Sunday, May 30, 2010
moved
decided to move, so go check out reflection-intuition.tumblr.comPosted by charles at 10:38 PM
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Vietnam - Day 3
This is long overdue, but it's still fresh in my mind, what happened back in Nam.Day 3, we were to head up north to Mui Ne. It's the resort central of Vietnam, with 80% of the country's resorts situated there. The horror of the trip, we left Ho Chi Minh at 8 in the morning, or at least that was the plan. The other part of the plan was to reach Mui Ne by 2 or 3pm. Well, seems pretty reasonable, travel for 6 or 7 hours to get there. Boy were we in for a surprise. At the 3 hour mark, we weren't even half way there. To cut the long story short. We arrived at the Canary Resort just slightly before 5pm. It was a crazy journey, and everyone was just sleeping throughout the entire journey.
We had a few stopovers. One particularly weird one was a 'milk' station. Their main product for sale was dairy products, from the cows of Vietnam. Fresh milk and yogurt, which was quite tasty, so no regrets. Really good opportunity to stop and stretch too. Another was at this shady restaurant, lots of them didn't like the food, though I personally thought it was alright. Our 3rd stop was a dragon fruit farm, quite interesting, because I never really knew where dragon fruits came from, but after you see the pictures, you'll know. Our last stop before arriving at the resort was a whale temple, really queer belief, but hey, that's their culture.
Dragon Fruit plants
Beautiful colours of dragon fruits
The almost complete skeleton of a whale that landed on the shores of Mui Ne.
The front of the Canary resort at night.
After arriving at the resort, we hit the beach after dropping off our bags, and took a swim in the ocean. Notice it's not the sea, but the ocean, because we were in the Pacific! The ocean bed was just so different. There was seemingly no end to the gradient. I walked out at least 100m from the shore, and the water level wasn't even higher than my waist line. We got out of the water, and headed back to the jacuzzi. Just relaxed and got out all the stress from the long journey. After a while, the sun started to set, B-E-A-U-tiful I tell you. Just a pity that no one had a camera on hand.
Once the sun set, we all took a shower and we decided to head for dinner. The trip to dinner was very interesting. There were 2 bikes and too many people, so we decided to do a ferry service. It was so good to be back on a bike then, both as a pillion and as a rider. Although it was a short ride, but we made the fullest of it. Dinner was good. Fresh seafood; scallops, fish, snail, and other stuff. Different cooking style from here in Singapore, but good nonetheless.
Dinner was short, but it was a good time, with everyone sitting around and just chatting. After dinner, we did another ferry service back to the resort. This time it seemed like a much shorter ride then previously. That was almost the end of the night, till someone suggested dessert. That wasn't the best of ideas, dessert was pathetic comparatively to dinner.
In the end we headed back to the room to relax, and watch a soccer match. Before the match started, I decided to go out for a little fresh air, and some star gazing. First time in my life I saw shooting stars. It wasn't a meteor shower, but on two different occasions I saw stars just across the sky. It was a pleasant surprise, and just amazing.
Well, that's the end of day 3, sadly there wasn't anything that eventful.
Posted by charles at 1:21 AM
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Vietnam - Day 2
The 2nd morning, I had a rude awakening. "The first thing I see in the morning is Charles." Add to that a really satisfied smile, really turn off man. If it were a girl, I think it would be alright, but my dearest brother.
My roommate, and bed buddy.
Breakfast was provided, although it was a simple omelette with french loaf, but it was surprisingly tasty. After that we walked over to the market about 500m away, really good to see all the beautiful colours of fruit along the street. It's been a long time since I've been to a wet market, but the one there isn't very much different from Singapore. Fish, meats, vegetables all over the place, but they're very organised - all the same produce are found in the same section. There was a lot of live fish and frogs at the fish section, really cool how a pan can fit so many live fish. There's a 'hawker centre' right beside the market too, and the food there is fantabulous! There was the BBQ chicken and pork that was really really tasty, we couldn't stop eating them, and pretty cheap too.
The fruits along the way to the market.
The fish in the pan!
Really awesome BBQ meats
After breakfast, we started our 2 hour journey to the Củ Chi Tunnels. These were using during the Vietnam war by the Viet Cong as their base of operations. The entrances to the tunnels are really tiny. Even the tunnels were so small that you've got to bend over to move around, if not you've got to be on your knees. The other main highlight there is that you get to fire real weapons that were used in the war. Although all the weapons were mounted on a wall, but if you've never fired a weapon before, I guess this is one of those rare chances you'll get. Oh the most turn off thing about the place was the video that introduces the place, propaganda again man. It's actually hilarious when you watch it, but I doubt it would be very nice to laugh while watching it there. We spent about 2 hours there before heading back to HCM for a really late lunch.
Tiny entrance...really tiny
Inside the tunnel.
When we returned, we had lunch at Pho 2000, it's where Bill Clinton had pho during his official visit to Vietnam as President of The United States. I won't say the pho was fantastic, but it was still really really good. One large bowl of beef pho was good enough to appease any empty stomach. After that we went across the street to Ben Thanh Market. It's a very touristy place, lots of clothing and fabrics and souvenirs. Did I mention that EVERYTHING you get in Vietnam must be bargained,food aside though. Seriously, start lower than half the price, and you will not be disappointed. At the market I decided to tailor a few shirts, they only cost me SGD35 a piece, although the workmanship wasn't excellent, but for that price, I cant complain.
Pho at Pho2000. Really good, I need to find a good palce in Singapore that sells Pho.
After we tailored our shirts, we headed back to the guesthouse. A few of us decided to chill on the rooftop. Really nice place, on the 7th floor, with good company and some beer, really really nice. Made new friends too, like really got to know people better. After that we had dinner at a nice little Vietnamese - Italian restaurant. Food was really good, although small in portion, but hard to complain. Then the party started! Crazy Buffalo and Pink Cadillac, we visited these two places. Despite the cheap price of beer along the streets of HCM, the clubs were priced pretty much like Singapore. Frankly speaking, the crowd just wasn't good that night, so it wasn't as fun as we would have expected, at the same time the company was still good.
That was the end of Day 2, or should I say the start of Day 3.
Posted by charles at 11:53 PM
Vietnam - Day 1
I was being bugged to blog yesterday. Okie, not bugged, but asked nicely. So i shall do so. I guess i'll do a day to day thing.We hit Ho Chi Minh (HCM) at around 830, and after waiting ridiculously long at the immigration counter (by this I mean apart from the long queue, after the immigration officer was done, he held on to my passport and looked around for at least 2 minutes), we were on our way. Culture shock on the roads I tell you. All the motorcycles and cars squeezing their way to get out of the airport, there are NO lanes at all. Reached our guest house, Hong Han Guest House by 1030, and another shock awaited me. My room number was 402, now you're thinking, that's the fourth floor right, not so bad. WRONG! The ground floor has no rooms, and the next floor up has one room, and it's number is 002. So, simple mathematics will tell you that 402 was on the 6th floor!! 2 nights I had to climb up there, madness I tell you. I live on the 6th floor back home, and I hardly ever take the stairs, what more with a 10kg back pack.
This is the place we stayed at. It's 238 Bui Vien, and I really recommend it if you're there.
After checking in, we gathered downstairs to head for lunch. We had Pho, pronounced 'Fur' for all who've not been there before. It was really good by the way, and they had free wifi, so that was my first facebook update in HCM. After lunch we headed to the war remnants museum, basically saw lots of relics and pictures from the Vietnam War. Let me tell you, all propaganda! Fair enough to say that no country will tell the other side of the story. It's worth going though, but only once over the many times you visit HCM. After this, we headed to the Reunification Palace. It was the pit stop of one of the legs of the most recent season of The Amazing Race (not that you really needed to know that). Shows you where the President of the past regime would carry out his daily duties, including a bomb shelter and the First Lady's work room. Nice place to visit and take pictures, that's about it.
With my brothers in front of the Reunification Palace.
From there, we walked about 2km to Notre Dame. This was built back when Vietnam was a French Colony. It's an almost exact replica of the one in Paris, so if you can't afford to fly to Europe to see the real thing, HCM will do. Just beside the cathedral was the City Post Office, which has been around for a really long time. Didn't spend too much time at both places, because the next stop was shopping! We headed to the place called Saigon Square 2, which is a 2 storey shopping mall. Super cramped inside, very limited walking area. I didn't get much from there, everything was just replicas of Tommy Hilfiger shirts, or Adidas jerseys, nothing really worth buying. Within an hour, we were all done and outside waiting for dinner to happen.
The Notre Dame Cathedral. Picture courtesy of wikipedia. (didn't manage to get a good shot of the place)
Dinner was at this really nice Indian restaurant. Vietnam for Indian food, awesome eh. The Naan and masala was really really good, but it was a tad expensive for a food place in vietnam. After that we took a walk all the way to city hall, a really long walk. Reaching there, we were greeted by raved Vietnamese celebrating a win over Cambodia at the Laos SEA Games. They were driving around the square honking and waving their flags and making a lot of noise. We made our way across the square to another shopping mall, but this time for coffee. Highland's coffee is the place. Really nice ambiance, being on the roof top and all. We didn't have coffee though. We had beer. No better way to chill out, but with beer and good company with an excellent setting.
The Indian Restaurant with the rest of the tour group. Picture courtesy of Clarence (trip photo buddy)
City Hall. The bikes with the red blotch are the Vietnamese celebrating their win. Picture courtesy of Clarence (trip photo buddy)
There after, we headed back to the hotel to rest. Really long day that was, everyone was tired, and most people turned in after.
Posted by charles at 12:48 AM
Friday, September 04, 2009
model or model?
What does it take to be a model these days? It is seemingly increasing that beauty is the most important factor that makes a model. I don't deny that as a fact. However, is everything in life all about the outer beauty of a person? What about the inner beauty of man? Or the literary beauty of the mind?Check out the video, and you'll understand why I'm touching on this today.
I find it appalling that a model can have such a weak command of the English language, after being in this harsh education system for at least 12 years. Yes, many of us hail from Chinese educated families, or rather, families that generally speak Chinese dialects at home. However that doesn't give us the excuse to not produce people who can at least speak better, to represent the country, at such a prestigious event. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not the best speaker or writer in the world, however, I'm not here to represent my country in an even that is broadcast for the entire world to see.
That's not the only thing, how about this website? No doubt they're all out to make money, but seriously, "bored in bikinis"?! Do Singaporeans lack creativity to that extent? Some of them are models, appearing on national television, and getting into bitch fights with one another. The drama has really become a trauma for many others. Is being a model just about flaunting assets, if any for some, to woo a crowd? Shouldn't a model be a model for others to follow? A role model for everyone to watch and learn?
I'm not here to say that every single model is an airhead. If you're a model and choose to believe that's my true intentions of this entry, I think you've just proved a point. There are models out there that have bachelors or masters degrees, however what's the point if they are merely degree holders, and not graduates? I find it very sad that many of this is so obviously evident for all to see, yet everyone still patronises them, as if the way they behave is they way to go.
People who are taking part in beauty pageants are generally below the age of 23. Which I guess is far, if outer beauty is all the competition is looking for. However, have they seen enough of the world to be able to be a representative? I know I haven't seen enough of the world, but no one expects a 23 year old to have seen ALL the world. How many of them are actually well-read enough to be able to see the world, without having been all over the world? Yes looks are very important, however, is the brain the most beautiful organ that sets us humans apart from the other organisms that roam this earth? Without the brilliant and beautiful minds of the world, will they be able to stand there and tell the world about 'World Peace'?
No one is perfect, however to educate the people that will follow in our steps, we need to be the model, even if our profession is to model. It isn't the most difficult job on earth, to just pose and have your pictures taken, but it's a lot harder to pose, and let the mind capture the true essence of what's there. The media is so widespread today that even a young child of 7years old has access to every corner of the world, with a mere click of a button. It's not possible to stop every model from polluting the child's mind with rubbish that's not beneficial for growth. However as models, I believe that they can set the standard and be role models for the young, and old alike, to learn and do what's right.
If I had to pick a girl from two, a hot ditsy girl, or a intellectual plain Jane? There's really no guessing on that.
Posted by charles at 12:25 AM
Friday, August 28, 2009
Love for a child
There's a picture on my kitchen wallLooks like Jesus and his friends involved
There's a party getting started in the yard
There's a couple getting steamy in the car parked in the drive
Was I too young to see this with my eyes?
By the pool last night, apparently
The chemicals weren't mixed properly
You hit your head and then forgot your name
And then you woke up at the bottom by the drain
And now your altitude and memory's a shame
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
It's okay to be easily ignored
I like to believe it was all about love for a child
And when the house was left in shambles
Who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass
Was it mom who put my dad out on his ass or the other way around
Well I'm far too old to care about that now
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
It's okay to be easily ignored
I'd like to believe it was all about love for a child
It's kinda nice to work the floor since the divorce
I've been enjoying both my Christmases and my birthday cakes
And taking drugs and making love at far too young an age
And they never check to see my grades
What a fool I'd be to start complaining now
What about taking this empty cup and filling it up
With a little bit more of innocence
I haven't had enough, it's probably because when you're young
It's okay to be easily ignored
I'd love to believe it's all about love for a child
It was all about love...
I was listening to the lyrics, and this is one of those things that I sympathise with, how sad is it that a lot of this is really true. This is where my heart lies, to help people with these issues.
To you out there who reads this, there are people out there that care.
Posted by charles at 4:57 PM
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Singapore
What does it mean to be Singaporean? Having a pink identification in your wallet/purse? Owning the red colour covered passport? Singing Majulah Singapura everyday in school?Over the years, the definition of being Singapore has changed from the legal requirements to other less favourable etiquette.
When was the last time you went to a FnB outlet in the Central Business District, and didn't find a packet of tissue paper at the corner of the table? The concept behind it is simply to show that this seat is taken, by a tissue packet no less. Outrageous as it may seem, but it is a rampant practice.
How about when you're out shopping or having dinner at a nice restaurant, and you here a raised voice, "I'm a paying customer!" and a long list of reasons comes out from the mouth on how he/she should be treated.
Remember those days in primary school, going through Civics and Moral Education or 好公民? We were taught to give up our seats to the needy, to give way where necessary, but the way I look at it, it's this generation of youngsters that are not all doing the right thing? Must we really be a typical Singaporean, and be afraid to lose out? There doesn't seem to be much that we stand to gain by being afraid to lose out.
We need to change the mindsets of the younger generation. It's really not just about the giving up of seats, giving way where necessary. There needs to be change to not make the Singaporean an ugly citizen of the world. All this is definitely easier said then done. Everyone needs to play their part I guess. I am merely stating my views, and doing my best to not do any of this. I have to admit, that I am a culprit in some cases too. We're all human, but being human is definitely no excuse. Overtime change can and will take place.
Posted by charles at 6:13 PM
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
captivity
joseph shared this video on fb tonight, and it got me wondering about the recent article in the papers about animal activist against Resorts World Sentosa from keeping a whale shark in their supposed aquarium, that might prove to be the biggest in the world. subsequently the overall debate on whether animals should be held in captivity for the 'entertainment' of people.
i understand the concerns of the activists, not too long ago 2 whale sharks died within 5 months of each other at the georgia aquarium. it's really sad to see such magnificent creatures die because they are in captivity. i feel that it could be worse not having had a chance to see how magnificent they are. i dont think God ever planned for animals to be captured and displayed, as they are in zoos and aquariams all across the world. however He never said that we cant do so either.
is it really cruel to keep them in captivity? yes, no freedom to move around and the ecosystems out there are not balanced once one particular organism is removed from the picture. will it not be easier to study these creatures and find ways to prolong their lives when they're in captivity? no doubt in their natural environment is where they thrive, which would be the best place to study them, but some day, the world's natural habitiats will be destroyed, and the only living specimens will be found in captivity, what then?
how about food? sharks' fin for example. what's wrong with consuming sharks' fin soup? God gave us the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea, and the animals that walked on land for food. no doubt He didnt say that after we cut off the fins, we throw the body back into the sea, that part i disagree with. and i want to state this first, before i carry on, i'm not some christian extremist that quotes everything from the bible to prove a point. if the said animal is available for consumption, why not? why is it wrong to eat dogs? just because they have been domesticated, and we share a bond between human and dog?
after watching the video, i'm not swayed to think that it's a great idea to have an aquarium and keep a whale shark. in fact, i'm just in awe of the wonders of God's creation, and how sometimes, there are people that are opposed to the things in life that we create, but yet, will never come close to experiencing it anywhere else.