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.
