Not too long ago, just before Christmas, I took a nostalgic boat ride along the meandering Rejang River in Sibu, Sarawak. Ranked the longest river in Malaysia, it is also the busiest. It was the only means of transportation upriver in the old days. Today the chocolate shake-waters remain as busy, with many boats plying the remote riverine outposts.
At the jetty where one used to board the sampans or wooden long boats, the lines were for the ultra-modern air-conditioned ëxpress boats. These boats are better equiped with high horse-powered engines. Although boading these boats are daily routines, it is during Christmas and other festives where one will see an exceptional spectrum of activities. From labourers carrying crates of beer and soda onto the boats , to young urban dwellers heading back to their kampungs to celebrate reunion dinners. It is a fact that the younger population at these outposts are migrating to the urban areas, many of which to bigger cities like KL, JB and Kuching.
Sometimes we do not notice the changes. A picturesque pagoda sits next to the jetty. When dusk sets in, the durian connoisseur will haggle with the sellers. More often than not, this cheap thrill of negotiating is the favourite pastime for many locals. It is also quite fun to split a few durians at the street corners ! Not far from the jetty, there is a night market where all sorts of household wares , clothing and fakes are being displayed. Though most of the product offerings are from China , the customers do not seem to mind. Even the pig heads and bundled live chickens are crowd pullers. A dramatic change , as the night market sits on a public parking area during the day.
Amid these structural and economic changes, the old charms, I reckon , are still intact !
At the jetty where one used to board the sampans or wooden long boats, the lines were for the ultra-modern air-conditioned ëxpress boats. These boats are better equiped with high horse-powered engines. Although boading these boats are daily routines, it is during Christmas and other festives where one will see an exceptional spectrum of activities. From labourers carrying crates of beer and soda onto the boats , to young urban dwellers heading back to their kampungs to celebrate reunion dinners. It is a fact that the younger population at these outposts are migrating to the urban areas, many of which to bigger cities like KL, JB and Kuching.
Sometimes we do not notice the changes. A picturesque pagoda sits next to the jetty. When dusk sets in, the durian connoisseur will haggle with the sellers. More often than not, this cheap thrill of negotiating is the favourite pastime for many locals. It is also quite fun to split a few durians at the street corners ! Not far from the jetty, there is a night market where all sorts of household wares , clothing and fakes are being displayed. Though most of the product offerings are from China , the customers do not seem to mind. Even the pig heads and bundled live chickens are crowd pullers. A dramatic change , as the night market sits on a public parking area during the day.
Amid these structural and economic changes, the old charms, I reckon , are still intact !
1 comment:
Hi Mike39,
It has been umpteen years since I have been to Sibu. So it is interesting to see the modern express boats! Yes, old charm still have their appeal to lots of people.
Great pictures!
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