Chiemsee Picnic

Summer means a list of holidays and of course, the warmth of the sun and some nice bbqs. For the past few weeks, holidays are in abundance. Even today is a holiday. Today is Corpus Christi so in Bavaria is'a a public holiday because it's a Catholic State. Most people will extend their holidays when a public holiday falls on a Tueday or a Thursday. But for us students, it's the start of hard work because exam is next month. Remind me again when was my last exam.. only a few months ago.

During the 5 day holidays last week, we went over to Chiemsee for a picnic. Chiemsee is a huge lake with a few islands in it. It's 2 hours away by train from Landshut and it really is a pretty picture because as you enter the area, you can the the Alps standing gloriously topped with snow.

Apparently Chiemsee is very popular during the summer weekends and public holidays. We went on a Friday, which was not a public holiday so the local train wasn't in operation. This train takes you from the Prien am Chiemsee train station to the ferry point where you can hop on to the island of your choice. Because the train wasn't operating, we went by foot to the Ferry Terminal which was 20 minutes away. And I actually enjoyed walking in the warm weather. At the ferry teriminal, tickets are sold for single rides and also for day passes. We took a day pass because the single rides are only for the Herreninsel. We went to the Frauen insel which was further down.

The ferry ride was about 20 minutes

Fraueninsel 

We intentionally went to have a small bbq, just the both of us and have a dip in the waters but it was cold. The place was quite quiet since it was not a holiday. There are a few cafes and restaurants (serving a variety of grilled fish) and some handicraft shops. The place was small and lovely, very much 'kampung nelayan' like. We bought with us a disposable bbq pit and bbq-ed some Jerk Chicken. Jamie Oliver and Levi Roots style. 

 (L-R) We sat right next to the waters where a man was mending his boat :: 

Our lunch. I packed Nasi Goreng Kampung too

Some duckies were really interested in our food and we couldn't push them away. They were actually really annoving and they had their duckling with them which was hard to find because they we shorter that the grass! They were actually quite mad because we didn't feed them and decided to play duck jets with us. By duck jets I mean they purposely jump into the water and fly above us still wet! This was done by about 3 ducks.

Silly ducks. Try spotting their ducklings.

After eating, I actually took a nap for a hour (which I didn't realise) under the warm sun and I was red when I got home. It was soo cosy I didn't mind that the ground was hard. After that, we took a walk around the island and took our ferry back. 

The little houses had parking spaces for their boats and this one was really cute. 

It was such a good day despite the rain that has been going on that week!

Sarawaks Harvest Festival

Public Message Announcement : Selamat Ari Gawai to all Dayaks of Sarawak!

The harvest festival is celebrated every 1st and 2nd of June by the Iban and Bidayuh tribe of Sarawak. Lets not forget the grand happennings that'll keep you pumped up on the night of the 31st ushering in the Dayak New Year. Yes, for us Dayaks it is the new year. It starts when the Harvest is done and it's time for a celebration before the next batch is planted.  

Unfortunately, not a lot of people know about the Gawai festival, even Malaysians themselves. In the olden days, Gawai was the highlight of all yearly events. People would make Tuak (rice wine) beforehand and prepare Kuih Jala for guests. The newly harvested paddy (we call it new paddy) would be packed and given out to relatives. Almost everything would be rice base. Before the Dayaks turned to Christianity, they worshipped the elemental Gods. A sacrifice would be made to thank them for a good harvest, and is usually done by a Priestess on a swing, and lots of chanting in the middle of the village. 

Nowadays, Gawai is still celebrated although most of the Dayaks have turned to more professional jobs  and buy rice from the supermarkets. It's a celebration of tradition and culture. For those who still have paddy fields, the culture of giving away new rice is still done. In some communities, offerings are still given to the Gods, but most would attend a church service to thank Jesus for the Harvest.  

On the first and second of June, it's usually a huge feast with lots of eating and drinking. This is the time to visit friends and family (and meet new extended family you never knew), an act we call "Ngabang". The Iban dan Bidayuh villages will have a sweet smell of charcoal in the air as most of the cooking are done on an open fire. Instead of pots and pans, we trade them for something better. The bamboo. All sorts of dishes are cooked in bamboos. We have the "Pansoh" which is generally chicken or pork with tapioca leaves stuffed in bamboos and cooked on the open fire. Chicken rice in the bamboo is also a favourite. Besides that, we have "Pangkang" which is almost like lemang but without the banana leave on the outside. 

For me, the most exciting part of Gawai would be having roasted pork with cold beer and great company.  Although I haven't been back for the harvest festival for the 5th year this year, I still can remember details of the yearly event, especially when my late grandmother was still around. She would be fussing over going back to the village for about a monthe before the day itself. On the day itself, you won't have luck finding her in the house as she will be out visiting for the whole day.    

With this, I would like to wish all family, friends and all those celebrating, a Blessed Gawai!!