Sabah and Sarawak

ABOUT SARAWAK
For those of a more sporting inclination, Sarawak offers game-fishing in the coastal waters, mountain climbing and numerous opportunities for mountain biking. Major mountain-biking events take place here annually – one is the Rainforest Cup

Orang Utan:
The orang utan is found only in Borneo and Sumatra, almost exclusively in lowland rainforest areas. One of the world's largest primates, it is second only to the gorilla in size. Unlike the other great apes, the adult orang utan is a shy and solitary animal. Males prefer their own company except when mating, although females can sometimes be seen in groups of four or five. This behaviour reflects the relative scarcity of food in the orang utan's habitat. To survive they must browse for fruits and other edible plants across a vast range of forest, making a new nest each night in the crown of a tree.

The Worlds Biggest Flower:
Undoubtedly, though, the jewel in the Sarawak botanic crown is the Rafflesia plant. To say that it is the world's biggest flower (up to a metre across) hardly does justice to its uniqueness. It grows only in Sarawak and Sumatra, and even there it is very rare, partly because it is a parasitic plant and does not put down roots. It simply grows by attaching itself to the nutrient system of another plant. Like the celebrated truffle fungus in France, there is no way of predicting where one will sprout up. You may also encounter the famous carnivorous pitcher plant, which traps flies in its leaves and then digests them in a reservoir of corrosive fluid.

Although the Rafflesia can grow up to one metre in diameter, the flowers found at Gunung Gading are usually half that size with the occasional monster-sized plant appearing from time to time.

National Parks:
The name Borneo conjures up images of rich tropical rainforest. And there is no better place than Sarawak to view the wonders of the rainforest and its inhabitants. Two-thirds of the state's total land area is covered in rainforest, and a significant proportion is given over to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. These areas are primarily conservation zones, protected by Malaysian law, but facilities have been developed so that visitors can experience and enjoy one of the world's oldest and most diverse natural environments. The parks and wildlife sanctuaries provide protection for unique eco-systems, giving the visitor the opportunity to get close to nature, to breathe the fresh air, to listen to the sounds of the forest, to view some of the world's most unusual plants and perhaps catch a glimpse of some of the world's rarest animals.

Kuching is without a doubt the most pleasant and interesting city in Borneo. It is hilly, leafy, has a very pleasant riverside area, and it's very easy to spend a few days exploring the place.

The city contains many beautifully landscaped parks and gardens, historical buildings, an interesting waterfront, colourful markets, one of Asia's best museums, various Chinese temples and the striking state mosque.

Fort Margherita
Built by Charles Brooke in 1879 and named after his wife, the Ranee Margaret, Fort Margherita guarded the approach to Kuching against pirates. Sitting on top of a knoll opposite the waterfront, this little white fort is now a police museum(Muzium Polis). To get there take a tambang(ferry boat)from the landing stage behind the Square Tower to the bus stop below the fort, then walk.

Sarawak Museum
This is one of the best museums in Asia and should not be missed. It consists of two sections, old and new, connected by a footbridge over Jalan tun Haji Openg. The old wing was opened in 1891; the new wing is modern and air-conditioned. Next door is the Muzium Islam Sarawak(Islamic Museum), which is also well worth a visit.

Chinese History Museum
The Chinese History Museum is part of the Waterfront development. It has interesting exhibits on the Chinese diaspora, the influence the Chinese have had on Sarawak, trading associations formed and so on.

Cat Museum
Billed as the only one of its kind in the world, Kuching's Cat Museum will delight cat lovers. Several small galleries feature, among other things, the benefits cats have bestowed on their owners.

Temples, Mosques & Churches
Historically, the most important Chinese temple is Tua Pek Kong, just down the road from the Hilton. The nearby Hong San Temple is also worth a look if you happen to be in the area. The Masjif Negeri(State Mosque) is visually impressive, but otherwise pretty uninteresting.

Damai Beach Golf Course.
The Damai Beach Golf Course fronting the South China Sea lies in the shadow of the majestically alluring Mount Santubong - a peak shrouded in mists and mythical legends. Just as fascinating as the legends, the international class course spanning 130 acres of undulating terrain along the beach offers golfers an invigorating challenge and a supreme test of skills. The layout features sand and water traps spread strategically over the course while the wind plays havoc with your strokes. But the huge tropical trees and man-made lakes complement the natural beauty of the surroundings and the magnificent views of the sea.

Facilities at the clubhouse include changing and locker rooms, golfers' corner and terrace, a pro-shop, a driving range and putting green. There are also tennis and squash courts and pool for long cool dips. The various restaurants serve a variety of local as well as western food.
Luxury hotels and chalets with spectacular views of the golf course of the sea offer accommodation for those wishing to stay overnight or for extended holidays. Situated in the vicinity is the Sarawak Cultural Village, offering a microcosm of Sarawak's diverse cultural attractions.

ABOUT SABAH
The Kinabalu Park
Covering 754 sq km Kinabalu Park is one of the greatest attractions of Sabah. Within its boundaries are the lowland rain-forest of the tropical zone as its lower level, the mountain oaks and fig trees, the rhododendron shrubs and wild berries of the temperate zone at its medium level, and the conifers and other alpine-like associations of the summit zone at its upper level. It is there no wonder that a good number of its visitors are nature lovers eager to study, record and enjoy its richly varied natural resources.

Mount Kinabalu
Rising majestically to a height of 4,095.2 metres (13,432.26 fee) above sea level, with its granite massif dominating the surrounding landscapte. It offers the highest mountain in South East Asia to challenge the ambitious mountaineer.

Diving at Layang-Layang features 2000m sheer drops all around its rim, making it an excellent wall dive site. Located far from land and human encroachment for millennia, its waters are crystal clear with visibility averaging 50m - 60m, giving divers clear views of the amazing underwater habitats. Soft and hard corals of all types and sizes abound. A Gorgonian Forest, for instance, at its northeast point provides a majestic view of a gigantic hanging garden! Since it is bathed in tropical conditions just 7.5 degrees north of the equator and 114 degrees east of the meridian, its waters are warm with surface temperatures ranging between 21-32 C/70-90 F.

One of Layang-Layang's main attractions is the Hammerhead Shark. According to a tour operator in Kota Kinabalu, an awesome school of hammerhead sharks numbering over a hundred regularly visit Layang-Layang. Manta rays with fin spans of over 10ft are also found here.

Diving at Mantanani: Mantanani is a group of three isolated islands northwest of Kota Belud, a one hour drive from Kota Kinabalu. Until recently, the islands were only known to a few locals. The largest island houses the only dive resort, Mantanani Resort which is situated at the western end on the edge of a white sandy bay. Nestled amongst the tall coconut palms are beach cabins scattered around the main plantation styled house.

Three wrecks have been discovered which still hold plenty of secrets and are now home to a menagerie of marine creatures such as Lionfish, Scorpionfish, octopus, glassfish and the coral reefs surrounding the islands have plenty to offer, both the novice and experienced diver. Many species of rays can be found, marbled stingray, Blue spotted ray and large schools of eagle rays.

House of Skulls: Borneo's image as a "dark continent" still lingers in some far flung countries because of a long defunct "head hunting" tradition among its natives. Nonetheless, the practice was widespread two to three hundred years ago.

At least one family in Sabah's capital city, Kota Kinabalu, is happy to show the world a legacy of the human skull from its once dreaded warrior ancestor named Monsopiad, who lived 300 years ago in the predominantly Kadazan Penampang district. Descendant of the head hunter warrior, Dousia Moujing, has faithfully kept 42 human skulls, one leg bone and a 3-foot long sword purportedly used by Monsopiad to cut down his 42 victims.