Sunday saw us up late again and head off to the Highlands in the super small car without suspension we bounced through the Kuching traffic and up to the highlands. Another interesting trip through Kuching as we followed our noses in and out of town eventually getting onto the Highlands Road.

Not knowing what to expect we drove on up through Borneo's Rainforest, past the Orangutan Sanctuary, the Police Training Academy and on on as the population and traffic became sparse and the road narrowed.

We past an eco challenge at the Rainforest Highlands Resort where we weren't allowed to enter and continued on eventually arriving at Annah Rais Longhouse where we pulled up, and paid a small entry fee to visit the longhouse. Well it was absolutely fascinating as we were greeted with a rice wine (and a top up--- we ended up buying three bottles to take away!) and we browsed through the "longhouse" which is one long building housing a whole village in a communal lifestyle. Each family have their own adjoining houses and the whole lot are highset on a bamboo platform with an "arcade" down the middle and "houses" either side.

There is a "headhouse", no not for the village head but for the human skulls to remain smoked and stored! There is a shop and chooks, and people making instruments and artifacts, and people hulling corn and chooks eating the corn..........

We go on through the longhouse and find one of the houses is a homestay www.longhouseadventure.com We could only highly recommend this as a fantastic place for a three day getaway in Borneo where you can stay very cheaply and have some great jungle treks and activities and wonderful experiences. Would have loved to stay here longer. We sat with the proprietor drinking his fruits and rice liquor which had been maturing for 16 years in Oak Casks bought from Australia (he was ex Malaysian Airlines) and of course we bought a bottle!!

Three days here would be fantastic! It includes transfers from Kuching!

After this we crossed the bridge enjoy tea and noodles at a local cafe part of the village where the proprietor with a "Richard Branson" smile shared philosophies of life and the recipe for long life - he looked about 45 but was 60 with 16 grandchildren and his last child was only ten years ago! A lot to be said for the simple life........

Then on to a natural hot spring up the road in a mountain creek, which was just closed but the caretaker opened it and I had to have soak with the hope it would fix what has been a rather crook elbow - let's see if it works............

Then back down the track now in darkness, we get back to Kuching and have dinner on the very pleasant and attractive outdoor dining on the riverfront. As good as Venice or Paris or anywhere in the world!. We then scoot along in the mini transport and bounce and bound our way back to Santubong getting back about 2230 or 2300 after a very interesting and informative day of exploration.