Friday, March 28, 2008

Kapit, Sarawak

If you ever get the chance to go up the Rejang River, the longest river in Malaysia, take an express boat ride to Kapit town. A mere 3 hours' boat ride from the river town of Sibu, the most established town along Rejang River, Kapit is only currently reachable via river. I last visited this nice little town in 2005. I was there for a few days I think, work-related.

Kapit is one of those smalltowns located by the riverbank, typical of many river towns in Sarawak. If you're a fish-eating person, then Kapit would have some of the most sought-after freshwater fishes in the State. The fish dishes are not necessarily cheap, but once you've tasted some of those cooked in Kapit's best local restaurants, you wouldn't mind parting with your dosh to savour its deliciousness.

I like Kapit because it's notoriously small and compact; you can't find everything you need here but that's the absolute beauty of it. You do not want to find everything you need here. For that you go to Kuching City, or Kota Kinabalu, or Kuala Lumpur. Kapit is fast developing though, one of the development it has experienced in the last 4 years is the Kapit Waterfront, which further enhances Kapit as one of Rejang River's most frequently visited river towns.

A town like Kapit would not thrill a visitor looking for beautiful sights to photograph or document, or a traveler looking for nature walks or jungle trails and the likes. A town like Kapit would thrill a person like me, who constantly seeks the momentary solace for the soul, away from the, what shall I call it, hustle-and-bustle of urban life, in the hopes of bumping into clouds of inspiration to evoke the creative side in me, to write songs or poetry or anything along those lines. And all poets talk of unrequited love they say.

Kapit. A definite venue for solace of the soul.

(Photo of Kapit: Courtesy of rowlandom.wordpress.com)



Sunday, March 16, 2008

Mukah, Sarawak

I was in Mukah earlier this week for a few days. It was my first trip ever to that rather tranquil town located somewhere central of Sarawak. If you Google Earth it, you'd find that it's located not far off the western coast of Borneo. Mukah is well-known for its rather tasty and reasonably cheap sea food, of which I had the opportunity to sample while I was there.

A local delicacy which perhaps might not come as one which pops out of Martha Stewart's culinary shows as "most recommended appetizer" is the sago plant worm. Basically it's a worm that lives off sago palm and finds its way through the soft inner sago trunk by burrowing quietly and contently through it.

The locals in Mukah cook these for dinner. I've tried it before, but it seems to taste better in Mukah.

It taste very much like potato, only slightly more spongy. Have at it, folks!


Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Getting the best, no-fuss accomodations in Europe and the States

Whether you're an ardent backpacker or a 5-suitcase-per-trip kind of a person, the one thing you will put as top priority in your list of things-to-sort-out-before-travelling is a place to stay. Most of us real travelers are only ever fussy about two things - food and lodging. The rest we can accept as it comes.

I found out that you can find some very interesting places to stay which gives, at the price it offers, the most comfortable basic needs for a frequent traveler. Hotels that give you just enough of what is necessary without leaving a crevice in your thin wallet or purse. These hotels are easy to book and very affordable, not to mention providing adequately for all things needful. Whether you're travelling to the beautiful city of Barcelona, or planning a trip to London, a week of endless shopping in New York, or even cruising in the ancient city of Rome, you will appreciate the simplicity and no-fuss concept that these hotels offer. Check out the hotels in the list and you will see what I mean.



In the meantime, educate yourself in getting to know how to navigate our way properly to the places that you plan to visit next, so that you save both time and energy when you do reach your destination. That way you'll be able to appreciate your journeys even more.