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.

BASE Jump event can be another tourism product for tourism in Sibu

Sibu, The Gateway to Central Region Sarawak have more than one outstanding “products” compare to other division in Sarawak. The Swan City have the biggest market in Sarawak, the tallest building in Sarawak, the biggest town square and of course Sibu is part of the area where we can found the longest river in Malaysia – The Mighty Rajang River.

As far as tourism is concern, Sibu have plenty to offer to the visitors including international tourist. It’s up to the private sector especially event organizer to tap and utilize what government have develop in Sibu town. Nobody expect that BASE (Building, Anthena, Spam, Earth) Jump event can be held in Sibu.

The trail jump was held on July 25, 2009 by Captain (R) Aziz Ahmad and Azuan Taharudin from Kuala Lumpur. During the trail they have measure the height of the Wisma Sanyan, standing 126 meters height and it have the biggest landing point for BASE Jump event in Malaysia

Civil Aviation Sport as the organizer of this event with support from Tourism Task Group Sibu, STB and MUDT, Sibu BASE Jump 2009 was successfully organize on 31 October 2009. 11 participants participate in this event, i.e 4 Australian, 2 USA, 2 Finland, 1 NZ, I Singaporean and 1 Malaysian. The organizer have receive very encouraging comments from the jumpers and they said Sibu Town Suqare have the best and the biggest landing area for this event. They plan to come back again next year

BASE Jump event have its own followers all over the world and from this event if the organizer can plan properly pre and post program to attract the jumpers and its followers, I believe we can attract more foreign tourist to visit Sibu in the future. This year, it is an eye-opener to the BASE Jumpers that Sibu have something to offer to them. Before this majority of them never been to Sibu.

STB has hosted their post program to visit the Iban longhouse at Homestay Pogram Bawang Assan on November 1, 2009. They said they never expect that they will be in the trip to the Iban longhouse. They thank all parties who have made their trip to Sibu Sarawak a memorable trip for them.

Memories "float" with Pandaw cruise trips

Not many international travelers know where is Sarawak located? But they know Brunei, a little rich country. When we introduce Sarawak located at the third largest island in the world called Borneo Island, they said yes they have heard about Borneo but not Sarawak.

This is some of the familiar comments I heard when I chit chatting with the Pandaws passengers. I have to admit there lots of works need to be done and we need to promote Sarawak more extensively, especially through IT. It is proven that Pandaws have done it through IT and it is works.

Mr Brain from UK said that he has not been to this part of the country but as international traveler he relies on internet. What make him would like to come as joint the Pandaws cruise is that he would like to enjoy the local culture and nature. To him trip using local longboat and expressboat is amazing experience. “I never seen real human skulls but today I am holding it. I will treasure this experience.” Brain said.

As a local boy, I also enjoy the journey. I can see the smile in their face and relaxing enjoying reading the books. Not much complain except the heat. They trip to Iban longhouse, jungle trekking, boat cruising and relaxing at the riverbank is the most memorable experience for all of them. Some of them is planning to come back to Sarawak and spent more days here with more friends and families.

Who thought that "kerangan area" can be the most interesting area for relaxing and enjoying cold drink apart from local "manuk pansuh". The setting is ala Brooke era........

A moment with the cruise along the longest river in Malaysia

It is my dream to be on cruise since my childhood!! As far as result is concern, dream just like planning but weather you will achieve the result is another issue that we have to tackle. Sometime we could not believe that our dreams can be realize overnight even though we plan it for certain years.

Opportunity to be on board with the first international cruise along the longest river in Malaysia, The Mighty Rajang River has created another interesting chapter in my life. This is my first trip to be on board of cruise, few days before the cruise I keep asking my self what I am going to do within 9 days 8 night cruises. As a local boy who have never been to any cruise in the earth, I just another “slumdog boy”??? Something is very new in my life but I always ready for the new challenge in my life. Looking forward for the journey……

The day I on board the cruise I felt that…here I am and I have a task to do, never forget that. I know that my journey will be mixed up with many “things”. I try to study the whole tour programs. I have set my mind and put priority of my task why I was on board. It is really helped. Discipline has guided me a lots.

Back to the journey, I felt that something different that I have thought before. It is totally different from what I have heard and what people have asked me.
“What are you going to do during 9 days and 8 night”, a friend of mine asking me. I cannot answer their question. I have to be frank with them that I don’t know what I am going to do during the journey.

But after few days on the cruise I can see the answer. I fall back to tourism concept, see things from tourist point of view or in short put yourself in tourist shoes. Yup, I get it. This cruise have very good point why they choose Rajang River, they know what they have plenty of programs that they can do. I have study their first program from their first trip and it is different from what I am going to experience.

The journey has thought me lots of knowledge about tourism market, something I will treasure whole of my life. Overall I really enjoy the trips very much it is totally different from what I have imagine and what I heard from other people. Seeing and experience it will tell you the truth……