Santubong, Kuching
Travel Date: 7Jun – 10Jun 2007
Hotel: Holiday Inn Resort Damai Beach
After arriving at the Kuching International Airport, head to Kuching City by taxi (RM17.50). We stopped at the Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel for shopping and lunch. Bought mineral water, Milo 3-in-1, snacks, juices and biscuits from Parkson Supermarket. Then to Guardian for sun block, lotion, etc. Paid RM10 for the same taxi driver to wait for an hour. Journey to Santubong last 40 min. and cost additional RM40. Journey direct from airport to Santubong cost about RM47.
The Sarawak Cultural Village www.scv.com.my is a “must see” if visiting for the 1st time. This “living museum” consist of 7 houses depicting the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak. The native people really live in their respective houses! There is also a 45 min. cultural show – twice daily. Lunch is available at the restaurant. The food is only so-so and limited variety – select the dishes and pay at the counter. Given the limited restaurants in the Santubong area, we can’t fuss. Entrance fee is RM60 for adult and RM30 for children. Buying the ticket at the hotel is cheaper for RM50 for adult and RM25 for children including transport. After the visit, ask the ticket counter to call for your free pick-up back to hotel. Note that the Rainforest World Music Festival is held here every July.
We had most of our meals in the hotel due to scarcity of restaurants in the area. Dinner in a nearby Palm Garden seafood restaurant actually cost more – RM160+ for a steam fish, butter prawns, oyster omelette, fried venison in ginger and fried noodles. We were told that another restaurant – Beach seafood – has better variety, cheaper, but not so presentable.
There are 3 hotels in the area and all with private beaches. The beach in this hotel is clean and the water is quite clear. Seems like the hotel did try to clear the stones on the beach – espcially at the front – both side of the bay is quite rocky, many stones on the sea bed and dangerous during high tide. The swimming pool is clean with another landscape pool in the hill top section.
We had a superior poolside room which is very spacious and comes with 2 double bed. There are also family chalets, hill side balcony rooms and hill top suites (Bidayuh-styled houses over-looking the South China Sea).
Other activities in the area includes a 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, hiking up Mount Santubong and visit to a nearby fishing village.
On returning to the airport, you can call the same taxi to pick you up for RM50. Asking the hotel to arrange taxi will cost more.