“Tagai” No Fishing! Just Fish Massage.

I've had just enough time to...   enjoy a fish massage.

Taken in the Moroli river in Kampung Luanti, Ranau in Sabah, East Malaysia.

About three hours away from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; is a small village called Kampung Luanti in the district of Ranau. The local Dusun community imposed a “tagai” meaning “no fishing” along this stretch of the crystal clear Moroli river. Instead, they trained the “Ikan Pelian” (Malaysian Mahseer) to give you a massage you will never forget.

The minute I cautiously stepped into the water, the fishes swarmed round me nibbling at any dead skin. Except for a sharp nibble now and then, it is painless and you quickly get used to it and even liked the sensation.

“Go on, get into the deep end. Submerge your whole body in but watch out for your exposed nipple!” I knew my friend was joking but I kept my hands closely to my chest until the rubbing of slippery scales against my skin relaxed me and made me forgot I was ever in any danger, exposed nipple or not. Having dozens of fishes deliberately rubbing against you is an unforgettable experience.

I bought some fish pallets, cupped it in my hands and have the fish sucked right out of it. In the cool water with all the fishes slipping in and around my body, I could close my eyes and imagined I was in another world of peaceful coexistence. So if you are on your way to climb Mount Kinabalu  or to visit the national park, do not forget to drop into Kampung Luanti for a sensational fish massage.