Before my flight to KK i wanted to work out how people post parcels, as its not possible to buy postage bags or boxes. Having been given a box at the hostel that had been a paper box and they cut down for me, i bought some strong cotton and tape. After queuing up at the express post counter i was then sent away with a form to fill in and queue up again, a complete nightmare, one queue and everyone has to queue up twice? But i did it and after admiring my packaging work off it went home. The only way to get to Kuching airport is by taxi, no public transport what so ever, but it all went rather smoothly and i arrived in KK on time. Now getting from KK airport into ... read more

Having debated about whether to spend a few days out at a national park the decision was made for me when the hostel didnt have any beds available for two nights. So with Zoe, Sally and Lee heading over to KK today i decided to spend two days relaxing at Matang Wildlife Center. Not really intending to do much as i wanted to rest my ankle before i attempt Mt Kinabalu next week but there are plently of wildlife there and they do feeding twice a day, which i thought would be enjoyable. The only problem was getting there. The only option to get there was either taxi or private minibus's which leave when full. Trying to get a private minibus the driver eventually turned up after half an hour of waiting and people telling you ... read more

Having been advised the Semennggah wildlife centre just outside Kuching is much less touristic then Sepilok in Sabah with an entry fee of just 3rm we had an early start to make the 7am bus for the first feeding between 9am and 10am. Although you are not guaranteed to see them we crossed our fingers and hoped! Arriving at the park we walked the 1.2 km to the feeding area. There is some great information on the start up of the centre, the family tree of the orang otangs, injuries they can cause (along with the graphic images), and their personalities. Having been the 1st to arrive we were hopeful there would be few visiters, but then the tour groups turned up! With kids. After a brief talk from the feeder he said we may see ... read more

Arriving in Kuching I asked a local where the bus departed from to get into the city from the boat terminal to be informed there was no bus although he would take me into the city for free or I could take a taxi. I took his offer. Amazingly his shop was a two minute walk from the very highly recommended Threehouse bed and breakfast down a pretty colonial street where I booked in for one night. Looking around the hostel it had a fantastic rumpus room, a kitchen (the 1st I've seen so far in Asia) and was beautifully set out. However the dorm room was dark, small, cramped and not airconditioned, the beds were extremely uncomfortable. So I was really glad I had only booked the one night here and would look tomorrow for ... read more

As I arrived at the longhouse that would be my home for the next four days after taking a half hour drive, trying not to fall down a steep not very well formed path with my backpack and day pack, a half hour trip down the river then a trek up a very steep slippery dirt path, it was like stepping back a thousand years to very basic living. The toilet was the only room in the house with three walls and a door which was a wooded room in the kitchen consisting of a hole in the floor, a tap and a bucket to flush. The bathroom was a larger room with a fish pond, tree branches as washing lines, a tap and a bucket with a scoop ie a sponge bath. Upstairs was the ... read more