Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Planet Borneo Lodge
10 Lorong Park
T
082 4121000,
W
planetborneolodge.com. Particularly good if you're
travelling with friends or love to socialize, this detached
lodge features mostly multi-person rooms with beds
rather than bunks. There's a dipping pool in the garden,
and Bryan, the manager
, gets r
ave reviews for his in-depth
local knowledge. Room
RM60
per person
★
TRAVEL TO INDONESIA
You can travel across the border into
Indonesian Kalimantan directly from
Kuching. A nine-hour bus ride (from the
Kuching Sentral bus station) will take you
as far as
Pontianak
(several buses leave
either early in the morning or late at
night). The border crossing at Entikong
issues 30-day visas on arrival to citizens of
various countries, but since the visa
situation in Indonesia is volatile, check
the
Indonesian embassy website
(
W
embassyofindonesia.org/consular
/voa.html).
Singgahsana Lodge
1 Temple St
T
082 429277,
W
singgahsana.com.
Singgahsana
has a beautiful lounge
and on-site café, a lively rooftop bar and walls decorated
with vivid photos from the owners' travels. Though down-
stairs rooms lack natural light, the rest are bright and have
comfy beds. If you want to retreat from Kuching's hustle
and bustle, ask about
Vill
age Ho
use
, the
owne
rs' other
property out of town. Dorm
RM30
, double
RM88
Threehouse B&B
51 Upper China St
T
082 424229,
W
bedsguesthouse.com. A beautifully decorated hostel
with a comfy common area with plenty of books and DVDs.
There's a fan-cooled dorm, doubles (some with a/c) and
multi-person rooms. The only dow
nside i
s that th
e toile
ts
are practically in the kitchen. Dorm
RM38
, double
RM88
Wo Jia Lodge
17 Main Bazaar
T
082 251776,
W
wojia
lodge.com. This waterfront guesthouse, run by laidback
and helpful guys, and featuring a large common area
strewn with cushions, has large, sparsely furnished rooms
and is great value for
money
. One of the few places to offer
single rooms. Double
RM48
6
Destinations
Bandar Seri Begawan (daily; 20hr); Bintulu
(10 daily; 12hr); Miri (8 daily; 10-15hr); Pontianak,
Indonesia (6 daily; 9hr); Sibu (10 daily; 8-10hr).
INFORMATION
Tourist information
The excellent Kuching Visitor
Information Centre (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm;
T
082 410944,
W
sarawaktourism.com) is in the Old Courthouse on Jln
Tun Abang Haji Openg. Grab the
Kuching Visitor's Guide
,
which has plenty of information on accommodation,
transport and local attractions (though it is a little
outdated). The booking desk of the National Parks and
Wildlife O
ce (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm;
T
082 248088,
W
sarawakforestry.com), which issues permits and makes
bookings for overnight stays at Bako, Gunung Gading and
Kubah national parks, is next door.
EATING
For awesome desserts, keep an eye out for branches of
Secret Recipe
around town; there's one along Jln Song
Thian Cheok.
★
Black Bean Coffee and Tea Company
Jln
Carpenter. You smell this tiny coffee shop before you arrive,
thanks to its wide selection of freshly ground beans from
Java, Sumatra and Sarawak itself. The tea list is extensive,
too. Mon-Sat 7am-6pm; closed Sun.
Chong Choon Café
Lot 121, Section 3, Jln Abell.
Considered by many to be Sarawak's best
laksa
(which is
different from mainland
laksa
;
RM5) outlet. Get there
early before it's all sold out. Mon & Wed-Sun 7-11am;
closed Tues.
ACCOMMODATION
Kuching Waterfront Lodge
15 Main Bazaar
T
082
231111,
W
kuchingwaterfrontlodge.com. This is located
inside one of the historical houses along the waterfront.
It has a beautiful lobby with carved wooden staircase,
simple, tastefully decorated rooms, an attractive roof
terrace and welcome to
uches
of gree
nery thr
oughout.
Breakfast included. Dorm
RM40
, double
RM125
Lodge 121
Lot 121, Jln Tabuan
T
082 428121,
W
lodge121.com. Though there's a bit of an industrial feel
to this spotless hostel, - rooms are sparse and some
lack windows - it gets consistently good reviews from
backpackers for the helpfulness of its owners and little
touche
s such
as un
limited free tea and coffee. Dorm
RM30
, double
RM79
Nomad
1st Floor, 3 Jln Green Hill
T
082 237831,
W
borneobnb.com. Some rooms are windowless; there's
an outdoor terrace, two guest lounges and kitchen. The
owners' knowledge is invaluable, and they're happy to
impart their wisdom ove
r a be
er or tw
o. Price
s include a
pancake breakfast. Dorm
RM30
, double
RM80
TREAT YOURSELF
Batik Boutique
38 Jln Padungan
T
082
422845,
W
batikboutiquehotel.com. With
just 15 rooms - each with a king-sized
bed and rain shower - all individually
decorated with a batik-style pattern on
the wall, this boutique hotel is a splendid
central choice. Sip a beer in the courtyard,
surrounded by gre
en ba
mboo shoots, or
soak in the jacuzzi.
RM250
★
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