Discovering Sarawak

Split into two areas: Sabah and Sarawak, with Brunei in between, Borneo is a part of Malaysia that focuses on wildlife and nature in its many national parks, offering beautiful beaches and an opportunity to relax. The people are lovely, the scenery is beautiful and nature is all around you.

After a wonderful trip to Sabah in 2003, I couldn't resist the temptation to go back and visit what I'd missed in Sarawak. I wasn't sure the trip could match the great times I had on my previous visit but it was every bit as good.

I joined a G Adventures tour which took us from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching, visiting rainforest canopies, jungle wildlife, caves and mountain trails along the way. Highlights included an overnight stay in a longhouse with a chance to meet the community there (where all the children seemed to be named after footballers - we met a 2 year old Wayne Rooney!), floating along the Melinau River, trekking the Headhunters Trail (no heads en route, thankfully), and witnessing the swirling bat exodus from Deer Cave in Mulu National Park.

From Mulu we flew on to Kuching which is a great base for a few days, with its relaxed setting on the banks of the Sungai River, souvenir shops aplenty, a lively eating and drinking scene and four national parks within day trip distance. As a group we visited Bako National Park where we were lucky enough to spot proboscis monkeys chilling in the trees along with a group of orangutans swinging through the tree tops. Having only seen orangutan in a sanctuary on my previous trip, it was a really special moment seeing them in their natural habitat.

A couple of extra days in Kuching after the tour gave me a chance to pick up some bargains at the many handicraft shops, and a little more trekking at Gunung Gading National Park along with a refreshing dip under the many waterfalls along the way.