Around Kuching

After near death in our cab on the way to the Johor Baru airport (he was going 120km/hr in a 50km/hr zone) and filling out our second Malay customs card, we descended on the B&B hostel in Kuching. We spent a total of ...days in Kuching and surrounds. We enjoyed shopping at the markets, and eating in the city. Still new to M'sia, we were impressed with the efficiency of the two-person bus system (one person driving, one ticketing), the takeaway drinks in plastic bags with straws, and  of course the markets - I'd love to live here just for the fresh produce - pineapples at 1RM (that's less than 0.5NZD!).

The museum gave us some insights into the similarities between the Maaori and Orang Ulu (litterally up-river peoples) cultures - no bead work in NZ, nor Hangi in Boreno  though. Note we intentionally avoided the over-hyped and over-priced cultural village. All of our time in the city we have waves, horn honks, and geering from the locals. Locals were really friendly though -  we spent an afternoon swimming with students from UNIMASS at windcave near the border with Kilimantan - a lot of fun. We also spent time in Bako National Park which has amazing wildlife (more on that latter) but the management reminds you that this is still a developing country. The National parks are NOT run by the government, but by a private company who charge mega-bucks to stay there. Needless to say, at $107RM/night ($50NZD/$35USD) I was mightily unimpressed at no water to flush any of the loos. After some straight talking, a so called water shortage was fixed by morning and taps overfilling sinks left right and center. The park staff nicknamed me no-water girl. I felt like I may has well have opened my wallet and told them to help themselves. Few Malays complain and as a result, its a get what you get, rather than a get what you think you're paying for system.

The wildlife here was cool - we saw 4 big-noses (Probiscous Monkeys), and swam in a stream. The tops of Bako park are more like a savanah with rhododendrons, grasses of sorts, and really big cicadas. Stunning! We also went to Kecil Bay and swam, then took a boat out around the sea stacks (well worth the ride). Oh, and the bearded bigs were way cool.

The 16hr bus ride to Miri is 40RM cheaper than the plane, and interesting. We passed truck drivers parked in the middle of the road asleep in their truck cabs. Unfortunately the on-board loo went straight onto road just like a sheep truck so not recommended for people experiencing loose bowel movements!

Take a look at the pictures from around Kuching - we just wish we took some from the city.