Sibu-Kapit-Sibu

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Hi Im back with an update so far... we've been on a mini adventure to a Longhouse.

31/03/07 - From Kuching we caught a boat to Sibu (5 hours!) and then one straight away to Kapit (3 hours!) This was after our night out drinking Champagne in Kuching so our heads were in pieces! We had read that it was good to visit a Longhouse as far away from Kuching City as possible for a "authentic" experience. We also read to speak to a guy called Joshua who was backpacker friendly and unlikely to rip you off....

01/04/07 - So we finally track Joshua down and find out he's pretty pricey as we'd been offered cheaper elsewhere. We manage to haggle and knock him down, so we're all set to leave at 3pm. When we arrive at Longhouse everyone is very friendly, not many speak English, actually only one boy speaks English, the rest we exchange lots of smiles with. We are introduce to the Chief of the Longhouse and have a little tour. 23 families live in the one longhouse, each with their own section. Joshua leaves and we have dinner - fish cooked in Bamboo, steamed rice, pumpkin stuff and some green stuff that tastes like grass - basic which was to be expected. On top of paying for the visit/stay, it is customary to bring a gift - which Joshua organised - a bucket, biscuits, cigarettes. Anyway check out photos as I could go on forever explaining what the place was like...oh yes - have to tell you that we watched Shrek 2 in the Chiefs front room - this spoilt the effect a little. You cant stop progress hey!

02/04/07 - Wake up (in Longhouse) go to get Merrells (sandals) and discover that both mine and J's sandals have been chewed by the dogs - great! This really wound me up as they were brand new and its only the start of my trip. Over it now!
There are no showers so we went for swim/wash in river like the Longhouse people do. The river is a massive resource and one of the main reasons why they settle where they do.
Whe Joshua returned to pick us up he had 4 English girls in tow. This definately spoilt it for us..
Back on the Boat to Sibu, we head for our hostel only to find its been demolished. Stood around scratching our heads (as I had just spoken to someone to book room) a Chinese lady asks me if I need help. She then proceeds to speak to Hostel and finds out its been moved, she then takes us in her car and drops us at the hostel and then offers to drop us at the bus station in the morning at 7am! Unbelievable kindness and generosity indeed!

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Photos

Outside Longhouse
This is the "balcony", this area is used a lot for drying rice, and other produce that the Longhouse people then take to market/sell

Jamie Playing Cards
The kids at the Longhouse were great, very happy and friendly and wanted us to join in with their games from playing cards to timed sprints (I beat J's time!)

Inside Longhouse
These is the communal area in the Longhouse, where women weave, kids play, dogs sleep...

Human Skulls
These are skulls of the enemy, hung in the Longhouse as trophies I guess. Under the skulls there is a carved little chair so the spirits of the enemy would be at peace

Inside decor
This is taken inside one of the families houses and shows a lot of the old drums, it was like a museum

Going down to the River
The river is vital to the Longhouse people, they wash everything in there!

Comments

[Maria Forte]

Nice One Soph!
Just been looking at your blog - spectacular - and makes me wish i'd done all this in my er....youth! Looks great - Asia is fave of mine. Will be checking in with you regularly - all good my end - pretty much - Have fun -Nips xx