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Tourism – Events
Apples from Borneo, Sarawak in particular, usually
cause many people to just laugh it off as a joke. You
have got to be kidding, growing apples in tropical
climate, as it is a temperate climate type fruit. Whatever, just
don’t bet on it as in the Ba’Kelalan Highlands in Miri Division,
apples do grow on trees and in abundance!
Take the flight from Miri City to Ba’Kelalan and pick your own
apples to prove to yourself that it is true; apples do grow in
Sarawak. This is after all one of the most favoured resort spots
in Sarawak for its cool and refreshing climate, clean air, clear
skies and ever smiling, friendly people. What was once an
experiment in fruit cultivation has today become an annual
event, the Apple Fest of Ba’Kelalan happening from 6 th - 8 th
April. The Ba’Kelalan apples are of various varieties namely:
the Anna, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith (also called Lady
Williams) and Manalagi.
Anna is red on top and yellow at the bottom, soft to the bite
and tastes sweet-sour. Rome Beauty is green with a reddish
tinge at the bottom and similar to Anna in taste but is crispier.
The Granny Smith is green and tastes sour, and is suitable for
cooking or making cider.
The Manalagi (Golden Delicious) is said to have got its name
when visitors from Batu Malang in Indonesia, where the
original seedlings were brought from, asked for more (“Mana
lagi” in Bahasa Malaysia) after eating one apple. This is the
variety that has become widely known as the Ba’Kelalan
Apple. This greenish yellow apple is sweet and crunchy and is
great for making apple pie and fruit salad.
While apples may steal the limelight during the fest, there
are also a few other temperate fruits, which have found their
way into the highland too like avocado, abiu, ice cream bean,
passion fruit and strawberries. The main staple crop for the
highland is of course the famous ‘Adan’ locally called Bario
rice, which is a tasty and premium rice here.
Ba’Kelalan
Apple Fest
2012
Apples
from
Sarawak
6 th - 8 th April
Naturally people do not just come to Ba’Kelalan for the
apples only; in fact, the annual fest featuring homestay and
cultural activities are the main attractions. Staying with the
locals, especially the Lun Bawang people enable visitors to
experience the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the highlands.
Due to the existing physical barriers, the people here are
very independent of the outside world when it comes to
sustainability, as they are able to get all their needs from the
surroundings. So, the additional infrastructures like roads and
airport have helped to bring the enchanting highlands closer
to the people, which in turn bring modern lifestyle necessities
to the highlands.
While apples may be enticing and appealing to many who
have probably never seen an apple tree before, the fruit is
just an additional attraction and reason to visit the highlands.
The fruit ventures will never be able to beat the established
players around the world but are there to provide novelty and
intrigue for locals and visitors from around the world. One
thing is for sure; the apples are freshly picked and crunchy,
tasty and can be easily made into jams and other products.
First time visitors to the highlands should come prepared, as
the weather may be chilly to some so having enough warm
clothing is advisable.
For more information, please contact Motour Sarawak Office,
Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, (Sarawak Office)
3 rd Floor, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93300 Kuching,
Sarawak, Malaysia. T: +6082 235231 F: +6082 234010
www.motour.gov.my
36 | BorneoTalkApr-Jun2012