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On Pandaw Cruises: Up the River—With a Paddle Steamer
 Kuching City at sunset, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia. [On Pandaw Cruises: Up the River—With a Paddle Steamer was written by Colin Hinshelwood, CPA Media. Photos were provided courtesy of Brent T. Madison.]
With a couple of blasts on her whistle, the Orient Pandaw cast off from the port of Sibu and began her second voyage up the Rajang River, one of the world's last uncharted frontiers.
Dozens of locals had gathered at the docks in open awe of what appeared to be a majestic paddle steamer. Waving from the top deck, I imagined that I might look like Rudyard Kipling in the jungles of colonial India or Joseph Conrad setting out to explore Africa.
It was as if we had abandoned the 21st century and were back in the heyday of the British Empire. I surveyed the vast rainforest ahead, contemplating the mystique of Asia through pale European eyes.
We were shown to our cabins—neat, cozy staterooms finished in teak and brass. I donned my most dapper attire and went up to the sundeck to join the 34 other passengers enjoying cocktails.
Bryce and Fae, a lovely Australian couple in their 60s, tell me they are on their fifth cruise with this company. This time they've brought their daughter and 5-year-old grandson. Then there's Peter, an English gentleman who has been globetrotting as a travel writer since 1973. Most passengers are seasoned world travelers, but have great expectations for this trip "into the heart of Borneo." To read the rest of this story, please visit River Cruise Advisor.
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