We are heading into the interior of Sarawak, to a place called Julan. It involves hours of 4WD driving adventure on bumpy and dusty (active) logging roads. Our guides estimated that it would take us roughly 6 hours to get there with a few makan and toilet stops along the way. Not everyone chose to travel by land. Some were wise enough to fly to a small flying strip near Long San and then do the remaining hour plus 4WD into camp at Julan bridge.
We started early that morning. The quiet street behind Minda guesthouse was buzzing with activity as people went around loading the 4WD with their personal equipments as well as group supplies. Of course, there’s that usual last minute ‘oh…I forgot my this and that’ etc. Most of the 4WD used are Toyota Hiluxes. With some final adjustments on seating arrangements, Willie gave the signal to all the drivers to start their engines and go!
Most of the 4WDs used are Toyota Hilux, the oild 2.8 series
Willie, our Miri main guide for the entire trip
The ride on the logging road was very bumpy and uncomfortable. The 4WDs really took a beating but the drivers (who are also the vehicle owners) seem unfazed. Our driver had really good sound system in his Hilux and we listen to songs from almost every genre there is. Evergreen, rock, pop, country to traditional Sape, you name it. There were four of us (excluding the driver) in the car and we agreed before the journey that we will swap seats every two hours to allow everyone to flex their muscles. After having me on the rear seat for 2 hours, Desmond, Haris and Lawrence decided that perhaps I should just sit at the front passenger seat. They can use the ‘extra’ space behind. Okay, I get the hint.
Anyway, the logging road was…bumpy, muddy, dusty with occasional roller coaster ride experience. ALL the way! Them logging trucks are huge and extremely scary. The ‘head’ of the trucks are fitted with steel metal cages to break falling logs and perhaps also to protect the driver just in case the truck rolls off the many steep cliffs where the roads snakes through.
MadMax in the jungles of Sarawak
Then there are the hand painted arrow signs on the side of the roads. The signs are often obscure and they don’t mean what they say! It is absolutely confusing and it almost gave me a heart attack as the vehicle swayed from one side of the road to the other. I don’t know why they do it that way but I trust that it is a system that works.
We stopped for lunch at the Sky View café, almost halfway thru our 4WD trip. In the middle of no where this café provides ‘relief’ to travelers and workers alike. From simple (& expensive) meals, toilets and beers. This place has it all.
This cafe located along the logging trail is a life saver!
To be continued
Read Part I & Part II
Continue reading other parts of this adventure below:
- First time in Miri Town, Sarawak
- Wild durian & Kolok mee at Miri.
- 5 hours on a 4WD into interior off Miri.
- Unique local houses in Sarawak interior.
- Smoked wild boar…nice!
- Loooong hike to look for an elusive waterfall.
- Sarawak river boats and a raging river.
- Jungle vines and rattan used in the jungles of Sarawak.
- Umbut or heart of palm tasting, first experience.
- Harvesting of the umbut by the Penan.
- Malat & Penat; the Penan’s blades.
- Kitchen in a traditional house.
- Video on jungle kitchen & feather stick making.
Click here to read about another rainforest adventure in Semban, Sarawak.