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BORNEO

CULINARY TOUR OF BORNEO

Borneo conjures up an image of esoteric jungle foods. However, many plants of the rainforest - which enjoys the greatest bio-diversity in the world - are widely known, especially the gingers. The local people have a long tradition of using various wild plants as basic food and as seasoning. Recent immigrants to the Malaysian Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak brought with them new cooking techniques and integrating these with local ingredients. Thus a new and distinct hybridised cuisine has developed. Here you will find all the major Asian schools of cooking: the various Indian and Chinese regional cuisines as well as the local indigenous cuisines are subtly flavoured with the simple jungle ingredients. In this culinary tour, you will not only sample some of the best Malaysian cuisine - with Nonya, Chinese and Indian food - but will enjoy a completely different gastronomic experience as you discover some of the indigenous foods of Borneo while exploring the highlights of this fabled land.

Day 1: Kuching city Tour
Arrive in Kuching, capital of Sarawak and once the capital city of the White Rajahs. Transfer to the Kuching Hilton Hotel. In the afternoon, a City orientation of Kuching, essentially a Chinese and Malay City.

Discover the charms of this riverine city established by Sir James Brooke, first White Rajah of Sarawak. See charming old colonial buildings, historic Chinese temples and colourful markets displaying the produce that first brought traders to Borneo. Visit one of the local markets; inspect and select vegetables and fruit unique to this part of the world for dinner this evening.

A visit to Kuching will not be complete without making a stop at the Sarawak Museum. Completed in 1891,the museum has an excellent collection of Bornean ethnological and archaeological artifacts and is one of the best museums in Southeast Asia.
In the evening, you will enjoy a special culinary welcome with popular local dishes ; a taste sensation with subtle spicing of aromatic gingers, jungle ferns and tropical vegetables. (D)

Day 2: Kuching - Semenggoh
Kuching is a breakfast society; between the hours of about 7- 9 am, most citizens of Kuching enjoy their breakfast in one of the many "coffee shops". Try the kolok mee (angel hair pasta); or Kuching's unique version of laksa (rice noodles in spicy coconut-milk soup) at one of the more popular shops.

After breakfast, we drive to Semenggoh, some 16 km out of town, to visit the rehabilitation centre where orphaned and confiscated orang utan babies are re-acclimatised to the ways of the jungle. From Semenggoh, we visit Siniawan to look at a classical backwater town in Sarawak. Once an important mining center and outpost of the first Rajah, Siniawan is a town suspended in time. The provision shops remain much as they were several generations ago. Here you'll learn about birds' nest, a highly prized commodity which is a cottage industry and contributes much to the economy of Siniawan.

From Siniawan we return to Kuching. Lunch at one of the Malay restaurants.

After a leisurely seista, afternoon tea at one of the homes of a local personality. Nonya cakes and savouries will be served. This leads into an introduction of the cross-cultural Nonya cuisine, blending Chinese and Malay cooking styles. There will be a demonstration of cooking techniques followed by dinner. The menu may include dishes like caramelised duck, buah kluak, assam fish, tempra chicken and spiced okra. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Ulu Ai
After breakfast, we embark on a journey into the interior of Sarawak. On the way we call in at Serian, an agricultural town which posts up the daily quotations on commodities like cocoa, pepper. This is an excellent time to buy local fruits & vegetables for the evening repast. Along the way, we call in at a pepper garden and also see the carnivorous pitcher plants. Lunch in Engkilili, a small trading town, at one of the Chinese eateries, a testament to the fact that the Chinese also eat well, regardless of where they are.

We continue the journey upriver across the Batang Ai Reservoir into one of more remote Iban longhouses. We cook the provisions bought earlier in the day and in the evening enjoy the warm hospitality of our Iban hosts. Overnight, Borneo Adventure lodge next to the longhouse.

Day 4: Ulu Ai
After breakfast, we continue our journey further upriver. A along the way, we harvest palm heart, bamboo shoot, ferns, tapioca leaves and other plants used for seasoning. A demonstration of "chicken in bamboo"; we will picnic on one of the pebble beaches with freshly prepared jungle food.

Back at longhouse: demonstration of making of tuak rice wine. In the evening, typical longhouse entertainment. Overnight Borneo Adventure lodge. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Ulu Ai - Sibu
Depart the longhouse after breakfast, continuing to Sibu, a bustling town whose wealth is founded on the timber trade. Sibu is home to the Foochows, a dialect group from Southern China. Tonight we sample the regional cooking of the Foochows; meet and interview some of the chefs and learn the unique aspects of their cuisine. Visit the busy night market and the special snacks only to be found here ( such as the Foochow bagel-like bread). (B, L, D)

Day 6: Sibu - Mukah
After breakfast, we continue our journey to Mukah; the heart of Melanau ethnic group.This area was and still is the predominant area of sago production. Visit the picturesque village, Kampung Tellian, to see the felling of sago palms, rasping of pith, obtaining starch, and the final process of toasting sago balls. Understand the magical healing arts of the Melanau, which include the carving of effigies. Dine tonight exclusively on Melanau cuisine; included will be the umai (ceviche) and if the palate is strong and adventurous enough, the chance to sample the local delicacy of sago worms. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Mukah - Bintul - Miri
Travel by mini-bus to Bintulu. Pause at the old Tatau Bazaar, an old regional town. Lunch at Bintulu, a historic town transformed into the centre of modern industrialised Sarawak. One of the largest industrial petrochemical complexes in the country is here, as well as one of the most impressive deep-sea ports.

We continue the journey to Miri by air; visit one of the great local markets, perhaps Sarawak's best for native produce; some of the local regional fruit in this northern region in Sarawak are found in great abundance here.

Tonight, a local Malay treat with specially grilled local seafood. Overnight Righa Royal Miri. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Miri - Mulu
Depart by Twin Otter flight to Mulu National Park.This is the largest National Park in Sarawak and houses the biggest cave entrance and underground cave chamber known to man. Apart from the sheer numbers of plant and animal species, Mulu has stunning scenery. Visit Lang Cave with its beautiful limestone formation, created over millions of years. View the Deer Cave, the world's largest cave entrance (it can easily contain London's St Paul's Cathedral); see the astounding exodus of millions of bats in the early dusk as they leave the caves to go foraging. Overnight Royal Mulu Resort. (B)
Day 9: Mulu - Kota Kinabalu
After breakfast, visit the King's Chamber in the Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave upriver via longboats; these are caves with very impressive formations and unique plant life. A picnic lunch by the clear waters that come through the eponymous Clearwater Cave. Boat to the airport to connect to flight to Kota Kinabalu via Miri. Overnight at the Shangrila Tanjung Aru Resort. Dinner is at your own arrangement; a chance to try one of the many outlets. (B, L)

Day 10: Poring - Kinabalu National Park
Depart early morning for a 3 hr drive to Poring Hot Spring. Explore the many jungle trails and observe wildlife on the canopy walkway 100 feet above the forest floor. Proceed to the World Heritage site of Kinabalu National Park after lunch. Explore these mountain gardens, home to many species of orchids, pitcher plants, birds, insects and butterflies with your guide before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon. Overnight at the Shangrila Tanjung Aru Resort.. (B, L)

Day 11: Sandakan -Sepilok Daytrip
An extra busy day. Early morning departure for Sandakan to visit Sepilok, the world's first wildlife rehabilitation centres for orangutans; visit the local fish market; lunch at one of the local Chinese restaurants.

In the afternoon, return to Kota Kinabalu. Freshen up at the hotel then proceed for quick tour of the night market followed by dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Sample fish and shrimps fresh from a holding tank and be enthralled by the difference of how really fresh fish and shrimps taste; it gives new insight as to why the Chinese in Hong Kong pay top dollar for fresh deep water fish caught in the seas off Sabah. Overnight at the Shangrila Tanjung Aru Resort.
(B, L, D)

Day 12: Monsopiad Village
In the morning, visit the Monsopiad village where the descendants of a renowned headhunter, Monsopiad, have re-modelled a village in honour of their ancestor. See the skulls still hanging from the rafters. Learn about the unique rituals that come with attending to these heads. Return to hotel for an afternoon leisure.

Farewell dinner with local Kadazan family, dishes includes hinava (a type of ceviche); a Kadazan send-off tops the evening. Overnight at the Shangrila Tanjung Aru Resort. (B, D)

Day 13: Departure
Depart or extend stay. (B)

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