Bario a place where eight people from four different countries bonded

Like a dream came true, the Asian Music Festival on last October in Miri has became a gateway to our visit to Bario. The little adventure has brought eight people from four different countries closer. It has also bonded us with the people in Bario.

After the AFM ended, the next day we were transported to Miri airport to catch the flight to our next destination. While we check in, we bumped into the musicians who performed at AFM, we exchanged smile and took several pictures before we went separate ways.  

Taking the MAS Twin Otter plane, our journey takes only 30 minutes. Sitting in such a small aircraft, nervous crawled into my vein but it quickly turns into an excitement the moment my eyes stares out of the window. 

The thickness of rainforest and the terrain serves my eyes with amazing view, according to our source, traveling to Bario through the land would definitely take more than 14 hours throughout the logging route.

Situated on the northest of Sarawak next to Indonesia Kalimantan, Bario at 3280 feet above thesea level also known as Bario Kelabit is a little green village populated by Kelabit etnic. 

We landed at a small old Airport safely, and as soon as we got off the plane balmy weather greeted our faces. Scot the owner of our homestay is patiently waiting for us. After a brief stop for coffee at the stall next to the airfield, we jumped into his four-wheel drive and headed to Ngimah Ayu homestay. 

There are plenty of Guest Houses or HomeStay with a wide range of prices. But with only 5 rooms, Ngimah Ayu provides a very comfortable and privacy surrounding either for a family or for a small group.In addition, there are 2 house keepers including owners who are ready to help us.

The shuttle charges from the airport to any guest houses normally around RM20 to RM30. There are also available attractive packages for a few nights with meals and the tour with the guide with minimum 6 people.

Approaching our homestay, we were awed by the beauty of the surrounding, like a living painting with fresh air filled our lungs.

After throwing our bags in the rooms, we marched straight to the kitchen as our tummy started to rumbling. We saw the helper’s busy preparing food, a warm smile curved on her face.

We lined up the plates full of venison and other local dishes on the table and enjoyed our lunch.

Donny who works for Indonesia radio station is full of humors and he kept making us laughing at his joke on the venison. Our laughter filled the air while we continued to enjoying our lunch.

After lunch, drizzling begins to fall but it didn't stop us from taking our little walk to explore the village. Scot took us to visit the Bario longhouse, walk up to Penan settlement, mingling around the village and greeted by the villagers. With only less than 5000 people, most of them involves in farming and hunting.  

Heading back to our homestay, we stop by at the nearby shop and bought the chicken for our dinner. Oil, our friend from Thai volunteered to cook the famous Thai soup. 

After dinner, hiding in our thick clothes from the cold night we gathered at the veranda facing the beautiful paddy field and shares funny stories as well as our best moments during traveling accompanied with laughter all night long.

The best part there was no distraction, no tv, not much telephone line and the home is all ours.

The next day after breakfast, Scot took us to our guide and like a kids in a candy store we reluctantly to sit in front but instead jumped behind the four-wheels. I spotted Scot smiling looking at us scrambled.

Arriving at the entrance which leading to the rock salt source, we walk leisurely for 45 minutes and reached at the hut where they process the salt. The guide explained to us the useful of the salt, after we bought a few packets, we then continue our walk inhaling the coolly air, passing by the wild mangoesteen, bumped into partridge until we reach at the large grassy field before crossing the bridge towards our next long house. The walk has unleashed the kids that trapped inside our adult body until we didn't realize that its almost 2pm.

We reach at the longhouse after more than an hour . We mingling around the house for a moment and then sat in a circle before we were serves with local the dishes for lunch.

Heading back to our homestay, we drop by to see the only two big boulders tucked behind of the village area. According to our guide the boulder carved a story about a headhunter.

Walking back to our way to, we saw an old lady working assiduously on her paddy field. Smiling at us probably We took pictures and wave at her.

Back at homestay, we were struggling with the cold shower. We can hear each other scream every time we enter the shower. I wander and laugh how they can stand the shower without heater, until it was my turn to scream.

Still shivering from the icy shower, we proceed to another longhouse for our dinner. Arrived at the longhouse we lined up and greeted by the Kelabit ladies completes in their traditional outfits and warm smile. They handed us the pineapple juice as a welcome gesture and later serves us with variety local dishes.

There were also other guests around, after a little while, they handed us the dress and invited us to join the dance. Our last night was filled with laughter and joy accompanied with traditional music and the dance captivated us.

We went back to our homestay before the midnight and reluctantly to call off the night. We sat at the veranda and joined by the Sarawak Tourism Officer and scot, sharing our thoughts and imaginations before we finally excused our self to bed.

The reality kick in the next day when we wake up  and had to get ready to go back to Miri, we exchanged contacts and promised to keep in touch and plans to travel together.