My Sarawak (2nd Ed.)

Kuching walkaround

2011-11-24T12:50:00.000-08:00

It takes a little bit more time to be accustomed back to blogger format as I have left it quite a while for facebook.
I have returned.
Now in Kuching, I have spent sometime walking around the city.
Kuching is a very moderate, sane town. It's traffic jams are reasonably well under controlled not merely due to slightly improved infrastructures but largely the attitude and temperaments of Sarawakians. Sarawakians are cool-headed and harmoniuos lot when compared to their Semenanjung counterparts. At the inset is a pedestrian footpath in the center of the city and speaks volumes of the efforts made to beautify the city.

There is so much of history and heritage in Kuching. The old stands gracefully with the new. Amidst a lush greenery the old Fort Margherita doesn't look alike abandoned compared with the new Sarawak state legislative building. The fort is becoming a tourist attraction.

In Petrajaya, I chanced upon this beautiful dome of the Jamek Mosque. The " Masjid Jamek" (Malay) is the state mosque and is situated in the political and administrative hub of Sarawak i.e. Petrajaya.

# Re - activation of blogspot # ( my Sarawak ...2nd Ed.)

2011-11-22T08:44:00.001-08:00

Started by the Indian community at India Street, this supposedly 'Indian mosque' is now frequented more by Malays than Indians. But the date 1834 is worth a a photoshoot if you happen to be in Kuching.

The yellow orchid above is native to Sarawak. I have a few of them at my eco-farm in Bintulu.

Does it look like a tree house? Apparently at Serikin this huge tree trunk holds up the roofing structure of this car parking lot. Serikin is " Little Indonesia" , where Malaysian and foreigners shop for goods traded by Indonesians on Malaysian soil but the currency used is the Malaysia Ringgit.

Images of Bintulu Today

2011-05-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

A uniquely designed 'tambang' which in the local Melanau dialect means a small motor launch used to cross the Kemena River . The tambang has been the main transportation for the Kampung Jepak villagers since decades ago.

It's the season of heavy flowering of the Angsana trees ( Peltophorum pterocarpum). The distinct dry weather for the last two weeks with hardly any rain has stimualted the roadside trees in Bintulu to flower flamboyantly. The above is taken near the SMK Bintulu overhead bridge.

The Kemena river as seen from the Bintulu town side. In the far background is the Bukit Jepak with the Melanau fishing villages tucked on its foothills and riversides.

May flowering trees of Kuching

2011-05-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Above is CU of the Goa tree flowers.

This time around in Kuching I noticed that the Cabbage tree/ Indian Goa tree ( Andira inermis) is at its best. The flowers at the car parking lot near the Padawan's Pitcher Plant center have cast their magic spell. Currently there is a heat spell in Kuching and this could have stimulated the rich flowering of bougainvilleas too around the city. The flowers are small and purplish. After the flowering season is over, the tree wil bear almond-like fruits which resemble our local ' kedundong' fruit ( Otaheite or ambarella). However, while fruits of the kedundon are edible this one isn't.

The Goa tree takes its name for the town of Goa in India. The tree is small to medium ( 5-10 m) high. It has a good compact crown shape and as such is a good candidate for shade trees. This tree is placed in the family Papilionoide of which another common family member is the Indian Coral tree ( Erythrina indica as in here >> http://alltheplants.blogspot.com/search/label/Erythrina . The best planting distance on roads is 40 meters.

Images of Kuching Today

2011-04-26T00:26:00.000-07:00

A nice spray of the strongly fragrant frangipani ( Plumeria acuminata) which I bumped into at the Mile 10 bazaar roadside. To see newer varieties of the plumeria, please go here >>>>

http://alltheplants3.blogspot.com/search/label/Plumeria%20acuminata

Next to where I sat was this interesting water fountain which I thought was cool in its originality. With the sound of falling water, a good cup of coffee and free wifi, Mile 7 is beginning to catch up with Kuching inner city. More images of Kuching can be browsed here >>>http://mykuchingklikz.blogspot.com/

Mile 7 is on the way back home. So I decided to have a good fried rice with salted fish at the "After 7" outlet there. The "After 7" street extension had free wifi and I had a cool time browsing the Internet while observing the mixed crowd that kept on droppin' by the place.
For more Kuching's street scenes please gto >>>http://mykuchingklikz.blogspot.com/search/label/Street%20scenes

Images of Kuching Today

2011-04-24T07:02:00.000-07:00

The traffics lights weren't working and we saw one good samaritan volunteering against the rain and confusion to help re-direct the traffic ....KUDOS to the good man.

Satok Sunday market starts early. Dropping by on Saturday afternoon the place was already abuzzing. The weekend shopping will continue till Sunday afternoon.

The flower section at the Satok Sunday market offers a good bargain for an up-to-date collection of orchids for sale . The market is a regular weekend haunt for Kuching orchid lovers, hobbyists and enthusiasts.

MOOD in the mood for Indonesian song

2011-04-22T06:05:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of Indonesian singers and songs that remain my favourite over the years (1967- presently). Among them are Titik Sandora and Muchsin, D'llyods, Endang S. Taurina, Broery Marantika, Hetty Koes Endang, Jamal Mirdad and Ebiet G. Ade. On Wednesday, 20th April, I was having a fun time planning my very own video clip based on an Indonesian song by Ebiet G. Ade called " Lagu Untuk Sebuah Nama" . It really surprises me that I could make and publish the video clip in a day using Windows Movie Maker program. By midnight I was able to share it with my facebook friends. What wonderful creative technology we have these days. To view the result of my work in You Tube please go >> here.

Hope you guys enjoy it :))

Election posters along Sarawak countryside

2011-04-17T06:58:00.000-07:00

Travelling to Kuching from Bintulu by way of the Pan-Borneo Highway today, I came across posters that were erected along the remote Sarawak countryside. The 10th Sarawak State Elections results over a one day polling ( Saturday, 16 April) were announced the same day. Out of 71 seats contested the ruling BN party ( Barisan Nasional) garnered 55 seats, DAP ( Democratic Action Party) - 12 seats, PKR ( Parti Keadilan Rakyat) - 3 and Independent - 1 . With more than two -thirds majority, the ruling party continues to control the State Legislative Assembly which would allow it to institute legislative changes and policies involving the administration of the state of Sarawak during the next five years tenure. The BN posters above were seen at the rest area just outside the town of Betong on the Pan- Borneo Highway. Betong is roughly a three and a half hours drive to Kuching - the capital of Sarawak. The pyramidal structure evokes a sense of achievement by building political power from a broad base of ground support and culminating in the apex of political power housed in the august State Legislative Assembly building in the capital city of Kuching.

Ali's posters stood firm on scaffolding pillars. Ali Biju's use of BS scaffolding ( British Standard) remains unique so far because it has set a high standard for advertising structure in remote Sarawak!!

Ali won the stiff fight on the opposition ticket (PKR) in the N.34 Krian seat, beating the BN incumbent Datuk Peter Nyarok Entrie. Krian is an exclusively ethnic Iban enclave.

Note: For an in-depth analysis of the election results please go here.

Images of Bintulu Today

2011-04-14T04:38:00.000-07:00

Sarawak's 10th State Elections have brought in much fiesta of posters in Bintulu town. The Bintulu division is divided into three constituencies namely N58 Jepak, N59 Kidurong and N60 Kemena. ( N is short for 'Negeri' ( Malay) to mean 'state'. For this 10th state election there are a total of 71 constituencies. The one day voting period will be held this coming Saturday, 16 April. Moving around town today, I caught some glimpses of the respective parties posters.

In the above poster, any layman can understand the message. In the cartoon , the opposition parties from West Malaysia viz PAS , DAP and PKR are characterised as sharks that are bound to 'eat up' the prized land of Sarawak. Sabah - a sisterly northern neighbour as shown in the cartoon has unfortunately become the spoils of these hungry sharks. Will Sarawak be next?

Jalil - PKR ( Parti Keadilan Rakyat) candidate's poster promises 'Change' by giving back the rights of the local natives whose customary lands have been parcelled out, bulldozed or cleared and given away to powerful tycoons related to Taib - the Chief Minister of Sarawak who drives the bulldozer on behalf of the vested business groups as shown in the cartoon.

Kudus- an independent candidate uses the Bintulu Melanau language to attract voters from the predominantly local Melanau, Malay and Kedayan communities of N58 Jepak constituency.

BN's ( Barisan Nasional) - the ruling party's posters capitalise on the image of the Prime Minister of Malaysia. The message is cold and calculated (like the official blue colours) :- Vote BN for prosperity.

DAP's ( Democratic Action Party) subtle message is seen in a happy hornbill with chest and tails enamoured in the opposition party's official colours. Sarawak is called the 'Land of the Hornbills' and DAP's choice of a young smiling hornbill bird should ring popular among young voters. Will Sarawak be better under the wings of DAP....it's for the voters to decide.

My Sarawak takes a break

2011-04-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

My Sarawak takes a break for this week as I'm on a trip to Kuala Lumpur.

See you all again back at Bintulu next week.

Images of Bintulu Today

2011-03-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Call it guerilla art, graffiti or street art - these are fluid expressions of urban creative aesthetics. Saw this at the Assyakirin Commerce Square. The graffiti covers part of a wall which hide the municipal rubbish bins. For more pictures of Bintulu's graffiti, click here.

Bintulu's sea sprays are ideal for coastal hibiscus plants. For more coastal hibiscus stories please go here.

One major thing that makes Bintulu a league above other towns of Sarawak is the abundance of fresh fishes at the local fish markets. I'll never miss to drop by at the fish market if ever I'm shopping in town. There's so much unspeakable plain joy in eating fresh fishes be it grilled, BBQ, souped, smoked or eaten raw ( umai or sushi style). Want to know more about fish markets and seafood menu, please click here.

Wow!! It's the Bintulu belacan

2011-03-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Bintulu - home of the best Belacan money can buy.

Two things that make Bintulu international. First, from its seas are exported liquefied natural gas. Second, from its coasts ( see inset) are exported the finest and best quality 'Belacan' or shrimp paste. While in Bintulu, this year opening 'Bubuk' or shrimp season have kept me excited to blog about the making of Bintulu belacan. In a year the bubuk season come twice and the next one would normally be in August. What makes Bintulu belacan simply the best? I think it is the waters off its 14 miles of protected natural park beaches stretching from Likau river to Kuala Similajau river. From its blue and unpolluted coastal waters the local fishermen catch the shrimps in nets and these are immediately brought to town to be sold. Another point worth mentioning is the distinct hot and dry weather here that is ideal for the drying process. Ultimately , I think its the legendary skills of the fishing folks here in the fine art of making the belacan as passed from generations to generations with some recipe kept a family secret. In this blog however I'm about to let some secrets out so that you can try your luck with the smell, the sweat and the blisters or else just fork out RM 60 for a kilo of belacan !. Small fishing boats park nearby the town local market have the shrimps ready packed in ' gantangs'. At the early morning price is inelastic - it's a sellers market. Later in the day when the shrimps are less fresh and the demand less, it's a buyers market. However, when the weather is cloudy or rainy the shrimps can sell much cheaper because there's little sun to help dry them. But then Bintulu's weather is such that when the bubuk season is around there are always days when the sun naturally brings cheer.

Buying 'bubuk' early morning near to Bintulu's tamu or local market.

The season of shrimps in Bintulu has been exceptionally good this year. The fishing folks have been kept busy for a full month now. Before the shrimps land on the negotiation table or roadside market the fishermen have packed them into plastic bags weighing a 'gantang'' which is equivalent to about two and a half kilo. The gantang is always the preferred weight measure for sentimental and traditional reasons, I guess. At the inset is shown the main ingredients for the making of belacan. These are - fresh shrimps, coarse salt, pounded red rice for colouring. The steps in making belacan can be described briefly here. Firstly, the shrimps are marinated with salt and red rice and kept for 24 - 48 hours. Then, it is dried on mats in the hot sun. Next, the men and ladies folks alike pound it into a fine paste. More pictures below.

The dried shrimps are pounded in a special vessel called the ' lesung' which is a wooden mortar. In Bintulu, people prefer to use the mortar from the hardest timber species here called the belian. The 'anak lesung' or the pestle is also made from belian timber as seen in picture above. It takes about 2-3 rounds of pounding to obtain a fine paste of belacan. The pounding process can stretch to several days. Above is the finished belacan product. Each piece is about a kilo in weight and the selling price currently in Bintulu tamu or local market is RM 40-60 depending on quality and availability. Normally for a small family a kilo of belacan will last for about a year or slightly less depending on usage. That's about it folks. If you haven't try Bintulu belacan please do so. Put it in your list of 1000 things to do before you die!

Images of Bintulu today

2011-03-17T23:45:00.001-07:00

Daisy takes it easy at the farm. Drinking rain water is just perfect for health.

About eight years ago I picked up Daisy when she managed to cross a road safely under heavy traffic. She could hardly open her eyes and I knew she could only be a few days old then. When I kept her away from my car to a safer place 10, 20 then 30 yards away, on all three counts she returned back to my car. Seeing her reaction I decided to give her a lift and since then adopted her as my pet. Bintulu is Daisy's birthplace but she does travel to Kuching and back Bintulu almost on monthly basis for the last four years. She's right on the way to make the 30,000 km mark soon. For more stories about Bintulu's adventurous cats, please click here.

Phalaenopsis hybrid orchids on display at Bintulu agriculture show ( 11-14 March)

Last week I went to see an agricultural show in town located at the old Bintulu airport site. I spotted a good collection of Phalaenopsis orchids on display at one of the booths there. More orchids from Sarawak can be seen here.

Buying centre for oil palm fresh fruit bunches.

Farmers in Bintulu especially those staying in the rural areas and farming oil palm trees have a few choices to send their harvested fresh fruit bunches (FFB). They are a handful of retail buyers sprouting around Bintulu division ready to buy these 'green gold' fruits. What many people don't know about oil palm small holders here is that many send their fruits in expensive Toyota hilux pick up trucks. These pick up trucks can easily carry a ton of these fruits. In the picture above the fruits are around 20 kilos/ bunch which are typical of fruits produced from a 6 year old tree. Presently a ton of these fresh fruit bunches can fetch between RM 650 - RM700 cash on delivery. Remember that an oil palm tree's economic life is about 20-25 years. Thus many natives in Bintulu prefer to do oil palm farming as an alternative to pension. For them their pension is in the palms. For more stories about Bintulu please click here.

The "Queen of Sarawak Palm" blossoms

2011-03-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

In Bintulu, and enjoying the garden and forest views here. I have a tough day at the farm today but what kept my spirits up was a rare scene of the lakka palm, aka renda ( Cyrtostachys renda/ Cyrtostachys lakka) in full bloom. The renda is an extremely lovely palm for me. Her smooth trunk is surrounded by bright red leafsheaths making her recognizable from a distance. In my opinion it should be named the Queen of Sarawak palms. It is a native of Sarawak or Malaysia and Borneo for that matter. Its original habitat is peat swamp forests but is so versatile that it can be grown in big pots for corporate offices, in residential homes, roadsides and many types of urban landscapes. In Bintulu, the bright red stem and crown shaft are used to decorate arches and for many other ornamental uses e.g. school parade grounds, grandstands, etc., At the inset is a close-up view of the flower stalks. You have to be lucky to catch a glimpse of it when it is still a short palm because in the wild the palm can reach 30 meters high and its flowering magic will be missed. But not to worry here it is for every one to marvel - WYSWYG!!

Very rarely seen blossoms of the renda

The flower stalk of the renda has many branches with each about 30 - 70 cm long. The creamy white flowers are very small and not scented. From my observation, the flower buds are set in a pit. When the flowers fall and seeds develop, the latter are held intact in the same pit.

Dark, mysterious and delicious -looking like black grapes

It is from these seeds that the renda can be propagated. I have experimented with germinating the seeds before but it takes minimum about 2 to as long as 9 months for them to burst into life. Therefore when looking for a quick fix, I would normally remove a sucker from the clump to have an instant renda palm of various heights.

Inspired by Black Beauty

Today I am inspired. I scouted for a few flowering heliconia species at my garden to team up with the attractive dark seeds of the renda. To heighten the rich colours further, I did not hesitate to add the light red leaves of the "Red Ti" ( Cordyline terminalis) . I have had many experiments with exotic daily cut flowers before but this is the first time I'm using the seeds of the renda. I thought of using a cylindrical bamboo -weaved container to obscure the white glass vase inside.

The result is shown below. The dark orange with green tips latispatha, the " Sassy Pink" and the yellow "Golden Torch" have brought much live to the otherwise dark and mysterious stalk of the renda. I would like to name this floral composition " Black Sweet ". In Sarawak it is common to hear of people calling a darkish brown complexion lady as "Hitam Manis" ( Malay, literally translated 'Black sweet') especially when her smile is of the captivating type. So for all those lovely hitam manis girls out there, this one is for you.

Floral arrangement # "Black Sweet"

For more exotic looking floral arrangement that is inspired by the Kambatik garden please check it out here.

Images of Bintulu Today

2011-03-06T06:01:00.000-08:00

A section of the Bintulu waterfront at the town proper.

The Bintulu waterfront is the longest in Sarawak, nearing 5 kilometers in length. The main waterfront lies alongside the Bintulu town proper. A new extension that runs another four kilometers towards the sea facing the river mouth has been completed mainly for recreational purposes. The above view shows part of the waterfront at the town proper where business making use of river and sea transportation facilities are carried out from dusk till dawn.

A late afternoon view of the Bintulu river called the " Kemena River" with the Bintulu town proper in the background.

Much of the romance of Bintulu revolves around the river mouth. The Bintulu river mouth has been a confluence of activities, history and culture since times immemorial. The town's heart beat is kept alive by the daily movement of people, goods and all types of river transport that arrive from upriver, off-shore gas platforms or oil rigs, nearby coastal villages and far-away foreign ports. The best time to admire the beauty of the river romance is from the Jepak fishing village situated on the opposite bank of the Bintulu town proper. For more river scenery and life along the Kemena river please go here.

Long poles and net for shrimp fishing.

A boat used for shrimp fishing is parked next to a jetty at Kampung Jepak fishing village. This week fishermen in Bintulu took to the coastal waters nearby to fish for shrimps that are the feedstock for making 'Belacan'. Bintulu's belacan or shrimp paste has been the much sought-after quality belacan by visitors to this well-known coastal as well as deep-sea fishing town. The shrimp fishing set is called the "pakaq" in the local Melanau dialect. The pakaq set consists of two long heavy poles which have a 'shoe' attached at the front end to help it move smoothly in shallow waters. Very fine nets are attached to the poles and the set is pushed in waters using the power of an outboard engine. At today's price a "gantang" ( equivalent to 2.5 kilo) of fresh shrimp costs RM 20/kilo. From a gantang of fresh shrimps you can process about 1.5 kilo of belacan. Finished or processed belacan in town now fetches RM 50/kilo. For more interesting stories and snippets about Bintulu, click here.

100 countries and beyond

2011-03-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

I have been blogging for more than three years now i.e. since mid 2007 and have created a dozen blogs. My blogs have all been powered by Blogger. Today I would like to put on record my sincere appreciation to all visitors, readers and followers of my blogs. My blogs central is branded as "My Sarawak" from which all other blogs are linked at the side bar.
Some useful statistics are indicated below, based on the total page views/visits as at yesterday ( 3March'10):-

Total = 92,171 page views/ visits ........and counting

From the country analysis, people from more than 100 countries of the world have visited my blogs . The blogging experience has given me an opportunity to gather information and images, helps me with unrestricted writing exercises, survey the market about people's queries ( feedjit diagnostics) and sharing of knowledge. To all good friends and followers of my blogs I wish to thank you all for the tremendous support and ' many many blogging times ahead'. It is my fervent hope to publish a book and booklets being outcome from my blogging experience in the near future. For example, " Blogging about plants", " Blogging about Bintulu", "Blogging about Sarawak" etc,etc,. The world is at the door of a revolutionary times these days of the Internet to let it pass by unblogged!.and I am but a child of the universe.

Images of Kuching Today

2011-03-02T07:05:00.000-08:00

Flower power at Satok Sunday market

This weekend flower market is part of a bigger attraction called the Satok Sunday market. Many new varieties of plants can be bought here at reasonable prices. Besides flowers, fruit trees and orchids are available . More images of Sarawak orchids can be seen here.

Ethnic art on sliding door

At the Kuching Waterfront shop I noticed this creative use of Sarawak's ethnic design for a decorative wooden sliding door. Sarawak's diverse ethnic traditions have produced some wonderful designs ideas. To see more ethnic design art please click here.

Serikin shopping

Serikin is a popular shopping destination for local tourists from Sarawak, Sabah and more so from Peninsular Malaysia. It provides a growing market for goods made in Indonesia for the Malaysian tastes. Chiefly among them are textiles, personal accessories, rattan goods and many more. For more stories about rattan mats from Serikin please click here.

Dare to Change

2011-02-25T04:30:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday (23/2/11) I was glad to obtain an autographed copy of Dr.Frank Kiong's motivational book entitled " Dare to Change" in Kuching. So far I know this book is one of the very few written in English by a local Sarawakian author on the subject of motivation and self-improvement. Dr. Frank is a young professor-cum director of Open University Malaysia branch campus in Kuching.
The book published in 2010 (107 pages) engages me the moment I laid my hand on it. Reading it slowly over two days period have kept me reminded of my DBA pursuit. To undertake a Doctor of Business Administration journey is not every one's cup of tea but I have decided to pursue it since early 2009 with Asia e University at a ripe age of 60. At the time I have just crossed the river i.e. after completing the mandatory course work consisting of 10 core business and management subjects, the book came handy as I begin to walk through the intellectual jungle before reaching the top of the hill - my final destination of academic success. From above the hill I figure I'll be holding a placard written with these words " This DBA is mine!".
The book is reminding me of the champion I'm always is - a person who is success-driven and having control of my life. Remember the entrepreneur's motto - If it is to be, it's up to me.
The diamond is within you says Dr. Frank. This echoed what one of my friends in school said to me a long time ago. She wrote that I'm a pearl among the pebbles. This strong belief in my special ability to excel has been with me since. But the book encourages me to keep on digging and enrol with the DGU university i.e. Don't Give Up University. The setbacks and failures have to be constantly changed to success. " The only way to find diamonds is to dig deep inside the mine of the soul". Forget about FEAR ( False Expectations Appear Real). Do not fear changing your steps, moves, experiments etc because you have a mission, a vision, a dream - follow your heart's passion. The book have dozens of relevant anecdotes and quotations to capture your interest and imagination.
The book is inviting me again to enrol with the Successful People Club ( Read : It is not all about money, it's all about Success). A useful tool offered by Dr. Frank is how to become a ' Focus Master'. Thus even though there are a dozen of goals and objectives that I'm faced with for example , the priority now is to get my DBA research work going. Now that I 've crossed the river what's next? I cannot crawl anymore I have to run and even spread my wings and fly. Why should I fly? According to Dr. Frank if I want to be the winner I have to become a purposeful winner by aggressively moving towards achieving my goals and objectives. A purposeful winner is one who believes that if there is a will, there is a way to achieve greatness and success. Remember Ray Kroc ( MacDonald's founder) formula :
1. Never Give Up
2. Always persevere
3. Do not forget No.1
( NEVER GIVE UP! )
Remember to persist until you succeed. Thus I have to take control ( read: take responsibility, sacrifice, obligation) rather than let the next two years of my life run on auto pilot.
This DBA adventure is fun for me despite the problems and setbacks of doing it on part-time basis and on personal funds. But I have learnt to close the door of negativity behind and shun away from the ' BUTS, and BUT'S cousins such as NO, IMPOSSIBLE, MAYBE and worse of all you will get , BUT'S uncles - EXCUSES and lots of them' reminded the book.
The book though tiny comes handy and has impacted me. I have placed the highest value in achieving the DBA. I know I'll make a difference to the world with my DBA and that would make me a very happy man. In the words of Alber Schweitzer," Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful".
I'm Possible!
( Read again: not IMPOSSIBLE)

( Note : Those keen in getting copies of the book can call or sms Dr. Frank Kiong directly at 0128762864. Price is RM35 per copy.)

The Drunken Sailor crawls up the ceiling

2011-02-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

View of my Kuching garden looking south, today.

Ahoy! Who's up there? ... Oh, my darling Drunken Sailor has been a little naughty recently. He's seen hugging tight to the front garden's porch ceiling ( see inset). Good gracious what's he up to next?

It was a Dutchman who gave the name 'Quisqualis' to our adventurous climber. Rumphius came across a native who called the plant " Udani" which sounded like " Hoedanig" to the Dutchman's ears. "Hoedanig" in Dutch means " What is it ?" and when translated into scientific Latin became ' Quisqualis'. Not bad for a notorious drunken personality who is now well-known the world over.

Above: The Drunken Sailor seen a year ago creeping over the front garden fence.

The Drunken Sailor is also referred to as the Rangoon Creeper. It likes the full sun and for this reason I have provided it with the best location facing the west in order for it to enjoy more hours of daylight. He starts the day early with a whitish pink face but turns crimson or red towards the evening hours. For the Malaysian Kambatik Garden I strongly recommend that you open your heart to the Drunken Sailor. He's after all a harmless guy. You'll be handsomely rewarded by its bunchy flowers which are fragrant and blooms throughout the year.

Look ! there were no buildings over the south fence more than a year ago.

Picture taken : 15 July '09

The Drunken Sailor has noticed from a commanding view of the changes at the south area of our garden . Compare this picture to the above top picture and the difference is obvious says the Sailor. There are now 43 additional units of terraced single-storey housing nearly completed nearby. Soon I'll be not alone. Many people will occupy these houses, probably towards the end of this year. Indeed two years is a fleeting moment especially in this age of the Internet. Think of the Drunken Sailor if you have not done so. A minute , a day ... has just passed....... but "I'm patient " so says the Drunken Sailor..." Just guide me and I'll trail wherever you want me to."

Will you love me?

2011-02-19T23:54:00.000-08:00

The Normah Orchid ( Phalaenopsis bellina) - is fragrant and is the state flower of Sarawak.

If a pretty lady by the name of Orchid tempts you with this question, " Will you love me?", think a zillion time.

Was it not Confucius ( circa 551-479 B.C.) who said:

' The tse-lan grows in the valleys and does not withhold its fragrance even though it is not appreciated by man'.

( Note: ' tse-lan ' is the Chinese name for the Cymbidium orchid species)

She may be called the Queen of the Jungle, a Dancing Lady and blooms in colours of white to black or acquire the rarest and seductive scent of a wildly sexy lady but hold your breath. Before you pluck your bravery and sink or soar your life with her , think of these things:

" You can get off alcohol, drugs, women, food, and cars, but once you're hooked on orchids, you're finished. You never get off orchids.... never".
( Joe Kunisch,quoted in Orchid Fever, (2001) by Eric Hansen)
( Inset : Close-up of the Black Orchid ( Coelogyne pandurata)

The " Lady Slipper Orchid" ( Paphiopedilum spp.) is one of the most sought after native orchid species of Sarawak. Its resemblance to the slipper or Chinese tongs is clearly seen in the above picture. Note the labellum ( lip) which takes the form of a shoe-shaped pouch.

To see more orchids of Sarawak, click here.

Images of Kuching Today

2011-02-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

Young Malay girls at Kota Samarahan.

A group of young Malay girls posing for the lens. They are part of a large crowd gathered at the Dewan Suarah's open ground to take part in the State-level Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebration held at Kota Samarahan, near Kuching. Click here to see more about a Malay wedding couple.

The " Ketapang " tree ( in Malay) changing leaves.

This Sea Almond tree belongs to the Combretum family (Combretaceae). Typical of the Combretum family, it has branches with upturned twigs. Another peculiar habit of the Sea Almond is its seasonal deciduous behaviour when its leaves turned red and fall before the next generation of green leaves takes over the crown. To see more flowering trees of Kuching and Sarawak, please click here.

The Square Tower was initially built as a fort. In the 1920's it turned into a dance hall. Today it is a tourist attraction.

Kuching is the home of the Brooke's ( 1840's onwards) and later British colonial-style architecture in Sarawak. No other towns in Sarawak has the colonial buildings heritage kept in well-preserved conditions like Kuching. A dozen or more of these colonial legacies can be found within walking distances from the Kuching Waterfront and other major international hotels here. To see more of British colonial architecture in Kuching , click here.

Thoughts on Kuching Garden city

2011-02-08T17:28:00.000-08:00

Satok flyovers in flowering splendour of Bougainvillea glabra blooms.

" Cityzens" - are we citizens of Kuching city? What is the zen of a living city? Is Kuching garden city image good enough?
If Kuching were to make me come back for more, I think the city councils here have to do more abstract thinking about Kuching's future even in planning form to kick the ball rolling.

I feel a cold absence of vision for Kuching's future city concept I know the city authorities are hard pressed to solve immediate waste problems like polluted water and effluents, urban smoke, noise, heat , urban squalor etc., BUT isn't somebody thinking about making Kuching an eco-city?

Kuching main tourist attraction - the Kuching Waterfront.

Sarawak can draw from its rich past from the Srivijaya empire era, Brunei Sultanate days, the Brooke's rule and colonial heritage. Yet, the future is a creative adventure of synthesizing the old with the new values. Have we developed a balanced and self-sustaining city of the future in Kuching?

Where are the monorails, electric trains and underground transit networks? Kuching is slowly becoming another Bangkok? Unless of course ...........

Kuching City South corporate headquarters building with a magnificent avenue.

Kuching Reservoir park green lung - a colonial park heritage.

Imaginative use of colour schemes in urban aesthetics.

Surely, Kuching is more than a walk in the park, a confluence of minds and a living testimony of Sarawak's modernism.

Kuching has ways and means to be an icon of the future eco-city today.

Think on these things.
( Inset : a Hibiscus hybrid at Kuching Reservoir park area)

Shade, colour and proper highway system makes Kuching City north area a welcome garden space in Sarawak's every day evergreen, humid and tropical rainforest climate.

More parks makes city living healthy. Above is a part of an extremely large park surrounding the Kuching South corporate building. Kuching needs more green lungs than concrete jungle.

Images of Kuching Today

2011-01-29T09:02:00.000-08:00

Tall palms are iconic of Kuching's exotic look.

Kuching's tropical sun and humid climate makes it an ideal setting for a tropical garden city. It is gaining reputation as a popular tourist escapade and gateway for jungle adventure into

Sarawak's deep rainforests. Exotic palms, landscape gardens and road beautification around the city help create a pleasant city environment.

Click here to see more images of the city's greenery.

Sarawak's very own Elvis

On Saturday last, four impersonators of Elvis rocked the stage at the Sapphire Lounge, Ban Hock Road. Kuching's loyal Elvis fans were entertained to Elvis evergreens of the 60's and 70's.

Click here for more stories and images of the night.

Nepenthes bicalcarata ( Tropical pitcher plant)

In Sarawak's peat swamp forests and heath forests ( locally known as 'Kerangas' forests) are found many varieties of the pitcher plant. This red coloured pitcher plant bears two fangs which protrude beneath the lid. Its leaves can grow to about one meter long and the pitcher can extend 25 cm high.

For more images of the pitcher plants click here.

No fruit but got flag

2011-01-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

A 'politicised' durian tree seen along the Pan-Borneo Highway after Betong.

The yearly presence of seasonal fruits has been missed by a large portion of the general public in Sarawak this year. The wait which started end of November continued to January and there no appreciable signs yet of any rambutans or durians in Sarawak towns. Many seasoned planters have attributed this sad phenomena to the adverse weather or climatic changes ( viz prolonged monsoon rains, global warming) and the destruction of more tropical rain forests throughout Sarawak. The lack of forest wild fruits have forced squirrels and other wildlife to scavenge durian or oil palm trees for ripe as well as unripe fruits to sustain themselves.

On this trip back Kuching, I noticed one longhouse and one durian tree displaying the opposition party flags way ahead of the ruling party. This is a sure sign that the opposition party is serious about Sarawak's coming general elections which technically should be held before July this year.

One recurring and distressing issue among the rural populace is the loss of their customary lands and 'temuda' lands ( viz state lands purportedly under illegal occupation according to Sarawak land code) due to alienation by the government of the day to big plantation companies and private individuals. The total land acreage alienated so far is in the tune of a million acres. This vast land bank dedicated to monoculture of oil palm cultivation have consequently displaced thousands of native rural families and their traditional means of livelihood. It is expected that the existing ruling party will lose some constituencies due to this hot issue. There are many court cases still pending in courts taken up against the government by the locals on unfair acquisition practices with a few winning their cases. The land issue is a ticking bomb and the opposition parties are there to exploit it.

However, Looking at the durian tree it appears that the opposition party is one head above, psychologically speaking, of the ruling party.

Images of Kuching Today

2011-01-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

'Made in China' decorative items for the Chinese New Year flood the five-foot way at Mile 7 ( Kota Sentosa)

On the first day of the First Moon of the Chinese Lunar Calender, the ethnic Chinese in

Sarawak celebrate their Spring festival or what is generally known as the Chinese New Year. This year the new year falls on the 3rd of February and is a public holiday. The festival is celebrated for about two weeks with family reunion dinners and visits to relatives and friends houses. In Sarawak however the Chinese nowadays hold open houses for friends of other races to visit their homes in quest of national unity. Currently decorative items are mostly imported cheaply from China.

This extremely attractive yellow hibiscus hybrid I saw today is in the Sarawak Museum garden's grounds. The Museum's garden has a good collection of hibiscus for everyone to see because it is an open public park. The hibiscus rosa-sinensis which is red in colour is the national flower of Malaysia and named "Bunga Raya" in Malay. More hibiscus pictures can be browsed here .

The Kuching Waterfront is an oasis amidst the city's concrete jungle. It is a heavily landscaped tourist belt area within the Kuching city center. A visit to the area is a must if you are in Kuching. On the opposite bank of the waterfront you can see sleepy Malay villages against the thriving shopping district of the waterfront showcasing Sarawak's handicrafts, foods, traditional trades and other modern conveniences like international class hotels, shopping complexes, banks and multi-storey car parks. For more images of the Kuching waterfront click here.

An evening of Elvis evergreens

2011-01-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

Sarawak's very own Elvis.

I'm back in Kuching and my first night out was greatly nostalgic. At the Sapphire music lounge on Friday night, four Elvis impersonators came to stage and lived up to the expectations of Kuching's loyal Elvis fans. The place rocked with a smooth sequence of perfect showmanship and vibes as the impersonators took turns to entertain the fully-packed lounge with a wide range of Elvis unforgettable hits.

Three of them were from Sarawak and one came all the way from Kuala Lumpur ( Malaysia's capital city) to deliver his performance.

More of Elvis from Sarawak ~
Sonny from Kuala Lumpur entertained the audience with his pleasant rendition of Elvis slow numbers.

Performing the style of Elvis comes natural. The impersonation was perfectly executed in costume, dance moves and voice - bringing the legendary Elvis alive to Kuching.

There is no pretense in Dawi's performance as he belt out his numbers. He rendered his songs with ease and honesty thereby appearing more like a true artiste than an impersonator.

Feeling good with extra soul into the song.

As I mixed around the electrified audience I was caught in the nostalgic years of the 60's and 70's . I too shared the fun of singing the songs, music and dance moves of Sarawak's very own Elvis- live at Sapphire. For a flat entrance fee of RM 30/pax plus one free drink, the evening was entertainment par excellence.

January flowering trees of Bintulu (Part 3) - Kedah Gardenia

2011-01-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

A mature Kedah Gardenia tree at Medan Jaya shopping area, alongside the car parking lots.

In the ' Medan Jaya' shopping area today, I was glad to come across a long row of flowering tree-gardenia species known locally as the 'Kedah Gardenia'. Its botanical name is Gardenia carinata and hails from the Coffee family ( Rubiaceae). It is a medium tree and can reach a height of 15 meters. Young trees flower at about four years old. It is rather slow in growth and thus is suitable for the house garden. In addition, it has an upright growing habit with an oval crown thus making the garden less shady but more showy due to its large bright yellow flowers ( see inset). This plant is a relative import to the Bintulu landscaping industry and most probably was introduced to the Bintulu garden scene less than 10 years ago. It is no stranger to Malaysia from which it originates. Kedah is one of the states on the Peninsular Malaysia where the plant finds home and get its vernacular name - Kedah Gardenia. However, because of the ease of propagation through seeds many nursery owners in Sarawak are able to raise them and keep large stock available for purchase.

The flowers start to bloom in pale cream and gradually takes on a bright orange-yellow colour. These large showy flowers are borne in the leaf axils viz the terminal end of the twigs. Fruits are oval and they appear green at first and matures to yellow colour. The tree is easily propagated through seeds. Location : Medan Jaya , Bintulu.

If Bintulu town residents want a different and slightly better quality of urban life, planting more of the fragrant Kedah Gardenia would be an excellent idea for home gardens, neighbourhood parks, car parking lots, public parks and small to medium-sized town roads. More fragrant spots in the town will surely make the town people happier with the town's green lungs.

For more pictures of Kedah Gardenia flowers please click here.

The rustic "Ru" trees

2011-01-12T05:27:00.000-08:00

Being the tallest trees at the Tanjung Batu Beach area, the Casuarina trees look majestic, strong and rustic.

I have always admire the Casuarina trees ( Casuarina equisetifolia ) that line the beaches of Bintulu. They grow wild and fast. Having a long life span, they prefer the full sun and well-drained sandy soil especially along Bintulu's coasts. In the picture at left ( inset) the casuarina trees were not planted. They just grew naturally through the dispersal of seeds on a tiny space of the seawall. The casuarina trees are known here as 'Ru" and are said to originate from Southeast Asia through the Pacific Islands. They tolerate high winds and therefore are natural windbreaks. In landscaping they are also used as screen, background and hedge planting ( if pruned). Its timber is good for firewood.

Sometime in 1990, I went to the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia campus at Serdang. There I saw a row of shady ru trees due to heavy pruning ( see colour photo above). In many public gardens or parks in Sarawak the ru trees are sometimes shaped into square-like boxes or conical shapes. They are thus rendered into artificial ornamental forms all in the name of topiary.

A winding footpath with informal planting of ru trees on both sides at Pantai Temasya, Bintulu today.

Left alone the ru trees can reach a height of about 40 meters. On a recent visit to Pantai Temasya or Temasya Beach near Tanjung Batu , I was impressed by the tall presence of the ru trees along the newly expanded footpath. They cast a little shade and looking above I could see many birds chirping away. In Bintulu it is common knowledge that these ru trees are natural habitat for the cicadas.

My fascination of the ru trees was caught in a watercolour painting I did in the 1970's. The painting above showed natural grouping of ru trees at the present Pantai Temasya beach area. Bintulu beaches are beautiful for its ru trees and are in harmony with the sandy coastline and strong winds. It is for this reason that in Bintulu the casuarina tree is called in Malay 'Ru Laut' ( English = Sea ru) to differentiate it from another species viz Casuarina sumatrana which is locally called 'Ru Bukit' (English = Hill ru) . I wrote about a bird and a casuarina tree in a poem entitled 'Windswept lawn' where I imagined myself a bird looking down from an old casuarina tree. The poem reads :

Like a bird one day

I was out in the open air

been there by the casuarina branch
that I perched to watch and sing

at the garden steps below

It was a tiny lawn

recently mowed

the cuttings were dry

shrivelled and brown

The patio was quiet

a little breeze blew

moved the scattered leaves

the silent chimes too

The mood was rustic

this warm return hollow

where I while away

my moment in time

and take flight when the day is done

Said I :

Here's indeed a place to rest

to seek a peaceful mind

that will remember and recall

this windswept lawn

the patio and the trees

I wished to be my own

MOOD, 29 June'08.

January flowering trees of Bintulu ( Part 2) - Yellow Flame

2011-01-07T17:22:00.000-08:00

Close-up of the inflorescences showing crinkled petals.

A short row of flowering Yellow Flame trees along Tun Ahmad Zaidi Road near Kampung Assyakirrin, Bintulu.

Driving leisurely along the Tun Ahmad Zaidi Road today, my gaze was directed to a short row of flowering trees near the Kampung Assyakirrin area. The Yellow Flame flowers were all over the rounded canopy and appeared to crown the tree with its golden glory. Such is the beauty of the Yellow Flame ( Peltophorum pterocarpum) and this flowering season can last for a few weeks. The Yellow Flame is a local tree by which I mean its origins can be found in Malaysia and nearby South East Asian countries. Sarawak is too rich in hard tropical timber that even though the trunk of the tree can be used as planks, it is seldom harvested for its timber. In Indonesia especially on the island of Java the batik makers there used the bark of the tree as dye in colouring their batik pieces. The Yellow Flame belongs to the Leguminosae family ( Bean family) and in Sarawak the Yellow Flame is planted more for its ornamental value. It is planted in Bintulu as medium sized tree for medium-sized town roads. It can however grow to a height of 18 meters when matured. The flowers are golden yellow in hue ( see top picture) and are borne on erect terminal pyramid-like panicles. After a heavy flowering season the tree will produce pods that are flat and purplish brown in colour. Most nursery owners propagate them by way of seeds and it is generally known that germination takes about two or more months. However many nursery owners soak the seeds in hot water for about two (2) minutes to speed up the germination process. Another interesting habit of the Yellow Flame is the leaf exchange process that it undergoes after each flowering season. Immediately after leaf shedding , new leaf production will follow and the cycle later complete itself with the next flowering magic.

Even though Bintulu had planted the Yellow Flame as popular roadside trees beginning the mid 1980's starting at Nyabau Road ( short cut to Bintulu Port from Bintulu- Miri Highway at Mile 5 Traffic Junction) and the Dewan Suarah internal roads, not all of them flower in concert this January. Probably this is one characteristic typical of the Yellow Flame. They don't burst in golden flowers simultaneously all over the town roads. Despite this weakness they are still my favourite due to its bright yellow colour, moderate size and robust stature once they are heavily pruned. The last point reminds me of one specific "Grand Old Yellow Flame tree of Bintulu " that is still standing proudly at the center of Bintulu town if one cares to notice. The Yellow Flame thus speaks volume of Bintulu town landscaping attempts since the 1950's.

January flowering trees of Bintulu ( Part 1) - Golden Penda

2011-01-06T02:47:00.000-08:00

Flowering Golden Penda trees along a small road near Kampung Assyakirrin, Bintulu. The bright pinkish red flowers next to it are the flowers of the Crepe flower ( Lagerstroemia indica)

This year the month of December has been memorable in that my occasional visits to the 'Tamu' or jungle produce market and night markets in Bintulu are not met with the rich display of seasonal fruits. No, sadly enough there aren't any smell of the ever popular durians, langsat, rambutans, dabai, cempedak or ong lumok and many other local end of year fruits. As is normal the fruit season will continue till January or even February. But will there be any fruit stalls selling seasonal fruits in the night markets this month is a big guessing and waiting game for many lovers of local fruits throughout Sarawak. If it did not happen in December, will January bring in the cheers? The very wet weather it is thought by many experienced farmers to have caused poor flowering which resulted in extremely poor harvest of local durians and other seasonal fruits. Be as it may, I feel delighted today as I drive along many small roads here to see the exuberant golden flowers of the Golden Penda trees ( Xanthostemon chrysantus). At the inset is a close-up of the flowers. The long stamens appear like fireworks in the night sky. The Golden Penda comes from the Family - Myrtaceae or the Myrtle family of which the common edible ones are the guava ( Psidium guajava) and the Malay apple ( Syzygium malaccense) . While the guava and the Malay apple originates from Malaysia and Indonesia, the Golden Penda's origins are said to be from Australia. Golden Pendas are grown in Bintulu mainly for its ornamental value being a small compact tree with abundant masses of golden yellow flowers.

Ten years ago the Golden Penda was never seen in Bintulu. Thus it must have been introduced to Bintulu between 5-6 years ago. But whatever its origin and its late popularity, the Golden Penda has begun to show its true colours this January.

Images of Bintulu Today

2011-01-01T22:39:00.000-08:00

At Zone E of the Kambatik Botanic garden I found this spectacular blackish white-rimmed fungus thriving on a rotten tree stump.

In close-up, the long protruding stamens of the Golden Penda ( Xanthosemon chrysanthus) resembles fireworks in the night sky. The Golden Penda belongs to the genus Eugenia and they have the characteristic powder puff-like flowers. The "Jambu" ( Eugenia jambos) and Eugenia oleina flowers also have similar masses of flowers. The picture was taken along a side road at Kampung Assyakirrin. More such trees should be grown in Bintulu. The genus Eugenia belongs to the family Myrtaceae (Myrtle family).

A common resident at my eco-farm is the Bulbul bird. It loves to eat the ripe juicy red seeds of the 'Simpoh Air' ( Dillenia suffructicosa) that are found growing along the stream at the farm and often builds nest at the Eugenia oleina trees that are grown as roadside trees here. I have seen them eating the berries of the Eugenia oleina trees and this fact makes me feel that planting the Eugenia trees have brought in much needed wildlife.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-12-25T03:17:00.000-08:00

I attended a Malay wedding function today held at my close relative's place. The bride is my cousin's daughter. In the picture above her uncle Haji Alwi is seen performing the " Tepung Tawar" ceremony as a way of blessing the newly-wed couple.

This signboard has been erected quite recently and the name speaks it all. "Pantai" is beach in Malay. "Temasya" connotes fun-time, recreational activity and a gathering of happy people. And all this happens at Bintulu's closest public beach from the town center which is near Tanjung Batu area.

The 'Pantai Temasya' or Temasya beach at low tide.

In the far distant background is the thriving Bintulu Port area which is roughly 20 kilometers away from Tanjung Batu. The beach is very conveniently located as it is only about 3 kilometers from Bintulu town. It is ideal for many beach activities like picnicking, photography, jogging, social gatherings, outing with children to play at the children's playground there and many more relaxing activities. There is more than ample car parking spaces and the place is provided with eating and drinking stalls, toilets and shower rooms to cater for local as well as out-of -town visitors. Overall cleanliness and maintenance of the park is satisfactory and entrance to the place is free.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-12-23T02:47:00.000-08:00

A row of fishing boats are seen berthed at the wharf adjacent the Bintulu Waterfront in the late afternoon sun. These boats do deep-water fishing off the coasts of Bintulu.

An interesting addition to the planting list of landscape plants at the Bintulu Waterfront is the Plumeria rubra bearing yellow flowers. The plumeria or frangipani ( "Bunga Kemboja" in Malay) can sport other colours like pink, red, white or combinations of these colours besides the bright yellow ones. Flowers of the frangipani are very fragrant.

The White Costus is a free-flowering shrub that grows well in the jungles of Bintulu as well as in home gardens. Loves the full sun or partial sun. Close-up of the terminal head of the inflorescence reveals a small army of tiny black ants devouring the nectar . The Costus speciosus ( White Costus) belongs to the Ginger family ( Zingiberaceae).

For more images and stories of Bintulu go here

for " Down the memory lane" pictures of Bintulu , click here.

I have crossed the river !

2010-12-20T06:42:00.000-08:00

Professor H.L. Siow ( Dean, School of Graduate Studies) with potential Masters and Doctorate students during a workshop at AEU learning centre in Kuching.

It has been about two months since I submitted my last assignment under the Asia e- university online distant learning programme. With that, the course work for the Doctorate in Business Administration programme officially ended in October. I have just crossed the river. But more challenges are ahead. I am among the first batch of doctorate students with the AEU in this particular learning mode. A bit of qualification is called for here. Even though it is an online course, we do attend face-to-face tutorials, seminars and workshops. With the results of the last subject just out ( Research Methodology 2) I'm glad that I have completed the coursework of 10 subjects with good standing. For the next two years, my time will be organised in preparing the research proposal, undertaking data collection ( surveys, interviews, questionaires, etc.,) data analysis and writing the dissertation. Finally, towards the end of 2012, I'll have to submit the dissertation for examination, oral presentation ( viva voce) and hopefully to graduate by 2013. Soon after completing the course work which was organised by the School of Management, I'm now registered with the School of Graduate Studies for the purpose of doing my thesis. The Dean of School of Graduate studies is Professor H.L. Siow ( see picture inset). In the picture Prof. Siow introduced a speaker at the online colloquium broadcasted from Kuala Lumpur which I got to watch on my computer in Bintulu recently.

Mama Daisy - has been with us since 2003. Sometimes she demands attention and all learning must come to a standstill. She is a great therapist.

When I decided to join the doctoral programme last year I knew that it would entail a lot of travelling to Kuching where the Sarawak's learning center is situated. My preference was to travel by road from Bintulu , a journey that would normally take 10 hours. In view of the fact that travelling would be part of the package I decided to create a blog that would makes sense of the long journeys especially when I can't bear the idea of leaving the cats in Bintulu over many weeks. The idea was to have their travels documented and be recognised as the most travelled cats in Malaysia.

Both of them are now having a full two months rest in Bintulu. Come January next year they would be on the road again. I am therefore looking forward to more travel and meeting people in 2011. In passing, I could well remember the lyrics of a song my Peace Corps teacher taught me in the 1960's and I'm happy to write down the lyrics below for rememberance of Mr. Alfred Johnson, a black Peace Corps volunteer from US who built up a world of confidence in my fragile frame when I was too young to know.

" When you walk through the storm

Hold your head up high

And don't be afraid of the dark

At the end of the storm

Is a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown

Walk on, Walk on

With hope in your heart

And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone"

(Original wordings written by Rogers and Hammerstein)

I have a dream. It is to have a doctorate after my name.

Challenge my dracaena !

2010-12-18T04:20:00.000-08:00

Vegetation island no.1 at Kambatik Botanic Garden, Bintulu.

I have a find. It was there a few years ago but I did not what to show it off because I was still trying to find more information on it. Yes, I have checked many books and googled for any similar image but to no avail. I therefore decided to finally post it in this blog today before the year is gone and just have a go with it. Well, can never tell this could be a find of the century!!

The plant that I found intriguing is a dracaena species which I can't find any name for many years now ( see inset). The leaves are spirally arranged and formed a distinct collar around the stem. It is a single- stemmed treelet which grows as an understorey plant in my vegetation island no.1 at my eco-farm in Bintulu. Dracaenas are classified under the Agave family ( Agavaceae) and I'm sure I'm correct in placing this find under the dracaena genera.

The dracaena treelets

Note the environment that manages to preserve the dracaena. The thick vegetative matter, humus, plenty of shade from canopy trees, and tropical humid climate all does their magic to sustain the dracaena until I stumbled upon it. The lateral or horizontal leaves arranged in multiple tier formation resemble very much like an umbrella or parasol and a multi-tiered one at that. This formation has strong ornamental effect. The plant specimen here shows that the plant can grow into a treelet. I have not noticed any flowers yet.

Fish eye view - note the semi-woody erect stem

I consider the presence of this rare dracaena as a gift of the land to me. It is therefore a very unique botanical specimen in my kambatik botanic garden thus far. All this attest to the wisdom of preserving the vegetation islands around the eco-farm when I opened up the jungles before for the cultivation of oil palm trees.

For want of a better name I would therefore propose to call this plant ' Dracaena kambatik ' in honour of the kambatik eco-farm and the kambatik botanic garden where it was found. If any soul out there in cyber space can show me another image of the above plant and referenced its name, I am prepared to retract this posting and the proposed name. Well, guys surprise me.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-12-14T06:11:00.000-08:00

This tiny snake caught me unaware as it fell of a branch and dropped right in front of my foot . It happened when I was walking below the tree branches at my garden in Bintulu.

For more classic images of Bintulu please go here

Part of a five kilometer stretch of the newly completed Bintulu waterfront that runs along the river as well as the sea coast. This record length makes it the longest waterfront in Sarawak. A unique feature of the waterfront is the use of 'Belian' timber ( Eusideroxylon zwageri ) flooring boards and railings. Easily the most versatile, long-lasting, anti-rot and hardest timber species of Sarawak, the belian does it all. Roofing singles, construction beams, decorative doors, joists, walls, fences, lamp posts, pepper vines posts, jetties, board walks, warrior shields, garden furniture, handicraft items etc., can be made from this very popular tropical hard wood.

See my other posts on the multiple uses of belian here .

A sunset ride home for this fishing trawler as it passes the mouth of Kemena River notorious for its sand bars. Almost all catches from fishing trips off Bintulu coasts land on jetties along the Kemena River. Bintulu's coastal location makes it a perfect place for fresh fishes and other deep-water catches . Bintulu is for fresh fishes!

Grand old trees of Bintulu town

2010-12-09T06:05:00.000-08:00

An ad placed in the Bintulu Centenary souvenir programme book showing the pagoda within the public park in 1961.

CU of the pagoda shed with the Yellow flame tree in the far background

The Yellow Flame tree

A visit to Bintulu will make a newcomer surprised at the greenery here. The 23 kilometer ride from the new airport to Bintulu town is filled with trees and forests on both sides of the highway. Once in town any visitor will doubtless notice the tree- lined roads that are everywhere. However there are only two trees that are of historical importance in this fast changing town. The first is the Yellow Flame tree and next is the Mango tree.

I am one of those fortunate guys in town who literally grew with these two grand old trees of Bintulu town. In the 1950's right on till the 1960's I was a small boy in this tiny fishing village that grew into a tiny town in the 1970's. Despite the expansion of the Bintulu town and ultimately the destruction of the old townscapes, only two trees in town stood the test of time. The Yellow flame tree ( Peltophorum pterocarpum) as shown at the inset was where the Bintulu kids gather to play the swing and see-saws. I cherish those moments spent at the public park where the tree was planted. In an advertisement placed at the Bintulu Centenary souvenir programme in 1961 is seen a picture of the park with the popular rest area in the shape of a pagoda used as an ad. The Yellow flame tree is vaguely seen at the background of the pagoda. The most memorable thing I could remember of the pagoda shed was the mosaic tiles on its floor which represented a novelty in architectural finishing back then. The public park is today re-modelled into the only town fountain space and working.

While in Bintulu visitors should try and take a picture next to this yellow flame tree . It is the best living relic of Bintulu remnant of the 1950's and 1960's.

The Mango tree

In another blog I have written a fair bit about this particular mango tree ( Mangifera indica) and can be read here .
Today I could see that the tree is bearing tiny fruits ( see inset) . Well I'm glad the tree is very much alive and kicking. I do feel delighted too with the fact that despite a hive of construction activities around the area currently especially the project involving the installation of sewerage main lines along the old airport runway no machines have come close to it thus far. I dread the day when the local authority will permit the contractor to bulldoze the tree into historical oblivion. I literally grew with this tree as to the best of my knowledge the mango tree was there when we lived at the government quarters a few yards away from it in the very early 1960's. This tree speaks volume of changes in the Bintulu town landscape. There are no government quarters now around the tree and many other facilities that was around this government quarters area are gone like the old football field, the narrow road from town to Tanjung Batu, the town dispensary, prison and police barracks. These remains mere memories of days gone by. But not so the mango tree. It is still there!

It is my fervent hope that the local authority will spare every effort to retain these two grand old trees of Bintulu as heritage trees for posterity and tourism. We may not have old wooden shophouses in Bintulu town any more but we do have two grand old trees.

Long shot view of the Mango tree as seen today.

Be there right time and moment in colours

2010-11-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

Behold the trees are aflame. This row of Flame of the Forest trees ( Delonix regia) caught me ready with a camera on a visit to Singapore. Often you have to be prepared in the old days of colour photos with a camera loaded with colour films to be lucky. Now you can capture even better and striking images with a nokia handphone or a sony digital camera at much reduced prices, handy convenience and no developing costs. Still I consider lucky to have been born during the B&W era, grew in colour films and now re-born in digital times. But all these technology will be in vain if you aren't there the right time and moment.

The moment of truth. You just got to be here to immortalise the intense beauty of this flowering Angsana tree ( Pterocarpus indicus). This picture was taken in Bintulu . Beneath the tree the fragrance of the flowers strikes me eager for more. But alas the blooms last for a day or two. So if you happen to pass this tree while in full bloom let life take the back seat and go underneath the tree to sensualise the moment of truth.

On a trip to Singapore a very long time ago I was impressed at this tree called the Tecoma pentaphylla which was better known as Tabebuia alba in later years. Its white blooms engulfed the whole tree. Sometimes it's the blooms that remind us of the specialty of a particular place.

Old photographs are nostalgic and memories are made of these. Be finger-clicking good and live life with few regrets. If only you have to enjoy art for art's sake please do. You really need to be passionate about art to be passionate about life.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-11-24T05:33:00.000-08:00

Late afternoon ferry boat arrives at the Kmpung Jepak jetty near Swee Joo supermarket after crossing the Kemena River from the 'tambang' wharf opposite. See more pictures and stories about Bintulu here.

Grafitti seen on the half-wall of an overhead bridge at Bintulu town.

Pinkish orange to red flushes of the Eugenia oleina tree at my Kambatik Botanic Garden.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-11-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

Jepak silhouette - a very early morning glimpse of the Jepak Hill with the iconic telco tower. Half-way up the tower is found a nest built by the white-bellied sea eagle. For more stories and images of Bintulu please click here

Daisy on the roof - Daisy finds it comfortable and lovable putting up in Bintulu. Catch up with her and Inul in their travels throughout Sarawak here.

Very rarely seen flowers of the Angel's trumpet ( Randia macrantha) blossoming at my Kambatik Botanic Garden.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-11-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

Recently completed Bintulu Waterfront holds record as the longest waterfront development project in Sarawak. It stretches from the mouth of the Kemena River and edges up to the the river side area of the Bintulu town.

A red hibiscus hybrid planted on the central road median along Jalan Temasya, Tanjung Batu, Bintulu.

Currently the one and only tallest and biggest beach condominium in Bintulu situated along Jalan Temasya, Tanjung Batu , Bintulu.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-11-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

Monsoon clouds over Kampung Jepak, Bintulu. Since early November the end of year seasonal rains have arrived Bintulu and will continue till February as usual? Maybe.

Daisy loves to swallow grass. Cowards we are not! said Daisy.

Colourful pink flushes of the Ceylon Ironwoood tree (Mesua ferrea ) at the Kambatik Botanic Garden, Bintulu.

Impressionistic monsoon

2010-10-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

Title: Monsoon is back.

Early this Sunday morning I went about taking photograph of the light pink flushes of the Ceylon ironwood tree ( Mesua ferrea) (see inset at left) . It was fine weather throughout the morning and I had a field day taking more pictures of plants that abounded in the farm. Since our arrival here less than a week ago I have found that the weather in Bintulu is mostly rainy during the day time. This is not common because when compared to Kuching, Bintulu mainly experiences rain at night whereas in Kuching it rains mainly during late afternoons, say from 3-4 p.m. almost daily. By afternoon time it dawned upon me that the weather pattern isn't unusual after all. It's the return of the seasonal winds and rains. I was fortunate to have my Sony Cyber-shot camera handy and with a little bit of imagination I tried to capture an impressionistic rendition of the monsoon rains as it arrived by the farm today . I think the picture on top is a beautiful rendition of the monsoon in digital medium.

Leaves of the oil palm and mango trees blown wet by the sudden gusts of wind . The terminal spike of tiny red pagoda flowers swayed vigorously as seen at the bottom left side of the pix above. In the background the skies download tons of rain.

Despite the gathering force of the winds and heavy rains hitting on the rooftop, I decided to take more shots of the monsoon outside as it drenched the light ochre flushes of the mango leaves. Within less than half an hour the stream that meanders by the verandah was in spate. To my mind the monsoon season is here and as speculated would last till February next year until of course the global warming phenomena worldwide alters significantly this annual climatic schedule. Any significant differences from previous years will be experienced as the months go by. And knowing how the weather has been playing havoc throughout the world recently I'm ready for any surprises this year for Sarawak. For whatever it is, I always welcome the monsoon rains because it brings so much renewed rhythm and variety in the lives of wildlife and plants at our eco-farm in Bintulu.

Ingenieers Just Wanna Have Fun

2010-10-28T04:42:00.000-07:00

This traffic junction serves road users from three directions - Bintangor, Sibu and the Pan- Borneo Highway. It is eerily quiet for most part of the day and night.

The planner has too much time at hand and enthusiastically ends up making a very complicated design with traffic lights, traffic islands, safety markers, line drawings etc. when a simple roundabout could have served the purpose better with minimum cost and maintenance.

Danger seems to lurk at every corner.

This traffic junction gets Daisy and Inul's "Hav Paws Will Travell Award" for the " MOST INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED TRAFFIC PLANNING IN SARAWAK''.

Daisy comes to Saratok town

2010-10-26T03:43:00.000-07:00

Daisy joy riding around Saratok town.

On Monday ( 25th Oct), we were back on the road again. Daisy and Inul joined us for the 11 hours-long journey. As usual Daisy made the trip into a sleeping marathon. Inul was a bit panicky for the first hour of the journey but soon got calmed down by Daisy's continual grooming and assurance. At one point when Daisy could't stand Inul's cries she screamed at her and when Inul knew of her Mama's anger, she remained quiet for the rest of the journey. On this journey Inul preferred to stay at the back seat ( see inset). We left Kuching at 8.30 am and arrived Bintulu

at 7.00 pm. Throughout the journey the skies were cloudy and not a single drop of rain fell on us. Towards the middle of the journey we decided to check out the small town of Saratok, a seven kilometer diversion from the main Pan Borneo Highway. Daisy had lots of photo taking sessions while driving around town albeit sitting on the dashboard ( see top picture)

Sitting on the dashboard and having a clear view of the road, Daisy was perplexed to see the line drawings on the road surface as we came nearer to Sibu. "Fospa, which way shall we go? " she asked. With a right turn to Sibu or left to Bintangor? Bintangor is the new name for a town of little prospects. It is for this reason that many enterprising men from Bintangor made it big in Bintulu. " Who would like to work in a town of animals?" asked Daisy. The Sarawak state administration changed the name 'Binatang' town to " Bintangor" a couple of years ago for a good reason. In the local Malay dialect 'Binatang' means animal while " Bintangor" refers to a local tree which people claim to have properties for the cure of aids. Now imagine if you are to tell the next soul that you are a ' Binatang' man or woman originally. "Ok, you don't have to tell me you're wild lady! I'm as wild as can be', meowed Daisy.

A typical street scene in Sibu.

Recently the Foochow Chinese in this town had an emotional debate on the need to change the name of Sibu town to another name yet to be decided. The main reason was that the word " Sibu " when pronounced in Chinese means 'the witch', thus bearing ill luck. Why now? Long before the Chinese migrated to Sibu from China in the early 1900's, the Ibans and other natives have always called the place as 'Sibau' after a local fruit prevalent in the locality. When the British colonized Malaya and Sarawak, they prefered to pronounce and write local names to accomodate their linguistic idosyncracies. Recall 'Pulau Pinang' was pronounced 'Penang' due to the clumsy British tongue. Closer at home, there's a place in Bintulu called 'Sebezau' prounced beautifully in the local Bintulu Melanau dialect but got written on the maps and official letters as " Sebiew" or " Sibiyu" following the English pronounciation and have remained ever since . I think you can cook more examples of other place names, just add on the list. So how should Daisy be called? DAZY? DIZZY? "Can't even try, I'm no Britsh" meowed Daisy.

Images of Kuching Today

2010-10-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Delicious mangoes

Deep purple eggplant fruits.

Going bananas over bananas

Fruits at the Satok Sunday market.

A child of the universe

2010-10-21T04:20:00.000-07:00

A Child of the Universe

As a child of the universe
she prizes the happiness of youth
an adult knowing herself
human rights she wrestles hard
in battles of darkness and fear
poverty, injustice, isolation, sickness
and grateful for the living
the greatness to become
of a mind matter-of-factly, no more
of a mind with matters-of-the -spirit, behold
a mind with matters-of-love, joy to her
to live as a child should be
in the nourishing knowledge
of tiny footprints she leaves behind
marvels in the landscape
rising castles of harmony
of wealth more than money
a greener earth
a prosperous world, may be

MOOD
Kuching, 21.10.10

P.S. Ina, you will recall in future that this poem is dedicated to you.

Images of Kuching Today

2010-10-17T02:05:00.000-07:00

A river cruise boat is seen berthing at the Kuching Waterfront area.

A towering mature ' Angsana' tree ( Pterocarpus indicus) at the Sarawak Tourism Complex compound nearby the Kuching Waterfront area.

,A yellow hybrid of the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower (' Bunga Raya' in Malay) on sale at the Satok Sunday market.

Empty glass,empty talk?

2010-10-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

In Kuching still and enjoying the distant sunset over my garden. This morning I decided to create a blog to journalise my re-opening of interest in philosophy. I've been interested in philosophy since my student days at the University of Pulau Pinang in 1972. Over the many years of working and waking life, I've not consistently turn back to its pages. From now onwards I think I would like to jot down some insights I had before and presently about philosophy. Today is the re-start of this continuing adventure in my life. I find that in this age of the Internet I can now easily find information about the subject which were not available during the university days of the library and books. Where do I begin?

Scarcity in economy is an important quality in Chinese brush painting. With the minimum of strokes you must be able to achieve the essence of the subject. Have I achieved the above in one minute attempt?

In my mind which I carry everywhere I go especially the software called knowledge. As one quote which automatically comes to mind defines :-

"Knowledge is of two kinds; you know the subject yourself or you know where to get information upon it".

Meaning in the first instance you are an 'expert' and in the second instance you are a 'life-long learner'. The new blog entitled " Philosophy - a Sarawak Edition" will be written from a life-long learning perspective. Thus anybody at any age anywhere can join in the fun. Comments are welcome.

Now having drawn the glass on the table what do you see? I gathered this quotation ages ago and somewhere pops out of my brain cells just now:~

A philosopher is a person who looks at an empty glass with a smile.

...oops like a Taoist would say, when you look at an empty vessel what is useful is the void from which water pours to satisfy your thirst. Knowledge will be nothing if it is not useful.

So now carry on smiling. Hopefully you can find some enjoyment as I do in yearning to learn about philosophy.

Ping My Trip Award

2010-09-30T01:47:00.001-07:00

Wow! I'm up in the clouds and am seeing stars! Thanks Jay and Harry for this wonderful award.

Ping My Trip is a website dedicated to building the world's largest catalogue of inspiring travel blog posts. For an interview they did on me please follow this link here

Have a Hibiscus?

2010-09-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis in Sarawak has a vernacular name pronounced as 'Bunga Raya' in Malay ( see inset) . Why is this plant so prominent in Malaysia? A short walk back in time will bring us to 1960 , just three years after the release of Malaya from the colonial regime of the British.

The newly elected Prime Minister ( Tunku Abdul Rahman) declared on 28 July 1960 the Bunga Raya as the national flower. Of course, as history would have it the states of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya formed the new federation of Malaysia on the 16th of September, 1963 and thereby continued to accept the Bunga Raya as the national flower of Malaysia.

The Bunga Raya in my 'Laman Kambatik' garden in Kuching this morning.

The species that was accepted as the national flower is the scarlet or red variety that is commonly seen in rural villages throughout Malaysia. That factor has been one of the many deciding ones that made it the preferred choice. Besides, according the the selection panel, red suggests bravery. Not bad colour for a young nation. Further, it is a very hardy plant that requires minimum attention or care. Unless of course you decide to plant the many new hibiscus hybrids that may look more appealing in modern and varying colours and sizes but alas are easy prey to insects and other pests. When in secondary schooling (1967-1968) I always remember how my biology teacher so often bring it to class. It was such a typical local plant and being easy to obtain ended up as the main target for the dissection table. But before cutting them to pieces our curiosity was drawn to its external reproductive parts. The Bunga Raya showed it all - calyx, sepal, petal, style, stigma, stamen,anther and pollen in plain sight.

Today I decided to do a water colour rendition of the Bunga Raya as shown above. The painting was done in less than an hour. To all Malaysians- let's celebrate today's Jubilee Year of the Bunga Raya by planting a Bunga Raya in our garden. Have a hibiscus ? I do.

Soldier I become

2010-09-28T04:44:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I experienced a most memorable moment of my life when I stumbled upon Paci. Paci is an Iban lad who was in my employment in the late 1990's in Bintulu. As a young worker I noticed in him outstanding values of hard work, dedication, obedience, resiliency and trustworthiness. I always remember him as my front man when it comes to challenging work or even dry routine work. He never raised a complaint when assigned difficult or even menial work. Like many of my workers he was trained to be multi-skilled because the nature of my business in Bintulu then covered all aspects of minor civil construction, building maintenance and landscaping works.
He did respectfully asked my permission a long time ago to leave my company as he wanted to join the army. Today, after at least a period of 12 years it was a most pleasant surprise for me to meet him at the local banking street in Kota Sentosa proclaiming that he is now an army personnel stationed at Penrissen Army camp. So I took the opportunity to take a photograph with him. But more importantly my eyes were attracted to the tattoo he sported on his arms. So here's the picture ( see inset) .
Kota Sentosa is a unique place in Sarawak because the town grew in a linear development pattern. It is situated at the 7th mile from Kuching city and from history it grew from a tiny village that was located along the former railway line from Kuching to Mile 10. It is for this matter that Kota Sentosa's old name was 'Mile 7 bazaar'. It is also conveniently situated at the entrance of the Samarahan Division and next by the Kuching International airport. But what makes the town alive and kicking , indeed thriving is the presence of half a dozen of military-cum- residential complexes that house many battalions and regiments of the Malaysian army and air force. Their presence become the largest employment and business generator for booming Kota Sentosa.

I'm not sure when I'll bump into Paci in future but I pray for the very best of success in his career.

Paci and me - a photo I treasure as remembrance of a much-liked Iban lad.

What the Father of Sarawak Ibans - "Apai" Jugah said?

2010-09-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

Is Malaysia like sugar cane?

It was on the 16th of September, a few weeks ago that the whole of Malaysia recognised for the first time in its history, the formation of Malaysia with a public holiday- after a lapse of 47 years!. Remembering the formation of Malaysia, Datuk James Wong writing in the local daily ( Borneo Post dated 19 Sept'10) mentioned what Jugah said about Malaysia. Jugah a contemporary of Datuk James, cautioned in the Iban language - " Anang Malaysia sebaka tebu, manis di pon, tawar di ujung" which roughly translated means Malaysia should not be like the sugar cane stem, sweet at the head and getting less and less sweet, tasteless and dry towards the end.

Jugah is unmistakenably one of the greatest Ibans in living memory. The picture at the inset shows Jugah at one of the sessions in the Malaysian Parliament sporting his iconic hairstyle. Did the Beatles imitate his hairstyle? Just wondering.

Affectionately called " Apai" which in Iban means 'father', Jugah (1900-1981) was very proud to be an Iban and he did so prominently when in 1959 he wore a traditional head gear and without wearing any shirt to welcome His Highness Prince Philip at the Council Negeri chamber in Kuching. He even spoke in Iban to welcome Prince Philip. He was a man of war as well as a man of peace. It was with Jugah's weight that Tunku Abdul Rahman and the British Crown managed to enrol Iban support for the formation of Malaysia, since the Malays' voice and other minority Muslims were already represented by Tunku himself. It was left to Jugah to persuade his fellow country men who were either too politically illiterate, undecided and some anti-British to accept the notion of Malaysia. Jugah was posthousmously conferred the title "Tun". For later generations of Malaysians he should be remembered as one of the people who affixed their signatures on the agreement ending the Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia.

Presently the Ibans are found throughout the length and breadth of Sarawak but they predominate in the river basins of Rajang, Saribas and Batang Lupar which roughly occupy the central region of Sarawak especially in the undeveloped interior areas.

Above : Datuk James Wong and below is a poem by him about politicians.

A Special Breed

Politics has sometimes been called an occupation of Fools
As the whole aspiration is to be an accepted public fool!
There is very little honour or glory in it
Indeed, when all is said and done, damn little merit
A thousand good one does go with the wind
For one little mistake made or imagined
By a demanding and fickle Public
To whom, politicians must approbation seek.

What then keep politicians to the grinding mill?

Perhaps, a perverse pleasure and the thrill?
Or limelight and the pampering to a conceited ego
That hears drumbeats and sees salutes wherever they go?
Though this figment of imagination exists only in the mind
But 'tis enough grist for politicians of every hue and kind
To go happily marching on to glory or perdition?
Seeking political Valhalla and Vindication?

Or is it because of one's innate goodness and sincerity

To serve one's fellow citizens and community?
Feeling that if one does not help to kick the ball
The world would stop and not spin at all?!
Or is it because of selfishness and greed
To use politics as a speedy steed
In achieving greatness, honour and fame
Adding lustre to a common name?

Tired politcians have often spoke of "retiring"

But in practice is there such an unlikely thing?
Of politicians voluntarily withdrawing from the arena
Of politics and all that they hold dear?
Indeed, even those who "retired" have been known to voice
"I am ready to serve, if there is no other choice
Of suitable candidates to fit the BILL
Discount me not; I am here still"!

( Credits: James Wong Kim Min (1981) A Special Breed, Summer Times Publishing, Singapore.)

Serikin street scenes - "Little Indonesia"

2010-09-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds on stalls and the street is crowded with Malaysian shoppers.

On Saturday we took to the road to visit the little border town of Serikin. It is about less than an hour drive from Kuching city center. The road to Serikin is all paved and is very safe to travel even alone in your own car. Serikin is where Indonesians bring and trade their goods to Malaysian tourists and visitors. It would take about a day or less for Indonesians to travel by road to Serikin which sits on the Malaysian side of the Indonesian-Malaysian boundary line. Here trade in Indonesian made products are brisk and keep on expanding yearly. It seems to me that the place thrives due to private sector dynamism. Indonesians provide the goods that are produced at relatively cheap cost and sold to Malaysians in Malaysian currency. Transaction-wise, Malaysians are bound to benefit due to the high value of the ringgit ( Malaysian currency) vis-a -vis the Indonesian rupiah. At the same time Indonesians find a captive market for their products. But the attraction of Serikin lies also in its ample and wide range of products from household items, personal attire and accessories, food, furniture, handicrafts and souvenirs, herbal medicines, toys, etc. Today the sun was pouring its heat and the tiny road that tugs the stall on both sides were shyed-off by visitors as they preferred to walk under the sheltered canopy of the stalls. Despite the heat I thronged together with hundreds of other eager Malaysians to savour a little of Indonesia. Probably this place may turn out to be " Little Indonesia " in future.

A collection of rattan furniture under shade - book shelf, easy chair, sofa and blinds are available.

Foreground: Rattan winnowing pans, food covers

In Malay or local native culture ( Iban, Bidayuh , Kelabit and other Orang Ulu) the rattan is very much ingrained into their daily lifestyles. Rattans are used for ties or fasteners for scaffolding and timber building construction, strings for various purposes e.g. rafts, carrying baskets for industrial, domestic and personal uses, cultural artifacts, furniture, handicraft or souvenir items e.g. bangles, handbags, food covers, mats, chairs, fish traps,etc. Such is the versatility, robustness, intricate as well as bold applications of this forest plant. ( Inset: rattan mat in cu)

You can be spoilt for choices. Rattan mats of varying sizes, patterns and material mixes ( e.g. rattan plus tree bark) catches up with Malaysian tastes and fads. The prevalence of these mats indicate the richness and sustainability of the rattan plants in Indonesia while in Malaysia these plants are a declining and dying species in large part due to conversion of virgin forests to oil palm plantations and acacia plantations for the production of pulp especially in Bintulu area.

I tried some free samples of chips ( see inset) before I decided to take home a packet of spicy tapioca chips . On the plate were chips from the breadfruit, yam, banana and tapioca. They were all very crispy, tasty ,fried and without any preservatives. In Malaysia now there is a growing interest in the processing of chips as a cottage industry because the rural entrepreneurs produce the basic material plus many of them enjoy some micro -credit assistance from banks and other financing institutions. Many of them are eyeing the export of chips to overseas countries especially Arab nations where consumers are concerned with 'halal' food products and Malaysia is only one of the few Islamic countries that is pursuing 'halal' manufacturing hubs on a global scale. However, for export purposes the products are rigorously manufactured and packaged to meet international standards of quality, safety and longer shelf-life.

The wordings in Indonesian Malay indicate the type of chips available. "Bandung" is tapioca, "Pisang" means banana and "Keladi" is for yam. A packet above costs RM 5 .

Needless to say, today was a fun outing. A closing chapter for my holiday season in Kuching because come Monday I'll need to concentrate on my assignments and they aren't as palatable as chips.,,think confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling, multivariate data analysis, SPPS... the list goes on and on and on.....Therefore from Monday onwards I'll be more invisible from the blogosphere radar. Bye for now.

A Greater Malaysia - Happy " Malaysia Day" at last.

2010-09-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

The first local Governor of Sarawak upon the formation of Malaysia, His Excellency Tun Abang Haji Openg bin Abang Sapi'ee, carried on a pedestal while visiting a 'kampung 'or village.

A treasured book of mine , first published in 1960. However, the above copy is a second edition - 1967 just after the formation of Malaysia. The gentleman posing is the first white Rajah ( Ruler) of Sarawak by the name of Sir James Brooke.

( Inset : The Sarawak Council Negeri sitting on Malaysia Day 1963)

This morning I'll take a bit of time to blog about the "Malaysia Day". For many years now Malaysia has not recognised its own creation in the form of a public holiday. Malaysia was formed in 1963, when the states of Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Semenanjung ( 11 states of British Malaya) decided to form a federation. The federation was very much engineered by the British which saw its time to govern overseas colonies was nearing its end. After a series of table negotiations , referendum etc., the British got the leaders to agree on a Constitution based on a federalised structure and a new name for the political entity called " Malaysia".

Tomorrow is the first time ever that the Federal government of Malaysia recognise its formation by celebrating 16th September as "Malaysia Day" and a public holiday. This is long wanting because since 1963 till today, i.e after a period of 47 years Sarawak and Sabah get to celebrate its struggle for independence by the formation of Malaysia. Previous to this, Sarawak and Sabah were "forced" to celebrate the National Day as Independence Day when the Semenanjung states (British Malaya) obtained independence from the British..i.e. on the 31st of August, 1957 - a date of no political historical relevance to Sarawak and Sabah. I think it was a political mistake on the part of our political leaders to sideline the birth date of Malaysia and to disregard it with a public holiday. Well, politicians can make darn and damned mistakes and some they pay heavily by losing power and influence. It was also due to rising unease engineered by the opposition parties in Malaysia lately on the opposition political campaigns to adopt 16th September as a public holiday that got the brains of federal leaders wired properly. So tomorrow the whole of Malaysia will celebrate a most meaningful holiday in their political existence. Therefore to all Malaysians of Sarawak origin I wish to say "Hidup Malaysia" or " Long Live Malaysia" to you all.

Sir Alexander Waddell, the last Governor of Sarawak under the Crown Colony. He is seen above entering the Council Negeri to open its 1960 session. Besides him is Mr.F.D. Jakeway, the Chief Secretary.

As a reminder to Sarawakians I wish to highlight certain aspects of its history before Malaysia from a little history book which was my basic school history text about Sarawak then ( see top picture )

Excerpts from The Story of Sarawak , pp.70-74.

"Sarawak was a crown colony of Great Britain from 1946 to 1963. During that time four governors directed the development of the country. The first was Sir Charles Arden-Clarke. After three years Mr. Duncan took his place. Mr. Stewart did not govern long. Unfortunately, on his first visit to Sibu while he was walking past a row of Malay school children he was killed by a young Malay teacher. A group of men called "The Society of Thirteen" had ordered the teacher to attack the governor with a knife. This society did not want Sarawak to be a colony. Soon afterwards the British government appointed Sir Anthony Abell to be the third governor. Sir Anthony was governor of Sarawak. He left the country when Sarawak became a part of Malaysia.

In 1948, the Sarawak government made a law which allowed Local Authorities to be set up in each part of the country. Each Local authority is a council of men from the same district or division. It has the power to make laws for its own area and to have its own schools. Some councils also take care of such things as houses, fire stations, bus stations, electricity and water supply, bazaars and local roads. The country was divided into rural districts, and there were urban districts in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri. In 1956 the first election by secret vote in Sarawak was held for choosing the Municipal Council of Kuching.

Three years later, in 1959, the first general election was held in Sarawak. People in most parts of the country voted to choose members of their District or Municipal Councils. These councils in turn elected some of their members to go to Council Negeri. Finally, the Council Negeri elected some of its members to belong to the Supreme Councl.

In 1957. Sarawak got a new constitution which increased the size of the Council Negeri to forty -five members. This Constitution gave the Council Negeri to make more laws and to direct spending of government money. At the same time the Supreme Council was increased to ten members. The duty of the Supreme Council was to meet regularly in Kuching to discuss matters of importance to Sarawak and to give advice to the Governor.

While Sarawak was a Crown Colony, both the Sarawak and British government gave large sums of money to be used for Sarawak's growth and development. This money was spent to build roads, bridges, landing places for ships, airfields, and radio, and telephone services. It was used for new schools of at levels. It provided water and electric systems in towns, improvements in agriculture fisheries, forestry, hospitals and medical services, and many other things.

On 16th September 1963, Sarawak joined with Sabah ( the new name of North Borneo), Singapore, and the eleven states of Malaya to form the new Federation of Malaysia."

Credits: Vernon Mullen (1967) The Story of Sarawak (2nd edn.), Oxford University Press, London. pp.70-74

Two things I learn from this historical episode: Political mistakes can be corrected and Sarawakians are truly a tolerant lot.

Thanks God for

" Malaysia Day"

Think how you can make Malaysia a sustainable political , socio-economic and sovereign entity in your own small way because smart partnership starts with a little care, a tiny wish list and individual love. Do you love your country?

Images of Kuching Today

2010-09-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

A Yellow Flame tree in full bloom at Sarawak Museum garden.

Golfers at play

The colourful Medan Pelita - a multi-storey car park cum shopping center.

Happy Eid Mubarak

2010-09-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

Wishing all visitors and friends to this blog
a Happy Eid Mubarak

from

Mahmud Yussop
& family
Sarawak
Malaysia

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-09-02T05:24:00.000-07:00

Ramadan Bazaar at Bintulu Esplanade, Bintulu town.

Yellow Durian fruits ( Durian kuning- Malay, Nyekak or Pakan - Iban) Durio ketenjensis.

Petai ( Parkia speciosa)

Coastal scenery along Jalan Temasya, Tanjung Batu, Bintulu.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-09-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Ramadan food stalls at Medan Ramadan Bazaar, Mile 3 Bintulu-Miri Road.

Date taken: 1 September 2010

Images of Kuching Today

2010-08-29T13:42:00.000-07:00

Foodstalls along Jalan Satok during the month of Ramadan

Foodstalls at Mile 7, Kuching

Gem of a book

2010-08-27T05:47:00.000-07:00

It is a small book,thin and handy. Measuring 12 x 21 cm, staple bounded and printed by Syarikat Yakin Offset Printing Press in Kuching, at a very minimal cost. That book was to inaugurate my first solo art exhibition in 1981 held at the Sarawak Museum ( see inset) . In the book are 7 pages of sketches in pen and ink of the catalogue of paintings that were exhibited during the 3-days art show. I think that the sketches are a real marvel of the book. For many reasons, but principally as indication of the poverty and passion of my days in Kuching in the early eighties. The exorbitant rates for photographic illustration of the paintings absolutely broke my hope for a professional look to the book but somehow I felt images of the paintings on show must be incorporated in the book for guide and posterity. Despite the many late nights before the publication when I heartily drew the sketches the results were well worth it. My shallow pocket was saved the day. However, I am tempted to consider the book a gem because of the inclusion of the painting catalogue rendered in sketches. The exhibition has been one of the memorable adventures in my life. Below are examples:

The book was entitled "Pameran Lukisan dan Puisi MOOD" and can be accessed at the US Library of Congress , National Library of Australia Collection and Yale University Library by just typing the book title in google search . I know not many people will have the chance to grab the book, but thanks to the Internet, I have reproduced the poems and show some of the real paintings depicted by the sketches in another blog called 'my e-poetry book'. The e-book continues my love of English poetry to this day as the online book accommodates newer poems up till 2010.
Indeed the Internet does change the way people communicate. When once dollars and passion were critical in producing a book , it's now just clicks. Today it can be done literally free and you're packaged as editor, printer, publisher, author, photographer, designer ,bookshop and marketer all in one. The Internet has empowered me to grow as a child of the universe and leaving links in cyber space.

The above is the last illustration in the book as a respect to the Sarawak Museum which consented to having me organise the art exhibition in its premise. The art show was a real success but more importantly I now find the sketches a gem of the book.

Colour the garden

2010-08-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

Colourful foliage of the Crotons ( Codaeium variegatum) and Coleus (Solenostemon scutelariodes).

The Side Garden - partial view facing the lawn.

This is a partial view of the side garden that is nearby the car porch. The plants specified here are illustrative of colourful foliage and flowers. On the the lower storey are the coleus ( Solenostemon scutellariodes ) and Crotons ( Codiaeum variegatum) and are mixed with heliconias. However at the location above ( foreground) the hot Red Button Ginger ( Costus woodsonii) salutes the garden space . Other species planted around it are the frangipani, ixora and hibiscus. As part of the Malaysian garden concept ( Laman Kambatik) my attempts at the side garden are beautifully rewarded as shown below.

The Blood Banana ( Musa zebrina) grows easily in tropical gardens and being small in size are selected for house gardens. Note the deep red stains on the long oblong leaves resembling blood. The banana is a winner when suggesting the tropical look and in Sarawak there are ubiquitously typical of subsistence garden farms.

The Parrot Flower ( Heliconia pssitacorum )

Heliconia latispatha

Heliconias are a staple for the Laman Kambatik garden. In aesthetic terms, they provide surprises of colour in parrot-like fashion. Their strong palette tones in combinations of rich yellow to pink, orange to red, light green to dark purple are intense blots of exciting colours compared to green wash of leaves. A welcome respite indeed. Secondly, heliconias are targets for sun birds and many other tiny birds that devour its honey thereby beckoning the arrival of wildlife to the garden. Thirdly, heliconias are splendid materials for the floral arrangement.

As time goes by

2010-08-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

The making of a Garden Oasis

Sunset view from the main door.

A view on any day . Note the Drunken Sailor's ability to climb over and creep along the front porch's ceiling.

When we decided to move to Kuching about three years ago I was intent on making the house garden an example of my concept of the Malaysian Garden called " Laman Kambatik". In this post I would like to share how I achieved it at the front porch garden space. In later posts I shall talk about other sections of the house garden .

Over time one or two plants that did not do well were replaced with alternatives but to a large extent the original choice of plants proved suitable. To help me explain the job I have prepared a sketch below that could act as guide in recapitulating the making of the front garden. The front garden will hopefully mature in about a year's time from now when other garden features ( hard landscaping) will be added. At this point of time the focus is on soft landscaping i.e. the cultivation of plants and turves. On this note I would add that the latest feature is the Yellow Bamboo ( shown inset) that took the place of the Murraya paniculata after I noticed it was unable to fend itself from diseases that attack its roots.

In the beginning - date of photo 25 Nov' 2007

The above shows how the site looked like in late 2007. The plant worth noticing is the Carpentaria Palm ( Carpentaria alexanderae) which was just less than a meter high when planted. The broad-leaved Calathea lutea is an important plant in the design for the shape of its leaves. The soil is hard and not fertile and I only managed to top-up the whole area with good topsoil later when I decided to turf the space. All these plants were brought from my garden in Bintulu. I did this to save me time to scout for plants in Kuching besides I can load plenty of plants at the back of my pick-up every time I drive to Kuching.

Progress dated : 7 June 2008.

The above is view of the site in slightly less than a year. The tiny lawn has been turved. The Ixora coccinea is flowering beautifully with orangish blooms. The Blood Banana in the far background is seen higher than the Carpentaria Palm. The Sea Cycas ( Cycas rumphii) and Calathea are doing well evidenced by the dark green colour of their leaves.

Progress dated : 14 June 2008.

The Sea Cycas was also brought from Bintulu. Around the base of the Cycas tree are variegated rhoe plants. The lawn is planted with " Pearl Grass". A line of 'Mother-in-law's tongue' ( Sanseivera trifaciata) is seen planted along the concrete edge.

Progress dated : 4 December 2008.

In a year's time the Carpentaria Palm has risen 5 feet tall. To the left of the picture is Murraya paniculata which produces tiny white flowers that are strongly scented.

Unfortunately the Murraya plant did not perform well and last month I replaced it with the Yellow Bamboo.
In the design of the front garden the role of scented plants is emphasised. Another species included is the " Sepenuh" -Proiphys amboinensis

Inset to the left : Close-up of the tiny and scented white flowers of the " Kemuning" in Malay. It's scientific name is Murraya paniculata.

Progress dated : 25 Jan 2009.

Progress dated : 6 August 2009

Progress dated : 6 Oct' 2009.

Highly scented white flowers.

Dark pink colours of the Hybrid Canna.

Progress dated : 16 October 2009

Progress dated : 4 June 2009

The Drunken Sailor ( Quisqualis indica) grows luxuriantly and crept unnoticedly along the fence and then over to the front post post.

A new generation of young fronds thrust itself into the garden space. I chose this plant for the main reason that it is native to this part of the world and exudes a primitive look, a species that appeared to be taken from the age of dinosaurs.

Many people in Sarawak cook the young fronds as vegetables.

Progress dated : 4 Feb' 2010.

After about slightly more than 2 years the garden is shaping up according to plan. For more bright colours the Yellow Croton (Codiaeum variegated) is added. At the lower storey ( not seen) many numbers of Iresine plants ( Iresine herbstii) are planted for its deep red colours. The feather-leaved palm behind the Sea Cycas is the Yellow Cane Palm ( Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) which is a small-sized palm.

Progress dated : 4 June 2010

Whooopi !! the Carpentaria palms have grown 15 feet in three years.

Three years in contemporary age of the Internet is virtually unfelt. It has whisked by like the fallen frangipani petals at the front garden. Kept by a busy schedule of travel from Bintulu to Kuching and back on an almost monthly basis I have not wasted the window of opportunity to create a much needed urban oasis a step out of the house. I will of course add a little bit of smaller plants to hug on the lawn floor in future but this will have to be thought judiciously especially on the maintenance aspect because we're not everyday in Kuching. Unlike trees, smaller plants require more intensive care. After all we're always rewarded by the basics first and pretties are added bonuses.

Orchids in a tropical garden

2010-08-14T19:40:00.001-07:00

DBKU Orchid Garden , Kuching, Sarawak.

Orchids produce flowers that can last for weeks and even for a whole month. For that reason they are being loved the world over. In a tropical climate like Sarawak where there are no distinct seasons, orchids can be grown the whole year round. They can be very prolific and vigorous provided the necessary conditions are observed when one indulge in cultivating them for home gardens. How would you display them so that you and friends enjoy its showy, exotic and lasting flowers? Imagination, love and thoughtfulness about their habits and character are essential to have them proove their attractiveness.

Orchids have many uses apart from giving us much aesthetic pleasure. Orchids are grown for medicinal and culinary reasons. The well -known Vanilla Orchid ( Vanilla planifolia) produces vanillin used to flavour chocolate, ice-cream and cakes. The bulb of Arethusa bulbosa, a Japanese orchid is a good remedy for toothache. In many countries the orchid nurseries and gardens are important places to visit for tourists and orchid enthusiasts who come from far away destinations. Orchids arrangement make delightful table pieces, bouquet, corsage or 'bridal guard'. It is a thing of beauty that always brings us joy. ( Inset: Laeliocattleya 'Dorset Gold')

An orchid garden display setting at the DBKU Orchid Garden, Kuching.

Displaying orchids in towns or residential areas require a little bit of understanding on the requirements of these unique plants. Generally, species collected from cool altitudes do not grow well in hot lowland regions. Thus the environment may need to be modified by locating them in shaded or cooler areas of the garden. Other species can be displayed in a rockery concept as shown above and below. The Spathoglottis species are terrestrial or ground orchids and growing in limestone hills they are suitable specimens for garden rockeries. The most common of the Spathoglottis species is the Spathoglottis plicata and since they have been in cultivation for quite sometime, they are now available in colours of yellow, pink, purple or mauve and white and also combinations of yellow, orange and purple.

Spathoglottis plicata in various hues - yellow and purple, placed amidst rocks and an artificial stream for its modified environment.

Cut tree trunk acts as supporting structure for the orchids to get attached .

Heavy flowering of the "Golden Shower" (Oncidium 'Goldiana' ) on a 'dummy tree'.

Orchids can de displayed on a 'dummy tree' which is constituted of a few 'branches' made from hardwood species like our local "Belian" timber which is the hardest wood in Sarawak. The belian is not subject to rot despite being exposed to full sun or embedded in earth and could last many generations.

Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi with healthy roots.

Beautifully grown light purple Dendrobium orchid on a 'dummy tree' of belian wood wrapped with coarse coconut husks.

Suspended 'Belian' posts are useful when we need to move the orchids often to various locations around the house or garden. Like planting on dummy trees, the roots are attached to coconut husks or flattened stems of tree ferns and best fastened using nylon strings. Avoid using wires for tying because they rust and could be harmful to the roots and pseudobulbs. Select suitable orchid species that are epiphytic as they have roots that are well modified to enable them to hang in the air like the Oncidium species above. Oncidiums have flowers in a spray and it is the tiny golden 'dancing ladies' that make them attractive. Now Oncidiums are hybrided and come out in many new colours of rosy pink and purple from the familiar yellow.In Sarawak the most commonly grown hybrid is the Oncidium 'Goldiana' or "Golden Shower". There are also miniature oncidiums in the market. Oncidiums perform better in bright environment and some can take to full sunlight.

Big clay jars are ideal for large- sized orchids, above and below set in an orchid enclosure. The shelter is usually lined with netting to prevent the plants being scorched by direct sun rays.

Phius tankerville

Phaius orchids have large and attractively coloured fragrant flowers. They have large plicate leaves. From its thick and erect spike which arise from the pseudobulb are a series of 10-20 flowers. Note the shady and cool environment in which it thrives. Having them in large pots make re-potting less frequent.

Once caught in the fever and depending on one's interests and willingness to be challenged, orchid growing can be life-long hobby. Through trial and error, much money and ingenuity one can very slowly become an 'expert' on cultivating them. The interest can blossom into a semi-hobby or semi-commercial pastime because you can sell orchids and perhaps the income can self-sustain the maintenace expenditure and the purchase of more orchid types.

" A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing."

( John Keats)

The Bintulu Golf Course - early beginnings

2010-08-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

The view above was taken in 1988 when the course was partly open for play. In the background is seen clearing works for the first nine hole which is basically an inland route.

There is only one public golf course in Bintulu and is called the 'Bintulu Golf Course'. It exudes many scenic and attractive natural features that makes it a truly challenging and memorable course built to competition standards. It combines a links course ( back nine/second nine) and an inland course (front nine/first nine). I am in the mood to reminisce on my role in the development of the course in today's post.

I was one of those lucky guys in town to have practical experience in developing this modern and international standard course. However a caveat is in place. The course was the result of a dedicated team of officers who saw the challenge of a lifetime to build a course for a booming Bintulu township of the eighties. Financially the course was sponsored by the BDA ( Bintulu Development Authority) a local statutory agency tasked with the planning, development and maintenance of Bintulu as a new industrial city for Sarawak. When on board the team in 1986, I was responsible for the turfing of the second nine course, landscaping and daily course maintenance. As was considered feasible at that time, it was decided to construct the second nine first due to its easier working terrain and fantastic views of the South China Sea. Thus an area of about 75 acres was selectively cleared, bulldozed and reserved for fairways, tees and greens etc., to follow a detailed plan developed by one of the JOVC ( Japanese Overseas Volunteers Corporation) volunteers attached to BDA by the name of Fumiaki Izumida. I could well remember how we preserved whatever stands of the " Tongkat Ali " for posterity during the jungle clearing operations.

Before - intensive earthworks to Hole 12, with plenty of original vegetation preserved.

After - the turfing of fairways, slopes and greens done to Hole 12, with the South China Sea in the far background ( circa early 1988).

The Hole 18 green planted with Tiff Dwarf grass. Note the fairways in the far background are not yet planted .

I was totally in charge of the landscaping of the course which meant tree planting, turfing and its maintenance. For the greens I had to go to Sentosa Island Golf and Country Club in Singapore to bring in a half-kilo of Tifton Dwarf ( Tiff Dwarf) stolons ( scientific name : Cynodon dactylon and commonly known as Bermuda hybrid grass) which we propagated at our Sg. Plan Nursery and became the primal source of all the greens in the 9-hole course. For fairways and slopes the grass species used was Axonopus compressus or commonly referred to as 'Cow Grass' which was available locally in Bintulu and collected initially from Kampung Jepak village roads.

Bird's Eye View of the Clubhouse under construction with the Hole 18 Green fully turved in the background.

For a start I was responsible to develop specifications for the cutting of the turves and many other daily maintenance works ( hollow tining, fertilisation, weeds and pests control, top dressing etc.,) . However after about 6 months later, the job was contracted out and the practice of contracting out the maintenance of the course continued for many years later.

For the three full years of 1986-1988, my time was intensively engaged in one of the most memorable moments in my life as I had to learn fast on various subjects relating to golf course design and maintenance. All the tough work remains one of the adventurous chapters of my life. The course was officially opened for play in 1989 and having given some meaningful service to the Club, I was bestowed a " Life Member " of the Bintulu Golf Club. Now, 20 years later it surprises me why nobody or any other parties aren't scratching their heads to build another golf course for Bintulu.

First Day of Ramadan in Kuching

2010-08-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of people from all walks of life , creed and faith join their Muslim friends in devouring the rich choices of food available on sale. A scene like this is common everywhere throughout Sarawak towns and villages during the month of Ramadan.

Today ( 11th of August ) is the first day of Ramadan. I am on the annual regimented schedule of fasting. My record for the month of Ramadan has been good since 1992 when I consistently set myself to fast for the mandatory 30 days period ( though in certain years my record could be less than 30 days due to various reasons). A five mile drive from where I'm staying in Kuching is the Mile 7 'Ramadan Bazaar' ( see inset) where tents were set up for food vendors from whom I bought some goodies for breaking of fast this evening. In Sarawak and elsewhere in the world, the month of Ramadan is for devout Muslims considered a holy month. From sunrise to sunset they abstain from enjoying their normal meals and drinks. They promise themselves to do more good deeds and observe all the obligatory practices of the Islamic faith. It is believed that every good deed will be rewarded with from ten to seven hundred the like of it, except fasting which God will recompense by his own will. For has it not be said that God finds the odour of the mouth of the fasting person sweeter than the fragrance of musk.

To many Muslim, Ramadan is a period of intensive refraining from food, drink and sexual pleasures from morning to the sunset prayers. It is believed that by constricting the avenues and networks that Satan manifest best their evil ways in our bodies we keep Satan agrounded ( out of job for a while?) in their endless attempts to lure human beings on the wayward and misguided paths through anger and appetite. Thus the fasting month affords every Muslim a golden opportunity to save themselves from wrecking their bodily organs from sins and acts of disobedience: the eyes from looking at caprice and appetite, the ear from listening to nonsense, obscenity and idle talk, the hand, foot and other members of the body from acts made unlawful and forbidden. Yet the most fortunate among them would be those who can examine their thoughts and preventing their innermost consciousness from paying attention to anything other than God.
" He guides whomsoever He wills to a straight path".
What is the gain from all these? Lest we forget God can only be contained in our hearts. Imagine the Force, The Eternal, The Majesty , The Real embracing one's heart.
By practicing one of the five tenets of Islam i.e. the observation of fasting during the month of Ramadan, the Muslim man or woman underscores the spirit of Islam and will hopefully find the elusive peace he or she has long searched for.

We are Kucing, going to Kuching

2010-08-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

Inul (front) and Daisy changing places and seats during the journey.

On the 5th of August, Inul and Mama Daisy teamed with us on their 22nd trip back Kuching. Kuching is 600 km away and would normally take us 10 hours to reach from Bintulu using the singular Pan -Borneo Highway. On this trip Inul appeared to be 'acculturised' i.e. taking the journey well by sleeping most of the time. As for Mama Daisy ( inset) the long journeys have always been her opportunity to indulge in her marathon beauty sleep.

At around 8.45 am we left the farm and after one and a half hours of travel we made a pit stop at Selangau to cool down the engines and tyres. Typical of pit stop places in Sarawak are roadside cafetarias that offer a range of snack and cooked foods for travellers who come and go throughout the day and night by the busloads or individual cars. The most common table offering is the hard-boiled eggs and ketchup .

Hard- boiled eggs and ketchup reminded me of travel along Sarawak roads and rivers. At many pit stops these seem to be a familiar offering, indeed a welcome snack. I ordered thick black and iced coffee to keep me alert while driving, though I normally take chewing gum that could help with excercising the facial muscles and therefore making one less sleepy and boring while at the wheels.
Three hours from Bintulu is Sibu. Here we took a longer time to rest as we decided to have our lunch break for about an hour or so. The dolphin scultpure caught our attention and story about the dolphin and Sibu is narrated on the plaque below. In the background, the tall building and annex is the multi-storey car park and central market complex. A few yards away from the sculpture was where we had our lunch and a meal cost only RM 4.00, which was reasonable.

While the dolphin is the mascot of Sibu, our family of cats (in Malay 'Kucing' = Cat ) is the mascot of Kuching City.

Motorcycles or motorbikes parking area like these are uncommon in Bintulu. This parking place is next to the Sibu Central Market which to my mind is the biggest open market area in Sarawak.

Having arrived in Sibu is a signal that we've just covered a third of the journey to Kuching. Inul ( see inset) is taking the wisdom from Mama Daisy. Just enjoy the long journey by sleeping! Daisy would normally wake up to take some food and drinks just like we do at the many pit stops . On this journey the pit stops were at Sibu, Betong and Serian which are roughly a three hours journey in between them.

Inul enjoys her beauty sleep at 90 km at hour.

Finally we arrived Kuching at around 7.30 pm. Daisy has a sixth probably a seventh sense. On such long journeys she knew well in advance whenever we are about to reach Kuching by jumping to the dashboard as if she instinctively knew ( I guess ) that Kuching is a few miles away.

Note: On this 22nd trip back to Kuching City, our cats have added to their record a cumulative distance of 25,800 km traveling on the Pan- Borneo Highway. Catch more of their record breaking journey by following the link here and even earlier version here.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-07-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

Fishing boats berthing at the newly completed Bintulu Waterfront

The common open country and pioneering shrub called " Senduduk" are found everywhere along roadsides, open spaces and residential areas around Bintulu.

Offshore boats servicing the oil and gas platforms off the Bintulu coast are parked at the Bintulu waterfront wharf.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-07-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

Flowers of the pumpkin fruit sold at Bintulu 'tamu' ( jungle produce market) as vegetable.

Mudskipper at low tide by the banks of Kemena River.

Red -eyed young starling bird.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

2010-07-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

Lianas or climbers, rattan whips, decomposed leaves, numerous jungle tree species making up the original forest are preserved in three big vegetation islands within the farm. The strategy is to create a botanic garden around and within the forest environment.

Yesterday I started a new blog named " my Kambatik Botanic Garden". I guess this will be a lifetime adventure. It is something delightful and meaningful to me in order make a statement about the state of agroecological farming I'm developing at my eco-farm here in Bintulu.

Over the five years that I spent developing the eco-farm, I've always thought of making it an example of a sustainable oil palm cultivation business. What more to glorify it if not for the fact that along the way I can develop a botanic garden within the original habitat out of which the farm slowly evolved. Thus grew the idea of a botanic garden within a forest.

The blog will document the different species that were there originally and those that I introduced. Today, while making out a section of the mid-hill footpath at the vegetation island no.1, and trying to get pictures of the Caladium bicolour ( Angel's Wings) something dropped down from the canopy of leaves above. A tiny black bird was hopping desperately and trying to take flight but couldn't because it was too young to fly. I got hold of the bird in my right palm and there it was to my surprise, two startling red eyes caught me close and personal.

I think it is rare to catch a red-eyed starling bird. Today I consider myself lucky . Isn't it not what people say, " A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". Just like the idea of the botanic garden, to have one at my own backyard is worth more than just dreaming about it. What more could I ask?

A special attraction of the botanic garden will be a heliconia collection, besides collection of fruit trees, herbal and medicinal plants, landscaping plants ( interior, roadside, residential, edible), fernery, etc.,.

Remembering PENANG Botanical Garden

2010-07-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

The year was 1971. I found myself in a strange land. Coming from a tiny fishing village , very much undeveloped Bintulu was light years of different from Penang. In the middle of 1971, I was enrolled at the University of Pulau Pinang, later named Universiti Sains Malaysia and became the second batch of students from Sarawak to study in the newly created university. On 23rd October that year, I ventured to go places and see Penang like a tourist would do. My destination was the Penang Botanical Garden. Here I share some memorable pictures of the garden then. By the way, the picture above shows how Penang Road looked in the 1970's. Here a trishaw rider pedals a family of foreign tourist around the not- so busy street of Penang. The trishaw with its rider pedalling from behind, has replaced the old man-pulled rickshaw. At the back of the postcard is stated that the printing and publication was done by John Hinde Limited, Cabinteely, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Obviously it must be a rare thing to see colour photographs made in Penang. As evidenced from my photos, it was the era of black and white. To take the pictures below, I used the services of a photographer who was on standby at the entrance of the Botanic Garden. It took him a couple of days later to send the photos to me prepaid.

Penang Botanical Garden in 1971

Yes, monkeys were every where and they loved to be feed with ground nuts. The early 70's were the " Hippie Days " in Penang and it was fashionable for students to sport long hair.

This monkey kept on following my footsteps, but what a pose she threw in for the remembrance.

The waterfall feature within the garden.

Standing behind a Palms Collection area of the garden. I wouldn't know the name of the big palm tree just behind me then. But judging from its form and leaves, I know now that it must be the Chinese Fan Palm ( Livistonia chinensis)

Finally a pose in between shrubs and a long hedge at the background.

I always think that Penang is my second home and how I wish to settle there in future or maybe just keep a home for an occasional return and remembrance of the good old days. I guess I just need to keep on dreaming.

Integrated Oil Palm Farming in Bintulu

2010-07-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

Part of Zone E of the Kambatik eco-farm.

Back in Bintulu I'm thrilled again on the development of my Kambatik eco-farm. Here I'm promoting the cultivation of oil palm in an agro-ecological perspective. For example, today I revisited Vegetation Island No.2. for the main reason that I was top-dressing and fertilising oil palm seedlings that were planted a year ago around the vegetation island. There were 8 nos that I managed to complete the tasks of clearing the debris, loosening the earth and finally fertilising the young oil palm trees and mulching them with decomposed leaves and organic matter that were in abundance insitu (see inset) . From the very top picture it is clear that some oil palm trees are planted in the open space between the two islands. But a year ago it was a real challenge to add more planting around the island while preserving the original vegetation and habitat of the island. Looking at the condition of the plants I'm convinced that the method is successful because the new seedlings are growing vigorously .

Inside the preserved islands is a complex story of symbiotic relationship between plants and animals, ants, fungis, betels, and many more living organism that contribute to the living habitat of the islands. In the above picture the lianas or climbers are used as a perfect station for the bird's nests fern ( Asplenium nidus).

Above is a view of Vegetation Island No.2, from Zone E of the eco-farm. At many of the fringes of the jungles or vegetation islands, I plant many species of local fruit trees. Chiefly among them are; Durians ( Durio zibethinus), Rambutan ( Nephelium lappaceum), Pulasan ( Nephelium mutabile) , Sour sop ( Annona muricata), Coconut ( Cocos nucifera), Bananas ( Musa), Mangoes ( Mangifera indica). This list is not exhaustive and my plan is to add more fruit trees in future making the farm a sort of mini-arboretum of fruit trees.

Horticultural plants are also part of the make-up of the eco-farm. There are attractive to sunbirds of various colours and types. Horticultural plants add colour the the green wash of the jungle and oil palm leaves.

My eco-farm has brought much pleasure, thrill and fun to me. It is special because I take great care to integrate the oil palm farming to an existing forest habitat or environment. Obviously, I'm not your conventional oil palm farmer because I believe sustainability is more important the short term profits.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-07-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

A tugboat pulls a barge loaded with logs bypassing the Jepak Hill in the background.

Fishing boats berthing at the fishing wharf at Bintulu town waterfront.

Main Bazaar Road in Bintulu town.

Return of wildlife

2010-07-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

Fresh and clear imprints of hooves of the sambur deer, called " Rusa" in the local Malay lingo.

It's all prints, prints and prints. A couple of nights ago when it was full moon my farm was frequented by the sambur deers again. They must be having a party at the farm. That night the deep breathing sound and a bark or two came just yards away from the bedroom windows. I was overwhelmed with joy and ecstasy when the morning after I examined the sambur deers's hooves prints along the farm roads and open spaces. I believe now my agroecological farm has borne fruits. The planning and development of the eco-farm based on oil palm smallholding as core business has bore fruits not only in the bunches of ripe oil palm fruits but more important to me is the return of wildlife to the farm environment. Nature not only heals in Bintulu, it thrives beyond belief. But only if you do farming in an agroecological way which has been my mission when I started developing the oil palm holding within an agroecological framework about five years ago. All the sweat ,blood and tears have now been paid well. This proves that smallholders

can do a better job at sustainable agribusiness than the big-time plantation companies that do only destruction in their ways of developing mono-culture oil palm cultivation through out Sarawak. I believe now that smallholding oil palm business is the future for sustainable oil palm farming in Sarawak and not big time plantation companies' methods of destroying Sarawak's natural environment at day one when they first clear fell the pristine tropical rainforests for their massive and naturally -destructive plantation-style mono-culture. Plantation companies in Sarawak and Malaysia for that mater need to take a leaf or two from the humble and small farmers of Sarawak.

Along this creek I have preserved thick bushes of the shrubby dillenia shrubs ( with yellow flowers in the foreground) from which the sambur deers snap its fruits.
From this view what is seen is the mix of trees planted for biodiversity reasons, mainly to attract wildlife like pigeons, tree shrews, squirrels, all kind of sun birds, waterbirds, monkeys, civet cats, butterflies, cicadas, insects,fishes, etc.. Observe the natural terrain that are not disturbed and natural features like streams and ponds are preserved as well. It's obviously not your kind of " normal" oil palm holding.
This is one passageway that the sambur deers love to run through. Everyday on the way out to fetch my worker I'll just drive through the mud and I just don't really get bothered to stone the road for fear the deers will not love to travel the path anymore. I guess they love the dirt track like I do when driving through with my 4X4 pick-up. Well, all these have been worth it for the sambur deers' presence every now and then when the full moon is up is a magical moment at the farm.

Green, Green Bintulu.

2010-06-27T04:46:00.000-07:00

I am back to the beautiful jungle surrounding of our chalets in Bintulu, something we miss very much in Kuching. We arrived here on the 22nd June around 8.00 pm after a 11 hours journey by road from Kuching city.

The following day I had a walkabout at the farm and was greeted by the fruits of the 'Nangka' ( Jackfruit, Artocarpus heterophyllus) ) that were ripening. It has been about fours years since we planted this tree next to our verandah. It provided shade besides a haven for tree shrews, squrrels as well as birds. The fruits bore marks of being eaten by squirrels. Well, we've been away in Kuching for the last two months and our absence here must have made the squirrels happy with big feasts of the Nangka . We cut open one fruit and the flesh was very sweet, aromatic and crispy. (see inset)

Looking south from our verandah the view was just lovely and very natural. In the picture above the middle ground is filled with scarlet red flowers of the Pagoda flower ( Clerondendron paniclatum) with its typical broad glossy leaves. This is the view when I sit for my afternoon tea by the verandah.

Looking west the jungle remains intact and the island of large trees which were well preserved rose 20-30 meters above our rooftops. Closer to our chalet's back door the long and big fronds of the Bird's Nest Ferns have grown large.

The Bird's Nest fern just outside the back door leading to the garden outside. Below I found the Red Ti ( Cordyline Terminalis) growing luxuriously at the open garden in between our chalets.

I guess I need to cover more grounds at the farm after today and catch up what I miss most of Bintulu - jungle green and fresh fishes.

Images of Bintulu Today

2010-06-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

Fishing boats parked near Kidurong township

Fresh fishes on sale by roadside near Kidurong township

Bintulu town fountain adorned by flowering ixora 'sunkist'

42 Years Ago - a poem

2010-06-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Forty two years ago, when I was at the fragile age of 17 I was studying English literature at the Tanjong Lobang School in Miri. As part of the English syllabus we were taught Shakespearean plays ( Macbeth) and our teachers enrolled us in many of the school dramas that were staged at the school and the local community's hall on a yearly basis. Thus I took to participate in at least three full-length English plays namely "The Government Inspector", " The Pillars of the Community" and "Charley's Aunt". I too wrote a number of poems in English and got them published at our school's magazine called the " Kenyalang School Magazine". Today I would like to recall one poem that I wrote in the magazine called " Intanawara's Look". In the poem I tried to explain something that is spiritually difficult for me to understand then ( in highlighted letters below). The poem was set in a place called Intanawara with two lovers in a location best described now as 'environmental -friendly'. Here's what a fragile, little me wrote:-

Intanawara's Look

Silver line was the road to wind
A shine of gold too by the sun
So merged the trees to green screen
As the brightest engagement was to begin
Before it a sufferer must have all he had
For the mist had it all barred
Since moment crept untold and not say
Streaks of day fought to appear
Then the mist to sparkling gems
And the leaves to a merry hymn
For the day was a heaven's ray
A diamond that to a crystalline plate lay

This place was not a whole paradise
More multitudinous the true paradise a glimpse
Filled with underlying forget- me- not
The fragrance to smell was all the lot
There to meet Sitinati and Saheed
Accustomed with the part of life they played
They knew not still of their futures more
As words cans't be now that of tomorrow
Saheed stood on Intanawara's grassy moor
Whilst Sitinati knelt among flowers glow
Facing each other their stares froze
A wink, they knew the feel and a sigh

The darkened day came nearer to night
From the diamond that to a crystalline plate lay
To yellowish and reddish ochre
For some slept and some awoke and stayed
As time now they departed to pave
It was whether he could do her a save
Or whether he could get her hand
For people are of certain and depend
So the night came weary by
And the answer, the truth was here to lie.

17.3.68

Promo:
A little bit of promo here. The above poem is included in my poetry book published in 1981 in Kuching called "Pameran Lukisan dan Puisi Mood". Copy of the book is kept at the Library of Congress in America and the National Library of Australia.

Blooming Kuching

2010-06-13T02:49:00.000-07:00

Blooming bougainvilleas of the dwarf, free-flowering " Singapore Beauty " variety ( Bougainvillea glabra) at the Satok Flyover

I have indeed overstayed my trip to Kuching this time around. However I will not leave this city without putting its blooming record in writing and in pictures in this blog. The months of May and June brought in equal amounts of rain and sun and were ideal for many plants around the city. My favourite was the blooming bougainvilleas above. Next were the golden showers of the Cassia fistula. I managed to collect a few dozen of its pods to be brought to Bintulu later for propagation purposes. The purple to mauve colours of the " Pride of India" or what we call here locally as " Bungor"( Lagerstoemia indica) brightened the greenery around the Kuching Waterfront.

Finally, at my garden in Kuching I was thrilled by the naughty habits of the Drunken Sailor ( Quisqualis indica) who managed to climb over the fence and onto the front porch. Well, I've decided to make him a permanent feature to the front garden. Say Yo !! to the sailor from the Pirates of the Mediterranean ship! The beautiful mixed colours of the Lantana camara finally greet me daily at the back garden. The secret of making it flower is to give it full sun, generous manure and watering. The rest is magic.

Lantana camara - comes in various forms of white, yellow, red or pink colours. In the garden now showing a combination of all!

The golden showers of the Cassia fistula

From pink to dark red colours of the " Drunken Sailor" ( Quisqualis indica). This woody and vigorous creeper produce root suckers that are used for propagation. This climber is sometimes referred to as the " Rangoon Creeper".

Purple to mauve colours of the Lagerstroemia flos-reginae ( Pride of India)

The Drunken Sailor Climbs Over

2010-06-10T02:18:00.000-07:00

The Drunken Sailor ( Quisqualis indica )

The Drunken Sailor (Quisqualis indica) has been quite naughty recently. He has struggled to climb over the tall Carpentaria palm and clung to the front porch of our garden in Kuching. OK, I like the imagery of the early morning drinking bouts that have coloured his face a chubby pink. As the day progresses and heat takes on him his face transforms into a well-cooked lobster red skin. Has the drunken master retired from the " Pirates of the Mediterranean" ship? I wonder.

Images of Kuching Today

2010-06-04T17:51:00.000-07:00

Tourists at Kuching Waterfront

Arch at China town section of Kuching City.

The Square Tower - a colonial heritage building at Kuching Waterfront

View of Kuching City from inside Fort Magherita

It's festive season in Sarawak & Sabah

2010-05-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

Every year in Sarawak and Sabah, the native ethnic groups customarily celebrate the paddy harvesting season in a big way. In Sarawak, the festive season is called " Gawai Dayak" and its celebration is heralded by two days of public holiday ( 1st - 2nd June). In Sabah, a northerly sister state bordering Sarawak, the festivity is called " Pesta Kaamatan". Both festivals augur days of merry making held in their traditional longhouses far from cities to which they annually return to join in the festivities drinking rice wine, dancing the 'ngajat' or singing traditional songs.

I take this opportunity to wish those celebrating the above festivals a Happy Gawai Dayak and Pesta Kaamatan.

Nature Heals

2010-05-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

View of Side Garden, looking south as seen today.

While doing a bit of gardening work this morning I was pleasantly surprised to discover a a robin's nest with two tiny chicks in it. This gave me so much pleasure, satisfaction and happiness. It has been about three years now since I started to create a garden around our home here in Kuching. When we first moved in here there was not a single plant growing except for wild grasses and weeds that grew naturally on infertile barren ground that was provided by the housing developer. There grew an opportunity to bring nature back close to our house and I set my mind to gradually make the garden as a labour of love. One of my criterias for a successful Malaysian garden is that it should be able to procreate wildlife and nothing proves it better than to see the birds coming around the garden to build their nests. It showed that nature is slowly healing itself and that I should do more to encourage its diversity. Thus from now on I'll try to plant more fruit trees besides flowering shrubs to attract other birds species to call our garden home. It has been my belief that gardening is a workout for the soul. Moments spent in the garden have much positive therapeutic influence on one's moods , emotions and pysche. When I see nature heals with a little help of my hand I feel I have not wasted my time gardening even on a tiny garden plot in Kuching.

The side garden is on the left and on the right is the island planting next to the car porch. View from South, looking west.
Close up of border planting along the south fence.

Daily pick of flowers - the scented fragipani or Plumeria rubra of pink fower variety.

Island planting next to car porch, view from car porch.

A poem I wrote years back about a bird and a garden:

Windswept Lawn
Like a bird one day
I was out in the open air
been there by an old casuarina tree
at times to watch and sing
at the garden steps
a fountain spray
and rattan chair below

It was a tiny lawn
recently mowed
the cuttings were dry
shrivelled and brown

The patio was quiet
a cool breeze blew
moved the scattered leaves
the silent chimes too

The mood was welcoming
this warm return hollow
where I while away
quick moments in happy time
then hop into the wind
when the hour is done

Said I,
Here's indeed a place to rest
and seek a peaceful mind
a mind that recalls
the windswept lawn
the patio and trees
I wish to be my own.

Mood.