Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
45 minutes after it was switched on in 1999 (it had been designed to operate on a much
larger river).
MEMORIAL
Tom Harrisson Monument
Shaped like a sapé (a traditional stringed instrument), this stainless-steel monument, ded-
icated in 2010, commemorates the March 1945 parachute drop into Bario by British and
Australian commandos under the command of British Major Tom Harrisson. Their goal -
achieved with great success - was to enlist the help of locals to fight the Japanese, whose
cruelty had made them hugely unpopular. For the life story of this colourful and contro-
versial character, see The Most Offending Soul Alive , a biography by Judith M Heimann.
Harrisson's widow lived in Bario until her death in 2011.
The monument is a short walk up the slope from the Bario Asal Longhouse, on the site
of Tom's one-time garden (his post-war house was about 100m from here, where the local
cemetery now is).
Junglebluesdream Art Gallery
( http://junglebluesdream.weebly.com ; daylight hours) Many of artist Stephen Baya's
paintings have traditional Kelabit motifs. In April 2013 his colourful illustrations of the
Kelabit legend of Tuked Rini were to feature at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthro-
pology in Cambridge, England (and in a children's book).
ART GALLERY
TREKKING
Prayer Mountain
From the Bario Asal Longhouse, it's a steep, slippery ascent (two hours) up to the summit
of Prayer Mountain, which has a cross that was erected in 1973, thickets of pitcher plants
and amazing views of the Bario Valley and of the mixed Penan and Kelabit hamlet of
Arur Dalan, with its three defunct wind turbines. Two-thirds of the way up is what may be
the world's least pretentious church.
Sleeping
Bario's various component villages are home to lots of guesthouses where you can meet
English-speaking locals and dine on delicious Kelabit cuisine (accommodation prices al-
most always include board). Some of the most relaxing establishments are a bit out of
town (up to 5km). Air-con is not necessary up in Bario but hot water - alas, not yet an op-
tion - will some day be a nice treat. Almost all rooms have shared bathroom facilities. If
you're on a very tight budget, enquire about renting a bed without board.
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