Sassy Pink Footpath Project

I have since this morning( Monday, 23/6) started on a new landscaping project at the vegetation island no.1 at my eco-farm. In short I call it 'the sassy pink' footpath project. Stories of the progress of the project can be accessed at my gardening project blog . The idea is to create a footpath within the heavily shaded vegetation island no.1 that will showcase the exotic beauty of 'sassy pink' heliconias.

Heliconia collection

As part of the landscaping plan for my eco-farm, I have included a section for my collection of heliconias. It is envisaged that the area will ultimately develop into a 'heliconia valley' where one can enjoy the the stark beauty of heliconia colourful bracts.

Today I cleared the footsteps of a path in the valley area and trimmed the heliconia clumps along the way. Below is the scene of my morning workout. Despite being a Sunday, I enjoyed the morning hours clearing the undergrowth and overgrown grasses and sweeping off the fallen leaves.

The long string of pinkish bracts of heliconia 'sassy pink' below are a real treat. Some can be more than a meter long.

The deep red lipstick colours of the heliconia stricta below is very attractive. It is for their colourful bracts ( 'false flowers') that heliconias are better known.

And finally, before the day is done, I displayed four varieties of heliconias into this glass fish bowl.

Extremely rare Javanese Cassia ( Cassia javanica L.)

While driving through the district of Roban ( before reaching Sarikei) I couldn't believe my eyes when I passed the SK Bayong school. At one end of the school compound stood this beautiful Javanese Cassia tree. I have been hunting for this tree for years either to get its seeds or to have a picture of it in full bloom. Well I finally made it on 15 th of June i.e. I managed to take this rare picture of the tree covered with pink inflorescence. Couldn't get hold of the pods though , since the tree was inside the fenced school compound. Furthermore I was rushing to go back home to Bintulu. Javanese cassia trees are a real treat when they flower. I wish all local councils and city municipalities in Sarawak make it a point to plant this tree in parks and open spaces. Though it originated from Java island ( Indonesia ) it grows well too in Sarawak as evidenced by this picture.

Trip to Bintulu

After spending three weeks in Kuching over the Gawai holiday, I decided to journey back to Bintulu on Sunday, 15 June'08. By around lunch time we arrived the town of Sri Aman. Every visitor to this town will never miss noticing this iconic sculpture of two white doves. They speak volumes of an era when Sarawak was terrorised by the communists. It was in this town that the communists laid down their arms and called off their struggle to set up communism in Sarawak. For that matter this town was renamed 'Sri Aman' ( meaning 'peace' in Malay). Previous to that, the town was known as 'Simanggang'.

Bintulu in Colourful Pinks and Whites

Arrived Bintulu at 7.30 pm last Sunday. Today I feel better after the ten hours journey by road from Kuching. Going around town to do shopping and checking the mail box at the Post Office, I noticed this line of tecoma trees yet to be in full bloom. Looks like Bintulu will be in colours of pink and white this June.

Bonsai Show and Sale

What a collection of 'bonsai' plants! This was part of a show-cum-sale of 'bonsai' plants at Mile 7 Bazaar which I visited on my way home this afternoon . I love to see them but don't like to get addicted with this particular form of gardening ( just yet?). I know bonsai is good for the eyes. Read about its therapeutic effect long time ago. The idea is that if you are in to bonsai, you must spend your time every morning looking at their green leaves and trimming them to shape. And by having your eyes focused on green colours everday would 'heal' your eyes. Well , that's in brief how the theory goes.

Daily Cut Flowers

The heliconia species below is fondly called 'sassy pink'. Its bracts are pendulous.The pink colour is unique and striking. This particular stand is seen next to the front gate of our house in Kuching.

From this morning garden workout( about one and half hours of digging and planting work) I selected a few bracts of heliconias and two fronds of cycas plant. Here's how they look :

A closer view of another interesting heliconia species called' the fire crackers' is shown above.

And this was how I was inspired this morning to create a new blog ......well about CUT FLOWERS. While cutting the fronds of this sea cycas( pakis laut) it dawned upon me to do cut flowers arrangement on a daily basis. A tall order. Yes, but I am ready to take up the challenge. Therefore I am now thinking of the title of the blog. Could it be.....Daily Cut Flowers? Well, that's a start.....

Borneo Beads Craftwork

Yesterday we managed to procure some interesting beadswork . Below are some samples:

The Kayan bag above, locally called an 'Ajat' is 10 inches(ht)x6 inches(width). This piece has just been completed and the beads look very shining.

Above are necklaces bearing Kayan design. Ideal for souvenirs and gifts.

The necklaces above are generally 18 inches long when stretched.

The mat above can be made into various items like, a table cloth, a framed art piece etc. The size of the beaded mat is 16 inches x 30 inches.

Garden platform project done!

The area to the right has been filled up and levelled to make way for concreting. Simple wooden form work are installed to keep the concrete in place when pouring. I have intended to make the garden spot more livable by creating this space for passive creation,like reading, drawing ,etc

I did this project by myself. The hardest part being mixing the cement with sand, stones and water. However take it in stride and in no time you'll find that you are capable of becoming a contractor. I would estimate concreting works above about 20% done.

Here's a view from the house towards the jungle ,taken after all concreting works were done.

And finally, the last bit of work consisted in concreting the first step from the garden to the house. The wordings on the step indicated that the project was completed on 18th May which was timely before we take the road to Kuching.

New Shopping Experience in Kuching

On this trip we returned again and again to 'Boulevard' shopping center,located at Mile 4 , Kuching-Serian Road. More shops have now opened in the center. I paid a visit to the Popular Bookshop and bought a book on Monet.