Balik kampung means to ‘return to your village’ (your roots). This common Malaysian expression is used wherever your home may be, if you’re going to visit family. We recently joined a group of visitors, spending 4 days checking out what’s available if you want to experience kampung life in Selangor. We experienced our kampung homestay in the home of Homestay Banghuris host, Hjh Saadiah bt Yatiman, in Kampung Ulu Chuchuh, Sungai Pelek, Selangor.
Sungai Pelek is a small Malaysian town just south of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in the state of Selangor. Outside the urban area, the fertile soil is good for growing a wide range of food and commercial crops. The many oil palm plantations are interspersed with both fruit and vegetable farms, both large ventures and those of smallholders.
Three of the Malay kampungs (villages) in the area have grouped together in a project called Banghuris Homestay, which offers the opportunity to stay with a family in a traditional setting. There are many activities available for the visitor, who can also appreciate the relaxed pace of life. This homestay programme offers extra income opportunities to villagers, while showing off economic and cultural activities in the area.
Our kampung homestay accommodation
The house is a fairly typical Selangor style kampung house, with the main house raised on stilts to help keep the building cool. The kitchen and bathroom are downstairs, at the rear of the house for the safety of the main house. Most cooking was traditionally done on wood fires.
The original wooden house probably had an attap (palm leaf) roof, which also makes the house cool. Attap needs to be replaced every few year, and is no longer easy to obtain. As a result, most houses have changed their roofs to tile or metal and added ceilings.
The house is in good condition, well maintained, very clean and true to the original design. The entrance porch has been extended and tiled, with an open verandah along the length of the building. Extra bedrooms rooms and a living room have also been added to the ground level. The modern kitchen and dining area are at the rear of the house along with two basic bathrooms. Both bathrooms have a cold water shower and a toilet, one ‘sitting’ and one ‘squatting’.
The two guest rooms upstairs offer double beds, a dresser and fan. They are simple but clean and comfortable. Both rooms have fans, the larger room also has an airconditioner.
You are free to enjoy the garden, which is well kept, with beautiful glowering plants and fruit trees.
Getting there
Address:
Jalan Tailong
Kg. Hulu Shuchoh
43950 Sungai Pelek
Sepang, Selangor
GPS location
2°39’43.00″N 101°41’13.00″E
Driving to the Banghuris homestay Is not difficult. The Community Centre is north of Sungai Pelek town and Is clearly signposted. Sungei Pelek is 35km, about half an hour from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Look for the large signboard pointing to Kg. Bukit Bangkong, Kg. Ulu Chuchuh and Kg. Ulu Teris. Turn right and continue for around 3.5km. Turn left at the Banghuris homestay. Follow the road to reach the Community Centre on your right. The journey from Sungei Pelek town will take around 8-10 mins.
There is a public bus servicing the area, although it does not service either the Community Hall or the kampung homestay locations.
Kampung Homestay packages
The easiest way to access the kampung homestay programme is by contacting the organisers directly. They have three packages available, Including one day trip package and two kampung homestay packages.
Contact:
Telephone :
013-3003942 / Fax : 03-31421010 (Haji Basir Bin Wagiman)
019-3919547 (Puan Misriah Bt Natijo)
019-6497655 (En. Azizi Bin Haji Basir)
email: [email protected]
3 Days 2 Nights Package (RM260)
[table style=”table-striped”]
First day |
| Welcome drink, briefing and introduction to host family |
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Second day |
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Third Day |
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| Special souvenir program. Tree planting at the Homestay Activity Centre |
[/table]
2 Days 1 Night Package (RM160)
[table style=”table-striped”]
First day |
| Welcome drink, briefing and introduction to host family.
Lunch with host family. |
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| Dinner with host family |
Second day |
Breakfast with host family.
|
[/table]
1 Day Trip Package (RM70)
[table style=”table-striped”]Welcome drink. Briefing and video presentation.
|
[/table]
Conclusions
Our host, Hjh Saadiah and her husband were very gracious and welcoming. Although neither is comfortable speaking English, we managed reasonably well with a mix of English, Malay and lots of smiles and laughter.
As we were with a larger group, all our meals were taken elsewhere, but the bubur candil (mixed fruit porridge, pronounced ‘chandil’) they served us for tea the first day of our stay was delicious. The bubur is a slightly sweet rice porridge, with various types of fruits from their garden. We enjoyed the mix of banana (pisang), jackfruit (nangka) and yan (keladi) and went bak for seconds.
Transport Issues, internet/phone connectivity. As previously noted, public transport is not available. This is not an issue as you can be collected from your homestay for the different activities.
While some homestays do have good wifi and mobile coverage, our homestay had neither. At most times the mobile signal was quite poor and could only cope with WhatsApp messages. We noticed this issue across many of the locations we visited.
Coming soon, more videos and stories of the foods we enjoyed and the various activities on offer.
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