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Batu Puteh
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Food & Drink
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Overview
This community on the banks of the Kinabatangan River run their own home stay and mini tourism projects. Not only do you get to see some of the local wildlife up close and personal you will also learn more about living in the community itself.
Situated on the banks of the Kinabatangan River, Batu Puteh is approximately 60 km from the nearest town of Lahad Datu which is on the east coast of Borneo. It is also approximately 2 hours drive south of the town of Sandakan which used to be the state capital up until the Second World war. The name Batu Puteh (which means white rock from the days when there used to be a rock in the river which the locals used for navigation) actually covers a number of communities spread out near the river.
There are two types of accommodation at Batu Puteh – homestay and jungle camp.
The homestay will see you living with a local family for several nights with a friend – you will not be alone on a placement. The families are used to having visitors in their houses and it is an excellent way of earning additional income for them. They will cook traditional local food for you and take care of you during your stay. You will sleep in one of their bedrooms, not shared with other family members you will be glad to hear. It is an excellent opportunity to experience life in a Sabahan family and it is worth learning a few words of malay before hand to maximise your time there.
The jungle camp will see you setting up your own hammock and tarpaulin in the very jungle you have been working in during the day. You will be shown how to construct your hammock – there are many ways of doing it – slung between two trees, on an A frame or part of a larger structure with your friends. The tarpaulin will keep any rain out (hopefully – if constructed correctly) and of course you will sleep inside a mosquito net to keep any unwanted guests out. You will sleep amongst the sights, sounds and smells of the jungle and be surprised by the sheer volume of noise the jungle makes after dark.
Whether staying with a family or out in the jungle the local community will provide you with three healthy, well balanced and tasty meals a day. There will be a mix of local menus and a sprinkling of western food, hopefully catering to all tastes and requirements. This will also include local cakes and goodies which the community are particularly good at making in great quantities.
As in all our camps unlimited drinking water is supplied as standard: the water is purified through European standard filters and chemical purification, which reduces risk of waterborne diseases. Soft drinks can be provided at your expense.
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There is reasonable mobile phone reception in and around the community and all key management carry mobile phones. If you have 'international roaming' activated on your phone you will be able to make and receive calls. We suggest you purchase a local SIM card if you intend to use your phone in order to avoid the horribly high roaming bills. However we also encourage you to minimise on phone use – you can catch up with everything back home when you get back – don’t let the phone interrupt your experience. In addition for your time in the jungle your phone may get damp and you should think twice about taking it with you into these conditions.
As part of your experience with the community of Batu Puteh they usually lay on a few extras for you. They love to play sport every evening so you can get involved with this – it is usually volleyball and although they may be slightly shorter than westerners, the community are extremely good players. They also may show you how to do Silat which is a cross between dance and karate – it is a traditional form of dance and exercise and is a dying art which is taught by the elders. The community will also lay on a farewell cultural performance for you which will involve dancing, dressing up in traditional costumes and plenty of participation from every one. A great way to end your stay with them.
