Experience fine dining at Sarawak River Cruise’s Floating Restaurant

KUCHING: Dine at Sarawak River Cruise’s Floating Restaurant away from the hustle and bustle of the city while enjoying breathtaking night views of Sarawak River.

Started on Nov 1, from 7pm to 11pm, the Floating Restaurant is serving sumptuous dinner on the cruise during which diners enjoy dishes in privacy with views of the almost-completed pedestrian Golden S Bridge.

Chat the night away under the stars while seeing the new State Legislative Assembly Building sit majestically by the riverbank.

The menu features Western dishes, noodles, rice, snacks, soup and drinks  – juices, coffee and tea, beer and wine.

All-time local favourite Laksa is on the menu. Other dishes are grilled Lamb Chop, grilled  Chicken Chop, Fish and Chips, Cabonara Spaghetti.

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Pandaw Launches Kalimantan, Borneo River Cruise

The "Into the True Heart of Borneo" seven-night river expedition sails the Kapuas River System in western Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo.

Pandaw has announced the launch of a new "Into the True Heart of Borneo" seven-night river cruise, which sails the Kapuas River System in western Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo.

The river system is the largest in Borneo, flowing over 700 miles, fringed with rainforest and surrounded by mountain ranges.

The seven-night expedition on the Katha Pandaw takes in the upper part of the Kapuas, a voyage that includes traversing the Danau Sentarum system of lakes that connect to the river and are now a national park.

Pandaw’s ship, the Katha Pandaw, has 16 staterooms, open deck dining, self-service bar and panoramic round ship promenade decks.

Passengers fly in via Kuching in Sarawak (in Malaysian Borneo), which has connections to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

As a stopover Kuching offers Brooke Raj colonial buildings, a museum and a Chinatown.

Alternatively, there is the option to fly into Pontianak, the capital of Western Kalimantan, which has daily flights to Jakarta.

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Borneo Adventure - Black River Cruise

On the water in Kalimantan

Samboja is a small township in East Kalimantan and the gateway to our Borneo adventure.

It is an hour’s drive from the capital, Balikpapan, on the east coast of Indonesian Borneo.

Samboja’s economy is largely based on open-cut coal mines, oil and palm oil plantations. Look out to sea and you’ll see oil rigs on the horizon.

However, some Indonesian Borneans still make a living from the sea and rivers leading out to sea. 

Borneo Adventure on Sungai Hitam

One such river is Sungai (translated means river) Hitam, about an hour’s drive from the Samboja Lestari Orangutan and Sun Bear Sanctuary. The river is 35km from Balikpapan.

As part of our two week Orangutan volunteer program we were able to enjoy a late afternoon river cruise.

Fishing Villages

Sungai Hitam is in a lowland and mangrove forest. 

As we left the small jetty, we passed through palm strewn and mangrove banks.

We cruised along to come to a local fishing village seemingly built on dodgy sticks, stuck in the high muddy river bank.

Colourful wooden boats were parked along the river’s edge, sometimes two or three deep, covered by drying nets.

Shanty dwellings were thrown together, but with an odd one having a large satellite dish out the front! 

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Sayang Sarawak - new river cruise service launched

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), in collaboration with Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), has launched a new river cruise service – the ‘Sayang Sarawak’ catamaran – making the convention centre the first in Malaysia to offer meeting and event service on cruise.

The catamaran, built in the state, will ply two routes – from Kuching Waterfront to BCCK and from Kuching Isthmus marina bay to the mouth of Sungai Sarawak at Muara Tebas.

It can accommodate about 40 persons theatre style on the lower deck and 30 persons cocktail fashion on the upper deck. The cruise packages can be customised according to requirements set by clients.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with STB to create a niche product for the business events market. BCCK is the first convention centre in Malaysia to offer meeting and event service on cruise. This latest addition to our range of service will enhance delegate experience as business and social events can now be conducted on water rather than being confined to brick and mortar.

“The cruise will take conference delegates pass quaint villages, verdant jungles and wetlands along the Sarawak River – this experience is one of a kind in Malaysia, if not the world. We are looking forward to offering this innovative product to our local and foreign clients by bringing our meeting and event services with our food and beverage on board the Sayang Sarawak,” BCCK chief executive officer Eric van Piggelen said at the launch of the cruise service at Kuching Isthmus marina jetty here yesterday.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg was present to witness the launch.

“This cruise will offer new tourism products on what we can offer in Kuching,” he said when officiating.

To intensify Sungai Sarawak as a tourism product for the city, he mentioned that under the 11th Malaysia Plan, the state was considering to beautify the river including the section at Kuching Waterfront.

In addition, a cascading waterfall will be built at the compound of Fort Margherita to beautify the area and it will be installed with lighting for greater scenery effect at night, he said.

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Cruising on a Borneo River

There is a special feeling that Borneo invokes. There really is no other experience that comes close to cruising on a tranquil river in Central Kalimantan surrounded by lush tropical jungle while watching rehabilitated orangutans frolicking in nature reserves.

Inspired by the virtually untapped tourism potential of Central Kalimantan, two British ladies, Gaye Thavisin and Lorna Dowson-Collins, converted a traditional Kalimantan riverboat known as a rangkan into the comfortable cruise boat we now know as the Rahai’i Pangun. Their venture brought the first jungle cruise to the Rangun River in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan.

Ecotourism is at the heart of Kalimantan Tour Destinations. This social enterprise is a way of protecting the environment and creating alternative livelihoods in the region. Through this river cruise, they are able to demonstrate that business can be a vehicle to support development problems by demonstrating there is a different value for the forest, while supporting local inhabitants of the region.

Our journey onboard the Rahai’i Pangun began at 8.30am when we were picked up from our local hotel in Palangkaraya and brought by car to the river harbour. Here you can see how the river is a source of life to so many living along its riverbed; canoes with engines traverse up and down its waters, locals fish, bathe and find their livelihoods here.

Stepping onboard the Rahai’i Pangun, you feel instantly rejuvenated. It is a floating marvel with five bedrooms, an open-air dining area and living room with a large observation deck. All rooms are air-conditioned with en-suite bathrooms, and although not five-star luxury, the rooms are certainly comfortable.

The boat departed from the harbour at 9am and we began cruising upstream on the Rangun River. The first half hour or so we passed through villages and fishing boats with friendly locals waving at us.

Then the forest engulfed us and after a couple of hours, we reached the island of Kaja, a 25-hectare sanctuary where rehabilitated orangutans live, still fed by rangers watching over them on the opposite side of the river.

The sight of three furry, orange friends hanging out in the trees was breathtaking – but there were many more orangutan encounters to follow over the next couple of days.

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Cruising the Kinabatangan River

During our time in Borneo, much of our activity choices were dominated by a desire to spot those beautiful, evasive orange apes, the orangutans.

Our decision to visit the Kinabatangan River was no different, having heard from other bloggers this place was the best chance we had to see those gorgeous little gingers in the wild. Not only is the jungle around Kinabatangan river a habitat to orangutans, but proboscis monkeys, pigmy elephants and salt water crocodiles all also call this area home.

After a little research and suggestions from friends and fellow travellers we knew we had to visit this area known for its variety of wildlife.

We were recommended a few different jungle stays on the Kinabatangan river, but the one that fit our budget and requirements best was Nature Lodge. We managed to book with them via email for the exact dates we wanted and arranged a 3 day / 2 night trip. They were very communicative and gave us a lot of detail via email and we felt very positive about the whole booking process. Nature Lodge also have an office in Kota Kinabalu (KK) for talking with the staff and making bookings face to face.

We were both very excited and pleased with our choice.

Kinabatangan River is located in east Sabah, the closest city is Sandakan and has a domestic airport for easy connections to other cities in Malaysian Borneo. I would strongly suggest this option of transport as our bus journey to the area from Kota Kinabalu was expensive and distressing, in more ways than one.

If you book in advance you should be able to secure one of the cheapest Air Asia flights that start at something like $15, the bus is 45 MYR so it’s exactly the same price! Not to mention much shorter and easier, the shuttle for Nature Lodge also picks up guests from Sandakan airport.

We departed KK at 7am, having paid for the bus to take us to Medan Silera where a shuttle would meet us to take us the rest of the way to Kinabatangan river. We were in reasonably high spirits as the bus was in fairly decent shape and was quite comfortable. This was not to last.

Quite soon after leaving KK behind the roads became very winding. This area of Borneo is mountainous so the roads are indicative of that. This alone would not have been a problem, but our bus driver seemed to believe he was in some sort of rally vehicle and not a large coach.

The speed, twists, turns and swaying of the bus quite rapidly became too much for me and after about an hour I was seeing my breakfast again in the tiny onboard toilet.

Not pleasant.

After that I was a bit of a mess and had to sit up high so I could see out of the windscreen, which helped a little. I didn’t throw up again, but I was still a little shaky when we disembarked 5 hours later.

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Klias Peninsula wetlands river cruise: An amazing wildlife experience

MALAYSIA’S rainforests are amongst the oldest in the world. They offer a chance to see wildlife that is unique and enchanting. A Klias Peninsula wetlands river cruise is a popular stop for tourists interested in wildlife, just half a day’s trip from Kota Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Sabah in Malaysia. It is a beautiful city to explore on the north-west coast of Borneo. It is a major tourist destination for people visiting Sabah and Borneo. If getting close to the nature is high on your agenda then the half-day cruise to the wetlands can be a thrilling experience.

The river cruise is most famous for two things – the proboscis monkeys and fireflies. However, there is plenty more to see. Bird watchers can expect to sight a variety of kingfishers and egrets among many other species. Long tailed macaques, silver langur monkeys, crocodiles, monitor lizards and water buffalos can also be sighted.

The star of the river cruise show is the proboscis monkey. Proboscis monkeys have particularly long nose hanging out from their face and large potbellies. Only the males of this endangered species have long noses, and they are found only in Borneo.

These monkeys live in large groups which consist of one alpha male, up to seven females and their offspring. There are ‘bachelor only’ groups too. Proboscis monkeys can swim and they typically enter the river jumping from the tress flat on their stomach, which is quite a comical sight. They sleep on the trees near the river bed and hence on an evening cruise there are good chances to spot them as they go around gathering food and then settling for the night. Crocodiles are their common predators.

Long tailed macaques are also known as crab eating macaques as they can be commonly seen looking for crabs on beaches. Their tails are almost as long as their bodies and this is one of their most distinguishing features. They live in large groups consisting of more than one male and many females and juveniles. Silver langur monkeys are also found in the region in large groups.

It takes two to three hours to reach the Kilas Jetty from Kota Kinabalu. If you go with a tour agency they will arrange your transfer. They also offer a break to refresh mid way on this journey, usually at a local café.

Cruises start around 3pm as sightings of the proboscis monkeys are most common after this time. The entrance to the jetty is through a narrow wooden walkway and the area around it is itself quite beautiful. The main lobby has many posters providing information on what to expect on the trip. Tea and refreshments are served upon arrival.

The river cruise goes through the mangrove forest and the first round lasts typically until dusk. Even though the star attraction of this trip is the proboscis monkey, it is quite thrilling to sight silver langur monkeys, long tailed macaques, crocodiles and water buffalos. As the boats approach the habitats a hush falls among the passengers in expectation of sightings of wildlife.

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Merry-Making around the Sarawak River Cruise, Kuching

Pretty younger maidens, dancing fluidly for the beat of ethnic music; struggle-like cries of your warrior, heading fiercely with shield and spear in hand; and cheerful dancers in colourful regular costumes, expressing the myriad mix of cultures and customs... these and more might be knowledgeable initially hand within the commendable Sarawak River Cruises at the Kuching Waterfront inside the city of Kuching, Sarawak.

My friend was visiting from overseas and we made the decision to go for the Sarawak River Cruise. The fares with the just about two several hours sunset cruise, from 5.00pm to 7.00pm, have been RM60 for an grownup and RM30 for your youngster. "My Equatorial" was the term of your 120 ft by 20 feet double-decker cruise-ship we had been obtaining on. Upon entering the gleaming white cruise-ship with its recently renovated interiors, we were soothed by piped-in sape music, a guitar-like classic instrument of the Orang Ulu ethnic group. There have been stairs primary approximately the upper deck and we headed in the direction of that route.

In a position to accommodate as much as 200 folks all through, the decrease-deck in the cruise-ship was entirely covered and air-conditioned having a dining lounge, a mini bar, karaoke enjoyment and washrooms. The upper deck about the other hand was an open-air notion which has a performance stage and a sheltered sightseeing deck, in case it rained I suppose. We had been warmly greeted by the pleasant staff on board, and later on supplied welcoming cordial drinks and snacks of community kuehs (cakes) to munch on. I'd agree that these ended up all the type, convenience and amenities you'd need to have for a relaxing and pleasant Sarawak River Cruise.

As the cruise-ship arranged off on its journey on the Sarawak River through the Kuching Waterfront, we chose to remain for the upper deck to recognize the cool breeze and fantastic river views. Lively commentaries ended up being intermittently made because of the staff as we came upon the series of historical web-sites situated together the river. I should say that using the Sarawak River Cruise was like using a cruise in to the historical past of Kuching, Sarawak, which was then juxtaposed while using contemporary growth in the city.

We had been in truth following the river path of your first White Rajah of Sarawak, Sir James Brooke, when he sailed up the Sarawak River, 173 decades ago, in August 1838. Nowadays, we could visually knowledge the contemporary and vibrant Kuching Waterfront, the brand new Condition Legislative Assembly developing, accommodations, condominiums amongst the skyline of Kuching City, the investment of Sarawak.

Then the past gradually emerged as we journeyed onwards, with all the churning of your river waters about the Sarawak River Cruise. We started to look at with quiet wonder these historical landmarks: the Kuching Condition Mosque (1847), Malay communities of Kampung Boyan and Kampung Surabaya (1860), Primary Bazaar (1864), Astana (1870), Old Court docket Property (1874), Square Tower (1879), Fort Margherita (1879), Brooke Dockyard (1912), and Chinese Museum (1912).

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Star Cruises operator promises support to promote Sabah as tourism destination

KOTA KINABALU: There is more to traveling than just flying from one place to another and Star Cruises Travel Service (M) Sdn Bhd is offering Sabahans an alternative way to spend their holidays – by cruising.

Star Cruises, together with the Norwegian Cruise Line are the third largest cruise operators in the world, owning a combined fleet of 18 vessels calling over 200 destinations worldwide, and represented in more than 20 locations across the globe.

“We have landed on Sabah’s shores to support the state’s rapid tourism growth. We not only welcome guests to come here but also encourages Sabahans to travel in a different way,” said Star Cruises East Malaysia Operations vice president Edward Johann Leong.

He added that they are also working closely with tourism players in the state to promote and introduce Sabah to the world.

The company set up its office in the city earlier this year, and yesterday, Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Ellron Angin officially opened its lounge, named ‘The Bridge’ at the KK Times Square.

Also present were the Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Tengku Zainal Adlin, local travel agents and business associates.

‘The Bridge’ is an exclusive member-only club that was specially created for valued members by Star Cruises and it features value-added facilities, including karaoke rooms, pool table, massage chairs and wi-fi connection.

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River cruise in Sibuti soon

MIRI: Sibuti possesses vast tourism potential, and the government intends to tap it by initiating a river cruise package of sorts for a start.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said such a package would enable tourists to enjoy the natural beauty and, if they are lucky, catch sight of crocodiles basking by the river banks of Sibuti River.

“This new product is one of the government’s efforts to promote the tourism sector in Sibuti, which comprises Lambir, Bekenu and Niah.

“With the great natural beauty and uniqueness of the local cultures here, I have high confidence that this product will help change the landscape of at least Bekenu town,” he said at a function in Bekenu recently to present People Friendly Houses (RMR).

To go with this proposed package, Abang Johari said his ministry was going to build a waterfront project in Bekenu.

However, he did not divulge details of this proposed plan other than saying that it would complement existing tourism promotions to boost Miri’s image as a resort city.

At present, Sibuti’s attractions include Lambir National Park, Niah National Park, Bungai Beach, and Bakam Beach.

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After its final Rajang tour, RV Orient Pandaw will be deported to Myanmar

SIBU: The RV Orient Pandaw is sailing up the Rajang River for the last time.

The 827-tonne, 30-cabin river cruise ship departed from here yesterday evening to Kapit for its last nine-day, eight-night “Into The Heart of Borneo” cruise.

After this, the steamship would be sent to Myanmar where it would be chartered by an Australian tour company for the next three years to cruise along the Mekong River.

Owned by the Strachan family (Paul and Roser), the cruise was set up in 1998 after Paul revived the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company (IFC) when he leased and restored an original Clyde-built steamer called the “Pandaw” in Myanmar.

The cruise operation was later expanded to the Mekong River in 2003, and to the Rajang River in 2009.

Since its inaugural voyage on July 1, 2009, more than 2,000 tourists had joined the popular “Into The Heart Of Borneo” cruise throughout its two-and-a-half year operation.

IFC through its Pandaw newsletter in November last year, however, had announced that it would discontinue the cruise on the 640km Rajang River in April this year, citing logistical and operational difficulties that made the project commercially unsuccessful.

Sources familiar with the cruise earlier said costs to operate RV Orient Pandaw were 60-70% higher than those in Myanmar, Vietnam or Cambodia.

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Sarawak Tourism Board welcomes arrival of cruise ship

KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism Board welcomed the second arrival of a cruise ship in a month at Bintulu Port yesterday morning, making it the fifth arrival for this year so far.

The 15,000-tonne MS Columbus, the luxury cruise ship owned by the Hapag-Lloyd of Germany, arrived at Bintulu Port at 6:30am.

Sarawak Tourism Board officials from Miri, who organised a special traditional welcoming reception, greeted the 287 tourists.

According to a press release issued here, the MS Columbus is on a 20-day “Devine Impression on the Far East” cruise, stopping at Bali, Semarang, Bintulu, Muara, Kota Kinabalu, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hong Kong, Xiamen and Shanghai.

Earlier this month on Feb 11, another cruise MS Pacific Venus from Japan arrived in Kuching and its 354 tourists and 208 crewmembers were greeted by STB Regional Marketing manager (UK & Europe) Maurice Balang with similar traditional reception party.

This is the third visit of the Pacific Venus to Kuching after earlier visits in 2000 and 2006. MS Pacific Venus is the 26,518-tonne luxury cruise ship operated by Japan Cruise Lines.

The cruise charges from RM30,000 (superior room) to RM160,000 (Royal Suites room) for a month trip across Japan, Macau, Bali, Komodo Island, Perth, Semarang, Singapore Penang, Melacca, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Hong Kong before returning to Japan.

The ship caters specially to Japanese tourists and it features karaoke rooms, a spacious hall and observation lounge situated at the base of the tunnel. Pacific Venus is engaged in cruising around the world and can accommodate up to 696 passengers.

While in Kuching, MS Pacific Venus passengers visited the Sarawak Cultural Village, toured Kuching City, Bako National Park, Gunung Gading National Park and explored as far as the Mulu National Park.

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Pandaw Cruise: Offer innovative options

SIBU: Tourism industry players involved in the Pandaw Cruise are urged to come up with innovative options to replace the luxury cruise that will cease operation next month.

Tourism Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said he would personally meet them (players) over the matter.

“I have read about their decision (Pandaw operator) to move out, but that should not worry us too much because we can think of options,” he told the media after officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony of a new housing project, ‘Pearl Avenue’, in Sibu Jaya here yesterday.

He added: “After having found a replacement for Pandaw Cruise, we have to work out a marketing strategy. We can promote it on the website and instead of restricting it to Europeans we can target those from Peninsular Malaysia to participate in the cruise.

“Sibu is well-known for its shipbuilding industry.

“For example, an operator can take hold of an old ship, fabricate it to meet the requirement of travellers and provide good food and entertainment.”

Assistant Minister of Housing Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, HD Cam Sdn Bhd director Azmi Hashim, Daya Builders chairman Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems president and chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdullah were among those present at the function.

Pandaw Cruise operator, Irrawaddy Flotilla, had in its November 2011 online newsletter said it would cease operation in March.

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Pandaw Cruise operator persuaded to continue operation

SIBU: Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday said the Pandaw Cruise operator would be persuaded to continue operating along the Rajang River.

“I hope it is not their final decision. We will find time to persuade them to see whether or not they will carry on (the operations),” Wong, who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development, told The Borneo Post.

The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC)’s Culture, Arts, Sports and Tourism Standing Committee was disturbed by the decision by Irrawaddy Flotilla Company to cease Malaysia’s first river cruise.

Its chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai reportedly said during SMC’s full council meeting last week that they would bring the matter to Wong’s attention.

He said that during the past two years of its operation, the river cruise had lured tourists to Sibu and boosted its tourism industry.

Wong, when asked later if the cessation of the river cruise would affect the tourism industry in Sibu, said: “Yes, to a certain extent.”

Meanwhile, Irrawaddy Flotilla Company stated in the Pandaw newsletter dated Nov 24 last year that it would stop the river cruise on the 640km Rajang River.

The newsletter cited operational and logistical difficulties as reasons for the cessation.

It was reported in several newspapers that it would sail up Malaysia’s longest river for the last time in March, and that its swan song voyage was already almost fully booked.

Meanwhile, when contacted earlier, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) said it had been notified, but could not do much.

“It’s a commercial venture. The Pandaw cruise is subject to market forces,” STB director of Corporate Communication Angelina Bateman reportedly said.

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Pandaw cruise boat cruising into the sunset

RV Orient Pandaw the cruise boat that brings tourists into the heart of Borneo along the mighty Rajang is sailing into the sunset as it will cease operation next year.

It will sail up the longest river in Malaysia for the last time in March and its swansong voyage is already almost fully booked with just a few tickets left available.

The Pandaw newsletter recently announced the cessation of its Rajang cruise explaining that “…logistical and operational difficulties of working are so tough an environment that the project has been commercially unsuccessful”.

Pandaw the largest luxury river cruise operator in South East Asia runs river expedition cruises in four countries in the region – Burma on the Irrawaddy and Chindwin Rivers, Cambodia and Vietnam on Mekong River and Malaysia on Rajang River.

The Sarawak Tourism Board had been notified but there is nothing it could do because as a commercial venture the Pandaw Rajang cruise is subjected to market forces.

Direc tor of Corporation Communication of Angelina Bateman when contacted recently said; “Our role so far has been to help facilitate it by promoting the tour. Other than that we cannot get involved, except in helping them to promote since it is a commercial operation.”

Bateman expressed regret that the cruise failed to succeed as a commercial venture as it had helped to promote tourism in the state internationally.

When it was launched on July 1, 2009 it was hailed as a catalyst for the growth of the tourism industry in the central region of the state but it was also drew flaks from local tour operators who were left out of its travel itinerary.

Continue reading (Incl. Pic) at: Pandaw cruise boat cruising into the sunset

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Borneo Klias River Cruise: Monkey business after sunset

It definitely wasn't Christmas, but as we headed back up the Klias River in our boats, the trees on the bank seemed to be flickering with fairy lights.

"Fireflies," pronounced Thomas, our guide, and he directed the boatman to take us closer for a better view.

We couldn't see the fireflies themselves, but in the falling dusk it was easy to spot their lights, which twinkled on and off like those on a Christmas tree.

When the lights came on we were heading back to our holiday home, the expedition ship Orion II, at the end of a wildlife cruise through one of the last remaining mangrove wetlands in Borneo. After seeing proboscis monkeys, macaques, flying foxes, a monitor lizard and several birds, the fireflies were something of a bonus.

Our main hope, when our cruise started in the early afternoon, had been to see proboscis monkeys and that was achieved within a few minutes of leaving the small wharf in our long, lean riverboat.

We rounded a bend in the river to find a huge, fat, two-storey jerrybuilt craft, belching diesel smoke and loaded with jolly passengers seated at tables, pushed close to the bank.

Our lean machine slid easily inside the monster and we enjoyed a great view of a proboscis family enjoying their evening meal in an adjacent tree.

The dominant male - the massive nose that is his status symbol clearly silhouetted against the sky - sat at the top of the tree, munching on tender young leaves. From time to time, when he had eaten out one branch, he would lean over, grab another and pull it up to within easy picking distance.

His small harem of females, easily distinguished with their smaller, upturned noses, at least a couple of them with youngsters in tow, were dotted around the rest of the tree chewing with enthusiasm.

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Kapit great for river tourism

KUCHING: Kapit Division has a huge potential to be developed as an eco-tourism area, said Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing.

He particularly referred to areas drawn up for this year’s Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari, like Sg. Majau, Sg. Mujong, Sg. Baleh and Batang Rajang, saying they could be turned into places of great interest for tourists as well as nature lovers to explore.

“Those areas have vast potential to be turned into an eco-tourism attraction. Once developed, the riverine areas are suitable for this kind of activities,” Masing told a press conference yesterday to announce the 16th edition of Baleh-Kapit Raft Safari scheduled from Sept 22 to 24. Masing pointed out that beginning with this year’s edition, the safari was expected to have a new name to reflect eco-tourism elements in its activities.

“We will think of the name for the event soon. At the moment, it will still be the same. The new name will reflect the new concept of the event,’ he said at his office at Masja Building yesterday.

Masing added that this year’s safari would see various activities.

“There will be four main events — that is rafting, canoeing (kayaking), mini carnival and powerboat race.”

He pointed out that kayaking, which will be named ‘Kayaking 1Malaysia’, although a newly-introduced event would be an interesting one.

Partly organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation (KPSU), the new event is included in a bid to scout for young and talented paddlers from the area.

“As we know, our kayak team had a poor outing in the last Sukma games. This is the right time to search for new talents in the sport to represent our kayak team in Sukma,” he said.

He believed that the task to find capable paddlers would not be difficult as there were many undiscovered talents in the upper rivers.

Continue reading at: Kapit great for river tourism
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Up to 50% off Pandaw Borneo River Cruises

Borneo, the third largest island in the world after Greenland and Australia, has one of the most diverse eco systems on the planet, its primary rain forest home to a vast number of species of flora and fauna.

Now part of Eastern Malaysia, Sarawak was ruled for exactly one hundred years by the Brooke family, known as the Raja Brookes, and only joined the British Empire after the war, gaining independence in 1966.

The Rajang River, at 640km is the longest river in Malaysia, flows across Borneo from Sarawak into Indonesian Kalimantan. Though well know to many from Redmon O’Hanlon’s classic Into the Heart of Borneo, there is very little tourism here due to the river’s remoteness and lack of facilities. The scenery is magnificent – a total jungle experience with the rainforest tumbling into the fast flowing river.

The Rajang is navigable on a ship of Pandaw’s size for at least 250km until the Pelagus Rapids, and further on its main tributary the Baleh River. The river is peopled with the Iban, headhunters till the 1950s, whose unique long house culture survives well to this day, blending well animist tradition with modernity.

There is much to do and see upriver, whether just gazing at the amazing scenery or visiting long houses traditional and modern. In these river towns we can explore the architectural vestiges of the Brooke Raj. Jungle treks, for all levels, are a must as are long boat trips to the Pelagus rapids.

Downriver, the prosperous Chinese city of Sibu with its old shop houses, markets and friendly inhabitants, is a calm reflection of an old China that probably no longer exists in mainland China. Sibu with its rich surrounding farmlands and tropical climate is an important agricultural area.

Continue reading at: Up to 50% off Pandaw Borneo River Cruises
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Romancing Rajang River to bring in tourist dollar

SIBU: The mighty Rajang River has vast eco-tourism potential to take Sibu places.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Datuk Rashid Khan said tourism players need not have to make huge investment to get the ball rolling.

“The central region of Sarawak, with its natural rivers, the mighty Rajang River and diverse cultures are a trove of adventure waiting to be explored,” he enthused.

This, he pointed out, was in addition to the popular Pandaw Cruise.

“They (tourism players) just need to be creative and innovative in coming up with a package to entice tourists to come to experience the adventure and excitements of what Rajang River has to offer,” Rashid told The Borneo Post after the ‘Firefly celebrates its B737-800 inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sibu’ function here yesterday.

Citing the public tram service in San Francisco, he said this was an attraction to outsiders.

Similarly, the tourism players here can make use of the existing boats’ service to bring tourists down river to other places of interest, he suggested.

And from there, they could tie up with locals to connect the tourists to visit other places to experience a different adventure.

“They just need to find out the schedule and work out a package and promote them to visitors. There is no need to invest in the boat for example. Just utilise whatever resources that they have.”

Continue reading at: Romancing Rajang River to bring in tourist dollar

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Promoting Sarawak as an international meeting destination

KUCHING: Sarawak, also known as ‘Land of the Hornbills’, and popular for its natural splendor and colourful history, is now being promoted as a Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) venue.

Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) has, through strategic planning, arranged for 18 international events to be held in Sarawak between 2011 and 2016, attracting at least 600 participants per event.

These events include the ASEAN Australian Engineering Congress (AAEC) event (25-27 July, and the Global Conference 2011 (30 Nov-3 Dec).

Some of the preferred venues for the MICE programme are the five-starred Pullman Hotel; Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching (BCCK); Damai Beach Resort; Sarawak River Cruise; and Four Point by Sheraton, Kuching.

More events planned for 2012

A total of nine MICE events have been lined up for 2012, including the 50th MD 308 Lions Convention 2012. This will be held at the Pullman Hotel from 19-22 April, and will bring 2,000 participants.

Others events include the CDA/MDA 69th AGM Malaysia Dental Association Conference and Trade Exhibition 2012. This will be held between 30 May and 1 June at BCCK, and will attract 3,200 participants. Additionally, the 9th World Congress of Chinese Medicine 2012 (WCCM) will be held during 20-23 Oct, attracting 1,000 participants.

SCB’s chairman Datuk Seri, Dr Muhamad Leo Michael Toyad Abdullah, said Sarawak is not in competition with Kuala Lumpur and other cities as a destination for MICE, since it has its own unique attractions.

“When they are looking for a new perspective, they can consider the Sarawak River Cruise, as it is unique. They can watch the beauty of the sunset while cruising,” he said.

“This is about what is different in Kuching and not available elsewhere.

It’s our focus. We can provide both river-cruise packages and rainforests, depending on what they are looking for,” he said.

Growing as a mice destination

Explaining the purpose of SCB, Dr Muhamad Leo said that the non-profit organization, established in 2006 by the state government, has a mandate to promote the state as a leading MICE destination.

Chief executive of SCB, Jill Henry, added that an estimated RM57 million will be spent by the attendees of business meetings here, between 2011 and 2016, based on the number of confirmed international association meetings.

A driving force in MICE-industry development in Sarawak, SCB does not, however, intend to stop at this figure. It is aiming for a larger slice of the global industry, worth RM11 billion.

Malaysia currently has a 1.1 per cent share of this pie.

As the first agency created exclusively to promote the MICE industry in the state, SCB is confident the state has what it takes to achieve this objective.

Continue reading at: Promoting Sarawak as an international meeting destination
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