OK, maybe this is a little silly, but I thought I would cut and paste this activities sheet from the Batang AI that was emailed to me. It seems to me that I'm not the only person who had this question: What exactly can you do at a resort in the middle of nowhere? So I though I'd put this up on FT so it would come up in any search about Batang Ai, Borneo, sarawak or Malaysia.

FYI: I believe a little less than 4RM is equal to $1US.

FACT SHEET #1
Activities
Dawn Walk (weather permitting)
free of charge
A guided walk to BBQ Island. Be mesmerized by a Batang Ai sunrise; watch and listen as the birds begin to sing… Departs from the lobby at 6:15 am (1 hour).

Guided Nature Walk (weather permitting)
free of charge
Some amazing stories told by your knowledgeable guide! Walk amongst the treetops and discover the canopy layer of the rainforest on a suspended walkway. Stop at the gravesite of an Iban warrior and experience a small ritual offering. Rich in culture and history. Departs from the main lobby at 10:00 am and 4:45 pm (1hour).

Blow Pipe Demonstration
free of charge
A display of traditional and historical hunting techniques; you’ll be amazed at the skill and accuracy of the locals! Poolside at 3:00 pm (half an hour).

Video Presentation and Nature Talk
free of charge
Relax in the Balai Nendak room (1st Floor) and be entertained by a fascinating video and talk depicting the elements of nature and culture of your surrounds. 9:00 pm – 9:45 pm.

Games
refundable deposits may apply
Board games, darts, table tennis, volleyball, pool volleyball and water polo… at your leisure. Mah Jong is available at RM25 for the first hour and RM5 for every subsequent hour. Enquire at the Guest Activities desk.

Tennis
day hire: RM5 per hour, night hire RM12 per hour
Burn off excess energy on the tennis court! Racquet and ball hire: RM3 per person, per hour.

On the water activities
double kayak/pedalo
RM 24 per hour, single kayak RM18 per hour
Explore and discover the beauty of Batang Ai Lake by kayak or pedalo. Packed lunch option available.

Traditional-style fishing
RM4 per person
From the jetty, at your leisure. Includes fishing rod and bait.

Excursions
Half-day longboat lake fishing
RM25 per person per hour, min 2 people
Departs from the Main Jetty 9 am and 2 pm. Includes boat, all equipment and guide (lunch option available).

Speedboat fishing trip
RM250 per hour, max 4 people
Departs from the Main Jetty 9 am and 2 pm. Includes boat, all equipment and guide (lunch option available).

Upriver Longboat Fishing
RM120 per person, min 2/max 4 people
Spend the day with your own fishing guide, in a secluded spot on the river. Includes lunch, boat hire, guide and all equipment. Departs from the Main Jetty at 9 am.

A trip to the waterfall
RM75 per person, max 4 people
A 20-minute longboat ride brings you to a secluded waterfall where you can spend your time swimming, relaxing and enjoying a picnic lunch. For the more adventurous, embark on a guided nature walk on a nearby trail and enjoy the unspoiled rainforest of Batang Ai. Please note that the guided walk must be booked prior to departure. Departs from the Main Jetty at 9 am and 1 pm (half day).

Sunset Cruise (weather permitting)
RM8 per person, min 5 people
Experience the magic of a Batang Ai sunset on the tranquil blue-green lake. Cruise to remote places on the river and enjoy the scenery in the breathtaking glow of the sunset. Departs from the Main Jetty at 5:45 pm.

Jungle Trekking on Smugglers’ Trail
RM75 per person, min 2 people
A 20-minute boat ride sees you to a trail once used by smugglers travelling to and from Sarawak. Take a journey through history and enjoy a moderately challenging guided-trek through primary forest to discover life beneath the canopy. Lunch is included. Departs from the Main Lobby at 9:30 am (half-day excursion).

Up-river cruise
RM240 per boat (max 4 people per boat)
This full day excursion takes you on a thrilling trip up river to the remote reaches of Batang Ai by longboat. Shoot the rapids Iban-style; with a break to enjoy a picnic lunch and a refreshing swim. Departs from the Main Jetty at 8:30 am.

Batang Ai National Park
RM280 per boat (max 4 people per boat)
A 2-hour journey by longboat takes you to pristine National Park of Batang Ai. Enjoy breathtaking scenery, beautiful river rapids, jungle trekking through untouched rainforest, and a refreshing swim in cool crystal clear waters. Departs main lobby 8:30 am (full day excursion).

FACT SHEET #2


FACT SHEET - HILTON BATANG AI LONGHOUSE RESORT
(Managed by Hilton Kuching)

LOCATION : Situated on a 20 ha shores of Batang Ai Lake.
275km from Kuching City.

ADDRESS : c/o Hilton Kuching
Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
PO Box 2396
93748 Sarawak
EAST MALAYSIA

TELEPHONE : Hilton Kuching : +60 (0)82 248200
Resort : +60 (0)83 584388

FAX : Hilton Kuching : +60 (0)82 428984
Resort : +60 (0)83 584399
E-MAIL : [email protected]
WEBSITE : www.batang.hilton.com

For reservations and general enquiries, please contact the Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort’s reservation desk at Hilton Kuching, telephone, +60 (0)82 248200, or fax +60 (0)82 428984.

TRANSPORTATION TO RESORT
FROM DISTANCE
HILTON KUCHING 275 kilometers

TIME VIA
4 hrs CAR or COACH
(limousine/self drive/tour operator)

Daily Shuttle Service
Depart from Hilton Kuching to Resort : 8:00 am
Depart from Resort to Hilton Kuching : 1:00 pm

Price: (adult): RM 100.00 nett (return) minimum 2 pax
(child): RM 55.00 nett (return)

Private transfers can also be arranged at a minimum fee of RM 150.00 nett per person for a minimum of 2 persons. Additional pax is at RM 75.00 nett per trip.

GUEST ROOMS
Total Number of rooms : 100 Standard rooms & Suites
62 Twin Bed Rooms
38 Queen Bed Rooms
(26 Interconnecting Rooms)

Total number of Blocks : 11 Blocks
(The shortest block has 4 rooms; the longest block has 18 rooms.)

a) Number of Duplex Suites: 12 Duplex Suites
(Maximum 4 persons per suite regardless of age)
b) Number of Standard Rooms: 88 Standard Rooms
(Maximum 2 Adults & 2 Children per standard room regardless of age)

Check-in/Check-out Time : 12:00 noon

ROOM FACILITIES
Individually controlled air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Private shower and toilet
International Direct Dial Telephone
Coffee/Tea maker
A refrigerator
remote control television in all rooms
Common sitting area in every block
Soft drink vending machines

All Duplex Suites have a private sitting room on the Ground Floor and private bedroom, with television on the First Floor.

DINING/ENTERTAINMENT/FACILITIES
Bar/Lounge - “Wong Irup”
Restaurant - “Nanga Mepi”
Multi-purpose hall
Karaoke facilities
Swimming pool
Various board games
Tennis court and table tennis
Internet Access

EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
A host of activities and excursions can be arranged at the resort, guided jungle trekking and nature walks, longboat river cruises, waterfall and fishing trips. A detailed list of the activities and excursions is available.

The following excursions are also available and must be arranged prior to arrival at the resort.
Historical Site
All the forts in Sarawak were given a lady’s name, such as Fort Sylvia, Fort Lily, Fort Margherita and the Stalwart Fort Alice in Sri Aman (Simanggang) an hour and a half drive from the resort. While in Sri Aman town, do not miss the colourful native market.

Visits to oil palm, rubber, cocoa & pepper plantations.
Take an educational tour of the famous Sarawak Pepper gardens and learn how “black” and “white” pepper is processed. Palm oil, rubber, cocoa & pepper are the major agricultural products of Sarawak.

Visits to Batang Ai Hydro-electric power plant and fish hatchery.
Sarawak’s first hydro-electric power plant and the local fish hatcheries can be visited by appointment. The State Fishery Department has turned the lake into a giant fish pond to cater for local and visiting ‘fishermen’.

Visits to nearby trading towns
All the small towns such as Engkilili, Lubok Antu, Betong and Sri Aman (old name Simanggang) are old Chinese settlements. You can come across interesting native wood carvings, textiles, basketry, etc. in some of the shops to enrich your art collection.

Skrang/Lemanak/Ulu Ai/Engkari River Safaris
These rivers are running almost parallel to one another and into the Batang Lupar river. Together they form the Iban “territory” which was famous during the Brooke era. Today tourists get a chance to experience the Iban culture and traditions.



Longhouse Trips
Imagine a world where native tribal dwellings have been preserved. Traditional Iban longhouses are accessible from the resort. Please arrange with your handling agents for a visit to the longhouse.