"都可以随便的, 你说的我都愿意去"
When is the last time you have cycled for 20 km in half a day? We have not done so - not even during my Sukothai cycle trip Xp. Today we have done it.
The distance markings on the bitumen track, the fierce-looking "Snoopy" waiting to cross the heavy traffic, the lizards idling on the walls of resting shed, the waves making noise against the breakwater, the swings and the sand, the bright hot sun, the roaring loud airplanes... the trail from Changi Village to East Coast and back.
"细腻的喜欢, 毛毯般的厚重感, 晒过太阳熟悉的安全感"
The bikes are not as comfortable though - sitting position also not very comfortable plus we did not put on protective tan lotion :O. Of cos, I have always wanted to get a good tan. Very funny, cycling seems so "competitive" when we on the road - trying to complete the tough 20 km. Very funny too, it is fun despite under the hot sun and with the sweaty back. Of cos, must be prepared for muscle ache the next day Xp.
"我想说其实你很好, 你自己却不知道"
The trail is very meaningful for us - special significance that we are willing to take up the "hot challenge" to paddle there and even rest for a while though resting will make us more tired Xp. Amazing if we could do our paddle when all the park connectors are completed - around Singapore. Yes, I hope we could do it one day - guess it will be fun and of cos have to prevent tanning by then.
"爱一个人希望他过更好, 打从心里暖暖的, 你比自己更重要"
Changing and playing fun with the lyrics - it helps to shift the mind from the tiredness in paddling to completing the journey. It helps when you know that's someone besides going through the journey - the slopes with 45 degree gradient or the S-course with sharp turn - and the nice food waiting for you upon completion of the journey, Hee!
爱一个人就要去cycle..........................
The power of media is strong and it also exerts some degree of influence upon us as we decided to travel for a short getaway to Melaka. Chendols, chicken rice Balls, Nonya Laksa (not Assam), yummy kuehs with special Melaka "sugar"... but more importantly to experience and have a taste of "Little Nonya" culture....
It was quite a distance from Singapore to Melaka - a total of about 6 hours++. The bus ride was different from those I took in Thailand, Cambodia or Laos - they dun offer bread and mineral water - and also no local "blast" music Xp. Usually, we dun spend more than 1 day in Melaka - rushing from stalls to stalls, museums to museums just to "conquer" as many places in one single day. This time is different - backpack "Munapong" style - slow and steady and with my camera and my backpack...
The streets like Hang Jebat (A character I studied in my lower secondary English Literature - also remember Hang Tuah) are narrow and we have to share with cars and bicycles. Most of the houses got the feel of traditional Baba Nonya style and the show "LIttle Nonya" is featured in one of the museums too! 原来屋顶会有燕窝, 我们的确看到佷多燕子! There are many traditional items on sale - something that I rem my parents have been using - traditional bowls, shoes etc...
Sometimes, old memories are fond memories that make us smile and even giggle Xp. I recalled one of my CNY trips with my parents when our tour group arrived very late in Melaka - and we only able to buy some chicken rice Balls as supper. Well, eating 10 balls without any meat no so nice afterall Xp.
Also remembered that we got stuck in the Hotel waiting to check-in as our tour guide didnt manage to secure enuff rooms for the group - this was the "unhappy" portion. Well, actually "unhappy" stuff is past and we should not be bothered with them - should treat it with a giggle as well. Life still goes on, the camera will still be used to capture new photos and play with new lights - the memory cards will need to be formatted to make room for new pictures - Life still goes on.
The nights were heavy with storms - you could hear the strong winds blowing against the windows and noisy downpour. Straits of Melaka - a very famous term that we used in History and Geography lesson - this trip did bring us back like a time capsule to our past - recalling bits and pieces of our childhood, well, more correct to say "studenthood"? We didnt manage to catch the 45min-boat ride but we could image the ride under the bridges. Hmm...maybe next time we can catch the ride again (heard from some conversations from tourists that the ride is "nice" during night - like Shanghai?).
Temperature was really High during our stay in Melaka though. Have wanted to wake up early in the morning to capture street vendors opening stalls and preparing for their busy day. But too hot outsides as we preferred to hide under artificial ventilation. Frankly, our last Macau or HK trip was cooler - didnt sweat much even when we climbed steep steps. Maybe it's time to go to cooler places liao. Well, timely too since my "studenthood" will be "expiring soon"....
五月的小娘惹之行, 有点热, 但是还是佷有趣. 记得暗暗的古老酒店, 排队吃跟海南鸡饭不同的味道, 不怕吃得太凉的冷甜品, 经过有蝙蝠的街道, 容易迷路的小巷... 但我们知道这是另一次不同的记忆.
Cant recall when I started to love to feast on Salmon Sashimi. Probably when I started working as I could support myself to eat it? I rem a friend who shared that the sushi in Japan is very very different from that in other countries - this is one of the reasons for me to decide to do a backpack to Japan Tokyo in Jun 08.
Backpacking to Japan - I wanted to plan a 2 week trip to cover Hokkaido too - but there was a "big event" back in office - so I could not take a longer period of leave. As in other backpacking, I prefer to do some planning first instead of doing all in the country of destination. Day One was spent in HK as I did a transit to Tokyo from HK. I didnt want to get myself stuck in Japan Airport in the middle of the night figuring out the way/train to take. Safer to do that recci in daytime - thats why the night was spent in HK instead of Tokyo :P.
Not really surprising - the Tokyo Airport was full of Japanese wordings - Have been "warned" by my colleagues beforehand so not so shocked. Have to check with the train attendant in simple English and pointed to the place I wanted to go - I would be staying in "Sakura" backpacker hostel in Tokyo - need to take 2 types of train. Lucky me - I managed to "siam" the peak hour traffic when I was changing train in the JR Circle Line. (Till then, I have not really experienced the peak hour traffic YET - ya, YET). Anyway, the way to Sakura was still little sweat only - checked in successfully but have to purchase a towel at nearby provision shop. Was excited and roamed around and planned for my salmon sashimi trip early in the morning 6 oclock tom.
I have tried very very hard to wake up before 5 am - but managed to get out of room at 6 am. (Next time, will do better when I bring my dear to Tokyo hee hee). The train ride was already quite packed even at 6 am and I was heading to the fish market where you can witness "morning activities" from loading and unloading of fishes to the sale of the fish. The market was really buzzing with activities - must be very careful esp when u stopped to take photos - traffic was fast and furious - can see warning signs of "tractors/trolleys."
I must have enjoyed my salmon so much that I forgot to take a picture of it... no lah, photography was forbidden in the stalls so could only describe the yummy feeling of it. Fresh salmon on steamy rice - yummy!!! There were many stalls so you could pick and choose the one u want to patronise. The japanese stall vendors used "lazer pointer" - customers like me would just take the pointer to indicate on the charts/pictures hung on the wall the meal u want. Simple.
There are too many stalls - dunno which one is the best. Anyway, we can try more stalls next time if we go... hee hee... just need to climb out of bed early.
应该会很好吃, 但是得很早起床哦! 放心, 我一定能把你叫醒的. 早起的鸟儿才有虫吃嘛! 要是每天都这么早, 眼睛会变熊猫吗?
It has b
een a while since I wanted to visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. My last visit was quite some time back during a weekday - and I didnt have my DSLR and went there unprepared for a hike. Wanted to visit and really trek the area - and this dream was realised.
There have been "warning signs" of crocodiles and stray dogs - I met a pack of stray dogs last round and this time I would need to be extra vigilant and stay alert to any mozzy buzz, dogs, crocodiles or bees... Actually, Sungei Buloh is really a nice place that we can get close to the nature without travelling to overseas e.g. Hong Kong or Kanchanaburi Thailand. Lazy though, I didnt bring my long lens and tripod to increase my mobility. Hmm...sometimes u get to buy some stuff but end up not using them....
I remember there are seasons for bird viewing. But its okay, we were able to spot some birds along the way. Without binoculars, we did improvise and make use of our zoom lens to "see" the birds. There were some photographers there, some holding on to heavy tripod and long zoom lens. Reminds me of army field exercise though. Talking abt field exercise, the mozzy there are really "commando mozzy" - my insect repellent seemed not effective against them - have to re-apply several times to fend them off.
Capturing and composing a shot of the bird - esp flying bird is really not easy. While limited by our equipment, the correct moment, the timing all matters. Nevermind, we can try and attempt the next time - this round would be a warming up exercise.
There are a total of 3 routes in the Wetland - the 3rd route will take the longest duration. Being there the first time, we decided to explore all the "landmarks" there - pond, tower etc. We chanced upon a freshwater pond in one of the routes and it was really beautiful. We didnt expect to see flowering season - the whole ambience of the place was serene and soothing... It seemed to be a place in other countries e.g. national parks elsewhere?
很不一样的天空, 佷不一样的感觉. 亲近大自然, 圆一圆青色的梦. 置身在草原中, 感受花草的清香, 池塘的清静. 突然有股冲动, 想躺在花草中, 闻一闻大自然的味道. 佷开心能与你享受此刻的美景, 这就是一个人背包无法圆的梦.
An interesting return leg during our trek back to the entrance. We passed by the Mangrove Swamp and saw different types of crabs. Initially, we spotted only one "colourful" crab and actually there were many many other crabs surrounding that one crab. We got so excited about the counting of crabs as the more we counted, the more we spotted. Hmm... the childlike character from us seemed to emerge suddenly out of no where....
你能算出几只吗?
Nowadays, weekends are really precious. I realise that it is not necessary to travel far away from the country to enjoy the joy and relax. Just like in my photography journey, there are many little things that we often take for granted - but these little things may be portrayed differently if we view them through a new lens.
I never thought that I would be making a puppet - (hard to imagine for the typical "act-cool" person ) We chanced upon an activity - puppet making using recycled materials - and the organiser actually needs 1,000 puppets for the event. Well, we decided to do one to contribute to that tough target. Have to think of a concept for the puppet.
We started squeezing our brain juices and recci the available materials. The layering of the "hair" was fun and innovative - and this suggestion definitely dun come from me. The curly hairstyle though was an inspiration. To make it colourful, we cut small pieces of clothes to make the dress of the puppet. The eyes brows were made by me - decided to do a cresent shape and the cute X eye to be comical. The other eye and the body were creation of the lady - me of cos not as creative. Together, we gave it a name that we liked ...
从来没做过木偶，从来不知道做木偶的滋味。又一次不同的人生体验，一次甜蜜的滋味。
Finally I have a week break to do some "housekeeping" - realised that I have not updated an account of my Sukothai and Nippon Backpack last year before school re-open. Really lost track of time at times - Going back to school is quite taxing after all.
I have wanted to go Sukothai for a long long time - it was one of the ancient city in Thai history. Rem I stayed in a backpacker hostel in BKK near the Hua Lampong Station (Chinatown) the night before, then I realised I needed to go to Mo Chit Bus Station instead ;P. Had wanted to take a train but realised that there was no direct train station at Sukothai - need to change bus to reach Sukothai - so decided to take a 9-10 hours bus ride instead. Took a cab there to catch the earliest bus but the bus agent informed me that the earliest time was 1030hrs. For thai bus, it's best to take
better class" seats - it is not expensive and u get meal coupon, drink and cake on board. It isnt my first time on long journey thai bus, so mentally prepared for the "air con" (It gets hot and stuffy in the middle of the journey, and usually they will play thai traditional music.)
Managed to check in to my backpacker hostel in Sukothai after the long long journey. It was evening time and not too bad - no need to walk in the dark. Rem there was an aerobic session right across my hostel (well, i booked an air con room - but no TV - to tahan the hot weather). Quite cozy place and abt 5 min walk to the "tuk tuk station to Old Sukothai City" and another 5 min walk to the night bazaar. As usual, I went to search for my fav yummy thai noodles - those with char siew the best and it costs only 20B ;). Ate the same store almost every day.
Sukothai Town - most tourists will be staying in the new town while the attractions are abt 50 km from the old town - this means I need to take a transport to old Sukothai city (next time must stay near or the best next to the old sukothai city liao). Weather was hot and humid - I needed no more than 1/2 day to become tanned. How tanned I am? Locals didnt entertain me or they spoke to me in thai liao. I rented a bicycle to recci the old town - You have to go on wheels as it's a huge complex. Nice place - at times I am the only one at a particular site. As usual - mission-based ME - wanted to catch sunset (sunrise is too early - no transport yet). The complex bears similar "feel" as those in Ayutthaya. I stayed at each site for a while, waiting for potential "subjects" to appear. There were school children but no monks.
The time when I was at Sukothai - there were some grand ceremonial activities going on. Rem I wanted to catch the early bus to another old complex and was stopped by the hostel owner. He told me to proceed to the town centre - there was 1000 monks procession (see my album). Okay, it was really an experience - never saw so many monks before. It was very very crowded and students were activated to help out in the whole session. I went to get good location to take my photos. Actually I saw many posters when I reached BKK and saw the news about the procession - but didnt expect to see it in Sukothai.
It was a nice experience - first time backpack cum cycling. It will be great if you can travel with your loved one. We can share the joy of enjoying the roadside street makan, sweating together under the hot sun (of cos with sun block?!), and me showing off some "3-month" Thai language Xp.
Really cant rem when was the last time I went overseas for countdown already especially new year countdown. I recalled I used to be "dragged" to countdown army outing ~ guess I was a person who preferred a "quiet countdown then"? 农历新年的倒数 - 近几年都在外国, 都跟家人一起.
I always like to spend time by sea resort. I also like to watch fireworks. This time round, I decided to spend a new year eve in Indonesia sea resort - well - a place not "so popular". It was quite tough travelling up - 2 hours boat journey plus 1 hour bus ride - ended up like spending more time on the journey than actually enjoying the sea breeze or playing with water, sand, beach...
It was however quite a good getaway. It was the first time that I was so close to fireworks - Watching fireworks at the beach is a nice experience - though can be quite risky too. It was not as crowded like at Marina Bay. Sitting on the chairs, listening to "Final Countdown" songs, watching the "long" display of fireworks - A really cool experience.
Something amazing about the place though was the low tide experience. I rem I went to Pulau Hantu before and my army buddies and I were able to observe the "underwater world" even the need for diving - Low tide. It was quite beautiful as well at Indonesia beach - the "Low tide" view was amazing as well. But we didnt take picture of it cos we thought there would be second chance the next day - Tides in 6 hour cycle rite? 有时真的要好好把握机会, 有时机会只有一次. Another amazing thing is the presence of "kelong" style hut in the "sister resort". Basically, you would be able to face the sea directly, enjoying the full view as well as "attack" by the sea breeze. It would really be an experience for us as we didnt have the chance to stay in a kelong before.
Counting down - I dont know when it starts to be part of my habit - I used to "avoid" counting down activity esp in army days. Rather stay at home and watch countdown programs. Even without DSLR, I started to go for countdown. Started to make new year resolutions, started to capture fireworks, started to find new places to count down. Counting down is a new start a new beginning. It is also a time for reflection. A time for thanksgiving. A precious moment. It is just a second away and hey, New Year is here...and here we go again =)
