 |
| Courtesy Natural History
Publications (Borneo) |
| Borneo is the only area in
the world where the rare probiscis monkey lives. |
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| Courtesy Natural History
Publications (Borneo) |
| Sarawak offers visitors hundreds
of miles of caverns to explore. |
Venturing into Sarawak’s vast natural reserves
hundreds of years ago, one may have encountered
one of the area’s fierce tribes of headhunters,
infamous for their human skull collections. Exploring
the same area today, sooner or later one would be
likely to meet a descendant of these same tribes.
Only this time, instead of fearing for one’s
life, one would surely receive an invitation into
one of their longhouses and a seat at the table
to share a cool drink and some local delicacies.
“The feeling of hospitality is truly alive here,”
says Aloysius Dris, the CEO of the Sarawak Tourism
Board.
Hospitality in Sarawak could not come more naturally.
Tourists are viewed as honored guests. People are
proud to be sharing their heritage. “The people
here are very much like New Englanders,” says
Chief Minister YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Haji
Abdul Taib Mahmud. “A lot of old traditions and
traits have been preserved, unlike in other more developed
parts of Malaysia.”
Once ruled by the Sultan of Brunei, and then the British,
with a brief period of Japanese occupation, Sarawak
is home to more than 27 native tribes spread throughout
5,000 community settlements. “You’ll encounter
and really be able to interact with different cultures.
You’ll experience a feeling of peace and serenity,”
says Dris.
With tranquil beaches, mysterious caves, lush jungles,
pristine forests, challenging treks, and the rush
of river rapids, Sarawak truly offers something for
everyone who likes to discover and explore. “We
can give you an experience in culture, nature, and
adventure,” says Taib.
“Our true strength is in eco-tourism,” says
State Tourism Minister, Dato Sri Abang Haji Abdul
Rahman Zohari Tun Openg.
Discovered during a survey just over a year ago,
one of the most pristine reefs in the world is located
near Miri, Sarawak’s third largest town. In
the open sea, just 30 to 40 minutes off the resort’s
coast, are glorious reefs undisturbed for centuries.
According to Michael Aw, renowned underwater photographer,
“The diversity of reef fishes, invertebrates,
coral meadows, sea fans, sea whips and soft corals
is comparable to that in the Maldives and Papua
New Guinea.”
Amateurs and professionals alike can enjoy what awaits.
For beginners, dive instructors can issue a PADI (internationally-recognized
diving license) certification for a fraction of its
cost in the U.S.
The possibility to swim among whale sharks offers
one of the most exciting draws for experienced divers.
There are also sunken World War II wrecks ready for
exploration.
Diving in Miri is year-round due to the exceptional
visibility, but not as highly recommended during the
monsoon period from November to February. Peak diving
season is in April and May. A major beach festival
will be held in Miri later this year, and a regatta
to be held in October may become part of the Asian
circuit in years to come.
Miri is known as the “Monaco of Sarawak”
because of its beautiful beaches set against a backdrop
of cliffs and hills, and it is a gateway to the Mulu
World Heritage Center.
Mount Mulu National Park is home to what is thought
to be the world’s most extensive cave system.
To date, over 190 miles of cave passages have been
explored and yet more than double that space is thought
to remain uncharted. Mulu’s Sarawak Chamber is
the biggest natural chamber in the world. An estimated
40 Boeing 747 aircraft could fit inside.
Prehistoric human settlements inside Niah, another
of Sarawak’s expansive cave systems, have been
dated as far back as 40,000 years.
Sarawak’s rainforests are dated back much further.
More than 100 million years old, they contain one
of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. The praying
mantises of Sarawak’s jungles will feature in
a new 3D IMAX movie, Bugs! set to debut this summer.
Sarawak holds 16 million acres of preserved forest.
Tree plantations account for just 25 percent of the
forest areas. Due to environmental preservation measures,
just three trees in one acre will be cut yearly; and
never trees that are less than 35 years old.
One of the state’s most beautiful spots, says
Zohari, is an inland lake in northern Sarawak called
Loagan Bunut, not often visited by people. You’ll
see exotic wildlife, birds, and fish. “The fish
are so friendly, they may even jump right into your
boat!”
Sri Aman is one of just 66 spots in the world where
the onset of high tide can produce a 30-minute tidal
bore. A tidal bore occurs when the velocity and ferocity
of high tide rushing upstream causes a river to reverse
its flow. It is a remarkable occurrence because of
the speed in which such a large volume of water fills
the river channel.
One needn’t venture into the unknown to have
a brush with nature. Just outside the capital city
Kuching, one is amazed to find one of the world’s
few orangutan sanctuaries, Semenggok, where orphaned
orangutans are rehabilitated into their natural habitats.
With so much nature to experience, food and shopping
are only secondary.
“Everywhere you go, you are going to encounter
surprises. Even shopping can be a surprise because
of the array of Borneo handicrafts available in Sarawak,”
says Edward Holloway, Vice-President of the Malaysian
Association of Hotels. During a leisurely stroll along
the river by the Main Bazaar in Kuching, for example,
one can delight in the locally crafted rattan baskets
and signature beaded necklaces.
“Every tourist will find his or her own little
treasures,” notes Holloway. Because of its unique
location, neighboring Indonesia influences many of
the local handicrafts.
The ultra fresh seafood is “mind-boggling,”
says Holloway. Crabs, oysters, lobster, and prawns
abound. A seafood feast for four can be had for about
$20. Food in Sarawak tends to be less spicy than in
other parts of Malaysia.
Visitors will be shocked at the quality of accommodations
provided for such low prices. In the capital of Kuching,
the Merdeka Palace, for example, offers five star
facilities for around $30 per night. A trip to the
hotel buffet costs around $10. There are plenty of
lodging choices scattered throughout the state, and
in the heart of the nature reserves. For folks looking
for a rustic experience, home stays in the traditional
longhouses can be arranged.
A visit to Sarawak “is not like Disneyland,”
says Holloway. “There will be a parade, but not
a parade for tourists, a colorful and genuine local
parade. It’s what happens on a day-to-day basis.
There are loads of local events not intended for tourists,
but that enhance a cultural visit. And all for free!”
Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest state, and thus
its population of 2.2 million is not densely concentrated.
On average there are just 30 inhabitants per square
mile, mostly along coastal areas.
The state has a very even distribution among the various
religions, even more so than on peninsular Malaysia.
Thirty percent of Sarawak’s population is Christian.
Buddhists and other Chinese
religions constitute another 30 percent, and Muslims
compose about 25 percent. “Our historical uniqueness
comes from our composition of people,” says Zohari.
“A sense of equality pervades our society today,”
says Taib.
The state currently receives 3.4 million tourists
yearly, 52 percent of whom are foreigners. While an
increase in tourist flow is eagerly anticipated, the
state’s master plan includes provisions to limit
the number of visitors to interior, unsettled areas,
thus preserving the sense of oneness with nature than
can be experienced.
This year is a fabulous time to visit, as Sarawak
is celebrating its 40th jubilee, commemorating its
independence. Throughout the year there will be a
fantastic array of cultural events and festivals.
One of the most eagerly anticipated is the World Rainforest
Music Festival to be held in Kuching from July 11-13.
As many as 10-12 major performing groups from Senegal,
Cuba, Madagascar, Bulgaria and elsewhere around the
globe are expected to participate.
The rainforest festival has been growing bigger each
of the past five years it has been held. “I was
never one for ethnic music events, but this is absolutely
world-class. Suddenly I’m the biggest fan,”
says Holloway.
“You’ve got to be adventurous,” he
continues. “There’s such a diversity of
cultures and nature here. The attraction is to experience
culture and nature joining together in its rawest
natural state. It’s not created; it’s real.”
“We would like to share what we have. Sharing
will enrich our own culture and increase understanding
among cultures,” says Zohari.
For more information on Sarawak,visit
www.sarawaktourism.com.
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