Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
thumbed his nose at London 's colonial
office so that he could claim S arawak
for his own and rule as the region's first
White Raja. He built a cozy little capi-
tal with quaint tr opical-colonial ar chi-
tecture, picturesque back str eets, and a
pretty riverfront. See p. 276.
4
THE BEST BEACHES
• Sentosa Island (Singapore):
The three
beaches on S entosa ar e just about the
best you'll find in Singapore, which isn't
really kno wn for its beaches. They're
lively, with watersports and beach activ-
ities plus food and drink. Every so often
you'll find an all-night dance party here.
(See p . 152.) H owever, if y ou r eally
need pristine seclusion, y ou'll hav e to
head for Malaysia.
• The Four Seasons (Langkawi, Malay-
sia):
Perhaps the most stunning beach
in Malaysia, this wide gorgeous str etch
of white sand looks out onto cr ystal-
clear, deep-blue waters. E ven if y ou
can't affor d a r oom at the r esort, I
highly r ecommend a cocktail at their
deliciously exotic beachside bar so y ou
can get a chance to enjo y the vie w. See
p. 254.
• Kampung J uara (T ioman I sland,
Malaysia):
This beach is what they
mean when they say isolated. B e pr e-
pared to live like Robinson Crusoe—in
tiny huts, many with no electricity at
all. B ut, oh, the beach! M ost visitors
don't get to this par t of the island, so
many times you can have it all to your-
self. See p. 262.
• Cherating (Malaysia):
If you're a leath-
erback turtle, you'll think the best beach
in the world is just nor th of Cherating.
Every spring and summer , these giant
sea cr eatures come ashor e to lay their
eggs, so if y ou're in to wn from May to
June y ou might catch a look at the
hatchlings. Meanwhile, during the tur-
tles' off season, international windsur f-
ing and water-boar d enthusiasts gather
annually for competitions at this world-
famous spot. See p. 264.
1
5
THE MOST EXCITING OUTDOOR
ADVENTURES
• Trekking in Taman N egara (M alay-
sia):
With suitable options for all lev els
of comfort and desired adventure, pen-
insular M alaysia's largest national par k
opens the wonders of primary rainforest
and the cr eatures who dw ell in it to
everyone. F rom the canopy walk high
atop the for est to night watches for
nocturnal life, this adventure is as stun-
ning as it is informative. See p. 229.
• Sungei B uloh Wetland R eserve (S in-
gapore):
Every y ear during the winter
months, flocks of migrating bir ds from
as far nor th as S iberia v acation in the
warm waters of this unique mangr ove
swamp par k. Easily trav ersed b y a
wooden walkway , the par k will nev er
disappoint for glimpses of stunning
wildlife. See p. 149.
