Pepper is a highly-traded commodity in Sarawak. The Malaysian Pepper Board in Sibu is the second largest in Sarawak, second after Kuching. Pepper, which was originally from India, underwent systematic planting in 1875 under Rajah Charles Brooke. The pepper here is now exported to New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Philippines, Japan, North America, and soon, Eastern Europe. Pepper, ... continue reading »

Earthenware pottery is very popular in Perak, therefore, a visit to a similar business in Sibu was not so interesting for me. However, it was good to finally know how piggie banks of various shapes, like rabbits and cats, are moulded. This business, in its second generation now, was originally started in Pulau Kerto 70 years ago. ... continue reading »

The strange thing about our meal at Islamic Nyonya Cafe during our trip to Sibu was that throughout lunch, a Bollywood movie was playing on TV. That was certainly neither Islamic nor Nyonya. We all had a good laugh over it. Hahaha Apart from that, the food here was great as you can surely see from ... continue reading »

Situated at 16th mile (or 26km) from Sibu town along the Sibu-Bintulu main road is this Chinese temple by the name of "Yu Long Shang Tian En Shi" (玉龙山天恩寺). It is said to be one of the largest Chinese temples in South East Asia. Built by craftsmen from China, the uniqueness of this temple is that ... continue reading »

Located along Jalan Sungai Merah in Sibu is the Wong Nai Siong Garden, built in early 2000s. This garden, though not so much a tourist attraction, is to honour the late Wong Nai Siong, a pioneer Foo Chow immigrant to Sibu from Southern China. Because of him, many more Foo Chow people migrated to Malaysia, building communities ... continue reading »

This market is similar to the central market in Ipoh, except that this complex in Sibu doesn't have a shopping mall or Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) occupying its top floor. Additionally, it is a lot larger. On the ground floor, one can purchase lots of agricultural produces from vegetables and chicken. There is also a section ... continue reading »

The largest Iban settlement in Sibu is Bawang Assan, with nine longhouses. The shortest longhouse is shared by six families while the longest accommodates more than eighty families! Here, Hari Gawai is their biggest and most elaborate festival, but even if guests stay here during other times of the year, the locals can replicate the celebration ... continue reading »