How To Have A Great Weekend

Kanid Kelvin and yours truly took two sisters from the Czech Republic with us to the village last weekend and it was good. To ensure a great weekend get away, kanid Kelvin swears by the pig head as an essential ingredient. 'Pig head' because it is still a head as you can see. But after it is skinned and boned, I like to call it 'pig face' instead.

Get the pig face and have it nicely burnt with wood fire at the longhouse ruai. If you're lucky as our entourage last weekend, the village hunter might have some other good meat to share. We had mouse deer and much to our surprise and delight, a Manis Javanica. I can't remember how long it has been since I had these meat.

We brought the necessary Langkau as usual. This is necessary as you might want to reward yourself afterwards after all the eating. We brought two bottles to be shared with the village folks and drinking together, as you may know is a form of bonding (some things are just universal). It is polite to drink with the hosts and that we did. We ended finishing six bottles of the good spirit which is always a good sign.

The food arrived served in the most simple of manner with rice wrapped in leaves to compliment. The old man here is educating our Czech friend on the finer points why the village dog should always be a welcome guest anytime.

There is nothing like having a hit at the smoking apparatus after a hefty meal of good meat. No, whatever is burning in the small perpendicular attachment on the bamboo is anything but illegal. But oooh, how I wished i had a teeny weeny bit of....nevermind. Shag Pohon Sagu Brand is the preferred choice of herb this part of the world. The flavour is strong and often leaves an after taste at the back of the throat. Best mixed with some other herbs, if you ask me.

Our host having a hit in the most traditional way. Wood fire as a light.

This old lady at the end of the longhouse was observed having a break after a long hard day weaving mats. What better way to relax then to take a hit or two. I observed she had three or four long drags before she placed the smoking apparatus away. I couldn't take two without coughing my very lungs out.

And after all the eating, drinking and smoking...we walked to the waterfall. This is another essential part of the trip. At least for me. After much drinking, I find dipping in cool mountain water as a sure way to achieve sobriety.

This one here has got to be one of the best I've been to. Mabi waterfall is about 20 minutes walk from Sadir.

One of the village boys in deep conversation with our guests.

And after all the swimming and dipping in cool mountain water, it was time to head back to the village for more merry making, singing and more Langkau.

We stayed on until just before midnight and you know it is time to leave when the head starts to spin...again.