Valentine's Day Home and Away...

So last month, I was planning ahead for a couple trip up north to see the first-ever-of-its-kind event to be organized in this State. I mean, country music right? I'd be insane not to go!... even if I don't know half of the bands they're featuring. But no matter cause that's the whole point of going, to get to know the bands. 

Excitement got me going making all the necessarily arrangement in advance. Flights, accommodation, tickets, and even mentally listing down what we should do on a daily basis throughout the short trip. Nah... kidding. Hey I even bought a pair of boots just for this occasion! Haha. We were supposed to be on a relaxing Valentine's Day getaway anyway.

Alas. A week before our scheduled trip, my office received a directive about holding an official event on the same date and in the same vicinity - Miri, at the same time the concert were supposed to start. To summarize it painfully, I would be working. Instead of linedancing at the Festival. And I would expect to finish at least two hours to midnight. In which... I hope to get off a bit early and scram to Park City in record time!

Well, when you gotta work, you gotta work. I could have said no and justified it, but that won't be practicing what I preach to my peers and subordinates about priorities and such. Plus... I'd have to deal with the inner conviction of letting my colleagues down when that's actually my job. (Note: I am not a class A employee. I just do what I need to survive.)

So there it is. I would still be where the Festival is, I hope to even drop by no matter how late, and by God, I hope to get reimbursements on my flight at least! Sucks that it has to be on the same weekend huh. Otherwise I would've enjoyed this adrenaline rush that work brings all the time.

If you happened to be in Miri this Saturday, do go over and tell me all about the first many sessions I'll be missing. Ticket is at RM80 for a whole day event (2pm - 12am) and is also available on sale at the entrance.

MEANWHILE, have I wished you yet? Happy Valentine's Day all my lovely punchkin munchkin lambikin pumpkin readers you all! If you don't celebrate, that's ok.

 My forever Valentine... 

By the way, those roses and other bouquets and huge teddy bears they're selling by the roadside since two days ago... well, if you like to splurge, go ahead. Am sure your chosen partner will love the gesture. <3 I don't mind being at the receiving end either, just not huge teddy bears.

Not that I'm even making any fuss about it, but this just happens to be our first V-Day as a married couple. And yes that's kinda a good deal to at least do something special about it (now that the V-Day getaway is as good as half spent on some other business).

And that's how I found myself in the kitchen, spending an hour fixing an easy recipe that comes with tedious preparation. And voila!! The Pre-Valentine's Day home cooked dinner filled with love: LAKSA SARAWAK!

My serving: using vermicelli rice and everything else supplied in abundance.

For the record, this isn't my first time fixing this Sarawak specialty dish. This is actually my second. :D And I like to believe I nailed them both times! (Or at least close lah...) Note: It's simple to make, it's just the tiny accompaniments that made it a little laborious.

The husband cum Royal Food Taster preferred yellow mee (prawn mee) for his ...

I'd like to bring my parents but daddy's not really into big crowds nor smoke-filled areas. His eyes won't be able to stand it. Me neither (on the ciggy smoke) but some stuffs you just gotta brave to get what you want.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 

HAPPY WEEKEND!

HAPPY ROCKIN THEM TWIN FIDDLES AND STEEL GUITARS!

Little adventure in charming Marudi ...

When life hands you an opportunity for an adventure, pack your bag and go with an open mind and a ready spirit. Even if you're actually there for official tasks, that is. Killing two birds with one stone what. So here I am this Sunday morning, in charming small town Marudi, encrypting my short journey via an unstable network, while it's still fresh in my mind, before my flight back to Kuching this evening.

Marudi is a quiet homely town, about 2 hours plus drive from Miri via logging roads, or about 15 minutes flight from Miri Airport via Twin Otter , or about 2 hours plus via Express Boats from Miri to Kuala Baram. Marudi used to be tourists gateway to Gunung Mulu previously, and it still is until today for those who crave more adventure.

 

 Bound for Marudi...

Every time I board the Twin Otter, my adventure senses go on overdrive. Imagine that. And it was my shortest flight ever because I remembered I was just about to warm up the seat when the pilot announced "We will be landing shortly..." Since the plane flew low the whole time, I thought he was kidding until we actually touched down. Sweet short ride!

  

Clear low view...

 

Was it scary? Well only if you think about it. Sometimes when it rains or during thunderstorms, I'd like to say it's still relatively safe. Which is why you should never leave home without praying first. =) But the view from up there is really breathtaking man! You'd be too busy snapping photos and admiring the greenery to even feel scared. The Baram river looks tiny from above and you can see the stretch from end to end.

 

 Up the Baram river...

Here's a bit first-hand info on the rural town: Marudi is located along the Baram river up north of Sarawak, and is mostly comprised of highland tribes folk, collectively called the Orang Ulu. They even speak Bahasa Malaysia a little differently, more pronounced and with a soft lilt. Same like folks in other parts of the State like Limbang, Lawas, Bekenu etc. where you can hear the uniqueness in their accent if you really listen.

I have been to other small towns in Sarawak and I can safely say Marudi is smaller than Lawas but bigger than Julau, slightly the same size as Lubok Antu. Perhaps as big as Bekenu maybe?

 Marudi airport...

Standard facilities are available, except for well ... fast food outlets such as (even) Sugarbun. But why look for fast food when there are other available awesome stuffs here? Thanks to friends hailing from Marudi who told me all about the famous Marudi Char Kue Tiaw upon noticing my FB status ... and all this while who knew such delicious fare actually exist? They also recommended the Marudi steamed bread (or was it freshly baked home-made bread? I can't be sure...) but I didn't have enough time to actually look for one.

 Managed to take a pic with the indulgent proprietors...

Anyway, I googled where we could have the best Marudi fried kue tiaw and found this small kopitiam called Lai Lai Coffee Shop, right next to Mount Mulu Hotel (along Lorong Empat, if next time you want to try it out lah). The unique thing about this dish is the noodle (kue tiaw) is home made and therefore home-cut, so the result is unlike your normal flat and white kuetiaw, but rather fat and thick and cut not accordingly (some short some long some thicker than others). I had the feeling of eating fried carrot cake + kue tiaw all in once. Goes well with a hot cup of coffee (with milk).

Arguing ... No... Savoring life's little treasure...

However, if you must know, mostly Chinese coffee shops sell this fare. I have yet to find a Halal version (we even asked around) but probably there is, we just didn't have time to explore. Perhaps next time? Or perhaps if you do find one, do let me know.

Oh by the way, if you're taking the Twin Otter from Marudi, make sure you check in an hour or so earlier than your scheduled flight back to Miri. Business is brisk and sometimes really slow over the weekend in Marudi little airport, but they're efficient as ever. So they know you by name here. =)

Hey, this just reminds me of all other visits to other small sweet rural towns of Sarawak. Hopefully I'll find the time to write about those soon. Till the NEXT adventure!

 

Note: No bird was harmed before, during or after this post.