Managed to get a seat from China Airlines yesterday.
So, out I went from Chiang Mai to Taipei.
Night-stopped at a stinko hotel recommended by China Airlines.
Still, life is sweet.
Had a bowl of steamy fish noodles, hot tofu and red beans as dessert for dinner.
Then, heard the news that the court nullified Somchai's cabinet.
So the PAD goons are leaving Suvarnabhum.
Good for them.
Am now at Taipei International, waiting for departure to Narita.
Shall then bus to Haneda to connect to Takamatsu, and then, it is back to snoozing in my own futon.
Life is sweet, isn't it?
Gardening, photography, food, fishing, traveling, scuba diving, life in Japan, plus of course, news and views of being away from home...
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Badminton at Suvarnabhum, anyone?
Was updating myself yesterday with the situation at Suvarnabhum Airport. I could understand the PAD’s insistence to dethrone the increasingly lame-duck prime minister, but my eyes popped out upon seeing pictures of the PAD protestors playing badminton at the airport concourse.
Hey excuse me, there are thousands of stranded travelers trying desperately to return home and you idiots are having fun playing badminton in front of the check-in counters? Oh dear. What has become of the security checks at the premier airport of Thailand?
Days ago, I was just talking to my colleagues about the expected opening of the airport rail link to downtown Bangkok. And now, this.
Anyway, tried to check out the availability of seats for flights out of Chiang Mai. No luck, my friends.
Then, visited the travel agent this morning. Was told that there is no chance of flying out of Chiang Mai before 3rd December.
Seeked advice from Thai International. Two ways. One is to go to Chiang Mai airport and wait as standby passengers for the unscheduled flight to Utapao airport. With all the luggage tagging along. No reservations entertained.
If passengers are lucky to get to Utapao, they have to wait once again for the unscheduled flight to Narita. Again, on standby as no reservations are entertained. Hmmm, am I prepared to wait at the airport terminal not knowing if I could ever get on board?
You will have to be double lucky, other wise, you get stuck somewhere. Assuming I do get to Narita, I shall have to pay my own way back to Kansai from Narita.
The alternative is to change my Thai International reservation to 3rd December. Things have to move this weekend, really. Those suckers will have to play badminton somewhere else.
If nothing happens at Suvarnabhum by Sunday, I doubt that the airport will be ready to operate on the 3rd.
Now, would it be too much to hope for royal intervention?
Hey excuse me, there are thousands of stranded travelers trying desperately to return home and you idiots are having fun playing badminton in front of the check-in counters? Oh dear. What has become of the security checks at the premier airport of Thailand?
Days ago, I was just talking to my colleagues about the expected opening of the airport rail link to downtown Bangkok. And now, this.
Anyway, tried to check out the availability of seats for flights out of Chiang Mai. No luck, my friends.
Then, visited the travel agent this morning. Was told that there is no chance of flying out of Chiang Mai before 3rd December.
Seeked advice from Thai International. Two ways. One is to go to Chiang Mai airport and wait as standby passengers for the unscheduled flight to Utapao airport. With all the luggage tagging along. No reservations entertained.
If passengers are lucky to get to Utapao, they have to wait once again for the unscheduled flight to Narita. Again, on standby as no reservations are entertained. Hmmm, am I prepared to wait at the airport terminal not knowing if I could ever get on board?
You will have to be double lucky, other wise, you get stuck somewhere. Assuming I do get to Narita, I shall have to pay my own way back to Kansai from Narita.
The alternative is to change my Thai International reservation to 3rd December. Things have to move this weekend, really. Those suckers will have to play badminton somewhere else.
If nothing happens at Suvarnabhum by Sunday, I doubt that the airport will be ready to operate on the 3rd.
Now, would it be too much to hope for royal intervention?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Stranded in Thailand, part II
Was sitting at the food court of Central Shopping Center gnawing on a plate of delicious mango salad, and listening to a rendition of ‘Anak’ by the Pilipino band.
Hey, this song really brings back good memories of days in Manila in 1980. those were the days when 'blood was young and hot', and energy, boundless.
As Keatix commented in my previous post, I am sort of marooned here in Chiang Mai.
Not to say that I am complaining as Chiang Mai is such a nice place to be at, accidentally or otherwise.
But if I were caught up in Bangkok under similar circumstances, I would certainly be gnashing my teeth away.
My counterparts at Chiang Mai University are doing their best (or is it their normal selves?) in helping me tackle the situation.
First, they had me checked out from my hotel into the university guest house by the lake.
Gibbon calls could be heard as I checked in. I am told that the primates would be waking me up the next morning and that I will not need an alarm clock.
Then, the CMU folks got hold of the flight information and every traveler seems to be thinking about the same thing, that is, returning home via a third country.
So it should not come as a surprise to hear that all flights out of Chiangmai heading towards Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, or Taipei are fully booked until mid December.
The alternative opened to me is to go via Luang Prabang on Lao Airlines, and connect to Kansai via Hanoi. Tell me, does flying to Luang Prabang on Lao Airlines look like a plate of leftovers to you?
Man, this is going to be a long trip.
My staff back in Japan is telling me to take the safe route, and that I should not rush back, dangerously, that is.
I shall have to make a decision soon on whether to take this route.
Meanwhile, I do not think that the PAD people are planning on leaving Suvarnabhum Airport anytime soon.
I think it is going to turn really ugly.
Imagine having the police, navy and air force personnel attempting to clear the protestors?
Wooh, messy.
Thing is, how in the world did the PAD protestors manage to sneak into the airport? This is simply outrageous.
Anything can happen now. I will not be surprised if the army moves in to take over the country.
Still, my coordinates tell me that the King's birthday falls on 5th December and he has appeared in public on the afternoon of 4th.
Which means, the PAD rascals, royalists as they claim to be, may have disappear before that.
But time is not on my side.
So, could you guys please buzz off the BKK airport? As in, tomorrow morning?
Hey, this song really brings back good memories of days in Manila in 1980. those were the days when 'blood was young and hot', and energy, boundless.
As Keatix commented in my previous post, I am sort of marooned here in Chiang Mai.
Not to say that I am complaining as Chiang Mai is such a nice place to be at, accidentally or otherwise.
But if I were caught up in Bangkok under similar circumstances, I would certainly be gnashing my teeth away.
My counterparts at Chiang Mai University are doing their best (or is it their normal selves?) in helping me tackle the situation.
First, they had me checked out from my hotel into the university guest house by the lake.
Gibbon calls could be heard as I checked in. I am told that the primates would be waking me up the next morning and that I will not need an alarm clock.
Then, the CMU folks got hold of the flight information and every traveler seems to be thinking about the same thing, that is, returning home via a third country.
So it should not come as a surprise to hear that all flights out of Chiangmai heading towards Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, or Taipei are fully booked until mid December.
The alternative opened to me is to go via Luang Prabang on Lao Airlines, and connect to Kansai via Hanoi. Tell me, does flying to Luang Prabang on Lao Airlines look like a plate of leftovers to you?
Man, this is going to be a long trip.
My staff back in Japan is telling me to take the safe route, and that I should not rush back, dangerously, that is.
I shall have to make a decision soon on whether to take this route.
Meanwhile, I do not think that the PAD people are planning on leaving Suvarnabhum Airport anytime soon.
I think it is going to turn really ugly.
Imagine having the police, navy and air force personnel attempting to clear the protestors?
Wooh, messy.
Thing is, how in the world did the PAD protestors manage to sneak into the airport? This is simply outrageous.
Anything can happen now. I will not be surprised if the army moves in to take over the country.
Still, my coordinates tell me that the King's birthday falls on 5th December and he has appeared in public on the afternoon of 4th.
Which means, the PAD rascals, royalists as they claim to be, may have disappear before that.
But time is not on my side.
So, could you guys please buzz off the BKK airport? As in, tomorrow morning?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Stranded in Thailand?
Oh oh, am now in Chiang Mai and due to fly back to Kansai tomorrow night via Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Don’t think I can make it as the PAD protesters are still occupying the airport at this time.
My clothes are already stinking and I need to fly home.
Been here since 18th November and work is piling up back home.
Am not so well informed on Thai politics but apparently this PAD, the so-called People’s Alliance for Democracy is taking the law too much into their hands.
Serves no good to everyone, not even to themselves, I think.
Was in Chiang Mai for the first three days and flew to Bangkok to spend three nights, after which I flew back to Chiang Mai once again.
The taxi man who took me to Suvarnabhumi from my hotel in Bangkok commented that the protesters are crazy.
'No work to do, and they get paid 500 or 1000 baht each to go protest'.
And today, my counterpart at Chiang Mai University said that there is a new meaning to PAD: People Against Democracy.
Personally, I think they are doing Thailand and thousands of the flying public a big disservice.
I hope a solution is coming up soon.
Otherwise, ooh...
Don’t think I can make it as the PAD protesters are still occupying the airport at this time.
My clothes are already stinking and I need to fly home.
Been here since 18th November and work is piling up back home.
Am not so well informed on Thai politics but apparently this PAD, the so-called People’s Alliance for Democracy is taking the law too much into their hands.
Serves no good to everyone, not even to themselves, I think.
Was in Chiang Mai for the first three days and flew to Bangkok to spend three nights, after which I flew back to Chiang Mai once again.
The taxi man who took me to Suvarnabhumi from my hotel in Bangkok commented that the protesters are crazy.
'No work to do, and they get paid 500 or 1000 baht each to go protest'.
And today, my counterpart at Chiang Mai University said that there is a new meaning to PAD: People Against Democracy.
Personally, I think they are doing Thailand and thousands of the flying public a big disservice.
I hope a solution is coming up soon.
Otherwise, ooh...
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Macau the Beautiful...
Took time out last night to do what I enjoy doing...
That is, night photography...
And Macau offers lots of opportunity to do just that...
What's a trip to Macau without coming to the Senado Square?
At the entrance to the Square, a charming looking building and fountain offers solace for locals and visitors alike...
The rain came suddenly and people darted about briefly...
Still, the Square was a nice place to just hang around...
The Ruins of St. Paul's, sitting pretty in the evening lights...
The Grand Lisbao by night, from the 'other' side...
Tonight is my last night here...
Have had a marvellous time attending the conference and meeting loads of wonderful, new friends...
A big bonus was, I accidentally bumped into a former student of my university... so pleasantly surprised...
Shall be checking out of the Royal Hotel tomorrow morning and heading to the Ferry Terminal to go to Hong Kong Airport...
If all goes well, I shall be reaching home at past midnight...
Long day ahead...
That is, night photography...
And Macau offers lots of opportunity to do just that...
What's a trip to Macau without coming to the Senado Square?
At the entrance to the Square, a charming looking building and fountain offers solace for locals and visitors alike...
The rain came suddenly and people darted about briefly...
Still, the Square was a nice place to just hang around...
The Ruins of St. Paul's, sitting pretty in the evening lights...
The Grand Lisbao by night, from the 'other' side...
Tonight is my last night here...
Have had a marvellous time attending the conference and meeting loads of wonderful, new friends...
A big bonus was, I accidentally bumped into a former student of my university... so pleasantly surprised...
Shall be checking out of the Royal Hotel tomorrow morning and heading to the Ferry Terminal to go to Hong Kong Airport...
If all goes well, I shall be reaching home at past midnight...
Long day ahead...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Typhoon at Macau
Hmm, due to Typhoon ‘Hagupit’ scraping past Macau, the conference program for today was cancelled.
The typhoon had left trees uprooted, scaffoldings at construction sites ripped off, and at some streets, floods.
With some unexpected free time on my hands, the curious side of me decided to check out what the fuss was all about with this place called the Venetian Macau.
The place is touted to be the biggest casino in the world. It is designed to blend the ‘charm of Venice and the glamour of Las Vegas’ with the ‘mystic of Asia’.
However, for the non-gambler in me, this trip seems to reaffirm the dislike I have for this type of institution.
In less than half an hour after walking into this grotesque complex, I felt an irresistible urge to flee.
It is late afternoon now, and the skies are still gray.
I am wondering if I should take a risk and walk to the Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul.
The typhoon had left trees uprooted, scaffoldings at construction sites ripped off, and at some streets, floods.
With some unexpected free time on my hands, the curious side of me decided to check out what the fuss was all about with this place called the Venetian Macau.
The place is touted to be the biggest casino in the world. It is designed to blend the ‘charm of Venice and the glamour of Las Vegas’ with the ‘mystic of Asia’.
However, for the non-gambler in me, this trip seems to reaffirm the dislike I have for this type of institution.
In less than half an hour after walking into this grotesque complex, I felt an irresistible urge to flee.
It is late afternoon now, and the skies are still gray.
I am wondering if I should take a risk and walk to the Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Macau, Round three...
Am quite thrilled to be here in Macau again...
I first came here in the early 1980s and then again in 2003...
Macau is World Heritage material... she has about 25 buildings and sites that are deemed to have cultural and historic significance...
Could have flown directly from Kansai into Macau International...
But I am an ANA fan, and I wanted to go through Hong Kong for fun’s sake...
I had expected to take the airport bus from Hong Kong International to the ferry terminal at Sheung Wan near Central...
But was too happy to see that they did the logical...
Passengers bound for Macau can now purchase their ferry tickets at Hong Kong International and they need not go all the way to Sheung Wan or Tsim Sha Tsui just to take the ferry...
Passengers can now conveniently transfer to the newly built pier at the airport itself for the 50 minute ferry ride to Macau...
I am here for a conference on higher education...
Am excited about it as this is the first experience for me to present a paper at a UNESCO-organized conference...
Am also enthusiastic at the prospects of meeting some Malaysian scholars there as well...
I had chosen to stay at the Royal Hotel which is quietly nestled among residential properties...
The hotel is located on a gentle slope near the Guia Hill... so I get to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city and the hills at the background...
The old and the new, side by side...
As one blog says, old and decaying buildings...
Am feeling very comfortable now at Room 1621...
They had upgraded me to the Premier Room and, hmmm, nice... really nice...
Cozy carpets, big TV, huge King size solid bed, four huge really comfy pillows, marbled floor bathroom...
Wherever I travel to, I like to seek out places where locals eat...Last night, I dined on fish, tofu, and vegetables at a little shop a stone’s throw away...
I admit that my ability to speak Chinese, be it Cantonese or whatever, is horrendous...Hokkien is passable, and Bahasa (while in Bali, for example) is not a problem... but, Chinese? Urgggh...
Still, with fingers pointing at Chinese characters on the menu, I managed to go un-starved...
Ok, shall now head to the Ferry Terminal to check out the maps at the Tourist Center...
Although central Macau is very compact and small, the heat is stifling...
Am not so keen to have my armpits sweating by walking around the streets...
So, might consider renting a ‘moke’ (small, jeep-like vehicle) to cruise around the territory...
I first came here in the early 1980s and then again in 2003...
Macau is World Heritage material... she has about 25 buildings and sites that are deemed to have cultural and historic significance...
Could have flown directly from Kansai into Macau International...
But I am an ANA fan, and I wanted to go through Hong Kong for fun’s sake...
I had expected to take the airport bus from Hong Kong International to the ferry terminal at Sheung Wan near Central...
But was too happy to see that they did the logical...
Passengers bound for Macau can now purchase their ferry tickets at Hong Kong International and they need not go all the way to Sheung Wan or Tsim Sha Tsui just to take the ferry...
Passengers can now conveniently transfer to the newly built pier at the airport itself for the 50 minute ferry ride to Macau...
I am here for a conference on higher education...
Am excited about it as this is the first experience for me to present a paper at a UNESCO-organized conference...
Am also enthusiastic at the prospects of meeting some Malaysian scholars there as well...
I had chosen to stay at the Royal Hotel which is quietly nestled among residential properties...
The hotel is located on a gentle slope near the Guia Hill... so I get to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city and the hills at the background...
The old and the new, side by side...
As one blog says, old and decaying buildings...
Am feeling very comfortable now at Room 1621...
They had upgraded me to the Premier Room and, hmmm, nice... really nice...
Cozy carpets, big TV, huge King size solid bed, four huge really comfy pillows, marbled floor bathroom...
Wherever I travel to, I like to seek out places where locals eat...Last night, I dined on fish, tofu, and vegetables at a little shop a stone’s throw away...
I admit that my ability to speak Chinese, be it Cantonese or whatever, is horrendous...Hokkien is passable, and Bahasa (while in Bali, for example) is not a problem... but, Chinese? Urgggh...
Still, with fingers pointing at Chinese characters on the menu, I managed to go un-starved...
Ok, shall now head to the Ferry Terminal to check out the maps at the Tourist Center...
Although central Macau is very compact and small, the heat is stifling...
Am not so keen to have my armpits sweating by walking around the streets...
So, might consider renting a ‘moke’ (small, jeep-like vehicle) to cruise around the territory...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Pakatan Rakyat or UMNO?
Over here in Japan, we got to enjoy a three-day holiday over the last weekend… wooh…
I have decided for the time being, that weekends for me are ‘off-line’… no internet, no emails…
Weekends are to be enjoyed gardening, to be with my suweeto-haato, breathing the fresh air, listening to the birds chirping, and gazing at the ships passing by…
But utter disgust got the better of me as news pages unfolded on 16th Tuesday…
After Raja Petra, MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng (released shortly after) arrested under the ISA?
Man, this is getting more and more ridiculous…
Come to think of it, the political situation has pretty much boiled down to a contest between UMNO the villains and Pakatan Rakyat the savior…
Current and past events have shown that UMNO is clearly stepping off its limits… and way too far at that…
UMNO is harassing the people as it becomes imminent that it is going to be sacked by the people…
It is becoming obvious that the thuggish party UMNO is no longer fit to lead, and is not able to work for the people…
Several commentators suggest that Pakatan Rakyat should not take over the federal government through the help of politicians jumping ship… it is not morally right, they say…
These folks further propose that Pakatan should focus on doing a good job managing the five states they currently control and wait for the next general election to obtain the mandate of the people…
Well and fine, but I think we do not have the luxury of waiting until the next election…
UMNO is going berserk and it is desperate to maintain power…it is clinging on to straws to do just that…
And I do not rule out the possibility of UMNO using the military and the police to muscle itself into justifying its actions…
I think the UMNO minnows must be feeling pretty scared lately… scared of People Power that has already ditched a dictatorship or two in our neighboring countries…
It is happening now, here at our home…
Pakatan is reported to have approached UMNO, requesting for a peaceful transition of change of power…
I hope good sense prevail although we can never know what the UMNO scumbags would do…
Pakatan Rakyat, multi-racial and fighting for justice, for Malaysians…
Or UMNO, narrow-minded, arrogant, racist, chauvinistic…
Now, is there really any contest?
I have decided for the time being, that weekends for me are ‘off-line’… no internet, no emails…
Weekends are to be enjoyed gardening, to be with my suweeto-haato, breathing the fresh air, listening to the birds chirping, and gazing at the ships passing by…
But utter disgust got the better of me as news pages unfolded on 16th Tuesday…
After Raja Petra, MP Teresa Kok and Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng (released shortly after) arrested under the ISA?
Man, this is getting more and more ridiculous…
Come to think of it, the political situation has pretty much boiled down to a contest between UMNO the villains and Pakatan Rakyat the savior…
Current and past events have shown that UMNO is clearly stepping off its limits… and way too far at that…
UMNO is harassing the people as it becomes imminent that it is going to be sacked by the people…
It is becoming obvious that the thuggish party UMNO is no longer fit to lead, and is not able to work for the people…
Several commentators suggest that Pakatan Rakyat should not take over the federal government through the help of politicians jumping ship… it is not morally right, they say…
These folks further propose that Pakatan should focus on doing a good job managing the five states they currently control and wait for the next general election to obtain the mandate of the people…
Well and fine, but I think we do not have the luxury of waiting until the next election…
UMNO is going berserk and it is desperate to maintain power…it is clinging on to straws to do just that…
And I do not rule out the possibility of UMNO using the military and the police to muscle itself into justifying its actions…
I think the UMNO minnows must be feeling pretty scared lately… scared of People Power that has already ditched a dictatorship or two in our neighboring countries…
It is happening now, here at our home…
Pakatan is reported to have approached UMNO, requesting for a peaceful transition of change of power…
I hope good sense prevail although we can never know what the UMNO scumbags would do…
Pakatan Rakyat, multi-racial and fighting for justice, for Malaysians…
Or UMNO, narrow-minded, arrogant, racist, chauvinistic…
Now, is there really any contest?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Rooting for Raja Petra
Update: 10th March 2013... just in case, I have long ago given up on this individual... he is a turncoat and is not worthy of support any longer... I rest my case...
******* ********** ***********
I thought I was the one going haywire...
Just read in the news that Raja Petra of Malaysia Today was arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act...
The government under Barisan Nasional is clearly going haywire... it is disintegrating...
If Raja Petra is telling lies under the Malaysia Today banner, why fear?
If he is lying, sue the lights out of him...
Use the court of law, but not some old out-of-place evil tool devised by the British colonists ages ago for another purpose...
As many have said, an UMNO stooge blurts out racial slurs and remains unrepentant despite uproars from Malaysians from all walks of life...
He gets three miserable years of suspension from UMNO membership... big deal...
I have a good friend, a Malaccan baba...
His family speaks Malay at home...
He talks to the chinese contractor in Malay...
And that UMNO stooge calls him a 'penumpang'?
Sheeesh... this is unforgivable...
Pakatan Rakyat just announced that the September 16 plan is off course...
I say, off course for now...
I still look forward to the day when we can throw these scoundrels to the pits...
In Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party is also fighting for its life...
Although I have no voting rights here, I am cheering for the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party, to give the LDP the boot...
As with Malaysia, we need to change the cook as many people are getting sick of eating the same fried chicken year in and year out...
As for the sickening UMNO and her Barisan partners, it is way over time that they get a big fat kick on the butt...
In closing, I say to the reckless Malaysian government... FREE THAT MAN, and for that matter all the others put to jail through the damned ISA...
Ok, back to work... serious...
******* ********** ***********
I thought I was the one going haywire...
Just read in the news that Raja Petra of Malaysia Today was arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act...
The government under Barisan Nasional is clearly going haywire... it is disintegrating...
If Raja Petra is telling lies under the Malaysia Today banner, why fear?
If he is lying, sue the lights out of him...
Use the court of law, but not some old out-of-place evil tool devised by the British colonists ages ago for another purpose...
As many have said, an UMNO stooge blurts out racial slurs and remains unrepentant despite uproars from Malaysians from all walks of life...
He gets three miserable years of suspension from UMNO membership... big deal...
I have a good friend, a Malaccan baba...
His family speaks Malay at home...
He talks to the chinese contractor in Malay...
And that UMNO stooge calls him a 'penumpang'?
Sheeesh... this is unforgivable...
Pakatan Rakyat just announced that the September 16 plan is off course...
I say, off course for now...
I still look forward to the day when we can throw these scoundrels to the pits...
In Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party is also fighting for its life...
Although I have no voting rights here, I am cheering for the Democratic Party of Japan, the largest opposition party, to give the LDP the boot...
As with Malaysia, we need to change the cook as many people are getting sick of eating the same fried chicken year in and year out...
As for the sickening UMNO and her Barisan partners, it is way over time that they get a big fat kick on the butt...
In closing, I say to the reckless Malaysian government... FREE THAT MAN, and for that matter all the others put to jail through the damned ISA...
Ok, back to work... serious...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Home-bound to Alor Star...
Am now at Changi International and flying Singapore Airlines...
Feel good to be passing through here as this airport was a little bit like my old 'hideout' for over three years in the 80's when I was under the employ of Singapore Airlines...
These days, no matter how many times I come to Changi International, I always leave impressed...
Imagine, according to the information leaflet, this airport has about 500 internet terminals... free for use for travellers...
Compare this to our Kuala Lumpur International... pathetic...
Anyway, am now on transit to Penang, after which we shall take a taxi all the way back to my village in Kedah...
Was at Bali for about 10 days, scuba diving at Tulamben...
Did almost twenty dives, of which about half were at the Liberty Wreck...
Good as it is, was getting a bit sick of the same dive site and the herds of divers...
Good that our dive guide suggested Kubu and Seraya...
Muck diving at Seraya was particulary fun as there were lots of unusual creatures that I saw for the first time...
Overall, Bali was very nice... the general atmosphere, the friendliness of the local folks... the local food...
And we were lucky to stay at a very private and rather luxurious 'villa'... the pool and views of the morning sun was like, just ours to enjoy...
Feel good to be passing through here as this airport was a little bit like my old 'hideout' for over three years in the 80's when I was under the employ of Singapore Airlines...
These days, no matter how many times I come to Changi International, I always leave impressed...
Imagine, according to the information leaflet, this airport has about 500 internet terminals... free for use for travellers...
Compare this to our Kuala Lumpur International... pathetic...
Anyway, am now on transit to Penang, after which we shall take a taxi all the way back to my village in Kedah...
Was at Bali for about 10 days, scuba diving at Tulamben...
Did almost twenty dives, of which about half were at the Liberty Wreck...
Good as it is, was getting a bit sick of the same dive site and the herds of divers...
Good that our dive guide suggested Kubu and Seraya...
Muck diving at Seraya was particulary fun as there were lots of unusual creatures that I saw for the first time...
Overall, Bali was very nice... the general atmosphere, the friendliness of the local folks... the local food...
And we were lucky to stay at a very private and rather luxurious 'villa'... the pool and views of the morning sun was like, just ours to enjoy...
The weather was just marvellous, dry, and cool... compared to the un-earthly temperatures of Japan at the moment...
Spent 2 days or so at Kuta before departure...
But this place is... ooh, not too good a place to chill out... too many touts and taxi drivers honking to offer you a ride...
Our last trip to Bali was in 1983, about 25 years ago...
If we live long enough, we shall be back in 25 years' time...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Hellfire at Takamatsu
As in all Japan, there's hell burning at Takamatsu, where I live...
Today, the mercury shot up to 36 degrees... wooh...
Am now in my office, clearing all 12 years of gomi (rubbish)...
Have to be careful not to cool the room too much, or I shall risk catching 'summer' cold...
Many buildings in the university are now undergoing renovations...
Part of the plans to strengthen the buildings against earthquakes...
It has taken me days and I hope to have almost all the packing done today...
Shall be moving to the a room two days later (23rd)...
As expected, was wondering why things that I should thrown out years ago, they are still here in the room...
Been keeping up with the happenings in Malaysia, of course...
As usual, am knocking my head trying to understand what the fish the Malaysian police are doing...
The ruling politicians seem to be pancking and running out of ideas...
Who really believes that Anwar sodomised that fellow?
All these are actually good, as I think the ruling politicians are really tightening the noose around their own necks...
Would love to see them hanged... the sooner the better...
Today, the mercury shot up to 36 degrees... wooh...
Am now in my office, clearing all 12 years of gomi (rubbish)...
Have to be careful not to cool the room too much, or I shall risk catching 'summer' cold...
Many buildings in the university are now undergoing renovations...
Part of the plans to strengthen the buildings against earthquakes...
It has taken me days and I hope to have almost all the packing done today...
Shall be moving to the a room two days later (23rd)...
As expected, was wondering why things that I should thrown out years ago, they are still here in the room...
Been keeping up with the happenings in Malaysia, of course...
As usual, am knocking my head trying to understand what the fish the Malaysian police are doing...
The ruling politicians seem to be pancking and running out of ideas...
Who really believes that Anwar sodomised that fellow?
All these are actually good, as I think the ruling politicians are really tightening the noose around their own necks...
Would love to see them hanged... the sooner the better...
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Gib me piptee...
Yours truly turned fifty today...
What more can I ask for... as work is fine... and family life is, should I say, still exciting even after all these years?
Am thanking my lucky stars to be here as I am... in one piece...
In less than an hour's time, shall be congregating with my work colleagues at a beer garden by the sea...
Wooh, nice... only that I cannot drink because I am driving... dei!
Anyway, isn't it lovely to be around and still kicking up dust?
What more can I ask for... as work is fine... and family life is, should I say, still exciting even after all these years?
Am thanking my lucky stars to be here as I am... in one piece...
In less than an hour's time, shall be congregating with my work colleagues at a beer garden by the sea...
Wooh, nice... only that I cannot drink because I am driving... dei!
Anyway, isn't it lovely to be around and still kicking up dust?
Friday, July 04, 2008
Akasaka, I am...
Am now putting up at a hotel at Akasaka...
The Emperor's abode is just around the neighborhood, I believe...
Am here in Tokyo for a seminar focusing mainly on the 300,000 international student policy of Japan...
For those in the know, this is very much a 'dream' plan which will probably take a bit of a miracle to realise...
As it is, Japan is now struggling with the over 100,000 international students...
Problems remain tenacious... things like accomodation, language issues, cultural barriers...
Anyway, just read that Malaysia intends to sweeten up the deal to attract Malaysian professionals who are operating abroad... the so-called 'brain gain' scheme...
And I say, again??
They say that they need to match the high pay these professionals are earning abroad...
Yeah, right... it is the pay...
Meanwhile, a high school pal just channeled me a report on the 100-year celebrations of my alma mater, Sultan Abdul Hamid College...
Yeah, so it was graced by Dr. Mahathir... big deal... but kick my butt if you wish as I can't help noticing that it was very much an event staged by and for one particular race...
Which is fine by me... no issue with that...
Only thing is, where are all those ex-collegians from the other races?
Ooh, this race thingy is not my favorite topic to blog... but I just wonder, when is Malaysia going to turn 'multi-cultural' as she officially claims to be...
Returning home to work as a professional? Under these conditions?
Sorry, Maria...
Back to this seminar I attended today...
The participants were officials from the Education ministry, plus the directors and top administrative officials of the international student centers of national universities from all Japan...
And, yours truly was the only donkey there with a foreign name...
And when he spoke during the Q&A, heads turned...
Had a jolly good time chatting with the Japanese folks during the reception...
What a joy to listen to their opinions on what I spoke...
And I am thinking... imagine if I were at the celebrations of my alma mater...
Would love to be there, actually...
The reality is, I'd just be there, literally an invisible donkey...
The Malaysian 'brain gain' scheme...
Sheesh... these people just don't get it, do they??
The Emperor's abode is just around the neighborhood, I believe...
Am here in Tokyo for a seminar focusing mainly on the 300,000 international student policy of Japan...
For those in the know, this is very much a 'dream' plan which will probably take a bit of a miracle to realise...
As it is, Japan is now struggling with the over 100,000 international students...
Problems remain tenacious... things like accomodation, language issues, cultural barriers...
Anyway, just read that Malaysia intends to sweeten up the deal to attract Malaysian professionals who are operating abroad... the so-called 'brain gain' scheme...
And I say, again??
They say that they need to match the high pay these professionals are earning abroad...
Yeah, right... it is the pay...
Meanwhile, a high school pal just channeled me a report on the 100-year celebrations of my alma mater, Sultan Abdul Hamid College...
Yeah, so it was graced by Dr. Mahathir... big deal... but kick my butt if you wish as I can't help noticing that it was very much an event staged by and for one particular race...
Which is fine by me... no issue with that...
Only thing is, where are all those ex-collegians from the other races?
Ooh, this race thingy is not my favorite topic to blog... but I just wonder, when is Malaysia going to turn 'multi-cultural' as she officially claims to be...
Returning home to work as a professional? Under these conditions?
Sorry, Maria...
Back to this seminar I attended today...
The participants were officials from the Education ministry, plus the directors and top administrative officials of the international student centers of national universities from all Japan...
And, yours truly was the only donkey there with a foreign name...
And when he spoke during the Q&A, heads turned...
Had a jolly good time chatting with the Japanese folks during the reception...
What a joy to listen to their opinions on what I spoke...
And I am thinking... imagine if I were at the celebrations of my alma mater...
Would love to be there, actually...
The reality is, I'd just be there, literally an invisible donkey...
The Malaysian 'brain gain' scheme...
Sheesh... these people just don't get it, do they??
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Daegu, Korea
Am now in Daegu University, Korea...
Man, am very impressed with the size and the green of the campus...
Compared to the tiny campus of my university, that is...
Japan, for all her wealth and her economic prowess and position...
I always wonder why her (national) university campuses are almost always so shabby looking...
Except for a handful of exceptions, most of the buildings in the (national) university campuses are greyish and without character...
Private Japanese universities are not so bad... so I can console myself somewhat because Daegu University is private...
Its dormitories can house over 1000 students... wooh, a dream for universities in Japan...
Am here to sign some agreement papers and also to negotiate over some exchange programs...
We had five Daegu students at our university last season and we hope to have a new bunch coming again soon...
While it is fun to visit this beautiful campus, my stomach is also having a jolly time churning away at the local delicacies...
Hmmm... Korean food... my mouth waters just to think about it... and I just finished dinner a while ago...
Shall be moving to another university tomorrow to offer my greetings...
After that, shall be free for about two days...
While I have to catch up on work (which I brought with me), I am looking forward to absorbing the sights, plus, of course, the 'bites' too... wooh...
Man, am very impressed with the size and the green of the campus...
Compared to the tiny campus of my university, that is...
Japan, for all her wealth and her economic prowess and position...
I always wonder why her (national) university campuses are almost always so shabby looking...
Except for a handful of exceptions, most of the buildings in the (national) university campuses are greyish and without character...
Private Japanese universities are not so bad... so I can console myself somewhat because Daegu University is private...
Its dormitories can house over 1000 students... wooh, a dream for universities in Japan...
Am here to sign some agreement papers and also to negotiate over some exchange programs...
We had five Daegu students at our university last season and we hope to have a new bunch coming again soon...
While it is fun to visit this beautiful campus, my stomach is also having a jolly time churning away at the local delicacies...
Hmmm... Korean food... my mouth waters just to think about it... and I just finished dinner a while ago...
Shall be moving to another university tomorrow to offer my greetings...
After that, shall be free for about two days...
While I have to catch up on work (which I brought with me), I am looking forward to absorbing the sights, plus, of course, the 'bites' too... wooh...
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Let's go for a 'regime change'
Huh, quality 'sleep' has been coming back since the past few weeks, thank god...
And yours truly is beginning to feel like a spring chicken again, despite my sweetohaato warning against that, if you know what I mean...
Still, work volume and scope is monumental in both depth and breath...
Yet, in the midst of crawling through my daily chores, can't help but to feel 'high' with regards to the political happenings back home...
Malaysians, I think (or hope?), are finally maturing, socially and politically...
I have a sufficient level of confidence that there will be no social unrest despite the old fox Dr. Mahathir quitting the rotten party...
While some commentators say 'good riddance' to that move, I say, 'while the soup is hot, let's go all the way for a 'regime change'...
And yours truly is beginning to feel like a spring chicken again, despite my sweetohaato warning against that, if you know what I mean...
Still, work volume and scope is monumental in both depth and breath...
Yet, in the midst of crawling through my daily chores, can't help but to feel 'high' with regards to the political happenings back home...
Malaysians, I think (or hope?), are finally maturing, socially and politically...
I have a sufficient level of confidence that there will be no social unrest despite the old fox Dr. Mahathir quitting the rotten party...
While some commentators say 'good riddance' to that move, I say, 'while the soup is hot, let's go all the way for a 'regime change'...
Friday, May 16, 2008
View of garden from dining table
Hmmm... looks like this is the first image I am posting in the year 2008...
What happened?
Was actually not my normal self for the past three months or so...
Body was going bonkers...
Blood pressure shot up the roof...
Brain was playing tricks on me...
Not sleeping well at nights...
Body refusing to wake up in the mornings...
It was pretty scarry...
The cause of it all? Work pressure, and yours truly trying to work too hard (ahem...)
Even my gold fishes became sick...
Luckily, am recuperating quite well now...
Oh yes, the picutre above...
That is the garden view that we enjoy each morning as we chew on our breakfast...
The hills are in the background...
Except for the house on the left, it is all flowers and green...
Quite a paradise, I should say...
Of course, birds come by frequently, singing...
The other day, we saw a wild rabbit in our garden for the first time...
Cute, said my missus...
And yesterday, a meter long snake resting up those pillars... woaah, said I...
Anyway, thank god I am sleeping quite well these days...
And life is good...
Friday, April 11, 2008
Four wishes for 2008
I know, I know... it is a little too late to make New Year resolutions...
But, better late than never...
First and foremost, on a personal side, I plan to 'rehabilitate'... to 'rejuvenate' my physical being and mental state of mind...
Had been under tremendous and prolonged stress over the last few months...
Such that my body and mind is going 'bonkers'... haywire, so to say...
Next on the list is, to (continue to) be a kind and warm partner to my 'suweeto-haato'...
We are at the start of our fifties... so, we plan to take it a day at a time and enjoy each and every minute of it...
Third comes the job... related to the first point... need to take it easy and not be impatient too fast... a senior colleague of mine advised, 'ask for 100%, be happy if given 70%... otherwise, you only get to harm yourself'...
Then, on another level, resolutions aside, I wish to see 'change' in Malaysia...
For those who are following the scene, there is some pretty interesting write-up on whether 'Pakatan Rakyat' (People's Alliance) should accept defectors from 'Barisan Nasional' parties...
I say, go for it... but not immorally with tricks or monetary offers...
With the BN people crafting up disingenuous sabotage acts aimed at crippling the PR states, I say, welcome the defectors and hopefully, form a new government... the sooner the better...
A good friend commented that the PR folks are inexperienced at governing... decades ago; I was inexperienced when I started working too...
I believe the PR folks are fully aware that all eyes are on them and they know very well what is expected of them...
If they screw up, they will be tossed out the window at the next opportunity...
I have faith that they will go on an overdrive to work for the citizens...
Like many citizens, I have had enough of the antics of the BN people...
But, better late than never...
First and foremost, on a personal side, I plan to 'rehabilitate'... to 'rejuvenate' my physical being and mental state of mind...
Had been under tremendous and prolonged stress over the last few months...
Such that my body and mind is going 'bonkers'... haywire, so to say...
Next on the list is, to (continue to) be a kind and warm partner to my 'suweeto-haato'...
We are at the start of our fifties... so, we plan to take it a day at a time and enjoy each and every minute of it...
Third comes the job... related to the first point... need to take it easy and not be impatient too fast... a senior colleague of mine advised, 'ask for 100%, be happy if given 70%... otherwise, you only get to harm yourself'...
Then, on another level, resolutions aside, I wish to see 'change' in Malaysia...
For those who are following the scene, there is some pretty interesting write-up on whether 'Pakatan Rakyat' (People's Alliance) should accept defectors from 'Barisan Nasional' parties...
I say, go for it... but not immorally with tricks or monetary offers...
With the BN people crafting up disingenuous sabotage acts aimed at crippling the PR states, I say, welcome the defectors and hopefully, form a new government... the sooner the better...
A good friend commented that the PR folks are inexperienced at governing... decades ago; I was inexperienced when I started working too...
I believe the PR folks are fully aware that all eyes are on them and they know very well what is expected of them...
If they screw up, they will be tossed out the window at the next opportunity...
I have faith that they will go on an overdrive to work for the citizens...
Like many citizens, I have had enough of the antics of the BN people...
Friday, March 28, 2008
Passport application in Tokyo
Am now in Shinjuku, Tokyo, attending a conference at Waseda University...
Shall be heading off to Sophia University later on for a little meeting with research colleagues...
Took time off to apply for a new passport at the Malaysian Embassy in Shibuya...
For the first time in my 20-year residence in Japan, I rode the city bus for the first time in Tokyo, traveling from East Shinjuku to Shibuya...
The sakura is almost in full bloom...
Gazing out from the bus window, I thought to myself... mega-city as she is; Tokyo does look quite pretty with all these petals around...
Took me a little over an hour to have the passport application accepted...
The ‘old’ style passport shall be ready for pickup in four days time...
The ‘new’ type with the electronic chip takes about three months to be ready...
Reason is, the electronic passports are processed in Malaysia, hence, the time needed...
Anyway, ‘old’ or ‘new’, no problems for me as long as I can hit the road with it...
Shall be heading off to Sophia University later on for a little meeting with research colleagues...
Took time off to apply for a new passport at the Malaysian Embassy in Shibuya...
For the first time in my 20-year residence in Japan, I rode the city bus for the first time in Tokyo, traveling from East Shinjuku to Shibuya...
The sakura is almost in full bloom...
Gazing out from the bus window, I thought to myself... mega-city as she is; Tokyo does look quite pretty with all these petals around...
Took me a little over an hour to have the passport application accepted...
The ‘old’ style passport shall be ready for pickup in four days time...
The ‘new’ type with the electronic chip takes about three months to be ready...
Reason is, the electronic passports are processed in Malaysia, hence, the time needed...
Anyway, ‘old’ or ‘new’, no problems for me as long as I can hit the road with it...
Monday, March 17, 2008
Kedahans to wear songkoks?
A good buddy who has lived outside of Malaysia as long as I do joked as follows...
'Kedah fell to PAS. Does this mean that all Kedahans have to now wear their beards long, shave their heads and wear a songkok?'
Well, am not so sure about shaving my head but I have been sporting a goatee for decades...now I just need to shave or trim less... and almost twenty years ago, a Malay pal gave me a songkok, which I have worn on numerous occasions albeit in Japan...
So, no problems whatsoever with this Kedahan...
In fact, I welcome PAS to the new position and expect them to do a good job at governing Kedah, for that is what citizens elected them for...
At least, unlike the newly dethroned party, PAS extols itself as driven by religious principles...
Jokes aside, if PAS intends to install Islamic codes to punish criminals, we would first have the pleasure of seeing many of the corrupted officials limbless...
Anyone seen that never-utilized, monstrous bridge that was built to connect to a no-man's island off the Yan coastal area?
I hope PAS will punish those scoundrels responsible for wasting such funds...
Having said that, I'd be lying if I say I have completely no worries about Kedah being inadvertently turned into a more religious state... in particular, the duality of the civil and religious laws...
But let us see, as what is there to worry... the world is watching and citizens now know the real strength of their vote...
If PAS tries to play games, citizens can always tell them to go and fly kites...
I'd expect PKR to be waiting at the wings...
On another front, the latest news on Kedah...
'All documents from the offices of the Mentri Besar and executive councillors in Kedah have gone missing. There is not a single paper left in all the offices'...
Fifty years of uninterrupted control by those newly dethroned rascals... they certainly think that public documents and such are their private property...
I am waiting quite eagarly to see what happens next...
'Kedah fell to PAS. Does this mean that all Kedahans have to now wear their beards long, shave their heads and wear a songkok?'
Well, am not so sure about shaving my head but I have been sporting a goatee for decades...now I just need to shave or trim less... and almost twenty years ago, a Malay pal gave me a songkok, which I have worn on numerous occasions albeit in Japan...
So, no problems whatsoever with this Kedahan...
In fact, I welcome PAS to the new position and expect them to do a good job at governing Kedah, for that is what citizens elected them for...
At least, unlike the newly dethroned party, PAS extols itself as driven by religious principles...
Jokes aside, if PAS intends to install Islamic codes to punish criminals, we would first have the pleasure of seeing many of the corrupted officials limbless...
Anyone seen that never-utilized, monstrous bridge that was built to connect to a no-man's island off the Yan coastal area?
I hope PAS will punish those scoundrels responsible for wasting such funds...
Having said that, I'd be lying if I say I have completely no worries about Kedah being inadvertently turned into a more religious state... in particular, the duality of the civil and religious laws...
But let us see, as what is there to worry... the world is watching and citizens now know the real strength of their vote...
If PAS tries to play games, citizens can always tell them to go and fly kites...
I'd expect PKR to be waiting at the wings...
On another front, the latest news on Kedah...
'All documents from the offices of the Mentri Besar and executive councillors in Kedah have gone missing. There is not a single paper left in all the offices'...
Fifty years of uninterrupted control by those newly dethroned rascals... they certainly think that public documents and such are their private property...
I am waiting quite eagarly to see what happens next...
Friday, March 07, 2008
How to vote while out of Malaysia?
Been living out of Malaysia more than half of my life now...
Although a registered voter, I am quite ashamed to admit that I have never voted before...
Not so much out of laziness or apathy, but more of, 'how do I vote if I am not in Malaysia?' kind of thing...
Frankly, and again, quite ashamedly, I don't have a clue...
I do check my voting particulars on the net (at least for the 2004 and 2008 elections)...
Now if there is someone who knows how to go about voting while out of Malaysia, yours truly would love to hear from him/her...
I know, we can contact the Malaysian Embassy here in Japan, but as far as I know, they do not even have a homepage...
Having said this, there is not a single doubt in my mind on who or what party I would be voting for...
The nonsense and cheating by the current crop of shameless 'leaders' must be stopped...
We need a strong voice to keep the so-called 'honorables' on their toes...
And while my vote will not be counted, I am fully with the citizens who have had enough of this corrupted and racist government...
Of course, if we managed to throw these rascals out the window (am I dreaming too much?) in the future, there is no guarantee that the ones coming in will be angels...
No, of course not... but we get to tell these bums not to fiddle with our strings and think they can get away with murder...
I would certainly cherish a coalition of PKR, DAP, and PAS... and put my books on Anwar to lead... criticised as he may be, but I think this is just about the best shot we have to rid ourselves off those maggots passing off as 'leaders'...
Although a registered voter, I am quite ashamed to admit that I have never voted before...
Not so much out of laziness or apathy, but more of, 'how do I vote if I am not in Malaysia?' kind of thing...
Frankly, and again, quite ashamedly, I don't have a clue...
I do check my voting particulars on the net (at least for the 2004 and 2008 elections)...
Now if there is someone who knows how to go about voting while out of Malaysia, yours truly would love to hear from him/her...
I know, we can contact the Malaysian Embassy here in Japan, but as far as I know, they do not even have a homepage...
Having said this, there is not a single doubt in my mind on who or what party I would be voting for...
The nonsense and cheating by the current crop of shameless 'leaders' must be stopped...
We need a strong voice to keep the so-called 'honorables' on their toes...
And while my vote will not be counted, I am fully with the citizens who have had enough of this corrupted and racist government...
Of course, if we managed to throw these rascals out the window (am I dreaming too much?) in the future, there is no guarantee that the ones coming in will be angels...
No, of course not... but we get to tell these bums not to fiddle with our strings and think they can get away with murder...
I would certainly cherish a coalition of PKR, DAP, and PAS... and put my books on Anwar to lead... criticised as he may be, but I think this is just about the best shot we have to rid ourselves off those maggots passing off as 'leaders'...
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Chiangmai is such a likeable place...
Someone mentioned that it is a ‘small city with big city conveniences’...
I’d say, she is more a ‘big city that has not lost the small city charm...
She is after all, populated by about 2 million inhabitants... hardly a small city...
Initially rented a bicycle to dart around the huge Chiangmai University campus...
That bicycle was just too small for my body frame, such that I could not exert as much leg power as I’d like while peddling...
To make matters worse, the right pedal dropped off from the bicycle I rented... imagine me cycling laboriously with just the left pedal... and with leather shoes at that...
Changed to another bicycle (which was not in any better condition) and went riding in the old part of the city...
It is easy to navigate around the said area because it is completely surrounded by a man-made (I suppose) moat on all four sides...
Two rounds the moat I went, and just as I was about to return to the hotel, my right thigh cramped... arrrrghh...
Returned the bicycle immediately (had actually wanted to throw the damn thing into the moat) and rented a Honda motorbike... a 125 CC ‘JRD Storm’... Wooh, so nice to cruise around the vicinity...
Went up with this bike to the famed Doi Suthep temple in the hills on Sunday…
Couldn’t help but to notice that the temple grounds are filled with donation boxes...
‘Donate for a happy life... Donate for a better tomorrow... Donate for Children’s library’, etc...
Plus, little girls dancing in tribal wear, of course, with donation boxes placed in front...
Come evening, chanced upon the Sunday market...
Boy, was I impressed by the length of streets blocked up for this purpose...
The walk through this market seemed endless...
The sheer magnitude of this market makes the pasar malams in Malaysia look like child’s play...
There were street performers aplenty... little hill-tribe children...blind musicians... young, clean-cut boy singers... old folk musicians... a little girl playing the violin... a solo, ragged-voiced, cigarette-puffing rock singer on the guitar... and a flutist playing a meter-long, thin bamboo flute...
The amazing thing of this market is, despite all the goings-on, the atmosphere was just so silent... there were no blaring sounds and no one yelled across the road… it was so peaceful, so quiet, in spite of all the haggling, the buying and the selling...
It is easy to understand why so many foreigners choose to spend their days here in Chiangmai...
The following evening... had dinner at a clean-looking coffee shop...
Ah, I said to myself... this shop... I do not have to worry about risking my stomach...
Not too long after I rested my bum on the wooden chair, I noticed three girls, twenties maybe, chattering in loud Mandarin two tables away...
What the fish, I thought to myself... spoiling the atmosphere...
The chattering went on almost throughout my dinner...
After they left, peace prevailed as three equally-aged girls sat at the table next to where I sat...
Man, I had to strain my ears to eavesdrop what they ordered through the waitress...
Through the bits of conversation, I gathered that they spoke Mandarin... ooh, should I say that they were too civilized...
I’d say, she is more a ‘big city that has not lost the small city charm...
She is after all, populated by about 2 million inhabitants... hardly a small city...
Initially rented a bicycle to dart around the huge Chiangmai University campus...
That bicycle was just too small for my body frame, such that I could not exert as much leg power as I’d like while peddling...
To make matters worse, the right pedal dropped off from the bicycle I rented... imagine me cycling laboriously with just the left pedal... and with leather shoes at that...
Changed to another bicycle (which was not in any better condition) and went riding in the old part of the city...
It is easy to navigate around the said area because it is completely surrounded by a man-made (I suppose) moat on all four sides...
Two rounds the moat I went, and just as I was about to return to the hotel, my right thigh cramped... arrrrghh...
Returned the bicycle immediately (had actually wanted to throw the damn thing into the moat) and rented a Honda motorbike... a 125 CC ‘JRD Storm’... Wooh, so nice to cruise around the vicinity...
Went up with this bike to the famed Doi Suthep temple in the hills on Sunday…
Couldn’t help but to notice that the temple grounds are filled with donation boxes...
‘Donate for a happy life... Donate for a better tomorrow... Donate for Children’s library’, etc...
Plus, little girls dancing in tribal wear, of course, with donation boxes placed in front...
Come evening, chanced upon the Sunday market...
Boy, was I impressed by the length of streets blocked up for this purpose...
The walk through this market seemed endless...
The sheer magnitude of this market makes the pasar malams in Malaysia look like child’s play...
There were street performers aplenty... little hill-tribe children...blind musicians... young, clean-cut boy singers... old folk musicians... a little girl playing the violin... a solo, ragged-voiced, cigarette-puffing rock singer on the guitar... and a flutist playing a meter-long, thin bamboo flute...
The amazing thing of this market is, despite all the goings-on, the atmosphere was just so silent... there were no blaring sounds and no one yelled across the road… it was so peaceful, so quiet, in spite of all the haggling, the buying and the selling...
It is easy to understand why so many foreigners choose to spend their days here in Chiangmai...
The following evening... had dinner at a clean-looking coffee shop...
Ah, I said to myself... this shop... I do not have to worry about risking my stomach...
Not too long after I rested my bum on the wooden chair, I noticed three girls, twenties maybe, chattering in loud Mandarin two tables away...
What the fish, I thought to myself... spoiling the atmosphere...
The chattering went on almost throughout my dinner...
After they left, peace prevailed as three equally-aged girls sat at the table next to where I sat...
Man, I had to strain my ears to eavesdrop what they ordered through the waitress...
Through the bits of conversation, I gathered that they spoke Mandarin... ooh, should I say that they were too civilized...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
NHK Radio hits Bolehland
It is 4:00 pm on a Saturday afternoon, and I am banging on the keyboard...
The usual punishment for going on an overseas trip again...
Anyway, the NHK Radio of Japan just broadcasted as top news, the protest at KL just held by our brethens of Indian ancestry...
The news listed the viewpoints and rationale of the protest, saying that the government has been treating them unfairly and such...
Plus, a report on the upcoming election as well...
Personally, long before that word came up in the current huha in US, I hope and had always hoped that there will be 'change' in Malaysia...
The citizens have been chewing on cucumbers for too long...
We need to change the menu to, well, bitter-gourd or whatever as long as it is not the same slimy stuff...
The least Malaysians should do is to vote in a strong opposition so as to keep those slimy nutheads on their toes...
Anyway, had planned to blog on my trip in Chiangmai...
Perhaps in the next post? No?
The usual punishment for going on an overseas trip again...
Anyway, the NHK Radio of Japan just broadcasted as top news, the protest at KL just held by our brethens of Indian ancestry...
The news listed the viewpoints and rationale of the protest, saying that the government has been treating them unfairly and such...
Plus, a report on the upcoming election as well...
Personally, long before that word came up in the current huha in US, I hope and had always hoped that there will be 'change' in Malaysia...
The citizens have been chewing on cucumbers for too long...
We need to change the menu to, well, bitter-gourd or whatever as long as it is not the same slimy stuff...
The least Malaysians should do is to vote in a strong opposition so as to keep those slimy nutheads on their toes...
Anyway, had planned to blog on my trip in Chiangmai...
Perhaps in the next post? No?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Kansai International Ghost Town
Holy cow, am feeling sooo sleepy...
It is 2 minutes to midnight and I am waiting for my departure to Chiangmai via Bangkok...
Boarding time is 45 minutes away, and what is there to do except to hit the keyboard...
Kansai International at this moment is like, all mine...
I can stretch-open my knees one meter wide and there'd still be room enough for me to elbow around...
There is just so few souls around at this hour...
Anyway, am really looking forward to visiting Chiangmai again...
Was there for the first time last December but the trip was too short to get to know the city...
I shall be visiting my counterparts at Chiangmai University....
Plan to rent a motorbike to cruise around the vicinity... the Wats, Ping River, the elephant camp... doodooodoooo...
Language will be quite an issue but let's see...
Been really busy at my workplace...
So, this trip doubles as a break from my routine work environment...
Still, am bringing my PC and my workfiles with me... god, the PC cannot live without me or what...
Will have to slam on the keys to come up with a couple of reports which are already due...
Officially, I should and will certainly be doing some research at CMU on the so-called 'internationalization of higher education'...
Still, the situation back home in Malaysia worries me...
Body snatching, creeping Islamization, the abuse of funds to win the hearts of the people before the upcoming election... pretty disgusting, I'd say...
And, eeek! I banged the car bumper against a pillar some days ago... and it was not my car... oooh...
It is 2 minutes to midnight and I am waiting for my departure to Chiangmai via Bangkok...
Boarding time is 45 minutes away, and what is there to do except to hit the keyboard...
Kansai International at this moment is like, all mine...
I can stretch-open my knees one meter wide and there'd still be room enough for me to elbow around...
There is just so few souls around at this hour...
Anyway, am really looking forward to visiting Chiangmai again...
Was there for the first time last December but the trip was too short to get to know the city...
I shall be visiting my counterparts at Chiangmai University....
Plan to rent a motorbike to cruise around the vicinity... the Wats, Ping River, the elephant camp... doodooodoooo...
Language will be quite an issue but let's see...
Been really busy at my workplace...
So, this trip doubles as a break from my routine work environment...
Still, am bringing my PC and my workfiles with me... god, the PC cannot live without me or what...
Will have to slam on the keys to come up with a couple of reports which are already due...
Officially, I should and will certainly be doing some research at CMU on the so-called 'internationalization of higher education'...
Still, the situation back home in Malaysia worries me...
Body snatching, creeping Islamization, the abuse of funds to win the hearts of the people before the upcoming election... pretty disgusting, I'd say...
And, eeek! I banged the car bumper against a pillar some days ago... and it was not my car... oooh...
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Stepping foot on Urumqi & Turfan
Just returned from a trip to China...
In fact, the very first trip to Mainland China, and of all places, Urumqi, the capital city of the Uyghur Autonomous Region ...
Had hit the brakes when the order from my boss came...
For, who in the world would want to visit such a frigid place in the deep of winter?
For a warm blooded creature like me, how about a high of minus 9 degrees and a low of minus 19 degrees?
Anyway, just when you least expected it, it turns out to be quite an adventure...
The trip to Beijing from Osaka was short... a mere 2.5 hours, compared to the 3.5 to 4 hours on the Beijing-Urumqi sector...
But the pain of being squeezed in the Boeing 757 on that sector...
(The Boeing 757 is very much like an elongated Boeing 737, and definately not a comfortable place to ride in for such long trips.)
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang province, and the seat of Xinjiang University...
I had to this day, tried my best to avoid going to China on official trips for the one big reason that (at least according to colleagues who had gone there) the folks there want you to drink with them...
And man, upon arrival at the hotel, there it was... a 46% proof Chinese wine, sitting on the table...
Luckily, our counterpart at Xinjiang University was not the persistent type...
I must also say the wine was really good...
Smooth, and it really warmed up the system...
But things turned out quite differently on the second day...
A Vice President joined us for lunch, and he really kicked the booze off the table...
So there I was, happily gulping in glass after glass and in no time, was in full swing...
My head was just spinning and it felt quite good, actually...
Unplanned as it was, they pushed out the karaoke machine...
Before I knew it, I was croaking away... aaaahh...
Our gracious host took us to Turfan, another important trading post along the Silkroad...
I found myself quite captivated by the scenes that seemed to open up to me like those in a documentary movie...
The donkeys, the poplar trees... the cute little mosques... really fascinating, I would say...
But, with reference to my friend MM's experience with cleaning a nasty toilet during his scouting days, the sanitary condition in this area is, pretty shocking...
Imagine the jolt of seeing raw and untreated sewage in the public toilets along the highway and the tourist sites... and I am not talking of merely small lumps...
That aside, lunch at Turfan was absolutely delicious, and the loo at the restaurant was as good and clean as any other that I have seen anywhere...
So, ironic as it sounds, I sense that I may be heading back there for a second time although I hope it will not be in the midst of winter...
In fact, the very first trip to Mainland China, and of all places, Urumqi, the capital city of the Uyghur Autonomous Region ...
Had hit the brakes when the order from my boss came...
For, who in the world would want to visit such a frigid place in the deep of winter?
For a warm blooded creature like me, how about a high of minus 9 degrees and a low of minus 19 degrees?
Anyway, just when you least expected it, it turns out to be quite an adventure...
The trip to Beijing from Osaka was short... a mere 2.5 hours, compared to the 3.5 to 4 hours on the Beijing-Urumqi sector...
But the pain of being squeezed in the Boeing 757 on that sector...
(The Boeing 757 is very much like an elongated Boeing 737, and definately not a comfortable place to ride in for such long trips.)
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang province, and the seat of Xinjiang University...
I had to this day, tried my best to avoid going to China on official trips for the one big reason that (at least according to colleagues who had gone there) the folks there want you to drink with them...
And man, upon arrival at the hotel, there it was... a 46% proof Chinese wine, sitting on the table...
Luckily, our counterpart at Xinjiang University was not the persistent type...
I must also say the wine was really good...
Smooth, and it really warmed up the system...
But things turned out quite differently on the second day...
A Vice President joined us for lunch, and he really kicked the booze off the table...
So there I was, happily gulping in glass after glass and in no time, was in full swing...
My head was just spinning and it felt quite good, actually...
Unplanned as it was, they pushed out the karaoke machine...
Before I knew it, I was croaking away... aaaahh...
Our gracious host took us to Turfan, another important trading post along the Silkroad...
I found myself quite captivated by the scenes that seemed to open up to me like those in a documentary movie...
The donkeys, the poplar trees... the cute little mosques... really fascinating, I would say...
But, with reference to my friend MM's experience with cleaning a nasty toilet during his scouting days, the sanitary condition in this area is, pretty shocking...
Imagine the jolt of seeing raw and untreated sewage in the public toilets along the highway and the tourist sites... and I am not talking of merely small lumps...
That aside, lunch at Turfan was absolutely delicious, and the loo at the restaurant was as good and clean as any other that I have seen anywhere...
So, ironic as it sounds, I sense that I may be heading back there for a second time although I hope it will not be in the midst of winter...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
The smells of Malaysia
Just got back to my home in Japan yesterday...
Must be the age catching up on me and my better half as we were almost dead tired from traveling just this 'short' distance...
And to think of the possibility that I may be going to Urumqi in western China in a few days...
The temperature there is probably like, minus 20 degrees...
Anyway, had a ball of a time in Malaysia...
In the quaint little towns we traveled to, pretty no doubt, it was the smells that got the better of me...
The drains... the toilets... the blocked waste water...
Somehow Malaysians must have developed this enviable stamina to shut off from their biological radars, the stench and the ugliness of the drainage system...
At one place in Banting, I was sure that the stench came from a dead cat or dog... and people were eating not too far away from there...
On another 'smelly' matter, I am once again reminded of the 'holier than thou' stance taken by the government...
They are prohibiting the Malaysian Christians from using the word 'Allah' to denote 'god'...
I do not know much about this area but from numerous reports, 'Allah' simply means god in Arabic... so, what is the big deal?
Nonsensical, if you ask me...
Must be the age catching up on me and my better half as we were almost dead tired from traveling just this 'short' distance...
And to think of the possibility that I may be going to Urumqi in western China in a few days...
The temperature there is probably like, minus 20 degrees...
Anyway, had a ball of a time in Malaysia...
In the quaint little towns we traveled to, pretty no doubt, it was the smells that got the better of me...
The drains... the toilets... the blocked waste water...
Somehow Malaysians must have developed this enviable stamina to shut off from their biological radars, the stench and the ugliness of the drainage system...
At one place in Banting, I was sure that the stench came from a dead cat or dog... and people were eating not too far away from there...
On another 'smelly' matter, I am once again reminded of the 'holier than thou' stance taken by the government...
They are prohibiting the Malaysian Christians from using the word 'Allah' to denote 'god'...
I do not know much about this area but from numerous reports, 'Allah' simply means god in Arabic... so, what is the big deal?
Nonsensical, if you ask me...
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