Friday, January 18, 2008

Un-tapped tourism potential in Mukah


Where is Daro? Someone was asking me and at that time I am still new with Mukah area. Then I get one reference book and start do my own research about Mukah area. After I have some information about this area so I plan my trip with other of my colleague from Kuching and Miri to joint me to discover places of interest in Mukah.

From Sibu to Daro it takes us two and half hours by express boat which cost us RM17 per person. Upon arrival at Daro wharf, we were caught by surprise that there are so many people at the wharf. We wonder why such a small wharf has so many people around. Then one colleague told us that this people just went back for Hari Raya celebration.
Daro was another sub district in Mukah division headed by District officer. Melanau community is the major ethnic group staying in Daro apart from Iban and Chinese community. ‘Ikan terubuk’, one of the popular local fish is the landmark for Daro. After we check in at Eng Soon Lee Inn in Daro, we proceed with our visit to District Office and nearby “places of interest”. On the afternoon we went to “The Last Melanau Longhouse” in Matu district. We were very fortunate because the longhouse Chief is at the longhouse. The longhouse chief is a lady. She shared with us lots of story about the longhouse.
After we spend a night in Daro, next day we proceed to Oya district by land transport. It took us more than two hours to reach Kpg Senau in Oya. Kampung Senau is popular with its homestay program. There are 10 families participate in this program. This program was initiated by Fishery Department of Malaysia (LKIM). Part of our program in Mukah is visit all the ten houses who is participating in Homestay program, river cruise and visit the tebaloi factory.
After whole day visit to Kampung Senau, Oya, our group then proceed back to Mukah town. We stay at King Inn Hotel in the heart of Mukah Town. Most of us have been to Mukah town before and so there no problem for us to move around. On the final day we have short meeting with Resident office and they have brief us some info about development on tourism industry in Mukah division. After the briefing we proceed to Lamin Dana Cultural Boutique and Handicraft Centre located in Kampung Telian Tengah. My colleague was very impressive with set up at Lamin Dana. Overall, all of us was happy and some of us consider this trip is an eye opener because they didn’t thought that Mukah have plenty tourism product to offer to the tourist.