Sibu : The Swan City

For both whom never being to Sibu Sarawak I advise you to do so. Sibu (pronounced /ˈsiːbuː/) is an inland town, and the capital of Sibu District (229.8 square kilometers) in Sibu Division, Sarawak, east Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers, some 60 kilometers from the ocean. The population is dominated by Chinese especially the Fuzhou as well as indigenous Melanau, Malay, and Iban. The district population (per year 2009 census) is 285,400. Sibu is the main tourist gateway to the Upper Rajang River, with its small reverie towns and its many Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses. There is no known adjective for the people from Sibu, although there have been many unofficial suggestions: Siburian, Sibuian, Sibunite, Sibu-yan - none are officially recognized. There has been a marked increase in public buildings in recent years. Sibu now boasts the largest town square in Malaysia, and the tallest building in Sarawak - the Sanyan Tower ("Wisma Sanyan" in the official Malay language), a newly refurbished waterfront, and a large number of public parks. Sibu also has university-level courses offered by Laila Taib College (Previously known as United College Sarawak), which has built a campus on the site of the old Sibu airport. Sibu Jaya, located 25 km away, is being developed as a satellite town. Sibu Airport, built during World War II, was relocated to its present site 23 kilometers from town near Sibu Jaya in 1994 (wikipedia, 2010)

Well that was a little bit information about Sibu (I don’t know how far do you want to know about it but I include it down just for our information. If you want to know more you can find it on the web or maybe in the library). So we will back to the story of the convoy. Fortunately, all the participants who join the convoy were a human. Its mean they have to rest. So for the night, everyone will have a good rest at Premier Hotel Sibu. That sound good huh…after a long hour driving and at the end of the day you have a pleasant sleep on pretty soft mattress. Wow…you feel it yourself then you will get it…All right fellow…it’s time to pay back your diligence …. Zzzzzzzz

an evening in Sibu...very peaceful 

Premeir Hotel Sibu....

Wisma Sanyan…the tallest building In Sarawak…Very popular in Sibu and it was Sibu landmark…I capture this photo from Premier Hotel Sibu...What do you think??

Greeting New Comrade

I already checked inn to Premier Hotel, Sibu. Now I’m little bit nervous because today is the first time that I will meet other participants from the other divisions. This is the point where integration process exists. It is a unique process because at this level we have to bury who you are and humble yourself in order to have a good appearance of yourself. You know how the first impression playing a role isn’t it?? Everyone wants to make new friends. They have to. Even dough they don’t like it. You can’t live alone right??So this is the time the participants to get knowing each other (I think all the participants doing very well in knowing they teammates). I’m very astonished with the spirit of unity that showed by the participants. They came from different division, race, religion, degree, and reliance but they can unite as a family member. Interact like old friends, having fun like brother sister. I think that unique. They have their own language and dialect. But in term of communication they can understand each other. Others say about 1 Malaysia. I think that slogan is not distinct anymore to people who lives in Malaysia Borneo. You should watch it yourself than you will know what I mean…

First meet...They didn't know each other yet…. 

Finally arrived at 6.40 pm...Time to rest for long journey to Miri next day...

The Preparation

Everything that you did slightly must have a preparation in order to success the task. So the first thing to do while waiting other convoy participants from another division, my team doing a last check to our vehicles so that we will far from enigma when the journey start soon. Luckily we have Mr. Yip in our team. He was proper and regulated nicely mechanic (you have to talk with him. He is a nice person with many topics in his head). He checking our vehicle and give us some advise when driving at highland soon. 

This is our lovely vehicles that will accompany us along the journey. It’s quite tough and other thing about this 4x4, its very fuel safe. That was George our first driver and my friend that responsible to make me join this convoy. It is very important to tie up the canvas to the vehicles so that our belonging doesn’t fly with the wind later on.

Like I told you earlier, that was Mr. Yip. What do you think? Nice huh….

Abstract

The main purpose to publish this blog was to perpetuate the memories on almost 14 days journey across Malaysia Borneo Island with over 149 participants whose come all parts of Sarawak. The tour starts from Kuching, Sarawak till Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It cost us to drive almost 5000 kilometers all the way to every major town in Sabah and Sarawak. This program was organized by Sarawak state department of national unity. It starts on 2 December 2010 and safely ends on 12 December 2010. So enjoy your reading and don’t feel reluctant to give a comment or share your experience toward your adventure to the other place that you feel unique.