everything you will need. You need to put everything you think you will need while on your trip such as tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, first aid kit, bug spray, sun block, fishing poles and of course food and drink.

You should also plan a simple menu while on your trip. Hot dogs are a good menu item because the kids love to roast them over the open fire. Soup and stew is also a good menu item because it can also be cooked over an open fire.

You should also buy everything you are going to need to make smores because a camp trip is just not the same with out them. When picking out a destination to camp you should find some where that has bathrooms and showers. It is a lot more sanitary than using the woods as a restroom and safer too.

You should also show your kids what poison ivy and oak look like. That will keep them from getting infected by it. You should avoid setting up camp in the wilderness and try to find a camp ground so that you can avoid the wild animals. When you do camp in the wild you have bears and other large animals to worry about.

When you go on your trip at a camp site that has a lot of traffic the animals and bears usually stay far away because of all the traffic coming in and out of the place.

When you go on a camping trip, how do you plan on cooking? You could take a Jetboil Hiking stove along with you. This is a hiking stove that is easy to set up and will get your food cooking in no time.

If you live in an urban environment, you may find it is easy got lose yourself in the rat race. Perhaps, you are finding that you see more of your cubicle walls than you do of the outdoors. While such sacrifices are necessary to earn a living, real living requires a break from all of this to get back in touch with nature, which is where Cienaga Creek Ranch’s Big Bear Cabins enter the picture.

Cienaga is more than just accommodations in Big Bear California; the cabins offer a chance to immerse in nature, where “the sky is bluer, and the stars are brighter”. Cienaga is comprised of five cabins, located in the serene scenery of the San Bernardino National Forest. At an altitude of 8,250 ft., the cabins provide a quiet, remote getaway that is a stone’s throw from Big Bear Lake, the mountains, and the ski slopes.

Whether you’re interested in hiking and biking, water sports, or skiing, Cienaga has lots to do in every season. You can do everything from snowshoeing to parasailing, as well as golf, tennis, boating, and more.

Big Bear also boasts the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from the Mexico Border to the Canadian crossing, and offers miles of trail with stunning views for mountain biking or hiking. The gorgeous landscape includes the towering mountains, pine trees, and junipers, as well as moss-covered boulders. Dogs love these trails too, so be sure to bring yours along! Cienaga Creek Ranch provides pet-friendly accommodations, so none of your family members are left out.

And after a beautiful day spent out in nature, you can move the fun indoors by relaxing in your cabin’s luxurious jacuzzi. Romantic touches can be added as well, such as ordering a service which brings champagne, roses, and chocolates to your doorstep. Big Bear offers you the spectrum of excitement, from family recreation to romantic evenings for two!

If you would like to escape the bustle of the city and take a holiday where you can immerse in nature, check out this article on Big Bear accommodations. Visitors can rent Big Bear Cabins and enjoy the romantic seclusion of the wilderness as well as the family fun of the region’s outdoor recreation.