Lundu - Another Beach Paradise in Sarawak

Gold Arawana on his visit to Siar Beach, Lundu, Sarawak....

Lundu, a district to where I born and growing up is about one hour drive from Kuching City. Most visitors will remember Lundu as a home of Rafflesia (a giant seasonal wild flower). First time visitors, if less information would not know that the real strength for Lundu is its beautiful beaches.

Yesteryears, Lundu was an isolated town which only accessible 16/18 hours from other parts of Sarawak. Ferry operations was from 6 am to 10 pm or sometimes extend to 12 midnight on Gawai or Hari Raya Festival. Nowadays, bridge being constructed, means that Lundu now is accessible 24 hours which easily could be visited by city folks of Kuching and enjoy the natural beauties of Lundu and Sematan.

Driving from Kuching to Lundu are Bidayuh kampongs on the left and right of the one and only one lanes highway in Sarawak connecting all the major towns from Sematan to Lawas. To know that you reach Lundu is easy, the visitors will be welcomed by Gunung Gading where you can find Rafflesia (if you are lucky). Remember this, turn right on a T-junction or otherwise you will go straight to Sematan or my Kampong at Kampung Siru/Kampung Pueh. Its ok anyway, because this three places have their own unique tourist attractions which I believe will definetely bring you to come again for your second visit. I have publish about Sematan, and in future I will publish on "Kampokngku", a story of a Selakau Kampong and their uniqueness.

For kaki pancing, Lundu known as a type of skinny fish which you can easily fish on the brackish water. Thats why, most of the time I feel that Lundu has his wrong identification. Anyway, this fish is too common, smelly and only few wish to have them for their food. As for Rafflesia, its really unique, informed for Sarawak only can be found in Lundu.

However, the beaches in Lundu is a hiddden treasures for decades, most likely because of the location which is quite isolated from the highland of Lundu. Most of the times, my new friends will talk about the Lundu beach, which I first time visit in last five years. That is common anyway, we tend not to appreciate our own beauties. Believe me, Lundu beaches are much much more attractive than other beaches in Sarawak.

I am not a good story teller, but the photos below have their own story to tell how this beaches could gear up the developments in Lundu.

(i) Lundu Wet Market, sea food is the best choice here








(ii) Gunug Gading, the home for Rafflesia








(iii) A landmark at Lundu towncentre, my playground in my childish time







(i) Lundu Bazaar, no place for shopping








(ii) Another land mark of Lundu, I try to look for Rafflesia, no where to find








(iii) No shopping center, but there are lot of food center. Their specialist are on the sea foods.








(i) Lundu, here I come to witness your beautiful beach. Nowhere to park your car in weekend, always full







(ii) A family from Kuching enjoy the scenic view of the paradise








(iii) While their family members enjoy on the beach











(i) The scenic view of Siar Beach








(ii) Clear water, looking for fish anyone?








(iii) The Beach Paradise...










(i) Everybody are happy...








(ii)My lovely son are the most happy...











(i) Batang Kayan, no more as the obstruction to visit Lundu








(ii) The white sandy beach








(iii) White shirt lady with her black shirt boyfriend in business..

Sematan - The Beach Paradise

Gold Arawana on His Holiday at his Kampokng (hometown)

It was a terrible weeks for past few weeks. I forced myself to work overtime, not better than for nothing. I am thinking too much on my workloads and my surrounding issues. And of course, I try to force myself as well not to care about the other things that are not related directly to me, unfortunately, I feel that all are related! As the results I even dont have time to update my own blog..

I am lucky, in the midst of muddles, I have chance to relax my mind, forgetting at least a moment on the office works and etc..etc… I went to Sematan, my hometown where my kampong is situated. I feel so anxious, and I plan to stay overnight at a resort, a popular on his name for the locals, most likely because of its newly established. And I decide to stay there.



Driving about one and half hour from the Kuching City is a pleasure for me. I almost switch off my handphone so that I can really enjoy my holiday, this time at my hometown! Arrived at Sematan, I called my old friend asking on the location of the resort, Palm Beach Resortwhich is located about two or three kilometers from the town. I really surprise! The site is at Sungai Kilong which is my place looking for lokan and fishing “puyu” on my childish time. Today, it is totally different, a modern resort decorated with its environmental friendly landscape.

I park my car, met the friendly security guard which leads me to the registration counter, a sweet young lady greet me than. I was given a pamphlet on the room list, and of course I choose the cheapest one. When I check in, I think it just not worthy for paying RM 180.00 per night for a small room equipped by very basic facilities. At last, I change my mind after I enjoy the beach beauty on sunset. Far in the middle of the sea is Talang-Talang Island, The Turtle Sanctuary which being gazette by the Sarawak Government. It is the place where the Dayak Selakau celebrates their annual celebration on the “Nyamah Pulo” before it was totally extinct few years ago. I remind me to my childish young engineer dreams of building a transparent tunnel from the main land to the island. I wish I could, but it was never happened, anyway.

On my left and right is a long white sandy beach, families enjoy swimming, a young couple playing their kite and a western tourist enjoy the sunsets. Ohhh… I feel great. I let my son to enjoy the beauties, play with sand and swim, as me myself enjoy on my hobby taking on the scenic view.

Far on the mainland is Gunung Pueh, where my kampong is located on its leg. Suddenly I feel on “If” I have the opportunity to build my own house here, the dream that will never happen….



At night, I enjoy my dinner on the resort restaurant, the food needs improvement anyway. I think I don’t mind to pay more for local seafood and beers! While my enjoying their sleep, I spent few hours on the beach with few of my old friends, telling lots of stories about our future and ambitions. No need to elaborate on this…




The next morning, I continue enjoying the beautiful of the beach. It’s even more beautiful, I guess. On this time, the fishermen boats are on the sea, pouring their full efforts for as many catch as they can. On the beach is local who share the profits with the resort, catching the shrimp or better known as “bubok” by the locals.




On the way back to my Kampong, I notice that resorts are built along the road which leads to the former Sematan Airport. The last I drive through this “haunted road” as describe to me before, it was still a sandy road.





At Sematan Town, nothing much changes, except for two new buildings known as Medan Selera by the locals. It is a beautiful architecture; my first impression is that Sematan has built a win of Beijing Olympic Birdnest Stadium!





Oh ya…Sematan is among the cleanest town in Malaysia, no 4d, no snooker or billiards, no karaoke and no “chicken”, as far on my acknowledgement. With the well development of transforming himself to be a leading tourist attraction, one day this title have to taken off anyway… Until that time comes, just enjoy the beaches, and if lucky you can buy and taste the turtle eggs which is normally trade as smuggle. The price is not cheaps, I used to buy it sometimes three years ago, and cost me about RM 1.00 for an egg that is just as small as a table tennis ball. Believe me, once you taste it, you will try to find more, only in Sematan!

On my way back to Kuching, my mind is just too heavy to go back to my office. Tomorrow, I again have to force myself on the workloads which I think at the end nobody will appreciate it. I miss the beautiful of the paradise of Sematan Beach.

Sematan has tremendous potential to become a leading tourist attraction because of its beaches. As one of the native here, I am worried...one day I lost my identity, lost my land, lost my native's certification....

More and more resorts and hotels built for the tourists. Some says that the locals (like me) could take advantage on this, taking opportunities on the soup and bones whiles the "others" take the meats (direct translation).

This is from the bottom of my heart, the Selakau needs their land title, assurance that we will not be neglected from the future developments. Thanks to Government for the infrastructures built for us, but I think whoever the Government, to look into my first time wish for our land.


Is my wish too much?

Tanjung Manis - A City in the making

Gold Arawana visit the fast develop and the making of Tanjung Manis City....

In recent years, Tanjung Manis suddenly become a popular place in the media as well as on the Map of Sarawak. This former fishermen’s village of Belawai is currently connected only by rivers.

Two history of Tanjung Manis; 1. The fishermen's boat at Tanjung Manis (Above) and 2. The oldest road paved road in Tanjung Manis(Below)

In 2002, Tanjung Manis, formerly under the administration of Sarikei Division being put up under new administration of Daro District which is under the new Mukah Division. However, the locality which takes about one hour and forty five minutes by speedboat looks easier to be under Sarikei Division which takes only half an hour from Sarikei Town. It is not an upset for the locals anyway, as they still prefer to travel to Sibu and Sarikei for their daily needs as well as the dealing with the Government Agencies. For this traditionally river champion, nothing much changes on the administrative center.

Workers and passengers busy loading and unloading on an Express Boat. Currently, Tanjung Manis is only accessible by boat.

Under the developments, this area has overcome huge changes on the basic infrastructures as well as mega projects. In fact, the first wave of the development being constructed for past five or ten years which make Tanjung Manis a white elephant at this moment. Until all the roads, which is under construction to construct the missing link to Sibu and the bigger town in Sarawak, most people (even I myself during my first visit) agreed that the roads in Tanjung Manis (or well known as Belawai Sub-District) are monkey roads. The total road lengths in this area are more than the total vehicles that really needs the roads. However, that is development, nobody could see the impact before it realize to the real dreams of the Government.

The view of the Tanjung Manis Deep Sea Port. It is in operation, but yet to fully utilized by the locals. A great example of "Building for the future".

Tanjung Manis Deep Sea Port, reported to be the most sophisticated and the biggest of it alike in the state have proof itself to be the main factor that will facilitate the developments. Nobody could argue on this, as for now, ships and vessels are the first to welcome the visitors who visit Tanjung Manis. The only thing not sure on is either the fisherman tug-boat on the area is really belonging to the locals. It is reported that most of the boats are from other country with license to fish on the Malaysian territory.

Tanjung Manis airport. A modern airport with beautiful landscape. The only leaking is nobody land on it, or just occassionally.

Tanjung Manis Airport which is completed for more than five years ago might be considered a real white elephant project. This nice airport with modern facilities, which could accommodate Fokker-50, is used only occasionally. Once, the Mas Wings and Hornbill Skyways fly from Mukah and Kuching but stop their operation perhaps due to fewer passengers. Most locals, who are fishermen and farmers, prefer to use river as their mode of transport which offer them much cheaper than the air. As such, the only passenger for the airplane are normally those who working with the developers and government servant on their official duties.

A beautiful view from Sarawak River Board tower at Tanjung Manis. Its really a heaven for the natural beauties lovers.

Other government agencies, formally only located themselves at the bigger towns as their headquarter are now slowly constructed their office on the area. The beautiful, modern office of Lembaga Sungai Sarawak (Sarawak River Board) and Jabatan Imigresen are completed and located at the beautiful one of a peninsula in Tanjung Manis. This hopefully will at least control the immigrant to freely enter Sarawak.

Government Quarters, built in different shape and materials to accommodate the officers, who will assist on the upcoming developments. Unfortunately, most of the quarters, as well as the low cost housing are abundant. Some people believe that the time will come when the houses will be fully occupied.

The bridges under construction (Below). The ferry operations will be just a history in few coming months (Above).

With the amazing announcement on the SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy) by government, gives the new hopes for the second or third wave of the development of Tanjung Manis. More and more developments are ongoing, giving out thousands of job vacancies to the locals. Bridges and trunk roads to Sibu are well progressed, which will realize the dreams to see Tanjung Manis as the most important Port in Sarawak, maybe Borneo…who knows?

The last day for a tree in one of the site for Halal Park. Construction are everywhere. Sandfilling works remind me on Dubai, it should become like Dubai in the future.

Tanjung Manis Halal Park, earthbreaking launched by YAB PM recently reflect how serious the Government on realizing a develop Tanjung Manis. Logging, the industry that has geared up the development in the first place seems no way to stop. Factories on the processing the wood products still the main industry in Tanjung Manis. However, with the forest and the trees are getting less in time, halal food processing are the potential industry to take place.

Beautiful white sandy beach of Belawai. A future tourists attraction in Tanjung Manis.

Most of the beaches in central region are normally have no attraction, polluted, smell of swamp and dirt on colour. The turbid water and polluted as the side effect of the logging activities gives no hopes for the tourism industry. However, it is totally different in Tanjung Manis, Belawai Beach is made up of clean sandy beach. Except for the waste logs, floating from all parts of Sarawak, the beach has the most beautiful beach in the region. Not many beach lovers know the secrets for the time being, because of leak in term of promotion and no infrastructures at all. The locals still cannot see the potential, as nobody pouring their effort to built resort or any tourist facilities. When the time comes, when the outsiders has their intention on developing the tourism in Tanjung Manis, it might be too late for the locals. As usual, the will work for others, on their own land.

The sleepy town of Tanjung Manis.

As per my last visit, the crime rates in Tanjung Manis are scarying. For a remote area with less entertainment to influence peolple on the dirty life style, two or three cases on the floating human bodies cannot be seen as minor. Furthermore, it was reported that the victims are the non-nationality of Malaysia. This is seen to be more serious if more developments carried out, creating a bigger Tanjung Manis.

The bad impact of development. Dredging of sand gives way to great erosion in one of the settlement in Belawai. Finally, government have to spend extra money for the rehabilitation...

As Tanjung Manis is growing, food industries are in good business. The locals grab good opportunities on this. The land price are bounching, three or four folds or maybe higher than before. The greedy locals will see this as their opportunities for easy money. At the end, they will suffer to fight even for their own graveyard! More and more outsiders migrating in, means they need entertainment. The life style change significantly, plays the very basic changes to the youngsters. For the isolated kampongs, usually live in low-profile culture definetely will face the culture shock. It just my imagination...

The future of the locals is uncertained. They hope that the developments will give them benefit. A matter of hopes!

For the next five or ten years, the new Tanjung Manis will be born. New city in the jungle is rising up, and another landmark will put Sarawak on the globe. The ferries, boats, and wooden structures will be a history. However, how much the developments will benefit the locals is perflexity. Today, Tanjung Manis is just a small town, with empty shop houses and empty building, which are not reflecting the actual money being spent by Government for it. For a small town, it starts fielding the outsiders on their odd language that I myself cannot understand. They are the main contributors that give business to the traders. When it develops to a city, what worried me is that, opportunities for us, Malaysian is closed. For those who are rich, will get richer, and for the poor will be poorer. The time will come when this new city will lord the lands of the landlords.

Tanjung Manis... To develop this multi islands...surrounded by water is a great challenge for the engineers.. However it has proof that technology can overcome all the problems.

Dayak Selakau - The Lost and Found Tribe in Sarawak (Part 4)

Gold Arawana on "Ngoncong" - Published by http://salakobato.blogspot.com

I myself just almost forget about the "Ngoncong" as being published by a Selakau friend. It is actually another big event of Dayak Selakau which I wrote earlier as the "Lost and Found Tribe in Sarawak".

This is not my original post, it is just to promote a true Selakau blogger, SALAKOBATO.... I have nothing to say on this because he have completely write it in nice and informative article about one of Selakau culture... For more info about this truly "one and only culture", please do visit to his blog on;

http://salakobato.blogspot.com/2009/03/ngoncong-fast-dying-cultural-heritage.html

or Click: Salako Friend at My Link..