Reflections of another HK visit

Just got back from my Dinner and Dance party in Hong Kong and stayed at Happy Valley near the racecourse, where the event was held. I noticed on one of my cab ride, just located nearby is the Hong Kong Sanatorium. The rent in the shopping areas of Causeway Bay is known to be one of the highest in the world, near that of London's Sloane Street and New York's Fifth Avenue.

It was peculiar to me as in why did the Hong Kong Government build a Sanatorium in a prime area whereas in Singapore our Sanatorium otherwise popularly known as Woodbridge Hospital or IMH (Institute of Mental Health) is thrown as far as possible to a secluded area called Buangkok. If you are living in Singapore and have not heard of it, well SMRT build a subway station there but chose to keep it close for years until the population can support the cost of maintenance/operation there(try googling "White elephant cardboard Singapore") - Now we know how they made their millions.

Does the mentally ill have less rights of a normal person and they should be flung into far away, obscure places? Why is it so hard for Singaporeans to accept foreign workers dormitory around their neighbourhood or even a elder care facility in their void decks of public housing? Worried that their property prices will be affected? I guess this is what you call leading by example. I am slowly seeing the waterdown effect of our governing body to its people, where money and power is so important, we choose elitism over integrity. No wonder these days we hear of top civil servants or teachers and principals; educators who are suppose to lead, educate and protect our children; caught up in the web of deceit, sex and immoral activities. With a first world parliament taking days to debate over their million dollar salaries, while the real important issues take a backseat. Why did no one argue about where to locate a sanatorium? Or argue about the rights and subsidies for the less privileged classes of citizens?


 Yes, pay me first before we talk. Gone are the days of real passionate civil servants. We have MPs talking about being paid high or risk upholding their lavish lifestyles. I wonder how DISgracefuL one civil servant can be, and how their kids will grow up? This is a sick disease which came from the very top and is now seen fusing with our society today. Money and profits are more important than catering to the society, to the public. Why make a difference in the society, it's on its way down to hell anyway.

 I hope someday, somehow, our government can understand what they have created, and we pray that they have time to undo the damage they have created. Feeling sick (sniffles and coughs) after I got back from Hong Kong, not sure if was the weather or just the sick environment I am living in these days.

Buildings II

A follow up to my last building post which has been quite a while. The answer to the last post is Hong Kong..too easy. This time you don't even need to guess, the first picture has a BIG clue to where these are shots were taken.

The facade of this building attracted me.

Ministry of Culture and Communication.

This building just overwhelms me. Last time I saw it from the boat, this time I managed to walk in and explore.

The skies were looming, I just had to give it a bit of PS treatment to bring out the Notre Dame feeling.

It's impressive doors and arc front

Fantastic glass roof for a nice quaint shopping place.

What lies ahead

Back to Europe

After 2 years...it's back to Europe! More castles, trains, and amazing scenery - so more photos and hopefully no more missed train rides! Been planning for weeks now, not really looking forward to the long train rides. Revisiting my UK photos to see how I can improve for the upcoming trip with my new photography gears. Realised I have yet to finish viewing my photos taken back in 2009. So here are some pictures of UK in black and white.

The view from 81 stories up at Bangkok

Greetings from Baiyoke Sky Hotel in Bangkok!

Annual Photography trip with my ex-colleagues. So far it has been a day of great shots. More coming soon.

Finally the Bund

Four times I've been to Shanghai, often just in and out for work with no chance for sightseeing. Never been to the Shanghai Bund physically but have heard of it quite often. With frozen hands and without tripod, I took my camera for some shots as I managed to extend a couple of days after business. But totally regretted it, especially with the bad cough and cold weather.

But I still like Shanghai, but it's seriously getting very expensive to live there. Or did I just forgot to not trust the price tags and uniformed sales ladies in legit looking shops...somehow I feel I should just have to start bargaining...

Lightsaber chopsticks

Saw this at Taipei101 toy store...not cheap NT400 for a pair ~S$17.
Thought it was cool stuff, as you begin your meal you can skip the usual formalities and just tell each other "May the Force Eat with you". If only it could light up,useful for night or camping meals.

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Shining Through

Siem Reap 2009

As I take whatever limited time I have from this hectic month to review and edit my travel pictures. I hope you like this picture of sun rays shining through the fields at Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Angkor Wat 2009

Be patient with everything, else you might lose that anticipated feeling of a wonderful surprise sunrise.

Would you?

Scotland - Skye 2009

If I just lay here

Would you lie with me

And just forget the world?

Don't rush

Grand Canyon 2010

Nature has it's way of creating beauty, when it's left all alone to do it's own thing.

Starting to travel again for work, with no time for photography, hope I retain some sanity.

Count for something

Taking lots of pictures during vacation...so much so that I wished I  have a DSLR for eyes, capturing what I see, hoping to capture the moment. As I took a long walk today, I forgot sometimes it's best to capture the moment with your soul and have the ones you love in your heart at that very moment, somehow I think it should count for something.

Return to the Valley

4 years ago, I was at the Valley but had to last minute turn the car back and return to work on a Sunday afternoon. But this time I was determined to get to Napa and enjoy myself, doing a  winery tour of my favorite wine maker but unfortunately the difference is that he has now passed on. But still enjoyed every bit of Mondavi's USD$3.5 billion sold wine business; the sights, sounds and more importantly the taste of Napa Valley and Sausalito.

Also did a short lunch at the best winery of Napa Valley - Vittorio Sattui
One can do a picnic on the beautiful grounds, taste all the complimentary wine before buying a chilled white or a full-bodied red wine and enjoy the great summer weather! Do note, V.Sattui wines are not available commercially.

More importantly, glad my folks enjoyed it...

Just do it

Just got back from Arizona, Grand Canyon, South Rim. Was a long drive up and back, ferrying 5 senior citizens of my family. Was hesitant making the long journey up but felt the need to bring my folks and relatives to see the Grand Canyon after bringing them to see Niagara Falls which they enjoyed after 12 hrs driving to and from New York. Total driving time is 21 hrs, covering about 1330 miles, approximately 2140 km. Singapore to Bangkok is only 1450 km.

I have a habit of falling asleep on the wheel when the drive is long and straight, so the apprehension is calculated. But it all changes when my Uncle said this, "At age 64, this will probably be our last time seeing this."

Carpe Diem, No Regrets.

The summer nights of NYC are long

Still bright at 9pm. View of Empire State Bldg from Flushings.

Vietnam Photography

Love Vietnam, wish I was there longer. People are nice and not pushy like the other Asean countries I have been to recently. Some pictures to share including a camwhore shot of myself with Halong Bay in the background of the junk cruise we took, above.

 Night shot of Hoàn Kiếm Lake at Hanoi

Turtle Tower on the Lake

Street Shot of Hanoi

And no, I was not there to look for Vietnamese brides!

New York, I Love You

Just caught the movie "New York, I Love You" with a friend. She wanted to watch another chick flick "It's complicated" alone, but I managed to convinced her to watch this instead and I'll join her. This movie about finding love in New York, was really interesting after seeing the movie trailer filled with many great actors. But I heard some segments were cut like the one by Scarlett Johansson, which would only be found on the DVD, which I still do not see selling in the stores, though the movie premiered in Sep 2008, and official release was Oct 2009.

2021

Unlike my other happening travels for 2009, from U2 concert to spotted skies in Perth; Siem Reap seems to have a hold on me...making it one of the trips that I really enjoy. Why I wonder...

 A Cambodian child praying at the temple along with her family

Maybe it was the time alone and the fact that this was purely a photography trip with great company, learning the nifty workings of my new camera body with great guidance from my "pro" friends. Or perhaps it was just the innocence I found from taking rustic pictures of ninth century temples and Cambodian children doing the simplest things. Having them looking at me through my lens...made me find the need to look back.

Monks at Angkor Wat giving me a look back as I snap a shot of them walking through

As I took my flight from Kuala Lumpur, the long deliberate strolls within the Malaysian city still brings back memories as the streets I once walked 10 years ago. But back home, the buildings and streets which I fondly tried to remember, is now replaced with newer concrete, building material which triggers nothing but a sense of loss. Slowly I come to appreciate that I no longer clamour for modern spanking buildings in Tokyo and Shanghai. This sort of revelation made me realised that I had finally grown older.

2009 is the year I have fulfilled many of my goals I have set out to do and finally did it, from hitting the weight I once last saw 6-8 years ago to attending the concert I have always wanted to since I bought the Joshua Tree album in 1990. Next stop, 2021.

Here's looking at me 12 years ago, and onwards to 12 years from today.

Simplicity in Life

A great trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia over the weekend. Bought some sweets before my flight there. Real eye opener and a reminder that life in its simplest form is the happiest.

The little kids in Siem Reap know only a few words, "One dollar", "Tang Guo" or "Candy". It takes only those 2 things, which somehow never fails to light up their faces.

When leaves can be crowns. Cambodian kids enjoying role playing. I somehow envy them and not the kids back home.

My next ride has to be topless

Haha here is a sneak peek of the CLK350 rental in Edinburgh which cost us over S$300 a day..
Slow piece of metal even after slamming the pedal to the floor...though proclaimed to be 268bhp...Daimler make heavy cars.

Of things to come

I really cannot contain my excitement as initial reviews and videos of the 1st city - Barcelona concerts come online!!