SIGHTING of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins is a special treat for nature lovers who join the Kampung Santubong homestay programme.

The dolphins often make an appearance when the villagers are out fishing in their sampans at the rivermouth. And if you tag along, you might be able to catch glimpses of these elusive ocean-going mammals as they break the water surface with their back topped by a cute short dorsal fin before diving under only to re-appear a short while later.

It's certainly a recreational activity not to be missed. Kampung Santubong Homestay spokesperson, Hajah Jamilah Shukri, recalled encountering a pod during a dolphin-watching expedition off the village coast, utterly delighted that the grayish cetaceans did not appear shy and were quite friendly.

"These elusive mammals did not seem fazed by our presence or the villagers fishing nearby but instead swam towards them, often tailing the boats waiting to feast on fish thrown back to the sea by the fishermen,” she enthused.

According to Jamilah, the Irrawaddy dolphin watching tour can always be arranged when making reservations with rates depending on the package chosen.

The Homestay at Kampung Santubong — as with similar programmes — offers a break from all things familiar with hotel accommodation. The seasoned traveller knows exactly what to expect even before checking in. That is just how predictable staying at hotels can be.

On the other hand, those looking for a different experience can always opt for a homestay with a chosen host family and have the opportunity to interact with the family socially, learn about their culture and also get to know the flora and fauna of the area such as rare orchids on the verdant landscape and the Irrawaddy dolphins in the river.

First introduced by the Tourism Ministry in 1988 to diversify the tourism products by providing alternative lodging for tourists, the homestay programme — developed under the Rural Tourism Master Plan to encourage the participation of rural community in the tourism sector — got off the ground in 1995 at several locations in the country.

There are presently 16 homestays in the state with the most recent being Santubong Homestay at Kampung Santubong, about 42km from Kuching.

The Santubong Homestay, officially launched on June 29, will enable tourists to enjoy first-hand a unique yet relatively affordable vacation.

"Tourists don't always have the chance to witness and experience the lifestyle of the locals. The programme allows them to stay with a host family and experience how the members live. This will enable the tourists to know more about the lifestyle and culture of the kampung residents," Jamilah said.

"Moreover, the homestay not only allows foreign but also domestic tourists to learn more about kampung life."

According to Jamilah, founder and designer of Anggun Collection,Kampung Santubong is relatively unknown because visitors usually stay at the nearby resorts.

Hence, the homestay idea was mooted to let visitors get acquainted with the former fishing villageat the mouth of the Santubong River. Most of the villagers now work in one of the nearby resorts.

Fishing goes on at / Santubong and the daily   catch is still sold every   morning at the quayside. Presently, there are more than 2,000 villagers in the area with 20 homes involved in the homestay programme.

"We have looked into all aspects, particularly hygiene and safety, before launching the programme. All the operators have been trained," Jamilah added.

According to her, guests are treated like members of the host family and can join in the villager's everyday activities.

Jamilah, whose late father, Tuan Haji Shukri Mahidi, was the former Tok Kampung of the village, noted the homestay was also set up to revive the livelihood of the kampong.

“I remember my father carrying out a lot of activities to improve the villagers’ living standards…and one of my aims is to uphold his legacy.”

The activities visitors can join include dolphin-watching, traditional games such as congkat or sports like sepak takraw, gasing (top spinning), kite flying and many more. Those who like the local delicacies can have a go at whipping up delectable kek lapis with their hosts who are ready to impart their culinary skills.

Apart from the legendary Mount Santubong, the famous landmarks in and around of the village tourists can visit include the tomb of Sultan Tengah, the first and last Sultan of Sarawak, as well as Sungai Jaong, an ancient industrial site where the batu gambar or ‘picture rock’ is the most prominently sited on the bank of Jaong Creek.

Jamilah also revealed a few activities were being lined up, including a cottage industry workshop on making traditional fabrics such as a batik.

“We are also training young people in Santubong to do reflexology," she added.

Four different homestay packages are available, with prices ranging from RM70 per person for a one-day visit to RM350 (3 days, 2 nights) depending on the number of persons, duration of stay and activities or programmes selected. Optional tours such as kayaking, evening cruise, jungle trekking and deep sea fishing trip are also available upon request.

The homestay also caters for functions such as family day, birthdays and corporate events as well as welcome student groups not only to the homestay programme but also camping. “Apart from that, we also have a specialized package for newly-weds- locals or foreigners,” said Jamilah.

Further enquiries can be made to 082-422495 or via e-mail at santubonghomestay@gmail.com.  More information can also be obtained through the website at www.santubonghomestay.com.my

(Taken from theSundayPost - 19 October 2008)

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