So, you have your Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) tickets, but it’s your first time. What RWMF essentials do you need to bring to ensure you have a fun filled day at the biggest music festival in Borneo?
Don’t sweat, because this article is all about helping you pack for a full day at RWMF.
Remember, the RWMF is a three day event, so unless you booked a hotel nearby RWMF site, these tips about RWMF essentials would likely be a huge help, especially if you don’t want to stay til the night concert.
RWMF ESSENTIALS 1: A BAG
A full day at the RWMF would require you to have a storage place, so I do encourage you to bring a bag. My emphasis here is a ‘light and cheap bag’, because a huge bulky bag will restrict your movement. Also, since rain is practically guaranteed during the RWMF, a cheap bag which could be disposed off after the whole festival, may be a good idea. Cheap but reliable bags can be bought at India Street in Kuching, if you had not brought one from home.
> Bags sold starting USD1.16 on GearBest
RWMF ESSENTIALS 2: CASH
Despite being a major tourist attraction, the grounds of the RWMF, the Sarawak Cultural Village remains ATM-less, with the nearest ATM far-far away. This means you need to bring enough cash to buy food and souvenirs, as credit cards aren’t accepted during the festival. My past experience at the festival indicates that about RM400 (around USD100) should be suffice for a whole day, provided you slow down on beer and souvenirs.
RWMF ESSENTIALS 3: PASSPORT OR DOCUMENTATION
While it is very unlikely you will need your passport or any sort of documentation at the RWMF, it would be good to have them with you, just in case. If you are worried they would get lost or damaged, bring at least a photo copy of your passport or identification.
RWMF ESSENTIALS 4: PLASTIC BAGS
Trust me, you can’t survive on just one plastic bag if you intend to stay for a whole full day at the RWMF. You need a couple, preferably good quality ones. These plastic bags are essential to store your any items you don’t want to get wet, including your electronic devices like your phone! If it doesn’t rain, these plastic bags would be also great as mats during the night concert. You can do away with the plastic bag if your bag is water-resistant.
RWMF ESSENTIALS 5: FLIP FLOPS
Keep those leather shoes, sneakers and high heels at your hotel room, and come with cheap sandals or flip flops. Muddy conditions, as well as rain is practically guaranteed at the RWMF so unless you want your Prada heels dirty, leave them. If you insist to wear shoes, make sure you have flip flops in your bag because there would be a time you’d have to ditch those shoes anyway.
> Flip flops sold starting USD2.34 on GearBest
RWMF ESSENTIALS 6: CLOTHING & TOWEL
The venue of the RWMF can be very humid, making you uncomfortable, so pack up a pair of clean tees and undies to change midway the festival, or before the night concert starts. If you can’t find an empty restroom in the venue for a quick shower, try venturing out to the nearby Permai Rainforest Resort. You can enter for less than RM3, and use the bathing facilities nearby the beach. Don’t forget to bring a small towel to wipe yourself after the quick bath. The journey to Permai Beach might cause you to sweat again, but at least you won’t feel as sticky as you were before.
RWMF ESSENTIALS 7: SUNGLASSES
Hey, did I say it’s going to be really hot at the RWMF? With that in mind, bring your sunglasses, or buy some cheap knock off which could be forgotten if lost because sunglasses are pretty important during the day, but practically useless for the night concerts. Also, consider packing some sun screen to avoid sunburns.
> Sunglasses sold starting USD2.05 on GearBest
RWMF ESSENTIALS 8: BINOCULARS
Some people don’t like to be in the dancing crowd when the night concert happens. If you are one of them, bring binoculars. That way, you can sit comfortably far from the crowd, but still enjoy what is happening. The same goes to the workshop sessions that happen at the Dewan Lagenda and Iban Longhouse.
> Binoculars sold starting USD6.19 on GearBest
RWMF ESSENTIALS 9: SMARTPHONE
Some say, bring a camera. I say, bring your smartphone and put it in one of those waterproof cases. Seriously, you aren’t at the RWMF to take photos of what’s happening on stage, so why bother bring those bulky DSLRs? Bring your smartphone and snap your memories at the RWMF, and of course, make sure you bring at least one power bank which can hold up to 30,000mAh because there’s no place to charge smartphones at the village.
RWMF ESSENTIALS 10: BRING A FRIEND, OR FRIENDS
The best parties are enjoyed with friends, so there’s no harm bringing a plus one to the RWMF. Not only will your company make the whole RWMF experience special, he/she/they would also make a good ‘guard’ to look after your stuff when you decide to dance in front of the stage!
Notice I didn’t mention anything about packing a water bottle, despite the fact I have consistently informed you that it’s going to be pretty darn hot at the RWMF?
Well, this is because outside food and drinks aren’t allowed in the venue and will be confiscated at the door by security. Also not allowed into the venue would be illegal items like drugs, but the rest of the items I’ve listed above, are good to go.
If you need to know more about the RWMF, this article on the Rainforest World Music Festival will likely be a lot of help. Else, check out what you should do at the RWMF, or my personal experience at the 2017 RWMF.
Also, you can also opt to check out the Rainforest Fringe Festival while you are in Kuching for the RWMF!
