Bazaar Ramadan at Bintulu 2013

Bintulu's specialty - "Umai"

 There are two Ramadan bazaars that we visited today.  There is a  Ramadan Bazaar at the Bintulu Esplanade and another bigger one at the Assyakiriin Commmercial Centre.  The latter seemed to enjoy brisk sales because of its location some 6 kilometers away from the old town but which apparently has become a more central location due to the town's expansion to its suburb areas.  I noticed a recurrent fact as  I inquired about the prices of food sold.  Prices of all items are rising steeply which is the signs of the times as Bintulu is now in the throes of the fourth boom.

Pretty Melanau girls selling cakes and Ramadan goodies at the Bintulu Esplanade

'Kuih Kasong' a local delicacy for breaking of fast.

'Satay' or grillled chicken sticks

 At the Ramadan Bazaar near Assyakiriin Commercial Centre, the choice of food and drinks are plenty.  Due to the present hot weather drinks stalls were well patronised.  But if you are in Bintulu try the " Umai" which is almost synonymous with the Melanaus of Bintulu,  Umai is a kind of raw fish dish which like the Bintulu belacan or shrimp paste is a must try eating experience if you drop by this booming town.  Unlike other towns in Sarawak it is very common to see shoppers wearing coveralls because being an upcoming industrial town, Bintulu has attracted thousands of workers in all disciplines to help build and run the many industrial outfits at Kidurong and Samalaju heavy industrial zones situated north of the town.

Speed boats by Bintulu's river

Just the other day while passing the Kampung Baru village, I saw these twin-powered 200 horsepower speed boats moored by the Sebiew river,Bintulu. These boats are normally used to go offshore by timber merchants or traders to inspect their logs before loading into foreign timber ships that are anchored about 10 - 15 km off Bintulu coast. They are also rented by tourists and deep sea fishing enthusiasts to offshore fishing spots some 75-100 km away to sea. Tourists use them to cruise the Bintulu coastline or to upriver for outboard riding.

Bintulu expecting Chinese tourists?

This is the main street when you drive into Bintulu town proper.  However the signboard seen today is not the norm.  Is Bintulu expecting Chinese tourists?  In the Parliament session yesterday, the Tourism Ministry encouraged the use of mutli-language signboards in certain locations. For example in Kuala Lumpur, where there are hundreds of thousands of Middle East tourists coming yearly, the use of Arabic in the signboards will help the tourists to find their way around KL. By the same virtue, is Bintulu expecting more Chinese tourists soon?

Bintulu town fountain

This town fountain in Bintulu takes the shape of the 'terendak' , a Malay traditional hat or 'saong' in local Melanau dialect. However it is built entirely of stainless steel. The same shape is also used for the town's market roof structure in the background. It is increasingly becoming an icon for Bintulu especially amongst out-of-towners and tourists.