[tags]Photography, Sydney, Harbour Bridge, 2007, Travel[/tags]
Archive for September, 2007
While in Penang, Sheila brought me to the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion aka “La Maison Bleu” or the Blue Mansion. During my last visit, I missed the timings for the daily tour, but this time round, we managed to catch the 3pm tour. The tour was nothing short of fantastic, especially the story behind this magnificent mansion and it’s owner. I was especially sad to hear that after his death, his children sold off his business and all his properties, except this one, which was kept because it was enforced by his will.
Anyway, part of the tour went about how the mansion was built with strong emphasis on “feng shui”. The guide showed us how these were inconspicuously incorporated into the entire house, from the most basic structures to the minute details. There came a point where the guide said… “Feng is wind and Shui is water… these are free, you don’t pay bills for wind or (rain) water right?”. In the back of my mind, I wanted to ask her “are you sure we aren’t paying bills for wind and water?” And no, I’m not talking about the PUB bills because we’re lucky we’re only paying money. There are people (and animals) around the world who are paying it with their lives. Just look at the rising amount of “natural” disasters.
Although I didn’t ask any questions, but based on what happened after his death, I figured, no amount of Feng Shui will help if one doesn’t work for it. And if we don’t change for the better, very soon, there won’t even be “feng” or “shui”.
Anyway, this is just a thought. I’m not an environmentalist or Greenpeace activist and I don’t go to Live Earth concerts. Don’t use me as a benchmark:)
[tags]Feng Shui, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang[/tags]
My friend once told me… “late” is my middle name. And I just have to keep proving it…
While heading to the airport in Penang, I was just sharing stories with Nic and Sheila about how I nearly missed my flights previously, and telling them, this time I’m very sure it’s 630pm. I did my internet check-in and thought, well, I can be there at 530pm and still board on time. As usual, I looked for my flight details upon arriving at the airport, and to my horror, it says 605pm. The conversation with the check-in personel went like this…
Me: *walked towards one of the many closed counters* Erm… I’m checking in for 605pm flight to Singapore…
CIP: Sorry, it’s closed, you have to wait for the next flight.
Me: Can you please let me go through?
CIP: I’m sorry, I’ll put you on the next flight.
Me: … ok, but I checked in already
CIP: !!!! *speaking in the calmest tone he could muster*… Mr Tan… even if you have checked in, you STILL have to be here early.
Me: I…
CIP to colleague: Help me print a ticket for 63 Kilo… *typing furiously on his computer*
CIP to Me: *look at all my bags (4 of them)* You have to hand carry everything…
Me: But got liquid inside… more than 100ml…
(at this point, I can tell he wants to tear me apart… but still keeping it very professional)
CIP: Ok, bring it here… *handed me the boarding pass* now go to the gate IMMEDIATELY!!
Me: …*points at his desk*… my passport.
CIP: … (good thing they are not armed, else I think he’ll shoot me)
I think they are going to ban me from flying very soon. Ok ok, I promise, next time I’ll be there early, I’ll bring a book to read. So sorry about the inconveniences, but I have to say, they are so much nicer than the ones I encountered in Singapore, because here, they “follow law”.
Finally, after playing hide and seek for more than 2 weeks, he finally bestowed me the title of “uncle”. My nephew was born just a day after I came back from Sydney, after waiting for his arrival for a good 16 days. I even extended 2 more days hoping to see him, but he sure knows how to play me out. Bro-in-law sent me a photo early on Sunday morning, before I headed for Penang. When I looked at his photo, I could imagine him saying… “bleah, you lose!!”
Today, sis called me and we chatted abit. The baby’s fine and he put his mum through 16 hours of labour (ouch!). And the most amazing thing is… when my sis first held him, she told him “you missed uncle by a day…”. Guess what, he smiled :S
After spending 16 days in Sydney, 2 days in Penang, I’m finally back home. Mentally refreshed but physically tired. Going to catch some really nice sleep before working out my schedule for the next 2 weeks. Main aim is to strike a perfect balance between work and personal time (which also means, less reliance on the mobile phone). I read this article that a good percentage of people will choose to have their mobile phones over almost everything, including sex.
Only saw that “走光” after I downloaded the photos.
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Travel, Self Portrait[/tags]
[tags]Photography, Sydney, Bondi Beach, APEC 2007, Travel[/tags]
“The name derives from the blueish tinge the range takes on when viewed at a distance, which is caused by the release of volatile oils from eucalyptus forests.” – Wikipedia
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Blue Mountains, Travel[/tags]