‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.’– Saint Augustine
During a recent three-day family vacation to my hometown, Sibu, I visited the nearby towns of Sarikei and Bintangor, both in Sarikei Division. Wudek, the nephew of my best friend Mee Lan, acted as our tour guide, showing us the way by road. We travelled in two cars, enjoying a smooth journey that included crossing a long bridge over the Rajang River.
Our first stop was Sarikei, whose emblem is the pineapple, symbolising the town’s famous agricultural produce. At the Sarikei Waterfront, we admired a 3.6-metre-high pineapple statue and took plenty of photos. Nearby, we explored a market selling dried and smoked fish, and then enjoyed delicious prawn noodles and laksa at a food stall recommended by Wudek. Served in fresh coconut shells, each serving cost RM55, and our group of 12 spent over RM250—well worth it for the sweet, fresh prawns. Sarikei is also known for its Chinese medicine shops, where we bought herbs for cooking.
Sarikei Division, formerly part of the Third Division with Sibu and Kapit, spans 4,332.4 sq km and includes four districts: Sarikei, Meradong, Julau, and Pakan.
Next, we visited Bintangor, famous for its Bintangor lime fruit, known for its deep green or greenish-yellow skin and sweet-sour orange flesh. We posed for photos at the town emblem and enjoyed Bintangor rojak, a fruit salad featuring unusual ingredients like sweet potato. The town is also renowned for Bintangor Kampua noodles. Bintangor, the capital of Meradong District, was once a hub for express boat services along the Rajang River connecting Sibu and Sarikei, though road travel has mostly replaced river transport.
Reflecting on the visit, I recalled my Form Six days in Kuching in the late 1970s when my classmates and I travelled home to Sibu on the MV Rajah Mas, which stopped at Sarikei along the way. The vessel served until 1997 when it sank near Tanjung Jerijeh.
It had been ages since my last visit, and this trip reminded me of the charm of these towns. Sarikei and Bintangor are rich in culture, food, and history—definitely worth exploring for anyone in Sibu.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at adelinel888@gmail.com.
