SEMATAN: Mount Kuwai Retreat invites local and international visitors to experience the longhouse concept gateaway.
Approximately one hour and 30 minutes’ drive to Telok Serabang from the city, Mount Kuwai Retreat is nestled around thick jungle and it is only a walking distance to the beach.
This is an experience suitable for anyone who wishes to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The retreat is serene and calm and visitors are spoilt for choices, especially for beachgoers and the hiking enthusiasts.
Mount Kuwai, which overlooks the South China Sea, is able to entice beach lovers.
According to the retreat’s caretaker, Vincent Lian, hikers who wish to go for hiking may do so as the hiking trail is also a walking distance from the retreat.
“For now, parking is provided but visitors may cycle on the concrete walkway. However in the future, we may provide a buggy for visitors.
“Visitors may also enjoy barbeques at Mount Kuwai Retreat as we offer such facilities. The retreat area is around two acres which is big enough for visitors to roam around,” he told New Sarawak Tribune after the official opening ceremony of Mount Kuwai Retreat in Telok Serabang in Sematan on Saturday.
Lian also shared that there were major plans in the pipeline to include traditional activities for visitors to experience.
“This is a longhouse concept so there are plans to include traditional activities besides hiking. Visitors can enjoy fresh coconut drinks.
“We intend to include ‘lesong’ (rice pounding) activities, blowpipe games and Penan parang making for visitors to try and enjoy,” he said.
Lian, who also crafted and designed the Mount Kuwai Retreat, shared that the whole idea of the longhouse concept was to include Kenyah artistic artworks, traditional items and drawings.
“Construction of the retreat began around April 2022. This included earth clearing and piling, which took more than a year,” he said.
Explaining further, Lian said that the longhouse concept gateway, which aimed to appeal to the lower end and complimentary groups, was capable of welcoming less than 50 people.
“It has nine rooms, a restroom which only includes a bed, eight other bedrooms with attached bathrooms and simple kitchens,” he added.
Members of the public may contact Lian at 019-8399973 for further information and reservations.
