Hello and cheers to all travellers out there!
Hey jane, maybe you could help us. We're bringing our family to e. msia in December for three weeks.
We'd like to visit Kuching (bako NP etc), Mulu (maybe hike the pinnacles), KK to climb Mt Kinabalu, Poring Hot springs etc. then Sandakan to visit Uncle Tans and the Kinibatangang river/sepilok.
How much time do you think we should spend in each place?
Thanks, John
Hello John,
I am not sure this is too late for you, as i havent logged into this site for a long while, but i do hope i can be of some help though..
Ok, for 3 weeks to cover places you mentioned should be sufficient. Kuching and Mulu in in Sarawak, same state, and not a problem in term of time/distance travelling. You might like to go straight to Mulu first (must go to the caves, I have been, its fantastic!). Depending on your interest and adventure level, you can stay there for 4-5 days/nights. but if you like to cover most of the caves which i think is about 4-5 then you might like to stay longer, the caves walking could be quite tiring for those unadventurous souls! then you can proceed to stay in Kuching (you need to take a flight there from Mulu) and then perhaps stay for 3-4 days/nights. Kuching is clean and nice. From there take a flight to Kota Kinabalu. You can stay for a night and then take a trip to Mt Kinabalu the next day If you want to climb the mountain, you need at least 3 days or more depending on your fitness level. And poring hot spring is about 1 hr, you can choose to stay in the hot spring chalets or choose to return and stay in Mt Kinabalu National park, chalets there are nice, clean and comfortable. If you like nature trekking, spend a couple of days to enjoy the environment. There you can also take a local bus ride to Sandakan which is about 4 hrs drive. sandakan is not much to offer, but have many nature eco tourism. Going to Sepilok is accessible from sandakan town. and going to kinabatangan river is another must go to see the Prosbocis monkey (which some people said hard to see these days). John, you can spread your 3 weeks to see how you feel on the places you arrived, if you like the place, stay for more than a day, else, you can cut short and move to your next place. But I guarantee, the places you chosen will promise you much pleasure and surprises. You may also like to fit in your itinerary to see the Turtle Island, a boat ride from sandakan about 45 minutes. And also you can fit in to see Gomantang Cave in sandkan also to see the bird nest cave. I hope i offer some help and info. There are many many bed and breafkast in Kota Kinabalu, however i am not sure about sarawak, but i am sure you will find some. Gaya street in Kota Kinabalu has many bb to offer, reasonably priced. If you like hotel type, there are plenty too. Let me know if you need any help, would be pleased to help.
Your KK friend, jane
By the way, John, i have to all those places you mentioned. And i have to say, there are great. If you have more time you might like to try Danum valley in lahad datu, another great place to see the lowland virgin forest, apparently one of the few in the world now! There are many many interior places in Kota Kinabalu and there are many islands around Kota Kinabalu too, easy to go, just hop in the ferry boat and you will be in the islands (also can stay in those chalets) and do snorkelling, or scuba diving, Pulau Sipadan, world famous diving site, is located in here also You can take a flight to Lahad Datu from Kota Kinabablu, take a local bus/coach to Semporna then take a ferry to Pulau Sipadan.
Hmm.....seems like a lot to see, but i am sure 3 weeks is sufficient, no worry.
good luck John.
jane
Jane, that sounds brilliant. I thought maybe we could take the water taxi from KK across to Tunku Abdul Rahman as well and really hanging out to eat at the night market in KK.
I reckon we'll go Kuching, then Mulu, then Sandakan (Sepilok, Kinabatangan), then Mt Kinibalu/Poring Hot Springs, then finish up in KK before flying out to Singapore. I think the only thing I have to pre book will be Uncle Tan's in Sandakan, and flights in/out of mulu and to Sandakan.... the rest of the time we can be flexible with what we do.
During monsoon, how many hours does it rain each day?
What do people do when it rains?
What are the mosquitoes and sandflies like?
Thanks for your help.
PS I reported the spammer
[ 08-Apr-2011, at 20:38 by dunamis ]
Hi Jane,
I look your post is very informative for people who seeks information regarding trip to Kinabalu, whenever I have chance to go to Kinabalu I will contact you if it is fine with you.
Cheers
Aramuk
Hi John,
No problem to get ferry at the Jesselton Point, located in KK Town. The ferries ply from town to island, and you can also do island hopping too. Once you are at the jesselton point ferry, you can look around at the various ferry tour operators to pick and select your choice of islands to go, e.g. Pulau manukan, Pulau sapi, Pulau memutik, snorkelling is great especially for kids....and adults too! there are some night markets in KK you can walk around e.g. Kampung Air (pronounce Air = Ayer) in town center, where you can buy handmade handicraft e.g. seashells, woven baskets. And you can also go the Filipino market where you can also find plenty handicrafts, e.g pearls, etc. But if you really like local handicrafts you will find many along the drive to Mt Kinablu National park, do bargain (but i suggest you buy them on your return journey to avoid carry so many things up). You can google on Sukau Lodge (Kinabatangan) not necessarily to stay with Uncle tan, keep your options open.... John, you can try to get domestic tickets from AirAsia. go the website site www.airasia.com.my, you will get good deals. Hope you have luck! Weather wise, we have rain in between these days and sunshine too. Nothing to worry, you wont get blown away, just keep the raincoat nearby, and mosquitoes and sandflies are not seen everywhere, dont worry too, but for ease and comfort, bring repellent, sunblock. We have many pharmacists shops, you can get all these here. people here are used to the rain, and we still work and play...hahaa...when it rains. but sometimes rain can get heavy. And if it does, enjoy it! Else, enjoy the sunshine or some days cool and breezy. Bring a light cardigan for cool evening at Mt Kinabalu national park. I am sure you will enjoy your holiday! regards, jane
Hi Aramuk,
You are most welcome! I am proud of my hometown eco tourism, and i am sure you will like it.
Oh by the way Aramuk, which part of Indonesia are you from?
I will be going to Jakarta in August 2011, any useful info i should know?
thank you,
regards
jane
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