Kembara Borneo....

"Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder..."

2015 Kembara Borneo ..

(23 -29 March 2015)

Tomorrow early morning we will be flying to Kota Kinabalu where we will start our Kembara Borneo riding through Sabah, Brunei and Sarawak with 15 others. The discovery Borneo on wheels, is organised by Wilhin Motor Club and this is the first time we are joining the club.

Last Friday we had arranged with MASkargo to fly our motorbikes to Kota Kinabalu and on Monday we will collect them at the airport.

We will ride carefully and safely.

InsyaAllah...

(Motorcycling News)

(Kuala Lumpur International Airport)

(Taman Panorama Benak, Sri Aman)

(The Tip of Borneo, Kudat)

(Rafe Cafe in Sibu)

(Damai Beach, Kuching)

Kembara Borneo Day 1 - Kota Kinabalu

Kembara Borneo Day 2 - Keningau

Kembara Borneo Day 3 - Brunei/Miri

Kembara Borneo Day 4 - Sibu

Kembara Borneo Day 5 - Kuching

Kembara Borneo Day 6 - Serikin

Kembara Borneo Day 7 - Kuala Lumpur

Next Trip: 2015 12th Umrah: Madinah & Makkah...

My overseas travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Sarawak - Kuching trip, miow miow...

“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love...” - Ernest Hemingway

(View from my hotel room...)

This afternoon I will be flying to Kuching.

I will be accompanying the big boss for the branch’s Annual Dinner. The dinner is on Saturday night but we’ll have a meeting with the branch team on Friday morning followed by lunch with the staff. Early Saturday morning, the branch Manager is going to drive us to Serikin, a border town for a shopping spree.

Unlike other trips, dear hubby will not be accompanying me this time around.

Life is so short,

so fast the lone hours fly,

We ought to be together,

you and I…

~Henry Alford~

p.s. I am going to miss you, yang… '

Kuching - The missing link...

“He who chooses his own path needs no map..”

(A statue of Kayan Dayak Tribe of Kalimantan)

Kuching, Sarawak

(15 - 19 May, 2008)

My team met with representatives from the Commercial banks and the CIT companies on Thursday and Friday. The meetings went well. A lot of issues were covered in a short span of time. Most of the free time was used to redo and translate the speech for the lady Boss. When he arrived from KL that night, we were still struggling with the speech.

The branch Annual Dinner went well, except for the Boss’ speech which was truncated severely into meaningless garble, we had fun listening to the band and enjoying the food.

(An Orang Utan feasting on fruits)

The next day and day after, he and I rented a car and drove to Serikin to buy batiks and spices. We also went to the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre to visit the missing links, the Orang Utans. We thought of going to Borneo Heights but were unable to drive up because of road works. Later that day, we took a leisure drive to Serian, Sri Aman and Kota Samarahan then back to Kuching. When we reached the outskirt of Kuching, there were processions and fireworks to celebrate the Vesak Day.

(An on-going exhibitions)

The next time we are here, we’ll drive up to Serikei or even to Mukah...

Sarawak - Duty call in Kuching...

"Think much, speak little, and write less..." - Italian proverb

(Fine dining)

Last year I attended the annual dinner hosted by our branch in JB. The dinner was simple and the food was good.

This year when I was told that I need to accompany the boss to attend Kuching and Kuala Terengganu annual dinners, I was not at all excited. Kuching branch dinner will be this coming Saturday night but I need to fly there a few days earlier to attend a few meetings with the commercial banks and CIT companies. Luckily I was allowed to bring another officer to assist in some data gatherings and fact findings to prepare for the meetings.

Hubby will be joining me there on Friday night. As Monday is Vesak Day, we will be gallivanting Sarawak on Sunday and Monday and be back to work on Tuesday….

Sarawak - The tail of the cat...

"The Question is not what you look at, but what you see!"

(Sarawak: 8 - 11 Sept 2007)

(A formation of black rocks)

On Sunday we decided to drive to the tail of the cat and planned to go to Tanjung Datu but there is no through road and the only way to get there is to rent a boat!.

(Taking in the cool breeze of the beach)

We decided to explore other remote parts of Sarawak and our journey passed through Lundu and Sematan. We stopped at a few beautiful beaches along the route.

(A lone fishing boat)

There are beautiful rock formation, granite boulders lying on the beach and in the water, making a picturesque scenery. The combination of reflection, rock and trees create a beautiful sight. A lone boat is serene under the cloudy sky..

(Gunung Gading National Park)

On the way back to Kuching, we stopped at Gunung Gading national Park, located in the Lundu District. The Park consists of rugged mountain peaks which provides a scenic backdrop to the nearby Pandan and Siar beaches.

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The waterfalls in the upper part of Sungai Lundu have become a popular recreational destination for both local and foreign visitors. Gunung Gading is the home to numerous rare plants including the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia.

Sarawak - Kalimantan border towns...

“May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks...” 

(Sarawak: 8 - 11 Sept 2007)

(A wooden mask of indigenous group)

On Saturday, it was raining heavily when our plane landed in Kuching Airport.

We rented a car and drove to Damai Beach resort for a 2-night stay there. My meeting at the branch will be on Tuesday so I have taken Monday off.

(A good road towards Indonesian border)

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On Sunday we decided to drive to Tebedu, about 100 km from Kuching town and a point of entry into West Kalimantan. The journey was smooth using the highway and we passed the limestone hills and pinnacles.
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(Limestone formations at Tebedu, Sarawak)

The pinnacles should not be missed if you are in Sarawak, especially the famous pinnacles at Mulu where they could reach up to 40 meters tall and has become a world heritage site – a natural wonder of the world.

(Borneo River Taxi)

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We thought of driving to Pontianak but were told it may take us more that 8 hours to reach there. So we decided to explore a few towns across the Malaysia-Indonesia border and passed through Entikong and Balaikarang, both are deserted and becoming ghost towns.

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It was raining all the way back to Kuching...

Sarawak - Back-to-back trips...

”I have seen, tasted and touched many places. This has made me realize, how small, connected and wonderful the earth is…” - Anton Verwey

Day 04: Kuching - KL

(A statue of a hornbill in Kuching, Sarawak)

The phone rang at 5.00 a.m. sharp. That was our wake up call. Although feeling so sleepy we got ready very fast. By the time we checked-out, the taxi was already waiting for us. Our flight to KL was at 7.00 a.m.

When we arrived at the apartment, Sara and Iwan were still asleep and we let them enjoyed their sleep a little longer. Hubby busied himself packing his bag for his trip to Dhaka scheduled this evening for his next assignment. I prepared something simple for lunch. After lunch and a short nap, we headed to KL Sentral to send him off. I am going to miss him again…

With Sara, Iwan and Ella, we drove to Subang Parade where we bought a pretty white-gold bracelet for Ella, to be used masa membatal air sembahyang after the majlis akad nikah...

Kuching: Watch the sunset...

“Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back..” - Anais Nin

Day 03: Kuching - Serikin

'

We had our breakfast early. Hubby had earlier arranged for a rental car to be at the hotel around 9 a.m. We planned to drive to Serikin, a small border town an hour drive from Kuching. There they have the local market where selection of native products such as baskets, hats, textiles and Indonesian batiks being sold at a very cheap price. We ended buying a few pieces of batiks, buah salak and ikan kering.

We drove back around noon and had roti sardine for lunch. Bought a few t-shirts for us and the kids and later headed to Damai, Sarawak's main beach resort area with pristine sandy beaches by the South China Sea with the Mt. Santubong as backdrop. We stayed there for a while to watch the sunset.

We stopped to have dinner at a seafood restaurant at Buntal. Dinner was delicious and filling. By the time we reached the hotel it was already late. After a lingering hot bath, feeling tired but happy, we slept like babies.

Kuching - Minor findings...

“The bold may not live long, but the timid never live at all...”

Day 02: Kuching

(Detail recording of findings)

This morning we had breakfast together with hubby's team. The Crown Plaza Hotel is swarmed with policemen and dignitaries. Most probably awaiting the announcement to dissolve the state assembly to pave way for the ninth election. We heard that the Sarawakians will go to the polls on May 20.

We took two cabs, one went direct to bangunan Telekom, another to send me first to the branch office. I visited the Security Control room while the custodians were busy in the vault. They had recently upgraded the security equipment. Some minor adjustments were needed to correct unclear visuals. Inspected the Peripheral Intruder Detection System and they too were functioning ok.

My next inspection was in the processing room and the bulk-payment room. Friday is always a busy day. The branch was full of activities with CIT companies rushing to make deposits and withdrawals. By noon, I had completed my work at the branch. The branch Manager sent me back to the hotel and I have time to steal a quick nap. Went to buy KFC and had my late lunch in the room while waiting for him.

We had roti john for dinner at the Esplanade. Later we watched Ultra-violet at the Cineplex.

Kuching - Surprise Audit...

“Of the gladdest moments in human life, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands…”

Day 01: KL - Kuching

I was in a state of panic when I woke up this morning.

I must have slept like a rock and didn’t hear the alarm. I got ready in a jiffy and said goodbyes to the kids. They must’ve not heard me from under their warm comforters. By 6.30 a.m. I was speeding on the NKVE hi-way on my way to KLIA. My flight to Kuching was a little delayed. By the time the plane landed at the new airport someone was already there to pick me up. They must have received Linda’s e-mail to inform that I am coming for the surprised audit.

Before I start work, sms hubby to let him know that I am already at my branch office. He promised to have lunch together and to pass me the key to the hotel room. After a short briefing by the Branch Manager, I was accompanied by the two custodians and the Audit Control Officer to the main vault where I observed them performed the stock count. Except for a minor discrepancies in the main register, the inventory was in order.

Hubby came at 1 p.m., sweating. I am glad to see him. I missed him so much. We had lunch with his team at a food court behind the office. After lunch he sent me back to the branch office and he walked in the hot sun to Telekom building where they are conducting a 2-week Mentoring Program for the Telekom staff. The whole afternoon was spent discussing issues of concern with the Branch Manager and all the section heads and the Chief Security.
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(Mr. Beans for me and Sara)

Back in the hotel room we had a luxurious long nap. We only woke up when it was already dark outside. Dinner was fried tilapia at Sugar Bun. Feeling sleepy again we went to bed early and sleep tight till morning…

Sarawak: Maintain integrity & security...

“Finish each day and be done with it..."

The TUDM airport was busy early in the morning. There were a few planes being loaded with boxes. Must be supplies of food and clothing to be sent to Banda Aceh. As our cargo is of high security, they have allowed us to depart first. This was my first time flying in a Charlie and it was worth the experience. Besides the consignment officers, we were accompanied by a few security guards and police officers. Although the jump seat was uncomfortable and the engine was noisy, I managed to doze off for a while.

It was raining quite heavily when we reached Kuching. The process to downloading and uploading our cargo was not as efficient as in KL. We have to wait quite a while for the work to complete. From the airport to the Kuching Office, the branch officers took over the consignment and relief us of the custodianship.

They have booked a room at the Holiday Inn for me to rest before my flight. Managed to sleep for a few hours before they woke me up for my pick-up to the airport. Took the earlier flight as there were empty seats available. The rest of the contingent will only fly tomorrow night.

Hubby waited for me at the KL Sentral right after his class. We stopped for a light dinner at the warong. I was dead tired when we reached home and fell asleep the instance I put my head on the pillow.