Chu poses for a shot during her visit to Tekiwit Waterfall.
MIRI: Adventure seekers who have been exploring local places of interest during the Covid-19 pandemic have offered homestay operators here a glimmer of hope in sustaining their business.
Avid runner Chu Chee Ning said though the government had imposed Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) in several states throughout the country including Kuching district in Sarawak, this has not hampered the spirit of local outdoor lovers from exploring rural areas.
With the Covid-19 pandemic disrupting people’s travel plans to other countries, she said many are taking the opportunity to visit rural villages and go on nature excursions.
“Prior to the third wave of Covid-19, rural homestay operators and tour guides enjoyed a booming business.
“We couldn’t book any room at places that we wish to explore, hence had to change our plan. The good business, I believe, was a relief for them (operators), after three long months of the Movement Control Order (MCO) earlier this year,” she told The Borneo Post.
Now that the country has entered the third wave of Covid-19, she said a lot of people have decided to cancel with their short getaway plan leading to a drastic drop in business.
“For example, tour guide services are important for new explorers who wish to visit rural areas but the dry season means that they can barely survive during this trying time,” she said.
Chu and her running partner have been exploring places outside of Miri as they enjoy the outdoors where they can venture into the jungle and discover many new, beautiful and hidden waterfalls.
“I sincerely feel that these unpolluted landmarks are so precious and it makes us appreciate how prisitine nature can be before it’s digitally documented and popularised on social media,” she said.
Referring to the recent trip to Balo and Ucak Waterfall in Ulu Baram organised by a local hash house harrier’s club to explore nature, she felt that the trip would be better if the number of participants were reduced for the sake of everyone’s safety.
“Running can be safe and fun when it involves small group of people, ideally less than 10, because the more people there are, the higher difficulty to maintain physical distancing,” she said.