At this point please count me as a probable, almost definite. Totally dependent upon fares and/or award availability and to a much greater extent response to the questions.
Now the questions
1. Friday
If I volunteer (what an awful word) to do another "Friday Before SinDo Excursion" is there interest in doing this type of adventure again? I promise that it will not be to Batam unless there is an overwhelming outcry. Idea in gestation is to take a ferry (actually fill up a boat and hope it leaves) to another island toward Malaysia. Take ferry (if one exists) to Southern Johor Bahru (Province, not city), have lunch and/or refreshments, yes, beer is available in Malaysia, find transport to Larkin Terminal and return to Singapore via The Causeway.
Yes, I know it is a lot of traveling, but seeing part of the Johor Bahru province appeals to me. Some people also enjoy the thrill of uncertainty.
Another alternative is to do just the first part (island) and return to Singapore for a day of exploration. Or some of us could do the complete trip and the others the shortened part
Thoughts?? Suggestions?? are welcome.
Again, emphasis mine, this is not going to be a guided tour. Do your thing and enjoy.
Post Do trip to Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. 3 nights suggested. Depart Monday on any of a variety of airlines from SIN-KCH. Meet at FT center, the Hilton Kuching. Independently decide upon things you want to do.
Some suggestions.
see Orangutans
visit the Sarawak Cultural Center
visit the cat museum and see the cat statue
visit a long house close to Kuching
Shop in old Kuching, shop in the shopping centers, shop, perhaps shop some more
get a massage, maybe a pedicure
Cross the river and wander around, eat Kek.
Have a group dinner at Top Spot
for the more adventurous, take the 6+ hour boat to Sibu and fly back late in the afernoon. Lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Sibu
watch the government build the new government center (incredible patience required as progress is somewhat slow)
for the complete non-believers go to Batang Ai for the experience (2 days with travel) and can become one of three Hilton qualifying stays. No matter how tempting listen to others, do not do this. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/9760404-post9.html
There is a Hilton (central located) and Starwood (4 Points) property (brand new, poorly located, inconvenient) in Kuching for the points whores. The IC property has been sold to someone local. There is a Holiday Inn at Damai about 45 minutes from Kuching (some sort of beach for the sun people).
The Hilton, albeit old, is one of my favorite properties because they treat me like family. Others echo my thoughts on this property.
Additionally, Kuching is a cost-effective destination for a 3 night stay.
If there is sufficient interest in something like this, I will research various possibilities with the Sarawak Tourist Bureau and the Hilton. Additionally, I will provide some relevant information about this portion of Borneo.
I'm also probable. I'm not sure about the post-Do Kuching excursion proposed by opushomes, but might want to do something along those lines as a pre-Do excursion.
If I come - and it's a long shot - I'd be interested in the Friday excursion.
I highly endorse Kuching and all the actvities that opushome suggests. The Hilton upgraded me to a suite as a diamond. It's the only place in the world with a cat museum. I got to see orangutans swinging across the branches coming in to feed at the Rehabilitation Center. And I saw the long houses. It was really a good trip, all on my own, and should be much more fun for those considering it with FTers.
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 942
I may have a work obligation the following Monday (18th). It's a little too early to tell, but I'm hoping the schedule willl slip to the right. I'd love to attend this DO again.
All of these activities sound great. It's hard to believe the Cat 1 Four Points is more expensive than the Cat 3 Hilton Kuching.
The first week it was less than the Hilton. The Hilton used to be one of the least expensive full service Hiltons in the system. Sarawak is not Singapore. Actually hotels in Malaysia tend to be some of the more affordable in Asia. Don't worry, I use this color because my color-blind eyes can see it.
ITA only shows MI and MH. Who else flies it?
The category 1 - 4 Points is located about 2 kilometers from the airport. It is newly opened. The Starwood forum has some early reports.
A taxi from the airport to the Hilton (actually all of central Kuching) in January was RM28. It is reported that the 2 km. journey to the 4 points is RM17 and downtown is RM28. So do you want to stay there? Only if you have an early morning departure on Chinese New Year's morning IMO. Why then? Because at 0400 most drivers have celebrated the holiday and do not want to go to the airport (from personal experience) so you can schlep to the terminal down the sidewalk-less roadway bypassing the need for a taxi.
As stated, the Hilton Kuching is an older property, lacking many of the bells and whistles in room style we have become used to in, for example, Conrad-Singapore, Hilton-Singapore (less than the Conrad), Hilton-KL or Millenium Hilton-Bangkok. It is located on the Kuching river, walking distance to the old Chinese quarter, a boat ride away from the other side, and near shopping center shopping of the other kind. Also not far from the market.
San Diego 1K is right on, as she normally is. Golds and Diamonds are treated very well. I mean it when I say that it feels like coming home. The two main lounge attendants are outstanding. One has been with the hotel since it opened 21 years ago. The younger, Rashid, is the kind who when one checks in at 10p.m. runs to get the red wine for you before you get a chance to sit down. There are a number of FTers who are very happy here and return.
I do not think in the 4 visits that I have had have I ever failed to be upgraded to a suite. Not that I care, not they are opulent, not they are special. It is just nice that they do it without normally a whimper.
Even the executive lounge front desk girls who for some reason seem not to stick around tend to be generally charming. Jasmine, one of my favorites, works in the front office now but remembered me in January after over a year interval.
Airlines that presently fly the SIN-KCH route other than MH and Silk Air are Air Asia, JetStar Asia, Royal Air Brunei via Brunei and Tiger Air. [u]Added[ Valueair books into JetStar/U]:Frequency per airline is not high, but prices tend to be right with often the exception of the one's you listed. Most are bookable on-line with foreign credit cards. MH sometimes is competitive with special offers. Silk Air appears to never be.
Actually, the Conrad is a very wet walk. Yes it is on a much different level.
Last edited by opushomes; Apr 8, 09 at 3:23 am.
Reason: Tiger Air indeed flys the route
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