tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157367522024-02-19T20:29:00.314+08:00spirited designs // visual distractionsspiritedly travels her part of the worldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-82102312371039874752014-05-19T01:12:00.002+08:002014-05-19T01:15:21.495+08:00Being a hermit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's not too bad to be in hermit-mode for a while, which is what I have been doing. I have been at home for past weekends, working on publishing my film photo book about Marseille.<br />
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It's a childhood dream of mine to see a book being published, and I'm glad that there were so many kind beings each step of the way, helping me with film knowledge, travelers who showed me a new way to experience traveling and also hosting me, photography enthusiasts young and old who showed me what they knew. Writers and book authors who encouraged me while honing their craft. Finally, this is the final step - I have launched a crowdfunding campaign that would be a great way to validate the idea. I know crowdfunding campaigns are tough but I will put on an armor and fight for my dream!<br />
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I can understand a little bit now about the hard-won small successes by entrepreneurs and everyone who is fighting a different battle in life... ... it is not easy to build something for years... Having recently gone through an emotional upheaval, it was surprising that it became a catalyst for me, to really know what I want to try to do. Sometimes, I always get caught up in the hundred things I need to do in work, in my small daily needs that I lose sight of the mountains that are calling me over. I believe I can make it there, soon!<br />
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So, I need more support. Please spread the word far and wide about what I am doing, to photography enthusiasts, supporters of the arts, people who love travel.<br />
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Click here to watch the video and read more about the project:<br />
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<a href="http://www.pozible.com/myeverydaymarseille">www.pozible.com/myeverydaymarseille</a><br />
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=)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-44280094770558417432014-04-19T21:36:00.003+08:002014-04-19T21:36:49.019+08:00Before Sunrise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-19307683944482168582014-04-01T09:58:00.000+08:002014-04-01T09:58:10.099+08:00Back from RomeThere has been so much that has been said about Rome that it's hard to add anything else... the ruins are really something, not only ancient but charming as well. Walking around the ruins for a day with the ancient atmosphere, was utterly enjoyable.<br />
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Rome is poetic, intense, quite a good representation of Italy, with beauty and chaos combined.<br />
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<b>Eats, drinks:</b><br />
We tried the drinks 'grappa' and 'limoncello' for the first time, buying a bottle of each for about Euro 10 - less than 20. The wines are good too, but it varies. Also tried 'prosecco', a bubbly drink resembling champagne. A range of bottles can be found at any small store and even the touristic ones aren't expensive.<br />
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Of course eat as much pasta and pizza (and lasagna and tiramisu and panna cotta)...as you like! Italy has world famous food!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJVh1JCCZFI3_4MqtF7Bl7vXn8HS_mOl3wcBo9Ycv61MtNGkpPtYaD7Lg2RaPe3bapVSsY4V72meaCyKxKiCJi2iNZz4fkO3sDODUZZKTMU-p7LFoqzZT9kym5J5oNaaUPrRM/s1600/Photo+25-2-14+11+54+28+pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJVh1JCCZFI3_4MqtF7Bl7vXn8HS_mOl3wcBo9Ycv61MtNGkpPtYaD7Lg2RaPe3bapVSsY4V72meaCyKxKiCJi2iNZz4fkO3sDODUZZKTMU-p7LFoqzZT9kym5J5oNaaUPrRM/s1600/Photo+25-2-14+11+54+28+pm.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a><br />
Limoncello.<br />
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Delicious pizza...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF7kBowdv8j_Qxu8e111y0QE_oMFkpi5HdDtQHAgXnoN0HVrEOBZQz8I2rdjiDcxJ-lJydqPGHnKv7Hnd-o0AEypcOMsG-zzNf_bmH4C0FhNtGoR7zKTHDiqWUekMu9jTaxZw/s1600/Photo+25-2-14+10+10+28+pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF7kBowdv8j_Qxu8e111y0QE_oMFkpi5HdDtQHAgXnoN0HVrEOBZQz8I2rdjiDcxJ-lJydqPGHnKv7Hnd-o0AEypcOMsG-zzNf_bmH4C0FhNtGoR7zKTHDiqWUekMu9jTaxZw/s1600/Photo+25-2-14+10+10+28+pm.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
Not forgetting two hundred flavors of gelato...!<br />
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<b>Most underrated sight</b><br />
One of the most underrated sights in my opinion is the Chiesa del Gesu, it's not even 'on the map', but that's the beauty of travel, going to unknown places and discovering new things. I loved the really 3D frescoes on the ceilings, it's not done by any famous painter but it was the best art I've seen in my short unenlightened visits to churches. Any of the churches in Rome easily makes anyone breathless with their splendour of marble statues, mosaic and stained glass, sculpted and painted art masterpieces, as well as the large buildings and tall columns, but at the end this one was our favorite:<br />
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Chiesa del Gesu (Church of Jesus)<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Ges%C3%B9">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Ges%C3%B9</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chiesadelgesu.org/">http://www.chiesadelgesu.org/</a><br />
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Amazing, speechless, could stare at the ceiling forever!<br />
They are paintings but look like they are jumping out from the ceiling! No idea how it is being painted!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq7fB3GHW5MmsjQmCLW-vtc4fdeW5oEi6D-PpvDxe6MwLzPMyBnIGlchkCCYi50OGByvisnLxWiuQGSZrcn9emovJDJr-21NLVNUnMtzqTnoSxcxfzhxwprGBFlESV3s9LWQ0/s1600/Photo+23-2-14+11+38+26+pm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEq7fB3GHW5MmsjQmCLW-vtc4fdeW5oEi6D-PpvDxe6MwLzPMyBnIGlchkCCYi50OGByvisnLxWiuQGSZrcn9emovJDJr-21NLVNUnMtzqTnoSxcxfzhxwprGBFlESV3s9LWQ0/s1600/Photo+23-2-14+11+38+26+pm.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
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<b>Best thing we did in Rome:</b><br />
For me, I loved the 'unplanned' walk we took to see something I wanted to see, 'The Mouth of Truth'.<br />
It became a longer walk than expected and that was because every single place was too picturesque to rush through - from the fountains, to the sudden grove of orange trees and poplars, to the hidden gardens, and small churches, every place and corner had some ancient stories to tell...<br />
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Here are some pictures that do little to describe what an amazing feeling it was just to take your time to walk through the area:<br />
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And finally one of my personal must-sees, 'The Mouth of Truth'!<br />
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(Also perhaps one of the most un-hygenic places to put your hand onto. We didn't place our hands onto the mouth...)<br />
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Spotted a smaller 'Mouth of Truth' (with better sculpted features) on our walks.<br />
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At the Colosseo and Palantine Forum area.<br />
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Italian moustache.<br />
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Just so picturesque it almost seems unreal!<br />
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<u>Walking in Rome</u><br />
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We spent a day in the amazingly large gardens in Villa Borghese and it was a really relaxed and enjoyable day. There was a small Leonardo Da Vinci museum just before the gardens, and we also went to Piazza del Poppolo, huge gated way with a large square that had such a nice peaceful vibe. I really loved the entire day and everything we did, including taking photos with the large pink rabbit that was in the front of the zoo in Villa Borghese!<br />
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If you can walk for an entire day then you could explore and complete almost all of the main sights in Rome in a week. In 4 full days, we went to:<br />
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1. Colosseo<br />
2. The Forum / Palantine Hill<br />
3. Capitoline and its museum<br />
4. Bocca Della Verita, surrounding ruins - Hadrian's Crypt, Octavia ruins<br />
5. Jewish Quarter<br />
6. Villa Borghese - large gardens with zoo and museums within<br />
7. Piazza del Poppolo<br />
8. Vatican City, Basilica St Peter's<br />
9. Outside the Castel near Vatican<br />
10. Santa Maria Maggiore<br />
11. Pyramide<br />
12. Trevi Fountain<br />
13. Spanish Steps<br />
14. Pantheon and surrounding area<br />
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Of course, we also visited other small corners and churches all around!<br />
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<u>Staying in Rome</u><br />
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We booked the apartment for Rome on housetrip.com. Not knowing Rome well, it turned out to be a really good location, in Via Urbana, couple of streets away from Termini Station, a quiet, nice, and rather large apartment.<br />
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<u>Travelling around Rome (train/regional train/flight)</u><br />
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Contrary to what I've read online, getting in and out of the international airport Fiumicino was a breeze. Despite some renovations, the signs were easily to locate as well as getting to the train station to and fro. There are nice shops around in the check in area, I enjoyed my time waiting for the departure flight.<br />
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For the regional trains, I felt it is very well-organized too, apart from once where the train in Cinque Terre area was cancelled (every train waiting duration is 20 mins apart, so, it is still okay), the fast train (4 hours approximately) from Rome to La Spezia was a breeze. However, J had a little bit of a twisted nightmare taking the ongoing train to Genoa and then crossing the border to Nice. It was too complicated to make sense to the averagely intelligent person, it involves many changes, including bus, but the ticket was a 'general' open ticket. In any case he was able to reach Nice in the end, delayed by a few hours.<br />
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Also, a good tip is to always validate the ticket and ask other friendly passengers if they are going in the same direction as the train doesn't always arrive at the same platform.<br />
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The only museum we visited, randomly (my trip was quite unplanned) but it was good and apparently one of the best museums in town! (Capitoline Museum) Spotted the Italian features in J! He makes a good Italian!<br />
<a href="http://www.museicapitolini.org/">http://www.museicapitolini.org/</a><br />
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At Villa Borghese:<br />
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I just love these trees =)</div>
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Walking around 10 km everyday, I enjoyed Rome on foot, and can't believe I haven't been there earlier.</div>
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<u><br /></u>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Via Urbana, Rome, Italy41.8967368 12.494466341.8908273 12.484381299999999 41.9026463 12.5045513tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-39624031575954538842014-03-28T10:00:00.000+08:002014-03-28T10:00:00.710+08:00Photo Friday: Winter time living in Riomaggiore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having some time over the last weekend to look through my Cinque Terre trip film photos, I found that I really liked this one. It's the exact image of what I'd like to capture - some authentic images, unposed, not so touristic, of the area. Though Cinque Terre is so picturesque that it wouldn't hurt to be a tourist there!<br />
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Many people just ambled off to the surrounding vantage points of the small docking marina of the village of Riomaggiore, leaving me and a another photographer enthusiast who seemed to have an unhealthy obsession with photographing boats (he even climbed into them!!!) There was this great old man with frizzy white hair sticking out in all angles, untangling his fishing nets. And some locals, standing around, engaging in daily chats.<br />
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I like the color on the wall.<br />
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It was a rainy day, but the sun came out gloriously for the half an hour I was there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Riomaggiore La Spezia, Italy44.0990492 9.73748509999995844.0933477 9.7274000999999579 44.104750700000004 9.7475700999999582tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-90654151036390734502014-03-21T16:43:00.000+08:002014-03-21T16:43:00.386+08:00Photo Friday: Farmer Lady selling aubergrines in Da Lat, Vietnam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my second time trying out black and white film =) and it was the final trip of the year in Da Lat, Vietnam.<br />
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It was interesting how these 2 photos turned out. The first one was what I intended to capture, a 'clean' photo with nothing in the background. Very difficult as this was a crowded market, but it was at the end of the market and the lady, the road, the 2 panniers balanced by a bamboo rod just came together.<br />
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I took the second photo almost as an afterthought.<br />
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I showed them to many people, both photographers and non-photographers, and all of them liked... ... the second one. It tells a story, it shows a scene, there is some feeling there. So this is really interesting to me, finding out about what people like and improving on my skills. One friend even ventured, what if I took this lady in more, varying angles? I'm sure the result would be interesting and I really love to wander around in markets like these to find such topics, the 'everyday life' part of travel photography. And I'm doubly glad that out of this trip there are some photos that turned out well, which I liked very much!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-64732961439509135612014-03-12T16:31:00.002+08:002014-03-12T16:31:57.609+08:00Back from Cinque Terre<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGFWyZPNjD4VKp33nUfbfTqxNr8GJlCxUmAx4TiuOmHaEzElBOwlZrIcBP0Yu3J3eSi9v5gMrXkQK8ic5__Xyr_ayO0FAWIgSEDE3MaCFoNLe-u0PNTo-ZHA1zGAMBA0hfazn/s1600/1621781_10152080355714457_742408264_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGFWyZPNjD4VKp33nUfbfTqxNr8GJlCxUmAx4TiuOmHaEzElBOwlZrIcBP0Yu3J3eSi9v5gMrXkQK8ic5__Xyr_ayO0FAWIgSEDE3MaCFoNLe-u0PNTo-ZHA1zGAMBA0hfazn/s1600/1621781_10152080355714457_742408264_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
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View of Vernazza, Cinque Terre, from the hiking trail (enroute from Corniglia to Vernazza)<br />
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Two days after being back from Rome and Cinque Terre, I was shortlisted and attended an interview for a programme I had submitted some photos for - A photography mentorship programme. I will know the results in a week or two, and even if I don't get it, it is a first experience for me.<br />
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Thinking back to about a couple of months ago, in Da Lat, Vietnam at the end of December. I met, in my hostel, a couple of Lithuanians and one of them created e-books as a freelancer. Perusing through one of the e-books he designed, a black and white photobook of a photographer's travels through a few months in China, I was motivated to have this idea to launch a photobook (or a novel, but that's another story for now), and in the wildest of dreams have my photos in a photo exposition. I've always felt more strongly about having my photos seen in print, as opposed to being seen online. Of course, I don't have such an amazing portfolio of photos yet, just the few rolls I have on the 3 trips I've been so far. I've been lucky that in every trip there are at least a few photos that turned out well or at least captured the concept of what I wished to see - the fragile moments of everyday life, the boy selling groundnuts who rested and sat beside me at the riverside, the farmer lady at the end of the market with her two panniers' full of aubergrines, and long bamboo balancing pole. Also, I'm constantly following my Portuguese friend Pedro and I admire his quest for learning more about photography and constantly attending courses, being a part of a photographic community, to learn from others and to learn from masters. Through looking at his determination, I found the courage to ask others to introduce me to those masters, and also submit my small portfolio of the few photographs from France, Cambodia and Vietnam (really few) and see if I can be able to enter the programme that concludes with a small exhibition at the end of the 10 weeks' project.<br />
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I already have in mind what I want to do should I have the chance to do this regularly. =) It's a thought-in-progress for now and also a little secret, but I think it will be interesting. I've always wanted to let others feel a positive spirit after seeing my photos, be it to travel more or to do something amazing, as this hobby was birthed from a time when I was quite hopeless and it gave me something meaningful to do.<br />
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Here are some iphone photographs in Cinque Terre, there are so many picturesque ones but here are my favorites. Below, these photos will be the description about the place we stayed and the journey/treks throughout the area.<br />
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<u>Hiking paths in Cinque Terre</u><br />
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First day: Hiked the path from our 'home' (The Heart of Cinque Terre), in between Corniglia - to Vernazza, had a morning coffee there, went to Monterosso and took the train back to Corniglia, and hiked from Corniglia to Cinque Terre.<br />
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These photos will show the path & hiking trails, they were incredibly beautiful - some laced with groves of olive trees, old bridges, slate walls and mediterranean shrubs and different flowers and plants. It wasn't difficult (ie, I didn't need to use my hands at all), but some of the paths are narrow (could be difficult if you are not sure-footed or if there are many people in summertime.) As it was winter season we only encountered less than 10 trekkers in one trail =) it was the most beautiful trails I've ever been on.<br />
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On the second day it was raining so we only started out in the afternoon, walking sometimes on the main road, but we visited the mountain behind, 'San Bernardino'. The trail from Corniglia train station and towards Vernazza is the greenest & wildest and also the town feels like the most 'natural' of them all. Julien liked this trail best! For me, the most scenic would be the first trail we took from Vernazza to Monterosso - except from the vast number of steps at the end, the initial walk was pretty flat - and I was pretty happy! Some parts of the trail at the first two places, Riomaggiore and Manarola were closed as it was not 100% safe - rainy weather made some landslides, so there's always the option of taking the train to each of the places as well.<br />
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So happy to be walking in such a natural, alive place!<br />
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Walking in one of the towns - I think its Vernazza.<br />
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<u>Staying in Cinque Terre</u><br />
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I was always lucky to be staying in amazing places and this time it was no exception - looking at the location and knowing that J likes walking very much, I chose without much hesitation, 'The Heart of Cinque Terre'. Here we stayed with our quiet and intriguing owner, Pierpaolo, who is an amazing genius! Our room's toilet window was a mirror that was shaped like a ship's window (round with gold metal edges) and could actually be opened exactly like a ship's window!<br />
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We also stayed with his very famous dog, Leo. Leo was adopted from a Serbian shelter otherwise he would be killed, and saved his owner's life from a sure death by jumping onto his lap in the car just before the mountain in front of them collapsed. This dog brightened our rainy day where we had to stay in and he is a charmer!<br />
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There were a few cats in the locale from time to time and I think we spotted 3 of them during our stay. =)<br />
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J with Pierpaolo at Corniglia station<br />
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The amazing terrace area and Leo!<br />
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Place where people attach locks, as a symbol of love, on the Corniglia - Vernazza trail.</div>
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After the rains, some wild asparagus 'hatched'. Hehe... They look like mini versions of the regular ones found in the supermarket. I couldn't spot any on the trail, but J managed to collect quite a few for our dinner. They work best in an omelette! And also could be eaten raw =)<br />
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Simply delicious, I've never had food that was plucked from the wild before, so not only does it taste well, there is a great feeling of eating something like this.<br />
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I didn't need to lift a finger for this meal (not feeling guilty... okay, a little)...<br />
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This is the amazing path to our 'home' from Corniglia station.<br />
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Amazing hand made bowl souvenirs found in Manarola.</div>
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Sights from the rainy day (low clouds) at San Bernardino<br />
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View of Corniglia about 1/3 of the trail away.<br />
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Cats galore!<br />
I've never seen such picturesque cats + the environment + they are always ready to pose! The one below was drinking from its waterbowl and when I was spotted, it calmly sat beside. It was actually drizzling, and cold, but it wanted me to take a nice photo!<br />
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The walkways off Vernazza led to a great place full of pebbles and rocks, we had fun just walking through the area.<br />
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This trip to Cinque Terre was unexpected - since the last quarter of last year I've wanted to go to Sardinia (Italy) and thought that it could be feasible to go to both Sardinia and Rome, but after seeing incredible photos of Cinque Terre decided it was a much better trip to spend 4 full days in Rome and 4 in Cinque Terre, Cinque Terre was about 4 hours away from Rome on the fast regional train. Did not manage to do much reading up or planning about both places, and enjoyed it unplanned! I can truly say it's the most beautiful place I've been in and could spend a long time wandering about the little villages. Being my first time to Italy I didn't think that I would be that impressed, but I was, and now, I want to go to Italy again!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-64654601960212348642013-12-26T10:18:00.001+08:002014-01-16T20:54:37.183+08:00Last trip of the year: Onward to Da Lat, Vietnam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Sunrise near Mount Bromo with tourists, Feb 2013. Taken with a toy camera, Superheadz.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Dreams. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">It's nice to have them, isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Very early on in 2013, I made a small travel wish, a dream I kept to myself. That I would journey to these 2 South East Asian countries that are really, not that far away from Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. It's almost a shame that given my love for travel and interesting landscapes I've not been to these countries. Early on in 2013, somehow the budget ticket prices were really high, too high for me to make a purchase on these flights. I monitored the ticket prices throughout the year and finally got a great ticket price to Cambodia - booked in May, travel date October. I had also booked a ticket to Vietnam - to see the hill country of Da Lat and hopefully journey to the sand dunes of Phan Rang - but unfortunately wasn't able to make the trip as I was in Europe and it didn't make sense. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">It's actually amazing then, in a couple of days, I am journeying to Vietnam! My new boss gave us an unexpected vacation on the 30 - 31, so despite being new and really wanting to save my leave for something longer, I can go on this trip! It is really unexpected and my heart shines with joy just at the thought of this small wish being completed, surprisingly, at the end of 2013. And who knew that my boss would be the one to fulfil this dream, in a way?</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">The main plan is to go straight to Da Lat, with cooler weather, and then hopefully visit a couple of villages, the nearby mountain (1900 ft) by jeep, and make my way to the sand dunes at Phan Rang. I'm taking this opportunity to brush up on my film photography skills too, getting over my fear of using the large zoom lens. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">So far, the Tamron lens that I put usually at 50 mm did take quite nice photos. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">I'm glad always that people like what I photograph, part of the joy of travel photography is that I did inspire people to go on such trips - at least two people I knew of went to Mount Bromo after seeing my amateur shots, and that is a reward in itself. Fingers crossed for all the equipment to work smoothly, I don't like to carry anxiety on a vacation!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-25508032660026976232013-11-15T10:00:00.000+08:002013-11-15T10:00:01.086+08:00Photo Friday: In Phnom Penh, by the river's side<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here are three of my favorite film shots, taken at the river's side, Phnom Penh. Film used is the Ilford 400 Black and White. I think I've found my favorite Black and White Film!<br />
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I wrote a story about the moments in this trip:<br />
<a href="https://medium.com/on-travel/18ef67c7e965">https://medium.com/on-travel/18ef67c7e965</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-60775026203667295242013-10-11T18:06:00.000+08:002013-10-11T18:06:52.222+08:00Fatal attractions<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
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'Life will change without our permission. It's our attitude that determines the ride'<br />
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There are some people whom we're attracted to, and there are some that are just bad for us.It's not that they are inherently bad, they could be the type of person that brings out the worst in us, causes us to try to be perfect, be less natural, and we'll never be truly happy in their presence. We feel that we're not so clever and definitely not pretty. <br />
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It may not be caused by them, no, they could even be completely oblivious to our presence. But just being the way they are and being there brings a deluge of feelings in our soul. This leads me to the question,What makes us change ourselves?Knowing, that the person does not care, or could possibly not even be aware of your existence. Trying to shape ourselves to that person's world, doing what he does and liking what he likes. Why do we do that? Will we like ourselves better if we gave it a chance and went on this little adventure, or will we just regret that we never gave ourselves and 'it' a shot - whatever it may be? <br />
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I would like to think that if we had gone down this path too often, we'll never make the same mistakes. But I also think that to a certain extent, we cannot help what we're attracted to, even if it's bad for us. Sometimes it's good to not be entirely 'ourselves', but I think in the day-to-day, it's better to be natural.<br />
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Continuing on the thought of getting in touch with nature, I was happy to go on a daytrip across the border to Malaysia, in Pasir Gudang area - inside the Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, for horse-riding! This was something I've wanted to do more often this year and hopefully I will be able to be a solo rider next year. <br />
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I'm always drawn to a great experience in natural settings and brought Dad along with me. His verdict was that this ride through tall oil palms, along the coast where we could see our dear Singapore (Pulau Ubin) across the sea, and in the grassy shrubs and local plants was far more better than the last time I brought him horse-riding in Bali on the black volcanic sands on the beach! I was really happy to have this experience, a mini-adventure of sorts while adapting to the corporate/start-up life in Singapore. I really can't explain the feeling that overtakes you while you are on a horse, trotting in the depths of nature. Just a feeling that I hope I can replicate in the most high tension days in my life.<br />
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Here is Mouss' site and he's great to reply on whatsapp on any questions you may have: <a href="http://amigoshorse.tripod.com/contact.html">http://amigoshorse.tripod.com/contact.html</a><br />
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Some more photos:<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia1.467852 103.902648799999951.3408655 103.74128729999995 1.5948384999999998 104.06401029999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-29946201573812226482013-10-03T14:04:00.000+08:002013-10-03T14:04:00.720+08:00Insights on: Finding a job <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Basically these are just my actions leading up to the process of finding a new job in my own country, Singapore, after being away for 7 weeks on a Europe vacation.<br />
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I start next week and it is a bit terrifying to me to imagine life once again as an office worker. The role I'm starting in requires me to catch up fast on some new scopes and skills. Being in talent acquisition/headhunting, there's always a challenge to speak properly to others about the company, as we're suppose to represent it well. So right now, I'm reading up on all I can about the company and likewise, the roles I'm supposed to recruit for before I start.<br />
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Generally, here were my challenges in finding my next job:<br />
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<i><b>If I wanted a job in another agency, again:</b></i><br />
Pro:<br />
-Quite independent way of working, up to myself to manage my own desk<br />
- Lots of coffee discussions, focus on face to face meetings with clients and candidates than computer work.<br />
- I will be able to find a job very quickly!<br />
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Con:<br />
- Had to dress <u>very corporately</u> as in business attire, (for men, meaning tie and suit and shiny shoes.)<br />
- Low/No business development result could mean that you could be told to leave (I'm poor in this area)<br />
- Unstable management - As most of your reporting managers had their own targets to reach, their own career was relatively short-lived and the only way you could be recognized for your efforts was to follow them out, or to change firms for a more senior position.<br />
<br />
Ultimately:<br />
I wanted to get out of an agency as a large component of the 'recruitment consultant' job would be very target-focused, KPI-driven with a strong emphasis on Business Development. I wanted to have some skills in other areas, and work with other business leaders to drive recruitment.<br />
<br />
Solution:<br />
-Find an inhouse role in a smaller organization<br />
-Find a role in an agency that <u>does not</u> require Business Development, therefore career progression would be limited, Unless:<br />
-work in an RPO scheme (all on contracts, but could be long term contract of 2 years)<br />
-work in a brand new startup type agency that believes in crowdsourcing, Peer-to-Peer recruitment, other non-traditional strategies and be measured on fulfillment level (candidates who are super happy with the jobs you headhunted them for) instead of KPIs (number of candidates placed, amount of revenue created)<br />
<br />
I knew that the prime hiring period for the type of role I would like to have was between end August to end Oct, therefore I arrived back in Singapore during mid August. As I was low, really low on cashflow I had also needed to find a job at least by mid Oct which left me with 1.5 months for an active search.<br />
<br />
I wanted to change the industry type to an in-house role, which may be a challenge - taking a longer time. If I could not find a good in-house role in this time frame, I would not be in a position to refuse an agency role.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKg-PQKoLMZ-CjwvovWuceY-XcGt5p8hcsrR9bs-YsuU-KHwLdN1d6wHjwkztvUbj6nDkfXhxV9h3mZFfIj2IaWeTdSLzOjtJZvIR4ZSiKK5a7Wnw9kpy2M-Wicd8pYFvRGQQ/s1600/marketing_interview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKg-PQKoLMZ-CjwvovWuceY-XcGt5p8hcsrR9bs-YsuU-KHwLdN1d6wHjwkztvUbj6nDkfXhxV9h3mZFfIj2IaWeTdSLzOjtJZvIR4ZSiKK5a7Wnw9kpy2M-Wicd8pYFvRGQQ/s640/marketing_interview.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>My actions:</b><br />
<br />
I suffered from quite severe jetlag during my first week back, feeling hungry at insane hours and waking up naturally in the middle of the night, so apart from unpacking, catching up with friends, more unpacking, I did not really actively search for a role until the next week. I thought up a list of actions to do:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Search for jobs on job portals* and apply for them</b><br />
<i>*My type of roles could be found mainly on monster and jobstreet.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>2. Post up CV on a job portal*</b><br />
*<i>On monster only</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>3. Contact people who could get me a job I want.</b><br />
<i>I contacted two people, an ex-Google recruiter now working for a really great startup, and my ex-colleague now in a rec-to-rec firm. (a company that places recruiters). Another ex-colleague reached out and arranged an interview with a local executive search firm (no Business Development required). Also asked around in the IT industry and even boldly approached CEOs. =)</i><br />
<br />
<b>4. Changed Linkedin status to: Currently open for opportunities, Hire me!</b><br />
<i>I already had many leaders in IT who were my ex-candidates, and GMs/MDs of recruitment firms in my Linkedin network. I also had many endorsements and references from colleagues and candidates I've placed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>5. Apply for jobs on Linkedin jobs</b><br />
<i>As we can see who is the 'job poster', we can take a second step by adding them and asking for direct feedback on the role.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Result, Expectations and Insights:</b><br />
<br />
<b>1. Search for jobs on job portals* and apply for them</b><br />
<div>
There were many in-house roles and I applied for them: in government IT, in pharmaceutical, in IT firms, etc. End of the day, I had applied for perhaps 15 suitable roles. There were only 2 recruiters who called me back but nothing else happened thereafter. I was pretty disappointed with the response as I had applied for roles within my salary range and suitable years of experience. </div>
<div>
<b>Result: Dismal, and the most time consuming thing I did.</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Tip: What I did to gain job interviews was to search for the owner/decision maker in the company I was applying for and add them on Linkedin and ask them about my profile. I had one phone call and one interview from there. </b></div>
<br />
<b>2. Post up CV on a job portal</b><br />
I was hesitant to post up my CV, fearing random calls for jobs that were totally not in my area of expertise.<br />
To my surprise, I received 3 good calls: One from a great Recruitment manager who profiled me to an awesome internet start-up and also called me about the result, One founder of a firm who had sold his firm to a listed firm, it was an honor to meet him, and another with a doctorate in HR (I declined the interview in the end as the job was in a remote location.) I had also received two random calls but that was not as many as I had feared.<br />
<b>Result: Good!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> </b><b>3. Contact people who could get me a job I want.</b><br />
Usually we are shy to tell people that we are 'quite urgently' job-hunting, but I decided to give it a try.<br />
<b><br /></b>
I didn't really expect anything to come out of it, and assumed it to be quite time-wasting, ie, they would only have a first round interview with me just to be cordial. To my surprise, I got into final or second round interviews very quickly. When I contacted those with open roles, they immediately scheduled to meet me the very next day, amazing people!<br />
<b>Result: Good! </b><br />
<b>I was really happy to meet with such experienced recruiters, startup co-founders and business people and learned how to perform in different interview settings as well.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>4. Changed Linkedin status to: Currently open for opportunities, Hire me!</b><br />
I had seen people doing this and in all honestly did not think it would make any much of a difference.<br />
In addition I did my usual 'sharing' of useful articles I read online, mainly in the area of big data, IT, recruitment, start-ups and travel.<br />
This was probably the <i>one best thing</i> I did in my entire job search process.<br />
Within two weeks I had nearly 10 people contacting me until I was quite tired going to interviews! Wow!<br />
Other nice people within my network also forwarded me roles they saw. I'm really thankful and touched.<br />
<br />
Here are all the people who contacted me (great initiative!)<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>An agency GM contacting me with an open offer, and later he profiled me to a telco firm! He was a nice guy and I could work with him in future. We both were candid with each other about what we could offer.</li>
<li>An agency IT Manager wanting to meet me, and later he profiled me to regional colleagues, great guy!</li>
<li>Another agency IT Manager contacting me about their open role - the job was too junior in the end, so I did not continue.</li>
<li>A startup agency founder contacting me - I would have accepted this fantastic role that was in my expectations and what I was looking for! He was also a strong and strategic leader with invaluable years of experience. I had met him for drinks.</li>
<li>A startup agency founder - this one required high Business Development so I immediately declined.</li>
<li>An MD of a digital agency contacting me - I declined as this was not in my area of expertise, his colleague also contacted me.</li>
<li>A consultant whom I met before - I declined as it was not in my area of expertise</li>
<li>A Talent Acquisiton lady who called me before - I met her and went on second round interview with an RPO scheme. Both of her open roles were great roles for me and the firm was great for a career branding.</li>
<li>A startup founder contacted me with an in-house role (Wow!) And after 4 rounds of interviews, I accepted the offer =))))</li>
</ol>
<br />
<b>Result: Unbelievably good!!! Incredible...</b><br />
<b>Of course, it's unlikely that you could change your status to 'hire me' while you are still employed elsewhere. =) It was the best thing I did that did not take up much of my time, apart from posting articles which I did on a regular basis*. </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i>*I use a free tool called Buffer where you can schedule Linkedin posts, tweets according to the time you want. I usually do my reading on a Sunday evening and then post them throughout the week. I post about 4 -5 articles and interesting events throughout the day.</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>5. Apply for jobs on Linkedin jobs</b><br />
In a nutshell, I applied for 4 roles, tried to contact the job poster about my profile, and wait for the results. I was pretty satisfied, I had fast rejections (also a good response) and was offered one interview I declined due to a remote location/contract position.<br />
<b>Results: Okay</b><br />
<br />
The role I had accepted would require me to work out of my comfort zone, in roles that I had not done before, and also learning on the job, to implement processes and procedures. I love the location (great food options, coffee places, many friends are located there, direct train line, etc), to work in such a stage of the company's development, and to do something new. I have some fears in not being able to learn fast but I hope this choice I've made will be a good one. Sometimes taking a step 'up' (risk) and a step out from the industry may be good, or bad, in any case, it will be an interesting choice for me. I read somewhere that I'm of the unfortunate personality that needs to do something different each day. I think there aren't that many typical jobs out there that allows one to do that in real life. Maybe I should harness this creativity for something else. Like, writing a bestseller book? Hmmm...........<br />
<br />
Finally, I really like this Steve Jobs quote I found while in the tedious and depressing job search mode. I think it really helped me to have a good focus.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTHDgPzJnr-SSLxaCI8xpgqnO5u10m8O2tq7lP3NrOnUYAEOkqKpfQCUB-IRgCaUMfJrtcSIE0nPcpb_Q3pbV8ci-qTIfGYGB8x1q6aMOLg2wpL_8NIG87tubMF4s_lhKF5cs/s1600/steve-jobs-dont-settle-quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTHDgPzJnr-SSLxaCI8xpgqnO5u10m8O2tq7lP3NrOnUYAEOkqKpfQCUB-IRgCaUMfJrtcSIE0nPcpb_Q3pbV8ci-qTIfGYGB8x1q6aMOLg2wpL_8NIG87tubMF4s_lhKF5cs/s640/steve-jobs-dont-settle-quote.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-90959307101099809822013-09-21T00:00:00.000+08:002013-09-21T00:00:01.676+08:00métro, boulot, dodoIt's only a few more days before I resume my normal, ordinary life as an office worker.<br />
<br />
I've spent a wonderful summer in Marseille, almost daily in the Mediterranean shores, sometimes on a pebble beach, sometimes on sand. But always, always, facing the sea, enjoying the long summer days until the sun turns a rosé champagne color, before the sky turns a deep violet and then dark. I had lots of time to think, precious time that did not exist outside of the usual working life of getting on the morning commute, working, and then, exhausted, slipping into slumber and repeating the usual routine each day. The typical summer days for most of the French was a rarity for me. I want to have these simple days of just enjoying the summer fruits, the ripe peaches and apricots and cherries, hiking and seeing beautiful vistas, driving into the calanques and gazing upon beautiful views that is just breathtaking. Having the textured, white cliffs surround you, feeling close to nature, feeling like you are being transported into a peaceful yet savage place.<br />
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I hope to carry a little of this magical feeling with me everyday when I am confronted with the daily dust of the everyday commute, the mundane bone wrenching crush of the crowds and the dreariness of knowing each day is yet another same-old day. It's harder than I thought.<br />
<br />
Already one month back doing nothing much but going to interviews for a job, I slip into a kind of lazy sickness, not being focused, mindlessly surfing the net, taking long naps, and so on. I admire people with the focus to do the same thing every day - such as running, or the gym. It's really hard to be so disciplined and worse, they take a lot of crap for it with other humans thinking that they are health freaks and do it just because they want to live longer. I don't really want to live that long, but I definitely want to live with a clarity of mind and mental energy that only comes from keeping a healthy lifestyle. I can't say that I'm getting better at being disciplined, but at least, every Saturday I do some hill-climbing on a tough route together with Dad. He's the one keeping me motivated, driving us there and waking up early. Other days I try to at least walk for certain distances - ideally 4 km but usually about 2 km.<br />
<br />
I've seen some amazing things in those 7 weeks. The total amount I've spent is only the cost of a branded handbag. It's really not much, and I'm thankful for those who put me up, pointed me to travel tips I could save some, and well, many things in life are free. The tap water in France tastes even sweeter than Evian, and the Spanish mother's home-cooked food, every meal for a week, was a delicious debt I could never repay. And the places I went, and the sights I've seen this year, priceless.<br />
<br />
With the Frenchie, we went one day to see an aqueduct, it was one of the only two bridges built out of stone by the Romans - as shortly after, concrete was discovered. We saw an eagle, soaring into the sky. I cannot describe how amazing it was to see it, only that there's some kind of uplifting feeling felt in your heart. Sightings of eagles are super rare, and this eagle was an endangered species, an 'aigle du Bonnelli. Big fella!<br />
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Aqueduc de Roguefavor- really amazing to see such a structure. It's used to carry a fresh water supply from the mountain ice and glaciers down into the city.<br />
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We did not plan to go to Arles, an ancient Roman city about less than an hour away, but we had met a couchsurfer during a weekly meeting and he suggested to me to visit. Another climber friend of the Frenchie's told us that his brother who was a photography hobbyist, was in Arles as there was a great photography exposition going on there! It was a great trip and not only did I get to see so many outstanding works that would shape and inspire me, I also saw Sugimoto's colored polaroids of which I am a big fan. It's hard to describe but he uses a glass prism to reflect the spectrum of colors of the morning sunrise. And he would take polaroids of them. It's really an interesting concept and also a nice work that now has been reproduced on Hermes scarves as a limited edition.<br />
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In Arles, we innocently stumbled upon the famous yellow walled cafe where Vincent Van Gogh had painted in the famous 'night scene at cafe terrace'. Having been very familiar with his works and other famous artists, it was just a moment that seemed unreal when we turned around from looking at a building and voila! There was the famous cafe, and we were not even looking for it or aware that it was in Arles! His other famous painting I had viewed in the Palais Longchamp, it was a scene of his bedroom where he lived in Arles. (The Frenchie has chairs that is seen in the painting. These chairs give me backache, they aren't so comfortable.) Really, I had never thought that I would be the type to want to see paintings, but it's just too amazing to be able to see it up close in my lifetime! As I had not planned for it and did not know that his paintings were in Marseille where I had stayed, the excitement and happiness was doubly great!<br />
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I'm not the type of traveler that is a go-getter type, the 'I must see this monument', or 'I must eat this famous/exotic food where I travel to', kind of person. I just make the trip, and along the way decide if it's worth traveling so many hours for, or spending that kind of money for, to see this thing that everyone sees, or eat something that I never liked. I don't know if it makes sense, but I really like to have an authentic experience where I can. Sometimes my experiences are too authentic... such as staying in a small Spanish town where even my Valencian city dweller friend has never even heard of... and I was also staying in a small village in The Netherlands. Nope, I didn't go to Amsterdam. Nope, I didn't go to Madrid. Yes, it's a pity.<br />
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But being in a crowded city all my life, I find more enjoyment in watching ducks swim by in the canals, and walking along empty village streets. I did see the windmills though I didn't plan to see them, and I totally did not regret it. Having read about the windmills in history books as a child, it was also a great experience to see the Kinderdijk mills, and being encouraged and directed to the place by my couchsurfer friend, the very second friend I had made there, and I had despaired of ever meeting him again. Well so we met! I'm glad for it. Maybe one day I will like to see the great monuments and fantastic buildings, but as one travel friend puts it, some types of vacations are meant for some types of people. What suits us may not suit them, and vice versa. It's nice to wander around aimlessly down narrow streets and discover interesting places, try nice cafes, explore what we can on foot. It's nice to spend summer days reading a book, thinking about happy things, and just cherishing the time we have together, knowing that it will be over, knowing that such times can come again.<br />
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I think I can be a different kind of office worker, at least a happier one, when I remember my summer days.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-81080183204999852672013-09-20T10:00:00.000+08:002013-09-20T10:00:04.624+08:00Photo Friday: Summer's almost over<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Frenchie said this week that the north wind blows, cold wind. And that wind signals the end of summer. Those long summer days that I've experienced in places of the Mediterranean imprinted deeply in my mind.<br />
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While riding on Le Grand Roue, we could see some of my favorite sights. Can you believe that this is just walking distance from his apartment at the very end of Marseille?<br />
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Mountains and seas, I'll never tire of such a lovely view. =)<br />
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<i>Photo taken on Nikon 80 with 35 mm lomography color film.</i><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-72824373955986418262013-08-30T21:44:00.000+08:002013-08-30T21:44:00.711+08:00Photo Friday: Under the Light of the Holland Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's a black and white photo, but looking at this, I felt almost as though I could see the golden sunlight streaming through, what an encouraging and inspirational feeling!<br />
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Lately, my photos were (unfairly) criticised for being "over-processed" which got me down to thinking. Of course, other film enthusiasts will recognized that they are unedited, the grainy or over-vignette effect; or tints and depths created by cross-processing are natural, unedited effects. But I do agree on one point: That they are non-commercial, for sure. I'm not taking photos to impress other photographers. I'm taking photos that you will like and feel happy, inspired, or in a holiday mood after seeing them. That, to me, is one of the real happiness of this photography hobby. Meanwhile, I hope to showcase snapshots of hidden places in the countries I visit, and make other people fall in love with the places that enraptured me.<br />
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<i>Photo taken with Ilford 400 BW film, at Clingendael Park in The Hague, The Netherlands.</i><br />
PS: The Ilford website has an impressive list of helpful books on photography<br />
<a href="http://www.ilfordphoto.com/photostudy/publications.asp">http://www.ilfordphoto.com/photostudy/publications.asp</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Clingendael, 7, 2597 VH The Hague, The Netherlands52.099716699999988 4.330908000000022252.089962699999987 4.3107380000000219 52.109470699999989 4.3510780000000224tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-74738854030992124132013-08-23T17:12:00.000+08:002013-08-23T17:12:00.545+08:00Photo Friday: Frosty?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Frosty man. <br />
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I took these double exposures in Arles, South of France, Provence region. Here there were many sightseers and tourists for the international photographic exhibition and I had great fun doing some street photography. The second time I went to Arles, I saw these pine trees in a park we passed. I thoughts that the pines could look interesting with their almost-fluffy needles. These became the first layer of this double exposure. I was quite surprised when I saw it after it was developed, the photos seem to have a wintry, frosted effect!<br />
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Taking photos in film helps me to remember almost every single snapshot I took. <br />
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Done with a superheadz camera, using 35mm Lomography 100 film.<br />
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Frosty boy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-34246937536861283202013-08-02T20:55:00.000+08:002013-08-02T20:55:00.547+08:00Photo Friday: Crossing 2719 km!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greetings from the other side of the world :) I am a little afraid of large farmhorses like these, but I do like horses! Here at the Lake Bouillouses (Lac Des Bouillouses) near Font Romeux, France.<br />
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After journeying through 3 countries in Europe: The Netherlands, Spain and now in France, I have crossed 2719.87 km on foot, bus, plane, car... that's really a milestone for me.<br />
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I didn't really set out to be such a traveler, but my country is so small and dare I say, not too exciting that one has to get out at times to feel alive. This trip enabled me to meet some of my friends I've never thought I would see in my life again, mainly because they are so far away and not likely that either of us will travel to the same areas to meet each other again. It's nice to keep in touch with ones like these, maybe I surprise myself by keeping in touch too, as I am quite unreliable on this aspect - and I enjoy being in hermitage mode at times, going far away from technology! <br />
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Some place I went to were planned, some I have never heard of before until my feet landed in that place, it's a departure from the norm, for me, as I usually schedule daily activities (even while not on holiday!) that it was terrifying at first to have nothing planned and to silence the inner voice that likes to ask 'what am I going to do today'. Lately I also like to explore the unknown places of the city, that's where you get friendly people, unexpected moments, quiet corners to watch the city go by, and just wander by myself to find new places, that's really a bonus from traveling! But perhaps in this trip I have wandered off the beaten path a little too much; the Spanish village I have stayed in for 9 days, even my Valencia city dwellers have not heard of it, despite it being not too far (a two and a half hour) journey away! In other places; I was the only non-Spanish or non-local, places like the beach, even! <br />
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<i>Here is where I went so far:</i><br />
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Started my journey at Schipol Amsterdam airport to Delft.<br />
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Stayed in Delft; visited The Hague and Scheveningen beach, stayed in The Hague. Went there by train.<br />
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From Schipol to Valencia airport by flight, took the metro and changed to renfe train to Xativa.<br />
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From Xativa; host drove me to Aielo de Malferit, stayed there for 9 days. Took a bus out to Valencia City and back, also visited by car: Gandia, Ontinyent; Beniarres; finally left Aielo by the same bus to Valencia City; navigated by taxi to the train station Valencia Nord, took the train to Barcelona Sants. Stayed in a place, walking distance from Sants for 2 nights.<br />
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From Barcelona Sants took the bus to Perpignan, France.<br />
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By car, visited Prades; Vernet les Bains and Villefranche; hiked a waterfall - Cascades des Anglais; went to Fort Romeux and the Lake Bouillouses, onward to Colombieres-sur-Orb, then to Marseille.<br />
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My journey is almost over, apart from going to one last destination in France I don't have any other plan! =)<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-35457523195829469712013-07-23T10:00:00.000+08:002013-07-23T10:00:01.311+08:00From Windmills, To The Hague (Den Haag) and Scheveningen beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAszbca4oDb6YOfifoUzTxAokyu-EBY8V6XIvtgEjyzlYcvdtnEmjiVck9xqx4RXhVGLKI6FwuHpD2V3ryHxAXIzC-7tMHbEFP3B5ep0bwNe2NiY9q4whk7t-AMILMhykdONaC/s1600/58320013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAszbca4oDb6YOfifoUzTxAokyu-EBY8V6XIvtgEjyzlYcvdtnEmjiVck9xqx4RXhVGLKI6FwuHpD2V3ryHxAXIzC-7tMHbEFP3B5ep0bwNe2NiY9q4whk7t-AMILMhykdONaC/s640/58320013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The interesting Dutch architecture as viewed from the town square in The Hague.<b> </b></div>
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<b>A very precise One Day's Itinerary in The Hague/Other near and not-so-near parts of The Netherlands.</b><br />
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As The Netherlands has very precise public transport timings, it's easy to do many things in one day if you have a good plan. If the trains were more than a few minutes late, the timings to subsequent stations were updated in real time and flashed on the small screens in every commuter cabin! I was mesmerized. Initially when I reached the trains I asked the nearest stranger if this was the train to my destination, four stops away. He checked the board and double-checked on his smartphone app the exact time I was to reach my station, incredible!<br />
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Here was how my VERY packed one day went; here I was visiting a friend who resides in The Hague!<br />
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<i><b>Morning</b></i><br />
Started the day at around 9:30 am, commuted to Rotterdam to take a watertaxi (10:30 am) and changed to another smaller boat to visit the Kinderdijk Windmills.<br />
(I find this boat info accurate: <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Kinderdijk">http://wikitravel.org/en/Kinderdijk</a>)<br />
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Oh yes, don't forget to take a look at the interesting architecture of Rotterdam along the port, the almost unbelievable cubic houses! <a href="http://www.holland.com/us/tourism/article/rotterdam-cube-houses.htm">http://www.holland.com/us/tourism/article/rotterdam-cube-houses.htm</a><br />
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Reached Kinderdijk (11:05 am), walked for 10 minutes to reach the windmills. I just followed the other windmill tourists who looked more sure of the route, teehee.<br />
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Having read about the windmills of Holland since I was a child, seeing them now I can say that I really feel blessed to be part of this experience. They are really quite magical when you view them in reality.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinderdijk">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinderdijk</a><br />
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Took a bus leaving the place at 1:07 pm (in the direction of Zuidplein), to the train station Rotterdam Lombardijen where the train leaves every :44 and :14 on the hour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XyvjH6ejJQjIGq0kUJjbSpSkVrsAU3dq1aCkAyOqggoFR_jfQUbVmQR00oHIhLcUsaUhZTQyyEmr6L4MmGYHOSLMcBKTIQm4HeocWV9tOh-nanRtrn6NTwRjqttuLfKQZwVr/s1600/58320004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XyvjH6ejJQjIGq0kUJjbSpSkVrsAU3dq1aCkAyOqggoFR_jfQUbVmQR00oHIhLcUsaUhZTQyyEmr6L4MmGYHOSLMcBKTIQm4HeocWV9tOh-nanRtrn6NTwRjqttuLfKQZwVr/s640/58320004.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1fibBshWujd1At4pk7Rr5if-1LXoTQcBtEqtckhdKU1uHvzIiXVp-uIjjm8u91lkYD1Y2gDeO1AzdPGSdhi3b0DRC86akRqaXkl0zvj6kwg2aJW4rqrij8XuwUcG2xQaGQ7Q/s1600/58320008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1fibBshWujd1At4pk7Rr5if-1LXoTQcBtEqtckhdKU1uHvzIiXVp-uIjjm8u91lkYD1Y2gDeO1AzdPGSdhi3b0DRC86akRqaXkl0zvj6kwg2aJW4rqrij8XuwUcG2xQaGQ7Q/s640/58320008.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<i><b>Afternoon</b></i><br />
Reached The Hague station at 2.35 pm.<br />
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Walked around for street photography at the town square, had a coffee (for 1 Euro!!!)<br />
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Wanted to see a museum exhibition and decided on Escher, there were plenty of top exhibitions within walking distance in the area!! Escher was very very good, apart from seeing his famous works there were others that were equally intriguing. I wasn't aware of him being Dutch so it turned out to be a splendid surprise for me! <a href="http://www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/">http://www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/</a><br />
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<i><b>Evening</b></i><br />
Left to go to Scheveningen beach around 5 pm, back to my friend's house for dinner and we even had time to catch a midnight movie at the iMAX theatre that was walking distance as well!<br />
<a href="http://www.denhaag.nl/en/residents/to/Pathe-opens-IMAX-theatre.htm">http://www.denhaag.nl/en/residents/to/Pathe-opens-IMAX-theatre.htm</a><br />
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The beach was great, full of life; there was a carousel that I really liked, lots of interesting sculpture art scattered around the area, including one of the story of the dutch boy who put his finger in a leaking dyke to save the village - immediately remembered this story from my childhood days when I saw that sculpture! <a href="http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/little_dutch_boy.html">http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/little_dutch_boy.html</a><br />
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I found the Dutch to be friendly, despite their cool demeanour, many 'Uncles' greeted me as I walked past, both in the small towns and in the beach area, we found a young Dutch who chatted with us as we walked along the stretch of beach with him and his dog, another couple of guys were having a stag party and shyly asked me to sign on his t-shirt; I was sweetly given a rose in return, awwww!<br />
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Many locals were just out walking, having grills, skateboarding and bicycling at the long stretch of the beach grounds. It was too cold to bathe at the end of July, but just a week later the suntanning crowd came out in full force as it got warmer.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdoikp-5HYwep2LESxj-WI2xYuQdz0khzQIxxATquL_Xp1LyojT_BsefMLUyTnEJ5BjCdylQPbD2lU6qBGG7LmmMk_X6Q_g2AMf3T0rROoXk62DJDtVTIirvU7ErZieh1qou_/s640/58320019.jpg" /><br />
We saw many well-designed functional bicycle acccessories, here is a crate box! Behind, people having grilled meats for their dinner on the sunny beach of Scheveningen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon5eP3tr8NttyXnJ2sxUzwc7hCTmsC4LH6vwZjZBrtR_FboUfbkFHsVuytnwaEFtH-Ps-sK8XaFjK1TddnhXF18ykFc3URgqYWw5kfFxXveCWjg4VHe9HdRH590QuSy2JkEZg/s1600/58320022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhon5eP3tr8NttyXnJ2sxUzwc7hCTmsC4LH6vwZjZBrtR_FboUfbkFHsVuytnwaEFtH-Ps-sK8XaFjK1TddnhXF18ykFc3URgqYWw5kfFxXveCWjg4VHe9HdRH590QuSy2JkEZg/s640/58320022.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrK2iLtaAjBnQlM07SFDfMaTm45UG28Kh9Epx4_H9GF2puF0OnAUfwGMawk9E7VFIxLV8PAaUM8SVQoJqOCW2ad6Zv7HDAfSuRJH45y09Xy6xnppka6P-KLS-ZVyu5_Z_PII0/s1600/58320020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrK2iLtaAjBnQlM07SFDfMaTm45UG28Kh9Epx4_H9GF2puF0OnAUfwGMawk9E7VFIxLV8PAaUM8SVQoJqOCW2ad6Zv7HDAfSuRJH45y09Xy6xnppka6P-KLS-ZVyu5_Z_PII0/s640/58320020.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I did see many (not so young) Dutch relishing raw herring exactly like this sculpture! (mostly without the fishheads or tails, though.) And the Kerhaus, a grand architectural piece, now a hotel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEQBkE0-lVIOZ3S3MeG0SjSDXhMEwABI_yNlnRyDcr1pwhkCYmjQiiA1bW4TZSbIGCelUM4WhKYjiiTyYwggRHR7IvGAavU4vICfwmW28Vry_BIbTlI1v5xmfz9TbXEId5Etc/s1600/58320016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEQBkE0-lVIOZ3S3MeG0SjSDXhMEwABI_yNlnRyDcr1pwhkCYmjQiiA1bW4TZSbIGCelUM4WhKYjiiTyYwggRHR7IvGAavU4vICfwmW28Vry_BIbTlI1v5xmfz9TbXEId5Etc/s640/58320016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b>Sheepishly, I have to admit that each time I see a carousel I get enchanted and have to take a picture with it!!!<br />
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I signed my name on his shirt!<br />
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<b><i>On the Next Day...</i></b><br />
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Wandered around the interesting streets and (randomly) chose a place for morning coffee; later found out that it was rated as one of the best places in Holland to have a cuppa, wow! It's moments like these that I like best about travel, and unplanned travel!<br />
<a href="http://www.lolabikesandcoffee.nl/lola/Welkom.html">http://www.lolabikesandcoffee.nl/lola/Welkom.html</a><br />
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While having coffee decided to visit the Gardens that was a tram ride away to Clingendael. It was beautiful and I can think of no better way to spend a relaxed sunday afternoon. Also, the friendly patrons of the cool coffee place gave us specific directions on how to get there!<br />
<a href="http://www.denhaag.nl/home/bewoners/to/Japanese-Garden-in-Clingendael-Park.htm">http://www.denhaag.nl/home/bewoners/to/Japanese-Garden-in-Clingendael-Park.htm</a><br />
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I had to leave for Delft at 4 pm, so we were back to The Hague and had a small lunch; and visited a flea market, looking like it was mostly elderly people selling off their keepsakes and some for profit. Many old maps and posters, vases; tin boxes, vintage household items, musical instruments, typerwriters. I bought two nice neckscarves for 1 Euro each, a great find!<br />
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(The flea market was on a Sunday and located near these Russian sculptures <a href="http://www.thehaguephotojournal.com/russia-xxi-hague-sculpture-2013/">http://www.thehaguephotojournal.com/russia-xxi-hague-sculpture-2013/</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FslUW_4kLtMlCSFeN059qD3W9Rv68xvYQk6RRKbKgjxo5QaLf52-eRYnHS6-YQjMR6zNYkhmZ7Idtff8c0gOtLytl4QZzDWApQr0OJnczJBUNe7L0_ij7q4hhN2-_ecY_bq2/s1600/58320028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FslUW_4kLtMlCSFeN059qD3W9Rv68xvYQk6RRKbKgjxo5QaLf52-eRYnHS6-YQjMR6zNYkhmZ7Idtff8c0gOtLytl4QZzDWApQr0OJnczJBUNe7L0_ij7q4hhN2-_ecY_bq2/s640/58320028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A Dutch blossom at Clingendael Botanic Gardens, I liked the place very much! <br />
<br />
<b>Useful information:</b><br />
<br />
We found the supermarkets were open on sundays until 6 pm!<br />
<br />
Taking a direct tram leads to Scheveningen from The Hague's tram stops, it is also possible to walk there if you wish. All trams information and timings are listed on their sheltered stop areas. Strictly no eating allowed on trams...<br />
<br />
It is really very convenient to purchase the Dutch public transport pass that is used on all trains; as well as buses, and trams. For one day's multiple trip, budget between 10 - 20 Euros. Alternatively, pay by coins and as the machines usually do not accept cash, you will need to have plenty of coins handy.<br />
<br />
Did you know that the tallest people in the world are the Dutch? I have to agree, after seeing the streets of graceful, long necked, poised, tall, and fair ones!<br />
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<i>All photos taken in 35mm film, lomography 800</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com02961 Kinderdijk, Pays-Bas51.8837436 4.633091599999943451.864141100000005 4.5927510999999432 51.9033461 4.6734320999999435tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-63495946435141625422013-07-05T09:30:00.000+08:002013-07-05T09:30:02.337+08:00Photo Friday: A Sri Lankan adventureI´m pleased to share my article published on wildjunket, only 2 months ago I had the wonderful opportunity to visit this country, Sri Lanka, and spent a relaxing time in both the village and the city centre area.<br />
<br />
This article chronicles the trip made from Kandy to Colombo as well as the sights seen in film photography.<br />
I hope it is an enjoyable read!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://wildjunketmagazine.com/from-kandy-to-colombo/">http://wildjunketmagazine.com/from-kandy-to-colombo/</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3w-hQR2hqF3fF3jXMtjVxgBN0vQey8iiq_h0YaC8FB40K8IlXj3f0PE4_3L4GcYK9uKW1h9S36mJNRmehCxdKQX5d-AzqVZDkvDOqqL4lO-qNxxtIGWRss67K-3KyYh5SwvP/s1600/979974_10151509181449457_915154656_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3w-hQR2hqF3fF3jXMtjVxgBN0vQey8iiq_h0YaC8FB40K8IlXj3f0PE4_3L4GcYK9uKW1h9S36mJNRmehCxdKQX5d-AzqVZDkvDOqqL4lO-qNxxtIGWRss67K-3KyYh5SwvP/s640/979974_10151509181449457_915154656_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Colombo´s Fort Railway Station, where we arrived, after boarding the train from Kandy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-38970946971341475892013-06-10T09:09:00.000+08:002013-06-10T09:09:00.679+08:0015 mins of fame in June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvQPVcHk6NP7IfSdzpcknEZsiZCFjuwcRf17pXfE5-FNZOtVvFsZQOfuy7Aw7Rtgd50SzbESMnadlvFuZAt7Hz2pcNM65boQzVl7U2TQ99B9RpWfRGhVkngrlQZa9TTQ5GaGr/s1600/rockclimbingindoor+june2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvQPVcHk6NP7IfSdzpcknEZsiZCFjuwcRf17pXfE5-FNZOtVvFsZQOfuy7Aw7Rtgd50SzbESMnadlvFuZAt7Hz2pcNM65boQzVl7U2TQ99B9RpWfRGhVkngrlQZa9TTQ5GaGr/s1600/rockclimbingindoor+june2013.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
It was a lovely start of the month of June for me. <br />
<br />
I wanted to start some regular exercise activity besides hiking every Saturday morning as is my usual routine. For the next 2 months, I envisioned building my fitness level to a peak before I start some travels again; and I was looking for an exercise routine that I could 1. Enjoy, 2. Was easy enough to start, and, 3. Challenging enough to keep me hooked on to it.<br />
<br />
So here I am, 4 times already this month, in the indoor rock climbing gym at 100 Guillemard Road, Singapore. I'm really glad to have found exercise activity partners to help me train in these couple of months. Already, I have some minor injuries - a neck strain on one side, and some sudden pain in a knee I had injured previously, but the significant improvement in the climbing ability (well, so far, I haven't managed the entire beginner's wall) plus the place my mind goes to while on this sport, is really a draw for me. I like it when there's no emotion you can squeeze out, just thinking about the next step, just focusing on the next move.<br />
<br />
I've also appeared on local TV this past week, it's a show called 'On The Red Dot' where they showcase, (in the episode I was featured) about curated experiences and unique ways to see Singapore.<br />
<br />
Indiescapes founder, Heidi, (www.indiescapes.com), had spotted my analogue photos of the old buildings I took, and earlier in the year asked me to be part of their experiential travel-focused start-up website. I am humbled by the experience to be on TV and I was really glad that people who watched the show would be able to know more about the beautiful old buildings with atmosphere, that can still be found in the hidden places in Singapore.<br />
<br />
To me too, it's amazing how from dark moments in life, something on a grand scale like this can happen.<br />
<br />
I'm always thankful for my Spanish friend whom I'm still close with today. Had it not been for his patience in listening to my doleful complaining about the lackluster situation I had found myself in, and had he not cared enough to gently chide me to 'do something each day that makes you feel happy', I would not have had this experience today.<br />
<br />
I decided that taking a photo a day would make me happy, at the very least, when I look at the film that was developed, as a visual record of this chronology of a gloomy time in life. Each day during my lunch hour, I ate lunch for 20 minutes, and walked to this little-known place I later found out to be named the 'Bukit Pasoh Conservation Area'. I captured the conserved, colorful houses at noon-time. And went a little further to capture the same houses with different kind of cross-processed films for different effects.<br />
<br />
I didn't know that any person besides myself would be interested in this whimsical hobby. I didn't know that people would be interested in me. I hope that I can be that kind of person like my Spanish friend, positive enough to look beyond a current situation and offer some life-changing tips to someone. It may take a long time for me to become this sort of person, but I believe one day I will! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOnD_JXIBOfzt_6XOAFAO3ONdc8xRBu9z11lCkJNj6J9f1oPFU7tzhKMKzHFv6jaBWxMGg3dNA6QQGiEbDLtdPQ8p_zsRIlTfDig79PCNGZIQVrxIzeMDPDYrJLUCR4UuVqa6/s1600/onthereddot+june2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOnD_JXIBOfzt_6XOAFAO3ONdc8xRBu9z11lCkJNj6J9f1oPFU7tzhKMKzHFv6jaBWxMGg3dNA6QQGiEbDLtdPQ8p_zsRIlTfDig79PCNGZIQVrxIzeMDPDYrJLUCR4UuVqa6/s1600/onthereddot+june2013.jpg" height="544" width="640" /></a><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">'What
better way to discover Singapore than on foot? Tourists who are looking
for a more authentic travel experience join Rachel Lee (in print top)
on a walking tour in the heartland. An avid photographer, Rachel is a
“host” with Indiescapes, an online platform which connects locals who
are keen to share their experiences of their country with travellers.
Tune in to On The Red Dot for more!'</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Episode Link (fast forward to 18:50): </span></span></span><br />
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"type":45}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/episode-32/2ee0ya4v9?from=dest_hub_en-sg_Catchup&src=v5%253apause%253afacebook%253auuids</span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-31663747363348314982013-05-31T11:48:00.000+08:002013-05-31T11:48:00.766+08:00Photo Friday: My white horse at Mt Bromo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFQCEZXrJCnLQr4SyZvxuLoTd0c_AfJ_M9LaU9c-YNInNZ0EurDeSewPQKQ68XoBlFDoA8P0T2GLPZXqjD4PofeDXkKTQgPnG9MN0vXu7keE_FYwBLE0eFLROy5CyZlhtJwXK/s1600/bromo+taken+by+seth+weisel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFQCEZXrJCnLQr4SyZvxuLoTd0c_AfJ_M9LaU9c-YNInNZ0EurDeSewPQKQ68XoBlFDoA8P0T2GLPZXqjD4PofeDXkKTQgPnG9MN0vXu7keE_FYwBLE0eFLROy5CyZlhtJwXK/s640/bromo+taken+by+seth+weisel.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_485938304"></span><span id="goog_485938305"></span><br />
<span id="goog_485938304">For 100,000 rupiah one way the horse was quite a luxury for the locals. </span><br />
<span id="goog_485938304">It was my very first time on a horse and the experience was amazing, riding the horse (comes with the guide to lead the way) through the ash sand plains, to Bromo.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_485938304"><i>Photo taken by Seth Weisel. </i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-70544406858226477742013-05-03T09:00:00.000+08:002013-05-03T09:00:04.595+08:00Photo Friday: This photo won my first travel photo competition prize!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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‘Brave
Man and Smoking Volcano’ is one of the 10 winning photographs in the photo
competition ‘Let’s Take Flight 2013’, organized by Insight guides together with
APA Publications, Fujifilm and National Library Board Singapore.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd8Rkw3Lbi21W1QOvnvQZcijea1Bm1651CDGPPukaqd5K_rkq_TakiStTdOjYPmTwg6w9VkjjdQUwgPM2HHk06fV4O6xmVyI4tLzIgsdLJ_wZMkdh69kyQeuH9oN8W1MOOsWc/s1600/181070_10151443713319457_664107858_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTd8Rkw3Lbi21W1QOvnvQZcijea1Bm1651CDGPPukaqd5K_rkq_TakiStTdOjYPmTwg6w9VkjjdQUwgPM2HHk06fV4O6xmVyI4tLzIgsdLJ_wZMkdh69kyQeuH9oN8W1MOOsWc/s400/181070_10151443713319457_664107858_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
In April it was one of the happiest moments in my life (really!) when one of my photos won a travel photo competition. I had just taken this photo in February, 2 months before and only having a year or so into analogue photography, I was taken by surprise when it was selected, one of the 10 out of 300 over entries.<br />
<br />
To me this is an interesting journey about learning about photography. I asked many people about the photos they liked and many chose those that I would not have selected myself - photos they said had an atmosphere, a feeling of something magical, a sense of mystery. Personally I like them, I like the gradient of colors captured and I try to take 'clean' photos, making almost the whole area just in one or two colors, not too busy photos. But I also like to take postcard pretty photos that look like it could be an advertisement for a place, and also the quite kitsch photos that make people go 'awww'.<br />
<br />
In this selection, a friend who is also an avid traveller and photographer, and another who has a facebook page of travel photographers' selections (nomadasia) helped me to make the choice. I wouldn't otherwise have submitted this photo, in fact.<br />
<br />
Also, on some journeys I had never thought to go - I have never heard of the place, Mount Bromo, until the month before the trip where my well-read friends told me about it, and were so big-hearted that they didn't mind me tagging along. Liking to explore slowly as well, they left me with enough time in one place to be able to take my time to capture interesting shots. One of my facebook friends recently went to Mount Bromo and he said he went there based on the photos I took of the place, he had never heard of the place prior to seeing them on facebook! To me, that is really an accomplishment in my travel journey, to inspire others to make their own travel adventures!<br />
<br />
Originally, I had intended to take photos just as a hobby, to sidetrack me from dwelling too deep in the intensity of my dark moods, and also, they serve as an accompaniment to my writings - I felt that travel writings are boring without photos. So it is strange to me still that my photos are well-received. It has been just a year when I started with my Hong Kong trip. In Singapore, I photographed all the old buildings and alley cats, scenes of my daily life. I hope to share these memories with a loved one someday. =)<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-59235636321243248562013-04-21T13:55:00.000+08:002013-04-21T13:55:43.986+08:00One step closer<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QgaTQ5-XfMM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
With you, I've always been myself.<br />
Maybe it was because the first we met, I was already overwhelmed. Not by you, but by the words said to me just minutes before. Words I knew that were wise advices from someone who believed I could do better, be stronger, and follow my heart. So I tore you apart. I raised my voice. I scolded you for mundane things. For cutting onions too loudly. But you remained calm. And we saw each other again.<br />
<br />
In January, another someone who believed, wrote kind words as well, and only in the last few days have I re-read them. He sounds very much like you or maybe, what I imagine the younger you to be. You see, my friend is young, in his early twenties, I presume, but his clarity of thought gives us the courage for moving on.<br />
<br />
'A year is long enough and everything can change. And keep living your life, be yourself and don't feel like you're nothing without him.<br />
And time will figure things out.<br />
I don't mean you should give up, no,<br />
you should trust your heart.<br />
Because even if it leads to pain, it is still worth it as long as you believe it is.<br />
<br />
I've went through something like this,<br />
it was painful at the time, but I don't regret anything.<br />
I did what I had to do.<br />
It didn't work, eventually,<br />
but it doesn't mean it wasn't right, and of course it doesn't mean it will be the same for you.<br />
<br />
... Life is a wonderful thing,<br />
we can never know how bad things can turn out to be the best things that have happened to us.<br />
I know you are a good person, so everything will turn out for the best.'<br />
<br />
<br />
And maybe, I've taken the silence too personally. I know you're facing challenges of your own and I wouldn't like to add to them. I shouldn't have expected too much out of these short moments. <br />
<br />
I was glad to have met you, too.<br />
Being with you had made me feel calm and happy, warm like home.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-91410135802912911032013-04-09T09:48:00.003+08:002013-04-09T09:48:48.049+08:00Bangalore in a weekend: first time to India<br />
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Huge tree, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens<br />
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<br />
I recall saying recently, during a conversation with a globetrotter, that I will never go to India. Teehee.<br />
<br />
How should I put it - I think I just don't like to visit a place without proper infrastructure. Toilets. For women, it is really a hassle, you know, especially when the water is brown and the toilet is a hole in the ground. I don't particularly like to be stressed out by people trying to sell me something too, that's why I prefer traveling in less touristy cities where the locals are sincerely interested in you instead of trying to sell you something. But there is nothing like that in Bangalore. Bangalore has amazing roads, straight long roads and highways that are clearly indicated, and the most hardworking people I have ever seen.<br />
<br />
I made Bangalore my first destination in India because a friend, Huggy, had been encouraging me to come to INDIA. COME TO BANGALORE, he commanded, much like the way he barged into my office when he was having meetings in the area and commanded me to dine with him. Not having any good destination in mind for the Good Friday weekend anyway, I booked the trip a month in advance. It cost $407 which I was told was a steal (usually $600ish). I also had many Bangalorian friends and acquaintances working here and when I mentioned the place they would suddenly have a dreamy look in their eyes and recall the good old days of zipping around in a motorbike. They seemed proud of me that I had chosen to go to this place on vacation, and before and after my trip I had received many messages from my work acquaintances, Banaglorians who wanted to know how my trip turned out to be. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8rFGp7rA_BL4aBdi5fQjBvIcHNgih_VVTEGCHRZekenp7k_rj8WgbeqY5nglI9NNYb6Gyh-3bnNeQy4mddY54-e9HAUg6KHhxKXBhs_wFH5rmDObNISkn7VI-gguBVhXn-w7/s1600/F1000009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8rFGp7rA_BL4aBdi5fQjBvIcHNgih_VVTEGCHRZekenp7k_rj8WgbeqY5nglI9NNYb6Gyh-3bnNeQy4mddY54-e9HAUg6KHhxKXBhs_wFH5rmDObNISkn7VI-gguBVhXn-w7/s640/F1000009.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
On Nandi Hills <br />
<br />
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Sunrise on Nandi Hills<br />
<br />
<br />
On a Sunday morning I went to the Chickpete / Chickpet area. Just in front of the long streets selling sarees, kurtas and household items, there is a flea market where people set up shop to hone their wares; be it fruit, pans, or sometimes, hair extensions. And that is a place after my own heart.<br />
<br />
Makeshift stalls appeared, they consisted of baskets turned upside down, covered with a cloth, and all kinds of gorgeous fruit stacked neatly in piles. Generally not a fruit person, I went into a sublime state when I tasted this fresh, pink guava that had an amazingly sweet and fruity scent. The guavas were unlike the ones found back home that were gnarly looking and green, similar to a soursop. The ones in Bangalore were round, orange-sized and had pale yellow skins. I have never tasted anything like this! I knew why they were unpopular though, they had lots of tiny little hard seeds that could be unpalatable to swallow. We also bought fresh figs, what a delight, and a pomegranate, and if it weren't my last day there, I would have bought fruits aplenty! <br />
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<br />
Pink guava fruit seller<br />
<br />
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Pomegranates!<br />
<br />
While on the motorbike I saw a hardworking lady, her shop stall was a makeshift covering and the goods were shoes piled on the pavement near the bus terminal. Her stall only sold shoes, and she was scrubbing and washing the dirt away on the items, scrubbing with a passion that most of us wouldn't possess. The shoes were shiny and clean, bereft of the dust that seemed to blow constantly on some roads. Elsewhere, I saw little girls threading flower garlands for sale without complaint. I saw men carting large amounts of produce, sugarcanes, sacks on their
head, and they did it speedily and seemingly not unhappy about it. Even the auto-rickshaw drivers, many of whom we asked for directions, were just able to rest peacefully in the tunnels while waiting for their next passenger. I liked the auto-rickshaw very much, we took one during one of the nights out. Just call "Otto!" and a couple of tuk-tuk looking autos will come your way, stating their price. There wasn't any abject poverty that I had seen on this trip, even 2 hours far from the city, there are small villages, it's true, and barefooted people, but they seem happier than city dwellers as they walked hand in hand with each other in their village of colorful walls and dirt roads. I was told that even the beggars had mobile phones. Elsewhere there were cows on the roads eating trash but it seemed not all that disturbing to me. I hope I didn't contribute to their meal though.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Auto rickshaws near Chickpete.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1nzP3e8ZDikxJR1bBkLp6pePtUiEiDsN6uus__vrYLChpwMcRksUkqJoTZ5WjYHaj5oR3cPoc90IvO16SKTr1V6C2S2ggM22E-6bx8yjUZVcBEdkvLz68L-NsV8bGqBmxOH8/s1600/F1000014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1nzP3e8ZDikxJR1bBkLp6pePtUiEiDsN6uus__vrYLChpwMcRksUkqJoTZ5WjYHaj5oR3cPoc90IvO16SKTr1V6C2S2ggM22E-6bx8yjUZVcBEdkvLz68L-NsV8bGqBmxOH8/s640/F1000014.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Two village goats.<br />
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There were large graceful trees lining the roadways to the residences in Karnataka, a beautiful respite from the shade, that was one of the things I looked forward to seeing after long hours on the motorbike with Huggy. Tree lined avenues. There's just something majestic and soothing about riding through the road with the old trees beckoning your arrival. <br />
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At this time, I have already booked my next trip that is a little longer than a weekend (For this Bangalore trip I left Singapore Thursday night straight after work and came back early Monday morning) to Sri Lanka. I think one of the best things about travel is that you became more open and more aware of things, if not things happening in the world, then at least, things happening inside yourself, jauntily happy at the fact that you are capable to travel alone and book flights by yourself and find your way about without knowing the local language, you should be proud of yourself! And I think the most meaningful thing about this trip is that I made a new friend in Huggy. We graduated from being unreliable lunch buddies in Singapore to being able to talk about anything under the sun, and not just casual conversation. And so we will make our way to Sri Lanka next month, as good travelfriends.<br />
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With him, I spilled the beans on my innermost thoughts, the good and bad, why I really like certain books and authors, and being blunt about the type of things I dislike. I guess in most cultures there is a need to be diplomatic or inoffensive so he was really secretly impressed when I opined my true feelings. Later, I felt gushy when he said that he had learnt one thing from me, that was: To complain less. Aha! He was impressed by the fact that I had not let one peep of complain out any single time during the trip. (I did complain vigorously at the end when I learnt my flight was delayed for two hours, meaning that I would have to take a leave from work...)<br />
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I felt so gushy. Gush gush gush. And I found that we have something in common, when we are happy, we start to sing songs. Akin to a puppy wagging its tail in delight, we can't help ourselves. What are you singing, Huggy? He was singing a classical hindi song about first loves. Ah, how nice it is to have a happy weekend!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Chickpete, Bangalore, Karnataka, India12.9707555 77.58056850000002712.955281999999999 77.560398500000034 12.986229 77.60073850000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-11013244385750608392013-04-05T21:28:00.000+08:002013-04-05T21:28:00.094+08:00Photo Friday: Travel Often<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ke0WamevjWYyD28Ynma9F4xEm10GipH42pZ9oBz_Y9OMVc9LUrRSsjioPFJBTW_wYj8dDGb9qrfqfOhrLat5n256OelVo0UfLKR1OVGJzq3bUFSt1M2AZSchRlNHnIpCkbHS/s1600/The_Holstee_Manifesto.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ke0WamevjWYyD28Ynma9F4xEm10GipH42pZ9oBz_Y9OMVc9LUrRSsjioPFJBTW_wYj8dDGb9qrfqfOhrLat5n256OelVo0UfLKR1OVGJzq3bUFSt1M2AZSchRlNHnIpCkbHS/s640/The_Holstee_Manifesto.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>Photo from : http://shop.holstee.com/pages/about</i><br />
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<br />
Was at a work client's place last month and I saw this poster in their meeting room, while waiting.<br />
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Somehow,
I felt that some of the words jumped out at me. It did help that they
were in a bigger font. It's really meaningful if you take your time to
read the words slowly to kill time.<br />
<br />
I was so sure that I
had found the love of my life last year.<br />
But it's 2013, and things have
changed, like the passing wind. I read the words: 'If you are looking for
the love of your life, stop. They will be waiting for you when you
start doing things you love.' I have started going on journeys, and I
hope that somewhere along the timeline, in fact, I don't hope, I just know, that this
phrase will ring true.<br />
<br />
Voila, I will 'travel often'. As much as it takes
with the limited time and money I have; and not too much that I feel
disenchanted - that does happen, at times. I have met a nice, incredibly
sweet, strong, cuddly person.<br />
It's 2013, after all. Let's see what
happens...=)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-887434593945798132013-03-27T09:59:00.000+08:002013-03-27T09:59:15.531+08:00Bali in a weekend: Horse Riding and Shopping along Poppies Lane at Kuta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Relaxing in the late afternoon glow of the sun, I sat on this spot of Kuta, far from the madding crowd, enjoying a little isolation on the wet sands. A surfer in front of me had decided to do the exact same thing - he is nearer than he looks in this photo, because my camera was wide angled I looked to be quite far away. I think we both felt the same thing, that these 20 minutes or so (I had to get up after that duration, because I sunburn easily) that these 20 minutes was para, para Paradise. Oh oh oh oh oh-oh-oh!</i><br />
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<i>Rawrr! Be very scared!</i><br />
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I'm so proud of myself for organizing this trip. =)<br />
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How this trip came about - my Dad had wanted to go to Bali - his first time - last year, as he had a Singaporean-Danish friend who asked him to visit. I had ridden a small horse for the first time last month at Mount Bromo and really enjoyed the experience, later asking our guide about good places to ride horses, he suggested Sanur, Bali. So already knowing we have free acommodation and local friends; we planned for this trip; knowing that the cost would not be too high. We also had budget tickets for a steal, going on airasia and coming back on tiger airways for about $200.<br />
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It's also the first trip for my father to do trekking in places other than Singapore and Malaysia so he was very excited. I have to add that I also sponsored his outfit, a sport jacket and track pants (though he did not feel as cold as me to put it on!)<br />
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<i>Simply artistic decor for just a pina colada... I was so surprised at seeing this! And later putting the flower in my hair holiday style.</i><br />
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And with proper planning it is possible to go to so many places in a very short time.<br />
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Basically the rough itinerary:<br />
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<b>Friday</b><br />
Morning ride to horse-riding, back to friend's house<br />
Went to Uluwatu, there is really an interesting row of shops and bars on the cliff. It was raining often so we hid at a cosy bar. <br />
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<b>Saturday</b><br />
2 am journey to the Batur Caldera area from Kuta - as you can see from the map it's not so close by<br />
Started trek around 4:30 , 5 am, for sunrise usually happens at 6:20 am.<br />
Went down and around the village to a hot spring for an hour.<br />
Lunch overlooking padi fields and the journey back, able to stop at any place you wanted - we only stopped at a coffee plantation and I got to see the producers of Kopi Luwak, the civet cats!<br />
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After some rest I spent a nice late afternoon and evening, walked more than half of Kuta Beach, walked half of the shopping area around Kuta Beach.<br />
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<b>Sunday</b><br />
Went to some outlet stores and ONLY bought two pairs of shorts (one red, one yellow), a miracle! <br />
Walked the other half of Kuta... =) Went for a massage and pedicure (flower on my toes!) at Poppies Lane, it was less than US$10, amazing. Became a shopaholic after getting over my initial reluctance to bargaining.<br />
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From the map you can see we really did go to so many places in this short time! <br />
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Horse Riding at Pantai Saba (Saba Beach)<br />
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<span class="irc_iis" id="irc_hd"><a class="irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="http://www.google.com.sg/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=NmMexe28SJiMgM&tbnid=gSuBvgOcyqTIrM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbaliweathermap.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F01%2Fbali-island-street-map-detail-and-guide.html&ei=_thHUaSsO8bkiAf994GQBQ&psig=AFQjCNE7ct7ghQykATeHbV_x6VrHRBFkag&ust=1363749443346623" id="irc_hol"><span id="irc_ho">(baliweathermap.blogspot.com)</span></a></span><br />
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<span class="irc_iis" id="irc_hd"><span id="irc_ho"> Here at the Badung Strait in between the two temples, we did our horse-riding =)</span></span><br />
<span class="irc_iis" id="irc_hd"><span id="irc_ho">I was amazed by the black sands of the beach which glittered in the sunlight. But it was also broiling hot and it made a deep tan on my shoulders!</span></span><br />
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<i>Dad's first time on a horse, and first time to Bali!</i><br />
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<span class="irc_iis" id="irc_hd"><span id="irc_ho"> </span></span><i>The horse smiled for the camera. So funny!</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY_e3clxLhjMq6SPj88w_V8Vmqv9LyvuJLeYf_7ThaNOedJX160M8TwMbxZBVpS0nYAi299bmYOpRq_OvN0Gb0BWuM6QSqP7WpLPFSxbyB99Os5Y0mgnRokL0oeMF3wKM75NF/s1600/2013-03-20+13.02.41-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY_e3clxLhjMq6SPj88w_V8Vmqv9LyvuJLeYf_7ThaNOedJX160M8TwMbxZBVpS0nYAi299bmYOpRq_OvN0Gb0BWuM6QSqP7WpLPFSxbyB99Os5Y0mgnRokL0oeMF3wKM75NF/s640/2013-03-20+13.02.41-6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>On the black volcanic ash sands of Pantai Saba. It WAS hot!</i><br />
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<span class="irc_iis" id="irc_hd"><i><span id="irc_ho"> My horse suddenly became camera-shy.</span></i><span id="irc_dim"> </span></span><br />
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<i>Map from Lonely Planet </i><br />
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From this map it's clear to see the two mountains, Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) and Mount Batur (Gunung Batur).<br />
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We did the Batur Caldera trekking which went up and around the Toya Bungkah Village and Caldera Lake area, to about 1000m - at cloud level we could see the sunrise and the peak of the two mountains.<br />
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<i>Village chicks.</i><br />
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We also explored these places:<br />
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At Uluwatu<br />
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At Saba Beach<br />
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At Kuta Beach<br />
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It was a good idea to have a not-so-planned itinerary. Usually when I travel I try to stay with locals or ask strangers what is a good thing to do in the area. This way, I will often have some interesting experiences. In Chiangmai an old lady told me about the flower market and it was an amazing afternoon walking through the blooms. I loved the horse-riding last month at Bromo so much that I asked my guide where else would we be able to ride horses. He was from Bali and suggested Sanur, so it was through my independent research that I found this activity.<br />
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I didn't think that I would like Kuta as I have read so many unfavorable things about it, and it is true that most of the sales people along the beachfront will quote exorbitant prices like $10 for a bottle of mineral water and a chair, or $35 for a straw hat. (I managed to get the straw hat Dad wanted down to $5, after impressing upon them that I bought a hat the day before for that price. I lied, but I saved $30. Don't judge.) <br />
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However, there are some ways to get rid of the annoying and really very friendly guys who desired to teach you surfing, let you sit on their chair and offer you rides, drag you into their shop for a manicure (yes, it happens) <br />
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I wanted to get a more even tan as the horse-riding only browned my shoulders, so I took off my dress and walked the whole stretch in a bikini - the bikini bottom was shorts, and I felt disguised by a hat and sunglasses. None of the guys dared to have any more aggressive approach after seeing the bright color striped outfit of mine, they became shy, and so I walked the stretch in peace.<br />
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I enjoyed walking in Kuta actually, both at the long stretch of beach, and also at the long stretch of shops - there's such a great range of shops to explore and so many interesting things to see. So having an unplanned last day on Bali I immediately wanted to go back again. If you managed to walk past the annoying stretch and into St Poppies' Lane, you will love this part of Kuta. It's filled with many people also wearing nothing much, bunches of young backpackers, cheap beer, food, massages. A massage for an hour (or a pedicure or whatever you wanted) would set you back $5 (45,000), it's nice to tip the masseuse and see their happy faces. There's graffiti, great shops where you can do relaxed, undisturbed shopping and quote the price you think is fair. Some temples, beautiful and funny looking exteriors of shops and hotels. I could walk forever in this place.<br />
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For more on the trek read the earlier post: <br />
<a href="http://www.spiriteddesigns.blogspot.sg/2013/03/bali-in-weekend-trekking-up-batur.html" target="_blank">Trekking up Batur Caldera</a><br />
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All photos taken by me and Dad.<br />
<i>Film: Lomography 400, Agfa Precisa CT 100, Kodak Ultramax 400.</i><br />
<i>Camera: Superheadz Vivitar UWS, Minolta Riva Zoom, Contax</i><br />
<i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t6zu4m1uwF9-hIgq4SryZz0vY-oKN-eeTHc70ir-afHCZ0K8Hixn-KIAQdDNPgS6yIpV_qDwWlXSKrb76UUo_fqYyQgZFiHX7Ed7hEuUM_ddlTf5o2UC_TQziKUbyMLkuMj-/s1600/2013-03-20+13.07.10-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t6zu4m1uwF9-hIgq4SryZz0vY-oKN-eeTHc70ir-afHCZ0K8Hixn-KIAQdDNPgS6yIpV_qDwWlXSKrb76UUo_fqYyQgZFiHX7Ed7hEuUM_ddlTf5o2UC_TQziKUbyMLkuMj-/s640/2013-03-20+13.07.10-5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i> Special thanks to Dad's friend, Emil Gerecke who kindly hosted us for the weekend in Kuta! </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Pantai Saba, Blahbatu 80581, Indonesia-8.6090758999999988 115.32390190000001-34.1311104 74.01530790000001 16.912958600000003 156.6324959tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15736752.post-78123255234414402472013-03-21T17:41:00.004+08:002013-03-21T17:53:00.095+08:00Bali in a weekend: Trekking up the Batur Caldera area<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are several hiking spots in Bali, but I chose the Batur Caldera trek because it afforded great views of the lake and the surrounding village, to my surprise, quite a modern village - and of course sunrise views of both mountains framing us. It was also a less strenuous trek compared to climbing Moung Batur or Agung. I'm not really a sporty person, so I just prepared myself by hiking every Saturday early morning, with Dad, on the trails in Singapore - Dairy Farm Road, Trail Route 3 on Bukit Timah Hill, Wallace Trail, Pulau Ubin. It was a weekly 2-4 hour activity that left me immensely sleepy right after.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5Hk1yynhr093CoyIAz7ebRSg0wjKvygWsZQTKAH-awj8Bbn_BkbvhjJqhLFdDKj0BrdwN5CsreuNu53_Wm8wG9YEWp0dzZZD16c4reM1nZkA03TSB5jOmabIKdwDZfR1SVYP/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5Hk1yynhr093CoyIAz7ebRSg0wjKvygWsZQTKAH-awj8Bbn_BkbvhjJqhLFdDKj0BrdwN5CsreuNu53_Wm8wG9YEWp0dzZZD16c4reM1nZkA03TSB5jOmabIKdwDZfR1SVYP/s640/2013-03-20+13.05.05-4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>Ground level mountain plants with morning dew</i><br />
<br />
<br />
Being afraid that it would be quite chilly as we had to start the
journey around 4-5 am to catch the sunrise on top of the trail at 6:20
am, I brought along an autumn jumper, a windbreaker, and wore a
sleeveless thing underneath. My pants were those cool three-quarter
length yoga type sport pants, and quite-new Columbia hiking boots. It
was a pain finding the right socks here in Singapore, all sports socks
seem to be at an irritating ankle length or just slightly above the
ankle, this length always bites my ankles and seem to roll down one foot
at times. I finally found my dream socks - I cannot remember the brand,
but they had extra thick towel-like material on the soles,
moisture-wicking technology, and at the desired length of above ankles!
Earlier I had bought for Dad a spanish brand sport jacket and track
pants because I was afraid he would be cold too, but the jacket only
came in handy at our airport, brrrrr, and he trekked in a thin white
cotton shirt, blue jeans and Caterpillar boots.<br />
<br />
The
road uphill was not too bad, it was actually paved over 2-3 years ago
and it was neither slippery nor narrow, in fact, there were many
villagers' motorbikes and vans passing us on the trek. We were the only
non-locals on the road to the amusement and curiosity of the friendly
village children. We were told that it was off-peak season (though there
were throngs of tourists at Kuta), and during peak season our guide
could do up to 5 treks a day!<br />
<br />
I realised I was still
not very fit, indeed! I had to stop at quite a few places when it got
too steep - lucky for me my Dad was doing the same thing, the cold
mountain air and breathing in deeply had caused me to stop and catch my
breath until it regulated. My Dad got his 'second wind' and after years
of being a police trainer came back to him, he bounded along happily at
the last third of the trek, together with the guide, talking
enthusiatically about cows (they are called 'lembu' in Indonesian) and
everything about the village. I was content to lag behind and slowly
strip off the windbreaker and the jumper, taking photos, in a happy
bubble with the Quechua walking stick (this stick is really good, I want
to buy it) and the morning sounds of the village awakening: motorbike
sounds, rooster crowing, villagers waking up. It was really quite noisy
compared to the stillness and silence I had experienced on Ijen Crater! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXOMYLYWdgSkfkI9AsD97Pc-rsyDc4-4-H5VHn2CcDdEE2CR7knl7zuNI_GUT087smA4e17afgZYwX6teqjP_tYe38BWx0IE-u_Wg4XWv6xkRHI9g9YVdshyUe46NHDXyLi6O/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXOMYLYWdgSkfkI9AsD97Pc-rsyDc4-4-H5VHn2CcDdEE2CR7knl7zuNI_GUT087smA4e17afgZYwX6teqjP_tYe38BWx0IE-u_Wg4XWv6xkRHI9g9YVdshyUe46NHDXyLi6O/s640/2013-03-20+13.05.05-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2Pa7CAbFpfJ8DEQDgwN_Fg5N5xiNiDHpYQNZD55LH1QW9uaFK6dDpi5NtKeUz-JWq-kRCagjZWCF8GgwaYxwo0zE2Ht5WN4OtnoMCLoU_66WSKw8LM1CrS4FjH2-tSnjMgyD/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2Pa7CAbFpfJ8DEQDgwN_Fg5N5xiNiDHpYQNZD55LH1QW9uaFK6dDpi5NtKeUz-JWq-kRCagjZWCF8GgwaYxwo0zE2Ht5WN4OtnoMCLoU_66WSKw8LM1CrS4FjH2-tSnjMgyD/s640/2013-03-20+13.05.05-8.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>Cabbage crops</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRfRugrYmHkDD9GCKK1jScHpcjyO35t_l4IwBA3eqyx2JjnnF_W2C1vp0Oc-125ERoNudeYPGiN43N4Pqd4VlBa_xydWShSdAeT1Lb2QmUYdPUvro4LPVhwJW60VfpLATh57U/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRfRugrYmHkDD9GCKK1jScHpcjyO35t_l4IwBA3eqyx2JjnnF_W2C1vp0Oc-125ERoNudeYPGiN43N4Pqd4VlBa_xydWShSdAeT1Lb2QmUYdPUvro4LPVhwJW60VfpLATh57U/s640/2013-03-20+13.05.05-5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>These baskets are used to keep the roosters inside from wandering about. They are reared to be sold as fighting roosters, a popular sport with the villagers.</i><br />
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Being
his first trek in a foreign place with a guide, my Dad held the same
kind of wonder and excitement as me when I went on my first trek. I hope
I never lose this sense of wonder and wanderlust - to a city girl it is
novel to witness everyday village scenes such as chickens running
across the road, rows of cabbages, wildflowers in the mountainous
foilage, framed with tall skinny pines, clouds that were on your eye
-level, no longer above you, but right in front of you, and if the wind
takes them nearer, you will be in the middle of them, blown into clouds,
seeing nothing but white mist and the indistinct outline of the hazy
mountains beyond.<br />
<br />
Later we went to the Hot Spring for an hour, ahhhh... that was just perfect to soak into for the aching toes!<br />
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I
have always loved baths and it was a long time since I had such a long
bath until my fingertips was 'pruned'. Hoping that all parts of my body
would benefit from this supposedly therapeutic experience, I made sure
that the top of my head, all the way to the tips of my toes, were
focused on the splish splooshy pressured water pipe coming out of the
mouths of the cute statues! The place was very relaxing, no other
tourist was there, and the view of the mountains was just indescribable.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jv1-QOfK8BukgIzparazUEOLngn6Hn_IB9i5YAYf8GOjv13BtRkNi2b9l8S7bCoJ3zrcAJ2s4_fHcQuPtMtvHqdadYUPq9O5_62eN-wfKP92StT-AtkaDNCHQBf5yoAP0GIg/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jv1-QOfK8BukgIzparazUEOLngn6Hn_IB9i5YAYf8GOjv13BtRkNi2b9l8S7bCoJ3zrcAJ2s4_fHcQuPtMtvHqdadYUPq9O5_62eN-wfKP92StT-AtkaDNCHQBf5yoAP0GIg/s640/2013-03-20+13.05.05-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Amazing Balinese style arrangement for a pleasing view as we relaxed in the Hot Springs which was also bereft of tourists. The view on the other side was of the lake framed by mountains, I couldn't decide which was better.</i><br />
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<i>We felt like millionaires who booked the whole place for ourselves! (It turns out that many people came just when we were leaving, so I guess we were the early birds.) </i><br />
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<i>I'm not a fan of beer usually, but the price of a small Bintang anywhere is less than S$2. The rather touristic padi fields was still a nice view to gaze at while eating.</i><br />
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<br />
The guided trip ended with a lunch overlooking the ricefields. It was empty at first but later many other tourists (who did not climb the mountain) joined us at the Ubud area. We could also choose to go to the other sights such as batik-painting, silver craft, wooden souvenir making, but we only wanted to go to an organic coffee plantation where I saw the maker of Kopi Luwak, the civet cat, for the first time. I had tried Kopi Luwak in East Java last month - at $5 for a pot of 3 cups, it was at a much better price than in Bali - $5 for a cup. I didn't really taste the difference, but the coffee was really good coffee anyway, and as a coffee drinker I had to try it at least once in my lifetime, without any queasy feeling to the way it was produced, as the locals will happily describe to you. The two civet cats looked like a cross between a bat and a fox (actually I have never seen a fox before), a kind of evil-looking non-kitty-like cat. Also, they looked ready to tear my fingernails off, so I was immediately quite terrified of spending too much time looking at them.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRitjvTuQx0aAc__2tcd-oXQCaXhJlYiNkFlyKyVw22xYSTw6qDKM9ghPACIEVVgqZRfLQm_Lurwh_3-uk7oepj89_Rk4L6y9hCX0FZf5To-mq2DRf4kUyQomJi22gJ_SGp_tg/s1600/2013-03-20+13.02.42-18+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRitjvTuQx0aAc__2tcd-oXQCaXhJlYiNkFlyKyVw22xYSTw6qDKM9ghPACIEVVgqZRfLQm_Lurwh_3-uk7oepj89_Rk4L6y9hCX0FZf5To-mq2DRf4kUyQomJi22gJ_SGp_tg/s640/2013-03-20+13.02.42-18+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>On the same level with clouds, what a great feeling! </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv62SA_3VVbkka_spgS5_NH0aBtWr3qBufRAxNS0kqu4i2kDJysypqShLLGz37PxpUrHT_nOnNa_AXDA09hgdNrk3IHO-KNkZHdk6j-UVc324JvE9lyOurERmr38a09qLKgY9/s1600/map_of_bali_lonelyplanet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv62SA_3VVbkka_spgS5_NH0aBtWr3qBufRAxNS0kqu4i2kDJysypqShLLGz37PxpUrHT_nOnNa_AXDA09hgdNrk3IHO-KNkZHdk6j-UVc324JvE9lyOurERmr38a09qLKgY9/s640/map_of_bali_lonelyplanet.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>The top right of the map (from LonelyPlanet) shows the area we went
to, the largest lake in Bali, Toya Bungkah Village/Hot Spring, Mount
Agung - tallest peak in Bali, and Mount Batur.</i><br />
<br />
I did some research online and decided to be guided by the team from Nyoman Gede Mahayuna. He's an experienced guide and mountain lover who decided to form a guide team. Due to the whole area having really low wi-fi and internet reception - as well as being in the mountains, they took a few days to reply but it was all arranged in due time as I had messaged them almost a month in advance.<br />
<br />
Yon Ariono was our driver and co-guide, he prepared breakfast for us and provided us with hiking sticks and mineral water. He is the type of happy driver, passionate and looking like he's always up for a good laugh. I am really thankful that he brought much joy to our trip. Later I still had some energy to walk around quite a fair bit of Kuta before being totally tired and I realise, that when I get totally tired I am unable to talk to anyone, unable to talk at all, just making grunting sounds and wanting to snuggle up and fall into a deep slumber without any alarm clock waking me up at unearthly hours. =)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr7b-dmq6AKiYoDWJO32A2Zt_TYsDJyvnOl06ktOwEIiluqLKIk7_wdxVIitl2XWKPdn29xhXOklChzn5cWQkccve2-PPRPi15J1dIOQ2DAHx1Sx4Qkbz5XX5FpwVb7VU_u4H/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr7b-dmq6AKiYoDWJO32A2Zt_TYsDJyvnOl06ktOwEIiluqLKIk7_wdxVIitl2XWKPdn29xhXOklChzn5cWQkccve2-PPRPi15J1dIOQ2DAHx1Sx4Qkbz5XX5FpwVb7VU_u4H/s640/2013-03-20+13.05.05-9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i>Adorable village kids and puppy found at the entrance areas to the Toya Bungkah Hot Springs, cute!!!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr7b-dmq6AKiYoDWJO32A2Zt_TYsDJyvnOl06ktOwEIiluqLKIk7_wdxVIitl2XWKPdn29xhXOklChzn5cWQkccve2-PPRPi15J1dIOQ2DAHx1Sx4Qkbz5XX5FpwVb7VU_u4H/s1600/2013-03-20+13.05.05-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5Mount Batur, Kintamani 80652, Indonesia-8.2419999999999991 115.375-33.7640345 74.066406 17.2800345 156.683594