Travel: Donsol Philippines (Mar 14)

Our Cebu pacific Flight from Manila to Legazpi was flying in the air for 15mins and decided to turn back to Manila due to technical problem. In the end, we changed the aircraft and our flight was delayed for 3hrs. (Pretty Scary considering the recent MH370 Incident)

View of Mt Mayon (2400m) from Legaspi Airport.

The beautiful view of sea from Elysia Beach Resort

Our spotter and guide searching for Whale Sharks.

Another Spotter

Swimming with the 8m long Whale Shark!!! 

Exhilarating experience!!

It is the best animal interaction I ever had. Surreal experience. Swimming slowly with this graceful giant.

Excited. =)

Waiting to jump into the water again.

Within half an hour, we managed to have 2 interactions with the Whale Sharks. We were really lucky, after that, we waited 2.5hrs in vain. 

Enjoying the sun and the breeze.

Sunset.

After dinner, we decided to do the firefly tour in the swamp area: 

A Christmas Tree of Fireflies pulsating in synchrony in the dark. 

Amazing experience!!

I have never seen anything like this before.

This photo does it no justice. Imagine thousands of fireflies lighting up a tree. :))

Elysia Beach Resort

(Basic Room, but really nice environment.)

Breakfast View

Breakfast

This is one of the best breakfast experiences I had in recent time. 

Nothing special, except a Great view of the sea & beach, No Crowd, Peaceful, Nice Breeze, Soothing background music, Body not in pain.

Perfect!

What more do I need. =)

Another view of the resort.

Donsol. 

Peaceful.

The beach and sand wasn't the best, and visibility of the water is okay only. I went for swim in the ocean (hoping to spot Whale Sharks while I was swimming), and then, I started thinking of the possibilities of seeing other sharks in the water. This thought freaked me out, and I decided to swim back to the shore immediately. Haha. 

2nd Day Whale Shark Interactions

9m long Whale Shark 

Swimming really slowly

Graceful Creature

View above the Shark

View from the back

Front View (Taken by SM)

We had an amazing 2nd day experience swimming with the Whale Sharks - 3 encounters. We had a quality interaction, where we swam together with the whale shark for at least 2-3 minutes.

Compilation of the Whale Sharks Interaction for the 2 days: 5 encounters. =)

And one item struck off from my bucket list.

My group was really lucky, as my friends (those who arrived a week earlier and a week later) did not manage to see any whale sharks. Apparently, those 2 days when I was in Donsol, were the days with the most encounters with the Whale Sharks during that 3 week period.

What better way to end the tiring day with a massage by the beach.

=)

Kinship

This week, I learned quite a bit about the importance of kinship. 

Encounter 1:

This week during my volunteering activity in a hospital, an AIDs patient (in his 50s) told me that his sister would be fetching him back home the next day. He was beaming with joy and I could not forget the smile on his face. In fact, most of the patients are longing for their family visits and support (and may be acceptance).

Encounter 2:

A friend who was studying in Australia for the past few years decided to return to Singapore. A few years ago, she was quite happy with her new life in Australia - new environment, more nature, more space, more laid-back, less stressful, less crowded etc... But recently, she grew sick and tired of the place, as she did not have a support of a local community and family. She was quite lonely. At least, back in Singapore, she could always count on her family and friends.

Encounter 3:

Visited a friend whose infant daughter was recently discharged from the hospital. His daughter did not breathe for 20 mins after birth, and as a result, she suffered from severe brain damage (she was warded in intensive care unit for days). She could not do instinctive things like sucking or swallowing. My friend (an ex-convict) had a difficult relationship with his father, but during this period, his father and extended family had shown tremendous support - emotionally, financially, physically. He was very touched by it. 

I was also very touched when I saw how my friend fed his daughter through a tube (which was inserted from her nose to her stomach). His infant daughter needs to be fed every 3 hours, and each feeding takes 1hr-1.5hr. Parents' love is indeed selfless and unconditional.

Well, it is really in times of trouble and difficulties, we know who are the people who really love us and stand with us and not deserting us. It is in time of trouble we see great human spirits and love. 

I am very fortunate to be born in a family and a culture that value strong family ties. The main contribution by Confucius is really emphasizing the importance of Filial Piety and kinship in a Chinese society.

I read this on BBC:

‎"It is no accident that the Chinese write the family name first followed by the given name. It reflects the overriding importance of the family in Chinese history."

  

On Saturday morning, my niece came to me and said 

"舅舅 (Uncle), I love you." 

I gave her a hug and that made my day!

It is priceless.

:)

Photography: Singapore Botanic Garden

I did not visit Singapore Botanic Garden for a long time (except for a wedding dinner).

Today, I took time off to enjoy it slowly and mindfully.

It was really enjoyable - strolling slowly, listening to the birds, feeling the breeze, breathing fresh air.

The slower I move, the more things I notice, the more I enjoy.

Practicing mindfulness is wonderful.

Everything is beautiful.

However, it is only visible to those who slow down and appreciate it.

It is wonderful.

I will let the photos do the talking.

=)

When is the last time you slow down and appreciate life?

=)

Beautiful Things in Life: Mt Everest

Majestic Mt Everest

(Taken on the Flight out of Nepal Dec'09)

Beautiful Things in Life: Sky & Cloud

I was walking along the street.

Then, I realized the beauty of Sky and Cloud.

I was so touched and awed by its beauty that tears began to fill my eyes.

.

Really grateful to be alive.

Sometimes we forgot that we are alive.

Sometimes we forgot that being alive itself is a form of miracle.

Beautiful Things in Life: My Niece reciting Chinese Poems.

Such a joy to watch her growing up.

=)

Beautiful Things in Life: My Niece =D

2Yrs & 7mths, yet she looks like a young adult.

Watching her growing up is one of the best experiences.

=D

Beautiful Things in Life: Portrait of Boon

Portrait of Boon

(Drawn by my 2.5 years-old Niece)

After Keena drew the picture, 

she pointed at it and said "舅舅"!

.

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Not the nicest depiction of me, but

I just LOVE it.

=)

Beautiful Things in life: Potala Palace

Sunrise @ Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet (2005)

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There are certain moments in life that I will never forget. Those precious moments made my life colourful and meaningful. Something I will bring with me when I leave this world.

One of them is definitely seeing Potala Palace.

On the bus from the Airport to Lhasa City, I had a glimpse of Potala Palace - the excitement and happiness was overwhelming for me. It was an amazing moment. There are very few times in my life I felt this kind of extreme happiness. 

.

I had seen other great momuments, but none of them bring this kinda happiness & excitement.

Why do I have such affection towardsTibet?

I really don't know. 

I just know that I will be back again... hopefully soon. =) 

End of Year 2009...

I always like the end of the year...

Time to reflect the things that I have done & could have done...

Time to contemplate my life & my inevitable death...

Time to be grateful for all the wonderful things in my life...

Most importantly,

Time to spend quality time with my family and friends...

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.

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I am especially grateful to spend my new year eve with one special group of friends - My Primary School Friends. I always join them for countdown since 31st Dec 1998 (except 2 years when I spent it at New York City Time Square & New Delhi Airport). We are good friends since 1987, and it is happy to see our group expanding with addition of partners & kids.

.

I guess I am getting old now...

I am avoiding partying on the street or in a club...

I do not need expensive drink to get me high to feel happy...

I do not need to wear expensive outfit to impress others...

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I just need good company to laugh together.

What more do I need from life?

=)

Ugly Faces Pic @ Dhome