Saturday 28th February 2009 – Second day in the longhouse.

We didn't do much in the morning as Auntie had to take other backpackers back to town to catch the bus. I also had the best sleep last night. I slept for 9 hours and felt like I could have done with another 3 (I did manage to fit some in after lunch!).

The day was really hot and humid again. We spent an hour in the morning chilling down the river and examining my battle wounds in my ongoing war against the mozzies. It is disgusting looking at my legs and arms. The Bushman repellant doesn't seem to work here. Maybe it is different area code....I don't know.

It was pretty daunting just the 2 of us here with the rest of the family without Auntie. The daughter in law does not speak any English and was very busy doing house work. We cannot believe that she had to clean, cook, wash after the visitors and look after the 2 babies all in the same time. I am not sure how she even fits it in. It is truly impressive.

[I really feel bad just sitting there while Gloria does all the work. If I was her there is no way I would want to be running around cooking and cleaning up after tourists when I had a two year old and a newborn! I have tried to help where I can but it is a bit difficult with the language barrier and when I don't really know how the house works. Still, as a guest I guess it just doesn't feel natural to sit down while the host does all the work – I at least have to offer! - N].

Oh, we had no water today. Apparently the water pipe broke, so we had to bring the water from the community pipes to the house to flush the toilet.

We went paddling in the river this arvo. The river has gone very murky after the rain last night. It was so much cooler paddling in the river under the shade. I think Naomi and I were both really bad at controlling the oars and the direction of the boat. Although according to Naomi, I was the one that nearly capsized the boat!?! Auntie had to jump out a couple of times to push the boat. Because of the rain, the current was a little strong, I am glad we made it home in one piece.

We had the dinner with Auntie's family and the in-laws tonight. Again, purely home produce. We had fish that Auntie caught from the river and pork from her pigs. It was really weird sitting there during and after dinner to listening to their conversations. Yep, they were speaking in Iban. I finally know how Naomi felt when she went to Taiwan 5 years ago and hung out with my relatives. It was an interesting experience nonetheless. I feel privileged in a sense to be able to come so close to an indigenous Iban family, sleeping under the same roof as them and socialising in a family environment.

Showering in the murky river was a bit out-there. Naomi, being a girl and all, apparently couldn't wait until we go back into town so that she can have a proper shower and wash her hair. For me, I don't really mind the jungle that much except the mosquitoes and the humidity and the lack of air-con.

Naomi also thinks every dog in town are out to attack her and give her rabies. Sure if they growl at you, it means they are just going to test you out. And I am sure not every dog will give you rabies if they lick you. And no, you wont get air-lifted to Singapore or Darwin if a dog licks you. I am sure the insurance wont cover that either.

[I was not sick of showering in the river – I was just scared of the dogs who growl at you every time you go past to go down to the river! The condition of some of the dogs here is awful – they all seem to have fleas and mange – it is very sad to see some of them. Also, all the cats seem to have broken tails – not sure what this is all about.

Anyway, Paul should know by now that I am paranoid about getting malaria or rabies. And getting growled at by a mange-infested strange dog does not help my paranoia. Now I carry a big stick everywhere I go and usually hide behind Auntie as well (who is all of 5 foot!). Auntie is quite amazing – she is 59 and grows all the rice and vegetables that the family eats, as well as fishing and collecting food from the jungle. She thought we were quite stupid collecting the bamboo shoots and today she thought we were quite stupid when we couldn't even keep the canoe pointing upstream while she swam (yes, SWAM) around the river banks looking for the fishing lines she left there a few days ago - N].

Auntie just told us that we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Good night all - P.