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.

THE Blue Ocean Strategy Tourism Seminar

THE Blue Ocean Strategy Tourism Seminar hosted by the UCSI Blue Ocean Strategy Regional Centre in Kuala Lumpur recently, received positive response from the participants who were mainly tourism industry players.

Amongst the representatives was from Pemandu, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Malaysia, MyCEB, State tourism agencies and transportation industry, hoteliers as well as industry support groups from theme parks, shopping, food, entertainment and travel and tour operators. It was also attended by hospitality students of UCSI.

The seminar aims at creating a paradigm shift in the mindsets of tourism specialists and practitioners, by sharing their insights, experiences and aspirations in the travel and tourism industry.
It also shared how businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry could explore new markets, rendering competition irrelevant by reducing costs and increasing the value for customers.

It’s a golden opportunity and a platform for the participants to share and learn how to enhance the hospitality industry as well as develop the tourism industry.

The seminar also challenged companies to create uncontested market space that will make the competition irrelevant.

Keeping the Ramadhan Traditional "Bubur Lambuk"

Ramadan often called as a Bulan Puasa in Malay is an important event in the Muslim calendar; it’s a month where muslims experiences to walk a mile in the shoes of the poor and teaches humility, gratitude and goodwill towards one’s fellow man. 

     Experiencing Ramadhan in Malaysia can be an interesting and rewarding cultural experience.One of the Malaysian tradition every Ramadan is the making and distribution of delicacy popular known as ‘bubur lambuk’.Throughout Ramadan, this creamy rice porridge made of meat pieces, coconut milk, herbs and other flavourful condiments often prepared and distributed free to the public during the fasting month at mosques or other places, and also sold at Ramadan bazaars including major restaurants throughout Malaysia.


United the Malaysian multiracial
Everyday throughout Ramadan, as early as 10.00am volunteers at Surau Al-Jabbar in Setapak Jaya would prepare "bubur lambuk" and distribute it to the neighbourhood. The free distribution of bubur lambuk in the area has been a tradition since the establishment of the surau, 12 years ago. The recipe follows the Kampung Baru bubur lambuk recipe, which has been very popular among dwellers of the nation's capital city but there is something special in the making of the bubur lambuk of Surau Al-Jabbar.

The traders nearby are mainly vehicle workshop operators and hardware store owners from different races and backgrounds living in harmony even and often sit down together to eat and joke, but everyone is always respectful and understanding of the other's religious and cultural requirement and all come in one volunteering to help the making of bubur Lambuk.

Ganesan an Indian man who runs a business selling used items is one of the contributors for making the bubur lambuk at Surau Al-Jabbar. It has become almost like a ritual for him to contribute rice to the surau, several days prior to the fasting month.He would send no less than 20 bags of rice every year, since he started his business in the area eight years ago.

A tyre shop owner who calls himself Addy, as well as several other Chinese traders, also contributed andhelp them buy the ingredients needed to make the bubur lambuk. He was inspired by the friendliness and sense of community of the residents there. Over half of his customers were also Muslims. 

Everyday, the distribution of bubur lambuk packets would usually begin after Asar prayers, with around 350 packets distributed to neighbourhood residents and passers-by.The packets would all have been distributed in less than an hour.

Adrenalin rush - 4x4 treking at Sungai Lembing

I have been searching for the perfect adventure vehicle for years, and finally found the right one a few weeks ago. The 3 days experience with more than 60 four wheels of various type starts when I joined a huge group of four wheels lovers for the treks adventure, camping and rainbow waterfall.
 

The groups who largely coming from various states in Malaysia started the journey on early Friday gathered and re-group at Maran before rolling to Kuantan joined at Sungai Lembing.Several 4wd including us came later in the noon. 
Later, four of us bouncing inside Cherokee, in front of us, 3 group of 4wd came down from Singapore to join the weekend. It was a bone rattling ride starts from the remote township of Sungai Lembing trekking up to camp side.   

We crossed the bridge swaying and bumping over the tracks made by the earlier travels. Reaching at the red muddy trail, two of the 4wd stalled and had to be pulled several times. We were bounding and bouncing through the dusty road and crossing streams headed for alarmingly steep route until we reach the camp site at almost mid night. Rubbing my head when it banged the inner side of Cherokee, my mind traveling far thinking "roads like this definitely giving me valid reason for wanting to have a 4wd again". They’re completely silly in cities or even driving down the freeway, but get back here in one, I’ll have some serious fun.” 

Moving farther with only limited light source, appeared in my view clearly the deep rain forest, dark and silence. A few hours 4x4 adventure ride on the Cherokee provides a thrilling ride and especially if the driver is motivated by screams from the passengers. Eventually, when we reached at the camp site, we were like dough run in the mixer. We arrived sleepy and quickly look for spot to set our camp. The rest who arrived earlier scattered with their 4wd and tents side by side.

The next day after breakfast we trek towards the famous Rainbow waterfall (Pelangi). From the camp site we cross another stream and hike up for 45 minutes. This has been the highlight of our whole three days trip of Sungai Lembing. The views we saw just could not have been seen in any other way. The more I reflect on our trip the more I realize how special and unique that area. The views and beauty are so magnificent… the experience was all truly worthwhile.