Striking black gold!

Posting this from Miri, Sarawak's second largest city!
Am here for gazzement. Am being evaluated by Dr M, my supervisor a little earlier than usual cause she's transferring back to Terengganu soon. 

Sibu has its swans, Miri has its seahorses!

Surprised at how modern Miri was, with its assortment of malls (inc a Parkson), hotels and international restaurants. Must be due to the oil & gas industry. They do see a sizable amount of expats here, plus a fair bit of tourist thanks to nearby Mulu, Niah caves & Lambir Hills.

Miri city from Canada Hill
Love a city that has it all - hills & the SEA!

However, got con by a taxi guy. Was going to Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Miri for work. Asked the concierge at the hotel where I was staying whether the clinic would be walkable (checked on Google maps, it was supposed to be at the end of the block) and she told me it was kindda far and it would take 10-15 mins by car. Since I wasn't familiar with the place, got into a taxi and the guy drove me around for 10 mins before arriving at the clinic. Got charged RM15 for the ride. At this point, it didn't occur to me I got fleeced. One of the staff then asked me where I was staying and when I told her the hotel name, she looked at me in disbelieve when I told her I had to pay that much taxi fare! Aiyoh... doktor kena con-lah!

Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Miri is located right smack in the heart of the city but is hidden in a little nook, thus making it not noticeable from the main road. The only give-away is the cars parked haphazardly and the little old ladies walking around that area with umbrellas as their walking sticks! As the main government clinic for Miri, this place is rather tight and squeezy. Being one of the older clinics, it wasn't meant to cater for the current patient load. Poor patients even have to wait in the parking lot! Saw a couple of patients from the Baram region. Fascinated by the Kayan women and their glove like tattoos and long ears. Hope to find the time to someday visit Long Lama and the upper Baram region.

Josephine, my assistant was kind enough to bring me up Canada Hill after work one day. 

Miri's Grand Old Lady

Right on top sits the Grand Old Lady, watching over Miri. The Grand Old Lady was Miri's first oil well. She was commissioned in 1910, and at her peak was producing 83 barrels of oil per day. By 1972, she was down to 3 barrels and was thus decommissioned.

Now, she's a tourist attraction. There are panoramas around her regaling Miri's rise in the petroleum industry. Theres also a viewing platform and petroleum museum which sadly was closed when I was there.

Part of the pump system

Couldn't cut it in oil & gas.
I should just stick with my job, ya?

After Canada Hill, Josephine drove me to the beach in Lutong to view the sunset. Pretty spectacular but first place still goes to Sabah!

Thanks Kak Josephine for the tour of Miri