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| Sarawak
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Sarawak shares
East Malaysia with Sabah but it is a different place compared to
other regions of Malaysia. Its great diversity of ethnicity, tribal
culture and cuisine makes this region very unique.
Most residents of Sarawak use the complex network of waterways
to get around. Tourists are encouraged to do so too, even though taxis
and rental cars are available in the larger towns.
Sarawak
can be accessible by flights from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It lies
some 650 kilometres or 404 miles off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
Kuching
Kuching, located on the banks of the River Sarawak is a quaint historic town, and a gateway to dense tropical jungle
and mountain ranges. Here many of the villages on stilts still cling
precariously to the river banks.
Kuching features a number of
interesting places worth visiting. The Sarawak Museum offers
insights into the history, wildlife and anthropology of Borneo.
Constructed in 1847, the Court House is furnished with local art
and is considered to be the finest building in Sarawak. The Hong
San Temple, dates back to 1895 and was built in honour of the
God Kuek Seng. Kuek Seng, who became a god 1,000 years
ago supposedly grants all requests from his devotees. This god is
revered by the Chinese community.
In the centre of Kuching you will find the magnificence of Sarawak
State Mosque and its splendid gilt domes. At the junction
of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Main Bazaar is
the Tua Pek Kong Temple, Kuching's oldest Chinese
temple dating back to 1876.
Excursions
Overnight trips can be made up the Skrang River with accommodations
provided in long houses. There are also down river excursions to
Santubong, an ancient trading post.
The Bako National Park that covers an area of about
26 sq kilometres (10 sq miles) is home to wildlife and vegetation, carnivorous
plants, long-nosed monkeys and Sambar deer. Tours are organized
from Kuching.
Gunung Mulu
National Park
Gunung Mulu National Park is
a World Heritage Site. This park has over 3,500 various plant species
and is home to a multitude of wildlife as well as exotic birds and
butterflies, fish and mammals. Small Borneo gibbons swinging about
the trees are common here. The spectacular limestone caves are the
main places of interest. These include Deer Cave, Clearwater
Cave and The Cave of the Winds.
Niah
Caves
Other tours, often from Miri, can be made to the Niah
Caves. Here there is evidence of human existence dating back
to 5,000 BC. The caves are also prized for their guano and bird’s
nests, the latter used to make soup. Many of the caves can be visited
with a guide. |
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