A Dream Come True - Visiting the Land of My Dreams

Miri! Miri! Miri! The land of my dreams! Ever since I entered UTP, I have always yearned to visit this small town. Ok. Ok. Miri is definitely not a small town. Much much bigger than Sitiawan. But, ever since I knew people from Sarawak, I really wished to go to Miri!

Ah.. So, on the 11th of November, 2006, my dream finally materialized! The moment I touched down on the land of Miri, I was so excited! I thought, "Heh heh heh! I am finally here! In d land of my dreams!"

I look around the airport and was surprised to find the airport clean and modern. I expected it to be more like the airport in Ipoh, bit hot , stuffy.. and mayb a little dust here and there. But, hey! It's clean! and modern! Looks so shiny! Woah.... Totally out of my expectations! My my! Looks like I'm gonna love Miri!

Walking Around Miri

Sunday, 12th of November, 2006, I was supposed to board the chopper to go onboard the oil rig. I was so afraid the whole morning, afriad of taking the helicopter (chopper for short). I couldn't really eat my breakfast that morning.. fear and excitement.. mixed together.

One of my colleagues couldn't board the chopper together with us because there were insufficient places. I half envied him because he had the opportunity to visit the town of my dreams while I, had to go to the rig without even visiting my dream town!

At 9.30am, when we reached the heli-base, I weighed my baggage and myself. After weighing everybody and all their baggages, the authorities suddenly announced , "We have a problem. Overweight. We have to kick out 3 people."

"oh no!" I thought! "I'm going to be one of them!"

Sure enough, 2 hours later, it was decided that I will board the chopper the next day. When I heard that, my heart dropped. I suppose I felt a little relief as well becauseI didn't have to face my fear of flying in the chopper so soon. I felt happy too! 'coz finally! I can visit Miri!!!!

So, my colleague and I immediately contacted the taxi driver (cabbie) to take us back to the hotel. Once in the cab, I asked my colleague if he would like to go around Miri. When he agreed, I was overjoyed! I immediately asked the cabbie ,"What's the most popular tourist spot in Miri? Anywhere we can go?"

He thought for a while and he replied, "Hey! Why don't you go to Gua Niah? (Niah Caves)? It's famous! "

After discussing with my colleague, we agreed!

And so, we started our long 1 hour journey to the Niah Caves. Once there, we registered our names, paid RM 10 for entrance fees, and hiked 4km into the caves! Honestly, I never imagine myself to be able to walk so far! After all, while in Vietnam, walking with my best friend up the 3km hill.. I almost fainted. So, little did I expect my energy to last for that long. But, the cool weather up there, the trees, the fascinating rock structures, and formations, really took my breath away! After knowing bits and pieces about the petroleum industry, my curiousity towards rocks began to increase!

Walking step by step, inching deeper into the caves, we were so impressed by everything we saw! Soon we arrived to the darkest cave, the Kira Caves. It was so dark inside we couldn't see anything! So, we had to use the torchlight to shine on everything! including ourselves! heheh!

And soon, it was time to return to the city. I was rather reluctant to go back. But, who knows! I might return to this cave.. or maybe I'll visit Gua Mulu next! Mulu Caves! Wait for me! I'll be visiting you soon!!!!

On Monday, 13th of November, we waited for the chopper again. On Tuesday, we waited again. Still full. For the days that we waited, we didn't dare to venture out into the town until afternoon because we were afraid that we would get a place on the chopper. But, destiny! destiny! I had 3 whole days to explore Miri to myself!

So, on my 2nd day in Miri, I went to the City Fan Park, the public library of Miri, 2 biggest shopping complexes in Miri..and even managed to watch a Japanese Movie entitled "Death Note". It was the first time I watch a scary movie in the cinema.. and it turns out,, the movie wasn't so scary after all! It was really funny! Perhaps I was so high.. that I didn't think it was scary. Ahh ahh.. "It's all in the mind". Suddenly, I remember this phrase told to me by my instructors at the Malaysian Marine Academy in Malacca. Ahh! I was truly a happy girl that day! Once again, relishing the chance to walk around Miri, as freely as I pleased!

On the 3rd day, I was only too happy to find out that the chopper was full! So, I planned to visit the petroleum museum. However, with limited cash in my pocket, I decided against it. So, I decided to visit the Miri Waterfront which was just opposite the hotel. After persuading my colleague to visit the Miri waterfront together, following the map, we finally reached our destination. What greeted us was really a surprise! I was expecting big,white building, lighted up place, with boats, a harbour, and maybe a few stalls. Just like the one at Kuching waterfront or Lumut waterfront.. But, Lo and Behold! I saw a seafood restaurant! I was just too stunned! Speechless!

I almost rubbed my eyes.. wondering if I was at the right place. Looking at the map, it looked correct. Later on, about 2 weeks later, after enquiring another cabbie, then only I knew that the Miri Waterfront was like the Penang Esplanade. A centre for shopping and eating. Ahh ahh.... Next time, I should really find out about all the places that I wish to go first before I get a big surprise!

In the afternoon, I was so bored that I didn't know where to go. So, I decided to go to the Public Park of Miri (following the advice of a Miri Citizen).

Feeling like a grown up,really adventurous, I decided to try the local transportation, by riding the public bus. Paying only RM 1.00, I took the bus and stopped right in front of this park. The bus was like the Sitiawan bus! hahah! Right then.. I felt so at home!

At the park, I climbed up the tower and walked on the hanging bridge. Under the bright hot sun,hanging high up in the sky at 3.30 in the afternoon, I felt a little silly walking aimlessly, all alone on the bridge. It was like taking an evening walk.. but only in the middle of the afternoon!

There is a children's playground in the park, submerged about 3cm in water. I have , never in my life, encountered such a playground. I thought.. "Hmm.. How good it is if I were a kid! Then I can play in this playground!" heheh!

The park was very quiet, save for a family of about 5 or 6 , who probably had nothing to do like me, walking and laughing in the park.

Suddenly, a pair of security guards came by and asked me if I was alone, how do I fine Miri, whether I liked the park etc.. and asked me to be careful.

Hmm Hmm.. Miri is really a safe place indeed. Even in the park, there are security guards! In the town, you feel so safe. Even if you walk with a gold bar in your hands.. nobody will rob you. That's how safe I feel it is!

Finally! Going to the Rig!

On Wednesday morning, 15th of November, I was told that I would have to go back to the Kuala Lumpur city because the chopper was once again full. After playing in Miri for so long, I was devastated to receive such news. Though I feared flying in the chopper, since it was my very first time, I dreaded going back to the city without achieving what I came to accomplish.

So, by chance, all the flights back to KL on that day was full. And the night before, we met the pilot who was in charge of the helicopter on Sunday who told us that the flight on Wednesday would be a huge one, able to accomodate many many people. So, I told this to my senior, and he helped me to get a place on the chopper, and onto the rig! My my my! What can I say?

The chopper ride was bumpy. Flying through occasional air pockets, I was so afraid! After all, I have never really loved roller coasters. When at last, at 12.30 , Wednesday afternoon, I finally managed to get the chopper to Naga-1 Rig, I was only too tired because I had translated all my energy into fear.

On The Rig!

Being on the rig for the first time is truly an amazing experience. Even more so if you're a lady. The very first time I stepped onto the rig, the rig crew greeted me by saying "Good Afternoon, M'am!". When I gave my plates to the galley crew after tea time, they replied, "Thank you M'am!" Oh! Wow! I was impressed! My ! My! You don't meet such polite people on land, do you? very, very rarely, that is!

Since I am on a semi-submersible rig, stabilized by only 4 anchors, the rig is constantly swaying slightly from left to right, and right to left. Everytime when I am all alone in the sleeping quarters, I could feel the slight swaying. It took me about 4 days to get over it. After that period, I didn't feel any swaying anymore. Only occassionally, when I left the wardrobe door opened, its rattles will remind me that I am on a floating rig.

The anchors are tied to a big, heavy 5 tonnes buoy. It is to locate the anchor when rig is demobilized.

Why I Love Being Offshore!

I love being offshore. I have told that practically to everybody I have met. And, the most common response I get is "Why? " ... Here I will explain why:

Being offshore is really fun! It is like a totally different world, different country here. Teamwork is evident all over the place. Each with their own responsibilities and specific tasks. All of them are all very dedicated and committed to their work. And most of all, they love what they do! Yes! I am inspired to do my best at all times too!

Each day, on the rig, I wake up very energetic. The worksite is so near to my sleeping quarters. I can just sleep and wake up any time and my work place is there. I don't have to take the walk 5 minutes, take the LRT for half an hour, and walk another 10 minutes to reach my work place.

Another reason is because I don't have to worry about what to eat or what to wear! I don't have to think after work, "Hmm.. what shall I have for dinner today? Salad? Beef? Chicken? Or shall I go to the pasar malam (Night market)? " Everything is prepared onboard by the talented galley crew!

I also don't have to think , "Hmm.. shall I wear slacks or skirt today? Shall I wear this brown blouse, blue blouse, or red blouse? Hmm.. which looks better on me? " All I have to do everyday after I wake up is wear the yellow uniform provided! I don't even have to comb hair because I wear a safety helmet out everyday! But of course, I do comb my hair! hehehe!

The rig is also constantly filled with activities. At any time of the day you walk out, you will definitely see somebody doing something. Each trip out is a different learning experience. I get to ask different people about their varying area of expertise, and literally, learn so many things under the sun. As long as I am on the rig, each trip there is a learning experience for me.

Best of all, the rig crew are so co-operative. As long as we're brave, not shy, and willing to ask questions, they will definitely answer us. Of course, as females and first timers, the men tend to look to us as little kids... trying to venture into the men's world. Probably, their first thought would be "hahah! Why are they here? Ok ! Ok! Let them watch! They definitely don't like the heat! Let them stay there and stand a little longer! See how long they can last! ahhahah!" They smile to themselves, and whistle while they work, laughing and talking.

But, as we, persistent, stubborn new staff stand there and watch them working, listing down all our questions and asking them when they're finally free, they are only too glad to share whatever they know with us and give us such clear cut answers. Learning here is so much better than learning in the university. Answers are direct. No round-abouts. 90% practical, 10% theory. Great!

Gradually, as we new crew begin to warm up to the life on the rig, we begin to regard the rest of the crew as friends. New friends found, new entertainment encountered, and a totally different perspective on life and countries are introduced. We get to learn new languages and new words! For example, in Myanmar, you say "Minglaba" (hello) when you see people, and say "Tiezebe" Thank you! Through talking to the people there, we get to know about countries that we've never been to. After staying there, I feel as if I've been to the country itself! As a person who loves travelling, I really love it!

One of the things I love most about being on the rig is I get to be closer to Mother Nature. In the morning, offshore Miri, the sun rises at about 6.30 am,

sets at 5.30pm.

Ocassionally, if we're lucky enough, we get to see dolphins jumping in and out of the water! Especially when the rig moves to a new location, the dolphins attracted to the sounds made on the rig, will definitely circle around the rig a few times before leaving! How interesting! So far, I haven't had the luck to see one yet. Soon! Soon! I'll definitely get to see them one day!

One of the most amazing feelings on the rig is to see the things that we study, materialize right in front of our eyes.





Can you imagine a simple diagram on the left, will look like this big, white thing standing right in front of you? (diagram below)

This BOP ( a Blow Out Preventor), is about 4 stories high.

An underwater camera is located at one of the parts of this equipment to detect whether the well is straight or tilted. Ocassionally, lots of colourful fishes will swim past it and it will be like watching National Geographic on TV!

Life on the rig is really tough. Looking at all these people, hanging on a mere suspension wire, wearing only a small life jacket, with no platforms below, about 6-10 metres above the deep blue sea...

I wonder , "Are all the cause and means of obtaining oil and gas justified? Is it really worthwhile to go through everything? All the hard work, risks, sweat and toil?"

Drilling for oil and gas, is certainly not an easy job. It is no child's play. People who work on the rig have to be very tough and brave. Not everyone can do it. You got to have guts. We need to work in a team, not alone. Millions and Billions of people are involved in the process of searching for oil. Through exploration, planning, drilling, producing and exporting.. so many people and so many lives are risked. Not to forget the amount of cash too!

As I stood there, watching these people risking their lives, it made me very angry and frustrated that some people would think of using all this oil and gas to make bombs. They use it to bomb themselves up, bomb people, robbing away precious lives and joy out of people's lives! They waste the effort of the people, the risks that everybody take and also disappoint the hopes of the nation and the world. As a part of the petroleum industry, it saddens me to see oil and gas mis-used for all the wrong reasons!

One of the most important lessons the people on the rig taught me was "Jean! On the rig, you must be happy always! Otherwise, if you are sad or unhappy, then ... hoh hoh hoh... you will definitely suffer! Cannot let even a seed of negative thought enter your head."

That is why, people on the rig, even though they work very very hard, they are still able to laugh. Their work is tough enough already. If they're sad or unhappy, then life will be much more difficult. To lighten their burden, they must take everything in the light. "Think positive. Humour! Make Jokes! " That's their philosophy.

That is why a lot of singles enjoy life on the rig. When they go back, they find it so hard to live onshore. Because life on the rig.. is much more interesting! People are serious in their job.. but they are humorous as well! People who are attached on the other hand... miss their families so much so that they yearn to go back at all times! hehehehe!

'As with all things, this, too shall pass'

After being offshore for 10 days, it was finally time to go back to the city again. Being offshore, I have sort of get used to the idea that I am actually born on the land. I really grown to love the rig as much as my own family. When the chopper came to take us back, as it lifted of the helipad, I almost cried out loud. I had really enjoyed myself tremendously!

My heart felt as heavy as the chopper that carried all 18 of us! But then, as I sat in the helicopter, I looked around me at all those macho men, who looked so strong and tough, as if it is all a part of life, I told myself, "Hey! Jean! Don't cry! Don't cry! See! They're all so strong, never cry also! Don't 'show' ur feminity at this time! Wrong time wrong time! Don't cry!" So, I held back all my tears, focused all my energy on looking out of the chopper window, felt the cool breeze blowing in, and calmed myself down. And think "Hey! This is all a part of life!"

'As with all things, this, too shall pass' .

Things I Miss Onshore

After being offshore for only 10 days, and finally being on land again, I realize that I have missed soooooooooooooo many things!

1 . The colour 'green'

The rig is constantly surrounded by the sea. Everywhere you look, you will see the sea everywhere you go! Blue, blue, blue, everywhere.

Blue sky , blue sea, blue clouds... blue fishes. Everything about nature, is all blue. On the rig, there are colours like yellow, white, red, and maybe a little orange. The uniform worn by the crew are also white, yellow, red and grey.

I didn't even remember the colour 'green' until I saw all the green trees, green leaves, and the green lalang (wild grass in Malay) on land. I even forgot about the existence of waves until the helicopter flew past the beach!

Suddenly, I am reminded of the movie "Waterworld" or something.. where the people all live on the sea, all surrounded by water, and they have to search for the map to the land.

2. Ordering from A Menu

Offshore, Every single thing is provided. I don't have to worry about a single thing, except to do my best at my job.

The first time visited a restaurant, about 1 hour after leaving offshore, I looked at the menu and suddenly realized , "Hey! I have a choice! I can choose what to eat and what I don't want to eat! I can actually order other food besides the ones that are served! I mean.. Woah!!! Look at all the other range of food available! There are so much more types of food out here than on the rig! And u know what? I can choose what I want to eat! Oh wow! This is so great!" And I really cherish the freedom of choice, there and then.

The next moment, I looked at the menu on the drinks side and just exclaimed without thinking, "Hey!!!! There are so many drinks besides tea, coffee, and milo! (on the rig, only these 3 drinks are served). There are also ice lemon tea, air limau (lemon drink), syrup, bandung (milk with syrup), ais kacang (ice and nuts), teh tarik (pulled tea)... woah!!!!! Ok ! Ok! I'm so excited! Let me choose the one that is not on the rig!" and I immediately chose Air Limau!

I have also forgotten the existence of money.. until I had finished my lunch. Oh! My! Oh my! I had been so comfortable on the rig that I forgot the reason I was there, is to earn $$$ Money!!! I am suddenly reminded of it after looking at the menu!

"Oh Wow!!!!" I smiled gleefully. "I can finally spend what I earn!!! wow! "

The joy of using money after being on the sea for so long, is just so great! I feel that after being deprived of using it for 10 days, when I finally get to use it, I feel such tremendous joy!

Being in Miri Again

After 10 days of being offshore, I am finally back in the land of my dreams, Miri! I have hoped and hoped that the flight back to KL on the 24th of November will be full. Just so that I can spend one last night here before I return. Once again, luck was on my side. All flights were full, even the flight the next morning! So, I booked the flight for the next day in the afternoon and immediately stayed at another hotel near the beach.

My last night in Miri... where shall I spend it?

I think and think... and finally, I decided to spend it at the place Miri is most famous for: its beaches! Nearby our hotel, was this very famous beach, known as Tanjung Lobang. In the night, at about 8pm that day, we walked over to the stalls there, and order Nasi Goreng, Satay and Mee Goreng (Fried rice, yakitori, and yakisoba). As we sat there, at the table... under the vast sky, on land, stable without swaying, facing the sea, listening to the waves, with the stars twinkling all around us, cooling wind gently sweeping past us, we savoured our food for the last night in Miri.

The next morning, I awoke and decided to visit the Miri Petroleum Museum, which was opened on a Friday, 20th of May, 2005. (All these information are gained from the Miri Petroleum Museum).

The museum is situated at the Grand Old Lady (Canada Hill), the first land rig in Malaysia. The Canada hill first struck oil on the 22nd of December, 1910. It was found through 28 oil seepages (12th picture in the link) by Charles Hose. He applied to dig and his permission was approved by Charles Brooke. In 1972, the well was closed because it was not productive anymore.

The museum was very informative. At the outdoor museum, I learnt that the method of drilling oil originated from the Chinese, who used this method to drill for salt in salt domes under the earth.

I stood there in awe as I read the details. "wow!" I exclaimed! "How could people think of such complicated stuff?" Amazing!

I truly learnt a lot from the museum that day. The hard work, gone through by every single person on the rig, the risks that they take, are truly worthwhile. Especially since petroleum is used in so many products, including plastic, toiletries, toys, transportation, etc etc. Even chewing gum! In almost every area of our lives, petroleum is used. Its tough search is thus justified.

As the time slowly approaches boarding time on the flight to KL, I linger around the hill for a little while more.

From the hill, I look at all the hotels I've stayed in before, trying to identify the places I've been to. I look out and see the park that I have walked through, the library I've been to...

I look out into the sea, far , far away, and realize that the sea has truly different shades. Light blue, dark blue, medium blue...

From afar, the singing of karaoke can be heard in the hills here. Miri ! Miri! I will definitely miss you very very much. The town is peaceful, the people are friendly. I don't feel any discrimination here.. and I feel really really at home.

Facing the ocean, I can almost hear the waves washing ashore. Once again, the wind blows gently across my face, silently whispering, "Hey! Jean! Dont' miss us! Like us who blow across from one continent to another, you will see more lovely things in the future! No matter where we go, we will always come back! You shall too! So, don't leave with a heavy heart! You'll definitely be back!"

And so, quietly, like a reluctant child, I silently take my heavy steps into the cab who is waiting for me... take one last look at Miri town .. and step into the cab which will bring me back to the airport. Leaving Miri and embracing KL once again...

Acknowledgement

To all the people who read this blog, by invitation, I would like to let you know that I really really love my job! I love the people, I love my housemates, love every single aspect about my job and my home and house !

TO:

My parents, brothers, uncles and aunties, cousins, my Japanese host families, Mrs. Tomoko, my friends in UTP & Sitiawan, my housemates, my colleagues, my UTP lecturers, UTP librarians, UTP technicians from Chemical engineering, all the rig crew from various companies, and all the people that I know:

Thank you all for your encouragement! and for your trust in me! Without you all, I don't think I would have been able to come this far! Thanks for puling me up when I'm down.. for sharing my joy and for being proud of me. I have just started work not long ago, but I have met truly truly precious people along the way. You, are one of them!

Life is about relationships. It is not all about work, neither it is about ourselves. It is about making a difference in people's lives, giving them the confidence to be independent, to eliminate the fear within themselves. Trust me, all that, makes a tremendous difference! A word; a letter; a smile; a mere nod; a hug; a kiss; All these will mould and make a person. But the most, is love and trust in the people you encounter everyday!

So, once again, I would like to say, "Thank you ! Thank you! Thank you!"

Don't worry! Always be yourself! Smile and be happy!