Tattoo World

Most of the senior generation thought people with tattoo is associate it with gangsters activities? Agree or not, there lots to debate about it.

When I come across with one TV Program called as “Tattoo Hunter”, it gives different views about what tattoo all about. Mr Lars Krutak, tattoo anthropologies has traveled all over the world to study about tattoo and meaning behind it. Even he will try to get the original tattoo from the elderly tattooist from the Tattoo Master. In the program he even have to travel to outskirt area to meet the elderly who can do traditional tattoo. According to him that tattoo will "gone forever" if the new generation do not have interest to learn the technique from her.

The native in Sarawak, Borneo also have their own tattoo as part of their identity in those days. I have an opportunity to travel to some part of Sarawak and I notice that most elderly people that I met have tattoo. I asked them what tattoo mean to them. According to them it is part of their practice to get tattoo on their body for identification purpose as well to show their status as well. Even some of them get tattoo on their body is to remind them where have they been travelled. In Iban community they normally used “Bungai Terung” design for this purpose. During those Headhunters day, the Iban community will tattoo their throat using special design and only the expert can do it……

Homestay Program is just another new terminology?

For international traveller they may understand what is Homestay Program. I have tried to find definition of homestay program and I manage to find one definition which is "sound correct" about homestay program.....which is "a visit in which you pay to stay in someone’s house rather than in a hotel".

Isit correct? To me it is correct. But to other people, it may not. Generally homestay program is another terminology in tourism business. Of course this terminology is more suitable for rural area where the local community can benefit if they participating in homestay program business. Why tourist want to choose homestay program instead of staying in the hotel or other budget accommodation in town? They are looking for something different when they travel to other country and of course they looking for affordable place to stay while enjoying their trip.

Homestay Program offers unique experience such as they able to joint the host family in their daily lifestyle and activities. That make homestay program little bit different from standard or guided tour. The tourist may no need to go through travel agent if they have enough information about the place that have homestay program. As registered homestay program operator they have to be train on how to handle tourist and know the do's and dons when tourist stay with them.

Don't treat tourist as a "king", the family host should treat them as part of their family members. We have to share what do we have to offer for them such as sharing with them about the history of our culture and get them to be involve in any activities. They may stay in our place for one night but if we know how to squeeze in all important program or activities for them, we believe that they will treasure it and will spread the good words to other friends or tourist through internet and other media.