STB throws party to welcome Heritage Adventurer cruise passengers at Pending Port

KUCHING (Sept 21): The 126 passengers of the Heritage Adventurer received a warm welcome upon their arrival at Pending Port here yesterday.

According to Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the organiser of the welcoming event, the cruise ship’s stop here was part of the ‘Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo’ programme run by its operator Noble Caledonia.

Arriving from Singapore, the passengers – mainly from Australia, the US and Britain – were greeted with the traditional garlanding ceremony accompanied by a cultural performance, which offered the visitors a vibrant introduction to Sarawak’s rich music and dance heritage.

The welcoming event featured a cultural performance representing Sarawak’s six major ethnic groups: the Iban, the Bidayuh, the Orang Ulu, the Malay, the Melanau, and the Chinese.

During their stay, the cruise passengers had the opportunity to explore iconic destinations around the city such as Fort Margherita, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Bako National Park, with convenient city shuttle services available throughout their visit.

Operated by the UK-based Noble Caledonia, the Heritage Adventurer is a 124m-long vessel that can accommodate up to 140 passengers and 84 crew members, at one time.

After Kuching, the ‘Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo’ cruise will continues its journey to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei; Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan in Sabah; the Derawan Islands in East Kalimantan; then to Sulawesi and Bali.

According to STB, for the rest of the year, Sarawak is expected to welcome another two cruise ships.

“(This is) further cementing Sarawak’s status as a premier destination for travellers seeking unique cultural experiences and natural beauty,” said the board in a statement.