6 Feb 2009 – Sick in Sibu

4 Feb: KCH-wet day. Drove to the coast towards the future Federal Administrative Centre along the deserted RM314.6 million Matang Highway. The village road to Taraga Air were narrow, fortunately traffic was light. The road towards the coast were eroded by the rains making it impossible even for a 4-wheel drive to get thru’. Sounds of the waves were loud enough to convince me that the S China Sea was just over the jungle tree line. Back to KCH in time for Lawrence‘s 75th Bday.

5 Feb: KCH-SBW, the shortest flight I have experienced. Before I could even put back my seat to snooze, the announcement to put our seats upright for landing came on. Departed KCH 1030hrs and landed in SBW 1100hrs. The wet 25km taxi ride into town took about just as long. Sibu is located on the Rajang River (Malaysia longest) and it is overflowing due to the constant rain. The population here is 250,000.

George Sung kindly drove me around the town and he is connecting me with an ex Kwong Lee Bank staff who might have some info for me. The original KLB was located on Jalan Bank by the wharf but today it is a bike shop. My stomach is protesting after the CNY indulgence and 4 days of yummy KCH food. Could not fit another bite today, was just thirsty and in need of rest.

Life is full and overflowing with the new. But it is necessary to empty out the old to make room for the new to enter – Ellen Caddy

Edited – Dec2022: tkx to Kevin for these 2022 pix of his visit there.

Then 2009 and now 2022