WAKING up to a quiet morning in Kampung Banghuris in Sungai Pelek is a peaceful experience, to say the least.
A break from the blaring din usually heard in cities is just what yours truly needed, it turns out. Still, in hindsight, it is somewhat strange to be greeted by the chirping of birds and subtle whisper of the wind.
Misriah Natijo, who hosts the kampungstay tucked in a lush corner of Sepang, Selangor, is a soft-spoken, 71-year-old woman. She exudes a motherly charm as she calls for breakfast at the dining area built on stilts next to a river.
“As you know, the community here is mostly of Javanese descent. Here’s a plate of nasi ambeng for breakfast,” she says to my delight, as I am particularly big on breakfast.
In between scooping the rice and noodles, Misriah says she is accustomed to hosting many tourists over the past 20 years – from international school children to families.
“I have made many friends, both local and international. It has been a delightful experience. They pretty much enjoy the atmosphere, the scenery and the activities we have for them.
“They come here for the experience. And like you, they too need a break from the city. But they also want to know more about local activities.”
Among the common activities carried out by the kampungstay guests at Kampung Banghuris are rubber-tapping, coffee bean mashing, fishing, and if you are lucky, a wedding feast.
“But it has been raining today. So no rubber-tapping for you,” she quips.
The kampungstay zone in the village is designed to be a centralised tourism centre – a large parking space surrounded by small homestay units, a dining area/restaurant, a community centre, a rubber smallholding and a few places for games.
Her husband, Basir Wagiman, is the owner and coordinator of the kampungstay. An affable man who smiles constantly, he shares that their guests, other than Singaporeans, Thais and Westerners, are mostly from Japan.
“The Japanese love our food. They are interested in the spices we use for the sambal, for example, as well as how we cook our food.
“The kids are interested in local cultural performances usually held at night. They are also interested in wearing local traditional costumes such as the baju Melayu and baju kurung.”
According to Basir, the Kampung Banghuris kampungstay programme actually covers three villages – Kampung Bukit Bangkong, Kampung Hulu Chuchuh and Kampung Hulu Teris.
“So when you merge them, you’ll get Banghuris. We have 30 family hosts here. More villages means more activities and revenue for the locals,” he explains proudly.
Showing various pictures of tourists attending programmes in the village, he adds with a laugh, while thumping his hand on his chair’s armrest : “You came during a bad weather. So for now, we can just lepak lepak (hang out), chat and eat.”
Later, armed with an umbrella, Basir takes me for a short walk around the activity area, as he describes the things guests would do during their stay.
“We even teach them how to press the coffee beans like the old days. You smash it like this,” Basir said as he squishes a bean using a large wooden spoon-like apparatus.
Basir reminisces about the early days when the village first began receiving guests, who among others, included ministers and other dignitaries.
“They came here to see the development of the village and became interested to see the community-based programmes in store for our guests.”
Whenever a guest leaves at the end of their stay, Basir and Misriah would bid a fond farewell and wish them a safe journey.
“Just as I would say to you later before you leave this place – we pray that you travel safely because who knows, we might see each other again.”
