Residents and visitors to Rumah Panjai Tuai Rumah J Giri,Nanga Gremai have to use the 'perahu'(boat,sampan') or 'PEHaHu as the locals pronounce it. Cars are parked on this side of the river bank. All one has to do is to stand on the jetty to be identified by the longhouse folks. Say, if you are a relative of Indai John,Indai Mikal or popularly known as Ini Ibu,Indai Inggu,then a perahu plus boat driver from anyone of these families would fetch you. Most times,you can easily hitch a ride from people who are already on this side of the river.First timers and non swimmers like me would be quite scared of the river and sitting on the perahu,no safety measures taken,just leaving it all to the Lord!
Children as young as 12,13 & 14 years of age already know how to operate the outboard engine. This brings to my mind about Inggu's son,aged 14, about 21/2 years ago took us across the river that Gawai. A few months later,while riding a motorbike,he was knocked down by a drunk driver. Oh,how we grieved for him. May his soul rest in peace.
Nanga Geremai/Gremai/Gehemai (which ever you would like to call it) is midway along the Kanowit (Cannot wait) road to Kanowit Bazaar. Some of the longhouse folks tap rubber for a living. Praise Be To God,the price of rubber is good.Some are teachers,government servants,while others are in Miri making a living here.
