Trip to Sarawak - Day 7

Day 7: Bintulu + Sibu
14th January 2008

We woke up kinda early in the morning because we have a long day ahead... Around 7am, we all departed from Jia Feng's house. Met two new frens, Hong En (the guy who look like Chye Siang) and Zhi Qiang. Both of them are Jia Feng's churchmates... From Bukit Orang (Jia Feng's Taman), we went to the bus stand, not to Sibu... but to have breakfast at Jia Feng's fren's coffee shop. Her name is Mei Mei.. oso their churchmate. Ah Bee and me shared a bowl of porridge whilst the rest had kampua (again???)... Then at about 7.45, we headed off to.....Similajau... (i noe wat you're thinking, but that's really the name of that place)... It's a 45 min - 1 hour drive from Bintulu town. When we reached there, we start our Jungle Trekking... The beach was really nice and clean.. According to Zhi Qiang and Hong En, if we are lucky, we might get to see dolphin, Wild Boar or even sea cucumber.. but too bad.. we didn't see any of those.. but here are few pics i took with my phone..

Mushroom on a trunk

The route at Similajau national park

The information on the routes

When we reached our destination, which is about 1 hour walk, we rested and had our high tea there.. Jia Feng, Pei Xian, Ah Bee, Sam and me went into the sea... My goodness, the sea is so damn clean... and one thing weird about the sea is it is shallow at first, then deep, then shallow again... then suddenly at a point, there'll be no more stone and becomes VERY DEEP... if i had a chance, i would love to dive there, i'm sure i'll be fascinated...

After trekking, we went back to Jia Feng's house for bath. then went off for lunch. Had lunch in a seafood restaurant coz it was already 3pm, and most of the shops already closed... the meal was so-so.. but here's something special...

Scary?? Cindy.. dun scare ppl next time..

After food, we went to get our car.. and guess wat.. Jia Feng got a ticket.. i wonder if it has been settled... Then, we went to the bus station... Here we go.. off to Sibu... Thanks Jia Feng's family for the great hospitality, i really felt like home..

On our way there, the bus stopped by Batu Niah, and they saw Chicken ASs for sale... they bought it.. here's two extremist with Chicken Ass...

Till now, i dun understand why they say it's nice...

Someone's drop dead tired

We reached Sibu at about 7pm. Jia Feng's mum's fren picked us up.. SO pai seh... then we checked into RH hotel. I suppose it's the best hotel we stay whilst at Sarawak.

After checking in, we went for food hunt... ate at the local market, then had a walk at their night market. Majority of us ate Teochew Flat Noodle.. it was nice.. but too salty.. Ah Bee ate Chicken rice.. which is not nice.. and pei xian had kampua.. not very nice oso~~

someone's always thumbs up~ even when the food is not nice :P

Then headed off the the riverside to take picture with a Swan (fake swan).. Lastly...

Have a good nite sleep~

Trip to Sarawak - Day 6

Day 6: Bintulu
13th January 2008

Today, finally... we get to sleep till late... the gals woke up around 11am but those guys.. dunno wat got onto them, they woke up at 9am.. dunno for wat... lolz... then we went for lunch. We had Fried Cook Mee again.. but it's Bintulu version (Honestly speaking, this version is better than Miri's).. and Prawn Mee.. The prawn mee is RM10.. but they uses the big prawn.. the head almost as big as Ah Bee's head (quoted from Pei Xian)... as for drinks... The one in the pic is called 'san suan' as in 3 sour.. It's a mixture of lemon, limau kasturi and sour plum.. really very sour...

Then, we went to the market, there's actually two market in a venue. the first is the normal market which we get to see here... the other is called the Pasar Tamu, where the Ibans will sell their fresh food here. We all bought Belacan and Shrimp. Then, we went to have coconut drink... since it was so hot and everyone oso 'hot'...

The 'Natural' spoon

After 'marketing' we went to shop at ParkCity.. On our way there, Jia Feng told us about the story of ParkCity... It goes like this....

Once upon a time, there's this girl named Siti. She has a habit of touching people. All of the people who stays near here are afraid of her touching them. Hence, one day, all of them decided to build a buidling to protect themself against Siti. SO, they name it as "Pa Siti" (Translated as afraid of Siti)... which also sounds like ParkCity... 'Sweat rite???'

Neway, inside ParkCity, Pei Xian met her not so 'true love'...

Too bad.. He's 2 years younger and he's in Bintulu.. else they have to name the building as 'ParkAdeline'

Soon after shopping... we went to Jia Feng house to get all the food for BBQ later... Then, Jia Feng went to prepare for the BBQ whilst the rest of us went to Taman Tumbina Bintulu. Tumbina actually comes from the word Tumbuhan + Binatang... (talk bout creativity..) We didn't take much pic there coz our cameraman is not around. Neway, there's nothing much interesting there.. at least for me... mayb coz we skipped a lot of animals and plant. You can't blame us.. the road sign is not clear.. the direction is also blur... so... let's just make it fast..

After the visit to the aniants (animal + plants) <-- english version of tumbina... we headed to the beach for BBQ... once again.. the scenary is so so so nice.. so 'kong bu'...

Jia Feng's two younger sister, Cindy at the back and Agnes in the front

Jia Feng's older brother

3 'Supermans'.. but why no underwear outside???

Guess who's that person???

After BBQ, we went to the 'dunno wat walkway'.. beside Parkway hotel. The best hotel in Bintulu. Took a lot of pic there... esp Ah Bee... his display pic in MSN now is taken from there...

Fear Factor @ Bintulu

During the nite, we were suppose to see the port - where they process natural gas, from the hilltop. but, unfortunately, the peak is too dark and dangerous so we didn't get to view the scenary... Soon after that, we went for yum cha session... It's called 'Seribu Bintang'. The design, and architecture of the restaurant is unique but not the food... Then, around 2am, we hit back home, get ready for our journey to Sibu...


Wat's more to yearn, if you already have the whole blood with you???

Trip to Sarawak - Day 5

Day 5: Miri + Bintulu
12th January 2008

As i mentioned earlier.. we woke up at 6am.. Moved out from hotel at 7am. Had Beef Noodle as breakfast. The soup smells nice and the beefball is very springy... But too bad.. i had throat infection so didn't get to really enjoy this meal. Soon after that, we went to Gua Niah. The Park is one of Sarawak's smaller national parks. The park's main claim to fame is its role as one of the birthplaces of civilisation in the region. The oldest modern human remains discovered in Southeast Asia were found at Niah, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. We had to take a motorboat to cross a very small river (summore had to pay RM1 each..) then walk the forest trail before reaching the Cave. The whole journey is 4.2km, and to my amusement, we walked 8.4km... but it was worth it..



On our way... we saw a snake.... luckily no one was injured..
PS: To those going to the cave, please discharge all your body liquid and solids before going in. Because there's no proper toilet in there and you have to walk 8.2km before you can discharge... (That's wat happened to me.. gan chiong :P)

Came out from the cave at 5pm. Everyone was drop dead tired. Not only due to the walking.. but also lack of sleep. Who asked us to go karaoke yesterday... But Adrin, Wei Rung and Jia Feng still managed to drive 100km back to Miri.. A round of applause for them!!! When reached Miri, we went to the 'Hanging Bridge'.. It's just like the Bukit Cagar we used to have in JB. Except that it's more beautiful and hi tech... That was the last tourist spot we went in Miri.

Before going to Bintulu, the gals took shower at Xiao Zhen's house whilst the guys at Wei Rung's house. I would like to take the opportunity here to extend a zillion of thanks to them. Without them, Miri will not be the Miri we see... Soon, at 9pm, we boarded on the bus, heading towards Jia Feng's house... Bintulu...

We reached at about 1am. He had everything arranged. The moment we reached bus stand, his daddy, brother, and mum were there to pick us up. You must be thinking, we will sleep when we reach his house.. but you are WRONG!!! We went for supper despite so tired. BUT...IT was WORTH IT.... the best Chicken leg we have in the whole Malaysia... Even Ah Bee gave his virginity to it.. Besides Fried Chicken Leg, the Fried Egg is also nice. It's called 'san se jian dan'.. it is a combination of salted egg, pi dan, and chicken egg. Mayb wanna try cook at home.. :P The supper is so 'homely'....

finished everything....

Finally, after filling our stomach, we went to bed...

The more precious thing is what we encounter together, despite the thick and thin, the high and low, the long and short.

Trip to Sarawak - Day 4

Day 4: Miri
11th January 2008

Woke up at 7am for breakfast at 8am. We went to Miri's market for breakfast, and before i forget, there's sumthing i must mention. Usually people will find parking in white box, but drivers in Miri parks in yellow box. And their motorist will halt in the middle of the road to pick up a phone call. Back to the story, we reached market and ordered food. Guess wat... Observe this picture...

Did you see wat i see????
(Everyone's eating the same thing - Char Kuey Tiaw)

After breakfast, we went to visit Miri Handicraft Centre.

Group Pic

We're flying??

At about 12pm... we had nowhere to go.. so we went for lunch... although still feeling very full.. When arrived, we went to buy 4D and toto. Hoping to get some money so that we can go Brunei so that Mei Shan get to see her Wu Chun..
As we were walking.. we passed by a bread shop. so... when a group of tourist get together and they see weird food, they will buy it even if they are still full... We ended up with breads worth RM21.00....

But we didn't eat those pastries and bread... We went back to the Nasi Lemak shop.. But 2 ppl share one plate.. else sure very bloated.. I'll upload the pic when i get it.. Neway, the Nasi Lemak is not very nice.. but not very bad either. I prefer the one in JB.

After lunch, around 1.30pm... we went to get our car. Mei Shan, Pei Xian, Ah Bee, me and Jia Feng sat in a car. the rest followed Adrin's car. Something happened there.. Jia Feng locked the clutch and brake with a Solex Lock (because Miri is not a safe town). Then when he wanna unlock it.. he realised he cant because he locked it upside down.. We were stucked there for 15 minutes. it was scary but funny at the same time... After that car locked incident, we went to the beach. (at 2pm) It was supposed to be hot.. but i dunno why.. it's not that HOT after all...

The guys

The gals

A small man with ambition as huge as the sea

The bridge

After the first beach, we went to the 2nd beach.. it's a private port for private yatch.. there's a lot of rich man in Miri.. Trust me... Since it is a private port, we cant stay there for long. After 15 minutes, we moved to the next beach. Where we ate all the pastries and bun we bought earlier today...

Yippie

Chasing the Sun

After visiting 3 beaches, we went to golf resort, also near the beach. We were suppose to stay there but the resort is fully booked so we had to stay in town. The resort is just atypical resort in Malaysia... hence, nothing much to talk about...

Adrin and me

Jia Feng

We headed back to the hotel to rest and get ready for the evening. We had dinner at a cafe. We ate Apple Chicken Chop Rice, Thai Style Fish, Fried Rice, Signature Toufu, and a plate of Vege. The Fried Rice is so much that one person's portion can satisfy 4 pax. And it's cheap... only RM4 per plate... The rest of the dishes are common and available here. After dinner, we went to visit the 'Grand Old Lady'. It's the first oil well in Malaysia. It's night view is very nice oo... and this is wat we did in the dark...
The nite is still young... So... we headed off to Miri's Karaoke... Rex Box... It's REX BOX.. not Red Box... Then at around 2.30am.. we went for supper.. Roti John. Miri's Roti John is wet.. not the normal crispy bread we eat here in Melaka.. Finally.. we slept at 4am despite knowing that we'll have to wake up at 6am the next day...

Time may snatch away my youth, but never my voice. It will always sound the same regardless of time and place.

Trip to Sarawak - Day 3

Day 3: Miri
10th January 2008

We reached Miri at about 11.30am. The rest of them have reached earlier and went to visit some places before Jia Feng and me reached. We meet up with them at a chicken rice stall in Miri. Wei Rung, Jia Feng's friend, Adrin's friend (complicated) will be our tourist guide for the coming 2 days. He brought us to that chicken rice stall for lunch. According to him, this is the cheapest and most delicious chicken rice shop in town. It's only RM2.70 per plate, including soup. After the lunch, we went to check-in into a hotel. It's a small inn, but comfortable and cheap. Soon around 2pm, we went to Miri Crocodile Farm and Mini Zoo.

At the entrance (Sea horse is Miri's mascot)

There, we saw crocodiles... a lot of them, monkeys, raccoon, parrot... and other animals. But what caught our attention was this little monkey in a cage with two other monkeys, one female and another male.

The baby monkey

We tried to feed this little monkey with banana, but he was too afraid to grab hold of that banana. coz the moment he takes it, the other two bigger monkey will hit him. So, all 10 of us (Ah Bee didn't go because he was sick - so sissy :P) did all we can to feed the baby monkey. And after 30 minutes of actions, WE DID IT!!! he ate 2 pieces of bananas. After looking at those animals, Gui Yan, Siao Zhen, Michael, Sam, Jia Feng tried out the 'crocodile herbal soup'. Ask them how it taste like...

Delicious?

After the mini zoo, we went to the beach. But before that we went back to pick Ah Bee from the hotel. He vomitted... haih... Soon after that, we headed off to the beach. Tanjong. By the time we reached there, we're just in time for sunset.



After sunset, we had dinner by the sea. We ate paku pakis (again), fried chicken wing, sumthing with shell, and ikan bakar. I dun remember if we took any pic.. but it's common dishes.. so that meal was not extremely nice or special but it's the most expensive we took there.. But... we all we very full... :)

We went shopping later. The shopping centre there is common... Nothing special as compared to watever they have in KL. After shopping, went for 'cook fry noodle'. It's a type of noodle where they fry it first then only boil it with gravy. To me, it tasted like hokkien mee. Then, went back to hotel and wrap the day up...

It is often impossible to do things alone, be it meningful or not, treasure the one who went through all with you.