In July last year, I put up a little posting about the old Satok Suspension Bridge. The address for that, if you want to refresh your memory, is
http://stjoe-form5in1976.blogspot.com/2009/07/remember-satok-suspension-bridge.html
Well, I thought I'd briefly touch on this topic again today. No, the structure isn't going to be rebuilt by the state government, as far as I know. And no, they didn't find any skulls in the excavated foundations either :)
The reason for this new item is a photograph (sent to me by Leo, thanks man!) which clears up a little debate we had last year about what the bridge could actually support during its time.
See boys ... I knew what the elders told me about the bridge was true.
The moral of this story is: Don't under-estimate old erections. Until the very end, their performance is usually better than people think".
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Nice one WJ. Ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteWe all STAND corrected :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, if the bridge can support that truck, then small cars should be able to cross without problem. Hmmm, it didn't look that strong.
ReplyDeleteIf you zoom in and look closely, that look like a small van.
ReplyDeleteThink that van is a Morris Minor, judging from the front grill and head lights or was it a Ford, like the one Nathan Ha used to drive?
ReplyDeleteSee the luggage on the roof? Cute huh?
My dad used to cross the bridge with his 5th hand Austin Morris in the 60s to meet his uncle stayed somewhere at Matang.
ReplyDeleteI like JY's conclusion...The moral of this story is: Don't under-estimate old erections. Until the very end, their performance is usually better than people think". lol!
Cheers!
WJ certainly hit the nail on the head as the moral of his story has been undoubtedly proven by the candid recording of an awesome and mind-boggling act performed by a 60+ year-old Datuk in our Bolehland.
ReplyDeleteThat 'van' was the first bus owned by Kuching Matang Transport Company (KMTC). I still remember that bus.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere near the old suspension bridge, back in the 60s, was a small shop that used to sell the best BUTTER BUN I ever tasted. They also had other selections like Coconut Bun, Red Bean Paste Bun .. but my favourite was the Butter Bun.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, there are two big water pipes on each side for transporting water across the river to the other side/Kg Gita.
ReplyDeleteThe human skull story was widely believed then.
My friends and I cycled through the bridge to go to Matang for a picnic.
For the passengers travelling in the "mini-van" ,they must be really praying anxiously and in great suspense until they reach the other end of the bridge. That may be the reason why it's called "The Suspension Bridge"
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the main function of the Satok Suspension Bridge was to support the water pipe-line running from the Matang Catchment Area supplying water to Kuching residents. It doubled as a bridge, providing the much needed access across the river.
Another favourite tale among the locals - it was believed that human heads were commonly used whenever a bridge was built. Myth or fact ? Perhaps the engineers or headhunters among us can give their views on this ?
Cheers !
Where got true, I mean human heads hanging under the bridge or any new bridge been constructed.
ReplyDeleteOur parents just want to scare us with that story, so that we don't go out so often la.
If you tell your kids now, they would say 'Daddy is crazy!'
what happened to the suspension bridge in the end?
ReplyDeleteIt "deflated" or rather collapse...hehehe
ReplyDeleteOnly the two 'supporting stands' still stands at both sides of the river at the moment.
ReplyDelete'stand' like the one at far end of photo?
Eventually the two supporting stands will be taken down and sold as scraps metal by 'someone'
Revisiting Bau Wind Cave, Fairy Cave, Matang(Ang Kio) Park, Siar Beach, Bau Lake, Sematan Beach, Santubong Beach, Terok Bandong beach, Serian Ranchang Pool, Bau Hot Spring, Bako National Park, Matang Wild Life Park, Batang Air Resort, Damai Beach and so on.......
ReplyDeleteP and P Observer,
ReplyDeletewhat mind-boggling act performed by a 60+ year-old Datuk in our Bolehland.
And anon 12.02, I think we all STAND ERECTed.
The wonder of those HEALTH food and pills!
ReplyDeleteHis endurance and prowess put a lot of us to
shame.
So, shape up guys; we got locally-produced health
supplements such as tongkat ali and jamu; we can also practise some tai chi and chi kung.