By Tia Leonorra Puyang Romi Chai
Growing up in Sarawak, I spent most of my life discovering and exploring all that my beloved state has to offer. From the Borneo Rainforest to the Niah Caves, holidays within Sarawak were always the kinds of family vacations I looked forward to. However, none could compare to when my family visited Satow Waterfall back in 2019.
That trip started in Kuching, and we drove down to Bau to catch up with some distant relatives. It was a particularly hot day, with a few clouds in the sky that provided a lovely contrast between coolness and sweltering heat. With that in mind, my aunt, who was a local from a village named Apar in Singai, suggested we have a picnic by a local waterfall.
The idea of having a refreshing swim and a relaxing picnic by one of nature’s wonders certainly appealed to us, and we didn’t hesitate to take her up on the offer as we made our way to Satow Waterfall in Kampung Bobak. It wasn’t a far drive at all, although the way to the waterfall was somewhat confusing, as one might expect of village roads. Fortunately, we had my aunt as our knowledgeable guide!
I’ve been to my fair share of waterfalls, so you would think I knew what to expect each time I ventured to one. But part of the beauty of this magnificent state is that all wonders remain wonders in my eyes, and I couldn’t help but still be in awe as we arrived at the waterfall. The area was secluded, surrounded by forests and greenery. With only some signs and a stone path to guide us, we brought our picnic supplies with us as we trekked into the sequestered zone.
Despite how it sounds, it didn’t take long for us to reach a part of the waterfall, and my goodness, was it gorgeous! The stone paths led to several gazebos and barbecue areas, and we could already see other families there enjoying their time. The waterfall was beautiful, as water flowed down the glistening stones adorned with the delicate green of moss. People swam among the lush forests and nature that enveloped the waterfall, creating a lively atmosphere with the reverberating sound of the cascading water.
The air was light and misty, carrying the scent of dew from the leaves of the greenery, and the sky at the time was perfectly hot yet cloudy. There were several tiers to the waterfall, each one as beautiful as the next, with stone steps guiding people up each tier. It was certainly quite a relaxing spot with no need for hiking due to the readily available stone paths and facilities. The water was cool and refreshing—so much so that I almost didn’t want to leave!
It was one of the best places I’ve been to in Sarawak, and it surely doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. If I ever find myself in Singai again, I would surely visit Satow Waterfall once more! — DayakDaily
Tia Leonorra Puyang Romi Chai from Miri 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.
