Belanum ‘The Floating House’, Bakun, Bintulu

The highlight of this trip is the Belanum or locally known as Jelatong – the floating house.  What makes it more interesting is because this Belanum is floating on Bakun reservoir – the world’s second tallest concrete rock - filled dam size 695sqKM, about the size of Singapore. So far there’s only one Belanum that caters for visitors which belong to Mr Luhat.  This Belanum has 4 rooms that can accommodate from 1 to 4pax per room.

It offers great picnic spot and waterfall.

This Belanum can carry about 20 people at one time. Equip with 2 bathrooms, 2 toilets, a dining hall and a kitchen; which makes it another perfect gateway for those who want a peaceful holiday gate-away, especially Anglers.  Consider ‘heaven’  to the enthusiastic Anglers.  Here they may find indigenous species of fish like Ikan Baong (catfish) and if you’re lucky you might fish Semah (one of the most expensive & high demand fish in Sarawak). For non-anglers, you can enjoy a peaceful day by going for a swim or picnic at the nearest river. Jungle trekking or bird watching while cruise at the reservoir is some of the activity that you may enjoy as well.

Bakun Jetty

 
Getting There:
From Bintulu town to Bakun jetty 206 KM (Bakun Dam) will takes approximately 4 hours drive and another 30 to 40 minutes by boat from Bakun jetty to Belanum floating house .It takes about 3 hours to Uma Belor longhouse, 140 KM (from Bintulu town).

Bakun Lake


Cost :
1)     Package A (1-5 person for 2D1N)  - transport (boat), accommodation, meals and activities = RM1602.00 (Exclusive meal will cost RM1402.00)
2)     Package B (1-10 person for 2D1N  -  transport (boat), accommodation, meals and activities = RM1870.00 (Exclusive meal will cost RM1670.00)

Contact Person :
Mr Luhat Tugau - 017-8535394
Mr Ding Ajang (Maren Umar) - 012-8044615


Sarawak... Where Adventure Lives

Author: Visitor Infor Centre Sibu

Our People - Orang Ulu

The northern region of Sarawak is home to the 'Orang Ulu' tribe; a collective name to represent the various ethnic sub-groups. They include the Kelabits, the Lun Bawans, the Berawans and the shy and semi-nomadic Penans. In the region above Kapit and the Pelagus Rapids, the Orang Ulu people literally known as "upriver people", consists of the Kayans, Kenyahs, Kajangs, Lahanans and the Punans. The Kayan sub-group forms the largest among them.

Bottom left: Kayan lady with arm tattoo. Bottom right: Lun Bawang bamboo band

The majority of the Kelabit tribe are found in the Kelabit Highlands.  The highland is a series of beautiful mountain valleys lying slightly over 1,000m above sea level and flanked by jungle-covered peaks rising to more than 2,400m. The climate is probably the most pleasant in Sarawak, although it can become quite chilly in the evenings. The Kelabits and the neighbouring and closely-related Lun Bawangs produce the fragrant and much sought-after Bario (Adnan) rice. Both groups are branches of the Orang Ulu, and live in a combination of longhouses and individual units that are widely dispersed throughout the area. They are friendly, hospitable people and enjoy receiving visitors.

Bario - the Kelabit Highlands

Bakelalan (formerly Ba’ Kelalan) is a remote settlement, home of the Lun Bawang ethnic group. The village is famous for its apples and organic vegetables, and their musical 'bamboo band'. The village is connected to Lawas and Miri by air, and it is also possible to travel there via a combination of existing and old logging roads. There is a hot spring with resort accommodation at Merarap, about 68 km from Lawas town where a pleasant beach, 7-km away at Punang can be found.

Bakelalan - home of the Lun Bawang

The Batang (river) Baram, Malaysia’s (and Sarawak’s) second longest river, drains much of the northern region, and also is home to many of the Orang Ulu sub-groups. Much of the Baram region is inaccessible, but there are some fascinating attractions in the region. There is the famous Gunung Mulu National Park and the lesser-known Loagan Bunut National Park known for its disappearing lake. Other places of interest to visitors include the small riverside town of Marudi, the bustling Kenyah community at Long San and the delightful Kayan longhouse community of Long Bedian; the amazing Tenyok Rimba waterfall is nearby.

Some Kayans in the Sungai Asap Resettlement programme, Belaga (3-hour drive from Bintulu) are involved in homestay programme. They also organise game fishing trips in the Bakun lake; an area the size of Singapore.

Gunung Mulu National Park - A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE

Like the Ibans, the Orang Ulu are also former head-hunters but they live in even more imposing longhouses than the former. Also, their arts and crafts are very different. The Orang Ulu especially the Kayans and Kenyahs are known for their woodcarving, beadwork, spectacular 'keliring' or totem poles and the music of the hauntingly beautiful lute instrument - the 'sape'. Tattooing and body ornamentation are prominent; older ladies can be recognised by the brass rings hanging from their extended earlobes and from the dense dark tattoos on their arms and legs, a practice that is disappearing from the younger generation.

Top right: Kelabit lady stringing beads

Sarawak... Where Adventure Lives

Author: Erivina 

What is BUAH DABAI?

Dabai is one of many exotic fruits in Sarawak.

It is commonly known as or-kana - means 'black olive' in Hokkien, but technically it is not an olive.

The dabai tree can grow up to 21 meters high and it's furry leaves are thin and its twigs are covered with golden down. A planting distance of 9 meters is recommended. You need to prune the young trees to produce more bushy growth.

Dabai trees are dioecious (i.e have separate sexes) with male and female trees required for fruiting!  Dabai are white in colour when immature and turn black when ripe. They are oblong in shape like an olive and have thin, edible skin. The yellowish white flesh wraps around a three-angled seed.  Soak the dabai in hot water until they are soft. The yellowish flesh tastes creamy. Eating the skin is a personal preference. For taste, try either soy sauce or salt. You can also preserve it just by soaking them with black soy sauce or with coarse salt (without the seed). Dabai fried rice is a specialty dish in Sarawak. However this is a seasonal fruit.

The second best thing that comes out from a fruit is the nut inside the seed. Crack it open with a mortar and pestle set; the good old-fashion way. Use a toothpick to remove the nut if necessary.

Enjoy...

 

Sarawak, where adventure lives...

Author: Deckson Bundak