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Get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey of adventure and culture at Saloma Village Stay, where breathtaking views and authentic Bidayuh experiences await you!
You’re in for a treat at Saloma Village Stay. Situated in the far reaches of scenic Sarawak and nestled in the lush Borneo rainforest, this charming spot offers a blend of adventure and culture.
Your host, Saloma, a Bidayuh native, ensures that your stay is both cozy and enlightening. The village stay is located on a hilltop, providing picturesque views that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
As a seasoned semi-budget traveler and travel planner, I’m always on the lookout for unique and affordable experiences that offer more than just a place to sleep.
Our day trip visit to Saloma Village Stay in Borneo was nothing short of spectacular.
From the rich Bidayuh culture to the breathtaking natural landscapes, every moment was filled with wonder and excitement.
In this blog post, I’ll share my insights and tips to help you get the most out of this incredible destination. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this hidden gem!
SBT Highlights
- Saloma Villagestay offers an authentic Borneo cultural and nature experience.
- Activities include jungle trekking, waterfall swimming, and traditional craft classes.
- It is a family-friendly destination with a discount for children aged 3-11.
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Saloma Village Stay
Looking for an unforgettable adventure in Borneo?
Saloma Villagestay offers a unique chance to experience authentic Borneo culture and nature.
Nestled in Sarawak, nearly to the border of Indonesia, this charming homestay is surrounded by lush rainforest.
You’ll stay in a cozy Bidayuh wooden house on top of a hill, where the scenic views and sounds of nature create a perfect escape from the everyday hustle.
The activities here are designed to immerse you in the local culture.
You can go jungle trekking, swim in spectacular waterfalls, and even try wild foraging.
If you want to learn more about the indigenous life, the bamboo cookery classes and visits to Bidayuh longhouses are a must.
The hosts, Saloma and her family, are Bidayuh natives who ensure you’ll feel right at home while sharing their rich traditions with you.
Saloma’s village stay is kid-friendly, making it an excellent choice for a family vacation.
Your children can have fun and learn at the same time, plus they get a discount if they are between 3-11 years old.
If you book your stay ahead of time, you can look forward to a full range of extraordinary experiences in a beautiful, welcoming environment.
Exploring Saloma’s Village Stay
Saloma’s Village Stay offers an authentic glimpse into Bidayuh culture amidst the lush rainforest of Borneo. With charming accommodations and culinary delights, it’s a perfect place for your next adventure.
A Glimpse Into Bidayuh Culture
Saloma and her family are Bidayuh natives, and they bring the rich traditions of their people to life.
You’ll experience the Bidayuh village ways through guided jungle treks and visits to Bidayuh longhouses.
Interactive activities like wild foraging and bamboo cookery classes immerse you in the culture.
The friendly people you meet will leave a lasting impression.
Accommodations Amidst Nature
Perched atop a hill, Saloma’s house offers a great view of the surrounding rainforest of Borneo. The accommodations include typical Bidayuh open tree houses, providing a cozy and charming place to rest.
You’ll enjoy the privacy and tranquility of the jungle.
The village stay is a serene retreat, allowing you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Culinary Delights at Saloma’s
Your taste buds are in for a treat with the delicious food prepared at Saloma’s Village Stay.
Meals are made with fresh organic ingredients sourced from Saloma’s farm.
The cooking classes introduce you to unique Bidayuh culinary techniques, including bamboo cookery.
You’ll learn to cook with local, fresh ingredients and even join in the meal preparations.
Whether it’s a hearty breakfast or an elaborate dinner, the food is sure to be a highlight of your stay.
Saloma’s gracious hosting extends to the kitchen, making every meal a memorable experience.
Making the Most of Your Village Stay
Your village stay at Saloma Villagestay promises unforgettable experiences and rich cultural insights. Dive into thrilling activities and ensure you’re staying connected despite being in the heart of the rainforest.
Activities and Adventure
At Saloma Villagestay, adventure is always on the agenda.
You might kick off your day with a jungle trek that takes you through the lush Rainforest of Borneo.
You’ll discover hidden paths and spectacular waterfalls.
Fancy trying wild foraging? Here, you can join the villagers in gathering forest treasures and possibly cooking them in a traditional bamboo cookery class.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy this hands-on experience.
Don’t miss crossing a charming bamboo bridge.
It’s like stepping into another world, connecting you to the authentic longhouse visits where you learn about Bidayuh culture.
Staying Connected
Being in a remote village doesn’t mean you have to drop off the grid completely.
Many people worry about connectivity, particularly if they are power users who rely heavily on their devices.
Word to the Wise:
- Try reading a book during your down time!
- Look around at the wonders of creation.
- Talk to people, like face-to-face.
Adapt and rely more on offline activities during your stay.
Round-trip transportation from Kuching is included in all of the packages.
Embrace precious opportunities to disconnect digitally and reconnect with nature, culture, and the people around you.
If you’d like, you can download an offline map before your trip into the rainforest, because it is interesting to see exactly where you are in the world.
Our Day Trip Experience at Saloma Village Stay
When we were planning our trip to southeast Asia, we were definitely focused on maintaining semi-budget travel status.
The way we do semi-budget travel, though, is to leave room for a splurge here and there.
And when we’re considering what that “here and there” might be, tops on our list is looking for unique, authentic, local experiences.
A large part of our trip would be visiting our friends in Kuching, Malaysia, which is on the island of Borneo.
We already had one major authentic Borneo experience on our itinerary…Gawai!
Then, when we discovered Saloma Villagestay, we knew we had found another authentic Borneo adventure.
Saloma Villagestay offers multi-day tours, where you will actually lodge at Saloma’s house.
Since we had a hotel in town, we opted for the daytrip.
We still got to experience Saloma’s hospitality in her home, even though we were just there for the day.
As you will see, pivoting from a degree in Mass Communication to renovating her father’s house and becoming the most gracious host, Saloma has found her true calling.
Want to experience authentic Sarawak culture?
Look no further than this Bidayuh village day trip, with orangutans, jungle, longhouses, and more!
Saloma Villagestay Borneo Daytrip
The price of our day trip included:
- All-day transportation, with pick-up and drop-off at our hotel in Kuching
- Admission to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
- Snack stop on the way to Saloma’s house
- Guided tour of Bidayuh kampung longhouses
- Lunch at Saloma’s house
- Guided jungle trek and waterfall swim
- Dinner at Saloma’s house
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
Saloma herself picked us up at our hotel in Kuching.
Our first stop was at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where our entry fee was included as part of the daytrip.
The main reason to visit Semenggoh is to see the orangutans in their natural habitat, and we were not disappointed!
Flora and fauna are both in abundance!
Snack Stop
Continuing on our way further south from Kuching, we stopped for a snack at a place seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
Saloma, however, knows exactly where she’s going!
We consumed freshly made roti and ice cold teh tarik (oh man, now I’m hungry!) that made for the perfect snack.
Our snack was also included as part of the daytrip.
Saloma Homestay: Bidayuh Immersion
Back on the road, heading even further south, we finally arrived at the area where Saloma’s house is located.
At this point, we were fairly close to the Malaysia/Indonesia border.
We took a walk through a Bidayuh longhouse village.
The Bidayuh are one of the people groups in Kuching, and Saloma is proud to be a Bidayuh & Sarawak native!
Bidayuh Kampung Longhouses
We saw real, in-use kampung (villages), hung out in legit longhouses, and walked across bamboo bridges.
Saloma Villagestay House
You might have a path from the street to your front door at home.
This is the path from the street to Saloma’s front door…a bamboo bridge!
Once you cross the bamboo bridge, the entrance to the house is up a narrow, extremely steep staircase.
So much fun!
Traditional Bidayuh Food
Once inside, we relaxed on the veranda, while an authentic Bidayuh lunch was being prepared for us.
Couches and hammocks were on hand, as well as a western bathroom.
Saloma also hosts multi-day trips with overnight stays in her home.
Traditional Bidayuh food uses a lot of veggies, and at Saloma Villagestay, all the food served is either grown locally on the family farm or collected/sourced from the jungle/wild.
Jungle Trek & Waterfall Swim
After lunch, we geared up for our jungle trek.
This jungle trek is about as authentic Borneo as it gets! We literally walked a narrow path through thick jungle, including multiple bamboo bridges along the way.
Our jungle trek took us to a waterfall, where we had the opportunity to swim in a water hole underneath a waterfall!
When the weather on this particular May 30 is Max Temp = 91°F and Average Humidity = 84%, a waterfall swim sounds really great.
Time to Relax & Enjoy Authentic Bidayuh Dinner
After our wonderful jungle adventure, we hiked back to Saloma’s house and had some more time to just hang out and relax on the veranda before dinner time.
Dinner was another amazing authentic Bidayuh meal.
One of the desserts we were served is a delicate homemade sweet shredded wheat-type confection.
Sweet crispy stuff, for short.
I don’t know what it’s really called, but we had it twice in Kuching, and I love it!
I didn’t get the greatest pic of it, but it looks like this.
Back to Kuching
After dinner, it was time to head back to Kuching for the night.
Saloma drove us back to our hotel after dark.
It was a very full day! We had left the hotel at 8:15 a.m. and got back around 9:00 p.m.
We were extremely tired. Younger Daughter actually fell asleep standing up (feet on ground, torso on bed)!
Without a doubt, however, our Saloma Village Stay daytrip was one of the major highlights of our time on Borneo.
It was great spending the day with Bidayuh people & experiencing everything. Maybe next time we’ll try an overnight stay!
Orangutans, jungle, and longhouses…oh my!
Sarawak culture and authentic Borneo at its best!
Frequently Asked Questions
Saloma Village Stay offers a unique jungle retreat with activities for the whole family. You’ll find comfy accommodations, plenty of outdoor adventures, and family-friendly amenities.
Could you give me the scoop on what’s included in Saloma Village’s accommodations?
You’ll stay in charming rooms surrounded by lush rainforest views.
Each room comes with cozy beds and basic amenities to make your stay comfortable.
The vibe is rustic yet welcoming, giving you a true taste of Borneo.
What experiences should I expect to add to my scrapbook from a Saloma Village visit?
Saloma Village offers exciting activities like jungle trekking, swimming in stunning waterfalls, and bamboo cookery classes.
You’ll also get to visit Bidayuh longhouses and learn about local crafts.
All this makes for a true Borneo adventure, blending natural beauty with cultural experiences.
How does Saloma Village cater to the little adventurers in the family?
Saloma Village is perfect for families.
Kids can explore nature safely with guided tours, enjoy hands-on craft activities, and discover wildlife.
There’s plenty to keep young ones engaged and entertained, ensuring a fun time for the entire family.
SBT Summary: Saloma Village Stay
You’re in for a treat at Saloma Village Stay. Nestled in the lush Borneo rainforest, this charming spot offers a blend of adventure and culture.
Your host, Saloma, a Bidayuh native, ensures that your stay is both cozy and enlightening. The village stay is located on a hilltop, providing picturesque views for days.
Activities
- Jungle Trekking: Explore the dense rain forest.
- Waterfall Swimming: Cool off in spectacular natural pools.
- Wild Foraging: Learn about edible plants from the local Bidayuh tribe.
- Bamboo Cookery Classes: Discover traditional cooking methods.
Cultural Excursions
- Bidayuh Longhouse Visits: Step back in time with a visit to traditional homes.
- Handicrafts: Try your hand at making authentic local crafts.
Enjoy time with native Bidayuh, and help support the local community.
Experience the best of Bidayuh traditions and the natural beauty of Borneo with a stay at Saloma Village Stay.
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