I Brake for Gringos ()
8 years ago
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Lim
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One of the biggest caves in the world is Mulu Caves and it is in Sarawak. It took about 60 million of years and harsh condition of weathers for the formation of Mulu Caves. Once Mulu Caves was inside the sea and the relentless process of weathering by the elements of rain, sun and time now began to shape the landscape we see today. Limestone pinnacles and bleached white is the identity of Mulu Cave with big chambers for the passage of wind.
Gunung Mulu National Park is one of Nature's most spectacular achievements and the 'jewel in the crown' of Sarawak's expanding network of national parks. It is also the largest national park, covering 52,865 hectares of primary rainforest, which is criss-crossed by fast flowing rivers and clear jungle streams. Mulu is dominated by three mountains - Gunung Mulu (2,376 m), Gunung Api (1,750 m) and Gunung Benarat (1,585 m). Yet many of Mulu's greatest attractions lie deep below the surface. Hidden underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave systems in the world.
This system, a breath-taking natural wonder, contains a number of record breaking caves. With the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world's largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber), and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave), it is not surprising that Mulu is now world-famous. Over 200 km of cave passages have been surveyed but this is thought to represent just 30-40% of the actual total.
The oldest of Mulu's caves started to form about 5 million years ago when sideways earth movements resulted in the formation of both limestone and sandstone mountains, lying side by side. Millions of years of heavy rain and the action of rivers and running water carved out the vast subterranean system that exists today. The weathering process still continues; dripping water creates new rock features, limestone is slowly worn away, and underground rivers carve and sculpt the caves, transporting limestone debris to the cave mouth or redistributing it within the system.
Although Mulu is synonymous with caves, the 'Mulu experience' is not limited to underground attractions; above ground there is plenty to see and do. The park is covered in rich primary rainforest and offers a whole range of nature-based activities. There are some excellent jungle treks and mountain hikes, including the challenging trek to view the Pinnacles - 45 metre high, razor sharp limestone spikes that sit majestically on the slopes of Gunung Api.
With it's rich bio-diversity, and world-famous caves, Mulu offers the adventurous traveller an exhilarating cave and rainforest experience, possibly unmatched anywhere else on Earth.
Mulu's four Show Caves were selected for their uniqueness or sheer beauty. They can all be visited as day trips from the park HQ and are accessible by plankwalks and well-lit concrete paths. Strategically positioned spotlights highlight the unique features of the individual caves. A plankwalk leads through the forest to Deer and Lang's Cave whilst Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave are reached by taking a longboat up the Melinau River, or by following a 4 km nature trail. The more adventurous can do Adventure Caving.
Tourist may go there from Miri, in Northeast Sarawak, serves as the main gateway for Gunung Mulu National Park. Malaysian Airlines operates scheduled services from Miri and Limbang to Mulu using 19 seater Twin Otter aircraft. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes. Phone MAS (082-246622) for further details.
The park can also be reached by boat (via Marudi). However, there is no regular boat service on the last section of the trip so longboats must be chartered. This is best done in a group to save cost. Tour operators are able to arrange boat passage to Mulu if required.
This system, a breath-taking natural wonder, contains a number of record breaking caves. With the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world's largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber), and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave), it is not surprising that Mulu is now world-famous. Over 200 km of cave passages have been surveyed but this is thought to represent just 30-40% of the actual total.
The oldest of Mulu's caves started to form about 5 million years ago when sideways earth movements resulted in the formation of both limestone and sandstone mountains, lying side by side. Millions of years of heavy rain and the action of rivers and running water carved out the vast subterranean system that exists today. The weathering process still continues; dripping water creates new rock features, limestone is slowly worn away, and underground rivers carve and sculpt the caves, transporting limestone debris to the cave mouth or redistributing it within the system.
Although Mulu is synonymous with caves, the 'Mulu experience' is not limited to underground attractions; above ground there is plenty to see and do. The park is covered in rich primary rainforest and offers a whole range of nature-based activities. There are some excellent jungle treks and mountain hikes, including the challenging trek to view the Pinnacles - 45 metre high, razor sharp limestone spikes that sit majestically on the slopes of Gunung Api.
With it's rich bio-diversity, and world-famous caves, Mulu offers the adventurous traveller an exhilarating cave and rainforest experience, possibly unmatched anywhere else on Earth.
Mulu's four Show Caves were selected for their uniqueness or sheer beauty. They can all be visited as day trips from the park HQ and are accessible by plankwalks and well-lit concrete paths. Strategically positioned spotlights highlight the unique features of the individual caves. A plankwalk leads through the forest to Deer and Lang's Cave whilst Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave are reached by taking a longboat up the Melinau River, or by following a 4 km nature trail. The more adventurous can do Adventure Caving.
Tourist may go there from Miri, in Northeast Sarawak, serves as the main gateway for Gunung Mulu National Park. Malaysian Airlines operates scheduled services from Miri and Limbang to Mulu using 19 seater Twin Otter aircraft. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes. Phone MAS (082-246622) for further details.
The park can also be reached by boat (via Marudi). However, there is no regular boat service on the last section of the trip so longboats must be chartered. This is best done in a group to save cost. Tour operators are able to arrange boat passage to Mulu if required.
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Lim
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Sarawak State Museum is the oldest museum in Borneo. It was established in 1888 and opened in 1891 in a purpose-built building in Kuching, Sarawak. Sponsored by Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak, the establishment of the museum was strongly encouraged by Alfred Russel Wallace.
The Sarawak Museum was built by Rajah Charles Brooke in 1891 and modeled on a town hall in Normandy.
As the most prominent repository of Bornean culture, the Sarawak Museum is also an active patron of wide-ranging academic research. The excavations at Niah Caves, which unearthed the oldest known evidence of human settlement in Borneo, were conducted under the auspices of the Sarawak Museum. A reconstruction of the prehistoric settlement at Niah Cave is on permanent display.
Other notable exhibits include the history of Sarawak, a reconstruction of native longhouses, tribal art, Malay and Chinese artifacts, and local flora and fauna. Behind the Sarawak Museum there is an aquarium, and a picturesque landscaped garden.
Don’t miss out this place if you visit Kuching! The operation hour is 9am-6pm weekdays or weekends.
The Sarawak Museum was built by Rajah Charles Brooke in 1891 and modeled on a town hall in Normandy.
As the most prominent repository of Bornean culture, the Sarawak Museum is also an active patron of wide-ranging academic research. The excavations at Niah Caves, which unearthed the oldest known evidence of human settlement in Borneo, were conducted under the auspices of the Sarawak Museum. A reconstruction of the prehistoric settlement at Niah Cave is on permanent display.
Other notable exhibits include the history of Sarawak, a reconstruction of native longhouses, tribal art, Malay and Chinese artifacts, and local flora and fauna. Behind the Sarawak Museum there is an aquarium, and a picturesque landscaped garden.
Don’t miss out this place if you visit Kuching! The operation hour is 9am-6pm weekdays or weekends.
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Lim
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Gunung Gading NP has much more to show the the giant flowers. You can do many interesting jungle treks with different destinations. There are 5 trails you can walk. One of them leads to the summit of the Mt. Gunung Gading (965 m). On this trail you also pass an old english army camp from 1960. Another trail follows a chain of waterfalls. This opens nice possibilities for swimming. There are also some short walks around the headquarter and a long round trail.Gunung Gading National Park is situated at Lundu District (a small town) is home to the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, a genus of parasitic flowering plants which can grow up to one meter in diameter. At Gunung Gading, entry at entrance fee of RM10 per head. We started our walk easy, relax and not in hurry for anything
Gunung Gading National Park is the marvelous giant 'flowers' Rafflesia. A little bit about how this plant got it's name.
According to it history, it was discovered in the Indonesian rain forest by an Indonesian guide working for Dr. Joseph Arnold in 1818, and named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the expedition.
Rafflesia, the plant has no stems, leaves or true roots. It is an endoparasite of vines in the genus Tetrastigma (Vitaceae), spreading its root-like haustoria inside the tissue of the vine.
There are many animals (mammals, birds, insects and reptiles) to watch. Here you can see several species of giant fig trees too and find a lot of interesting seeds and jungle fruits on the ground of the path. It´s worth to stay there at least 1 night and to do 2 daytrips.
If you have no fear of the dark just do a nightwalk in the Nationalpark around the headquarter. If there is no full moon you will be suprised how many animals you can observe at night after 10 pm. Better bring another spare torchlight for safety reasons and enough batteries. In the evening you can listen to and record the amazing sound of the rain forest - this is the right spot for that.
There are clean facilities to stay for low rates directly in the park. There are no cooking facilities. It´s reccommended to make a reservation at the Kuching tourist information near the waterfront (possible by phone also) if you want to stay overnight.
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Lim
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Aptly called The People Place, Kuching Waterfront was built for the people of Sarawak. It is their place to enjoy, to entertain and be entertained. A heritage to be proud of, and a legacy to pass on to generations to come. Stretching approximately 1 km long, with a riverside walk linking the hotel precinct with downtown Kuching, the Waterfront is 'self-contained' with facilities for entertainment, refreshment, relaxation, cultural enjoyment and arts appreciation. It is also a great place for family gatherings, corporate outings and school and community projects.
Coolies bustling over junks berthed. Hawking of wares, Indian chettiars haggling. Natives selling jungle produce. That was Sarawak River to Kuching.
Then time intervened. Sarawak River was not what it used to be. Quietness settled in. The godowns deserted, the merchants shifted.
Thus, Kuching Waterfront was rebuilt to return the frontage to the people. Officially opened in 1993, it spans 890 metres, each step rich in local history and culture.
The godowns’ structures are preserved. The frame of the amphitheatre, and the buildings of the Sarawak Steamship Company and the Chinese Museum are evidents. Tradition radiates from the Chinese pavilion.
Each step of the way is paved with mosaic panels depicting ethnic motifs.
Kuching of by-gone days is revealed along panels on the promenade, and within Square Tower, a fortress of yester-years. Trace the White Rajah’s reign. Read about rebellions. And piracy.
Come evening, see abstract Hornbill Fountains. Have a taste of local food at the food outlets and pushcarts.
Coolies bustling over junks berthed. Hawking of wares, Indian chettiars haggling. Natives selling jungle produce. That was Sarawak River to Kuching.
Then time intervened. Sarawak River was not what it used to be. Quietness settled in. The godowns deserted, the merchants shifted.
Thus, Kuching Waterfront was rebuilt to return the frontage to the people. Officially opened in 1993, it spans 890 metres, each step rich in local history and culture.
The godowns’ structures are preserved. The frame of the amphitheatre, and the buildings of the Sarawak Steamship Company and the Chinese Museum are evidents. Tradition radiates from the Chinese pavilion.
Each step of the way is paved with mosaic panels depicting ethnic motifs.
Kuching of by-gone days is revealed along panels on the promenade, and within Square Tower, a fortress of yester-years. Trace the White Rajah’s reign. Read about rebellions. And piracy.
Come evening, see abstract Hornbill Fountains. Have a taste of local food at the food outlets and pushcarts.
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Lim
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Kuching (Kuching Division) was under the rule of Brunei Sultan before the time of James Brooke (1847) and was known as Sarawak. The Resident Office of Kuching was established on the 1st of June 1873. Before 1986, the administration for the Kuching Division also covers the Samarahan Division. With the establishment of the Samarahan Division in July 1986, a new borderline was created for the administration of Kuching Division which was maintained until today.
Since four decades ago, the Kuching Division has been developing aggressively especially the Kuching City. Kuching is the largest city in the Sarawak state and has been upgraded to be a major city on the 1st of August 1988. Other than being the state administration centre, Kuching Division is also the centre of Industrial, Commerce, Services and Tourism for the Sarawak state.
The population of the Kuching Division has also been increasing rapidly. In 1980, there are only 315,110 people in the division. In 2000, there are 565,504 people. This increase in the population was due to the migration of the rural people to the city.
