Miri-the petroleum city
27.8.2010Our journey of Borneo trip continued to Miri- the second largest city in Sarawak. 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. Lucky us, as we arrived at Miri,Elmi was there too for a conference. She offered us to stay a night at her room since it was too big for her alone.And of course,we were more than happy to give her accompany (thanks Elmi!). Hehe. Right after lunch,we wandered around the town. Went to visitor information centre and some blokes there suggested us to go to Canada Hill and checked out the Miri International Jazz Festival later that night (which soon to be upload).
The view of Miri city from our room.
Do you think so it’s the cheapest shop in town?Go figure!! Hehe.
Miri-Belait bus station. In case you want to travel to Brunei by bus,this is the place you should hop the bus on.
Canada Hill is where the first oil well was drilled.There used to be a Canadian who lived here and his main business was to recruit foreign and local workers to work in the oil fields around this hill (sound like a broker to me). Hence, it is believed that is how Canada Hill got its name.
Miri Oil Well No.1 also known as “Grand Old Lady”.Grand Old Lady is an iconic structure for Miri city and is the first well in Malaysia to be drilled by Shell company in 1910. It was eventually shut down in 1972 and declared a national monument.There were figures at the base of the Grand Old Lady, depicting the drilling process by the workers those days.
Miri Petroleum Science Museum is also located here.
The wall of contributions towards community.
The oil platform replica.
Canada Hill offers a good view of Miri city with South China Sea as its horizon. It is such a spectacular view and I was practically mesmerized by it.There are only 2 major hotels at Miri City Centre, Mega and Imperial Hotel(the one that Elmi was staying) as can be seen here. The city had a lot medium, small and budget hotels scatter around the city centre.
Interesting facts :
1) Zee Avi, a talented Malaysian singer-songwriter was born in Miri and lived there until she was 12, when she moved to Kuala Lumpur.
2) Noh Hujan from Hujan band also originate from Miri.
3) Canada Hill is accessible from Miri city itself (east of the city) if one fancy the narrow steep walk to the hill. One can drive there but walking would be my preference as the surrounding view is just spectacular. Believe or not, on the way walking down from the hill there were lotsa cars passed by and some even stopped by to offer us a ride. And as usual, we refused the offer politely. And that man screamed at us “Are you crazy??This is very hoott!!!” LOLOL!! And yeah,it was hot and sunny when we were there. What else can you say? I LOVE WALKING.*wink*
August 28th, 2010 at 5:51 AM
ayin.. ayin.. mmg suke enteprem aaa minah tu
hahahah
nice pics beb!
August 28th, 2010 at 4:09 PM
ekekek..nak buat camno..dah mmg die mcm tu.huhu
November 26th, 2010 at 10:47 PM
am now in Miri. i plan wanted to go and see the Grand Old Lady tomorrow.
wanna ask u: is it possible for us to walk up there ? is it safe? coz i plan to walk. tp bile tgnk dlm Google map seems like too far.