A Short and Sweet Libiki Escape
One’s destination is never a place, but rather a new way of looking at things, as quoted by Henry Miller. My sweet escape began on a hot day in January, during a month-long semester break filled with the leisure of being a private college student. My friends and I had been longing for a getaway to nature, as the feline city of Kuching, Sarawak, was at its warmest. Coincidentally, one of my friends found the perfect place for us to spend a short holiday free from papers and screens—Libiki Bamboo Resort.
We wasted no time packing everything we needed for the trip. There were ten of us, travelling in three cars. After a few naps along the way, we finally arrived at Libiki. The moment we stepped through the entrance, relief and excitement washed over us. While one of my friends confirmed our booking, I strolled around the resort, taking in its charm. Since we visited on a weekday, there were a few other guests, making the place wonderfully tranquil.
Drawn by the sound of rushing water, I followed it until a short flight of stairs revealed the river. It was our first time seeing the Libiki river, and excitement took over as we plunged in for an afternoon of splashing fun. The cool, fresh water was invigorating, leaving us energised and laughing together. The funniest moment was when I almost lost my glasses after a dunk in the river. One of my friends, a strong swimmer, dove into the current just in time to rescue them.
As the sun began to set, we headed back to our homestay and took turns showering. By the time we had all freshened up, the crickets had begun their evening chorus, echoing through the green walls of the surrounding forest. We prepared a simple yet satisfying dinner of rice, barbecued wings and sausages, and a pot of tom yum to warm us. We shared laughter as we ate after a long day of splashing fun.
The next morning, before heading home, we couldn’t resist taking one last dip in the river. Still in our pyjamas, we plunged into the cool, clear water, reluctant to leave. But we knew the best moments are never meant to last forever. As we packed our belongings, we took one last deep breath of the breeze that made the place so enchantingly calm. It was a short and sweet escape, forever engraved in our memories. —DayakDaily
Churchill Ryan Hollis Changai from Kota Samarahan is the Top 10 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.
