Mulu's welcoming blue skies

From Miri, we contacted the travel agency and headed out to our next destination, Mulu. The fastest way to get to Mulu from Miri was by air; took us approximately 30mins. Malaysia's national carrier, MAS flies twice daily to Mulu but by 1 August 2006, the rural air in Sabah and Sarawak will be taken over by budget carrier FlyAsianExpress (FAX) which means more affordable flight are in store.

The MAS Twin Otter upon arrival at Mulu airport and the kampung scene greeting us from the airport.

There are no road access to Mulu, the other alternative was to take a boat from the river mouth of Kuala Baram going through Marudi. The boat journey will take up to 8 hours and, typically, it was how Mulu gets its sundries and supplies to support its tourism.

Andy, a Penan, and our guide for the rest of the trip was there to meet us. We checked into the four-star Royal Mulu Resort. The hotel was nestled in the rustic jungle landscape, on the banks of Melinau River. Designed in the style of ethnic longhouses, the resort was built on wooden stilts, three metres above and all access within the resort is linked by wooden walkways. We were pleasantly surprised with its comfortable facilities and spacious room. There was even a spa offering massages and reflexology to soothe any aching bones and limbs!

The Royal Mulu Resort jetty - the river is the main mode of transportation within Mulu; however, the resort offers regular shuttle to the airport.