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Posts Tagged ‘Good Friday’

The most famous and most visited venue of Rome, Italy is the ancient Coliseum. Also referred to as a Colosseum, it is situated at the IV Templeum Pacis. The word templeum means “the temple of peace”. The gigantic looking monument in the heart of Rome is basically a Flavian amphitheatre. It was built by the Vespasian and Titus family in 70-80 AD. It is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome and is the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. Today it is seen as one of the best shows of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

The construction of this mammoth looking amphitheatre started in 70-72 AD by the famous families of Italy, the Vespasian and Titus families. Hence the name is derived from them. Then came the reign of Domitian. Regardless of many dissimilarities between both the families, the Templeum was modified from 81-90 AD by Domitian.

The Coliseum had a capacity of 50,000 people. Built by Romans, it was mostly used for Gladiator contests and public spectacles. Later the use was extended to see battles, animal hunts, execution of the prisoners, and dramas on classical mythologies and re-enactments of famous battles. During that time rulers also used the Coliseum as a fortress, and as a quarry and shrine. By the beginning of the medieval era different kinds of workshops, religious gatherings and announcements took the center stage. Sustaining the rumor, the Templeum still has a connection with the Catholic churches of the holy Vatican City. The pope leads a procession of the “ways of the cross” from somewhere in Rome around the Coliseum to the Templeum every good Friday.

The Coliseum stands with the name Templeum to this day. As far as the physical description of the Coliseum is concerned, the beauty of the stone walled monument of Rome has a partially intact outer wall and mostly intact inner wall. The big dome shaped amphitheatre is a delight to see and feel, regardless of the long and ruthless Roman history surrounding it.

Unlike the Greek amphitheatres that were built into hillsides, the Coliseum is a free standing structure. Both the interior and exterior art work has an ageless beauty. Its plan is elliptical and is 189 meters long and 156 meters wide, with a base area of 6 acres. It stands tall with a height of the outer wall of 180 meters. It is estimated a total of 100,000 cubic meters of travertine stone was used to build this massive structure. These stones were set without the use of any motor, and instead used iron clamps. This has challenged modern civil engineers as to how this was done.

Natural calamities have played an important role in the damage of this Roman monument. The half ruined structure of the Templeum has suffered extensive damage due to earthquakes in Italy, with large segment collapses. Besides all the reckless foul play by nature and stone robbers, the ultimate Coliseum stands respected and alive in the heart of Rome.

Kuching is sharing nearly a similar festivals as other part of Malaysia, however you can 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 whole 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, which will fall on any days during January or February.

Google it for exact date for the particular year you wish to know, eg. “Chinese New Year 2010″. Travel to Kuching two weeks before the Chinese New Year is the greatest time to see the locals preparing for the Chinese New Year festival. People in Kuching is often busy shopping for Chinese New Year goods and goodies during this time period. 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, people are at home getting ready for their reunion feast. If you are still in Kuching on this day, the only place you will get your dinner is probably the fast food restaurant such as KFC or McDonald.

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

3. Good Friday (March/April)

Nothing much special in Kuching on this day, it’s simply a public holiday.

5. Labour Day (1 May)

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

6. Wesak Day (May)

It will fall on any day during May be based upon which calendar year. For anyone who is at Kuching during this period, check out the Buddhist temples, where the crowds are gathered on this special day.

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 occasion, you possibly can take part in the Annah Rais Homestay program and experience the fun of the Gawai festival together with the locals people. No walk-in travellers 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 local people.

For Annah Rais Longhouse, simply take part in the homestay program and you may get the opportunity to witness how the local people celebrate the festival at Annah Rais village.

8. Dragon Boat Festival (June)

As the name suggest, you may witness the dragon boats competition during this day through out most part of Malaysia. In Kuching, you can 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 day for their family. Most Chinese coffee shops in Kuching do selling them also, so you should try it!

9. Rainforest World Music Festival (July)

These are the popular international event that’ll 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 get to the same stage to perform for you.

Such event lasts for 3 days and will be held at Sarawak Cultural Village, near to Damai Puri Resort (formerly known as Damai Lagoon Resort), about 30 km from Kuching. For more info about Rainforest World Music Festival, please 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 at times, therefore you are advised to book early if you’re going to go to 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, nonetheless it takes you a longer walk, approximately 10 to 15 mins!

10. Mid Autumn Festival (August)

Also known as Mooncake or Lantern Festival. Nothing much special accept eating mooncake (lots of mooncakes, everywhere is selling it) and watching kids carrying lantern each and every corner of the streets once 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 every year, check out at Central Padang at Kuching.

12. Hungry Ghosts Month (August/September)

It’s believed by the Chinese that in the 7th month of lunar calendar, ghosts are returned to the earth for feasting. In Kuching, have 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 suppose, if 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 great holiday soon.