KOTA KINABALU -- Long Pasia, which means 'mouth of the red river' in the Lundayeh lingo, is a village situated in the district of Sipitang, Sabah.
This village is located in the south-western part of Sabah, adjacent to the Sarawak and Kalimantan borders. Long Pasia has some 85 houses with about 500 inhabitants.
The only land access to this village, located about 125 km from Sipitang, is via a logging road. From Kota kinabalu, it takes at least two hours by road to Sipitang, and from there at least another four hours in a good 4-wheel-drive to stumble along the timber road to Long Pasia.
This writer was welcomed by fresh, cool air when she reached Long Pasia following a gruelling four-hour journey along the timber road.
The air at this scenic village was reminiscent of the cool mountain air of hill resorts such as Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.
'LUNDAYEH'
Long Pasia headman for 20 years, 60-year-old Mudin Sia said that this 400 year-plus village was settled by some 2,000 residents.
Later, the villagers created four settlements - Sungai Bunggaya, Sungai Kampung Ruran, Kampung Long Mio and Kampung Long Pasia.
For those who are used to the hustle and bustle of city life, the life in Long Pasia is placid and tranquil.
In the mornings, most villagers are found to either work on their farms or seen simply staying inside their homes. Not many people can be seen on the road.
The cooperative's shop and school appear deserted and quiet at this time.
The villagers earn their living by planting vegetables and paddy. Not many of Long Pasia's children have access to secondary education in Sipitang.
However, the peace and tranquility of this Lundayeh settlement makes it a unique and beautiful destination in Sabah, particularly for those seeking a calm and soothing environment for their tired minds and limbs.
Apart from the cool climate and fresh air, there is no hectic and gruelling regime of city life mirrored in this village, which makes this scenic village appealing to tourists.
The Lundayeh in Long Pasia are a world of its own.
THEN AND NOW
Years ago, the folks of Long Pasia were too poor to own vehicles in order to travel out of the village. They had to walk as well as carry shoulder packs containing provisions such as rice for a journey that took days to complete.
Sleeping in the jungles during these journeys was nothing new.
"Sometimes we came across the wildlife, while getting soaked in the rains and having to move through hilly terrain and rivers was quite normal," said Joseph Lakong Angang, 67, who became the first teacher of this village.
Angang said the first wave of development hit this village in 1996 following the creation of a timber trail and had to pay a toll of RM20-RM30 as transport fare to visit Sipitang.
"It was only after this that the watering facilities and solar power supply were set up," said Angang who retired in 2003.
This father of 10 children said that the life in Long Pasia has changed since the day he first set foot in the village in 1963.
"At that time I was only 19 and became the first teacher here," he told this writer at Long Pasia.
Continue reading at: 'Pleasant' Long Pasia Beckons Visitors
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