Malaya and Sabah - Spirit of Remembrance

MALAYA PENINSULA & SABAH TOUR 2013 Join us in a tour that covers the story of Sandakan and the death marches which is one of the most tragic and heroic of World War Two. Despite appalling conditions, the prisoners never gave up. Their determination and indomitable spirit are an inspiration to us all. Our exciting tour will give you a unique chance, with your experienced guide, to gain an insight into this story.

After the fall of Singapore thousands of POW’s were sent to Borneo, mainly in the Sandakan area. Conditions were terrible - the men were starved, beaten and overworked. In February 1945 the Japanese moved the prisoners to Ranau, more than 160 miles inland. Over 1,900 servicemen took part in the “Death March to Ranau”. Those who fell on the journey were killed. Only 260 arrived at Ranau and six survived the war. Between 1963-66, many Commonwealth servicemen served in Sabah during the Confrontation with Indonesia.

Your guide Robin Russell

Dates Sun 11 – Thu 22 August 2013 + Singapore option Wed 21 – Sun 25 August 2013

£4829 per person

DAY ONE: SUNDAY 11 AUGUST (LONDON – KUALA LUMPUR) Depart London Heathrow for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on overnight.

Accommodation: None Meals: None DAY TWO: MONDAY 12 AUGUST (LONDON – KUALA LUMPUR) Arrive Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Transfer to hotel and check in. Optional Visit to Cheras Road Cemetery or free time. Lunch at own expense. At the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur was the headquarters of the 3rd Indian Corps. As the Japanese moved down the peninsula a temporary prisoner-of-war camp was established at Pudu jail, to which Commonwealth serviceman were taken before being sent to Changi Camp on Singapore. Some of them died in this camp and were buried in the Cheras Road Cemetery. There are 148 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war here. Dinner in hotel included. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Meals: D

DAY THREE: TUESDAY 13 AUGUST (KUALA LUMPUR) Breakfast in hotel. Enjoy a full day (8 hour) tour exploring the best of Kuala Lumpur. Spend your morning discovering bustling Chinatown, the Royal Palace, National Museum with lake gardens and the Craft Cultural Complex. After your buffet lunch at a local restaurant, view Malaysian suburban and rural lifestyle before learning about the art of Batik design at Gombak. The last stop is the spectacular limestone Batu Caves. Return to hotel before evening at Leisure. Dinner at own expense.

Overnight in hotel.

tour of Sandakan with a visit to St Michael's Church. Return to hotel before evening at leisure.

Dinner in hotel. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Sandakan or Sabah Hotel Meals: B D DAY FIVE: THURSDAY 15 AUGUST

Accommodation: Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Meals: B L

(SANDAKAN / SEPILOK) Breakfast in hotel. AM - Transfer to POW Memorial Park for Official SANDAKAN Day Service. PM - Visit the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok with Lunch. Return to hotel before evening at leisure. Dinner in hotel. Overnight in hotel.

DAY FOUR: WEDNESDAY 14 AUGUST

Accommodation: Hotel Sandakan or Sabah Hotel Meals: B L D

(KUALA LUMPUR – SANDAKAN) Breakfast in hotel. Check out of hotel. Transfer to Kuala Lumpur International Airport for flight to Sandakan Airport. Lunch at own expense. Visit the Sandakan Memorial Park for a short familiarisation tour of the former POW camp and sight-seeing

DAY SIX: FRIDAY 16 AUGUST (SANDAKAN – KUNDASANG) Breakfast in hotel. Check out of hotel. Travel to Ranau partly on, and also crossing, the More itinerary on the following page

MALAYA PENINSULA & SABAH TOUR 2013 "Sandakan - Ranau Death March" route, with brief stopover at Muanad River and Paginatan.

Enroute stopover at for lunch at a local restaurant.

Stop by the Ranau Memorial, where the "Death March" ended. Continue to Kundasang War Memorial for a visit to the beautiful landscaped British, Australian and Malaysian Gardens. Check in to hotel and evening at leisure. Dinner in hotel.

Accommodation: Mt. Kinabalu Heritage Resort & Spa Resort Meals: B L D DAY SEVEN: SATURDAY 17 AUGUST (KUNDASANG / PORING) Breakfast in hotel. Travel to Nabutan (Segindai Hill) to start the "Walk" to retrace part of the Death March route. For the less energetic, transfer to the Sabah Tea Plantation. After lunch, to Poring, for the Canopy Walk. Or take a dip in one of the hot spring pools. From here, continue to view 1 and 2 Jungle Camps before returning to the Resort. Evening at leisure. Dinner in hotel. Overnight in hotel Accommodation: Mt. Kinabalu Heritage Resort & Spa Resort Meals: B L D DAY EIGHT: SUNDAY 18 AUGUST (KUNDASANG – KOTA KINABALU) Breakfast in hotel. Check out and depart for Kota Kinabalu. Lunch at own expense. En route, stop by at the Nabalu roadside Market with further sightseeing along the way. Check into hotel. Late afternoon visit Sabah Museum and Cultural Village.

For the evening, enjoy dinner with cultural show at Kampung Nelayan Restaurant. Return to hotel for time at leisure. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Hotel Kota Kinabalu Meals: B D

DAY NINE: MONDAY 19 AUGUST (KOTA KINABALU – BEAUFORT) Breakfast in hotel. Morning at own leisure or take opportunity to further explore the city. Lunch at own expense. After lunch check out of hotel for drive to Beaufort to visit the Starcevish Memorial. Continue to Klias wetlands and check into the hotel. Light refreshment and local “kueh” (snacks). Travel south into the Klias wetlands for a river cruise in search of wildlife such as the elusive long nose Proboscis monkey, rare silver leaf monkey, the mischievous macaques and a myriad species of birds that inhabit this unique environment. As dusk falls, look out for crocodiles lurking by the riverbanks. On a moonless night, be mesmerized by the flickering lights of fireflies against the night sky. Enjoy dinner as you immerse yourself in the sounds of nature in this rustic setting. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation: Beaufort Hotel Meals: B D DAY TEN: TUESDAY 20 AUGUST (BEAUFORT – LABUAN) Breakfast in hotel. Check out of hotel. Travel to the coastal town of Menumbok, where you will take a ferry to Labuan Island. On arrival, check into hotel and proceed to lunch. In the evening, visit Labuan Commonwealth War Cemetery, then visit the other battlefield areas. Evening at own leisure. Farewell dinner in hotel. Overnight in hotel Accommodation: Grand Dorsett Hotel Meals: B L D DAY ELEVEN: WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST Breakfast in hotel. AM – Check out and transfer to Labuan Airport for flights to LHR. Accommodation: None Meals: B DAY TWELVE: THURSDAY 22 AUGUST Arrive UK

DATES

TWIN / DOUBLE ROOM

SRS*

11 – 22 August 2013

£4,829

£789

per person

Subject to currency fluctuation & confirmation at time of booking. Minimum tour number 10 passengers.

Singapore Option (Price on application). *Single room supplement

INCLUDES • Flights in economy class London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur • Flights in economy class Kuala Lumpur to Kuching • Not on Singapore option - Flights in economy class Kuching to London Heathrow • Singapore option - Flights in economy class Kuching to Singapore and flights in economy class Singapore to London Heathrow • Transport throughout tour • Military historian and experienced guide throughout tour • 4 nights at the Holiday Inn, Kuala Lumpur or similar • 1 night at the Bala’s Holiday Chalet or similar • 4 nights at the Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching or similar • 3 nights at the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City or similar (Singapore option only) • Breakfast daily • Meals where indicated in itinerary • Entries to activities show in itinerary • Dedicated tour webpage including details of accommodation and tour • Social media presentation including original film footage, images and historical background • Group forum with photo gallery where group members can ask your guide questions • Links through to in-depth research and a wealth of background information

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE • Meals unless listed in itinerary • Beverages

EXTRAS We are pleased to arrange the following: (Subject to additional charges) • Transport from home town to London via train or flights • Pre or post tour accommodation in London

TERMS & CONDITIONS • £100 Per Person deposit required to confirm booking • Final Payment 10 weeks prior to departure • Please see website for full Terms & Conditions

For enquiries or booking please contact:

tours@spiritofremembrance.com or call 01634 233785