Saturday, August 14, 2010

Sunday bridges: in Mulu, Borneo



http://bayphoto.blogspot.com/


Much of Sarawak, Borneo is low lying and swampy. Many of the houses are built with stilts which my British teen aged pen friend exclaimed," Your house has legs." This is actually a clever way, when it floods, the house is safe from water.

We were in Mulu, and the resort was in the highlands. Still the buildings were built on stilts. I looked down and realised why. It was very muddy, and there were lots of roots ready to trip you. The stilts were very high, and bridges link one building to another.

We had our lunch, a soya chicken, with vegetables and a clear soup served all at the same time. We ate the Malaysian way, a spoon and a fork. The spoon we use to scoop our rice. Instead of dessert, we had fresh fruit. Sam was very happy as he loves water melon and coming from winter in New Zealand, he didn't get to eat a lot of that here. Besides water melons are very expensive in Auckland, and mean me, I don't buy often.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

LOL house with legs! my 8-year old nephew would have said--you live in a tree house! :p

i think we have watermelons here all year round but they're much more abundant during the summer. i like the stilt bridge...looks like a great place to walk after a meal.:p

Francisca said...

Okay, Anne, here's a place I haven't been to... YET! :-D I understand why the walkways and houses need to be built on stilts.

Your meanness, Ann, is built into your cultural DNA. :-D I don't know many Chinese who are not frugal, my honey included, even when they have loads of money (not to say that we do). The exception to this is the new generation of wealthy in China who have become the largest market for luxury labels. Having said that, I'm no spendthrift myself.

To answer your question, travel is my #1 priority and I am genius in planning/doing it without great expense and without suffering (no backpacking for me!). I have family and friends all over the globe. I never travel in tours. I [happily] forgo a lot of things other people spend on, from designer goods to regular meals out. I also travel a lot for business and always take time to see something of the area I visit. With my camera, of course. :-D

Yes, I'll let you know when I come to Auckland. :-)

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

thanks so much for praying...Where do you live?

Teresa

Anonymous said...

Watermelon is a cool treat and a good substitute for dessert. Interesting about the houses on stilts with the bridges.

joo said...

I love your photos Anne - lunch one made me hungry again:) Looks that it's good place for vegetarian (as I am - and often have problems here!)I alo love the idea of houses with leg! Very wise!
As for your question - this monastery is still habitated by monks and the concerts take place in church. Nobody is allowed to camp in the park, we only come there for concrts.

Cezar and Léia said...

Dear Ann
Glad that you had this opportunity to visit such a fabulous resort!
Hmmmm The lunch looks delicious, I love soya chicken!
And the bridge is adorable with all geometric design, very stylish.
Hugs
Léia - Bonjour Luxembourg

cieldequimper said...

I like 'houses on legs', the expression is great but the concept is so smart.

Kaori said...

With everyone being so high up, it kind of seems like a big tree house! Great post, Anne :D

Indrani said...

How exciting! Lovely shots, mouth watering ones too.

Anonymous said...

Great post and let's hear it for watermelon. Love all the photos.

Louis la Vache said...

E-mail «Louis» some of that chicken, please! You made him hungry - he focused on the food and forgot all about your bridge!
;-D

Ginny Hartzler said...

I always learn something new here! I would be afraid to live in a house of stilts! Storms and high winds! Plus I am afraid of heights. How sturdy are they? The food looks so good!

Life Is A Road Trip said...

Amazing. It's truly eye opening to see other parts of the world. Looks like it must have been a wonderful trip.

The JR said...

Sounds like a delicious lunch.

We have a few houses around our rivers that are on stilts.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I've always wanted to visit Borneo. Lovely bridge.