tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42637581058504675932024-03-05T17:18:12.704+08:00k.a.n.k.iKankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-45982098372690743602018-02-12T17:33:00.000+08:002018-02-12T17:33:27.357+08:00Mulu National Park<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36586518925/in/dateposted-public/" title="Pinnacles"><img alt="Pinnacles" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/36586518925_a6c9a22018_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Most people might not notice that both the landmarks of Borneo Malaysia are printed on the MYR 100 note. One of them is the majestic Mount Kinabalu, and the other is none other than Gunung Mulu National Park's Pinnacles, which I finally got to visit this year.<br />
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Before I got to Mulu, I had not the slightest idea of what are there in Mulu Caves. It is so remote that the only way to reach the Mulu National Park is either by a propeller plane operated by MASwings, or long hours of boat ride from another town also accessible by MASwings.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36241436110/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Garden of Eden"><img alt="Garden of Eden" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4432/36241436110_5d4a4f0e3c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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For our first day, we did what most tourist did: visiting the cave chambers. One of the most iconic cave section in Mulu, the Garden of Eden is formed after the certain section of the Deer's Cave collapsed. There is a waterfall there but I will leave it for my next visit to trek there. As the caves are mostly dark and full of Guano's (bat shit), getting a good photography was challenging. We concluded the cave visit earlier to catch the spectacular bat exodus that happens every evening.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36417892502/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Night Shift"><img alt="Night Shift" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/36417892502_f8aa0e7799_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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No wonder there was almost no mosquito at all despite the jungles. We have the bats to thank.<br />
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People are saying, if you have never attempted the Pinnacles, you have not visited Mulu, although after the climb I beg to differ.<br />
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About the Pinnacles, it's not really easy to get there, just like Mulu National Park. This is especially so during dry season. After morning leisure trip to the Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave (and our guide denied us of the possibility of being able to dip into that beautiful water hole just outside Clearwater), the long boats were ready for us. We turned right at a junction of the river and not long after, the ordeal of boat pushing began.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35777050053/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Long Boat Family"><img alt="Long Boat Family" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4341/35777050053_efe084304a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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It hadn't been raining for 3 weeks, the water level went down to a level where it was hard to push the boat forward with the motorised turbine. No wonder the tour preparation asked us to bring plastic shoes (yay to Kampung Adidas) and swim pants. We went down and pushed, got up when the water was deep enough for the boat to cruise, got down and pushed again when it hit the shallow water, and the cycles repeated for about 2 hours.<br />
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It was not pleasant at all, but I think it was a very good and memorable experience. If there was no such incident, this would only be another boat trip.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36448708031/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Drizzling Swimming Pool"><img alt="Drizzling Swimming Pool" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36448708031_094bd039ef_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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As soon as we reached Camp 5 though, it started drizzling. Well, at least we got ourselves free of the threat of leeches on our way here. Camp 5 is a very simple lodging without much amenities. There is no bedroom, we had to sleep like in labour camp on hard, raised platforms. There is no door and if you want a mosquito net you have to rent. There is only common bathrooms and toilets but reasonably clean. Despite all these, I am still going to revisit this place in future, because of the river that we can jump into anytime and the mountain in the background. Did I mention this place is mosquito-free too?<br />
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The river water was cool and crystal clear. During our Pinnacle hike, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about submerging myself in the water and let the flowing river wash off the dirt and sweat.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36586516395/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Misty Mulu"><img alt="Misty Mulu" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4392/36586516395_d535a87f98_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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View from Camp 5 on our last morning here. There are many to explore still out here!<br />
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Some useful notes about the trip:<br />
- MASWings operate like regular buses in Sarawak. The price of tickets are usually fixed and tickets can be booked online. We went through travel agent to settle everything.<br />
- Tours can be booked at the Park HQ, and there are accommodation outside the Park HQ as well for rental<br />
- It's good to include food option in your tour if you are going to challenge yourself with Pinnacle hike. More expensive, but definitely you don't want to pack the raw ingredients, prepare them and cook after a long and tiring trek.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia4.09207 114.89580209999997-26.802705 73.58720809999997 34.986845 156.20439609999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-15328820969031098672017-08-02T20:19:00.000+08:002017-08-02T20:19:00.362+08:00Those Beautiful People in Kota BharuBack in 2014, we had a short stay in Kota Bharu. We are so fond of our experience there that we told ourselves, we will be back here in the future.<br />
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Just look at their smiles, so genuine and honest.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36177025971/in/album-72157644533903301/" nbsp="" title="Wau Protégé"><img alt="Wau Protégé" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4322/36177025971_6e8a10672a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/33214155826/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="The Smile of a Pasar Vendor"><img alt="The Smile of a Pasar Vendor" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/779/33214155826_e9c9ce8458_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/33255465025/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Genuine Laughter"><img alt="Genuine Laughter" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/711/33255465025_0cba7deb85_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/33127015091/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Wau Girls"><img alt="Wau Girls" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/33127015091_bded649103_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/32440941273/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Tribecas"><img alt="Tribecas" height="427" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/746/32440941273_17c55c21d7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36144428832/in/album-72157644533903301/" nbsp="" title="People of Kota Bahru"><img alt="People of Kota Bahru" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/36144428832_c6a5f08d31_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia6.1167855 102.277683799999985.8641695 101.95496029999998 6.3694014999999995 102.60040729999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-57528092775588326292017-07-31T20:55:00.002+08:002017-07-31T20:55:54.441+08:00Hanoi's Old Quarter<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35130741763/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Hanoi peddler"><img alt="Hanoi peddler" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4295/35130741763_f3454f7d26_z.jpg" width="479" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Iconic cone shaped hat can be seen everywhere, whether they are on the Vietnamese or tourists. Indeed, that was the first thing that reminded me of me being in Vietnam when I went into the Old Quarters using Uber. Traffic was chaotic and scary, although eventually we conquered the fear and learned the way of going around. Traffic lights are more like a decor here with all the scooters and motorcycles zipping past each other in all directions.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35267718534/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Hoan Kiem Lake"><img alt="Hoan Kiem Lake" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/35267718534_c261c9cdcb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Hoan Kiem (Restored Sword) Lake, with the jade colour water sparkling under the bright hot sun. Even the legend about this lake is interesting. I wonder if the Hoan Kiem turtle has any offspring here that was not discovered yet. It's amazing that for such a small lake, the turtle remained elusive for such long time before it was discovered.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36009142572/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Biscuits sellers"><img alt="Biscuits sellers" height="480" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4323/36009142572_1afb7a0008_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Old Quarter is made up of Streets of 36 Goods, and as the name implies, every street sells a category of thing which you can tell from the name of the street. Biscuits, groceries, lightings, lanterns, coffee... Most of them still do not speak English despite this area is so heavily infested by us tourists. I'm actually glad that it stays the way it is.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35130742133/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Hanoi street scene"><img alt="Hanoi street scene" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4317/35130742133_0707a74a1d_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36152399811/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Competitors"><img alt="Competitors" height="513" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4324/36152399811_01dd4ab072_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35938676052/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Sitting Postures"><img alt="Sitting Postures" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4301/35938676052_45a479e23c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/36107459945/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Post Work Break"><img alt="Post Work Break" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/36107459945_5864519c2f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, certain sections of Old Quarters are fenced off and turned into walking streets. Night markets are established that sell goods that you can actually see all around Old Quarters but could be at a good price where you don't have to bargain. To hang-on to our stupid dignity, we did not haggle at all. We bought our first singlet at one of the roadside stall at about USD 5, and we later saw the same things being sold at price tag of $2.50 in the night market. Just right after we bought another singlet here, less than 2 min down the road at another stall, it was $1.50. Well, lesson learnt here, always haggle or just walk to compare more if you want to save a few dollars.<br />
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The atmosphere in the Old Quarter was so lively, especially around Hoan Kiem lake. Young people formed group to play Jianzi (feather ball), live singing, break dance, street performance etc. We strolled along the lake, tried to blend in with the locals and had ice cream just like them.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35451214524/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Street performance"><img alt="Street performance" height="480" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4302/35451214524_b48b4f85c2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Looking for a good tour agency is the most headache task. We know about the most popular tour agency, Sinh Tourists aka Sinh Cafe, but there are so many Sinh agencies! How do we know which one is the original? Luckily we found the actual one.<br />
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Exact location of the REAL Sinh Cafe (as of July 2017):<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d930.9869858049074!2d105.8514784141034!3d21.03476882470244!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x94e72648ee752f6d!2z5paw5ZKW5ZWh6L2m56Wo5ZSu56Wo5aSE!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1500817901828" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam21.0277644 105.8341597999999520.968477399999998 105.75347879999995 21.0870514 105.91484079999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-24214301970482552532017-07-26T19:37:00.003+08:002017-07-26T19:37:40.307+08:00Hanoi's Coffee<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35769808242/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Cong Cafe"><img alt="Cong Cafe" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4281/35769808242_fd3d565827_z.jpg" width="511" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Let's talk about Hanoi's coffee. A mini plastic or wooden chair is what the Vietnamese need for a good cup of coffee. Minimalistic requirement without all the fancy decors. I like that most of the cafes here are down-to-earth and original enough, not faux Paris nor any other Western-inspired interior. Perhaps it's the French influence from their colonialism history, people here like to sit along the streets, facing outside.<br />
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We did not hunt for any specific coffee or cafe, as we are not coffee-addict. However, I can say, all of the coffees we sampled in Hanoi, are so good that I might be turned an addict.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35807965841/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Coffee maker in Hanoi street"><img alt="Coffee maker in Hanoi street" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4302/35807965841_244396182b_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/XEFDqT32mnr" target="_blank">Cafe 61</a>: A family-run cafe, with very strong black coffee. Recommended by my sis, there were many similar type of cafes lining along Hang Bo street, not sure if all of them are able to make similar coffee? Owner doesn't seem to speak English at all, so we were rejoiced at seeing english translation on the cardboard menu. We killed some time here by sipping the coffee at 4pm, observing the street scenes outside until the acidity of the coffee made my stomach growled. Yea, it was that strong, and bitter. I like it though.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35976336266/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Egg Coffee of Dinh Cafe"><img alt="Egg Coffee of Dinh Cafe" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/35976336266_3c638c2952_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/LM7GSFXYDKM2" target="_blank">Dinh Cafe</a>: Owned by descendant of the original Egg Coffee inventor. The entrance is hidden behind some shops that sell bags or shoes. Luckily, direction is clear. Climb to the second floor and was greeted with a cafe with very simple setup that exudes that feel all us hipsters-wannabe seek for. There's no bad coffee here in Hanoi I supposed. However, we were here for the Egg Coffee. The aroma of coffee mixed with a little fishy smell of the egg, and presented to us. I did not feel the weight of the water as I drink, because most of the Egg Coffee was foams. Was that sweetness that overwhelmed me? Anyway, I prefer the vanilla-style Black Coffee, with condensed milk or fresh milk.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/35349514503/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Cong Caphe"><img alt="Cong Caphe" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4311/35349514503_88a22bb186_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/cVN9rSsVxoM2" target="_blank">Cong Cafe</a>: I guess they are the most popular cafe chains in Old Quarters? Is it because all of them can speak English? I have seen at least 3 to 4 branches. We went to the one directly across the Grand Cathedral. Did not try the ice-blended coffee that almost everyone ordered here but instead the same old iced Hanoi Black Coffee. The one that really impressed me was a cup of hot Coffee + Fresh Milk here on our last day! In fact I would rank it as my number 1! I would have more of it if we still have enough cash.<br />
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The consensus that all of us who travelled and tried the local Vietnamese coffee have?<br />
Don't bother to buy any of the dripper or coffee powder, none of us were able to achieve the intensity and the level of thickness of the coffee we had in Vietnam.<br />
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Oh, I don't like the 3-in-1 that tourists usually buy as souvenir.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Cầu Thê Húc, Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam21.030753741956847 105.8523273468017621.023343241956848 105.84224234680175 21.038164241956846 105.86241234680176tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-14581582963957813652017-01-03T21:42:00.002+08:002017-07-23T19:29:05.280+08:00The First Sunrise in 2017, Broga Hill<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31921219151/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Broga"><img alt="Broga" height="480" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/334/31921219151_57bd93bb60_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Meaningful way to celebrate the first morning of 2017? A hike to see the first sunrise with loved one!<br />
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I have been wanting to visit Broga hill since years ago but couldn't be determined enough. With the recent rainy season it even seemed more unlikely that on this day we would be able to visit this wonderful place. Thankfully, the first morning of 2017 had been kind to us. We woke up to the 5am alarm reluctantly after yesterday night's simple countdown. However, we invited Zhen along and we should not just tell her that we wanted to sleep more as she had probably awake and ready. In a way, she was the determining factor that we went through with this hike too!<br />
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Luckily, Seremban is near Broga, only about 45 minutes and we were at the hill entrance. Well, we were greeted by someone charging us RM3 for parking at their premise, and RM1 each for using their toilet. When we thought RM3 is already expensive enough, we were slapped with another entrance fee of RM1 per person when we were about to start the hike. Well, I guess, maybe it's a private premise that the hikers are at their mercy because it is still very cheap compared to many other places.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31921575781/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Broga Hilltop"><img alt="Broga Hilltop" height="427" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/653/31921575781_5f282685d5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Turned out, we were not that late to the hilltop after all. The hike was only about 30 minutes, and it felt like it was really short because when we reached the hill top, the air was still cool and the sky was still dark.<br />
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With all the new year crowd, we quickly settled onto a sub-optimal spot that could get a good view of the valley below, before moving onto the second and third peaks.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31210024614/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="B above the world"><img alt="B above the world" height="427" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/479/31210024614_c470df6b4c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Well I guess the boulder these 2 guys were on was the best, too bad they were not moving away.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/32011949066/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Enjoying the first light of 2017"><img alt="Enjoying the first light of 2017" height="427" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/740/32011949066_1dff6d7632_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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And moving to 2nd viewpoint which offered amazing view of the first viewpoint.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/32039095145/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Broga sunrise"><img alt="Broga sunrise" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/780/32039095145_b302527f9f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The group of hikers, yeah with all the bad gears.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31933129361/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Little Girl came along"><img alt="Little Girl came along" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/313/31933129361_de5165eeca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31675963010/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="My Turn"><img alt="My Turn" height="640" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/316/31675963010_91cf460d65_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The entrance is quite confusing, so I guess it's helpful to put down the exact location here:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1455.072451516558!2d101.9012253049908!3d2.938417372168609!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xef63171fa82df780!2sBroga+Hill+Park!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1500809109233" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
<br />
As of new year day of 2017, the fees are as below:<br />
Entrance to Broga: RM 1<br />
Parking: RM 3<br />
Toilet Access: RM 1<br />
<br />
Be there early, bring torch light, and get a good spot and wait for the beautiful sunrise.<br />
After the hike, go to the nearby Broga New Village for breakfast as the food there was really good!Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Broga, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia2.93669 101.911147900000062.9327255 101.90610540000006 2.9406545 101.91619040000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-90820177320968453532016-12-10T23:12:00.000+08:002017-08-01T21:34:12.494+08:00Tanah Aina: Farrah Soraya<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31068612890/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya"><img alt="Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya" height="640" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5556/31068612890_3abb9d08ee_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
After such long hiccup, with so many bad things happened in 2016, I guess I should continue this good habit of documenting my travel and experience, so that I can look back in future easily.<br />
<br />
Do you even call it a retreat if it's not somewhere without cellphone coverage? Maybe others call it the digital detox. After some conflicting GPS coordinates given by different apps, we finally found the premise! We parked our car at the Tanah Aina's designated car park, and a pick-up truck appeared and ready to get us all on-board, for a 5 minutes bumpy hilly ride into the Tanah Aina Farrah Soraya.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31112407950/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Inside pickup truck"><img alt="Inside pickup truck" height="480" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5509/31112407950_478f744a92_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
The same old group of friends:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31069320230/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="BFFs"><img alt="BFFs" height="480" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5498/31069320230_1d87c2190a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Good thing about this place is, they serve vegetable and herbs made from the produces planted inside the premise! I got to learn about what's Ulam Raja (also the name of the suite we stayed in) which was served every meal there. Best thing is, the dining place is right beside the river!<br />
<br />
The Leap of Faith swimming hole is only a short hike from our base, but the 15 minutes journey is full of fun: trekking across river in waist deep water, climbing up and down the hills with the wet boots, and then finally, a swim towards the Leap of faith with water as deep as 6 feet. Of course, during the hike, we totally trusted the little "waterproof" sports bag that is supposed to protect things inside from the water. Too bad, we got two phones damaged by water without knowing that there was a leak in the bottom of the bag.<br />
<br />
Lesson learnt: never bring phones and cameras without waterproof.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31446282746/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Friends with vests"><img alt="Friends with vests" height="480" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5619/31446282746_8a61c302e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Getting familiar with Yintse's new toy, the shiny GoPro Hero 5 Black.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31293273432/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Super wide GoPro"><img alt="Super wide GoPro" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5505/31293273432_bf67929ce9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And sometimes it's fun to take video, especially the super-wide kinda angle:<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31511640796/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Only moving pics can show how awesome here"><img alt="Only moving pics can show how awesome here" height="360" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5638/31511640796_fbc6dd02b1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Time to practice some Dolphin pose, on a slab of stone in the middle of the stream!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/30630880003/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Having fun as Dolphin"><img alt="Having fun as Dolphin" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5705/30630880003_46bcb45662_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Night falls. We felt like it was raining for the whole night outside but it was actually the river. So soothing.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31402879512/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Flowing Water"><img alt="Flowing Water" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5582/31402879512_c83364d586_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
And soon the dawn.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/31398251232/in/datetaken/" nbsp="" title="Dawn"><img alt="Dawn" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5602/31398251232_91f367ae08_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
I am very happy with my experience here. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a place to chill and relax with a group of friends and family!<br />
<br />
<b>Direction</b>: If my memory serves me right, go in at this Jalan Tras where this Durian Orchard is found. It's so well hidden it does not even appear correctly in Google Map!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d3881.721116063167!2d101.83821494083115!3d3.6692649846403205!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x853948e5b2b31be8!2sHapply+Valley+Durian+Orchard!5e0!3m2!1sen!2ssg!4v1501594380569" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Jalan Tras, 28700 Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia3.551738 101.897394999999963.4883455 101.81671399999996 3.6151305 101.97807599999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-22431926498648984352016-12-02T11:50:00.001+08:002016-12-02T11:50:17.776+08:00New Zealand: South Island's landscape in our wedding pictures<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16386908283/in/album-72157650162735721/" title="At the Eglinton Valley"><img alt="At the Eglinton Valley" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7609/16386908283_8e1cb4aa6b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
We did it, capturing the beauties of South Island landscapes into the photos of us that are to last forever.<br />
<br />
Though many of the photos are not exactly well done, but I am happy enough with the outcome.<br />
<br />
Eglinton Valley:<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/17089306948/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Kiss at Eglinton Valley"><img alt="Kiss at Eglinton Valley" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7694/17089306948_d71c9f5367_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Queenstown Hill:<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16466045574/in/album-72157650162735721/" nbsp="" title="Queenstown Hill"><img alt="Queenstown Hill" height="427" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8768/16466045574_ffef922653_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Wanaka:<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16966528536/in/album-72157650162735721/" title="Wanaka is beautiful"><img alt="Wanaka is beautiful" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7599/16966528536_9739d16bac_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Tekapo Lake:<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16654615524/in/album-72157650162735721/" title="By the lake"><img alt="By the lake" height="427" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7684/16654615524_f888e29683_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/17089619870/in/album-72157650162735721/" title="By the Church of the Good Shepherd"><img alt="By the Church of the Good Shepherd" height="427" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7707/17089619870_5f0f18d26a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/17089537430/in/album-72157650162735721/" nbsp="" title="Starry Sky"><img alt="Starry Sky" height="427" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8797/17089537430_d2c6bf3b2e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand-44.671625 167.9256213-45.033502999999996 167.2801743 -44.309747 168.57106829999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-3161793118713011032015-01-27T23:39:00.002+08:002015-01-27T23:39:38.670+08:00Shooting our own Pre-Wedding: First TakeAlthough the DIY photoshoot is far from perfect, we enjoyed doing it and got excited and surprised at the outcome of some. The sense of achievement is not something that is easily obtained from engaging professional photographer or paying someone else to do it.<br />
<div>
<br />
We have a lot to learn from our first. From the hair, make-up, preparation, style matching, postures, lighting to getting help from friends and family. This was when I felt that my family all came together to make this possible, tolerating my eccentricity and temper.<br />
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The favourite spot of mine near grandparents' house, the Permaisuri bridge, is of course in my list of locations. The good thing is, it is just 5 minutes' drive away.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15659520373" title="Love the Natural Curls by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Love the Natural Curls" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8619/15659520373_d349f80a1a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Breaking the ice was not easy, we had tough time posing with each other.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16195153017" title="Permaisuri by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Permaisuri" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/16195153017_4e7ee46fe4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16380141952" title="Fresh Take by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Fresh Take" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/16380141952_7dde407a36_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16278754532" title="From the Heart by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="From the Heart" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/16278754532_f8a78fa03b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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In the end, we were not satisfied with most of the pictures at the bridge, especially couple photos. We drove back feeling a bit fed up but decided we should try more, at the comfort of the house!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16036914227" title="The Flower by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="The Flower" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/16036914227_67cefb5e03_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16347345356" title="The Reflection by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="The Reflection" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/16347345356_574924152d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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The end result is kinda surprising, with this photo shot inside the living room of my grandparents' house, with my grandparents, mum and dad watching, while my aunt helped to press the shutter.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16035229968" title="Engulfed by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Engulfed" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/16035229968_ff6f3ac592_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Second take of the day with the same dress and same suit, was in the evening of the same day. This time my sis and her boyfriend joined us and contributed to the style and poses. The flowers, freshly plucked from my grandma's little patch of decorative garden, also lift up the whole mood of the photos.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16355073486" title="With our homegrown flowers by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="With our homegrown flowers" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8595/16355073486_e9ba1b3153_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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At the end of the day, I think this might be our favourite photo of DIY first take:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16222350275" title="Kampung House by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kampung House" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8643/16222350275_abd769d3c8_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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We would continue to shoot, and have more and more choices.</div>
Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Sitiawan, Perak, Malaysia4.216825 100.697824099999933.963451 100.37510059999994 4.470199 101.02054759999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-38926320156393061292015-01-26T22:06:00.000+08:002015-01-26T22:06:02.938+08:00First Taste of Nepal<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15580616427" title="Dhampur Village by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Dhampur Village" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7470/15580616427_92fb889b29_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Our most favourite mountain lodge of the trek in Dharmpus village, where we spent our last day of 5 nights trek, relaxing here with a view of Annapurna.<br />
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I ventured into the trails of Nepal, cutting ourselves off from the world outside, and I am still loving it and missing it now, although I did the tourist track of Poon Hill. The trails that we passed by were so surreal and peaceful even though they are heavily trekked.<br />
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Talk about the touristy Poon Hill. The view from Poon Hill towards the Annarpurna mountain range:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15715566341" title="The Annapurna by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="The Annapurna" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7503/15715566341_8517df28b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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There was even a night without any electricity and light in Landruk. We stayed inside the homestay's dining lounge, with candles and other foreigner friends. We did not complain, even appreciated a night like this.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15540090840" title="Annapurna South by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Annapurna South" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15540090840_df0eb4e388_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We thought that Pokhara is already amazing, with all the good food before we started the trek. We came during the Deepavali festival week, and our first day in Pokhara was the day of Human. Dogs were decorated, some with a red dot on their forehead, the local Nepali danced everywhere inside the town, with Hindi music blaring in the background as they danced. The whole town had become so alive!<br />
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The iconic Lake Phewa of Pokhara, did not disappoint us at all when we toured around the lake with bicycles.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15532052648" title="Lake Phewa, boating by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Lake Phewa, boating" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15532052648_1bccd8a804_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15531601489" title="Lake Phewa, herding by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Lake Phewa, herding" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15531601489_fec2f5516d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I will definitely do more write-ups on this Nepal trip, and there will be a second time visiting Nepal for sure!Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Pokhara, Nepal28.2025654 83.98500828.0906299 83.8236465 28.314500900000002 84.146369499999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-65526542911548780962015-01-21T23:56:00.002+08:002015-01-21T23:56:51.637+08:00Revisiting Angkor<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15419266954" title="Faces of Bayon by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Faces of Bayon" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/15419266954_476c93a177_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
This is not my first time traveling to Cambodia. The memory of Angkor Wat from the first visit 4 years ago though, was fading away slowly.<br />
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For this time, as with the last trip to Japan, I went there again because I followed YN to the conference, only this time I was not on my own to explore the Angkor but with my 3 other friends.<br />
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How could I forget the Bayon temple, with the faces of Avalokitesvara looming all over the towers? Being the center of Angkor Thom, it doesn't disappoint me that it was once the capital city of Khmer empire.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16332760982" title="Bayon, before we left by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Bayon, before we left" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8659/16332760982_727faa3887_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16333640795" title="Bayon evening by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Bayon evening" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/16333640795_45903aefb8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16041536785" title="Mr Vonny and Me by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Mr Vonny and Me" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/16041536785_52b08ff6af_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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The jungle temples: Preah Khan and Ta Prohm. I would have thought that Ta Prohm would be more impressive because of the fame it gained from Tomb Raider's movie, but Preah Khan, or the Sacred Sword proved that they are equally impressive.<br />
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Preah Khan:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16333636355" title="Preah Khan by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Preah Khan" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7575/16333636355_97f17ecf63_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15711199724" title="Mr Vonny and a Tourist girl by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Mr Vonny and a Tourist girl" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7580/15711199724_3eba156a8d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16147495499" title="One of Preah Khan's trees by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="One of Preah Khan's trees" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/16147495499_3750b26a1c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Ta Prohm:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16307693666" title="Ta Prohm by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Ta Prohm" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/16307693666_6e25541093_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16331869781" title="Ta Prohm by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Ta Prohm" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/16331869781_9df6d53180_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16332771882" title="Ta Prohm by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Ta Prohm" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7515/16332771882_2985e3e7c1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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In my previous visit to Angkor Wat, I missed Beng Mealea, and did not even know about its existence. This time, it became my must-go. Together with Me Chrei, both out of the way from the main temple complex but definitely worth visiting.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16146252110" title="Beng Mealea by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Beng Mealea" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7525/16146252110_020e5672c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15711195444" title="Beng Mealea and me by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Beng Mealea and me" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8610/15711195444_29fc752942_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Me Chrei, slightly off the main road not far from Beng Mealea.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16331860811" title="Me Chrei by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Me Chrei" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/16331860811_625ecc4be0_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16331860401" title="Me Chrei by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Me Chrei" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8655/16331860401_d0d16ebc7d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16307696086" title="Inside Me Chrei by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Inside Me Chrei" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8651/16307696086_01d1498881_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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I hate crowd. Other than Me Chrei, Tanei temple inside the Angkor archaeological complex that Mr Vonny introduced us to is so quiet and isolated. And I love that.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15903902002" title="Tanei by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Tanei" height="480" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8564/15903902002_1a853d8252_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/16146259130" title="The Silver Tree by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="The Silver Tree" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7513/16146259130_c76bc5f95d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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I actually made a photobook to document these 5 days short break. Nepal's trip? Next to go!Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Siem Reap, Cambodia13.6915377 104.1001326000000511.715456699999999 101.51834560000005 15.6676187 106.68191960000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-79472058614546183192014-10-19T09:45:00.001+08:002014-10-19T09:45:13.922+08:00Children of MabulMabul island has a lot of children. A lot of them. Also, cats. In the village, the children, and grown-ups, roam around the village like time has stopped there since many years ago. The village and its rustic charm.<br />
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Right outside our homestay, a Mabul boy swam to us with his prizes from the sea and showed me to ask if we would be interested to buy some. Although we just smiled and told him that we were not buying, he politely thanked us and swam away.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14084764153" title="Mabul Kid by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Mabul Kid" height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/14084764153_384a60e703_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Children in the village seems to love patronising this little shop that sell snacks. Even after the sky turned dark and no more snacks available to buy, some children still loitered at this little blue shop.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14061984641" title="Choosing treats by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Choosing treats" height="426" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/14061984641_b1aa6c7343_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15349659800" title="Shopping boy by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Shopping boy" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15349659800_54ee7242b0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15349283137" title="Friends by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Friends" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15349283137_7a9b03da77_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The children are lovely, they are not really camera-shy, and in fact they are not a bit evasive as me to the camera lens at all.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15357003458" title="Little Girl of Mabul by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Little Girl of Mabul" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15357003458_d8b117cb46_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15565353041" title="Lovely children by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Lovely children" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15565353041_e11e301899_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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As these three girls are just outside our homestay, I got to see them one more time on the last day before we left.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15378681360" title="Sweet local girl by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Sweet local girl" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15378681360_385806fb05_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Looking at the scene below, it hits the nostalgic part of me. I miss seeing babies being cradled. I guess they no longer do this nowadays in our town. Cats, people, taking afternoon nap in the hot days.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15540468841" title="Cradling in early afternoon by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Cradling in early afternoon" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/15540468841_2840026e64_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15371290780" title="Cats, everywhere on the island by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Cats, everywhere on the island" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3947/15371290780_e456a8a317_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It's like smiles everywhere. Sometimes when you are not exposed to too much, you retain the purity and kindness. Also, feel contented easily.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15554242161" title="Toddlers by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Toddlers" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5607/15554242161_c8850fc937_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15504532836" title="Grocery Shop Toddler by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Grocery Shop Toddler" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15504532836_bfb78506ba_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15540609666" title="Portrait of a Mabul Family by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Portrait of a Mabul Family" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5611/15540609666_1185fe2d78_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Interesting sighting. The children are actually gathering to watch a movie together.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15378314077" title="TV gathering by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="TV gathering" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5612/15378314077_166809d1f1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Only in Mabul.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14936750503" title="Houses on sea by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Houses on sea" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/14936750503_bb079aefc3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15370915737" title="It's a big world by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="It's a big world" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3927/15370915737_df4de2ee38_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-89692062578226436382014-10-18T21:34:00.003+08:002015-01-17T10:19:01.238+08:00Our little Gardening works<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15558880671" title="A soft, well lit corner. Plants, reading are our hobbies. by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="A soft, well lit corner. Plants, reading are our hobbies." height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15558880671_66282b2b61_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Recently, we kind of very into these little gardening thing. Glad that we have this little corner where the lighting is soft during the daytime, to place all the little greeneries and take pictures of them, as well as food.<br />
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We started with kit sourced from Taobao, like the moss, stones etc from the comfort on our bed, though I wanted to have as much as DIY spirit into the project as possible. I am still not familiar with plants, and don't know what are the moss and plants growing outside our house are suitable for indoor.<br />
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I think there is a very easy trick in setting up the base layers. I hope the plants can survive:<br />
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<b>Bottom layer:</b> small stones for water to set in if too much water<br />
<b>Second layer:</b> sphagnum moss or peat moss, wet the moss before setting in, I guess charcoal works the same.<br />
<b>Third layer:</b> soil, still learning what's the different soil will do to the plants<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15558864131" title="Miniature garden by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Miniature garden" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3953/15558864131_9983577620_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<b>Hanging garden:</b><br />
Glass container and hanger sourced from Taobao, mosses and miniature toy figures as well. The unknown pretty little hanging plants are transplanted from a bowl of artistic plants which YN found in Kuching. I hope to find out the name of the plant.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14942447254" title="Haworthia plant and an airplant by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Haworthia plant and an airplant" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/14942447254_cba5fdefd9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<b>Wind and Air:</b><br />
Both Haworthia (Zebra desert plant) and airplant are sourced from Taobao as well.<br />
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Lesson learnt, air plants can be procured from Taobao but not zebra plant. The tips start to turn yellow. I hope they do survive. Will go out to the local nursery to source for more plants!<br />
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Update (2015):<br />
The Zebra plant actually starts to grow bigger in the office, but stay about the same at home. The airplants still thriving, and there is finally a Terrarium with red nerve plant!Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-4599978406480246192014-10-13T23:23:00.002+08:002014-10-13T23:23:41.448+08:00Short getaway to Mabul, SempornaBack in last April, we had an impromptu trip to Semporna region of Sabah, despite a kidnap that just happened in March. We could not resist the super cheap air fare, and bought it. A girl gave up on the trip, but the rest of us persisted. Applause to XT, Alfred, Pan, Gerry and me!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339684287" title="DSCF3098 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3098" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15339684287_76f103b72f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We did not try to hide from our boss that we were going on the same trip. Me and my colleagues / teammates:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339399639" title="DSCF3095 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3095" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15339399639_2606bdc20e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Before we reached the town of Semporna, the palm oil plantation from the airport to the town broke my imagination of a Sabah with pristine forest. Deeply saddened to see how Sabah forest has been damaged to this extent. Few years ago, when Marcus drove us all to the Tip of Borneo from Kota Kinabalu, I do not recall seeing any palm oil tree. Two or three hours of journey, and it was all palm oil plantation.<br />
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Semporna is a town, that resembles a very typical laid-back Malaysian town. Signs of tourism boom could be seen, with hotels and hostels springing up near the seaside area, and tourists walking in their snorkelling gear or swim suit on the streets. There was nothing much in this town, after dinner we just spent our evening playing San Guo Sha card game that Gerry brought along.<br />
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We stayed in Summer Friends homestay, which owned by a Chinese, Mr Yong, and his family of Bajau-Chinese descendants, who helped to arrange for airport transport, boat transfer to Mabul island and the homestay. It's a very homely homestay that is supported by stilts with the Celebes sea just below the floor / wooden planks. The sea just below the homestay was crystal clear too, with a tint of turquoise but I could see that the water was not really clean. How nice if we could let our city mindset that cares too much about cleanliness out of our way and jump into the sea and play like all the children of the Mabul village did.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15503163666" title="DSCF3015 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3015" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/15503163666_259d112f29_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Mr Yong's son, Xiao Yang, with his friendly charm, who hung out with us and guided us to the snorkel trips.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15340072570" title="DSCF3018 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3018" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15340072570_a5d9b5aa32_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339697677" title="DSCF3193 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3193" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15339697677_4404b973c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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On the rooftop of Summer Friends Homestay, under the starry sky, we just could not help ourselves to play with all these long exposure photos. On the rooftop with all the stars above us, the air was cool, and we laid down on the wooden planks there and talked to each other. It was one of those quality moments that staying in a luxurious resort doesn't give you.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15526049502" title="DSCF3131 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3131" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15526049502_415008bd5e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The Kapalai resort snorkel was actually the best among all the snorkels I had on the island.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339608490" title="Photo 20-4-14 10 28 49 am by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo 20-4-14 10 28 49 am" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15339608490_ff004b9b39_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15525958922" title="Photo 20-4-14 10 26 52 am by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Photo 20-4-14 10 26 52 am" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15525958922_86b8cb4b9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Mr Yong's wife, a local Bajau lady was like a kind mother too. While I fainted there, possibly due to heatstroke, Xiao Yang and aunty applied oil and let me drink the rehydration salt solution.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339690177" title="DSCF3229 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3229" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15339690177_eb09e902e6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Just outside the homestay, it's Mabul village that is interesting to walk about. The island is very very small, which possibly only took less than an hour to circle the island on a casual pace. Walking in the village was like having an experience of time travelling to older time. The village retained so much Kampung feel. The locals were very friendly too, smiling at us as our eyes met.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339582260" title="DSCF3049 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3049" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3943/15339582260_e6e6d3be68_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339712037" title="DSCF3068 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3068" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3950/15339712037_1ae2041968_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15525909482" title="DSCF3219 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3219" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3942/15525909482_fa1744cb21_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Now I know Gerry loves cats.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15526312315" title="DSCF3191 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3191" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5615/15526312315_8156ae8c0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We wandered into a school, with view like this just beside the school. Do the school children jump into the sea when they feel like it or they risk being scolded by teachers? Feel like I should have brought along a towel so that I can just swim for a little bit here!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/15339651378" title="DSCF3172 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="DSCF3172" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15339651378_72104f34db_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Before the trip, I started brain-washing XT and Pan that cold shower is good for health, I think I failed to have their mind changed.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Mabul Island, Malaysia4.2404275 118.635230200000024.208757 118.59488970000002 4.272098 118.67557070000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-30404772639542414752014-08-05T23:46:00.001+08:002014-08-05T23:46:20.863+08:00Tiger Leaping Gorge 虎跳峡<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14560848820" title="Tiger Leap Gorge by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Tiger Leap Gorge" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14560848820_543c42a92a_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Tiger Leaping Gorge, a wonder of Mother Earth. It was told in legend that at one point of the gorge, it was so narrow that a tiger was spotted leaping over to the other side of the gorge, hence the name.<br />
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Jinsha river flows in the gorge, fast and furious. It is easy to understand that falling into the river means death.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14571461339" title="The Gorge by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="The Gorge" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5565/14571461339_a6055fe6a2_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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We came to Tiger Leaping Gorge after Lijiang, which is only about 60km away. Lucky for us, we did not come here only to stop at the tourist vantage point but we actually planned a night's stay.<br />
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We first checked into our home stay, a lovely hut over-looking the gorges called 山白脸客栈 (Chateau de Woodie Guesthouse). One step to live up to the ideal of backpacking, we chose the RMB60 per bed dormitory. There were no other people in this off-season, we basically had the whole building to ourselves but at night it sure was a little creepy. Turning off lights means total darkness and starry sky!<br />
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Wasting not a minute more, we started the hike at the trail right beside our home stay. Hiking trails in Tiger Leaping Gorge proves to be very popular among the Westerners, with the local villagers even able to speak English while not necessary Mandarin!<br />
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The trail is called Middle Leaping Tiger, or 中虎跳. It seemed easy enough at first, with path laid out nicely by the local villagers. The sun was high and we even felt hot in this supposedly breezy place.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14787996113" title="Beginning of Hike by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Beginning of Hike" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/14787996113_139feac6e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14581664237" title="Terraces by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Terraces" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14581664237_3b1c9cc06a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14787997313" title="Hike view by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Hike view" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3910/14787997313_d02998cb5f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Soon the path turned slightly difficult and path becomes narrower.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14765771474" title="Into grassy hills by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Into grassy hills" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14765771474_ec0f8d7506_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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As we moved, our bodies heated up and we all felt warm and welcome the cooling breeze.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14600081597" title="Shangri-La Travelmates by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Shangri-La Travelmates" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3873/14600081597_1588f8f0bd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We came to the Tiger Leaping Stone after just a short hike, which is called 一线天 that means a straight line to heaven. There, we met a group of Guangdong hikers, that we joined dinner with later.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14786237882" title="一线天下 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="一线天下" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/14786237882_c4234a8094_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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When it was time to go back, as it was getting late, we came to this ladder which is called 天梯 or sky ladder. It was very long but our quickest way to get to the top, so we decided to try.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14786239882" title="天梯 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="天梯" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14786239882_4742a2acfd_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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As the sun set, the surrounding temperature dropped and we felt cold. Gilbert caught a cold here most likely, as he started feeling unwell after got back to the hostel. We continued to climb and climb as the sky turned magenta and we finally reached the 天梯客栈 or Sky Ladder Home Stay, who built the freakishly long ladder. The group of Guangdong hikers were already resting there.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14784245584" title="Dusk of Tiger Leaping Gorge by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Dusk of Tiger Leaping Gorge" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/14784245584_4817fa689f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We were all starving and cold, and the friendly hikers invited us into the home stay for dinner and tea. They were even sharing the farm chicken they ordered. We sat together and exchanged talks with each other, indulged in the wonderful dinner. Finally, we had to bid farewell to each other as we had to go back to our own home stay which is some distance away. We got our home stay host worried as we were away for a long time.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14806448793" title="热情的广东朋友们 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="热情的广东朋友们" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3851/14806448793_51436492b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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One thing I disliked about this place or the government of China, we were charged two times of toll by local villagers in this short stretch of trail. I understand that the villagers are actually the people that maintain this scenic place, and they were complaining that the government only imposed the national park entrance fee but did not do anything. The entrance fee itself was not cheap at all which felt like a rip-off of visitors, but that is the sad truth in everywhere of China.<br />
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Though, I wish we could have stayed here for one additional day as there are still so much to explore in this valley.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14786600205" title="鸡啼 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="鸡啼" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/14786600205_97a36d176b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Hutiaoxia, East Ring Road, Shangri-La, Deqen, Yunnan, China27.271384 100.1732051000000227.2148915 100.09252410000002 27.327876500000002 100.25388610000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-10336884444157406032014-07-26T16:01:00.002+08:002014-07-26T16:01:12.332+08:00Shangri-La County<div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14317090505" title="Grassland, with Riders by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Grassland, with Riders" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3824/14317090505_b19f390a30_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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What's your definition of Shangri-La? Does a grassland in the highland with horses grazing the grass, surrounded by rolling mountains, suits what Shangri-La should look like?<br />
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We came to this county designated by Chinese state government of Yunnan as Shangri-La, after a few hours from Tiger Leap Gorge. It was however, not a place I imagined it to be. Gilbert was down with AMS, feeling uncomfortable upon getting down from the van that we took. Instead of only a night here, we stayed an additional day just to let him get better in this altitude.<br />
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After checking into 红石头客栈 (Gesang Garden Inn), we took him to the hospital, and the rest of our first day here was slow and relax. In the afternoon, we played mahjong with the inn staff, Xiao He, who was very friendly and cooked medicine 红景天 that supposed to relieve AMS. The inn is furnished in Tibetan style, which I like very much.<br />
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We settled into a Yak steamboat shop down the street after the recommendation of Xiao He. The steamboat was a god-send. Somehow, the lady boss sat beside us to chat with us while she was not so busy, as we also chat with a nice Chinese lady that was on her own here. We did not go out to explore the streets but indulge ourselves in warmth beside the stove accompanied by the scents of Yak and spices. It was a nice encounter, as we chatted into late of the night and even took a picture together with the lady boss and the nice lady. We even went to her boutique hotel for sightseeing.<br />
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The next morning, as usual, I woke up as dawn light stole into the slits of the window sill. The two of them were still asleep, and so I picked up my X100s and walked outside to explore the sleepy morning of Shangri-La. There were frosts on the plant, and on the soil. The late autumn happened earlier at such high altitude.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14555350387" title="Dawn, Shangri La by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Dawn, Shangri La" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14555350387_cd72fedb31_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14130176658" title="The Golden Belltower by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="The Golden Belltower" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/14130176658_4e76d34600_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Black pigs roaming freely, munching on rubbish and basically anything they see.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14372987154" title="Black Pigs by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Black Pigs" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14372987154_670bc84913_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Then, as I climbed the hill, I met a man stretching while facing the city. The view was so... awesome.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14341708201" title="Morning Exercise by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Morning Exercise" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5236/14341708201_cd56a7bf2c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I chanced upon a local temple which I brought them both to visit later. I worried that they might be looking for me, so I went back but only to find them waking up in the late morning.<br />
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After breakfast, Gilbert was still not well, so we decided to stay in the town for sight-seeing and that was when I suggested them to visit the temple. It was a very small temple, but I was glad there were no tourists here. The slope that leads to the temple from the city had Yaks grazing the grass, which we had some fun taking picture with as they were so tame!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14158854540" title="经幡 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="经幡" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14158854540_51b522203c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14342116911" title="Yaks and the Civilisation beyond by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yaks and the Civilisation beyond" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14342116911_4ae33bbba0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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After lunch, we decided to rent bicycles to cycle to the nearby plains. Initially we were worried that Gilbert was unable to go far but he was like back to life the moment he put his feet on the pedals! We cycled to the outside the city, stumbled upon some random plains and decided to go into the plains. That was where we met an artist there taking inspiration from the scenery around us.<br />
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The light and shadow play of the nature was amazing, creating beautiful lights around the clouds, mountains and on the plains.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14372988024" title="Rolling Shadow by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Rolling Shadow" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14372988024_1bff79481c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14370594361" title="Lane by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Lane" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5313/14370594361_d67a0a607a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14370595011" title="Riders of the Grassland by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Riders of the Grassland" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14370595011_501d42e4cc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14187480077" title="Red Grass by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Red Grass" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3905/14187480077_8f67147dcf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14130318369" title="Tibetan Grassland by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Tibetan Grassland" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5153/14130318369_10ba8b133c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14187282599" title="Yellow Field by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yellow Field" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/14187282599_c3edf93d3e_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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The clouds move so fast that in a few minutes time, shadow cast all over the plains. Then, I was surprised to encounter horses roaming on their own here. White horse too! It was like a utopia, when the fast moving clouds let out rays of light that shone on the horse. I got excited and ran to the horse while leaving my bicycle behind.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14337030503" title="Grassland by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Grassland" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14337030503_367a4e9069_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Oblivious to my existence, they continued to graze while I snapped happily. I even got to pet the white horse before it galloped away.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14372465212" title="Shangri-La Horses by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Shangri-La Horses" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3842/14372465212_da982ef650_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14372464222" title="White Horse by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="White Horse" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14372464222_8de0dbbd15_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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As sun set behind the mountain range, we made our own way back to the city for dinner, taking detour. We slept after viewing the starry sky from the roof top.</div>
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Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Shangri-La, Deqen, Yunnan, China27.829743 99.70083599999998126.033 97.119048999999976 29.626486 102.28262299999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-590953386079933072014-07-25T20:54:00.001+08:002014-07-25T21:09:48.563+08:00Yading: 央迈勇、牛奶海<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14725924652" title="亚丁 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="亚丁" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14725924652_691fa76cc0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This has to be the highlight of the whole China Yading trip. We had been travelling from Lijiang > Tiger Leap Gorge > Shangri-La town > Dao Cheng and finally Yading village, just to get to the main highlight here.<br />
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We woke up early in the morning before daybreak, and paid our host Nima to bring us to the entrance as the bus started only at 8am. With very slight hint of daylight, we moved slowly towards the Chong Gu farm with path illuminated by torch light. We had to keep moving to generate body heat to keep ourselves warm, the morning air was so chilly! However, walking at such high altitude was like jogging, the breathing became heavier as we moved faster. My lung was begging for more oxygen, while I dragged my legs slowly uphill with Uncle Wang. Wang He and Hans, already went much ahead than us, I wondered whether they have some kind of genes that let them adapt to high altitudes which I don't. I conjured up images of paradise in my brain, with the sound of flowing river beneath the platforms we stepped on, to keep me moving.<br />
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The day slowly brightened up, and it became clear to me that not so far in the distance, Yangmaiyong sacred mountain loomed. The peaks of the mountain was illuminated by the magic hour.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14511979452" title="Sacred Mountain's Reflection by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Sacred Mountain's Reflection" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/14511979452_c0ab8fd3c4_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Nose running and my bladder felt like overflowing, just after we stopped for photographing the sacred mountain. Then, as we walked, we passed by another sacred mountain, Xianuoduoji with sublimation against the light.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14667745444" title="夏诺多吉雪山 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="夏诺多吉雪山" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14667745444_ec23921876_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The sublimation was a sight so beautiful to behold of.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14509700011" title="Rise by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Rise" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14509700011_8801561645_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Then, not far from Xianuoduoji, the Yangmaiyong sacred mountain, presented Herself in this magical morning light fully in front of us.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14689792413" title="央迈勇雪山 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="央迈勇雪山" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14689792413_555b5f3050_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Then there is this yak farm, so surreal, at the end of the walkway, with majestic view of Yangmaiyong. This valley is shielded from civilisation and pollution, that suits every definition of heaven.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14511703214" title="洛绒牛场 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="洛绒牛场" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/14511703214_59d0849b25_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14391763270" title="Paradise on Earth by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Paradise on Earth" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14391763270_1da749452c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14391826169" title="Yaks of the Highlands by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yaks of the Highlands" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14391826169_72d134614e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14391803038" title="Yaks and Yangmaiyong Sacred Mountain by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yaks and Yangmaiyong Sacred Mountain" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14391803038_09b7894daf_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Though this view did not make the trip easier. I dragged my feet and continue to move uphill, like the Tibetan pilgrims do. Tibetans are so good at this that with minimal protection but a will as strong as steel, they traverse the mountain ranges with ease. We reached a point, where network of prayer flags erected, and strong wind rushing at such speed that I would be blown away if I was any lighter.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14539789977" title="垭口 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="垭口" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/14539789977_a6e6d828d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We knew we were almost there, the milky blue lake. I picked up my pace, to get to the lake. I thought we were supposed to be one of the earliest to be there but other hikers who took the first bus caught up and even surpassed us.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14746097383" title="Farewell Milky Lake by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Farewell Milky Lake" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14746097383_7b99d09ece_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14729159793" title="Uncle Wang by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Uncle Wang" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/14729159793_0a969816ef_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Finally, the glacier lake...<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14522845087" title="牛奶海 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="牛奶海" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14522845087_f56dbe4598_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14522662178" title="Giant Turquoise by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Giant Turquoise" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2901/14522662178_4c891c13b6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It was indeed awesome, and a sacred lake by all means. Seems to be formed by water melted from the glacier and snow. It's refreshing just by looking at the pictures from where I am now, where it is humid and hot. This is a glacier lake that all Tibetans respect.<br />
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The other lake, the Five Colours Lake is just around the corner. Perhaps the sun was already too high in the sky, I did not see the five colours in the lake.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14539586479" title="玛尼堆 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="玛尼堆" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14539586479_d79b5a121e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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After the lake, we started making our descend, with my stomach still empty except two sausages that I bought from the store outside the guest house. The descend felt so much easier than ascend, albeit a bit hard on the knee. While on the way down, we met another group of girls from Guangzhou and we chatted and went down together.<br />
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When we got down, it was already quite late into the afternoon. Uncle Wang and me did not take the easy way with electric car back to the entrance of the park, instead we continued to walk the same path back and see the park in different light. However, most of the path were shielded from the sun as we walked into the valley.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14539564720" title="Autumn by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Autumn" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14539564720_b9d0646e47_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Took a last look at the Yangmaiyong mountain, before I bid Her goodbye.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14726227245" title="央迈勇 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="央迈勇" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3894/14726227245_33f5d8ca6f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Feeling exhausted from the hike, it was about time for the last bus to leave Yading to meet up with AMS-stricken Gilbert and Pan who accompanied him, and then we went back to Daocheng.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Daocheng, Garze, Sichuan, China29.037007 100.2984030000000127.256721 97.716616 30.817293 102.88019000000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-65081634134362040152014-07-05T21:19:00.000+08:002014-07-05T21:19:02.706+08:00Yading (亚丁), The Shangri-La: 仙乃日<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14483076543" title="Highland Farm by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Highland Farm" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/14483076543_9b00845212_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We finally got into Yading after giving ourselves some time to settle into the altitude of 3000+ meter at Daocheng. Yading has an average elevation of more than 4000m, and that is probably why it is regarded by the Chinese as paradise.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14276439177" title="Yading Village by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yading Village" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/14276439177_c1d3bd8d47_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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There was no other way to travel around in the Yading area, only the tourist bus was allowed, which was one of the effort by the government to limit pollution and overcrowding. After we checked into the homestay, we immediately went out to wait for the tourist bus and went to the main attraction in Yading which housed all the three sacred mountains. Once at Yading park, we were all in awe of what lied in front of us.<br />
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I didn't know how paradise should look like until I encounter this sight right next to Chonggu temple (贡嘎冲古寺). The turquoise river flowed between us and the farm where the Yaks grazed the yellow grass. Snow mountain in the not-so-far distance, trees that turned to yellow, the air that is basically zero pollution.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14462913215" title="Yaks Farm by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yaks Farm" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3898/14462913215_f4f6e8d02a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14461795874" title="Yaks by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yaks" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14461795874_358e48f788_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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One hint here, the last bus to go back to the village is 5.30pm. We could not afford to spend too much time at the farm, otherwise we would miss out the scene we so dying to see. So we continued to hiked uphill, hoping to see the sacred 仙乃日 in her best light.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14276324510" title="Prayer Flags by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Prayer Flags" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2931/14276324510_104e31703d_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14272732767" title="仙乃日 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="仙乃日" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5576/14272732767_5f715b6b58_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Gilbert had difficulty in high altitude, so has to take slower strides as the uphill climb was kind of strenuous. According to him, his heart was pumping so fast that he had to take a short break once a while. We could only encourage him to go further, while racing with time. We finally arrived at the 珍珠海 lake with 仙乃日 in the background. I wished I had a ultra wide angle lens here... Though I managed some shots while the lake was still before rushing back down hill to catch the last bus.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14272576248" title="仙乃日深山 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="仙乃日深山" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2902/14272576248_36583cb9b5_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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Before we left the park, the evening sun casted her magic on the Yak farm.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14272731797" title="Yading Sunset by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Yading Sunset" height="396" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14272731797_ede5f93348_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Since it was still bright outside, we wandered near our homestay while Gilbert went back to rest. We saw some mules also wandered around the village and we followed one of them into the house. That was when an old lady came out with food to feed her pet mule. The villagers here were so nice that she even invited us to stroke the mule. A guy, which I assume is the old lady's son, even invited us to go in and sit beside the fire to get ourselves warmer. It was quite awkward, as he did not seem to understand mandarin at all and we just sat there in silence while he smoked. After few minutes, we bid goodbye and thanked him for his hospitality and went back to the guest house.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14577145094" title="亚丁村民 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="亚丁村民" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14577145094_b476f8d711_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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We met Chi-zhen, the boy from the family that managed our homestay and we chatted with him. This was when I asked if I could take a picture with him and his mother.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14448463401" title="we all looked worn out by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="we all looked worn out" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3891/14448463401_de61676732_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We later went upstairs and Chi-zhen came to chat with us about his school life, and a little bit about his life in the village, while the view outside the windows changed from golden to dusk. The boy was very mature at his age, he helped out in cooking our dinner with his father later and the dinner was great!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14504684942" title="夏诺多吉: 日照金山 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="夏诺多吉: 日照金山" height="277" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14504684942_905174b7b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14319234009" title="夏诺多吉 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="夏诺多吉" height="284" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14319234009_1e2fa99c08_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14448461301" title="Chi-Zhen by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Chi-Zhen" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3858/14448461301_f1e7f622af_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
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The day ended with filled stomach and anxiety for the next day. We asked the homestay owner to fetch us to the park in early morning and start hiking before everyone else!Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Daocheng, Garze, Sichuan, China29.037007 100.2984030000000127.256721 97.716616 30.817293 102.88019000000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-70474822157038854952014-06-29T18:27:00.002+08:002014-07-05T20:18:16.344+08:00稻城: Gateway to Paradise<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14526892461" title="Dawn in Daocheng by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Dawn in Daocheng" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5580/14526892461_82d101fe73_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Getting into Daocheng from Shangri-La town (Zhongdian) was easy, which is by bus. The journey was however, very very long.<br />
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The bus started at 7am, after we managed to grab a quick and simple breakfast: sweet corn and pau to munch on. It was cold, with single-digit temperature, frost formed at the windows and things outside were very dead. My bladder got full only after about 2 hours of journey, and Hu Pan started to feel nauseous and vomited into a plastic bag. It was such a big relief when the bus finally pulled over and stop at a wooden hut for a break after driving non-stop for 4 hours.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14525658334" title="Lunch break by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Lunch break" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/14525658334_1ed1f22d27_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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Poor Hu Pan had to pass out the bowel movement in some very primitive toilet due to her diarrhoea and nauseous. I had to use my scarf to cover my nose when I empty out the bladder, as the drains were full of ****. We did not manage to eat any lunch here before the driver asked us to get back into the bus and another 4 or 5 hours journey before another stop. How lucky we were to meet a group of exploited Tibetans putting up a strike and blocked the only road. We got stuck for about an hour there.<br />
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Finally, we reached Daocheng at 8pm. The total journey was 13 hours, amazing.<br />
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We checked into Jiang San Ge hostel immediately before getting our lunch. The uncle is a very friendly middle-age man that looks like a HK actor. He is the kind of person beloved by chinese backpackers, who invited us to his living room and had hot tea together with him and his wife. The hostel was reasonably clean and comfortable, albeit we stayed with two other people that we didn't know. Now we know them, as we became friends with each other and even went on to Daocheng Yading together.<br />
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Wang He and his father suggested we woke up early in the morning to chase the light. 胡杨林 (Huyanglin) or so he said. After a quick brush-up and taking the electric scooters and bicycle, we braced the dark cold morning and departed, taking turn to take the bicycle as we got tired. As we arrived at the destination, we realised Autumn came earlier than us to claim the yellow leaves. The effort to wake early for the dawn is still rewarding, as how it appears in the view of the brown chocolate hills in the distance.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14391598605" title="Daocheng by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Daocheng" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5077/14391598605_69d93d037f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We went back to the hostel for breakfast and a short rest, then we continued to explore Daocheng before the heading towards our main destination: Yading.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14397287472" title="Electric Bike by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Electric Bike" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/14397287472_27097c6e54_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14204985718" title="Daocheng Yading by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Daocheng Yading" height="427" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14204985718_0a97c8f14a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14212058030" title="Tibetan Twins by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Tibetan Twins" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5278/14212058030_5297d22263_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14395291951" title="蒋三哥民居 by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="蒋三哥民居" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/14395291951_74f9a502f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Daocheng, Garze, Sichuan, China29.037007 100.2984030000000127.256721 97.716616 30.817293 102.88019000000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-34747821084284149012014-06-27T23:35:00.001+08:002014-07-05T20:18:30.962+08:00Paradise on Earth: Daocheng Yading(稻城亚丁)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/14391598605" title="Daocheng by Kanki Su, on Flickr"><img alt="Daocheng" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5077/14391598605_69d93d037f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Actually, this is my first travel trip to China, and it's nothing short of amazing.<br />
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My impression towards China had been negative, but was changed by the sincerity of locals I encountered, as well as like-minded Chinese backpackers. That was how I felt towards Hong Kong too before I actually went and like the city-state.<br />
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The views in Daocheng Yading are so breathtaking it literally took our breath away, as these places were not easily accessible. Most of the places require some hikings, which the difficulty is doubled or tripled thanks to the thinner layer of air and very high altitude (3000m - 5000m above sea level). The reward is of course totally worth it...<br />
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I may not be able to catch up with all these entries, but I do want to write so much and include as much details as I can into this blog.<br />
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Flickr album of the photos:<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/sets/72157644939179372/" target="_blank">A place we call Shangri-La</a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Daocheng, Garze, Sichuan, China29.037007 100.2984030000000127.256721 97.716616 30.817293 102.88019000000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-79233614795542521012014-02-13T20:19:00.000+08:002014-02-13T20:19:32.867+08:00Denim x Bukit Rasah<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12386408665/" title="Denim x Rasah by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Denim x Rasah" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2839/12386408665_0f6b70eafb_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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We haven't had such session for years (perhaps 2 years) and Seremban doesn't fail to amaze me with good locations to shoot with!<br />
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We stumbled upon this dilapidated bungalow hidden in Bukit Rasah of Seremban when I wanted to go up a hill beside the Rasah road that I passed by, but never get an excuse to drive in and explore. It was a house any photographer will fall in love at first sight.<br />
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The decay that eats into the bungalow, bit by bit, and the nature is reclaiming the abandoned house.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12410598463/" title="Decay by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Decay" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/12410598463_7410a795fa_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12386561043/" title="Confidence and Gracefulness by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Confidence and Gracefulness" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/12386561043_c240914077_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12410923804/" title="Decaying building by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Decaying building" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/12410923804_fed5ac04f4_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12410916504/" title="Downstairs by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Downstairs" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/12410916504_0635ecc449_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />
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Each of us has at least a few satisfying pictures.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12410599433/" title="With a rose by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="With a rose" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/12410599433_b329361b02_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12410473735/" title="Marcus in denim by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Marcus in denim" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/12410473735_bdea451d3f_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12386559673/" title="Self by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Self" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/12386559673_83b1418edf_z.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a><br />
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My style of the shoot:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12386405875/" title="Style of the day by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Style of the day" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/12386405875_c733265426_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
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Uniqlo denim shirt, Chino from Topman, Onitsuka Tiger's Mexico 66, and Pebble watch!<br />
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All pictures are shot on Fujifilm X100S.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-14175286201306274572014-02-04T11:20:00.000+08:002014-02-04T11:20:30.650+08:00Multiple Exposure<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12265568014/" title="Multi Exposed in CNY by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Multi Exposed in CNY" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/12265568014_ebeaa1ab8e_z.jpg" width="639" /></a><br />
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Inspired by the beautiful work by Sara K Byrne here:<br />
<a href="http://vsco.co/features/sara-k-byrne-tutorial-vsco-film">http://vsco.co/features/sara-k-byrne-tutorial-vsco-film</a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-63648834187073855482014-02-04T11:15:00.000+08:002014-02-04T11:15:16.140+08:00The Rides<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" nbsp="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12246757736/player/933417e3bf" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Going back to Sitiawan every year is something I look forward to every Chinese New Year. Some more this year's CNY was full of cool air.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12245751413/" title="Total 8km ride / K1 / #vscocam by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Total 8km ride / K1 / #vscocam" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/12245751413_817b71d64a_z.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12245313925/" title="Biking in the rubber estate / C3 / #vscocam by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Biking in the rubber estate / C3 / #vscocam" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/12245313925_051e5038f4_z.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/12245188225/" title="This morning's ride in Kampung / G1 / #vscocam by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="This morning's ride in Kampung / G1 / #vscocam" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5540/12245188225_b18cd50010_z.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-43353291667224311762013-10-13T00:33:00.003+08:002013-10-13T00:33:32.902+08:00Hiking: Kranji<div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/10227015855/" title="Kranji 04 by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kranji 04" height="425" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/10227015855_017dabc8b2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Continuing the KTM railway series from 2 years ago with YN. Things have been changing so quickly in Singapore, the tracks have been removed as compared to two years ago, and Nature is reclaiming the old rail track slowly. Walking along the once-a-railway-track path feel so good that I sincerely hope the Singapore government will not do development project on these beautiful trails.</div>
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The walk into the trail needs only a little bit of adventurous spirit. It was not straight forward, not labelled. We first found this place by tracing along the MRT track, but because I passed by the abandoned raised overhead bridge every morning from Yew Tee to Kranji.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/10227026456/" title="Kranji 01 by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kranji 01" height="425" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8560/10227026456_9a47913c61_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Posing with the XZ1 that I almost put up into forum to sell it away. I was armed with X100, loaned from my friend Wanting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/10226932314/" title="Kranji 02 by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kranji 02" height="425" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/10226932314_589c7d4025_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/10227023006/" title="Kranji 03 by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kranji 03" height="425" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/10227023006_6e5f000621_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Blessed with a morning without raining and bright sunlight, the light was soft, the air was cool. I did not even sweat much after walking for about an hour.<br />
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Along the trail, this "Horse Grass" form some kind of wall which create an interesting scenery.<br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/10227011625/" title="Kranji 06 by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kranji 06" height="425" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/10227011625_a59d2a2c04_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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Two kittens ran out of nowhere, the first thing they did, meow and melt our hearts. They played with us, for quite some time and followed us until we reached a road. Fortunately, they did not follow us anymore as the road was kind of busy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/10226920034/" title="Kranji: Kittens by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Kranji: Kittens" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/10226920034_535c6b3463_z.jpg" width="425" /></a><br />
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The X100 performed well and the images are good and sharp, at f/2. Although it is a bit late for me to realise the goodness of this camera but better late or never! It's a beast, and I feel even more itchy to buy a X100S now, or X-E1?</div>
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The first time we were able to finally complete the old railway track from Kranji to Choa Chu Kang area.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0Kranji, Singapore1.4250482 103.761852200000020.91707169999999993 103.11640520000002 1.9330247 104.40729920000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-5923710294721396982013-07-27T18:23:00.000+08:002013-07-27T18:23:11.958+08:00Cooking, Resume<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/9374201223/" title="Tea Afternoon by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Tea Afternoon" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9374201223_e2bb3d0d96_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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With such gloomy weather outside, we stayed at home, doing nothing.<br />
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I was arranging the table for a good composition of food photo. She was preparing food inside the kitchen. Such a seemingly normal day, but signified recovery.<br />
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Our <a href="http://fikawiththesun.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fika with the Sun</a> is back.Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263758105850467593.post-57791336801058970822013-07-14T23:12:00.001+08:002013-07-14T23:12:32.218+08:00VSCO Camera<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/9236158551/" title="It's getting dark. #squaready #vscocam by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="It's getting dark. #squaready #vscocam" height="612" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9236158551_756876564d_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/9282516235/" title="Twilight. #squaready #vscocam by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Twilight. #squaready #vscocam" height="612" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/9282516235_fe0b601f5f_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanki/9279241683/" title="Silver grasses #squaready #vscocam by kanki su, on Flickr"><img alt="Silver grasses #squaready #vscocam" height="612" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/9279241683_a73dd7eeef_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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Recently my desire to shoot has gone on for quite a long time. Have to thank VSCO for that. Great gallery they are curating at the Grid, great articles, great designs.<br />
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All the film-like quality just made me feel like picking up my camera/phone to make pictures!<br />
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<a href="http://kanki.vsco.co/" target="_blank">http://kanki.vsco.co/</a>Kankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12867858311033097104noreply@blogger.com0