There and back again…

The other day, I had to drive all the way to Melissa’s school in Selangau to pick her up and take her back to Sibu as she had a meeting to attend the following day at a hotel here. I went a bit early so I could browse around the market and also see what the Iban ladies were selling by the pavement. I bought this tapioca root, what we call bandong…or ubi kayu in Malay, the size of my arm or maybe slightly bigger for only RM3.00. The ladies assured me it was very good and indeed, it was…

Usually, I would eat it with gula apong, our local nipah or atap sugar, but there wasn’t any in the house. It did not matter though as it was really good and I enjoyed eating it just  like that!

Mu missus bought these curry puffs…

…but they did not mash the potatoes inside…

…but despite that, it tasted pretty nice and at 3 for RM1.00, I see no cause for complaint.

She also bought these kueh lenggang/ketayap…

…also at 3 for RM1.00. They were not as nice as some that we can get in Sibu…

…but they were all right. For one thing, they were bigger than those at a few of the stalls here and the skin was nicely done – not too thick or tough.

After the brief stop at the town, we were still too early as Melissa was not done yet with her lessons that morning. That was why I decided to stop at this little makan shop right outside the entrance of her school…

…to see what they had to offer…

I was attracted by this house at the back…

…but they are presently building a new one in front. The lady at the shop said it belongs her grandfather’s so I guess this old one would eventually be abandoned and demolished.

The things sold there are more expensive than in Sibu but I reckon that is because of the fact that this place is quite isolated and anyone wanting something to eat would have to drive quite a distance if they would not want to eat here. I had the mee goreng, kering (fried noodles, dry)…

…and it was quite nice and had a lot of ingredients – crab sticks, fish balls, egg and sausages…

My missus has the basah (wet) – the one with a bit of sauce or gravy…

It tasted all right too but I think between the two, the dry version was nicer.

All in all, I would not say it was anything to stop by and try – I would be able to do a much better job at cooking those noodles, that’s for sure but I guess if Melissa were to feel hungry and did not feel like cooking anything of her own for herself, she could always stroll here for a bite.

Well, once Melissa could get away that morning, we left the place right away and made our way back to Sibu…