Morning Mist

This is the view of the Kemena River very early in the morning, around 7.30 am with the morning mist having a light cover over the river. The small river craft to the right is called ' kapel tambang' which ferries the Kampung Jepak folks to work to the town proper everyday.
An adult is charged RM.50 per crossing. Ahead of the 'kapel tambang' is a small ferry that carries the kampung folks who ride motorycles to work. This morning the river is at low tide.


On the way out of my farm the other day, I was met by a heavy cover of morning mist though the time was about 7.00 am. The above view is taken before reaching the Kemena Bridge.

My Beautiful Washing Machine by express

On top of these long and highly powered river boats called 'express boats' in Bintulu, goods are stacked after all available space inside are taken up. On this morning's forwarding list are bags of rice, boxes , pvc pipes, food items in various packings and small engines that are done for repairs at Bintulu town . And not forgetting the beautiful washing machine.

This express boat is bound to Sebauh ,a half an hour journey upstream. It will invariably make pit stops along the journey to disembark passengers or goods bound for less than the full journey but all at locations along the Kemena River which snakes its way into the interior of Bintulu. The farthest these boats will go upstream is the town of Tubau, a 4 hours journey.

There are a main means of communication for people who live along the Kemena River for years now. But today their numbers are much reduced due to the fact that more of the river settlements ( comprising of longhouses of the Ibans and kampungs of the Malays) are reachable by road from Bintulu town.

These express boats are berthed at the pontoon reserved for them while waiting their turn to take in passengers and goods. The boat driver's cockpit is right at the front. It is so small that it can only fit in the driver.

A side view of the boat showing its tiny door and a dummy clock on the left of the door indicating departure time . To the right of the door a notice says " 30 penumpang" meaning 30 passengers only.

Crossing River by Ferry

Early this morning when picking up my worker I stopped by the jetty where people from Kampung Jepak take a ferry boat to reach Bintulu town which is just across the Kemena River as seen below.

The ferry boat being a small rivercraft only takes passengers on motorbikes. No fees are charged. By courtesy of the Government. Time taken: about 7.30 am. The sun is about to rise in the East.

Here comes the ferry.

Jepak Tower

In the distance standing high on the hilly landscape is the Jepak Tower. In the middle ground, a tug boat tows a barge loaded with logs. What excites me most is the contrasting colours of the vessel and the red drums in the foreground. Bintulu is a real treat when it comes to see river boats, ships and tugboats. Bintulu is a timber country, before and now.

Big boats, small boats

Bintulu , once a tiny riverine town is always the place to see boats in Sarawak. In the foreground are boats for hire that charge by the hour. The bigger boats in the background ferry workers to offshore oil rigs and gas platforms.

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.

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.

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.