Driving north
We rented a small kancil and we started heading north. Our plan was simple. Drive to Kudat. Places that we wanted to visit includes: Tip of Borneo, Kota Belud and Rasa Ria Orang Utan Sanctuary. In between, check in anywhere for a night stay. With that, we started our little engine and vrrroooomm!..

While we were speeding to highway, we managed a quick stop at Likas Wetlands. We took our time to check out Raleigh's previous venturer work on a bird hideout while still suffering from diving-too-much sydrome.

Kampung Bavanggazo
As we were driving to Kudat, we spotted road signs leading to Kampung Bavanggazo. We were told earlier that we could spend a night in long house somewhere near that area. We followed the sign and reached The Rungus Long House. Greeted by chickens, we looked around the unique village and got really into the long house mood.

"Hello... can we stay here?"

"Yes! RM50 per person.."

A quick bargain pulled the price down to RM45 per person.

 

Getting started
We were served fresh coconuts as our first delights from the Rungus. Ang Kung, the long house manager then bring us around the little village and brief us about their remarkable tradition.

 

Traditional dinner
We were surpised with the level of professionalism the Rungus has. Our bed was beautifully made, toilet was modern and clean and everybody in the village was polite. We sang happily as we took our cold shower.

Dinner was then served. A jug of warm Sabah tea and 6 kampung style dishes - 5 veggies and 1 chicken. Three words to describe our dinner - traditional, simple and tasty! Life was suddenly 1940!

 

 

Rungus Party
The Rungus kids came in with some large bamboos right after our table was cleared. They were playing bamboo dancing game and it was really fun to watch. We no longer tolerate the temptations and we challenged the kids. As our noise of laughter roared, the Rungus ladies came with their traditional outfit.

Me: "Eh? What is this lady doing?"

Ang Kung: "She is performing our traditional Rungus nose flute..."

Me: "Flute using nose? Wah lauu weyyyy!! Respeeeeeeeect!!..."

Download short movie (AVI format) - me-and-bamboo-dance.zip (3mb)
Download short movie (AVI format) - merry-go-round.zip (0.95mb)

 

The ladies performed a few type of traditional ladies dances. The male has a different type of dancing all together. Ang Kung then gave each of us a handmade scaf as souvenirs. With the power of Rungus generousity, we joined the dance and yelled out the night >>