I was so delighted when he told me he would come to Sibu and pay me a visit, my blogger-friend, Nick, from Sungai Petani in Kedah…
Never mind that I am caught up with all those things revolving around my parents at this point in time, I just had to make appropriate arrangements to slot in some time to take him around, sightseeing and eating some of the nice things around here…and look at all the stuff that the very nice guy brought all the way for me…
I put him up at a small hotel here as I would not be home most of the day and at night, so he could be left to his own devices when I was not available to venture out and roam around on his own.
After meeting him upon arrival at the airport and taking him to check in, I took him here for the authentic ethnic Dayak delights for that special taste of Sarawak. It was already past 1.00 p.m. then so a lot of the things were running out and no, we did not have everything in a plate or a tray. For someone special on a visit, I insisted on everything served in separate bowls and plates like when I was here with my godson/ex-student, Andrew, from Christchurch, New Zealand that day.
He had the teh-c special…
I hear one can get to drink this in Sarawak only, I don’t know how true that is but there were only two colours. Normally, I would expect a layer of green – either pandan or wheatgrass.
This was all that was left of the kacang ma chicken with tuak…
…and the kasam ensabi with pork…
…but there was more than enough for Nick to get the taste of each of these delightful dishes.
I ordered this paku (wild jungle fern)…
…with cabbage which I thought was an odd combination but I had never had it before and I wanted to give it a try. Well, personally, I think I would stick to our favourites here – the tapioca leaves and the cangkuk manis and pumpkin…
…that we also had that day.
Of course I did not miss out the pansuh babi (pork cooked in bamboo tubes)…
…and to go with everything, I asked for the dabai fried rice…
The total came up to RM21.00 and yes, Nick enjoyed all that we had – he said everything was nice and he particularly liked the unique kind of “herbal” taste of the dishes with all the natural ingredients used in the cooking.
Well, he’s leaving today but no worries, there is a lot more on his visit in the posts to come. Do stick around and see what else we have in store.
Thank you so much for coming, Nick. It certainly was my pleasure having you come and visit our little town…and I do hope you will come again someday…soon. All the best in everything that you do, take care, cheers!!!
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
You know, you are an extremely accommodating person. Here you are so caught up with your parents and all yet you made time for your friend. Such a real gem you are. So precious.
May all good things come your way this year and the years to come, Arthur.
Thank you for your kind words and good wishes.
I love having friends come and visit me in my little town, just that the time now is not quite the best time owing to my commitments. I do believe that in giving, one will receive, love and thus shall one be loved. What goes around comes around…
Always good to have friends visit us isn’t it?
I also waiting for my blogger friends to visit me, but until now, no chance yet, haha!!
Nobody dropping by Taiping? If only I could get away – I would love to make a trip and visit all of you there.
Arthur, you are a very kind person, and I am glad to know you. And the meal looks great! 🙂
I try to be…and I sure was glad Nick liked what I ordered for him to try, not quite the usual stuff one would get elsewhere – our own ethnic delights.
What a great stash of goodies! And, so fun to share your love of food with someone else who is equally passionate.
Yes, I do enjoy having friends and family come here on a visit and I get to take them around and enjoy all the best we have to offer.
thanks for your hospitality and for bringing me here and there although you are busy….hope I can visit Sibu very soon again… 🙂
My pleasure having you here, Nick. I do hope you can and will come on a visit again soon, always welcome.
It is nice to have someone visiting and keep your mind busy for a while.
Glad he enjoyed the taste of Sarawak. Kacangma, that is unique in Sibu. ^^
He loved the kacang ma, very unique taste – this one is with tuak. Even the Chinese white wine ones, so hard to find here – will have to go to Payung for that.
I love having friends drop by.
A friend cooked kacangma during CNY and she used Foochow red wine since she did not have the Hakka white wine. Taste good too. Weird but nice in a way since I never tasted kacangma in red wine. Lol.
An aunt in Kuching used the ang moh red wine and somebody used the Chinese (China) red wine too, all not very nice. Never tried with our traditional Foochow red wine but we had some red wine from Kuching, a friend gave me with the white one, not so red. Can’t remember what we used that for but I would think that would be nice for kacang ma, not so strong and no light sourish taste.
That’s a lot of goodies. Am glad that Nick enjoyed all the authentic delights you ordered.
Yes, I was afraid that he would not enjoy it as the taste might not be what he would be used to, glad he thought it was good.
So, it’s Nick visiting you!!! When you left a comment in my blog asking me to guess, I know can’t be Claire as she’s in Johor, I mistaken the person to be Pete who went to visit you and also to catch pokemon, haha…
Surprise! Surprise!!! So nice of him to come all the way to pay me a visit. I had a great time having him here even though I had to adjust my routine a little.
A nice selection of local dishes for your visitor.
It was good but could have been better, we got to the place a little late.
Oh, I have not tried the dabai fried rice though have seen you put up many times. But then, there are many dishes which I have not tried as yet, have I? 🙂 For the amount of food, RM21 is not too bad… can try varieties, no need quantities…
We did not have this here when you all came so long ago so all of you did not get to try our very own Dayak cuisine. You did not make a trip to visit an Iban longhouse either, right?
That’s a lot of dishes for just rm21! I’m sure Nick enjoyed the lunch and appreciated your being able to make time!
Pretty good, especially when it is something really special – not just anything that can be found here, there and everywhere.