Niah Adventure

I have always wanted to visit the Niah Caves. I am not exactly the most adventurous person, but the idea of wondering into a “prehistorical world” is fascinating to me. The images of swallows, I think they are swallows, circling the sky with bats flying out of the caves and the way the sun rays dances in the cave is captivating.

Even Ekiel wants to visit the Niah Caves thanks to tourismmalaysia TVC.

But of course, not everything turns out the way you imagined it to be and this seems to be a permanent mantra of my life.

The journey to Niah is like an hour or so from Miri. I was hoping to see the cave the moment we arrived Niah, of course tough luck. We paid our RM10.00 entrance fee at the counter and walked to the jetty to take the boat.

When I heard boat, I was thrilled because I thought I would finally get to ride the “local” boats. We paid RM1 per person per ride and OMG I was so bumped not only because it was one of those ordinary boat, but also because the journey took less than 1 minute. We crossed over the Niah River and the hike to Niah Caves begins.

Oh, if you didn’t bring torchlight, you can rent one at the jetty counter. Yes, you will need torchlight considering you’re going inside a cave and preferably a bigger one because a small torchlight is not very useful. Especially when shared with three people.

There is an information centre by the jetty where you can find out everything you need to know about Niah.

The long breezy walk [of 3.5km] to the cave is pretty easy as you only need to follow the constructed walkway. Unfortunately, the cemented path was a little slippery with the wet leaves from the rain the night before. I did some acrobatic stunts which thankfully only the squirrels saw.

When I saw the “rest stop” I was pretty sure we were almost there. We were. Almost to the gate of the Niah Caves that is.

Now, considering I had no form of exercise except for fork and spoon lifting, I think I did the long walk pretty well. Until I see the staircases I have to climb. It wasn’t that bad really, but *ahem* baby elephants don’t do stairs well.

We arrived at the Trader’s Cave first. My camera could not capture the beauty of the place, and everything inside Niah Caves. And sadly my description will not do the place justice.

From the Trader’s Cave, we continued to climb the stairs to the Great Cave. Now the Great Cave is indeed great. It’s a HUGE opening with staircases that leads you to the different part of the cave. There are also several ‘ropes’ dangling from the top and I was told it was used to collect the bird’s nest.

I was puzzled at first to how they got the rope hanging from the top, but my friend said, they climbed over the cave and slot in the rope from the top. Either way, it is fascinating to imagine how bird’s nest collection was done then.

There are a couple more caves you could venture to. I am not sure which cave we went, but the sight were definitely magnificent. Again, torchlight is an essential piece of equipment for this adventure and we cut our journey short as it was difficult to see with one tiny headlamp.

For nature lovers, Niah Cave is a must. For those who are expecting something else, make plans to visit different parts of Miri. Hee.

I’m thinking Mulu Caves for my next trip. Anyone?

My 1st Gawai Experience

My Gawai experience was interestingly fun but unfortunately not as authentic as I’d like it to be. Pardon my ignorance but I imagine going to the long houses would involve boat rides or at least long hours of travelling.

I blame all the TourismMalaysia ads for that inaccurate perception.

Our ride to the long house was a comfortable less than an hour journey and it is located right by the main road. Yes, I was somewhat disappointed especially when this particular long house, like many others has ‘embraced’ the change of time.

Okay, I was extremely happy to see toilet facilities and electricity.

Like the original long house, Rumah Panjang Misson Timbak is made out of several houses. 23 of them. Or was it 22? Anyway it is considered small compared to other long houses. It is built on stilts and you are welcomed to the long ruai, somewhat like a hall, where the gatherings are held.

The view of the long house from the main road

Our host, Tuai Rumah Misson Timbak invited us to his home, which looked pretty much like every other houses; living room, dining room, kitchen, washroom and two bedrooms upstairs.

We were there the eve of Gawai as the celebration begins at midnight (apparently in other long houses the celebration starts earlier). While waiting, we had some local delicacies and of course plenty to drink.

The Tuai Rumah prepared the Ai Pengayu, the local rice wine called tuak for long life in a tajau (a type of jar), a month before the celebration and kept it at the centre of the ruai, which is then covered with the a pyramid like set-up wrapped with Pua Kumbu. The Tuai Rumah will only open the jar and take the first drink before sharing it with the rest of the long house residences. It is said that if the tuak is sweet, they will prosper for the year, and of course if it is sour, it will be a tough one.

The residences played the gong and other instrument I am not familiar with. A few danced the ngajat, the traditional Iban warrior dance and one Bidayuh guy performed the Bidayuh traditional dance.

Dancing the Ngajat, yes that is a leather jacket

And, it is never a party, in Sabah and apparently in Sarawak as well, if no one sang their hearts out. Yes, people, it is karaoke time.

Few minutes before midnight Tuai Rumah wore his traditional Pua Kumbu vest and someone handed him a live chicken. I imagined it would be “messy” but Tuai Rumah handed the live chicken to another guy. The guy went out and came back with bloodied chicken feathers which the Tuai Rumah used to mark the “set-up”. He then opened the jar, took couple of sips of the tuak and nodded his head as a sign of approval.

Then everyone shared the tuak for good luck.

I had three glasses just to be sure. *Hee*

It is also customary to visit each of the houses at the long house where each house will serve lots of food and drinks. And like most custom, it is impolite to refuse what the host offered. It was an interesting 36 hours [non-stop] of eating, drinking and making new friends. By the end of my visit to the long house, I could have rolled myself back to Miri happily.

I was told this was a “modern” and simple celebration and there are long houses that still practice their full traditional custom.

I need to get myself invited to these long houses next year.

Tuai Rumah Misson Timbak and his lovely wife

Miri experience

My Miri trip was absolutely fun.
I love Miri not only because my friends were there to show me the best of Miri, but because the food was super delicious and the people were great.

I took the everyonecanfly airlines and I was surprised when we had to climb the small staircase to get into the airport. Thankfully my luggage wasn’t that heavy but it was a hassle for those with children or even senior citizens. Why can’t they just use the “thingy” that connects to the plane is beyond me. They can include it in the airport tax like everything else they’ve included no?

There were long queues at the immigration counters and sadly, people in Miri do not queue up either.

Anyways, all irritation disappeared when I met my friends and they brought me to this place where I had one of the best noodles I have ever tasted. It was just a simple dish of noodles and meat, [maybe I was hungry] but the taste was OMG delicious. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what I had or where I had it. *head hangs in shame*

I enjoyed myself so much in this trip, I forgot about everything else.
Oh well. More reason to revisit Miri. If I get the *ahem* “green light” to go.

Fun fact: I thought I was imagining all those seahorses. They even have 1Malaysia seahorses. Well, sorta. It was by the roadside and I have no time to take a photo. So I had to ask and apparently, seahorses are the “mascot” of Miri.

seahorse lighthouse at Marina Bay

Another fun fact: Grand Old Lady is not a lady but the first oil rig built in Miri overlooking the town and the South China Sea.

Grand Old Lady

I also had the best ABC Cendol and Rojak. If I have no shame, I’d licked the Rojak plate clean.

Again, the only thing I remember about this location is it is very near the green gas station.

Ooh, and the guy who wore the exact same outfit as my friend.

The public parks in Miri are awesome. The one we visited was on a slope with suspension bridges to connect the several entries of the walkway. Below is the pool where children can dip in to cool off the afternoon heat. Kids were screaming their heads off in every direction but it was a family fun venue which Ekiel would love.

The beach parks are also great. I just find it weird to see families enjoying their “picnic” at 11pm.

Post 7K

Despite minor hiccups, I had a blast during the 11^th Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run 2011.

The afternoon weather was superb but she went gloomy mode towards the evening. Everyone was worried when it drizzled for a bit. But I think that the Universe was just messing with us because the weather stayed cool and breezy the whole evening.

Bah, the Universe knows we are doing it for love and charity. So she cools off the afternoon heat for everyone larr.

The warming up session started at 4.50pm. Then at 5.17pm the Guest of Honor flagged everyone off.

I am happy to report that this year no one hurt themselves at the starting line. Few minutes later were the second flag off for the VIPs and children from the Sabah Special Olympics and Sabah Thalassaemia Society.

I tried to get the air horn can from one of the VIP but before I could catch up I was stalled by the other VIPs. I’m sorry but the sight of “him” running with the air horn can was hilarious.

And why were the VIPs holding the air horn cans if they were running?
Well it is one of those life’s mystery.

By 5.30pm or so, the first runner came back. He took some pictures, interviewed by the DJs and went for second round. Why? He has the stamina of a cheetah.

Here’s a recap of the 7K Carnival because I cannot remember everything that happened that night.

The first performance was by Malvin of Prince of Pop. The rest of the Prince was busy with their royal duties. *hee*

Next was Fanzi, the boy with the big voice. When I first heard him sing during our sound check, I was like *melted*. I so want to hear him sing “Lelaki Ini” by Anuar Zain because he has the voice for it. He is such a sweetie.

The Ariez was superb. I love it when the guitarist was jumping up and down and the lead singer jumped off the stage. *woohoo* Too bad the crowd sangat-sangat larr bersopan santun. The band members pun sangat-sangat bersopan santun juga. I also like the fact that they are punctual and very patient.

My favorite for the night was Soulmates. I have always a thing for acapella performances.

Nubhan was good. I love his voice.

Candy was “interesting”.

Adam and the VIP were entertaining.
All the young girls went gaga over them including the three Korean girls.

At one point I was “stuck” in front of the table where Adam and VIP were seating for their “Meet & Greet Fan” session. Pusing-pusing me cari place to escape and finally I have to yell at the girls to give me way. *tsk tsk tsk*

Anyway, despite the FOREVER “on my way”, all artistes turned up this year. *wipes forehead with relief*

Too bad I don’t have videos from their performances that night.

However, I have something better. Soulmates and Fanzi sang “Lelaki Ini” during our dinner after the 7K Run. *melts*

Thank you all for your great support.
Will try to make next year’s event better.

Friday Quickie

After tomorrow, life would go back to normal. *fingers crossed*
For tomorrow is the 11^th Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run2011.
*woohoo*

joke of the day

Is he for real?

it's all about the 7K

I think I still have one more entry on the street food at Krabi, but that would have to wait as I am now going all 7K.

If you haven’t heard, the Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run is happening on Saturday, 16^th July 2011 from the Covered Tennis Court, Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club towards The Magellan Sutera Resort, u-turn to the Coastal Highway towards Wawasan Plaza and at the roundabout, turn back to the Covered Tennis Court, Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club.

Yes, that’s 7 kilometer.
And no, I have not run walked the 7K.
I am on duty that day. *whistles*
But if my son can do it, so can you.

Since this is a fun charity Run, there is no prize for the first runner to come back, though they do come back super fast; it’s crazy. However, to share the love, runners who complete the 7K within 77 minutes, will get a shot at the FANTASTIC lucky draw prizes. There are 300 hundred lucky draw prizes to be won with 5 Grand Lucky Draw prizes to be drawn during the 7K Carnival. Last year’s main prize was worth RM5,000.00.

This lucky draw prizes are contributed by generous sponsorship from corporate organizations and generous individuals. Of course the lucky draw prizes were sourced by the 7K Committee.

Nothing is easy you know. Letters to be typed out, printed, delivered and follow up. Then the prizes are picked up, marked and distributed during the event. You know how crazy it is to distribute 300 lucky draw prizes among thousands of runners?

In the 7K Carnival, there’ll be food and drinks for sale. However, the 7K Carnival stalls will only accept the 7K Coupons which is available for sale at RM10.00 per booklet. And each booklet, entitles you to one shot at the 300 lucky draws as well.

The nett proceeds from these stalls will also be donated to the 7K Beneficiaries.

If you read the papers, you will see the 7K photos of group of runners who have registered for the Run. This is where a team of one driver, one photographer and myself goes around town and out to deliver the t-shirts to those supportive people.

Our day usually starts around 8.30am and we come back to the office around 5.00pm. On a busy day, we’ll have about 13 deliveries to make, so we would have additional teams on the go as we could not be at three different places at the same time. We really wish we could!

By the time we come back to the office, we still have our usual tasks to finish up. Yes, it’s tiring. But I don’t get to do as much charity work as I’d like to. Yes, me and my 1001 excuses. So, when events like this happens, I’d gladly pitch in and try not to b**** about those people who is not making life any easier. That’s life. I’ll deal with it.

The 7K t-shirt has run out. Uh huh, all 10,000 pieces. *claps hands* Due to the demand and requests, we are replacing the t-shirts with caps. Why caps? It’s faster to get them printed than t-shirts.

So if you have not gotten yourself registered for the Run, come over to Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club. Fees are RM25 for adults, RM15 for children.

Oh, since the traffic will be super crazy, do come earlier. It’s advisable to look for parking outside the Resort, because by 3pm, there will be LIMITED number of parkings available. Try to be at the Covered Tennis Court before 5pm as the warming up session will start. Flag off is at 5.17pm.

Why 5.17? Well 5.17pm = 17:17.
We just love our 7s.

See you guys at the 7K Run!