10 day solo Travelogue to Pai - Adventure's End

The Adventure’s End, haha very movie title right! Haha, trust me to come up with such a title to end my travel blog. As this is the end, it’ll be slightly longer a blog bear with it.

My last adventure of the 10 day trip, ended with a 3D2N jungle trek in Pai! Highly recommended by travelers & internet (travelfish website), I headed straight away to Mr Chart to book my trekking trip! He runs his own adventure, with only his bro & himself leading trekking groups into the mountains for trips lasting 1-7 days! Although slight more expensive than others, it is worth the $$ cos he does his way differently! Nobody treks through his path except for his company – Mr Chart Adventure.

Mr Chart with his trekking get up! That's REAL gun!

Anyway, a slight hiccup to the start of the tour. Initially, I was the only 1 booked on the trip, which will only run with at least 4 pax (if u don not wana pay extra). So the night b4 I was scheduled to go, I went to confirm & was happy to find that there were 4pax which means the trip can go ahead!! However, on the morning itself, we found out that the Canadian couple did not show up (they didn't pay deposit earlier as well), n suddenly, we are only 2 (with Mr Chart). Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't run the trip with 2, unless u pay extra to cover the expenses, but as we HAD to go on that day & it was unfortunately incident, we went ahead. Hence, to cut cost, we had no helpers (not enuff $$ to pay for helper) so we had to carry the things among ourselves (food, & stuff).

So here we are, a group of 3 – me, Angie (Canadian who’s been working in BKK for 5yrs in WWF) and Mr Chart! Angie reminds me of my ex EY snr JT. She talks & look abit like her! She’s like the gentle sort, one look at her & the way she talks, u noe she’s those noble kinda person! N she really is very environmental man!! Too holy hahha! Started trekking through the jungle. Our aim for the day is to reach the Lisu village, which takes abt 6hrs of uphill trekking at a height of 1700m.

Oh crap! Loads of buffalo shit!

Our simple lunch of tofu & pork, BBQ over campfire started by Mr Chart

When I say uphill, I mean really uphill not steps! Not like when u climb those mountains, where the tracks r sorta well walked, this is totally not well walked! U’r just basically climbing up the mud slopes, so if u slip 1 step, 一失足成千古恨！That’s it for u. Luckily, I pride myself on good balancing & firm steps, with my hardy strapped sandals, I endured the climb. I tell u it’s worse than step climber, 100 times! After the 6hrs climb up to the village, I feel I have totally toned legs!

Scenery from above!

Lisu village

We reached the village b4 sunset, so it was a pretty great feeling & view to watch the sunset at 1700m above sea lvl! So surreal! It’s so nice & beautiful feeling, with the cool air surrounding. I just sat there, all dirty, sweaty & smelly but doesn't really care, & stared at the sun setting. It made me realize that all through my 26 years of existence, I have NEVER once watched the sunset in Singapore. Not even when I live in the west, which shld have made it even easier. But ask me & I wun have any idea where to go for sunset in Singapore! Dear dear, & to think that I always crave for sunset viewing overseas.. Eh don even mention sunrise (who can wake up tt early to view the sunrise, Somemore it’s in the east). Anyone has any ideas for sunset view in Singapore? Wana go watch??

Beautiful sunset! Mesmorized

Anyway, we spent our night with 1 of the family. As mentioned earlier, this is not like those commercialized mass marketing trekking trip where the accommodations are nicely furnished. Nope. We just arrive at the village & knock on the doors of anyone of the villagers for 1 night to sleep. In a sense, it’s like intruding on them, but they were really friendly & kind! They’re like totally untouched by tourists, no selling of beers or souvenirs, just totally sincere hearts. Was very touched that the mother went all out to make our bed comfy, laying down all the blankets & mattresses. They totally DO NOT understand English, but it doesn't matter. We learnt ‘Ah Ku Bo Mok’ which is greetings in their native tongue. Looking at them live, u just realize how lucky we are back home. We have everything we need, & yet we somehow still want more! They have no electricity (only solar powered lights), not much money but that’s not impt to them! As long as they have enuff rice or food to feed the family, they’r fine & happy! U can just feel that they’r really happy the way they are!

The family we stayed with!

Coffee tree (hmm some1's eyes just lit up!)

Our bed, neatly laid out by the mother

We found out that the girls in the village get married at the age of 12-13, and have kids 1-2yrs later! We met this one girl, with her baby & she’s just 14!! Wow, their sex education is so much more advanced than us! But well, sorta expected cos in the village, they don get much education, & their means of living is farming. So for the ladies, early marriage is sorta like the course of way!

THe mother & baby, she's 14 ONLY!!

FYI, we did not bath that night. But we don really care! It was cold, & bathing just did not cross our minds. & the villagers also lidat la! Too cold, they also nvr bath everyday.

The next morning, we went to another Lisu village near to the Burma borders, to witness their New year celebration! It was the last day of their 3 Day celebration. It was quite fun watching them so into their celebration, singing & dancing, & cooking. It was really a very nice feeling to be part of the celebration. That afternoon, we continued our trek downhill to spend our 2nd night in the jungle!

Dancing & singing. They were so energetic! Kept asking us to dance!

Cute little baby!!

Women gathering in the kitchen feasting on Meat Meat & more Meat

After abt 4-5hrs of trekking, passing through Mr Chart waterfall, we reached our campsite for the night. More of just a flat land for sleeping than a real campsite. Yes, we slept on the jungle floor, with just our sleeping bag around the campfire! No nice beds, or bamboo floors, but only the mud & leaves.

Mr Chart waterfall, exclusive cos nobody comes here!

We went to work immediately upon reaching our campsite, gathering firewood (loads of them), chopping bamboos for cooking etc. It was fun cooking in the wild, everything gathered from the wild, the wild veges, the bamboos for cooking water & soup, the ladle made of bamboo, eating outa bamboo. Nice!

Cooking water. The water tastes really refreshing & sweet!

Prepping for the dinner!

Cooking!! Yes I can cook!

Our sleeping area, just on the floor beside the fire!

Ah, u may ask, eh how abt if u need to relieve ursef (big & small biz). Just do it in the nature man! Find a tree or bush, hide behind & do it!! Haha, of cos I brought toilet paper la! And yes, no bathroom, so no bathing. But I did wash up abit la!

Bamboos all ard! Can shoot period drama here!

The end of the road...

Some farangs marking the intersection with stone structures!

We did it!!

The last day was rather relaxing. A simple walk back to square 1, passing by the Mae Yen waterfall & finishing at ard 3pm! Yeah! All exhausted & smelly, I rushed back to the guesthouse & had a long long bath!

One last look at the Pai River. So Beautiful!

Signboards all ard! But they cannot b trusted!! The distance only i mean

Lovely hosts - Peter & Darling! I will go back again!

Last night in Pai, I went out for a long walk in the town. Absorb the atmosphere one last time! Small little town, charming little place, but not too overrun by tourists! Looking ard, actually there are v v few asian tourists! Except for local thais, u hardly can find tourists from Asian countries! I’ve only met a small Taiwanese group, a few HKies! Most of the tourists are farangs or local thais! Hey peeps, abt time to discover this gem! The town is also v small that u bump into the same pple every now & then! This Aussie couple which I met at the trekking agency, we bumped into each other abt 3 times over 2 days!! This couple v cute ahah, they even invited me to Xmas dinner but I was on a rafting trip.

Of cos all good things must come to an end. My 10 day solo trip ended on 31 Dec, with a flight back home. Tired & mentally exhausted, I had a long long bath complete with extreme scrubbing & facial to clean up myself.

I really love the place! It has a very cozy feel to the little town. The pple r really nice there, & they do not tout! Travelling by myself, can be daunting & boring at times, but it’s an experience. It forces u to be more alert, to be more independent, & to NOT rely on other pple cos u gota take care of urself! It makes u more open to things & pple. The 10 days gave me time to think through my life, reflect on my past year & what to look fwd to in future. It gave me time to think through some of the choices & happenings in my life & to make some decisions too. Life is short, live it! Don’t be too hard on urself, & don’t hold on to sth too strongly & firmly. Sometimes, letting it go may be the best solution. Let nature take its course, I like to say. Sometimes, u really have to do it tt way. But of cos, sometimes, u have to persevere. Will i do it again? Maybe, nvr say nvr! Will i visit Pai again? OF COS!! I want to go back during the wet season for more action packed rafting!! Anyone interested?? Please let me know & we can organize!!

10 day solo travelogue to Pai - Part Deux

Let the adventure begin!! My 2D1N rafting trip dictates the 2nd exciting part of my 10 day trip. FYI, this period is the dry season, means that the rapids are small case (at most grade 2). If u want the real action, come during wet season (June – October) when u’ll get grade 4 or 5! But anyway, it’s a good experience still! Anyone interested, I recommend Thai Adventure Rafting

Me, Captain Poo & Ja Tuk (From right to left)

The day started cold (as usual during this time in Pai, extreme cold in the morning & night). But progressively Mr Sunshine decided to throw us some light! The group had 7 pple, eh ya I’m the single person in this case. We have the picture perfect couple from SF (Sam & Nice), the students from Berkeley (Neil & Tracy) and the partners from London (Carly & Maranda)!

Day1 will see us paddling through 27km of water with some action along the way. 1st half of the day was calm, with only slight bumps along the way. The real deal started after lunch! Some real fun bumps along the way, when Sam from the other boat fell into the water!!

We stopped by a hot mud spring area, where we treated ourselves to free mud spa!! It was so fun & comfy to slap yourself with the hot mud! Oh man, I felt my skin perked & radiant! But loath the aftermath of washing it off in the freezing cold water…

Hot Mud bath!! The heat radiate thr ur slippers even when u juz stand beside it!

All mud-ed up!!

Our night is spent in a campsite along the river, sleeping on hard hard bamboo huts. It was damn hard that it made turning difficult & sleeping a chore! We spent the night talking around the campfire & drying our wet wet clothes by the fire. Before 10pm, everyone turned in, tired from the whole day of rafting. And we did not bath that night, none of us. Too cold to want to get near water.. Anyway, everybody smelled the same, & we had sorta a wash off after our mud bath...

Our bamboo huts

My sleeping area

Beautiful purple sky!!

Early next morning we awoke to a gloomy sky. Not good!! 33km of water to raft through this day. The morning started with yet again some pretty boring waters… Why do action always take place in the later part of the day!!

Breakfast of bread, eggs & pineapple

To keep us warm, we took turns downing shots of sticky rice wine, courtesy of Captain Poo. Don’t worry, we did not get high.

Drying pants over fire...

Sticky rice wine!!!

Then the real action started after lunch! The great rapids!! The most exciting one!! Our boat passed through 1st, & we waited by the side, happily with our cameras, trying to capture the other boat rafting through. Then the entertainment unfolded! The boat came down, everyone paddling hard hard hard, & suddenly the boat got stuck & everyone onboard started to panic. Within minutes, pple got tossed into the water & floated downstream!! Drama drama!!! It took about 20mins to ‘rescue’ the boat & continued onwards… For their brave escape & great entertainment, everyone was awarded more shots of sticky rice wine!!

Here we come!!!

And we all fall in!!!

Me with the stuck boat at the back...

All good things must end eventually, as we near the end of the stream, dear Mr Captain Poo decided to play funny curves with us. It involves power paddling along the curves & suddenly stopping any movements, allowing the currents along the curves to move the boat & caused it to topple slightly & tossed us into the water – unexpectedly!!! Bloody hell!! But it was fun!! In the freezing water somemore! Haha, I wana play it again man! For those who might ask this qn - How do u relieve yourself when nature calls? Well, easy, repay back to nature!! Yes, u juz need to do it there n then, no toilet, just behind trees or bushes...

Cute little coffee van (i know someone's eyes will light up at the word 'coffee')

Pai gyoza!

Ice cream, put in cups of cabbage leave!!!

Spent some time wandering the night market again. It is pretty interesting cos u see alot of things, pple & food! N it's not so crowded & vendors don try to pester u into buying (which is common sight in other areas of Thailand). I must say there are ALOT of thai tourists obviously they LOVE to visit Pai (maybe to enjoy the cool weather). & nver failing, I was taken as a Thai ALL THE TIME!! Damn it, I must learn to speak Thai hahah

Exhausted, cold & tired, I turned in an early night (yet again) once we reached back to Pai. Resting myself for the next adventure to begin the very next day – Trekking!! Haha u must be thinking I’m crazy to do back-to-back adventures, but well I like to push myself to the extremes.. Get it over & done with!

10 day solo travelogue to Pai - Part 1

Finally had the time to sit down & start writing the LONG awaited blog of my 10 day solo adventure. Yes, I know, a lot of u have been bugging me for this blog since forever, but u noe missy here has other things to do leh.. Had to write my resolution (tt’s my previous blog), arrange my photos & upload them b4 I start blogging about the trip! Now tt all those have been done, it’s time to start blogging!! Now where to start?? How abt right from the beginning! Think I’m going to split the blog into parts, easier to read!

My adventure started on 22 Dec 2008, with a 2hr flight to Bangkok. Met up with my Bangkok friend, Ing, at the train station for a chit chat & coffee! Thanks to her, I was able to get my train ticket to Chiangmai! Just to let you guys understand the transport, I was to reach Pai, a town west of Chiangmai. So the only gateway to there is through Chiangmai! That means, after my 2hr flight to Bangkok, I had to take an almost 14hr overnight train to Chiangmai, followed by the last leg of bus travel about 4hrs long. That brings the total traveling time to almost 20hrs!! I flew to Bangkok cos bloody budget airlines DO NOT fly to Chiangmai!

Me & Ing at the train station

So travel weary & 16hrs later, I reached Chiangmai to take the bus to Pai. Having chosen the local bus, it took abt 5hrs for me to get into Pai (cos local buses r slower & pick up/drop off locals along the way). It doesnt help that the bus broke down midway & had to wait abt 30mins for it to be fixed. Word of advice; take the minivan if you DO NOT want to be stuck in the bus for too long. Minivan takes abt 3.5hrs & cost 150B, only 38B more expensive. Another word of advice: Don’t eat too much, cos the road to Pai is bumpy & winding, u MIGHT get car sick!

After 20hours of traveling on 23 Dec, finally PAI!!! Checked into my guesthouse – Darling View Point & got a nice bungalow to myself! 550B per night (not cheap but good for money though). It’s good enough to sleep 2 or even 3 small sized pple, with hammocks just outside the room!! N the view is fantastic!!! Overlooking the rice/garlic fields, u just see a lot of greenery! Went for a short walk in the town of Pai & the night market. After a long day, I turned in early the night. FYI, as u’ll discover later on, I have developed a very healthy sleep routine, turning in before 10pm every night & waking up early the next morning feeling fresh!

Lalang or wat?

2nd day in Pai begins my cycling expedition to discover the surroundings of Pai!! Excited & all ready, I embarked on the trip with map in hand at 1030am. Mr Sunshine decided to bring on his best face tt day, shining brightly throughout the day!

1st destination – Mhor Pheng waterfall! Along the way, beautiful scenery greeted my eyes! I also just happen to chance upon a nice little lotus pond! Of cos, this unlikely discovery left marks on my beautiful gams – scratched my legs while trying to cycle into the bushes, didn't realized tt the bushes were thorny. But it was worth it, cos I would have missed the nice scenery! N this is the exact pond tt got pple praising it on facebook.

Lotus pond. I know u guys love this photo!!

1hr into cycling, I finally reached a sign that actually points to Mhor Pheng waterfall being 2km away. There were absolutely NO signboards before this, I cycled just purely based on the roughly drawn map & kept going straight as instructed. Happy that I was so near, I kept on cycling. But the real test is about to begin! What followed was up up up hill!! Another 30mins passed, with another sign that points to the waterfall being 2km away! Now, tell me do they know how to measure distance?? N how long do u have to take to cycle 2km? 15mins later, there was ANOTHER 2km signboard!! WTF!!

Finally, really exhausted, I reached the waterfall after almost 2hrs. Jelly-legged, I dismounted my bike, excited to view the waterfall, but when I saw it, ‘Tang tang tang tang’!!! I cursed myself for taking on the trip. It looks more like a BIG rapid than a waterfall. Damn it. But I consoled myself with the beautiful scenery which I would have missed if I had not gone on this trip!

Look at this & tell me if u feel the same 'That's it' feeling...

Heading back was 10times easier!! It took just 20mins, whizzing past FAST along the road. After a short water break, I continued on to the 2nd destination – the war memorial bridge & Pai canyon.

The road to the 2nd destination was not any much easy. Damn it, y r all the roads in Pai full of uphills!!! Along the way, I passed by ‘Coffee in Love’, a popular cafe made famous by a Thai movie. Being a tourist, I just joined in the fun to take pictures keke…

The famous cafe. It has a pretty nice view though...But i'm not a coffee lover

75mins later, I finally reached the war memorial bridge across the Pai river!! The view is FANTASTIC!!! So beautiful! Mountains, river, bridge, like so romantic!! All memories of the perspiration, messy hair, merciless sun & painful butt melted away upon seeing the view! Wah, didn't realize I can be so poetic!!

The memorial bridge

What a fantastic view!! It looks better when u'r there

Then it’s off the Pai Canyon! A small hill up where u can have a view of the surrounding. Pretty ok view though not the best.

Then it’s back to town & onto the last destination of the day – Mae Yen Pagoda! By the time I reached the top (it was a 365 steps uphill on foot), I was exhausted beyond words. But the view was great!! It was a nice feeling just to sit there & stare ahead, resting my poor legs…& that ended my 2nd day in Pai, a full 6hrs of cycling (extreme workout) physically exhausting but mentally recharged! Makes me think of Pulau Ubin cycling -- I wana go there to cycle again!! ANy kakis??

1km? I don't think so...
365 steps up. Yes i counted, when u'r tired & have nth bter to do...

Must take photo even tho my hair is messy

Sunset

My dinner. Noodles with sauce for 20B

Went for a walk in the night market & had local food for dinner. The noodles was nice!! SPicy i like! That night, I slept like a baby zzZZzzZZ, feeling my toned legs & bum (ooo how perky they've become!!) & not to mention superbly tanned (almost chao da) arms

总结篇 - 完结

Ok, first of all, I'm back! From 10days of solo travelling in Pai (Northwest Thailand). I'll blog abt that next year..

2nd, I had intended this to be a trilogy, with 一部曲，二部曲，完结。But lazy bug hit me, and well, forget it, juz end it now! Why prolong it into 3 parts when u can do it in 2! & it wouldnt be in all chinese (like the 1st), it'll mainly be in English.

So I had sorta summed up my 2008 in the 1st series, now I'll talk abt the future! Yes, resolutions! Hah, I've not been one for setting resolutions, cos well most of the time, we don't stick to it! So y set it when u forget abt it later. Also, tt doesnt mean I'm aimless. This little brain of mine contains tremendous amt of information, thots, and ideas tt r hidden most of the time, but will come overflowing at the opportune time. So when the opportunity arises, the brain will click & tada! That idea/goal/thot will b fulfilled! So it's not like i have no resolutions, i just don write it down in black & white, properly defined.

Thanks to the edification provided by tks, i realised tt it actually helps to write it down, so tt u go thr the motion of seeking to fulfil those desires, goals more fervently. Gives u more motivation to search for more, to really do what u want! So here I am, writing down my resolution! I spent the past 10days while holidaying, to reflect on my life past & ahead, n came up with the following goals/objectives! Alot of them r not juz to be achieved in 2009, rather they're for constant improvements & learning, to be achieved consistently thr'out the years, & not juz stop at 2009. I rather prefer it tt way than to set one thing for 1 year!

So here we go!

1. Invest more time in my love for baking.

I love to bake. I find it theraupeutic. However, I don normally eat what I bake, it's just tt the time n effort put into making those produces make u appreciate the outcome rather than savouring them. I've ignored tt passion of mine for the past yr, for some reason I can't explain. Maybe I just lost the interest. Instead, it sparked the interest in my little sis! I've only baked twice this year, n I want to do more often in the coming year!! Starting with 1 Jan 09, my ever famous choc chip cookies!

2. Maintain my health & fitness
Proud of myself this year for achieving the best fitness I ever had achieved! I've dedicated myself more seriously to exercising for toning & fitness & I'm happy with the results so far! I've grown much stronger & fitter, & I believe I have more room to grow! My goal for the coming year is to become toner & fitter! To lose those still remaining flabby arms & tone up the core muscles. I haven been sick for a long long time, & the feeling is great!

3. More responsibility for my job
1 yr has passed in my new job. Happy so far with the work, colleagues & boss. Work environment has been really great! For the coming year, I want to work even harder. To learn more abt the tactics & art of internal auditing. I have yet to fully grasp tt concept. I want to be taken more seriously & take my job more seriously. No more 'swimming' ard & see how things go. I need to be more proactive & excel!

4. Challenge myself with 10km run
Haha, this is actually very simple to achieve, but my main problem is the lack of motivation from lack of kaki! No one to train with me makes me NOT want to take part. Actually i've alwayz had the idea of doing a mini triathlon, but have yet to take tt step cos no kaki. Of cos it would be great to be able to achieve it. So any kaki interested?? 10km run or mini triathlon?

5. Improve communication with my family
This is my achilles heels. I admit, it hasnt improved much over the years. Just when I thot it improved, somehow it fell back to grd zero again. Maybe it's the way we were brought up, daddy being the ultimate head of the family, making all the decisions, making him alot less approachable & creating an invisible barrier. Maybe it's gota do with his character & personality, always wanting things to be done his way, & not too receptive to other pple's ideas. SOmehow, it prevents us from really talking to him abt matters of the hearts or even work. But over the years, I can feel tt he has mellowed abit. Maybe it's not tt hard to get thr. I just have to try. N i resolve to do more on my part!

6. Pay more attention to the process of reaching the goal, rather than focusing too much on the goal itself.
This is sth I want to change & improve. Alot of times, I get too focused in reaching the ultimate goal tt along the way, I missed out on the joy of the process or the nitty gritty information tt may come from the process of reaching the goal! It makes me less attentive to the surroundings. Alot of times, I become too focused tt I missed out on fun! I miss out on spotting friends, I miss out on stopping to enjoy the scenery on the way to the destination, I miss out on just understanding the environment ard me. I think in this age, alot of us become too goal-centric tt along the way, we juz choose to ignore whatever comes our way tt either assist or hinder our path. It's a pity cos sometimes (of alot of times), this is the time when we could discover gems! On my recent trip in Pai, I did a whole day of cycling, aimed at reaching certain destinations in record time (i.e. b4 night falls). Along the way, there were times when I wanted to juz get on with it rather than stop to enjoy the scenery, but the emotional side of me persuaded otherwise. I thot time off the cycling, breaking my momentum to enjoy the mountains, rice fields along the way. It was then tt i realised, the place is so beautiful! Reaching the destination was fulfilling, but taking time to enjoy the scenery along the way was way more rewarding!

7. Learn a new skill/enhance a current one
活到老学到老. I believe we have to constantly nourish our minds to remain current and active. However, as we get older, we become more resistant to learning new things. So instead of learning a totally new concept, why not improve a current one! I would love to try blading again, but of cos I need a patient enuff teacher. While cycling in Pai, I kept cursing along the way, on why I cldnt ride a motorbike (would have made my life abit easier), or y i wasn't a better mountain biker. Maybe it's time I improve my cycling skills!

8. Conquer the sky
Ok, this one, maybe not in 2009. But it's sth in my mind tt I wish to accomplish. I've done the sea, mountain, left with the sky. Have to do tt to complete the cycle! It's a matter of conquering tt fear of jumping into nth-ness. It's like committing suicide. Who likes tt feeling! But once u'r off, u juz feel lightness & greatness. It's sth tt can be conquered.

9. Travelling
You don't think i'll leave out travelling ya.. No way, I like travelling. Even tho i travel alot for work, it's always different when u do it for leisure! The joy, excitment, adventure & experience u gain from each travel r unmeasurable! The world is so big, & we'r only a tiny dot each!

10. Live a simple life
Not tt I'm living a complicated life. But simplicity itself is a beauty! 简单就是美。Alot of times, pple think tt by piling on lots of articifial coverings or superficial stuff, it makes life so much more glamorous & great. Yes it may be glamorous, but underneath all those coverings, u may not be truly happy! Look at those Hollywood stars. They have e'rything u can only dream of, but u hear stories of them down with depression, ugly breakups, lonely hearts. Things tt u thot shld never happen to them, but they do! Their lives have been complicated by the scrutiny of the media & pple ard the world tt makes it difficult for them to be themselves, to truly njoy life, to truly seek what brings happiness! I was staying at the village huts for one night during my trip. They had nth extravagant. Maybe only tt of solar powered lights for the night. Other than tt, no electricity, tv or computers. No stoves, no proper sanitation, not even a proper bed! But u look into their eyes, & u see tt they'r truly satisfied with their lives! They don complain. Their lives r not complicated by the materialistic outside world. It's true tt they don have much money, but they don really care tt much! They have their farms to take care of, their rice fields. They'r happy as long as they hv enuff rice to feel the mouths. Who cares of grade A or B rice! We see children running ard, in torn tattered clothes, no shoes, N they r truly beaming with happiness the way they r!

Sometimes, we need to take a step back & look at ourselves. We r really lucky! We have e'rything. I am lucky to be born in Singapore, where we have no natural disasters, where the govt is good & no political turmoil. We don nd tons of money, juz enuff to survive. 知足常乐。Do we really need Prada/Gucci bags to make us happy? Yes, good to have, but tt kinda happiness is short lived. We should be happy n grateful tt we r living!

Wow, 10 resolutions sound like alot, but well they'r not meant to be achieved in just a snap of the fingers. Most of them r long term goals. Well some of u may say, 'hey what about finding a bf' or 'getting married'. Duh, those r not resolutions. Those r defined by fate, & not by force. If it comes it comes. And when it really does come, grab hold of tt opportunity real tight & not let go. Sometimes, u'll only regret when u lose it, n it'll b too late when tt happens.

Wow, it's 20mins past 12midnight! It's the new year!!!! Happy new year to all!!

Yes, I'll blog abt my Pai adventure later the week. 1st thing to do, bake my famous choc chip cookies when I wake up later in the day.

Till then, maybe love n peace be with all of u. Pursue ur dreams & nvr look back!

总结篇 - 一步曲

又到年终了！一转眼，2008到了结尾。1年前的今天，我满怀希望，超兴奋的期待新的工作岗位。开始我的第二春！没想到，那么快，我已过了1周年！其中，渗透着喜，怒，哀，乐！ok，多半是快乐的！同事都很open,funny,humorous，做得好开心！学到很多，见识很多！又长大了！喜欢这分工，飞来飞去，见识不同的工作地点，不同的工作环境，不同的工作习惯，各式各样的工作伙伴，超爽！i like! 我喜欢到不同的地方工作，不需每天对着同样的desk,office,pantry. 偶尔换个环境是挺不错的！其实，这份宫廷适合我的！至少，keep me occupied! 到国外，有不同的东西做，not so boring :)

总结清单，2008还好！没拾么大起大落，超悲凉，哀怨的事。2008 is a happy year! 结婚是in thing! 2 close friends got married，many more other friends too! expected! 这个年龄，因该差不多是时候。next year may be worse! 祝所有新婚夫妇，幸福美满！早生贵子！！Happy for them! 拾么时候轮到我？Haha，等咯！找到了再说！Time is still on my side...Sorta!

Anyway,看似好像去了好多地方！但都是公干，还没真正的放假！终于，我可以放假了！1 & half weeks, to North Thailand! 22 Dec起飞！元旦前夕将返回！始终还是选择了在祖国过元旦。So, I'm still available for any new year party!!!

又是一次的单独旅行，no kaki no choice! 但还好，其实有时，蛮喜欢这种一个人独处的时候。OTOT　－Own time own target，Plan自己想做的事，想看的景点。像光洁就走，想slack就slack．不需care友人的感想。听起来，好像很selfish，但有时挺Accurate & true．清净，有时间，自我反省，检讨，憧憬未来的方向，目标，旅程。也能认识更多来自远方的旅客，朋友。Maybe有时，在夜深人静时，会有孤单寂寞的感觉，但也是烟消云散，一闪而过。Peacefulness is actually quite therapeutic。这是第二次，单独出门。I can take it! Don’t worry!　行程表已安排好了！Fun packed and action filled 1 and a half weeks of trekking, rafting, sightseeing & slacking!　挺期待，但又有点不以为意。Just another trip!　但还是高兴，兴奋的！End the year with a bang!　FYI, I’ll be touring a small city west of Chiang Mai called Pai.　说了，你也不清楚，但Just to let you know。典珊历险记即将展开！敬请密切留意，关切期待！

Set 了resolution吗？I don’t believe in setting.　要就做，敢敢来！通常，set了都没去fulfil。还是不要set。顺其自然。

Seems like 2008 may end peacefully.　希望如此。美好的圣诞，完美的开始新的一年。

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of YOU!! Be back next year to update!!

我终于登陆了西海岸！
原来西海岸比我想象的大
原来西海岸是有建设游乐园的
原来西海岸不是那末ulu的
原来西海岸还挺多人的
原来西海岸是有海景观看的（虽然是没沙滩的）
原来西边是挺不错的
麦哈北派 （mai hiam bei pai)
西区只是在等待着我们去发掘它其中的奥妙！

Do you know there's a Shanghai Road and Kay Poh Road in Singapore? Does it mean people stayin in Kay Poh Road will be Kay Poh or have to be? Does it mean Houses along SHanghai Road are influenced by the SHanghainess culture??

I have been edificed on the locations of Singapore road!! I should continue to understand my country!

Btw, the Christmas lighting along Orchard Road doesnt seem that bad!! Why are pple complaining? I have not witnessed the lightings last year, so i have no benchmark but judging by what I briefly glimpsed of this year's lightings, I think it is a good enough job!! Come on pple, stop complaining and start feeling the atmosphere! Does it mean brighter and more lights will bring abt a more Christmassy feel? Or should the atmosphere come from within? We don't need superficial ornaments to tell us how and what to feel! Don't be so shallow (quote from my colleague)

Attended my LAST wedding for 2008, and it just so happens to be the wedding of one of my closer ring of frens! & the 2nd gal from our group to take the walk down the aisle!!!

Mr Anthony Toh and our dear Christine Tan Qinyi finally become formally unified and declared husband and wife on 4th Dec 2008. & It just so happened to be QIn's birthday!! Quoting from the husband Mr Toh (aka Congming. FYI cos he looks like tat person from the Taiwanese group Tension from eon years ago), 7years ago, boy met girl. Boy told girl, boy will marry girl when girl turns 26! & Walau 7 yrs later, on the day girl turned 26, they got married!!! Hahah sounds so sweet rite!

The night begun at 630pm for the solemnization when they became legally married in the eyes of the law.

TV screen outside the room @ Marina Mandarin

After which dinner commenced at roughly 820pm (or so i presumed). They had an army march in (so cool!!) but no fire engine in sight hahaha (congming is fireman). & as usual, time to play some 'Say Cheese' games to the camera!

Happy version with the bride!!!

Let's pose prettily!

Me with bride

The entourage!!! So cool!

8 courses & 3hrs later, the dinner ended. Stomach full & bloated, we walked outa the ballroom & back home to our lovely beds! So happy for them! Qin looked splendid tat night!

The wedding flavour! Same as Seowling's so now i have a pair!! (Tho diff type)

Me & Cindy

Cindy with JJ & Alvin. NO IDEA what the HECK alv was trying to do man

Table photo!!

Table photo with the couple!

The lovely couple is flying (or oredi in air??) to Europe for their month long honeymoon, covering Italy, France & Spain! So envious 1mth holiday!! Shiok ar!

I want to go on my HOLIDAY!!!!!

p/s: Does eating dried apricots lead to LS, or is it just a natural cleansing & detoxfying process tat so conviently coincides with the ingestion of dried apricots?

pp/ss: Madrid next Jan for conference! WoooHooo!!! Going to extend 1 more wk to visit the city of Barcelona & Madrid & meet up with frens!!

ppp/sss: Hey I'm updating my blog more often now!!! Hmm mayb the fire of writing has been re-ignited!

pppp/ssss: SOmeone finally had the courage to tender! Hope it is for real. To tat someone: DO NOT WAIVER AGAIN!!!!!

ppppp/sssss: I did 90% of my 'NEEDS' list!!! Still need to buy sports shoes (ok deciding b/n sports shoes or trekking shoes now), nice sandals (may defer), extendable trek pants tat can become long or short with zippers (ok i dono how to call it formally)

Zoe Tay was just next to me for at least 5-10mins but I only noticed and caught a glimpse of her leaving for 5-10secs...

I'm so Bloody Blur!!

When did my neighbour hang the birdcage along the corridor? Just yesterday night or days ago? Never did realise it until it was pointed out to me yesterday night...

I'm so Bloody Blur!!

Things are ever changing every hour, minute even seconds. We either react n be responsive to it or choose to be ignorant. Alot of times, we are ignorant. Maybe it's time for us to pay more attention to our surroundings, be aware of every happening and be proactive rather than passive. So often, it becomes too late when we realise what is happening just when we'r about to lose something. Time to cherish those around us, things around us before all is too late... Love the ones u love, care for the ones u care.. What with tough times ahead, uncertain future and crazy happenings... YOu never know what will happen next... Live life to the fullest, no regrets seem to be the way to go...

Mumbai terrorist attack has been stopped. Albeit the terrible consequences (Deep condolescences to the dead Singaporean lawyer and all the other innocent victims)

PAD protestors finally dispersed, BKK situation seems to be heading for the better HOPEFULLY

世界是美好的，宇宙是伟大的，人类是渺小的

Maybe 2008 will end MERRILY... There is still HOPE