How time flies. Macam mau nangis as we end this year 2022. So many things has happened. Noel left for studies in Negeri Sembilan leaving me with an ache so deep, I started seriously doing Grab to get extra income, went to Langkawi with Noel and Jane in March, I scaled the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia in June, a feat that I knew was almost impossible. That will be a story for another day, a journey deserving it's own post. I also started my #dydymustbuy baking business in August. It started with not being able to Grab on Sundays, because, well, it's Sabbath. So I was thinking what can I do to still generate income when I'm "resting" at home. What started with just one cake (divided into 9 portions), it has spread into buns, scones, even cornflakes bersira. Again, this seems to be like a story deserving it's on post.
I think the worst for me in 2022 is losing a very good friend, one I'd say is closer than a sister. Over what? Because I had enthusiastically organized and invited someone whom I know she had some issues with for trip that was supposed to be exclusively ours. It hurts so terribly to know that the many years of friendship meant nothing when it can just be "turned off" and the hatred for the other person is bigger than the love I thought we had for each other. I am still hurting, and I don't know when this void in my heart will heal.
Anyways... the actually reason I'm posting here today is because well, some things aren't for sharing on socmed. Every year for my birthday, I would go away to be alone. Sometimes it's just a hole out in the city, last year it's a trip up to the mountain (a post on its own) and this year, I decided to do a solo drive to Sibu.
Earlier this year on Jan 3rd, because of prior family trip arrangements, after sending Noel to his college in N9, I drove solo from Miri to Sibu and then continued on Sibu - Kuching the next day. And because of this, I kind of gotten addicted to solo roadtrips. I've always been a fan of roadtrips, but doing it alone takes it to the next level. The serenity and peace as you drive with your thoughts (throw in some tears, some screaming on top of your lungs belting out fav songs, some movie etc) is beyond words. When I was contemplating where to hide out for my birthday this year, this solo foodie roadtrip was No. 1 on my list. Most importantly, I love the food that I would be able to eat along the way. My own worry on these solo trips is what if the car breaks down or / and tire puncture.
The night before the trip, some of our colleagues (we call ourselves the 99 gang because we frequent a place called 99 to drink) had a Christmas gathering and gift exchange. And of course we drank like nobody's business and went home late. So the next day, I only left the house at 7.30am, instead of 6am as I had originally intended. I'll just narrate my story based on the photos.
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| 9.45am. 1st stop. Of course, mee goreng Lachau. I thoroughly enjoyed this plate and because I wanted to catch up on the time I quickly left without a trip to look around at the market. I was so sleepy on the way from Lachau to Sarikei. A couple of days before the trip, I downloaded 3 Shah Rukh Khan movies so I put on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to watch as I drive. Of course I ended up with swollen eyes la! |
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| I continued the journey to Sarikei. I'd normally stop at Jakar for the sio bee, but this time, I didn't feel like eating that. I had been craving for my Chao Chai Hung Ngang in Glory Cafe Sarikei for the longest time. So I drove straight to Sarikei. Alas, the cafe was closed. So I went to the next "must-eat" in Sarikei. 1pm. Roti Bakar Aik Seng. |
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| A few days before the trip, I read about this place in the blog of a famous Sibu blogger. I was not hungry, but looking at the food, I decided to makan here along with what I had originally came here for. The food? Good, but pedas mau matiiiiiiiiii. 2.45pm. |
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| And this is what I had come for... pumpkin pie... astaga..... SEDAP mau MAMPOSSSSSS. |
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| A trip to Sibu is incomplete without a trip to my fav gelato place. I don't normally eat gelato because it's so expensive, but I indulge here in Sibu. I tapau-ed and had the ice cream in the car. 3.20pm |
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| Again, a few days before the trip, I stumbled across an article about cafes in Sibu. This cafe looked good on the list, so I decided to dropby before checking in to the hotel. The cute coffee teddy was worth the stop. 4pm. |
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| In April this year, I took a roadtrip to Sibu with Noel, Adel and Noel's friend Beckham. We stayed at Kingwood as usual. During that trip, the pool had recently open and they served beer at the pool. There's a great view of the Rajang river from the pool and I was actually looking forward to having a cool beer at the poolside. Unfortunately, they did not serve beer or other drinks anymore at the pool. So I quickly went down to the riverbank and as always, Sibu has never failed to give me a beautiful sunset. |
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| For my birthday dinner, I was contemplating on either Ayam Penyet from Lot 10 in Sibu (oh the sambal!) or Chicken Rice from New Capitol (oh the fluffy, fragrant rice and the tender, juicy, succulent chicken!). But again, reading the famous Sibu blog, I decided to come here instead. 6.45pm. |
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| For this. I don't know when I started to love fish and chips. I'm always on a look out for good ones, but at the same time, always unwilling to try most places because I'm afraid of disappointment. But after reading his post on this outlet's fish and chips, and that they use fresh fish daily, I was sold. It was full house inside that night, but being alone, they managed to squeeze me in, in between 2 large group of people. Despite the stares, I enjoy my birthday dinner tremendously. |
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| When I left the hotel that night, the parking was so packed as there was a function in house. So the guard advised me to come back after 9.30pm to ensure I have a parking. With time in my hands, I decided to go to Ta Kiong to walk around and I found this wine; which I had thoroughly enjoyed with another friend earlier in November. So I decided to grab a bottle, whether or not I could finish it, it doesn't really matter. And by 10pm, I was already in bed, and had a really good night sleep. |
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| Early the next day, by 7am I left the hotel and went to Sunday service in this church. Their service starts at 7.30am. |
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| After the 1 hour service, of course no trip to Sibu would be complete without a kampua fix. As always, my fav is Soon Hock. 9am. |
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| When I'm in Sibu, I normally like to be early to grab some kompia, but because I woke up late today, I only managed to go after breakfast. Of course I regretted it as I couldn't find any parking and had to walk quite far to the kompia place, which of course had to be sold out. IMHO, Sheng Kee 63 has the best kompia kosong whilst Fatt Bakery has the best butter kompia. but I had to wait for 30mins for Sheng Kee's that morning, I decided to just grab what I can from Fatt because I was rushing to go back to the hotel... to sleep! I got back to the hotel at 10.30am, quick shower and slept! Woke up at 11.40, called front desk to see if the room was available for extension. It was, but decided not to extend, because I didn't want to waste my annual leave. So checked out at 12, and left for Sarikei. Praying hard that my Glory Cafe would still be open then! |
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| Yesterday on the way from Lachau, I called Glory Cafe to book their coconut pudding. Because they picked up and took in my booking, I thought they were open yesterday too. But I'm so glad that they were open today, and they indeed did keep my coconut for me. I found a table to share with another lady, placed my order and waited patiently. I arrived about 1.15pm and at 1.40pm this beauty came to the table. |
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| And this. Ah. My heart. Now I can die peacefully. I've dreamt (and salivate) about this noodles since forever! Thank you God for giving me a chance to makan this for my birthday. |
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| A week before this trip, KFC had promotion of 3 snack plates for RM33. I've not eaten KFC for the longest time because it was "pricey" and because they do not have coleslaw. It was the same this time when we bought the promo set. I've read that KFC in Sri Aman had the coleslaw, so I put this on my list of to-eat on this trip eventhough the drive in to town from the junction would take about 15 - 20 mins one way. |
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| I bought a big tub + had a small tub that came with the snack plate set as well. Took this photo to prove that I was in Sri Aman for KFC's coleslaw! I DEVOURED both tubs. |
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| How do you eat your coleslaw? Mine? With their cili sauce! It was getting late, and I knew I didn't want to be on the road when it was dark, so I tapau-ed my KFC and had it on the way. 5pm. |
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| Arrived Kuching at 7.30pm. Was supposed to meet up with Marilyn to watch the World Cup Finals at 8pm. So I decided to try my luck getting this Signature Mango Crepe cake at Kohi, Farley. I enjoyed this earlier in Dec when Juwita was in town, and though I'm not normally a fan of crepe cake, this is an absolute beauty and I was soooooo happy to see it available in the cake display. |
And that ends my solo-foodie roadtrip! Woohoo! I might have enjoyed the trip if other people were to come along, but I wouldn't have been able to eat at much as I had, or at as many places, so I was really thankful that I got to do this alone. Here's to all the mysteries 2023 will bring, and perhaps, I'd blog more moving forward. You'll never know.
Thank you Lord for this year, for the joy and the pain, for always being there. All glory, honour and praise belongs to you and you alone. Now and evermore.
