TURNING an abandoned countryside home into a holiday stay can be tough, yet a rewarding endeavour.
This is especially so for a place where the old home location offers a unique and authentic travel experience.
Wes Kandung Homestay, located at a deserted site in Kampung Pain Bojong, upper Penrissen, is a good example of a repurposed abandoned country side home.
Its owner, Wes Tami, had turned his old home into a homestay, offering a wonderful place for overnight stay holiday and staycation.
The old home was among only two remaining houses not inundated by the Bengoh Dam as both were built near the hill top, next to each other, above the flooded dam area.
The old Kampung Pain Bojong was a low-lying village that had existed in the region, according to oral history records, as early as 1893.
It is said that their great grandparents by the name of Saang and Sandung cleared Bung Jogong for their first settlement after they came down from Bung Kiding in 1893.
There were quite a number of families at Bung Jogong by that time before they decided to split and resided either in Sait or Pain.
According to Wes, a longhouse built by the early settlers in Pain was razed by fire in 1986.
After the disaster, they moved further up to a place called Bojong and Sting, where each family built detached houses.
Located on the banks of the Bengoh River and its tributaries, Bojong is the second closest village to Bengoh Dam.
Most of the villagers there have moved out to Bengoh Resettlement Scheme (BRS) in 2015 while a few decided to resettle to a higher area, called Kampung Sting.
Breathtaking Beauty
After the whole village was flooded, Wes’ old home now sits on an area of breathtaking natural beauty – perched high on a hill above a section of a scenic flooded dam.
Having involved in hiking business since 2004 while he was still staying in their old village, Wes sees his old house has the potential to be transformed into a place for holiday and staycation, and renovated it about three years ago.
“Turning this old home into a holiday stay involved renovating the existing buildings, creating new amenities, and ensuring it retains its original charm while meeting modern travel needs.
“Now, not only this place can breathe new life into our forgotten area, but also attract tourists who appreciate the history and tranquility of this location,” he told Sarawak Tribune during a tour to his homestay.
The materials used for renovation and creating new features to other building components were mainly wood and bamboos from the nearby forest.
For example, for the tanju or open veranda, its design displays a truly authentic and unique feature of the Bidayuh style.
Erected on the hill slope, supported by long wooden posts, Wes constructed a covered relaxing shelter around a rambutan tree.
The tanju floor is made of split bamboos while the shelter is thatched with sago leaves.
From the tanju, visitors can enjoy a cool fresh air, a beautiful scenic view of the dam, the lake, and the natural greenery surrounding it.
“I built this tanju to provide my guests a memorable holiday stay, natural atmosphere, and unique experiences during their stay here,” said Wes.
Connecting With Nature
Wes said renovating the house, specially building the tanju, was not easy because of the height and steep slope.
“But I have to do it because I want my guests to truly feel connected to nature, by just sitting and looking at the lush greenery and the dam view, which I believe gives a peaceful and picturesque setting that one will always remember,” he said.
This place, as described by a tourist from Syria, has the real meaning of will, strength and motivation; it is the best place for peace and relaxing.
“I know how great and strong you are to build this by your own Wes,” he wrote in the guest log book.
Wes Kandung Homestay provides clean and well-maintained toilets and shower facilities, ensuring comfort during the visitors’ stay.
The two bathrooms and two toilets available are connected to a gravity feed water system.
To light up his home and turn on the fans and karaoke set, Wes installed a few solar panels aside from powering them with a generator.
Wes said his homestay was one of the products introduced and offered by his joint venture company, which he set up with a female partner, Mathilda Jesse, a fellow Bidayuh.
Together with his partner, they have created a social media account named ‘Borneo Waterfall and Homestay’ to reach potential guests.
They also collaborate with local travel agents to promote and sell their holiday stay or hiking activities.
“We also engage with local residents, providing job for them. Some of them are engaged as our part-time tour guides and some help us to prepare food for our staycation customers and overnight guests,” he said.
At Wes Kandung Homestay, they serve Muslim-friendly traditional Bidayuh cuisine.
Upon request by the guests, Wes Kandung Homestay can also arrange for the ‘the Ring Lady’ to meet with visitors for dinner and photo sessions.
Boat Cruise Above Submerged Villages
While Bengoh Dam itself is accessible by road, Wes Kandung Homestay is accessible only by boat from Bengoh Dam.
Actually, the real excitement starts on the boat ride where travellers can enjoy a peaceful cruise along the reservoir, and indulge in the breathtaking landscapes surrounded by stunning views of the Bengoh Range and mountains.
It’s hard to believe, but the boat ride along two spots in Bengoh Dam is actually cruising above two villages – Kampung Pain Bojong and Kampung Taba Sait – both totally underwater now.
From Bengoh Dam to Wes Kandung Homestay, the journey in a 60-horsepower speedboat takes about 10 minutes.
There’s no shortage of activities at Wes Kandung Homestay.
The lake itself is an excellent place for rafting and fishing.
It is also a base for exploring the surrounding area, with several trails available for both day and night hiking, and nature walk and trip to the famous waterfalls such as Curtain/Pe’an waterfalls and the Jurasic Park/Susung Waterfall.
Those who prefer a more relaxed experience can just sit back and enjoy the stunning lake views from the open veranda of the homestay.
Wes and Mathilda can be contacted at 014-8764466 and 010-2317878 respectively.
