Sarawak and Kuching - Help!

Interesting that most of the hostels and guest houses mentioned above on Hostel World are so new that they weren't even around last year. I think a lot are also run by the same management.

Two older spots that offer lots of character for cheap prices is the Anglican Guest House on Jl. McDougall, just behind the Anglican Cathedral on the Padang. Rooms are RM19 and are spacious, with desk, dresser and fan in a rambling old building. And one doesn't have to be an Anglican or be in at curfew, either.

The other place is called the Fairview, behind the Sarawak Museum on Jl. Reservoir. It's in a heritage house, and has wonderful family-style common areas. Both have parklike grounds and are quite a bit quieter and with older clienteles than many of the other hostels/GH's.

I've never heard of the Rainforest Resort...unless you are referring to the one in the Highlands run by Hilton. But that wouldn't have beaches. Are you referring to some place near Damai Beaches. If so, they are NOTHING LIKE Bako. There is practically no wildlife...and to see Proboscis Monkeys or other wildlife they'd likely make you book an expensive boat over TO BAKO. Don't believe pictures used in promotional literature. These are for tours.

At Bako Proboscis, Silver Langurs, Wild Pigs, Flying Lemurs, Snakes, Squirrels and (unfortunaely) macaques come right into camp. Definitely a MUST for a day or two (or more). Bako has some tepid beaches...but nothing great, except for their landscapes.

The orangutans are at Semenggoh. If you take a 7:30 AM STC #5 bus from the bus stop opposite the Central Post Office you can get there by the 9 AM feeding (RM$2 I recall). You can also see the rehabilitation process going on at Matang NP.

Actually the downloaded Kuching Guide above is excellent...and a first visit should be paid to the information center at the Sarawak Tourism Offices just opposite the "Square Fort" on the waterfront (at the west end of the Main Bazaar. You can book all your NP accomodation there, and 90% of the sites in Kuching are within a 15 minute walk of there. Most of the hostel GH accomodation, and the Sarawak Museum is also close by. They can help you with bus schedules, free maps, events (usually a free dance performance of Fridays)and help about all your other trips.