Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Cave), the world 's largest natural chamber (S arawak Chamber), and S outheast Asia's
longest cave (Clearwater Cave). No fewer than 18 cav es offer explor ers trips of v arying
degrees of difficulty, from simple tr eks with minimal gear to technically difficult cav es
that r equire specializ ed equipment and skills. A boveground ar e 544 sq. km (212 sq.
miles) of primary rainforest, peat swamps, and mountainous forests teeming with mam-
mals, birds, and unusual insects. Located in the nor th of Sarawak, Mulu is very close to
the Brunei border. Borneo A dventure has a 2-day/1-night package for RM600 ($174/
£108) per person (minimum two people). The trip includes accommodations, gr ound
transportation, longboat rides, natur e guides to see D eer Cave, Sarawak Chamber, and
Clearwater Cave, plus some rainforest trekking (wear a hat in the caves to protect yourself
from bat dr oppings). They can book y our flights fr om Kuching, but y ou'll have to pay
extra.
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SABAH
Sabah presents a wonderland of natural scener y, lush primar y rainforest, vibrant coral
reefs, and mysterious indigenous cultur es. It is, in my opinion, S outheast Asia's hidden
treasure. A playground for adventure seekers, extreme sportsters, and bums in sear ch of
the ultimate beach, Sabah rewards those who venture here with a holiday in an unspoiled
paradise.
Covering 73,711 sq. km (28,747 sq. miles) of the nothern part of Borneo, the world's
third-largest island, Sabah stretches from the South China Sea in the west to the Sulu Sea
in the east, both seas containing an abundance of uninhabited islands, postcar d-perfect
beaches, and pristine coral r eefs bubbling with marine life. I n between, more than half
of the state is covered in ancient primary rainforest that's protected in national parks and
forest reserves. In these for ests, some rar e species of mammals like the S umatran rhino
and Asian pygmy elephant (herds of them) take effort to witness, but other animals, such
as the orangutan, proboscis monkey, gibbon, lemur, civet, Malaysian sun bear, and a host
of others can be seen on jungle tr eks if y ou search them out. O f the hundr eds of bir d
species here, the hornbills and herons steal the show.
Sabah's tallest peak is one of the highest mountains betw een the Himalayas and Irian
Jaya. At 4,095m (13,432 ft.), it's the tallest in Malaysia, and a challenge to trek or climb.
The state's interior has endless opportunities for jungle trekking, river rafting, mountain
biking and 4×4 exploration for every level of excitement, from soft adventure to extreme
sports.
This state holds not only mysterious wildlife and geography, but people as well. Saba-
hans count among their many ethnic gr oups some 32 differ ent peoples
whose cultures
and traditions are vastly different from the Malay majority that makes up the r est of the
country. In fact, ethnic Malays are a minority in Sabah.
About one-third of the population ar e Kadazandusun, a gr oup that inhabits mainly
the west coast and parts of the interior of Sabah. They are one of the first gr oups travel-
ers come into contact with, especially during the Pesta Kaamatan, or harvest festival, held
during May, where the high priest or priestess pr esides over a cer emony performed to
appease the rice spirit. Although it 's a Kadazandusun tradition, it has come to be cele-
brated by all cultures in the state. Although this gr oup produces the majority of S abah's
agricultural products, most members live in towns and hold everyday jobs. The exception
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