US$2.7 MLN SHIP FOR RAJANG RIVER LUXURY CRUISE WITH MAIDEN TRIP ON JULY 1

SIBU (Malaysia), May 6(Bernama) -- Come July 1, some 60 mainly western
tourists will have the thrill of sailing up and down the country's longest
river, the Rajang, on board a US$2.7 million luxury ship.

The RV Orient Pandaw, made of teakwood and brass, is now berthed at the
Burong Apu wharf and undergoing minor renovations and changes for the maiden
trip.

According to Alexander Scheible, a representative of the Irrawaddy Fotilla
Company which operates the cruise, for the whole of this year some 1,300 people,
mostly americans, europeans and australians, had confirmed their participation.

Each passenger, depending on their choice of the 30 cabins, will pay between
US$5,000 and US$3,255 for the eight days nine nights trip from here to Kapit,
Balleh and Pelagus, then to Song and Tanjung Manis before returning here,
inclusive of all meals.

Most of the passengers were those who had experienced the company's cruises
in Myanmar and Vietnam," Scheible told reporters today during a tour of the
ship, which was built in Ho Chi Minh city.

"They always want to try something new. The Rajang, with its rich native
culture and traditions, rainforest and rapids, will make for an interesting
eco-tourism experience.

"Westerners are always curious about Borneo and Sarawak in particular with
its history of colonialisation," he said.

He said the RV Orient Pandaw, powered by two 850hp engines and with three
generators on board, would make three trips a month.

He hoped that within six months the cruise would a totally local crew, from
the captain to the supporting staff, but under the supervision of a few foreign
experts.

He said local tourism operators could be Pandaw's partners by helping to
sell its cruises through their own networking for a commisson.

-- BERNAMA