Sydney

Alone. I went on a trip to Sydney for my uncle's 80th birthday all by myself.......

Uncle John had undergone CABG last year with a infected left leg wound lasted months after surgery. So I thought I should just make a trip, not knowing that is was meant to be a surprice to him.

Cousin Ruth took the week off and spent most days with me. I took lots of photos. She was absolutely patient with my constant distractions. I woke up for sunrise every morning except the last day. Late for the first, in time for the second morning and late for the third-lost our way to the beach. They were all surprised that Ruth could wake up before 5 am to pick me from CBD to catch sunrise. We had a enjoyable time at the beach.....

Overall it was a wonderful trip, except the initally hiccups at the Changi airport-SIA overbooked the flight.

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Panorama

Old dog learning new tricks again.

Couldn't go anywhere with the recent handicap, tapped onto my "virtual master" in photography. Followed his online detailed/real-time tutorial and succeeded the first step of putting a few shots together into Panoramic photographs.

Although something is still very wrong with the pictures/photography, but ......I think it was an excellent achievement. Hurrah! and thanks, TY.

Handicapped

Missed a step at home and broke my left foot - # 5th metatarsus, on the 24th night. Liang da ge said to treat it conservatively. So limping away with a walking stick and bandage. Mother in law boiled herbal chicken and passed me the chinese (tian qi ) oilment. Clinically effective. Started the oilment on day 2 and realsied the bandage was "loosening" after several hours (definitely not due to poor bandaging technique).

Feeling much better (not in agonising pain when walking) today.......also took a half day rest..so that was good.

Siem Reap

Went on a 4 days 3 nights tour to Siem Reap in end of February. It was a very good break from work. 2 hours flight by silk air with very good flight hours. Brought my new DSLR along (passed my old one to hubby), so took lots of photos.

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Hokkaido December 2008

It was an enjoyable and a blessed holiday trip at Hokkaido.





Stayed in 2 ski resorts this time - the good old Hirafutei, at Hirafu Niseko for 4 nights and tried the popular Rusutsu for 2 nights. There were total of 19 of us on this trip together.

Weather was slightly less than perfect:

First it was raining!! (real bad news for ski resorts) when we arrived. The rain stopped in the evening and had overnight snow; but not enough to cover the lower slope the next morning.....encountered plenty of slippery icy patches on the way down.





Then came heavy snowing (and overcast) for the next 3 days - only had 2 hours of sunshine in 4 days. First time I brought my DSLR (heavy hand carry- cam + laptop + EHD) and could only use it outdoor because of the down pour. Everything was gray/white, snowy and the Mt Yutei was hidden behind the dense cloud everyday, except the 2 hrs (and I missed it). I had never yearned for the sun so..so much(except when I was in Glasgow in 1988). And learned to appreciate the clear blue sky when I returned after that few days of longing.





The weather cleared on the day when we were transferred to Rusutsu. Captured a glimpse of the Mountain(the pseudoFuji, Mt Yotei) from the coach. Had relatively fine days at Rusutsu. There was Christmas eve fireworks celebration at Rusutsu.








Then the snow storm returned on the 26th when we were due to fly to Osaka. The Chitose airport was closed in the morning and the flights were canceled. It was like a war zone. 11 of us were very lucky to be able to fly off after less than 1.5 hrs of delay and spent the night in Osaka as planned.

Well, that's really something beyond our control and planning - the weather - the snow - the sunshine.

But most of all, everyone enjoyed the trip with no major injuries ( only many bruised knees ).




Son's 22nd birthday was celebrated amongst friends. Beautiful cake bought by dear auntie Mary.






I am very thankful, and looking forward to the coming December's trip, 2009.

I think I am addicted to the Onsen, and the food.

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Lexus Cup 2008

28th - 30th November 2008



This might or would be the last Lexus Cup.

Held at SICC Bukit over 3 days.

Blessed with good weather, despite threatening storm on the last day with temporary course closure.

Good fight from the Asia team despite much smaller(20-30%) in size / mass.









Big signs at the entrance of the course "No Camera, No Handphone" before first and tenth holes. But the ladies were entertaining......and they played good golf.

Of course the non players helped to brighten the course too.

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Asia on the Edge

29th Nov 2008



Read about the performance in the Saturday papers. Although feeling quite tired after watching part of the Lexus Open after work (half day), I was determined to try my 70-200mm on the dancers.



Despite searching the http://www.streetdirectory/, I was quite lost again coming out of the multi storey car park. Walked up and down between Boat and Clarke quay before I located the place. Sigh.....

It consisted of 4 groups of dancers , forming a continuous large circle, dancing to a "ethnic" music with own particular choreographed steps. They were staged on the sides of the Cavenagh Bridge. The public was allowed to walk along the bridge while the dancers were performing. It was a refreshing concept to me.

Best of them all were the Korean dancers, followed by the Indian dance group. I was very thrilled to see so many pretty Indian girls going their traditional dance steps, an art that should be dearly preserved.

Then the Gongfu boys. The costume designer should have a better idea than to expose one of their nipples for these young men who were lacking in muscle mass. No offence to anyone, they were just young and lean.

The worst were the "flag bearers". Not very sure what they were doing. None of their pictures turned out right. I think they were not aware that the audience was so close the the performers. It was not like the National Parade but more like a stage show. Individual performance skill was revealed thoroughly.

The Korean dancers were of a different calibre amongst all.

Especially this particular dancer, he was really focused, meticulous and precised in each executions. Wow....

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