Yesterday, I visited Miri, an oil town which is about 2 hours drive from Bandar Seri Begawan. David, a contact of my close buddy Joo Hong, met up with us at Boulevard Hypermarket, one of the biggest shopping complex in Miri town.
After lunch in the food court, we proceeded to Miri City Fan, a unique fan-shaped urban civic park. Miri City Fan is designed to create civic consciousness by the embodiment of several symbolic parks. Workers were seen busy setting up the stage, in the midst of preparation to usher the celebration of Miri being accorded with Resort City status on May 20 as Miri City Parade 2005 will be held here. Quite a numbers of stalls were setup beside the car park, which are managed by Ibans, selling handmade products at quite a reasonable price. To my surprise, pepper sweet was sold there too. To mention about the garden, it’s well-managed and clean too. Chinese stone crafting images are distributed over the compound. I spotted 2 seahorses, only to be told by David that it’s a Miri’s mascot. Now I know, shame on me …
Pustaka Miri, the regional digital library of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, is located right beside the Miri Fan City. Pustaka Miri caters for information and research need of the Miri’s population as well as neighbouring districts and towns around the northern region of Sarawak. This library is being set up in line with Pustaka Negeri Sarawak’s target of ensuring all individuals within the state be given equal opportunity to access information and acquire knowledge. A lot of students were doing revisions there while some were surfing. Group discussion can be held in rooms provided too. This place reminded me of my secondary school life, exactly as how I did revision at public library too. All-right all-right, it’s past now.
Next, The Grand Old Lady, Malaysia’s first inland oil drilling platform and one of Sarawak’s most important historical monuments. This landmark is about 30-m high, being surrounded by a museum-cum-information centre, which is a joint venture between Sarawak, Shell Malaysia and Petronas. Located on top of Canada Hill overlooking Miri, it attracts locals to enjoy the scenery or jog on the well-designed path. Even though Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud will open this petroleum museum on May 20, renovation was seen going on with almost nothing significant to be seen internally, I doubt it can go live on time?
After spending 30 minutes taking photos, we proceeded to Miri Public Park, which is halfway to Miri Airport. The hanging bridge definitely thrilled me as I have height phobia. Anyway, I’m glad that I managed to overcome that. A group of teenagers were doing BBQ gathering below the bridge, where there’s a park. Facilities provided are ample. The surrouding area is clean, well taken care by the authority and of course I believe, with the cooperation of civic minded Miri residents too. It seems that I have special affection with this place, unsure though.
Miri Airport, which is about 5-10 mins drive from Miri Public Park, has a similar design of rooftop covers the main entrance of Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Now I know why some brand the airport as “Mini KLIA”. It’s a busy airport, more lively than Brunei International Airport, to be fair. I bought The Star at a bookstore there and it costed me RM2.50. The price is being marked up from the original published rate RM1.80. Hmm, fuel surcharge invoked on newspaper too? No idea though, but I’ll seek clarification from The Star.
As night was approaching, David brought us to Luakbay Esplanade. Residential houses along the beach are like a ongoing mansions showcase. The timing was so right when we reached the esplanade. A fantastic sunset, I would say. I even recorded the last 5 mins in action. Wonderful! Superb!
Before we called it a day, we had seafood dinner at YI-HAH-HAI Seafood. We ordered 3 dishes, tasted normal but expensive. RM75 plus impolite waitress, I won’t recommend anyone there. If anyone in the know of this restaurant, please convey this message to the owner.
The not-so-nice about this trip is that, RM20 to cross over the Batang Baram Bridge (Miri) and BRN$6 for Rasau Bridge (Brunei). Immigration procedures at border are hectic too, not to mention the “close-window policy” by officers.
Thanks to David for being our one-day tour guide, I really appreciate that. If there is any next trip to Miri, I’ll visit Niah Cave and Mulu National Park. Before that, let me make a trip to Labuan first. ;-)
Happy Miri City Day 2005!
Related posts:
- Selayang Municipal Council: Study tours are more tour than study
- Study tour: Kayveas slams the councillors
- One day stop at Seria & Kuala Belait
- Low cost-carriers (LCCs) in Malaysia & Singapore
- In Malaysia, you kiss and you die
Haha BsB is kinda dead with the leaving of foreigners these few years and it;s not hard to see why people are crossing the border to MIri insearch of more lively night life and to say things in Miri are cheaper is not really true as some of the stuff can be bought cheaper in BsB. Gona explore more bout Miri next time after reading ur post!
According to my friend, things in Miri are more expensive, compared to other towns in Sarawak, mainly due to the influx of Brunei-an.
Most Brunei-an crossed over to Miri, either to buy grocessory stuff or for the sake of entertainment, as Brunei government still ban all kind of entertainment. I found a secret bar at Traders Inn, as it’s a room converted to bar, that’s all. But guess what, for Brunei-an, that’s already a luxury to drink.
You must explore Miri, it’s very interesting, lively from what I can imagine. It’s alike Ipoh.
I never visit sarawak before. If I were to visit sarawak one day, I will definitely visit Mulu caves and watch the pinnacles at Mt Api.. It’s really very great scene there!
P/s: oh.. SK studied in public library during secondary school time? Ai seh man!
Fleex, don’t play play, I did my reveisions at Seberang Jaya Public Library, abo you think what ah?
Don’t play play, ok? :D
Feel nice that you had good commend about Miri. As a Mirian, I welcome you always to visit this lovely Oil Town :-)