Patarak village, Pakistan

Patarak village towards Dir to Thal village.

Thank you to Usman for this view.

Sent :19 May 2014  Received 3 June 2014   Travelled: 15 days

A village life

The kampung house from outside

The road out the village, most of Kinabatangan has lost its jungle to Palm trees sadly

Inside, the kitchen where the hub of activity is ,the children come to play and the women gather to do 

chores or just to meet and chat. Under the vynil flooring is the earth itself. Behind me from where I stand to take this pic is the living room where we slept, well actually I was meant to stay in the smaller house for guests but a spooky intruder in the night made me move my bedding into the main house, I thought it was a rat that had ran across my face, but they told me it was the cat, maybe that would explain the clammy paw I felt on my hand when it was softly treading across me before my nerve broke and I jumped of the bed. Yes laugh! it was not fun :(

I rather imagine the cat than the rat!

Sometime during the stay my host apologised for not having the city comforts of home. I told her I didn't mind it at all, as long as there was a toilet and a door to shut it and a decent spot to sleep then I can rough it out.I certainly wasn't complaining! That is part of the adventure,to see how rural people live and to push the boundaries of my comfort level. I knew what this trip entailed and not having 5 star comforts does not faze me! I just don't like creepy crawlies in the dark >.<

I feel like this cat too! it's still too early to be up! 

Farewell picture

A home by the river

At the Kinabatangan river you will see houses along the river and some lodges. Before heading out to our river cruise, we stopped by at my host's relative's home. There her aunt welcomed us warmly and bade us to sit in her living room. Her shy daughter peeking out curiously at us from the kitchen. We sure were a colourful group!

The aunt had only got told of our visit that very morning and having no proper feast for us quickly got her daughter who works at the Eco Lodge to bring home some fresh water prawns from their trap. It was unexpected but that is how generous villagers are to outsiders, they don't begrudge their best to share with strangers.