The multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural makeup of Malaysia
means opportunities for travel increase greatly thanks to the dizzying
number of state and national level holidays, this coupled with the
fact that Malaysia is a tropical country with negligible seasonal weather
variations make traveling and sightseeing in Malaysia a breeze. Indeed
it is an ingrained culture that city dwellers vacate their urban lifestyles
and the rat race several times a year and "Balik Kampung" all
it takes is a holiday on any day other than a Wednesday and by taking an
extra day off you will end up with a four day weekend.
The fact that
transport to just about any destination in Malaysia as well as food
and accommodation are usually cheap, money is rarely a problem, however
a bit of planning will often be necessary. For example the major holidays
in Malaysia are Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year and Christmas / New
Year. The "Holiday
Season" stretches from December to February, a quick check will reveal that
these 3 months contain the largest concentration of public and state holidays.
This coupled with the long year end break for most schools the payment of
year end bonuses and the "clearing of annual leave" and vacation time for
most workers mean that the regular tourist destinations will be heavily congested
and availability of accommodations will be a problem. Transport will also
be a factor due to these considerations.
Destinations will also need to be
taken into account, for example beaches and islands along the Melaka Straits
tend to more developed, less rustic and well, made less "pure", thanks
to heavy sea traffic through these straits. Also roads along the Peninsular
west coast are definitely of higher quality than those leading to and running
along the east coast. Of course it goes without saying that some hill and
forest destinations tend to be more developed and commercialized than others,
take stock of what you want out of your holiday, whether it is excitement,
entertainment, adventure or just peace and quiet before deciding on where
and when to go.
Consequently if you want to take full advantage of your
time off and maximize your RM value, advance planning will be a necessity.
Weather in Malaysia while sunny and tropical all year long does have
its vagaries, in particular the rainy monsoon season lasting for about
4 months from November onward will see sudden and heavy downpours as
well as sullen skies and occasional day long drizzles interspersed
by heavy rain. While this is rarely much cause for concern to most destinations,
care should be taken if you're traveling to the islands off the east
coast as some of these may be closed during the season, the east coast
itself, which is often prone to flooding or any hilly or mountainous
destinations, due to the possibility of landslides.
Driving in Peninsular
Malaysia promises to be smooth and trouble free, interstate highways
are well developed and modern and among the best in the region. The
scenery is often beautiful and relaxing with picturesque, quaint small
towns and villages, sprawling paddy fields, lush plantations, mysterious
jungles and majestic mountains. Rest stops and petrol stations are plentiful,
and various inns and motels are available in every town. Highway users
are normally charged a toll based on the distance traveled, a toll
chit is given upon entering a highway toll booth and payment is made
upon exiting at your destination.
Following is a breakdown of popular
destinations in Malaysia's various states.
Johor
Johor is the transit point from Malaysia to Singapore and at any time
of the year, visitors from Singapore, Malaysia and all over the world
come to this prosperous state for business and pleasure. Indeed Johor
has much to offer and will surely captivate your senses. Due to its proximity
to the affluent Island Republic, prices in Johor are likely to be somewhat
higher.
Much of the attraction of Johor lies in its natural treasures, surrounded
by the sea, destinations such as Desaru and its excellent beach resorts
come to mind immediately, a little less well known destination is Kukup,
famed for its scrumptious fresh seafood and not forgetting Tanjung Piai
and its environmentally vital mangrove swamps.
Other natural attractions include the vast Endau Rompin National Park,
with its dark and mysterious rainforests and the Tanjung Tinggi Waterfalls,
a perfect place for an afternoon picnic with family and friends.
Johor
Baru, the state capital is another historic city with attractions such
as the "Istana Besar Johor" or Johor Grand Palace, Dataran Bandaraya,
the Sultan Abdul Bakar Mosque, the Royal Museum, the Handicraft Centre
and the Johor Art Gallery to visit and experience. Shopping and bargain
hunting in Johor is facilitated by numerous markets, bazaars and large
shopping malls catering to all tastes and budgets.
Kedah
Paddy fields. These are the first words that will come to mind when
Kedah is mentioned. This state is extensively farmed and oftentimes when
on Kedah roads, one can see paddy (rice) fields stretching far into the
horizon. Although Kedah has seen much development over recent years,
it still retains all of its rustic charm, and people are still extremely
friendly even to strangers they've never met before.
The capital of Kedah is Alor Setar, a large town with all the amenities
a traveler could wish for, points of interest include the "Pasar Pekan
Rabu", or Pekan Baru Bazaar, where local produce, handicrafts and souvenirs
may be purchased. Historical sites in Alor Setar include the Balai Besar,
a hundred year old example of Malay architecture oftentimes used for
state level religious and royal functions. The stunning Zahir mosque
and the Kedah Royal Museum with its ancient historical artifacts are
also worth a visit.
Gunung Jerai, a mountain in Kedah that is steeped in legend and beautiful
ancient forests is a must see for nature lovers, hikers and bird watchers.
Finally Kedah is the main transit point for trips to Langkawi.
Kelantan
Another state sharing its border with Thailand, Kelantan is arguably
the most conservative state in Malaysia, with a very strong Islamic background,
Kelantan is perhaps the best showcase of Malay traditions and culture
in the country. Life in Kelantan is sedate, calm and dignified with strong
family and religious values.
Though much of the state is less developed than most others, its capital
Kota Baru, the focus of trade and commerce is quite modern. With a booming
cottage industry of weavers, crafts and foods found nowhere else in Malaysia,
not at the prices here at any rate.
Visitors will be treated to a vast
array of goods, handicrafts and souvenirs at the Kota Baru Bazaar.
The Cultural Centre in downtown Kota Baru also offers a showcase of Kelantanese
tradition, history, culture and crafts. The beautifully crafted and
colorful giant kites or "Wau", the massive wood and metal tops
or "Gasing", the beautiful and ornately forged Malay serpentine dagger or "Kris" and
the implements of the "Wayang Kulit" or shadow play are prominent displays.
As far as natural attractions are concerned Kelantan really shines.
The beaches of Kelantan are absolute
pockets of tranquility and beauty,
with its swaying palm trees, rustic
villages and simple friendly life, "Pantai Cahaya Bulan", "Pantai
Bisikan Bayu" and "Pantai Seri Tujuh" are veritable paradises on Earth.
Kuala
Lumpur
The largest, most heavily populated,
most affluent city in Malaysia, Kuala
Lumpur is also the nations capital and the focal point of politics, trade,
industry and communications for the country. With a population approaching
2.5million souls, K.L is modern, high-tech, dynamic, cosmopolitan and very
beautiful.
The current landmark of K.L is the hugely impressive Petronas
Twin Towers, one of the tallest buildings on Earth, sharing the skyline
is K.L Tower, one of the tallest towers. Scores of skyscrapers
rise above the roaring traffic, bright lights and soaring aspirations
of its citizens, all working and vying for a bigger and better
life, future and piece of the economic pie.
Though in all respects K.L
is a city of the new millennium, it has lost considerably less culture
and charm than many other cities in the region. A very celebrated and
world renowned British university recently stated that it would be
using Malaysia and particularly Kuala Lumpur as a model of inter-racial
harmony in their syllabus as it is the only place in the world that inter-racial
harmony works so well.
And harmony is what makes K.L stand out as much
as it does. The values of each culture are integrated into the city,
making it stronger and more robust, yet flexible and adaptable, for
the virtues of tolerance and forbearance has become ingrained in the
people of K.L.
For the traveler, a visit to K.L is bound to excite the
senses, known as the "Garden
City of Lights", K.L certainly lives up to its name, the city
centre is perpetually bathed in light 24 hours a day, and the
streets are wide and shady from the trees and foliage strategically
planted to make walking in the tropical midday sun more tolerable,
and walking is probably the best way to see K.L.
From the up-market,
cool and fashionable designer brand boutiques of Bukit
Bintang in the city's showcase "Golden Triangle" to the bazaars of bustling
Masjid India in K.L's "Little India" to the noisy, vibrant night
markets of Petaling Street in Chinatown and the wet markets of
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, you must walk, taking in the sights,
scents and sounds of K.L.
For a taste of the rich history of
the city a visit to the Masjid Jamek,
located precisely in the centre of
K.L, the National Muzeum, the National
Monument, Merdeka Square and the
Sultan Abdul Samad Building is a
must. The city itself can be a museum,
age old shops and buildings such
as the old railway station, the ancient "kopitiams" or Chinese coffee shops
of Chinatown, and the crumbling and sometimes disused buildings near the Puduraya
bus terminal and the temple districts are legacies from the past.
For a taste
of culture and arts, popular venues would include the recently opened "Istana
Budaya" or Cultural Palace a brand new facility
offering traditional and modern plays, dances and performances, the Central
Market where open air performances and plays are regularly staged, the
Dewan Philharmonik Petronas, home to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra,
and the National Art Gallery.
For nature lovers just 5 minutes
(barring rush hour traffic) from
the concrete canyons of Bukit Bintang
lay Bukit Nanas a designated "green lung" and a mini
nature preserve in the inner city. 30 minutes away just
across the Selangor border lie Templer Park and Taman Rimba Kanching, nature
reserves, with winding jungle paths and spectacular waterfalls. The Lake Gardens
and The KLCC Park also offers a temporary, soothing relief from the mad headlong
rush of city life.
Nightlife is also extremely lively in K.L from crowded,
pulsating dance clubs and discotheques to quite bars and delis, the nights
of K.L has something to offer for everybody. The most "happening" locales are
still the same, Bukit Bintang, Bangsar, Ampang and lately Sri Hartamas and
Bandar Utama. The city never sleeps.
Melaka
Melaka has a rich history dating back some 600 years, originally
founded by Parameswara, a prince from Singapore it rapidly became
a focal point for trade and commerce in the region with merchants
coming from all over the world to trade in spices and silk. Melaka's
tumultuous history involved intrigue and war with three successive
European conquerors, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English. Even
before this, prominent figures in Malay history such as Hang Tuah,
Hang Jebat, Tun Perak and the mysterious Puteri Gunung Ledang had
become the stuff of legend.
Present day Melaka has been declared a Historical
State and is regularly thronged by visitors eager for a glimpse of
its illustrious history from times of yore. Attractions like the Portuguese
fortress of A Famosa, now just a shadow of its former glory, the Stadhuys,
the stronghold of the Dutch Governors from the mid 17th century, but
now housing the Historic and Ethnographic Museums, Hang Li Po's well,
named for the Chinese princess wed to the Melakan Sultan during the
peak of Melaka's power, the mausoleums of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, two
great warriors and heroes of Melaka. St John's Fort, The Cultural Museum
and a reconstructed example of a Melakan Sultan's Palace are all legacies
from this bygone age.
Other attractions in the state include less historical
but no less interesting locations, such as the Melaka Zoo, Mini Malaysia,
a cultural showcase of traditional dwellings and implements from
all the states, the crocodile farm, the Ayer Keroh Forest Reserve
and the Butterfly Farm. For those seeking a more nautical theme
a boat ride to the island of Pulau Besar might interest you, according
to local legend the island is the home of fairies and supernatural creatures
and many visitors have reported "strange" experiences.
For bargain hunters
and antique collectors a stroll down Jonkers street is a must, rows of shops
sell everything from cheap colourful souvenirs to ancient artifacts costing
a small fortune.
Negeri Sembilan
Cross the southern border of Selangor and you will find
yourself in "Nine States" Negeri
Sembilan, formerly composed of nine states
each ruled by a Malay chieftain, it is now a single state in Malaysia.
Often thought of as a quiet and rural state one passes through in order
to get from K.L to Johor, Negeri Sembilan has retained much of its "Minang" Malay
roots.
Life is indeed quiet and sedate in
Negeri Sembilan industry consists
of primarily light industry, agriculture
and fishery, as everywhere else in
Malaysia the populace is friendly
and unassuming, with a ready smile
and a ready hand.
Places to visit will of course include the beaches of Port
Dickson, a popular picnic and family holiday destination, with its
economical guest houses, chalets and hotels and miles of sandy beaches.
The Ulu Bendol Recreational Park is a little known haven for campers
and nature lovers with its lush jungles and beautiful waterfalls
the nearby Gunung Angsi provides a scenic challenge for climbers.
Another destination would be the Pedas Hot Springs for an exhilarating
and reputedly therapeutic dip.
The Royal Museum and Royal Palace
in Sri Menanti and the Seremban Lake Gardens are more than worth visiting
as are the picturesque villages, heavily influenced by the Sumatran
Minangkabau culture and architecture, they are found nowhere else in
Malaysia.
Pahang
Located in the centre of Peninsular Malaysia, Pahang is characterized
by highlands and jungles. Perhaps the least developed state in
West Malaysia, Pahang is also the largest state. An eco-tourists
dream, Pahang boasts some of the oldest jungles in the world. The
Taman Negara National Park is accessed through this state, and
the rainforests there is estimated to be in excess of 130million
years old. The National park offers facilities to suit just about every adventurer
or nature lover's desires.
For those seeking a short holiday in a cool and
comforting hill setting away from the sticky, sweaty Malaysian weather,
Cameron Highlands and Frasers Hill offers just that. These destinations
have a climate not unlike summer in England, Cameron Highlands
is the more developed of the two with a booming agricultural industry
with large scale tea, flower and vegetable plantations, whereas
Frasers Hill is more like a quiet hill resort offering quiet and
isolated inns and holiday chalets, excellent bird watching and
an abundance of peace and quiet. Genting Highlands, also in Pahang
offers a world class casino (the only licensed casino in Malaysia),
a huge theme park, a golf course and five star accommodation, dining
and entertainment.
Pahang is also famed for its lake resorts, Tasik Chini and
Tasik Bera in northern Pahang offers river safaris, jungle trekking
and water sports in the two massive freshwater lakes. Also in northern
Pahang, close to the state capital and commercial and industrial
centre of Kuantan, lay the beach and island destinations of Pahang.
Cherating, Teluk Cempedak, Mersing and Balok enticing travelers
to stay forever with its white sandy beaches, blue waters and world
class resorts. Tioman Island, another world famous beach and diving
destination can be accessed from here as well.
Perak
Historically significant to Malaysia, Perak's wealth of tin deposits
helped build the country during the heydays of tin mining in the
first part of the 20th century. This industry was primarily worked
by Chinese immigrants and hence Perak towns retain a very "Chinese" feel.
Much of the records of the sometimes turbulent history of the tin trade in
this state may be found at the Perak Geographical Museum in Ipoh, the capital
of Perak.
Another booming town in
Malaysia, set amidst verdant
hills, Ipoh, the Perak
state capital is very pleasant
with beautiful parks, friendly people
and excellent food. The famous hill
temples of nearby Sam Poh Tong, carved
from limestone, impart a feeling
of ancient spirituality and mystery.
Known as "Bandar DiRaja Perak" or the
Royal City of Perak, the town of Kuala Kangsar, is famed for its old buildings
and architecture such as the Iskandariyah palace. Taiping, another town in
Perak is well known for its lake gardens, its zoo and its museum, the oldest
museum in Malaysia. A cool and refreshing and still undeveloped hill destination
is located near Taiping as well, known as Bukit Larut, this destination
draws many visitors yearly.
Pangkor Island off
the Perak Coast is
another mainstay island
destination in Malaysia,
with its clear sandy
beaches, warm waters,
stunning scenery and world
class resorts, Pangkor
draws thousands of tourists
yearly.
Perlis
Perlis is at the northernmost tip of Peninsular Malaysia's west
coast. The smallest state in Malaysia, it is a serene and quiet state
where life goes on at a very relaxed, leisurely pace, mostly centered
on agriculture and fishery, it is also a transit point for visitors
to the famed Pulau Langkawi, a very popular island destination
famed for its natural beauty, legendary history and tranquil beaches.
Langkawi has also been designated a duty-free zone and is popular with
bargain hunters.
The 370meter long Wang Kelian limestone caves are also
a popular destination, along with the snake farm at Sungai Batu Pahat,
Gunung Medan and its limestone formations are also a scenic spot many
people visit.
Perlis shares much of its border with Thailand and centuries
of contact between the cultures have resulted in a unique and delightful
blend. Food, language and traditions are often influenced by Thai
culture. Padang Besar is the main transit point to Thailand.
Pulau Pinang (Penang)
Composed of Penang island and Seberang Perai on
the mainland, Penang is a highly developed and industrialized state.
The frantic daily bustle of activity mirrors Kuala Lumpur in many regards,
the potpourri of different cultures are also equally evident in cosmopolitan
Penang, even the traffic is becoming more and more like the capital.
However, unlike K.L, Penang has lost less of its old world charms.
Small
thing like how the food is still prepared the wholesome traditional
way, people are still more open and friendly, and how old trishaws and
older trishawmen still ply the busy city streets alongside the latest
model Toyotas and BMWs imbue a unique charm not found anywhere else in
Malaysia.
Besides the beaches of Batu Ferringhi the spectacular view
from Bukit
Bendera and the night markets of Ayer Itam and Georgetown, Penang
offers a quaint charisma that transcends modernity and archaism by
effectively blending the two into a unique mix that is simply… Penang.
No
trip to Penang is considered complete without a visit to the Kek
Lok Si Temple, its towering pagoda and statue of "Kuan
Yin" the goddess
of mercy, having your photograph taken with the docile serpentine
visitors at the Snake Temple, visiting Komtar tower, the highest
building in the state, crossing the Penang Bridge, one of the longest
bridges in the world and taking a ferry ride across the straits
back to the mainland.
Selangor
Selangor is one of the most developed states in Malaysia, primarily
geared towards industry, the state has numerous light and heavy
Industrial areas. Selangor is also a transport and logistics hubs with
an expansive, high traffic port, Port Klang and one of the world's largest
and most modern airports, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Shah
Alam is the capital of Selangor and is arguably one of the most modern,
well planned and efficient municipalities in the nation, the awe inspiring
Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Mosque is located in Shah Alam. The nation's
massive international sports complex at Bukit Jalil and formula one
racing circuit at Sepang are also located in Selangor. The sprawling
recently opened Putrajaya and Cyberjaya administrative and high technology
parks lends credence to the meteoric advances Malaysia has made in recent
years.
The awesome Batu Caves, a focus of the Hindu religion in Malaysia,
the Kuala Selangor Nature Park a nature haven on the Selangor coast,
the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia, the Bukit Cahaya Seri
Alam nature preserve and the impressive Mines Resort City and Conference
Centre are just a few of the many, many attractions Selangor has
to offer.
Selangor is unfortunately also famous for its heinous rush
hour traffic. Being possibly the most heavily populated state in Malaysia
and also because of the aforementioned heavy industrialization the
highways and the city roads are uniformly congested at rush hour.
Terengganu
Beaches and Islands characterize this state, the major attraction
of Terengganu lies in its extensive and picturesque beaches, quite
similar to those of Kelantan the beaches of Terengganu are clean,
idyllic and still relatively uncoil by development and mass market
tourism. One beach in particular, Rantau Abang has an added attraction
of the rare giant leatherback turtles which come once a year to lay their
eggs on the beach.
Off the coast of Terengganu some of the most famous
and dazzling islands in the world beckon the itinerant traveler. Pulau
Redang, Pulau Kapas, Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Tenggol offer unparalleled
scenery, beaches and diving. Visitors to these islands often find
it next to impossible to leave.
Kuala Terengganu, the capital of
Terengganu is a booming town, grown rich from the proceeds of the state's
extensive petroleum industry based at nearby Kertih. Life however is
still not as hectic as Kuala Lumpur or similar cities, places of interest
include the central market, state museum and the state palace, Istana
Maziah. Terengganu is also famed for its silk weaving, handicrafts
and traditional boat building industry.
Finally for eco-tourism buffs,
Tasik Kenyir, a vast man made lake offers adventurous activities like
jungle trekking, canoeing and cave exploration. Anglers will instantly
fall in love with Kenyir.
East Malaysia
Many visitors from West Malaysia arriving in East Malaysia
for the first time get the impression that they have entered another
country. Though Sabah and Sarawak are a part of Malaysia these states
exude a totally different character. The first impression is usually
of mild discomfort, as East Malaysia is not as developed or as technologically
advanced as West Malaysia, but after spending some time and getting
to know the lay of the land, the realization that East Malaysia
is indeed quite different surfaces and with it comes the desire to fully
appreciate just how unique the way of life is in these states..
Sabah
and Sarawak share many characteristics, the developed areas are along
the coast. The interior is thick with rainforests, mountains and
rivers. Industry is nowhere near as pervasive as it is in the Peninsula,
composed mostly of agriculture, oil and gas, lumber and fishery. The
roads are of mixed quality, there are no broad, interstate highways,
most are just dimple dual carriageways connecting the various coastal
towns and cities. Many of these roads are closed during the rainy season
which in East Malaysia is actually longer and more intense.
Travel by
boat for revering destinations and travel by air to even more remote
jungle or mountain destinations are also very common. Most East Malaysians
use the regular and cheap interstate flights much like how West Malaysians
use express busses. The visitor to the smaller towns in East Malaysia
are well advised that car-rental operators are often scarce and taxis
are often non-metered, bus services are also less pervasive and comfortable
than those in West Malaysia. Telecommunications remain an annoyance,
while landlines are very reliable, cellular networks are often less
so.
Prices of accommodation and food are dependent on the location,
for example seafood in Sandakan and Lahad Datu is cheap, fresh and
very delicious, but hotel and food prices in Miri tend to be a little
high due to its proximity with neighboring Brunei.
What all this means
is that if you are looking for a quiet, peaceful holiday in order to "get
back to nature / the basics, in a place where no one from the office
can call and bother you , a trip to East Malaysia is definitely for
you. Sabah and Sarawak is absolutely the best eco-tourism destination
in Malaysia. Much of the best sights and experiences are "off the beaten
track",
and not usually found in the travel brochures and circulars.
Having a good guide, usually a knowledgeable and friendly
cab driver (if you're not taking a guided tour package) will make
a tremendous difference in the enjoyment of your stay.
Sabah
Sabah is filled to the brim with exotic unspoilt natural
beauty, despite the extensive and invasive logging carried
out a few decades ago, it still has more than its share of
deep forests and virgin jungles, much of the terrain in the
interior is highland, culminating with Mount Kinabalu, and
the highest mountain in South East Asia. Towering mountains
covered in dense forests and deep valleys cut by mighty rives
form the backdrop to pictorial, scenic villages and farmsteads
of simple folk living and working the land as their forefathers
have done since time immemorial. Indeed Sabah is a photographers
dream. The following is a tiny sampling of the countless attractions
Sabah has to offer.
Kinabalu National Park offers visitors forest and hill trails, rivers,
lakes, waterfalls and of course the challenge of scaling the 4095
meter mountain. The Danum Valley Conservation Area offers 60 million
year old primeval rainforest filled with prehistoric trees, birds,
insects and animals many species of which remain undiscovered still.
The Tambunan Rafflesia Reserve set amidst one of the most scenic
Sabah roads, offer visitors a chance to see the incredibly rare Rafflesia
flower, the largest flower in the world. The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation
Centre just outside the coastal town of Sandakan is famed for its
resident "Jungle
Men" or Orang Utans.
If you like beaches resorts such as
the Tanjung Aru, Karambunai, Rasa Ria
and Berringis resort will make you
forget that you have a job to get back
to. Further off shore, there are thousands
of small islands off the Sabah coast
waiting to be discovered by you, some
are world famous Mecca for diving enthusiasts.
Islands like Sipadan, Kapas and Layang-Layang
with crystal clear waters and stunning
coral reefs exploding with life beguile
visitors. Jacques Cousteau extended
his "brief" stay
at Sipadan to six weeks, the longest
his ship the Calypso has ever stayed at any single location, because he simply
couldn't bear to leave. How long will you stay?
The are a million and one
things to see and do in Sabah, from golfing to antique shopping to water
skiing to mountain climbing and hiking, if you bypass this destination
because it is "too primitive" and "uncomfortable" you
will be doing yourself a huge disservice.
Sarawak
The Land Below The Wind is very similar
to its neighbor, Sabah, however in Sarawak,
one gets a more "adventurous" feel. Mostly undeveloped
wilderness and jungle, the interiors of Sarawak
would seem inaccessible, mysterious and more than a little intimidating
to the average city dweller. However it was in the spirit of Adventure
that the history of Sarawak was founded. The White Rajah, an
Englisman named James Brooke was given ruler ship of Sarawak after winning
the favor of the ruler of Borneo by braving inter-tribal wars, rebellious
headhunters, merciless pirates and the unforgiving wilderness.
The average visitor today can taste all Sarawak has to offer with considerably
less aggravation.
Most people visiting Sarawak
for pleasure would be interested mainly in adventure and nature, due
to space constraints, we will highlight only this
aspect. Please understand however that what follows
is a mere drop in the bucket from the cornucopia
that is Sarawak.
The nature trail should begin with Bako National Park just
outside of Kuching, the capital city, its easy trails and comfortable
accommodations help visitors to fully appreciate the wealth of pristine,
natural beauty found here. The Batang Ai National Park is located on
a large lake smack dab in the Sarawak wilds, offering native Iban guides,
longhouse stays and authentic native handicrafts and attire this
park should not be missed. Human habitations have existed in the
Niah Caves for 40 millennia. The Niah National Park, again in the
heart of the rainforests situated halfway between Miri and Bintulu
offers a glimpse of those primordial times through the Painted Caves
and its silent burial grounds. Finally the Mulu National Park, the
largest in Sarawak and also the most famous offers visitors the chance
to explore the largest network of caves in the world deep in the
roots of Gunung Mulu, Gunun Berapi and Gunung Benarat. A mere one-third
of the cave complexes has been surveyed so far, a staggering 310
kilometers. If you are afraid of the dark, other activities may appeal
to you, kayaking, white water rafting, jungle trekking, rock climbing
and mountain biking are among other activities available.
From the
innumerable other attractions of Sarawak, here are a few samples; scuba
diving off the various offshore shoals, quite comparable to those in
Sabah, jet skiing on the coast or in the jungle rivers, world class
golf facilities in the wildlands and mountains, isolated, pristine beaches
and the culture, food and histories of 27 ethnic groups, some of which
have been here since humanity began.
