Backyard Tour surprised us with a refreshing and magnificent waterfall after a short trekking through forest with the guide from Lawrence, Simon and Dawson. There we got a chance to get wet ourselves and enjoy an alfresco meal of the best grilled fish, chicken soup cooked in bamboo and delicious local vegetable. It stunned our eyes when Lawrence and Simon jumped from the top of the waterfall bravely. Then, we went and visited Annah Rais Long House, Padawan with a very warm welcome from Bidayuh people who offered homemade drink. After the visit, we travelled to Kampung Giam and got a short tour around the village by Phyllis who is Bidayuh. She introduced the plants, bridges, school and people in the village to us. It is very fascinating to see the beauty of flowers and scenery such as mountain. To her, it is very important to preserve and share with others the culture of Bidayuh. So, after getting laksa, BBQ chicken and sausage as dinner, we had an opportunity to see a cultural performance done by some children. We even got involved and knew more about Bidayuh dances. After a good night sleep and rest in Giam Homestay, we prepared ourselves for the adventure to Penot Cave by sampan through Sarawak River with the guide from Poona and Robly. Another jungle trekking brought us to the cave. It was awesome to see the natural cave structure and bats flying all over our heads, even a small river in the cave. Next, we enjoyed local fruit which looks like mango and put ourselves into the cool water of the river. Overall, it is simple but fascinating!

Took a day tour with backyard tours to Kampung Begu and had lunch with the native guides at their own home. Had food cooked by natives with produced from their own farm. How authentic can it get? Did not felt welcomed as guest, but welcomed as friends...

We chose Backyard Tours as it offered a tour that met our requirements-a preview of authentic village life in just a day and an easy type of tour without much trekking and is not too tiring. We got what we wanted, gained so much insight from the Begu Village and Anna Rais Longhouse tour.

What is amazing about Backyard Tours is that this started as one of the project proposals by young students sponsored by an organization and eventually became a small business with a social entrepreneurship framework. Dawson and Abbie were those students. For the Begu Tour they collaborated with farmers to take us around-not the usual type of farmers but young, sporty-looking guys who love social media aside from farming. They cooked us a truly delicious meal on bamboo over fire.

Backyard Tours, according to the young owners, continues to develop its tour programs tapping the indigenous groups as Abbie comes from the Bidayuh tribe herself.