Clocking a new Record

Typical single two lane carriageway from Bintulu to Kuching ( 600 km )

Today we're off to Kuching. We started the journey from Bintulu at 10 am. in fine weather. The journey to Kuching by road would normally take 9 hours in reasonablly fine weather inclusive of short pit stops at selected three or four rest areas along the 600 km Bintulu - Kuching stretch of the Sarawak, Borneo highway. Travelling at this time of the year i.e. during the 'Landas' season ( November- February) when the severe north-easterly monsoon rains hit the coastal regions of Sarawak has its hazards. For the first half of the journey the weather was fabulous, cloudy mostly and in some locations had the full sun overhead. However during the second part of the journey, rains were our constant companion thus slowing the journey by at least an hour. Most of the river crossings have waters that have overflowed its banks. We saw at least two longhouse areas flooded and hundreds of people moved to evacuation centres. One kampung at Tatau ( 40 minutes drive from Bintulu) had waters that ran havoc throughout the village, partly seen in the picture below.

View of Tatau River and flooded kampung, from Tatau Bridge

On board the pick up were other members of the family viz, Inul and her mother Mama Daisy. This is their 11th trip back to Kuching. By nightfall when we arrived Kuching, they would have clocked another 600 km to their present travelling record of 12,600 km . For more stories about our cat's family attempt to create a new Malaysian record for the most travelled cats in Malaysia, please check it out here.

A diversion to ease traffic at the road slip

At one point of the journey i.e. between Bintulu to Tatau, the heavy rains had washed away a major portion of the road. A temporary diversion has helped ease traffic near the road slip. But Lo! at the top right of the picture above is seen a yellow bulk cement truck that unluckily skidded into the ravine below.

Inul and Mama Daisy taking long naps, uncommon for cats

Inul had the best of times with her mother. Daisy seemed in good mood during this journey and Inul took advantage by pinning down on her. And not a grudge from Mama!.

Daisy takes a rest at Betong Rest Area for her favourite tuna.

We wish to thank all those who have prayed for us to have made this journey safely.

Evening Downpour

It happened so suddenly. A minute ago I saw in the distance dark clouds heralding a tropical rainstorm , the winds blowing from a south-westerly direction. Within seconds they streaked over my farm and then the thunderous sound of the downpour sent my two cats scattering under the sofa.

The Blessed Rain

A Fruity Break

It was raining this morning. Rain is a blessed thing, of course in a tropical climate like ours. The evergreen biomass will only sustain itself with the underground water it provides and the cleansing of pollutants on leaves with every downpour. It's also a good excuse to be at the computer table today and to reflect what have I achieved this year. More of this later. After having had so much meat during the X'mas holidays it's time to go vegetarian. So today's lunch menu consists of : Bananas and the wholesome ripe Jackfruit served fresh, its unripe fruit cut into small pieces and cooked in coconut milk as vegetable and finally its ripe seeds boiled for much needed calories or starch.



On the left is a plate of boiled jackfruit seeds. Remember to remove the papery brown covering from the big brown seeds before you eat it, preferably with honey. Oh , how lovely to have a change of diet...Bruuppp!

Rainy December

View of 'Pasar Utama' from Jepak Fishing Village

Since back from Kuching last Friday, I find that the weather in Bintulu is very rainy. Even at the point of writing this piece ( time:11.00pm) it is raining heavily outside and winds are strong too. Where the barge is going is the open sea. The two twin roofs of the 'Pasar Utama' are iconic of Bintulu because it represents a Melanau tradisional hat ( 'terendak') worn by men and women when they work in their farms or walk around the village for protection against sun and rain or fish in the open sea. In view of our extreme climate i.e. rainy one moment and hot the next, the conical shape of the roofs is an ideal design for umbrella-like protection against both rain and shine.