Malaysia Airlines had some offers in early January and after looking at the calendar, I bought return air ticket to Miri. I had been there before back in 2011 and went to Niah Caves then. I booked Amigo Hotel in Marina Parkcity which looked fairly new to me (don’t think the area had been developed on my first visit).
Last Friday, I left home at 06:32 and took Maxim Car to Bandar Tasik Selatan LRT station and made my way to the KLIA Transit station. I had upgraded myself and headed directly to the lounge for my breakfast. I was already so hungry despite the sandwich I had at home. I made my way to the gate at 08:30 for the 08:55 flight.
We landed at 11:15 and I was the first off the plane and through immigration. I booked Maxim Car again and we left at 11:32. It took about 20 minutes to reach the hotel and I was able to check in immediately. Alhamdulillah. A RM50 cash deposit is required at check-in.
It was soooo hot outside that I decided to stay in my room and read and rest. Alhamdulillah I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry, or I would have to venture out to find lunch. I decided to leave the comforts of my room at 16:30 – it was still oh sooo hot then – but I didn’t fly there to stay in my room.
I walked to Centre Point and dropped by Heartini’s Beauty Spa to enquire on the services before continuing my walk. I had reached the bus station when I realised my hat was missing so I had to retrace my steps. Alhamdulillah, I found it. I continued on and crossed over to Tamu Muhibbah. It was closing time but I wasn’t particularly looking for anything anyway. I went out the other exit to the Tamu and walked on and on until I reached Jalan Oil Well 1. It was a good thing I packed a small brolly as the sun was still fierce. I hiked up the road and a few vehicles passed me but none stopped to offer a ride.
I finally reached the top and The Grand Old Lady, which is the oldest oil well in Borneo. Next to the oil well is the Petroleum Museum but it didn’t look open when I was there (probably past its operating hours as I arrived well after 17:00). There is also an observatory platform where you can enjoy an excellent view of Miri City and the sea. I stayed for about twenty minutes before going down as it might be dangerous for me to be walking down the road in the dark as there’s no pedestrian walkway.
I stopped at a stall selling Malay food and had friend rice for dinner before walking back to the hotel. I walked around the shop blocks and found there were many bars and pubs plus some restaurants but only a few sold halal fare.
On Saturday, I woke up early for prayers. I then went for a walk to Coco Cabana beach but I found the beach disappointing so I didn’t linger. I turned and walked in Marina Bay Park before walking back to my room. I left at almost 09:00 and walked to SEDC mall before crossing over to Tamu. There were many cars queuing up to enter the Tamu carpark. There are food stalls at the Tamu and I had Mee Pok (similar to Mee Kolok but the noodles are thicker) for breakfast. After breakfast, I went to find Miri Central Market. I found it alright but left immediately. I continued on to Miri Handicraft Centre and spent about half an hour there. A busload of local tourists arrived as I was about to leave.
Laden with souvenirs, I left and walked to Bintang Megamall. I wasn’t too impressed with it and left after chalking up thousands of steps in there. It was raining when I emerged from Meritz Hotel and again I was thankful that I packed my brolly. I had checked the weather forecast and the rain was not unexpected.
I walked to Embun Citra Cake House at Jalan North Yu Seng. This time, some local tourists were leaving when I arrived. I bought some cakes to bring home and walked back, taking Jalan Marina Utama route. I stopped for lunch at Akasia Restaurant for lunch. It was nothing spectacular.
I returned to my room, performed prayers and rested. I ventured out again at 16:15 to Heartini’s Beauty Spa for blood cupping. It was an overcast afternoon unlike the previous afternoon so it was a much more pleasant walk. The session didn’t take long but I stayed a bit to chat with the friendly owner and staff. She informed she would be coming to KL on 19 May and if I had the time, I could visit the Sarawakian booths at Central Market.
I left and went to find dinner. I decided to try Lavender Café and wasn’t impressed when I was charged for the egg which I specifically said I didn’t want and the drinks prices has gone up but not reflected in the menu. I asked why I was charged for the egg and the owner said it’d be too difficult to price otherwise. Well, let me tell you, most eateries would deduct 50 sen for the egg. I’m not hard up but I hate it when people charge me for something I didn’t ask for. It’s the principle and besides, I work hard for my money. If you claim ‘it’s only 50 sen’, then why charge me at all? I rolled my eyes at the owner, paid and left without thanking her.
The evening was noisy with inconsiderate thoughtless morons racing their motorbikes around Parkcity and noisy music but I was too exhausted from the 23,200 steps/16.2 km I walked that day that I managed to fall asleep despite the racket.
On Sunday, I went for breakfast at Tamu again. The stall I ate at the previous morning was closed so I had to eat at the other stall. Of course the wait for the food was longer. I hurried back to the hotel after my meal and finished packing. At 10:40, I went down to check out. I had to wait until 11:00 before the Maxim Car arrived. I reached the airport at 11:20 and queued for my boarding pass before going up to departure level. Our flight took off on time and we landed at 14:35. I was out the door and practically ran all the way from the gate (B10, I think. Among the last gates) all the way to KLIA Transit station and just about made it for the 14:52 train. Alhamdulillah.
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