Short Trip To Empress Town

I had planned to go to Muar back in March and had even bought the return bus tickets. Allah had other plans for me though as dad became ill so I didn’t go. I thought that was it but on Friday afternoon (12 August), found myself some free hours the following day so quickly bought return bus ticket then.

I left micasa early and made my way to TBS for the 09:00 bus. There were two other buses departing from the same bay, one going north and another to Genting so our bus only left at 09:06. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived at Terminal Bentayan at 11:15 as I’d expected the journey to take longer. I had to use the overhead bridge to cross Jalan Maharani then walked along it. I passed the Clock Tower then some old shophouses before I came upon the Royal Custom and Excise Building which dates back to 1909.

I continued further until I came upon the police station which is another heritage building and still in use, the Court next to it (built in 1920s) and then the Sultan Abu Bakar building (dates back to 1921). It was getting very hot and I was glad I had my long brolly with me.

Next I came upon Masjid Jamek Sultan Ibrahim which was completed in 1930. I continued on to Dataran Tanjung Emas and took some photos before turning back. I walked past Masjid Jamek again then turned into a side road and walked to Muar High School, another heritage building which dates back to 1915. After that, I continued on until Restoran Mee Bandung Abu Bakar Hanifah for lunch. Lunch was good but I was not pleased with the hot lime tea drink which I ordered as it came in a very small cup and without any lime in sight. I commented on it when I paid RM1.80 for it. Daylight robbery is what it was.

After lunch, I wandered around and then turned back to find the Old Dutch Houses at Jalan Othman. They are all dated 1928 which was during the British time so I don’t know why the houses are called such although they do look slightly Dutch to me.

I then made my way back to the bus station as I wanted to perform prayers before my bus at 15:15. I then wandered over to the public market before returning to the bus terminal. The bus came early – another pleasant surprise – and we left on time. We reached TBS at 17:20.

And that was my trip to another royal town this year. Alhamdulillah, managed to accomplish Muar trip finally.

46 Hours In Kuching

 Back in June, I decided to take advantage of Malaysia Airlines offer and also utilise some of my expiring Enrich points and searched for tickets to Kuching. Early August looked to be good but I had to change my plans to depart on Caturday instead of Friday because I dithered a bit.

So early last Caturday morning, I left home and made my way to TBS. I arrived with enough time to get my physical ticket (can we already do away with this??) and browsed for buns (not much choice for flavour). The bus left at 09:03 and we reached KLIA at 09:59. After trying to check in online and seeing how full the flight would be, I decided to avail of the ticket upgrade offer and paid a bit extra for a Business class seat. This meant I could bring my suitcase on board without checking it in.

We landed at 12:40 and after trying to wait for the electric bus which runs from the city to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and passing the airport, I took Maxim to my hotel. Alhamdulillah, I managed to check in even though it was only 13:40.

After performing prayers and resting, I went out to the riverfront briefly before going to the Main Bazaar. I walked before turning left at the Old Courthouse and walking up to Plaza Merdeka. I passed through the shopping mall and explored the area beyond. It was drizzling by then and I wasn’t keen to stay out too long as I was coughing.

I turned back and walked along the Main Bazaar again and went to find dinner. I was in my room by 19:00.

On Sunday morning, I left at 09:50 and went to wait for the hydrogen bus but gave up after ten minutes. I walked a new route to the newly opened Borneo Cultures Museum. I reached at around 10:30 and after taking some photos, I went down to the main entrance. I was a bit confused when I saw people sitting and started wondering, ‘Do I join them? How does the ticketing system work? Do we go by row?’ and then I saw the ticket counter beyond and decided to make my way there. I joined the queue and no one shooed me away so I was in the right queue. But oh my, it was such a painfully slow process. One can pay by cash or Sarawak Pay but both were slow. The plus thing about paying by Sarawak Pay was the shorter queue but it was definitely not any faster. When I got to the counter, I understood why: you have to present your MyKad (different rates apply for Sarawakians and non-Sarawkians) and they would then print you receipt for your payment with your name on it. I’m not sure if a simple receipt couldn’t play the same role unless there are those who actually visit and make official claim for reimbursement and hence need their name on the receipt. I went up to the second floor (first floor actually; the museum calls the ground floor as first floor) to the children’s gallery first but didn’t stay long before making my way up to the next level. I spent 2 hours and 40 minutes in the museum. I then crossed over to Muzium Sarawak and National History Museums (the old buildings) but the former looked empty and the latter was closed for refurbishment.

I walked to the Main Bazaar and bought some layered cakes (made with butter instead of margarine and honey instead of sugar or so the seller told me) and two sarongs before returning to my room. It was threatening to rain then. I had some tea and bun and read my book.

I went down at 16:50 and only noticed it had rained while I was in my room. It must’ve been a quiet one as I didn’t hear the rain. My friend and her husband came at 17:14 and we drove to Sharing Downtown for early dinner. My friend is a local Kuching lady and the last time we met was when we sat for our SPM.

I was back at the hotel at 19:00 and packed before resting.

On Monday, I took Maxim to the airport. The journey took 20 minutes and there were a lot of people at the MAS counters. Thankfully I had redeemed my Enrich points for a Business Class seat so I skipped the queue and went in after ascertaining I could bring my suitcase, box of layered cakes and bag on board. I went through immigration and security clearance and made my way to Plaza Premium Lounge. It was pretty tiny and there was not many options.

We boarded and there really were a lot of people travelling as the ETD was 10:45 and people were still boarding at 10:47! The door finally closed and the plane taxied down the runway almost immediately. We took off at 11:00 so it wasn’t bad at all. We landed at KLIA at 12:40. I decided to take the train as I thought it’d be faster but I didn’t factor in the possibility of a train breaking down and our train rescuing the passengers of this earlier train. So I reached BTS at more or less the same time as I would had I taken the 13:15 bus from the airport! Then I had to wait for the LRT train. Anyway, Alhamdulillah for the rezeki and time that enabled me to go on this short trip. Kuching, I’ll be back. InsyaAllah.

Overwhelmed

 July is my favourite month of the year because it’s my birth month, the month named after Julius Caesar, the month where ruby, the king of precious gems, is the birthstone. I usually overindulge myself in July, I overspend to treat myself because hey, I deserve to and I’m worth it all and more.

This July though has been a mixture of challenges and frustration.

My dad was warded last Sunday for an injury for a couple of nights which happened a fortnight ago and left untreated because he could not be persuaded to go to the hospital when it happened. My sister and I first spent four hours at Ampang Puteri and after that slow unconvincing experience, had to rush out to get dad treated again. We decided to head for Gleneagles instead and spent another 2.5 hours there. The doctor managed to persuade dad to be warded and we had to return home to pack his medicine and clothes etc. He was discharged on Tuesday.

Yesterday, he had a fall and I had to summon all my strength to help lift him. The caregiver and I then brought him to Ampang Puteri and we spent almost the whole working day (09:30 to 16:20) there. X-ray revealed that the bone on his upper arm has a fracture.

Still, I am thankful that it was his left upper arm that is fractured and not his right arm as dad is right-handed. I’m thankful it happened to his arm and not his hips. Thankful that he didn’t suffer a concussion. Very thankful that it didn’t lead to a stroke. Thankful too that it happened when I was still at home and hadn’t left for work. Thankful he didn’t have to undergo surgery. Thankful he didn’t have to be warded. I have much to still be thankful for.

Just be easy on me for the rest of the year, please, Allah. Oh, and this month, my credit card statement will show that I had really been spending, paying for those hospital visits/stay and at what cost you may say. It’s true when they say health is wealth.

May Allah grant us good health and wealth, success, peace, iman, love, happiness and all the good things that we pray for. Amen.

Bintulu

I had bought ticket to Bintulu earlier in the year during an offer (flights to be completed by 30 June 2022) after studying the calendar and school holiday schedule. So last Friday, I left home early and made my way to KLIA. My flight was originally in the afternoon but was changed to depart just after noon. I usually buy Gardenia bread before travelling abroad and decided to do the same this time as I only booked a budget hotel and no breakfast would be served. I was lucky to grab one Vanilla and one Corn bun each – the man ahead of me at the counter bought fifty buns, yes, fifty (!) and three loaves of Delicia bread. I was amazed when I saw Eraman actually operated an open shop selling Gardenia bread and buns at the departure area.

We took off on time and landed just after 14:30. I didn’t have to wait long for my bag and immediately ordered a Maxim car. It turned out to be a cab but with a driver wearing a cabbie, Grab and Maxim hats. He was muttering about calling me but not being able to get through until I showed him that no calls were received. Grouchy grump!

The airport is some 20km away from the town centre and it was drizzling in some areas. I checked in and climbed up the stairs to my room on the first floor. It was a budget hotel and I chose it due to its location: proximity to the night market, day market, Tamu and jetty. I decided to perform prayers first. It rained shortly after and I rested while waiting out the rain.

I ventured out around 6 p.m. and walked to the waterfront. The dark clouds that still lingered and the approaching twilight made everything seemed a bit grey and dark. I walked to the riverfront but everything looked murky so I didn’t linger long. I then walked around the nearby shop blocks before heading for the night market. I didn’t find anything that interest me so went to have dinner at a roadside stall instead before returning to my room.

At the night market

It rained overnight and continued on to Saturday morning. From my room, I could see part of the morning market so after a light breakfast, I went down to check it out. I was surprised to find it was still raining lightly. Then I went to check out the main market (most stalls were closed) and Tamu next to it. You can find vegetables on one wing of the main market and fresh seafood on another wing. At Tamu, you can find the local specialties such as palm sugar (gula apong), fermented shrimp, shrimp paste, salted fish, some vegetables and even one or two seafood sellers. Bintulu is famous for its shrimp paste and fermented shrimp.

Main market

At Tamu

Walking along the riverfront in the drizzle

I then went for a walk along the riverfront but turned back when the rain became heavier. I had planned to go to Tumbina Park (the name is literally a combination of the words ‘tumbuhan’ (plants) and ‘binatang’ (animals) in Malay) and arranged for Maxim. It was raining heavily when I arrived at Tumbina so I waited out the rain at the guardhouse. The guard explained there are two main ring routes: the outer one is 2km while the inner ring is 1km in length. After about twenty minutes, the rain petered off so I set off. Besides the ring roads, there are also various tracks in the park so one could take a shortcut if one wants to. As it was my first time there, I decided to take the outer ring road. The terrain was hilly.

I first came upon the deer who all stood in transfixed silent looking at me. The Sambar deer were in the next enclosure and the Java deer next to that. I walked on further and saw the building for the tiger; unfortunately, there was no more tiger (it had died of old age, I was told later by a park staff). I saw the Malay civet and leopard cats. I went to check out the sun bears but they were still in their buildings and saw the flamingos from afar. I wanted to walk to them but the path was muddy and I wasn’t keen to step into it. I was already being bitten by bloody bloodsuckers before I came upon the civet and leopard cats. I then walked on to the Fern Garden (forest, more like), Reptiles Complex and bird cages, before continuing on to the Orchid Garden (only one or two in bloom then), Cactus Complex, the Bougainvillea Garden (you could see the sea from here) and the Butterfly Garden. There’s no more ostrich after two were bitten by wild dogs and the sole survivor then died soon after. The Butterfly Garden was missing its net so you couldn’t see the butterflies unless they were nearby or you have a pair of binoculars. I also went into the Butterfly Gallery for AC relief before venturing out again. While it drizzled on and off and the sun was mainly behind clouds, it was still humid. I walked down Jalan Harimau to the Gallery and Fish Pond (I didn’t go any nearer though), went up to see the porcupines then down again, dropped by to see the otter and I was back at the main entrance. I spent a total of three hours at the park.

I decided to walk to Tanjung Batu beach and was shocked when I saw a sign warning the public not to swim as there may be crocodiles. Like really?? I walked on until I reached the food court before turning back. I decided to walk back to town and walked along Jalan Pantai Batu and then Jalan Tun Razak. I wanted to walk across ParkCity to find a hijama place and was nearing the junction to Jalan Kambar Bubin when two fierce dogs appeared and I beat a hasty retreat. I turned around and turned instead into Jalan Durian Tembaga and then Lorong Durian Tembaga before I joined Jalan Kambar Bubin. Damn you, mad dogs!

I finally reached the hijama place and made an appointment for the following morning. The owner noticed my face mask and asked if I was an old girl. When I said yes, he said his wife was an old girl too and has the same face mask. Hah, what a small world! I then walked back to my hotel and room.

I ventured out that evening to the night market where I bought food for dinner. It being Saturday night, there were more people there and more sellers. I bought some fish and prawn crackers from a couple (I asked if they were operating the evening before and they said no). I was running out of cash by then and was happy when they allowed online transfer.

Sunday turned out better. I left my room at 08:30 and walked to Tamu. I saw a city bus and went to board it. I asked the driver if the bus would pass ParkCity but didn’t quite understand his reply. Well, it didn’t so I alighted at Jalan Sultan Iskandar and walked. I stumbled upon the public library on the way. I reached the hijama place at 09:50 and although it officially opened from 10:00, there was a couple ahead of me. I met my junior and she even did the treatment on me. She advised me to return to my hotel and sleep after the session. Well, I went back but not before I detoured to the riverfront and walked up to where the river met the sea before turning back. I decided to perform prayers first before taking a short nap but made the mistake of checking my phone as I was lying down. Had messages about someone travelling for work and had their planes delayed. I had to cut short my nap to deal with it.

Where the Kemena river meets the sea

I woke up at 14:45 and got dressed. It was blinding hot then. I made my way to the jetty and waited for a boat to take me across to Jepak. A boat finally arrived at about 15:15 and it took less than five minutes to get across and cost RM1 each way. I wandered around the village and by instinct took a shortcut to Hazzana Mee Udang (prawn restaurant). I ordered prawn noodles. I had read mixed reviews and well, I can say that the dish looked so much better than it tasted. I paid for my meal using QR code.

Inside the boat

I returned to the jetty and took the boat across to town. I made my way to the night market which had already started operating. It was too hot though so I didn’t linger. I returned to my room and rested instead. I didn’t venture out again.

On Monday morning, I finished packing then went to Tamu again. I bought some salted fish and managed to find peeled anchovies at a shop across from Tamu. I then had mee kolok at Uncle Tan’s Café, two doors away from my hotel (the owner assured me it was halal). Then I returned to my room, zipped up my suitcase and checked out. The Maxim car didn’t take long to arrive and we left at 09:30. I was at the airport before 10:00 and it took less than a couple of minutes to scan my bag and drop it at the counter and get my boarding pass.

We took off on time and landed at 13:40. I went to perform prayers and my bag was already waiting when I went to the belt (it makes a nice to have my bag waiting for me instead).

So that was my trip to Bintulu and now I can see that I have been to Bintulu (been-to lu!). Alhamdulillah for the rezeki and opportunity to visit a new place.