A Homestay in Niah, Sarawak
When I decided to stay in Niah, a small yet historically rich town in northern Sarawak, I had no idea that I was about to step into a living storybook. Known for the legendary Niah Caves, the area is more than just a site of ancient history—it’s a community full of warmth, traditions, and unexpected wonders.
My homestay was with a lovely Iban family in Kampung Bungai, a peaceful coastal village located not far from Niah National Park. The wooden stilt house overlooked swaying coconut trees and the South China Sea beyond. From the moment I arrived, my host, Uncle Lajim, greeted me with a genuine smile and a hearty “Selamat datang!” His wife, Aunty Suri, served me a bowl of pansuh chicken cooked with lemongrass and tapioca leaves in bamboo, which she prepared over a woodfire. The flavours were earthy, tender, and full of love.
During my stay, Uncle Lajim shared stories of his younger days as a park guide. One morning, he took me to the Niah Caves, just a short drive away. We started our hike early, walking along the wooden boardwalk through lush rainforest, with the calls of hornbills echoing above. Inside the cave, the scale was breathtaking. Sunlight poured in through the openings above, casting golden rays onto the guano-streaked floor. As we stood in the Great Cave, he pointed out faint traces of prehistoric handprints and burial sites.
“This is where our ancestors once stood,” he whispered. I could feel the history in the silence, and it was humbling.
But the true magic of the homestay wasn’t just in the caves, it was in the little moments. One evening, the village children invited me to a beach just ten minutes from the house. It wasn’t on any tourist map, just a quiet strip of sand where the sea gently kissed the shore. We built sandcastles, chased crabs, and watched the sun melt into the horizon, turning the sky into a canvas of orange and purple.
Back at the house, Aunty Suri taught me how to weave a tikar (mat) using pandan leaves, her fingers moving quickly while mine stumbled. We laughed often, and every mistake I made only deepened our bond. She gave me the finished mat on my last day as a token of friendship and patience.
What struck me most was how everyone treated me like family, not just a guest. Whether it was the shared meals, the evening chats under oil lamps, or the quiet understanding without many words, I felt deeply at home.
Niah may be famous for its ancient caves, but its hidden gem is its people: kind, wise, and full of heart. My homestay there reminded me that sometimes, the most unforgettable journeys don’t happen in the grand monuments, but in the everyday lives of those who welcome us in like one of their own. —DayakDaily
Yuky Siek Qi Qi from Miri 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.
