Brunei - BSB

So next stop from Kuching was Miri, but it only took an hour there to decide to move on after just one night. The destination of Bander San Begawan awaited

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Being an Islamic state mosques were prevalent & the most interesting buildings.

waterfront sculpture

I have resoundingly failed to record one of the common delights of Malaysia - the huge roundabout statues such as a 10ft swordfish. In BSB a personal favourite was the mosaic clock roundabout.

clock roundabout, BSB

Across the water from the main town lies the biggest water village in the world, Kampong Ayer. There's an observation tower and interesting museum documenting the history of the village.

Kampong Ayer

observation tower & visitor centre

 The best way to see it though is from one of the omnipresent motor boats, you can't walk along the shore without a fusillade of offers of trips. There's a huge number of schools and they are all massive long buildings. The police, fire brigade & petrol stations are dotted around. It's a little difficult to reconcile the current state of the houses with a small area of modern, uniform houses that in theory the whole village will be like in just 1 year (according to my boatman). It would take an area of extreme variety and individuality and transform it into a Milton Keynes housing estate, I can't see it happening.

School

police station

Another fascinating museum was the royal regalia museum.

royal regalia museum

Full of extravagant gifts from countries around the world it makes you think they could have spent their money on more worthwhile projects, but at the same time is a fun game of guess the country. There's also plenty of background information on the sultan himself, did you know the sultan was a keen tug-of-warer, although in later times enjoys badminton and golf?

Baku National Park

Another day trip from Kuching to follow trails through a national park, Baku is a bus and boat ride away, and once the tide had gone in far enough we were able to approach.

Approaching Baku

Following the trail

There were a few animals to spot along the way; wild pigs, monkeys and plenty more that spotted us that we didn't manage to spot.

Wild pig

silver leaf monkey

Tide coming in

Probiscus monkey

Kayaking and Longhouse

After Semenggoh it was straight onto the river for a days paddling through some more wonderful scenery.

Kayaking

Waterfall

Flora along the way

Rambutan fruit

Final stop of the day to see a traditional longhouse, with bamboo decking this is part of the Bidayuh culture, although the was a bit of an incongruity seeing the basket of skulls from headhunting days in the same room as the wi-fi box.

Annah Rais longhouse

Semenggoh Nature Reserve

The chance of another visit to see Orangutans, this time at Semenggoh, and by coincidence I timed my visits almost exactly a year after my friend Emma was volunteering here. So Emma, this post is for you & I'm expecting you to be able to identify all of the orangutans pictured below (as a clue there's only actually 3; a mother, son & a young male)

mother & son

juvenile male

As usual there was also the chance to see a few plants and oddly a couple of crocodiles.

Crocodile

Kuching

View of the Sarawak peninsula

So as previously revealed, on Christmas eve  i took a flight from Sandakan to Kuching, changing states and collecting passport stamps.

The obvious draw of Kuching is a walk along the waterfront or taking a sunset boat ride

DUN, Kuching

Astana fort

house along the river

Kuching

sun setting 

DUN

Kuching skyline

Kuching is a truly multicultural city, plenty of Chinese temples, particularly around the district I was staying in.

Kuching from the cinema balcony

Looking for Brussels

Having negotiated immigration and with some new passport stamps despite only having changed Malaysian states I arrived in Kuching, Sarawak on Christmas eve.

Todays mission was to find Christmas dinner, achieved in the plush surroundings of the waterfront Hilton.
On arrival the mission was amended to man versus food. We'll call it a score draw.

round 1

round 2

round 3

and a little pic of the strange notion of a country on the equator associating christmas with snowmen

kuching ready for christmas

Sandakan heritage trail

Dear reader, this is your opportunity to save hundreds of pounds and experience the Sandakan heritage trail.











First take a portable wifi device on which to view the photos.

Then take a treadmill and position it in a sauna.
Start at a steady walking pace and every 10 mins for the next 2 hours flick to the next photo.

First stop the main square

WW II monument

Now switch to a stepper for the 100 steps

100 steps not all in tip top condition

Don't forget to appreciate the nature around you

flower en route

WW II chinese monumnet

Japanese cemetery 

The presidents official residence

Time for a quick refreshment stop. Relocate to the nearest English Tea House and order 2 scones and some English breakfast tea. It's almost certainly raining outside, so congratulate yourself on a well timed break. Don't forget to play some Christmas tunes in the background.

The English tea house

Now back to the sauna. Next up someone's house, you likely have no idea who Agnes is yet, stick with it.

Agnes Keith's house

Another cemetery

St Michael's & all angels church

Goddess of mercy chinese temple

Final stop, the heritage museum (photos not allowed) primary exhibit is all about some true American explorers, the Johnsons. They made films of Borneo & Africa to finance their next travels during the 30s. Agnes Keith also gets a mention for her books on Borneo.

Congratulations, you have now completed the Sandakan Heritage trail - my christmas gift to you.