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| Offshore Oil Platforms |
From Brunei we sailed 98 nm to Miri in Sarawak, stopping overnight at "The Prince's Breakwater" (Brunei). There were lots of oil platforms just off the coast and when sailing we had to weave our way through them!
The entrance to the Miri Marina was a little tricky but rather interesting as it had a huge Seahorse Replica on the headland along with a restaurant and park. Later we were to learn that a the Seahorse is Miri's maritime mascot.
(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)
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| Entrance to Miri Marina |
We were safely moored by 6.45pm on 4 June 2009 and were surprised to find only other 3 yachts in this very protected Marina. However, this changed dramatically over the next few months as yachts called in on their way from the north or south.
Miri is a very old oil town and Shell Petroleum still runs a big operation from the suburb of Piasau. Sarawak's first oil well was founded in1912, although no longer operational, the rig is affectionately known as "The Grand Old Lady" and overlooks Miri from Canada Hill along with the new Petroleum Museum. Both are worth visiting and the "million dollar view over the city and the sea is spectacular!
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The Grand Old Lady
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| Overlooking Miri A Million Dollar View! |
The city certainly caters for the expatriate community with it's wonderful shopping mall, Plazas, markets, restaurants and sporting clubs. Logging in the past and Palm Oil Plantations today, ensure there is lots of money in the town.
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| Miri Mosque |
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| City Fan and Mini Mosque |
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| City Temple and Market |
In addition, the large Chinese community add to the colourful cosmopolitan mix in Miri, so that Coffee Shop Houses, colourful Temples and Festivals abound. The photo opportunities were unlimited!
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| Chinese Temple |
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| Temple Gates |
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| Fran Messing Around |
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| Lantern Festival |
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| Dragon Dance |
We based ourselves in Miri for many months and used Simon, our wonderful reliable driver, as a tour guide and to assist us find bits and pieces all over town. If we needed anything for the boat we would "just ask Simon!"
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Fran, Tom and Simon Our Wonderful Driver!
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Over the next few months we met lots of wonderful people, did lots of land tours and had numerous amazing experiences! We even left Hamamas in Miri Marina while we travelled back to Australia for 5 weeks.
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