Qiandaohu, China

22 September 2008

Last golf game at Qiandaohu.

It was the only morning that we did not have to move off before 0800 hrs. Had a lot of spare time before tee off. Took some photos from the room balcony. Saw a family of peacocks and some white pigeons in flight.

It was another bright and sunny day. By the time we started the game, the temperature had become unbearably hot. There was also not enough shades at the course. I was wetting my attire with cold water to avoid getting a heat stroke.

The course was challenging. Few holes crossing wide water hazards and ravines.

Also taken some night shots from hotel room. Quite romantic.

China HuangShan

Back to my China trip.




Had a day trip to the famous HuangShan - the Yellow Mountain.


It was a sunny Saturday. Bright and hot and very crowded.





The view was too good, so no sign of the romantic mysterous Yunhai, no sunrise or sunset (as we could only afford a day trip ).

Good thing was that the steps were not slippery nor hazzardous. Very safe climb.

I was feeling a liitle breathless at the Monkey rock. It could be due to the low oxygen partial pressure, but more likely from my poor physical fitness.


More photos

NJC Military Band

Feeling slightly unwell last night, perhaps after the overwhelming excitement in the day....





The people whom I have known for decades (won't tell you how many).
We resemble the basic elements in the Peroidic table. Some are similar but yet different, some are inert and some are hyperactive. Some can hardly cope with a single covalent bond (job), but others have hyperexcitable electrons, able to succeed to great heights in the tasks they engage in.


Glad that we could meet.
Glad that we were all still "healthy".
Glad that our paths had crossed in NJC Band years ago.
Grateful that I have known them......

more photos

Birthday

"So, were you at the Formula I last night?"
The Q which I was asked > 10 times yesterday morning.
"No..pe..."
I was not there. Did not even watch the start and the first part on TV; missed the first crash and the safely vehicle. Managed to catch the last 12 rounds and witnessed the 2 Ferrari's mishaps.

I was at a family dinner - celebrating my __th birthday.

"Why do we celebrate birthdays?"
I'm not sure.
A mother feels for her child's birthday as on that special day a new entity parted from her body and arrived into this world.
My mother refuses to celebrate or even to mention her birthday for as long as I can recall.
I think that question may be good enough to be a MD thesis for psychology or philosophy students.

Many of us, who are not lacking in basic physical needs (with time to surf net, do gardening, beading, going to the gym/spa, holidaying, collecting cars, taking photos as hobby....), derive contentment from sharing and giving. Over the years, although definitely having aged in many ways, I have remained juvenile and naive towards my own birthdays, awaiting happenings, anticipating surprises and desire to receive....

It was a good birthday....

with an e mail from a cousin from Australia,

plus a birthday cake,

plus SMSs from 2 very dear friends....

Lamp Work

You may wonder what that is, lamp work, a detour from my China trip, another of my Brand-new, hard to come by, exciting, intense and heated experience...


Beading is one of my many diversional therapies. Started one and a half years ago, I was introduced by colleague SN Tham and got to join this beading group led by 3 amazing dental surgeons-great personalities, full-time professionals, artistic, pretty and are also super-effective multitasking mothers/wives.

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LAMPWORK

Today's Master was Dr. Chan LinLi. She brought us through the steps in detail how a glass bead could be created.

We tried, struggled .....and produced something.....not quite the same...but we must treasure our first borns.



Hm....Well....we tried.. very very hard.




Work by the Master

Lu Xun

18th September 2008


Arrived at Shouxin, about one and a half hours bus ride from Hangzhou, played the second round of golf. My flight mates took 6 to 26 strokes off me and we played team match play. I started "shanking" and grossed 99. Cracked under pressure and loss $.








For photos pleaseclick



After lunch at club house, we proceeded to visit Lu Xun's residence. To include this sight-see in the trip was indeed a great idea. Lu Xun was a great writer but a greater philosopher. His articles / short stories are to be studied and not just read.

Hangzhou west lake (Xihu) at Night

17 September 2008


It was my father's 75th birthday. Had a huge cake but it was soft sponge with fresh cream. Tasted better than it's appearance.











Proceeded to watch the grand performance at the West Lake after dinner. It was spectacular, a Zhang Yi Mou's production. The music was really romantic, modernised Chinese tune which was also suitable for lyrical jazz. I was thinking that the producer could simply alter the costumes and the floating motel, and it will be "westernised". A different flavour for the tourists.







For more interesting views, please enjoy