(1) Pandan Beach -Lundu. Once sea tide rising up, this stream cannot be crossed on foot, soon the water level will cover up the whole sandy beach and over the rocks, approximately 3-4m high. Pandan beach is spotted with rock outcrops along part of the bay and this makes the landscape very attractive not only to visitors, but to marine life.
The moment you park the car and step out into the beach, you can feel the sea breeze, and it is always fun to dip into the clear blue/green water for a swim or game play. There is facility to shower and shelter for food/snacks or picnic areas for BBQ, tent camping if you DIY. But there may be sand flies on certain days.
After the Kayan Bridge is open, cars flock to Lundu/Sematan not only just at weekends, but week days too. Half day trip is sufficient for people in a rush. Pandan Beach - a great place for relaxation or getaway.
-*--*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
(2) Sematan Bazaar, half hour drive from Lundu. The row of shops along seafront is facing this view, looking across the South China Sea. At the western part of town, this bay corner scene is quiet. The other corner is a long concrete jetty where boats moored, and further out into the sea is a natural sandbar island overgrown with mangrove trees. During low tide, you may walk quite far out.
Sematan's mainly fishing and agriculture farming activities remain same for years. Some logging and timber business now dwindled off.
Few years ago, I had a chance to take a 2-hour boat ride with friends from Sematan to Kpg Telok Melanau and stayed a night there in village. Next day, took the boat to Tg Datu, the western most tip of Sarawak, where the beach sand is white in color and coral reefs plentiful with colorful fish swarming around. Snorkling and swimming around the corals is a joy, with fish around you.
I spent 2 nights there, DIY food and drinks. On 2nd day, walked many hours on foot along the beach or rocky coastline, back to Kpg Telok Melanau just for the fun and exericse, then walked back to Tg Datu.
On 3rd day, the boatman came, and that was another boat ride to Sematan in afternoon around 4pm. Along the ride,
dolphins and
flying fish (yes, flying fish that you see in movies, with fins and sharp long nose) came alongside the boat for about 1 hour to showcase flying display and jumping out of water. That was a beautiful ride. By the time the boat landed at Sematan, it was evening and darkness fell, and end of that adventure trip.
Petra Jaya State Mosque was built in 1990 and extended a few years later. It supplements the old mosque at old part of Kuching near Brooke Dockyard. The mosque is constructed of precast concrete arches with a timber framed dome clad by the blue pattern roof as shown in the photo. (To see enlarged photo, Click right mouse over the photo above).
This opening pattern looks like the Chinese word for meaning 'spring' and I find it fitting to take a shot through the light. The effect comes out quite mysterious, and most people will not be able to recognize the place, without very deep searching and collection of the mind.
It happens to be a night with moonlight. I received a call from Kuching friend to go out for photography around 9pm, but as I was in Sibu, I decided to shoot the moon in Sibu backdrop, and along my way to town, dropped by Premier Hotel to shoot its night facade from the side view.
A drive during sunset hours, along the Rajang River. This part of town is the old wharf, used to be the only place for express boats to load and unload passengers, also as go-down for goods. In old days, it is one of the busiest spot in Sibu, in fact, one of the livelihood of Sibu business. Travelers from rural villages come and go through this area, as the only means to get around Rajang Basin area is by river. The Rajang is the longest river in Malaysia.
On the other bank of Igan River, shipbuilding yards spring up. The water and tide has advantage to the berth and launch of boats through conventional slipways. As the sun lowers, the shipyard workers return home by taking ferry boats to this side of the river. Igan River is part of tributary to Rajang River, and it is part of Sibu west. Mostly Chinese villagers carry out farming and agriculture activities along the west of Sibu.
What do you think, Ms J as a fashion model? 2007 hairstyle ready to attend a grand function with a good evening gown? This is Ms J at the local village stream on one early morning, refreshing herself after one tired day and night. The eyes are telling something but how do you guess what it is?
A young beautiful girl looking like an angel, deeply engrossed in her moment, in front of 40th anniversary of St Jude parish catholic church at a local kampung village. She is joining thousands of local christians to celebrate the event. (Outdoor night portrait with built-in flash f5.6, 1/60s, ISO100, 95mm.)
This is part view of Lundu bazaar. There is Gading National Park just minutes from here, and Siar/Pandan beaches at 4/5km away. A great place for holidays and weekends.
Sample a taste of Lundu and seaside beaches. This is low tide and idyllic view of Pandan beach.
One of my favorite spot of Pandan beach. The lush green, then sandy beach, blue/green water and far end is the covered hill forming the bay protection.
A gate at one of the sea side resorts. Overnight stay is more relaxed and seafood is plentiful and cheap.
A good sunny day, get yourself ready for a swim or walk along the beach. Or just simply gaze into the horizon.
Mangrove tree stems exposed during low tide. These plants protect the coastline and helps growth of marine life.
Sunset over the lakeside. Today's sunset is mostly covered up by thick clouds.
Depending on orientation, some houses will let sunset lights shine through living rooms.
Pond reflection. Still water can give good photography at early mornings or late evenings.
Bangalow unit at lake side. Good view, open space and lower density.
Another side of the lake, with carparking spaces provided.
Another bangalow unit, single storey type. The footpath passes just outside its fence. Kids cycling around.
View of trees to one side of lake. Full shades around the lake will add to attract users.
Still reflection of single storey bangalow house. Not many such houses coming up yet.
Some plants around the area, but not well groomed ot kept. You do not see good landscape.
A walk around the lake will provide good stretch of physical exercise each day.
Bangalo house facing the lakeside. Empty house, no occupants yet.
