Ming, the film director from Eclipse Comm Sdn Bhd in KL together with his film crew was in Kuching to film tourist attractions in Sarawak for STB (Sarawak Tourist Board). At first I thought they must be from overseas as don’t they know that it is the “landas” or monsoon season now? Not exactly the kind of weather to showcase Sarawak but then again STB with their expertise, know-how and all that years of experience should know better right? *sigh*.

Anyway they were put on to us not by STB but rather Panch of Diethelm Travel who manages to persuade a rather reluctant Ming to take a look at our kayaking trip and film as one of the ‘tourist attractions’. Reluctant it was as they had to drag themselves out of bed at Merdeka Palace making Bev, Azmi and yours truly wait a good long 45 minutes before they showed up … very professional huh? Panch was apologetic and slightly embarrassed by this when the bored-looking film crew with 2 yawning ‘talents’ in tow finally showed up. After a brief introduction by Panch, we drove quickly to the put-in with me (instead of them) fretting that the unusually good weather and sunshine that Saturday morning would hold up. And luckily it did!

We reached Bengoh and while Bev and Azmi hurried to untie and unload the kayaks, I discussed with Ming and his (I-speak-only-Cantonese and cam-pa-lang-bahasa) cameraman, Paul Lee on the logistics and the filming spots. The beauty of the place and my enthusiasm soon won them over and we set off with the shoot with Ming in the same kayak as me, the camera-man with Bev and the 2 ‘talents’ of 19 year old Jryna from Ukraine and KL-based Andreas from East Malaysia. And the shoot went well under the beautiful morning light and Ming’s task was made easier with the I-can-go-anywhere Paul Lee and the experienced professional Andreas who showed his mettle as a true orang-ulu by being a capable paddler and a natural on the waters. Jryna was fidgety and squirmiest about the insects (duh!) but soon settled in and put on her brightest smiles when Ming barked gave the orders!

Everything went smoothly and Ming got all the shots he wanted by the time we reached Kg Danu and there were happy smiles all round. As we were getting out, a shout came from Gustino, the STB coordinator who was up on the suspension bridge above Sg Sarawak Kiri and we all looked up. That’s where that shot came from and here's the story!

It was a take and hopefully our kayaking trip would be featured in STB’s future promotional film on Sarawak’s tourist attractions. Even a reluctant Ming is now a believer! Our thanks to Diethelm Travel, Eclipse Comm and STB for giving us the exposure that we need!