A Remarkable Ferry Crossing

Nang Ni (Southern Day) Island is about 50 minutes  by ferry from Putien. This is the third island on the itinerary of our Putien Historical study tour.

We left Putien by 8 in the morning feeling quite worried that the fog might obstruct our ferry crossing to Nang Ni Island. But by 9.30 we were happy that the skies cleared and we quickly got ourselves into the fairly old but sturdy ferry which could take more than 300 travellers and 50 cars!! We four from Malaysia were eager to take the best front places (standing) and faced the cold wind with our cameras ready.

Most of the passengers were eager to get home (from the mainland) and perhaps we looked like Lau Wai (foreigners) they were not keen to converse. But we did get one young man to make eye contact as his little boy was a little difficult. (Poor boy had a ear problem)

Here are my photos and my reflections on 19th April 2012....

The Ferry Point looks very very modern..while lifestyle is still slow in changing...Traditions remain strong. You have people using the latest handphones and carrying the best Nikon cameras mingling with old folks still carrying their bian dans or carrying poles..A few Lexus can be seen too...and several old vehicles from the 1950's are still in use..this is a land of diversity..a land of great contrasts..yet everyone is positively  moving forward for a better life!!...

Pipa by the katis for travellers to buy before they reach their island home. Strong family values continue  to be maintained while wiomen are beginning to make inroads into the business world dressed in smart business suits and wearing very fashionable shoes. Many of the women are spotted having fashionably dyed hair.

The island shrouded by a fog (which actually spells good breeding grounds for abalones and sea cucumbers) While construction is rapidly going on in the mainland the strength of the Nang Ni island economy continues to be spiralling upwards. One lady remarked "Our sea weeds are the best in China!! and we are continuing this tradition!!"

the fog seems to say to me...you might not see the picture God said..but surely and slowly you can see my marvellous handiwork!!

This is more than 100 years old...the path to the ferry at the ferry point...Can you imagine sedan chairs  going up and down this path? While this path remains solid and strong the wise government will put their focus on other developments to help the locals.

The friendly family gives us a good pre-landing briefing on their beloved island. We learn that he had worked in Singapore and Johor before he got married. Now he is working together with his wife and family on a sea cucumber rearing farm. We later receive 22 abalones from them for our Church lunch!! Praise God who blesses us in remarkable ways...and from total strangers who befriended us!! We made sure that our leader had THREE. That's a Sibu record if not a Sarawak record.



Ah Mei sent 22 of these abalones which are raised in the seas around the Nang Ni Island. A pack of 22 to 25 fresh abalones set one back about RM30....at the farm. Larger ones cost more of course. It is good for tourists to stay on for two nights and enjoy all the sea food and the wonderful spirit of the Putien people here. Most islanders  do not migrate elsewhere because life is good....I won't either. for God has blessed this island abundantly.

God works in strange ways and he sends angels into our paths to brighten our days and to provide us with nourishment not only for our bodies but for our souls.

May God continue to bless this special island