Father & Son Zzz…

Both Issac and Alvin were so tired after their school and work. And, I am in charged of driving them home!    

Daddy Childhood Homes 22 Apr 2017

During our short trip to Sibu last week, Daddy did drive the rented car to look for his childhood homes. He still can remember the places clearly. One of the purposes of this trip, is to let us see where are Daddy’s old houses too ^^

The 1st house where Daddy was born is at Brooke Drive. It is a semi-detached double storey house, where there is a big tree at the back of the garden. Daddy stayed there until he was 11 years old, Standard 5.

1st House at Brooke Drive, Sibu.

The 2nd house which Daddy stayed before is located at Rejang Park. It is a corner double storeys link house with bigger compound where they can play. Actually the Rejang Park was developed by Papa himself. Daddy stayed there around 1 to 2 years only, after that moved to 2 1/2 Miles Jalan Ulu Oya.

2nd House at Rejang Park, Sibu.

Later the 3rd house which are located at 2 1/2 Miles Jalan Ulu Oya. It was quite a big land where Papa built a bricks and wooden house at one of the corner of the land. Daddy spent his secondary school days here onwards, and helping Mama in her selling noodles bussiness. Until, he graduated from high school and pursuit his further studies at Kuala Lumpur in Quantity Surveying discipline.

The house is still the same as previously. The only thing is that now the house have became an office for a heavy machinery repair company’s office.

3rd House at 2 1/2 Miles Jalan Ulu Oya, Sibu.

After, which Daddy drove us to a Chinese Temple. We did not go in but looked it from a far. It was the temple whereby Daddy spent his childhood days when he was following Papa to the temple frequently for some ceremony or praying rituals.

Daddy was surprised too as the temple now has become bigger, as it was a very small temple only during he was young.

Well, this trip not only the enjoyable one, we have tasted some Sibu delicacies or Sibu special food that only can be tasted there. We have seen Daddy’s childhood places and homes that he lived before ^^

Good Manners & Courtesy School ~ Table Manners Classroom

The final and last session of the Good Manners & Courtesy School is the Table Manners Classroom.

This has some dining tips and also a map of how to set the table. I found some of the table settings guidelines from the website: Basic Table Setting, Informal Table Setting and Formal Table Setting.

Generally there is a few Guidelines while eating at a Nice Restaurant:

• No one should begin eating until everyone at the table has been served, except at a buffet or long banquet table, and then wait for those immediately around you.
• Start using silverware at the outside and work in toward plate. Largest spoon is soup spoon. Silverware you have used is NEVER put on table (could stain cloth).
• Hold forks and spoons like a pencil, not a shovel.
• Do not blow on food to cool.
• NO SLURPING or GULPING sounds. SHHHH
• You are obligated to try everything.
• Take bites small enough to be chewed and swallowed in a short time
• Chicken, fries, bread to soak up gravy – use utensil, not fingers unless no utensils are provided

DON’T DRAW ATTENTION TO ANYTHING UNPLEASANT:

• Wipe lips with napkin before drinking (no grease on rim of glass)
• Never touch or style your hair at the table.
• If you must leave the table during dinner, do so without a big explanation.
• Inedible meat, shell, bones etc.: Keep chin level, use thumb and forefinger to quickly remove from mouth and place discretely on plate (never in napkin). Don’t look at anyone while doing it.

I would have the children practice setting up their own place using the proper format. We set the table with plates, cups, napkins and forks (you could do spoons and knives too) and had the children sit down.

I asked them what they should do with their napkins and then taught them how to properly use it.  While they were setting the table, we also discussed and acted out the scenario using good table manners at restaurant, party other than at home.

I am still thinking that we should have a proper meal at one of the restaurant these days, so that Issac and Annabelle able to put the theories we studied into practice and action.

We can have fun too while having our meal and lesson at the same time. Hope can plan it out as one of our weekend dinner ^^ together with Daddy!

Rajang Esplanade 22 Apr 2017

After our visit to the Tua Pek Kong Temple, we were walking back to our hotel through this waterfront walk.

The Rajang Esplanade is an attractively landscaped waterfront located along Rajang River.

Rajang Esplanade stretches from the Kingwood Hotel to Sibu Express Boat Passenger Terminal until Sibu Central Market.

Visitors can enjoy sunset scenery and riverfront view at Rajang Esplanade.

The Rajang Esplanade is an attractively landscaped waterfront promenade that stretches from the Express Boat Passenger Terminal to the Kingwood Hotel, and includes the Hii’s Association Playground.

Courting couples, anglers, al-fresco diners and sightseers flock here every evening to enjoy the riverfront scenery and view the Swan Statue, the emblem of Sibu.

It is an ideal place to relax or take an evening stroll. It is frequently used for cultural performances and public events.

It is located along Maju Road and strategically facing the mighty Sungai Rajang, the longest river in Malaysia.

It was soon to be rainy as we walked our way back to the Kingwood Hotel, thus we did not stop and wonder at the garden around.

Anyhow, we did take a photo of the signature Swan Statue just beside the river. And, it is really close to our hotel.

Tua Pek Kong Temple Sibu 22 Apr 2017

The 100-year old Tua Pek Kong Temple (Jalan Temple) is the oldest and best-preserved Chinese temple in Sibu.   

Tua Pek Kong Temple in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia is an icon of the town with its 7-storey pagoda.

Its history dates back to 1870. The temple is also known as Sibu Eng Ann Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple.

The history of the temple dates back to early 1870. In the 1871 Sarawak Gazette, it was recorded that there was a small wooden Chinese temple in Sibu and that was the Tua Peh Kong Temple.

In 1897, the temple was rebuilt into a typical Chinese temple designed with tiled roof, stone block floor and all the decorative purlin and fixtures which were imported from China.

The statue of Tua Pek Kong deity was specially sculptured and imported from Xiamen, China.

After the building was completed, the list of donors and details of expenditure were recorded in two pieces of stone tablet which are still well preserved in the temple.

The adjacent 7-storey Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) Pagoda was added in 1987, and is said to be one of the most perfectly proportioned pagodas outside Mainland China.

Visitors are welcome to climb its many steps to enjoy spectacular views of the Rajang and the Sibu Waterfront, especially at sunset.

The temple and its well known pagoda with a symbol of the sovereign and kindness of the deity for the worshipper and a prime tourist attraction for the town.

But, we were too tired to climb the pagoda. We were just wondering around just beside the temple ground.

We noticed that the “Tong Kang”s which parked along the jetty are more attractive than the Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Sibu Heritage Centre 22 Apr 2017

Sibu Heritage Centre is located in the central region of Sibu, in between Central Road and Wong Nai Siong Road. It is a center which gathers historical items, Sibu culture and economic activities and social.

We were there just in time to avoid the down pour. We spent almost an hour to explore the uniqueness of the building and information on Sibu culture and history. The entrance fee to Sibu Heritage Centre is free of charge.

The Sibu Heritage Centre housed in the former Sibu Municipal Council building, displays the rich cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups of the Central Region.

The Chinese in Sibu

Wong Nai Siong, leader who resettlement of Sibu

Christianity in Sibu

Opening Up Virgin Soil & Laying of Foundation 1901 – 1935 of Sibu

An exhibit at the museum includes the early beginnings of Sibu, the coming of early Chinese migrants from the various dialect groups and also those of the earliest ethnic tribes.

Prominent Orang Ulu Figures

Orang Ulu Traditional Items

Prominent Iban Figures

Iban Traditional Longhouse Model

Iban Traditional Homewares

Melanau

Melanau Traditional House Model

Also from Iban longhouses displaying genuine skulls which were hung, reflecting the tribes’ warrior past to the seafaring Melanaus’ tools and early signs of the Malay culture, this is a must see for visitors.

Another very impressive feature in the museum is its eye catching collection of Chinese porcelain and clay vases.

These vases, some of which carries with them great sentimental value to the owners, are by far the most tangible link, which the Chinese here have with Imperial China back then.

From time to time, new exhibits are added to give variety and keeping the museum up to date.

Visitors can view stuffed rare animals from around the world and those found in the heart of Borneo, such as the moon rat, the rhinoceros hornbill or even the gigantic Orang Utan.

It is a must visit place if you are at Sibu.

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.