None of my colleagues wanted to venture into the heart of timber-logging territory, they have their own reasons I guess...
Once again undeterred, I made my way to Kapit early on Sunday morning. I had light breakfast and left RH Hotel by taxi about 7:10am as it started drizzling. The short taxi ride cost RM7. If it didn't rain, it would only take me approximately 15 minutes to walk to the express boat terminal!!!
Managed to do a bit of research on where to go in Kapit, courtesy of RH Hotel's free wireless connection. For more information you may check out
L - The express boat I took to Kapit, took about 2 hours 45 minutes direct from Sibu
M & R - My tickets ;)
Mind you, the air condition in both express boats were EXTREMELY powerful-COLD!!! I was kinda freezing as I didn't have a jacket to keep warm :'( -gloomy weather
I was entertained by 2 inhouse movies played in the express boat on our way to Kapit. I caught many 40-winks in between as it was still early.
If you noticed, I took the boat @ 7:30, arrived in Kapit about 10:15am AND caught the 11:30am boat back to Sibu. What did I do in the short time in Kapit?
Scroll down for more.....
L - Fort Sylvia overlooking the Rajang River, named after the Ranee Sylvia (wife of the 3rd Rajah - Charles Vyner Brooke) - info obtained from brochure courtesy of the Tun Jugah Foundation.
M - Self-taken photo near the doorway as I was not allowed to take photos inside the Fort.
R - Various plaques to mark flood water levels. In Jan 1934 Kapit experienced the worst flood - see plaque near the left door leaf.
After spending about 10 minutes in Fort Sylvia, I walked to the Lake Gardens in Kapit, opposite the Kapit Museum/Civic Centre. FYI the Kapit Museum is only open on weekdays. It was not a waste of effort as I had a shock by the Lake Gardens. An aborigine lady went skinny dipping in the green-coloured in broad daylight!! That's probably the HIGHLIGHT of my Kapit trip....
Up next in my itinerary was the Gelangang Kenyalang - Food court and shopping in one building. Nothing caught my eyes there and it started raining heavily...so I moved on...managed to seek shelter and fill my tummy with Kampua noodles at a Chinese shop in between Gelangang Kenyalang and Teresang Market.
By the time I covered Fort Sylvia, Lake Garden, Museum/Civic Centre (altho closed), Kapit Town Square, Gelangang Kenyalang and Teresang Market it was 11:20am. I rushed to the jetty to catch the 11:30 express boat back to Sibu. It was drizzling all the way!
Timber-laden tugboat heading towards sawmills in Sibu.Longhouse at one of the many tributeries along Rajang River.
A quick pitstop at Song for passenger from Kapit to disembark and for those heading to Sibu to hop on. No time to walk around :(
Mining for sand at the mighty Rajang River's sandbed in the name of development. Location - should be somewhere near Kanowit.
One of the many logging camps along the way.
Another half hour to the terminal in Sibu. Glad to be back...
Note to those who suffer from kinetosis (i.e. motion sickness)....bring sufficient medication. I was glad to have fresh supplies before going to Sibu.
Hello, Just a few comments to your notes about your trip to Kapit. I believe the 'aborigine' lady that you mentioned is 'Manjan', a (in)famous mentally unsound lady. But she doesn't go around disturbing people.
ReplyDeleteThe labourers loading and unloading goods are called "kuli batak" in local lingo and you should see the things they can carry. I've seen one carrying a big bike on his back from the express boat up to dry land.