We have noticed that there are now some long-range acoustic devices (LRAD’s) that have been mounted on the ship as we enter waters where pirates are still a threat. This device sends out a debilitating audio signal to (hopefully!) thwart the approach of suspicious vessels. We had a lecturer who spoke about piracy and told us that the modern-day pirates do not, in fact, look like Johnny Depp!....so, for the first time, I’m wondering if we should lock our balcony door at night!
We went on a cultural exchange in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysia’s Sabah State in Northern Borneo, which turned out to be a day well-spent. We had a fabulous guide who took us to a kampong (or village) on the banks of the Papar River. On the way there, someone asked why all the older homes along our route seemed to be built on stilts while the newer construction was not. We were told that it was because of the threat of headhunters!! The inhabitants could look down through a chink in the floor when visitors came calling. If the visitors appeared to be of the unfriendly variety, the inhabitants could pour boiling water down on them to dissuade them from their visit!
Our first stop was to an Islamic religious school where we were greeted by a group of students in traditional clothing who performed for us on their drums. We visited a kindergarten class where we exchanged gifts with the adorable children who were dressed in school uniforms complete with hats on the boys and head scarves on the girls. Our little fellow was named Muhammad. When we gave him his gift he gave us a bookmark he had made with his photograph on it. Major cultural difference noted…..a room full of American five-year-olds would tear instantly into wrapped and beribboned packages given to them but it is part of the culture here to open gifts privately. So when we left the classroom, the children were sitting at their tables with their hands folded (except for a few little boys giving the peace sign) and their still beautifully-wrapped packages poised to be taken home and savored in private.
We then visited the home of the village headman (as in leader, not collector....) who opened his home to us (after we removed our shoes at the door, of course) and offered us coffee, tea, coconut milk and Malaysian delicacies that we watched them prepare. We were very touched by all the work that these villagers went to in entertaining us and showing us their way of life.
We were told that, at our own risk, we could test our daring and balance on the hanging bridge that spanned the river. Fresh from our escapade on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, we felt more than qualified to accept the challenge! This bridge was pretty rickety….and missing a board here and there….but we successfully scampered over and back. Falling into the river and getting wet actually wouldn’t be such a bad thing….it was the threat of a possible crocodile welcoming committee below that was a little worrisome!
We also had a demonstration of some of the native handcrafts like beading and basketry. We were particularly amused by an elderly woman who was sitting on the ground chewing betel nuts and rolling and smoking what looked to us like “funny” cigarettes….and they smelled like funny cigarettes too! We didn’t know if they were “wacky tabacky” or not! She finally started offering them to all of us…..and before we knew it….we were all laughing and smoking funny cigarettes!! We took lots of photos of these delightful and very hospitable people….and many of them followed us around the village displaying equal curiosity about us. We purchased some of their wares….and came away feeling that we had received far more than we had given. We can only hope that we were good ambassadors.
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