Batang Ai tugs at the heartstrings

FOR someone like me living in the comfort of Kuching city with its modern technology and infrastructure, a trip to the interior has never sounded all that inviting or exciting — at least not before my expedition to Batang Ai recently.

The familiarisation trip, organised by Aiman Planet Borneo Group of Companies, really filled me with a deep sense of anticipation. I would be venturing into an area that was not exactly my cup of tea but the thought of experiencing all that Batang Ai had to offer was too hard to resist.

On Jan 30, I met up with Aiman group general manager Mona Abdul Manap, director Gracie Geikie, database and online management executive Alcila Abby Afflin at their headquarters at Riveredge Commercial Development before commencing our trip at 8.30am.

After a smooth drive along Kuching-Serian Road with its beautiful countryside scenery, we made a stop at Lachau Bazaar between Serian and Sri Aman for brunch at 10.30am. Half an hour later, we continued our drive, arriving at Batang Ai Dam at 1.10pm where we took a boat across the lake to Aiman Batang Ai Resort and Retreat.

From the jetty to the resort, guests would have to wait their turn to board the boat at scheduled times — between 9.30am and 5.30pm — taking a minimum of 20 minutes each way.

Situated at the edge of the verdant Batang Ai National Park, the Aiman Batang Ai Resort and Retreat is well hidden from view. We got there at 2.15pm and I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome from the resort staff.

We were treated to lunch at Nanga Mepi Restaurant, famous for Sarawak local cuisine, including chicken cooked in bamboo or better known as ayam pansuh. Tilapia and chips were on the tiffin menu. After the midday meal, and spending some tranquil moments at the Wong Irup Lounge, I adjourned to my room for a much-needed rest before the next activity on the programme.

In the evening, we went for the nature walk, led by the guest relations and activities manager Ramona Ngalih. We walked among treetops on the canopy of the rainforest along a 130-metre walkway, suspended 50 metres above the jungle floor.

Our very knowledgeable guide Ramona showed us pretty much everything she could — the flora and fauna, including the Kapok Tree bark with large thorns and spines which can be used to create music. She also gave us tips on surviving in the rainforest.

A sky bridge

The most interesting part for me during the nature walk was crossing a sky bridge, something I would never have imagined doing, and I felt happy I had finally conquered my fear of heights — thanks to the sturdy structure of the bridge. The walk lasted an hour.

At eight in the evening, right after dinner, I joined the night cruise where we brought along torchlights to search for animals roaming the area. Among the wildlife spotted were civet cats and frogs. We were told sometimes if you were lucky, you could even spot a Black Hornbill.

After the cruise, we stopped for a while to gaze at the stars in the clear night sky before heading back to our rooms for a good night’s rest.

I was pretty excited about our activities on the second day. Starting at 8.50am, travelling by longboat during a cold start to the morning and soaking up the beauty of the serene lake, we proceeded upriver to the remote reaches of Batang Ai and called at a longhouse to experience traditional Iban lifestyle.

We arrived at the Nanga Mengkak Engkari longhouse on the bank of the Engkari River, a tributary of the Batang Ai reservoir, at 9.30am. I saw a small church behind the 37-door longhouse, and later, our party was greeted by the indigenous community with a welcome dance.

Set up in the late 1980s, the longhouse is part of the Batang Ai Resettlement Scheme and still uses generators to produce electricity. Most of the dwellers are fishermen, rubber tappers and pepper planters. To supplement their income, they also produce handicrafts and mats for sale.

It is highly recommended for guests to experience the lifestyle of the traditional Iban longhouse community, including partaking of the original tuak.

At 11.50am, we boarded the boat and headed to a secluded waterfall. Reaching this pristine picnic spot at 12.20pm, we quickly rushed to the waterfall to take in the refreshing sounds of cascading water, one of nature’s best gifts for relaxing and de-stressing. Some took a dip in the pool while others enjoyed the clean undisturbed ambiance over lunch.

After the revitalising break, we sailed back to the resort to welcome Jason Desmond Anthony Brooke, the grandson of the last ruling Rajah Muda, Anthony Walter Dayrell Brooke.

Brooke’s visit to Sarawak this time was to see the items to be placed at the Brooke Gallery in Fort Margherita, Kuching. The gallery is scheduled to open next month or in May. After visiting several historical sites in the state capital, Brooke was invited to spend a night at the Aiman Batang Ai Resort.

Memorable experience

On arrival, Brooke and his entourage were welcomed by an Iban warrior dance performance before joining in a miring ceremony. Later, he endorsed the Fort Alice Escapade brochure, featuring one of the resort’s new programmes, which includes a visit to Fort Alice to learn more about culture and heritage in Sarawak.

After that, we toured the resort for a first-hand look at the facilities, including a spa, a massage parlour, and a tennis court, not forgetting, of course, BBQ Island which offers a unique alfresco dining experience in the middle of the Bornean jungle.

The Batang Ai experience is something I will not forget. Undeniably, Batang Ai has great potential as a tourist destination due to its location, which offers an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. I hope to go back there again for another sweet and memorable stay close to Mother Nature.