Quiet Sibu Kapit and Tua Pek Kong Wharves

 In January my siblings and I visited Sibu for the first time after the long MCO caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. 2019-2021.

Sibu has changed a great deal to say the least.

One of our must visit places is the wharves along the Rajang River stretching from Khoo Peng Loong Road to the Tua Pek Kong Temple.

It was sad for us to see so many express boats berthed alongside the wharves. They looked forlorn in their old age, with paints coming off their bodies. They were like old folks sitting in a park waiting for some action to happen.

No young boys were seen jumping from express to express trying to sell some kompia or plastic packed noodles to earn some pocket money. This was the sight we would welcome when we were younger, waiting for boats to come in bringing our Ngie Ma or maternal grandmother to Sibu. And then their would be the sirens piercing through the air announcing the arrivals of boats from Kapit, Song, Kanowit, and down river!! For some of use we could recognise the familiar sounds of Sin Hai Hong, or Malasan.

With the passing of time, we are getting forgetful. We are losing the names of the down river boats in our memory bank. We need help from friends to revise, or to help remember. But alas many of our relatives have changed their their address and have made heaven their new home.

Even the touters were missing from the scene! 

And together we reminisce. Yes, we shared the memories of  one most unforgettable man. He was missing from the scene. Our hearing and speech impaired Chiik Gung from the Hii family. Bang Nga (not so politically correct) chiik gung was missing from the wharf. He was a wharf labourer who would always be their to help Ngie mah alight from the boat. He would call a trishaw for her. But after 1976 my red Colt Lancer would be waiting for her....

So much "water has flowed under the bridge"...as the Chinese saying goes...

These two white speed boats in my photo belong to the Riverine Board and they too look quiet and seem to be ready for some action.

The brown water of the Rajang add age to the scenery and the heaviness of sadness.

The Rajang is getting old and sluggish just like so many of us are getting on in our years.