Travel To Batang Ai Resort

Batang Ai

Batang Ai is located some 250km into the interior and sits on the border with Kalimantan, Indonesia. 

This area is the last area to come under the control of the White Rajahs, with much resistance from the Sea Dayaks (Ibans), which resulted in a massacre of 800 Ibans. James Brooke was later accused of persecuting innocent people. 

Sign Board

A Commission of Inquiry was set up in London to investigate these claims and eventually he was acquitted but his reputation had been tarnished. 

St.John who was appointed General Secretary in 1847 felt that Brooke had been a little too high handed and ill-informed in handling the natives in some aspects in order to gain peace and order in the area but later came to his defence during the inquisition at the House of Commons.

This ancestral home of the Ibans has long been established. Before the hydroelectric dam was created, there were at least 40+ longhouses located along the river. 

When the dam was completed, the water rose by 60m flooding the low-lying areas; inundating some 8500h or 33sq miles of jungle. The government had to relocate tenants from 26 longhouses to Lubok Antu and the higher areas. 

The hydroelectric dam now serves Kuching and surroundings with uninterrupted supply of water. Being a water catchment, the government also gazetted this area a National Park in 1991.

Batang Ai National Park itself is not easy to get to. For the odd traveller, it's possible to take a bus from Kuching to Sri Aman and then change for another bus to Lubok Antu. 

From Lubok Antu, it's possible to hire a boat to Batang Ai National Park but once there, no accommodation is available. It may be a little easier to take a tour with the local travel agents who can arrange accommodation at the Iban longhouses or if there is a place to indulge a little, then perhaps try the Batang Ai Hilton for a change.

Staying at the Batang Ai

Wanting to visit the longhouses, we were determined to make a trip to Batang Ai. The only accommodation we could get at the reservoir is The Hilton Batang Ai. 

Lobby

Built in the style of traditional Iban longhouse architecture, it was as far as we could get to staying at a longhouse without having to arrange a tour package that included a stay at a 'real' longhouse.

In fact, we went there on a bed & breakfast package, having purchased a very affordable priced package during one of the earlier 'Cuti-Cuti Malaysia' fairs. These travel fairs are particularly good where local travellers and also expatriates staying in Malaysia or Singapore can pick up some good deals for resorts and tours. 

The 'Cuti-Cuti Malaysia' road shows travel around Malaysia throughout the year and a number of resort operators / travel agents participate in these fairs, which is promoted by Tourism Malaysia. You may be pleasantly surprised at the packages offered. Just be on the lookout in newspapers for ones coming to a town near you.

We arranged our van transfer at least 2 days in advance from the counter at the Hilton Kuching. The ride costs RM110 return per person and leaves Kuching Hilton for Batang Ai at about 8.00am. 

This takes roughly 4hrs over pretty good roads. There is a short stop of about 15-20min in a small place where a row of shops selling sundry and local produce such as Sarawak pepper and the highland rice, a few shops also sell handicraft, mostly brought over from Kalimantan and a few eateries make up the tiny community's town centre.

Inside Resort

Nice basket weaving for a fraction of the price in Kuching. But remember to bargain. A little market in the morning is a nice place to walk around. The ladies bring out their produce like little bags of rice, perhaps access from their bountiful harvest this season.; and sometimes even wild game meat are for sale at the market.

A suggestion though, perhaps you may want to stock up on bottled water for your stay at the resort and this stop is the last place for a last minute buy.

We arrived at the Batang Ai Dam and were ushered to the guests' waiting area. Within 15min we were sent to the jetty and onto the boat - speeding off to Batang Ai Hilton. The resort itself is well hidden from view, which is a pleasant surprise. 

Although the resort is made up of a complex of longhouses, it really doesn't feel as though the resort is sprawling. In fact, as first impression suggests, it's kind of snug and intimate.

 

Batang Ai Dam

Batang Ai Dam

Not long after check in, most guests seemed to have disappeared only to later find out that they had lost no time in finding a comfy spot by the pool with a good book, a bottle of sun block and a tall glass of refreshing beer. 

The pool isn't big but it certainly makes it a priority in guests' daily routine whilst staying at the resort especially coming back after an afternoon of hot and muggy day trekking.

Around the resort

For those not prepared to just sit out the day in the cool shades of the pool area with a long cool cocktail or tropical fruit juice... one could always take a walk round the grounds. 

Of which I did. Walking over a wooden bridge along the way, a gliding snake startled the daylights out of me and I was pretty sure I did the same to it as it fell off its perch. 

Stunned for a few short seconds, it quickly recomposed itself and slithered away into the undergrowth. A beautiful creature with distinct crimson red and black stripes.

Trip Upriver

We wasted no time in making arrangement with the tour desk, Borneo Adventure for a short adventure of our own. Since it was just us girls, we teamed up with an English couple for a trip upriver. The guide, Bayang his name, made all the arrangements for us. 

Trip Upriver

All we brought along on our trip was some goodies for the people we were going to visit (snacks for the children and some tobacco for the penghulu or tuah which means the headsman), a hat, some sun block and our ponchos in case it rained.

The rest was left in good hands. Both Bayang and boatmen were from the Lubok Antu area and were very familiar with the Batang Ai. 

They were born in this territory and we were going to visit their kinsmen of whom they were to introduce us to The Ibans or Sea Dayaks.

The Iban people in batang ai

The Iban individuals are the biggest ethnic gathering of Sarawak, one of the states in Malaysian Borneo. The Iban individuals were once scandalously known for being head-hunters and furious warriors, yet they live today as serene ranchers and seekers in the wide open. 

They arrange their groups in towns spinning around longhouses, a kind of lodging with numerous imparted ranges for families to live and spots to lead every day exercises and routine work important to live. A longhouse can have around 30 families.

This is a travel thought for the individuals who wish to visit an Iban longhouse yet aren't quick to surrender an elevated expectations administrations settlement. The Hilton is the main resort arranged on the counterfeit pool of Batang Ai, Sarawak's rainforest National Park placed East of Kuching,  on the fringe with the Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan). 

From that point you can do a day trek to one of the Iban's longhouses found along the stream adjacent. It's a visit suitable for families with kids too.

This is a private visit withdrawing from Kuching town and incorporates transportation (vehicle and vessels) and a nearby individual as an aide. Along the best approach to Batang Ai you will likewise stop by the Serian business, visit a pepper homestead and see a greater amount of the Sarawak wide open.

We propose to bring some little present for the youngsters in the longhouse. We likewise propose to have with you suitable shoes and outfit, mosquito and creepy crawly repellent, a waterproof shell in the event of downpour, a cap and sunscreen, a spotlight and a bathing suit on the off chance that you need to bathe in the waterway or the pool. 

Amid the day trek, bring just the base essential since the course to achieve the resort and the longhouse is in part secured by a little vessel. 

In the event that you have an enormous gear you may abandon it at the Batang Ai Dock Storeroom (with expense) or in your inn locker when you leave to Batang Ai.