My family moved from our previous home at Batu Lintang Road to a Malay village across Sarawak river called kampung Pulo Hilir in 1962. We had to move because my mom could not stay at Batu Lintang due to illness that she had. She needed someone to look after her and that time her younger brother and sister were in the village. I had to move from my first school, SK Lumba Kuda and went to a new school in the village, Pulo District Council School.By the end of 1966 I had completed my primary school time. In January 1967 I started my secondary school study at St. Thomas's Secondary School. The school situated at Mcougall Road about 5km away from my home in the village. To go to the school we needed to cross Sarawak river.And so crossing the river in a sampan that cost ten cents became my daily activity. I started my journey to school as early as 6.30 am and reached school before 7.15 am.
To walk from home to school in the morning was quite enjoyable but not the trip back. Walking home in the bright sun at 1.00 pm was really a challenge to us. I walked to school for three years. My late father only bought me a bicycle when I was in form four (4th year secondary school). That solved a lot of my transportation problem.
Those were the memories of my schooling time 4o years ago. Now sampan is still alive and kicking but the paddler are all new breed with modern facilities. Although the shape of sampan is still maintained, it is now powered by a diesel engine. The paddler that stayed in front remain as a pilot of the journey to cross the beautiful Sarawak river.
2 comments:
I was in Kuching last year. And guess wat, still could see someone use this sampan for fishing in the river.
it's sentimental.
To me the beauty of kuching is the existence of Sarawak River...Sayang Sarawak sungainya sempit...it's so romantic.
Thanks for dropping by.
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