Author: atok zaha

Mesjid Kg. Durian Daun Melaka
Will write more on this trip later.

At Sibu airport before departure

The Sibu Airport Terminal building

This is the plane that will fly me back to Kuala Lumpur. Flight MH 2719

One view of Sibu Airport.

This is the new Kuching Airport after being renovated. My flight made a stopover and its my first time here after the renovation. When I came to Kuching in December 2006 it was still under renovation. Upon entering this waiting lounge, I remember the environment is just like the Macau International Airport.

SMC new market

SMC new market house farmers harvest where they can sell them to make a living. You can find all sorts of kampung vegetables, shoots, fruits, and even the sago worm.

A view of Sibu Gateway at night. Swan is the symbol of Sibu town.

The Sibu Gateway at night

These are cargo boats used to transport cargo to remote towns since most of these towns are inaccessible by land. So they are trailers and container trucks here in Sarawak.

I found out one interesting feature while walking along the Rajang River along the old jetty. There are thousands of swallow flying and the sign of their long presence are theier nest built on buildings. I wonder why there so many swallows in Sibu.

When I was in my hometown Alor Setar, there use to be many swallow and everynight you have to be careful if you walk under the electrical wires overhead because you might me hit by their droppings. And their presence actually create a nuisance. They are noisy and their droppings makes the streets, buildings, cars and everything on the ground looks so dirty. Just don;t know how Alor Setar got rid of the swallows.

However swallow are found in many towns when they come and sleepat night.
The three pictures above was taken at the row of buildings along the Rajang riverfront. Swallow nest were found under roofings and notice how they dirty the building with their droppings.

This is my breakfast at Blowpipe Lounge, Tanah Mas Hotel where I stay. Breakfast are inclusive with room. Its buffet breakfast and my overall rating for breakfast here is average. However a bit better than Seri Malaysia Hotels.

The plus thing when staying at Tanah Mas Hotel is there is FREE broadband WiFi access at the lobby. Not many hotel provide their guest this service and I give a 10/10 to the management to this. Most hotel charges a high rate for internet access. I stayed at Yen Tin Midtowne Hotel in Kuala Terengganu and charges for Streamyx in the room is RM 20 per day. Not worth spending that much since nobody will stay and surf for 24 hours when they travel. So I consider that very expensive.

Below are more pics of Sibu that I took while touring the town.

Sibu bus stand just in front of the Sibu Ferry Terminal. From here you can take the local bus to various places around Sibu.

This is how they sell live fowls at Sibu Central market. Its easy fo carry what. But I pity the cocks by the way they are bound and could only move the head.

This is another part of the market where you can buy all sort of home-made cakes, cokies and fresh vegetables.

Sibu, 130 km from the South China Sea is the second largest town in Sarawak and is the main commercial centre on the Rejang Basin. It is the stating point for travellers who want to explore the river. Sibu was founded at the turn of the century by Foochow migrants from South China and is often referred as the “New Foochow”.

Here are pictures of the Sibu Passenger Terminal. I think it is the KL Central of Sibu or maybe the Puduraya. From here you can travel to the remote areas not accessible by road. When I came to Sibu a few years back, this terminal was under construction. I had an experience travelling on the express boat to Kapit, a 3 hours ride on the speed boat. It up river.

Visit Sibu again in June 2006. As usual on my official trip. Left KL on 12 Jun 2006 on Flight MH2712 scheduled to leave at 8.15 am. But there was some technical problem and the plane took off after an hour delay. Arrive Sibu at 11.00 am and got a message the message that my friend from Kota Kinabalu will arrive at 11.05 am. While waiting for the Immigration clearance, hear the Fokker 50 landed.

Stayed at Tanah Mas Hotel.

This time around found something new about Sibu. She has a mascot. The swan. Even the town logo has a design in the shape of a swan. I wondered whether there are swans and when asked one of the Sibuan, I was told it originated from “swan” in Foo Chow. The picture of the monument of two swan is at a padang behind Wisma Sanyan (the highest building in Sibu). There is also another monument of the Swan on the Sungai Rejang behind Kingwood Hotel. (Picture on the right).