Kuching Travel Forum

Hi,

a few questions here, hopefully fellow VT-ers can assist.

My partner and I will arrive in Kuching in late Nov. We have drafted an itinerary as below.

Arrival day - explore Kuching City
Day 2 - Bako National Park
Day 3 - Kubah National Park or Gunung Gading
Day 4 - half day at Damai beach and the Orangbutan Sanctary and return to Kuching city
DAy 5 - remain in Kuching city and catch return flight in noon

My questions :-
1. Given the above itinerary, is it worth while to rent a car to drive aroung?
2. are the routes to the national parks well paved and easily navigate (with clear signage?)
3. Are there any car park charges at the National Parks?
4. We are looking at Pinnacles Kuching along Jalan Borneo (any negative remarks about the lodge or the area)
5. Do you I can fit into a longhouse tour in any of the days above?

Thanks is advance

Hi

Will be in Kuching for the first time from 3/11 to 5/11. Have no itinerary yet but will not venture out of town (unless the fellow VTers could suggest any). Would be grateful if anyone could help me with some questions:

1 - we will miss the satok market. Where is the best place that sell the best and cheapest ikan terubok masin? I am Malaysian (Johorean) but have been living abroad for 4 years, and every now and then yearning for the delicious fish!! I am planning to buy lots of them for my family, parents..in laws...aunts..uncles...you know the big fat malaysian families..I assume that it is OK to bring the in aircraft hold right?

2 - Penambang. How does it work? How many stops does it serves?

3 - Recommended budget hotel / hostel around town area, close to city centre, clean and functional?

Thanks for all your help!!

Ara

Hi,

My group consists of 4 adults and 3 young children.

Can you advise how much it would cost to travel from

a ) airport to harbour view hotel (preferably in one vehicle . read there are minivians..at 20RM..is this still applicable ?)

b) from harbourview hotel to damai beach resort (should we take the shuttle at RM 10 or how can we get a van ? i assume we cant get into one cab ? )

c) from damai beach to airport..Again, how can we get a van ?

Takes a lot,

Hi,

It's my first time in kuching and i'm thinking of staying at Damai beach resort.

1) Does anyone have any idea if there are any food places nearby or i will have to pretty much eat at the hotel ? Any review on the hotel?

2)Also, read from the tips there will be a shuttle from damai to town, but will it stop near the damai beach resort ?

3)I'm planning to spend a day wondering along the waterfront and to take the tram, will i be better off to stay at the city for 1 night before heading to the beach ?

4) I only have 4 days here, what should i not miss ?

Many thanks !

Visiting kuching for the first time with family . As we have only a day and a half at our disposal, we were planning to allot half a day for a visit to the orangutan sanctuary and spend the rest of the time wandering about the town, taking a river cruise, perhaps visiting a museum or two. Would appreciate some comments onthe most effective way to visit the orangutan sanctuary on a value-for-money basis. Also, any tips on interesting pubs/bars by the waterfront to have a beer and pizza would also be most welcome.

hi

need help with the above information. they need not necessarily be high profile outlets but places which are patronised by the locals,malaysian,indian and chinese food outlets, including seafood restaurants could be included in this selection.

we are aware that such a choice is subjective but personal opinions are solicited.
regards
musaphir

Hi. How easy is it to get to Serikin and Duyoh markets using public transport, or would it be better to hire a car to travel around the area a bit? Are there other similar market in Sarawak as we will be travelling overland from Kuching to Miri, then to Mulu Caves National Park?

i have read various figures for the airport to taxi fare at the kuching airport. can anybody please confirm wht the current situation is. i have read about figure of MR18.00 ( for 2008) to MR30.00.
clarification highly appreciated as travelling next week.
regards
musaphir

hi
please comment about the kingwood hotel kuching as a place for stay, in terms of its location, accessibility, cleanliness and value for money. driving instructions from the airport to this proerty will also be appreciated.
regards
musaphir

We managed to exchange for a week of timeshre in Kuching for the first week of August. What is the best to do and spend our time?

I found the following address online and would like confirmation that it is correct and also if the location is downtown. If so, would it be a simple matter to take the airport bus and alight within walking distance of the China consulate? Thanks. (I plan to be in Kuching for just one day and therefore not carrying any luggage)


The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching
Lot 276, Block 10, Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, 93200 Kuching, Sarawak.
Tel: 082-238 344 Fax: 082-232 344
Operating Hour: 9am – 11:30am [Monday to Friday]

Hi, all.
I plan to visit Kuching, Malaysia. Is there Airport to downtown ? What time does the first and the last trip ?
Thank you for you valuable information.

Hi all, would be grateful if any of you can give me some tips.

I need accommodation for 16 wedding guests in Kuching city at the end of this year. I was thinking between Sommerset, Hilton or Merdeka Palace Hotel. Which one is better? I'm quite keen in Sommerset but not sure of the condition there. Can any of you tell me more about it?

Thanks!!

Whilst visiting Singapore for 10 days mid May we have booked a flight to Kuching arriving5pm on a Tuesday evening and returning to Singapore on the Thursday afternoon flight departing 5:15pm.

We can fit in the city attractions by hiring a taxi or walking, however would like to take a day tour on the Wednesday, possible to see the jungle, animal life including Orangatangs etc,and any other interesting attractions outside the city.

What will the weather be like mid May, rain, humid or fine and not so humid?

Appreciate recommendations for good hotels, mabe 4 star, in city or close.

How far is the airport from the city?

Mike

Can someone suggest the cheap motel/hotel that pay per hour?

Thanks...

I am considering if you know:
-Any good budget operator to book a 2 day trip to Bako National park? I am very much confused with so many advertisements so dont know which one is good one.
Anyway, I booked the room in Bako naitonal park via internet myself, but they require to pay 1 week in advance (which is impossible cause we only arrive to Kuching 3 days before the trip to Bako).
-We plan to rent a car to go around Kuching,do you know what's the good price / day?
- Have any of you stayed in Villge House yet? How was that? We plan to be there for 2 nights and need your comments about this place.
- From Kuching, is that too far to go to border of Malay with Indonesia? We want to be in Indonesia land for a while cause I dont need a visa so it's convinient.

Thanks a lot!!!
Hien

I m from singapore and would like a break either in kuching or kota kinabalu. what's the weather like between jan and feb? i dont mind if it is hot and humid. i just dont like it if it is rainy. if i were to go during the chinese new year, wuold the shops be open?

My husband's birthday is on the 31st december. Arriving from europe, we will spend a few weeks in kuching and around.
I need a special idea for this 31st december that's not that typical bash new year celebration. Any ideas from locals and tourists are welcome...
I saw possibility of firefly boat cruise ending with seafood dinner..it this worthit. Would be great to have a more original idea for this night.

Many thanks,

Champinon

I wonder if it is recommended to take malaria tablets when travelling to the forest. HOw high is it?
Also I learnt there are some open markets/flea markets/wet markets. Aside from the ones on the city can you recomend any other markets? I am mainly interested on souvenirs and wooden items.

We will be flying into Kuching Dec.23rd and departing Dec.28th. Is that too many days to just hang out in Kuching? Should we split our nights up between a Kuching hotel and then go some other place for a few days or are day trips easily set up from the city? Any ideas for how to keep busy will be appreciated! We have already been to Kota Kinabulu, so would like to experience something other than what we saw there (orangutans, river rafting, proboscis monkeys). Help! And thank you!

Hello
We are going to spend 3-4 days in hotel Batang Ai Hilton resort at the end of September, and to see unique flora, fauna and traditions of local peoples.
Please, inform me about
- possible transfer to/from hotel
-if wee will arrive to Kucning airport at 9 p.m how we coul to get there
- price for available excursions,
- any special aspects (like weather at this time, dangerous insects and similar)

If it is difficult to carry out our plans independently, could you please recommend us a reliable tour operator.

Thank you in advansed

Hello,
someone knows if the bako park is at risk malaria area and if there is need for prophylaxis anti-malarial..

thnaks

It seems impossible to believe that there is no such thing as a ferry service between West and East Malaysia!!

Any details, anyone??

My family and I ( 23 members )will have a trip to Kuching Sarawak. We need vehicle as van for our transportation. How and where can I book those vehicles.

We are a family of 6 which consist of 3 adults, 2 children and 1 infant, will travel to Kuching on 16-17 June & 19-21 June. 17-19 June will be in Kota Kinabalu.

We do not like to stay in hotel due to cost and size of our group, want to stay together in one room. Ideally, a 5-bedded domitory or chalet will be suitable. Accommodation for 16-17 June already confirmed at Parklane Lodge. However, Parklane Lodge is unavailable 19-21 June. Is there any good suggestion of similar type of accommodation? Our budget for 1 night is not more than RM150.

Also, we are interested to visit the tribes. After enquiry from a travel agency, was quoted RM400 per person for overnight stay at Iban Longhouse. Although it's good to have a feel to spend the evening with the tribal people, it's certainly exceed my budget by a great deal. Is there any less costly way to do it? I want to hire a driver to bring us around for sight-seeing and nice local food. Any good recommendation of drivers? We like to have an authentic feel of Kuching. Please also recommend some markets that local people like to go.

Can anyone give me info regarding buying and shipping tribal arts from Kuching to the united kingdom I recently spent a holiday in Kuching and bought some Iban statues,and would like to buy a blowpipe,which I thought that it would be a problem to import. Can someone give me advce on this subject?Many thanks Tony James

I will be in Kuching for several days in March. I am interested in seeing as many orang utans as possible in the parks near Kuching. Any suggestions on where to go? I know about the Semengoh sanctuary. I am planning on making a 1/2 day visit there. However, I am looking for opportunities to see more "wild" orangs. Maybe by staying overnight at Bako, Kubah or Gunung Gading? Can one stay there overnight? If so, how do I get there? Should I book in advance? Any suggestions are welcomed.
I would also be interested in similar information for the Lahad Datu/Danum Valley area. Is there any way to spend several nights there in/near the jungle and NOT stay at the BorneoRainforest Lodge?? THANKS!!!

Hi

We are from K.Lumpur and will visit Kuching 4d/3n for the first time in end Dec. Need some advise:-

1) Since the it is a short trip. Which place we cannot miss to go because we thinking to choose the best to visit:)

2 Thingking to hire a van and driver because 8 person in this trip. Any good contact to recommend?

3)We will stay at Somerset Gateway Kuching. How far from Airport? Any good place to visit food must eat nearby?

4) Any good recommend restaurant/hawker on local food and seafood to go? We likes food....

Thanks for your advise first ok.

Hi, we are currently arranging our daughter and future son-in-laws honeymoon. Part of it will be in kuching and they are mad about ceroc/jive. Does anyone know of any venues please?

Hello folks,

I have two questions and would be gratefuk if you could help me to answer:

1) Do you know any tours in Kuching and how much do they cost? Such as to national parks, adventures etc. I read CPH is one of the travel agencies does this type of stuff, and I would hope to hear your advice/suggestion.

2) We are spending 4 days in Kuching and plan to stay at two hotels, both Holiday Inn. We are deciding between Crown Plaza Riverside, Holiday Inn Kuching, Holiday Inn Damai Beach and Lagoon resort. I do not know which ones are better for value? Also we want to spend three nights in one hotel and one night in another. So whether, 3 nights in Crown Plaza/Centre or 3 nights in the beach side? Which arrangement would be better for exploring Sarawak?

Many thanks for all of your help in advance!

Best,

WS