Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
course and a great seafood restaurant in the fishing village of Kampung Buntal. Santub-
ong is the best place in Sarawak for a lazy, pampered beach holiday.
Sights & Activities
ECO-MUSEUM
Sarawak Cultural Village
(SCV; 082-846411; www.scv.com.my ; adult/child 6-12yr RM60/30, cultural show 45
minutes; 11.30am & 4pm; 9am-5.15pm, last entry 4pm) This living museum is centred
on seven traditional dwellings: three Dayak longhouses (including a Bidayuh headhouse
with skulls and the only Melanau tallhouse left in Sarawak), a Penan hut, a Malay town-
house (the only place you have to remove your shoes) and a Chinese farmhouse. It may
sound contrived and even hokey but the SCV is held in high esteem by locals for its role
in keeping their cultures and traditions alive.
The dwellings are (supposed to be) staffed by members of the ethnic group they repres-
ent - except the Penan dwelling, that is, whose emissaries, true to their nomadic tradition,
went walkabout. Signage, however, is poor, so if you don't ask questions of the 'locals' -
who demonstrate crafts and cookie-making - the subtle differences in architecture,
cuisine, dress and music between the various groups may not be apparent. At the Penan
hut you can try a blowpipe (RM1 for three darts), while the Malay townhouse offers top
spinning (three spins for RM1).
Twice a day, the cultural show showcases traditional music and dance. The lively
Melanau entry involves whirling women and clacking bamboo poles, while the Orang Ulu
dance (spoiler alert!) includes four women, several balloons and a blowpipe hunter.
It may be possible to book workshops (RM5 per person per hour) in handicrafts (eg
bead-making), music and dance - contact the SCV in advance. If you're planning to get
married, you can choose to tie the knot here with a colourful Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu or
Malay ceremony.
Hotels and tour agencies in Kuching offer packages (per person RM125), but it's easy
enough to get out here by shuttle bus. The SCV is a short walk from both the Damai
Beach Resort and the Permai Rainforest Resort.
Permai Rainforest Resort
( 082-846490; www.permairainforest.com ; Damai Beach; adult/child RM5/2) The day
rate at this bungalow complex is a real bargain. In addition to a safe, fine-sand beach with
changing facilities, a variety of leisure and adventure activities are on offer, including a
high-ropes course (per person RM60), a perfectly vertical climbing wall (RM48), sea
BEACH
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