Nanga Penyuang Waterfall, Ulu Selangau

We took 2 hours by longboat ride from Selangau bazaar to reach Rh Kudang, Nanga Penyuang, Ulu Selangau. Along the journey we notice that there are some plants or trees which you cannot find in other place in Sibu. That’s mean this area still kept some secret. On 28 January 2008 is my second trip to this area.

Uon arrival at Rh Kudang, we proceed to the Ng Penyuang waterfall by foot. It takes us 10 minute walk through the new logging track built by SRDC. Its really fun trip because in my first visit we use longboat which takes us 5 minute (if high tide) from Rh Kudang. It's have commercial value if this area can be develop in the near future......

Upon arrival at the waterfall, we start our reccee and study the whole area. Tentatively less than 500 meters from Rh Kudang and this have give advantage to the travellers to walk or rather exercise to reach this waterfall. Its have three parts and the surrouding area is still pure green. SRDC have putting great effort to develop this area as recreational area both local and outside visitors. They have build the "road" from Selangau Bazaar to the last longhouse, ie Rh Kudang. This project have received strong support from the local people.

"Charted flight" Sibu / Mukah

I have charted the flight from Sibu to Mukah today (January 24, 2008). You don’t believe it? It is true because during my trip to Mukah today only two passenger in side the twin otter MAS WING flight. It is my first time using MAS WING and first time also no other passenger with us inside the flight, so cool man. Look like we charted the flight.

I proudly inform my friends in Mukah that today I have “charted” the flight from Sibu to Mukah. They just smile at me because my friend told me that that is normal for flight from Sibu to Mukah because there not enough passengers not like from Kuching to Mukah. I just keep quite….. no wonder there no other people inside the flight just now. Other reason is people prefer using bus or driving if they coming back to Mukah because there is nothing to hurry.

If you want to experience “charted flight”, please try Sibu / Mukah flight……

Lamin Dana and its Culture Heritage

Have you been to Lamin Dana in Mukah? If you frequent traveller to Mukah and have not been to Lamin Dana, thats mean your journey is not complete yet. Lamin Dana means traditional house in archaic Melanau dialect. Lamin Dana officially declare open by former Minister of Tourism Malaysia, Dato Sri Leo Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad on September 12, 1999. Diana Rose is the founder of Lamin Dana.

It is easy to find the direction to this place because it located at Kampung Telian Tengah. Just 5 minute drive from Mukah town and Lamin Dana signboard is located at the road side. Lamin Dan is getting popular for domestic and foreign traveller, to date Lamin Dana has opened its door to more than 3,000 domestic visitors and more than 500 foreign visitors. "Lamin Dana's greatest achievement thus far is creating a certain level of awareness among Malaysian on the existence of the Melanau people within the context of Malaysian society (article by Gaing Kunding in BP)".

Visitors' to Lamin Dan also can visit the handicraft centre, located on the next building. They can try to do the local handicreft using local products. Apart from that you also can see "hanging coffin" and jerunei.

Un-tapped tourism potential in Mukah

Where is Daro? Someone was asking me and at that time I am still new with Mukah area. Then I get one reference book and start do my own research about Mukah area. After I have some information about this area so I plan my trip with other of my colleague from Kuching and Miri to joint me to discover places of interest in Mukah.

From Sibu to Daro it takes us two and half hours by express boat which cost us RM17 per person. Upon arrival at Daro wharf, we were caught by surprise that there are so many people at the wharf. We wonder why such a small wharf has so many people around. Then one colleague told us that this people just went back for Hari Raya celebration.

Daro was another sub district in Mukah division headed by District officer. Melanau community is the major ethnic group staying in Daro apart from Iban and Chinese community. ‘Ikan terubuk’, one of the popular local fish is the landmark for Daro. After we check in at Eng Soon Lee Inn in Daro, we proceed with our visit to District Office and nearby “places of interest”. On the afternoon we went to “The Last Melanau Longhouse” in Matu district. We were very fortunate because the longhouse Chief is at the longhouse. The longhouse chief is a lady. She shared with us lots of story about the longhouse.

After we spend a night in Daro, next day we proceed to Oya district by land transport. It took us more than two hours to reach Kpg Senau in Oya. Kampung Senau is popular with its homestay program. There are 10 families participate in this program. This program was initiated by Fishery Department of Malaysia (LKIM). Part of our program in Mukah is visit all the ten houses who is participating in Homestay program, river cruise and visit the tebaloi factory.

After whole day visit to Kampung Senau, Oya, our group then proceed back to Mukah town. We stay at King Inn Hotel in the heart of Mukah Town. Most of us have been to Mukah town before and so there no problem for us to move around. On the final day we have short meeting with Resident office and they have brief us some info about development on tourism industry in Mukah division. After the briefing we proceed to Lamin Dana Cultural Boutique and Handicraft Centre located in Kampung Telian Tengah. My colleague was very impressive with set up at Lamin Dana. Overall, all of us was happy and some of us consider this trip is an eye opener because they didn’t thought that Mukah have plenty tourism product to offer to the tourist.

Punan Bah, undiscovered heritage site!

Punan Bah, sound familiar to me and I am very lucky because I have an opportunity to visit this place together with a group of officer from Kapit Resident office and other agencies. I feel really happy because my dream has come through after waiting for quite sometime. I have heard lots about this place either through my friends or from the media. Punan Bah is located in Belaga sub-district. Mode of transport to Punah Bah is by express boat from Kapit town. Other alternative to Punan Bah is by boat from Sg Assap resettlement area. That’s mean you have to take 4 wheel drive from Bintulu town to Sg Assap area. This trip will take you estimated 3 to 4 hours.

We gathered at a jetty in front of Fort Sylvia, Kapit. After all members arrived, we proceed to Punan Bah using speed boat with 400 hsp twin engine and depart Kapit town at 1015 am. I feel nervous at first because I know that we will go through notorious Pelagus Rapid. After chatting with other friends inside the boat I feel better and ready to enjoy the journey. We are very lucky because the weather is very good.

Along the journey we saw lots of thing including local people taking their bath at the Rajang River and many others. After a while sitting inside the boat, our boat skipper suddenly slow the boat, I thought maybe our engine got problem. Actually he asked all of us to put on the life jacket before we go through the notorious Pelagus Rapid. All of us standby and grab some part inside the boat so that we can hold our body when the boat go through the rapid.

From far we can hear the sound of rapid, our boat skipper is very experience and he knew which direction he can use. The boat looks not stable because trying to find its way again the strong rapid. 800 hsp speed boat take at least more than half an hour to break through the Pelagus Rapid. It’s very frightening and interesting moment because it’s the first time I follow the journey through this rapid. We manage go through the rapid.

We arrived at Punan Bah area at 1 pm and upon our arrival we were welcome by Tuak Levok, longhouse chief and people at the Punan Bah jetty. We are invited to his bilik (room) and have some refreshment. After the “official” program, we were invited for the village tour. We heading to the original site of Punan Bah longhouse, there we can see 5 standing totem pole and Batu Dong. At the longhouse we saw an old huge pillar still standing in longhouse. We were brief by Tuak Lovuk about the history of their longhouse and its activities. All members were very excited and enjoy the short visit to this longhouse. After late lunch we proceed back and stop for a while at The Regency Pelagus Resort before continue or journey back to Kapit town.

The trip to this longhouse is very memorable because after many years waiting, only now I have seen and experience the tour in this longhouse. Even they from other ethnic group but they can speak fluent Iban language. They still preserve their traditional culture even though their place is already developed. The have their own school and clinic for all more than 40 families in this area.

Nature and cultures wonders in Belaga

I have heard lots about Belaga. Info about Belaga was written in Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, popular guide book. These two books published by international publisher due to high demand in tourism industry globally.

Prior to my visit to Belaga, I have met few of my friends and share with them the ideas to visit Belaga. The purpose of this trip is to get familiar with places of interest in Belaga town and its surrounding area. Belaga is located in Kapit division and five an half hour by express boat from Kapit town. The journey to Belaga is very interesting even though you have to sit inside the boat for eight or nine hours if you from Sibu. For foreign tourist, they have to get permit from Kapit Resident office if they want to travel to Belaga district.

To go to Belaga from Sibu, we have to take the earliest express boat. We used 5.45 am express boat which cost us RM55 per person for one way trip. Upon arrival at the Sibu express boat wharft terminal we proceed to the ticket counter and get our ticket. It’s 530 am and the boat skipper started pressing the express boat "honk". It’s just like wake up call for those staying not far from Sibu wharf terminal and Rajang Esplanade. “Belaga…Belaga…belaga,enda lama agi ka jalai bot tok wai. Ka kini nuan wai? (Belaga…Belaga…belaga, this boat will depart soon, where you want to go sir)”, familiar reminder when you approach any of the express boat at the wharf.

After we place our bag at one corner, we proceed to look for our seat. The seat inside the express boat similar to the aircraft or express bus seat which they had their own seat number. It’s really cold inside the boat, luckily I brought along my Manchester United red jacket. After we take our seat, I told JC we just like entering the Iban karaoke pub because that morning they playing one famous Iban song inside the express boat. We don’t really enjoy the song because we are still sleepy.

Honk! Honk! Honk!..... we wake up because of the loud honk. We just arrive at Kapit jetty. We didn’t realise we fall asleep for two hours plus. Upon arrival at Kapit jetty most of the passenger walks out from the boat. We also went out to get fresh air and stress our body after 2 hours plus sitting inside the boat. Four team members from Kapit joining us for this trip.

Our express boat depart Kapit jetty around 9 am. After chatting with all the team members, all of us start doing our own business. Since this is the first time is visit Belaga, I am looking forward to enjoy this trip. I was told that our boat will go through the famous Pelagis Rapid. Luckily during our trip is high tight, so there nothing much to worry. I didn’t close my eyes because I don’t want to miss any interesting places. Along the way to Belaga, we pass by Iban, Punan, Kayan and Kenyah longhouses. The journey is very interesting because it’s totally new experience to me. I feel bit sad because I am not able to take any pictures because our boat in the high speed.

After five and half hour in the boat finally we arrive at Belaga jetty. Upon arrival in Belaga town, we going straight to look for our accommodation. There are few budget hotels in Belaga town and the hornbill on the top of totem pole is the town landmark. After lunch we having discussion for our local tour to Kejaman longhouse. About 4 pm we proceed to Kejaman longhouse. At first I’m wondering why our guide brought us to visit this place. I just keep quite and at last they bring us to one place where we saw one decorative hut. In local dialect they called it "Salong" (totem pole). It’s a burial hut to keep the dead body of upper class (maren) family members. According to the local the totem pole more than 100 years old. We were inform that only two totem poles still standing in their village.

After short briefing we have to go back to Belaga town because it already 6 pm. We reach Belaga town around 8 pm. After our dinner we met one local guide and he shared with us lots about Belaga and its surounding area. His story have make us to spend another night but that is impossible because we have to back to Kapit on the next morning for another official duties.

Overall experience our visit to Belaga and its surrounding area is very fruitful. We highly recommended visitors’ to visit Belaga and its surrounding area. This visit is totally new experience and value for money.

Another eye opener.....

Last sunny Saturday was a wonderful day in Sibu, Patrick called me and asking whether we proceed with our plan to try ride on moto chalo along Rajang River. Upon received confirmation, we proceed to old Kapit wharf located next to famous Seven Storey Pagoda in town centre. Luckily the boat that we thought will depart on 10 a.m still at the wharf. We were told that the boat to Sg Assan only departs at 1030 a.m instead of 10 a.m, the boat fare only RM1.50 per person for one way.

I feel very exciting because this is my first time using this kind of boat in Sibu. I have been using other kind of boats before but this ride is totally different. The boat seating arrangement is different from express boat and the boat is clean and tidy. The boat movement also slower and this will give the passenger a chance to take photos or enjoy the trip until final destination.

During the trip we are standing at the front deck chatting with the boat driver and another passenger. They are friendly and sharing with us lots of story about Rajang River and its surrounding area. 45 minute rides from Sibu wharf terminal to the Rh Kaya is just nice for the tourist to enjoy the journey before they can visit any of the longhouses in Sg Assan area. Our trip is very exciting and it’s an eye opener to me. To develop this water transport service as one of the interesting tourism product require creativity and innovative idea from the private sector.

Tuk Tuk (Moto Chalo) in Sibu Sarawak!!!!

Have you ever heard about Tuk Tuk or Rice Barge boat tour in Thailand? For frequent traveler, I am sure they have heard about this famous local water transport in Thailand. For foreign tourist, they definitely will try to experience river ride using this boat. The traditional commercial water transport have been modify and become as one of the tourism product in Thailand.

TUK TUK and RICE BARGE in Thailand

In Sibu Sarawak also have similar Tuk Tuk or Rice Barge boat. In local dialect we called it “moto chalo”. There is no clear indication how local people get the name “moto chalo” for this type of boat. Early research shows that if local Chinese said someone have left, they will said, “Chow lor (have left)”. Whereby “moto” in Iban mean transport with engine. According to my friends, the name might be created from a story about an Iban guy with Chinese boat operator in Sibu wharf. One day an Iban guy asking one boat operator at the wharf, “Ni moto tadi towkey (Sir, where is the boat just now?)”, he asked. “Chow lor”, the other boat operator answered and pointing his figure to the boat which just left the wharf. The Iban guy does not understand what the boat operator said and assume that the name of the boat is chalo. From that incident local people started call that boat as “moto chalo”. This boat is popular among the local who lives along the Rajang River, the longest river in Malaysia. Outside visitors’ also can experience the ride and only need to pay as low as 50 cents per trip.

For tourism point of view, this is a great asset in tourism industry in Central Region which the local tour operator has not explored yet. The boat already been there for many years but at the moment it is mean to transport people from Sibu town to the longhouses or villages across river.

MOTO CHALO in Sibu Sarawak

Are we ready for Tourism …… Central Sarawak!!

When people mentioned about Kuching, in their mind will be Kuching Waterfront, Main Bazaar, Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak Museum, just to name a few. Talked about Miri, in their mind definitely UNESCO World Heritage site Mulu National Park, Niah National Park, Grand Old Lady, any many others. Central Region…….eeemmmmmm, let me guess The Mighty Rajang River The Longest River in Malaysia or Pelagus Rapid? Maybe Yes maybe No!

Why Malaysian want to go to China, Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand? In return why overseas tourists want to visit our country? Let put ourselves in visitors’ shoes. There must be something special in our country that outside visitors’ cannot find in their country which attracts them to visit our place. In our country we live in harmony and peacefully even though there are so many ethnic groups staying together as one "big family". Our unique culture, beautiful nature and challenging adventure products have attract them to visit our country.

We should not compare ourselves with other popular tourist spot in the world because we are still far behind. Use it as bench mark for us to develop our own tourism industry. Let see our tourist basic facilities such as tourist guide, tour bus, hotels, historical site, beaches and other support facilities. Are we ready to cater for tourist demand? “Like chicken and egg”, no tourist why should we build more hotels or employ tourist guide. That is common words were used in our community. For example Vietnam, was one of the poor country in the world have develop their tourism industry as one of the major industry in the country. Well known as “war ground” before but now they have put themselves as one of the popular tourist destination among travelers around the world.

If Southern and Northern part of Sarawak have successfully developed their tourism business and as a must destination in travel agent package list! why not Central Sarawak. There are plenty of tourism product in Central Sarawak under “utilise” or have not develop by local tour operator and relevant agencies. Inbound tour packages by local tour operator also bring important element to promote central region Sarawak as preferred tourist destination. It is wake up time for all tourism players in Central Region and for local community they should ready to change their mind set. Tourism means business and it is for everyone. Nothing is impossible if you are committed to do it. If you don’t know, please refer to the relevant tourism authority.

Where do we go after this?

Have you been to all the places in Central Region of Sarawak? My friend asked me when we two met last Christmas. Before I answer his question, I ask him back. Let me ask you as a Sibu guy, have you been to all places in Sibu or Kapit? He just smiles, with that sign I know that he have not been to all places in this region.

As part of tourism players, we have to go to the ground and experience it ourself. We also have to gathered as much as information as possible. I told my friend that I have visited most of the current tourist spot in the Central Region and also assist the local authority to identify new potential tourism products. The simple principle is we have experience the products before we can convinced others to experience it.

After been working in Central Region for a quite sometime, I believe that there many tourist spot can be develop. It just matter that most of us are still comfortable with what we have at the moment and did not think out of the box. On other issue is that they also are not aware of what the benefits are and how they can participate in this tourism industry. There lots of works need to be done to make tourism industry works in this region.

Castle in Sibu......

Believe it or not...don't be surprise if you come across a "castle" in Sibu. You don't believe, please come to Sibu and find it yourself.

Various design of Christmas Trees in Sibu

Its unique and creative!! Thats what you will heard from visitors' to Sibu Town Square where you can see giant Christmas trees in different design. Christmas is more happening in Sibu.....