FISHING AT SEA 1/2009

First Fishing Trip of 2009

It the much awaited fishing trip since last year. I guess most anglers if too long did not go out fishing will miss the action of fighting a fish at the end of the fishing line. So 10 of us when out using the very comfortable boat with kitchen, toilet and bunk bed with air conditioning...heaven. We depart from Muara Tebas, Kuching, Sarawak to about 3 hours out to the sea.

The boat that we used to go out fishing as in the picture below . The first spot we went is about 10 meter deep and then we move to a deeper water about 20 meter. We have try a couple of fishing spots. The last spot are 40 meter deep.


Fishing is also about having a good time with friends, see how happy this few friends of us. The fishing rod line up on the side of the boat.


I always love this time of the day...sunset. Magic hour, for those photographer and videographer. It also magic hour for the anglers as this is the time most fishes will take your bait.

A friend of our, fighting a fish. We basically fishing throughout the night till morning.


Kip's caught a red snapper. I guess it about 3 - 4 kg. He used bottom fishing using fresh squid which he caught. Unlucky for us because we did not catch any squid thus no big red snapper for us.
David's got another snapper.
Another...fish by David... local malay call it ikan parang or ikan timah.
Chow Ming's caught a snapper. Bigger fish i guess. Still lots of fish caught during the night fishing maybe next article will publish it here.Morning came.. still stand at guard for any fish that are willing to take a bite.

At last, a garupa took the bait... this time it Bob's whose line was taken by the garupa. Bob is not the guy below with red shirt holding the fish.

That Bob below with his son. He is training his son to be the next generation of angler. According to him, when he get too old, his son will be able to provide him with fresh fish.
A beautiful sunrise at 6.25 am... serene, beautiful and peaceful. I love this time of day. Quiet and give us the opportunity to reflect and thanks the Almighty of giving us all this.

BBQ Ikan Keli (Cat fish) at Padawan stream

Picnic with a wonderful lunch, beer and good friends

A much needed weekend rest was spend going for picnic with friends at Benuk stream. We start our journey after a hearty breakfast going to a friend house. To my surprise, my friend have a fish farm, mainly rearing cat fish or keli in the local language using the canvas system. how wonderful it is generating money using minimum space by rearing ikan keli using this system.

We tour the farm and to my surprise they also conduct training for those interested and give a very professional and good advice on cat fish rearing. After looking at their ikan keli, I pursuade my friend to contribute some of his cat fishs for BBQ and cook it using the traditional style of bamboo cooking or 'pansuh'.

Here some of the Ikan keli in the canvas pond. It seem that when i was at the farm, a few people came and purchase the ikan keli for their meals or for rearing.


The ikan keli fry about 1 inch long for sale to the public. They do conduct course on ikan keli breeding method for those who are interested.


The canvas system of rearing the ikan keli.

After the tour, all of us when to the crystal clear river stream for BBQ and their kids was having a wonderful time. Seem like ages my friend's kid playing/swimming in the river or catching river snail. Kids... all about fun.


My friend's daughter start to swim before we even ready the tent for the picnic.
BBQ ikan keli, lamp chop and pansuh ikan keli with 'tempoyak' (traditional preserve durian) for lunch. Yummmy... i guess my stomach was bigger after lunch.


BBQ ikan keli...only bone left after lunch. The ikan keli are sweet and tender after BBQ.


Friends having a good time, fishing for river fish. Unfortunately caught none.


Having a good swim at the river. We will venture up river just to experience the wonderful stream in the near future. Just wait for it.

Artificial Lure for Fishing

The time is now, the days are clear and sunny. Fishing will be on our monthly agenda.

The time has comes for all anglers to be happy as the monsoon season are over in Sarawak. Hence, a fishing trip is being plan for on 28 March 2009. The boat has been booked for us. we will be departing from Muara Tebas, a small fishing village at Bako, Kuching. Hopefully will be a good outing which doesn't really on the catching of fishes but more toward the enjoyment at sea.

I always feel that after the fishing trip, i am always refresh and ready to takes on the world again.

Here is some of the artificial lures that I am thinking of using it during the fishing trip.



The trolling lure that i use. Have caught a few fishing using this lure. Most people call it as 'Malboro' because of the red head of the lure which resemble the red package of the Malboro cigarette.

The surface popper that attract surface predator fish.

This is a unique lure for fishing squid or 'sotong' in Malay.

Another favourite trolling lure that i have use.

Hopefully, we will catch some big snapper by using bottom fishing method or jig. Jigging is another method that we always use in certain location. Hopefully, I can capture those wonderfull moment when an angler fishing it fish that hook on its line. A wonderfull sunset... watch out for the coming post of the fishing trip.

FUN DAY AT PALM BEACH RESORT, SAMATAN

A lovely Saturday was spend with friends at Palm Beach Resort. My blogger friend (Mr Willie) was together with us. Nice place to visit with marvelous scenery either you going on day trip or staying over night.

Looking across the sea to two beautiful island. You can chartered the boat for snorkeling, diving or fishing.

The compound with lots of chairs and tables for beer or coffee during sun set or at night. They do have chalets for rent.


If you just want to sit and enjoy the scenery or read a book then you can sit and sip your drink(s) at the cafeteria.

You can rent mountain bike, jet ski, canoe or kits. Some will just have beach games or swimming at the sea. After the activities, Ice lemon tea is a welcoming to quench the thirst.


Canoe.
Mountain Bike.Jet ski.

A group of people having a nice time at the beach. We will be going there again and this time will be staying for a night.

The Serene and Beautiful River at Kampung Tellian

Mukah is a beautiful, small and yet a modern town with its own historical values which has its tourist attractions. The Melanau culture, folklore, belief and historical items which makes it interesting. Of course, the nature too.

I was staying at Lamin Dana so call 'homestay' which is situated next to the Tellian river.

What is interesting? you can see the hanging coffin, the 'jerunai' or burial pole of the Melanau people (pole is an understatement, more like a standing huge log). Sorry, I was not able to provide any pictures as my old note book was stolen with all my document.

You really needs a local guide to explain or tell you the stories of the tellian's river, the hanging coffin, 'jerunai' and the local belief to appreciate the Melanau culture.


The Sago log being float down the Tellian river, to be process as sagu.

The young local kid, padling skillfully. If i paddle, i guess the small canoe/sampan will go zig zag.


The beautiful reflection from the water of Tellian river.

Macro picture of flower

Fooling around with the camera and took some macro pictures. not that macro. I am saving some of the nice pictures to be frame up to be display.

BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE POTTERY

Japanese Pottery Exhibition at PUSTAKA (Sarawak State Library)

I was lucky when I was in PUSTAKA to see the Japanese Pottery Exhibition at PUSTAKA Sarawak. The exhibition under the theme ‘The Rising Generation from Traditional Japanese Kilns’ was presented by the Japan Foundation engages in international cultural exchange activities, focusing on the understanding of Japanese arts and culture through the visual arts. (Japanese foundation, 1999).

The exhibition really given me an artistic view of the pottery from Japan as I always has been exposed to the pottery from Sarawak. As Sarawak pottery are beautiful and the high demand from my friends from oversea including west Malaysia.

Here, in due respect to all the artists involved in the exhibition. I salute you by sharing your artistry to the world. I know friends which are from other division of Sarawak and the rest of the state in Malaysia might not be able to visit this exhibition thus, hoping with this feature it will encourage all of you to visit this exhibition.

According to the arrangement of the pottery: Bluish-toned transluscent glazed jar with daylily motif by Shinno Iwao, Jar with geometric motif and spattered slip by Shimizu Ichiji, vase with linear motif and spattered slip deco by Shimizu Ichiji, Sound of the wind by Ichino Masahiko and Vessel with linear motif (Ichino Masahiko)

Large plate with peony motif and rectangular plate with lotus flower motif by Machizuki Shu.

Blue-glazed vase with wave motif and Blue-glazed bowl with linear flower motif by Miyanishi Atsushi and the ceremonial vessel, Ohi glaze by Ohi Toshio.

Triangular blue and pop plate and blue and pop bowl by Shiba Masamitsu.

There is some more beautiful pottery which I will not be displaying, this is to ensure that you will make an effort to visit the exhibition at Sarawak State Library.

A calm and relaxing day at PUSTAKA (Sarawak State Library)

A hidden location to unwind after a hard days work, at the PUSTAKA negeri (Sarawak State Library). It have been a while since I put my foot at the state library ground. The last time I was there was for jogging and aerobic at the huge garden that surrounded the huge lake. I seen people bringing their family in the evening to feed the fish at the lake. Big fishes which consisted of Tilapia, Japanese Carp and other carp that I don’t know what its name. Seem like a paradise to anglers but be warn the garden are patrolled by the library security and fishing are prohibited except during the fishing competition organized by the Library.

It a nice place to just walk and sit around to relax. If not you can go into the library to read book or accessing the internet. Internet access you need to be a library member.

The garden patio, just sit at the garden patio especially in the morning to enjoy the view and listening to birds chipping away. I have not have the skill yet to identify birds from it sweet melody.

Nice place to enjoy the scenery and the jogging path. It was 10 am that I took this picture thus nobody in the correct mind to go jogging.

The library is facing the lake. The lake is surrounded by pathway for visitors to walk and also for jogging.

You can enjoy your meal or coffee sitting in side the cafeteria or outside of the cafeteria. It depends if you want air-conditioning or just the natural breeze. I have sit here just to read books or accessing the internet for hours which translated in a few cups of coffee and fruit juice.

Another view of the garden at the Sarawak state library which I really likes the greenery of the surrounding and its peaceful.

On my way back home from the library, I took this picture. Driving here also give me a refreshing view of modern Kuching.