The Brick

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop...." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. "Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Only if it's raining

A woman was having an affair while her husband was at work. One day she was in bed with her boyfriend when, to her horror, she heard her husband's car pull into the driveway.

"Oh My God - Hurry! Grab your clothes," she yelled to her lover.
"And jump out the window. My husband's home early!"

"I can't jump out the window!" came the strangled reply from beneath the sheets. "It's raining out there!"

"If my husband catches us in here, he'll kill us both!" she replied. "He's got a very quick temper and a very large gun! The rain is the least of your problems!"

So the boyfriend scoots out of bed, grabs his clothes and jumps out the window!

As he began running down the street in the pouring rain, he quickly discovered he had run right into the middle of the town's annual marathon. He started running along
beside the others about 300 of them.

Being naked, with his clothes tucked under his arm, he tried to "blend in" as best he could. It wasn't that effective!

After a little while, a small group of runners, who had been studying him with some curiosity, jogged closer.

"Do you always run in the nude?" one asked.

"Oh yes" he replied, gasping in air. "It feels so wonderfully free having the air blow over all your skin while you're running."

Another runner moved alongside. "Do you always run carrying your clothes under your arm?"

"Oh, yes" our friend answered breathlessly. "That way I can get dressed right at the end of the run and get in my car to go home!"

Then a third runner cast his eyes a little lower and queried.

"Do you always wear a condom when you run?"

"Only if it's raining."

Hai Phong, Vietnam

Last city before we head back to sg. There wasn't really anything much here. But one thing is for sure, you won't find a tourist here. It is sad that the hotels practice price discrimination to foreigners and locals who are not staying in that participular city. And the price difference is quite a hefty difference.The journey back to Hanoi made me feel like it is like the first time I'm traveling. The sight of rice fields, people selling food by the high way, and the way they transport things around. :)

Halong, Vietnam

This is one of the place that is a MUST-GO for us. However, to much of our disappointment, we felt that the place was really over-hyped and over-rated. Or maybe is because I have been to so many places already, and have probably seen better sites. My buddy share the same sentiments too.
The below show one of the common view of how halong bay suppose to look like.

Lang Son, Vietnam

We did not stay in Lang Son, just passing by it. The journey was kinda tough, with many up slopes and rain too. The picture is taken when we are riding. A fellow biker carrying pigs behind him.
This picture is taken at the valley of two mountains.

Sapa, Vietnam

Definitely my favourite place in Vietnam. The view is just breadth taking. With all the rice terraces. It is about a night train trip away from Hanoi and is near to the border. The trip here is definitely worth your last penny.

Great weather, nice people and great food, especially their supposedly suckling pig. Gosh, it is just a joy to taste all these delicacies.
My buddy and my motorcycle diary.....
A normal shot in Sapa already made u feel like a member of heaven....
One thing that probably irritate you a little is the tribal people aggressively trying to sell you things. They will follow you just to dig a few dongs from you. But a reject with a smile should do the trick. And the tribal people actually speak better English than all the locals in Vietnam. These are the kids that actually followed us the whole nite market and half of sapa. Their determination pays off, I did buy something from them in the end. =) But it is because the kid is so cute, especially the one in the middle. I just love her....

Hanoi, Vietnam

As what was proclaimed about Hanoi, it is a cultered city. With many more history to look at than tall buildings. But if you are going there for shopping and fun, then you will be heading to the wrong place.

Went to Dung's friend's house and had a vietnamese lunch. it was really good. The girls will do the cooking, serving and washing. The guys just to have to sit at the table and chat and do not bother about any of the household chores. it is like a dream come true. =p Picture below is one of the West Lake where couples and tourist which are all over the lake, apparently, there is a very nice sunset, but didnt get to see it.
Also met up with my Vietnamese fellows, Giang and Romi. Giang's baby is due this Nov. First SIF mummy. Impressive how Giang still rides around even with her bigger than normal stomach.
The picture taken is where the body of Ho Chi Minh resides. And thousands of visitors everyday come to pay tribute to him. Body is realyl well preserved. Now I wonder if the someone in Sg...if his body will be preserved if he kicked the bucket.

Forbidden City, Hue, Vietnam

An almost exact but smaller replica of the forbidden city in China. Till now, I'm still thinking if the dynasty in Vietnam, are they Chinese or are they Vietnamese. Because everything I see in Vietnam in the temples and palacce, are all in Chinese. But still, I was told that the anicent dyansty in are all vietnamese..... It is quite well maintained i must say. But there is always a discrimination between locals and foreigners. We always have to pay more......

Bana, Vietnam

Bana is an hour away from Danang, on a Mt. top. There is really nothing much to do other than being awed by the weather and the scenery looking down on Danang. The weather is not really cold, probably is because it is in the summer. Was having a quiet night chatting with my buddy, until these kids appear and they find us a novelty. Kept trying to talk to us in english even though they know limited vocab. These kids are really so nice that when they went off, they returned with BBQ food for us. They are really sweet.
One of the rare full month nites in vietnam.

Hoi An, Vietnam

It is a town designed for the tourist. They even build OLD buildings just so the town look rustic and it is so touristy. Nevertheless, the history is still worth visiting. Below is the Japanese Bridge. The myth says it is build on the dragon spin so to prevent it from causing disaster to the people in Vietnam.
Even though, it is quite touristy, I'm still able to get a customized suit at US$30. Woo hoo....

My Son, Vietnam

My buddy and I was asking how to get to My Son with the hotel receptionist and we had a hard but amusing time trying to understand her. We were asking how do we get to My Son, and she was saying, u want to see "My Son", and we keep saying that we want to visit My Son and not wanting to see YOUR SON. Then after a while, we realized the My Son is pronouced as Mei Sen and not My Son. My Son is like an Ang Koh Wat site, but it is of a relatively smaller scale. Nevertheless, it is only impressive for the first 10 mins of your trip, so b4 u go there, consider your options and weigh it as it may not prove worth it to travel so much out of the way and just be awed for only 10 mins.

Danang, Vietnam

The 3rd biggest city in Vietnam after HCM and Hanoi. It is really quite big, but there is nothing really much to do there. They have also quite a long man-made beach there, just like our east coast park. It is known for their sandwich. for 2000 dong. yum yum!!!!

Phan Thiet, Vietnam

Basically, it was not really interesting at Phan Thiet. The only amusing thing that happen was that when we went for massage, it turns out that the place was quite a sleezy place. This is my first time getting asked for 'special service' which I have heard alot in bkk, but never experience.

A picture of my buddy while he is riding.

Stopped by the road to visit their dragon fruit plantation. Got 2 dragonfruits from the owner for FREE.

Mui Ne, Vietnam

Mui Ne is known for its sand dunes. There is two types of sand dunes, the orange sand dunes and the white sand dunes. All of it is caused by the agent orange during Vietnam War.

The ride across Mui Ne is really nice. U passed by the sand dunes, along the sea and u will go through fairy tales sceneries. It just brings the time to a standstill. This is a picture of an oasis in the middle of nowhere, and I wonder where this guy comes from.

We followed some stream and got to this place. Is really like river trekking, to see those limestone formations when u walk. Somehow, while walking on the river, I just cannot help it that it totally reminds me of Brunei......

Nha Trang, Vietnam

It is suppose to be the beachest place in Vietnam, but do not have high expectations of it, because it is just like another east coast park.

We visited the temple here, and it was said to be quite accurate for its prayers. So the structure of the temple is more or less the same as those i have seen in Thailand.
There is really nothing much in Nha Trang, other than the so called nice beach. But u could give me a miss if you are really rushing. The food is quite nice and really cheap though. Definitely something you dun wanna miss especially when your there.
My buddy and myself took the tour out to the islands and I must say it is a very good tour. The tour have a buffet lunch, snorkelling, and wine bar in the sea. They even created their on band on the boat, it is rather hilarious at the instruments they used in the band.

We did a few jumps from the boat into the sea. This is one of the shot that my buddy jumped into the sea.

Dalat, Vietnam

The Little Paris of Vietnam - Dalat. It is situated at one of the high mountains, where u will experience cool tempreature the whole time. The picture is small eiffle tower in Dalat. And the buildings are very french.

Is really a place just to enjoy somewhere cool during their summer which is ridiculously hot. Other than that, is the usual sight seeing. I tried a piegon there and it had a quiet taste.

Other than the last emperor of Vietnam's summer palace and the valley of love and the chicken tribe is interesting, u can give a pass for the rest. In the chicken tribe, the guys marry to the woman, and woman are of superior figure, they choose who they want to marry and they will make decision in the house.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

It was pretty much similar to Bangkok in so many aspect. The food is really cheap and nice. And the shopping is really good if you know where to shop. HCM is not really big, 1-2days can completely cover the attractions that is within the city.

Other places of interest will be Mekong River and Cu Chi tunnels and Kaodai Sect.

Below is the eye which they worship in the Kao Dai Sect. This is the religion that combines all the gods of all religion and pray to them together. The do nothing and stay at their temple everyday and have religious rituals 4 times a day.

The eye is a right eye and is like their god of god.
This is a picture of their ritual. :)
Finally met up with Cuong, after 3 years. He is working in PnG now and is moving to KL. Envious, and he is going to have a house and a car all to himself....:)

Cebu, Philippines

It is said to be quite a nice place, but there is really nothing much. Probably only one big shopping center and the rest are really small. And it takes someone simple to enjoy the simplicity of the whole city. I enjoyed it for one. But definitely u cannot spend more than a day there. Because there isnt anything much u could do there.
Was walking through the park and guess what, one of the statue is trying to avoid the glaze from the sun. :)

Bohol, Philippines

Bohol is known for two things the chocolate hills and the tarsier monkeys. You can really finish Bohol within a day, which is exactly what I did. and you probably can walk Pangnao island on foot within a day too. :)

I dun really understand why is it called chocolate hills, when the hills are all green. maybe last time it is just soil, and that is why they are called chocolate hills. There are lotsa hills that shaped like the picture below. it is caused by some plate tectonic movement.

Then you will also get to see the Tarsier. Oh my gosh, they are just so cute. From the words of Mr B, "u can even feel that they are so fragile on your hands that they can just die on it". They are really cute and when u hold onto them, the feeling is so....i just dunno how to describe it.
A close up picture of the tarsier. :)

Like what I mentioned earlier on, I did a visit on foot around pangnao island. But the look on the map it is a matter of 15km and a return trip wld be about 30km which wld take about 7hrs at most. And I almost died when I climb up to one of the hills. I was so thirsty (never bring any water with me), that I just went up to the guard who is guarding a comms post at the top of the hill and asked him for some water. He cut coconuts for me and when I asked for the price and he told me that is free. He cut like 4 coconuts to quench my thirst and we just sat there n tok. Is really nice to know that there is still a innocent and nice police around in Philippines. Because most of the guards and police there are kinda corrupted and money hungry. And he has to take on 3 jobs to make ends meet.

Boracay, Philippines

This is the top 10 beaches in the world. And I wished it wasnt listed in the first place. I heard from so many people the beach was so much nicer a decade ago. it is still gd, but just not as gd as last time. The among of tourist that u see will scare the shit out of u. Imagine walking in raffles place in the morning, and thats that kinda traffic u experience when u walk along the beach. Diving in Boracay.

The food and everything that they sell are of super inflated prices. That is why u must know where to get cheap n good food. However, if you can find what locals usually eat, then u will be in for a jolly good deal. :) The buffet dinner on the beach is quite cheap as compared to singapore la. Like SGD5-8. With seafood.

There are lotsa gigantic sand castles there, and they require u to pay if u want to take a photo of it. There is ridiculous. People just build the sand castle, and they just stand by it and collect money when u try to take a pict of it. Ridiculous way of earning money....
Spend a week in Boracay. Everyday just lazing on the beach, reading my story book. I can't believe that I'm actually lazing alone and enjoying the sun and the sea. Is like ultimate relaxation la. And not forgetting to practice some of my camera skills. It is taken by my new baby. Canon 30D. The pictures are really nice. I really dunno who the hell this girl is, but she seem to be posing, so i just took a shot at her. =p



Bring me back to Boracay~~~~~

Kalinga, Philippines

Angel and Maida interest me to go for a hike with them with their mountaineering club and it was at the same time for a good cause. And boy was I glad to be there. The trek was really nice, first time witnessing rice field and the people are great. They have to accomodate me, and try to speak english in everything instead of tagalog. is a one day trek but all of them brought hell lotsa stuff. And I really learnt alot from the way they trek. They are really professional in terms of briefing, training and preparations. I'm really impressed, and I thot the people in sg are already very well-prepared. These are my group members. :)

This is the view that u will die for. The rice fields.

So our objective is to trek to the village in the middle of no where and pass some school aids to the children. So each of the trekkers have to carry 3 school bags and there are about 80+ of us. So it was really cool to see how enthu the kids are when they see us. Their classroom condition really make us feel that we (singaporeans) are very blessed, but then, the small classroom, make me feel dejavu, as if I have been here, sometime in my past life or something. The 2nd before we set off to go bac, we had some interaction time with the kids. They are so cool. Village kids are more sponteneous than the kids that i noe in my country. N when u throw them a ball, all of them run after it. =)

So we gave them their school supplies, and after everything, u see the kids going back to their respective homes, and do u noe what route they have to take to travel home. The have to cross the river, and I saw some who will have to scale a steep hill to get to the other side of the mountain to get home. And they have to do this everyday to go school. Tough life, but at least I'm sure that they lead a simple and dun haf to worry about money and the future, as their life is quite simple and fun. :)

Extract from one article in Philippines...

On May 26 - 27, 2007, sixty seven (67) participants from Manila, composed of climbers and volunteers, visited the remote town of Lubo in Tanudan, Kalinga located in northern Philippines. These volunteers carried with them one-year's school supplies for the school children of Lubo Elementary School, Dacalan Elementary and Gaang Elementary Schools.

As part of the BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER (BBBS) annual outreach project, now on its third year, 500 set of school packs, consisting of the basic school supplies like notebooks, writing pads, rulers, pencils, ballpens, sharpeners were handed over to the recipients on the morning of May 27 at the school grounds of Lubo Elementary School. Aside from these, 500 pieces of raincoats were also given to other children who gladly fitted the colorful outfits. Boxes of chalks and blackboard erasers were
donated to the schools for their use during the school year. Colored educational charts were also given to enhance the bare gray walls of the classrooms.


An article about the BBBS 2007 appeared on June 16, on the front page of the Philippine Star and Manila Standard Today and on page 6 of The Manila Times. The article may also be found in:
http://www.yehey/. com/news/ Article.aspx? id=167273

Furthermore, you are invited to view the official BBBS 2007 photo album at:http://picasaweb.google.com/agt.angie/BBBS2007