BUSINESS VERY UNUSUAL

Dear Family: Mom and I flew Thursday afternoon to Bintulu (11/2 hour flight) south east to inspect and close a water project closing in Bata Kakus, a village that was a 2 hour drive on pavement, and then 2 1/2 hour drive up a logging road that could only be navigated in a 4-wheel drive truck with large mud tires. It was the most tiring and uncomfortable drive of our life. It was like rolling down a hill in a barrel and our backs were so sore from the beating. The logging road was about 50-55 miles up the mountains into the jungle, and our driver, Jawa could drive in any wilderness race in the world, and make it through. We got stuck in the worse mud I have ever seen, and still he smiled and managed to get us out each time. We will never forget the experience. Today is Sunday and I am wondering if I'm ever going to recuperate from this trip!  What an experience--wonderful, yet tiring.  Dad and I do not bounce back quickly from trips like this.  The trip came up suddenly for us--we did not know until Monday that we would be going.  Kate made our reservations for our flight and hotel stay.  Bintulu has about 180,000 people.  When we first arrived, we commented about the small airport.  It took 30 minutes to get to town.  The suburbs were beautiful and clean, but like most cities the inner city was old and very dirty and contained all of the poor.  Our hotelo was in the middle of the inner city.  We had dinner Thursday evening and went to bed.  Friday morning was a nice buffet Malaysian breakfast.  Their chicken sausages were hotdogs!  Lots of good fruits though.  We went out the front to wait for our rides--whom we had never met.  We knew to look for a Toyota Hillux truck.  Dad had gone to potty so I met them on my own.  Jawa owns the truck and is the village leader where we were going.  Bobby Tang and Peter Voon are the Rotarians who went swith us to turn over the project to the village for upkeep. [Image]In this pic the first fellow is Peter who is a school administrator, next is Bobby, who is an importer and shipper.  On the right is Jawa, who is such the boy at heart.  He drives like Richard Petty on a mud track!!!! Such a varied group--Peter is very religious and always laughing--a Methodist.  Bobby is Chinese like Peter, but he is a Muslim--a rarity.  Next Jawa is a self made man who has become the leader of his village--he also owns his own land with lots of valuable timber.  Lot of his trees are hard wood, expecially iron wood, expensive here.  His also has a lot of palm oil trees.  Very unusual for a native villager to own this. They wanted to eat breakfast before we left, so Dad and I went with them to a "Hocker Stand" to have breakfast and then we were off.  We traveled on nice roads for a short while, then the paved roads were bumpy and rough.  My liver met my spleen several times!   These however were great compared to what was ahead.  We traveled 1/2 the day on nothing but logging roads, up in the mountainous jungles.  It was a lot of sky time, sort of like San Francisco driving, except in the jungle.  There were many places where the rain had wash the sides of the road away.  When you came over the top of the hill, you just hoped that the road was still there big enough for you to drive over!!  It was muddy and wet and we did a lot of slipping and sliding!  Jawa loved it , said that the road was much better when wet--not as bumpy!  I WOULD NOT KNOW!!!  It literally was just a two rut logging road most of the way.  When we arrived in the village, we drove thru the village and suddenly Jawa turns to the left between 2 houses on what was little more than a side walk.  The government had put that section there for them.  We then drive thru a field and stop in front of his home.  So Happy.  YEA!		draft		1/16/11	by Larson Family	Delete
Jawa's wife, mother , and sister had made us a huge lunch before we trekked up the mountain to inspect the project.  It was really quite good--fresh veggies, fruits, and all kinds of chicken.  They even had biscuits, which is what they call cookies.  They were made of coconut and Dad became addicted. After lunch, it was raining and they all decided that Dad and I should not go up the mountain with them.  Later I was really glad that we didn't--even Bobby fell on the rocks crossing a small creek.  Peter said that they found fruit that he had never seen before anywhere in Malaysia!  Jawa says that they only grow in the jungle there!  Peter said that they were quite sweet and delicious.  Almost 3 hours later they came back with a good report and pictures.  I have to download some of Bobby's pics before I can show you.  Here's one of what Dad did while they went up the mountain. I started this blog 2 days ago and had to stop to go to the airport to Miri. You will notice that I had a pic of us all at Jawa's home.  I'll reinsert it now.  This is Peter, Bobby, me, Dad, and Jawa!  This was made after they presented us with our native hats and necklaces.  I wore my necklace  to church on Sunday and everyone said, "I see that you have been to Sarawak."  There are only 2 states in East Malaysia--Sabah(where we live) and Sarawak to the south of us.  Sarawak is known for their native designs.  They tell about their tribes and culture.  Dad's hat has the Datas Kakus bird on it.  That's the village we were in. Here are some pics of Jawa's family and the village water committee that will now take care of the water project. These are Jawa's 3 youngest--Mario, Gladys onthe left, and Emily on the right The man beside Dad told us at lunch that listening to us was like listening to the birds in the trees--he didn't understand them either!  The elder man in front is the water committee leader.  So nice! Dad loved Jawa's spears-blow guns, so one of the villagers sold him one .  We now have it to bring home.  He is so happy!  He puts playdough in it and shoots it on the wall!!!  It's made of ironwood, just like the floor on Jawa's porch.  It's beautiful wood. This was our fabulous lunch of which we ate again before we left to come home.  The villagers were so dissapointed that we did not spend the night because they wanted to dance and perform for us in appreciation for the fresh water! The whole village had planned to be there on Sat. but we could not stay, according to Bobby. This is Jawa's next door neighbor's house--look at it upside down!! Waving goodbye! As you can see they no longer live in thatched roofed homes and wear scant clothing, but they are still quite removed from the rest of the world.  I was impressed at how much Jawa does for his people(he built a school and even teaches the children).  The fresh water is most important to their health now.  The people do not even speak Malay, only their tribal language.  The children speak English, Malay, and their native tongue!  Thanks to Jawa! Hope you enjoyed this adventure, I'm still recouperating!  Love, MOM and DAD	Edit	View