To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else...

Yes! another Twelve Apostles!

Yah i know, i have uploaded a few pic of twelve apostles aldy. i just couldnt control myself, its simply awesome. i have to upload this one...

Some stats. The Great Ocean Road is a 243 km stretch of road along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool.

Much of the road hugs the coast tightly, offering outstanding views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean.

Between Anglesea and Apollo Bay is a particularly scenic stretch of road which passes through many towns where mountains meet the sea. The main beach in Lorne offers great views of Louttit Bay nestled in a natural amphitheatre of hills, and Teddy's Lookout is not far from the main street.

The section near Port Campbell provides access by foot or helicopter to some of the most scenic coastline in the world, because of its striking and dramatic natural limestone and sandstone rock formations. These formations have been created by erosion from waves and rain and include Loch Ard Gorge, the Grotto, London Bridge (renamed to London Arch after the 'bridge' partly collapsed), and most famously the Twelve Apostles (picture above).

Exit 17 - Marina South

Take exit 17 and go thru a series of turns that will probably make you think if you are lost (know what? i shouldnt tell you where.. i mean, that why it's fun...right! right?? :)

Anyway, if you are not lost, you will reach a white building that says Marina Barrage.. whatever...

The barrage comprises nine steel crest gates, each 30m long, built across the 350m wide Marina Channel. Besides separating seawater from freshwater, it also acts as a tidal barrier to keep out high tides. The 5m tall steel gates can be lowered during heavy rains so that water from the reservoir can be released into the sea.

There is also a green roof which doubles up as a recreational space, open to public access. It serves as an insulation to lower the temperature of the building.

Trust me, its beautiful at night..

The first few weeks after its open to public, its absolute serenity at night totally engulfs the busy atmosphere found in the cities and CBD. Just by sitting there lifts up your spirit and prepares you for more s**t the next day! :D

Next time i will try to take it during sunset... though the angle's abit tough...

The pic was taken a few months back when there was a full moon... of cos like usual, this is a copy of the pic with lesser resolution. Can get the original one from me ;p

Happy 24th April 09...

Chicken Rice

There is this street somewhere in Malacca that resides two chicken rice stores. One at the start of the street, nice and authentic looking, probably your dream location for chicken rice like this. Do try the other store at the middle of the street... This is the one... goto try these..

The rice balls are not the drooling stuff, in my personal opinion... It is the meat.. both chicken and "char siew".. haha..

Care to join me in a drive to go up for chicken rice then drive back? Call me...

Auckland, New Zealand

Disclaimer: picture not taken by me

Alright... the place that catches my breathe away... Auckland... It is sooo peaceful and serene there, and all i ever wanted is just to read a book at the 4th level of borders and sipping a cup of mocha :D

Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai India

Disclaimer: this pic is not taken by me. i have only visited Mumbai and been inside this hotel.

Possibly the only "nice" building in the whole Mumbai region. The moment you walk in, you will immediately feel like you are in the early 50s. The lobby was nicely done up and the toilet is clean :P

i took one similar picture from this angle less the green lights (dunno why when i took my pic the lights not there). i think i lost the photo... so... make do with this picture :)

Well, everybody.. Mumbai!


PS: There was only ONE chinese restaurant in Mumbai and DO NOT try the intestine satay there :p

The year was 1753...

The Malacca Church built in 1753. The main hall of the church at the end of the aisle contains the painting "The Last Supper". The seats here are all made of old oak and each seat have an old Bible in front of it. The overall feeling of the church is really old and forgotten...

I like the painting... so took a picture of the main hallway with the painting. For the record, photography is not allowed in this church :p

心动 - 林晓培

A very touching song... the lyrics were very well conducted and it just never fails to give you a pinch of sadness...
May mean nothing to some of us, may make some of us cry, and may make a minority feel like dying... Enjoy...

有多久没见你 以为你在那里
原来就住在我的心底 陪伴着我的呼吸

有多远的距离 以为闻不到你的气息
谁知道你背影这么长 回头就看到你

过去让它过去 来不及 从头喜欢你
白云缠绕着蓝天 如果不能够永远都在一起
也至少给我们怀念的勇气 拥抱的权利 好让你明白
我心动的痕迹

过去让它过去 来不及 从头喜欢你
白云缠绕着蓝天 如果不能够永远都在一起
也至少给我们怀念的勇气 拥抱的权利 好让你明白
我心动的痕迹

总是想再见你 还试着打探你的消息
原来你就住在我的身体 守护我的回忆

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAZrOgN1C9A&feature=related

Tomita

When people talk about Japan, they will generally talk about Tokyo, or Osaka. What if, somewhere in Hokkaido, there is a farm that's full of beautiful flowers, different types of them, so much so that it forms a rainbow on the ground visible from afar?

To me, that's pure beauty... :)

PS: Makes me think of the song "Lavender" by Kelly Chen :)
PS: this is the only place in this blog i have not been to. hope i can visit it soon!

Melbourne

This is the view of one of the alley i noticed at Melbourne.. Must take a pic!

Yarra River of Melbourne.. I was walking down the bridge eating my hotdog when i look up and saw this... Its wonderful..

its like the river is telling me: "go on! take my pic, im smiling for you and i even gotten mr. moon to come along to take this pic!"

Twelve Apostles

After 4hours of driving from Melbourne city, finally reached 12 Apostles. By the time i reach there its sunset time.. the sun is glaring yet it is extremely cold. Hmm... if only the sun is behind me, that way i can get a clear view of this majestic nature!


Stayed over at Port Campbell for the night which is about 30min drive from 12 Apostles.

Waiting for the moment.. yes, sunrise!
woke up early in the morning and drive back to the 12 Apostles... pls.. let it be a nice sunrise!

Sydney

Yes, this is it.. The iconic structure of Sydney, Australia. Yah, where else can i take a picture of when im at Sydney?!

Hunter Valley

Spent 2-3 hours driving over from Sydney city to Hunter Valley via the Pacific Highway.

Over-looking the vast land of berries and grapes at Hunter Valley, Australia. The view is fantastic, air is fresh with a faint breeze of chilled air constantly blowing at me... Picture perfect :)

Gold Coast

Gold Coast, Australia.. just 1-2 hours ride from Brisbane.. The beach here is majestic!!!

Brisbane

Hungry Jack's in Brisbane, Australia...

HK Disneyland

Well, how can anyone go HK nowadays and not go Disneyland? haha...

Xu Liu Shan!

Being in HK, the most memorable food, or dessert i can think of will be the "Xu Liu Shan".. the desserts they offer were very unique and tasty!

They offer a hugh variety of desserts like fruit ice, pudding, herbal desserts and other fried stuff. My personal fav will be the chinese herbal pudding and bird nest ice...

Back at the stay at HK, i think i had those half-sinful desserts almost every night... OMG!

Night view of HK from Victoria Peak

Though i was quite tired... but it was worth the wait from around 4pm till now... :)

Ladies and gentlemen... Night view of HK from Victoria Peak!

3rd time to HK.. Day view of HK from Victoria Peak

Although 3rd time to HK, this is the very first time i had a day view of Kowloon and HK Island from Victoria Peak. Took a Peak Tram up to the Victoria Peak shopping centre, and took this pic from the "top of the world" :)

The view was exceptional... Im going to stay here till sunset and see it again from the night point of view.. YEAH!

Suppose to be the sunset of my last MSNP...

After 2years plus in the same place, its time to move on...

This could have been the sunset of my last MSNP... It happens in a very coincidental fashion. I was sleeping in my cabin when i was suddenly awoken by the noisy passageway, which i will normally just sleep thru.

Decided to take a breather, i proceed up to the bridge-wing... To my amazement, i saw one of the best sunset i have ever encountered... nice blend of colour, good angle, clear sky with fantastic cloud formations.

So.... grab a camera and capture this moment... :P

Quote of the Week

That's right. It's right. He's right. She's right. Those words are echoed every day by millions of people. Once we decide we are right, an abundance of energy goes into defending our rightness. However, if we look at the situation objectively, we will quickly become aware that we are never right.

Our way may be a good way, it can be a valid way, it might even be a better way - but it will never be the right way. The minute you believe your way is the right way, all other ways will be wrong. That attitude will quickly paralyze progress. It will shut down the creative juices, which have given you and I a standard of living that is the envy of the world.

Permit me to make a suggestion. The next time you hear yourself saying, "that's right or I'm right," correct yourself immediately by repeating, that is a good way, and I might act on it. However, there is a better way and I will look for it.

The first telephones were a good way, a better way, even a great way to communicate. However, history has proven that the first telephones were certainly not the best way to communicate. By comparison with today's telephone systems, they were terrible.

This basic concept holds true with everything we do, from health care to air travel. Think of your own business or industry and the role you play in it. You could very easily be caught in the trap of doing your job the same way because you believe it is the right way. It may be effective but there is always a better way. One small adjustment could improve your productivity one hundred percent.

Your way may be effective, it may be valid, but it's never right. There is a better way. Find it!

The Road Less Travelled...

******* Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
and sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller,
long I stood And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them realy about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trpdden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads onto way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh.
Somewhere ages and ages hence;
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I?
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.


- Robert Frost [1916]

*******

Today as i was reading some materials online, i came across a document posted by a girl writing very sad stories about herself. She talks about how life is a life not appreciated by herself. She was sad at the outcome of her academic life, and how her sister is doing well. This story happens to almost everyone, everywhere... But of cause, every story tends to be different a bit. Till now, there's no reason to conclude who's right and wrong but rather what to do. Why do we always suffer in our life? Well, I have a lot of "theories" to discuss, today I will only touch on one.

1) Put yourself in others shoes This is easier said than done. When you are very angry and mad at someone, would you calm down for a minute and think carefully at the situation in a third person point of view? The answer is a straight NO! Normally when something bad happens, the most possible thought you have is... My situation is the worst, nothing can be as bad as this, others will never understand. Well, it's good at times that we quiet down and look at everything in a different way, a general way, a wider perspective. To solve the girls problem above, I would say that she must believe in herself first, and have confidence i herself too...

Dunkin in Jarkata

Dunkin' Donuts claims to be the "world's largest coffee and baked goods chain", serving 2.7 million customers per day at approximately 8,000 stores in 30 countries. It is found in Malaysia, Indonesia etc... And when i was at Jarkata waiting for the mono-rail train to come, i saw this and i just had to take this pic! And you know what? after so much info on Dunkin and all the 30 countries bla bla bla stuff..... SG doesnt have one!!!! haha..

Leisurely eating in a country full of TuTu??!!??

Think i was sitting in a foodcourt eating some really nice snacks, overlooking another mega-shopping mall... immediately took this pic :)

One look and you know where this place is :) It is such an iconic form of transport in Thailand!! Always remember, must bargain the fee... MUST!!! Muwahahaha....

Cycling trip to no where...

Man this was a hot and humid afternoon...

Colourful Sunset

Isnt this a beautiful scene? :)

Probably the first time i see such colour combinations... Quickly dash to find the nearest cam to take this once in a lifetime shot!

There are a lot of time when you start to "convince" yourself that someone you cared for is no longer caring towards you, this is very normal because as time goes by humans always demand more! This is, sad to say "human nature"! But as long as you take time and sit down... and think over again... You should realise that the best evidence is right before you! The best evidence that both of you cared for each other! Cause it's the memory, the experience that one will never ever forget... that unknowingly bonds two hearts together!

Yes! It's the Love of God that bonds two hearts together! And whenever you are disappointed, angry, sad... You still couldn't find the words to "scold" them, because when you wanted to do that, you realise you love them more than you hate them!

Continue to love them, for God has always love you!

Cafe Cafe

Seen a cafe before its done up...

And of cos.. after the cafe is done up :>

The first pic and the last (above picture), the diff with both is two months.

Visited Bintan in 2004 for a camp... Great way to relax after stuffing in books into myself for 1year plus. Very good place to go to if you are not interested in shopping at all.

2nd Trip to Hongkong...

Victoria Harbour taken from Kowloon! What a view..

This time i went to HK with my secondary school friends/classmates. It was one of those trips to other countries that i dont feel all the restrictions since this time round im not sailing there on ops :)

This time i get to enjoy and really go "sight-seeing". Ha.. embrace vibrant HK!!! There is the SINO Centre in the picture, one of my fav centres. It is like SimLim except that all the stuff are alot cheaper.

MSTD!

The year was 2001.. I was a Midshipmen (Naval Officer Training Cadet) back then. It was perhaps one of the most memorable experience i ever encountered.

Being a Midshipmen we will basically follow the training ship to various countries around the world, sailing across South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Enduring the unforgiving sea states in the process. Life was tough, but it was fun... D**n fun!

Places i visited includes:

Mumbai, India
Surubaya, Indonesia
Batam, Indonesia
Hongkong
Brisbane, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Wellington, New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand

Well, i have a little problem. Back then, i dont have a digital camera and thus i do not have those pic i have taken in digital format.. trying to look for these pics and scan them in... stay tune for the pics :)

When I was young...

I remembered when i was about 8 yrs old i took my first ever flight.. to China, Shantou.. It was my first time experiencing lift off, especially from an rather old, second hand, single aisle airplane (China Air). I was not bothered by the flight though, i was fast asleep after lift-off! Maybe its due to the fact that i stayed up late the night before and just couldnt get any sleep (very excited).

I been to a couple of places within Shantou and Guangzhou but back then cameras are expensive (so are films) so i dont recall having taken much pictures.. :(

Anyway, while on the way back i remembered the plane had to emergency land on Guangzhou and we stayed at the Guangzhou Int Airport Hotel for free overnight... What an experience..!!!