3/21/2006 06:33:00 AM
Bridges of Bengoh County
While we were exploring the borneo highlands on Sunday; both on and off the waters; we came across and had to cross a number of bridges but these ingenious bamboo bridges spanning across the rivers caught our attention. We definitely had to take a closer look and to admire these ingenious indigenous structures.
Still in use by the bidayuhs (native of Sarawak) to cross rivers/ravines to get to the interiors, these bridges are in a constant state of repair and though they may look flimsy and precarious but are in fact extremely strong and functional. Made from readily available materials (entirely bamboos and vines) they are eco-friendly and beautiful. The ‘modern’ steel suspension bridges look positively pedestrian by comparison! The spans both lengthwise and height above the river bed are impressive and a testimony to the native’s resourcefulness, ingenuity and engineering.
I think they are more romantic and lyrical than the prose of Robert James Waller! Take a look for yourself or better still walk across one, one day!
Stumble It!16 Comments:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 
Francis Ho said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Wuching said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Chen said:
adrenaline level sure will shoot up ...
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
wuching - huh! someone's bahasa is worst than mine! its "rumah panjang" kiddo! To see the traditional long houses; one would have to trek several hours and cross several such bridges. game to try the next time you're back?
chen - a point to note is that the side bamboo 'rails' are not designed to take your full weight; so dont lean on them fully, or else!. the natives (even full laden) and their dogs casually stroll over them and the kids can even break into a 'sprint'! a good sense of balance helps. no adrenaline rush for them, only us the clumsy city folks! :)
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Selba said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Robin CHAN said:
Nature at her best with native capturing the essence of her beauty.
The bamboo bridge alone look wonderful, especially when I dun need to cross it..
kekeke
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 HappySurfer said:
Must remember to leave my high heels at home. hehe....
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Jeremy C said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Wuching said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
robin - butterflies and now bamboo bridges? heehee
happysurfer - excellent idea to leave your ferragamo high heels n prada handbags behind! :)
jeremy c - hmmm Clint Eastwood's older than me ... but he's a cool dude; thks? ;)
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
hey! Though I'm kampong at heart, I'm city born n bred ok! heehee
"he's a little bit country n also a little rock n roll!"
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 @ロウ 。LOW@ said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 gus said:
At Tuesday, 21 March, 2006 Pandabonium said:
That is something I like about Fijian "fales" (1st worlders call them "grass shacks"). They are made from the materials at hand and eminently practical for the local environment.
If a cyclone knocks them down, the village will pitch in and have new ones up in a couple of days.
It's always much better when construction blends into the environment and becomes part of it, and it stinks when modern construction just grates with it...especially when the modern construction isn't really necessary!
Still, it is possible for modern construction to be harmonious with natural scenery. Take, for example, the major bridges along Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast. Almost all of them were built in the 1930s, and they were designed by an engineer camed Conde McCullough for the express purpose of fitting into the scenery or even enhancing it rather than wrecking it.
To McCullough's credit, all of his bridges but one are still standing. The one exception is the Alsea Bay bridge (in my family's hometown), which was the closest to the ocean and the most exposed to the elements. Its beach sand cement and timber construction finally started to disintegrate, so they replaced it with a (not quite so beautiful) new bridge in the early 90s.
Not enough bamboo in Oregon, I guess.
At Wednesday, 22 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
moody - thanks for sharing that n i'll certainly check up on Conde McCullough's bridges designs.
Hmmm shame about the shortage of bamboos in Oregon! ;)
I have borrowed the title from Robert James Waller's famous love story - "The Bridges of Madison County"; which was also made into a movie.
A beautifully written 'mushy' novel that's well worth your while to read; even if you hadn't or don't read this type of book. The ladies would sob and so would some of the guys, I think!