Defective RAM

My home PC RAM (Random Access Memory) or memory stick had been found faulty (8 errors as checked by an utility, memtest86+). I think the RAM had been fault for sometime, I reckon more than 1 year as my computer sometimes experienced the death blue screen (Windows stop error). In the past I had changed the hard disk (bad sector), Motherboard (don't know what went wrong) and Graphic Card but the problem persist. I had overlooked the RAM.

The concerned RAM is Apacer DDR2 1GB 533. The main problem is there is no such stock in computer shops here and order had to be made from KL (my motherboard can only support up to 533 whereas most shops here selling at least 667)

The replacement part is scheduled to arrive next week (Tuesday). Hence, I can only online using my office PC after working hour.

I will try my best to reply to the viewers. The posts had been scheduled and the blog will remain active.

Around Pending

There is nothing much around Pending except a few shop houses (mostly shipping offices and restaurant) and a small Everrise supermarket. Surprisingly, there is also a bank here, Maybank

Near the Pending port area is a training place for the ship's cargo gear, owned by the port authority.

This is an overview of the Pending Port. Nice and spacious.

There is also an old eating place (selling Chinese food and seafood) near Pending. It is said this place used to be popular but now rather deserted. Only a few food stalls are still operational. The food there is nice and at reasonable price.

After Three Kopitiam

After I finished my assignment in Kuching last week, I been brought by my colleague to After Three Kopitiam for lunch. It is located at Jalan Pandungan, just opposite the HSBC Bank.

The interior is comfortable and reminiscent of traditional Chinese coffee shop with some modern touch to it. One can opt to stay indoor (which is air conditioned) or outdoor for fresh air. By the way, the area is Wifi zone. So, one can get online here. The restaurant usually crowded during lunch hour.

For drink, I ordered Air Ular Peng (cold snake water). It is not really snake origin. I have no idea where the name originated but the drink is believed to have body cooling property. (RM 1.80)

My colleague was having Cold Honey Chrysanthemum (RM2.20)

We ordered fish maw soup (RM10). They put a lot of pepper into it.

For vegetables, it was midin with garlic (RM 8). The way this restaurant cook is a bit plain. Didn't taste the garlic flavor. Could have done better. Midin is a local wild fern. A must try delicacy if one visit to Sarawak

We also try Butter Prawn (RM15). Satisfactory although not outstanding. Anyway, a bowl of rice cost RM 1 here.

Overall, the experience is satisfactory. Nice place to chill out and have a quick lunch or meal.

Ranchan Recreational Park

About 4km from Serian town (about 1 hour drive from Kuching City) is the Ranchan Recreational Park. The park is usually crowded during weekend and public holiday.

It is really a nice place to chill out. There is a map on the signboard that gives a rough layout of the area. Unfortunately, due to time constrain, I am unable to venture further

This is the main waterfall (also nearest to the parking lot and entrance to the park). The water is cool and refreshing and worth to take a dip. Washroom and changing room is available in this park. So, there is no problem for one to get changed after getting wet.

I believe there are some more waterfalls inside the park and one need to venture further by following the wood plank and paths at the park. I hope I can explore them in the future.

Hong Lim Park

Along New Bridge Road and Upper Pickering Street is where Hong Lim Park is situated.

At first glance, it is just like any ordinary park. The park is really clean. Clarke Quay MRT Station is situated near the park. The area is run by National Parks Service

But there is a stand and shed somewhere at a corner of the park. This is the Speaker's Corner, a place for limited free speech. Recently the Singapore government had allow demonstrations at Speaker's corner without a police permit.

Away from the Speaker's Corner, which is about the size of a city block, it is illegal to hold a public gathering of five or more people in Singapore without a police permit.

I read in newspaper that a new signboard (replacing the one you see here) had been hoisted on Monday, listing the new rules but one thing has not changed: discussion of religion or other topics which might provoke racial tension are forbidden.

The Speaker's Corner does not draw many orators, while the Park Services says 508 people have spoken there over the past eight years.

Sinking Houses

Not long ago, I been to Kapor Road to survey the collapsed houses. I realized there are more sinking houses around Sibu which might share the similar fate in the near future.

A survey around Merlin Road, Hua Kiew Road, Tiong Hua Road, Belian Road and the surrounding areas are rather shocking judging by these photos. One will notice even the ground floor is under drain level.

Some of the gate and fences are badly sunk. Most of these houses seat on peat soil and it is a matter of time before the structured will give way.

Some of the entrances already submerged with water and make shift "bridge" have to be made to get into the houses.

It is indeed a sorry sight and let's hope the concerned authorities will do something about it before it is too late.

Orange Smoke Signal

Orange smoke signal is a marine distress equipment. It is designed to float on the water while emitting a dense of cloud of orange coloured smoke up to 3-4 minutes. The signal is safe to use on oil covered waters and is employed to attract the attention of passing ships or aircraft during daylight hours. The signal should be thrown overboard to leeward after activation. It should never be operated within the confines of the survival craft.

Orange smoke signal usually have a lifespan of 3 years and should be replaced after its expiry date. However, most of the signal will still work if activated even after it has expired.


Remove the cap at the top of the can. Pull out the ignition ring to ignite the signal. It is quite simple to activate it.

I used it at the stroke of midnight during Chinese New Year celebration at my backyard and this was the result. the orange smoke was really dense. The can will be very hot after ignition and one should not hold it by hand or keep it in the survival craft after activation.