FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Health Considerations
1. Do we need to take precautions against malaria?
Malaria is almost unheard of in Sabah and Sarawak. However the best advice is to follow the advice of your doctor. For a two week stay it should be no problem to take malaria pills. However, unless recommended otherwise it is best to avoid the stronger prescriptions such as Larium which can cause unpleasant side effects. Chloroquin and Palludrine are generally still effective against strains of Malaria in Malaysia.
2. How safe is the water?
All tap water in towns in Sarawak, Sabah & Brunei is treated but for most stomachs it may still take some getting used to. If you have a sensitive stomach it is best to avoid tap water. Boiled water is perfectly safe for drinking. Tap water is fine for cleaning teeth. All the ice served in drinks, even in the most basic coffee shops, is made from treated water and is safe. Bottled mineral water costs around RM 1 for 500 ml and RM 2 for 1.5 litre in supermarkets.
Communications
In most of the urban areas, the communications infrastructure is reliable and good postal and reasonable internet services are readily available.
3. Calling Home
Public telephones are available but can be a source of irritation as some of the telephone kiosks either take coins or prepaid telephone cards. Mobile phones are handy and many of the local telephone companies are affiliated with other GSM providers. IDD calls from hotels are expensive. Buying a prepaid IDD call card from one of the many retailers in local shopping malls can produce substantial savings. Calls to some European countries are now less that RM1 per minute and rates are continually decreasing.
Buying a pre-paid sim card from a Malaysian mobile telecommunication company is well worth it. Calling within Malaysia is cheap and calling overseas from a local pre-paid card is relatively cheap. Having a local prepaid card is likely to save you money and helps avoid incurring high roaming charges from your home country provider.
Not all Malaysian telecom companies have good coverage in Sarawak & Sabah. Stick to major players such as Celcom, Digi and Maxis when buying a pre-paid card.
If you intend to use a smart phone in Malaysia and your home-country sim card remember to adjust your phone settings so that you do not incur ridiculous data roaming charges upon returning home.
4. Internet
All major towns in Sarawak and Sabah have internet access. Coverage and speeds in rural areas are patchy. Internet cafes are dotted all over major towns and even small towns often have an internet cafe. Many restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets have free Wifi.
Many hotels in Malaysia have yet to realise the fact that having internet access in the room is an essential service and still charge high fees for in-room internet access. However, internet access is often free in hotel lobbies and public areas.
Internet speeds in Malaysia are slow (some of the slowest in Southeast Asia) and speeds in Sarawak and Sabah are slower than in Peninsular Malaysia. It is possible to use skype for voice calls but using skype with video can be frustrating owing to the slow internet speeds here.
What to Bring
5. Clothing
The tropical days are hot and humid and we recommend light, comfortable cotton shirts. Casual wear is acceptable for most occasions in the city; on trips to the interior, shorts and T-shirts may be more appropriate. For most trips, bring swimming gear to slake off the tropical heat. Please remember, however, to respect local modesty. Light rain wear is a must as invariably, there will be encounters with rain. On trips to the longhouses don’t forget thin towels and sun hats (to protect against the tropical sun). In the evenings slip into a comfortable sarong. These items can be locally obtained easily and cheaply.
Footwear
For trips to the interior that require a great deal of hiking through primary rainforest or rugged terrain, comfortable hiking or walking shoes that have no fear of jungle streams or muddy trails are recommended. For shorter trips that do not require a great deal of walking, a good pair of sneakers will do. A pair of flip-flop, slippers or tevas should be included. Note: It is often difficult to find footwear in large sizes in shops in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei.
Equipment
If you plan to scale the pinnacles in Mulu or climb Mt Kinabalu, include a pair of light gardening gloves for good grip and protection against rough and sharp surfaces. For long treks in the jungle which require you to remain overnight in jungle shelters, it is essential that you bring along a light sleeping bag. A torch light (don’t forget to bring extra bulbs and batteries!) is always useful and a must if you wish to go caving. As with other trips, a backpack and water bottle will come in handy. Bring along plastic bags to keep clothes and cameras dry in case of rain.
Medicine & Toiletries
Apart from personal toiletries include in your pack, insect repellent. A basic first aid kit should include band aids, mild antiseptic cream for insect bites or light scratches, cotton swabs, tissues, bandages and painkillers. You can buy most medicines in local pharmacies. Prices are often cheaper than in Western countries.
What to Bring on Field Trip (sample list)
1. Light comfortable clothes; shorts are fine, loose fitting shirts / T-shirts of light cotton, sarong (for evenings)
2. Comfortable walking shoes that can handle jungle streams or muddy trails.
3. Bathing suit (respect local modesty).
4. Thin towels (they dry quicker in the humid climate)
5. Sun hat, sun block and light long sleeve shirt.
6. Personal toiletries e.g. shampoo, soap, tooth paste etc.
7. Insect repellent.
8. Plastic bag to keep clothes and cameras dry in case of rain.
9. Water bottle.
10. Torch lights with extra bulbs and batteries.
11. Flip flops / thongs / slippers / Tevas
12. Small backpack (for camping in the rainforest)
13. Rain coat / Poncho
Part of the journey on many tours will be in open boats where you will be exposed to either rain or sun. Sun block is a must, as is a good hat. Wrap all your clothes and belongings in a plastic bag when packing. Always ensure you have something dry to change into.
Out on the Town
How safe is it to go out at night?
Kuching has to be one of the safest cities in the world. Muggings and attacks on tourists are so rare that it makes the headlines if it happens. Kota Kinabalu requires some extra precautions in some areas but is also generally quite safe. In both cases it is best to apply the standard principle of leaving your valuables in the hotel safe and not carry more cash than you really need.
Are the antiques authentic?
There are some great bargains to be had in both Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. The Main Bazaar in Kuching is known for its range of fine Borneo antiquities that can be snapped up at a fraction of the price of similar items found in the boutiques of London or New York. However, unless you are an expert the simple rule is to buy what you will enjoy and appreciate and not what you think might be the bargain of the century. As in any part of the world we have the odd sales person who embellishes the facts somewhat. So buy what you like for the price you think is fair. Then you should never be disappointed.
How much should I tip?
Tipping is not a strong culture yet in this part of the world. Most hotels & restaurants include a 10% service charge on the bill. If you want to leave a small addition that is fine but it is not always necessary. It is normal to leave a small amount for the housekeeping and bellboy of the hotel when checking out. Your guide will also appreciate a small gratuity if he has done a good job.
Can I rent a car and drive around?
Yes you can. Driving throughout Malaysia is easy for anyone with an International Driving Licence. Most roads are in good condition, perfectly safe, and car rental is a popular option, particularly in West Malaysia. In Sabah and Sarawak self-drive is less common but can be done. A number of car rental companies are available in both Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. However due to the size of the market, rental prices in Sabah and Sarawak are very high, often prohibitively so. Often, there is no price advantage between hiring a car or taking a private transfer.