Monday 30 May 2011

Kuching - Sarawak

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak that is sparsely populated with large rainforests and mountains.

Join a local tour to Sarawak Culture Village where different types of ethnic houses are built for visitors to view and experience the cultures of various tribes. Here you can go into the houses and learn about their defences from attacks and see shrunken human skills on display. Each tribe has its own dance and cultural practices. The main tribes are Iban, Melanaus and Bidayuhs.

Main tourist area in the city is by the waterfront where a row of shophouses sell souvenirs and local produce. Behind this row of shophouses by the Tourism Center is a one street Chinatown where two row of shops along a pedestrain street. The specialities of Sarawak are kolong mee, laksa and kueh lapis.



Melanau house built on high stilts to prevent attacks from wild animals or enemies


Shrunken skulls in Dayak house

The next day join another local tour to Bako National Park for a jungle trek. Getting there is by boat. We land at the Rangers Center and hotel site from here we start our trek through the easiest trail. This trail takes us uphill over tree roots, huge rocks and tracks. Finally we start downhill descend that leads us to beach to look for probocis monkeys.

When the tide is low, we have to take off our shoes and walk on the river bed some 50 meters to get to the boat.

Overall the trek is interesting in that the trail is largely walking on rocks or tree roots rather than soil.
There are not much supports like branches to cling to. Although it is the easiest trail, the going is tough on the knees and ankles.

Wild boar hunting for food


Green snake among leaves

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