From Kuching to Miri
Many Singaporeans like to drive from the Lion City north into Malaysia and on to Thailand. While you can’t drive to the island of Borneo, once in Kuching, capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, there are many options for hitting the road. Our group of media will be exploring this beautiful state over seven days in a CAM Co-Star, a 6-meter, 20-seater luxury minibus.
Kuching, just shy of 700,000 people, isn’t a large mega city, but the capital Sarawak that has a unique, beauty and fascinating nature that many people go to experience. Kuching is rich in history, cuisine, culture and opportunities to interact in and with nature. While the city is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site there are many who believe it should be. In 2021, Kuching was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, highlighting its rich culinary traditions.
On our first full day in the city, we will get to experience firsthand the gastronomy with breakfast in Kuching Chinatown. After which we have time to explore the Kuching waterfront. This is where much of the built heritage of the capital can be found such as the Brooke Dockyard that was constructed in 1912 during the reign of Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak.
In the afternoon we delve into nature as we take the CAM CO-STAR to Semenggoh Nature Reserve, 24 km from Kuching where we will see the Orang Utan feeding at Semenggoh. Visiting the orang utan is always one of my favorite experiences. I’m not sure they feel the same about seeing me.
While many may think of Sarawak as rainforest and wilderness there is also a coastal culture which we will get a taste of at Damai Beach, and the Damai Beach Resort golf course. The Sarawak Cultural Village where the very popular World Rainforest Festival is held annually, should be on every itinerary.
While Cove 55 Resort has been featured in Asian Journeys the story was penned by the loquacious Stefan Pertz, who has organised this trip. I will get a look at it as we’ll have time for a swim in the pool and enjoy a barbecue, before returning to Kuching.
Day 4 the driving becomes more serious as the CAM CO-STAR will take us to Serian where we will have a break for refreshments and a stroll around the market. From there it is 150k to our next scheduled lunch stop at Engkilli. The afternoon will be spent enjoying the views from the CAM CO-STAR as we wheel on to Sibu where will check into Win Hotel. Our schedule has time from 6.00 - 8.00pm for the Sibu Night Market and dinner. But the evening doesn’t end there. We will be checking out the Crazy 97 Bar & Lounge where they serve the locally brewed 1602 craft beer.
DAY 5 begins with breakfast, at Sibu Market or we can enjoy pastries at Xing Kee Confectionary before exploring the city. The Central Market, Jade Dragon, Temple and Tua Pek Kong Temple are some of the attractions. On a previous visit we took a river cruise along the Rajang River, and there are several options for doing so today. The longest river in Malaysia winds 563 km into the Borneo interior. Sibu’s importance comes from it being located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers, making it a key commercial hub in Sarawak.
On our way to Bintulu we will stop at Tatau, a seafood town on a river. I’ve never been there, but I am already anticipating a great lunch. We will check into Fairfield by Marriott Hotel, and there are several choices for dinner. It sounds like a busy morning with a city tour with the CAM CO-STAR. Destinations include Kuan Yin Tong Temple, Tanjung Batu Beach, and Bintulu Promenade.
From there it is off to Miri via Similajau and one of the stops I’m most looking forward to – Niah. Niah National Park is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. In the Niah Caves, 40,000-year-old human remains were discovered in 1958, making it one of the earliest known human settlements in the region. The Painted Cave has ancient rock art depicting the journey of the dead into the afterlife, alongside boat-shaped coffins.
Our last hotel on this adventure will be the Pullman Miri Waterfront. The commodious digs have great views over the sea, the river and the city. Miri, several times named the cleanest city in Malaysia, is a familiar destination. I’ve twice planted trees there, in different locations, and got “married” there for the fifth time.
The annual Borneo Jazz Festival attracts visitors from around the region. Dining options are many with sunset locations overlooking the South China Sea to where the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park is not far offshore. Miri is a popular dive destination and has historic sites such as Canada Hill – where oil was first discovered.
On the final day it’s a direct flight to Singapore.
