Ojo lali Homestay Pachitan ~ Don’t forget Homestay Pachitan

During the Jom Jelajah Koperasi (JJK) Negeri Sembilan 2013 organized by Gaya Travel Magazine and SKM (Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia or Cooperative Commission of Malaysia) from 21 – 24 October 2013, I was taken to four (out of nine) Homestays in Negeri Sembilan namely Homestay Pachitan, Homestay Pelegong, Homestay Batang Nyamor and Homestay Kampung Lonek. Currently, the remaining Homestays in Negeri Sembilan are Homestay Klawang, Homestay Mudin Hasan, Homestay Gemas, Homestay F’Best and Homestay Laman Bangkinang.

Homestay Pachitan is located in the Port Dickson district. The address: Homestay Pachitan, Lot 2006, Kampung Swah, 71960 Chuah Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

There are 2 alternative routes to this Homestay. One way is bypassing the Sepang International Circuit and cowboy town of Sungai Pelek, heading towards Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The road is a narrow winding road flank by Oil Palm plantations on both sides. The longer way from Kuala Lumpur is via the normal North-South Highway south bound, exiting at the Port Dickson toll and heading towards the town of Lukut. There is a proper signage that shows the directions to Homestay Pachitan.

Upon arrival at Homestay Pachitan, I was greeted by a welcoming group of “Kompang” boys. I always love this traditional greeting as it always remind of my own wedding 28 years ago when I was a blushing bride with my dashing handsome husband. How time flies!

The villagers are the 4^th generation of Javanese from the original Pachitan Village in Central Java, Indonesia who migrated to this part of West Malaysia one hundred years ago. Homestay Pachitan is established 6 years ago since 2007 with 35 houses with total 60 rooms which can accommodate between 100 to120 persons at any one time. Although there are no traditional houses, river, forest and lake, it attracted international tourists from Portugal, Australia, Italy and Brazil. The biggest group is 300 Singaporean for the “Akikah” or sacrifice of cow or sheep during the Eid Haj.

When I asked the coordinator, Mr Bunandar Bakat, the meaning of words on the welcome banner “Ojo lali Pachitan Jenengnge, pelik tapi menarik”, he said “Jangan lupa Pachitan. Namanya pelik tapi menarik” meaning “Don’t forget Pachitan. The name is weird but interesting”

To me, the name is not intriguing but what amazed me is the appealing fact that Homestay Pachitan is the no 2 Homestay in Negeri Sembilan, after Homestay Kampung Kg Lonek.

The main activities are rubber tapping, batik painting, playing local traditional games, cooking demonstration and cultural performance.

During the JJK at Homestay Pachitan, I was shown the processing of soya drink and cooking coconut jelly, “rempeyek”, a snack and “kelepong”, a local name for “buah Melaka”

The process of Soya Drink

Grinding of socked Soya beans.

 

Triple strain using 2 fine sieves and a fine muslin cloth

Residue of soya beans to be discarded

The soya drink is cooked by steam from this special machine. It helps to retain the original milky favor of the soya bean. It is best consumed while it is still fresh and only last for 2 days as it doesn’t contain any preservative. The soya drink is sold at the local night market and also for special functions.

Cooking Coconut Jelly

Ingredients

Coarse sugar, shredded coconut flesh and strips of  jelly / gelatin

Cooking

It is best eaten chilled during a hot day.

Cooking “Rempeyek”

Ingredients

Flour mixture

Fried & drained.

Cooking “Kelepong” or "Onde-Onde" or "Buah Melaka"

Ingredients

Cooking

After the cooking demonstration is our lunch.

After the nourishing meal, I was taken to visit one of the Foster family’s home. It is a huge mansion.

I understand from Mr Nadzri, the house owner, he was given RM 3,000.00 to upgrade the toilets for the comfort of his guests. The Homestay program has full financial and training support from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture “Kementerian Pelancongan dan Kebudayaan” and also the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development “Kementerian Luar Bandar dan Wilayah”.

During the JJK program, there was no enough time for a cultural performance as we had to leave for Homestay Pelegong for the next agenda.

I was fortunate to experience the Cultural aspects of Homestay Pachitan during the Negeri Sembilan Food Trail 2013 organized by Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan from 12 – 14 November 2013. Homestay Pachitan has a band of oldies who sings Javanese and modern songs.

There are more photos in our Company Facebook page – Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn Bhd. If you have any inquiry, please call me (Miss Wan) at 03-2260 3667 / 4667 or email to leisureincentivetours@gmail.com

Experience an enlivening Kampung life at Homestay Kg Lonek

I was ecstatic when I was informed by Gaya Travel, the organizer of Jom Jelejah Koperasi Negeri Sembilan 2013 that Homestay Kg Lonek is included. This would be my fifth visit since my first invitation by Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan back in 2006.

Homestay Kg Lonek is one of my favorite homestay in Negeri Sembilan because most of the houses are still traditional, unlike other homestays. It has been in existence since December 2004.  For the past 8 to 9 years, it shows an increase in arrival of 3,000 local and foreign tourists from Europe, Japan, Australia and Singapore. The villagers in Homestay Kg Lonek still maintain their “Adat Pepatih” customs in their daily lives, dialect and foods such as “Masak Lemak Cili Api” (Bird eyes chili cooked in coconut cream), “Daging Salai” (Smoked beef) and “Sembilang Goreng berlada” (Spicy fried Cat fish)

Traditional house at Homestay Kg Lonek

Traditional house at Homestay Kg Lonek

Traditional house at Homestay Kg Lonek

Traditional house at Homestay Kg  Lonek

Traditional house at Homestay Kg Lonek

With the latest development, Homestay Kg Lonek has been declared a Wireless Village or KTW -“Kampung Tanpa Wayar” by the SKMM (Suruhanjaya Komunikasi Multimedia Malaysia) or Commission Multimedia Communication of Malaysia. The wireless networks are available at the Homestay Kg Lonek Activity Center and Kampung Tengah Mosque. However, you need to register first.

Homestay Kg Lonek Activity Center

Since Homestay Kg Lonek is surrounded by paddy fields, the related activities such as “Mengoca Ikan” and “Pesta Mengemping Padi” are the favorites. Nature exploration activities, cooking demonstration, fishing, handicrafts such as rattan, “pandan”, “mengkuang” and bamboo, visit cottage industries such as soy sauce, chili sauce, “tempe” or soya bean cake, tofu and yellow noodles can be organized.

The history of Kampung Lonek

Kampung Lonek comprises of several villages, mainly Kampung Tengah, Kampung Tebat, Kampung Masjid Lonek, Kampung Sungai Taling and Kampung Lonek Seberang. This 1,246 acres area was opened in the 19^th century by a group of settlers, led by Mr Hamzah and his wife, Tanjung. They planted trees named “Sempunek” along the river mouth or “Kuala” that flows through the Jempol River. Lonek is derived from the combination words of “kua-LO” and “sempuNEK”

A typical 2 Days 1 Night program at Homestay Kg Lenok are as follows

Day 1

10.30am	Arrived at Homestay Kg Lonek + Welcome ceremony by “Gendang Pacik” + Briefing + Divide to foster family + Lunch at Activity Center
2.30pm	Activities + “Mengacau Dodol atau Penanan” + Paddy flaking / “Mengemping padi” + Traditional games / “Sukan Rakyat” + Catching fish / “Mengoca Iikan”
6.30pm	Back to foster family house
8.00pm	Dinner “Makan jambar” at Activity Center “Bongai” performance – Negeri Sembilan traditional music and songs

Day 2

6.30am	+ Aerobic session + Pot luck breakfast
9.00am	+ Finding bamboo sprout / “Mencari Rebung” + Rubber leaf activity / “Bunga daun getah”
12.00noon	Lunch with foster family
2.00pm	Depart for home

Welcome cremony of Gendang Pacik

Process to make traditional “Dodol”, the villagers named it “Penanan”

(1)    Pour coconut cream – extracted from 6 large coconuts - into a large wok

(2)    Add blended glutinuous rice – 1 kilogram rice, washed, soaked for half hour and blended

(3)    Add 2 kilogram coarse sugar

(4)    Lastly add 1 bundle of 5 large pieces of “Gula Enau” or Palm Sugar from the “Enau’ tree. This Palm sugar is different from “Buah Melaka” which is from ‘Nira” from Coconut tree. “Buah Melaka” is used to make Snack called “Onde onde” or “Kuih Buah Melaka” or the local name “Kelepong”

(5)    If you like, you can add fresh durian flesh or pine leaf “Daun Pandan” juice for extra flavor.

(6)    Constantly stir the mixture for an hour until it slightly thickens. For thicker texture, you need to stir for 5 hours.

The Penanan ready to be eaten

As mentioned by Miss Hadijah, our coordinator, according to “Adat Pepatih” the bride will bring a tray of “Penanan” as a gift for her groom.

Process to make Paddy Flake or “Emping Padi”

The paddy seed must be newly harvested. Wash and soak overnight. 

Fry in a pan without oil until it pops, like popcorn. 

Immediately pound rhythmically in a “lesong” till the husks and pounded paddy flakes are separated. 

Flip in a big round bamboo sieve “across” the gush of wind. The husks will be blown away to the ground and become chicken feed.

These paddy flakes is mixed with finely grated coconut flesh, chopped “Enau” Palm sugar and young coconut water. This popular snack is usually consumed during the “Pesta Emping” or Harvest Festival.

Traditional games or “Sukan Rakyat”

Getting ready for Traditional games at Homestay Kg Lonek

The traditional games organized by the Youth of Homestay Kg Lonek are coconut bowling – rolling coconut across the grass to knock down ten 500 ml water bottles, “tarik upih” – pulling your friend who sits on a big dried betel nut leaf and “Semakin Jauh semakin sayang” – throwing water balloon to your partner without breaking, each time both of you need to step back.

Catching fish or “Mengoca ikan”

"Mengoca ikan" at Homestay Kg Lonek

"Mengoca ikan" at Homestay Kg Lonek

"Mengoca ikan" at Homestay Kg Lonek

"Mengoca ikan" at Homestay Kg Lonek

However, the last activity of the day, “Mengoca ikan”, is the most enjoyable and unforgettable experience for the participants and spectators. Everyone has to get in a small irrigation canal; blocked on both ends and filled with lots of cat fish. The main purpose is to catch as many fish as possible using your bare hands. In order to do that you must “mengoca” or jiggle the muddy water as much as possible so that the fishes are dazed and will come to the surface. That way you can easily catch them. It is easy said than done! I can hear screams from Fadhli who is so ticklish at the touch of those slimy fishes at his feet. It takes him minutes to go down but only split seconds to jump up to the edge. He even screams when his team mates try to pass to him to put in the pail. It is also hilarious to see Gael Hilotin, a Filipino travel blogger and Siti Dimiati, Editor of Aroma magazine, catch the fishes using their tee shirts. The first time, the fish manage to jump out because neither of them had the courage to catch the fish. After the photo taking of their catch, all the participants wash themselves at the nearby river before returning to the houses.    

“Makan Jambar” dinner & Bongai performance

Spacious hall at Homestay Kg Lonek

"Makan Jambar" at Homestay Kg Lonek

During our dinner at Homestay Lonek, we were served the “Makan Jambar” style. We sat on the floor, in front of our dinner under a big round tray cover by the “’tudung saji” or food cover. It is 4 persons to one tray. 

Serving for 4 persons at Homestay Kg Lonek

Tempoyak Pucuk Ubi at Homestay kg Lonek

"Rebung masak cili api" at Homestay Kg Lonek

We had typical dish of “Tempoyak Pucuk Ubi”,young tapioca leaves cooked in a fermented durian, beef curry, fried chicken and “Rebung masak cili api”, young bamboo sprouts cooked in coconut cream and bird eyes chilli.

Homestay Lonek’s own Bongai band entertained us while we were having our dinner. They sang popular traditional Negeri Sembilan songs such as “Ayam Den lapeh”, directly translated as my chicken ran away and “Apo kono eh Jang”, meaning what is happening, Jang?

The next day, our aerobics session was conducted by Mr Hezri Mat Isa to the beat of the popular “Poco-poco”, “Sewang”, an aboriginal dance, “Jambatan Tamparuli”, a Sabah catchy song and other dance song. 

Breakfast "kampung"style at Homestay Kg Lonek

After 1 hour session, all of us are ready for a Pot Luck breakfast by our foster family at that open air communal hall. We are encouraged to ask for some helpings from other families. The main aim is to foster closeness amongst the communities.

Finding the young bamboo sprouts at Homestay Kg Lonek

Cleaning the bamboo sprouts at Homestay Kg Lonek

Slicing the bamboo sprouts at Homestay Kg Lonek

After the hearty breakfast, the activity of finding the bamboo sprouts and processing them is done. Next is making roses out of rubber leaf before we dispersed to our foster family’s house to refresh and have home cooked lunch. 

Things for the rubber leaf rose at Homestay Kg Lonek

There are more photos in our Company Facebook page – Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn Bhd. If you have any inquiry, please call me (Miss Wan) at 03-2260 3667 / 4667 or email at leisureincentivetours@gmail.com

Homestay Pelegong Experience

Homestay Pelegong comprises three villages, mainly Kampung Pelegong, Kampung Kering and Kampung Tengah. This Homestay was established since 1995. At one time, 25 houses were involved but now only 20 houses participated in this Homestay program. The reasons for the dwindling numbers are old age of the surviving residents of the foster families and migration of the youngsters to cities for better job opportunities. However, Mr Redjuan, the Headman of the Kampung Pelegong and President of the Homestay Pelegong, his secretary, Mrs Fatimah Basiron, and their committee members did an exceptional job to uphold the kampong way of life.

Address: Pelegong Homestay, No 1, Anjung Bestari, Kg Pelegong, Batu 8, 71900 Labu, Negeri Sembilan

According to my foster father, Haji Mohd Bin Ali, 160 years ago the original Kampung Pelegong was located at Kepayang area, where the present Seremban toll is.  As times went by, the villagers decided to move to its existing site, at the foothills of Titiwangsa Mountain Range. In order to reach the spot, they had to confront lots of wild animals like tigers, elephants etc. Hence, they had to carry along and struck gongs to frighten away the animals. The name Pelegong is a combination of “Palu” (striking) and Gong.

2D1N Itinerary

Our 2 Days 1 Night itinerary at Homestay Pelegong during the Jom Jelajah Koperasi (JJK) Negeri Sembilan 2013 organized by Gaya Travel Magazine and SKM (Suruhanjaya Koperasi Malaysia or Cooperative Commission of Malaysia) from 21 – 24 October 2013 are as follows:-

Day 1

4.00pm	Arrived at Homestay Pelegong + Refreshments + Divide to foster family
9.00pm	Dinner at Activity Center Adat Pepatih Wedding Ceremony

Day 2

8.00am	Breakfast with foster family
9.00am	Village Tour (10,000 steps) + Rubber leaf flower demonstration + Batik painting demonstration + Bahulu demonstration + Rubber tapping + Kampung stay
1.00pm	Lunch with foster family
2.00pm	Depart for next Homestay

Adat Pepatih Mock Wedding Ceremony

The Minangkabau Royal Couple at Homestay Pelegong

Our debonair Groom is Mr Marco Moraglia from Italy and stylish Bride is Miss Gael Hilotin from Philippine. They are dressed in bright red costumes of gold sheet foil, beads and cut-out love birds. Gael is wearing a Head dress shaped like buffalo horns on her head, instead of the normal crown and veil. It was a belief that in order to show the Groom’s sincerity and strength, he must be able to topple a buffalo and present its horns to the parents of his future bride. The buffalo meat is cooked and served as part of the wedding buffet, not the same buffalo that he killed earlier. I never attended a true Minangkabau wedding hence I can’t vouch the taste of the buffalo meat.

The Bride, Groom and everybody are entertained by local boys who twirled strings of fireworks creating a magnificent ring of fires. Next the Royal Couple or “Raja Sehari” is hoisted on a boat-shaped Dias by the menfolk till the entrance of the hall. They are then accompanied by their “Pengapit” or Man or Lady in waiting and led by adorable flower girls carrying gifts to the “Pelamin” or Wedding Dias.

The Minangkabau wedding at Homestay Pelegong

The Caklempung and dance troupe at Homestay Pelegong

The Bride and Groom sat on thick cushions at the Wedding Dias. The bride crossing her legs sideways all the time – so demure! The groom crossing his legs and sitting upright all the time – so gallant! All these times, the Royal Couple are fanned by their respective “Pengapits” and treated to cultural performances by the “Caklempung” troupe.

Village tour / (10,000 steps)

Nowadays, the Village Tour is renamed 10,000 steps. This campaign is sanctioned by the Health Department. It is said that by walking 4 kilometers, you can burn 194 calories which is equivalent to 1 piece of capati and 1 piece of fried fish. This fact really excites me and I vow to count the steps during the Village tour of Kampung Pelegong.

Rubber leaf flower demonstration at Homestay Pelegong

First stop, Rubber leaf flower demonstration by Mrs Zaharah who has been doing this hobby-turned-business since 1996. It has been a trial and error process all these years and now she is ready to be based in Australia with her son beginning November 2013. She uses love-shaped “Daun Ara”, “Daun Durian Belanda” or Soursop leaf and Rubber leaf.  The Rubber leaves are bought from MARDI (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) whereas the other 2 leaves are collected in the village and the nearby jungles. Only mature leaves picked from the base of the branch are used, not the ones that has wilted and dried up. Young leaves are too fragile and will dissolve during the soaking process. These mature leaves are soaked in plain water for one month. After that, they are soaked for 24 hours in Bleach in a tight lit tong. At this stage, the leaves have strong smell but need to be washed. Then it is left to completely dry at room temperature. To give them vibrant colors, the leaves are socked in batik colors. Mrs Zaharah made decorative roses, “Bunga Telur”, “Bunga Pahar” (both gifts at the Malay wedding ceremony), Rosette, Book marks and Key chain. She can make 1,000 pieces of key chain at one time and sell it at RM 2.00 per piece.

Hand batik painting at Homestay Pelegong

Concurrently, Mrs Zaharah’s daughter also taught us the hand batik painting. Such artistic family!

Bahulu at Homestay Pelegong

“Bahulu” demonstration was shown at Mrs Khalifah Omar’s house, not far from the Activity Center, where she operates this cottage industry in her house compound. I remembered helping my mother beat the eggs white and sugar continuously until they are light and fluffy. I used a big springy egg beater and a big deep bowl. It was so tiring and boring but the reward is eating the freshly baked aromatic “Bahulu”. However Mrs Khalifah used a simple machine to whip the eggs, sugar and flour and baked in a huge electric oven that fits 12 molds at any one time.

After the morning tea break of Tuna and Egg sandwich and a cup of tea or Nescafe, the 10,000 steps begin. While enjoying the crispy morning air, the greenery and observing the serenity of the bungalows, we made few stops at legendary “Dara” well, rubber tapping and Kampung Stay develop by Committee Member, Haji Abu Hassan Arjak. He has already built two chalets which can accommodate four persons in each chalet. He also plans to organize fishing in the pond and BBQ dinner at the site.

Kampung stay at Homestay Pelegong

The traditional house at Homestay Pelegong

Foster Family – Pak Aji and Mak Jah

My foster family at Homestay Pelegong

Pak Aji & Mak Jah's traditional house at Homestay Pelegong

The living room at Pak Aji & Mak Jah's house at Homestay Pelegong

My 60-years old foster mother, Mak Jah, is a warm, caring person and an excellent cook. She lives in her husband’s ancestral house on a 9 acres land, shared by her two sisters-in-law and daughter. Their wooden house, built in 1976, is well maintained and filled with lots of family portraits, souvenirs from foster children, certificates of achievement and newspaper cuttings.

My two foster sisters, Wanie and Syaida, and I had ample time to ask for recipes from Mak Jah of the traditional dishes of “Daging Salai Masak Lemak Cili Padi” and “Sambal Ikan Bilis Tempoyak” which we had for lunch on the last day. The former dish is Smoked Beef cooked in coconut cream mixed with Bird eyes Chili whereas the latter dish is Anchovies cooked in a chili sauce and fermented durian.

Being in a Minangkabau community which practices “Adat Pepatih”, I just had to ask 65-years old Haji Mohd for first-hand information about this tradition since he told me that he and Mak Jah are from different “Suku” or caste. He said the first question that the girl’s father would ask the boy’s representative during the “Merisik” or ask-for-girl’s-hand-in-marriage ceremony is “what is boy’s family caste?” If the boy is from the same caste, they are forbidden to marry despite all other matters. End of discussion!!  If the couple still decided to get marry, all the marriage ceremonies has to be done in another place. She has to relinquish her right to the ancestral properties. She is forbidden to reside in the same village. If there is any death in the community, the couple cannot attend together. However, Haji Mohd said that nowadays his community and most part of Labu and Seremban area don’t observe the rigorous “Adat Pepatih” as much as their forefathers.

There are more photos in our Company Facebook page – Leisure & Incentive Tours Sdn Bhd. If you have any inquiry, please call me (Miss Wan) at 03-2260 3667 / 4667 or email to leisureincentivetours@gmail.com