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 The herbal chicken Its been a while since we been kayaking anywhere. So, with plans made as early as two months before, we headed to Sungai Perak for a kayaking adventure.On the way there, we decided to stop and try the famous Kampar ‘Chicken in Bread’ at a restaurant called Yau Kee. How did we know which restaurant to go to? We don’t, the GPS did! Continue reading Yau Kee chicken in bread at Kampar-Sungai Perak kayaking trip part I  Spot the trap marker Every wondered how jungle traps, when set are marked to warn others? There are a few Orang Asal villages I have visited that still uses traps as means to hunt game. While some traps like snares are less harmful to human beings, there are other traps that inflicts some serious injuries. In order to mark and warn others about the trap, some of the Semais in Perak fashions a ‘pointy marker’ to do the job.  Hand woven attap made of palm fronds There are some really beautiful and almost undiscovered Orang Asal homes in Perak. Good friend Jan invited me for an exploration trip to a region around near Ipoh to look for a waterfall. I skipped work and went with Jan. It was all worth it. Not only did Jan found his waterfall, but I too was equally amazed with the beauty of the people and the jungle there.  The rice field after harvest We had the good fortune of visiting a working Semelai (hill) rice field. Though all the rice stalks have been harvested, some burnt…there were still many things to see and learn here. Even the hut that is poised on the fringe of the rice field was interesting enough. It is authentic and divinely bushcraft. Continue reading A visit to Semelai rice field; (Final) of a kenduri trip  One of the Semelai women cooking up a dish for the kenduri This is my first ever rice harvest feast (kenduri) experience. Good friend Pak Abu told me about an invitation by a Semelai we mutually know to attend his kenduri to celebrate the good harvest of his hill rice. Besides good makan, we also had the good fortune of seeing and learning new things this time around. Continue reading Rice harvest feast with the Semelais; Part I Here is a video I have compiled on the wood packs hand made used by the Bidayuhs in Semban near Kuching. This pack consists of common materials, wood, rattan, nails, cordage and sometimes tree bark as straps. What’s more amazing is that the locals carry loads of up to 30kgs at times up the hill to the village. One guy we saw was walking up to the village with two crates (each with 24 cans) of can drinks PLUS some other house essentials. Amazing! I wished I had more time to stay in Semban and see the entire process of how the Bidayuh’s plant and process their hill rice. Rice, being the staple for generations has been planted and processed entirely at the village. With the introduction of machinery, work on rice processing has gotten a bit easier.  A coil of copper ring belonging to Sagen’s late grandmother- pic by Meun I didn’t know that Bidayuh women wore copper rings on their arms and legs as a sign or beauty and status until I saw it for myself in Semban. Our guide Danny did mention it but I never thought much of the rings back then. Now that I have seen them myself, I have to agree that they are most beautiful and in its own way very majestic. The sad thing is that there are only 5 of the women left who are still wearing the rings. Continue reading Bidayuh women in Semban still wearing copper rings! ; Part IX  Wake up at 5am to hike up a steep hill just to see the sun rise is not my usual cup The 5am hike to see watch the sun rise is a must says Danny Voon, our guide to Semban. Having arrived the previous day, we were still recovering from the sore body but the lure of watching the sun pierce through the distance horizon above the clouds gave us enough motivation to do it and it was all worth the effort. Continue reading Sunrise and morning walk around Semban village; Part VII  Never felt more at home in a stranger’s house The hospitality of the Bidayuhs in Semban is overwhelming. They shared with us the bountiful produce of their land, made sure we saw & experience all the things we wanted to and even had the doors of their home open for us to spend the nights. We totally enjoyed our visit to their village. It was also our first encounter with the Bidayuh’s traditional bamboo smoke pipe, Tepui and fermented pork called Kersam (or Kersem) |
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