Tiger Emperor Temple 虎帝庙

I knew about this temple while preparing for the Sibu largest temple's article and I happened saw this tiger temple online. I then asked a lot of my family, local friends and relatives, none of them heard about this temple at all and no one know how to go.

I did a search online, not much information available. The only I found stated the temple is along Jalan Teku and Jalan Aup. My mum knows Jalan Teku but did not know Jalan Aup. So we decided to try our luck see if we can find it as Jalan Teku is a long road.

We drove all the way in via the old airport road then reach a junction and saw Taman Bukit Aup ( 石山公园) then only know Aup means that park so we drove to the way to Bukit Aup. We reached Taman Bukit Aup but did not find the temple. We decided to stop for a while and take a look at this park. I had been over 15+ years never visit this park. There are some stalls selling food so I asked one of the owner regards the temple. Finally there are some youngsters who stay nearby know about that temple. They did not tell us how exactly to go because they had forgotten the road name.

Based on the information, we finally find the place. Here are some directions if you are going via the old airport road. You will reach a junction where left towards Taman Bukit Aup and right towards Jalan Teku. Take right towards Jalan Teku, drive until you see a roundabout then take 12 O'Clock way, go straight until you see Jalan Trusan, then follow the sign of the temple(as shown below). You might not be able to find this small road on google map.

Finally we reached the temple. The temple is quite new, it was opened in Year 2005, so it is 7 years old now. 7 Seven Star General Tigers god(七星虎将军） stay in this temple, which they called as 虎帝庙, if translate to English it is Tiger Emperor Temple. The temple is not like the one you saw traditionally, it is like a cave and there main gate is closed. You have to enter the temple via the two side gates, just like you entering the cave.

More picture on Facebook.

These 2 tigers are the guard for the temple. The one dressed in Red is at the right side and the one dressed in green is the left guard.

If you are coming here for praying, there are sequence for you to follow. The temple keeper will tell you how is it. 

From Left: (2) The one ride on another tiger, (5) The white dressed tiger, the one at the left of (1), (1) The tiger that sat down, (3) The tiger on the one at the right of (1), (4) The sleeping tiger, (7) The one next to (3), (6) The one holding a crystal ball, dressed in blue.

Hari Raya Open House

Malay have their house open on the 1st day of Hari Raya. The new year cakes and snacks served almost the same as the Chinese in Sibu except Malay friends they served home cooked curry.

The house that I visited prepared curry chicken, rendang chicken and satay chicken together with raisin rice, ketupak, panggang and bread. All home cooked and they are all different if you visited different houses. However in the modern time now, there are also some will buy the ready cooked outside. 

On average the food consider quite nice. 

Jade Dragon Temple玉龍山天恩寺

Jade Dragon Temple玉龍山天恩寺 is located 27km away from Sibu town, currently the largest temple in Sibu. It is believed to be the largest temple complex not only in Malaysia but believed to be in South East Asia as well. I am not too sure if it is being proved but that is what I heard.  It is a religious place which bring all for 3 different forms of practice under one roof. This includes Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

I had been to this place 2 years ago, it was very new that time and not much tourist but it becomes a tourism place due to the large compound and architecture of the building.

Address: Mile 16,Jalan Ulu Oya, 96000 Sibu
Source: http://www.sarawaktourism.com

Sibu Map

Some information and map on Sibu.

武吉里麻森林公園 Bukit Lima Forest Park

Taman Rimba Bukit Lima Forest Park situated in the midst of kampong sentosa, a resettlement residential area in Sibu. It’s a cool place to jog, mornings or evenings.The Forest Park is a recreational peat swamp forest where the public can experience the tropical rain forest wilderness. It plays hosts to a variety of flora and fauna comprising birds, bats, lizards, snakes, frogs, terrapins and long-tailed macaques. Besides nature-watching, visitors can go for short treks or jogs. It is a good place for families to work together.

I went for a short leisure walk with mum, we took shortest path. It took us an hour to finish it. It is an easy path as there is wooden path for you to walk and no obstacle at all. The best time to visit is around 2pm-3pm as there are more people around. If you go at later time, there will be less people so you have to take extra care on yourself.

Youbute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z7eaCM4Bn0
Source: http://www.visitsibu.com

Ka Lang(Olive 橄榄), Buah Dabai

This fruit(or vegetable?) is very common in Sibu or the Sarawak and if you go to central market, you will definitely find stalls selling it. We call it Ka Lang(In Foochow), in Malay it is known as Buah Dabai(Video), if I translate from Foochow to Chinese,it is  橄榄 and again if I translate to English, it is Olive. This is definitely not the one that make the olive oil that you can buy in the market. The taste is totally different from normal Olive and Sarawak Olive. It can be found along the riverbanks in Sibu, Kapit and Sarikei divisions.

My mum and sister love it very much, I can't remember the taste well as I don't really take it, not too sure why but I kind of reject this fruit. So I don't know how to differentiate whether it is good or bad. In market, they usually put it in the basket like the picture shown below and there will have a cup with some sample for you to taste, then only you decide whether to buy.

This normally go with rice in local but we do treat it as snack. Mum and sister can finish 1kg at a go. This is how much they like it. How we cook this? I only know one way which I see from young until now.

How To Cook?

1. Wash the Ka Lang(not rinse), so that it is clean and safe to eat as you are going to eat the skin as well. Some people will throw away the skin while they eat
2. Put the Ka Lang in deeper bowl or cup and pour hot water to it until it is covered. 
3. Use lid to covered eat so that it is well cooked. My mum normally leave it for 20-30mins, but I guess it depends on the texture you want
4. Pour the hot water away when cooked, add soy sauce and sugar to it.(It depends on how strong the flavor you like) Mix well.
5. Optional: Serve with rice

Where To Stay?

There are plenty of accommodation in Sibu, ranges from budget hotels to luxurious hotels. Below are the star-rated hotels & budget accommodation in Sibu.

RH Hotel (4 star) - within close vicinity of the major financial and shopping hub where offices and banks are located. All 226 spacious and chic rooms designed uniquely to satisfy the need of the guests. Two beautiful dining sites are available onsite for guests to chill and relax after a rough day, Hijau Lounge and Oriental Bistro, where guests can enjoy meals and refreshing drinks within a perfect ambience. For more relaxing mood, guests can visit the swimming pool and steam bath which is another spot to rejuvenate and unwind.

Kingwood Hotel (4 star) - Guestrooms contain Mini bar and Internet access for your comfort. Jacuzzi and Gymnasium are provided for your leisure needs. The 168 impressive rooms are stocked with 4-star quality amenities. Corporate travellers have access to Convention centre and Meeting facilities. 

Premier Hotel (3 star) - Located at the center of the city. Guests can enjoy airport transfer, laundry service/dry cleaning, car park, concierge, room service

Tanahmas Hotel (3 star) - Located at the center of the city. While lodging at this wonderful property, guests can enjoy business center, meeting facilities, coffee shop, Wi-Fi in public areas, safety deposit boxes.

Paramount Hotel (3 star) - The Paramount Hotel offers impeccable service and all the essential amenities to invigorate travelers. For the comfort and convenience of guests, the hotel offers room service, laundry service/dry cleaning, salon, bar/pub, restaurant.

Kawan Hotel - air conditioning,direct dial telephone,hot/cold running water,long bath,shower,220 voltage

The Orchid Hotel (2 star) - Only 0.2km from the city center, the hotel's strategic location ensures that guests can quickly and easily reach many local points of interest. It include elevator, car park, smoking area, coffee shop, safety deposit boxes

Garden Hotel (1 star) - Free & unlimited Wi-FI service, Telefax, postal and secretarial services, Laundry services, Ample parking space, Safe deposit box facilities, Flight reservation & confirmation services, Porter services, Wake up calls,  Newspaper delivery upon arrangement.

Li Hua Hotel - Spotless marble, free Wi-Fi, and a helpful tourist information section in the lobby cause this hotel to fill up quickly. Prices for double rooms start at $24 a night. Li Hua Hotel is located on the esplanade, opposite of the River Park Hotel on Jalan Maju.

Salim Room (Budget Inn) - The hotel provides room service, concierge, Wi-Fi in public areas, family room, 24hr room service

Medan Hotel - Unlike many hotels that are adjacent to bus terminals, the Medan Hotel feels clean and safe. Located directly beside of the long-distance bus terminal, the Medan Hotel is a good option if you intend to leave Sibu early the next day. Rooms are priced from $25 per double.

River Park Hotel 濠景大酒店 -  Located on Jalan Maju directly across from the esplanade. The staff is friendly, rooms are large, and there is free Wi-Fi in the lobby.