So you've probably just got back from boasting to Andrew about our adventures and are ready for a nice warm cup of information soup.
While us guys were busy showing off in the wild relentless untethered ocean, our tour guide Riman went off to explore a nearby cave. He stayed there for what seemed to us like hours, until he finally returned 40 minutes later. we set off through the rainforest back to our cabins, invigorated by the atmosphere of the rainforest and the tans on our skins.
Back at our cabins, we were greeted with a show put on by the friendly silver-tailed monkeys.
Later that night Riman took us to see fireflies but due to lighting issues caused by the moon he resorted to telling us about his life, family and philosophies on being in a band. After hearing about Riman, we headed off to bed. We were in for quite a surprise: our beds and pillows were so hard and lumpy, not even our intense masculinity could help us bear the pain (even Mr. Mcmillin was reduced to tears in just fifteen minutes...poor poor man.) When we woke up, or rather stumbled out of bed even more tired, we had a good breakfast and went out on another walk to see some proboscis monkeys. At about midday, we headed back to the mainland to be greeted by our tour guide John, and his trusty sidekick Brian. We went to bed In the exclusive luxury Merdeka hotel beds.
The next day, we were told, was going to be bigger than the last. That wasn't good for us, we'd spent the previous night celebrating luxury (tea parties, bed jumping, and prank calling our peers with room-to-room calling were popular activities.) so we weren't too happy when the wake up call came. John picked us up early, as we had a long drive ahead of us. So we drove all the way across the countryside, stopping once to shop at a market full of chicken feet and fish in barrels.
We arrived about 3pm in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere. John and Brian suddenly pulled out a bunch o' lifejackets and walked downhill towered a river. We were met by a group of Iban people (ex screaming headhunters-turned-farmers) who took us upstream to their remote village. The village itself was made up of a longhouse, a few other small buildings, a guest house, and not much else? We were to sleep in a single dormitory, under mosquito net covered mattresses (which despite the lack of luxury, were still more comfortable than Bako!) that night the village people got into their costumes (we were expecting the YMCA) and presented a dance to us as a welcome. There were screams, music and colorful hats. Later, we were given woven traditional (party) hats with feathers and were asked to join in the celebrations with our own dance (below)
It was quite an experience. Later we went to bed, but not without giving our gifts to the village chief, who was most appreciative. The next morning we woke up and had some breakfast prepared by John's trusty sidekick, Brian. We shared the breakfast with a swisse couple, who both sounded like Roger Federer. They were nice people and soon became good pals with Mr. McMillin.
After breakfast, we went on a walk through the thick forest and check out some of the Iban people's farms. The Iban get a lot of their money through rubber trees (yes...rubber trees!)...turns out they make rubber ducks, rubber erasers and many other rubber stuff out of rubber from rubber trees!
After our walk, we said goodbye to the village people and returned to the hotel after a few hours! A very productive few days if we say so! Now it's time to go for now. At least now though you have enough information to boast to your neighbors to about your lovely sons, daughters and students.
Until next time,
Nathan and Sam
