Last night in Kuching

        The calmness of the sea during sunset

Sitting in front of the laptop, looking back at these pictures that I've taken during the holidays, its really a reminder of how fast time flies, how not permanent things are in life.

Instead of going out for a last drink with friends, I've took the decision to stay back at home and spend the night in the warmness of being at home. 

During this period of a month's holiday, much were done and much were undone as well, be it planned or unplanned. 

Planned work were only half done, with the other half undone. I guess its homework at Perth and sending it back.

I felt bad that time spent with friends this time was drastically less. Less meeting up and drinking sessions. Only 2 trips were made with no full attendance though. Mt. Singai climb and Bako National Park + DUN night shooting were among the activities. Besides these, I've got quite an interesting fishing trip with dad and his friend. Pictures will be posted up later.

I'm just so confused about life now.....More to come tomorrow as I've got plenty of transit time at Changi.

Leaving Kuching for Perth 1100hrs tomorrow and I wont be back till late February 2010. Till then..

So long 张明通叔

张明通叔 - He was a extraordinary man I have ever known till now. He is able to perform extraordinary things that you just cannot believe your eyes and ears. Being able to tell you who you are, what happened to you before and most importantly, his ability to give you some prediction about your future makes him a famous Feng Shui Master around this region. 

I've got to know this man since I was a kid. He was always with dad and his 'project' of erecting a grand "Feng Shui' for our ancestors back in China back in the year 1996-1997 makes me have a deep memory of him. Lots of story was heard of him performing many acts that an ordinary person may not have even seen before such as 'cleansing' you from evil spirits, cleansing of spirits from homes and even his consultation by many well known figures around the state. 

He was a great man indeed. Unfortunately, he has left us on 7th July 2009. Me and dad was at Sibu when he left us and we rushed back to attend his funeral. His funeral was the grandest by far I've attended and I was honored to be their photographer for the ceremony on the last day of the mourning that lasted for 4 days. 

Here, though this post is late, I would like to extend my heartiest condolence to 张明通叔's family especially to Chong Siew Boon and Chong Siew Choon, who was with us and whom I've got to know them personally. 

My greatest respect for uncle for being such a great and extraordinary man I've got to know. May you rest in peace in the other world. 

Here are the pictures taken on the very last day:

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5. Breaking of father-son bond

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35. Nailing of coffin nail by eldest son

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47. The grand feast - an approx of 500 attendees, eating on the road itself. 

48. The grand feast - an approx of 500 attendees 

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56. Last toast...

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Lots of pictures...SLow loading speed expected, so be patient..

An altered Road Trip

Monday, 6th July 2009. Me and dad went on a road trip en-route to Miri and the expected time of return is Saturday, 11th July 2009. 

We stopped by many small town such as Sri Aman, Betong, Saratok and Sarikei before reaching Sibu. 2 nights were spent at Sarikei and Sibu respectively. Its a business trip where my dad's friend were to collect back debts from his business all the way from Kuching to Miri, and that's why we stopped by so many places. 

While at Sibu on the 3rd day, we had a walk at the waterfront, the famous boats assembly area where boats plying internal districts route are busy loading either daily stuffs into their ships or people en-route to internal districts such as Kapit and Song. We then visited our clients' store and also staff at Sibu. That night, we also had a dinner with one of our clients and also dad's Sibu close friend. We used to stay at his house whenever we visit Sibu if we are alone. 

Life is packed with the unexpected. That night at the dinner, we were talking about dad's close friend, uncle 张明通。 Suddenly, we got a phone call from mum saying that uncle 张明通 is at the hospital and is vomiting blood profusely. Everyone was shocked to hear that and we even thought that he was only admitted to the Timberland that night after vomiting blood at home. uncle 张明通's son, Siew Boon is one of our staff and we got a call from him informing us that he is rushing back to Kuching using the last bus plying Sibu-Kuching. 

After dinner, approx 45mins later, we reached back at the hotel. While looking for parking at around the compound of the hotel, dad got another phone call. What I heard was 'HA?? COnfirm bo??' I knew that something wasnt that right already at that very moment. After dad finished his conversation on the phone, he told us in a sad tone that uncle 张明通 had just passed away. We all dropped our jaws, shocked to accept this shocking fact. 

Hence, the trip to Miri for me and dad is altered. We changed our plan to return back to Kuching the next day using express boat to attend uncle 张明通 funeral.

I was asked by uncle 张明通's son, Siew Boon to photograph the very last day of the funeral ceremony where all the rites and ceremonies are carried out. Pictures will be posted in the next post. 

Here are some of the pictures taken during the road trip:

1. Sibu Yu Chiong

2. Handsome Trading Company?

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4. Sarikei-Sibu Junction

5. King of Mod

6. Betong

7. Betong Bazaar

8. Betong 

9. Sri Aman temple

10. Betong

11. Betong town

12. Sri Aman bazaar

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22. New Celcom packagE? Photostat Celcom Blue??

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25. Mee Hung? or Mee Hoon??

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31.Heavy fine with heavy pollution!!

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35. Kuli...

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42. Temple @ Sibu

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48. Express boat terminal

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52. Kapit express boat

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54. Sanyan & Temple

55. Fishing boat

56. Petrol kiosk, for boats

57. Plywood factory - all allong Batang Rajang

58.Sibu town

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61. Indonesian cargo ship @ Batang Rajang

62. Deserted house along Batang Rajang

63. Terminal 2 - Sarikei

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66. Stick houses

67. Approaching Kuching Harbor


Pictures aren't in sequence...

Mt Serapi CLimb

5th July 2009, my family, Janice and Arden went on a climb at Mt. Serapi. Ascend began at 0715hrs and we reached the observation tower 2 hours later.

Some pictures of the day:
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27. Apple KeyBoard..

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30. Bokeh...

Some pictures finally..

Here are some of the pictures taken, not according to sequence from Perth to Singapore and then Kuching lately. Its according to grouping from SIngapore-Kuching-Perth-Singapore....

Need some comments for improvements!! So please be generous with them.

1. Merlion Park

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9. Chee Shing and his Canon..

10. Cute?? The 2nd one..

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12. Yui Ping with my Nikon.

13. Big Boss

14. Aiyor...So innocent look..

15. My office...

16. Little India, Singapore..

17. Sister...

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19. With Singapore relatives..

20. Club house pool...forget the name of the club..

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23. Bugis..

24. GoodWood Park Hotel Cafe

25. Raffles City

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29. City Hall MRT Station

30. Towards Esplanade

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34. Merlion

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37. My house-Tze Tung's Jazz

38. Why hand put so high...

39. Roe on Regal

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42. Perth Airport

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44. Camera shop-Singapore

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47. Bugis

48. Little India

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