Going Down The Memory Lane

It was 28 years ago since I left the place and never came back. I’ve updated myself with the development from friends and family member until recently, I had the opportunity to leave my footprint there again. For that I’m grateful to the current research project that I’m involved in which eventually welcoming me back to my past.

The journey start by embarking a Twin Otter plane to Long San. There are 2 flights schedule to Long San that fall on every Thursday and Monday. As we flew on Thursday, we transit at Marudi for 15 minutes before continuing the journey for 50 minutes to reach Long Akah airport. Otherwise, it will be approximately 1 hour direct flight from Miri to Long Akah airport (on Monday).

When the plane about to land at the airport, I saw the row of Long Akah shops, the Fort, Agriculture Department Station were covered with thick primary forest from up above. I cried silently as I never thought that someday it would be a ‘The Lost City in the Forest’.

We were greeted by Philip (the younger brother to Mr. Penghulu) at the airport and checked in at the Penghulu’s house. After we’ve settled down, I can’t wait to explore the places where I used to hang out. I started to bring the team with me to explore the river bank of San river. A place where I used to built sandcastle, picnic, bathing and swimming.

Later, I walked down to the mission where the Catholic missioneries settled down at Baram river. They built a church, a convent (now, it has closed due to the instruction by the Bishop), a primary school, a clinic and a mini-hydro dam for its electricty supply. Eventually, Long San become the transit point for all the villagers who stayed along the Baram river to send their children for education and medical treatments. Back then, Long Akah was the main centre for trading purposes.

I did went back and visited my previous secondary school too. Back then, I was the 2nd batch of student to enrol into this secondary school during its 2nd year of operation. I was amazed on the changes where the school now  has transformed into any other secondary school at urban areas. The school are supplied with 24hours electricity supplies, 2 public phone booths provided at the school main entrance, pillow and mattresses are provided in the hostel.  Back then, any student who brings their own mattress are considered quite rich coz most of the student don’t sleep on pillow and mattress. 

Prior to the trip, I’ve made a promise to myself that I must go and visit the Long San mini-hydro dam. I wanted to go back through the jungle trails toward the dam as I used to hang out here during the weekends and it is also the place where we used to find firewood for our cooks to cook our food. Back then, the boarders had to find firewood in the forest as part of their work party otherwise we will be starving.

I’ve spent 3 years of my childhood in the forest where I was exposed to different dialect of Kenyah, Kayan and Penan language. This is where I’ve had my first full circle of Catholic activities in the calendar where I was exposed to fasting, reading verses from the Bible, leading cell prayer group, Rosary month, confession and many more which eventually had turned me becoming one of the church care-taker. Not only, I get to clean the church, decorating the church with flowers for Sunday mass, replenishing the holy water but also get to ring the big church bell .

This is also where I learnt growing up the hard way and for that I thank you my mom for doing so. Otherwise, I may not able to appreciate rural area lifestyle and most importantly the beautiful culture of the Kenyah. However, I didn’t get to cheerish all of this for long as my dad had better plan for his children. He transfered my siblings including myself  to the urban area hoping that it will give us a better exposure and experience of which he did achieved successfully eventually.

I’ll be back. Soon.