An Afternoon Walk At Kuching Waterfront

Just a few hours before my flight to KL my friends and I went to Kuching Waterfront for an afternoon walk. The scenery has changed to me, since the completion of the new DUN at opposite side of the river. There are major changes occurring in stages near Waterfront area primarily expansion of The Waterfront, construction of S-shaped suspended bridge connecting both sides of the riverbanks and maintenance of old & historic buildings which were built since colonial era.

DUN building (left) and Waterfront (right)

We visited a wall that were built during the old days. The wall was initially designed as border to separate between the Waterfront area and the wet market adjacent to it. The wall is decorated with art made of cement, and illustrates one of famous classical old folk's story "The Tale Of Sang Kancil and The Crocodiles". Basically, the story tells how the Sang Kancil use its wit to outsmart the crocodiles and get across the river. However, I don't agree to use such tale for the wall. This is because crocodile (Bujang Senang) is a symbol or mascot of Sarawak and therefore should not be used, rather brings humiliation to the people.

The Tale Of Sang Kancil & The Crocodiles

This is the recently-finished DUN building. The building is now become the heart of Kuching City, after the old DUN building. Perhaps it was built so that the legislators get closer with the people and see how they are doing from the other side of the riverbank. The design style of the building characterize ethnic unity of Kuching people, which comprises of many race and dominated by Dayak, Melayu, Melanau and Chinese. The DUN building is significantly striking especially at night, when the lights are on of course. It will be opened to the public soon.

Standing tall and beautiful

The Waterfront is about 1 km long which starts from the wet market and finishes at Riverbank Suites & Apartments. The Waterfront was used to be a trading place during early history of colonization in Kuching, using the river as important trading route. There is a fort (not shown) built at the Waterfront and still exist today, where in the past it was built with purpose to protect the people against invader and pirate attack. Now, upgrades and modernization have overshadow the old fort. The Waterfront is now a tourist site, a park, resting place, and most importantly a legacy that the people will continue to cherish, remember and appreciate.