Appreciating nature’s blessings
IN a country abundantly blessed by nature, many of us have not taken the time to truly appreciate the gems right in our own backyard.
Rossalynn Ismail from the Sarawak Tourism Board shares her experience on a work trip that landed her at the main gateway into Kampung Peraya, Padawan – about a 30-minute drive from Kuching City.
“Kampung Peraya is home to villagers of the Bidayuh ethnicity, also known as Land Dayaks, that make up almost 10% of Sarawak’s population. The Bidayuhs are also the second biggest ethnic group in Sarawak after the Ibans.
Upon arrival at the Peraya Homestay at noon, its owner and also our guide Valentine Ritong welcomed us with a warm smile and proceeded to usher us to our ‘home’ for the night. Here comes the tricky part – you need to cross the Sirin River on a bamboo bridge to reach Valentine’s 10-room longhouse, which, surrounded by luscious greenery, gives visitors a glimpse of how the Bidayuhs of the past lived their lives.
The circular rattan craftsmanship on the longhouse ceiling is somewhat like a visual metaphor for the Bidayuh tenacity. From an interior design perspective, the circular shapes of the rattan help create balance and harmony with the contrasting geometric lines of the longhouse. What is even more spectacular, according to Valentine, they were all made by hand.
After settling in, we were served with delectable vegetable and chicken dishes for lunch before heading out to start the jungle trekking adventure to Muan Tabi waterfall. Jungle trekking at Kampung Peraya is quite challenging for novice hikers. The trail’s unpredictable landscape takes you on a roller-coaster-like hiking experience.
Our journey took a little detour as Valentine brought us to a shed that housed a number of human skulls – their ‘enemies of the past’. Named as Panggah Jengga (Panggah House), it is a sacred site for the entire village.
The headhunting ritual in Sarawak came to a stop when Sir James Brooke, the first White Rajah, put a ban on the practice in the 1800s.
For a non-hiker like me, the trekking indeed, pushed my physical limits. However, the sight of the secluded Muan Tabi waterfall was stunning – a glorious reward after an arduous trek.
It was gruelling for me, but looking back and thinking of the beautiful surroundings and breathtaking wonders of nature, all the weariness and fatigue disappeared. Nature is the best healer they say, and after the trek, I concur wholeheartedly.
My next experience was bamboo rafting along Sirin River – I was utterly nervous before but was assured by our tour guide Melintan Ina that it would be an unforgettable experience – and he was right.
When we arrived at the starting point, we were welcomed by the scenic beauty of the shallow yet incredibly calm river. The line of bamboo trees with branches full of leaves along the riverbank created a majestic canopy, shielding us from the glaring sun.
For the majority of the journey, the river is so serene and rafting so smooth that you feel completely relaxed. With the soothing sounds of water hitting the rocks, added with the lush green surroundings, I let myself be totally immersed in the therapeutic ambience.
Due to the shallow waters, at certain points the raft gets stuck on big rocks so we had to get down from the raft and our paddlers pushed it on its rightful course again.
I watched all of this action closely and a thought crossed my mind – the entire bamboo rafting ride, ironically, is a reflection of life itself. Mostly we enjoy the good times, and when the going gets tough, we strive our very best to overcome the challenges that come our way.
As noon approached, of course lunch was on our minds. As part of the authentic Bidayuh village experience, Valentine and his team had a wonderful surprise for us. Without us realising, they had caught two fish and throughout the journey, had made several stops to gather bamboo shoots, daun ipis (leaves for cooking and eating), lemongrass, tepus (local wild ginger), tapioca leaves and many other fresh ingredients to be used for cooking.
We were served an array of hot, succulent, delicately flavoured dishes, served in the Bidayuh traditional ‘tipakuoh’ (serving bowls made from sturdy sago fronds) on one of the bamboo rafts. The food was a sight to behold, and was matched by its immaculate taste. What is more important to note is that not a single drop of oil was used in the cooking. Enjoying the freshest and healthiest food while sitting on a bamboo raft surrounded by the lush beauty of Sarawak’s nature is truly something you must experience.
After lunch we proceeded to make our way back to Peraya Homestay. Knowing the voyage was about to end, we were more attuned to our surroundings, focusing more on the wonders of nature engulfing us.
Finally, we arrived at our homestay, marking the end of our bamboo rafting experience, and also our stay at Kampung Peraya. This journey has indeed taught me that happiness and joy is not always in malls or other urban dwellings, but may come in abundance when you become one with nature. Thanks to Valentine, his team and Melintan, we have learned to appreciate that the simplest things can be the key to the richest of experiences. So, for those seeking a moment of tranquillity and healing, I highly recommend Kampung Peraya as your destination of choice.”
Find out more about Kampung Peraya and the gems Sarawak has to offer in the advertisement in this StarSpecial and check out Sarawak Tourism Board’s booths this upcoming MATTA Fair.