(^38) The road remained hilly, with tons of trucks hauling logs to Bintulu’s harbour. I even
saw a man in a loincloth, not something seen nowadays. The day's ride finished in
Bintulu, where it took time to locate suitable accommodation. The prices appeared
a tad higher in Bintulu than elsewhere. Still, the Queen's Inn came at a reasonable
price. Not merely was the establishment close to the night market, but right on the
riverfront. Once the bicycle and bags were carried up the near-vertical stairs, I
could settle in. However, the heat made me feel nauseous, and best to stay indoors
until sunset.
Not feeling hungry, the time was past eight before I strolled to the night market.
The promenade was the place to watch ships and barges carrying logs downriver.
Logging was a big business in Borneo. Only once seeing the millions of logs stacked
by the side of the river, ready for collection and shipping elsewhere, does one
genuinely realise the scale of it all.
Bintulu
Having coffee (kopi, as it’s called) and watching life go by, I decided to stay an
extra day. The day was spent doing the usual rest day chores, exploring the
markets, and searching for a few needed things. The market sold all kinds of
intriguing items, including a small pot that could be plugged into a wall plug to cook
small amounts of food. The price was low, and the pot light. Being flimsy, I wasn't
sure it would last awfully long but I was keen to try it. The market further had a
colourful display of exotic tropical produce and beautiful tribal clothing.
leana
(Leana)
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