Day 373: Coastal Rivers and Kuching

Apr 11 - Today I had previously arranged a boat tour in the mangrove areas of the coast, hopefully to see some wildlife. We end up being the only three people on the tour. We start out going down the Sungai Santubong River from a jetty under the highway bridge. It is high tide but we are able to spot a crocodile in the undergrowth on the far bank. Crocodiles here thrive in brackish water, and, like those in Australia, will venture into salt water for food.

Crocodiles spend a lot of their time not moving at all. But when they do, it can be quick.

The Sungai Santubong River is wide, slow moving, and full of mud. As we head downstream, we start seeing large jellyfish. They are used for a dish called obo-obo.

Mt. Santubong, at the mouth of the river. It has an elevation of 815 meters.

Once out in the sea, we idle in a spot off the Pasir Panjang Beach to look for dolphins. The species common here is the Irrawaddy dolphin, which has a very short snout and gray body.

The best video clip we have. The dolphins were all around this area, but only surface for a very short time.

From here we moved into the Batang Salak River, where there is a big quarry operation, tearing into a hill. Beyond this is a mangrove forest populated by proboscis monkeys.

The proboscis monkeys were too far away for good photos. They subsist on leaves from mangrove trees. Malays used to call them ‘Dutch Man Monkeys’ because of their large noses and fat stomachs.

A clip of them eating and jumping between trees.

Nearby was a small fishing village, on the island of Pulau Salak. It is in a strong tidal zone, such that the football pitch in the middle of town becomes a water polo court at high tide.

Some mangroves on Pulau Salak. Where the proboscis monkeys feed, the trees are cut short at the water’s edge. They eat the tender shoots and retard growth of the trees.

From here we go back to the jetty, swinging by to see the crocodiles again. The largest one out laying in the mud is about 2.5 meters long.

Our route back to Kuching takes us by a newer part of town in the north called Petra Jaya. This is where the big government buildings are, but spread out without much between them. There are roads and traffic circles everywhere, but almost nothing of a real city. They are obviously trying to build it all up from scratch.

Today’s route: (A) Kuching, (B) jetty for boat tour.

Back in Kuching, we walk to the Borneo Cultures Museum, a huge building next to several other museums and parks.

It is five floors and has an abundance of items from all parts of Sarawak, representing the indigenous people.

A display of Iban wedding attire. The Iban are one of the most well-known sub-groups of the Dayak people.

After this we wander around the Hero’s Monument Park. No chance to see other museums today, as they all close before 17:00.

Malaysia (Sarawak)