http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...=kota+kinabalu
I also visited one of the offshore islands. I think it is named Sipa and do not recommend it as a place to go. Fairly dirty, lots of tours stop here for lunch. There is an island adjacent that appears much nicer. It has a high-end resort. Unless you want lunch included, just take a boat from the piers rather than booking the tours to the offshore islands. Taxi from Hyatt to pier is 6rm. It actually is walking distance.
A recommended restaurant is "Portview" (there are 2). I commented about this in the above thread.
One final thing. Borneo is not third world. Much of it is just as advanced as Europe, Canada, or the U.S.. It is a great place to visit, just as the Canadian west is. You should really enjoy the friendliness of the people, the scenery and, with luck, the animals.
Another website on Sarawak
www.sarawakmice.com
A web-site about Padas River rafting:
http://www.infohub.com/TRAVEL/SIT/sit_pages/13187.html
I tried to book the Padas Trip at the Hyatt tour desk, but the river was running too high to be safe, so instead I went on the other rafting outing which is class I and II. It was fun, especially the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time in the river rather than the raft. Everything needed is supplied and they even transport your clothes to the end. It was tame, but still enjoyable. If you can find a travel agent in town to book, it should be somewhat less than using a hotel tour desk. Cost of the outing including transport in a van, rafting, and lunch was US$46 (booked thru Hyatt). I still want to try the Padas which should be more like the Deschutes in Oregon.
Sarawak boat and plane schedules re: Sibu, links to other Sarawak info.
http://www.kapitro.sarawak.gov.my/ph...sportation.php
Here is another Sarawak information site:
http://www.kapitro.sarawak.gov.my/ph...sportation.php
This site lists most tours out of KK, it is representative of those offered by the Hyatt tour desk. I know nothing about this company so cannot offer a reference. Most companies offer similar.
http://www.sanmicheletravel.com/borneotours/main.htm
And one final thought. There is a Holiday Inn resort near Kuching. I met someone who had stayed there and she commented that it was a long way from anything. Like the Shangra La Rasa Ria, one is pretty much trapped at this resort. It is however, a beach resort and not an in-town business hotel.