I have heard lots about Belaga. Info about Belaga was written in Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, popular guide book. These two books published by international publisher due to high demand in tourism industry globally. Prior to my visit to Belaga, I have met few of my friends and share with them the ideas to visit Belaga. The purpose of this trip is to get familiar with places of interest in Belaga town and its surrounding area. Belaga is located in Kapit division and five an half hour by express boat from Kapit town. The journey to Belaga is very interesting even though you have to sit inside the boat for eight or nine hours if you from Sibu. For foreign tourist, they have to get permit from Kapit Resident office if they want to travel to Belaga district.
To go to Belaga from Sibu, we have to take the earliest express boat. We used 5.45 am express boat which cost us RM55 per person for one way trip. Upon arrival at the Sibu express boat wharft terminal we proceed to the ticket counter and get our ticket. It’s 530 am and the boat skipper started pressing the express boat "honk". It’s just like wake up call for those staying not far from Sibu wharf terminal and Rajang Esplanade. “Belaga…Belaga…belaga,enda lama agi ka jalai bot tok wai. Ka kini nuan wai? (Belaga…Belaga…belaga, this boat will depart soon, where you want to go sir)”, familiar reminder when you approach any of the express boat at the wharf.
After we place our bag at one corner, we proceed to look for our seat. The seat inside the express boat similar to the aircraft or express bus seat which they had their own seat number. It’s really cold inside the boat, luckily I brought along my Manchester United red jacket. After we take our seat, I told JC we just like entering the Iban karaoke pub because that morning they playing one famous Iban song inside the express boat. We don’t really enjoy the song because we are still sleepy.Honk! Honk! Honk!..... we wake up because of the loud honk. We just arrive at Kapit jetty. We didn’t realise we fall asleep for two hours plus. Upon arrival at Kapit jetty most of the passenger walks out from the boat. We also went out to get fresh air and stress our body after 2 hours plus sitting inside the boat. Four team members from Kapit joining us for this trip.
Our express boat depart Kapit jetty around 9 am. After chatting with all the team members, all of us start doing our own business. Since this is the first time is visit Belaga, I am looking forward to enjoy this trip. I was told that our boat will go through the famous Pelagis Rapid. Luckily during our trip is high tight, so there nothing much to worry. I didn’t close my eyes because I don’t want to miss any interesting places. Along the way to Belaga, we pass by Iban, Punan, Kayan and Kenyah longhouses. The journey is very interesting because it’s totally new experience to me. I feel bit sad because I am not able to take any pictures because our boat in the high speed.
After five and half hour in the boat finally we arrive at Belaga jetty. Upon arrival in Belaga town, we going straight to look for our accommodation. There are few budget hotels in Belaga town and the hornbill on the top of totem pole is the town landmark. After lunch we having discussion for our local tour to Kejaman longhouse. About 4 pm we proceed to Kejaman longhouse. At first I’m wondering why our guide brought us to visit this place. I just keep quite and at last they bring us to one place where we saw one decorative hut. In local dialect they called it "Salong" (totem pole). It’s a burial hut to keep the dead body of upper class (maren) family members. According to the local the totem pole more than 100 years old. We were inform that only two totem poles still standing in their village.
After short briefing we have to go back to Belaga town because it already 6 pm. We reach Belaga town around 8 pm. After our dinner we met one local guide and he shared with us lots about Belaga and its surounding area. His story have make us to spend another night but that is impossible because we have to back to Kapit on the next morning for another official duties.Overall experience our visit to Belaga and its surrounding area is very fruitful. We highly recommended visitors’ to visit Belaga and its surrounding area. This visit is totally new experience and value for money.