My fist visit in the state of Sarawak was enough to make me fall in love with it. After my arrival in the capital, Kuching, completely unaware of what I might find, I was so surprised to see such a rich and welcoming culture, living in a vibrant and relaxed city. It was very easy to get around, try the local foods and speak to the locals. Very quickly I realised how much this place has to offer. Just a short drive or boat ride away, plenty of National Parks were waiting to be explored. The first one was Bako National Park, full of constantly changing landscapes and home to some incredible animals like the funny looking Proboscis Monkeys, also known by the locals as “The Dutch Man Monkey” because of their big noses and bellies. Here I also had my first contact with the incredible world of tropical pitcher plants, also known as Nepenthes, which evolved to catch insect and use their nutrients. The lowland jungle is extremely fascinating, but be prepared for some serious heat and plenty of humidity!
Climbing up the summit of Mount Santubong is remarkable experience and still to date it is a reference for the hardness of a trek. Even though the climb can be easily done within a day, it still requires a good level of fitness and can be a great challenge for the most adventurous. An impervious path of tree roots, steep hills, ropes and metal ladders lead you all the way up to the top, but it is definitely worth a try and it is a lot of fun! Just make sure to bring a lot of water and get ready for some heavy sweating.
While in Sarawak, I was extremely lucky to be around Gunung Gading National Park to see the biggest flower in the world: Rafflesia. This parasitic plant grows on a specific species of vine and blooms only once every 9 months. Timing is crucial, especially giving that the flower only last for 4-5 days. Spanning almost a meter in width and despite its foul smell, it is a true wonder of the plant world.
Traveling up towards the north part of Sarawak I visited Lambir Hills National Park, easily reached from the city of Miri. What makes this park special is its biodiversity. It host nearly 1200 different species of trees and a myriad of insects and birds. Not far from the park we find Niah National Park, famous for its gigantic caves and its archeological site. Here archeologist discovered the remains of some of the oldest humans in Southeast Asia.
Close to the border with Sabah we find the incredible Highlands of Sarawak, home to a vibrant native community and incredible fairytale-like jungles, rich in all sort of plant species, mosses and many hidden wonders.