Sibu Central Market 22 Apr 2017

Sibu Central Market is located at Channel Road which is the central region of Sibu. It is actually within the walking distance from our stay at Kingwood Hotel.

The entrance of the Sibu Central Market.

Sibu Central Market is the largest market in Sarawak and Malaysia. There are more than 100 hawkers registered to trade in Sibu Central Market. This double storey market sells various kinds of dried food and Sarawak traditional food.

The stalls are nicely setting up and organised, easier for the locals and tourists to walk around and visit the market.

A section selling the daily groceries and all the kitchen needs.

Sibu Central Market starts operating from 5 early morning daily. “Pasar tamu” is the main attraction for the locals and tourists who wish to buy local vegetables, fruits, and handicrafts.

One of the many fruits stalls at the Sibu Central Market.

One of the many vegetables stalls at the ground floor.

Walking through the small lane in  between the vegetable produces section.

Another view of the vegetables and fruits sections.

The first floor of Sibu Central Market is a place for various Chinese and Malay food. Besides that, there are stalls selling clothes and daily needs.

Big Red Chillies selling at RM2.00 per plate.

Old Ginger selling at RM5.00 and RM2.00 each.

My favourite “Mani Chai” selling only at RM1.00 per bunch!

The biggest bamboo I have ever seen selling at RM2.00 per piece. Normally use it for Lemang or cooking in the bamboo.

Among the specialities and uniqueness that can be seen are chickens and ducks sold in Sibu Central Market is wrapped with newspaper.

Besides that, Sibu Central Market is a favourite spot for hawkers who sell seasonal fruits. Dabai fruit and Engkala which only can be found in Sarawak is among the famous fruit sold in Sibu Central Market.

Buah Salak

Limau Madu that only can found in Sibu, Sarawak.

It is quite an interesting market to walkabout. We did not manage to walk the entire ground floor, as we only have half day and still there are places need to sight-seeing.

It really organised in a neat and clean way, as compared to our Peninsular Malaysia Pasar Borong. We get to know a lot of fruits and vegetables which we do not see at all at Kuala Lumpur.

It is worth for a visit and a must if you in Sibu, Sarawak.

Rapid KL LRT & Sunway BRT Day Out

Last weekend really a busy holiday weekend for our family. Saturday was our Sibu trip and we rushed back yesterday which is a Sunday.

Then from the KLIA2 air port, we rushed down to PJ Chapel to attend the Kuala Lumpur District Activity day together with Issac, for Preparing for the Priesthood and the Young Women activity.

And, today we woke up a little bit late and as Annabelle and Issac requested, we have our LRT and BRT day out day. They are so excited and wanting to have the LRT ride long time ago.

There is a station at our place – Puchong Prima. We were thinking of going to Sunway Pyramid. Thus, we have the LRT rides from our place heading towards USJ 7 for the Sunway BRT exchange.

The fares for total 4 of us are not cheap, Daddy and Mummy calculated out that, it is better for a family to travel by car instead of taking LRT and BRT. Too costly and not economical at all. Anyway, it is a brand new experience for both Issac and Annabelle.

       

We went to Sunway Pyramid and have our lunch there, window shopping for few hours, then we came back by Grab.

       

Tired but still a happy day out for the whole family!

LDS Kuala Lumpur District Preparing for the Priesthood & Young Women Activity Day 23 Apr 2017

It was the intention from the District Presidency to hold this program early this year. The message had been conveyed through emails to the respective Branch Primary Presidency, District Young Men Presidency, District Young Women Presidency and all the Branch Presidency.

The main purpose of this plan is to activate this wonderful Church program for children. As the District know our children are the future of our Church, especially. local children are the future of the Church in Malaysia.

President Tolman counselled to hold this program in 2 levels:

First, each time when a child becomes 11 years old, District Primary Presidency holds the program for the child at PJ Chapel on the 4th Sunday with the support of of District Presidency and District Young Men or Young Women Presidency. In this District level, each assigned District Leader leads each activity of the program concisely, so that the total time of the program is one hour. Also, at least one of Branch Presidency, Primary Presidency, Primary Activity Day Leader, Young Men or Young Women Presidency, and the Child’s parents are invited.

After that, before the child’s 12 years old birthday, Branch Primary Presidency holds the meeting again more specifically based on the previous one’s format with the support of Branch Presidency and Branch Young Men and or Young Women Presidency. In this Branch level, each Branch Primary Presidency may separate each activity of the program, and or hold several times for the child under the Branch’s circumstances.

With this note addressed to all, the District Primary Presidency President Sister Yang was preparing and coordinating with the respective presidency to organise this program. And, finally it is to be held on today at PJ Chapel. The invitation cards and program paper were emailed and delivered to each Branch Primary President early this month.

Due to our return flight schedule, we are initially would be late for this program, because it will be started from 3.00pm – 4.30pm at PJ Chapel. Thus, I messaged to Sister Yang that, we would be late as we would able to be there at 4.00pm. It was really so kind of Sister Yang that, she asked the District Presidency to postpone the program to 4.00pm – 5.30pm. So that, Issac able to attend.

Once we touched down at KLIA2, Daddy drove to PJ Chapel. It was around 3.30pm when we reached there. We changed to our Sunday best, then just in time attended the program at 4.00pm.

It started with opening song, which Sister Andie Boyd played the piano and her mother Sister Kelly Boyd as the chorister. After the opening prayer, Sister Yang introducing this program and the children and parents whom attended the activity.

There are total 5 children: Colin Hawkes and his parents, Andie Boyd and her parents from KL Branch; Zerline Chua and her parents from Klang Branch; Vijhay Shanmuganathan from Cheras Branch and our Issac from Puchong Branch.

It was really sweet and thoughtful of Sister Yang that, she prepared a goodie bag inclusive of a small journal book for all the  boys and girls. There are a little introduction for each child: their family members, their favourite scripture and church song, their specialty, their hobby and other interests.

We had a combined Boys’ and Girls’ Activities for Importance of a good education is and how it can help strengthen them, conducted by Sister Claire Lim. Then follow by our family who perform the song, “I Am a Child of God”.

Sister Yang talked about “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”, and how the children can do to help strengthen the family and make a happy home.

After which, the class split to Boys Activities and Girls’ Activity, which conducting by President Royce Tai. There were about 3 topics which shared by the Priesthood Brothers.

First, it is important that the boys learn about the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.

Second, the boys need to know the role of the Deacon Quorum and how they can serve the Lord.

Third, the boys also need to know the purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood and what it means to fulfilling their duty to God.

We were joining the Boys’ Activities, thus I am not too sure on how the Young Women conducted their activities.

President Tolman did give a talk to our 2 soon-to-be Young Man and encourage them to be the children that Heavenly Father wants them to be.

The girls were joining back after they completed their activities, and President Tolman giving the final remarks and mentioned that they are the leaders in the Church in the future.

We were blessed that our Church have this program for the children, to prepare them from young, spiritual strong to face the world when they are older.

Personally, I feel the love of the District Presidency and all the Auxiliary love for the children. They spent their time and efforts in organising this program, even though it is just 5 of them. And, the Priesthood Brethren and Sisters whom attend the program were more than that. It showed how the children are so important in the Kingdom of God.

I am clearly remember that during the time every child’s parents were asked to introduce their child, Daddy was a little bit in tears when talked about how Issac with his pure soul have strengthen our family in his small ways.

Even though today our family are really tired, but both Daddy and Mummy felt really spiritual up-lifted after seeing and witnessed how the District really take care and how they train our children.

Sibu Trip 22–23 April 2017

It is actually a last minutes trip that Daddy made up his mind that, we should travel to Sibu and let the family have a look on the Sibu town, which was Daddy’s birth place or home town.

And, we have packed all our clothing the night before. It was an early flight, the first flight with Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Sibu.

It was a 2 hours flight. We actually done our check-in through online, thus it is no need for us to arrive at the KLIA2 early.

Our flight was on time and departed at 5:50am. We reached at Sibu Airport around 7:50am. It is considered pretty fast that we check-out, went to the car hire counter and got our rental car for a day at Sibu.

It is quite a distance from Sibu Airport to the Sibu town itself. We checked in the Kingwood Hotel, which is one of the oldest hotel in Sibu, and now, is upgraded to more rooms.

The hotel is strategic located at the river front, and with rooftop swimming pool, and other facilities.

Just we do not have the chance to swim as we only have 1 and a half day at Sibu to visit all the places that Daddy so eagerly to bring us to see, his childhood place.

After we put down our luggage, we just walked out from he hotel and looked for our breakfast.

The first place Daddy bring us is the Sibu Central Market Complex, where he had already fixed the appointment that he will be meeting up with his secondary school best friend – 杨必善.

必善 is Daddy’s best friend during secondary school, they have not seen each other for a long time. They were meeting each other if 必善 came to Kuala Lumpur for work wise.

This time is the first time Daddy introduced us to him. He is a famous reporter in Sibu especialize in the food and travel blog, besides he is an author of 7 books publications and he was 3 newspapers editors.

We have our breakfast and drinks together at the food court which is located upstairs of the Sibu Central Market.

Daddy helped Annabelle to order “Bian Niik” which is in Hock Chew.

It is a meat fillings in super thin Wontan-like skins, actually in KL we would call it Wonton.

Daddy ordered his favourite - “Kampua Mee” (dry noodle), also a Hock Chew delicacy.

“Kampua Mee” is Sibu’s signature dish, thin noodles tossed in pork lard and served with slices of roasted pork or minced pork balls, served either with or without a thin broth and accompanied with chilli sauce and soya sauce.

Every time Daddy go back to Kuching, he would definitely order for this noodles.

I ordered “糟菜粉乾” which is a rice noodle in a soup base using the Hock Chew traditional delicacy 糟菜.

糟菜 can be used in so many ways in traditional Hock Chew daily cooking. They use it almost for every dish.

Issac having the Hock Chew style fried noodle in thick gravy and it is tasty!

必善 introducing the Sibu town to me, as I am a foreigner in this land beside the river.

He is just like a walking dictionary about Sibu. He introduce me about the history of Sibu, the Chinese pioneers and the latest development, as I am not from Sibu. He asked us to pay a visit to the Sibu Heritage Centre later.

After our breakfast, we walked around the food court and looked for another of their schoolmates which is selling the “Kong Pia” or 光饼.

“Kong Pia” is another Sibu delicacy and it is similar like to the bagel. Roasted tandoori style, these fresh bread rolls are served in a variety of ways. We ordered the one serve in a rich pork broth with slices of stewed pork, it is really nice!

Unfortunately I also forgot to take the photos of this delicious “Kong Pia”.

After finish our breakfast, then we left the Sibu Central Market and start our journey to walk around in the town centre, where 必善 also headed back to his office.

Then, only we realised the time flies so fast, it is already past noon. We were actually having our brunch instead of breakfast.

We walked through the old streets of Sibu town, both side are the traditional old shops selling the groceries, traditional Chinese style coffee shops, some Malay restaurants and Indian restaurants as well.

I love the environment and the surrounding atmosphere, even though are different races but they respect each other in earn a living in this small space.

We came to the famous Ding Bian Hu 鼎边糊 shop. It is located at a small alley near Butterfly Park or the old Sibu Bus Station. It is also Hock Chew delicacy too!

What is so special about this dish, and make everyone come to Sibu, would want to try and a must have?

Mix the rice flour with water, cook it around the rim of wok with the broth boiling in the wok.

When the rice flour is cooked, scrap it into the broth. Garnished with fish balls, cuttlefish, black fungus, deep fried shallots and pepper. It should be served with ceramic bowl and spoon.

The shop is small and had limited seats. Therefore, sometimes it is always full of patrons. The cook is an old uncle and had been cooking Ding Bian Hu for many decades according to 必善, since their school days.

How funny is that, this is the first time Daddy tasted 鼎边糊 too, together with us!

At first, we just ordered 1 bowl just to try out as we just had our brunch. Ended up, we got to order another bowl again because it is so tasty!

And, we forgot to take a photo with this yummylicious! And, the how it cook too, also every interesting process to see it!

After which, we came to the Sibu Heritage Centre and the sky was started to rain.

We were just in time to go in and avoid to get ourselves wet.

We were spending about 1 hour here, exploring about the uniqueness of the building and information on Sibu culture and history.

The entrance fee to Sibu Heritage Centre is free of charge.

We headed to the famous Tua Pek Kong Temple which is located beside the Rejang River.

We did not go in to the Temple and climb the Pagoda, because we were too tired to climb.

But it was so lucky of us that we had the chance to see the “Tong Kang”s that parked along the jetty and doing the loading of the various types of groceries and daily household items unto the “Tong Kang”s.

All these “Tong Kang”s will sail through a long the Rejang River, and go to the “Kampong”s along the Rejang River and sell the necessity to the villagers there. This is quite a new experience for us.

The sky was getting darker and we headed to the hotel.

We walked through the Rejang Esplanade which is actually just along the way on our way to Kingwood Hotel.

We saw a passengers express boat just parked at the jetty.

Until we walked near to the big statue of swan, then we know we already arrived. It was almost 3.00pm when we arrived our hotel.

We rested and take a nap as we were woke up early this morning to catch the flight.

Our family went out again after we took our bath around 6.30pm in the evening. We have the dinner together with 必善 and Daddy’s other friends: Lyn together with her 2 sons, and another friend Su Wen.

All the old school boys and girl were so many things to talk about during the dining time.

Daddy drove us back to hotel first to take a rest, then he went out again together with them for the 2nd round for a drink or chit-chatting or catching up after 26 years.

Issac, Annabelle and Mummy were so tired, after we reached the hotel we talked for a while, then both changed into their pyjamas and went to their beds. It is quite a rush trip but we were quite enjoyed in this trip.

As tomorrow we have a flight to catch back to Kuala Lumpur and we have to attend the Kuala Lumpur District Preparing for the Priesthood and Young Women as Issac is going to be turning 12 end of this year.

It is really a short and enjoyable trip for us!

Movie Date: Boss Baby

3 of us feel so bored in the house after almost a week of “quarantine” in our own home, because of the chickenpox.

Our daily routine are doing the usual vacuum cleaning and mopping the floor in the morning, having the breakfast at home which take away from the Kopitiam.

Then the children will do their homework and eduseeds workbooks, I will do the laundry, then take sometime to write my blog and tidy up our family photos and stored it on the cloud, etc.

After few days, both Issac and Annabelle were feeling boring at home. I was seeing their chickenpox blisters getting dry up and thinking of may be it is time for us to “sneak out” from our quarantine, watching a movie perhaps.

So here we are in the IOI Mall GSC Cinema to have a movie date of watching Boss Baby.

Well, there are really not a lot of people watching movie in the morning, especially during working days.

The Boss Baby is a hilariously universal story about how a new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator, a wildly imaginative 7 years old named Tim. With a sly, heart-filled message about the importance of family.

We enjoyed the movie very much! We know that family is important! We have a great laugh and went back home satisfying with this movie! What a movie date with both Issac and Annabelle !