Chilled-out

Haji Lane definitely deserves a post in my blog after tonight has become the 4th time I have visited this place within 2 consecutive weekends. The first time I went to Arab street was about 3 years ago but I was not really into it chiefly due to shisha smoke. Moving to Bugis since November 2013, staying at Kelantan road which intersects Arab street, I still did not realize Haji Lane is just nearby until a year later a friend brought me to Going OM for the first time.

Haji Lane is a narrow yet hipster street which offers vibrant nightlife destination. My favourite bar should be Going Om which I give credit to cozy, casual ambiance and live music performance. Last week I met Jacob and Linh on friday and saturday night respectively, this week with Mike and Nga. as the famous saying "only women can make women happy", I am glad to catch up with the girls, getting updated about their work, life, boyfriends; chatting all kind of trivial topics and sharing advices. I appreciate them for going through all the way to come meet me despite the torrential rain.

There was a hilarious situation when Nga brought me a tiny elegant bouquet of flowers as she could not stuff them into her vase. I was walking holding the flower, feeling abit ... awkward. The singer of the bar came cheering us and seems hesitated "oh you guys are ...", "no we are not a couple", I hastily clarified. What an ironic situation in which she is supposed to be my wingwoman.

Lunar new year's eve 2015

I'm counting down the last 10 minutes to welcome the new year of the Goat. Except for the unease of sorethroat, it is such a happy and peaceful new year's eve for my family. We had a simple reunion dinner which included vermicelli cooked with pork ribs, bamboo and mushroom and steamed mormodica glutinous rice. My eyes are somehow tearing when i typed those words. We sit in the same 15 year old setting in this dining room since we moved to our home sweet home. I treasure every minute of our family reunion.

There has been a big change in the inner me. My view on life has been calmer. I did  not feel the urge to watch firework this year. The new year is striking. From my sweet room, i can hear the sound of ship whistling and firework exploding.

May my family be filled with good health, joy and peace in the new year of Goat

Kota Kinabalu trip Feb 2015

My 3 day trip to Kota Kinabalu was a prompt decision which serves the main purpose of clearing my residual annual leave of 2014. Picking a hotel took me several neurons and evenings for considerations and finally settled in a rolling eye situation when i saw the hotel confirmation. I overlooked that the price was actually listed in USD. Anyway, following my motto "everything happens for a reason", I deserve to indulge myself in the 4 star Ming Garden hotel.

I arrived in the city airport at 8.30 pm on 31st Jan 2015. After hotel checkin, I started exploring the city by roaming around the central point areas located along the sea. My first dinner was at Lobster King restaurant which I was pretty satisfied with cheap price, well seasoned crabs and fish, tasty apple juice and nice honest staff. I spent the rest of my first night chilling out at Lush bar which spills out on to Waterfront's promenade. A glass of red wine as usual helped me sleep tight that night

On the second day, I visited Mari Mari cultural village. Overall, it was such an awesome, informative and well organized tourist spot which showcased different ethic tribes' lifes, cultures, clothings and customs. Bamboo definitely played a vital role in their daily activities including making house, cooking kit etc. I was very intrigued in their demonstrations of making rice wine, food, "triangle" noodle cake, honey, ginger tea and especially I got a chance to taste their fresh sample. After visiting 5 houses, there was a dance performance which reminds me of some ethic tribes in the mountain areas of Vietnam. While watching them dancing, I was drawn a tattoo on my left hand by an acting ethic boy.

In the afternoon, I took a cab to visit several popular attractions in the town. I was travelling along costal roads which I observed the sea level was pretty high so there was no sea sand at all. The sight of the city mosque could be viewed from very far. I was impressive of the architecture and the structure of the mosque which sits on a lagoon. I paid MYR 3 to rent an appropriate attire to get inside. I felt a bit awkward to take numerous selfies while the muslims were praying so I got out after 5 minutes. 

My next spot was Chinese temple. The name was called by the cab driver. I would not call it Buddist temple as a Buddist temple only worships to Gautama Buddha.

SGP art week Jan 2015

This morning I wake up with a typical weekend mood, feeling fresh and relaxed. The long vacation indeed  has had longer than expected peace in my mind. After the morning ritual with breakfast, fruit and coffee, I practised playing serenade for a while and then continued reading excessive yet engaging Steve Jobs' s biography.

Later in the day, chatting with my piano tutor, I was recommended to attend Aliwal urban art festival which was held just within walking distance from my place. I was a little disinclined initially because the event seemed to showcase a hippie or counterculture style which I am definitely not into. At last, the incentive of exploring new things dragged me to the avenue.

The festival features an energetic line-up of exciting performances, showcases, street art jams, graffiti participated by skateboarders, street dancers, bands and DJs etc. A mixture of international onlookers undeniably added a bustling ambiance to this district.

I moved several places interchangeably from the park to multipurpose halls enjoying the shows. I was told a carefree happy go lucky person so anything pleasant could easily lighten my mood. A bottle of ginger beer was not able to intoxicate me enough so I drank another glass of cherry cocktail with vodka. I found myself swaying to the music in the crowd of audience, or simply leaning against the wall watching people dancing.

I left early and went home at around 10 pm. Whether the distance to my place was indeed short or I was too tipsy to be mindful of the surroundings, I already reached home without brooding much thought.

Until I typed these last words, Dreamcatcher by Secret garden is played ending my day peacefully.

Some photos taken today

Testing the camera, chickenpox still scatters around my mouth 

What a pity! No clear proof of my tipsy face

Went with my chick but she abandoned my halfway to join another party.

Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata

One day I will be playing this masterpiece requested by Daddy

Christmas and holiday season 2014

This year's festive season was so special that I need to share on my blog. It could be considered "unique" compared to previous years as there was no feeling of "Xmas is coming to town" or any desire to watch firework, etc. In fact, I both voluntarily and accidentally isolated myself from the outside world to spend more time for self reflection

On Xmas's Eve, I was riding my scooter around Vung Tau streets to look for some garments for my temple stay after getting approval from the head of zen monastery. I was desperately searching around, wandering back and forth, fortunately, I at last found one shop on Ba Cu street owned by a very amicable lady. I went back home, parking my scooter, packing my personal stuff and kissing goodbye Mommy despite her effort to retain me home.

A moped driver brought me to Chon Khong monastery located at the side of Big mountain at 8.30 pm Xmas' Eve. The main gate had been already closed by that time so I had to call their phone number to ask someone to open the gate for me. That night, from the balcony, I gazed to the sparkling view of my hometown upon the tranquility and serenity in my heart.

The schedule at the monastery was extremely rigid. A typical day started at 3am for 2 hour meditation. Meditation of buddhism is very different from that of yoga. I could barely meditate for more than 30 minutes partly due to the painstaking lotus posture. My mind was just wandering somewhere, particularly to some person recently stepping into my world (confession time). After came the breakfast when chanting was ceremoniously carried on for 15 minutes until my hunger for food almost vanished and the food already got cold. Apart from cleaning and wiping floors, I spent the rest of the day studying buddhism philosophies (Buddhism101). The most precious time was speaking with the guru about Dhamma, problems in outside world and how to apply buddhism tenets into real life.

Con Dao island Dec 2014

At last I managed to secure a flight ticket to Con Dao island after several failed attempts in the previous vacations. The next morning right after Hong Kong trip with lovely daddy and mommy, I continued packing and flying to the long awaiting island alone. 

Hardly does any place impress me in the first moments like Con Dao. The hotel taxi picked me up from the airport, driving through the long narrow coastal road where I could view the other isolated islands within the archepelago in the smoky sight. 

Throughout the whole trip, I can feel its natural untouched beauty with breathtaking  hills and mountains, long beaches, hidden lagoons and conservative national parks, etc. I was literally the sole visitor in almost attractions here except for Hang Duong cemetery. 

My companion and photographer is an old local uncle working as a moped driver. He was very enthusiastic but his honesty struck me most and left me a warm feeling towards Con dao and its locals, majority of whom are immigrants from Southern Provinces coming here in the hope of settling down a better life .

My first spot is Van Son temple located in a mountain. I'm so into the serenity and peace that the temple could bestow.

Tiger cage: My whole body was trembled when witnessing suffocating prison cells and imaginating how horrendously prisoners had been tortured by rulers in war time

After leaving the prison, I continued discovering Con Dao's amazing sceneric views. The strong wind indeed hindered me from taking perfect photos as my hair was disheveled messily

Hang Duong cemetery: I visited this place both daylight and night. I was astonished by the sacred ambience where hundreds of visitors came here to light incense rods on graves and pray for good luck. 

National Park. 

Ong Dung Beach