Richard Clayderman is coming to Kuching!

Richard Clayderman (born Philippe Pagès, 28 December 1953) is a French pianist who has released numerous albums including the compositions of Paul de Senneville and Olivier Toussaint, instrumental renditions of popular music, rearrangements of movie soundtracks, ethnic music, and easy-listening arrangements of popular works of classical music.

Early life

Clayderman was born in Paris, France, and learned piano from his father, a piano teacher.
At the age of twelve, he was accepted into the Conservatoire de Paris, where he won great acclaim in his later adolescent years. Financial difficulties, precipitated by his father's illness, forestalled a promising career as a classical pianist. So in order to earn a living, he found work as a bank clerk and as an accompanist to contemporary bands. He accompanied French singers such as Johnny Hallyday, Thierry Le Luron, and Michel Sardou.

Clayderman has recorded over 1,300 melodies, and has created a new romantic style through a repertoire which combines his trademark originals with classics and pop standards. He has devoted much of his time to performing concerts, going as far as playing 200 shows in 250 days. He has clocked up worldwide record sales of approximately 70 million, as of 2006, and has 267 gold and 70 platinum discs to his credit. He is popular in Asia and is noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as being "the most successful pianist in the world".


He lives in Saint-Ouen (near Paris) with his wife Christine, his son Peter, and his daughter Maud. (Copied and edited from Wikipedia)

The best part is, he is coming to Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia!!

World-famous pianist Richard Clayderman will be performing his enchanting tunes in his first concert here on Nov 7 2013.

Held in conjunction with his latest album, Romantique, the 60-year-old piano maestro, who is known for his remarkably distinctive reinterpretations of classical and popular tunes, will be performing music from the album as well as his popular musical numbers.

Clayderman will be accompanied by his percussionist and 12-piece string orchestra in the concert to be held at Pullman Kuching. This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for music lovers who have grown up listening to Richard Clayderman’s music to catch the world’s most successful pianist live.


Beside Kuching, the acclaimed pianist will also be performing in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 4, George Town, Penang on Nov 5 and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on Nov 8 as part of his tour in Malaysia in addition to touring Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines.

The concert in Kuching is the only venue with a VIP ticket category where it is inclusive of a dinner after the concert as well as a ‘Meet & Greet’ session with Richard Clayderman. Each VIP tickets are priced at RM1,500.

Other tickets available are priced at RM118 for students, RM218 (Silver), RM418 (Gold), and RM618 (Platinum) and they can be purchased through the Ticket Charge hotline at 03-92228811 or via its website at www.ticketcharge.com.my.

A roadshow for the concert from today until Oct 20 will be held at The Spring Shopping Mall, Plaza Merdeka and City One Megamall. (Copied and edited from Borneo Post)

Kenny Sia

Guess who had I met in Kuching? 

(well, obviously you can guess it right because it's already written in my  post title) 

Kenny Sia! My favorite blogger! Wahahahahaha!

Well, the first time I met him was in many years ago at the Manhattan Fish Market Restaurant at The Spring, Kuching. 

My younger sister and I were so excited when we realized that the young man who just walked into the restaurant and sitting so 'near' to us (less than 5 meter), breathing the same air (scrumptious food smell), having lunch in the same restaurant is Kenny. Wow!

Then I suggested, "Hey, let's take a photo with him!" 

My sister gave me a look and said, "Are you sure? Please don't do anything silly and make a fool of yourself. What do you wanna say to him?"

I was like errr.....I have no idea. 

Well, I really wish to shake his hand and said hello but I wasn't brave enough. So in the end, I didn't take any action but left the restaurant sadly. Ever since then, I have been regretted for many years. 

However, during my trip to Kuching this time, I met him again at Tom's Restaurant at Jalan Padungan. My friends and I were leaving (our butts were stick on the chairs though) after our wonderful lunch and saw him walking in from the main entrance. I was stunned and wasn't sure whether he is Kenny (well, he does look different compare to many years ago). I kept asking my friends and they have no idea who is Kenny Sia. T_T  

After I told them my 'story' and how much I 'love' him, they encouraged me to step forward without any delay. He was sitting at the corner eating his pasta. I felt so sorry to interrupt him and I nearly back off. My friend looked into my eyes and said, "Are you sure you wouldn't regret if you miss this chance again?" Of course I will regret. I will knock my head on the wall till the wall crack (oh, sounds like I have a harder head)! 

My friend reconfirmed with the waitresses there, double, triple confirmed that the guy is really really THE Kenny Sia, the famous blogger! So finally I took a very, very deep breath, walked to him and had the conversation below:

me:       Hi, are you Kenny Sia? (blushed)

Kenny: Ahar. (His mouth was full of pasta)

me:       I'm sorry to interrupt you. My name is Felicia, and I'm your blog's follower for the past few years. Can I take a photo with you? (My face was like burning, my heart pounded so heavily till I felt like I was going to have a heart attack.)

Kenny: But I'm eating. (still munching)

me:       I know. I'm so sorry to interrupt you. (felt like digging a hole to hide my head in like an ostrich) But I really really love your blog. I'm from Miri (well, originally from Kuching) and I'm leaving soon (still have one week plus before flying back though). Please.... (I think I sounded ridiculous. I have no idea what I was talking. I just know that my face must be extremely red as I can feel my cheeks are burning)

Kenny: Ok. Give me a minute! (he tried very hard to swallow the mouthful of pasta in the shortest time)

me:      Thank you very much. It's very kind of you! (I was over excited!! Nearly jump up to the roof.)

Kenny: It has been a long time for people asking to take photo with me. Haha. (Oh! He is so cute!)

(I was so stiff, didn't dare to move at all. I can even felt my mouth was twitching when I smiled. Gosh! I was so nervous! I wish I had put on some makeup that day!) 

Well, after snapping several photos, here goes our conversation again. 

me: Thank you very much, Kenny! Have a nice day! (Virtual hugs without any action)

Kenny: No problem. Have a pleasant flight! (So sweet! I should have ask for his handphone number but what should I do with the number? Hmm....just a crazy thought.)

Once my friends and I stepped out from the restaurant, I just couldn't stop laughing and smiling. They said I looked silly and I believe so. I can't stop smiling now when I recall back too. Hahaha!

Here are the photos I have with my cute Kenny. ^ ^

Four Point Hotel, by Sheraton (Kuching)

There is a Four Point Hotel, managed by Sheraton in Kuching. It is located right next to the BDC gyratory interchange at the junction of the road leading from the city to the Kuching International Airport, which is just two kilometres away. During our Feb visit, we stayed there for 4 days 3 nights. This is our 2nd visit in this hotel and we like the service and friendly staff there.

However, our hotel room has problem with the air-conditioning for 1 whole day during our stay. The room was 27.5C. It was raining outside but the room was hotter than outdoor. In the end, we had to get out from the room as I felt difficulties in breathing. We had make complained for several times, but no technician came to our room  as promised and we couldn't change our room too. We were told that the whole floors were affected, so no point to change room. Staying in the room is more like torturing than enjoying.

We have stayed in many hotels every year. Surprisingly, this so-called managed by Sheraton hotel is a bit 'different'. They do provide us a baby cot when we asked for it but it's merely baby cot. Unlike other hotels which provide a complete comfortable baby cot with pillow, blanket, protector. This hotel provides nothing but only baby cot, of course with the mattress. When we asked for a blanket, they said, the hotel only have King's size or Queen's Size bed blanket/comforter. Wanna safocate my girl?! Hmm...in the end, we just asked for extra big towels for her.

The breakfast buffet is quite ok. The bed is ok. The tv channels....emmm...basically is from Astro so when there was heavy rain, sorry, all channels were not available. As for broadband, you have to pay for it. We didn't go to their swimming pool (very awkward design where the guests who want to swim has to walk through the restaurant) and gym facilities. As for the basement carpark, it's quite ok. Not many cars so can park near to the entrance. For hotel guest, the carpark is free of charge though.

Four Points had won Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards' 2010 to 1012.
It's still year 2011 and yet the award can be given for future performance. Amazing!
How I wish this type of award is given through the mystery shoppers comment and checklist every year.
I just can't believe it is the BEST Four Star Hotel Resort in Malaysia.
If this is the best, I can't imagine the condition of other 4 stars hotels in Malaysia then. Sigh.