TRAVEL NOTEBOOK KUCHING, BORNEO

Getting There

Kuch ing is130 hours by air from Singapore (Silk Air) or 1.40 hours from Kuala Lumpur (Ma laysia Airli nes or Air Asia).

Getting Around

Taxisare plentifu l and inexpensive. Buses are cheap, efficient and modern The Visitors Information Centre has timetableand fa re information. Sampans cross the river for around 15 cents per person. The Sarawak River Cruises sunset cruise is remmmended. For Bako, catch Bus No 1 to Kampung Bako and from there charter a boat. Local touroperatorsalso offer t rips to Bako. Purchase a ma pof the 16 wa lki ng tra ilson arriva l.

The newly refurb ished Hilton Kuch ing isthe place to stay a landmark in its own right, on the Waterfront Espla nade in the centre of town Rooms are newly refurbished, we II appointed and with great views. Phone:+ 60 82 248 200 Ema il:kuching@hilton.com / website:www.hilton.com

The modern and quirky Batik Boutique Hotel will su it those wanting an upbeat exper ience, www.batikboutiquehotel.com, wh ileBeramb ih Lodge www.beram bihlodge com and the Tune Hotel w1vw.tunehotels.com aregood budgetchoic~ Four hours by road and ashort boat ride away, the Batang Ai Long house Resort, managed by Hilton isset ina prist ine rai nforest setting. www.hilton.com

Bako National Pa rk offersovern ight accommodation

Whereto Eat

Magna Carta, Main Bazaarfo rcafe food at Sydney priCfs; Food Courts and Hawker Centres for authentic no-frills dining. Recommended are sp icy coconut milk-based Laksa, popiah satayor anyofthe many nood ledi shes The Hilton iswhereKuch ing's movers and shakers meet, with a menu that ranges from authentic Malaysian cu isine to grea t club sandwich~

MORE INFORMATION

Borneo Adventu re, 55 Main Bazaar, Kuch ing. Website: www.borneoadventu re com organizes highly regarded eco logicall y sustainab le tours

Sa rawak Forestry has information on National Parks: www.sa rawakfo restry.mm

Sa rawak Tourism Website:www.sarawaktou rism.com

Tou rism Ma laysia Website:www.tourism.gov.my