Bakun Dam, Baram, Sarawak

3/6/2017

"Jelatong" Floating House

The Bakun Dam is an embankment located in Sarawak, in between the two towns of Miri and Bintulu. The Bakun Dam was built over the Balui River a tributary or source of the Rajang River and some sixty kilometres west of Belaga.

The residents in the area preferably speaks in a few languages, mainly kayan, iban and malay.
The Bakun Dam was built over the homes of the local kayan dwellers in the area and most are forced to moved to the nearby villages of Belaga.
However, there are still a few families who decided to stay. Hence, the floating houses that now exists throughout the embankment.

Taking advantage of the situation, owners of floating houses in the area offers home stay programmes to tourists and fishing fanatics and or enthusiasts who wish to visit the embankment.
Visitors who are lucky, will be overjoyed with the massive amount of catch that one can get with just a measly throw of the fishing net.
NO SKILL NEEDED. 100% FISH GUARANTEED

One just need to know WHEN and WHERE to go. (with the help of our hosts
We were lucky to have an incredibly friendly family host to bring us to the right spots to fish. Probably we speak the same language. Bias-ness a bit there.
Though we were able to fish all we want with unlimited fishes right at our fingertips, the weather decided to intervene by pouring down quite a bit - which was bad.
Those of you who have not explore the rivers of the Borneon jungle, little rain may mean nothing to you.

Luckily, I went with fellow veterans of such situation. As I have experienced, Rain means high possibility of a flash flood specially in a small river.
As the water level of the river increases rapidly, we managed to escape safely (before actually was in risk of being capsized as the boat's engine decided to stall a minute or two) back to the house without harm. The tranquility that the place offers were incredible! Stressed? This is the place for you!