Long Pasia is a village in Sipitang Sabah which is synonymous with nature and as home to the Lundayeh people. They are mostly paddy planters and hunters. In their plantations they usually plant catch crops like yams, tapioca and sweet potatoes.
The village is nestled in the valley, with houses built on the gentle slopes. At the flat land on the valley where the schools, clinic and shops are, runs a river.
Actually this is where three rivers meet one from the North, one from the East and merge to run towards the West. The unique part about this river is the colour which is almost red. It is not polluted, it is just coloured that way.
The village is participating in the homestay programme and many houses are earmarked as such. This is especially for houses that have good clean modern toilets, a compulsory requirement.
On the homestay programme activities, there are many and various. The Balang Homestay for instance offers a wide array of activities, according to Tour Guide, Maxson Balang.
“We have a river cruise that takes about 40 minutes. We take our guests down the river to bird watch and generally see the wild life along the river,” he shares adding that they also get to walk around the village experience the cool ambiance there.
“Besides that we also take them rafting. Not white water rafting but rafting slowly down the river on a bamboo raft. It’s an experience and also pit one’s prowess against nature.”
“Our highlight is the trek to the waterfalls. It is a good walk, a little challenging to those unused to the terrain. I have guided many people to the waterfalls and they have nothing but praises for the sights.”
“Along the way, I showed them edible plants and herbs. This is of great interest to most of our guests, especially those who are not accustomed to the jungles.”
Maxson says the villagers have knowledge of jungle food and medicinal plants as they have always lived with nature and their their ancestors had garnered so much of such knowledge through the generations.
Besides that, the people there also accord their guests with a taste of their traditional food, gathered from the forests.
“We serve them local food or whatever we have, so they know what we eat here. I believe this enriches their homestay experience.”
This way guests will go home with a rich knowledge of the people in their host country, he adds.-CE/BNN
