Chinese Association Traditional dress and Duanwu festival celebration

Chinese Association of Miri and Sarawak organised a traditional dress competition and celebrated the Duanwu festival on Friday night at Beach Republic. Photos can be view on my facebook.

Photo above shows the winner of the traditional dress competition.

Sarawak Rep to Mr Malaysia

Cheyene (right) and Jeremiah from Miri have been selected to represent Sarawak at the Mr Malaysia Championships to be held in KK next month.

I wish them best of luck. Keep it up and make Sarawak proud!

Idromat pump maintenance

I blogged about this Idromat pump earlier saying that it is an useless pump.
I am determined to fix the problem as I believe that the problem could be quite easy to fix.

I dismantled the pump the other day after finding the motor to have jammed up. This can be tested easily by using a screw driver, pop it through a hole (end of motor and a fan is visible through the grill) on the left side of this picture.

The biggest challenge is to remove the three screws as shown above. Honestly I failed to remove them. So I brought it to my mechanic for help. It seems so easy for him!

After removing the cap, I rotated the motor pump mechanism and found that the motor is not stuck. So a faulty bearing is immediately ruled out.
Then I realised that the cap is full of dirt sticking onto the cap. So, I used the screw driver to scrap off all the dirt, put the cap back and found that the motor now has free movement! I connect it to the power and bingo, the pump is now perfect again.
I found that copper or brass is used for the construction of this pump.  This is very good.
To test for the capacitor fault, just power on and check whether the motor attempt to move. If nothing happening, it is high chance that the capacitor is faulty.

Water Pump Problem

We installed this Idromat water pump just over two years ago and now, it had broken down. To be exact, the motor had jammed! After a year of usage, the capacitor blew. Now the motor jammed.The other main issue with this water pump is that it is a continuous running pump and therefore very unkind with electricity. In another word, expensive to operate.

Looks like we need to go back to the convention household pump made by Hitachi or National.

Updates: See my newer post. This pump is not as useless as I first thought!

The 1st Sarawak Chinese Tea Expo

Tea has influenced the world's trade, politics, traditions, art, religious rituals and philosophies. It has brought many to riches and sent many to ruins. Wars were started because of tea; The Opium trade was initiated by the tea trade in China. There is always more to be learned about the ever-evolving world of tea. Why not pay a visit to the first ever Chinese Tea Expo at Permy Mall, Miri this weekend.

More information can be found here.

Go Bald 4.0 in support of SCCS

13-May-2012: Today at Bintang Mall, Miri, Sarawak, we saw almost 300 people willingly go bald in support of Sarawak Children Cancer Society (SCCS) There were almost 50 ladies amongst the men.

Almost 200 photos were uploaded to my facebook. Click here to see.

 The politician were leading the way ... from DAP...

Dato Sebastian Ting from SUPP.
They still look very handsome!

Moral Studies down the drain...

Our children went through moral studies in school until the fifth form. Yet, we are living in a society as if there was never any moral studies. Take this huge rubbish container placed at public place for the public to place rubbish....

Someone set this thing on fire! It could be because the bin was full or smelly but I couldn't find a reason to have it burnt! Can you? Surely tax payer money had been burnt here just because of some irresponsible people.

Disappointing footwear from Bata!

During my younger days, Bata was known to make good quality shoes. Now, the quality has deteriorate so much that they may be worse than those you pay much less. Or is it an issue of poor quality control?
I bought this pair of sandal and used it for about a month. You can see the tear right through the centre...

I went back to the Bata centre and was told that "this batch" received a lot of complain in W.M.

Apparently, I don't get a replacement pair because I think Bata can't afford a "recall". As for me, I think this is the last time I will buy any sandal from Bata. The quality is simply too disappointing.
In another country where consumer's right is strong, they will replace with no question asked.
Do you have similar experience? I made a complain at Bata Facebook and they made no attempt to reply.

Update: Bata did reply to me via their FB after I wrote on their fb wall. Good of them as ignoring complain, whoever is right/wrong is not a good idea.

Meritz Hotel, Miri

A landmark new hotel, the Meritz Hotel, was opened for business on 15th March 2012. The main attractions of this hotel:

1. Dinning is at the 15th floor which gave the guest a splendid view of Miri.
2. Atrium area (I think there is one atrium area every 3 floor) is provided which span three floors. This provide the guest an area to rest or simply to enjoy themselves.
3. Swimming pool is on the 8th floor.
4. The check-in area is very specious and directly linked to Parkson.
5. Special offer of RM160 nett per room including breakfast for two until October.
6. 291 rooms
I think it has the largest air conditioned indoor ballroom in Miri which can accommodate 2000.

This hotel is fully booked on opening!

For more photos, click here.

Rat Glue Removal

I read the news that even cat was trapped by rat glue. I also set up rat glue at home and it caught mostly house lizard! But the annoying part is that the glue stuck everywhere and removing them was a real pain until....

... I found an effective and easy way to remove the glue.

Just use cooking oil to rub over the glue and it dissolves readily! Then wash it off with washing liquid or soap. It is harmless and non toxics.

World most economical car - I want!

Volkswagen AG in Hamburg, made the most economical car in the world with an engine capacity of 1-litre, powered by diesel. It consumes just 0.99 litre per 100 KM. Apparently, the top speed is 75Km/hr.

I am not sure how much it cost but apparently the information I received says that it cost less than US1000.

To give you an idea on the economy, it cost less than 2 cents per km or less than 30 cents from Lutong to Miri.
More information here. Or search google.

Fake or Real. Can you tell?

Lately, I heard of people buying iPhone and was conned. What they got could be just toy, simply fake or used.


This morning, a certain bird nest exporter from Miri told me about the ban by China of all Malaysian bird nest except those canned. The newspaper reported that one of the reasons could be fake bird nest from Malaysia! 

This gentleman frequented China and he told me that in China there are fake chicken wing being served, fake kangkong, fake eggs, rotten meat made into delicacies, etc. I knew of someone who bought a bagful of beef tendon from China which turned out to be made of nylon (plastic)!

He further told me that the worse are those stops made by tourist buses cos everyone earned a commission! Prices are double those of the real stuff. Worse, fake clothing passed off as real branded stuff looks good only once. When washed, they crumble and looked like preserved veggie (as he described it)!

So, watch out!

Just in case you wanted to buy bird nest, click here to find out more, especially how to differentiate a fake and a real one.

Meritz Hotel Miri

Soon, an additional hotel will be opened to the public in Miri. This is next to Bintang Mega mall.

The new hotel is the one on the right. On the left is Imperial Hotel.
I was told that the soft opening is on 15-March-2012. The hotel has the largest private indoor hall on the 6th floor (maybe 5th floor) and can accommodate 5000. In mid April, Hopoh Associate World Conference will be held in this hotel. I hope they will invite me over to take the group photo as I am the only one in Miri with a 39MP camera.

I won 1,000,000 pounds!

This scam job is out again, but this time, the English is slightly better written. However, he is telling you NOT to tell anyone so that it is easier for them to do their con job! So, if you receive e-mail like this, please ignore it! There is no free meal in this world. Respond to him if you want to lose all your hard earn money!
Read on for the content of the email I received! Click here if you want to read more. By the way, it seems that this Barrister keeps changing his last name!

This e-mail is to congratulate you as your email address has won you a cash prize of One million pounds in the ongoing UK-National Lottery Promo. To file your claims, contact your claims agent Barrister Mark William with his following below:
Claims Agent Barrister Mark William
Name: Barrister Mark William
E-mail: mark.william.uknl@email.ch
Tel: +447024058329

 Fill In Your Claims Information.
Serial No: S/N-472-9768-79
Full Name:
Contact Address:
Tel:
Age:
Country:

NOTE: Do not reply to this e-mail, you are to contact your claims Agent Barrister Mark William with his information giving to you and keep your winnings Serial No: S/N-472-9768-79 confidential do not give anybody your winning detail OR tell anyone to avoid lost of winnings claims.

Fly Hope

Sarawak Shipbuilder in Kuala Baram made Sarawak proud by being selected by Papua New Guinea to build a couple of ferries. The first of such ferry was launched yesterday at a simple ceremony in Kuala Baram.

The main reasons why Sarawak Shipbuilder were selected was their 100+ years of ship building experiences, a team of very committed family members who has been building ships for three generations in Sarawak, etc.
This ferry has a maximum seating capacity of 150.

How long can your appliances last?

How long can our household appliances last, eg, fridge, cooker, washing machine, fan, etc? One thing I notice is that new appliances don't last long and started to give problem. For example, fan used to be made from steel, especially the blade. Now, everything is made from plastic and they just break apart.
I bought my fridge more than 30 years ago and it is still going strong, with just some repair and services once in a while.
My washing machine bought some 14 years ago gave some problem not long ago. The cold water inlet water valves didn't close any more. Then I found that I never use the hot water valve and it is literally new! So, I swap the cold water valve with the hot water valve and the washing machine is back to proper function.
One of the on/off valves of my 30 years old cooker suddenly didn't work well. Sometimes, it jammed up....

Since there are two rings which I never (seldom) use, I decided to open up the knob this morning to see what I can do. So, after removing two screws, the plunger (valve) were removed and replaced with the one which I seldom use. Bingo... the knob/valve is now working perfectly. Maybe, it will last for another 20 years!
Do you go out and shop for a new one because the towkay  told you that there is no spare? Next time, don't worry, the appliances usually came with "standby" which we just need to look for and use it!

Crocodile at Bulatan Finally Spotted!

This morning I armed myself with my 200mm prime lens wanting to shoot the new signboard put up by the city council. The signboard actually face the lake, reminding the living thing in the water to beware of the crocodile spotted by many and yet not captured on a real camera!

 I think the positioning of the signboard is a brilliant idea as the croc is of no harm to human at the moment.

I joined my usual "walking friends" for the morning walk and they finally all left at 8:30AM.

During my final round, I thought my 20/20 long vision spotted two distinctive eyes above the water!

As I walked closer, I confirmed what I saw was indeed our friendly, now famous friend, the crocodile of Bulatan Park! The inset is a larger view. No, this is real and not a photoshop of some other crocodile.

As I walked closer, it quickly went under ... see the ripples. The above was taken today, 11-Nov-2011 at 8:33AM.

Freak Accident at Pujut GK roundabout

Just now around midnight, a Naza Sorento 4WD (Korean car) was involved in a freak accident. The car was seriously damaged. The firemen arrived quickly to wash off all the fuel...

The car on its side

After it was put upright. Note that the front windscreen was smashed ...

I was told that the car jumped the curb (kerb) and the back wheel was ripped off!

See the back wheel ... there was nothing left!

The front right wheel was damaged also.

Ready to be taken away!
I was told that the driver was unhurt but in a daze. Is he drunk? I don't want to speculate here without evidence.

Blood donation today

Are you fearful of blood donation? Actually, it is not that bad... the experience is almost painless! First...

They pricked your finger to get some blood sample to ensure that you have enough blood and...

check the blood group if it is your first time. Remember to ask them to prick the side of the finger instead of the tip as it is a lot less painful. Well, there is actually no pain!

If everything goes well, you will proceed to take the blood pressure and then the actual procedure... purposely blurred here just in case you fainted!

She is obviously frightened because she expected pain! Later she told her friends that there was no pain as an injection is given first!

The group from the NGOs - Red Crescent, Lion Club (organiser), etc

Melilea was there to give out goodies also.
The rest of my photos will be posted on my facebook later.

Instant Nescafe from the tape

When I switched on the water tape this morning at 8:30AM, I was shocked to see how dirty is our water system! So, I quickly get a white bowl to collect the water...

See how brown is our water...

After running for two minutes...

As I pour out the water, I noticed this sediment in the bowl!

Update: I found out that someone is maintaining the water pipe leading to out house. That explain the dirty water!