Bario in City Boy Heart
I’ve lived in Kuching my whole life. I’m used to the usual: busy roads, mamak stalls, air-conditioning everywhere, and being able to get bubble tea at 10 p.m. without thinking twice. So, when a friend asked me to tag along on a trip to Bario, I said yes, mostly out of curiosity. I didn’t really know what to expect, just that it was somewhere deep in the highlands and very different from city life.
We drove all the way from Kuching to Miri, which honestly felt like forever. There were long stretches of road, random stops at petrol stations, and a lot of snacks. By the time we got to Miri, I was already tired, but also somewhat excited. We took a tiny MASwings plane the next morning. It flew low over endless jungle, and I remember looking out the window thinking, Wow, this is really the middle of nowhere.
When we landed in Bario, it felt like the world had gone quiet. No honking, no construction noise, no buzzing from my phone because there was no signal. Our host, Mak Lina, welcomed us like we were long-lost relatives. Her wooden house was right next to a paddy field, with chickens walking around like they owned the place. It was simple, but full of warmth.
That first night, we sat in the kitchen with her family and had a dinner I’ll never forget. Everything was grown or caught nearby. We had rice wrapped in leaves, wild vegetables, and the sweetest pineapple I’ve ever eaten. Her husband told us stories about hunting and jungle life while we listened, half-amazed, half sleepy from the mountain air.
There was no Wi-Fi, but I didn’t even miss it. I slept like a rock. The next day, I helped plant rice—badly. I slipped and fell in the mud, and Mak Lina laughed, saying, “You really are a city boy.” I just laughed along. She wasn’t wrong.
We also hiked up Prayer Mountain. It was a bit tough, but the view at the top made it worth it. You could see the whole village, the mountains, and clouds rolling in like waves. I stood there for a while, not thinking about anything, just breathing.
On the last night, before we left, Mak Lina gave me a simple bracelet made of beads. “So you won’t forget Bario,” she said. I didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t just a trip anymore—it felt personal.
I came back to Kuching feeling different. Less rushed. More grounded. That trip reminded me that life isn’t always about speed, or screens, or being busy. Sometimes, slowing down and just being somewhere—really being there—is more than enough.
And yeah, I still wear that bracelet. —DayakDaily
Bernard Yong Qian Ze from Kuching is the Silver Winner (Youth Category) in the ‘Homestay Odyssey’ writing competition organised by DayakDaily and supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts.
