Imported Trees

After slightly more than twenty years since these trees were planted 'instantly', they now reach a magnificent height and cover that just passing underneath its enveloping leaves makes one feel like entering a cave. These 'angsana trees were imported from Singapore during the early tree planting campaign carried out by the local authority (BDA) to make its dual carriageways look green, cool and beautiful.

Flowers of Bintulu

I love the intermixture of colours in this frangipani plant . They come in various colours from white to red or in many combinations of yellow pink and red. The flowers are bunchy and last a couple of days, giving a sweet fragrance all day or nightlong. There is a small collection of different species of this plant family at my eco-farm here at Bintulu.

No Sitting, please.

Getting ready for a big function at Masjid Assyakirrin, Bintulu.

Flying State Colours

Getting ready to fly kites in Sarawak State colours of red, black and yellow. This is a scene I took at the old Bintulu airport site during the recent Bintulu International Kite Festival.

Kidurong Bay

This is a view of the Kidurong Bay from the rocky beach of Tanjung Batu, Bintulu. In the far background is the Kidurong Heavy Industry area which nestles the largest LNG plant in the world ( in a single location). The distance from the beach to the tip of the Bay of Kidurong is about 10 km.

Roadside tree with flowering orchids

After a slight rain in the early morning and driving towards Jalan Sultan Iskandar Traffic Junction at JKR office from Sungei Sebiew road ,I was taken aback by this showy wild epiphyte orchid species which bore a wonderful spray of flowers. This type of wild orchids does this exuberant show very occasionally and considered myself lucky to have come across its performance.

Picnic spot at Taman Temasya, Tg.Batu Beach

Three days ago, Sunday(9th March), I took time off to breathe in some fresh sea sprays at the town only proper public beach. The waves pounding on the rocks , the swaying of the coconut leaves and the cries of the cicadas on the trees kept me in touch with nature momentarily.

Bintulu National Front Election Flags

Yesterday, while heading to the Bintulu town center and to cast my Parliamentary Election vote at OKMS( Orang Kaya Mohammad School) voting center, I was attracted to this row of election flags displayed by the National Front Party alongside the Tun Ahmad Zaidi Road.

This morning, as I began to click on NST Online news, the headlines are somewhat historical. Malaysians in the Peninsular (i.e. West Malaysia) have opted for change . In this 12th Parliamnetary Election results, five ( 5) states have fallen like dominoes to the opposition, who now gets the right to form five new state governments. The respective states are Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and not forgetting, stronghold Kelantan.

For Bintulu, the incumbent Datuk Tiong wins again and therefore will represent Bintulu in all Parliamentary sittings for the next five(5) years.

Bintulu's biggest fishing village

Seen in the distance is the biggest fishing village in Bintulu. The Kampung Jepak fishing village has been an icon of Bintulu , which grew from a small fishing village to an industrial town it is now. This transformation happened in just about three decades. The tall hill forming the backdrop of the village is the Bukit Jepak where a telecommunications tower stands overlooking the fillage.The village is accessible from the main town opposite by boats called ' tambangs' that ply the route on hourly basis. A one way trip would normally cost 50 sen.

Bintulu roadside tree- Flame of the Forest

Young boys trying their hands at kite flying

Just across the fish market at Sebiew River( located at the end of the old Bintulu airport), I noticed these children of the Kampung Baru fishing village trying their hands at kite flying. This small river acts as individual wharves or jetties for the fishing folks here. The tall riverine 'nipah'palms (Nypa fruticans )are a natural shade for their fishing boats. The Melanaus here love painting their houses in strong brilliant colours. It's at high tide at the time of photo taking.

Monster kites over Bintulu

Kite Flier, Bintulu.

Purple kite in Bintulu sky

Seen recently is this huge purple kite being flown over the Bintulu old airport site. This site has been used for many years now for the Bintulu International Kite Festival due to its expanse, ample parking and generous visitor -friendly facilities. This old airport site is also located right smack in the middle of the town. Kite fliers come to Bintulu from four corners of the globe to meet here annually.

Bintulu town fountain

An ideal place to take a rest in the midst of walking around the town while shopping or sightseeing. Apparently, this is one of two small parks in the Bintulu main town area which planning-wise appears to remain intact for many years to come, hopefully.

Late afternoon by Bintulu Promenade

This promenade was recently open to visitors and the public. Situated at the mouth of Bintulu river, it is rapidly becoming into another tourist attraction. This picture was taken an hour before sunset.

Yellow flame tree (Peltophorum pterocarpum) by Bintulu river

While shopping at the local 'tamu' recently (1-3-08) , I came across this flowering yellow flame tree, botanicaly referred to as peltophorum pterocarpum. This tree stands a few meters away from the 'tamu'( local jungleproduce market). Its large canopy makes it an ideal choice of rural farmers who park their long boats near it for the shade it provides,while they trade at the tamu.

Rain by the Kemena River,Bintulu.

Across the main town of Bintulu is the fishing village. This is the view from the village looking towards the town . The two cone-like objects in the distance are the town market's rooftops.

Small fishing boats at Bintulu Riverfront

A common sight at Bintulu is the display of strong colours of fishing boats that are parked by the wharves that line the waterfront of Bintulu's main river,the Kemena. The local fishermen are mainly Melanaus and have been known to be ferocious with the Illanun pirates who were warded off the coast of Bintulu by them in the hey days of piracy sometimes in late 18th century.