Rama was one of our drivers in Borneo – he was the best , most helpful person that we encountered in Borneo. He truly loved his home and was eager to answer all of our questions and point out the sites as we traveled with him for 4 hours by car. He would also bring his young daughter along with him which was entertainment for us too!
Photo: Rama and his daughter
Where are you from?
Kuala Lumpur
Why did you come to Borneo?
I enlisted in the Malaysian Army. They have the largest Army base in Sabah so I was stationed here for 16 years.
How long have you been a guide/driver?
For 10 years
Why did you leave the army?
I left because they were going to send me to Bosnia – I decided to quit then.
Do you like driving or guiding better?
Driving, because I can stop any time I want – I’m not on someone else’s schedule
How many kids do you have?
3 daughters
Where did you learn to speak english?
I went to an English School. Now it compulsary in Malaysia to take English, but when I went to school, it wasn’t.
***Next he pointed out some water buffalos along the road and told us that it is required for a man to give a finance’s family a water buffalo in order to marry her. A water buffalo costs about $1000 US.
Do you have any water buffalos?
No, not yet. But since I have 3 daughters I will have many when they get married and then I will retire and just take care of my water buffalos! (said with a big laugh)
What do you do for fun?
Play snooker with Jase
Will you be our driver tomorrow?
I don’t know. We don’t get our assignment until 6PM the day before.
Have you ever travelled out of the country?
Yes, to Singapore
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Oh – I don’t know! Maybe Thailand, I hear it’s nice there.
