Penambang boats and ordinary boats rowing pass through the Sarawak River

 Penambang boats and ordinary boats rowing pass through the Sarawak River, the photo was taken in 1972. At that time, the river was the main route for many people, through it not only to cross but other activities such as fishing, "menjala" ,and this river is the main route from the village outside the city to Kuchng where lot of transport boat came from outside of Kuching.

Modern style Express wharf at Sibu Jetty

 Modern style Express wharf at Sibu Jetty nearby to Pulo Babi area,Photo Circa 2014.

Kuching Old Town in 1990's Part 1

 

Kuching wharf in 1980's

 Marine Department wharf nearby Kuching riverfront, most of the building nearby the wharf are demolished to give way to the Waterfront.Only several building are left as we can see today.Seen far behind is secretariat building and electra house. - Circa 1980's

Inner View Perahu Tambang of Sarawak River

The inner view of Perahu Tambang.Front View,Where penambang paddle and control the Perahu

 The rear view,where the engine located.Most of the penambang came from out skirt of Kuching,mainly from Kota Samarahan.They eat,pray and sleep inside this penambang,usually they took two week rotation and off duty.

Penambang of Sarawak River

 A Journalist from Radio Sarawak interviewing a Penambang Peddlar,the vessel behind is Rajah Brooke.A vessel use for transportaion to Singapore and vice versa during that time ( Circa 1960's )

Sunset at Sarawak River

Sunset seen from Sarawak River,a penambang cruising through Sarawak river with Serapi Mountain seen at the background

The Pak Tambang relaxing on their boat

The Pak Tambang relaxing on their boat waiting their turn for paddling taking customers.Usually the peak hours for Pak Tambang working is during early morning when school children or people goes to work,on noon and afternoon.Beside that,most of the time are waiting for customers,usually when arrived at the side of th river.They take turn to whose came earlier will took the customers.When the boat is full,then will come their next turn.

Ferry service at Sungai Miri

Ferry service connecting Miri Town area to Pulau Melayu Peninsular where Old Miri General Hospital located,now nut just the ferry and the hospital gone,the river too which have been filled up for a new township

Rajah Brooke vessel

Rajah Brooke vessel,cruising the Sarawak River on a weekly routine from Singapore to Sarawak.Their based wharf at sarawak Steamship Limited Company.This vessel not only bringing cargo but people vice versa Singapore and Sarawak.

Beside Rajah Brooke vessel,there are several other vessel from other company like Rajah Mas,Pulau Kidjang ,MV Swee Joo which have different destination in Sarawak.This vessel dock at different wharf and jetty along Sungai Sarawak, like Rajah Mas,dock at pengkalan Panjang while Pulau Kidjang at Pengkalan Abok.

Inside of the Penambang,a grandmother and her grandaughter

Inside of the Penambang,a grandmother and her grandaughter

Life on Sarawak River - Circa 1970's

Life on Sarawak River,sailboat and small boat side by side. - Circa 1970's

H.M.S Vyner Brooke

H.M.S Vyner Brooke at Sarawak Steamship Company Wharf.The Carrier Guns at the front and back with depth-charge bombs.She is a cargo steamer and as well as battleship of this Majestic Naval - Circa 30th November 1940.

The Mighty Sungai Rejang river

The Mighty Sungai Rejang seen from Sibu Port.Sibu is a Town by a river and for decades most of the business and daily life depending from the river,from transportaion do daily need.There was many shipping Company here including related to logging company and express boat.Change of demography and upgrading of road connectivity nearby ,some business related shipping are declining although some can still able to survive and adapt latest business.

For those outsiders want to have trip to Sibu,it is more adventurous to go here from Kuching by Express Boat and continue to upper river to Kapit and experiencing beautiful scenery along Rejang River.

Old and New Kanowit Jetty

The Old Kanowit Jetty

The new Kanowit Jetty

Boat at Pengkalan Panjang - Circa 1970's

Workers at boat moved some items at Pengkalan Panjang.Along Main street near Kuching Riverfront,there are many Jetty and wharf.Most wharf are occupied with bigger ship and have more far destination.For a smaller boat like aboved,most of them are using smaller Jetty and Pengkalan.

They drop in or drop off item come from nearby area such as Bau,Samarahan and other nearby place bringing fresh farm produce and daily need.After a better road connection and transportation,this type of transportation become less use by the transporter since it took longer time and cost compare using the road.Nowadays this method of transportation only can be seen at upper river area where,places still unconnected with main road.

Dewan Undangan Negeri sarawak Building construction

A red perahu tambang pass by the still on going construction Dewan Undangan Negeri sarawak Building - Circa 2007

Pangkalan Panjang at Jalan Gambier Kuching

Pangkalan Panjang at Jalan Gambier Kuching - Circa 1970's. River in Sungai Sarawak on those days are live with lot of activities and people use it from day to night.From small Sampan to big Ship having route from Bau to as far as to Bintulu,Mir and beyond.

Pak Tambang of Sarawak River

A Pak Tambang at Jetty waiting for customers

Borneo Company Limited building

 Borneo Company Limited building at current Kuching Hilton Hotel

Borneo Company Limited building at current Kuching Hilton Hotel seen from Shell Petrol Station nearby,whereas the sand vendor making use the river bank served as storage for their sand.