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...