Iban Tribe Longhouse - Sarawak Borneo (former headhunters)
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Cultural HistoryMainland is Kula Lumpor (KL) and Georgetown with Beaches of Penang. Don't come here to party and drink as it's a Muslim country and alcohol is expensive or forbidden
Melaka is an old Portuguese/British influenced city -UNESCO rated too. Fly into the last frontier and visit Sarawak the last frontier on the island of Borneo. Here you will find Orangatuans, Tribes (former headhunters) living in Long Houses living in the dense jungle) Large caves and beaches also exist near the capital of Kuching. Logging has taken it's toll on the Rainforest here. Threatened are all the wildlife. Take a longboat adventure to Kapit. |
Where to Go
3 weeks in Malaysia visiting
The beauty of Malaysia, coming from Indonesia or Thailand, is it’s so relaxing in that you don’t have to bargain or fear of being cheated on everything. Most things are fixed in price and very cheap. Usually 1/2 the price of Singapore. Food and accommodation is cheap. The problem is there isn’t much to see in terms of major attractions except the people and surroundings. Also alcohol is scare or expensive as the country is predominantly muslin KL is not too exciting compared to other cities. Go see the palace when it’s lit up in the evening. Markets are ok but not too exciting. Penang was a bore but that's because of the smog of smoke from the burning of trees in Sumatra covered the sun for months. Therefore I didn’t hit any beaches. Melaka is a pretty town with lots of restored buildings. It’s Malaysia’s prime tourist destination. It actually has Dutch & Portuguese influence! The island of Borneo (Sarawak) is definitely uncharted territory. It took days to reach remote destinations. Started out in Kuching then took a series of long boats (motorized & non) - watching stupid kung fu movies through the ride, to Sibu via the Rajang River to Kapit (where one must obtain permission to travel on), then to Belaga. You end up staying in some of these hit towns - now catered to the logging industry. Finally we made it to the tribes who live in the heart of the jungle and live in Longhouses (an entire village under one house). They are threatened by the logging industry. No more trees mean no more food (e.g. monkeys). The tribes people are tattooed and have elongated ear lobes. Bring your own food as you won’t like what the chief cooks for you. I got majorly sick and ended up trying to recover in Bintulu. Things to do in Kuching include a visit to the Orangatang rehabilitation centre. Great place as you see them swing from tree to tree freely. Another day trip would be to go to the Bako National park - famous for the rare proboscis monkey with the long nose (like Bing Crosby). Didn’t spot one but did see insect eating plants. It’s very humid in the park, bring lots of water! Sarawak is recommended recommended for true adventure traveler in my time. Things have probably changed over the past 20 yrs so it's most likely more tourist friendly and logging has probably cut down 1/2 the rain forest. PLACES VISITED
Kuala Lumpor Melecca Penang/Georgetown Cameron Highland Kuching (Borneo) Bakko National Park Longhouse Village along Kapit River (Borneo) |