Sarikei Pineapples
It used to be cheap and plentiful, to buy pineapples from Sarikei, after all it is an Pineapple town.
Sad to say, you won't be able to buy pineapples during the weekdays now, only week ends are available and expensive.
The other day I asked for the price of one medium sized pineapple, the lady seller said RM4, I chose two bigger ones and two medium ones. She charged me RM32, RM8 for each! I was in a hurry to leave Sarikei and did not bother to bargain. Only when I reached Kuching, I realised I was taken a ride.
Another time I asked another seller where the pineapples actually came from, he told me from Kapong, which is about 150km away.
So, where are Sarikei's famed pineapples?
Wild Petunia (Ruellia ciliosa) Flower
It looks lonely, yet determines to show off its beauty by trumpeting. This light violet trumpet flower only appears once a while outside my gate and in few, yet always caught my attention.
Sarikei River Transportation
This river pontoon has existed for more than fifty years. In the past, it was so busy, full of express boats, speedboats and goods vessels. Today, only few old vessels ply around the river, bringing passengers and goods to the remote villages along the huge Rejang River.
River transportation has been replaced by road transportation since roads connected cities and towns.
This scene will slowly also fade into memory if the shipping industries cannot think of new ways to provide cheaper, comfortable and safer transportation.
Dark Glassy tiger butterfly (Parantica agleoides agleoides)
It needs four legs to hang onto the dead branch, but how does it know that he dead wood can hold its weight? What will happen if the cantilever support snaps?
Where are the other two legs?
Creamy Plumeria rubra Flowers
Certainly the Lubok Antu Council has done a lot works to beautify the Batang Ai Park, including this Plumeria Rubra plant. Last time I came, it was not there.
Ash Coloured Fleabane (Vernonia cinerea)
It grew wild in the cleared field in my farm. When it matured after a few months, the bushy head flower buds came out in groups at the branch terminals. Finally, each of these flower buds turns into a white spherical cotton-like flower.
Don't look down at this plant, it can help to reduce infection of your cuts/wounds in the field. Just get a few leaves, tear and press until the latex comes out. Place it on your wounds and leave there for a while, you will find some relief. It is a traditional herbal medicine.
The Neighbour White Dog
Not too happy of me walking by, she has to make such unfriendly gesture.
But she has to be alert, too many robbers and thieves around, she has to do her duty to earn her food.
