DESTINATION 5: KUCHING, SARAWAK MALAYSIA

Introduction

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia. It covers an area of 124,000 square kilometres and has a coastline of some 800km facing the South China Sea. Lying on the northwest coast of Borneo, the third largest island in the world, Sarawak shares its boundaries with Kalimantan (Indonesia Bomeo) in the south, Brunei and Sabah in the north.

Sarawak is also known as 'The land of many rivers'. The rivers provide natural means of transportation and communication. The 590km long Sungai Rejang is the longest river in the country. The rivers together with the wide spread trunk roads and well connected domestic air links make traveling to interior destinations easily accessible.

Once ruled by the three White Rajahs for about 100 years from 1841-1941, there are many a romantic past told about the wars and glimpses of the bygone era of the Brookes. The battles between the pirates and the Brooke forces, the rebellions by Dayaks, Malays and Chinese gold miners had filled Sarawak past with mystery and excitement. The famous Sarawak Museum with its huge collection of native heritage and artefacts, also houses the best collection of its rich history. Today, despite her rapid urbanisation, many historical remains of the Brookes can still be found at Kuching and other parts of Sarawak.

Attractive destination in Sarawak:

  

Actually, Sarawak state having 9 type of museum and there are have a lot of history about this museum. There are:

 

	SARAWAK MUSEUM (OLD BUILDING)
	SARAWAK MUSEUM (DEWAN T.A.R)
	ISLAMIC MUSEUM
	CHINESE HISTORY MUSEUM
	NIAH ARCHAEOLOGY MUSEUM
	LIMBANG REGIONAL MUSEUM
	BARAM REGIONAL MUSEUM
	TEXTILE MUSEUM
	PETROLEUM MUSEUM

 


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So, for the others place at Sarawak I wanna to go is;

Niah National Park

Bako National Park

Mulu National Park

DESTINATION 4: CAMERON HIGHLAND, PAHANG

Cameron Highlands Introduction

 Cameron Highlands is one of the most popular highlands retreat around Malaysia losing out only to Genting Highlands. With about 300,000 visitors yearly and growing, it stands to pass that Cameron Highlands has a charm of its own with its Tudor architecture style buildings, tea plantation with its soothing greenery and breathtaking scenery, not to mention some old favourite English pastime of having afternoon tea and scones with Devonshire cream. Yes, give me Cameron Highlands anytime!

Of course with its growing popularity, it is not without its downside like traffic congestion and degradation of its pristine environment. All this and the less than efficient authorities who need to really buck up and do something about it to ensure that Cameron Highlands growing popularity will not be its own downfall.

Traveling to the highlands is different from going to the beautiful sun, sea and sand of which Malaysia has many good ones around, especially the Terengganu and Sabah beaches which are to my opinion some of the best around in Malaysia. But the tropic is indeed hot, and to cool oneself without using artificial means is of course, to travel to the highlands! With the natural environment one can commune with nature and perhaps find your center as you balance the yin and yang of a hectic hustle and bustle city lifestyle. 

Description:

The Cameron Highlands are the largest and most genteel of the hill resorts in Malaysia. It's located in Pahang's north-western corner, at an altitude of 1,829 meters. The Cameron Highlands were discovered by William Cameron in 1885. In these days the British planters realized that those mountains were very fertile. Because tea was prized commodity among the colonies, they decided to grow tea on the slopes of the Cameron Highlands.


British families who were stationed in Malaysia at the time also took to hills in a respite from the hot, humid tin mines and rubber plantations. Some of the old bungalows, which they left behind are still being preserved for viewing by tourist, with a few facilities added for the conveniences of visitors. So, much of the character of the Cameron Highlands has remained unchanged since colonial times. 
 

Since that time the Cameron Highlands has developed into a favored getaway among honeymooning couples. The cool, fresh air on the highlands is also a retreat for city dwellers who want to retreat temporarily from the noise and pollution in the city.

The drive time from Kuala Lumpur is about three and a half hours. It is a 295 km drive. The quickest route is by the North-South Expressway turning in near the town of Tapah. From Tapah you will hit the long winding road (about 60km) to Cameron Highlands. Driving up to Cameron Highlands is a pleasure in itself, as many interesting stops along the way can be made. You can take a short break at the Kuala Woh Forest Recreation Park. There are picnic areas and a hot spring. 

 

There are several tour companies along the main drag in Tanah Rata. Most have tours leaving around 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and include visits to a tea plantation, where you see the tea-making process; a strawberry farm; a butterfly farm; a rose garden; and the Sam Poh Chinese Buddhist temple. I think they all cost around the RM15 to 20.
January is one of the main picking months for strawberries. They grow 4 crops a year!
There are other more extensive tours of the region- including ones to an Orang Asli village. 

Cameron Activities List: 

 
• Jungle trakking in the tropical rain forest
• Bird watching
• Visit a tea plantation and factory
• Visit strawberry and vegetable farms, cactus valley, rose centre and flower nurseries
• Visit the butterfly farm
• Visit honey bee farm
• Play golf
• Ride a mountain bike (rent in Tanah Rata) to the top of Gunung Brinchang
• Visit aboriginal villages (Orang Asli)
• Play sports at the Strawberry Resort : tennis, squash, swimming pool

 

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