Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Sibu Trip - Part II (What you'll see & find there)

Long post ahead, lots of pictures, again.
As usual.. Bet most of you had expected this already.

* * *

While exiting the Sibu airport, the only thing in my mind was...

"Eh? So small one. No air con somemore."

~I love my w850 having the Panorama shooting functions~

Looks like some kind of hall of some old buildings right? Or some old shopping center. But, who am I to complain when Brunei's International Airport doesn't look very impressing either.

*shrugs*

My dearest girl cousin picked us up and just on the way to my auntie's place, she's already updating the latest "gossips" happening around the family.

Sigh.. it's quite depressing to hear it though. Especially when she mentioned that my old grandma is somehow some way ill-treated by my uncle's wife.. treating her like a ball kicking her away to the "daughters"...

I know, WTF(ish) right?

As if she doesn't have any children like that. What if her own kids treated her that way too when she's old. Bloody B.... Okay, I can't say the "B" word here. But you smart people out there sure get it lah.

* * *

Instead of heading straight to my uncle's place (where my grandma lives), we had dinner at my auntie's place first. I somewhat find it really cool being able to see this kind of 雜貨店 (kedai runcit) the kampong style.



You know, those wooden store where the owner stays upstairs and downstairs they transform it into the kedai. From rice, sugar, salt, to little stationaries.

When I was a kid, I really really love the fact that I'm sleeping above the shop where I can just walked down, and take whatever ice creams, candies and keropok I like!

* * *

After dinner, we head back to my uncle house. Showered and uncle asked my guy cousin out for supper and maybe do a little shopping.

While sitting in the brand new Camry that my uncle just bought last CNY, I asked my cousin how much that car cost.

Guess what, RM168k !!!!!!!

Fuah! Can buy my dream car in Brunei liao lor. Maybe a single storey house too! Gila man!

And the petrol, if full tank.. it will cost him RM100+. Siao one.. My one month expenses for my car fuel eh, or maybe less. Got extra buy Easi card somemore.

Now tell me, who says Malaysia always have cheaper things? (Okay, maybe KFC & McDonald (FOOD!) and some brandless shoes and shirts). If I live in Malaysia, I'm definitely going to be a Proton Kancil girl, or probably a Myvi girl... which is not so bad compare to Kancil.

(Kancil cannot speed okay. 600cc only. Can die. Wonder if it can go up a hill or not. Only can overtake cyclist and walking people. Damn, so sad just by imagining it)

Brunei, I love you!
I'll love you even more if you grant me a citizenship.

How not to love Brunei when almost everything is tax free (Heh heh. KFC pun nada 5% tax), medical care is free, education is free too. Petrol is cheap and buying a house (bungalow) is cheap too.

* * *

First, we went here.


The shoes they have is freaking awesome! I'm not quite a shoe fetish but..but.. I can't stop looking and trying them on. VERY VERY CHEAP!


Their heels are around RM35 - 50, those boots you saw... RM60-70 only!

The thing is, they only have one size.
Meaning, if the shoe fits you, you're lucky. If not, say bye bye.

(I really really really like the above shoe, but... it was too small for my big fat feet)

In the end, I only get myself a sexy red pumps which looks really cool. Sigh, regret not buying more lah.. Darn! Why? Because it's closing when we arrived and so I had really limited time to pick out one by one and try.

Wasted.

* * *

Then my cousin brought us to the infamous eating outlet in Sibu. He said the food is cheap (tell me where to find food in Sibu that's expensive. Apart from Hotels), and it is cleaner compared to other kopi-tiams.


But what attracted me most is the way they decorate their shop. Really cool. I mean, how often can you see people having Chinese Chess on their ceilings?


Cool right? And that "chess" are made up of

Now, this is what I call creativity. And also, they recycled. Love our planet Earth people. Love and take care of it so our next generations can breathe fresh air and still have clean water to use.

(Doh.. the teacher attitude come out of me again)



The above picture is taken at their cashier counter. I guess the boss is a Chinese chess maniac and a Spider-Man's fan.

Then my cousin told me that I must pay their toilet a visit. I was like, "Huh? What? Toilet?"

Really, we all know that Malaysia's public toilet is quite famous for its dirtiness, some more this is a kopitiam, not a 5 star hotel leh. What he want me to do in there? Smell and see other's excretions or he doesn't like me and want me to vomit out all the food I just ate.

He explained that it's one of the coolest and cleanest toilet ever, compare to other kopitiams of course. Out of curiosity.. I went in.

Wah lao eh! Got music one leh! And not bad, at least I don't see any "leftovers" from the previous man who used it.

on the wall

And they hang a lot of really cool and funny pictures and quotes.

click to enlarge

Yeah, I locked myself in the toilet and started to take pictures. Bet the person outside must be shocked seeing flash light coming out of the small cubicle. Hhahhahahahaa. Or think I'm crazy taking self-portrait inside.

* * *

Say so much haven't show you the kampong house I stayed in Sibu yet.


*ta da*

When I say kampong, it is really those wooden houses on stilts, where you can see chickens, ducks and goose running around in the back yard (if you call it a "Yard" lah). Surrounded by nothing but green trees and long grass and a small longkang river.

As you can see there are plenty, a lot, sibeh-banyak motorbikes there. I didn't count.. Plus those not in the pictures, I estimate that there are at least 200 there. My uncle is a motorbike dealer, does that answer you question?


Left: The view from the balcony

Middle: The small eateries opposite. When I can just walk cross the road to tapao. (How not to get fat?)

Right: The longkang which I always dream of jumping down when I was little.. till my mum told me that they might have worms in it, my dream shattered...

* * *

Speaking of Sibu, how could I ever missed out the chance of eating something I'd been craving for all times! I don't quite know the name.. but it sounds like "Piang Piang Hu" or "Tiang Piang Hu" something like that.

The famous old shop selling it

The whatever "Hu" thing is made up of rice, mixed with water and grinded. And pour it around the wok so it solidifies.

With meatballs, black fungus, fishballs and so on. Yummilicious!


The burger-like thing on the right is call "kong-piang", I hope I get it right.. Normally stuff with minced meat. I like to call it Chinese Burger though.


* * *

Random pics

Pasar Sentral, where you can find almost everything

even hair cream, toys and books

* * *

Go Sibu where can miss out the landmark leh?

Every year go back must definitely pay a visit in..


It's getting prettier and prettier each year. They always re-paint and maintain it well. Some more renovate it better to attract more visitors.

And this (below one), is the harbor where I always take the boat ride just to go to town.


Yes, I told you I stayed in kampong area. So kampong that we need to cross the Teh-C-Ping river just to go to town.

Previously when the bridge wasn't built, queuing up for the ferry takes minimum half and hour to 2, during CNY. And now with the bridge, the car ride is only 15mins.

We usually take the below boat to go to town (which I haven't take for few years already), very very old.. Some times even the water will splashed in. I like the ride, but I hate it when I boarded it or jumped down from it. It's so damn dangerous!

Once my cousin jumped and slipped and fell into the river. The flow was so quick and luckily she was saved by an uncle nearby who grab her hand fast. Phewww! Scary huh.



* * *

I lost a couple of pounds during the school holidays but 2 days in Sibu, I gained it all back...

The "Ding" Family. Uncles, aunties and cousins
(My mum always look goofy when I take pictures of her)

Siao one. I ate 4 meals per day. Mind you, not salad but really really, very very heavy meals!

Can you believe that we actually have Steam fish for SUPPER?!!

Hello, supper leh.. not dinner!


On the last night before I left... nyek nyek nyek

Saw the "man" on the right? He's my favorite man on a Lami table. Sarawakians call it Ma-ma-chi. Sounds like some filthy games right?

It's just so hard for me to say out "ma-ma-chi" instead of lami lah. I like Lami. I don't like Mahjong. Mahjong make me lost money.

* * *

Before I end up this post, can you guess what's the thing below?



It's one of my happiest buying in Sibu. So cute right?

hint: Not for mobiles.

22 comments:

uglyfatchick (Chicky) said...

Erm.. it looks too small for handphone bah.. maybe for putting coins? or it's a voice recorder?

Amorevietato said...

hmm.. CD holder? money or cards holder? hahah a lot of guesses there..

Anonymous said...

Ooh. I love shopping in Malaysia. Can go crazy and still won't go broke. :P

Horny Ang Moh said...

HA!HA! I BELIEVED THE SOUPY FLOUR IS CALL 'PIANG PIANG NGU' & THE CHINESE NURGER IS CALLED 'KONG PIAN' WITH MEAT. THE NOMAL VISION IS JUST PLAIN FLOUR BAKED IN CHARCOAL OVER 5 FOR RM1.IT USE TO BE 10 FOR RM1. NOW EVERYTHINGS IS SO EXPENSIVE IN M'SIA. HOW CUM U DIDN'T TASTE 'KAM PUA' MEE & 'PIAN NGIU'?

Unknown said...

Sibu is a small town, cannot expect the airport so big ma... 747 also cannot landing there lor... LOL

Nonnie King said...

Christina : No, no and no. All wrong. :D

WangEe : Nope. Not a CD/money/card holder.

Sha : I know! Hhahahhahaa. But shopping in KL is a different story lah.

Nonnie King said...

All the girls guess what's the meow-meow and all the guys don't give a damn about it. LOL!


HORNY ANGMOH : MY MUM HAD KAMPUA AND I HAD 'PIAN NGIU?' (dumplings is it) on the last day in Sibu.

Kenny : Very small indeed. Hhahahhahaaa. I think no 747 will land there also.

Effy said...

I'm a Kancil Girl.. Never in my life i've driven a can before -.- Brunei is still the best of the best

Iwan said...

hahahaha!!!

I tink i never been to a kampung before..

Hmmm... it looks kinda serenading..

hahaha!!

Looks like the things is cheap but if i shop in KL, the price is almost as comparable in Singapore..

Bout that thing, is it a tissue box cover>?

Nonnie King said...

Effy : Shoot. I hope I didn't offend you with my words.

Bah, bila come back?

Iwan : Serenading? What a beautiful word for it.

KL is exceptional when it comes to cheap shopping. Nothing is that cheap in KL.

And, no.. not a tissue box =p





Keep guessing people

Anonymous said...

you noticed the restaurant's called "fat mum home cook"? hehe..

i think i want your phone also, quite smart and practical.. hehe..

Amorevietato said...

hmm it has pockets inside to store all ur goodies ie. collections?

Anonymous said...

its for sanitary pad, ey??? im a guy btw...huhuhuh...

HongFunXuanJia said...

yeah it's for ur pads... right nonnie...
yeah dint u take d "kam pua"... i had it everyday when i was back there... imagine it's only 1.70 per plate n makes u so damn full (depending on where u makan lah)... i was even craving for it when i was pregnant haha...

Nonnie King said...

Rebbe : Yeah, guess we call it "Sibuish" language.

I saw in Dex's blog that a new version is coming. It has a joystick not like mine, I love my phone but the stupid navigation pad is so hard to press.


* * *

WangEe : Nyek hehehehee. Nope!

Nonnie King said...

A-Nonnie-Mous : Err.. Don't you think it's a little to cute to "bleed" on?

Well, you're a guy.. that explains why your guess is sanitary pad. Muahahaha.


* * *

Angeline : Oh my gosh! I can't believe you read my blog too. Hahhahhahahaa

My mum's a vegetarian so most of the meals are taken in vegetarian shop, not much chances to go eat at those little kopitiams. Plus, I'm not really a big fan of kampua..don't know why.

Bah, bila you bring your beautiful angels back there?

War186 said...

Boon wants to buy the new Camry. It's quite luxurious, isn't it? Anyway, cars in Malaysia are a lot more expensive. People who own Hondas are already considered rich people. Heh.

But other things are cheaper. Especially food I agree. KFC's prices are almost the same in Malaysia and Brunei which means it's almost two times cheaper! Hehe.

That is a very creative toilet hahaha.

And I can't guess what the thing you bought is for. Nyeh.

Anonymous said...

diary or notebook inside that meow meow???

moi, i thought its called tiang piang hu, i always eat in miri stalls at boulevard!

anyway, at least looks like you enjoyed your Sibu trip than bored! btw, hiong liao la, know how to play lami liao, balik kampung straight played with your families ma!!! hahahaha!!!

Anonymous said...

Well Sibu looks like a pretty nice place. And OMG that car costs RM168k? That's lots and lots of money! I would rather spend that money on something else... since cars tend to lose their market value over time (am I being too money-minded? :D )

Anyway really nice photos! I love the panorama thing... woah do you mean that the camera even stitched the photos up for you automatically? It's such a cool function (at least you don't need to sit in front of the computer screen tweaking options and optimising panorama manually like me)

Brunei reminds me of Singapore. Perfect law and order, people being stuffed with lots and lots of welfare benefits, clean city, nice people...

Let me guess that little cutie you've bought. A tissue holder? Hmmm. Maybe not. Wrist cushion? Watch holder (oh great it is just SO brilliant *sarcasm sarcasm sarcasm* that I came out with this dumb random guess)...

Nonnie King said...

Wardah : The Camry is pretty luxurious. But it is also more afforadable in Brunei isn't it.

Food is really cheap in Malaysia that's why you can see people (Bruneian) eating their heart out there. MY friend drive all the way to Miri just for a seafood dinner. Crazy huh?

Heh, I'll reveal the answer pretty soon.

Nonnie King said...

Kelly : Salah liao lah.

I know Miri also have, but it originates from Sibu one. I eat it since I was young and it's different than those Miri actually.

Enjoy my trip? I just try to make my life looks fun without Internet and Astro there nya. And, my cousin is the first who taught me lami last year actually. She has both majong and lami + tables!
Professional kaki!

Nonnie King said...

Teddy : Erm.. yeah, it is a nice place if the crime rate can decrease a bit.

Exactly, RM168k is just too much to ask for right? Maybe their government wants them to buy nothing but Proton only.

Yeah, my phone has the panorama function that I can just 3 shots and they'll "sambung" themself. No editing needed!

Even our currency rates are the same! We can use SGD here in Brunei like it's Brunei money you know? Just that, we have a lot lesser shopping malls and no Pubs, disco and karaokes. Illegal one got lah.

Hhahhahhhahhahaahaha! No one guess it right! Now I feel so proud of it lah.