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Malaysia Travel Guide

First Cruise Ship Of The Year Arrives In Kuching

First Cruise Ship Of The Year Arrives In Kuching

KUCHING, Friday: The Cruise Ship ‘Star Legend’ of Windstar Cruise docked at Sim Kheng Hong Port on January 8 at 8.45am, making it the first cruise ship to berth in Kuching this year.

194 passengers, mostly from Europe and the United States, were greeted with a traditional garlanding as they disembarked to visit Bako National Park, Sarawak Cultural Village and experience a tour around the Cat City.

This was the maiden voyage by Windstar Cruises and is the first of nine cruises scheduled to berth at Sarawak’s harbours.

Kuching is expected to receive three additional ships this year as compared to the six cruise ships from last year.

Last year 1,964 passengers arrived in Sarawak, with the Silver Shadow, Insignia, L’Austral and Silver Shadow docking in Kuching and the Silver Shadow docking twice in Bintulu.

In 2016, nine ships carrying 3,782 passengers with the Nautica, Astor, Hamburg, Silver Shadow, Seven Seas Voyager, Seabourn Sojourn and Insignia docking in Kuching and Silver Shadow docking twice in Bintulu.

Ten ships with 3,646 passengers arrived in 2015 with the Seabourne docking in Kuching once, Insignia twice and Nat Geo Orion thrice in Kuching while the Silver Wind, Statendam, Silver Shadow and Europa 2 docked in Bintulu.

Arriving cruise ships positively affect local industries such as attraction caretakers, food, and beverage and service providers, receiving an injection of a few hundred additional customers in one day.

“The gradual increase in cruise ships arriving to Sarawak is encouraging, as passengers from these cruise ships are a boon to the Sarawak economy in the port cities, creating a spinoff in the service industry from their patronage,” stated Director of Events and Corporate Relations, Angelina Bateman.

Cruise Ship Garlanding

Passengers disembarking and being garlanded by cultural troupe.

Cruise Ship memento

STB Director of Events and Corporate Relations, Angelina Bateman presenting memento to Captain Neil Broomhall, with General Manager of Kuching Port Authority Robert Lau on the left.

 

Issued by:

Communications Unit
SARAWAK TOURISM BOARD
T: +6 082-423600  F: +6 082-416700
E: [email protected]

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Malaysia Travel Guide

Study Visit By Danang Department Of Tourism To Kuching

Study Visit By Danang Department Of Tourism To Kuching

KUCHING, Saturday – Three officials from Danang Department of Tourism, Vietnam led by Truong Thi Hong Hanh, Deputy Director of Danang Department of Tourism were in Kuching from August 15 – 19, 2017. Accompanying the Deputy Director are Phan Minh Hai, Deputy Manager of Planning Development Division and Nguyen Duc Vu, Deputy Director of Son Tra Peninsula Management Board.

The visit is to study the ecotourism, the management of our national parks in Sarawak and the conservation in the region. Danang Tourism is planning to set-up something similar to Bako National Park.

They visited the Park earlier to learn about the preservation and maintenance. Danang Tourism was particularly impressed with the use of woods as the staircase instead of using cement. Besides that, the existence of the Parks is giving job opportunities to the local community.

They also visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre early of the week and were briefed by Sarawak Forestry Corporation prior to the visit.

Sarawak Tourism Board was in Kuala Lumpur for a presentation during Danang Tourism Presentation 2017 on August 9, 2017.

According to Deputy Director of Danang Department of Tourism, Truong Thi Hong Hanh, they will plan another visit to Sarawak in near future.

Danang Department of Tourism officials at Bako National Park

Danang Department of Tourism officials at Bako National Park

Issued by:

Communications Unit
SARAWAK TOURISM
T: +6 082-423600  F: +6 082-416700
E: [email protected]

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Tourism Malaysia

Golfing in Malaysia

Malaysia, two-time winner of World Golf Awards for Asia’s Best Golf Destination, has become a favourite getaway among golfers lately. With the appealing combination of great weather, delicious food, exotic culture, natural attractions, value-for-money shopping and modern fairways, it’s easy to see why more golfers are not just lugging their golf bags onto airplanes, but their families as well, for the trip.

But with almost 160 top golf courses in the country to choose from for international play – many of which are award-winning – how does one choose?

Here’s our top five picks of great golfing holidays for everyone in the family.

 

LANGKAWI

A holiday in Langkawi Island conjures images of a tropical sun, white, sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees and the beautiful blue Andaman sea stretched out as far as the eye can see. If beach-side lazing is not your thing, then glide down the island’s mangrove rivers to see the gorgeous limestone landscapes of this UNESCO geopark or trek deep into its mountainous jungles to experience nature at its best. (naturallylangkawi.my)

Best golfing: The award-winning Els Club Teluk Datai, nestled between the Andaman sea and the lush mountains of Langkawi island, features an amazing 18-hole challenge designed by South African legend Ernie Els.

 

GEORGE TOWN, PENANG

This UNESCO Heritage City is brimming with so much life and activity, no visitor will have time to get bored. From a walking tour of its street art to admiring the architectural beauty of its colonial past to sampling local food along with the locals, there’s simply so much to do. Families will especially love its variety of historic and contemporary museums, the ride up to the top of Penang Hill, a city ride on the three-wheeled trishaw and a leisurely stroll in its many gardens. (mypenang.gov.my)

Best golfing: Stay on the island for a round of golf at Penang Golf Club where you will tee off from as high as a hundred metres above the greens and fairways, or cross the iconic Penang Bridge to the mainland’s Bukit Jawi Golf Resort to experience a thrilling game by the lake.

 

KUALA LUMPUR

Voted as one of the world’s best shopping destinations and magnificent cities to visit, Kuala Lumpur is a must-stop on any itinerary to Malaysia. It’s a shopping paradise alright with designer goods going for less due to the currency exchange rate. The best IT gadgets, shoes, fashion and knick knacks are also here to bargain over at the many shopping malls, pop-up bazaars and night markets. (visitkl.gov.my)

Tip: Purchase a Hop On Hop Off pass for the entire family to explore over 50 major sights and attractions in the city so you don’t miss iconic stops such as the Petronas Twin Towers, the Lake Gardens, Independence Square and Bintang Walk. (myhoponhopoff.com)

Best golfing: Tournament Players Club (formerly known as KL Golf Country Club), designed by Australian architect Ted Parslow, is the site of numerous high-profile tournaments, serving up a challenge to golfers with its length, water hazards and sculptured bunkering.

 

KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Adventure awaits in this Borneo paradise and visitors can take their pick from gentle explorations of the sea world – snorkeling and guided scuba walks at the easily accessible island marine park – to an exhilarating climb up Mount Kinabalu either by trekking through its jungle to the peak or clinging on to its granite surface on the via ferrata walk. (sabahtourism.com).

Best golfing: Play at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Borneo Golf Resort and you’ll have to battle with the ocean winds and the beauty of this seaside location to focus on your game. Alternatively, take your game to the wetlands and tee off at Dalit Bay Golf Country Club, bordered by the Tambalang and Mengkabong rivers.

 

KUCHING, SARAWAK

The word “Kuching” is Malaysian for cat, but it is the orangutan that has attracted many to this Borneo state, specifically to the rehabilitation centres of this beloved great ape. Other natural attractions easily accessible from Kuching city – Bako National Park, the wetlands of Sibu Laut and Salak rivers and the Bau limestone caves – will keep the family firmly occupied. (sarawaktourism.com)

Best golfing: Enjoy a round of golf in the shadows of the Santubong Mountain where Arnold Palmer has designed a fantastic course around rocky outcrops, ponds, mangrove forests and the South China Sea.

 

For more information on Malaysia’s golf courses, visit playmalaysiagolf.com or malaysia.travel.

 

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Malaysia Travel Guide

Sarawak Best Travel Destination for Nature

Sarawak Best Travel Destination for Nature

Sarawak has been presented the ‘Best for Nature’ Award in Travel Journal’s Travel Awards 2017.

Through a Travel Journal readership survey, a poll was taken for the best destinations in the world and Sarawak won ‘Best for Nature’ for its environment-centered tour and travel packages, ongoing conservation tourism as well as its unique and irreplaceable nature destinations which are a balance of authentic and preserved, and modern connectivity.

Three national parks were singled out as exemplary travel spots for nature lovers, specifically Gunung Mulu National Park, Batang Ai National Park and Bako National Park.

Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its flora, fauna and cave systems, while Batang Ai and Bako National Park are known as sanctuaries for Sarawak’s endangered rare primates, the orang utans and Proboscis monkeys.
Mulu Clear water cave

Image shows caver at Mulu National Park’s Clearwater Cave.

More info on http://traveljournal.sg/post/155751597056/best-for-nature-sarawak

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Tourism Malaysia

KK Bro

ALL ABOUT KK

Let us start off by saying there are so many places to cover when you visit Sabah, that we couldn’t even fit all of them in on our Taming Borneo adventure. It can get a little bit frustrating to plan your trip. Like really frustrating. We know what’s on your mind now; should we go explore Kinabalu Park? What is there to do in Kundasang Town? The fish spa in Ranau looks interesting, but is the Sandakan Crocodile Farm really worth the trip? As mentioned before, so many things to do in Sabah, but let’s start with things you can do at the heart of it all, Kota Kinabalu. On it’s own, Kota Kinabalu already has tons of places you should go and visit. But to make it easier for you, we’re going to split it into 3 sections; the city, the woods and the mountains.

IN THE BIG CITY

Being the centre of it all, Kota Kinabalu is your gateway to all things Sabah. It’s main airport, where all international flights land, is located approximately 10 minutes from the main town. Also, strategically located jetties, bus terminals and other forms of transportation is in close vicinity so we had no problem getting around.

Like the quirky charms of Sarawak’s Kuching , we got the same vibrant multicultural vibe from walking through the city. Some of the main attractions to ease your stay in the city in Kota Kinabalu are places like Gaya Street or the KK Waterfront where you can find your typical shopping malls, restaurants, bars and markets.
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure to find the best panoramic view of the city, we recommend the trek up to Signal Hill Observation Point in town, especially during the evening, because that’s the only thing that is between you and one of the best spots to view sunsets in the world.

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*Hamanahamanahama* Kundasang, Sabah

INTO THE WOODS 

One of the first places we checked out in Sabah was Kinabalu Park. Located about two hours from the city, this is the place for you to experience the beauty of the land. The park covers an area of 754 square feet surrounding Mount Kinabalu. Besides enjoying the surreal beauty that’s surrounding you, there are many attractions like mountain biking, golfing, bird watching, farm tours, hot springs, canopy walks and of course the place itself is a perfect ‘studio’ to practice your photography!

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Will model for food! Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, Sabah/Kampung Morolli Fish Spa

Mainly in Kinabalu Park, you can explore the many short trails which are marked with its distances. You could also trek all the way to the Timpohon Gate to catch a view of the majestic Mount Kinabalu for photos at the park centre.

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Cows are the new cats! Kundasang, Sabah

UP THE MISTY MOUNTAIN

Last time, we took our hiking gear to Bako National Park, but this time around, we trekked Kinabalu National Park to get to the highly praised mountain view of Sabah. We’ve heard that this is one of the best places in the world to catch the best sunset views. And we’ve got to say, this was where our Taming Borneo adventure peaked. Literally!

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“I can do this, I can do this”

Some backstory for this part of Sabah; formed about 10 to 35 million years ago, Mount Kinabalu is one of the youngest non-volcanic mountains in the world, and it’s still growing!

But of course, the main attraction of the park is obviously climbing the majestic Mount Kinabalu itself, standing at 4095.2 meters tall, which makes it, you guessed right, the highest mountain in South East Asia! Other than that, there are also activities like alpine rock climbing and paragliding that would satisfy your inner adrenaline junkie.

Quick note, anyone who wishes to climb this awe-inspiring mountain is advised to make reservations 6 months prior, as the number of climbers is limited to 135 pax daily. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
If you have more questions regarding our Taming Borneo adventure, please do leave a comment in the comment section below, or start a discussion; tell us your personal Taming Borneo experience!

Also do follow along our adventure on our social media platforms:

Instagram: @MyTourismChannel or #tamingborneo

Catch up with our Taming Borneo episodes:

Sabah : EP16

Sabah : EP16

Sabah : EP17

Sabah : EP17

Sabah : EP18

Sabah : EP18