Trek to Bario, 7D Meligan and Pulong Tau Trek - Pt 3
At the
Belalban river we stopped for lunch but not before removing
more
leeches. The
river marks the ‘main highway’ from here and we proceeded at a steady
pace on flat ground and reached Long Repun, an overnight shelter shortly
after. This is used by locals walking from Bario to Ba’Kelalan (or
vice-versa) and also to and from the villages on either side of the
border. After another longish rest, we pushed
on.
Belaban River, our guides drank from it.
Najat at Pa'Lungan, the old timers show it is done.
Our next waypoint was to go up and over the 200 meter high hill that we dubbed ‘5 minute Hill’ followed a while later by the swamp crossing. One had to use one’s feet to feel the footing on two pieces of wood tied side by side, suspended in the deep swamp. One of our members missed a step and took a swim.
The
barb wired buffalo fence indicated that we had reached Pa’Lungan and I
looked at my watch and noted that it was six, twenty-three in the
evening. By the time passed the first house, we had done exactly 12
hours of walking. We had to find our host at the homestay because they
had expected us to arrive at least three hours later. After our now
usual
routine of removing leeches and washing down, we settled in by
taking a much deserved shower and a hot cup of tea. That night, we were
treated to a cultural evening at Aunty Supang’s homestay but all of us
retired early and passed out.
Aunty Supang's homestay with a rice paddy specially for growing rice seeds.
Day
four was an uneventful walk to Bario. Much of our load was being
transported by buffalo and most walked without backpacks. Our walk was
punctuated by taking pictures of Mt. Murud and studying another rock
carving along the
way. At the village of Pa’Ukat, a local lady invited
the front runners in our group to sweet pineapple and a drink.
Batu Ritong was erected in memory of Ritong a famous warrior from the area.
I was walking behind and formed another group. Soon as we entered Bario, I got hold of a vehicle to take us to the local clinic. On of us had swollen leech bites while another had contracted a rash from wild plants. We caught up with the front runners at the main ‘market’ and went together to Tama'k Ngimat Ayuh’s homestay. After walking around and taking more pictures, we had a huge dinner and passed out in the cool mountain air.
The following day part of our group left for home. I spent time riding a borrowed motorbike around Bario and had a chance to walk around to visit Stephen’s art gallery and also the location where the Bario Christian revival started.
Bario
Asal, the original Bario village seen from the hill.
This is the second time that I had done this trip and the experience again was so enriching. I had renewed acquaintances with dear friends in all the villages along the way, and visited some Spiritual and historical sites. Being the organiser and leader of the trek, there were the usual issues related with isolation and difficult conditions to deal with. But the question goes “Would I do it again? Definitely yes!”