trotsky

Next year I hope to take a 2 week tour of Borneo, focussing on the wildlife & jungles etc. I am looking to extend the tour by a couple of days & this could be either Kuching or Kota Kinabulu (KK). The tour visits both cities, spending a couple of days in each. Flight connections back to Singapore are good for both. So my question is: given a couple of days, probably fairly low key but certainly taking in some beach/pool time, to which city would you allocate 2 extra days? Or another destination? It would still need to be within Malaysia or somewhere with frequent air connections to Singapore. I am not unfamiliar with peninsula Malaysia, having lived in Penang & east coast Malaysia for several months. Thanks in advance
Trotsky

MmePerdu

There's absolutely no contest. Kuching is a lovely small city. KK is not. I could happily live in Kuching. While KK is maybe not the worst place I've spent time, well, I think you get my meaning. I love Kuching.

Kathie

I'd agree with Kuching for your extra time. If you want beach, Damai is closeby. Indeed, if you feel you will have had enough time in the cities, choose a hotel on the beach at Damai.

Kathie

sorry, I hit "post" too soon.

I can't imagine what Mme Perdu is referring to when she says "While KK is maybe not the worst place I've spent time, well, I think you get my meaning." While we found KK to be "gritty" and to not (yet) have taken advantage of it's stunning location, it doesn't come close to being on my list of worse places. KK has Borneo Books (do go visit them - fabulous collection of books - we were at the BRL at the same time as the naturalist who chose the setting for the BRL. His wife own Borneo Books,) We had some wonderful, wonderfully fresh seafood in KK. We also spent most of a day at a spa there after coming back from the Danum Valley.

Kuching, on the other hand, takes full advantage of its location, with a lovely riverfront walk, and preserved shophouses across the street.

PS - I'm not a fan of group tours. If you aren't either, you can easily set up your own trip to Malaysian Borneo.

MmePerdu

Kathie, I meant exactly what I said. KK is not the worst place I've been. And Kuching is a favorite. No hidden meaning. You call it "gritty", I say not the worst. I bought a book there too but that's not enough for me. But it seems you prefer Kuching too so I think we agree.

Kathie

Your comment sounded much more negative to me. Thanks for the clarification.

MmePerdu

I'll end with my best memory of KK, not the bookstore but the people. Everyone we had contact with, from the hotel staff to the young woman who sold me a sim card for my phone was as lovely and helpful as could be. My feelings about KK are not of a bad place, simply not a pretty place.

trotsky

Thank you Mme Perdu & Kathie- your comments are really helpful. As I said, I will be in both KK & Kuching for a few days each, & was really looking for some down time after the tour. KK was winning, but your replies have made me see Kuching in a different light. And I am interested in the Brook/White Rajah heritage of Kuching. So...lots more research, but Kuching may be the winner. Again, thank you both

MmePerdu

It was the Brooke/White Rajas story that first piqued my interest in Kuching. I was not disappointed.