sabah and sarawak

[femi fan]

I'm wondering if any posters have personal recommendations for places to stay or things to do?

I see this part of borneo as a place for beautiful nature, rainforest adventure, chilling on beaches, and browsing interesting cities or towns. I really like staying in resort-style places in nature, especially if they're in any of the jungles or rainforests! But i don't have the kind of money for luxury five star resorts.

I definitely want to visit kuching and nearby, but it seems to me that sabah has the better quality beaches and rainforest adventures, so i expect to go to both states.

Any advice will be welcome! Cheers.

[craigt3365]

They are wiping out the rain forests at an amazing rate. When I was there, 10 years ago, I traveled mile after mile through rubber tree plantations. Many run by Chinese companies.

https://thegreenreporter.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/30-of-borneos-rainforests-destroyed-since-1973/

[green job]

They are wiping out the rain forests at an amazing rate. When I was there, 10 years ago, I traveled mile after mile through rubber tree plantations. Many run by Chinese companies.

https://thegreenreporter.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/30-of-borneos-rainforests-destroyed-since-1973/

Yep sad,when were you there? I spent a long long time in Sarawak.

[richard_smith237]

Niah Caves - Near Miri...

Mulu Caves - Near Miri...

[femi fan]

oh dear, not a promising start to my thread! … i was there 10 years ago… when were you there?

Recommendations only please.

[femi fan]

Niah Caves - Near Miri...

Mulu Caves - Near Miri...

Have you been there? I'm looking for personal experiences on this thread really. I've done quite a lot of research already, but it's always nice to hear from real people about their real experiences. Thanks anyway.

[green job]

oh dear, not a promising start to my thread! … i was there 10 years ago… when were you there?

Recommendations only please.

The last time i was there i was in Sarawak. Stayed in Kuching at the crown plaza on the waterfront River. We drove up to Baliringern 60 km north of Sirian,

From there we traveled 35 km Logging track to Nibong 1000 mtr from Indonesia. All the jungle has gone,its now all pepper and rubber.

In 1965 it took us a weeks patrol to do the 35 km through the jungle.

We visited a few beaches,but nothing as good as Thailand

[richard_smith237]

Niah Caves - Near Miri...

Mulu Caves - Near Miri...

Have you been there? I'm looking for personal experiences on this thread really. I've done quite a lot of research already, but it's always nice to hear from real people about their real experiences. Thanks anyway.

Yes... It was about 15 or so years ago... Mulu caves (not Niah).

I took a bus from Miri - about 1.5 - 2 hrs... There was a single resort near the entrance. The caves took all day to walk through. I saw the guys collecting the Birds nests for the Birds Nest Soup; climbing +/-80ft bamboo poles to reach the ceilings of some cathedral almost stadium sized caves.

As my visit was about 15 years ago I wouldn't like to comment on how much has changed, I do remember a very pleasant visit.

Maybe someone can give you some feedback of a more recent visit.

[craigt3365]

I spent 3 weeks in Malaysian Borneo about 10 years ago. Started in Kota Kinabalu, flew to Tawau and drove to Semporna for diving. That's where I saw all the rain forests wiped out. Then from KK, took a boat to Labuan, overnight, then to Brunei. To Miri for the flight to Mulu caves and a 4 day trip from the caves to the mountain down the river to the mouth. A great overnight in a long house along the way. Flew to Kuching and spent 4 days there, a few on the beach.

If you do Mulu caves, this guy is a great guide:

https://www.facebook.com/willie.kajan.5?fref=ts

[samuijimmy]

I have only been around around Sabah State about 3 years ago... Rented a motor bike out of Kota Kinabalu and travel to north coast where there are a few beaches, and then around the rest of the State where scenery varies ... but it was easy driving.

I used "Home stays" which were not too bad, on the whole.... if I remember they were about 80 ringet per night, you see signs for them about every where out of the cities... People are friendly and helpful...

Seemed to be lots of agencies for tours for all kinds of activities especially in Kota Kinabalu... It can be quiet cool at night in the mountain areas, so take at least a sweater!... some beautiful scenery to see!

[rak sa_ngop]

One location in Sarawak that is probably as close as you will ever get to Changri-la is Bario in the Kelabit Highlands. It's been a while since I have been there but it used to be only accessible by air from Miri on the coast. Maybe the logging roads have reached the highland valley by now. Do some research on how the valley was "discovered" by Tom Harrison during WWII. Lots of trekking possibilities around the area. One can even cross over (illegally) the border to Kalimantan where many communities exist.

Once in the Kelabit highlands you can always find villages to stay in by just turning up.

If you do go let me know how it has changed. I participated in a "naming ceremony" north of Bario about 15 years ago but have not been back since.

[siam2007]

Sabah and Sarawak is not about beaches, it is about culture and nature - at least what's left of it.

The Kadazandusun of Sabah are the friendliest folks of Malaysia.

KK is becoming one giant shopping complex for the hordes of Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese tourists that can not survive five minutes without Aircon.

Yet, still a lot of nice places to discover.

Climbing Gunung Kinabalu back in 2002 with my first ever Asian BF and witnessing the sun coming up from the summit was one of the most touching moments of my life.

Sadly the earthquake destroyed some of the scenery plus it has become incredibly expensive.

Crocker Range is interesting to see, Kuala Penyu as well. Mulu. Danum Valley for the intrepid. I personally prefer Sabah over Sarawak, even though both states are the most liberal and relaxed states in all of Malaysia, as originally, Muslims did not make up the majority of the population, so unlike in the rest of Malaysia, the different races and religious groups still mix with each other, keeping the spirit of "1Malaysia" alive and crating a relaxed atmosphere

[green job]

Sabah and Sarawak is not about beaches, it is about culture and nature - at least what's left of it.

The Kadazandusun of Sabah are the friendliest folks of Malaysia.

KK is becoming one giant shopping complex for the hordes of Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese tourists that can not survive five minutes without Aircon.

Yet, still a lot of nice places to discover.

Climbing Gunung Kinabalu back in 2002 with my first ever Asian BF and witnessing the sun coming up from the summit was one of the most touching moments of my life.

Sadly the earthquake destroyed some of the scenery plus it has become incredibly expensive.

Crocker Range is interesting to see, Kuala Penyu as well. Mulu. Danum Valley for the intrepid. I personally prefer Sabah over Sarawak, even though both states are the most liberal and relaxed states in all of Malaysia, as originally, Muslims did not make up the majority of the population, so unlike in the rest of Malaysia, the different races and religious groups still mix with each other, keeping the spirit of "1Malaysia" alive and crating a relaxed atmosphere

Most of my time there two and a half years in all ( two 7 month stints in the Jungle,the rest spent in Kuching ) Sarawak was in the 60s dence Jungle,Yes beautiful

but exhausting, We climbed mountain after mountain,and followed river after river (mostly 10 day patrols ) In those days the Dyak and Iban were real head hunters,and the Longhouses

real. Yes you are correct about religion most were,and are Catholic. The best times for us were the four days R&R in kuching we were given every 4 months.

Not long ago I visited a few places where we had a few contacts with the Indonesians,but the jungle has now been logged and now mostly rubber and secondry Jungle.

I spent my last few days at a resort that contains a cultual villige PATHETIC The Dyak guys that run it, and I had a good laugh at the way they make money showing people bullxxt. ( a few Tigers were sunk that evening,after it turned out one of the the older guys had been a tracker for us on the Claret Opps we were doing ( cross border opperations )

This campagen was won through hard work of The Brits ,Gurkha , and Australian solders. Had this not been won Malaysia would not exsit as it is today and also Singapore would of had a problem

If anyone is interested I have some great photos of the time and the Borneo Campagen, Should there be enyone that was also there It would be good to hear from you.

[green job]

Sabah and Sarawak is not about beaches, it is about culture and nature - at least what's left of it.

The Kadazandusun of Sabah are the friendliest folks of Malaysia.

KK is becoming one giant shopping complex for the hordes of Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Japanese tourists that can not survive five minutes without Aircon.

Yet, still a lot of nice places to discover.

Climbing Gunung Kinabalu back in 2002 with my first ever Asian BF and witnessing the sun coming up from the summit was one of the most touching moments of my life.

Sadly the earthquake destroyed some of the scenery plus it has become incredibly expensive.

Crocker Range is interesting to see, Kuala Penyu as well. Mulu. Danum Valley for the intrepid. I personally prefer Sabah over Sarawak, even though both states are the most liberal and relaxed states in all of Malaysia, as originally, Muslims did not make up the majority of the population, so unlike in the rest of Malaysia, the different races and religious groups still mix with each other, keeping the spirit of "1Malaysia" alive and crating a relaxed atmosphere

Most of my time there two and a half years in all ( two 7 month stints in the Jungle,the rest spent in Kuching ) Sarawak was in the 60s dence Jungle,Yes beautiful

but exhausting, We climbed mountain after mountain,and followed river after river (mostly 10 day patrols ) In those days the Dyak and Iban were real head hunters,and the Longhouses

real. Yes you are correct about religion most were,and are Catholic. The best times for us were the four days R&R in kuching we were given every 4 months.

Not long ago I visited a few places where we had a few contacts with the Indonesians,but the jungle has now been logged and now mostly rubber and secondry Jungle.

I spent my last few days at a resort that contains a cultual villige PATHETIC The Dyak guys that run it, and I had a good laugh at the way they make money showing people bullxxt. ( a few Tigers were sunk that evening,after it turned out one of the the older guys had been a tracker for us on the Claret Opps we were doing ( cross border opperations )

This campagen was won through hard work of The Brits ,Gurkha , and Australian solders. Had this not been won Malaysia would not exsit as it is today and also Singapore would of had a problem

If anyone is interested I have some great photos of the time and the Borneo Campagen, Should there be enyone that was also there It would be good to hear from you.

Typo = Campaign