Name: Sina Rang Lemulun Homestay and Handicraft
Address: Bario Asal Lembaa Longhouse, Bario, Bario, Bario, 98050, Malaysia
Rating: 9

Location

Bario Airport

Long Seridan Airport

Sina Rang Lemulun Homestay and Handicraft

Bario

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Such an interesting and friendly way to stay in Bario in the longhouse. We were fed like honoured guests with huge servings of local produce including the special local rice and super sweet pineapple.
Don't expect a hotel experience, this is a family home in a long house.
Our host Julian arranged an incredible massive jungle trek (bring insect repellent) with delicious packed lunch.
Excellent value for all in room and board.
If you want to go, book flights ahead as there is a very limited availability. 

Welcoming family home stay where you don't feel in the way 

Our family of 4 enjoyed our stay at Bario Asal Sinar Rang. It’s the simplest of the three homestays at the Bario Asal Longhouse; the draw is hostess Sinar Rang (Sinar means mother or aunt in Kelabit). 

Sinar Rang is a great cook and artisan master of beadwork. Although she is well over 70 and with knee problems, she managed the marketing, cooking and cleaning all by herself.

Bario Asal Sinar Rang is one of the three homestays available in the Bario Asal Longhouse, the oldest and longest longhouse in Bario. The other two homestays are Bario Asal Longhouse, operated by Jane and Bario Valley Homestay operated by Bulan and Panai.  All three families are related.

During our stay there, besides taking care of us we noticed Sinar Rang was also crafting beadwork onto a traditional outfit. She was doing even more - at the end of our stay she gifted a lovely necklace to each of our 2 children, handmade by herself, of course. With her simple and kind ways, we felt very much like being taken care of by our own grandma.

Sinar Rang’s homestay has a spacious verandah with a great view. It is clean enough but needs some major maintenance. The tap and toilet cistern in one washroom were both leaking; the washbasin tap in the other washroom was not working; the mosquito nets of our room windows had holes (there were no mosquitoes while we were there, but those who are not used to insects may not be comfortable) were some of the small inconveniences. 

Our experience was however, dampened by the “agent” who took our booking. The agent, Julian Rang, is in fact Sinar Rang’s son. Here are the facts:

1. Firstly, we had in fact wanted to book at Jane’s place. Julian gave us the impression that he was acting for Jane; but in reality, he was putting us up at his own place, run by his mother. This was despite us checking twice with him that we were going to stay in Jane’s place. We have the Whatsapp conversation to support this. 

2. We were under the impression that he would be our host only to find out that he doesn’t actually live in Bario anymore. In fact, he is based in the same city that we come from!  

3. He did not have the courtesy to inform us that he would not be around during our visit; and it would be Sinar Rang taking care of us. Sinar Rang speaks only a little English and some Bahasa Malaysia. Fortunately, in our case, we are fluent in Bahasa and could communicate adequately with Sinar Rang. But, if we had not been, there could have been some major difficulties.

4. Also, during our visit, Julian did not once communicate with us and find out how things were going. Granted, our phones did not work in Bario, but he could certainly have done so via his mum’s phone. He never did so. 

5. Sinar Rang told us that Julian had informed her that he would return during our stay. He never did. Although his absence did not affect our stay significantly, we could not help but feel sorry for our gentle, senior hostess who had to manage everything herself. During our stay, as we mingled with the other longhouse residents, we were told by the neighbours that this was not an uncommon occurrence.

Would we recommend this place? It is a tough call. If you can get past Julian, make sure that not more than 4 persons stay at a time (because too many at one time would be difficult for the elderly Sinar Rang), pay all the money to the hostess directly, can speak some simple Malay, don’t mind a bit of inconvenience, yes, go for it. It is great value for money, comfortable, the verandah has the best view of the longhouse and you will find genuine Bario culture, home-cooking and hospitality in the graceful Sinar Rang.

5 stars for hostess Sinar Rang; zero for Julian Rang

Truly great experience! The homestay is located in an authentic longhouse. You can see by yourself how it works and nobody minds if you explore common areas. The longhouse is a bit quiet as some segments stand empty most of the time (people have left for the cities) but those close to Aunty's place still have people living there. The longhouse is full of fascinating objects and some interesting memorabilia in the long corridor at the back.
Sina Aunty is a very warm and friendly person and a great cook. As an added bonus you get as much excellent local pineapples as you are physically able to eat :-)
For more bookish types: there are several very interesting books on Kelabits and their history&culture for browsing  in the common area of the guesthouse. 
Practicalities: we booked by Whatsapp, sent to Julian, Aunty's son (number on the homestay's website). He lives outside Bario now but manages booking and lets Aunty know when guests come.
There is a common bathroom, hot water available. There are four or five rooms for guests but for most our stay we were the only guests. Nice terrace with a view for chilling out and also a spacious indoor common area.

Great experience!

We had such a great time in Bario. We were in Bario a week before the Pesta Nukenen, so the town was quite busy with the preparation. This homestay has been wonderful. We love the homecooked meals, Julian and his team are amazing. We were in great hands and hence made our trip worry-free. Thanks, Julian! 

Most Wonderful! 

We ladies needed a few days off so we decided to go to Bario, a cool highland area in Sarawak, only 50 minutes by Twin Otter from Miri.
Although the homestay is a little old, because it is part of a long house, it has a splendid balcony from where we could see beautiful sunsets ! The meals were wonderful because Sina (aunty in Kelabit languge) Rang is a very good cook and for every meal, we had endless supply of the sweet Bario pineapple. We were truly given "eat all you want fruit and organic meals" She even demonstrated how she prepared her pineapple jam and the leaf wrapped soft rice. Rice in Bario is home grown and very fresh.Wonderful memories to take home.

Relaxing Time with Friends

Our first ever trip to Bario and we stayed at Sina Rang Lemulun Homestay. Before end of our trip we already start to planning Bario revisit for next year. You can imagine that we are truly enjoy our stay at Sina Rang Lemulun Homestay and also the beauty of mother nature of Bario. Sina Rang our host is a super duper good chef, me and my group keep adding rice because the dishes is so so so good!! Never forget to try her homemade pinapple jam, its totally different from the commercial places you can get. Sina Rang definitely a nice, friendly and humble lady i can guarantee you that. I brought my 3 years old son with me as well for this trip, and there is not hot water and the water is super cooling even adults like me also cannot take it .When i request Sina Rang to boiled hot water for him she is happy to do it and guess what the next day when we back from jungle trekking its raining all of us are wet and we rush to bath the boy, Sina Rang prepared hot water for the small and we really appreciate it. In mind im like whatever since its all wet, just bath him with cold water. Another time after Praying Mountain hike we continued with Bukit Korea so we back after lunch time no more food on the table, once she knew we havent had lunch yet she brought 2 bowl of rice and 1 plate of meat. She told us that what left in the kitchen and we are so happy and glad. A big thank you to Julian as well for making all the arrangement and also try to fulfilled our request. He is the man la if you want to know more about Kelabit culture and anything about Bario.

Best memories ever

Want to experience a peaceful and stress free life in raw unexplored nature?Then you shall not miss your holiday gateway to Bario!! Four of my friends and me stayed in Sina Rang Homestay (Kelabit oldest Long house )for 4 days 3 nights. BARIO is rich with kelabit culture and friendliest community.The Sina Rang's host Julian (aka Kelabit's modern warrior who fights to conserve Bario's culture and ecosystems) is most heartwarming and helpful person. He made us realise the importance living simplicities and preserving culture. Julian's mother pampered our gastronomy with authentic kelabit food with exotic meats like wild boar and deer meat. BARIO organic Pineapple is a must try!! It's really sweet!! We had comfortable rooms with common bathroom with heater. But I enjoyed bathing in cold water which comes directly from waterfall!!Weather during our stay was unpredictable. Most of the time bario weather is cool and windy. As a semi sedentary lifestyle person, hiking to top of prayer's mountain is doable!!The breathtaking view from the peak of prayer mountain is all worth of your sweat!! The 6 hours  jungle trekking was more challenging as the hunter trail became slippery after raining. An experienced local hunter, Mr Johnson and Julian guided us safely through the thick rainforest. At the end of the trekking, I had overcome my fears for leeches. We enjoyed cycling around the bario and to town (only place with wifi!). It's an Unforgettable amazing feelings when fresh oxygenated cool breeze hits bottom of your lungs as you cycle around!! We also visited Nyimat Ayu Homestay-the host was very welcoming and friendly. Generally Bario's good and kind natured community have touched my heart during my stay there. The experience in bario was priceless!!! We will definitely making Another trip to Sina Rang Bario!! Don't forget to shop for handmade  BKNY bags!! ( BARIO KELABIT NATURALLY YOURS)

HOME SWEET HOME 

Been to Bario for three time. Most recent was few days ago (it was for leisure) but it was my second visit that I had the pleasure to work the accommodation and transport arrangements for my travelogue tv program with crews with Julian. 

He gave us few options on what to do and where to go (depending on the season and weather) and he's sort of a fixer for things we wanted to do with locals around. Julian is probably the only housekeeper in Bario Asal that you communicate with via phone.  So that's very helpful even though Internet line is very limited up on the remote highland.

Nothing short of good food in Bario. if you're a vegetarian, you'll probably enjoy it more. So I don't need to explain more on that chapter.

Be prepare for the coldest shower in your entire life. Though you probably can ask him for hot water (like what my tv host did).

Totally enjoyed my stay in this homestay.

Sina Rang Lemulun Homestay and Handicraft

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