KL to Kuching

Two and a half years ago I was in KL debating whether to go to Borneo.  Malacca won then as it was the wet season in Borneo - now to make amends.  The Puduraya bus station was closed for renovation, but in no time the Star Shuttle agents had found us and we were on a bus for the LCCT - the low cost Air Asia terminal.  Easy flight, but no transport as arranged with Singgahsana Lodge on arrival - first problem, but a taxi soon got us into town.

An interesting place, Kuching.  Borneo conjures up visions of impenetrable rainforest, mud to your waist and headhunters on the loose.  In reality, Kuching is a clean, modern city (fourth largest in Malaysia) with a pleasant riverside frontage not dissimilar to Phnom Penh.  Yes it smells a bit fruity like all Asian cities (apart from Singapore) due to its open drains, but better than most.  Affluent too - most residents have cars and the proportion of motos is low - and consequently traffic congestion is quite high.

We arrive at Singgahsana Lodge to our second problem.  Our pre-booked room is on the ground floor - musty and windowless.  After complaining to reception we're relocated to the second floor - vastly better.  Apart from these two bad experiences Singgahsana Lodge proves to be an excellent backpackers.

Kuching is known as the city of cats, so we take the obligatory photo under the monument.

The mountains make a nice backdrop to the river.

Nik gets acquainted with the local wildlife.

Spectacular buildings too - in the background right is the DUN (Sarawak State Legislative Building), while on the left is the Astana - the home the White Rajah built for his wife.

We're booked for the orangutans in the morning.  Hopefully not a view of a hairy orange bum 100m away in the trees!