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One of the things to do in Sarawak Borneo is to spend overnight in a Long House. There are small tour offices on the road near the river in Kuching to arrange this. However, there were not too many tourists when I was there. I was along and the tour was very expensive for one person as they could not find anyone else to go. The guide book recommended going to the Sarawak Tourist Office to try to find a group.
I was able to arrange a trip with a local I met at the tourist office. It was still only me but the price was a lot cheaper. When I left, I jokingly said maybe we should invite the two girls in the office. When he picked me up the next morning, he asked if it was ok to bring two more people. I sand ok and he gave me a small (about 1/3 back) refund because he said it was cheaper per person when more people go. We picked the same two girls I saw in the tourist office, he went back to the office after dropping be off the night before. They seem very happy that they were able to join me. It worked out well and I had two nice UK ladies during the trip and to hang around with after we went back to Kuching.
We drive for a while, picked up food and supplies at a local market in a small village, and then took a long boat ride. It felt fantastic. All that was needed was some long bills to fly by, then a bunch did. :)
They had a separate small hut for us to sleep where the guide sleep with the locals in the main part of the long house. It was very early in the morning when the roosters would wake us. I said I wanted rooster for breakfast.
Most people only spend one night at a Long House but we arrange for two. We did things like experiencing the customs of the local long house people, hiking, local style fishing, and river rides. The experience was great. The second day he asked up if an additional small group could also come. We asked how many and about sleeping arrangements. He said the 4 French people would sleep where we did and we will sleep in the main part of the long house where he did with the owners of the long house.
It worked out well and the French people were there when we returned from our outing during the day. They seem jealous that we sleep in the main part with the long house people. It was warmer and quieter (less roosters' noise) where we sleep that night. The French had the same opinion of the roosters as I did and left early.
Anyway, I hope this helps and I recommend this experience to everyone.
Updated May 17, 2011
Website: http://www.sarawaktourism.com/content.cfm
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If you can go to kinaatangan river, you can arrange your trip in Sandakan S.I. Tours will get you a two nights trip with nigth safari accommodation guides and every thing. It is located in Wisma Khoo Siak Chew
Updated Apr 4, 2011
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This Market is indoors and it is huge! There is everything you could want to buy here, bargain clothing, cheap watches, jewellers, birds nests, exotic foods, fish, fruit and much more.
If feeling hungry, restaurants serve all sorts of local foods, there is quite a big choice and the prices were very reasonable.
Written Dec 26, 2009
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This was another highlight of my time in Borneo and something I think you should do if you are interested in seeing wildlife.
The cruise departs from Sandakan wharf and heads out across the ocean and into the River.
Once in the river, it wasn't long before we saw Monkeys, the Proboscis and Macaques. The Proboscis Monkey is huge, a lot bigger than I expected, and once you know what you are looking for, then I found I saw a lot. They have Harems, a Male and a lot of females! I also saw Hornbills and Snakes.
The cruise was really nice, so peaceful going up the river, with just the Jungle on either side.
Written Dec 26, 2009
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Sandakan is where you go for your onward journey to see the Orangutans.
There isn't a lot to see here. I did go to the Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple which is to the south of the city and located on a hill top. From here, there is quite a good view over Sandakan and its harbour. The Temple has nice gardens and is very nice inside.
The temple is about 5kms from Sandakan. You can get there by bus, but it will drop you at the foothill and you have to walk a kilometre in the heat and up the hill.
Otherwise, take a taxi.
Written Dec 26, 2009
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Borneo is where I went to see Orangutans in the wild. I caught an Air Asia flight to Sandakan, then went to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. When I arrived I bought my admission ticket, then went and watched a film about the Orangutans.
Next, was a walk on proper board walkway to the feeding platform. Here, there were some Orangutans, the young ones were swinging around having some fun.
When the keeper came with some milk and bananas for them, that stopped, and it was time for a feed. After they had eaten they just wandered off into the Jungle.
OPEN 8 - 5PM DAILY and admission is 30rm
Updated Dec 26, 2009
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We don't dive but we do snorkel. We were a bit apprehensive about Sipidan because it is known as a divers place. However if like us you only snorkel it is still well worth visiting Sipidan. It is the best snorkelling we've ever done. Oh to have an underwater camera! Maybe one day we'll return and dive.
There is snokelling and diving only a few meters away from the shore. It's literally beach - reef - drop off of 600m to the bottom of the sea!
Lots of turtles here too and this time you can swim with them (unlike Turtle island). Each time we went into the water we saw somthing new. It's an underwater wonderland.
Updated Jun 7, 2006
This is an excellent overnight trip and should not be missed. Book in advance to make sure you get a place. The island itself is beautiful and has some good snorkelling. The real attraction though is meeting a real live turtle - up close and personal! We saw a beautiful female laying her eggs on the beach. We were only a few inches away. The park warden collects the eggs and you go off to the hatchery to bury them underground where they take 60 days to hatch. The highlight of highlights on this unforgettable trip is when you get to hold a tiny baby turtle hatchling and see it be released into the sea. Indescribable!
Updated Jun 7, 2006
We did two trips - the first was an all day trip to Sipidan, it was excellent. We went with the same company the next day and wanted to do another trip. We stopped at Mabul first and had a snorkel - the place where they took us wasn't very nice as there was loads of rubbish floating around on the surface of the water. We decided to give the next snorkelling spot a miss after that! We went for a walk around the island instead (Mabul isn't the most scenic of islands though!). We had to persaude the trip company to take us to Kapalai in the afternoon for snorkelling. The snokelling here was good. Nowhere is as good as Sipidan though!
Written Jun 2, 2006
We stayed in Semporna on the mainland and took a boat out to Sipidan. The boat stopped at Mabul to pick up some divers that were staying there. We had a walk around Mabul and I have to say it is not the nicest island I've ever seen. There are two very expensive resorts and there is a delightfully attractive oil platform not far offshore. We walked around the island in about 15 minutes (it is very small). There is a locals village in the middle and also a 'working beach' from which the locals go out fishing - it is very dirty and unpleasant.
Updated Jun 2, 2006
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