My sister and I are spending 4 days in kuching in Jan. 2008. We were thinking of doing a 2 day/1 night at Annah Rais longhouse. Has anyone does this trip, or recommend it? We would also like to go to Gunung Gading National Park to see the rafflesia flower. I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts on these places and other things to see/do around Kuching.

Kuching is really a charming town.

We did not do either of the trips you mention. There are lots of small companies that can take you to a longhouse, overnight or as a day trip. If I were going to do it, I'd book with a small company in the row of shophouses facing the river. These are all small local companies, and many of the people have relatives who live in the longhouse communities.

We enjoying exploring Kuching. It's a great walking town, and we spent lots of time walking and exploring. There is an excellent cultural museum. Most visitors to Kuching are from other parts of Malaysia. We had very interesting conversations with people we met in Kuching.

I wrote a trip report, Kathie's Borneo Trip report, that may have some useful information ofr you, even though we didn't do the things you are thinking about doing.

I stayed overnight out at the park, but I think you would do better to do a day trip out there. The cottages are often full, and it is more convenient staying in town. I don't want to frighten you, but there are a LOT of pit vipers in the park. When I got there and they had a nice map of the paths available, I wondered why others hired a guide - the best answer was that the guide could see the vipers and outsiders cannot. The snakes will not come after you so you are safe on the paths, but it is important to learn where they rest, so you don't accidentally bother one - if you do, kiss it goodbye as you have 5 more hours to live, period. No antidotes possible.

Thanks so much for your information. Kathie, I read your Borneo and Penang trip report, as we are going there too. Very helpful. I'm really looking forward to my trip.

Have a wonderful trip!

We are in Kuching now - I phones the forestry dept at Gunung Gading national Park this mornign and was told the raffleasia has not been in bloom for over a month - so check first before you go.

I've written a fair bit about Rafflesia and hazards in the jungle. It this helps, you can look up ....

- Rafflesia http://malaysiaupclose.wordpress.com...flesia-flower/
- Leeches http://malaysiaupclose.wordpress.com...ungle-leeches/
- Vipers, poisonous plants and such in the rainforest http://malaysiaupclose.wordpress.com...ungle-hazards/
- Jungle trekking http://malaysiaupclose.wordpress.com...ngle-trekking/

Rafflesia only grows in the thickest jungle and it is very important to go with people who know Gunung Gading well. I have been there a few times and found its Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae colony somewhat small; meaning the chances of blooms are less.