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. 

Ramli Ibrahim - Love Re-envinted in New York

Accompanied with his dance troupe, performing 'Krishna, Love Re-Invented' through the vehicle of the 2,000-year-old Indian dance form called Odissi, Malaysian classical dance icon Datuk Ramli Ibrahim was given a rousing reception on Friday night at the prestigious Asia Society.

The Flushing performance was co-hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Association of New York, which is headed by Malaysian doctor Azimah Ehr, and the New York office of Tourism Malaysia, the Asia Society programme was partly supported by Rajika and Anupam Puri, with the major support coming from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Helen and Will Little, and the Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
Earlier on Tuesday, he was giving his first performance in New York’s Flushing district on Tuesday.

The event attracted not only large crowds of mainstream Americans but also American-Asians who included Indians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis, Indonesians, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Chinese and Japanese.
Ramli has been honoured with top awards in several countries because of his role in promoting goodwill and better understanding amongst different cultures through his dancing.

The Malaysian dancer, choreographer and teacher previously received a national award from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in 2011 for his outstanding contribution to promoting peace and understanding through his dancing.

His dance troupe has performed many times in the USA. He first performed in New York in 1981 with the Sydney Dance Company and discovered by the great dancer, the late Indrani Rehman.

He and his troupe would prepare for their forthcoming tour of India in the third week of this month and will be performing in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Baroda.

PORTUGESE SETTLEMENT, MELAKA

I remembered when I was in school and listening intently to the teacher while he explaining the history about Melaka, the invasion of Portugese, and later about the Portugese settlement in Melaka after British came into power.

So I was determined to visit the village during our recent trip to Melaka. After we check out from Riverside hotel, and with the permission of the Tourism officers who take care our trip, our guide took us to the popular Portugese settlement about 5km from the town.

( If you are coming from Dataran Pahlawan on Jalan Merdeka you can use Jalan Parameswara towards Ujong Pasir, then look for the sign on your right pointing to Portugese Settlement)

Our bus took less than 30 minutes to reach the village. It was Sunday noon, but the village look quiet. According to our guide, they probably out in the town, went to the sea or taking a nap..

The settlement is situated on the west of down town Melaka in the area known as Sungai Ujong, it was established by the British Residents in 1933.
More than 11 hectares of land next to the sea was turned into Portugese village and called as St.John village. Later it became  bastion for those with Portugese descendents to preserve their religion, languge, culture and tradition.

Today,  this village with more than 1000 Portugese Kristang descendants live here often called mini Lisbon. It comprises a few streets  decorated and with typical Portugese names such as D'Alberquerque, Sequera, Eredia, D'Aranjo and Texeir.


Once a year in June the Portugese Settlements will be filled with food, music and dance and attracts visitors and tourist due to the celebration of the feast of St John (festival Senjuang) on 24th June and the feast of Saint Pedro on the 29th June.

Food became the top attraction became the top attraction for most visitors. The Sea Terrance Portugese settlement is one of the famous location for seafood in Melaka and often crowded with customers coming from everywhere. Portugese style ikan bakar and sambal ladies fingers is among the popular dishes served.

There is also a museum shows a collection of items of the history of the Portuguese community in Malaysia. Its open to public from Tuesday to Sunday at 10am onwards.

MALAYSIA BEACHES WILL BE FEATURE IN THE FIRST AUTHORITATIVE BEACHES GUIDEBOOK

Malaysia is blessed with some of the best beaches and islands in South East Asia.

A total of 15 beaches from 10 states have been selected for the two-week long inspection trip by the renowned Australian conservationist Brad Farmer.

Together with his photographer and research assistant Jaka Adamic, they are visiting Malaysia since 14 to October 28 to inspect, evaluate and document the beautiful beaches in the nation for his new book, 101 Best Beaches.Com Asia.

The guidebook aims to provide comprehensive and unique experiences to beach enthusiasts all around the world.

The selected beaches in West Malaysia are Pantai Desaru in Johor; Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang in Terengganu; Pantai Cenang in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah; Pantai Teluk Kemang in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan; Pantai Juara in Pulau Tioman, Pahang; Pantai Batu Feringghi in Penang; and Pulau Pangkor in Perak. With its wonderfully diverse wildlife and culture, the country offers a tropical playground for travellers of all types that is unique and without equal.

As for East Malaysia, Tanjung Datu and Pantai Santubong in Sarawak; Tanjung Aru, Pulau Mantanani, Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Sibuan in Sabah; and Pantai United Nations in Labuan were selected for inspection.

Beaches in Malaysia are special due to the location; most of it sits right next to the jungle. It's one of a few places on earth where you can spend a day lounging on the sand and then go hiking in the jungle the next day.

The 101 Best Beaches.Com Asia is expected to be Asia’s version of the 101 Best Australian Beaches, the book will be the first authoritative guidebook of beaches in the world featuring and promoting Asian beaches which are defined as ranging from rivers, lakes, to resort-style beaches.

Wayang kulit

Road to Longhouse Batang Ai

   Kenangan bulan lepas ketika berada di #Sarawak masih segar bugar dalam ingatanku. Sebaik sahaja Rainforest Music World Festival berakhir, STB (Sarawak Tourism Board) telah pun mengaturkan post tour untuk kami yang seramai 12 orang.
Enam orang ditemani seorang wakil STB akan membuat perjalanan menyusuri Batang Ai ke perkampungan rumah panjang suku kaum Iban, manakala selebihnya akan bercanda bersama penyu-penyu di pulau Talang-Talang. Apa lagi! Aku pun meemilih rumah panjang lah.. tergiang giang di telingaku alunan music dari Sape.

Keesokkanya, walaupun masih keletihan, pagi pagi lagi kami seramai tujuh orang telah pun bersedia untuk perjalanan seterusnya. Selesai bersarapan di Damai resort dan mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada kenalan kenalan baru disana, lebih kurang pukul 10 pagi kami pun bertolak meneruskan adventure yang seterusnya....



Perjalanan mengambil masa lebih kurang dua jam sebelum sampai ke daerah Serian. Disana kami berhenti untuk minum menghilangkan dahaga selepas singgah di pasar berdekatan untuk mengambil gambar.

sempat aku menjengguk seorang peniaga yang sedang tekun menganyam bakul

Pelbagai barang makanan ada dijual disini termasuk berjenis kuih muih tempatan

kami kemudian meneruskan perjalanan semula dan singgah di ladang lada hitam.



Terdapat juga tanaman lain seperti koko dan limau.

Selesai menjelajah kebun lada hitam, perjalanan di teruskan selama lebih kurang sejam lagi sebelum berhenti untuk makan tengahari. Kebetulan, perut kami sudah mula berbunyi. Cuaca yang agak terik juga membuat kami semakin keletihan.  

 Setelah makan tengahari, kami meneruskan perjalanan selama hampir dua jam, sebelum tiba di jeti kecil untuk menaiki bot kecil ke kawasan Batang Ai.

 Perjalanan menaiki bot selama 40 minit itu, menghidangkan kami suatu pemandangan indah dan begitu damai sekali. Di sepanjang pesisir tasik terlihat beberapa buah rumah panjang milik orang asli Bidayu.

 Akhirnya, setelah hampir pukul 5 petang kami tiba di kawasan rumah panjang orang asli Iban. Kami disambut mesra, oleh keluarga Iban seramai 37 buah keluarga... ramainya

Setelah berehat menghilangkan penat, kami menjamu perut yang kelaparan dengan makan malam yang disediakan sendiri oleh Pak guide.

Kepenatan dan cuaca yang terik membuat aku terus tersungkur duduk di tepi jar

 Kemudian, kami di persembahkan dengan tarian traditional sebagai menyambut kedatangan kami.

 Beberapa ahli keluarga yang ada, memainkan peralatan traditional sambil diiringi tarian Iban

 Suku kaum yang dahulunya terkenal dengan keberanian dan dikaitkan dengan "memenggal kepala lawan" ini, sebenarnya agak pemalu dan sentiasa tersenyum mesra. Sempat saya menyuruh mereka untuk membuat pose "peace" hehehehe

 Selepas itu, saya mewakili rombongan, menyampaikan buah tangan yang kami beli bersama.. amboi, Tok ketua ni dah biasa bergambar rupanya..

Selepas berbual bual, seawal pukul 10 malam, kami yang keletihan masing masing masuk kelambu untuk tidur, pagi pagi lagi kami dikejutkan oleh bunyi kokokan ayam yang banyak berkeliaran di luar rumah.

 Dua orang kanak kanak Iban, duduk memerhatikan kami

 Keesokkannya, selepas bersarapan, kami bersiap sedia untuk meninggalkan rumah panjang meneruskan adventure yang seterusnya. Sebelum mengucapkan selamat tinggal, kami bergambar dengan ketua rumah dan keluarganya.

 Seperti biasa, posing is a must! hehehehe

Sempat kami mencuba senjata berburu, tak disangka, tiupan aku mengena tepat ditengah tengah , diorang ni tak puas hati.. nak cuba lagi hehehehe

Pemandangan rumah panjang dari bahagian tepi..