Last Camp Memorial Unveiling and Dedication Tour

The Last Camp Memorial will be unveiled on 27 August 2009. All those booked on the August 2009 trek (www.sandakan-deathmarch.com) will attend the unveiling, as part of the trek itinerary. However, for those unable to join the trek, Tham Yau Kong, of TYK Adventure Tours, has organised a special five-day and seven-day tour.

Accommodation at Ranau is at the country home of Drs Othman and Lungkiam, the owners of the Last Camp site. They provide simple but comfortable motel-type rooms with separate bathroom facilities in an accommodation block in their spacious garden. The upper floor of the building is air conditioned, and also has fans. The lower floor, being cooler, just has fans. There are three twin rooms and three double rooms on each floor. However as the stairs are quite steep, we recommend that those who are less able-bodied, or older, or who have stiff knees, request ground-floor accommodation. When booking please indicate your preference and also if you wish to have twin or double rooms. Single supplement is available, if required.

Photos of Slagon Homestay are on the website http://www.tykadventuretours.com/slagon.htm

Price per person is based on TWIN SHARE and is ex Kota Kinabalu. You need to add about $1200 (including taxes) for the return airfare from Australia. (We recommend Singapore airlines, if the timetable suits, or Malaysia Airlines). As people will be arriving from different places at different times there will be no general transfers to and from the airport - taxis are plentiful, and the cost is RM20 (about $8). At the airport, taxi fares are paid at a booth on the concourse, outside the arrivals area. Money changing facilities are at the airport. Your hotel will arrange a taxi for the return trip.

Note: Visas are NOT required for Australians visiting Malaysia.

Itineraries, ex Kota Kinabalu:

5 days - 25 to 30 August 2009

Day 1: 25 August
Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) and transfer to Hyatt Hotel (arrange own taxi)

Day 2: 26 August (B, D)
Early afternoon transfer from Hyatt Hotel to Ranau, via Mt Kinabalu. Proceed to Slagon Homestay, the country home of Drs Othman and Lungkiam. Dinner at Slagon.

Day 3: 27 August (B, L, D)
Morning at leisure. After lunch, transfer to Last Camp site to join the trekking party and invited guests for memorial unveiling. Afterwards, those fit enough will be able to walk down into the valley with the trekking party to the actual POW site beside the river. Dinner at Slagon.

Day 4: 28 August (B, L, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Sabah Tea Plantation at Nalapak for inspection of the Tea Factory and to visit Quailey's Hill and memorial. The original POW track passes through the plantation, which has spectacular views of Mt Kinabalu. After lunch, proceed to Poring Hot Springs to either relax in the thermal or cool pools, or enjoy the tropical grounds (small admission charge). For the fit, and those who like heights, there is also skywalk, high above the jungle canopy, which is accessed by a fairly energetic, uphill walk! Then transfer to Kundasang, via Number 1 Ranau Camp site, and check in at Mt Kinabalu Heritage Resort and Spa (formerly Perkasa Hotel). Join trekking party for dinner.

Day 5: 29 August (B, L, D)
After breakfast, join trekking party to visit the beautifully restored Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens, before driving back to Kota Kinabalu. Lunch at restaurant en route. Tour ends on arrival back in Kota Kinabalu in early afternoon. Arrange own taxi to airport.

Option:
Unless your flight home leaves in the evening or late afternoon, you may like to stay the night at Hyatt Hotel. Additional nights, before or after tour, are charged at $75 per person for twin share (including big breakfast).

7 days - 25 to 31 August 2009

Day 1 to Day 4 (as for five-day tour)

Day 5: 29 August (B, L)
After breakfast, join trekking party to visit the beautifully restored Kundasang War Memorial and Gardens, before driving back to Kota Kinabalu. Lunch at restaurant en route. Check into Hyatt Hotel. Rest of afternoon and evening is free.

Day 6: 30 August (B, L)
Early morning departure with trekking party for Malaysia Airlines' flight to Labuan Island. Transfer to Commonwealth War Cemetery, where a short service will be held before inspection of the cemetery, at leisure. Short tour of the Island is followed by lunch at a leading restaurant, before leaving early afternoon by sea and land for Kota Kinabalu. Rest of day free.

Day 7: 31 August
Early breakfast before a short walk to the official reviewing platform for the colourful Merdeka (Independence) Day Parade. Invited guests must be suitably dressed - long sleeves and modest (longish) skirts or slacks for ladies, and trousers and collared shirt for men, with enclosed shoes. No shorts, t-shirts or sandals! It is respectful to our hosts for men, if they wish, to wear the traditional (and cool) long-sleeved batik shirt (silky fabric or cotton in a traditional print) which is worn outside trousers.

After the parade, tour ends. Own arrangements.

Additional nights at Hyatt, before or after tour, are charged at $75 per person, twin share.

COST:

5 day tour: $730 AUD, at current exchange rate.
7 day tour: $1,115 AUD, at current exchange rate.

The prices quoted are internet prices. Payment is made electronically. If you wish to book through a travel agent, it will be necessary to allow for a booking fee. Please note that owing to the international monetary situation, if the Australian dollar is volatile and falls too low, a cost adjustment may be required at the time of payment.

BOOKINGS: Please contact Tham Yau Kong of TYK Adventure Tours DIRECT, thamyaukong@gmail.com. Tham will advise when payment etc is required.