Miri…Borneo
Tues 4th Nov
I didn’t have a good sleep…travel day nerves I suppose. Alarm was set for 06:30; I was ready quickly. 5 minutes slow walk to the bus terminal where I presented my boarding pass and had it stamped with the relevant bus number plate.
A very comfortable/smooth trip …no pot holes and no speed bumps..!!
6 hrs to Sibu where we stopped for lunch. I had a little something…rice and a veg dish. After 2pm we were off again.
At 20:30 we reached Miri bus terminus. There wasn’t a hotel at the terminus so I had to go into the city. The Grab arrived very promptly, and I gave my destination as the Cosy Inn. It didn’t take long and I paid the 10RM fare.
It was starting to get late…after 9pm…so I wasn’t going to look around for the best rate. 55RM plus 10RM tourist tax was fine with me. The only downside was the lack of a window.
I found a bar a few minutes walk away and relaxed with a few large Tigers (1640ml). A successful day; the only bad point was the length of the journey…very comfortable, but long, at 13 hours. However, my bed was now virtually next door.
Wed 5th Nov.
I got up then went downstairs to pay for another night. I went looking for a morning tea place. After ordering, the misunderstanding started. I thought he said 3RM..which was fine with me. But he came back and said it was 4RM. Then a lady came over and said I owed another 50cents. What…4.50, when the most I’d paid was 3.60. I made a joke of the most expensive ever…but it was fine. Actually, it was particularly tasty.
It was time to explore. I came across the Miri Tua Pek Kong Temple. I popped in. I kept walking towards the sea. There was a not particularly interesting beach. I followed a rough road passed a little temple . I got attacked by a plague of mosquitoes in a wooded area. I wrapped my kikoi around me so that it reached my ankles.
I went on the search for lunch food. I saw a place selling Laksa and I had a Kuching Laksa…absolutely delicious. Then I went looking for a late afternoon place for a beer. First I went back to my room then to the same place as yesterday. I had 2 beers as the rain came down heavily. That was it for the day. Nice relaxing day.
Thurs 6th Nov
It’s a little bit strange not having a window, but at least it’s nice and quiet. I paid at reception for another day. I tried a different restaurant for tea, and it was 4.50RM…at least I was prepared and didn’t make a fuss.
I began walking to the beach north of town, but when it was taking too long, I noticed from the map that a bridge I needed was a long way off. I turned around and went to the same restaurant as the previous day, for a Laksa. I had a medium as opposed to a small for 10RM, but actually the small is sufficient.
That was an early meal…about 11:30…then I walked to the not very exciting beach. At least it was a sunny day at last, and I lay in the sun for 45 minutes. I carried on southwards towards what is probably a nicer beach, but it was too far to go. I’ll take a Grab next time from Cosy.
I went back to my room. Washed my zebra shirt. Relaxed and showered. I started to research my next move. The journey to Kota Kinabalu confused me because it said 17 hours by bus…but it’s not that far up the coast.
I called into a travel agents and they explained that there was a backwards and forwards through Brunei and stops that caused the long trip. Fine, that made up my mind regarding my schedule/itinerary. Fly to Sandakan. Bus or flight to Kota Kinabalu. Then flight Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur. It’s just a matter of specific dates.
I bought a 4 pack of Tiger for my room, then went to Bornean Recipe just around the corner. A good chat with Kuching born Alex. I was feeling peckish and went literally next door and had a simple dish for 8RM. Delicious às usual, although no idea what it was..!!
Fri 7th Nov.
I asked for my room to be cleaned. I paid for another day. I half heartedly asked if a room with a window was available, but would have to have waited and it was an extra 15RM…not worth it. I went for my tea.
Initially I was going to catch a Grab to Tanjong Lobang beach, but decided to walk it. It was only 45 minutes. Disappointing beach to say the least. I walked up a hill and around a bend in the hope of a better view, but nothing to see. I walked back, increasingly sllowly as I got increasingly tired. It wasn’t sunny, but very humid. I found a place to have a coffee and to rest a while.
I went to the restaurant for my third visit there, and my 3rd Laksa. I went the ATM to draw out 1,000RM…I tried following a different instruction and the transaction cost of £183 was nearly £10 less than usual. Back to my room to relax and take a shower.
I walked in the opposite direction to usual because I hoped to see an interesting looking mosque that I glimpsed the other day. What I came across wasn’t that interesting, but I walked through a nice park and took a few nice pics. I passed a massage parlour with a blackboard outside promoting hands/feet/full body massages…at the bottom in big letters it said..NO SEX..!!!
I think I’ve seen all there is to see of Miri. When in my room I booked a flight to Sandakan for early Sunday morning. Hopefully I can stay in a hotel near the airport on Saturday to minimise any travel stress.
Anyway, I ended up back at the Bornean for a couple of large Tigers for the last time. On the way back to my room I bought 2 tiny snacks…a piece of deep fried banana and some chicken pieces on a skewer…only 2.50RM (45pence).
By the way, the reason for so many seahorses sculptures is that they are the official town mascot…representing the graceful movement and peaceful coexistence of Miri’s ethnic and cultural groups. The good values and harmony in the city.
Sat 8th Nov
I hadn’t packed as I knew it wouldn’t take long. I ironed my blue shirt in the corridor. It’s going to be nice sunny day…typical…on the day I’m leaving Miri. I checked out and had my 30RM returned to me. I put my rucksack in reception and went for a tea.
Back at Cosy I phoned for a Grab. It wasn’t long before we were on our way. A lot of traffic but only about 25 minutes to Oyo Ys Inn. I was too early and told to go back at 2pm. The two other hotels…Emart and Pari…said the same the thing.
I checked prices before heading to a café where I lingered over a coffee and wifi for over 2 hours, having walked around town…
At 1pm I went back to Oyo where a room was available for 65 + 10RM, which was a saving of over 30RM on the other 2 hotels. Apart from there being no window the room was perfect.
I wet walkabout then sat down for lunch. I ordered Laksa but was too late. I ordered Kolo Mee, but there were 3 types. Some confusion…I thought they said there were no prawns, but what they were saying there was no pork. I obviously had pointed to the pork option. Chicken was fine. I thought it was a bit dry, but after 5 minutes I was brought a bowl of soup to add to it. It all ended well in the end, and it was delicious.
Back to my room for a shower and a chat with Loretta. I decided to get a lift to the airport in the morning for 10RM and not do the half hour walk…especially as the sun won’t have risen yet. Then I went to my ‘lunch’ restaurant for a couple of beers. Everything worked out in the end.