Seahorse City, Miri

It wasn’t my first trip to this quaint little city by the sea. At every roundabout in the city, one would come across a sculpture of seahorse. Why a seahorse? Not a derrick or an oil barrel, after all it owes its existence to oil.

According to the Chief minister of Sarawak, Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, (mak oi panjangnyer nama), who is the master mind behind the seahorse mascot, the reason he has chosen the seahorse (not a tong minyak or menara besi buruk :P) is because

“the seahorse has a unique, beautiful and distinctive figure. its gentle and charming nature has often been used by the people to denote many good values in life such as caring for each other and possessing an upright character. it also symbolizes harmonious relationship and peacefulness. As it is living in the sea, it signifies Miri's close relationship with the sea coral reef and as a resort paradise. "

Betul kah Encik Legolas?

Anyway, let’s get back to my field trip. I spent 2 nights at the very nice Marriot Hotel, which is located along the Tanjung beach. Great room, great food, great service, but not so great beach. Actually there isn’t one to start with. Heck with the beach… who needs it when you have a spanking huge swimming pool :)

*Marriot Hotel, Miri

Tried to get some tan but the weather was just too kind to me. Not hot and not too cold, it’s just… nice. So instead of wasting such a beautiful day cooped up in a room watching the idiot box, I walked along the beach to do some photography. So glad that I did because I managed to take one of my best photos ever ^_^

*Beautiful Sunset at Tanjung Beach

The field trip started with a briefing by our facilitator, Simon Baker, followed by a quick introduction to the course and the geology of Borneo by our lecturer, Joe Lambiase (i still don't know how to pronounce his surname... Lum-bias, Lum-bia-see, Le-ambias :P)

3 stops for the day:

1. Miri No.1 Well

- The famous Grand Old Lady (tak nampak old lady pun… old apek pun takde) on top of Canada Hill. Great view of the city.

*Grand Old Lady, Canada Hill

2. Oil Saturated Sandstone

- Unfortunately, the outcrop has been removed for building houses. What’s left of the out crop is some faint smell of hydrocarbon. I wouldn’t stay there even it’s free. Oil Sand?! ermm... Fire?!

*Apa ni?

3. Airport Road

- The rocks here are just amazing.

*Airport Road Outcrop

*Wildflower

The perfect way to end the day... A BBQ dinner by the pool followed by a relaxing soak in the bath tub :)