SABAH SARAWAK

Taxis are available at the airport terminal and cost about RM30.00 to get to the city. The journey takes between 10-15 minutes. Within the city, taxi stations are located next to major shopping malls and hotels. Long distance taxi services can be found next to Padang Merdeka.

Visitors’ Information Centre Terminal 2 Tel: (6088) 447 075

Ferry Services

Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks.

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the second busiest airport in Malaysia and is the main terminal for Malaysia Airlines, MASWings, Firefly, Royal Brunei Airlines, Dragonair, Silkair and Asiana Airlines.

Buses

Banks

Banks open from 9.30am to 3pm from Mondays to Fridays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. ATM machines are available 24 hours. Major shopping malls also have ATM machines and are available during operating hours.

Credit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards at hotels, restaurants and major shopping malls. Some establishments do accept American Express.

$ $

A free city-tram service is available for sightseeing around Kuching with pick up points at designated hotels. A daily bus service between Kuching and the airport operates from 6am-7pm and takes 40 minutes. The main intercity bus terminal is at Penrissen Bus Terminal southeast of Kuching. Ask Tourism Information Centres for bus timetables; a ‘green bus’ in the Kuching area goes to Santubong (SCV).

Air Travel

Kuching International Airport services airlines to destinations within Malaysia and overseas via Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, Tiger Airways, Royal Brunei, Silk Air and Batavia Air (Pontianak, Kalimantan).

A network of services using smaller aircrafts provides access to remote destinations within Sarawak such as Bario, Mulu and Ba Kelalan.

Money Changer

Licensed money changers can be found at the airport, shopping malls, hotels and major banks. Some money changers may not accept foreign currency in small denomination or notes with a date or serial number that they don’t approve of.

Telecommunications

It is possible to make IDD phone calls at payphones using coins or call cards. Prepaid calling cards are also widely available by authorized dealers at shopping malls. Most major hotels have WIFI facility either in their guest rooms or public areas. An increasing number of restaurants now have WIFI zones too. Cybercafés offer very affordable rates for internet services.

Taxis

Taxi fare from Kuching airport to the city cost about RM22.00 per way. Taxies are easily found at large hotels, or at taxi stands in all the major towns in Sarawak. Taxis don’t use meters so always negotiate the fare before getting into a cab!

Jesselton Point is the main terminal for boats to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park islands and to Labuan Island. If you wish to drive to Labuan, use the ferry terminal at Menumbok south of the city where car ferries are available.

Express Boats and Ferry Services

A boat service locally known as tambang is available for the short trip across Kuching River to the riverside villages on the other side and along the river for sightseeing. Fast and comfortable express boats connect coastal towns (Kuching, Sibu, Kapit) and villages on the major rivers in Sarawak. The Express Ferry Terminal in Kuching offers trips to Sibu and onwards to Kapit for upriver journeys. Take a bus from Sibu to Miri for ferries to Brunei and onwards to Labuan island and Kota Kinabalu.

Tourist Information Centre

Kuching Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6082) 410 944/2

Miri Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6085) 434 181

Sibu Visitors’ Information Centre Tel: (6084) 340 980

Avatar (2009)

Starring

Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver

Directed by James Cameron

Arguably one of the most known films globally, the science-fiction epic won three of its nine Academy Award nominations and holds the record as the second-highest grossing film of all time. Utilising state of the art technology and visual effects the film transports you to the enchanting world of Pandora. Set in the year 2154, Avatar tells the story of Jake Sully, a paraplegic former marine who becomes part of the Avatar Program, allowing him to inhabit a genetically engineered body and infiltrate the indigenous Na'vi people of Pandora. As Jake immerses himself in their vibrant culture and falls in love with the mystical Neytiri, he is torn between loyalty to his human comrades and the realisation that the Na'vi's connection to nature is sacred and worth fighting for. The film ingeniously intertwined elements of nature, environmentalism, and the human connection, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.

The Beach (2000)

Starring

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tilda Swinton, Virginie Ledoyen, Guillaume Canet, Robert Carlyle

Directed by Danny Boyle

Set in Thailand, the film follows the journey of a young backpacker, Richard, searching for an idyllic paradise beach that is rumoured to be hidden away from the world. Along the way, he meets a group of fellow travellers who share his desire for adventure and the thrill of the unknown. The film's portrayal of nature is breathtaking, with stunning scenes of crystal-clear waters, lush green forests, and golden sand beaches. The natural beauty of Thailand is presented in all its glory, highlighting the importance of preserving and respecting our planet's natural wonders. A compelling storyline, excellent soundtrack co-produced by the legendary Pete Tong, and outstanding cinematography, made this film a timeless piece that launched the film location into everyone’s travel bucket-list.

14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible (2021)

Directed by Torquil Jones.

This is an awe-inspiring documentary that follows Nimsdai Purja, a former Gurkha soldier turned mountaineer, as he embarked on a seemingly impossible mission to climb all 14 ‘8-thousander’ peaks in just seven months. A thrilling portrayal of Nimsdai's determination and perseverance, as he faces not only extreme physical challenges but also logistical and bureaucratic obstacles. With stunning cinematography, it’s particularly interesting that most of the footage used was shot by the expedition team itself. The beauty and danger of the world's tallest mountains are wonderfully captured, while offering a glimpse into the mind of a true adventurer. 14 Peaks is a must-watch for anyone seeking inspiration and a sense of what is possible when one sets their mind to something.