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The Singaporean passenger next to me slammed the paper snackbox on the table in front of him, shaking his head in disbelief. “China Airlines 15 years ago… this is what they give us. Who can imagine - UA, an American Airline? Why are they going backwards?”

We were on an evening flight, and you’d expect any decent airline to serve dinner - or at least something more substantive than a ham and cheese half-sandwich wrapped in gladwrap, and a small packet of Lay’s Sour Cream and Onion chips.

An air hostess, possibly in her 60s (they’re all old men and women), confirmed in her condescending accent that this was all we were going to get.

Not entire surprising, given that United Airlines filed for protection under the Chapter 11 bankruptcy code earlier this decade. They couldn’t even afford telly screens in their Boeing 747.

I was hungry, so I didn’t care much for it. I looked at my snackbox again. It told me, through the font size 80 print on its cover, to “ENJOY!”

So I tried.

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Conversely, my favourite carriers: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and QANTAS. Thai Airways too, is not bad.

At the Shiraito Falls

Near the Karuizawa bird sanctuary

Barely five hours upon my arrival in Hong Kong, after having dinner with my grandparents, I was on the MTR with a 7-kilo backpack (not really that heavy, but enough to rob me of a few millimeters of height and loads of calories) and tripod, on my way to Lantau Island. I admit that I was nervous, not knowing what craziness drove me to agreeing to join an overnight hike to the peak of Hong Kong’s second-tallest hill at 938m above sea level. The last time I had attempted anything of this nature was a day trek across Hong Kong island a year and a half ago. In between… the closest I had was Bukit Timah hill.

The ascent was slow and labourous, winds were strong and the air dry and thin. But oh! The night sky of stars… never have I seen so many, and so brightly, since my days in Australia. The crescent moon was rising behind us, faintly illuminating our way. Light from torches fell on a terrain of mainly dirt road, chiseled stone steps and rocks. We took care not to step on the earthworms, some dead and surrounded by ants, and the many ‘roaches and centipedes that occasionally scuttled across the path. Now and then, someone would point to the front and shout, “shooting star!”

We came across groups of locals along the way, some out of breath, telling us to “go on ahead first”. There were many hikers that night… more than I had expected. Looking straight ahead, I could see a trail of moving lights heading up the hill.

Typhoon signal no. 1 was hoisted by the time we reached the summit (it would escalate to no. 9 the next day). Despite the winds, the haze came, and obscured the view and faraway city lights, casting an mystical orange glow around the mountains. Up there, we rested, and waited. I set to work with my camera, stealing a little shut-eye in between exposures. Around us, some hikers assembled their makeshift pantries and started cooking instant noodles and sausages. I devoured two cereal bars and some Toblerone.

The sunrise came and went quickly - a yellow peeking yolk. It wasn’t that spectacular nor particularly golden, but it was a worth it. Worth sacrificing sleep for, worth remembering.

The treacherous way down was a test of mental willpower (heights!) as much as it was a trial of endurance. I admit I cheated by having others share my load… but still! We made it!

More photos on Flickr.

Working life, life in Singapore, and a certain urban laziness meant that I haven’t enjoyed a sunrise in ages. Those morning rays that peek in through gaps in the curtains don’t count; me watching the sunrise from my bed doesn’t count.

(Alright, I recently caught a sunrise after the over’nighter on Ubin, but that was work, and I didn’t get to enjoy it per se…)

A quick march up the hill in the semi-darkness through the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve brought us to the foot of what was supposedly Peninsular Malaysia’s oldest functional lighthouse. The knoll faced south, and across the Malaccan Straits was Sumatra in the distance. Dawn broke from the east, nothing spectacular, but refreshing nevertheless, as all sunrises always are.

Powder, powder, and more powder. Just can’t get enough of it. Snow, that is. Thigh-deep snow.

Itinerary: Tokyo > Hakodate > Lake Toya > Niseko > Sapporo > Chitose

A few incidents I’d rather forget. A time for growth. For the family. And more instances I’d never want to forget. Memories. Laughter. Fun.

The same gang of us who went to Lake District almost exactly two years ago again assembled for a quick weekend road trip, through the beautiful scenic countryside, deep into Wales. I enjoyed every minute of it, although the way was beset with little disappointments. For years I had been wanting to see the puffins, which can only be found in a couple of islands off the coast of the UK, and I thought this was it - that I (we) were finally going to nail them for sure. We were close. So very close - just a queue and a 15min boat ride away. We were told that it was no-go for that day… winds too strong, waters too rough for a landing. Curses up and down along the queue, for there were others, aside from ourselves, who travelled great distances just for this opportunity. Sigh, bad luck, I guess. *shrugs*

So we walked around the cliffs and tried to look for the grey seals that were said to frequent the coast. After waiting and looking long and hard, we spotted a pair, frolicking in the water. I had expected to see them basking under the sun on the rocks, but they stuck to the water.

And then there’s the ocean - a deep, blue, vast expanse of water. That, the blue skies, the lush green of the cliffside bushes, the horses, the gulls, choughs, shags, and oystercatchers… it made it worthwhile. Totally.

~ 600 miles’ journey across and back

Brecon Beacons National Park

Horses at Martin’s Haven

The Pembrokeshire coast

Went to Little India for a little exploration, this time at night, and with ZF and the budak. After an Indian buffet dinner (the spice was bearable, not once did I need to take out the tissue packet!), we plodded along, but not before we were treated to a cup of… hmmm… something gingery and spicey-tasting tea, on the house.

We passed by a tailor shophouse-turned-prayerhouse-of-God and were welcomed by a Mandarin-speaking Indian Christian Father whom we saw earlier in that same shop house preaching to a congregation in Tamil. They are all such friendly people, and like I told ZF, so friendly that I’m afraid I’d be kidnapped!

We saw a crowd, a procession, and a chariot of some sort lifted by some Hindu priests. It was the ‘Bramha Utsavam’ festival at the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and we went in to observe the proceedings. Was offered cups of their yellow drink - a concoction of dhal, cashew nuts, milk, and sugar… it was warm, sweet. Talked to some priests, temple stewards and devotees…

At the entrance of the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple - the Bramha Utsavam ceremony of sorts?

Hindu devotees waiting to enter the temple

Photos :: Little India

Flower market at Victoria Park

Getting into position for the fireworks

In TST

HK city skyline with CNY light-ups on the skyscrapers

Mongkok

Been having a great time here, seeing relatives, grabbing my family along to Lantau, hanging out with friends, saw one of the Twins and Leo Ku, and messa even appeared on the local newspaper for one of the CNY specials, quote, photo and all! Teehee. Gotta run… zzz… job interview tomorrow!

Photos :: Hong Kong

Blogging from the new terminal with my N73… haven’t had time to analyse the architecture, but it appears to be quite green (read: eco-friendly), and very cool!

Back in civilization, with access to the ‘net! In Tokyo now, having spent the past few days at various towns and outposts in Hokkaido.

Some photos have been uploaded. Have a look!

Photos :: Japan Dec 2007-08

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明けましておめでとう - Happy New Year to all!

The previous few nights in London saw mist.

The entire day yesterday saw heavy fog. I had my stuff packed way ahead of time, for once, and that allowed for a bit of shooting in Hyde Park before I had to leave for the airport.

Photos :: Fog in Hyde Park

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While in the cab with Kamil and Vincent, who saw me off (thanks guys :)), we had a good chat on global citizenship and the Londoner identity with the driver, who’s from Somalia. I suppose I’ll be writing more on that later.

The radio reported that there were some cancellation and delays of flights at Heathrow and the other airports. But I was lucky: my flight was merely grounded - with us on board - for a little over an hour, and I managed to fight my way from an aisle (boo on the Singapore Airlines website’s technical problems!) to a window seat. Heathrow was unusually quiet; most people made off yesterday. No queues, no crowds, no hustle bustle. Wasn’t that fortunate on the plane though. The man who sat in the seat next to mine could have totally passed for one of London’s unshaven homeless.

He stared at me (or rather, my camera) when I took my baby out to take a shoot of my view from the window. I could barely see the outline of the wing tip!

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Went about doing the necessary once I got back to Singapore.

Orchard Road was a sea of people, I had to - perspiringly - weave through crowds and my top was all damp by the time I made it back home after getting what I needed. The Christmas street light-up is one of the best I’ve seen in years though - a pity I couldn’t get out there to take proper pictures. Had a Christmas Eve dinner with family and family friends, and we saw the parade floats go by when we were heading out.

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Just finished packing now - I’ll be off to Japan till the end of the following week for a family trip and to visit relatives.

A good Christmas to all; rest well and be merry!

Was at Liverpool Street’s Old Spitalfields and Brick Lane markets over the weekend. Nice weather, for once, and great company.

Its markets sell anything and everything you can think of, mostly second-hand, but some are quality wares. Fruits and vegs are sold fresh and cheap, and the entire neighbourhood is a diverse, densely multicultural area, being home to London’s Bangladeshi community, and formerly of the Jewish and Huguenot communities. Vendors and visitors are not limited to the Middle East and Indian subcontinent though - there are Chinese, Japanese and other Europeans who have set up stalls there. Its street corners with tattered posters and stickers, and graffiti walls (photographers are drawn to them like seagulls to bread) are a constant visible reminder of the area’s vibrant artistic and political culture.

One thing dismayed me though - the Square Pie shop is gone!

Photos :: London East End Album

I know, I’m late and overdue in doing a post on the environment for 15th Oct. But if it’s blogging in support of a cause, every day can be blog action day… there’s nothing too special about this post in that it isn’t anything I wouldn’t normally write about; the only difference being that I’m [...]