I am back...

Facebook is getting popular compare to Blog? The answer is yes! Since active in FB, I did not drop any words in this blog. It is hard for me to divert my attention to do some writing compare to FB which you just need to be direct and its more fun.

When I think back about my blog, I should start write something that might be useful to me and my blog readers. Yes I will do it.

Today I have chance to read some interesting website and blogs that contain relevant information to my work in tourism industry. It is true when you read more you will gain more knowledge and today I found some website with interesting information about Sibu and Kapit.

The http://www.etawau.com/Sibu.htm tells me extra knowledge about Sibu and its uniqueness. I believe that every place has its own “un-known specialty”. Very interesting website. Lonely Planet one of the world famous travel book also write some extra information about Sibu in their website at http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/malaysian-borneo-sarawak/sibu

One of my favorite place to visit is Kapit and there one traveler from Manchester write something about his experience in at http://realtravel.com/d-31977-kapit . His blog is interesting because he share his experience with the readers.

Tattoo World

Most of the senior generation thought people with tattoo is associate it with gangsters activities? Agree or not, there lots to debate about it.

When I come across with one TV Program called as “Tattoo Hunter”, it gives different views about what tattoo all about. Mr Lars Krutak, tattoo anthropologies has traveled all over the world to study about tattoo and meaning behind it. Even he will try to get the original tattoo from the elderly tattooist from the Tattoo Master. In the program he even have to travel to outskirt area to meet the elderly who can do traditional tattoo. According to him that tattoo will "gone forever" if the new generation do not have interest to learn the technique from her.

The native in Sarawak, Borneo also have their own tattoo as part of their identity in those days. I have an opportunity to travel to some part of Sarawak and I notice that most elderly people that I met have tattoo. I asked them what tattoo mean to them. According to them it is part of their practice to get tattoo on their body for identification purpose as well to show their status as well. Even some of them get tattoo on their body is to remind them where have they been travelled. In Iban community they normally used “Bungai Terung” design for this purpose. During those Headhunters day, the Iban community will tattoo their throat using special design and only the expert can do it……

Homestay Program is just another new terminology?

For international traveller they may understand what is Homestay Program. I have tried to find definition of homestay program and I manage to find one definition which is "sound correct" about homestay program.....which is "a visit in which you pay to stay in someone’s house rather than in a hotel".

Isit correct? To me it is correct. But to other people, it may not. Generally homestay program is another terminology in tourism business. Of course this terminology is more suitable for rural area where the local community can benefit if they participating in homestay program business. Why tourist want to choose homestay program instead of staying in the hotel or other budget accommodation in town? They are looking for something different when they travel to other country and of course they looking for affordable place to stay while enjoying their trip.

Homestay Program offers unique experience such as they able to joint the host family in their daily lifestyle and activities. That make homestay program little bit different from standard or guided tour. The tourist may no need to go through travel agent if they have enough information about the place that have homestay program. As registered homestay program operator they have to be train on how to handle tourist and know the do's and dons when tourist stay with them.

Don't treat tourist as a "king", the family host should treat them as part of their family members. We have to share what do we have to offer for them such as sharing with them about the history of our culture and get them to be involve in any activities. They may stay in our place for one night but if we know how to squeeze in all important program or activities for them, we believe that they will treasure it and will spread the good words to other friends or tourist through internet and other media.

Song....u have plenty to offer

My first visit to Song is an eye opener visit for me. I have never to Song before. I was lucky because was invited by official from Ministry of Tourism and Heritage Sarawak to accompany them for the tourism product inventory for Kapit division. Our team departs for Kapit using the earliest expressboat at 5.45 am from Sibu wharf terminal. I did use this boat few times already so it is nothing new for me.

Our journey from Sibu to Kapit took us 3 hours but I enjoy my “dream” while cruising. It is really cold early morning inside the boat but I never forget my warm clothing. Upon our arrival we check our list on what we suppose to do. Our first task is to meet official from Kapit Residen then visit all places of interest in Kapit town. After completed the tour and having our lunch we heading to Song by using 1 pm expressboat which cost us RM25 per person. The journey from Kapit to Song only takes us 1 hour.

After so many years station in Sibu only now I have the opportunity to put my foot at Song town…. My first impression about Song town is, it is clean and people are friendly. You will not get lost if you walking alone in this town. The first thing I need to do is to find shelter for my night in Song, I choose to stay ay Katibas Inn. Good place to stay at affordable price and walking distance from Song wharf. This Inn also well maintained.

Our afternoon program started with short discussion with official from Song District Office. The visit started with visit to local entrepreneur which produce cordial drinks for local market. She has been involved in this business for the last 2 years. Our day tour end up at proceed to Rh Cecelia Bongsu. Both area located less then 30 minute from Song town. It is really tired tour but we enjoy it....the tour just begin!!

After we complete the first day tour, we went back to our own hotel. After taking bath we went for dinner with local community. It really surprise me that Song is "dead" at night, really quite and the business operation depend with their customer. After we finish our dinner we proceed back home.

On second day, I woke up early because I want to walk around Song town and enjoying the morning walk while taking some pictures. Like any other town in Sarawak, morning is the busiest time for business transaction activities between the local and chinese businessmen. Lots of them travel all the way from their longhouses by boats or land transport just to sell their agriculture products such as rubber, pepper and "engkabang". I was told that by local friends that the cost of daily needs like food is expensive in Song. That why they normally went to Kapit to buy certain good which is much cheaper.

It is a norm if I visit one area I must try local food, but Song don have any specialty like Kapit. So I decide to take local kampua mee for my breakfast and cup of tea. No bad, at least I enjoy it.

Our second day program is to visit fish pond belong to Penghulu Salang, 15 minute from Song town. This fish pond can be included in the tour program and visitors can do fishing as well. We were serve with fresh fish by Penghulu Salang and this is first time I enjoy eating bbq local fish. It is recommended for visitors to visit and stay at this fish pond area instead of staying at Song town. There lots of activities can be organise here such as camping, jungle trekking, fishing and bbq.

Then, we continue our visit Rh Lajong, Ng Setuchok before proceed and overnight at Rh Ribut, Ulu Katibas. The journey takes us roughly 1 hour from Song town by 40h/p engine longboat. Along the way we enjoy the green scenery and mini rapids. We were told that there are legend on certain area which did not have time to stop over. However the journey itself is amazing for me as first timer to this area.

Interesting journey by boat from Sibu to Dalat

When I need to attend official duties in Mukah, the first thing come to my mind is Selangau/Mukah road condition. I used to travel using this road whenever I go to Mukah for my official trip but lately the road condition is getting worst. It turned like 4X4 trek. But it should not be an issue and nothing is impossible.

Recently I have to attend a meeting in Mukah town then I talk to myself, how I am go to Mukah this time!! There is still bus service plying Sibu to Mukah daily at RM18.50 for one way. Before I make up my mind which transports I going to used. Luckily my friend recommend me to used speedboat service from Sibu to Dalat before taking a taxi or local van to Mukah.

I never used speedboat to Dalat all this while, so I opt to use speedboat this time. My meeting is at 230 pm then I decide to take Super Jet 225 No2 speedboat at 730 as per our record. But we were surprise that there is a new speedboat in operation and depart Sibu to Dalat at 715 am. Newly furnish speedboat with new engine Suzuki Four Stroke 225 hp can accommodate at least 17 passengers at one time. I just need to spend RM20 per person per trip.

I decide to sit at the back seat of the boat so that I can take pictures along the way as many as possible. I have made right decision and the trip was very interesting. The journey is really good and awesome. Passing by the Malay village, Iban longhouses and Melanau’s fishing village make my eye widely open. Seeing the local people transfer the long stretch sago log along the Igan River and do fishing activities is interesting view. We do realize that some of the area along Igan River does not have water supply because we can see they do washing and taking bath on the jetty along the riverbank. That remind me that we have to appreciate what we have in my life because there are people who cannot afford to enjoy what we had.

2 hours journey cannot be complete because we cannot go through Sg Sut due to water level. We arrive at Sg Sut at 8.50 am and disembark from the speedboat to transfer to Dalat town by local van. During the short journey from Sg Sut to Dalat, there not much to see instead of local village. By 9.10 am we arrive in Dalat bazaar. As first timer to Dalat bazaar, it great experience but feel un-easy because all eyes are on you….feel like “an alliance”!! It is norm scenario in small town like Dalat and most local people know each other.

After do short tour, we decide to look for transport from Dalat to Mukah. Friendly local people will ask you whether you need transport or not. The transport charges is between RM30 to RM40 per vehicle. Taxi has fixed rate at RM40 per trip. If you are lucky you only need to pay RM10 per person when there is another passenger using the same car to Mukah town. Trip from Dalat to Mukah only takes you 45 minute ride. A trip with interesting memories that not to forget…..

New "Religious Tourism" Site in Central Region

Yu Lon San Tien En Si Sibu

Religious tourism is another tourism segment and very active around the world. People always travel for health and faith. Central Region especially Sibu is very lucky because was chosen as a site to built the biggest “temple” in East Asia Region.

Built in a piece of land at KM 26 Sibu / Bintulu Road, this Chinese Cultural Centre is considered among the biggest in South East Asia region in terms of bringing together a combination of three religious faiths – Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Construction started in 2003 and completed by end of 2009. With guided tour easily you can spend more than one hour tour in this centre.

Inside the temple there are four “dians” – the Davejara Hall (Tienwanddian). Mahavira Hall (Daxiongbaodian), Maitreya Hall (Miledian) and Daomudian. The main hall Daxiongbaodian, measures 80 feet high, 108 feet wide and 144 feet long. The statues of Amitabh, Gautama Buddha and Dashizhi Bodhisttva are enshrined in this hall.

This temple was built at 16 and half acres pieces of land by the road side. Visitors can visit this temple by using taxi which only cost you RM55 per trip from Sibu town centre. Taxi can wait for the visitors at the entrance and different

Contact person: Mr Ling Deng Hing – 016-8821592

New Year with new transformation in ideas and creativity

Travelers travelling trend around the world has change and most of them is IT literate. If many years back travelers need to book their holiday package thru travel agent but today they can do it from their home. As long you have internet and credit cards.

To attract domestic and international travelers to visit our local tourism products the tourism products owners have to work together with the private sector to come out with more creative tour package instead practicing the traditional tour packages. Better cooperation between this two parties will widen the network to capture more visitors to this region.

What we have today might be gone tomorrow if we do not transform according to the changes in tourism global market. People can go anywhere and they do have more choices with IT facilities. Think out of the box and the current practices might not valid and not profitable anymore.