Yesterday in Simunjan

Sarawak, known as Bumi Kenyalang (Land of the Hornbills) is one of the two Malaysian states on the Island of Borneo, Kuching is the state administrative capital which has population of 700,000 and Miri is the second largest city in Sarawak wich has population of 350,000. 

Sarawak is unique, a melting pot to almost 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, cultures and lifestyle. Generally, Sarawak has seven major ethnic groups namely Iban, Chinese, Malay, Melanau, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and "others". Several more minor ethnics which do not belong to any of these seven major ethnic groups are Kedayan, Javanese, Bugis, Murut and Indian.. Unlike Indonesia, the term Dayak is not officially used to address Sarawakian's native ethnicity.

It took about one and half hour flight from KLIA to Kuching International Airport, the heart of Sarawak. I should say the most boring two hours, no view, only sea through out the route. One night in Kuching, well I would suggest Waterfront is the best place to lepak, Surprisingly beer is cheaper here! Don't worry about where to stay in Kuching, they have variety choices of hotel from budget inn to grand Hilton.

DAY 1

We routed to Sri Aman by car. Sri Aman is also called Bandar Sri Aman, and was formerly known as Simanggang. Sri Aman means "town of peace" in the Malay Language. Located on the Lupar River, it is 193 kilometers, a three-hour drive, from Kuching. Sri Aman is famous with benak, or tidal bores, of the Batang Lupar River. It's like a midnight party, people hangout by the river to watch this phenomenon. 

DAY 2

We routed to Betong, another 3 hours drive deep down the state. Betong division is located between three main rivers, Batang Lupar, Batang Saribas and Batang Kelaka, covering an area of 4,180 km2. We spend one night here.

DAY 3

From Betong we headed to Simunjan, and here was the reason why we visited Sarawak. It's for Gawai Dayak, the closure day. Simunjan is a small district and town in the Simunjan division, located between Serian and Sri Aman. It borders Sebuyau and Samatahan and lies approximately 51.4 kilometres (32 mi) east-south-east of the state capital Kuching. Most of its inhabitants are made up of the Malay and the Iban people.

We stayed at long house in Kg Keniung, Our friend, Steele Coalson is staying here, The best thing about Iban People, they are happy-go-lucky and warming their guest with full hospitality. My advised, DO NOT DRINK LANGKAU TOO MUCH if you don't familiar with it because you'll end up getting wasted and you'll gain your memories back the next morning when you see pictures of you were dancing poco-poco with long house aunties. Steele also remind me not to mix langkau with tuak. Well I did both.

DAY 4

Back to Kuching and we have to greet sayonara to Sarawak. There are interesting places to be visited in Sarawak, but masa tidak mnegizinkan. Gayu guru gerai Nyamai,