Miri (pronounced /ˈmɪəriː/) is a city in northern Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. Miri is the second largest city in Sarawak. It serves as the government administrative centre of Miri District (4,707.1 square kilometers) in Miri Division of Sarawak; the District has a population of about 269,000 (2008).
Miri is the birthplace of Sarawak's and Malaysia's petroleum industry, which remains the major industry of the city. The first oil well was drilled by Shell in 1910 (the Grand Old Lady), and is now a state monument and one of Miri's tourist attractions. Shell also built Malaysia's first oil refinery in Lutong, a suburb of Miri in 1914. Recently, vast oil reserves were discovered just offshore northeast of the city. Miri has grown phenomenally since oil was first discovered in the early 1900s, burgeoning into the business, commercial and educational centre it is today.[1]
The city's other major industries include processed timber, oil palm production, and tourism. The world famous Gunung Mulu National Park with the Sarawak Chamber, a half an hour flight from the city, is one of the favourite eco-tourism destinations. Miri is also the main tourist gateway for the Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir National Park, and the Niah Caves. Miri is lately known for its exotic coral reefs as well. (Wikipedia)
Yes, we have successfully registered my son at the University of Curtin, Sarawak. We left KL on the 19 February, the day my son turned 19 yrs. Imagine leaving home on your birthday! But i think my son handled it well. We reached Saturday nite and after checking into the Imperial Hotel, we went out to the opposite shop for some dinner. It was ok..similar to KL even the prices so... then it was time to call it a nite. Miri gave us a chance to catch up with my cousin, Raymond who works in Miri. So for the next two days, he was our chauffeur cum tour guide. We managed to get around Miri including a drive to Canada Hills and a view of the Grand ole Lady. It was really nice of him. So Jon went to his room in Curtin Villa and registered for his orientation for his chemical engineering course at the university. listened to some welcome talks and explored the campus..not too big, but guess ok for students who want to study chemical, petroleum or mechanical engineering. We got him some stuff I didn’t manage to bring from home like a pail and some toiletries. The rest I guess he will get when he needs them. I also had the chance to catch up with a colleague I haven’t seen since 2003. It was great to see her and her young family again. Thanks Jannet for the wonderful dinner and chat. Oh yes, and I must add...we had kueh chap...or breakfast one day and lunch the next. Nice..yummy...its hard to find it, only when we are back in JB our hometown, then can we get our favourite breakfast.
Soon, it was time to leave Jon to his weeklong orientation and head for home. It’s kind of sad to leave him behind but we know it’s for his future and we really hope he will make good. That he will make good friends along the way, that the friendships he will make will last the four years and throughout his life, that he will study hard and achieve his dreams and ambitions and we all pray that Curtin is the right choice for him.
Jon, we wish you the best, we are only a phone call away, just msg, email or skype, even just take a flight home whenever you feel like it. Take care and God Bless you always.
Our trip to Miri was the first and it certainly won’t be our last. I am sure we will be seeing lots more of Miri. Plans are afoot to visit the Niah Caves, Mulu national park...Brunei, the works...now to apply for some holidays and book air tickets fast. Any takers?
