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Introduction
Sarawak, like Sabah, is known for its extraordinary
natural wonders like national parks, Gunungs (Mountains)
and Caves. Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia.
The capital of Sarawak is Kuching, Kuching actually
means cat in Malay. Kuching town has only 2 to 3
major shopping centers, but as you walk and explore,
you will see many 1980s coffee shop houses, traditional
bakery, souvenir shops, and some modern restaurants
and café. If in Kuching, I recommend all
to go to my favorite café called “Bing,
the coffee house”; they serve affordable and
superb coffee and cheese cakes. |
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View
of Borneo
This
photo was taken from the aero plane as we
were flying across Borneo. I was really excited
even when it was my second time to Borneo. |
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Kuching
International Airport |
Limestone
hill |
Photo
taken form the village |
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On
our way to the limestone forest
This
picture was taken along my way to our forest
guide's home. Our guide is a local native
and he lives in the rural area where primary
limestone forest is just around the corner.
After his home, we headed to the dangerous
limestone hill. The limestone hills are filled
with blade-sharp weathered lime stones, any
slip can have you ended up with multiple cuts
that can be deep. The sharp rocks were formed
after years of erosion and only the hardest
rocks remained. I was literally walking on
the tip of the rocks. Even with all that danger,
it was worth it as I managed to see all the
wild Orchids, Nepenthes, Begonias, and Aroids. |
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Macodes
sp. |
Begonia
sp. |
Monophyllea
sp. |
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Alocasia
reversa |
Corybas
sp. |
Bulb.
reticulatum |
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Paphiopedilum
stonei in
situ
Paph.
stonei grew on the surface of the limestone
slope together with another plant that looked
very similar. The place was also bright and
humid. I often mistook the forest weed as
Paph. stonei. At around this area, Corybas
can be found amongst the moss patch. |
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Bulb.
biflorum 'alba' |
Vanda
dearei
'Thousand
dollar clone' |
Paraphalaenopsis
labukensis |
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b
Meet
the Queen
The
queen of all paphs, Paphiopedilum sanderianum,
grows in Gunung Mulu and the place is heavily
protected by the Forestry Department of Malaysia.
The photo was taken from a nursery and my
jaws dropped and my tongue rolled when I first
saw the bloom. |
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Map
of Bako |
Bako
Beach |
View
of the hill |
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Bako
National Park
Bako
National Park is another nice place for plant
lovers. Going to this National Park requires
an 80RM boat ride that lasted about 15 minutes.
As I trekked up the hill at Bako, I spotted
many nepenthes and orchids and many unusually
plants. Along the trail, I came to a place
that was hot and exposed where all the trees
are dry and growing with ant plants all over.
At bako I even manage to see the rare endangered
Proboscis monkeys, how fortunate. |
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Proboscis |
Beach
when low tide |
Fisherman |
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Expensive
View
Seeing
this famous rock cost another 50RM more, what
a waste of money. For some reasons, picture
of this rock appeared in many postcards in
Kuching.
I
wonder why? |
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Weekend
market |
Pets
stall |
Wild
plants store |
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Paph.
stonei 'alba' |
On
the clouds |
Flying
away |
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Bye
Bye Sarawak
“So
sad, leaving such a nice place.”
But
I managed to return and I am going to visit
there many times more. Hope all viewers enjoyed
my photos. |
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