Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
Kurakura Homestay $$
( 012-892 0051;
www.kurakura.asia
; per person incl meals RM160)
Run by
Norwegian-born Lars and his Bidayuh wife Liza, this super-friendly, sustainable jungle
homestay occupies a wooden house built in 2008 on land that once belonged to her grand-
father. Activities include kayaking and trekking (RM165 for an all-day outing). Situated
20 minutes to 40 minutes by boat from the village of Kampung Semadang. Rates include
transport to and from Kuching or the Kuching Airport.
HOMESTAY
Annah Rais Longhouse
Although this Bidayuh longhouse has been on the tourist circuit for decades, it's still an
excellent place to get a sense of what a longhouse is and what longhouse life is like.
The 500 residents of
Annah Rais
(adult/student RM8/4)
are as keen as the rest of us to
enjoy the comforts of modern life - they do love their mobile phones and 3G internet ac-
cess - but they've made a conscious decision to preserve their traditional architecture and
the social interaction it engenders. They've also decided that welcoming modern tourists
is a good way to earn a living without moving to the city, something most young people
end up doing.
Sights & Activities
Longhouse Veranda
Once you pay your entry fee (in an eight-sided wooden pavilion next to the parking lot),
you're free to explore Annah Rais' three longhouses (Kupo Saba, Kupo Terekan and,
across the river, Kupo Sijo) with a guide or on your own.
The most important feature of a Bidayuh longhouse is the
awah
, a long, covered com-
mon verandah - with a springy bamboo floor - that's used for economic activities, social-
ising and celebrations. Along one side, a long row of doors - Annah Rais has a total of 97
- leads to each family's private
bilik
(apartment). Paralleling the
awah
, opposite the long
row of doors, is the
tanju
, an open-air verandah.
NOTABLE BUILDING
