tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91877062024-03-08T12:14:09.212+08:00Mid Life ChroniclesRunning a Living.Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-46338018555237983022009-09-30T23:50:00.003+08:002011-12-20T10:55:22.165+08:00Moving to new blogThis blog has been moved to <a href="http://www.shcheong2.blogspot.com/">www.shcheong2.blogspot.com</a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-1960796018491742452009-09-30T23:00:00.013+08:002011-04-15T01:06:33.242+08:00Siem Reap<p align="left"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP82-66pKMDFbRf1k8ZOq4vED2ns963W81r1AAZlPLuJeTEHiyv2x29skYyyKzk12A7JqzCLDX67uVi7nk3pCbnzoN9bBdCWfz6bXjgilhDRIS83HWqxD7ikUCP4CqgTR3V5GalQ/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586051778109989698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP82-66pKMDFbRf1k8ZOq4vED2ns963W81r1AAZlPLuJeTEHiyv2x29skYyyKzk12A7JqzCLDX67uVi7nk3pCbnzoN9bBdCWfz6bXjgilhDRIS83HWqxD7ikUCP4CqgTR3V5GalQ/s400/IMG_0401.JPG" /></a> </p><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMYw8RgGNZs4iR-SQILfN_BSsVwQSGu8yMUPq7Jt_FksFVESqwLzyR4FKuEQ5zet0Rfcvhbp6_rsYPz-rdnCoN_yFuyjiJ9y64TUcVnhbSh7ey59a9ODDnmigQVvKcW-N5TJSRw/s1600/IMG_0448.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; 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HEIGHT: 400px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580479729963717106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzdFjVw1DrCT2x3yns2v4LcqABS1FGLvvYM3Jh6EoXdL1kVFy12FxU6krDiGPs6prQ2nla0gU5AYQPzATtuWhrTPfd8rwUKJhBs5naEzVQgNQvxLbPtw3fHeiHZg38azsNP6_Mw/s400/LR3_0299--+Lightroom+Lens+Corrected+and+Crop.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VCH1yYMyRS502TUK7EO4U0Ft8amTP_7Y1B7rH0STf8pn4pPsPoUcIE_1AwrAUBA4IRc4Iegmt6lvMz1HtCSYRAKe3jazn1Q2rdoRvizz_aiSqRouhQdNDqEGlwzA6MetIDROhA/s1600/IMG_0136+-+Copy.JPG"></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-89794960303443481702009-05-30T23:39:00.002+08:002009-05-30T23:45:14.574+08:00DecisionsThe discovery of facebook lead to the absence of blogging for more than half a year.<br /><br />Ran 3 races this year the Malakoff 12km, GE30k and Orange run. I was the 3rd last Veteran runner to finish 30kms clocking a time of 4:16. The Orange run route was increased to 11kms, finishing 72mins. These statistic show I have slowed down considerably by 10% over the last 2 years. I have to admit I lack discipline and perseverance in training prefering more to hike during weekends.<br /><br />However, I still enjoy participating races as long as I do not risk injury, health complications or road dangers when the traffic control is withdrawn.<br /><br />The SCKL Marathon is around the corner and the facts say I am ill prepared. I have never skipped or dnf a race. This could be my first.Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-39399176295257877902008-11-16T23:26:00.003+08:002008-11-18T00:06:38.103+08:00Saga Hill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtRwbL5H_5Q2aRk-roMeFKnYhpd0hJuDP1AEtcDsH451TdCQwCg87u5H35iz_Q4l5tFyhrA4KYNuTJJvqEhnD1KYNZuMSDZS2um1bLE3MtrEb5ecauuO3S3SEIITqCxiYZCUD5w/s1600-h/getting+ready+to+climb.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI13rpoow1WTBnSNoL5aVnlYO3wDgRF-D1_wZ0oOzsTlQxxALnOssk5PBLnnyMctXUWBzCv8DnrQsGASuuJ-69E-r_PF8fNwu5Wnh-9KEorG_ifuvuvjumv66-oShZ_C3R9yRfEA/s1600-h/Saga+Hill+-+Group+at+the+base.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269652470983530130" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI13rpoow1WTBnSNoL5aVnlYO3wDgRF-D1_wZ0oOzsTlQxxALnOssk5PBLnnyMctXUWBzCv8DnrQsGASuuJ-69E-r_PF8fNwu5Wnh-9KEorG_ifuvuvjumv66-oShZ_C3R9yRfEA/s320/Saga+Hill+-+Group+at+the+base.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />At ground zero.<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnLTpIEPUbA3hKMh0a5g2Q__ms1SRG-iM4hoUmG4Rsn0yuM5fex2KG9j416LWUy8jkK3nC6PPphfpjhKb-AcsG5-MLA9F18Q0rzwnXWya44PMGVcVHqjX7mBWEyxDUqIzQeV6LQ/s1600-h/Saga+Hill+-+Group+at+the+base+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269652466808167314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnLTpIEPUbA3hKMh0a5g2Q__ms1SRG-iM4hoUmG4Rsn0yuM5fex2KG9j416LWUy8jkK3nC6PPphfpjhKb-AcsG5-MLA9F18Q0rzwnXWya44PMGVcVHqjX7mBWEyxDUqIzQeV6LQ/s320/Saga+Hill+-+Group+at+the+base+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDJCTogtNIK5imVMe9m0v94Ty0tmOhGT8bqEV5pIa_9lxF4P8570SXDJ8QgqxND59EbjeQje5miZwPcqPxk8xiy3ACVvhfzKBI4Y3Ctp7HBfGSn5AoXBfzpyjVxGQbi7iLgpmNg/s1600-h/mee+peng+and+tammy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269652461466542418" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDJCTogtNIK5imVMe9m0v94Ty0tmOhGT8bqEV5pIa_9lxF4P8570SXDJ8QgqxND59EbjeQje5miZwPcqPxk8xiy3ACVvhfzKBI4Y3Ctp7HBfGSn5AoXBfzpyjVxGQbi7iLgpmNg/s320/mee+peng+and+tammy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Mee Peng and Tammy<br /></span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_xZ5hR8ELRDfdxi9-oD99oyNFRirlM9HLujvnbJVYlO7-evSSdbkfkruPaRHqQ3ST4nE8s-ckfYW6fSeMrxbgj7aLUcukDm3otVAHqgKs2qh8IKblsftRanyV_hE8mQpm3N4Jw/s1600-h/getting+ready+to+climb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269651130741394418" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_xZ5hR8ELRDfdxi9-oD99oyNFRirlM9HLujvnbJVYlO7-evSSdbkfkruPaRHqQ3ST4nE8s-ckfYW6fSeMrxbgj7aLUcukDm3otVAHqgKs2qh8IKblsftRanyV_hE8mQpm3N4Jw/s320/getting+ready+to+climb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Getting ready to ascend.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wX5ACylwsQ2MKgi9YF89RctN8e6efbZI_bPQgedg4kXnVhSR4w0Rz3Ew_IlJ_RQZFRNoXnLh_PxuGKySC1sUzCUAo_jH_Vu5y6GPo5pFa4zQDNCtqh7g3SWegBr5hRqDD7zTwQ/s1600-h/waterfall+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269653542568213250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wX5ACylwsQ2MKgi9YF89RctN8e6efbZI_bPQgedg4kXnVhSR4w0Rz3Ew_IlJ_RQZFRNoXnLh_PxuGKySC1sUzCUAo_jH_Vu5y6GPo5pFa4zQDNCtqh7g3SWegBr5hRqDD7zTwQ/s320/waterfall+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="color:#660000;">The tiny waterfall was useful to wash up after the hike.</span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ07pRd4sboul40iSDxRW4IM7Sz3WZgGT97yQSYYQq7Vo0GT4YqTo_Fw46wIkVchSGg-pmUJpOLvAi1m0hB8_sKv6x6m4Wt7nGNd58AR5V5LDqYTt9G8_sCnrLo-QLhvu4sC67w/s1600-h/zig+zag+up.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269651119152059826" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZ07pRd4sboul40iSDxRW4IM7Sz3WZgGT97yQSYYQq7Vo0GT4YqTo_Fw46wIkVchSGg-pmUJpOLvAi1m0hB8_sKv6x6m4Wt7nGNd58AR5V5LDqYTt9G8_sCnrLo-QLhvu4sC67w/s320/zig+zag+up.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Zig zag to the top.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUwN-ZJHgvVz-btj66FbG7MIh1LVjHlnB5eAMkdW2fam_Zak4cp0gIcef43Jjrc1gderXE6Udsg1hkYHPThyphenhypheno1CAXrn-iH40XlN6aJXe5hqjBW0CjgSHu9-m1A7qeHXS-9Cnshg/s1600-h/view.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269653547234732370" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUwN-ZJHgvVz-btj66FbG7MIh1LVjHlnB5eAMkdW2fam_Zak4cp0gIcef43Jjrc1gderXE6Udsg1hkYHPThyphenhypheno1CAXrn-iH40XlN6aJXe5hqjBW0CjgSHu9-m1A7qeHXS-9Cnshg/s320/view.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />View of Cheras tamans.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYY6x07c-fQ7IqXekdNNCRxmXXJHd0JxqA2AmitRqCSEs3C_gcOTABCSdX2LKi3wF3r7fXItQ313DH4uYEkevzpApoMVrc3gj7aXmzEVURaPvN46zR8NCXU830GCPyRu7h-qNzg/s1600-h/map.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269651103854718354" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYY6x07c-fQ7IqXekdNNCRxmXXJHd0JxqA2AmitRqCSEs3C_gcOTABCSdX2LKi3wF3r7fXItQ313DH4uYEkevzpApoMVrc3gj7aXmzEVURaPvN46zR8NCXU830GCPyRu7h-qNzg/s320/map.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Map shows a route to Bukit Putih. Will attempt it the next trip.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSuaMlJYzp1IT49SkP2KeUEMNb3HP-3T-LlyF06dX1DPOfVyCc5c6tN_eKmfTe7wUHT8K38rq6q1h6v-BnpBpZxgqsq0wmPuumIHgTo8lFjQ7hBm2pJ1eibm-rGUAY3au5tJxmg/s1600-h/summit+430+meters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269651096301428450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSuaMlJYzp1IT49SkP2KeUEMNb3HP-3T-LlyF06dX1DPOfVyCc5c6tN_eKmfTe7wUHT8K38rq6q1h6v-BnpBpZxgqsq0wmPuumIHgTo8lFjQ7hBm2pJ1eibm-rGUAY3au5tJxmg/s320/summit+430+meters.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />At the summit.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1bhqDaqD3ZqRS4Te05fqA9HsQBr1lqJr3aA5VCQbkA6A_fU0YOjBCLTxDFtLkk4gjlOXSiiuCPXB1FHSdeJ9uwFwhg1UEety9JODNl4f-Zeksxly0qx98oHamytBJbg2xSzx1A/s1600-h/yew+keong+up+the+summit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269651082352659474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1bhqDaqD3ZqRS4Te05fqA9HsQBr1lqJr3aA5VCQbkA6A_fU0YOjBCLTxDFtLkk4gjlOXSiiuCPXB1FHSdeJ9uwFwhg1UEety9JODNl4f-Zeksxly0qx98oHamytBJbg2xSzx1A/s320/yew+keong+up+the+summit.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A hero's welcome.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVAvRHDPDuY7LHfyBEEg9mcOJqqhYvG5cLSvHaOl9ShshLtuZv-_1HiXYnkIFO1tqM2n9Fl9vB3eqS3RHtMCwfiSYCBoK08JO6W8l0RXLBhPZpQTgoKK-Ub4AW6uBPNHMvFYU9A/s1600-h/yeoh+siblings.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269649235775415858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVAvRHDPDuY7LHfyBEEg9mcOJqqhYvG5cLSvHaOl9ShshLtuZv-_1HiXYnkIFO1tqM2n9Fl9vB3eqS3RHtMCwfiSYCBoK08JO6W8l0RXLBhPZpQTgoKK-Ub4AW6uBPNHMvFYU9A/s320/yeoh+siblings.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yeoh siblings: Sylvia and Sean<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_9fWRnB-CncV1hUN4yh3EMaHYhyphenhyphen-ppI9Nt_0TDflFQvNDi3qwxuwlAgPJLtEqt_egTQktsjLHfqNCE_1vDFd4RiG_xFoqfmcQjNCrBdWfCR6P_0pCaImq0zZxmh18D4K4uIEjg/s1600-h/summit+group.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269649230725161186" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_9fWRnB-CncV1hUN4yh3EMaHYhyphenhyphen-ppI9Nt_0TDflFQvNDi3qwxuwlAgPJLtEqt_egTQktsjLHfqNCE_1vDFd4RiG_xFoqfmcQjNCrBdWfCR6P_0pCaImq0zZxmh18D4K4uIEjg/s320/summit+group.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R5Rh6yFS5sacmPj13idzD1GAHhaiBo8ti68hMDbuSBBnMPpFvdWMc2rSMYfIQB2SRdM-RxX6EeDgmIA2e8qGhDCnuLp4ET3rMolxB0mEhFC4R1l_LqepcT5Du_Ycgiqr1M8TCw/s1600-h/summit+group+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269649233234396226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8R5Rh6yFS5sacmPj13idzD1GAHhaiBo8ti68hMDbuSBBnMPpFvdWMc2rSMYfIQB2SRdM-RxX6EeDgmIA2e8qGhDCnuLp4ET3rMolxB0mEhFC4R1l_LqepcT5Du_Ycgiqr1M8TCw/s320/summit+group+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckJGtyKD1sROrFhnYIuyYue8ajFogXWSx_eC1ITYWf-smWJDOfI4XnBY91Hd3iSREXxVX-FB7bbxa7ogD-9iE4DUiQbmsdohmsgqS0ZTJH2lMWYONG90JVYPZufvYd8Q893nLxg/s1600-h/tony+kim+and+clare.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269649226303262242" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckJGtyKD1sROrFhnYIuyYue8ajFogXWSx_eC1ITYWf-smWJDOfI4XnBY91Hd3iSREXxVX-FB7bbxa7ogD-9iE4DUiQbmsdohmsgqS0ZTJH2lMWYONG90JVYPZufvYd8Q893nLxg/s320/tony+kim+and+clare.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tony, Kim and niece. </div><div>The summit was rather spacious with swings and hammock.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_1iv6oVoMWF91I2JlMEIE-eFnkyS3w1jwxULsSTS7SWH1Sh2jo2qxd5tQGgggWQm8jPwiTO7JoJ__qZPZixE97qMm9ShRGrw3UKD68dGZJGzJzxbE7nTfSBk3IEceHh3aFvtxg/s1600-h/yew+keong+and+bun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269649227985851410" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_1iv6oVoMWF91I2JlMEIE-eFnkyS3w1jwxULsSTS7SWH1Sh2jo2qxd5tQGgggWQm8jPwiTO7JoJ__qZPZixE97qMm9ShRGrw3UKD68dGZJGzJzxbE7nTfSBk3IEceHh3aFvtxg/s320/yew+keong+and+bun.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Reward for summiting.<br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-25670003690053131712008-11-10T18:17:00.003+08:002011-03-06T20:43:39.503+08:00Carboman ran the NYC marathonCarboman aka Jamie Pang ran the New York City marathon on Nov 2.<br />This is the person who got me into running 5 years ago.<br /><br />His discipline in training, passion for running and knowledge in this area is exceptional.<br /><br />While I find running boring, Jamie can make it interesting and that is what keeps me going all these years.<br /><br />Jamie finished a personal best in NYC.<br /><strong><em><span style="color:#993300;">Well Done Sifu !</span></em></strong><br /><br />Read all about his dream run in the following websites:<br /><br /><a href="http://roadtonycm.blogspot.com/">http://roadtonycm.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/friends/?ref=tn#/profile.php?id=780768898">http://www.facebook.com/friends/?ref=tn#/profile.php?id=780768898</a><br /><a href="http://www.carboman.blogspot.com/">http://www.carboman.blogspot.com/</a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-57696584133931276302008-11-01T12:21:00.001+08:002008-11-02T00:55:23.006+08:00Fire in the neighbourhood2 weeks of indolence, we finally found the courage to exercise in FRIM. After I reversed my car out from the driveway, I notice a neighbour, 4 houses away; upper storey was spewing black smoke. Mee Peng exclaimed the house was on fire and told me to stop the car.<br /><br />We got out and saw an elderly Malay lady running across the road towards the opposite house screaming for help. When we got to the main gate, we could see a fire has broken on the left side of the master bedroom window. Since the design of the house is identical to ours, I suspect judging from the initial flame location, the air-cond 15A starter could have short-circuited causing ignition.<br /><br />4 other persons emerged from the house: a teenager who guided an elderly man in his 70s and 2 young children probably 5-6 years old. Mee Peng took the 2 kids to safety, to the elderly lady who turned out to be their grandmother. Both their parents were not at home.<br /><br />While the teenager went back and forth the house to salvage belongings, I asked the elderly man if there was anybody else inside the house. He mumbled something which I could not comprehend and wanted to go back to the house but we held him back.<br /><br />I tried to look for the owner’s garden hose but could not find one.<br /><br />In a matter of minutes, the house was in an inferno. The roof was completely ablaze and later collapsed.<br /><br />There was a Proton Satria car parked on the lane just beside the house. The teenager probably in his late teens said it was his. Mee Peng asked me to drive his car away as she said he can’t drive.<br />I was very apprehensive because the house was an end-lot. The car is just next to a high vertical wall which is blazing from the top. I was afraid the wall may collapse on the car.<br /><br />In the end I took his car keys and fumbled with the manual transmission as I have not driven one for months coupled with the fear of the wall falling on my head! I managed to reverse the car to safety.<br /><br />The residential security guard came, bravely stood on top of the house pillar and used the adjacent neighbour’s garden hose to spray whatever water he could muster from the little water pressure.<br /><br />By now a crowd had gathered and we were trying to contain the fire from spreading to the next house.<br /><br />I have no experience of this sort and was in disarray as to how to douse the fire. I used the next neighbour’s garden hose to channel the water upwards but it was quite useless. The water pressure was simply inadequate.<br /><br />Finally 2 fire engines and a TNB pick-up truck arrived. The powerful water hoses doused the fire in a matter of minutes.<br /><br />The occupants were very lucky to escape injury.<br /><br />The grandmother relayed to Mee Peng that one of her grandchildren was actually locked inside the bedroom upstairs and that was what got her terrified. With the help from a neighbour, the door was barged open and the child was rescued just before we arrive.<br /><br />This incident shocked many of us residents as we have never thought a linked house could burn so easily and rapidly in a dry hot weather.Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-23718145111190685512008-10-21T23:30:00.003+08:002008-10-25T11:36:35.443+08:00Close callAfter lunch at Plaza Ampang, we headed back to Ampang Park for our underground walk transit to our office. I told my 2 lunch partners: Ganesh and Newton that I need to go to the ATM to withdraw money. I left them and wasted little time as it was beginning to rain and there was a scheduled meeting at 2 p.m.<br /><br />Usually, after a cash withdrawal, I would be very conscious of the people around me especially if there are people who appear to be tailing but this time I let my guard down because I was preoccupied of how to get back without getting wet.<br /><br />I applied what my father-in-law would do in a situation like this. Use newspaper to shelter the head. I bought The Star newspaper from the Ampang Park LRT station and took out the classified section ready for disposal once it got soaked.<br /><br />While waiting for the lift to arrive, a Malay man told a woman probably in her late 40s that the elevator was faulty. I knew it wasn’t because I have taken this lift a thousand times. True enough, the lift came and a group of people went in. I stood right at the corner to deter pick-pockets.<br /><br />Within seconds, the lift reached the only level at the top. To my surprise, only 1 or maybe 2 people got out of the lift. The rest about 5-7 of them remained inside. I thought they could be foreigners who are unsure where they were going. As I made my way to the lift doors, a burly man deliberately blocked my exit.<br /><br />Immediately I knew something was amiss. At the same time, someone from behind lifted my left leg slacks to grab my feet just above my ankle. This got me berserk. I have heard and read about this modus operandi before. It had happened to one of my colleagues before, in a bus.<br /><br />Rage<br /><br />I got into a rage and shouted “Apa ini ?!!!”. It is strange because that few seconds when the person tried to hold my leg, my mind went blank as if something was trying to cloud my mind.<br /><br />I am not sure if it was panic, near hypnosis, reflex action or pure anger; like a man possessed, I pushed and jostled out of the elevator. As I exited I ran out into the rain with the newspaper on my head to the adjacent Hotel Nikko. No one followed me.<br /><br />I am not sure what would have happened had I been trapped inside the lift once the doors closed.<br /><br />Later, Ganesh and Newton recounted to me that they were actually outside the lift waiting for the rain to stop and saw me running into the rain but did not witness the incident.<br /><br />In hindsight, the decoy where the man said the lift was faulty could be a ploy to coax me into using the escalator. 4 years ago, my neighbour had relayed to me his bad experience of being robbed a few thousand ringgit while on the escalator. He had exchange cash from a Money Changer.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">How they pick-pocket on the escalator</span></strong><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br />I spoke to my neighbour this morning and here is an account of his story. It happened in Sogo Shopping Complex. As my neighbour work overseas, he had just exchanged a few thousand cash from the Money Changer and was on his way down the escalator from the 2nd floor to ground floor.<br /><br />As he was approaching the ground floor, a man pretended to drop something on the floor and bent down to look for the "missing" item. The man would stretch his arms to block the escalator exit causing my neighbour to back step on the escalator steps. Unknown to him, there were already a few collaborators behind who would then pretend to hold him as he bump to them. It is at this confused "shoving", the crook(s) took the cash from his pocket.<br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-77403195402681482172008-08-02T18:31:00.009+08:002011-04-12T00:22:25.069+08:00Raub Durians<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-HGB4qesyDibQ36kZTpXphQJLclAtKbpurZNA8s4e71OeYmj7eot4dtRG8-L5d29M7iBmOxUVqDz9rZXPHzgswGQPr2vCXpBsc0DGVmoR_Tf70IeJmM4JducuTFvduC3vUI2UQ/s1600-h/252_52210002Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232207145140545426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-HGB4qesyDibQ36kZTpXphQJLclAtKbpurZNA8s4e71OeYmj7eot4dtRG8-L5d29M7iBmOxUVqDz9rZXPHzgswGQPr2vCXpBsc0DGVmoR_Tf70IeJmM4JducuTFvduC3vUI2UQ/s320/252_52210002Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:arial;">I had abstained and avoided the king of fruit long enough. The opportunity to saviour this great delight came when my friend Fook Shing invited me for a "Eat all you can" durian feast in Kg. Tras, Raub, Pahang. An event organized by the Heriot-Watts club.</span> <span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Kenny was even more keen, not just for the durians but the sheer excitement of visiting a fruit orchard farm thrilled him. Raub was also his birthplace. 6 of us + Kuan Li the only child, fit into Shing's 7-seater Toyota Avanza.</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">About 8 cars parked under the durian trees amongst the trimmed down short mangosteen trees.</span> <span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;">Everybody including myself was eyeing the famed "Musang King". When I finally got to eat a piece, it wasn't that great. I preferred the other stronger flavoured thick yellow-orange flesh which I did not get to identify its species.</span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">With no more than 15 seeds, my stomach bloated and I had to surrender. After the gluttonning, we wandered off to pick more durians. The orchard owner allowed whatever dropped on the ground can be tar-pau (take-away) back, despite protest from his wife.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;">We greedily collected 33 durians of various sizes and hundreds of mangosteens!</span> <span style="font-family:Arial;">Despite a stuffy stomach, we still had room to eat the famous Bentong homemade ice-cream.</span> <span style="font-family:Arial;">It has been a long while since I had this kind of food for breakfast and lunch.</span> </div><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZZNps2iod9WgGL9TZAkj2WdkdbQytG5wiDIsgiwTFDFehHy_JpfNS_Juqub1gCIaAnOS-lMYVuXu-H4-Adsw1JKTtb1KEoZwz2gBFCbBwSTa2DiVLp9kulW98z4YniXIy_pbkQ/s1600-h/252_52230003Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232207147712902946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ZZNps2iod9WgGL9TZAkj2WdkdbQytG5wiDIsgiwTFDFehHy_JpfNS_Juqub1gCIaAnOS-lMYVuXu-H4-Adsw1JKTtb1KEoZwz2gBFCbBwSTa2DiVLp9kulW98z4YniXIy_pbkQ/s320/252_52230003Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZGRpjNOsm6waLq247sGGNhyXYVN0EOJtqLcO86tARQGPP8xxVyUUfxc3WuCszLP66jk7mHJ7NpL-qov3IclfxXzyoyponHelLI35y93Wu1VjMsLQ6revVEWfUV600DZc1i5mdw/s1600-h/252_52520028Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232207147630903074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZGRpjNOsm6waLq247sGGNhyXYVN0EOJtqLcO86tARQGPP8xxVyUUfxc3WuCszLP66jk7mHJ7NpL-qov3IclfxXzyoyponHelLI35y93Wu1VjMsLQ6revVEWfUV600DZc1i5mdw/s320/252_52520028Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><em>The orchard owner.</em></span></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb5T4FHCGyYnaiSSfBzlqeI_FH2gvC0NRMgM8xG9oyd64V0JHCScMSukfR4DlpZufAnUZA4O_r5YuI2d2tTj839pbDbTksrm-OiG0HGGSHzhoSs0JwsiMbirhDn4oeGI6udzj9Q/s1600-h/252_52470023Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232207148258071874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb5T4FHCGyYnaiSSfBzlqeI_FH2gvC0NRMgM8xG9oyd64V0JHCScMSukfR4DlpZufAnUZA4O_r5YuI2d2tTj839pbDbTksrm-OiG0HGGSHzhoSs0JwsiMbirhDn4oeGI6udzj9Q/s320/252_52470023Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Dog eating Durian.</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE9mIaIoMRf9Hpg-yMSjhBMMhyphenhyphennUCWmbl3J-9dOSvf9zRECDC1FOkpmoBoFjGps019rokKT0C0TZ7PGpl-j7_JoPXosmOfA_ech15A7CbyAvMjNpslDEtjvP9NBaiXHSUDxhOlQ/s1600-h/252_52560029Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232207148743373714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGE9mIaIoMRf9Hpg-yMSjhBMMhyphenhyphennUCWmbl3J-9dOSvf9zRECDC1FOkpmoBoFjGps019rokKT0C0TZ7PGpl-j7_JoPXosmOfA_ech15A7CbyAvMjNpslDEtjvP9NBaiXHSUDxhOlQ/s320/252_52560029Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Kuan Li's first encounter with a durian tree.</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL-SMJm6w3MWQwQAfiljxXmvD91VaiWK3twJvREXl_ssHIjLVJ5h3t5Xl9iA0xmtdCuYiD5jNC6rXR_nywqp9vIGHMaMrLqoAQcjPLTSVtGe_aZIW6S2WQzhit5JZAE40Bgx66A/s1600-h/252_52270006Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232205604736352386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL-SMJm6w3MWQwQAfiljxXmvD91VaiWK3twJvREXl_ssHIjLVJ5h3t5Xl9iA0xmtdCuYiD5jNC6rXR_nywqp9vIGHMaMrLqoAQcjPLTSVtGe_aZIW6S2WQzhit5JZAE40Bgx66A/s320/252_52270006Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlH675LB1Zd8o3WzFZwsdqYWck-IoYuu1FfP0cdRsDmPWxOoPq2lTNMPfBUxJ5B3lsXT1TMTjOYeagBWEvnQzZL2NRVUUtaoGSXWKZTTIRQWTPwhHcGnm6r7Kmo8y582tKqsuew/s1600-h/252_52290008Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232205610327658178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlH675LB1Zd8o3WzFZwsdqYWck-IoYuu1FfP0cdRsDmPWxOoPq2lTNMPfBUxJ5B3lsXT1TMTjOYeagBWEvnQzZL2NRVUUtaoGSXWKZTTIRQWTPwhHcGnm6r7Kmo8y582tKqsuew/s320/252_52290008Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFS_ofN_cDPWBsAgImiOork4-ymc4L_ceIXY46CM3UZjWpkE8VFQVXWh4N_RlB_0B1TkBF7owR7UPPsuAXijftbzbUVS9srCydMcHLVhzy_d6iFWHuSNrSsfTq-NJrjcubX1rMQ/s1600-h/252_52330011Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232205612141224306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFS_ofN_cDPWBsAgImiOork4-ymc4L_ceIXY46CM3UZjWpkE8VFQVXWh4N_RlB_0B1TkBF7owR7UPPsuAXijftbzbUVS9srCydMcHLVhzy_d6iFWHuSNrSsfTq-NJrjcubX1rMQ/s320/252_52330011Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AQ_sEu2DcJE5KU-azSU5-KjyG9sG9u-tmcMyrCeKBEewTkb9d0UpiEgJApPLnVzZH2fCRdKmAUzMrEsPoTmOO9TeYjEpPSvaAxBxHMcEYMhHaJ1cR4OFlkZE_OOD0m1OT8PvDw/s1600-h/252_52360013Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232205611780953538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AQ_sEu2DcJE5KU-azSU5-KjyG9sG9u-tmcMyrCeKBEewTkb9d0UpiEgJApPLnVzZH2fCRdKmAUzMrEsPoTmOO9TeYjEpPSvaAxBxHMcEYMhHaJ1cR4OFlkZE_OOD0m1OT8PvDw/s320/252_52360013Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Musang King</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLYGaUutf0RkmeKw6fvlFGrMRMu94kGym-eHo26xGB2PIEr0h-swsA6gFtxVUjYKKhV5i-b_f6zTGolQyG2tY-R5tEk8F6ZGy2eQ1xy3wEdSsFYFZVYXbfcOS9n6ymKz7CeEFYQ/s1600-h/252_52440021Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232205617618462210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLYGaUutf0RkmeKw6fvlFGrMRMu94kGym-eHo26xGB2PIEr0h-swsA6gFtxVUjYKKhV5i-b_f6zTGolQyG2tY-R5tEk8F6ZGy2eQ1xy3wEdSsFYFZVYXbfcOS9n6ymKz7CeEFYQ/s320/252_52440021Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">First bite.</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilDpx0h7JtOJG4Susbe8FshRIf9q3kKL0T1vRhp65RwnR-RFEcGJCyBQOQ7XDkK_4MAZmrwsPATgcf8cF1s244jopy6DU_1goNNC3GYYQn3FCvqP010DYBIHe0YKbJGBoXqs84g/s1600-h/252_52370014Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232204066496130274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilDpx0h7JtOJG4Susbe8FshRIf9q3kKL0T1vRhp65RwnR-RFEcGJCyBQOQ7XDkK_4MAZmrwsPATgcf8cF1s244jopy6DU_1goNNC3GYYQn3FCvqP010DYBIHe0YKbJGBoXqs84g/s320/252_52370014Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQIczHTgHTbKo1VddaGH2N_NFFcmYbTQr7y5x5W5cp4a8fkDhZHsTpaeoQaGpwY9aI7hWmRhdEH3XSn6iFImIbEFBCvUac2nMIYBzBQ0cz5kek3MVWVtGL3BPQFZVyplOZXNjKg/s1600-h/252_52380015Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232204069967370882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQIczHTgHTbKo1VddaGH2N_NFFcmYbTQr7y5x5W5cp4a8fkDhZHsTpaeoQaGpwY9aI7hWmRhdEH3XSn6iFImIbEFBCvUac2nMIYBzBQ0cz5kek3MVWVtGL3BPQFZVyplOZXNjKg/s320/252_52380015Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw_EHtijn4QWRINCvGOHZQZb0r2AL97XG92Z7t9twThGdNWNiih2sr1IS9CobqpYTG50HMj2vZ7J8nMRF32OurbTcnwrp6n1DZtdgjoBpxMeYPrhE-wvFDmXNwPkThYISOsVH9w/s1600-h/252_52490025Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232204070230944546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw_EHtijn4QWRINCvGOHZQZb0r2AL97XG92Z7t9twThGdNWNiih2sr1IS9CobqpYTG50HMj2vZ7J8nMRF32OurbTcnwrp6n1DZtdgjoBpxMeYPrhE-wvFDmXNwPkThYISOsVH9w/s320/252_52490025Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvUHCWr0ESfpsrVUJbK-dLBQJn4Ow8-dIBmQI1MUsZ6KbCLzqaQcOokCS4Hm8UdW_p5f8cIT82rNzDTcGtHdk53ODksKvJL59xPRjCsQP1EBgW134r1FC9vNUG1OT8eXAfYgSSg/s1600-h/252_52620031Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232204070191203234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvUHCWr0ESfpsrVUJbK-dLBQJn4Ow8-dIBmQI1MUsZ6KbCLzqaQcOokCS4Hm8UdW_p5f8cIT82rNzDTcGtHdk53ODksKvJL59xPRjCsQP1EBgW134r1FC9vNUG1OT8eXAfYgSSg/s320/252_52620031Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1SNXkRunTjxIHhFjW74cpC-ebA6zcrfGgJOXV1ChREgl2zOBqwl3pMqm9OaYR3240uXfocaabzHqngL7PJJitlIKC9eWS6BEwFx2NA1SE8CQLD34HbKVA-Dbeq3gT1qIbaT-dA/s1600-h/252_52810044Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232204069569273970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1SNXkRunTjxIHhFjW74cpC-ebA6zcrfGgJOXV1ChREgl2zOBqwl3pMqm9OaYR3240uXfocaabzHqngL7PJJitlIKC9eWS6BEwFx2NA1SE8CQLD34HbKVA-Dbeq3gT1qIbaT-dA/s320/252_52810044Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Famous Bentong homemade ice-cream.</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2BvsLBGuBC1s725IG7U-35_Ypx9LwSjzNbjisWEQMbxrVDTvVXWltOaR8-okAKno9q9YT0lXHiqyjyiVPnV9kr1lAMMIjoa8IrBRLx7eh8Hg-65NGaH01oCNLIWhpkERNYlVwg/s1600-h/252_52780042Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232202530702284642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2BvsLBGuBC1s725IG7U-35_Ypx9LwSjzNbjisWEQMbxrVDTvVXWltOaR8-okAKno9q9YT0lXHiqyjyiVPnV9kr1lAMMIjoa8IrBRLx7eh8Hg-65NGaH01oCNLIWhpkERNYlVwg/s320/252_52780042Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Corn and vanilla ice-cream.</span></em></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dHyvd25T0N0tbbdkMCEnUkXjt0xs9ne5p1ng-Md2EHxd6LHV0eWFDSFpDXPdYjZyFRM7CFO3HnGx1RTbaccWeAO8bxRYkJKcqetws2OA_roJvSgRqEp3MxrxRrZNEXcbARmsHg/s1600-h/252_52820045Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232202530518411986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dHyvd25T0N0tbbdkMCEnUkXjt0xs9ne5p1ng-Md2EHxd6LHV0eWFDSFpDXPdYjZyFRM7CFO3HnGx1RTbaccWeAO8bxRYkJKcqetws2OA_roJvSgRqEp3MxrxRrZNEXcbARmsHg/s320/252_52820045Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby911CbikRXZrvdjACLOwm5AyOgOOtIxoaUMFOvy-5vQ2dBD-Ey8mUEHluurw9nEg3wC7zA9nOnwNjm_luR3acpHwFMyFDIxZHKgoAKWFxDdlIF4T8X9AvFgQORxPs3CTCl1oNQ/s1600-h/252_52930056Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232202523131873346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby911CbikRXZrvdjACLOwm5AyOgOOtIxoaUMFOvy-5vQ2dBD-Ey8mUEHluurw9nEg3wC7zA9nOnwNjm_luR3acpHwFMyFDIxZHKgoAKWFxDdlIF4T8X9AvFgQORxPs3CTCl1oNQ/s320/252_52930056Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a61q3AIp7LAFQ1iwt6Cl2k2Bcf5-jbO2D8i_Lt1un31PjyexNBYFIxDeN-RaY4DC-E2_4IBKxcFTlL7Qv9I_zpRxaL-SLYqyazTzxvF4EEQz4tt7bQCwxUEDmbb-65hZZ0sHlg/s1600-h/252_52890052Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232202530798317970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8a61q3AIp7LAFQ1iwt6Cl2k2Bcf5-jbO2D8i_Lt1un31PjyexNBYFIxDeN-RaY4DC-E2_4IBKxcFTlL7Qv9I_zpRxaL-SLYqyazTzxvF4EEQz4tt7bQCwxUEDmbb-65hZZ0sHlg/s320/252_52890052Reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzkl7ZPhUeCXOSzSLzgODcOCcNIAwm9wY5mBGUpkxVXn4KLWbNWXpZBeBs9ORiTJ9DB72hnHjTUgNDANHcH0t-Uxf6B1L1r5KzZTpzQUbsE5ECRwXN67Z3AgXdo3HBa3794HNJQ/s1600-h/252_52830046Reduced.JPG"><img style="CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232202528579564482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzkl7ZPhUeCXOSzSLzgODcOCcNIAwm9wY5mBGUpkxVXn4KLWbNWXpZBeBs9ORiTJ9DB72hnHjTUgNDANHcH0t-Uxf6B1L1r5KzZTpzQUbsE5ECRwXN67Z3AgXdo3HBa3794HNJQ/s320/252_52830046Reduced.JPG" /></a> </div>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-69672746041909339742008-05-26T19:55:00.007+08:002008-12-13T12:17:44.687+08:00Cameron Highlands<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVQHkTgOhy7J5GbmvNxzfEn2Afbkl6DvP4HR3RI1I2f3B-Mf2Z-ORbZjnuWy4iDW63ADoUWTfj5eagjE44735rtPS93aWWAGARVNy5juAva5WRuSXY2rqpSZTNEqNGuZQBUhdFg/s1600-h/249_49030005Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224394410813879202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVQHkTgOhy7J5GbmvNxzfEn2Afbkl6DvP4HR3RI1I2f3B-Mf2Z-ORbZjnuWy4iDW63ADoUWTfj5eagjE44735rtPS93aWWAGARVNy5juAva5WRuSXY2rqpSZTNEqNGuZQBUhdFg/s320/249_49030005Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFmAbryuZcQfrtCRII_fY4OxTNgCELSUcHfYl1jMsLUNT57GeMU0Jm8sNcLd7MHfCiIcRC6ExSNqtJmvDP_maNKMYh3iRspchLhvR_Qy16_m3WM7C_oEhaMwO14XGfJ0xwVGW7w/s1600-h/249_49710004Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224394417759968258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFmAbryuZcQfrtCRII_fY4OxTNgCELSUcHfYl1jMsLUNT57GeMU0Jm8sNcLd7MHfCiIcRC6ExSNqtJmvDP_maNKMYh3iRspchLhvR_Qy16_m3WM7C_oEhaMwO14XGfJ0xwVGW7w/s320/249_49710004Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujOXPCnxxQJFIy1Wg70i61mm4ocyUa7DJaovfWkEs5pCqcYdevvsE1WEn3ZLQ9aufDwysiwcRsy5wWsp-grLovJUWi_wTenge1rDHGbB9US5S25ImOX5dDBKvtwhE3k0FpSmZPg/s1600-h/250_50370009Reduced_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224394415694184194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujOXPCnxxQJFIy1Wg70i61mm4ocyUa7DJaovfWkEs5pCqcYdevvsE1WEn3ZLQ9aufDwysiwcRsy5wWsp-grLovJUWi_wTenge1rDHGbB9US5S25ImOX5dDBKvtwhE3k0FpSmZPg/s320/250_50370009Reduced_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYngRBh6vQVjJcrQPj-qDtSsMgmABRBqm5LY5IufVA_kLwp3T4tQccR2x90RPeOmToPrdD1Mxhw842onWCLhV6_1xXS-JFC0ZneO6fKZUx_qHBBlmbMYp4G7n65IBc45uWb5641A/s1600-h/250_50970010Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224394424820799858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYngRBh6vQVjJcrQPj-qDtSsMgmABRBqm5LY5IufVA_kLwp3T4tQccR2x90RPeOmToPrdD1Mxhw842onWCLhV6_1xXS-JFC0ZneO6fKZUx_qHBBlmbMYp4G7n65IBc45uWb5641A/s320/250_50970010Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48eFScyMQN1-Hm81U3g-MsuYqwOQ0ZUBL1FaoZjtqqSJ-gT989CkVRDvwDx1VF2WhqcTzPpFcqqLFLCMRlLjdfCabAmPtUhKXbRGGE1CMkNXPop5hrcyTgyaTGqS8QG1t7P2iCw/s1600-h/250_50180007Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224394423868586802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48eFScyMQN1-Hm81U3g-MsuYqwOQ0ZUBL1FaoZjtqqSJ-gT989CkVRDvwDx1VF2WhqcTzPpFcqqLFLCMRlLjdfCabAmPtUhKXbRGGE1CMkNXPop5hrcyTgyaTGqS8QG1t7P2iCw/s320/250_50180007Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">To my surprise, the Boh teabags that we buy are actually NOT packed in Camerons. Sacks of tea leaves are sent for repackaging in factories located outside Cameron Highlands. </span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkJT2QZlCmY5xBVfx6H5OsnMFEccDHbxSzID4I317K1TWDd5AAUxed1x-eHDzvydXR64Aml3AdhLmA-txmlBhTuCSezkL3fqHcf0lZOFMrZ63xRGefQo5UdKyIDe3uLe4fjJCJg/s1600-h/250_50560011Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222104970382134370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkJT2QZlCmY5xBVfx6H5OsnMFEccDHbxSzID4I317K1TWDd5AAUxed1x-eHDzvydXR64Aml3AdhLmA-txmlBhTuCSezkL3fqHcf0lZOFMrZ63xRGefQo5UdKyIDe3uLe4fjJCJg/s320/250_50560011Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzLF7K6H55A8bvj0AdtDXqitbki9K0TJkmnAYLQbcE_HaTZ6o0qCLfqdjTIDMIahSoEE3IwxWEh92eb__JWRgzNrALDXN-uUKMCuffNTWAUMU-esOE4IweTWqy1qaWdVkOIyfug/s1600-h/250_50810003Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222104976256927746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzLF7K6H55A8bvj0AdtDXqitbki9K0TJkmnAYLQbcE_HaTZ6o0qCLfqdjTIDMIahSoEE3IwxWEh92eb__JWRgzNrALDXN-uUKMCuffNTWAUMU-esOE4IweTWqy1qaWdVkOIyfug/s320/250_50810003Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mDGoP7IHWtdsq3VW5wHJAPQkS41mXIgpbYaAG-IMp0R88Vt2as9YtbzxT3OzX3pKUJQ5BGIeZfqHe53eX6D34auPqvsu-r3rEC3E7DrZbhfZYb9xPErL8BAOZdBS_wZDViYiew/s1600-h/250_50850004Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222104976046862226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mDGoP7IHWtdsq3VW5wHJAPQkS41mXIgpbYaAG-IMp0R88Vt2as9YtbzxT3OzX3pKUJQ5BGIeZfqHe53eX6D34auPqvsu-r3rEC3E7DrZbhfZYb9xPErL8BAOZdBS_wZDViYiew/s320/250_50850004Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Oly Apartment, Tanah Rata. </span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJxqJK1pQYDsbwINFoeI5fOoQhWv1gUFEpfBguV8zwlhIUpw2Acg1uomicTRxle5U5HiLIEGZrBMistT7prcSmrHwd9lXbCwPs7rlxDOYMotgsyBo_nSMhXLw_Eid30NGw_dERw/s1600-h/250_50920007Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222104980636620818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJxqJK1pQYDsbwINFoeI5fOoQhWv1gUFEpfBguV8zwlhIUpw2Acg1uomicTRxle5U5HiLIEGZrBMistT7prcSmrHwd9lXbCwPs7rlxDOYMotgsyBo_nSMhXLw_Eid30NGw_dERw/s320/250_50920007Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Vincent, Christine's friend was so kind to show us the famous makan shops in Ipoh.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwAc46-nFx_LtExw-oHbYeJjTftlymvM5eHBM0kFtQWkaPHukotAkU__hnMopYst-dHaLGkx114zU5XHa2nrVJfIO6fMdkAUMaCepqlmK1y0qqNd9pc-zcE8kF4ew8LMz-p__hA/s1600-h/250_50960009Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222104979493705970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwAc46-nFx_LtExw-oHbYeJjTftlymvM5eHBM0kFtQWkaPHukotAkU__hnMopYst-dHaLGkx114zU5XHa2nrVJfIO6fMdkAUMaCepqlmK1y0qqNd9pc-zcE8kF4ew8LMz-p__hA/s320/250_50960009Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>This Coffee shop in Ipoh Old Town is believed to be the pioneer of White Coffee. It had a sourish taste, not to my liking and doesn't taste like white coffee!</em><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosm015K9mhsI8rGuFK8drcBdJs4cOl97hs6yRkYpypcJ-USYnHNnLUUzUTNKTw3PmVXuo0N5nL7uk-1yKWK6n7_A_jtBtplrme8g9fJGFIWf9ijpQiDAvAUsFE4pC-WmiAo3Qkw/s1600-h/249_49010004Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222103755803636978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosm015K9mhsI8rGuFK8drcBdJs4cOl97hs6yRkYpypcJ-USYnHNnLUUzUTNKTw3PmVXuo0N5nL7uk-1yKWK6n7_A_jtBtplrme8g9fJGFIWf9ijpQiDAvAUsFE4pC-WmiAo3Qkw/s320/249_49010004Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLi4bxVwriC4-uwUR9tsgTkwcc1qhyphenhyphenP-zvl_e5TyXQDug8g8ESohWJVg9Mvc7_k_L3-8upW4afYYb6S2kmwrF68geL3yvwzL-6i1jTTsKS5rAvEptBTPQDUvcqj_BoeBbAcLk9w/s1600-h/249_49050006Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222103760718562882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLi4bxVwriC4-uwUR9tsgTkwcc1qhyphenhyphenP-zvl_e5TyXQDug8g8ESohWJVg9Mvc7_k_L3-8upW4afYYb6S2kmwrF68geL3yvwzL-6i1jTTsKS5rAvEptBTPQDUvcqj_BoeBbAcLk9w/s320/249_49050006Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm7ubX0aoWgpyfVj5Irfz-ae8wK6U2HNOjNV3-lWbMZXdVQLiBXfV1fU3zPZQ-NAKG9yI6xhNuvUs2uYch-pMkpYZsOfwm_MODn9QSCZJ9Y3t_BsZ9TEs8KOePi9em2GH6u2GXA/s1600-h/249_49250010Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222103763451682210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVm7ubX0aoWgpyfVj5Irfz-ae8wK6U2HNOjNV3-lWbMZXdVQLiBXfV1fU3zPZQ-NAKG9yI6xhNuvUs2uYch-pMkpYZsOfwm_MODn9QSCZJ9Y3t_BsZ9TEs8KOePi9em2GH6u2GXA/s320/249_49250010Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1lu-2J6M7zGJacoyerwlxCgsQMNAStIgIbkJWVzhrODN08Dc9Q2ai10tl02Mnsx3UrmnsjUPMxihB45fa7ZOvsUpfdpkeHcqoV00sA_ErCfdZPGwE7xc8cFFVNE7T0TJStN81Q/s1600-h/249_49660003Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222103763384880898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1lu-2J6M7zGJacoyerwlxCgsQMNAStIgIbkJWVzhrODN08Dc9Q2ai10tl02Mnsx3UrmnsjUPMxihB45fa7ZOvsUpfdpkeHcqoV00sA_ErCfdZPGwE7xc8cFFVNE7T0TJStN81Q/s320/249_49660003Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTgfdc5km8R61bUdu3peZz16vRqYcnFHFJtBc3lwH7etM8UlKJDl1ZawPlbo-Bxw6yk8szwPuFzKNOjjbWM-KEMepgr6pKh0-qu_L9XfZ5d75cveI5l08sGWVw_vFD8MQGBx5vQ/s1600-h/250_50790002Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222103762186873778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTgfdc5km8R61bUdu3peZz16vRqYcnFHFJtBc3lwH7etM8UlKJDl1ZawPlbo-Bxw6yk8szwPuFzKNOjjbWM-KEMepgr6pKh0-qu_L9XfZ5d75cveI5l08sGWVw_vFD8MQGBx5vQ/s320/250_50790002Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cEIis1yxguym470Q3HPNmSdWyZmawoET8Ye1SoSs3jcX8yzpUy8v1o7ZCFT2pf8Zjgx4wxzXCDBvwqJvgjgy0gz1OfpUTO0ykvjBVtAiXXE2yVuZb8bN82yxxrjXPVsYJ49P0A/s1600-h/248_4897_r10002Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222102733462388706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cEIis1yxguym470Q3HPNmSdWyZmawoET8Ye1SoSs3jcX8yzpUy8v1o7ZCFT2pf8Zjgx4wxzXCDBvwqJvgjgy0gz1OfpUTO0ykvjBVtAiXXE2yVuZb8bN82yxxrjXPVsYJ49P0A/s320/248_4897_r10002Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a 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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23wg8oRUkutO3snRFFA5Mmrl5As4P2TByR0YrkHENFn3AKFZ75jTz3KPJDxNs5Kw_grP-k-62OQdFAMuCsFHsPT3fmRqmKDftfJfNNOAo7sdQujR6pshScHJWY0D0hs0rYbBc4A/s1600-h/249_49510001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222100330824121298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23wg8oRUkutO3snRFFA5Mmrl5As4P2TByR0YrkHENFn3AKFZ75jTz3KPJDxNs5Kw_grP-k-62OQdFAMuCsFHsPT3fmRqmKDftfJfNNOAo7sdQujR6pshScHJWY0D0hs0rYbBc4A/s320/249_49510001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpeisUOF596gN6vlcXsNz5MkERM1YGcAgrulpzs-Dhyphenhyphen-uZHVdhBFdBgyERXm4-oi0Vy_AkhG8orkJ4LZUGvMKy8ZVpL4gURoPFank-K4pPnY0cvfMRqG9rVvUXMbZx-fKLOMVAg/s1600-h/249_49850006Reduced_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222100334766725602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpeisUOF596gN6vlcXsNz5MkERM1YGcAgrulpzs-Dhyphenhyphen-uZHVdhBFdBgyERXm4-oi0Vy_AkhG8orkJ4LZUGvMKy8ZVpL4gURoPFank-K4pPnY0cvfMRqG9rVvUXMbZx-fKLOMVAg/s320/249_49850006Reduced_1.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Kenny attempting to swallow the fresh hydroponic tomatoes!</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHJmsEjQ62ENA9keRGQsd7qUkXyTtOy1TG8JNA7_uvR7hdFDvklshc2Dk07bwsJ2MFHZkZhL2V9w-T2v7RUHFiHbCbjOBL-bR1XtqOpq6eaAhAJifpmaeojSLTzNx5pCADRto0g/s1600-h/250_50510010Reduced_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222100342596631570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHJmsEjQ62ENA9keRGQsd7qUkXyTtOy1TG8JNA7_uvR7hdFDvklshc2Dk07bwsJ2MFHZkZhL2V9w-T2v7RUHFiHbCbjOBL-bR1XtqOpq6eaAhAJifpmaeojSLTzNx5pCADRto0g/s320/250_50510010Reduced_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHclJusSxaRjp3WCGHuvMvwsQT_84fv0Wj7xiNVAT-psPLNsHIvjBDbPfet5zsH8QK-yw6cugLtm9mJEdzS1DpjuAiuUAPkIL7DVX3Cf5wPf8djqiCZhRH3sTrrYexYUVl62r4A/s1600-h/250_50760001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222100341712829634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHclJusSxaRjp3WCGHuvMvwsQT_84fv0Wj7xiNVAT-psPLNsHIvjBDbPfet5zsH8QK-yw6cugLtm9mJEdzS1DpjuAiuUAPkIL7DVX3Cf5wPf8djqiCZhRH3sTrrYexYUVl62r4A/s320/250_50760001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Janet's 51st birthday.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrww7hIfgSbjYoOorxrvmjPi2nbzrXkAOMtARVXrSPKqbCtERFvhQiNYWuIOntdU2IucYuc8gX1ZzNy0F3_A-jHw9K48_2UqbXxVf__EVJ-B-67XzyeVON-56dtlHXhtlnhOlnQ/s1600-h/250_50870005Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222100343591959970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrww7hIfgSbjYoOorxrvmjPi2nbzrXkAOMtARVXrSPKqbCtERFvhQiNYWuIOntdU2IucYuc8gX1ZzNy0F3_A-jHw9K48_2UqbXxVf__EVJ-B-67XzyeVON-56dtlHXhtlnhOlnQ/s320/250_50870005Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Kenny a diehard Liverpool fan since his school days.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDeJNE-fzrwM1C10AQDfd_wsHd4Ghpml1GEnAC1RnCRQvuy7FupBnC4yV_ok2jCReVz_VxF98yhb1iQ9SvkCFwY5zcxnJPNnzRIeGXCNZs5wkKrIBPLjky90S9y4XUT7ID0EMdQ/s1600-h/249_49130007Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222096841403864578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDeJNE-fzrwM1C10AQDfd_wsHd4Ghpml1GEnAC1RnCRQvuy7FupBnC4yV_ok2jCReVz_VxF98yhb1iQ9SvkCFwY5zcxnJPNnzRIeGXCNZs5wkKrIBPLjky90S9y4XUT7ID0EMdQ/s320/249_49130007Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaQ9coJZrYWkxCCwn5SuhH710i_hSGenH9XTDcGQtD0I2gcqMyKDl3A9SoSsUUOsjSPGfTTlwbkRFIjJQLCKg_oFH5XwOhpzQEDMgdDXYJjHX4NHsMcQDBoLikpbgzrhVsj8LCQ/s1600-h/248_48980003Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222096841012679410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaQ9coJZrYWkxCCwn5SuhH710i_hSGenH9XTDcGQtD0I2gcqMyKDl3A9SoSsUUOsjSPGfTTlwbkRFIjJQLCKg_oFH5XwOhpzQEDMgdDXYJjHX4NHsMcQDBoLikpbgzrhVsj8LCQ/s320/248_48980003Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Bharat Plantation Tea house.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkQl4QP6yTsHcQYiZPKfd8kNdkclAoioxkgKaQGiXesRTCGTmiF8JtMbzHvMZsE6YEYyEu9nY3gvAku5GeSVBpcRx8D8ilDjoL0X2c3ddEuYSnuEW76b01rxOPno7EYnjLH8lAA/s1600-h/249_49570001Reduced_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222096844823668962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkQl4QP6yTsHcQYiZPKfd8kNdkclAoioxkgKaQGiXesRTCGTmiF8JtMbzHvMZsE6YEYyEu9nY3gvAku5GeSVBpcRx8D8ilDjoL0X2c3ddEuYSnuEW76b01rxOPno7EYnjLH8lAA/s320/249_49570001Reduced_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8_fOlN5RhRYgncJYg3GgnMvPfA_dyxGVhBfXxbth2mgsPSxJS4TUuh-JoULMSnXmMt9O1c-h2wVBWcrkWDKkbtCsaIBCcpqtNf8NPPNAbEMY5BYoehE7qdMWAN62j6Fu0CM1Ng/s1600-h/249_49900005Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222096843404113346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8_fOlN5RhRYgncJYg3GgnMvPfA_dyxGVhBfXxbth2mgsPSxJS4TUuh-JoULMSnXmMt9O1c-h2wVBWcrkWDKkbtCsaIBCcpqtNf8NPPNAbEMY5BYoehE7qdMWAN62j6Fu0CM1Ng/s320/249_49900005Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Having tea at Sg. Palas Boh Plantation.<br /></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPPeV0NknLN7UOTMEct9bZ0S-_vSvEemsJNOYOo5S1PL88F4Jk7kLhRLp6VYCl0qSWOPEcwbbiIiQM0IOOTGA6c5L8T2ttOYiXk_co2fnCulv-LJzNfWzaVYKRfdnr5sBG5R2yg/s1600-h/249_49810005Reduced_1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222096847657029650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPPeV0NknLN7UOTMEct9bZ0S-_vSvEemsJNOYOo5S1PL88F4Jk7kLhRLp6VYCl0qSWOPEcwbbiIiQM0IOOTGA6c5L8T2ttOYiXk_co2fnCulv-LJzNfWzaVYKRfdnr5sBG5R2yg/s320/249_49810005Reduced_1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Giant chillis, not sure if it is pedas (spicy/hot) else it will just be another variant of capsicium.</span></em><br /></div></span><div></div></div></div>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-62866512490453186582008-05-19T21:59:00.008+08:002008-12-13T12:17:49.273+08:00Gunung NuangGunung Nuang is the highest mountain in Selangor. We have no intention of scaling the peak as it would probably take at least 8 hours to complete the journey. Physically and mentally we weren’t ready to take up this challenge.<br /><br />It is said the level of difficulty at the later stage is more challenging than Mt.Kinabalu. Strong hikers can complete the journey within a day returning in the evening with torch light. It gets dark very quickly in the jungle.<br /><br />My target was to reach Camp Lolo. This is a site where campers stay for a night before making the assault to the peak the following day.<br /><br />The entry used to be free last year but now it is RM1 per person. I remember how muddy the track was but this time it was as dry as a desert.<br /><br />This was also the area where a group of students or junior cadets got lost last year. It is believed some mountains are spiritually strong. This could be one of them. Mee Peng constantly reminds me not to make acerbic remarks while in a jungle or cave for fear of offending the spirits.<br /><br />The start of the trail was wide with the heaps of tall green bamboos surrounding the forest. It was a good start and warm up, almost no steep climb but it was a very long track.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-IkPIhIHsOfV2BNP9fl91l2PLg0bIQO4RGD-vQHYps1TibmnGE7sla29mmdt13y_OYBk5gtuLQJpAqSLe99lBfaEnRss-4NIUVaVkSCMwX4O82OR3UgoNGV9TEmvDLF2UKokxw/s1600-h/248_48910041Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206543841574132002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-IkPIhIHsOfV2BNP9fl91l2PLg0bIQO4RGD-vQHYps1TibmnGE7sla29mmdt13y_OYBk5gtuLQJpAqSLe99lBfaEnRss-4NIUVaVkSCMwX4O82OR3UgoNGV9TEmvDLF2UKokxw/s320/248_48910041Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxnIptyid9M3NTB49ccef-McKpxZcAUO23wnoQdgsgED9AhPf1ynedstczRCbkjZkqJCoHnXi1MnA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />After over 1.5 hours of walking, we reached the waterfalls and took a break. To continue to the next stage, we had to cross the stream. Though it looks fairly easy but most of us were trying to do it without soaking our shoes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTN1NnATAqdMGVqEu1N9Ba46lzc6uoRGKQa9IW6aOgBXwSHOTrzjPqpFEkat2zibWCuOAVS9HGwbWmdvC1lLtdC8kBAlH14XSmNHZtBNrrKzugitZQegc7msr1pGwqVNy1HlSUQ/s1600-h/248_48670024Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206549755744098802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTN1NnATAqdMGVqEu1N9Ba46lzc6uoRGKQa9IW6aOgBXwSHOTrzjPqpFEkat2zibWCuOAVS9HGwbWmdvC1lLtdC8kBAlH14XSmNHZtBNrrKzugitZQegc7msr1pGwqVNy1HlSUQ/s320/248_48670024Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzPN9x9qrTZRypqEHMgm-idi88r34Uh-bTGTS0kSJbljd2oVhOk9aT9Q5bf4l3ZJTRCOLDq1UoWIVY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />From here onwards, it was a narrow uphill path all the way to the dam. There was a large rusty pipe that runs parallel and we soon found out the dam was not those that we usually find in large reservoir lakes. To my disappointment, it was a mini and disused semi-wooden dam. We met 2 hikers here and seek their advice what was ahead in Camp Lolo. They told us there was nothing much to explore between the dam and Camp Lolo.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9A3OWzyYHMwvSk3i-Jn-y1e4PH_qsKw2QG7KxeVwhplLVf9qSYNVKv2KHhwEOeC5w7NX0Jz2kMUf2aTUmA-HCg4rTwYFdGotBm8hN_GwFCTT6IYAJiNO1BQqd6n7SAU_4UkXXg/s1600-h/248_48750030Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206546470094117266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9A3OWzyYHMwvSk3i-Jn-y1e4PH_qsKw2QG7KxeVwhplLVf9qSYNVKv2KHhwEOeC5w7NX0Jz2kMUf2aTUmA-HCg4rTwYFdGotBm8hN_GwFCTT6IYAJiNO1BQqd6n7SAU_4UkXXg/s320/248_48750030Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZOtpGlqII0aXkEr_IxJWO4kkwtw75Nxi-6zXcEP3cciJPJgFiLEvovIW4HQkA4tCeeY0tB__cKu9SUZebeVsO4OFHFdKIvRS-wVbBy4xKz5vX5Y0gS9W0L75BN7niLb4WwjZhA/s1600-h/248_48760031Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206549760039066114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZOtpGlqII0aXkEr_IxJWO4kkwtw75Nxi-6zXcEP3cciJPJgFiLEvovIW4HQkA4tCeeY0tB__cKu9SUZebeVsO4OFHFdKIvRS-wVbBy4xKz5vX5Y0gS9W0L75BN7niLb4WwjZhA/s320/248_48760031Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My stopwatch displayed we had already trekked more than 2+ hours. I decided we should heed back since it had exceeded my estimated time of arrival.<br /><br />On the way back, while crossing the stream, Mee Peng slipped and fell in a strange way, but luckily she escaped with no injury. Incidentally, I happened to video record the fall!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxoWMmg-dHfNVv7Jb3HBEWKRp086EhoCRlIs_qlk-0nqbGU3_exFK4KLSzRgAzZT28ufxDhL3WsIeM' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><strong>I slipped too…<br /></strong><br />Earlier, while we were hiking up the dam, I diverted from the main path and went to an obscure area along the stream to take a leak. I forgot what my parents taught me when I was a kid, to say “excuse me” in Chinese before doing the thing. While walking back to the main path, my left leg stepped on a large rock which seems perfectly safe and within a split second, my left shoe lost its grip sending my body off tangent, I slammed my right shoulder on the hard rock. I twisted my right arm, probably strained ligament. It was nothing serious but later I had trouble using my right hand to scrub my body during shower.<br />I inspected the rock; it had algae all over it.<br /><br />We reached the base HQ just before 2 p.m, approximately 4.5 hours of trek time.<br /><br />Overall, except for the minor incidents, it was a good hike. 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/></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-53688468104197118642008-05-18T23:39:00.001+08:002008-12-13T12:17:52.665+08:00NB Pacesetters 15kmI used to clip my bib, select my socks, careful diet, study the route etc., at latest the night before the race. Over time, I have slackened and only do the essentials on race day morning.<br /><br />When I got up, there was only one thing that troubled me. Should I take a risk and wear the brand new untested Asics Gel-Empire 2 shoes which I bought yesterday? Temptation overcame the fact that one should never wear a totally fresh pair of running shoes in a race. I lube Vaseline all over my toes (which I don’t normally do for distances below 21kms), as a precaution to mitigate abrasion. The other 2 factors were that the US size 9.5 shoes fitted snugly and I am not a fast runner.<br /><br />Mee Peng was assigned to assist at the 1st water-station. The starting point was not properly cordoned with an entry point causing several runners to look for the “out-of-stock” elastic wrist ribbon-strap.<br /><br />The regulars: Choi, Jamie, Kenneth, Tey and Geraldine were there. Shortly, after the start Kenneth ran up to me and said to pace with him. I told him I may not be able to keep up.<br />As it turned out I ran ahead.<br /><br />After passing the National Monument the 2nd time, I thought I was heading towards the finishing (I didn’t study the route) at Padang Merbok. I use all my reserves and was astonished by the impressive time I was achieving.<br /><br />Ha! It turned out I had to do another loop at Bank Negara! Even though it was a downhill, my strides dwindled. I soon ran out of gas.<br /><br />Kenneth eventually caught up and overtook me in the last 1 km near Bank Negara. It was also at this point, my shoes which had been performing so well in the last 14kms began to feel constrictive.<br /><br />At the finishing line, my fellow faithful photographer Mr. Tey Eng Tiong was again there to snap the finishers.<br />I finished in 1:44:04. I am much slower this year. What is important is to keep going, for better endurance or for better health. The latter is assured.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCygj8dM8KE86CuLwS6zdNh7O4Oaiq4s0XJQlJCD2OTlOG-NUc1xxX7EksjH8cRkmNvQTcgrCzsX23ypqlK6Rfyv_CyBMdp-lrrxKbvEk9bC2HJ9hb1vN2Yu1iXywjk3R8ma12g/s1600-h/248_48020001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202488302424396546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCygj8dM8KE86CuLwS6zdNh7O4Oaiq4s0XJQlJCD2OTlOG-NUc1xxX7EksjH8cRkmNvQTcgrCzsX23ypqlK6Rfyv_CyBMdp-lrrxKbvEk9bC2HJ9hb1vN2Yu1iXywjk3R8ma12g/s320/248_48020001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">This year's route will be different. RM15 new PACM T-shirt.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyReLPWwTaxvw-tc9-kcowltFGziEjDQHAW2MPCrWltqS3byK3_rs69xVA5dmfmClo_f1uBm-Np5ext6jWPXFrn9tWB3cr5b9z5VUk-tPTSNS6Y150KVXjx00PivZBWQSd0IHLQ/s1600-h/248_48260021Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202492825024959298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyReLPWwTaxvw-tc9-kcowltFGziEjDQHAW2MPCrWltqS3byK3_rs69xVA5dmfmClo_f1uBm-Np5ext6jWPXFrn9tWB3cr5b9z5VUk-tPTSNS6Y150KVXjx00PivZBWQSd0IHLQ/s320/248_48260021Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">My first Asics shoes. Gel Empire 2.<br /></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGS_Kj8qN5vqnEhAxqBpsAkR-he3qgS-zgQuuffZuTYGSf0I6V6PYrkegEJrH0BD_l8zOhPseFUg-mrv4-ETTNir4K04tJncBDfWubjQmR95f78iQANur6l3x2Xc-TZZkNH0Suw/s1600-h/248_48190016Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202488298129429218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGS_Kj8qN5vqnEhAxqBpsAkR-he3qgS-zgQuuffZuTYGSf0I6V6PYrkegEJrH0BD_l8zOhPseFUg-mrv4-ETTNir4K04tJncBDfWubjQmR95f78iQANur6l3x2Xc-TZZkNH0Suw/s320/248_48190016Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EovT_unOBu89Y5M9yH21zC3VS4R0L6cMDhe621-wy6Ao19-UrCgRvfw1Dujbn6jqwXJ6Q0GrGr_pn5IhupA7QtOidfG480tehioJY__QQ9jsxZrsosZnwjy2Q0m9MsqZ3qiP4A/s1600-h/248_48220019Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202488298129429234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EovT_unOBu89Y5M9yH21zC3VS4R0L6cMDhe621-wy6Ao19-UrCgRvfw1Dujbn6jqwXJ6Q0GrGr_pn5IhupA7QtOidfG480tehioJY__QQ9jsxZrsosZnwjy2Q0m9MsqZ3qiP4A/s320/248_48220019Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">The Porridge Tow-Kay. The bubur was silky smooth.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVM1jD-WZCbcBmQrHu-zRKVx6afh37ZyaU52WaOWK3XCd-4fVC_6PiVB0qN31-DJIO_Z3XtIT9eD4CVrMLzlIAdCHcwb6mdBFQ_VL5SHP90a0qiccA_-thkTTo5aw5w9e2gU4xg/s1600-h/248_48270022Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202488306719363858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVM1jD-WZCbcBmQrHu-zRKVx6afh37ZyaU52WaOWK3XCd-4fVC_6PiVB0qN31-DJIO_Z3XtIT9eD4CVrMLzlIAdCHcwb6mdBFQ_VL5SHP90a0qiccA_-thkTTo5aw5w9e2gU4xg/s320/248_48270022Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">The NB 1221, Mizuno Strada and Brooks Forza are going to Charity. Fabric and insoles still in good condition. </span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenX-RvudIPzQSogDpadGvt9kLo_ZyAxs1tVnHTJ0YUM-DeTtS7Rlglqv8UwzzREP9zdErPI4oOr1m-tIufl4X5_WgXenZU4qx5ykEUBJPwMyI2kDx5QJhc4B84fY3GIa-nzl5lw/s1600-h/248_48080005Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202488349669036834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenX-RvudIPzQSogDpadGvt9kLo_ZyAxs1tVnHTJ0YUM-DeTtS7Rlglqv8UwzzREP9zdErPI4oOr1m-tIufl4X5_WgXenZU4qx5ykEUBJPwMyI2kDx5QJhc4B84fY3GIa-nzl5lw/s320/248_48080005Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8LL3SQkWTj78xAYx6izo_YXyYzkKTXXYSSckdV1P6dtNym5CLfoy8RGoSWcWck95lkFNXv2vW_7ylsaD8jj4um-l3ntRcwX4mTJfV2D9XTurd99YA6CVx5Y5JK94KHiS6fpyBg/s1600-h/248_48120009Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202487293107081890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8LL3SQkWTj78xAYx6izo_YXyYzkKTXXYSSckdV1P6dtNym5CLfoy8RGoSWcWck95lkFNXv2vW_7ylsaD8jj4um-l3ntRcwX4mTJfV2D9XTurd99YA6CVx5Y5JK94KHiS6fpyBg/s320/248_48120009Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">There were quite a number of veteran photographers.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zUvw5CKta6dfKqIMzan7_gv4-gAs9sTw2vAbAh4Om9sNDRXugI8LFu3l_a5zWPRle6vMCNzDHhuWwC0nltes96NcKZg7kfq219Ht075q4PIwne8irNipEJowexH7HgJnXeYi3Q/s1600-h/248_48110008Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202485819933299314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zUvw5CKta6dfKqIMzan7_gv4-gAs9sTw2vAbAh4Om9sNDRXugI8LFu3l_a5zWPRle6vMCNzDHhuWwC0nltes96NcKZg7kfq219Ht075q4PIwne8irNipEJowexH7HgJnXeYi3Q/s320/248_48110008Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKIMy01n0yojATQ1mpaijmA9nUUM1AlLA-Ji3hyz3PBC2by_cG-iAaULjjRdcVv2fun-zZPdiAc1cVXfeEzVznOP6tqu4Ao8KTNVkNYbcL5vWZg9N8OtJ9bWVExkNLzeFraXw8w/s1600-h/248_48130010Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202487293107081906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKIMy01n0yojATQ1mpaijmA9nUUM1AlLA-Ji3hyz3PBC2by_cG-iAaULjjRdcVv2fun-zZPdiAc1cVXfeEzVznOP6tqu4Ao8KTNVkNYbcL5vWZg9N8OtJ9bWVExkNLzeFraXw8w/s320/248_48130010Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Laptops at work.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZc9zdFoLWAWWxmnmSBqceyIgS3kNLEYBorpY3TUa3GRXzw0bRlimBoNwCgjXSUN92qiI3pomQAcKBeJTUOr4FynVs951VKG2n8P9QHW1O59seD590SMpcoaLNmSM1cz3bvnBSg/s1600-h/248_48140011Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202487297402049218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZc9zdFoLWAWWxmnmSBqceyIgS3kNLEYBorpY3TUa3GRXzw0bRlimBoNwCgjXSUN92qiI3pomQAcKBeJTUOr4FynVs951VKG2n8P9QHW1O59seD590SMpcoaLNmSM1cz3bvnBSg/s320/248_48140011Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#660000;"><em>Captain Ronnie taking results.</em></span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT-NuQ3w1PPEoJW9byIfatwTNRsZGBAfEK8DrCCaKPcrO1J6e-gW-lD5JfQVZYoEHg7lbNj3wSHdmuoLN4sj2mPHWLDmvdnjWHwTV_R8zfPlgYPRw_-o7hXMNOpw1VO_gWHZsyg/s1600-h/248_48170014Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202487301697016530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT-NuQ3w1PPEoJW9byIfatwTNRsZGBAfEK8DrCCaKPcrO1J6e-gW-lD5JfQVZYoEHg7lbNj3wSHdmuoLN4sj2mPHWLDmvdnjWHwTV_R8zfPlgYPRw_-o7hXMNOpw1VO_gWHZsyg/s320/248_48170014Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Left is our house neighbour Ling.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajFr5oJKnRct8Bg4gHzyPneGccp-bUhEurY-lC-AkmhNgCvkTHsm8SUp2JPK_iCTB_KEzRqUVIt6uFdFmMySHUQoCH5RExQo0zspqVT5iXaexaqIOG0ugZRftkdafCJYIzvqj2A/s1600-h/248_48040001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202485802753430082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajFr5oJKnRct8Bg4gHzyPneGccp-bUhEurY-lC-AkmhNgCvkTHsm8SUp2JPK_iCTB_KEzRqUVIt6uFdFmMySHUQoCH5RExQo0zspqVT5iXaexaqIOG0ugZRftkdafCJYIzvqj2A/s320/248_48040001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Km-5 waterstation.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxY3ZTjayu49Mnxw7Bgmxv7-DuefE4U-139BbIqIi0raVExgtz0pjep1Uz8dz9uFP2NTqD-v_2QaEu3DhsJu8fJJxckipskigVQVQbXjPJDw8fZ0VqDZxKvKwRmw2fp3ewjIDfrg/s1600-h/248_48060003Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202485807048397394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxY3ZTjayu49Mnxw7Bgmxv7-DuefE4U-139BbIqIi0raVExgtz0pjep1Uz8dz9uFP2NTqD-v_2QaEu3DhsJu8fJJxckipskigVQVQbXjPJDw8fZ0VqDZxKvKwRmw2fp3ewjIDfrg/s320/248_48060003Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMytBXGq0MTz6OhRsLtgbf7GM86fMUNSAuZC0Eh6zgiVgWgE_16ueqXrEmfOGpNORu8n1ot9fKk_P8V6VcX5Zrlc8A-q-H_30XkTlTaImDSM2ntdnHriID5mIVUrZkfknpkkF_g/s1600-h/248_48070004Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202485811343364706" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMytBXGq0MTz6OhRsLtgbf7GM86fMUNSAuZC0Eh6zgiVgWgE_16ueqXrEmfOGpNORu8n1ot9fKk_P8V6VcX5Zrlc8A-q-H_30XkTlTaImDSM2ntdnHriID5mIVUrZkfknpkkF_g/s320/248_48070004Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9lDjv9eRuugVztyA_bfO9mEqYilHlwdObFgUn7cxcz_l2BrPRhEif0faCL_Y4mxCWvXbt60gktm3vsJhgC0nABHkmEHABjUsth0dZNk41aNb5VkCxl9Iu90oAL5qsiUu2v7i3Q/s1600-h/248_48150012Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202485828523233922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9lDjv9eRuugVztyA_bfO9mEqYilHlwdObFgUn7cxcz_l2BrPRhEif0faCL_Y4mxCWvXbt60gktm3vsJhgC0nABHkmEHABjUsth0dZNk41aNb5VkCxl9Iu90oAL5qsiUu2v7i3Q/s320/248_48150012Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrbBtcZh4zShPiqYQ50b6KqGvdmaYbJ1s1ShQHrs9mpduYzDtEGJKnUIbaFSV6ER8fFR4YkN9q_pngThmm8Lx9WEpUWxY0uvlS7OfaX4_EnNnnkvRJGUzjsPmcX39TZEJIGKx-w/s1600-h/248_48090006Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202487288812114578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrbBtcZh4zShPiqYQ50b6KqGvdmaYbJ1s1ShQHrs9mpduYzDtEGJKnUIbaFSV6ER8fFR4YkN9q_pngThmm8Lx9WEpUWxY0uvlS7OfaX4_EnNnnkvRJGUzjsPmcX39TZEJIGKx-w/s320/248_48090006Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5WkaOn0L9a0BcjFhnWNSv1QVnuU3ntCtahxIj0m-vMCTEOMl2_nPQBxXOKfuY8qKV1fPXAd-vNWWnyOZFHfK6J8O1aCk3Vwi6iF0TLh4JQnf0XLGgHLpqlLXJSVZeK53XQ2pyQ/s1600-h/248_48160013Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202492825024959282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5WkaOn0L9a0BcjFhnWNSv1QVnuU3ntCtahxIj0m-vMCTEOMl2_nPQBxXOKfuY8qKV1fPXAd-vNWWnyOZFHfK6J8O1aCk3Vwi6iF0TLh4JQnf0XLGgHLpqlLXJSVZeK53XQ2pyQ/s320/248_48160013Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-19360750650785364472008-05-11T23:05:00.007+08:002008-12-13T12:17:55.087+08:00Bukit Putih<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z2elce3nB7OjNlFEs6T6500W2ICnmJCKd-Hxal66ik91qzH8GTKyCVHylCBNsm1w5tvS3bUA1J2Ju999Bj5tzG47PEukRqK_OsZdkxrriKZyA4tVmP-2e9TwZ7cEfoM7d0pLzw/s1600-h/247_47890018Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201740441243980274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z2elce3nB7OjNlFEs6T6500W2ICnmJCKd-Hxal66ik91qzH8GTKyCVHylCBNsm1w5tvS3bUA1J2Ju999Bj5tzG47PEukRqK_OsZdkxrriKZyA4tVmP-2e9TwZ7cEfoM7d0pLzw/s320/247_47890018Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Many parents brought their young children to tackle the slopes.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrpR1NN7jT_R496rDDvpWujlbazkATUm6SNHCM6_52FjWL-r5Yt8_oRZrsTX5zpi8rp4ZWwN3kF-zHa3Ag3sWvwDGJ5V_y8nxq7XyixMR-qCHdgiRfpE4RbhY5CFJ7KSz7FCHVQ/s1600-h/247_47850016Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201740445538947586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrpR1NN7jT_R496rDDvpWujlbazkATUm6SNHCM6_52FjWL-r5Yt8_oRZrsTX5zpi8rp4ZWwN3kF-zHa3Ag3sWvwDGJ5V_y8nxq7XyixMR-qCHdgiRfpE4RbhY5CFJ7KSz7FCHVQ/s320/247_47850016Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">William our Guide is a resident of Cheras and a regular hiker here.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGV468LI9JC574I5MwbcYqFhuR0u5zoe1ZmnPleWXmZ9KRZX8u8MDzFsAw4RPnO7MisU4XvgehpdnWoL5W3hkcCOnBU2S0nvPVM_lW2P_IUWFEGS1ZAq-wQ8l9Z06_BhXtqk_hA/s1600-h/247_47950022Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201740445538947602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGV468LI9JC574I5MwbcYqFhuR0u5zoe1ZmnPleWXmZ9KRZX8u8MDzFsAw4RPnO7MisU4XvgehpdnWoL5W3hkcCOnBU2S0nvPVM_lW2P_IUWFEGS1ZAq-wQ8l9Z06_BhXtqk_hA/s320/247_47950022Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Fook Shing descending. The trees' roots formed natural steps.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC9kMElZ43afv0-HJLSCEAnsPERObRY6SHyFntHYUfgPUbAosgPMLsJp9WpCyaeVxa07R0jqixkC4IWEc4q2kvwOVwvyld4nThh7kICnOmJB80JUa5xKAMDCI06Gk1-uro5H2aQ/s1600-h/247_48000026Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201740449833914914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC9kMElZ43afv0-HJLSCEAnsPERObRY6SHyFntHYUfgPUbAosgPMLsJp9WpCyaeVxa07R0jqixkC4IWEc4q2kvwOVwvyld4nThh7kICnOmJB80JUa5xKAMDCI06Gk1-uro5H2aQ/s320/247_48000026Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">The locals sell fruit, desserts and laid tables strategically right at the entrance.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5HOvrTeTmGIHs_1Fm0C0gEk4EVna13xeMy8DObAti_Iwimoiq0X7_Fw5W9Noxcjgepo660BiMFtJ_2IdIRSzjFsAsqmz1bCGdMRWYDqL67bo33BCaSY8Eb-h06Le7v3pG2qVjw/s1600-h/247_47730006Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201740449833914930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5HOvrTeTmGIHs_1Fm0C0gEk4EVna13xeMy8DObAti_Iwimoiq0X7_Fw5W9Noxcjgepo660BiMFtJ_2IdIRSzjFsAsqmz1bCGdMRWYDqL67bo33BCaSY8Eb-h06Le7v3pG2qVjw/s320/247_47730006Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Crossing a mini stream.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCxj-0IU1d8PU-qgEtUllT4mZFnGXpj0gLor2L-8vLdyA4q9i6uwlozguopzv4_E0otsjZRBPS2SVL2QRGBeIkF4iMvAi4Rp0xzIlOc-_53WHJG2ZEy4-G7nnUylHOqKOtbKwDw/s1600-h/247_47680001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201739668149866914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCxj-0IU1d8PU-qgEtUllT4mZFnGXpj0gLor2L-8vLdyA4q9i6uwlozguopzv4_E0otsjZRBPS2SVL2QRGBeIkF4iMvAi4Rp0xzIlOc-_53WHJG2ZEy4-G7nnUylHOqKOtbKwDw/s320/247_47680001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">At the foot of the hill, a hiker had a bath here openly in public!</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpDKqC1rorwryb0uGFoSA-DWliTwz_a9OO6LvCLbzvKO7-eG_Ff0oTGlBhiKJ_ibh9i9CZhWW1HmlH5_YrNmDwH6R9QHCNVcaK-yPUtNk6qgSk5XZ248Vp9q_N_eqP8dUoSCTuQ/s1600-h/247_47720005Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201739672444834226" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpDKqC1rorwryb0uGFoSA-DWliTwz_a9OO6LvCLbzvKO7-eG_Ff0oTGlBhiKJ_ibh9i9CZhWW1HmlH5_YrNmDwH6R9QHCNVcaK-yPUtNk6qgSk5XZ248Vp9q_N_eqP8dUoSCTuQ/s320/247_47720005Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Level 1</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QSOqLaepR57yJAr_jQoIjCzePmCV5086NFhcT2i5B28kiO5xRW2-uH2gbycgEWeMZboNGSeYRFwA1ZFZjg1qkA-mDqjr1cBcv15dgSsrdq5lLGTwNQhym3NFQvtgUzZyDX6_HA/s1600-h/247_47760008Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201739672444834242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QSOqLaepR57yJAr_jQoIjCzePmCV5086NFhcT2i5B28kiO5xRW2-uH2gbycgEWeMZboNGSeYRFwA1ZFZjg1qkA-mDqjr1cBcv15dgSsrdq5lLGTwNQhym3NFQvtgUzZyDX6_HA/s320/247_47760008Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#660000;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Spiralling root or branch? I had seen many of these snapped by curious visitors who abused it.</span><br /></em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORpfZ20B4bYGxqktQ7wxU37VtVaMCCQUK_FERdewaigW0BT3jvTfh824y-7ZxorjiGNPFDL0dFJi_1gssV77CcRj_wtQgz9k_dnh3CwGx4t2tENH8FNJMfGfBChnfhp-ayQ40Dw/s1600-h/247_47910020Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201739681034768866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORpfZ20B4bYGxqktQ7wxU37VtVaMCCQUK_FERdewaigW0BT3jvTfh824y-7ZxorjiGNPFDL0dFJi_1gssV77CcRj_wtQgz9k_dnh3CwGx4t2tENH8FNJMfGfBChnfhp-ayQ40Dw/s320/247_47910020Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Shao Lin training?<br /></span></em><br /><div>Bukit Putih aka Wangsa Hill aka Ah Pak San is a hidden escapade secret in Taman Cuepacs, Cheras. Having lived in KL for umpteen years, it was a first visit for all 5 of us. William Low was our guide, his regular weekend hike site.<br /><br />Parking woes<br /><br />Upon arrival the parking area right in front of the entrance to the hill was packed to the brim. William told us to wait for cars to vacate the area as there were bound to be hikers who had come earlier, leaving soon. Just as one car was about to leave, Yew Keong was getting ready to reverse his car when suddenly, out of nowhere, a car sped forward. The lady driver wound down her window (she had a wooden stick) and started flaming us. She said she had been waiting “in line” with 3 other cars behind and accused us of jumping queue.<br /><br />Not wanting to squabble over such trivial matters, we relented and let her have her parking. She was still upset despite our explanation that we have no idea that there was an unwritten parking rule here. I suggested perhaps a parking numbering system could be adopted or a sign-board to inform the public of the parking procedures.<br /><br />What puzzled me most was why hikers can’t park a little further (which we did eventually), after all we are here to exercise.<br /><br />The hill trail was an interesting one. There is an option to choose a more difficult rope section or an easier path. Fook Shing and I went up the easier way and came down the tougher path.<br /><br />Incidentally, Mee Peng and Anne bumped into the lady driver and again she started bickering over the parking issue.<br /><br />We went as far as Level 5 before turning back, just under 3 hours to complete. I will be back to venture into the waterfall area which we didn’t manage to go since William advised that we should be heading back.<br /><br />Next destination: Gunung Nuang.</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTOSOE33feY8cqxzkIkdumJLh5qNecRLMyQGSCDZjQuyu8il_vdnk3c9obO80k3aFvWbUcb4czEDs' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyVjiMShnu_cro4IgXWUWzqXpbMTCgQoJ-qy9YoPVuszl6aiaLT8iTVGdHSeN8G2C_tU-usTmrAMOw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-39132916488817861382008-05-01T22:39:00.008+08:002008-12-13T12:17:58.111+08:00Ketumbar HillKetumbar Hill is located at Taman Cheras neighbourhood, in the vicinity of Ketumbar Heights and Hill condominium. An abandoned rubber tree estate, the hike takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Not much of scenery or flora, a moderate degree of difficulity in climbing. It is on private land, RM1 for carpark, no entrance fee and well maintained by the locals.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_qtFoXjk4-L_kY1cNnsFAr3vHeFFHYo_jn0LG4tGFsu0nyOCX7E-wxDZDCKn7WTe1deZSwCntbgKNn_X95D_GX4y7YEwCO4N36xtn-onarmD3TyayAG4DPFDZnIHm6o71u8HLQ/s1600-h/247_47460001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197660523884418530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_qtFoXjk4-L_kY1cNnsFAr3vHeFFHYo_jn0LG4tGFsu0nyOCX7E-wxDZDCKn7WTe1deZSwCntbgKNn_X95D_GX4y7YEwCO4N36xtn-onarmD3TyayAG4DPFDZnIHm6o71u8HLQ/s320/247_47460001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">William Low, J, Hui Leng, Sylvia, Yew Keong, Mee Peng, Anne and Fook Shing.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmvvnzZruHC5CLs3iKi78x2uvDKu2jm1zUGiG584cWP9lgyb4aR3rb1r7NQI3m2bZ7OWnOaHBa8JqZUt7_Ym5iitfHrQMDvqQX7H0k04ANriKEzY0dRXQQvobnkKcqoV7YMMeYw/s1600-h/247_47470002Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197662370720355970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmvvnzZruHC5CLs3iKi78x2uvDKu2jm1zUGiG584cWP9lgyb4aR3rb1r7NQI3m2bZ7OWnOaHBa8JqZUt7_Ym5iitfHrQMDvqQX7H0k04ANriKEzY0dRXQQvobnkKcqoV7YMMeYw/s320/247_47470002Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRuCryROiZPyVnwVNZUkHYJitlSDIoKagYYosmCVrXPHlsSMs75EllupV204_uuvwtmb2ZvvBxWJFc-fIp_Iq_nHqKFCi0jXn6PCT6eHBwQiudDs4Io8PK7CXn8OEN64vyLPzJw/s1600-h/247_47550008Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661657755784754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRuCryROiZPyVnwVNZUkHYJitlSDIoKagYYosmCVrXPHlsSMs75EllupV204_uuvwtmb2ZvvBxWJFc-fIp_Iq_nHqKFCi0jXn6PCT6eHBwQiudDs4Io8PK7CXn8OEN64vyLPzJw/s320/247_47550008Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwTeSkNjUDEicR1YluojdB0fs0YwYxgkLM1tnvuu1SamW0J_fIQr4eZ4RyLs1TcT_vRTxePmHzoQMf7u3yiQJbNONh1x2ig420PAAm_TiyOtMFFALLp2aNpKs-Y8t8RsGCiB_lA/s1600-h/247_47490004Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197660528179385842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwTeSkNjUDEicR1YluojdB0fs0YwYxgkLM1tnvuu1SamW0J_fIQr4eZ4RyLs1TcT_vRTxePmHzoQMf7u3yiQJbNONh1x2ig420PAAm_TiyOtMFFALLp2aNpKs-Y8t8RsGCiB_lA/s320/247_47490004Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTHX3Mt-gCezjnUMRBZ9VgJEyVdbE4i1tV_CqyW6mU1Op5nnQyaEiqO57a-XQaS3dKeSkyJLWN28zP9eAodoIXjUDA33Y86PPW825Gj4UQOggZJxrAprptLGEW4FagAtIiw20RQ/s1600-h/247_47600012Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661670640686658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTHX3Mt-gCezjnUMRBZ9VgJEyVdbE4i1tV_CqyW6mU1Op5nnQyaEiqO57a-XQaS3dKeSkyJLWN28zP9eAodoIXjUDA33Y86PPW825Gj4UQOggZJxrAprptLGEW4FagAtIiw20RQ/s320/247_47600012Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Mid-way rain shelter. Many trees above became "headless" after being struck by lightning. May not be a safe shelter afterall.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eHQ6Z4V1zKkZ6em_sJmhqSSj9yFGLTJzOYa9mz9pBcGBgmdhM8vMCPYLd7u17Kl1VdrF248_Kj2MdFUSjC3Ck9Rc9XikWCnzudbeP68PMQwQytda2FYfTMbh9cUkuELXvX8u0A/s1600-h/247_47520006Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197660532474353154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eHQ6Z4V1zKkZ6em_sJmhqSSj9yFGLTJzOYa9mz9pBcGBgmdhM8vMCPYLd7u17Kl1VdrF248_Kj2MdFUSjC3Ck9Rc9XikWCnzudbeP68PMQwQytda2FYfTMbh9cUkuELXvX8u0A/s320/247_47520006Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Kim and Tony Lim.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLdDefKNZvcDmmo0quKfvg6_KC3TB_eUPksrLzDGF3vQcUjbnYOyrUlfTRdxDB4T9vMg4m2BvO732PaIUlgk0laLaH2knSRgE-mVud7IIDC7gSJ0x2IeEUs9b_juD5VkEHE4EiQ/s1600-h/247_47610013Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661670640686674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLdDefKNZvcDmmo0quKfvg6_KC3TB_eUPksrLzDGF3vQcUjbnYOyrUlfTRdxDB4T9vMg4m2BvO732PaIUlgk0laLaH2knSRgE-mVud7IIDC7gSJ0x2IeEUs9b_juD5VkEHE4EiQ/s320/247_47610013Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#660000;">Home-made cement cast dumb-bells.</span><br /></span></span></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR8TMk_rjCsm_4BhX8eCq_SA0q154U33FuGB0W4Spb1zPYON18Wkb607yV_qxYEUrVF5tL3dQ8YWgdgbu2Vlh6FBBSoguceVY5pzD_HZEHcXnzSGbenPkWotvIJZuZXUkIxrwrQ/s1600-h/247_47620014Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661674935653986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR8TMk_rjCsm_4BhX8eCq_SA0q154U33FuGB0W4Spb1zPYON18Wkb607yV_qxYEUrVF5tL3dQ8YWgdgbu2Vlh6FBBSoguceVY5pzD_HZEHcXnzSGbenPkWotvIJZuZXUkIxrwrQ/s320/247_47620014Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlwIgmCPz5d-O3Js2nPGCq5pufNIWPPxOeFZNMcZHKJxBPF2Yg_gEgoTrOUKSEP00ivDMx3ZUQRCu4XIviiMIaoK7lCDsHqbNLDK7JMZu4UDFSN-0IUq7Djb-Uq4lOF58f_GEuA/s1600-h/247_47650015Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197661679230621298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlwIgmCPz5d-O3Js2nPGCq5pufNIWPPxOeFZNMcZHKJxBPF2Yg_gEgoTrOUKSEP00ivDMx3ZUQRCu4XIviiMIaoK7lCDsHqbNLDK7JMZu4UDFSN-0IUq7Djb-Uq4lOF58f_GEuA/s320/247_47650015Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">Yew Keong's metal hiking pole bent.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMNXgvpL2OodaA241hKS6DvHsJOqVkS24OF8P31C5l7-lMYG9UeguZc9nBx-nVh0XgdjFCgUUQWv0Z8dT6S-c5oqCYBsK1HryBTwDquVIhsNgNNazGmHrY07nu63aTKTatsuO6w/s1600-h/247_47660016Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197662375015323282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMNXgvpL2OodaA241hKS6DvHsJOqVkS24OF8P31C5l7-lMYG9UeguZc9nBx-nVh0XgdjFCgUUQWv0Z8dT6S-c5oqCYBsK1HryBTwDquVIhsNgNNazGmHrY07nu63aTKTatsuO6w/s320/247_47660016Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8_ybMbBbAIpZhbJJB31NJ6VOYyfpd_YrclLGAgx5imtGo2yaAMXUZDTrCR0o3GXj0VM1-94RCLPUpYWZX8QLRJZiVc8dJyIiEoxTjgF-lw_RWNtCIxXOM-bveMwmACGFeqAgEg/s1600-h/247_47540007Reduced.JPG"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197660536769320466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8_ybMbBbAIpZhbJJB31NJ6VOYyfpd_YrclLGAgx5imtGo2yaAMXUZDTrCR0o3GXj0VM1-94RCLPUpYWZX8QLRJZiVc8dJyIiEoxTjgF-lw_RWNtCIxXOM-bveMwmACGFeqAgEg/s320/247_47540007Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><br />Tony and I always meet in religious sites. There was a Chinese temple at the foot of the hill.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvob8Bth2KsDVHInfsQQAGWyJ21WrF7UGVgz7x-MqcIJmTEl8pnDG2vMeNVDPDom9dGS2WQRsOw1W5S0wi0g6_Wz_ARV6K27FlEByG8jVOTAlb2R-7vU9XdDzx0zq2krEAeQvadA/s1600-h/247_47580011Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197660541064287778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvob8Bth2KsDVHInfsQQAGWyJ21WrF7UGVgz7x-MqcIJmTEl8pnDG2vMeNVDPDom9dGS2WQRsOw1W5S0wi0g6_Wz_ARV6K27FlEByG8jVOTAlb2R-7vU9XdDzx0zq2krEAeQvadA/s320/247_47580011Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><em>At a view point. Probably around 1000 feet above sea level.<br /></em></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxYzxrdNXRYSMSX0Bqh9n0adCTBcrFiVVT5d7VRCw2FUrl3iDCCjB9FsulqPDDaiWxgQvsGFmGbPVE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy-1qpGzQ8xuN_hRiOietEpXHYbZTEGSQ9Jl3aTH86XTLCehxtCKyT1YPcpJsAcyPmifJSHKfiRmIA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCkULwtKU3p7OVd846JScsltvDcCqLDQ8btj1q8kmVal-TAl2VyU1i1jRxDetLYc3oCjHgKkvMHf0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-53601486452363237982008-04-13T22:09:00.002+08:002008-12-13T12:17:59.115+08:00BHP Orange RunMy watch is deliberately set to be 5 mins faster. It showed 7:29 a.m. Kenny, Mee Peng and I coolly walked towards the Mutiara Damansara Cineplex foyer. We thought we were just in time until an official chided “Men category already started and still walking slowly some more”.<br /><br />I got the message and ran towards the main road. Indeed, the race had just started; we were just in time to follow the rear pack. Usually such races would start as scheduled or late but never earlier. As the sky had darkened with a possibility of rain, I deduce the organizers wanted to get it going as quickly as possible.<br /><br />The cool condition was ideal to subdue the overheating body. After 20 mins, it started to drizzle and I begin to worry for Mee Peng. Fortunately the rain stopped. After running this route for the 3rd year, familiarity helped to pace the slopes accordingly.<br /><br />Towards the last meters, the ever reliable cameraman <a href="http://pmtey.multiply.com/">Tey</a> was there again to snap this shot. Thank you sir!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzQBdjeCbu70NWPzcWLvG3luOG396i7iWfgH4UIZGbpGnYY3u-WnN3XEzv8Ir9PkFNmha_31wx4oTjDDvfeuCthKiQtfdm7Hc5qiw91VnWnwJaV7W852Ambi4QPI1c4gyH-GxMw/s1600-h/DSC_0879a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197271368634157410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzQBdjeCbu70NWPzcWLvG3luOG396i7iWfgH4UIZGbpGnYY3u-WnN3XEzv8Ir9PkFNmha_31wx4oTjDDvfeuCthKiQtfdm7Hc5qiw91VnWnwJaV7W852Ambi4QPI1c4gyH-GxMw/s320/DSC_0879a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#990000;">Receding hairline!</span></em> </span><br />According to Jamie’s GPS the distance was 9.89 km. I finished in 1:01:49.<br /><br />There were plenty or should I say oversupply of canned beverages, hot teh tarik, and nasi lemak were distributed in abundance. There were chairs and tables thoughtfully set-up for runners to eat and drink all they can comfortably – a first I have seen. The stalls seem to overwhelm the race event itself!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL5O5oX7YLf_7aaTXWJcT3evJmbiG5uvng8QsWsYTeClzFGFcsRKs9CjVhWJpfvqgBn8PzOPWyLFziDOULkPitLd2_1LN0Ax88rJeejx4O1amLb1FranArROSD1KQj0BaZxCV5A/s1600-h/246_46010001Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197271377224092034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL5O5oX7YLf_7aaTXWJcT3evJmbiG5uvng8QsWsYTeClzFGFcsRKs9CjVhWJpfvqgBn8PzOPWyLFziDOULkPitLd2_1LN0Ax88rJeejx4O1amLb1FranArROSD1KQj0BaZxCV5A/s320/246_46010001Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbhOSR7v3LFLNKM19fPq1sIX-zV-E1zKu6KdOWp0c45c1QtEgqQD5uCY91fmvjwCpsgL6LCzUO4cF0TBVqmqIGQtOsG0aC41fsAHRpCGuagkPpHpqiCA8xLNWWJ0MRB2m7dTyOA/s1600-h/246_46020002Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197271372929124722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbhOSR7v3LFLNKM19fPq1sIX-zV-E1zKu6KdOWp0c45c1QtEgqQD5uCY91fmvjwCpsgL6LCzUO4cF0TBVqmqIGQtOsG0aC41fsAHRpCGuagkPpHpqiCA8xLNWWJ0MRB2m7dTyOA/s320/246_46020002Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Later shopped at Tesco and at the same time get free parking.</span></em>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-44027516083407434242008-03-30T21:46:00.003+08:002008-12-13T12:17:59.958+08:00KL International Marathon 2008This year the KLIM organizers have generously added an extra hour of qualifying time for the Full Marathon, making it 7hrs. I signed-up immediately the moment I read it in the form. I believe there are many runners who are determined to finish the distance regardless of the time. The setback was once the qualifying time was over; traffic control will be withdrawn leaving the slower runners very much on their own.<br /><br />Eve<br /><br />12 hours before the race, we visited my mother-in-law in Klang who was feeling unwell. We paid a call on a Chinese Physician who offered me a glass of black Chinese herbal wine. I asked the Sinseh will the alcohol affect my running tomorrow. He boasted in China, Chinese athletes drink tonic to boost performance. I chuckled and gulped the bitter dark elixir.<br /><br />I know how important it was to eat well especially the night before a race but somehow temptation overcame me. I drank the famous Klang Chong Kok coffee; half boiled kampong eggs, toasted butter-kaya bread and fried cucuk udang. I normally avoid caffeine in the eve of a run to avert sleeplessness.<br /><br />True enough, though I went to bed at 9:30 p.m, I could not sleep until close to midnight.<br /><br />2:30 a.m.<br /><br />Got up and was glad I had at least a few hours sleep. Eating the banana Powerbar this time was like Fear Factor food. It was too sweat and sticky. I don’t have this problem before.<br /><br />4:30 a.m.<br /><br />This year the group seems larger. I mentioned to Jamie, it appears anybody can run the Marathon because you can see the runners come in all shapes, sizes, age and attire (including full Spiderman suit).<br />I found the weather a bit warm at this hour of the morning. As the gun went off, I trailed behind Choi and Jamie and wish them luck as we step on the electronic matt.<br /><br />Somewhere at km-3, Tey passed me. A lady runner caught my attention with her teasing shorts drooping precariously. It is like those low trendy Jeans that we see very often that bares the lower back.<br /><br />After the km-5 drink station, a Chinese lad probably in his late teens or early 20s runner, carried a big polycarbonate bottle with his 2 fingers and his other hand, a rollup map. I was afraid he may not know what he had got into or maybe he had unknowingly registered in the wrong category.<br /><br />I reached the 10km mark in 1:16:50. I was 2+ mins faster than last year. My thoughts were to go for the next 10km one minute faster.<br /><br />Somewhere along Jalan Cheras, probably km-17, I was beginning to lose pace. My tummy felt uncomfortable, it wasn’t a stomachache. The perspiration trapped around my belly wasn’t drying fast enough. Not sure if it was the Adidas vest. I quickly went to a petrol station for a leak and rejoined within seconds with a hope the situation would change but it didn't. By now the lad with the plastic bottle had overtaken me; never judge a runner by his antics – this lad can run.<br /><br />A Wall too early<br /><br />When fatigue and nausea manifested, fear creep into my spine because the symptoms were much more pronounced this time round than last year. My rhythm and resilience slackened. I calculated, with 25kms to go I have to tread cautiously if I want to survive. Pushing ahead and ignoring the signs may lead to DNF.<br /><br />I reached the 21km mark in 2:47:37. 4 minutes slower than last year. Francis Cheng, the 74-year old runner stopped somewhere at Concorde Hotel to massage his cramped legs. I offered him my analgesic cream. I too was also beginning to develop twitches and cramps, a result of the earlier tell tale signs.<br /><br />Approaching Dataran and U-turn to Jalan Raja Laut, Lim Tow Suan from Klang Pacesetters and a lady PACM cheered me on. I look ahead and behind me, there was not a single runner in sight for as far as 200 meters. I was alone.<br /><br />A Mat Rempit motorbike almost hit me at a junction along Jalan Raja Muda. He tried to beat me to the crossing.<br /><br />30 km<br /><br />4:14:42, I am way off my mark. 11 minutes slower than last year. A mid-20s Indian runner whom I befriended while we run-walk and treaded leads for the last 10km was eager to finish within 6 hours. He asked if it was possible, I replied frankly at current pace it is unlikely and estimated finishing around 6:20. He was not wearing a watch and relied on me to time-keep. He managed to pull away eventually.<br /><br />Cramps<br /><br />I was shocked when I found there were at least 5 runners waiting to cross the busy Jalan Ipoh-Mahameru crossroad. This should not happen. After waving at the cars, I took the lead to sprint across, mid-way I had a severe cramp attack on my right calf. The police looked at me, smiled and gave a gesture if I was ok. I skipped with my good leg and limped across. The drivers who noticed my predicament, stopped to let me through.<br /><br />Keep going!<br /><br />I manage to garner a bit of speed though not much after PWTC and caught sight of the no-watch Indian, the water-bottle Chinese lad and a Malay runner who had crooked knees. The 3 of them had acquainted one another and motivating as a group to toil on.<br /><br />I was closing on them in the last 5 kms but they picked up speed and were soon out of sight again.<br /><br /><br />40 km<br /><br />5:56:09. I must have been doing over 10mins/km. Met Nordin who said he hit the wall at km-30. He said his lungs just gave up on him. We spoke normally with no signs of exhaustion but yet our legs couldn’t move.<br /><br />Finished at last!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlvvgvpqdOlUGbC5F1u2Un6HIxTSE8mAEt-XoMA9C8DVvnYmTDveM0KU4vSl4GBAwoTE2EYleknDs5AcKavfkerYNm111CmdEg3qEdbhMW36zppNOe90XXu9hCe7EKDYQ-bSX5g/s1600-h/KLIM-2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195406609798351106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlvvgvpqdOlUGbC5F1u2Un6HIxTSE8mAEt-XoMA9C8DVvnYmTDveM0KU4vSl4GBAwoTE2EYleknDs5AcKavfkerYNm111CmdEg3qEdbhMW36zppNOe90XXu9hCe7EKDYQ-bSX5g/s320/KLIM-2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Photo courtesy of Tey Eng Tiong.</span></em><br />In a marathon, it is always a huge relief to see the finishing line.<br />2 buses greeted me head on, that goes to show how late I was!<br />It was easy to spot Mee Peng and Tey Eng Tiong by the side photographing as most of the people had left.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIztSIcpCr3ydlv0Nd943W5blyHf9J9Su8Syh7wXPmOzOpzZC-Pg91bEK0GSwialif134TUeQ3GaLHQ9jvNobvjaRxWBIhAcSqL7IWi0-b6JltRtOEL5bcxk_ckB9NIkLwkhyk_g/s1600-h/245_45790004Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195407808094226754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIztSIcpCr3ydlv0Nd943W5blyHf9J9Su8Syh7wXPmOzOpzZC-Pg91bEK0GSwialif134TUeQ3GaLHQ9jvNobvjaRxWBIhAcSqL7IWi0-b6JltRtOEL5bcxk_ckB9NIkLwkhyk_g/s320/245_45790004Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It felt great completing despite a much slower time.<br />The extra hour enabled 96 runners to finish within qualifying time.<br /><br />Net time : 6:15:54<br />Gun time: 6:16:55<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAmeWgwNIA4lK0DEdEnXUxqB7ED2FZVyxdT_nc1uwW770NtbsRKvbDw6iUgmBsK3yEDAHrgEc0XabTCXIaD-4VXW58EnQoo0JpsFSTAetUipZ47kahUu4mai9ho-FXhBOqI98ZQ/s1600-h/245_45800005Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195407795209324818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAmeWgwNIA4lK0DEdEnXUxqB7ED2FZVyxdT_nc1uwW770NtbsRKvbDw6iUgmBsK3yEDAHrgEc0XabTCXIaD-4VXW58EnQoo0JpsFSTAetUipZ47kahUu4mai9ho-FXhBOqI98ZQ/s320/245_45800005Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Removing the champion chip for instant refund.</span></em> <em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Good idea .</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRKbLwwwm3qne2j2ci9if7tejXFFcvllolG3tuoB3_hc3RCjr9ja6D3CSbAx6MaUQnvFbBfhRQnPUYWiB7Rk2jqSBuzvUPZPkIUy6AS3d3GElfe1JuklmWvRKRznX6ZvWEmNTrg/s1600-h/245_45820007Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195407808094226770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRKbLwwwm3qne2j2ci9if7tejXFFcvllolG3tuoB3_hc3RCjr9ja6D3CSbAx6MaUQnvFbBfhRQnPUYWiB7Rk2jqSBuzvUPZPkIUy6AS3d3GElfe1JuklmWvRKRznX6ZvWEmNTrg/s320/245_45820007Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kl1BYPpPSgPFqcqwmLpJDQvJgiU66GLRMCfQtw1Ux5MZxd3yI_X-hqO0-3sXmfiZzhrcocwD1OSj80HvofhgkwxzOcZPra15SKXJDKjhjG_oXcKel7OPpv6hcYV_3GXHVobi8Q/s1600-h/245_45840009Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195407799504292130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kl1BYPpPSgPFqcqwmLpJDQvJgiU66GLRMCfQtw1Ux5MZxd3yI_X-hqO0-3sXmfiZzhrcocwD1OSj80HvofhgkwxzOcZPra15SKXJDKjhjG_oXcKel7OPpv6hcYV_3GXHVobi8Q/s320/245_45840009Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Ryan</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mou66iEnrFovLcf9XHQxMxUPd09udcsFrPblj0gAbeCRpl78Bh-S05GEex0mbzsuKuNxiLyLJRO4q8CtytSyJ_OIml1a2gA52CetAqKNwGWE2-1ye62-CIrXmvUaJgXnwO5jLA/s1600-h/245_45870010Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195407803799259442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mou66iEnrFovLcf9XHQxMxUPd09udcsFrPblj0gAbeCRpl78Bh-S05GEex0mbzsuKuNxiLyLJRO4q8CtytSyJ_OIml1a2gA52CetAqKNwGWE2-1ye62-CIrXmvUaJgXnwO5jLA/s320/245_45870010Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;"><em>Francis Cheng</em></span>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-13088386482654654572008-01-20T19:00:00.001+08:002008-12-13T12:18:00.436+08:00Pacesetters Great Eastern 30kmThe GE30k has one of the most challenging routes, a route favored by many runners as a base to prepare for long distance races. The difficulty is offset by Pacesetters superior race organization especially in the distribution of water and sports drink. With that thought in mind, slower runners like me have less to worry.<br /><br />The weather was rather humid. I ran the 1st 10km at a comfortable pace (1:27), much slower than any race before.<br /><br />Along the way, somebody approached me from the opposite side and greeted, I looked up, it was Captain Ronnie, looking relax and didn’t have der trademark “Pia” facial expression. Down further, it was Dinesh, gave him a high five.<br />Saw Jamie too but missed out Choi.<br /><br />I kept a constant check on my leg injury which I sustained in the <a href="http://shcheong.blogspot.com/2007/07/seremban-half-marathon.html">Seremban Half-Marathon</a> and was rather glad it did not surface after passing the 20 km mark.<br /><br />On the return leg, just after the Jalan Duta Mosque, I came upon a group of 4 veteran runners. We had one thing in common, all of us were balding. We helped one another to cross the busy Jalan Duta.<br /><br />Cruising confidently pass the Tennis Stadium, I had a muscle pull on my left calf that prompted me to slow to a walk. The brand new black NB shorts (RM68) I wore had a rather large zipper pocket (for a running shorts), ergonomically located by the side (not behind or front). The zipper pocket was perfect to keep things like car keys and even a handphone if weighing down the shorts is not a constraint.<br /><br />I applied the home pre-packed analgesic cream Deep Heat on both my stiffening legs and pass the remainder to one of the balding runners who thought he was suppose to eat it!<br /><br />Towards the last km, cars were caught in the jam along the Lake Club road. A driver wound down his car window and shouted my name. It was Jamie.<br /><br />I knew how slow I had been running as towards the finishing line; many participants were already leaving, walking the opposite direction. I was a bit embarrassed when a couple of strangers cheered me on. I finished in 4:11:05. This year’s distance was probably 1 km longer.<br /><br /><br />The guy in front of me took the last finisher’s medal. I was told by the official they will post one to me. I was looking forward to the finisher’s T-shirt but this time round it was a hand towel instead.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIOeXEksVZxd_kaiJ8rNmVsCcPf17ILP2NUE0VyADf8fV6Uf0h_aqymSScx-saHdOOVHEalJcYTQAkuV0LI4TzMdtPH2w0mi9nlQA1FiS-kUTkAkmxH1kBtVjH8o2kG0xcqi4OQ/s1600-h/243_4393Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170392883317536818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIOeXEksVZxd_kaiJ8rNmVsCcPf17ILP2NUE0VyADf8fV6Uf0h_aqymSScx-saHdOOVHEalJcYTQAkuV0LI4TzMdtPH2w0mi9nlQA1FiS-kUTkAkmxH1kBtVjH8o2kG0xcqi4OQ/s320/243_4393Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89sehOR42T6g9XjX0BIOyHjpCuyeclnlkN2Zg4m3llMhJWR8wpy5iAJju9VPQ6iMbNYF7FElrwV0ebn-kmxmpaC4emsQJ5RFCCVAnrLk3RLKMGnCMKRJVUG1fAhjpQ5z0dyMhZA/s1600-h/243_4397Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170392891907471426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89sehOR42T6g9XjX0BIOyHjpCuyeclnlkN2Zg4m3llMhJWR8wpy5iAJju9VPQ6iMbNYF7FElrwV0ebn-kmxmpaC4emsQJ5RFCCVAnrLk3RLKMGnCMKRJVUG1fAhjpQ5z0dyMhZA/s320/243_4397Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-70087838600241581672007-09-26T23:14:00.001+08:002008-12-13T12:18:17.635+08:00Hanoi<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F2PZ5VfDfJQGdFw0CsVQcFExOMSTT6MVjjhWXNdZoClYgww-UIb8W0xvuFptRzDHff0xQCbJ9wFBZzcFATY0NDviWU9tE4k023d5925_BWSGTBmKsu0B8AJR1e2ff4VmkUJbWQ/s1600-h/235_3589Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160408540111597522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F2PZ5VfDfJQGdFw0CsVQcFExOMSTT6MVjjhWXNdZoClYgww-UIb8W0xvuFptRzDHff0xQCbJ9wFBZzcFATY0NDviWU9tE4k023d5925_BWSGTBmKsu0B8AJR1e2ff4VmkUJbWQ/s320/235_3589Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFuXSZi0V8_ZwGJNscNbyiryTNFBX0LmRWgiEnLbdj8GfB8_jdYDbXDn2rOs-mh6Hsh3bNoDBqo8EdfBIdayZMnPGpejIeur2IDe_HBRJxkteKMNvA2zJirIX_gyFZj7eQ6A_-w/s1600-h/237_3735Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160084875671138098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFuXSZi0V8_ZwGJNscNbyiryTNFBX0LmRWgiEnLbdj8GfB8_jdYDbXDn2rOs-mh6Hsh3bNoDBqo8EdfBIdayZMnPGpejIeur2IDe_HBRJxkteKMNvA2zJirIX_gyFZj7eQ6A_-w/s320/237_3735Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Cathedral</span> </em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzf_J6iVZu6EtP-cWKaWrgiH5Lqqn5JWI04v2CJrq84NiQ-bC78NT-1rARn87gZ2GYeAbXtWCSqa_KlGJ50SKfmgL7HyT5Uczv8FxSauug7DadP8d5K_-CeOXVVypnTnwRGqnZw/s1600-h/238_38240104Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159802241053257362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzf_J6iVZu6EtP-cWKaWrgiH5Lqqn5JWI04v2CJrq84NiQ-bC78NT-1rARn87gZ2GYeAbXtWCSqa_KlGJ50SKfmgL7HyT5Uczv8FxSauug7DadP8d5K_-CeOXVVypnTnwRGqnZw/s320/238_38240104Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Halong Bay</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWqdv_CD6SQqgsKxboxL-Sipn5YFTIPUg9ffHPdC4utTTtwbQtnHHtgK4-7OpgDlczGP0hP3uBfB_pSfsT9jocOOhPXPNwD01Eo5keDsOXWXRjTePcrYLPKk-Rr1_WC9A8HkfxQ/s1600-h/239_39390141Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158692477338544770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWqdv_CD6SQqgsKxboxL-Sipn5YFTIPUg9ffHPdC4utTTtwbQtnHHtgK4-7OpgDlczGP0hP3uBfB_pSfsT9jocOOhPXPNwD01Eo5keDsOXWXRjTePcrYLPKk-Rr1_WC9A8HkfxQ/s320/239_39390141Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum </span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm_w2qMrNi7dDNLG0fLxuHwTQBgNFjZYvbKBBb6OaUnt5vyKHVkZfNMOihJY0KSdP9z4fYR5wmL1m3fMNUU74aAna3IFU7lkljv74VA4D0z3n-ZIUKWFmaBbb6h5idojF3zovCg/s1600-h/235_35570047Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159068188192697794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm_w2qMrNi7dDNLG0fLxuHwTQBgNFjZYvbKBBb6OaUnt5vyKHVkZfNMOihJY0KSdP9z4fYR5wmL1m3fMNUU74aAna3IFU7lkljv74VA4D0z3n-ZIUKWFmaBbb6h5idojF3zovCg/s320/235_35570047Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqWy3hq5Zv5FgWDIXtTIJWKi3J6svE883TQB-xepRS5xmRXUM8BAqEI90cwrfXexkESMcyTBFEwgGxHFPf5NC4sV91W8BV_vbHDeeNYqqyw1Ht8M-_uiit5ld2h30sDvfJbiuhw/s1600-h/239_3950Reduced+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170501795098228818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqWy3hq5Zv5FgWDIXtTIJWKi3J6svE883TQB-xepRS5xmRXUM8BAqEI90cwrfXexkESMcyTBFEwgGxHFPf5NC4sV91W8BV_vbHDeeNYqqyw1Ht8M-_uiit5ld2h30sDvfJbiuhw/s320/239_3950Reduced+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFWT3LuxsGXWt8MPgtrQy_LinrBtzugW31xpgDrRUGJ-NVZoOLtwNJFCu_jMzv_NLNTbefE3G6MtRUfF2i0nHR1FkWyy2SQQDFwrgBb52-EmCyLA9YpM2vMd7ouagCo6OHG2iaA/s1600-h/239_3949+BrightenReduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160160200807575442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFWT3LuxsGXWt8MPgtrQy_LinrBtzugW31xpgDrRUGJ-NVZoOLtwNJFCu_jMzv_NLNTbefE3G6MtRUfF2i0nHR1FkWyy2SQQDFwrgBb52-EmCyLA9YpM2vMd7ouagCo6OHG2iaA/s320/239_3949+BrightenReduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Hoan Kiem Lake.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwtcapmcOS0ZWlPL9Fk5usExbc_XDJ7u9mHP1V0Bs6MWJnQJLxXUgQNrRqJ8iyWd0oE-w5YlqRdGT0WS9lGE2h4ke01QgT1lp5H04oCukwJAdzVHDA62DAsD-1KWABY_uVQrE_Q/s1600-h/237_37300086Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159068188192697810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwtcapmcOS0ZWlPL9Fk5usExbc_XDJ7u9mHP1V0Bs6MWJnQJLxXUgQNrRqJ8iyWd0oE-w5YlqRdGT0WS9lGE2h4ke01QgT1lp5H04oCukwJAdzVHDA62DAsD-1KWABY_uVQrE_Q/s320/237_37300086Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Freshly made Vietnamese "Chee Chong Fun" for breakfast.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbXUakzpRuDds5hsELjFVfCtHv0YRx7ABR2THBf9IJa8e9q1yQveMwS5DUbmnhzz6CPxMvZLHoGnoEABgv0wAAE5OGG4EnR_uHt6HOsayNxkpcStpqE1_m_wiQ9_TaBa8_87EWQ/s1600-h/237_37360088Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159068192487665138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbXUakzpRuDds5hsELjFVfCtHv0YRx7ABR2THBf9IJa8e9q1yQveMwS5DUbmnhzz6CPxMvZLHoGnoEABgv0wAAE5OGG4EnR_uHt6HOsayNxkpcStpqE1_m_wiQ9_TaBa8_87EWQ/s320/237_37360088Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJ6JykhFW73D7WbPT1FF0LOVrbyXb83P6uJ1o-WeWwi02WY7JCixebPsuJCfG7-nwtYAq8faWGsPw8QK3PlokPeEVNKIuqmqw5GDDLXunoLjimr8KsgUxVu914WclzLZ9H8pnZA/s1600-h/239_39520145Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159068201077599746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJ6JykhFW73D7WbPT1FF0LOVrbyXb83P6uJ1o-WeWwi02WY7JCixebPsuJCfG7-nwtYAq8faWGsPw8QK3PlokPeEVNKIuqmqw5GDDLXunoLjimr8KsgUxVu914WclzLZ9H8pnZA/s320/239_39520145Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">The French Citroens.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OPu-xPNyUEQWje5aro0aLJ0e89n1ZOXceBNroE0wuZa3l-nqgUureVTr3GT5KklyBJ1x3zW6YriNsecwHKu1J1L6x8vr7y19dJZiaqg_kyMA0CDnAHoBTqiHvvcyZTuXFQRyvQ/s1600-h/234_34160025Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159066659184340386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OPu-xPNyUEQWje5aro0aLJ0e89n1ZOXceBNroE0wuZa3l-nqgUureVTr3GT5KklyBJ1x3zW6YriNsecwHKu1J1L6x8vr7y19dJZiaqg_kyMA0CDnAHoBTqiHvvcyZTuXFQRyvQ/s320/234_34160025Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ff6600;">Typical breafast: Beef soup noodles and baguette</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOqbxz5AtlyVDSvrYztQeIpm9zgmnIh2m6aBJ3E5zhTx5v8HZwBFI93V4t4WrY3YEu4gPsot-zBzTMDeJkrHqf9PeYZtR-U3rSVMS6W3v8WIwWvc20fBfai12cekaj6FkPs-bg/s1600-h/235_35330043Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159066654889373058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOqbxz5AtlyVDSvrYztQeIpm9zgmnIh2m6aBJ3E5zhTx5v8HZwBFI93V4t4WrY3YEu4gPsot-zBzTMDeJkrHqf9PeYZtR-U3rSVMS6W3v8WIwWvc20fBfai12cekaj6FkPs-bg/s320/235_35330043Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Vietnamese "Rojak" boiled pork with salad.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qtgW3RrJDwVuGF0F6MilTbxIVncgI2I9qhmOrm2N_3GDkTcsoJt5R0EHhOR9vR8u4n6snxMEuQVxJesdQh0osidpFGyoLnVkAz98x-UAPckClTemt7oBYCORNxNcbGMhVoCKeQ/s1600-h/234_34860037Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159066654889373074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qtgW3RrJDwVuGF0F6MilTbxIVncgI2I9qhmOrm2N_3GDkTcsoJt5R0EHhOR9vR8u4n6snxMEuQVxJesdQh0osidpFGyoLnVkAz98x-UAPckClTemt7oBYCORNxNcbGMhVoCKeQ/s320/234_34860037Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This was one trip we were not looking forward to embark. The tickets were pre-booked earlier in the year during AirAsia’s 1 million free flights promotion. It was just 3 months ago we climbed Mt.K, the thought of packing and funding the trip was disconcerting.<br /><br />Our plan was to travel light, wear quick drying T-shirts that can be easily washed and reused. With the monsoon season hovering at its tail end, there was no telling if it will rain cats and dogs. The invaluable disposal raincoat has now become our permanent traveling companion.<br /><br />No liquid<br /><br />The new International Airlines regulation prohibits hand carry water or liquid exceeding 100ml. Water sold inside the boarding area cost 3 times more (500ml = RM5), which I felt was exploiting.<br /><br /><strong>Noi Bai airport</strong><br /><br />We landed in Noi Bai airport at 7:45 p.m. Strangely, 2 young Vietnamese girls who had visa to work in a Bayan Lepas Electronics Factory were struggling to fill up the immigration form despite our reassurance that they need not do so since it is their home country. Sensing their distress, we helped them anyway to complete the forms.<br />The weather was no different from KL. Stars Hotel had arranged transport for us at USD10 per taxi. I anticipated the Hotel would have misspelled my name and it was the case when I saw the placard held by the cab driver.<br /><br /><strong>Hooting and Flashing<br /></strong><br />I was rather taken aback by the incessant hooting and headlight flashing by the driver to signal the slower vehicles to give way. It is an acceptable mode of public road conduct, as the motorists are not offended by such gestures. Had this been in Malaysia, there would have been countless cases of road bullies and fatalities. </div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyNNfxOxX6kc0GhMz0s6SBetRQWeJ-Sri4_LkvFxkzDcOxswkb4TRAqBIXBtZSN0iLv2-UO1KRHyys' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Stars Hotel<br /><br />The hotel manager, Mr.Quang greeted us. The hotel was what I had envisaged; narrow with steep stairs leading to the bedrooms. The 4-storey building was thoughtfully crafted to optimize room space.<br /><br />A typical building in the Old Town district probably measured less than 15 feet in width but its height can reach up to 6 stories! Elevators are almost non-existent.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurkeri6wDe1rvBkPPC5yZQLUt0B0A_febUTm9B5vUjb3UY7htd2DbcGprxXdTtCsiGGsmKAxTp5tivZJJ-YVqP0uyUhukB4GPxy_MeMUPnggGFV_99Xnl_mDmjMpuFxij6Re9Ew/s1600-h/232_3276Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170501803688163426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurkeri6wDe1rvBkPPC5yZQLUt0B0A_febUTm9B5vUjb3UY7htd2DbcGprxXdTtCsiGGsmKAxTp5tivZJJ-YVqP0uyUhukB4GPxy_MeMUPnggGFV_99Xnl_mDmjMpuFxij6Re9Ew/s320/232_3276Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>Night Bazaar</strong><br /><br />We were given the highest floor, Level 4. The balcony gave a limited view of the Old Town district with the noise of motorbikes roaring perpetually oblivious to the locals but unsettling to first time visitors like us.<br /><br />We asked Mr. Quang for recommendations to have dinner and he plotted a route on the map. I followed exactly his directions and ended in the middle of a very busy night bazaar street where peddlers sell their main commodity: Toys.<br /><br />It was like a carnival, a kid’s Toyland paradise. As it turns out, the locals were doing shopping for the forthcoming Mooncake festival.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTYC2RMf7MiR39i-nLWEyAAAzZ1ZDlpSDD_weamXWbegh0W9gB6GoM2l43YMBeXmpydClI1rWHxe7ANrqs7TFMGSlqYQkIhPJHdfvyKpBTIEha4UXeYf5ty-OMJIEcxEkI8mJtw/s1600-h/173_73460001Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159048375508560786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTYC2RMf7MiR39i-nLWEyAAAzZ1ZDlpSDD_weamXWbegh0W9gB6GoM2l43YMBeXmpydClI1rWHxe7ANrqs7TFMGSlqYQkIhPJHdfvyKpBTIEha4UXeYf5ty-OMJIEcxEkI8mJtw/s320/173_73460001Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here it is celebrated like Halloween; people wore Devil’s battery-powered red horns, impersonate Harry Porter: hat, wand and ghoulish masks. Perhaps it was a culture left behind by the previous colonial masters?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4wuX4Lu9JEKzZdwV7U62s8Y_r4KQeOmQ8C1yytuS72JPZdc_pJRlFTdBwZFI4phadwkA0L1Fw6vkLxzlyQxR6MpnZe95zo1rA3NcqEY55XPa-ptaLPpDaX3nONupmFY_XmiOuw/s1600-h/239_39250136Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159048388393462738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4wuX4Lu9JEKzZdwV7U62s8Y_r4KQeOmQ8C1yytuS72JPZdc_pJRlFTdBwZFI4phadwkA0L1Fw6vkLxzlyQxR6MpnZe95zo1rA3NcqEY55XPa-ptaLPpDaX3nONupmFY_XmiOuw/s320/239_39250136Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Tam Coc</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzCiTzCDifnxlY58UCOkwe_uVySSUzT_EC5rmOmRJha7n17mqmgkY1Ow3K-6x9qMeAYgQ0_sYa5tBNQ2o6CIFzZmVhyphenhyphenB0WaJIflC0BhyphenhyphenulBTocvvOCkqcMiK87j4ITrjpIAp1qw/s1600-h/233_33260019Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159066650594405746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzCiTzCDifnxlY58UCOkwe_uVySSUzT_EC5rmOmRJha7n17mqmgkY1Ow3K-6x9qMeAYgQ0_sYa5tBNQ2o6CIFzZmVhyphenhyphenB0WaJIflC0BhyphenhyphenulBTocvvOCkqcMiK87j4ITrjpIAp1qw/s320/233_33260019Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Feet rowing.</span></em><br /><br />Submerged limestone hills where farmers commute by small metal dinghy. An old couple rowed the boat for almost 2.5 hours, towards the last leg of the journey, the boatmen turned salesmen. They stopped rowing and begin promoting their goods. We politely declined their offer after the agreed purchase amount “suddenly” changed upon payment (we did use a calculator to show them the exact amount). Despite these tactics, we tipped them only after we got off the boat. Later, we heard from our group complaining to the tour guide that some of the boatmen refused to row unless they buy something or give tips.<br /><br /><strong>Rice field graves<br /></strong><br />Traversing the countryside on the Ford minibus with bicycles and motorcycles weaving from the edge of the road, I can’t help peering through the window the rather “short” graves that were sporadically buried in the rice fields. Out of respect of the deceased, Mee Peng asked me not to photograph the subject.<br /><br />The tour guide said it is customary for local peasants to bury their dead in their backyard, preferably in a damp area to accelerate decomposition. The corpse is unearthed after a period of 3 years, decomposed flesh sheared off and canistered into an urn. The urn is then re-buried in a 4-feet tomb, which explains the “shortness”.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Mens’ Drink<br /></strong><br />Cold-blooded reptiles such as snakes/cobra and lizards combined with scorpions are concocted with rice wine inside a large bottle. The local say it is a potent “men’s drink”, but I sensed it was a local brewed aphrodisiac.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_bGvlgFqa-JakUrGRkpjK8lO45Xr5O-ZOg1gfvNuQ-WQwhCv-FeeIQvVhf6IobD9UvxSVBZVG0tCTXZ2dbQZJwAPU8g2fbCXXCPHnkmO3AqYFREFYE6lvqluKfqrCJj2xNSgpg/s1600-h/232_32820017Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158693138763508370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_bGvlgFqa-JakUrGRkpjK8lO45Xr5O-ZOg1gfvNuQ-WQwhCv-FeeIQvVhf6IobD9UvxSVBZVG0tCTXZ2dbQZJwAPU8g2fbCXXCPHnkmO3AqYFREFYE6lvqluKfqrCJj2xNSgpg/s320/232_32820017Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Sapa</strong><br /><br />We traveled to Sapa by a night sleeper train. The journey took about 9 hours. There were 4 berths in each cabin. We shared the cabin with a friendly couple from Denmark: Niels and Helle. It was an enlightening encounter as we exchanged culture, travel experiences and chatted on various subjects for hours before retiring to bed. Later, they became our tour companions. I must say meeting new friends and foreigners was the highlight of our trip.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuA3F0pcvBRwWDVi64-nsx39ljZD-DcBOmfYiwapQAhz4KDJySccRga9mta9Zl4evD4xzA5YUmMNmqwiscggOyLhDd1sfaNaSIIDvcFrwGIOwz87H0CTbjnbU3kqy22A4J6qm9A/s1600-h/234_34070023Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158696359988980386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuA3F0pcvBRwWDVi64-nsx39ljZD-DcBOmfYiwapQAhz4KDJySccRga9mta9Zl4evD4xzA5YUmMNmqwiscggOyLhDd1sfaNaSIIDvcFrwGIOwz87H0CTbjnbU3kqy22A4J6qm9A/s320/234_34070023Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Niels and Helle.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxFoa5fcsAGdzKJUdKNcH2GewFmx0w7wtbCcZSmVVUXUtzEuGVRcuIVsVaofmQAZ3PdbV4M30VIGgEw4yoWVPCbLvb9b2UH682OeHgEXl0F9naN9rPlDIXN3HUcCXAymlx9yOxA/s1600-h/235_35250042Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159048384098495410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxFoa5fcsAGdzKJUdKNcH2GewFmx0w7wtbCcZSmVVUXUtzEuGVRcuIVsVaofmQAZ3PdbV4M30VIGgEw4yoWVPCbLvb9b2UH682OeHgEXl0F9naN9rPlDIXN3HUcCXAymlx9yOxA/s320/235_35250042Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmri0yNyznnhQe7e909ERqYvSeH8lFk0zsj2pz5ZQGnrCHBOxqWsSHJDvFb8Nspf2njN78E1SWqcVyNxqygr9nIpbrMELpXKP2bVMc66ncZrbeDuTlRPCehDvkuc_ahSKt_AEng/s1600-h/234_34080024Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160408510046826434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmri0yNyznnhQe7e909ERqYvSeH8lFk0zsj2pz5ZQGnrCHBOxqWsSHJDvFb8Nspf2njN78E1SWqcVyNxqygr9nIpbrMELpXKP2bVMc66ncZrbeDuTlRPCehDvkuc_ahSKt_AEng/s320/234_34080024Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">The train reminded me of the thriller "Murder of the Orient Express".</span></em></div><br /><div></div><div>We stayed at the Royal Sapa Hotel that had a long verandah with a panoramic view of the mountains.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXnPO7Lgw3nOs4-X-MDeIsp70URCOhi2Hfeeje2uVBgv2X_uSLTuozCJIPfG9tSL1jxzUwhw5s5oz-D8EN72-acLZzima2fviIv0LGWXkTeVPf0ZRDUsKzxvrYIzBaVGIrweRFw/s1600-h/235_35630049Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158696381463816914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXnPO7Lgw3nOs4-X-MDeIsp70URCOhi2Hfeeje2uVBgv2X_uSLTuozCJIPfG9tSL1jxzUwhw5s5oz-D8EN72-acLZzima2fviIv0LGWXkTeVPf0ZRDUsKzxvrYIzBaVGIrweRFw/s320/235_35630049Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A1d-5boUYnhzdpPR7sHlADeI37-w87pQ5dRvhyphenhyphen8DV-J4noE_0krPVV81JDr2PBD3LJkrohiVUA5OXNqLxQQkTgBXO88ohcw7Ihq_UDZimGctufqsz937gFWn1BHc1MLIXG0Lqg/s1600-h/234_34210026Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159060667704962290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A1d-5boUYnhzdpPR7sHlADeI37-w87pQ5dRvhyphenhyphen8DV-J4noE_0krPVV81JDr2PBD3LJkrohiVUA5OXNqLxQQkTgBXO88ohcw7Ihq_UDZimGctufqsz937gFWn1BHc1MLIXG0Lqg/s320/234_34210026Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xLVZP_Aa3NY3stepahWfIp4exTDHGsuitdbAKpShOZ68rbnYpYteWxcns49JuY3rEyEWqyy9UphFYEfwNVkn7RfCfpsvJlTIYtipqLzPFwYrctsg1z_5siFwg6E1S1-5US9Vrg/s1600-h/235_3512_r10041Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159063025642007858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xLVZP_Aa3NY3stepahWfIp4exTDHGsuitdbAKpShOZ68rbnYpYteWxcns49JuY3rEyEWqyy9UphFYEfwNVkn7RfCfpsvJlTIYtipqLzPFwYrctsg1z_5siFwg6E1S1-5US9Vrg/s320/235_3512_r10041Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMQvQXkd_kpvqihE47ittS6ae3FWmCECTcqaBrc09cMZ7s2Ir7w04m0eb9Drzeeospoo6-SYsbq4CepKQivN6czq3Y_6CGWkN4lWb7wmXDA6BaKEaK9V5bAzzv3ADPC9FhGS7Bg/s1600-h/235_35930053Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159071044345949762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMQvQXkd_kpvqihE47ittS6ae3FWmCECTcqaBrc09cMZ7s2Ir7w04m0eb9Drzeeospoo6-SYsbq4CepKQivN6czq3Y_6CGWkN4lWb7wmXDA6BaKEaK9V5bAzzv3ADPC9FhGS7Bg/s320/235_35930053Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIb44xtzXQJYsOCTx-YU8C0GZABpSy_xIdaoyUX8_N88UpzZkRseF5EYGxAeBxTIqg9R_cZKsPI0B-XYOHmsIoftF65Ry5hwTIkeSwKbPlXwHx3fDtJ67X2ko52qGIDGG9obWpg/s1600-h/234_3412Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160084867081203474" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIb44xtzXQJYsOCTx-YU8C0GZABpSy_xIdaoyUX8_N88UpzZkRseF5EYGxAeBxTIqg9R_cZKsPI0B-XYOHmsIoftF65Ry5hwTIkeSwKbPlXwHx3fDtJ67X2ko52qGIDGG9obWpg/s320/234_3412Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3r-BNMBftPoRSijglh3IwO8tC-GYoFOGK-WKzVTWCgFAYkbW_gCY3tC9r7BPoxW7eVbnCxPsmM9VdBD2if0xEKhgQWEFP_wZqRBDG6SI8kIRoC5yFoD2LctOkjFKQwIkKspqdA/s1600-h/234_34250028Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159071040050982450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3r-BNMBftPoRSijglh3IwO8tC-GYoFOGK-WKzVTWCgFAYkbW_gCY3tC9r7BPoxW7eVbnCxPsmM9VdBD2if0xEKhgQWEFP_wZqRBDG6SI8kIRoC5yFoD2LctOkjFKQwIkKspqdA/s320/234_34250028Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="left">On the day of our arrival, we trekked to the Cat Cat tribal Hmong village and visited a small hut that accommodates 20+ people.<br /><insert><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCbc1SzgXOw3_XLo7bDP5zwHlAXJtPgmLU3xuK93kTxETvQsT6FeHhC8QJYSFeXumo1nYlWK72PpI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Dan, Helle and Mee Peng inside the Hmong hut.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY6FPdXI6DgRjbVzvGu52foELQznadL-ed2y6tPKgO1FtfwhRP-JMvX1m6J5WT9L8_etc4roHMBvPLFhMLADTc1zw6DC-fAsYGQmngqxgixzJqu1zmyZ4vIemz6zugfuAVHFY_g/s1600-h/234_34610033Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159063017052073250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVY6FPdXI6DgRjbVzvGu52foELQznadL-ed2y6tPKgO1FtfwhRP-JMvX1m6J5WT9L8_etc4roHMBvPLFhMLADTc1zw6DC-fAsYGQmngqxgixzJqu1zmyZ4vIemz6zugfuAVHFY_g/s320/234_34610033Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Corn hung on ceiling. For human consumption and animal feed.</span></em><br /><br /><strong>Day 2 – Hiking</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmchSe4mdAwDTZyMRBJ0FLHjh01TB_EJHPaNBqzL4pd1NzJt1a3Zy5lG5FaUwbc634ra20hCC6j7xqzdTbnxK_1utMcS6WHc_smGyf6BySkpTBKivFLkcTdYgPLJsjcbhKMxsYg/s1600-h/234_34980038Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159054500131925042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmchSe4mdAwDTZyMRBJ0FLHjh01TB_EJHPaNBqzL4pd1NzJt1a3Zy5lG5FaUwbc634ra20hCC6j7xqzdTbnxK_1utMcS6WHc_smGyf6BySkpTBKivFLkcTdYgPLJsjcbhKMxsYg/s320/234_34980038Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The tour guide, Dan pre-empt us that Day 2 of the hike would take 6-7 hours traversing several hills. He advised us not to respond to the locals if they followed the group or appear friendly by asking questions. The reason was these “freelancers” expect a tip and if they don’t get one, they may swear profanities. I must say Dan is one of the best and most honest tour guides that I have ever met. He earned my respect for managing the culture shock.<br /><br />Our hiking group was an interesting blend; Niels from Denmark, 70-year–old Peter an Australian, Turkish by origin and later a Vietnamese, Theahm who resides in Germany.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wOPVfbcOLEBvr88ORSEW27-VMNetarYMbnfsc2UFWfCSHiQYU36ofoWj76ePqtisCpExz3Atp-kzV2gINpNn7XSEYmZiMYDjrln1APv-GBKzE9SnOeIQ-SU6jaFgpMl8zW1Reg/s1600-h/236_36220055Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158837076002499410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wOPVfbcOLEBvr88ORSEW27-VMNetarYMbnfsc2UFWfCSHiQYU36ofoWj76ePqtisCpExz3Atp-kzV2gINpNn7XSEYmZiMYDjrln1APv-GBKzE9SnOeIQ-SU6jaFgpMl8zW1Reg/s320/236_36220055Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Niels, Peter, Dan and Mee Peng</span></em><br /><br />A scenic highland landscaped by terraced multi-leveled rice fields sloping gradually irrigated by the nearby waterfall. The locals resourcefully tapped the kinetic energy from the stream to<br />pound the paddy husk.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhfiod-cfjBKlZAV7AjIWqIEZI7daUtNlVkqOdBiGI-bgI7nJYQ0QMPo3H8tZ0wJXUCBRKuQbhizA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjROqGSdisBfyGh6AigdiZdzUf5eqNOJN6WezKx7UTFJ90GgfGYrKvqoTy6MYIlZ7G8pbJLsbO0zhlpR65LDfV5xjndR1C1bfDK3w74VXzirLIdOC3KuCg0QqDoUW5_YAIHmQMzg/s1600-h/174_74240007Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159054504426892354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjROqGSdisBfyGh6AigdiZdzUf5eqNOJN6WezKx7UTFJ90GgfGYrKvqoTy6MYIlZ7G8pbJLsbO0zhlpR65LDfV5xjndR1C1bfDK3w74VXzirLIdOC3KuCg0QqDoUW5_YAIHmQMzg/s320/174_74240007Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn1CaXx9vOBd2sCWE5K4reh_xr4s2J7cH69W7dUfwcAffD5mRK4jpb0S4BvzFjl_R_aJberdwWV_APGw-8jWkaICe_OVBKxm1ZjSkKP3Xk5enpGY3izh735hR2UzgUc8gSUUgKg/s1600-h/236_36830069Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159063034231942482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNn1CaXx9vOBd2sCWE5K4reh_xr4s2J7cH69W7dUfwcAffD5mRK4jpb0S4BvzFjl_R_aJberdwWV_APGw-8jWkaICe_OVBKxm1ZjSkKP3Xk5enpGY3izh735hR2UzgUc8gSUUgKg/s320/236_36830069Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><insert>A ready to harvest rice-field turns yellowish green giving the landscape a colourful glaze<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKSD5t85sl-iO_Ue-q-LioxPYRh_NJl1mp7vhOuudkI7YncTk4J95VSwxMMhQoNZVCb1_DDwt0Q4pE9sgxHJOpDcJ0vhx-yp_CCwEbKSxOEJ6LHTWWJBzNKqDOEuPK6tJcx2p_w/s1600-h/237_37030076Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159054508721859666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKSD5t85sl-iO_Ue-q-LioxPYRh_NJl1mp7vhOuudkI7YncTk4J95VSwxMMhQoNZVCb1_DDwt0Q4pE9sgxHJOpDcJ0vhx-yp_CCwEbKSxOEJ6LHTWWJBzNKqDOEuPK6tJcx2p_w/s320/237_37030076Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong></strong></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LStxk25jKP-RE-MtOPFfH-JZa2LGB7oITg9XmwUOS-vDABRKgS1DzEilPqIHJwQK-bgVOR8Nh_FyP9hFzD1bTZSNKX0oLHoRcu3anSp80B7BCWSZtqzq0I_-mS-Z5J-OkJBNfg/s1600-h/234_3474Reduced+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170501825162999954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LStxk25jKP-RE-MtOPFfH-JZa2LGB7oITg9XmwUOS-vDABRKgS1DzEilPqIHJwQK-bgVOR8Nh_FyP9hFzD1bTZSNKX0oLHoRcu3anSp80B7BCWSZtqzq0I_-mS-Z5J-OkJBNfg/s320/234_3474Reduced+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><strong>Cow-shit Omelette<br /></strong><br />Dan carried a bagful of baguettes (the most common bread in Vietnam, Malaysia’s roti canai equivalent) for lunch. We stopped by a hut where Dan turned Cook by frying the eggs, prepared salad and bananas.<br /><br />In the midst of asking Niels to help me with a photo, I accidentally knocked the table, overturning the plate, spilling the deliciously fried omelette, on the sandy floor! Mee Peng salvaged the food by rinsing it with water.<br /><br />Niels quipped we now have Cow-shit Omelette…..hehehe.<br />Nobody had reservation of not eating the omelette. We finished the eggs as hunger overcame cow-dung seasoning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgganKZklk-UhMghWV_qbvZ16G_-YpRHtgNp0byNhsHTnRV8j8kmnr18cDFjBAN63AEJBlTGQXHEQHAIK8M7jmexSzdhOKxGmcJ5m2CVGTQLlzFE3Ez-osH8HmdS5OGdFAmxwrMGQ/s1600-h/236_36910073Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158696390053751522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgganKZklk-UhMghWV_qbvZ16G_-YpRHtgNp0byNhsHTnRV8j8kmnr18cDFjBAN63AEJBlTGQXHEQHAIK8M7jmexSzdhOKxGmcJ5m2CVGTQLlzFE3Ez-osH8HmdS5OGdFAmxwrMGQ/s320/236_36910073Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmdYAqrObp3CEM1XN-PIlIbcanCRuyxuGs4nHYzqINUgoV6_depcM0LXqq9gz1XqLdseKJPmQUVVpOHDrcUird9WlS6h6hsENEneRiPeDLE4gIK9lWFOyEAasgzRppKFrFUQ5PQ/s1600-h/236_36900072Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159066659184340402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmdYAqrObp3CEM1XN-PIlIbcanCRuyxuGs4nHYzqINUgoV6_depcM0LXqq9gz1XqLdseKJPmQUVVpOHDrcUird9WlS6h6hsENEneRiPeDLE4gIK9lWFOyEAasgzRppKFrFUQ5PQ/s320/236_36900072Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Afternoon nap? They slept so quietly. We did not realize their presence until later.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rjo4CGSKQgAuXEuBAB_7dU03F8zyA00fVNxrPLN2zawekar3zb7CN86m2HV_XdaPe7PbUvqtCDp8wNByiTq4AbGDpEr9GJoXkQH0qQMpAgaz8wu5J6H-mxST9OqVBBrj__v1XQ/s1600-h/174_74510013Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160408492866957234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rjo4CGSKQgAuXEuBAB_7dU03F8zyA00fVNxrPLN2zawekar3zb7CN86m2HV_XdaPe7PbUvqtCDp8wNByiTq4AbGDpEr9GJoXkQH0qQMpAgaz8wu5J6H-mxST9OqVBBrj__v1XQ/s320/174_74510013Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Buffaloes</strong><br /><br />I notice the villagers of Sapa treat their buffaloes like pets. The Sapa buffaloes are some of the coolest I have seen. They give you a stare that can mean nothing but to a tourist like me, it meant I better not make any sudden moves!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDihhzrmN4VS7OXiqtSXHlxoEX4QuCOVQIEDWiWXbyS2MwAyBReqe_pFf-5kuET8u5F-zWfzS0Qv0YT1SY1AhozUCWDaUgxoMNw2PMoZulLBOq6LUtK3pB5lFX4HtyyI0R3M6cew/s1600-h/236_36810067Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158837084592434018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDihhzrmN4VS7OXiqtSXHlxoEX4QuCOVQIEDWiWXbyS2MwAyBReqe_pFf-5kuET8u5F-zWfzS0Qv0YT1SY1AhozUCWDaUgxoMNw2PMoZulLBOq6LUtK3pB5lFX4HtyyI0R3M6cew/s320/236_36810067Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><insert><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7wfqv3x5qpzDcYjv58JMOlSbq5FJKZjefiVZ3ZlQ9JpQf0V9JHNbCzDq3HQem59SXPh-kHhPEfs0rSxicDGzECU6SMsk3OpkE5bNYi6QFccmGgCIMGs-zv2VyGgiP1MHSQm_bQ/s1600-h/236_36820068Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159057467954326674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7wfqv3x5qpzDcYjv58JMOlSbq5FJKZjefiVZ3ZlQ9JpQf0V9JHNbCzDq3HQem59SXPh-kHhPEfs0rSxicDGzECU6SMsk3OpkE5bNYi6QFccmGgCIMGs-zv2VyGgiP1MHSQm_bQ/s320/236_36820068Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><buffalo><br />Peter negotiates with this buffalo…<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhaSFlHxhYXjA5DB-o0iY2y49e2tuL1p1O76L-Cc_wcAzWfcI5bl0h9hoD0igqxhZWPkvnaxPVuJu4bvi2LZbkNb3ZHIQ7iM1mCCfC4vlOfy_UTycDC5XMdmQy5YHe1RtnsihEg/s1600-h/236_36760066Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159063029936975170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhaSFlHxhYXjA5DB-o0iY2y49e2tuL1p1O76L-Cc_wcAzWfcI5bl0h9hoD0igqxhZWPkvnaxPVuJu4bvi2LZbkNb3ZHIQ7iM1mCCfC4vlOfy_UTycDC5XMdmQy5YHe1RtnsihEg/s320/236_36760066Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">Peter: “ Hello Mr.Buffalo! Why do you look so Stupid?<br />Can you carry me?<br />How much? How much? “<br /></span></em><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwuaRGKC12y4S4qlNukRvLcRoztPxB-2O10HYvSxHH0lFfxkUkQnzYDrdtL-byEJ47J-Bd-N5p3Jqo' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJRdo0pWPcUf7LBFGjgCpS4cYP7VKNW2fDi6hbfBxmSk4axkmJldkz_2pFxOwKsK9XX-NT3YsW_efK1929fsLd1sA_nnyZU5yii7DRnisr4TKe1esTjIaEilx8cg9Rz_puineUA/s1600-h/237_3724_edited0001Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158696377168849602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJRdo0pWPcUf7LBFGjgCpS4cYP7VKNW2fDi6hbfBxmSk4axkmJldkz_2pFxOwKsK9XX-NT3YsW_efK1929fsLd1sA_nnyZU5yii7DRnisr4TKe1esTjIaEilx8cg9Rz_puineUA/s320/237_3724_edited0001Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Kids hug the buffalo.<br /></span></em><inset><br /><strong>The Children of Sapa<br /></strong><br />Mee Peng bought a roll of Mentos but we never got to eat any as she gave it away to the children of Sapa.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoyq5fa4GRcbFQwMS1l9Xd8wY1NTWYUIvqE-BAMxiVVhWUVmi6GZcHg1aM7QhLQ9CXOxT69BzIuh2xthbY-5TVRtBTi0Hy-sdlM33PshM92W4-VARI6f65PEPk5ijX0kA1ze_Ag/s1600-h/237_37050077Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158837093182368642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoyq5fa4GRcbFQwMS1l9Xd8wY1NTWYUIvqE-BAMxiVVhWUVmi6GZcHg1aM7QhLQ9CXOxT69BzIuh2xthbY-5TVRtBTi0Hy-sdlM33PshM92W4-VARI6f65PEPk5ijX0kA1ze_Ag/s320/237_37050077Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUYylfQd7BOuXukVC0jycNAdQCTuVuP4C-eHqaQIMD1PMmsy4LeN_waqaJjpUwhWkRw3kitT1vGjEn73UzItroVVsEOgJqT81m0Bz3Qc8-KAh2Dp-3iApVE9yqF46ig1YSaUusQ/s1600-h/236_36480061Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160408565881401314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUYylfQd7BOuXukVC0jycNAdQCTuVuP4C-eHqaQIMD1PMmsy4LeN_waqaJjpUwhWkRw3kitT1vGjEn73UzItroVVsEOgJqT81m0Bz3Qc8-KAh2Dp-3iApVE9yqF46ig1YSaUusQ/s320/236_36480061Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65Od3fwcoC4AWa6wxL8jzyHoixNVQTGYzclago8uUU9vWLwAQW2tYJyjSX83KYCsfoMZiL8yXWvYDB_hS0gVF97-FjbTvGcxRCNXpsXd-G2b0bmQe77GoaeL35tH2r87ATyrkDQ/s1600-h/235_35090039Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159048379803528098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65Od3fwcoC4AWa6wxL8jzyHoixNVQTGYzclago8uUU9vWLwAQW2tYJyjSX83KYCsfoMZiL8yXWvYDB_hS0gVF97-FjbTvGcxRCNXpsXd-G2b0bmQe77GoaeL35tH2r87ATyrkDQ/s320/235_35090039Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vtUGjZnsaQErAgUqEdU30rkoZWIUwI1xOXWq2heAQX5Bzq6m47cx63i5PwZwm_ky9XI8T09tXo3YB67hfHjeyMR6m9qtWKtZb6g98uTyUYNVI_I9K6nmrMs8h5VmcSYHXpv_Rg/s1600-h/237_37080080Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159068192487665122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vtUGjZnsaQErAgUqEdU30rkoZWIUwI1xOXWq2heAQX5Bzq6m47cx63i5PwZwm_ky9XI8T09tXo3YB67hfHjeyMR6m9qtWKtZb6g98uTyUYNVI_I9K6nmrMs8h5VmcSYHXpv_Rg/s320/237_37080080Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtoPpDyI2fuulu43dfq94wgzIHG26uwxtPYZoUObMiQQxTW6mlgHezsPLjKW-_gy5wNEqmm632ZqDecVUF4K0CtYTRJHuIfCGTuFby-qjRSViSVss60j6RNwGZeHlW1b-jsi-sg/s1600-h/234_34530032Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158837071707532098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtoPpDyI2fuulu43dfq94wgzIHG26uwxtPYZoUObMiQQxTW6mlgHezsPLjKW-_gy5wNEqmm632ZqDecVUF4K0CtYTRJHuIfCGTuFby-qjRSViSVss60j6RNwGZeHlW1b-jsi-sg/s320/234_34530032Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XBzR_f_NFOcXmGo8GWi7hWIci71uVkqJrrrlJygsrwbEelslKp-0I-MCMaoAW-AifpU9bENJ1aSKD7ErV7kLNH9qaD59jhvWCcrfZi21WlBogHPhMqUAY2VufV3t6sKj_ofe6Q/s1600-h/236_36050054Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159048388393462722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XBzR_f_NFOcXmGo8GWi7hWIci71uVkqJrrrlJygsrwbEelslKp-0I-MCMaoAW-AifpU9bENJ1aSKD7ErV7kLNH9qaD59jhvWCcrfZi21WlBogHPhMqUAY2VufV3t6sKj_ofe6Q/s320/236_36050054Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">The friendly kids gave Peter and Mee Peng the bamboo sticks at the start of the hike.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb6tj-Wn4lfHHR94wAh0X-lme9jJaFhR9wwTxm9j6xrzUvwC_9bpnbK_W3CwuBII-3z9OTdWiIxxQUp1k0vAUydpO6xMh5uRjShZt_FnmQq0ctV8V0NR7LrkI60tJ9A5BEa1TIA/s1600-h/236_36620064Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159051373395733522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb6tj-Wn4lfHHR94wAh0X-lme9jJaFhR9wwTxm9j6xrzUvwC_9bpnbK_W3CwuBII-3z9OTdWiIxxQUp1k0vAUydpO6xMh5uRjShZt_FnmQq0ctV8V0NR7LrkI60tJ9A5BEa1TIA/s320/236_36620064Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Yelling "Hello! Hello!". They scrambled down the hill to greet us. </span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWGKaEh2twPAhuUJjObZ9S6jgnqHclvKTMk6eUoO0uy666uiMFDFiA-bPNtfkZX5-5Mzv3Jjj3iP6lRf7aWWh5Ev1QhEgV4-arxLV89CNXgKMeIVhyphenhyphenv4AdRDSMQu2uL8fEyn9GA/s1600-h/237_37020075Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159054513016826994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWGKaEh2twPAhuUJjObZ9S6jgnqHclvKTMk6eUoO0uy666uiMFDFiA-bPNtfkZX5-5Mzv3Jjj3iP6lRf7aWWh5Ev1QhEgV4-arxLV89CNXgKMeIVhyphenhyphenv4AdRDSMQu2uL8fEyn9GA/s320/237_37020075Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGG2FL8U54L86_GWkx99Du730rrIaQdCE-bHYBFVlzJt73blFzY7QrXb4Zwyd3gqB9gqsxgdffpnMnGWVzqHEMq3sTseQXA52Wwt6UCup7gO919JYiGdMwwd_kAeIpt9CINv1Mg/s1600-h/236_36500062Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159054508721859682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGG2FL8U54L86_GWkx99Du730rrIaQdCE-bHYBFVlzJt73blFzY7QrXb4Zwyd3gqB9gqsxgdffpnMnGWVzqHEMq3sTseQXA52Wwt6UCup7gO919JYiGdMwwd_kAeIpt9CINv1Mg/s320/236_36500062Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZj2FwWsd0zRmU4Y_VE_ONflj1kVlK223jXlF5NuUDGZIAOt1njAp651brzRcRM5Uw5Zflhes18VwzYq2mg2ic2k-4BbZYYuppcOtqraSsQlIuAbVS0Wu9vrT0boQVQ6DNPZiPQ/s1600-h/237_37260084Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159057472249293986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZj2FwWsd0zRmU4Y_VE_ONflj1kVlK223jXlF5NuUDGZIAOt1njAp651brzRcRM5Uw5Zflhes18VwzYq2mg2ic2k-4BbZYYuppcOtqraSsQlIuAbVS0Wu9vrT0boQVQ6DNPZiPQ/s320/237_37260084Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbanbdcUpDYNA4N0ttcJlVNUynSpZaFP8o_GHJVf_Tfnl3Ai9snccv0PzKUCew2OlM6eWwOz3oqhZiSld6TnJPwf5swYrQ3PFiGt3j20c9sbd8Sp3tKY4pnF2OXVBazP2ciO1jg/s1600-h/236_36920074Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159802232463322754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbanbdcUpDYNA4N0ttcJlVNUynSpZaFP8o_GHJVf_Tfnl3Ai9snccv0PzKUCew2OlM6eWwOz3oqhZiSld6TnJPwf5swYrQ3PFiGt3j20c9sbd8Sp3tKY4pnF2OXVBazP2ciO1jg/s320/236_36920074Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM8iiPkkZDdxXLE0Wrpq0UbbXdg8C4Sn90OjSLjFYMaEtm3pqoFX_uYOs6Odg06J-NZeG-TRCeAfOmmbpYvqq-XBIZu_L_cjZSP5T5KXBy9CLynkRtkYtbF3Rt0vrvq_Baao17A/s1600-h/234_3483Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160160175037771602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM8iiPkkZDdxXLE0Wrpq0UbbXdg8C4Sn90OjSLjFYMaEtm3pqoFX_uYOs6Odg06J-NZeG-TRCeAfOmmbpYvqq-XBIZu_L_cjZSP5T5KXBy9CLynkRtkYtbF3Rt0vrvq_Baao17A/s320/234_3483Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>Dan ask us a question:<br /><br />“The farmers buy only one item when they go to town. Can you guess what is it that they buy? “<br /><br />The answer was SALT.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvkNywE_4ZAFl-S3aJMQXyN6JmOJJtrHaB8Tj3s3B_DZXfbS33Sq3Lm3a6wQpUintnAHAv81mzOsEmvao6zjio8rmevphzEYutTgwhuiCXhk9T5LRnvPAVPXFu5qP3cgmboT-6g/s1600-h/234_3467Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160084871376170786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvkNywE_4ZAFl-S3aJMQXyN6JmOJJtrHaB8Tj3s3B_DZXfbS33Sq3Lm3a6wQpUintnAHAv81mzOsEmvao6zjio8rmevphzEYutTgwhuiCXhk9T5LRnvPAVPXFu5qP3cgmboT-6g/s320/234_3467Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Rice with salt water.</span></em><br /><br />Hostility<br /><br />Towards the last 2 kms of the trail, a group of boisterous children approached us. One of them snatched Mee Peng’s bamboo stick that was given to her earlier at the start of the hike by a hill-tribe child.<br />Another 2 children followed Peter like a hawk, chanting, “You take picture but you NO PAY ME!” repeatedly like an endless tape .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJcC9cCEemn9PXYmRusxtk3zejGHn6gJFwDigdI5RQH-euZrjY_AgOZtYuw6zOczXSylaOFE05fEQrUQL8ALgQ_60boeZdlP2Gw-s1uW9R2pgux-6oXPqcePwmBbi2hhEPH0hRg/s1600-h/174_74450010Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159051364805798882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJcC9cCEemn9PXYmRusxtk3zejGHn6gJFwDigdI5RQH-euZrjY_AgOZtYuw6zOczXSylaOFE05fEQrUQL8ALgQ_60boeZdlP2Gw-s1uW9R2pgux-6oXPqcePwmBbi2hhEPH0hRg/s320/174_74450010Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfOSaYojGagZbuf_ipRQ1bXcZFHqjQzSoK8Ug_ocsKAYnt5HSco6VZF8SubDHpxMTNQk49JkVWn7PuZdnXyNREYCWhW6-8OJxERb_vSbBK7UYC52qTHhqCVw1700Q9fHxnEbKDg/s1600-h/174_74460011Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159060663409994978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfOSaYojGagZbuf_ipRQ1bXcZFHqjQzSoK8Ug_ocsKAYnt5HSco6VZF8SubDHpxMTNQk49JkVWn7PuZdnXyNREYCWhW6-8OJxERb_vSbBK7UYC52qTHhqCVw1700Q9fHxnEbKDg/s320/174_74460011Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZgoPybJYQUPormuJvilqL9fqGm4c9-y50nqCXRVDjz4BnGo7ktESiyfxVLYZqePt4JzYnc2_wjUT9X1DsIyge5qMCSiUtIMMkqBOtrjcnN3Z5kmDBBivbnF3XTxo1HcEf02Chw/s1600-h/174_74500012Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159071031461047842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ZgoPybJYQUPormuJvilqL9fqGm4c9-y50nqCXRVDjz4BnGo7ktESiyfxVLYZqePt4JzYnc2_wjUT9X1DsIyge5qMCSiUtIMMkqBOtrjcnN3Z5kmDBBivbnF3XTxo1HcEf02Chw/s320/174_74500012Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>4WD broke down<br /></strong><br />On the way back, the Toyota Land Cruiser radiator overheated. It turned out there was no radiator cap to contain the steam. Not a problem as there was plenty of mountain water running along the road. The radiator was refilled and we were off again.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi5SOkF-L5XLZ2A3dabrK3cwfhYJSm6f8kIrr50Tqk8Owci56AsfxW5Mb7ECxUbKdEAKQbXLor7syy7rchK8FW4t4kwk25Y0RgGezzJeapQ1rADlyC1AXRkftVf8b55Hiil0xxg/s1600-h/174_74680014Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159051369100766194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZi5SOkF-L5XLZ2A3dabrK3cwfhYJSm6f8kIrr50Tqk8Owci56AsfxW5Mb7ECxUbKdEAKQbXLor7syy7rchK8FW4t4kwk25Y0RgGezzJeapQ1rADlyC1AXRkftVf8b55Hiil0xxg/s320/174_74680014Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-C1FEmeGhuUAhbL4dkyF5rcLcHq2_J5WI0Tthp-ho18Dv0-hmwKb6PdFQRShzDeynI5sHndIkQDe0hMauM3vE9XmpKoP2gReXT5HZTAy9U5NiMubVwuFKqI7VzG2gO7K5aGvtA/s1600-h/174_74690015Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159051373395733506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-C1FEmeGhuUAhbL4dkyF5rcLcHq2_J5WI0Tthp-ho18Dv0-hmwKb6PdFQRShzDeynI5sHndIkQDe0hMauM3vE9XmpKoP2gReXT5HZTAy9U5NiMubVwuFKqI7VzG2gO7K5aGvtA/s320/174_74690015Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Back at the hotel I congratulated Peter for completing the entire hike. Peter said he would rather take a chance today, than risk not knowing if he would wake up alive tomorrow.<br />Earlier, at the start of the trek, Niels and I were a bit worried if he could sustain the entire journey.<br /><br /><strong>Halong Bay<br /></strong><br />A 4 hour bus ride from Hanoi to the mainland jetty. We boarded an impressive 2-storey boat called the "Imperial Junk" and I was looking forward to a sumptuous seafood buffet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_9vSIwwLg_pGnRi6geL5NLjroGkoQAYLE1FbSkwfIqGhyphenhypheni8FNqRYWlHc98WZpL7hd-_dR0qMX0pae7fkRywkci3WzlGFZ4hpRpQ8YAzh_4tr9oWakqYJwkt71Ffow-qxLZS7JQ/s1600-h/237_37910102Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159802223873388130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_9vSIwwLg_pGnRi6geL5NLjroGkoQAYLE1FbSkwfIqGhyphenhypheni8FNqRYWlHc98WZpL7hd-_dR0qMX0pae7fkRywkci3WzlGFZ4hpRpQ8YAzh_4tr9oWakqYJwkt71Ffow-qxLZS7JQ/s320/237_37910102Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />First stop was the caves. The people believe long time ago the island was submerged in water. This is evident from the “wave” like structure inside the limestone hill cavern resembling seawater erosion.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHLoVTL04Yme3WE_7sidDYVlqm-JLrFpSdpp2ddu9Fq13J4JCvMN76cxKNn5A6qbbnwi0rnU3mgKlOqmU0b9T4fwg3BTY9DCb7pDES1YFGa_UedNpMb3JCL6m3iqxTUPDSxV1rw/s1600-h/237_37660095Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159051377690700834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHLoVTL04Yme3WE_7sidDYVlqm-JLrFpSdpp2ddu9Fq13J4JCvMN76cxKNn5A6qbbnwi0rnU3mgKlOqmU0b9T4fwg3BTY9DCb7pDES1YFGa_UedNpMb3JCL6m3iqxTUPDSxV1rw/s320/237_37660095Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfzyX7Rlv8GVDz1DsVsC1KQiQKRZL9mKe8JMK6N_Teh_SmNQwyzOtO7C4jFk8d9F7e9CPeXnQbjyHonywMEPFN727X__BV7OsEUXppP9xOlDgmCrJogi2ro_XEk3DXmttnrv4Pg/s1600-h/237_37700097Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159057472249294002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfzyX7Rlv8GVDz1DsVsC1KQiQKRZL9mKe8JMK6N_Teh_SmNQwyzOtO7C4jFk8d9F7e9CPeXnQbjyHonywMEPFN727X__BV7OsEUXppP9xOlDgmCrJogi2ro_XEk3DXmttnrv4Pg/s320/237_37700097Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">The cave's "wave" erosion.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7OZLerwMvMiByqMlDKp-Q0T6pOaumi_sqbtFq5ar_EdWg_kWaSA5YQ-vpj_xwwF6vF73nStmSQ8YAQTchO8PaCBXBfr8cCCBBH2FvEaeq47NeLarL71CBpycFpEi-xErHorlLg/s1600-h/237_3762Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160084879966105410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7OZLerwMvMiByqMlDKp-Q0T6pOaumi_sqbtFq5ar_EdWg_kWaSA5YQ-vpj_xwwF6vF73nStmSQ8YAQTchO8PaCBXBfr8cCCBBH2FvEaeq47NeLarL71CBpycFpEi-xErHorlLg/s320/237_3762Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;">View from the deck.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"></span></em><br />Next stop was for snorkeling and swimming. We didn’t do any of it but instead hike up a small hill, which gave a birds-eye view of the Bay.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxk1SF0vtETwDiXlUyJ4rCan3WSRt0hcdC_rUDHpnPJxtP8dMHc7J9hwtLc9n44aGJOeT7a1dgJfle6ggKeS8YRRM6H385AC558YDX0540SUTQKL4YGkeb1tY54nDopdcVrrlpQ/s1600-h/238_38300106Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160408484277022626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxk1SF0vtETwDiXlUyJ4rCan3WSRt0hcdC_rUDHpnPJxtP8dMHc7J9hwtLc9n44aGJOeT7a1dgJfle6ggKeS8YRRM6H385AC558YDX0540SUTQKL4YGkeb1tY54nDopdcVrrlpQ/s320/238_38300106Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Sunset and sunrise were supposed to be spectacular but it was just ok for me. The photos turned out more impressive that the actual scenery probably because the digital camera enhanced the primary colours.<br /><br />The blue hue and overcast was like a painting, a signature landscape of this renowned Bay.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq55I4WEQlkCBSCRCDwQsiVXQfwMo86DzB_1rLp1zKiGXuAfWtepLHi7djhL9gyGjS1LFEPp-o44EgjNSDLn113NbFmPqbuAURa0Oxwn7zLL10fqzKjdEW4jVaOIylPDbSqyOWg/s1600-h/238_38190103Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158696368578914994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq55I4WEQlkCBSCRCDwQsiVXQfwMo86DzB_1rLp1zKiGXuAfWtepLHi7djhL9gyGjS1LFEPp-o44EgjNSDLn113NbFmPqbuAURa0Oxwn7zLL10fqzKjdEW4jVaOIylPDbSqyOWg/s320/238_38190103Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd_JEYYaR_bfmDLXaAahruQUn6bQu3kaP88j17tS-q-BA8c9Yn0fUcljnq7lrihpeaVG9W7DV18chVCx__YB0uZfUg-C1OXp79oyp1TF0-P9idxsHSxAFtt-FR-1ASPtf7juSow/s1600-h/238_3836Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170501807983130738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd_JEYYaR_bfmDLXaAahruQUn6bQu3kaP88j17tS-q-BA8c9Yn0fUcljnq7lrihpeaVG9W7DV18chVCx__YB0uZfUg-C1OXp79oyp1TF0-P9idxsHSxAFtt-FR-1ASPtf7juSow/s320/238_3836Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Seafood dinner<br /><br />To my slight disappointment, the lunch and dinner were not buffet style as I was looking forward to greedily rake the seafood. We dined with Dong from China, Eddy an American-El Salvadorian and Justina a Sabahan (East Malaysian). Initially all of us were rather reserved but after our meal we were energized and the group spoke enthusiastically.<br />Dong is part time assisting his uncle who owns a cable-manufacturing factory, to explore business opportunities in this country. She is still doing her undergraduate studies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBgG680e76vqXBGCjVcrvN65f5fdGhXVi3HRjzw3dhLPhZv4BsPIvQc8aLOdABMBe3Qn35NJiPXcF9ReMDv_XmHKXqR4m6u4040JmiWGKKLh2BbvtQyS9Pb7KE4fI3BmipsoiRg/s1600-h/238_38310107Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159060671999929618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCBgG680e76vqXBGCjVcrvN65f5fdGhXVi3HRjzw3dhLPhZv4BsPIvQc8aLOdABMBe3Qn35NJiPXcF9ReMDv_XmHKXqR4m6u4040JmiWGKKLh2BbvtQyS9Pb7KE4fI3BmipsoiRg/s320/238_38310107Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Dong, Eddy and Justina.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz14KK1M7WxvG1F1IPxpqo38jSPBs3NdPXqA0OpwClKlQ1_-ZpzKULQH7mRfyotJfOwEg9RSGdHuD4-uN9T0_58-zyTq4Q4JSIGHCjeIh0aRauPtsdpHJdw1qPYLt21LupiMiWw/s1600-h/238_38660113Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170501812278098050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz14KK1M7WxvG1F1IPxpqo38jSPBs3NdPXqA0OpwClKlQ1_-ZpzKULQH7mRfyotJfOwEg9RSGdHuD4-uN9T0_58-zyTq4Q4JSIGHCjeIh0aRauPtsdpHJdw1qPYLt21LupiMiWw/s320/238_38660113Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Momma (from Japan) and Dong.</span></em></div><div><br />The next day, the ships were seen leaving the area. I looked at the sky and it looked cloudy. Apparently there was a forecast of a storm. Upon reaching mainland, it rained. Many disappointed newly arrived tourists had to be turned back. I was told a severe storm could topple the junk ship.<br />We were lucky to escape the bad weather.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-EHwxJhEzE6wrRrnBUQc9lg50PGLbBIplaliQHoBCwPN6lvVcLodxh06LBS_Wl1rI_qYWguMJR6E-sZIXkZfciJlyo8pAh9Xs0RAyNI4OUKsBBS9LKaI6bGAcPgiMUpHDMCZKg/s1600-h/238_38250105Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159802245348224674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-EHwxJhEzE6wrRrnBUQc9lg50PGLbBIplaliQHoBCwPN6lvVcLodxh06LBS_Wl1rI_qYWguMJR6E-sZIXkZfciJlyo8pAh9Xs0RAyNI4OUKsBBS9LKaI6bGAcPgiMUpHDMCZKg/s320/238_38250105Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><strong></strong><div><strong>Perfume Pagoda<br /></strong><br />We got acquainted with Minh, 23-years of age, a local Vietnamese student through Dong. He invited us to his hometown, the famous Perfume Pagoda.<br /><br />We took the public bus a distance of about 50 kms from Hanoi city costing less than VND10,000 (RM 2.50) per person. As soon as we got off from the bus, Minh’s 49-year-old dad was already waiting with 2 motorcycles. Minh took over one of the bikes, Mee Peng and I hopped in from behind and the 3 of us were off in a breeze. Sensing our apprehension of overloading, he reassured us he had good biking skills, honed from the years of childhood riding in the village.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pGctE2RKdc_YUkp_ystOAjAgu8jlWV6xcBFe1H0YrgRHay-XwyX4rJOMVgK7pa-Sx5HcFQkPnf3QGPXa4HtheYMUYID_zRpZHbj3iK2fuyWZTRBv_A4hxaiuIKJssU04K53Siw/s1600-h/239_39190130Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159071027166080530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pGctE2RKdc_YUkp_ystOAjAgu8jlWV6xcBFe1H0YrgRHay-XwyX4rJOMVgK7pa-Sx5HcFQkPnf3QGPXa4HtheYMUYID_zRpZHbj3iK2fuyWZTRBv_A4hxaiuIKJssU04K53Siw/s320/239_39190130Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A 1-hr boat ride similar to the type at Tam-Coc and another 1.5 hours hike up the mountain, brought us to the holy temple. On the way, we met some Israelis.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m2k8fB0o7IUjYQt64t35JVLstn3NLT8ageqRt7H262QmvGwrqNqx6DT-892Jjp4RohUvewRJiZavgnHDl5V3-miEZ77GMQFD_mnEek3KUSKnnb6fNCNDXUcze_4cs_EoKTdUzQ/s1600-h/238_3869+(2)0115Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159802228168355442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2m2k8fB0o7IUjYQt64t35JVLstn3NLT8ageqRt7H262QmvGwrqNqx6DT-892Jjp4RohUvewRJiZavgnHDl5V3-miEZ77GMQFD_mnEek3KUSKnnb6fNCNDXUcze_4cs_EoKTdUzQ/s320/238_3869+(2)0115Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Minh making a necklace from a lotus shoot.</span></em><br />The name “Perfume” originated from the scent of fragrant flowers presented in the temple by worshippers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCU5pZKdzQhyH7Znniud_toDpGUF8XPpJ5wbfAXpWX_ClUwCS06yqiHbw4pMJNx-vPS6Z_YbgZ_Vr2Q-_HR9ZLcRZdJXiblbhEGXegBp3WHC-qus_C8UtXlcXfdFH65-EB2Ivvwg/s1600-h/239_39170128Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159057476544261314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCU5pZKdzQhyH7Znniud_toDpGUF8XPpJ5wbfAXpWX_ClUwCS06yqiHbw4pMJNx-vPS6Z_YbgZ_Vr2Q-_HR9ZLcRZdJXiblbhEGXegBp3WHC-qus_C8UtXlcXfdFH65-EB2Ivvwg/s320/239_39170128Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Perfume Pagoda temple had a very profound aura of divinity.<br /><br />Minh relates to us what his grandfather told him about the place when he was a child. There was one dark section, 2 deities face each other. Couples who want children can pray to any one of the deities, each representing the sex of the child requested.<br /><br />However, there was a haunting belief.<br /><br />If the wish were to come true, the couple must return to the temple every year else the child will die. Minh said many foreigners, fearing the repercussions, did not dare to make the wish. However he said conversely, it is also believed the revisits can be made by representatives or none at all.<br /><br />At that point, with the ambient light illuminating Minh’s face, he looked like a Messiah.<br />We prayed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlvJpPMVQk4HF7QAq2PHcpCWs5GJj6j7_gP3jUfMoClLVErSUMGUIrooKdhXvZfQHXarqHzPfLY1LkvFWZlPStvSmuHaZPvxvQ0qGlgVx9-mUsJrII8r6qva8DYdfcETkU4Ca5A/s1600-h/239_39010125Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159063038526909794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlvJpPMVQk4HF7QAq2PHcpCWs5GJj6j7_gP3jUfMoClLVErSUMGUIrooKdhXvZfQHXarqHzPfLY1LkvFWZlPStvSmuHaZPvxvQ0qGlgVx9-mUsJrII8r6qva8DYdfcETkU4Ca5A/s320/239_39010125Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPfWTEaV_f6syHxco18AOdj3U53pXCAsUM01WouMwrZt2WrULCQq1tMP8au8z3-Wdbj71skcpvAtVuiycrCBXpV5T98uipvB-ctC0x3kzROC0i4mxZC1D_rDXC3V-PbKZfxz-iA/s1600-h/238_3899Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160160192217640818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPfWTEaV_f6syHxco18AOdj3U53pXCAsUM01WouMwrZt2WrULCQq1tMP8au8z3-Wdbj71skcpvAtVuiycrCBXpV5T98uipvB-ctC0x3kzROC0i4mxZC1D_rDXC3V-PbKZfxz-iA/s320/238_3899Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Dinner<br /><br />Minh’s parents invited us for dinner where we had fried duck, omelette and beer. Minh’s dad reminded him not to miss the last bus to Hanoi. The whole family, his mum and 2 sisters came out to bid us goodbye. I told Minh to translate to his dad in Vietnamese that he is lucky to have a son like him.<br /><br />We were worried we could have missed the bus but fortunately we didn’t.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpklFnj99BUfxVsbD5LwOJUpzv_gc_VBPqEoVLQJwsSu7O72A_ECyRNXYn71tsg_SP3iUyBUE6Id3qRkqhTA6HpSbHqypcEMOTzuMhPQ_OXHqIgdUM-ekL5MswHE4vdJT1-rdCMg/s1600-h/239_39210132Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158837088887401330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpklFnj99BUfxVsbD5LwOJUpzv_gc_VBPqEoVLQJwsSu7O72A_ECyRNXYn71tsg_SP3iUyBUE6Id3qRkqhTA6HpSbHqypcEMOTzuMhPQ_OXHqIgdUM-ekL5MswHE4vdJT1-rdCMg/s320/239_39210132Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;"><em>Minh's dad and Minh.</em></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM09JpLgEeFV0EMTcdG3AnkRHsKAx71TcCqk2fTZ6TamuGUxA54XcYHpWdy9FAore477HDLhbHtRHnaNR74f0cwhhX8M89jaFboPklNqqvLj7HoMMZSQUqAtQJ4BybpsYQdp0Plw/s1600-h/239_39220133Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159071048640917074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM09JpLgEeFV0EMTcdG3AnkRHsKAx71TcCqk2fTZ6TamuGUxA54XcYHpWdy9FAore477HDLhbHtRHnaNR74f0cwhhX8M89jaFboPklNqqvLj7HoMMZSQUqAtQJ4BybpsYQdp0Plw/s320/239_39220133Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">Rushing to the bus-stop to catch the last bus.<br /></span></em><br /><strong></strong><strong>Water Puppet Show</strong><br /><br />I am not one who enjoys live stage performances. I remember suffering in Michael Jackson’s concert years ago.<br />In Malaysia we have the Wayang Kulit; in the West, Puppet-on-the-String, but in Hanoi they have the theatrical Water Puppet Show.<br />Well-hidden underwater levers and string manipulate the puppets movements.<br />It was an amazing work of art and ingenious craftsmanship.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy7xHc5nctwAJ82HO1d0TPgdMVi4sXWYE46xIgYIenYRY94bR0US1DqGrjBZX4QL-zdc7FUxolHuZk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIasRjy0KVp4_c8qpgoOa24nJZBKSqgv4l7HFnVOTCNWGY-EqokRAHhZCpO5iDHuz_ouiCRGs6Iv5TZ-gHQLlQkZ0eiovb_r98nYpG7NEwphYg9fta4Y-i08Uhjg3O8gmO7N2mPw/s1600-h/238_38840121Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160160196512608130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIasRjy0KVp4_c8qpgoOa24nJZBKSqgv4l7HFnVOTCNWGY-EqokRAHhZCpO5iDHuz_ouiCRGs6Iv5TZ-gHQLlQkZ0eiovb_r98nYpG7NEwphYg9fta4Y-i08Uhjg3O8gmO7N2mPw/s320/238_38840121Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">The puppet masters.<br /></span></em><br />We didn’t do enough of city sight seeing. We saw Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body at a close distance. The mausoleum’s security was extremely tight. No cameras, hand phones, bags or objects were allowed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoOGE5a5KNXRuvB_Bz3qJzQrAP4amK1kMRzFtJy1PZzXz3mMcwVgWPu6ES4LSd7JZVLzIRythEnCUP5mD9X4zuvqjr-2ncnwmPCtjWnRIO9nH1VTaU4y_KHjQpxYkFLYaWjQ45w/s1600-h/239_3936Reduced+size+75per.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160084862786236162" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoOGE5a5KNXRuvB_Bz3qJzQrAP4amK1kMRzFtJy1PZzXz3mMcwVgWPu6ES4LSd7JZVLzIRythEnCUP5mD9X4zuvqjr-2ncnwmPCtjWnRIO9nH1VTaU4y_KHjQpxYkFLYaWjQ45w/s320/239_3936Reduced+size+75per.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc6600;">One-legged/Pillar Pagoda</span></em><br /><br />They make do with what they have and I figured it explains how they had endured the difficult early years where war and turmoil engulfed the country. Minh told us that there is a local saying, “Each Vietnamese received a total detonation of 1000kg of bomb during the Vietnam War ”.<br /><br />I believe him because in the Vietnam War, the TNT used was more than WW2!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFtbUVYsRtGWPU2k7waGnQq_DMvexx5TPN-VtCRMtKTgFBJMjsv-YMNJq_Ue3uP5unPZNLk9erIusiKSoPG4h1SwCdzaNKr4_rwFM2jLDX_Tyb-He0J4uxgDRVJ8k_rtSw3Ilmg/s1600-h/234_34010020Reduced+Sized.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159057467954326658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFtbUVYsRtGWPU2k7waGnQq_DMvexx5TPN-VtCRMtKTgFBJMjsv-YMNJq_Ue3uP5unPZNLk9erIusiKSoPG4h1SwCdzaNKr4_rwFM2jLDX_Tyb-He0J4uxgDRVJ8k_rtSw3Ilmg/s320/234_34010020Reduced+Sized.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Coming Home</strong><br /><br />After 8 long days in Hanoi, we arrived KL at 1:30 a.m. Subconsciously we were still keeping a look out for motorcycles when we cross a deserted road. My sister-in-law and her husband took us to a mamak stall in Klang for a dearly missed nasi lemak. It never tasted so good.</div></div>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-52375695219975036442007-09-09T16:19:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:18.697+08:00Mizuno PaceSetters 10 kmThis is one event I look forward to receive my favourite Mizuno T-shirt. With Mizuno’s generous sponsorship, I feel I should reciprocate their support by wearing their blue T-shirt and of course, my faithful Mizuno shoes.<br />A good product will promote by itself without the endorsement from famous sports personalities.<br /><br />Despite arriving rather early at 6:40 a.m, the road shoulder was fast filled with cars. While Mee Peng went to help at the base water-station, I had ample time to do shopping! Bought a Mizuno running shorts for RM40 (usual RM68) and salivated the expensive Finnish SUUNTO outdoor watches that range from RM700 – RM4000!<br />I must get one of these GPS gadgets one day (hopefully it gets cheaper).<br /><br />Met Jamie and Kenneth at the starting line. It’s been awhile since I last ran with them. With my measly weekly mileage of 5km per week there isn’t much the body can offer. The only time I exceed a double-digit mileage is when I join the Sunday races.<br /><br />This year’s participation is a record, well over 2000+ entrants. I started off comfortably but when the hills came, my under trained legs faltered. Walking came naturally on at least 3 occasions. Coming to Kementarian Pertainian, a male runner collapsed and had to be assisted by 4 runners. Tey Eng Tiong was one of the helpers (Tey relayed to me later the runner regained conscious to finish the race).<br /><br />100 meters from the finishing line, there was already an unusual line of 20+ runners queuing up. I stopped my stopwatch at 1:09:10. As we walk towards the official finishing line, an official stood up from his chair, franticly punching the laptop’s numeric keypad to record the runners’ bib number.<br /><br />Perhaps, Pacesetters could do a post-mortem on how to cope with the increased participation of this magnitude. I am not sure if the photographer was able to capture the photo finishing of each runner.<br /><br />I went to look for Mee Peng and she appeared to be struggling with the Endurance drink. Some runners thought the Raspberry PowerBar Endurance sports drink was Syrup water! I assisted her as much as I could.<br /><br />Met Francis Cheng a 72-year-old Marathoner who will be going to the NYC Marathon in Nov 4. It was inspiring to see a man of his age with a physique of an athlete. Inspiring indeed.<br /><br />After wrapping up at 10 a.m, we were off to a charity event at Taman Tasik Jaya.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezlGRywz5-TZ6AXCQKX2qEtXP8HKjiykUEJL3LNTRrz-ncCpMSUGimIUGIC0VqCR4y7hbIVCKCARZRj3A2UOorSpCtCqjb2_lztdbsl8FNG-OlS1NBcMmzrbHZNmlikE9HGcTbg/s1600-h/232_323210Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110343768918713666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezlGRywz5-TZ6AXCQKX2qEtXP8HKjiykUEJL3LNTRrz-ncCpMSUGimIUGIC0VqCR4y7hbIVCKCARZRj3A2UOorSpCtCqjb2_lztdbsl8FNG-OlS1NBcMmzrbHZNmlikE9HGcTbg/s320/232_323210Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9VifanZze3CHI1fRlHhPO0d78qnTNBV_qiM1vPSEglYuJ73KcT1VyNXBjw4OZejsQktWs_CF2H4rPQOnwg3S1dMf1gGLFptYF93NlUd17BzYr10MbsH5-zzwy4ZQHOCS0TF8Tg/s1600-h/232_32275Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110343773213680978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9VifanZze3CHI1fRlHhPO0d78qnTNBV_qiM1vPSEglYuJ73KcT1VyNXBjw4OZejsQktWs_CF2H4rPQOnwg3S1dMf1gGLFptYF93NlUd17BzYr10MbsH5-zzwy4ZQHOCS0TF8Tg/s320/232_32275Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><em>Choi, Francis Cheng and Jamie.</em></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltt4zkbiqhOcbigHMSEkE_LdO83J8nx1ozf9FhNo543QMaUEDILlbt2t6FOaAw5zqXpCikoC5TPYKDEvbq4YJxJ4ZyCiGYMTiBfINiYUC5jkQmHQuJVYtRkYeAxdsdL3Y-X-ykQ/s1600-h/232_32231Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110343773213680994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltt4zkbiqhOcbigHMSEkE_LdO83J8nx1ozf9FhNo543QMaUEDILlbt2t6FOaAw5zqXpCikoC5TPYKDEvbq4YJxJ4ZyCiGYMTiBfINiYUC5jkQmHQuJVYtRkYeAxdsdL3Y-X-ykQ/s320/232_32231Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">The Powerbar drink that many thought was syrup water.</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5fhvLHcXoIeYusaDceSEt24cAAqAc86dCBPSCSUg9mKLn7BVfXx_9BiIppYZV5grwDmGPIOQqwJtoDm-HMUIb73M5Gl5HFUY4v1N_1ToxUENJCAU185U6gWlDiAmJ1deYPKWbA/s1600-h/232_32297Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110343777508648306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5fhvLHcXoIeYusaDceSEt24cAAqAc86dCBPSCSUg9mKLn7BVfXx_9BiIppYZV5grwDmGPIOQqwJtoDm-HMUIb73M5Gl5HFUY4v1N_1ToxUENJCAU185U6gWlDiAmJ1deYPKWbA/s320/232_32297Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-68575516955529553922007-08-26T15:47:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:19.287+08:00Subang Jaya RunThis is another race where I bought over the bib from another runner.<br />Collected the bib from Ronnie’s wife, Rachel at the MPSJ stadium.<br /><br />I have heard the SJ route is rather flat and many runners have posted PRs in the past. True enough there weren’t many steep inclines and I was generally able to maintain pace.<br /><br />Towards the last 1-2 km, I stretched my head to look for the stadium “floodlights” landmark. When I finally saw it, I was excited because I had a good chance of finishing a historic sub-60 mins. But alas, the road does not cut into the stadium entrance, instead we had to run past the stadium to make a U-turn at the traffic junction and finally back to the stadium.<br /><br />Running on the stadium track, about 200 meters from the finishing line, I heard a familiar gun shot, reminiscence of the <a href="http://shcheong.blogspot.com/2004/09/pj-half-marathon.html">PJ Half 2004</a> (I suspect it is the same group of officials!) The 60-minute qualifying time was over.<br /><br />I finished in 1:00:26. Missing the qualifying time by seconds. This would be my fastest 10 km race. However, a runner GPS recorded the distance to be approximately 9.8 kms which explains the timing. So close yet so far.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oC3UM95-LNcU1L2eA8pSnkQCoANoO-g2k3qwmopTh5eFVHyDA6VF6lxgngvkFg-NMlTx0YACtyRiCjXqwyrrFfcs4ZklKLY7N4UvK_Hjj60a-P_jn3slEG7vUuiuoypYKhnjRg/s1600-h/229_29591Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110335419502290178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oC3UM95-LNcU1L2eA8pSnkQCoANoO-g2k3qwmopTh5eFVHyDA6VF6lxgngvkFg-NMlTx0YACtyRiCjXqwyrrFfcs4ZklKLY7N4UvK_Hjj60a-P_jn3slEG7vUuiuoypYKhnjRg/s320/229_29591Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vWcJGxkHIz7PAs8UT5cCe00ISTmGg8skxoo6n-OUEghScL50VKOiH3TxaTAFt5Toa-6BMSbqciweNXtU-l1QGAe435iUSaO9GcLlFQIr9aGhTE7cFreY0_M29CSGf0YHSmX9PQ/s1600-h/229_29612Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110335423797257490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vWcJGxkHIz7PAs8UT5cCe00ISTmGg8skxoo6n-OUEghScL50VKOiH3TxaTAFt5Toa-6BMSbqciweNXtU-l1QGAe435iUSaO9GcLlFQIr9aGhTE7cFreY0_M29CSGf0YHSmX9PQ/s320/229_29612Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5ERW454KzR-AdbjsT9XiG0DAugGK9n7pltYQ2mcCLGPCUuwCofe-JPKGfUlDjNFrSvtJypE5icHg7-MsManQgWLZ5xae1V_2W4SE4X1JG1dra1v91cCx-99HsKLupefWxpnx9A/s1600-h/229_29733Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110335428092224802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5ERW454KzR-AdbjsT9XiG0DAugGK9n7pltYQ2mcCLGPCUuwCofe-JPKGfUlDjNFrSvtJypE5icHg7-MsManQgWLZ5xae1V_2W4SE4X1JG1dra1v91cCx-99HsKLupefWxpnx9A/s320/229_29733Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Lai and Adam</span></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk7Mw_6Kn3lh1A9F9aMbJbAc7FCljufA50EY8KkAVVK_ft3SXmzMLyWauFCamC9KwH3n-azQIKMy3HfAhr2_NiDyQ2WRf7ocGAA2rWF6mMjxiimJhpVjZBJbrqIlh6jSVJYVS6w/s1600-h/229_29834Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110335432387192114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOk7Mw_6Kn3lh1A9F9aMbJbAc7FCljufA50EY8KkAVVK_ft3SXmzMLyWauFCamC9KwH3n-azQIKMy3HfAhr2_NiDyQ2WRf7ocGAA2rWF6mMjxiimJhpVjZBJbrqIlh6jSVJYVS6w/s320/229_29834Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-31237329047952468812007-08-11T12:45:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:23.500+08:00PaintBall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO_TruNGVBfOnLk_Clqsuu6sDGUicGNwN_7zwERJbS1TPtZiuAoeNjzPKy8u_EeMZCZEPDnXKMvzSgC8Xp-cNQlOmoi6Y1SiPhyphenhyphentURy7TnHXQpKF4pYigQgdOxYxJAliBY3v37A/s1600-h/Beware+PaintBall.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102513528666696882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrO_TruNGVBfOnLk_Clqsuu6sDGUicGNwN_7zwERJbS1TPtZiuAoeNjzPKy8u_EeMZCZEPDnXKMvzSgC8Xp-cNQlOmoi6Y1SiPhyphenhyphentURy7TnHXQpKF4pYigQgdOxYxJAliBY3v37A/s320/Beware+PaintBall.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Post childhood fantasy relived in the reserved land of Ulu Gombak. I never thought I would fight in the jungles of Malaya.<br /><br />On Friday night while de-stressing in my living room, Commander <a href="http://www.lifemou.blogspot.com/">Lifemou</a> called at 9:30 p.m. to report for duty next morning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRadxo9fjacGGDLn4ALUqr97WIsuHiMDSGk2iq6DzzYpfXePXmpL8tRqmC2L1ef9YPWbZjTCLaszwAtZI4oMFO88riTBIzcfPdzvTSwoL3yQq_T0GXscfLnK8nDmxJnDonLE2uA/s1600-h/227_27575Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102516921690860882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLRadxo9fjacGGDLn4ALUqr97WIsuHiMDSGk2iq6DzzYpfXePXmpL8tRqmC2L1ef9YPWbZjTCLaszwAtZI4oMFO88riTBIzcfPdzvTSwoL3yQq_T0GXscfLnK8nDmxJnDonLE2uA/s320/227_27575Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I never knew there were parks behind Zoo Negara. Isi Rimba was the Paintball service provider. </div><div><br />As debriefed by the organizer, the apparatus was called a “Marker” and not a “Gun” since it is meant to be a non-violent. Originated from cattle owners who used the device to mark their livestocks, it eventually became a game when they playfully start shooting at one another!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3bUEuxJOueTC0_lHrbAjJSC23OxAnGR5ekNZjcST-B5Y2APafPQiDfgHFYdrO5zpmC3rlTkVhsZm7s_4Iy4MS5Dor0WJU55Xmz3jW-WFnEl6WHQ9dC30U8JoU5sxnSTaS13ZTg/s1600-h/227_276610Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102513541551598802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3bUEuxJOueTC0_lHrbAjJSC23OxAnGR5ekNZjcST-B5Y2APafPQiDfgHFYdrO5zpmC3rlTkVhsZm7s_4Iy4MS5Dor0WJU55Xmz3jW-WFnEl6WHQ9dC30U8JoU5sxnSTaS13ZTg/s320/227_276610Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfsbAVHhE5FOHpXiewi_67djI9oF7OtnhPSuB36-BZgnJIKZaKXNuLVYMlvqts_52JlDGw-xkWCv5RbRFZBPth3fef2nK-H5DpZs-RPnCPVvEanc0FG0twvIgF_WPebrxDUt9sg/s1600-h/227_279840Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102513545846566114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfsbAVHhE5FOHpXiewi_67djI9oF7OtnhPSuB36-BZgnJIKZaKXNuLVYMlvqts_52JlDGw-xkWCv5RbRFZBPth3fef2nK-H5DpZs-RPnCPVvEanc0FG0twvIgF_WPebrxDUt9sg/s320/227_279840Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Wearing jeans and a collared T-Shirt, I was ready to be peppered and bruised by squashing balls. Newton suggested I be the team leader but honestly I have no idea how to strategize a platoon into combat.<br /><br />We had a few rounds of combat, one in an enclosed netted arena and the other in the jungle. The arena was quite straightforward, capture the flag in the opposite direction or be shot by the enemy.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='280' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwUZr7LUi0k1E3TCl8vytXjRWPE0Dq8HljjNMf4AmxkUL0LPaaPRDgn-IsswvM5WMs4iO0U8Ugp2ws' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />I was totally worked out and tensed after the first game. Hands trembling and voice quivering, I took the game far too seriously, as if it was a life and death situation. I settled down after that.<br />The jungle game play was a disaster as most of us could not see through the fogged goggles. Those who wore spectacles compounded the fogging. I could not see where I was going and end up hiding behind the bush like a helpless sheep.<br /><br />I risked injury by raising my safety goggles just above my glasses exposing my chin. Used my palm to protect my nose and lips. In this way, I was able to at least see where I was shooting.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='280' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy82DJnMQ56Rjj0y2_tzKk1854WSEt9bNQCWsqYGUiXBnJ7Yh6cyUiMXocvtK4ZW5h8EqObsXXq5Yc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />In the 6 hours, I was hit thrice: on the arm, direct splat on the front goggles and the most painful on my neck. This was nothing compared to some of the bruises sustained by my braver comrades.<br /><br />This game is by no means a child’s play. The compressed air propels the spherical dye-filled pellet as far as 200 feet with enough velocity to bruise the skin. There was a case a finger bled. Another hit on the cheek, narrowly missing his eyeball by cms despite wearing the safety googles (?).<br /><br />I personally felt better safety measures and marshalling should be employed. For instance, anti-fog goggles; gloves, body armour and usage of a loudhailer would have made the game a far more enjoyable and less painful experience.<br /><br />Overall, it gave a perspective of how soldiers had to contend with fear, fatigue and trauma in a real battlefield.<br /><br />Thanks to Lifemou for the invitation - to flashback my childhood thrill.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__qRV_RPKvkdr5VpEmHTMIV3GSjoiTL2clzuz28fJ221jrXEegjmYoqFq5xLG5a_U9XadG7y937K-w1korDpz-YMi_6hWQTKAs4PaNUubZJmTQr9lYhHACqs7vQewWqA3V5Bh4A/s1600-h/227_27532Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102518308965297570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__qRV_RPKvkdr5VpEmHTMIV3GSjoiTL2clzuz28fJ221jrXEegjmYoqFq5xLG5a_U9XadG7y937K-w1korDpz-YMi_6hWQTKAs4PaNUubZJmTQr9lYhHACqs7vQewWqA3V5Bh4A/s320/227_27532Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a 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href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHkBm77IclFGRY-cdFNCOKzouljSuJHVy6z-SHfM4Bt6F01gsNTzAm6GTJRW8l3vhPgRxBiP5tuQ-skOkVJgkFLV-MfBGOrDqjcLDVIlcAkOlctMkn1GP1jdHLqCBPy3K_YDmXQ/s1600-h/Citi+Team+2+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102516947460664722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHkBm77IclFGRY-cdFNCOKzouljSuJHVy6z-SHfM4Bt6F01gsNTzAm6GTJRW8l3vhPgRxBiP5tuQ-skOkVJgkFLV-MfBGOrDqjcLDVIlcAkOlctMkn1GP1jdHLqCBPy3K_YDmXQ/s320/Citi+Team+2+.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJY-ApVW8HGy59iPCQsdhyegvJ9tdzQ-kQTNMMfoXEx7mb-HRM6EnsgwO7tdNiawA0s0-5Y2HhSHaRJtI6Yrhyphenhyphen-V7K_bYuhH_WPVlkeKdB26WL_XU5CMCfGSGjoOAvM0OfXUEahw/s1600-h/228_280848Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5102516930280795506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJY-ApVW8HGy59iPCQsdhyegvJ9tdzQ-kQTNMMfoXEx7mb-HRM6EnsgwO7tdNiawA0s0-5Y2HhSHaRJtI6Yrhyphenhyphen-V7K_bYuhH_WPVlkeKdB26WL_XU5CMCfGSGjoOAvM0OfXUEahw/s320/228_280848Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-27206611012885791352007-08-05T21:50:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:25.278+08:00NPE Adidas King of the Road Run<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhA7Zh7buCEYTEbNvxC1cLceL9AKsYLeGvwtZEe4-83HHztc7j9feKgieHThZsHYCbnEZ9xnLXYoBDVN4h2zhW9exBjtmp8lv4kqk9sOJXDe1tnQRyFVeFY__7PzwChPFsmZb50Q/s1600-h/227_273933Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110082003546924258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhA7Zh7buCEYTEbNvxC1cLceL9AKsYLeGvwtZEe4-83HHztc7j9feKgieHThZsHYCbnEZ9xnLXYoBDVN4h2zhW9exBjtmp8lv4kqk9sOJXDe1tnQRyFVeFY__7PzwChPFsmZb50Q/s320/227_273933Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />NPE Adidas King of the Road run was held in front of Sunway Pyramid. I bought over somebody’s 10km Men Open bib and later exchanged it with my cousin Jo Ee who was wrongly registered in the Veteran category by his friend.<br /><br />It was good to race 10k again. There is less risk of aggravating my injury sustained in the Seremban Half. Jo Ee and his group of friends helped to swap and pin our bibs just mins from the start.<br /><br />YB Datuk Samy Vellu flag off the start. Boy, his belly must be at least 40”. I can’t help but wondered whether YB will charge the runners toll at the plaza.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQdQFHLIgS-ecoEsoxzPEN4COXbf-tkhRhn3TgWrbxS-Da43CAbd5oe-_7KjQkueDmb-qwMFCOqp-DJeUtTRlyQrWQhZkais0rGcBvzCbYQ1M8d5alsgeehrUdXUtuzn0z9yKUQ/s1600-h/227_27058Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109688043376731138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQdQFHLIgS-ecoEsoxzPEN4COXbf-tkhRhn3TgWrbxS-Da43CAbd5oe-_7KjQkueDmb-qwMFCOqp-DJeUtTRlyQrWQhZkais0rGcBvzCbYQ1M8d5alsgeehrUdXUtuzn0z9yKUQ/s320/227_27058Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99rea6K_IK9rUIs5AR0kKv18n2hHhBxdrK0a2qL_TNNcuSnudZoNujHJYydMN8eO0qETzqw2r-vur06E-ANko9zCoUzwOBRFwRWjKV4qNloIbatJFtEks55kApGAICguDJU8ObQ/s1600-h/DSC_0206.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110080375754319026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99rea6K_IK9rUIs5AR0kKv18n2hHhBxdrK0a2qL_TNNcuSnudZoNujHJYydMN8eO0qETzqw2r-vur06E-ANko9zCoUzwOBRFwRWjKV4qNloIbatJFtEks55kApGAICguDJU8ObQ/s320/DSC_0206.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After making the 5km U-turn, I gave Jo Ee a yell from the opposite direction. Exiting the tunnel, I pushed the last 100 meters to the finish with a time of 1:01:50.<br />Position: 120th + medal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bdlTgFkoyIMTIRMIpnnGggEsh3VMy9G_BD9S3cKFRhvq-zODN2RvDK3x8wG65EIXtQi0H4_f-LK1w-m6elA_e2qaMOJszy2RfCU3boTDeT2mp40FBujBGiDgRK36733y-XKvqQ/s1600-h/227_272116Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110080380049286338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bdlTgFkoyIMTIRMIpnnGggEsh3VMy9G_BD9S3cKFRhvq-zODN2RvDK3x8wG65EIXtQi0H4_f-LK1w-m6elA_e2qaMOJszy2RfCU3boTDeT2mp40FBujBGiDgRK36733y-XKvqQ/s320/227_272116Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My 2 nieces age 11 and 7 came to watch his Po-Dei (Uncle in Hainanese) in action and were getting really bored until Spiderman appeared.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUsUeg0O5hXmT2TBZYQYb2hFsnu-8d3o_DG3cXTeRfJZfrU7do5j3FY6IvJx7MeoabWCdjvZ2XrP3Dlq-cBVEtR0P7KFrhssVHL2D9pHfXNhg7we2tu8wtQ7WkTKR5o-aYK7zbQ/s1600-h/Woke+up+early.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109688039081763826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUsUeg0O5hXmT2TBZYQYb2hFsnu-8d3o_DG3cXTeRfJZfrU7do5j3FY6IvJx7MeoabWCdjvZ2XrP3Dlq-cBVEtR0P7KFrhssVHL2D9pHfXNhg7we2tu8wtQ7WkTKR5o-aYK7zbQ/s320/Woke+up+early.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTLZ_oJSeCkATpVnp11PeCbWwEdsww1xfUtpdehqeE5JarOUDTPrbkld1ob75T-p7EZJXSuo42ZcSV7GQU-_nlMp-Z2wZPQvV4v9EeQWSfD0IY4hk9rnmgj9O3TbJypj6H2aiw/s1600-h/227_271012Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109688043376731154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTLZ_oJSeCkATpVnp11PeCbWwEdsww1xfUtpdehqeE5JarOUDTPrbkld1ob75T-p7EZJXSuo42ZcSV7GQU-_nlMp-Z2wZPQvV4v9EeQWSfD0IY4hk9rnmgj9O3TbJypj6H2aiw/s320/227_271012Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-6b29eef7W-onSen7yfKsBVUKgHdHZuqs9Nl6y_mxprdqJxkqQzFB5Psx4Mxxibs0QrFEM0XAOhlm-TMXFTtKHF2j51TixidHVgmXIgdzylcb4Lp7h0DoGajeMi9gTdcB3hmQw/s1600-h/227_271113Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110080371459351714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-6b29eef7W-onSen7yfKsBVUKgHdHZuqs9Nl6y_mxprdqJxkqQzFB5Psx4Mxxibs0QrFEM0XAOhlm-TMXFTtKHF2j51TixidHVgmXIgdzylcb4Lp7h0DoGajeMi9gTdcB3hmQw/s320/227_271113Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The younger one complained it was “raining”; actually it was the trickling sweat from runners that was splashing on her! Surprisingly, they said they wouldn’t mind waking up early again to witness the race event.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqS7q3BcEuPdIL07mStp6wNxw-z1yRiaE59otHn2k84VW386U7C45vBCcz_cqXwdSDxOkkIlDeMEKH_vrlIFnrohyphenhyphenHKp7nYvmhO4qE31JQJFA4Ub3I43fPKrf87SHYSGG5fOqyiQ/s1600-h/227_273125Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110080367164384402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqS7q3BcEuPdIL07mStp6wNxw-z1yRiaE59otHn2k84VW386U7C45vBCcz_cqXwdSDxOkkIlDeMEKH_vrlIFnrohyphenhyphenHKp7nYvmhO4qE31JQJFA4Ub3I43fPKrf87SHYSGG5fOqyiQ/s320/227_273125Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-d4HqPsqTziEoP1t0nFyP9BlpH-QVZD5aUEKhWVCPq-M9hQtiZf1IXXDHN8J8tQFEKaSMMsiwHEX-NndOQik-FAsLYBBWNisZh_LjOIUTFrxGc59JIYBB4VVjOgmzIV5FDED2Q/s1600-h/227_2743_edited1Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109688051966665778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="320" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-d4HqPsqTziEoP1t0nFyP9BlpH-QVZD5aUEKhWVCPq-M9hQtiZf1IXXDHN8J8tQFEKaSMMsiwHEX-NndOQik-FAsLYBBWNisZh_LjOIUTFrxGc59JIYBB4VVjOgmzIV5FDED2Q/s320/227_2743_edited1Reduced.JPG" width="286" border="0" /></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-46663179549479030232007-07-15T21:43:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:27.506+08:00Seremban Half Marathon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoNulSxgpDwJjHbeHpCIuRpoF2OlYC9N6GRseJFxj0xg07c49vfEv43cIHTZ7WlujJSinUMB62DhjPgEAPRckEuSd5bNxhXd7a_miSgq272V2Wg2pUUjckD0KWB1Lo8ARwAAxHQ/s1600-h/226_26491Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087422023757535634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoNulSxgpDwJjHbeHpCIuRpoF2OlYC9N6GRseJFxj0xg07c49vfEv43cIHTZ7WlujJSinUMB62DhjPgEAPRckEuSd5bNxhXd7a_miSgq272V2Wg2pUUjckD0KWB1Lo8ARwAAxHQ/s320/226_26491Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Pre-race winners?</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18M0JgqHqcynozvqTyGDJZOcs5VYAOTn3UQOriw-uTfwZGb0IoOaJZtocOebTqN4eHYIxIEDb_RxzIDnVXXPr8qFJaF2_zVPmtdHHwFk_AAYEnF9ObaxwK5ltxZJ43smaKiH2kg/s1600-h/226_26524Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087423737449486818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18M0JgqHqcynozvqTyGDJZOcs5VYAOTn3UQOriw-uTfwZGb0IoOaJZtocOebTqN4eHYIxIEDb_RxzIDnVXXPr8qFJaF2_zVPmtdHHwFk_AAYEnF9ObaxwK5ltxZJ43smaKiH2kg/s320/226_26524Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF36gJ_KADsvXoY6rLrn9axCyXhbk3xwEWJXKX96g13h8lJZt3AfGyFwK7hWTr4uzVnMEy6ECSEoOtKEVuEax4rK4Hpw8bwNx0GG_lcxQHFKVAvuyDpW0a6TGNZ91n-JbAVT_4A/s1600-h/226_26535Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087423741744454130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF36gJ_KADsvXoY6rLrn9axCyXhbk3xwEWJXKX96g13h8lJZt3AfGyFwK7hWTr4uzVnMEy6ECSEoOtKEVuEax4rK4Hpw8bwNx0GG_lcxQHFKVAvuyDpW0a6TGNZ91n-JbAVT_4A/s320/226_26535Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidScsCXIlWYe9h-djztbACNBjG29A5T4FlJxIVMxwLUCXmnFfO8Mi7boA0CfxP0yMfol8iiJGm2mBnjfF0KQ5UG6hHJrzinLz_8ML2s40mVddY44lGo8l1DP5OF70qD-sgcZh-BA/s1600-h/226_26607Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087423741744454146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidScsCXIlWYe9h-djztbACNBjG29A5T4FlJxIVMxwLUCXmnFfO8Mi7boA0CfxP0yMfol8iiJGm2mBnjfF0KQ5UG6hHJrzinLz_8ML2s40mVddY44lGo8l1DP5OF70qD-sgcZh-BA/s320/226_26607Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKA13HvlbWkqJtTq1Et__YnR1_pJzVQTy76lLkhrRfIZsUuefMNoGS5fyLu6Z9RBR9nh-me70wR5Jj_3V0038kadmhWALJHmedobInv9VkPL2IfZ9bzuRtAhMNoSxJBx829ZoyQ/s1600-h/226_26628Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087423746039421458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKA13HvlbWkqJtTq1Et__YnR1_pJzVQTy76lLkhrRfIZsUuefMNoGS5fyLu6Z9RBR9nh-me70wR5Jj_3V0038kadmhWALJHmedobInv9VkPL2IfZ9bzuRtAhMNoSxJBx829ZoyQ/s320/226_26628Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8m0Iw5-UIezTU5uRsjBzfwVQSNljx23kq9bCT_SFBnQ_OUoCB8eK5ohfbxIP8y7-EKH-BB4UNWu9w3SZ1mtaE68ARF0mnH9ACSGdcJmW5ObyM6XvAZ0T3M-HbwUum6VNL4o5ug/s1600-h/226_26576Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087422028052502946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8m0Iw5-UIezTU5uRsjBzfwVQSNljx23kq9bCT_SFBnQ_OUoCB8eK5ohfbxIP8y7-EKH-BB4UNWu9w3SZ1mtaE68ARF0mnH9ACSGdcJmW5ObyM6XvAZ0T3M-HbwUum6VNL4o5ug/s320/226_26576Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ck-bZYs0RTHWyq9YmFuBv8COBEqfRmPUKnN8AqrBaL30O3VCE5Un6D6YZveRnZfmiYjVnthJhkzIohW3o0uyxGxfe-e4fRTN5Yb1MmX4r6Wu_0EVcICR6X3Jo4ejrnBaPy7-kQ/s1600-h/226_26679Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087422032347470258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ck-bZYs0RTHWyq9YmFuBv8COBEqfRmPUKnN8AqrBaL30O3VCE5Un6D6YZveRnZfmiYjVnthJhkzIohW3o0uyxGxfe-e4fRTN5Yb1MmX4r6Wu_0EVcICR6X3Jo4ejrnBaPy7-kQ/s320/226_26679Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptGm8cwMLWJSSu4Q_iToBaPiQYjHtfM0IGqGJvDj4q1UBU8Sa5zgc21xmFUvrxuh0B5-P6_6A4ryevKisAAXM0mDpq9DykDTZFfdGDQwGOpfwBb0M9jiz98K21mAIdS3PABsISg/s1600-h/226_267510Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087422032347470274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptGm8cwMLWJSSu4Q_iToBaPiQYjHtfM0IGqGJvDj4q1UBU8Sa5zgc21xmFUvrxuh0B5-P6_6A4ryevKisAAXM0mDpq9DykDTZFfdGDQwGOpfwBb0M9jiz98K21mAIdS3PABsISg/s320/226_267510Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNQVCx2f7zviGb6PwR_4aXfK2BwV7gRyrc_u2-LMhJ21eisliBvpBVbumgqnoZ0_XPnLSPVi0aFiOcvUSCCVqu_QRdPe3X8FhMazu-KhDyyplqH1ioJECAEo8Z-v6EPP5fgxCYw/s1600-h/226_268412Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087422036642437586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNQVCx2f7zviGb6PwR_4aXfK2BwV7gRyrc_u2-LMhJ21eisliBvpBVbumgqnoZ0_XPnLSPVi0aFiOcvUSCCVqu_QRdPe3X8FhMazu-KhDyyplqH1ioJECAEo8Z-v6EPP5fgxCYw/s320/226_268412Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjImNkCxWOJWKj_Qh4Wt3NATagXw44U1cMyo3y2KeVDQR2jgHKtOKuAKDcLX6WqF3KNKZcFd54qTlm0AhCz5XnxZfIGlabPxUPWy1LtvXivqiSZogV8jjpChuOcjIqw0I0tEa-qA/s1600-h/226_268915Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087423746039421474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjImNkCxWOJWKj_Qh4Wt3NATagXw44U1cMyo3y2KeVDQR2jgHKtOKuAKDcLX6WqF3KNKZcFd54qTlm0AhCz5XnxZfIGlabPxUPWy1LtvXivqiSZogV8jjpChuOcjIqw0I0tEa-qA/s320/226_268915Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It is intriguing to run an unknown route where one does not know what lies ahead. On Saturday afternoon I decided to run this event with Ben Lim after TM Wong offered us 2 spare bibs. It’s been years, since I last visited Seremban.<br /><br />By 6:15 a.m. we were at the Seremban Municipal Hall, ample time before the race starts with Choi, Ronnie, Lai, Ryan, Tey, Geraldine and TM Wong participating as well.<br /><br />There was no barricade at the starting line. Choi helped me to hand in the registration card. I have not run a distance of more than 7 km since NB Pacesetters 15km. This run will certainly force me to go the distance.<br /><br />The start was a quiet one with no announcement or speech. Paced with TM Wong and we chatted about hiking. The first 10km was rather flat with many petrol stations offering toilet breaks.<br /><br /><strong>RM1 water<br /></strong><br />I was puzzled why there were people by the roadside selling water at RM1 per500ml bottle. At the official water-stations, I wondered suspiciously why the “drinking” water was scooped from a large pail (like those used to wash dishes in coffee shops.) and redistributed into paper cups.<br /><br />Strong sulfuric acid odour permeated the air from the nearby latex producing rubber plantation factories. At one stretch I could smell pesticide spray!<br /><br /><strong>12 km</strong><br /><br />After making the turn back to town, I struggled to maintain pace on the hilly zigzag road. My left tibia problem had resurfaced. I thought I could get away with it, as it was bearable in GE30k and KLIM07 but not this time.<br /><br />The pain worsened as the perpetual hills continue to torment. With every 2 kms, my pace dropped from 6.5 to 8 to 9 to 10min/km! I was walking more than running, stopping twice to apply the analgesic cream Counterpain from Red Crescent.<br /><br />I had thoughts of quitting/DNF as I was afraid forcing it may lead to permanent injury. A major intersection was unmanned and generally there was very minimal traffic control on the road. Some cars whizzed past me just inches away on the narrow trunk roads.<br /><br /><strong>RM2</strong><br /><br />I have been carrying RM2 in many races and today, for the first time I finally got to use it. At km-20, I went to a Caltex petrol station to buy a refreshing bottle of water. I apologized to the cashier for the sweat drenched 2 x RM1 notes.<br /><br />With the stopwatch showing past the qualifying time, I tried to run whenever I can. 2 young muscular B category runners were seen walking together in front of me and I wondered what caused them to stop. As I slowly jog past them, one of them uttered it was pointless to run as the qualifying time and medals are over.<br /><br /><strong>Lost</strong><br /><br />When I finally reach the town area to a T-junction, I had absolutely no idea which way to turn. Where the hell are the Road Marshalls? I asked the schoolchildren which way and they pointed right. Then when I reach the place where we started, again I had to ask for directions where is the entry to the Padang. It was silly probably because I was not a local.<br /><strong><br />End at last</strong><br /><br />Tey spotted me walking from outside the fence and called me to run into the Padang. With his SLR clicking away, Ben was waiting for me at the finishing line to go for breakfast. The day before I SMS him he would have to wait 1 hour for me to finish but I manage to reduce it to half-an-hour….hahaha.<br /><br />I clocked a personal worst of 2:47:46. Despite finishing over the qualifying time, I received a certificate and a quality Selangor Pewter medallion.<br /><br />I think I would have to lay off 21kms until my mileage and legs strengthen.Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-36798801031665336532007-06-27T12:39:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:34.243+08:00Mount Kinabalu<p><strong>Nostalgia<br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKKUwT_jQ4feg3msLgR30dOJ6700SqNihfkRbPADs1i1QBOxWPtAcKPn2hKnIaCOxes2UoZIVtt2UrpEOmotN7sTKpupey3kBNHmL4XDXdUcf-LYhiy7GHWV8okAt49FMj1w_ag/s1600-h/Mt.K.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084684699563089730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKKUwT_jQ4feg3msLgR30dOJ6700SqNihfkRbPADs1i1QBOxWPtAcKPn2hKnIaCOxes2UoZIVtt2UrpEOmotN7sTKpupey3kBNHmL4XDXdUcf-LYhiy7GHWV8okAt49FMj1w_ag/s320/Mt.K.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After our maiden Kinabalu Park visit in Nov 2003, I had a desire to climb Mt. Kinabalu someday. It was before I pick up running. Back then; we thought the 2 km walk to Mesilau Kipuyut waterfall should not be too difficult until we gave up at 0.5 km of the trail.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZql0faVb1HwsS3uNRcXH3_xaw-yLPZ7pG1yv8MVACEOzLcrOGgypIMQh3Hroap8T5OKw7mRs66BxWDpCwhgIiAfpHe3aMKYnm5AXaL5ay3ft3PFizGCdUfrHQS2coM-AyzVccA/s1600-h/2003+0.5km.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084682814072446562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZql0faVb1HwsS3uNRcXH3_xaw-yLPZ7pG1yv8MVACEOzLcrOGgypIMQh3Hroap8T5OKw7mRs66BxWDpCwhgIiAfpHe3aMKYnm5AXaL5ay3ft3PFizGCdUfrHQS2coM-AyzVccA/s320/2003+0.5km.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">4 years ago, giving up at 0.5 km.<br /></span></em><br />I ride on the 3+ years of regular running as a foundation to pursue this dream but it is certainly not the only criterion as climbing attributes differ from running. Attaining a good level of fitness and physical strength alone may not be the passport for success as there are other elements that a hiker/climber has to overcome namely acclimatization and sometimes the unexpected.<br /><br />The credit from the cancelled BKK Airasia flight due to the coup last Sept was used to book the flight to Kota Kinabalu. Our hearts were set to journey this together, to climb the highest mountain in South East Asia.<br /><br /><strong>Training</strong><br /><br />During weekends, we have trained in FRIM, Gasing Hill, Batu Caves, Gunung Nuang and Gunung Datuk. The longest trek was 4 hours. I took note of all the advice and pointers from people who had climbed Mt. K.<br />Read the Mt. Everest disaster book “Into Thin Air” by John Krakauer and surfed “ <a href="http://www.discoverychannelasia.com/everest/">Everest -Beyond the Limits</a>" website.<br /><br />While reading a mountain disaster book sounds like a bad idea since it induces negativity but then years ago I read a reverse psychology book that advocates “How to make things better by making it worse”- a paradoxical method of overcoming fear.<br /><br /><strong>Anticipation</strong><br /><br />I meticulously ran through every possible situation that could go wrong during the climb and tasks that could mitigate it:<br /><br />· Rain – use disposal raincoat, waterproof shoes and extra socks.<br />· Cold and wind – wear long johns, gloves and parka/jacket with hood.<br />· Altitude sickness/AMS headache – carry painkiller tablets (Paracetamol/Panadol)<br />· Hunger/dehydration – carry bananas, chocolates, nuts, Powerbar, gel and Endurance drink.<br />· Insect bites/cuts/sunburn – insert repellant, antiseptic cream, plasters and sunblock.<br />· Cramps – analgesic cream Deep Heat.<br />· Darkness – headlights and spare torchlights/batteries.<br />· Knee injury – Hiking poles and stick.<br /><br />Apart from doubting my own ability, deep inside I was silently concerned about Mee Peng’s. I told her not to set our expectations too high as bad weather could prematurely end our mission.<br /><br /><strong>Bags are packed I am ready to go……</strong><br /><br />We checked into Hotel Daya Kinabalu @ RM132 pernight, right at the heart of KK city on June 22. Visited Sanctuary Sutera office at Wisma Sabah to reconfirm our Mesilau Resort chalet, Laban Rata bunker beds bookings and booked the 2 shuttle tickets from Kinabalu Park HQ back to KK city for June 25.<br /><br />As this trip was entirely arranged on our own without engaging a travel agent, we were very fortunate the climb date coincide with Tony Lim’s group who arrived a day later. The group leader Peter Lau had 2 extra seats for us in the bus and they too were staying at Mesilau Resort.<br /><br /><strong>A dinner that went wrong.</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlyZqpJqE7nkCIJ2KTwDEoa4RKQO9MsrwxdMOrk_1rGOZvmWwK4AL5uai8vZWbJY3SdkpULqQlZhnc_rgVMQvYeuOJPH24YjpF7MlceyCfinvzHERPw9a2-CO4-j3iavlWW9jNA/s1600-h/224_2474_edited02Reduced+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084682818367413874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlyZqpJqE7nkCIJ2KTwDEoa4RKQO9MsrwxdMOrk_1rGOZvmWwK4AL5uai8vZWbJY3SdkpULqQlZhnc_rgVMQvYeuOJPH24YjpF7MlceyCfinvzHERPw9a2-CO4-j3iavlWW9jNA/s320/224_2474_edited02Reduced+.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Tiger fish, clams and snails.</span></em></p><p>KK is known for its famous seafood. We ate at Sri Selera Kg. Air food court and disaster struck – Mee Peng was hit by severe food poisoning. She vomited and suffered diarrhea the whole night. 3 tubes of Po Chai pills didn’t help.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmZ10YP6JM6g9_pAk9SAJVYXzZ562wbC3QhAWtUinQYlPMNP_5OOkC3ZHVA2gENkD28zMzrv4Qt-FL3v2rAn4uZNqspDujjUCsLOAKLFFs5LCqbW66m0GF8k4xmG3n5mzQ1Ndvw/s1600-h/224_248303Reduced+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084682818367413890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmZ10YP6JM6g9_pAk9SAJVYXzZ562wbC3QhAWtUinQYlPMNP_5OOkC3ZHVA2gENkD28zMzrv4Qt-FL3v2rAn4uZNqspDujjUCsLOAKLFFs5LCqbW66m0GF8k4xmG3n5mzQ1Ndvw/s320/224_248303Reduced+.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Cultural show at Kg. Air food court</span></em><br />Next morning 6 a.m we went to a nearby 24-hr Polyclinic but the medication could not stop the diarrhea. Peter’s group was scheduled to arrive and pick us up at around 9:45 a.m. We made a revisit to the same clinic at 9:30 a.m that referred us to the Head Physician.<br /><br />I explained our predicament that she will be in a bus ride for 2.5 hours and would she be medically fit to climb the next day. Dr. Jeremiah smiled “Yes, she can climb. It is only a stomach upset” and prescribed a dose of 5 tablets.<br /><br /><strong>Joining the Group<br /></strong><br />While we were in the clinic Tony and Peter called and I told them of our situation. They told me not to worry and soon we joined their group of 28 trekkers in the coach. Tony and his wife Kim were the only people we know in the bus but we soon made friends with the rest.<br /><br /><strong>Oh NO!<br /></strong><br />As I got acquainted with the person next to me Gary, I realized to my horror I left my 2 digital cameras inside the bag which was stored in the Hotel store room! I agonized over my absent-mindedness and attributed it to nursing Mee Peng the night before. Usually she would organize the packing but that night she was totally knocked out.<br /><br /><strong>Kinabalu Park</strong><br /><br />We arrived at Kinabalu Park HQ for our shuttle transfer to the 2nd entrance Mesilau Park. Mee Peng was still throwing up and purging.<br /><br />The shuttle van stopped by Kundasang village, a place famous for its vegetables and fruits. I bought 2 combs of banana for RM3.<br /><br />Upon arrival at Mesilau Resort Park, we checked into the private St.John’s Peak chalet/bungalow, which was completely surrounded by thick tropical rainforest. It was a perfect place to rest and focus on her recovery.<br /><br />Even if we couldn’t climb the next morning, staying here alone was already bliss. At 2000 meters above sea level, the pure clean air smelled of nothing but wood and a freshness that is unparallel to Peninsula Highlands. A cute squirrel greeted me at the entrance as if to say, “ Welcome to the Land Below the Wind. Don’t worry everything will work out fine”.<br /><br /><strong>The Recovery</strong><br /><br />Tony Lim was so kind to drop by to pass us some Milo powder.<br />I fed Mee Peng with hot milo, oral hydration pack and chicken essence cordyceps between her naps. Her vomiting finally stopped.<br /><br /><strong>Climb Day</strong><br /><br />By morning she looked stronger but the purging was still rampant. Since she had no appetite to eat anything solid, I took the gamble of passing her half a PowerBar. The night before she told me that I should go ahead and climb alone if she doesn’t improve. I said I would never leave her alone.<br /><br />Peter reassured us there are flush toilets along the way at every km. That is positive news and with that we decided to ascend.<br /><br /><strong>The Gate<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt72D28s_2p8T7mxPE6Oe0MBVMkYeEoj12yqiFJt53bU5K2Kyl4xM-QSqNS0I_5NRi8M4MlKwTeTcCVqyMG72abTgxtmwGdjv9vjPTKBGKR5tTUpppRfezORqM9pwHnPZIiTMqmQ/s1600-h/225_257403Reduced+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084695222232965090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt72D28s_2p8T7mxPE6Oe0MBVMkYeEoj12yqiFJt53bU5K2Kyl4xM-QSqNS0I_5NRi8M4MlKwTeTcCVqyMG72abTgxtmwGdjv9vjPTKBGKR5tTUpppRfezORqM9pwHnPZIiTMqmQ/s320/225_257403Reduced+.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">The Koreans at Mesilau gate .</span></em><br /></p><p>We engaged a guide, compulsory requirement by the name of Jasirin aka Gungdus. Gungdus, aged 42, has a physique of a stout body builder with a serious look. He also double up as a porter where I passed him a 7kg backpack. Each kg cost RM8 to carry to and fro Laban Rata.<br />Mee Peng and I carried a 3 and 6kg backpack respectively.<br /><br />While Peter and Tony’s group were assembling for briefing, I informed them we are departing first and hope to meet them along the way.<br /><br />With the backpacks lifted to our back, we were ready to ascend. After a few hundred meters, Mee Peng’s bag was weighing her down and I took over her bag.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbNkZsGNXLE9LO9qczeq-_eUaz1n1wGkZMGO59k9OElaXsKXScuPJdJVxy-FhaaGEL4ZkEuotNX-ExjVF3Aozpa0Qf05bP9667wenjUalzPdrXkmqdYAG9yDR97z2N23Ecas8Dw/s1600-h/225_257504Reduced+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084695226527932402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbNkZsGNXLE9LO9qczeq-_eUaz1n1wGkZMGO59k9OElaXsKXScuPJdJVxy-FhaaGEL4ZkEuotNX-ExjVF3Aozpa0Qf05bP9667wenjUalzPdrXkmqdYAG9yDR97z2N23Ecas8Dw/s320/225_257504Reduced+.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">KM 0.5 revisited.<br /></span></em><br />We reached KM-1 in 54 mins. While I relished each km gained, Mee Peng was “racing” to visit the next toilet ahead. She made no less than 6 toilet breaks sometimes in embarrassing audible reverberations that can be heard from the nearby gazebo where trekkers rest.<br /><br />Peter and a few others soon caught up with us. I offered bananas and we helped each other to snap photos. Grace a runner who trains daily by climbing 12 flights of stairs in her KLCC area condominium was in good form.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGVDUNoXn2ZGevFCAmoSNapGwWcdiZdsc-yJM-lvYls1l-f-hJx3vq5mPxma__niiIrmTxlhOWQxfiQ88MnmtqYa10fQwPauQsUeIw6LrZxhk49a8WRwl4wVTEiPWUvBVMRMVMQ/s1600-h/Mesilau+CSH+FMP.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084682822662381202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGVDUNoXn2ZGevFCAmoSNapGwWcdiZdsc-yJM-lvYls1l-f-hJx3vq5mPxma__niiIrmTxlhOWQxfiQ88MnmtqYa10fQwPauQsUeIw6LrZxhk49a8WRwl4wVTEiPWUvBVMRMVMQ/s320/Mesilau+CSH+FMP.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjfdemkSVni3h7eeqeqZiNBTRgK4ZBhLsfY4eRDxn-Cgaz-OgarGYnb80D5pxUyQoWfMNXQaNwTU8iIby0hSZGVmRhain178520J2e9Lf85awSYtAaXJLneOwQ15B8bKp1YejlQ/s1600-h/Mesilau+FMP.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084682822662381218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjfdemkSVni3h7eeqeqZiNBTRgK4ZBhLsfY4eRDxn-Cgaz-OgarGYnb80D5pxUyQoWfMNXQaNwTU8iIby0hSZGVmRhain178520J2e9Lf85awSYtAaXJLneOwQ15B8bKp1YejlQ/s320/Mesilau+FMP.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Gungdus collected rubbish even as small as sweet wrappers along the trail. That prompted us to do likewise. The locals believe they have a responsibility to keep the holy mountain clean and presentable to tourists. This is something urbanites can learn and emulate.<br /><br /><strong>KM-3<br /></strong><br />My Timex stopwatch showed 2:21 hrs. I thought it was good progress covering sub-60 mins/km. We passed the Kipuyut suspension bridge and a series of steep steps awaits us. My right thigh began to stiffen and I knew a cramp is imminent. I immediately applied Deep Heat as richly as possible and massage the affected area.<br />This part of the muscle never gave me trouble in the past during running!<br />For the next 3kms the cramp lingered.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ETJjO-4MAv3EWQSAdjxEiZqIHsxOZO5-K3m90h2svynW06ULZ-B6EwjdrV_FrND8jUspZMydYf82jhIpkWAHwkjerqZYKfETK90yUuxHrYe4SZ62zSTzg2HAJPYV_FLYp4a9A/s1600-h/Mesilau+FMP+CSH+misty.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084683806209892018" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ETJjO-4MAv3EWQSAdjxEiZqIHsxOZO5-K3m90h2svynW06ULZ-B6EwjdrV_FrND8jUspZMydYf82jhIpkWAHwkjerqZYKfETK90yUuxHrYe4SZ62zSTzg2HAJPYV_FLYp4a9A/s320/Mesilau+FMP+CSH+misty.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Cool forest with occasional drizzle</span></em></p><p><strong>Wild herb<br /></strong><br />In one of the rest breaks, Gungdus plucked a few long leaves from a wild plant and said this could cure stomachache. Sensing our doubt, he took a handful and chewed the leaves. While preparing to eat some myself, I told Mee Peng in Cantonese “don’t eat too much first” since we do not know the side-effects. The leaves tasted bitter.<br /><br /><strong>KM-5<br /></strong><br />We reached the km-5 pondok, a favourite spot for trekkers to break for lunch and congregate. Chatted with Tony and Ben from Klang. Tony offered Mee Peng the potent Thai anti-diarrhea powder of which she consumed without hesitation.<br /><br />Ripped opened the Vanilla Powergel and shared it with Mee Peng. By now I have finished all the 15 small bananas, Kit-Kat, Cadbury Timeout, Kandos and 4 bottles of 500ml PowerBar Endurance drink that I have rationed for this leg of the climb.<br /><br />We have trekked for more than 5 hours. The flora has changed to mossy low stunted plants. Though it was 2pm, the thick clouds had completely blocked the afternoon sunrays. The misty trail has a certain dreamy mystique aura like excerpt from a childhood fairy-tale storybook.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE75tdyj119L06JJJt_YpxQmmW_aJj6Tfc71DiHhaNWT35lIPTyrnArPdEnCrlUbvQ7UV5mZrIH5TahPt2nUcP9vxyZPUtgDGKfjLsZEjMmDzNRQ9SVsP5qqxzsX01uJNF4bnueg/s1600-h/226_260308Reduced+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084695226527932418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE75tdyj119L06JJJt_YpxQmmW_aJj6Tfc71DiHhaNWT35lIPTyrnArPdEnCrlUbvQ7UV5mZrIH5TahPt2nUcP9vxyZPUtgDGKfjLsZEjMmDzNRQ9SVsP5qqxzsX01uJNF4bnueg/s320/226_260308Reduced+.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Km-5 no sun just mist and mossy plants. Gangdus and Mee Peng trekking ahead.</span></em></p><p>Earlier, Peter had hinted the weather doesn’t look good and indicated it may rain. His observation was a revelation. </p><p><strong>Layang-Layang junction</strong><br /><br />This is where the shorter original route from Timpohon Gate meets the Mesilau Trail. Just before we reach this turnoff, it started raining, not just rain but heavy rain!<br />Peter had predicted correctly.<br /><br /><strong>Hiking on a “Waterfall”</strong><br /><br />It could not come at a worse time because from here it was the start of a very steep uneven rocky ascend to Laban Rata. The stream of water and mud that came gushing down from the slopes like a waterfall was a shock to us!<br /><br />It reminded me of the movie “Romancing the Stone” where Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas struggled in the torrential jungles of Columbia.<br /><br />I told Mee Peng we were lucky to have had bought the waterproof shoes but that virtue soon dissipated. The rain was so heavy that the water started seeping into our shoes through our socks and soon our shoes were soaked inside – so much for waterproofing.<br />I lamented whether a high ankle shoe would have made a difference.<br /><br />Applying Deep Heat to my troubled thigh proofed futile as the splashing rain easily washed it away. Inexplicably, the cold weather somehow helped to cool down the convulsive muscle area and eventually it was cured!<br /><br />The simple Poncho disposal raincoat was an indispensable heaven created clothing that not only shielded us from the wet and cold but was also large enough to cover the backpacks as well.<br /><br />Mee Peng praised the Made-in-Germany telescopic Leki Hiking poles, which I borrowed from Rohaizad. The 2 poles acted like 2 extra feet and it help her tremendously from slipping in the wet as well as alleviate her weakened condition. Rohaizad was so generous to loan us the poles despite not having used them himself.<br /><br />As for me, I had earlier bought a RM3 rubber wood stick that function to relieve stress on my back and knees. These are necessities especially for first time climbers.<br /><br /><strong>It rained for 3 hrs.<br /></strong><br />Somewhere at km-7, giant looking bonsai plants surrounded the trail. I saw Choi’s favourite tree and Ben Lim’s Indiana Jones ridge.<br /><br />From afar, we could see streams of water flowing down beautifully from the gigantic granite mountain. On the other side of the ridge, the farming villages of Kundasang can be sighted.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zAiei2tXeVA8yewuuCtI1lT_NWCCc418FoN80oYHCXCJOID2FGmxmmglBISqCaooGwLIuGsJ6upiM1qrQ8xw_SMA0AEL4WIXMTRxzxNtRN-cTFN4Ew7dbR6zBS3UcM27yCMuQQ/s1600-h/mountain+stream.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084684695268122402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zAiei2tXeVA8yewuuCtI1lT_NWCCc418FoN80oYHCXCJOID2FGmxmmglBISqCaooGwLIuGsJ6upiM1qrQ8xw_SMA0AEL4WIXMTRxzxNtRN-cTFN4Ew7dbR6zBS3UcM27yCMuQQ/s320/mountain+stream.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Streams of rainfall water flowing down the mountain. A magnificent sight.</span></em><br /></p><p>The scenery changes by the seconds as the fog moves rather swiftly hindering panoramic views. By the time I took out my slide loaded Canon A2 camera, the view was gone.<br />With our raincoats on and rain pouring, it was a hassle to remove the SLR for a shot.<br /><br /><strong>8 hours ….<br /></strong><br />I was feeling extremely hungry when Tony effortlessly caught up and informed us the Laban Rata Restaurant closes at 7p.m. He is forging ahead to order the food first. I jokingly told him I was so hungry I could eat a cow but ordering half-a-cow would suffice.<br /><br /><strong>Laban Rata (3272 meters/ 10,700 feet)<br /></strong><br />Exactly 10 hours on my stopwatch, we finally reached Laban Rata in the almost dark dusking sky. It was a few minutes to 7p.m. I jubilated the completion of the first leg of our climb.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWSrZK9Pn4JoTrEsiG6EJDI8YkloY4jTb2UuwtsAzR7CBWLkkyk8rcJ6tbkbN7tLnH-iXAls21IIVvm9ErobjaNnOmoJq-4hBhm4gNGYbluuLlac6lcNVFTqhgFqRInqj0PcLng/s1600-h/Laban+Rata+jubilant.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084683806209892034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWSrZK9Pn4JoTrEsiG6EJDI8YkloY4jTb2UuwtsAzR7CBWLkkyk8rcJ6tbkbN7tLnH-iXAls21IIVvm9ErobjaNnOmoJq-4hBhm4gNGYbluuLlac6lcNVFTqhgFqRInqj0PcLng/s320/Laban+Rata+jubilant.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Our record hike of 10 hrs. Photo taken just behind Laban Rata.</span></em></p><p>The temperature at the entrance displayed 12 degrees Celsius. Peter and a few others greeted and congratulated our arrival. I was totally exhausted and hungry to the point of insanity.<br /><br />Thankfully the restaurant was still opened. Advised Mee Peng to take off our wet shoes and socks to prevent blisters.<br /><br />Walking barefooted, I took the RM33 buffet and whacked the beef for protein. Not much food left and the chef is not replenishing the dishes.<br />Mee Peng still could not eat a full meal.<br /><br />After filling our stomachs and chatting with Peter and Ivan, we checked into our room upstairs consisting of 5 sets of double-deck beds. To my surprised, the occupants in the room were already in bed! It was 8:10 p.m.<br /><br />I tried not to be intrusive as I gently opened the noisy plastic bags to prepare for shower. Laid the shoes and insoles next to the heater, hoping they will be dry by tomorrow. Went back downstairs to the reception to enquire if they sell/rent slippers and luckily the storekeeper had a few used ones, which he obligingly loaned at no cost.<br /><br />I was advised to have the shower early in the common washroom as the hot water here can run out abruptly. Yes, the hot water was almost gone but it was bearable. I wore my newly purchased long johns and my faithful 21-year-old Adidas jumper.<br /><br /><strong>Sleep is difficult</strong><br /><br />I quietly tipped toed to my upper bunker bed and was relieved to lie on my sore back. Indiglo-ed my watch and it read 8:40 p.m. Set the alarm to 1:15 a.m., closed my eyes but I could not sleep. Was it the coffee and tea?<br /><br />By midnight, I was not sure if I fell asleep because I simply kept hearing noises from the wooden walls/walkway, coughs and snoring from room-mates. Watch showed 12:15 a.m, changed the alarm to 1:40 a.m.<br /><br /><strong>1:30 a.m</strong><br /><br />I decided to get up and that prompted everybody in the room to get up from their beds as well.<br />Apparently, as I recount later, many of them could not sleep too!<br /><br />Checked my shoes, alamak! Still wet.<br />Mee Peng had already gone downstairs to order buffet breakfast while I tried to figure how to dry the shoes quickly.<br />Since there were no newspapers, I grabbed a stack of serviettes and stuffed them into our shoes to absorb whatever liquid left. It worked.<br /><br /><strong>Adidas Kampung<br /></strong><br />A lady from Penang who was observing my antics told me I should buy the RM5 local made “Adidas kampung” shoes, which provide better grip, instead of spending hundreds of ringgit on branded trekking shoes.<br /><br />She said the branded shoes were useless! I asked her to show me the sole of her beloved shoes, it had studs similar but shorter than those found in soccer boots.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWQoi2bDxKVYIyeYw5_UwePwSaYJ8XuAbMPrTl_bBQ4TFujRPjhiymedMlqeK7zilTsKXANCCSW-EZKLqWWU59asV-7lKktcVOFCOxwqy2c84_-FcW_nuKoHYtqJhc9hnp9P9bA/s1600-h/Adidas+Kpg_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084683814799826658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWQoi2bDxKVYIyeYw5_UwePwSaYJ8XuAbMPrTl_bBQ4TFujRPjhiymedMlqeK7zilTsKXANCCSW-EZKLqWWU59asV-7lKktcVOFCOxwqy2c84_-FcW_nuKoHYtqJhc9hnp9P9bA/s320/Adidas+Kpg_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Guides wearing the "Adidas Kampung" shoes. Observe the studded soles.</span><br /><br /></em><strong>The Summit Trail</strong><br /><br />After hearing from a few people how cold the final Summit Trail could be, I wore 2 T-shirts, an orange Schwarzenbach jacket over my Adidas jumper.<br /><br />The RM15 water-resistant gloves were completely soaked from the previous day’s rain. Luckily I brought another pair of acrylic gloves as spares.<br /><br />We left around 2:45 a.m. There were already scores of trekkers beaming their headlights like “Cyclops” in the dark. I notice the Caucasians wore smaller headlights that produced more directional and brighter lumens than our “pasar malam” China-made ones.<br /><br />20 minutes into the ascent I was already feeling hot. I have over-cloth myself! Peter’s group was nowhere to be seen probably way ahead. I took deep breaths and stop for breaks as often as possible.<br /><br />From as far as the eye can see, the string of lights illuminated by the scores of climbers was like a silent ritual procession. The local KandazanDusun believe the mountain is the resting place of their dead ancestors soul. The tribe believes the spirits dwell among the forbidden peaks.<br /><br />After the relative easy part of multiple stairs walking, the woods disappeared and came the challenging rock section with rope.<br /><br /><strong>Granite all the way….</strong><br /><br />I remember my office colleague Wong Siu told me he used the “Spiderman” technique to tackle this sector. The degree of ascent could be as much as 45%, it was synonymous to placing a plank on a stairway and walking on it using a rope as leverage.<br /><br />The gloves not only provided warmth but also protection from the abrasive rope.<br />It wasn’t too slippery as the rock surface was rough and our Timberland and North Face shoes held well.<br />I reminded Mee Peng should we fall, we should lie flat on our tummy with our limbs clinging to the surface to immobilize inertia.<br /><br />This had to be the highest degree of difficulty because to pull our bodies upwards, bursts of energy were required. Occasionally, I crawled using Wong Siu’s method.<br /><br />Despite the nearby dark cliff, I did not feel it was too dangerous as a number of Guides coolly walked upright on our side supplementing the torch lighting where necessary. They were totally unperturbed by the dangers.<br /><br />Came to think of it, it was kind of silly having to crawl like a toddler when the Guides took it like a Walk in the Park!<br /><br /><strong>The Stillness of the Night<br /></strong><br />Mid-way I stopped to look back; I could see the lights from the foothills of Kundasang town. At eye-level the infinite non-blinking stars spread across the vast universe like I have never seen before.<br />The sky was cloudless; we were at level with the sky.<br /><br />I was 12,000 feet above sea level and was rather pleased I had no symptoms of altitude sickness.<br /><br /><strong>Sayat-Sayat Hut</strong><br /><br />We registered our names at the last pondok, Sayat-Sayat counter and from here onwards it was a safe but arduous 1.7 kms incline to Low’s Peak. The massive granite slabs stretched endlessly almost like walking on the moon’s surface.<br /><br />This was the part where Ben Lim told me he has to stop to catch breath for every 10+ steps gained before going for another set of 10+ steps.<br />He was absolutely right.<br /><br />As a runner, I thought I could sustain a continuous walk but not here, where the mountain rules.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsv651rmf9jcj4Td5yVFgtWkpoPBWLE7N8SExsmxxSYvXuju9QTZYrd8ft2sapG8shZy7UNmDLPYSseFYOSMns9Lo4-fJJRTgWKZSDm2IjZM_r2p5Vh5GdBmUvPtkcfETHe32hg/s1600-h/226_261909Reduced+.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084695230822899730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsv651rmf9jcj4Td5yVFgtWkpoPBWLE7N8SExsmxxSYvXuju9QTZYrd8ft2sapG8shZy7UNmDLPYSseFYOSMns9Lo4-fJJRTgWKZSDm2IjZM_r2p5Vh5GdBmUvPtkcfETHe32hg/s320/226_261909Reduced+.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">South Peak</span></em><br /><br /><strong>Donkeys Ears</strong><br /><br />I was surprised some climbers were already hurriedly making their way back even before sunrise – the pinnacle spectra. They do not look sick.<br />As dawn came, the shadows were replaced by the glow of the South Peak and Donkeys Ears appeared on our flanks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9Lu72e5fHm8rvhanLfW63w1g25-FiCfSMMWPNcjP1lMQER0gw1Z2TzsfFE5VQa2dnnmvfgHyT6kjoTbGPHigntL2i2AwJUhpq2rPyCbeEoidkhm0W9pPoVgq2k8XDn8QzOjzRA/s1600-h/CSH+FMP+between+Peaks.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084683814799826674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9Lu72e5fHm8rvhanLfW63w1g25-FiCfSMMWPNcjP1lMQER0gw1Z2TzsfFE5VQa2dnnmvfgHyT6kjoTbGPHigntL2i2AwJUhpq2rPyCbeEoidkhm0W9pPoVgq2k8XDn8QzOjzRA/s320/CSH+FMP+between+Peaks.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Sun rise between St. John's and Low's Peak</span></em></p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><p><br /></span></em>Surprisingly, we saw rodent-like creatures scurrying between cracks in this non-habitatable zero vegetation land. Perhaps, they survive on the daily disposal of human food crumbs?<br /><br />After passing the majestic South Peak, I could see the famous Low’s Peak about 600 meters away. Gungdus knowing that we would be slow went to join his group of friends for a chat.<br /><br /><strong>Low’s Peak</strong><br /><br />I took out my camera from my bag, went up to him, told him to take care of my backpack and wait for me here while I make the assault to the peak.<br /><br />I should have known better not to instruct a person who lived all his life in a territory home to them but a mystery to first time explorers.<br /><br />Mee Peng made friends with everybody who was like us struggling to reach the foot of Low’s Peak. Soon Gungdus appeared carrying my backpack and followed Mee Peng guiding her through the steps. I guess he had a call of duty to look after us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY_IFgo2rxOLC_mM9Lm2blPVQcEBqh9jXdJoieM-YZAWONYqCpAWBBmYerYGipwQt86kOShA7QHKFe1ArA_0queyY4An-OwkchyphenhyphenXFSdp1ldW5UZPSf6l5tU5v_y7OQyaw7Vq8kg/s1600-h/FMP+friend+plateau.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084683810504859346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY_IFgo2rxOLC_mM9Lm2blPVQcEBqh9jXdJoieM-YZAWONYqCpAWBBmYerYGipwQt86kOShA7QHKFe1ArA_0queyY4An-OwkchyphenhyphenXFSdp1ldW5UZPSf6l5tU5v_y7OQyaw7Vq8kg/s320/FMP+friend+plateau.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Mee Peng's new found friend, a photo enthusiast and half-marathoner.</span></em><br /><br /><strong>Ears ringing…</strong><br /><br />I was about 15 meters behind them when my ear and head started humming and ringing. I thought this is normal since I suffer from permanent tinnitus. Unconsciously, I was losing my balance and attribute it to the uneven surface.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWlpqoNrjiNKUG29g_eFGyNzPOfAZTH6p9jPQtmoU1-66kvIVJ2vrHZCb0g5kCgMrP42McL4h7sOLbFpZ6PpzX1Jud9TtyoQDRp6c71nVgiZgLLPrUk0dXt9XvNLGT7pGjeWWFQ/s1600-h/FMP+Lows+Peak+foot.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084684695268122370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWlpqoNrjiNKUG29g_eFGyNzPOfAZTH6p9jPQtmoU1-66kvIVJ2vrHZCb0g5kCgMrP42McL4h7sOLbFpZ6PpzX1Jud9TtyoQDRp6c71nVgiZgLLPrUk0dXt9XvNLGT7pGjeWWFQ/s320/FMP+Lows+Peak+foot.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Low's Peak in the background. Many tail-end climbers gave-up and turn back here.</span></em></span></p><p>Gungdus had been observing me and advised Mee Peng to convince me that I do not summit the peak. “Kalau tak boleh, Jangan Paksa”. He also told her if I did, I would have trouble descending later. He offered to climb alone and help to take pictures from the summit on our behalf.<br /><br />Mee Peng said my face looked green and lips pale. Gazing at the wedge shaped Peak, it looked intimidating enough to quit and turn back.<br />Gungdus looked at me and asked “Macam mana boss?”<br /><br />Speechless, I raised my arm to point at the summit. This is the first symptom of…<br /><br /><strong>AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)</strong><br /><br />Gungdus had no choice but to ascend the steep Low’s Peak with Mee Peng. I told them to go ahead while I gingerly pace my climb. By now, my breathing and vertigo were building up.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNuJPA5Fq8lZXkuF-kC_7YIRzp94dVsp5zCVlM6w7FULmhe1tMkRIMJNizWa1JIUbTPwRvDl3HclpHk72-FBwKZe-ZSt4NaCwstEQZ1IbJ-B3EqkgHYfE1pnget-1N8JTBivJ4Q/s1600-h/Lows+Peak+rope.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084684695268122386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNuJPA5Fq8lZXkuF-kC_7YIRzp94dVsp5zCVlM6w7FULmhe1tMkRIMJNizWa1JIUbTPwRvDl3HclpHk72-FBwKZe-ZSt4NaCwstEQZ1IbJ-B3EqkgHYfE1pnget-1N8JTBivJ4Q/s320/Lows+Peak+rope.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"><em>Assault of Low's Peak. Mee Peng and Gangdus far ahead.</em></span></p><p>A couple in the 50s who was coming down gave me encouraging words to keep going. Mee Peng had reached the peak and was forming a cheering Malay group to spur me on.<br /><br /><em>“Lor Kong (hubby), you can do it!”</em> shouted the Malay lady mimicking Mee Peng.<br /><em>“Cheah Yew (more oil)! Cheah Yew!”</em> yelled the Malay guy.<br /><br />Finally, I summitted Low’s Peak (13,436 feet/4095 meters) at around 7:50 a.m. I took out Terence P6 bib and said in my heart “Terence this is for you though you may not know me”<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1NEibdPvpdx4vTdRPUwZD8OJb2jnjY3FMj4FMsh5tsnB2BpS27u3Ip2fBeS-QIlA52oVsA_reNV4RLTd0PkvDhQ6GK0kwSmZSnk7nL2_Gdf719LCfFa2GmJj1I6cwMeaZTZB6g/s1600-h/P6+bib.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084685627276025682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1NEibdPvpdx4vTdRPUwZD8OJb2jnjY3FMj4FMsh5tsnB2BpS27u3Ip2fBeS-QIlA52oVsA_reNV4RLTd0PkvDhQ6GK0kwSmZSnk7nL2_Gdf719LCfFa2GmJj1I6cwMeaZTZB6g/s320/P6+bib.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After a series of photos, all of them descended. I was the last man on the peak. I thought about Terence and<br /><br /><strong>I cried….</strong><br /><br />I do not know him in person and neither does he know who I am but I do know he is a jovial and friendly guy who despite his illness lived Life to the Fullest when what many normal healthy people fail to do and cherish. <em>(<span style="color:#000099;">Terence Leong aka Penguin 6 had brain tumor and succumbed to his sickness on June 8, 2007) </span></em></p><em><p><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKPeqlpXg4QH53CUBt8KzLqJG4Pv87kZbfY-KI2tveCdf9iG7OCGP2UXV_YEYd-BQGsMOxR25-Cb3ITKAumGmNGE3G8JwT1yOaLZh5pxNP9YlsAInDNEHYqd4Kx5r5peRiuhCHQ/s1600-h/FMP+Peak.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084685631570992994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKPeqlpXg4QH53CUBt8KzLqJG4Pv87kZbfY-KI2tveCdf9iG7OCGP2UXV_YEYd-BQGsMOxR25-Cb3ITKAumGmNGE3G8JwT1yOaLZh5pxNP9YlsAInDNEHYqd4Kx5r5peRiuhCHQ/s320/FMP+Peak.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41yUn0oYgVjduaZTknwq8MDtfPPnyQoHO9gt2wpdzfwFHW-hPKqgdMMKGwdIqN4tTxZ-6IV-83hZFBHgNgUGUAP6UYL5F-LspFwShCGpbZUyB9XtiFZVpokTOhAh_TAcGYXaT5A/s1600-h/CSH+FMP+sitting+peak.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084685635865960322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41yUn0oYgVjduaZTknwq8MDtfPPnyQoHO9gt2wpdzfwFHW-hPKqgdMMKGwdIqN4tTxZ-6IV-83hZFBHgNgUGUAP6UYL5F-LspFwShCGpbZUyB9XtiFZVpokTOhAh_TAcGYXaT5A/s320/CSH+FMP+sitting+peak.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_sMiNzrybibIIpg6o0b04C6Dbn_jvr9k7-HSSgPO13pqRVPKK1gEzQ0q0QooIfqi1P64Up8p4BNGsqULuY72-dFTKnXRd5T2ryFDg9_pMLytl6_Jc2TPWX9vS4eQg_MX5qxcHw/s1600-h/FMP+and+CSH+Peak.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084685631570993010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_sMiNzrybibIIpg6o0b04C6Dbn_jvr9k7-HSSgPO13pqRVPKK1gEzQ0q0QooIfqi1P64Up8p4BNGsqULuY72-dFTKnXRd5T2ryFDg9_pMLytl6_Jc2TPWX9vS4eQg_MX5qxcHw/s320/FMP+and+CSH+Peak.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3zjajaDi5aEgpI0ebTP12ODmPF7drBLYed94Uk0Hs-PojJmvqcdhyM7Ipqy4cmR4kPNw3mJXY7Z4YuPgkmju1OkR7iM1jPmla6xL5sUEPjOzXmOoTx5hWIZOzqypu7GBNRCyjQ/s1600-h/225_254125Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084687177759219618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3zjajaDi5aEgpI0ebTP12ODmPF7drBLYed94Uk0Hs-PojJmvqcdhyM7Ipqy4cmR4kPNw3mJXY7Z4YuPgkmju1OkR7iM1jPmla6xL5sUEPjOzXmOoTx5hWIZOzqypu7GBNRCyjQ/s320/225_254125Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Left view from Low's peak</span></em>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR0WWv3czNQpr58qO6rQusiPiwfycvZ-skPK84eqK_Fs0TMgo8teI4UPAEjX5ukOqovVwndYzas2ty0tpyjWYmxEhVkLO0MLeTfvufCami1KZwGqjnQFlOq_mXfY_LvHTJQRAJw/s1600-h/Gangdus.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084685640160927634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJR0WWv3czNQpr58qO6rQusiPiwfycvZ-skPK84eqK_Fs0TMgo8teI4UPAEjX5ukOqovVwndYzas2ty0tpyjWYmxEhVkLO0MLeTfvufCami1KZwGqjnQFlOq_mXfY_LvHTJQRAJw/s320/Gangdus.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Gangdus preparing to descend.</span></em></p><p><strong>Last Man</strong></p><p>At the peak alone, I could see trekkers like ants making their way back to Sayat-sayat. I used the abseiling method to go down, stopping immediately the moment I sense I was losing balance.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WPlaa6DGEeNF8q5LMoUEPLSiKjKjKpHs-K5bhBbtWLiHTXqc2ePyR81pKkZhcMBvMOeRzeKnKELBS_al_SCQM7tZ74tNYsaX6iEzPdyHr6TaRw3ZgtIQSO3rF6n3zBtdL-Jz5Q/s1600-h/King+of+the+Mountain.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084687182054186930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WPlaa6DGEeNF8q5LMoUEPLSiKjKjKpHs-K5bhBbtWLiHTXqc2ePyR81pKkZhcMBvMOeRzeKnKELBS_al_SCQM7tZ74tNYsaX6iEzPdyHr6TaRw3ZgtIQSO3rF6n3zBtdL-Jz5Q/s320/King+of+the+Mountain.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">I am the King of the Mountain......help!!</span></em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEefHh8GyBWLgOBYlLCdH854i0Z2jQJg9-9vpUIjc66tbQ6DYSL234cYcgLi3uwwvzGKmsBLb4W-TcBccrreBty4r-3NSWZSu7bTi3Kl1JAJS0f6CkQB4u2g4LvB78P-hUepiMVw/s1600-h/225_250916Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084687186349154258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEefHh8GyBWLgOBYlLCdH854i0Z2jQJg9-9vpUIjc66tbQ6DYSL234cYcgLi3uwwvzGKmsBLb4W-TcBccrreBty4r-3NSWZSu7bTi3Kl1JAJS0f6CkQB4u2g4LvB78P-hUepiMVw/s320/225_250916Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">St. John's peak. Do you see the rear neck and shoulders of a Gorilla?</span></em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmCjLTLieGl9ZBumeRIOXVyeNUibcr17oS3yTzXreO2i_iIwQE6t8bidWamplHvLqGHZRR5omoYGEmdVCgUhx_jJVTn4WBW8AM6wjP4qYpJIoZeTQ5RNswAttXHFO2e8mKDHxKw/s1600-h/St+Johns+Peak.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084684699563089714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmCjLTLieGl9ZBumeRIOXVyeNUibcr17oS3yTzXreO2i_iIwQE6t8bidWamplHvLqGHZRR5omoYGEmdVCgUhx_jJVTn4WBW8AM6wjP4qYpJIoZeTQ5RNswAttXHFO2e8mKDHxKw/s320/St+Johns+Peak.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">St. John's peak from another angle. Now do you see the monkey face?</span></em><br /><br /><strong>AMS accentuating</strong><br /><br />Back to the main trail where now it is the reverse steep rock descent, I found I had trouble walking downhill and withholding my momentum. I was behaving deliriously like a drunkard – denying I was abnormal and impeded speech (classical signs of AMS).<br />Gungdus and Mee Peng began to worry about my condition.<br /><br />Mee Peng later told me I walked with my hands slightly apart from my waist, side stepping erratically and wobbling – like a Penguin.<br /><br />Gungdus kept coming back to aid me but I told him I’m ok and he should take care of Mee Peng. He is confused because Mee Peng on the other hand had been telling him to take care of me.<br /><br /><strong>Fighting back…</strong><br /><br />At this stage, I acknowledge I was hit by altitude sickness and adopted the rest and walk strategy. I controlled my vertigo by seating 1-2 minutes to overcome the dizziness. I could feel my BP and heartbeat rising each time I got on my feet.<br />At one point, I laid flat on the rock where there is not a single soul out there since I was the last human on the plateau!<br /><br />I reached Sayat-sayat gate and drank the refreshing sweetish spring water. The 2 officials were waiting for me to close the gate. I took some chocolates and regretted not bringing a Powergel.<br /><br />After 10 mins rest, Mee Peng and Gungdus went ahead and unknown to me she had asked the 2 officials to guide me down. I thanked them profusely as both of them followed me throughout the most difficult segment of the rope-cliff area.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYhu3J14t_v_8YwzO5r47hRchfk7vj6zUcihrtZsmL_6eOOHWgwrqAOPyySvEH6j7VZFGydBwULKwFWxZdWtkxuU54oQWd3gb4Oci_g49W1m22vvA04H4T_YSRKjYuwmtWuULpA/s1600-h/AMS+CSH+rope.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084687182054186946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYhu3J14t_v_8YwzO5r47hRchfk7vj6zUcihrtZsmL_6eOOHWgwrqAOPyySvEH6j7VZFGydBwULKwFWxZdWtkxuU54oQWd3gb4Oci_g49W1m22vvA04H4T_YSRKjYuwmtWuULpA/s320/AMS+CSH+rope.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYtsNZKQLnOr9e7e_QAgnZvZ_v0XUX3oBXabS1UkFkuXkwXyHrF3owrgtb2ciO-fs2tcjV1v-nu5fjU8xL2_nmvcBSXoMlRr2CIUePOwchS23Y5VB_7CO0OHeg_bvdHrQOZtwjg/s1600-h/3+guides.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084681929309183570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYtsNZKQLnOr9e7e_QAgnZvZ_v0XUX3oBXabS1UkFkuXkwXyHrF3owrgtb2ciO-fs2tcjV1v-nu5fjU8xL2_nmvcBSXoMlRr2CIUePOwchS23Y5VB_7CO0OHeg_bvdHrQOZtwjg/s320/3+guides.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">The 3 rescuers (I called them pasukan penyelamat....they laughed!). They call AMS "Mabuk Gunung" (Mountain Drunkness)</span></em></p><p>Severe AMS hit me when I was walking the easier stairs/steps back to Laban Rata. I nearly threw up but managed to hold back.<br /><br />Gungdus waited for me patiently and in the end I made it back with Peter’s group waiting at the main entrance.<br /><br /><strong>11:40 a.m.</strong><br /><br />By now, there was no way to make it back to Kinabalu Park HQ by 3:30 p.m for our coach back to KK. Gungdus had already planned and gave me 2 options:<br /><br />a) Stay overnight and trek down next morning at 2 a.m.<br />b) Trekked down now and reached HQ around 7-8pm.<br /><br />I rested one hour and made the decision to trek down the same day. It was time to maximize my carbo and vitamin loading to replenish the lost energy. I ate a bowl of Meehoon soup, Powerbar, multivit and cordyceps tablets.<br /><br /><strong>1:20 p.m.<br /></strong><br />After shaking hands and exchanging goodbyes to Ivan and the rest of the girls, we finally left Laban Rata and made our move to descend. Peter’s group is staying another night in Laban Rata.<br /><br />Mee Peng had passed me the 2 Leki poles of which I maximize the length to around 5.5 feet. Wong Siu had tipped to use the poles as brakes.<br /><br />After 10 minutes I was relieved I had no recurring symptoms of AMS or drowsiness. I have acclimatized. We met a lot of friendly people from the opposite direction who stopped for a chat. A few congratulated us.<br /><br />I was enjoying the conversation with the various nationalities when Gungdus said we would reach Timpohon Gate around 8-9 p.m. Literally hinting we have to stop taking the longer than necessary talk breaks.<br /><br /><strong>Worried</strong><br /><br />One of the veteran guides who was accompanying a Canadian dual told me, even for guides it is ‘merbahaya” (dangerous) to trek in the dark at night on the Timpohon Gate trail.<br /><br />I did not ask him what danger lurks in the dark (Wild animals? Supernatural? Weather? Terrain?) but upon hearing his comments, both of us got worried and began to increase our pace and cut down on our breaks.<br /><br /><strong>After 3 hours…</strong><br /><br />We passed the Layang-layang/Mesilau junction and continued into the Timpohon trail, which looks much easier, something similar to FRIM or Gasing Hill. Another 4 kms to go and the oxygen has increased to yummy levels with the reemergence of rich green forestation.<br /><br />Mee Peng and Gungdus were surprised and chuckled how much I have recovered. I was running high on adrenalin and going at a race’s pace!<br />I used the poles to good effect, to alleviate my knees as much as possible.<br /><br />About 2 kms to go, we heard thunder and thick fog enveloped the forest. We knew it will rain anytime and it was getting dark. Fortunately the path was getting flatter and less tricky.<br /><br />Mee Peng asked me not to remind her of any pain when I told her my forefoot appears to be forming blisters because she too had to contend with the same soreness.<br /><br /><strong>0.5 km to go..<br /><br />and it RAINED</strong>!<br /><br />We quickly took out our raincoats and torchlights. It was pitch dark, foggy, raining and muddy. I had visibility issues because my glasses were fogged and the bluish white LED headlight was not effective on misty conditions. My astigmatism compounded to the problem. Mee Peng took the lead while Gungdus stayed between the 2 of us to provide light.<br /><br /><strong>7:05 p.m.<br /></strong><br />After 5 hrs 34 mins we finally made it to Timpohon Gate. Again we were the last hikers. The Park Ranger waited patiently for our arrival before closing the office for the day.<br />It was a great relief.<br /><br />Gungdus had arranged transport for us to return to KK city. We took a shuttle van from the gate back to the main Kinabalu Park HQ entrance, a distance of about 5 kms, where a cab awaits us.<br />When we were in the van, I confessed to Mee Peng what happened at the peak. She told me she cried too.<br /><br />We had a dispute with the cab driver on the fare. Eventually we relented.<br />The cab driver, with his wife beside him, drove at breakneck speed like a man possessed.<br />We closed our eyes; prayed nothing untoward would happen and slept.<br /><br />We reached Hotel Daya Kinabalu in 1.5 hrs at about 9pm. Tony called to check if we were ok. After having Klang Bak Kut Teh for dinner, we tucked into the cosy bed and slept like babies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjm0XDf7SFytFjHUGlE6GVs9LhyphenhyphencvbvnAiS5-4A0_YpK7rhyphenhyphenHHw5gBVXggRZfMrYOvDJ44f2xCU_w9M4b__8n0AOtd-D-Lukt-pM194qbHjyVp1CEfyKzvvjlL0kvBwqbSQCmdw/s1600-h/224_245501Reduced+_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084681925014216258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjm0XDf7SFytFjHUGlE6GVs9LhyphenhyphencvbvnAiS5-4A0_YpK7rhyphenhyphenHHw5gBVXggRZfMrYOvDJ44f2xCU_w9M4b__8n0AOtd-D-Lukt-pM194qbHjyVp1CEfyKzvvjlL0kvBwqbSQCmdw/s320/224_245501Reduced+_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Klang Bak Kut Teh for the "Sour Legs"?</span></em><br /><br />The next morning, to our delight we suffered minimal muscle aches and more importantly no injuries. We made it in one piece.<br /><br />The first remark I made when I got up was “I want to go back there again”.<br /><br /><strong>Retrospect</strong><br /><br />I have always marveled in admiration trekkers who make it an annual affair to visit Mt. Kinabalu. It was the toughest thing that I have ever done in my entire life.<br /><br />In the span of 34 hrs, we trekked a total of 25 hours covering 19 kms, ascended 2095 meters and descended 2234 meters. Both of us lost 2.5 kgs.<br />The total trek time was way above the expected norm probably due to our ailments.<br /><br />Towards, the last km, Gungdus, (already a grandfather!), told me he had never been to KL. He made an honest living by helping trekkers to achieve their dream, aspiration and self-discovery. Perhaps he has a dream too to visit KL someday, to view the KLCC Twin Towers. I wish him well from the bottom of my heart.<br /><br />Ultimately, the objective was to summit the peak but it was not the pinnacle of this trip. The sentiments I value most was when I came back to KL!<br /><br /><strong>Back home…</strong><br /><br />Walking on a flat surface and be transported by a vehicle never felt so comfortable. Eating whatever and whenever I want when my stomach growls was something I took for granted in the past. Meeting strangers, new friends and friends who had helped and advised us along the way are memories that we will forever be grateful and thankful.<br /><br />It felt good to be home…… to feel a sense of change.<br /><br />Mee Peng said “ I will never ever forget this experience”.<br />Indeed, it was an incredible journey fulfilling the dream of ordinary people questing for the extraordinary. </p>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-65416633730421933512007-05-20T18:54:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:38.388+08:00NB 15km Pacesetters<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5hnTMxkRJICGcxyx-kJOY1ajJJKsje34gp0IeP6Fh5g3dU_XZ9PvUQRnBbYwCL9oMjXzHzhWA5bMC3Mx7tg2g1ox-dU7Ua8uq2fflbzwiexbE6SgQIOD_ahmp00UtHoehX1s-w/s1600-h/222_22231Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066597277748385250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5hnTMxkRJICGcxyx-kJOY1ajJJKsje34gp0IeP6Fh5g3dU_XZ9PvUQRnBbYwCL9oMjXzHzhWA5bMC3Mx7tg2g1ox-dU7Ua8uq2fflbzwiexbE6SgQIOD_ahmp00UtHoehX1s-w/s320/222_22231Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Race Eve: Volunteers preparing the PowerBar Endurance "teh tarik" drink.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">The operations ran with clockwork efficiency. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb9z8cVw9KcydFEn3ldcKtAfNdy5QcN7gobFPclDCx-tAxoQkyoo-LxeboiHU_Re6FAL1eerccd9CI96rRnEpS6N_yJ3GTDpu6uX-4dZzOMJVZSd6aFweV_iV4MtUXbXhF5Epkw/s1600-h/222_22253Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066597273453417922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGb9z8cVw9KcydFEn3ldcKtAfNdy5QcN7gobFPclDCx-tAxoQkyoo-LxeboiHU_Re6FAL1eerccd9CI96rRnEpS6N_yJ3GTDpu6uX-4dZzOMJVZSd6aFweV_iV4MtUXbXhF5Epkw/s320/222_22253Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">The Endurance drink was repacked into drinking water bottles and stacked on the pallet.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Initially, I thought the pallet was for the fork-lift but it was just </span><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">to elevate the boxes to higher platform, as a prevention from rain. Incidentally, this contingency proved to be a hindsight as it rained cats and dogs later in the evening flooding the tent area!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRSQGAEwRdd7rdKZJLatpWoDIUgZtEv8DQsESRqQziAUA80jYUQl1yr8tQ4WPbuUtbc_3F7VP-3XkCm0ynZdk5C6TcGQezTPHKllahWQaL-ZQEgrraW6sP10HVA6KgIUE1BjuOg/s1600-h/222_22307Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066597264863483298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRSQGAEwRdd7rdKZJLatpWoDIUgZtEv8DQsESRqQziAUA80jYUQl1yr8tQ4WPbuUtbc_3F7VP-3XkCm0ynZdk5C6TcGQezTPHKllahWQaL-ZQEgrraW6sP10HVA6KgIUE1BjuOg/s320/222_22307Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Mee Peng packing the goodie bags.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaJuicoRGlvtkGPCqxkVdEzW-ohi5_bQYCEZpR4UgqR-xkuC-BqdihVcIVik-jzYsBVgT4jLSgvyf9s8imMujtHlPUB83n3VmjBUCIKJqpowDzV-EFFxGzFsLRCzFltHBQLIeng/s1600-h/222_22296Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066597269158450610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaJuicoRGlvtkGPCqxkVdEzW-ohi5_bQYCEZpR4UgqR-xkuC-BqdihVcIVik-jzYsBVgT4jLSgvyf9s8imMujtHlPUB83n3VmjBUCIKJqpowDzV-EFFxGzFsLRCzFltHBQLIeng/s320/222_22296Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Captain Ronnie with the heaps of medals</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3GiQnecFUDwA1W_Sffhhqbx7hWcRPHwttQSSBGyTy6wjGRhIiafWvDMWBEJ32N1GXQQvTCgz8W73aFHczznZFecEvJZuy9PJ5j1FQs3glyD5ndwzwMDz7hO8SGpC9nWVOU3Wpg/s1600-h/222_22242Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066597273453417938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3GiQnecFUDwA1W_Sffhhqbx7hWcRPHwttQSSBGyTy6wjGRhIiafWvDMWBEJ32N1GXQQvTCgz8W73aFHczznZFecEvJZuy9PJ5j1FQs3glyD5ndwzwMDz7hO8SGpC9nWVOU3Wpg/s320/222_22242Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh229GtO6m-N_JXqo3ML_QMQcPetnEix-1ITAF-xh5LrqrWXHdHHiGEC8u23eES3vkbcmLR2dxIX5RgwIRecTqFz7S263KgjNGLIet2STIV2uH3Xa8N6xKfqnTFFXoaGDaJMebDpQ/s1600-h/222_22359Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066596689337865618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh229GtO6m-N_JXqo3ML_QMQcPetnEix-1ITAF-xh5LrqrWXHdHHiGEC8u23eES3vkbcmLR2dxIX5RgwIRecTqFz7S263KgjNGLIet2STIV2uH3Xa8N6xKfqnTFFXoaGDaJMebDpQ/s320/222_22359Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWg5LvnKJBB9LqW_tkHhJKo4BP-PJV6BN4ECnAfjwrPCA0OWcj5-nv0rbLjo_Ng53_f2HOh8PBUB_6gNIdgQdSljb6xFFxzTtYflDIh0I7C0DrYqgrVCUnb9yJk7inlJ_h_psHA/s1600-h/222_22434Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066598484634195442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWg5LvnKJBB9LqW_tkHhJKo4BP-PJV6BN4ECnAfjwrPCA0OWcj5-nv0rbLjo_Ng53_f2HOh8PBUB_6gNIdgQdSljb6xFFxzTtYflDIh0I7C0DrYqgrVCUnb9yJk7inlJ_h_psHA/s320/222_22434Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jln Sultan Salahuddin<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3MhBSrH3XdAsumq4JI5yLmuU1ew_owBDgqfLl_KMIRRJ-ThFtDRCcLwHVlcEamOBlFULH350Sfz8vFJ3R-9RB81H63EswbKnqltVU-cUWczblnCx0NmWQsmssukP_3EzErH_Og/s1600-h/222_2241_edited2Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066596685042898306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3MhBSrH3XdAsumq4JI5yLmuU1ew_owBDgqfLl_KMIRRJ-ThFtDRCcLwHVlcEamOBlFULH350Sfz8vFJ3R-9RB81H63EswbKnqltVU-cUWczblnCx0NmWQsmssukP_3EzErH_Og/s320/222_2241_edited2Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The waterstation ladies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCiYhjKd57X68wmG48rPmILhiC7bjSaF8eNNpZ6YZD9ieishDHV_etUGzhHVtiLNv_R6wNxWjAA5ESY_7xCLabKGretrNDTvTxU_k6pUQyzfqd_z5imlK3rI2-OlvqpdakYjWVQ/s1600-h/222_225412Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066596680747930978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCiYhjKd57X68wmG48rPmILhiC7bjSaF8eNNpZ6YZD9ieishDHV_etUGzhHVtiLNv_R6wNxWjAA5ESY_7xCLabKGretrNDTvTxU_k6pUQyzfqd_z5imlK3rI2-OlvqpdakYjWVQ/s320/222_225412Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkkYkie0dRvLp9bbO9MG5nfr_aUWaOeB0a-Wsf_GuZrJruRVdPkqvbe6Mznc90RJDLY77XRlSxrGiP8XOhpud5xIUDbd1sbizH9bhsqFWlFQ_r5RZAhZIMfQWkroOf8-C4QSlmw/s1600-h/222_22467Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066596685042898290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkkYkie0dRvLp9bbO9MG5nfr_aUWaOeB0a-Wsf_GuZrJruRVdPkqvbe6Mznc90RJDLY77XRlSxrGiP8XOhpud5xIUDbd1sbizH9bhsqFWlFQ_r5RZAhZIMfQWkroOf8-C4QSlmw/s320/222_22467Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTw4jLfX9giuzCeVzcmo2ANSJjcNuw2IPT36x2XTdskf-P7EZQqUu0PtSjQwc3FgT0ha9h3u6D_K9DGE7naWgj50UjLA_c8u7z5p3DqGzaleUoi9oPca1aWGdSb1IgfljfS8_wQ/s1600-h/DSC_0304.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068538096160036402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTw4jLfX9giuzCeVzcmo2ANSJjcNuw2IPT36x2XTdskf-P7EZQqUu0PtSjQwc3FgT0ha9h3u6D_K9DGE7naWgj50UjLA_c8u7z5p3DqGzaleUoi9oPca1aWGdSb1IgfljfS8_wQ/s320/DSC_0304.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EKZ198URoOEEy52vOXX_-XJyhUIyngmF0c8lWsmynu18xVnA26h5Jsdja_eVoJ6EJsLxbfDBlodw3n41DwaDkNip1DaFqQzD5WLvzSt0E1Y_fzXhgh7034tnKwTrLD-2NxGAjw/s1600-h/NB+15km+2007+-+CS+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068538044620428834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EKZ198URoOEEy52vOXX_-XJyhUIyngmF0c8lWsmynu18xVnA26h5Jsdja_eVoJ6EJsLxbfDBlodw3n41DwaDkNip1DaFqQzD5WLvzSt0E1Y_fzXhgh7034tnKwTrLD-2NxGAjw/s320/NB+15km+2007+-+CS+6.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I finished the race in 1:36:40. 3 minutes slower than last year. Almost overslept in the morning.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPlldbRy024AN166hZyBrijdwXjGYKAMd1sYvJp_hEdgawRZ6WFSJyv2brQNn6KPxP9zH6Lh74hI1Xh9OO2ceA0-2RyFYYasz0BBg_jZk7VJC4PepmZq4FvT-4TdNBRSQ6tnmkQ/s1600-h/222_225614Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066596680747930962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPlldbRy024AN166hZyBrijdwXjGYKAMd1sYvJp_hEdgawRZ6WFSJyv2brQNn6KPxP9zH6Lh74hI1Xh9OO2ceA0-2RyFYYasz0BBg_jZk7VJC4PepmZq4FvT-4TdNBRSQ6tnmkQ/s320/222_225614Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Good to see Rohaizad back in action.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH537xqh0QkstDNDn9z0nhTKKStrP1sxSHnOufLQg3VJoN6o_gxh2vqwjMINU_0aW87JQj2lnryJCORVgdvsbfGaQKLqh48gupliw7uoLqBtiwcFYdaeXxhoFA8rA_Rylw62GbA/s1600-h/222_226018Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066607675864208914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH537xqh0QkstDNDn9z0nhTKKStrP1sxSHnOufLQg3VJoN6o_gxh2vqwjMINU_0aW87JQj2lnryJCORVgdvsbfGaQKLqh48gupliw7uoLqBtiwcFYdaeXxhoFA8rA_Rylw62GbA/s320/222_226018Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Long time no see Justin. Seems eager to eat<br />my cendol....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5E9b0ggnBnrIWyscFs1QvkFPvWWv3s_2aqfSHcA9XUDG76OZ1S-1CkiVhYYCcGI9Gik1xRb1CST12-XeeZr7l3TOgqC1a7K3DgJoxMikpMSdxa04TqN0cq_NlNzFSD61k5GzdQ/s1600-h/222_226220Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066607675864208898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5E9b0ggnBnrIWyscFs1QvkFPvWWv3s_2aqfSHcA9XUDG76OZ1S-1CkiVhYYCcGI9Gik1xRb1CST12-XeeZr7l3TOgqC1a7K3DgJoxMikpMSdxa04TqN0cq_NlNzFSD61k5GzdQ/s320/222_226220Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Myself, Choi, Adam, Kevin and Justin.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuKgAoTZQLGw-xYGrk7LxjAkyowxmvobP-ebNtgKuieUgY2f8yQ82A0kf7Gn__tvl5QS-tJmbMwjEy2OxqbM_3Ir8vRzOf38b7NbvwizkA6mq8hkHiIiT7QO5FqQlKCtt072FJg/s1600-h/222_227128Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066595632775910674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuKgAoTZQLGw-xYGrk7LxjAkyowxmvobP-ebNtgKuieUgY2f8yQ82A0kf7Gn__tvl5QS-tJmbMwjEy2OxqbM_3Ir8vRzOf38b7NbvwizkA6mq8hkHiIiT7QO5FqQlKCtt072FJg/s320/222_227128Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My ex-lunch partner colleague, CS Wong who came as a volunteer cameraman.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZxgmQscMwXLp9_kg5IXA_u3nLpyonk8ghjxXJd6lLtjV2Fa2VeSytrAf5co05J-KI2Xcc1tEKdWf1Df3PFXbeV1G_JrpZcibHg0emxdllMhFPBRsJ7jRTKS2s6NR9E7A5VoBGg/s1600-h/222_227330Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066595637070877986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZxgmQscMwXLp9_kg5IXA_u3nLpyonk8ghjxXJd6lLtjV2Fa2VeSytrAf5co05J-KI2Xcc1tEKdWf1Df3PFXbeV1G_JrpZcibHg0emxdllMhFPBRsJ7jRTKS2s6NR9E7A5VoBGg/s320/222_227330Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />CS's Nikon D200, f2.8 70-200mm VR lens. Superb camera.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVHz9NPlYNkCI9T5iSHHYQtMd1eN8SsBWU5NokWYIWUNSJvZOs9mLc91IfCIbKwPLp33wUvdBvOPJb-4H-u1JfMpnLCu0sO8opBl1LCnIIJsBNlEOjGYpoTCrWK-GUdVcGjeTCw/s1600-h/222_2265_edited23Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066595641365845298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVHz9NPlYNkCI9T5iSHHYQtMd1eN8SsBWU5NokWYIWUNSJvZOs9mLc91IfCIbKwPLp33wUvdBvOPJb-4H-u1JfMpnLCu0sO8opBl1LCnIIJsBNlEOjGYpoTCrWK-GUdVcGjeTCw/s320/222_2265_edited23Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The one and only running DSLR cameraman, Tey Eng Tiong.<br />Randomly captures midst of actions where nobody dares.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmcyP_t3rjSf60aAOWZwzzaE4shYNRrIDBtSfPVUqro0a2kMGXhYE3Cfm421oWPhe6CnPwX8QvtJZJ09cjf9xLlEz0bzfZBFAQADO6AxRIwWVY60AjSkuims1hs71JCaaAGOZEw/s1600-h/222_226927Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066595641365845314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmcyP_t3rjSf60aAOWZwzzaE4shYNRrIDBtSfPVUqro0a2kMGXhYE3Cfm421oWPhe6CnPwX8QvtJZJ09cjf9xLlEz0bzfZBFAQADO6AxRIwWVY60AjSkuims1hs71JCaaAGOZEw/s320/222_226927Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you Mr. Tey for being there taking the best shots.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_EpTAJu3V8Qzu3SE7GiD7xW8jD7heGQ-aF6BRh2_-fWN0-GdArNpOgXC5Gf72D82SIptKYX7BZym3KOVDQsFeKAli5UDvxUPhhMEtsRaFjaigc3rQP8jGsL3uhtjIpzgUsU_Nw/s1600-h/222_227532Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066595632775910658" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_EpTAJu3V8Qzu3SE7GiD7xW8jD7heGQ-aF6BRh2_-fWN0-GdArNpOgXC5Gf72D82SIptKYX7BZym3KOVDQsFeKAli5UDvxUPhhMEtsRaFjaigc3rQP8jGsL3uhtjIpzgUsU_Nw/s320/222_227532Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />PaceMakers group.<br /><br /></div>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9187706.post-41329273192587316082007-04-15T22:22:00.000+08:002008-12-13T12:18:40.534+08:00Orange RunLast year's Orange Run Kenny overslept but this time round he was not only ready waiting at the gate but brought his 15-year-old daughter Jessica along. I still remember feeding Jessica when she first learned to walk and today here she is doing her first 10km race.<br />How time flies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodTJIV6-usbviRnMj2dXb0vX-iouY6nKoTF6jGcFckOmD2Y1MHYGRUrJ6DnJWyU0qlnsBrxGkS8XkGXWslJQMA7yyFcZ4PySsLjdacZJkRKzqcLgC-61BcjKR4gSns84aO1i7w/s1600-h/Copy+of+Jessica+1-yr-old_edited~1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063690660698617554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodTJIV6-usbviRnMj2dXb0vX-iouY6nKoTF6jGcFckOmD2Y1MHYGRUrJ6DnJWyU0qlnsBrxGkS8XkGXWslJQMA7yyFcZ4PySsLjdacZJkRKzqcLgC-61BcjKR4gSns84aO1i7w/s320/Copy+of+Jessica+1-yr-old_edited~1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">7-month-old Jessica. </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Taken with Canon EOS 1000F. </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Nov 26, 1992.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodTJIV6-usbviRnMj2dXb0vX-iouY6nKoTF6jGcFckOmD2Y1MHYGRUrJ6DnJWyU0qlnsBrxGkS8XkGXWslJQMA7yyFcZ4PySsLjdacZJkRKzqcLgC-61BcjKR4gSns84aO1i7w/s1600-h/Copy+of+Jessica+1-yr-old_edited~1.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><br />Kenny was keen to run again after skipping KLIM due to health reasons. His last race was the Selayang Run sometime late last year.<br /><br />I find this race route more undulating than Bukit Tunku’s double hill. Last year I was caught surprised by the multiple slopes. I finished in 61:50 mins, shaving off 3 mins from last year's time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVA0HCov1ZWt3Sqw9gO25xUs8ASfx9wEC8X2GPn7N4kOcsx4LfPrCRbKDW9RbCe0XnmIX3S_ZoNILUt5hdp3KwY3tjBZoxuBFeBc8f5Lvna6Bq2ZhAmmQM1v2Vp-MnPGRg-inEw/s1600-h/Orange+Run+2007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063680563230504578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVA0HCov1ZWt3Sqw9gO25xUs8ASfx9wEC8X2GPn7N4kOcsx4LfPrCRbKDW9RbCe0XnmIX3S_ZoNILUt5hdp3KwY3tjBZoxuBFeBc8f5Lvna6Bq2ZhAmmQM1v2Vp-MnPGRg-inEw/s320/Orange+Run+2007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU3Jj6HaaUrh-GKV1ppwahDljum79DPE8ToCmI6LLl3fX9-qcOVTIkID95FHk8KtvEvQ_NOxCqmrHaCY7cKKyISACXCCH8y8-RUofLvci0mDPxyavdv6JdkP0JtsxfgJv0ioPgQ/s1600-h/220_20887Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063680563230504562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTU3Jj6HaaUrh-GKV1ppwahDljum79DPE8ToCmI6LLl3fX9-qcOVTIkID95FHk8KtvEvQ_NOxCqmrHaCY7cKKyISACXCCH8y8-RUofLvci0mDPxyavdv6JdkP0JtsxfgJv0ioPgQ/s320/220_20887Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#993300;">Adam and Tey</span></em><br /><br />Mee Peng accompanied Jessica walking mostly only to finish without being given a goodie bag. According to the organizer, it was past 'qualifying time'. I don't recall reading there was a qualifying time as this was supposed to be a Fun Run.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVFZv-Ortv5ZQnJB9jn7Av0WgqkAEkZ0SZkZn-tqgqJk1389gwFOvXg8w9KvfikgoeFvoRAcvWI5o0GpD9FMPbk8DL0hmwYMoc9gI3bJgxDHlsQQeJ2yYEYVKX95bFKwsgjy5gg/s1600-h/Orange+Run+2007+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063680567525471890" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVFZv-Ortv5ZQnJB9jn7Av0WgqkAEkZ0SZkZn-tqgqJk1389gwFOvXg8w9KvfikgoeFvoRAcvWI5o0GpD9FMPbk8DL0hmwYMoc9gI3bJgxDHlsQQeJ2yYEYVKX95bFKwsgjy5gg/s320/Orange+Run+2007+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A senior Pacesetter committee member was seen protesting this issue on behalf of a group of disgruntled senior women veteran participants to the organizer. The female organizer relented and gave out the Santa Barbara orange backpack to them as well as to Mee Peng and Jessica. I could see there were still stacks of boxes of bags inside the truck. Why do they want to keep the remaining?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJucl0gXTg370kpEQ5wFzXzK2vrMDfWsBSb2x85brzwgDTYh82OivlYjSmAQPQINP2RZmyd0J1NX5WLcaMLUX9ss7D6DWxGsIiN5rcZG68-b8huBBdATw7sNbxlTEgujCqQoKSg/s1600-h/Orange+Run+2007+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063680571820439202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJucl0gXTg370kpEQ5wFzXzK2vrMDfWsBSb2x85brzwgDTYh82OivlYjSmAQPQINP2RZmyd0J1NX5WLcaMLUX9ss7D6DWxGsIiN5rcZG68-b8huBBdATw7sNbxlTEgujCqQoKSg/s320/Orange+Run+2007+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A goodie bag is a token of participation. Though it should not be perceived as such, it is a form of incentive to encourage more sedentary people to join healthy events. On the other hand, I must applaud the sponsor for their generous contributions.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbfZjWQLYA32ibiBcJpMWDsa7KKg8HxSMFGK-d36quI6i85Q8D-l_OwXe0puQeHAS5IDNTemUMuLWf-STfbpRpUBfWtZtNmIyHbH7QSuh4a7wEfJEu_X-0x2uUsp1JxEXyJCjCA/s1600-h/221_210921Reduced.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063680554640569954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbfZjWQLYA32ibiBcJpMWDsa7KKg8HxSMFGK-d36quI6i85Q8D-l_OwXe0puQeHAS5IDNTemUMuLWf-STfbpRpUBfWtZtNmIyHbH7QSuh4a7wEfJEu_X-0x2uUsp1JxEXyJCjCA/s320/221_210921Reduced.JPG" border="0" /></a>Cheonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08020993761920664195noreply@blogger.com0