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| Sarawak - the Land of the Hornbills, the Gateway to Adventure. The largest state in the federation of Malaysia, Sarawak is a land of superlatives. With the longest river in Malaysia, the world's largest flower, largest natural cave chamber, cave passages and so on. |  |
 | Situated along the north-western coast of Borneo, bordered by Indonesian Kalimantan to the south and west, by Brunei and Sabah to the north, it is a rugged land of forest-clad mountain ranges that form the source of several large rivers. Its history is as varied and fascinating. For 150 years, it was renowned for its dynasty of White Rajahs, an epoch of tantalising mysteries and legends! |
Once known as the Land of the Headhunters, a period now as far removed in time as are the hoary days of Botany Bay or the Wild West from present-day Australia and America! Irrevocably changed for the better, Sarawak's strong cultural roots enable it to integrate change without losing its many strengths and charms. These changes now enable tourists to visit National Parks in once inaccessible places deep in the interior, without having to endure the hardships of travel faced by early naturalists such as Wallace and Beccari.
 | There is no shortage of wildlife in the rainforests but visitors cannot expect to see it as easily as they would on the open plains of East Africa. Visibility is extremely poor in the jungle and finding wildlife can be as challenging, and as thrilling, as going on a hunt. Watching silently, approaching the quarry slowly, step by step, then waiting, to let them come closer to you. Tiring, yes. Time-consuming, yes. But great fun. |
Sarawak is equally rich in cultural diversity, its 26 or so distinct ethnic groups having their own languages, traditions and lifestyles, living in remote longhouses deep in the jungle or along the banks of major rivers.
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© Pun Ritai
(Updated on 23rd May 1998)
