By Nicole Toh
In this lifetime of mine, I have had a handful experiences which will seemingly remain ever so vividly clear in my mind; never teetering into the spectrum of being washed away by the unforgiving passage of time. Ingrained into the folds of my brain is the time when I went on a trip organised by the Duke of Edinburgh programme of my school. The trip revolved around the famed Bung Bratak Heritage Centre which is a safe haven brimming with tradition and SK Tembawang—a school where people of families from all walks of life gather together.
If I were to describe my experience at Bung Bratak Heritage Centre, it would be like eating a prawn dish. Peeling the troublesome shells of prawns, in my opinion, is akin to the arduous hike up the mountain to reach the centre whereas eating the succulent flesh of a prawn would resemble perceiving the breath-taking view from the centre itself.
Although the hike up was excruciatingly steep, I am still undeniably fond of the therapeutic effect that flowed through my veins as I took in the magnificent view of my surroundings. Untarnished, luscious greens flourished, decorating the route while sturdy, dense crowns of towering trees provided well-needed shade with comforting rays of sunlight peeking through. Chirps and calls of animals reverberating through the mountain sent a longing feeling coursing through a city girl like me. I found myself wanting to seek solace in the rural lifestyle.
As I stepped foot into the Bung Bratak Heritage Centre, the group I was with and I were greeted with open arms. Crescent-moon-like eyes as the staff broke into warm smiles reminded me that Sarawak’s splendour was not just about the picturesque nature but also the accepting culture nurtured among the citizens. The morning after, as I sauntered out of the communal room, I was urged by the staff to head towards a spot with my friends to take pictures of the scenery. Dragging my drowsy body, my jaw dropped as I saw the scenery the staff were raving about. Soft, white clusters of clouds tinted with hints of blue hue hung below my position. Above a sea of clouds, I was.
Moving on to the next phase of my trip, I went to SK Tembawang with my schoolmates to impart our knowledge on linguistics and science to the youths there. Despite being further from modern society, the students there were in the springtime of their lives. The students showed incomparable interest in the subjects we were teaching. The joyful cheers ringing in my ears as their small palms tugged on me excitedly as they anticipated the activities we were going to execute. Wholeheartedly, I admired their outgoing, undiscriminating personalities which made each and every one of them there resemble balls of energy.
The distinctive tropical environment and humble lives led by the community are pillars of Sarawak’s grandeur. Sarawak, which is a bustling harbour filled with unique elements, will remain everlastingly closest to my heart. — DayakDaily
Nicole Toh from Lodge National Secondary School, Kuching is the Consolation Winner (Youth Category) in the ‘Magnificent Sarawak: An Unforgettable Trip’ writing competition organised by DayakDaily and supported by the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Imperial Hotel Kuching.
