We started our journey from Kuching, capital of Sarawak. Visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, to see Orangutans. Next day we were being picked up by our driver Jihey to go to Pekan Engkilili. From where we took the boat up the Lemanak River. It was a long drive nearly 6 hours. We had a brief stop at Lachau for lunch and to buy some obligatory treats for our hosts at the longhouse. We finally arrived at the river and boarded our longboat to head upriver to the Iban longhouse. It was a 45 minute boat ride to the Iban longhouse of Ngemah ili which is set deep in the Sarawak jungle.

The trip up river was so beautiful and peaceful. There were several families playing in the river and all waved as we went by. We were greeted with a traditional gong sounding as we arrived at the longhouse, then on to meet our host family.

The longhouse is large, about 100m long with the family rooms (doors) for the 32 families along one side of the communal room. Be prepared, it is traditional timber on stilts and is primitive. They are governed by a chief tribesman. Iban tribes have a long history of conflict with other tribes who threaten their territory and are notorious for decapitating their captors, hence why they are known as the Iban headhunters.

We spent some time relaxing with our hosts before dinner which was prepared by our host family. Had a meal with the family followed with rice whisky. We loved it. There was a cultural dance performance which we were all invited to join in with at the end, before we presented the chief with our treats which were then shared out amongst the longhouse families.

Our bed for the night was a mattress in the communal area, complete with mosquito net and nice clean sheets.

Early morning the cockerels, dogs, cats and birds woke us up. There was a demonstration with blow pipes and after breakfast we left.

The drive back to Kuching was quite long. We were planning to go to the Fairy caves the following day but due to flooding it was closed. Jihey knew about it and he suggested visiting Gunang National Park where the largest flower RAFFLESIA was in bloom.

We flew to Brunei to visit a friend and from there to Kota Kinabalu. Visited Labuk Bay to watch Proboscis monkeys and Sepilok to see Orangutans.

We all absolutely enjoyed this part of our holiday, and definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary – but just do your research first!!!