Long Seridan is a Kelabit settlement areas in the Marudi division of Sarawak. It is one of the smaller villages that shares the portion of Bario Highlands. About sixteen villages are located in and around Bario Highlands. The Kelabit speak their own language and did not have a written form of their language until a recent effort is taken to document the language in a dictionary, partly to preserve it.
Malaysia Airlines via MASWings operates flights from Miri or Marudi into Long Seridan STOLport. STOL is a short form for short take-off and landing.
The Bario Salt Factory is located at Kampung Pa’Umor. It is an establishment whereby the local Kelabit families taking turns to produce the Bario Salt by spending about two weeks staying near some natural salt springs. Each family will prepare cut bamboo containers and filled them with the natural salt water before being heated over high wood fire to dry out. These processes took place inside the factory hut and the inside temperature is about 40 until 50 degrees Celsius. After the drying process, the produced salt goes for another round of complete drying near the open fire before being removed and packaged using the local llad jungle leaves and tied with fine rattan string. The Bario Salt is well known for their high natural mineral contents including natural iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium which have been traditionally used for treating thyroid problems.
Bario Highlands offers several interesting and exciting nature trails for hiking and trekking activities with local guides. The standard walking paths usually bring the guests passing through local Kelabit homes, paddy fields, churches and schools. During the session, locals were seen went about their daily chores while guests are seem to be unnoticed.
Local hillsides around Bario Highlands provides an excellent opportunities for bird watchers to catch a glimpse of several rare species of birds. One such trip offers at least 20 birds spotted.
Searching for a place to stay is quite a challenge in Bario. However, if you are fancy staying in a longhouse, one shall make a reservation at the Labang Longhouse Lodge. You may experience the community activities happening in a longhouse environment. Initiate a conversation with the locals and have a taste of their traditional home-cooked recipes. You will be surely surprised to learn several quick dance steps as well as have a go at their wooden blowpipes used for hunting in the wild.
At Ulung Palang, just a short distance from Bario marketplace, there lies the Jungle Blues Dream Art Gallery. It was run by a local artist named Stephen Baya, showcasing his artwork masterpiece consisted of a blend of ethnic motifs combined with contemporary styles. Stephen also provides a homestay accommodation by the same place. In 2013, several of his works were featured in a Cambridge University art exhibition entitled ‘Home is where the hearth is.’ His other great artwork includes the illustrations for the book ‘Tuked Rini, Cosmic Traveller: Life and Legend in the Heart of Borneo.’ Tuked Rini is one of the Kelabit warrior legend.
Formerly known as the Royal Mulu Resort, this is an international class nature and activities resort located nearby the Gunung Mulu National Park. . Its rooms are built on wooden stilts linked by a series of wooden walkways on the banks of the Melinau River. The resort offers excellent facilities and services in ensuring a comfortable stay during the vacation.
Popular Landmark | Long Seridan Airport (ODN) |