Nipped down to Kuching on a whim for a taste of life in Borneo - and what a great decision it proved to be! Thanks must go to Air Asia for their unbeatable deals - six flights for 130 quid - which provided us with the unmissable opportunity to visit this beautiful tropical island. Situated on the banks of the Sarawak river, in the north west of Borneo, Kuching is a delightful place with an eclectic mix of Chinese, Malays, Ibans and Indians all of whom go out of their way to ensure visitors get a snapshot of the real Borneo experience.
Apparently an overpopulation of stumpy-tailed cats - we didn't see one so-called Borneo feline - bolsters the 
theory that the city's name is derived from "kucing", Malay for cat. More plausible though is that it comes from the Indian name for port, "cochin", seeing as it was these guys who first settled in what has become Malaysia's fourth biggest city.
theory that the city's name is derived from "kucing", Malay for cat. More plausible though is that it comes from the Indian name for port, "cochin", seeing as it was these guys who first settled in what has become Malaysia's fourth biggest city.Hadn't even landed ourselves a bed for the night (we were in the process of searching) when we were invited to join a bunch of Malayans- lawyers, claims adjusters, university lecturers and bar 
manager to boot - for a beer. One bucket (canned beer is so cheap that locals prefer to quench their thirst with ice-filled buckets of tinned Tiger) led to two, to three, to, well you know the score by now! Then the food started to appear. Plates of local delicacies, like fried pig face, were accompanied by a bottle of local moonshine whisky (not good), all the while our drunken hosts encouraging us to don tribal gear and attempt local dances.
manager to boot - for a beer. One bucket (canned beer is so cheap that locals prefer to quench their thirst with ice-filled buckets of tinned Tiger) led to two, to three, to, well you know the score by now! Then the food started to appear. Plates of local delicacies, like fried pig face, were accompanied by a bottle of local moonshine whisky (not good), all the while our drunken hosts encouraging us to don tribal gear and attempt local dances.
And just when we thought the night couldn't get any crazier, it did! More friends appeared, from KL, in town for a wedding. Of course,given our state, we didn't need asking twice if we wanted to gate crash the hen/stag night - hosted by one of the city's swanky wine bars. Chauffeur driven, by our by now out of control hosts, to "Mojo" the revelry continued late into the night. Even the bride and groom seemed delighted at having us on board - never once in the 11 hours of hospitality were we expected to buy a drink!
Recently voted Malaysia's healthiest and cleanest city, Kuching boasts a vibrant mix of western and eastern culture, tradition and history. Sarawak, the province, was a part of the Sultanate o
f Brunei 200 years ago but, as reward for his help in putting down a rebellion, it was ceded to British adventurer James Brooke who ruled it as his personal kingdom. Kuching was made his capital and headquarters. The British gave Sarawak independence in 1963 and together with north Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore, helped form Malaysia.
f Brunei 200 years ago but, as reward for his help in putting down a rebellion, it was ceded to British adventurer James Brooke who ruled it as his personal kingdom. Kuching was made his capital and headquarters. The British gave Sarawak independence in 1963 and together with north Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore, helped form Malaysia.
