Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Three Weeks
Kuching to Brunei
Fly into
Kuching
and spend a few days exploring this multicultural mini-metropolis,
delving into its scrumptious cuisine scene for breakfast (Sarawak laksa), lunch and dinner.
Take day trips to nearby national parks in search of orangutans, proboscis monkeys and
exotic flora. Then hop on the daily express ferry to the mostly Chinese river port of
Sibu
,
where you can continue to eat well - don't miss the Foochow specialities on offer in the
vast Central Market.
Sibu serves as the gateway to the mighty Batang Rejang (Rejang River), the 'Amazon
of Borneo'. Board an early-morning 'flying coffin' express boat and head upriver to
Kap-
it
, a bustling trading centre founded in the days of the White Rajahs. If the river level is
high enough, continue on to back-of-beyond
Belaga
, jumping-off point for short treks to
a number of fascinating
Orang Ulu longhouses
.
A bone-jarring 4WD ride will get you down to the coastal city of
Bintulu
, Borneo's
natural gas capital. Avoid the less-than-fetching city centre and head straight to the
beaches, rainforest trails and bungalows of oft-overlooked
Similajau National Park
,
which stretches along the coast for 30km.
Hop on a bus heading northeast to
Batu Niah Junction
, situated just a few kilometres
from the vast caves, chirping bat colonies and prehistoric archaeological sites of
Niah Na-
tional Park
. Next stop is the shiny petroleum city of
Miri
, home to a flourishing guest-
house scene that nicely complements the excellent dining options (especially fish).
Chilling here amid mod cons is a great way to spend a day or two before flying into
Borneo's interior for a few days - travellers speak glowingly of both
Gunung Mulu Na-
tional Park
, a Unesco World Heritage site, and the gorgeously green and amazingly
friendly
Kelabit Highlands
.
After flying back to Miri, take a bus - or the newspaper delivery van - to
Bandar Seri
Begawan
, the surprisingly laid-back capital of the tiny, oil-rich sultanate of Brunei.
Several museums showcase Bruneian culture, and culinary creations can be enjoyed at
BSB's superb - and surprisingly inexpensive - hawker centres. End your Bornean odys-
sey back in the primeval rainforest by taking a speedboat, a car and finally a longboat to
the pristine jungles of
Ulu Temburong National Park
.