Resort: Holiday Inn Resort Damai Beach

After arriving at the Kuching International Airport, we went to Kuching City by taxi costing RM17.50 (USD5). We stopped at the Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel for some shopping and lunch. Bought mineral water, instant coffee, snacks, juices and biscuits from Parkson Supermarket. Then to Guardian Pharmacy for sun block, lotion, etc. We paid RM10 (USD2.80) for the same taxi driver to wait for an hour outside the hotel. The journey from Kuching to Santubong lasted about 40 min. and cost an additional RM40 (USD11). A direct trip from the airport to Santubong cost about RM47 (USD13).

The Sarawak Cultural Village is a "must see" if visiting for the 1st time. This "living museum" consist of 7 houses depicting the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak. The native people really live in their respective houses! There is also a 45 min. cultural show - twice daily. Lunch is available at the restaurant. The food is not very good and limited in variety - you will be given a plate of rice, then select the dishes and pay at the counter. Given that there are only a limited number of restaurants in the Santubong area, we really can't fuss. Entrance fee is RM60 (USD17) for adult and RM30 (USD8) for children. Buying the entrance ticket from the hotel is slightly cheaper at RM50 (USD13) for adult and RM25 (USD6.50) for children - including transport. After the visit, ask the ticket counter to call for your free pick-up back to the resort. Note that the famous Rainforest World Music Festival is held here every July.

We had most of our meals in the resort due to scarcity of restaurants in the area. Dinner in a nearby Palm Garden seafood restaurant is not cheap by local standard - RM160 (USD45) for a steam fish, butter prawns, oyster omelette, fried venison in ginger and fried noodles. We were told that another restaurant - Beach seafood - has better variety, cheaper, but the restaurant is not so presentable.

There are 3 resorts in this area and all are with private beaches. The beach in this resort is clean and the water is quite clear. Seems like the resort did try to clear the stones on the beach - both side of the bay is quite rocky and there many stones on the sea bed. It can be dangerous during high tide. The swimming pool is clean with another landscape pool in the hill top section.

We had a superior poolside room which is very spacious and comes with 2 double bed. There are also family chalets, hill side balcony rooms and hill top suites (Bidayuh (one of the tribe) -styled houses over-looking the South China Sea).

Other activities in the area includes a 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer, hiking up Mount Santubong and visit to a nearby fishing village.

On returning to the airport, you can call the same taxi driver to pick you up for RM50 (USD14) - just remember to get the taxi driver's phone number when going to the resort. Asking the resort to arrange for taxi will cost much more.

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