We have a group booking from a super-fit and adventurous group of 17 for this coming sunday who think that our 3 hours kayaking trip which a few of them had been on, are for pussies weenies and wanted something more ‘challenging’. I had a good mind to take them sea kayaking at Bako to let them experience what is really challenging and question their own mortality. Perhaps another day when I’m feeling wicked or like to see young punks shit pee in their pants …

Anyway, I suggested the Pengkalan Tebang to Krokong river trip for them in Bau as the water levels should be high enough at this time of the year. According to Kelvin, 'Pengkalan' means a small wharf and Tebang is actually a misspell Bidayuh Tringgus name for 'Tobang'. But officially, it's called "Pengkalan Tebang". It used to be a historical trading center between the Krokong people and the people from Seruas (the Indonesian side).So on Saturday, Azmi and I decided to do a reccee on the route as we had not been there for over a year and as the river conditions changes all the time; we do not want any unexpected surprise(s) on a river hours away from help. We have the greatest respect for the rivers and seas; as anyone who has been alone miles away from civilization and totally at the mercy of the weather would soon learn humility and faith.We arrived arrived at the put-in at Pengkalan Tebang and were greeted by friendly kampong kids and perfect weather and we eagerly got on the way. The river was even more beautiful than I could recall and we were soon one with it as we flowed along. Azmi and I were perfectly synchronized as miles and hours on the waters had conditioned us to instinctively go where the flow would be the easiest and to pick the best lines through the various small rapids and bends. Azmi is quiet at most times and on the waters we conversed with our thoughts as our eyes and body language conveyed more fluently than mere words can what we have to do at the precise time and place.It took us 4 and a half hour and we reckon that it would take at least 6 hours for an average trip for a group of fit adventurers with with breaks in between and we’ll plan accordingly for the trip this coming Sunday. Azmi thinks that the average fit beginners would take at least 7 to 8 hours - so we’ll be packing torch lights just in case! It’s a pity I can’t take them personally as I would be on a flight then with my family out of Kuching but they would be in the good and capable hands of Bev and Azmi. I'm sure both of them will have some stories to tell after the trip ... (!)

Don’t laugh; your turn will definitely come as it did mine now as I recalled a time back when I giggled quietly to myself at this ‘old man’ polo shirt which read “Life Begins At Fifty”; and now it’s some other young punks who’s sniggling at me now! Such is this circle of life and while I still don’t quite ‘feel my age’ thanks to good genes and being truly blessed with excellent health and fitness (an active lifestyle, home-cooked meals and health supplements didn't hurt either); I nonetheless hate the balding old guy staring at me in the mirror. I know that true beauty is within and the measure of a man is his character and integrity but in this increasingly materialistic and superficial world – looks is all that mattered. Or so it seems. *sigh* Somehow I’m still (stupidly) bonded by this stupidity even though I had long come to terms with accepting and loving myself for who I am. Well, mostly.

So instead of giving myself a ‘make-over’ (*shudders* and god forbid!); I’ll give my blog’s template a makeover instead by modifying one from here that I like. Don’t worry if you don’t like it as this is only interim before I make the switch either to the new Blogger or Wordpress. The links along with a few other items normally in the sidebar are still not in place anyway.

We took the Ong Family out kayaking on Sunday and they were really lucky to enjoy the clear waters and beautiful weather which held up until the journey’s end. Ong HK is in the same Tai Chi class as me and he got really excited when he found out that I take people out on kayak trips and promptly booked the trip for his adventurous wife (who doesn't swim but can kayak!) and 2 kids (Diana and Desmond) who had a smashing time at Sg Sarawak Kiri.On Sunday night, I went to the most ‘awesomest’ party of the year to watch the birthday boy get his head smashed into his coconuts! There was some initial reticence but it was nice to meet and make new bloggers and blog readers friends.

I supposed this is how you define a balanced sunday - a peaceful and quiet day in the country followed by a noisy and rowdy night in town!

Lou saw my post yesterday on our efficient asian way of transporting trucks and sent me these pics of how the 'kiasi angmohs' do it in North America.

How does Lou know? Well, he has actually driven setups like this from Vancouver to Calgary a journey of over 1,200 kilometres through the Rocky Mountains!

Chisa San (from Tsukuba and quite near where Pandabonium is I believe) a Japanese research scientist on global warming on holidays in Kuching and taking our kayaking trip on Kelvin’s recommendation; decided to warm up things a bit by climbing up a tree cantilevered over the river. And like the cat that climbed the tree and got stuck up there; Chisa was sitting up there for at least a good 20 minutes despite all manners of persuasion from us before she mustered the courage to jump from the tree into the waters as the only way to get back down! It's an experience Chisa will remember for a very long time; ahhh so - our first Japanese guest having a splashing good time!

I know that due to rising fuel costs, every business are trying to keep their transportation costs down; but this, emailed to me by Guan, is clearly ridiculous if not downright insane! *gulp*

We kayaked into a narrow hidden cave.

I led the way in and was the last to leave and the shaft of light from above the cave prompted me to take a quick snap of myself on the way out.

There are many reasons why I love kayaking not the least of which is the sense of peace, wonderment and discovery even on rivers I'd been on many times previously and it's kind of difficult to articulate in words or explain it unless one has experienced it first hand and alone. I wish for you that you'll discover this truth for yourself someday.

I woke up to a surprising misty Kuching morning and I walked to the jetty to take in the fresh morning air with Buddy in tow.

What a beautiful start to the weekend and you can play misty for me anytime!

There's "People Power" of sort at work at the small rural town of Maleny in Southeast Queensland. They even have a site called "Maleny Voice" to collate and disseminate information for and on behalf of the Maleny community.

I really like this! To the community of people of Maleny; you have my support. It's about time that a community stand up to what they firmly believe to preserve the character of their town and not to be bullied into otherwise.

If there’s any visit that is more painful than to your dentist, it must be any government offices to apply for something; which in my case is to apply for the renewal of my children’s passport as we’re traveling outside Malaysia for a short holiday in early December. Since they're still under 18, I have to be there to sign the forms and do the thumb imprints. Not to mention the RM300/- it costs to renew each passport. Now everyone can fly - but only if they can afford the passport in the first place.

I strategize that if we get there before 8am then we would be able to beat the long queues but fat chance as when we got there 5 minutes before the counter opens at 8am there must have been over thirty people already there before us! These must have been there before 7.30am. Kuching people can be kiasu too. *sigh*

How would you feel if not one but TWO drill bristles head broke and got embedded inside your tooth while the dentist is doing a root canal treatment on it? After more than one and a half hour of trying without success to remove the broken off bits, the dentist gave up; filled up the cavities with temporary fillings and would give it another go next week. Failing which there would not be any root canal treatment but extraction of the affected tooth! (or possible legal action on my part?)

I know I'm quite hardy but I never realised that a soon-to-be half a century old guy's molar would be tougher than surgical steel ... But I'm not amused! Gggrrrrrrrrrr!

I tried to take a short cut from Bormill Estate to Rock Road but turned into a dead-end road instead. Trying to find my way out, I spotted a rather unusual choice of plants for the front of the house housed in a steel cage standing nearly one storey high. They turned out to be giant cactus and the steel cage must be for support and not to protect his precious prickly plant from being stolen! But then again who knows! Another surprise down the road less traveled in Kuching …

Ming, the film director from Eclipse Comm Sdn Bhd in KL together with his film crew was in Kuching to film tourist attractions in Sarawak for STB (Sarawak Tourist Board). At first I thought they must be from overseas as don’t they know that it is the “landas” or monsoon season now? Not exactly the kind of weather to showcase Sarawak but then again STB with their expertise, know-how and all that years of experience should know better right? *sigh*.

Anyway they were put on to us not by STB but rather Panch of Diethelm Travel who manages to persuade a rather reluctant Ming to take a look at our kayaking trip and film as one of the ‘tourist attractions’. Reluctant it was as they had to drag themselves out of bed at Merdeka Palace making Bev, Azmi and yours truly wait a good long 45 minutes before they showed up … very professional huh? Panch was apologetic and slightly embarrassed by this when the bored-looking film crew with 2 yawning ‘talents’ in tow finally showed up. After a brief introduction by Panch, we drove quickly to the put-in with me (instead of them) fretting that the unusually good weather and sunshine that Saturday morning would hold up. And luckily it did!

We reached Bengoh and while Bev and Azmi hurried to untie and unload the kayaks, I discussed with Ming and his (I-speak-only-Cantonese and cam-pa-lang-bahasa) cameraman, Paul Lee on the logistics and the filming spots. The beauty of the place and my enthusiasm soon won them over and we set off with the shoot with Ming in the same kayak as me, the camera-man with Bev and the 2 ‘talents’ of 19 year old Jryna from Ukraine and KL-based Andreas from East Malaysia. And the shoot went well under the beautiful morning light and Ming’s task was made easier with the I-can-go-anywhere Paul Lee and the experienced professional Andreas who showed his mettle as a true orang-ulu by being a capable paddler and a natural on the waters. Jryna was fidgety and squirmiest about the insects (duh!) but soon settled in and put on her brightest smiles when Ming barked gave the orders!

Everything went smoothly and Ming got all the shots he wanted by the time we reached Kg Danu and there were happy smiles all round. As we were getting out, a shout came from Gustino, the STB coordinator who was up on the suspension bridge above Sg Sarawak Kiri and we all looked up. That’s where that shot came from and here's the story!

It was a take and hopefully our kayaking trip would be featured in STB’s future promotional film on Sarawak’s tourist attractions. Even a reluctant Ming is now a believer! Our thanks to Diethelm Travel, Eclipse Comm and STB for giving us the exposure that we need!

One of the wonderful things about my kayaking trips business is the different people from all nationalities and walks of life that I get to meet and know over the course of the 3 hour plus trip.

But never did I expect to meet the demure trio of Meryem, Jehra and Halime who are from Turkey but are studying Political Science and Psychology at the UIA (International Islamic University) in Kuala Lumpur; holidaying in Kuching for the first time. Stanley from Unicatay Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd, who purposely conceals this fact to surprise me, put them on to us and came along for the ride.

And surprised me he did as this is the first time that I had ever taken anyone kayaking who are covered from head to toe! I am NOT kidding – just take a look at the photos! No danger of sun burnt or insect bites as they slapped on sunblock and repellant to the only exposed part of their bodies – their face and hands!

There were more surprises for me as the 3 girls took to kayaking like ducklings to water even though this was their first kayaking experience. When we got underway Meryem at 19 and the youngest was not only sporting but adventurous taking on all the challenges and more – standing up on the kayak, climbing up vines, looking for hidden waterfalls, etc.

It was a delightful Turkish experience which opened my eyes and taught me that despite different cultural, political and religious leanings; all girls just wanna have fun!

Remember to always look up when things seem to be looking down.
(... as the view tends to be better too!)

I like going barefoot but frequently hesitates due to fear of getting seriously cut by the sharp litter carelessly thrown everywhere; even in the rivers and forests. At every stop we would comb the pebbles and sandy banks for fragments of broken bottles and aluminium cans pop-tops to pick up and cart away but we can never seem to be able to get rid of this hazard entirely. *sigh*

So I was delighted to come across this product called FiveFingers™ which the manufacturer claimed is "the first and only footwear to offer the exhilarating freedom of going barefoot—with the protection and surefooted grip of a Vibram® sole."

Someone spotted a big red insect hanging upsided down on a rocky outcrop and I paddled over to have a look and to take a few snaps. It looked like a grasshopper to me and it was bright red in colour. Funny how in the photos, it has the brownish colour of a cockcroach. Looking at the incredibly long feelers, it could just be a cockcroach! Does anybody know?

We were driving back from kayaking when the road ahead turned suddenly ‘foggy’. It was quite thick and it got thicker. Has the dreaded haze descended upon us once again? Irregardless, it looked very cinematic and I took some grab shots.

Then we rounded the corner and saw the culprit – people who were carrying out fogging! What a relief ... Wishing you a haze and fog free weekend!

I spoke too soon ...
Guess what Buddy did this morning? *sigh*

I had the good fortune to be introduced on separate occasions to both Chung Lee a Singapore-based photo-journalist who is also the principal consultant to a big media and communications group specialising in tourism and travel, and Michael Chick of Kuala Lumpur a film-maker extraordinaire. They both decided to take the kayak trip with me as though both are widely traveled, this is the first time they have heard it and wanted to check it out.

Michael actually more than check it out – he brought along his (expensive) broadcast quality film camera at considerable risk that it may take a dunking! He is a brave man - well, he had scaled the Pinnacles at Mulu already (so did Chung Lee). He was with me on the same kayak, so he must have a lot of confidence in me. Michael is in the final stages of his film called “Discover Malaysia. The backpacker’s trail.” Which took him 2 years to make and is destined to be a classic as it’s not your typical travel or tourist documentary as he sought to show you the authentic cultures that make up our diverse nation and it's quite an eye-opener. It promises to be the definitive inside guide to what is truly Malaysian. As he puts it – he may have to emigrate after the film comes out! Which is sometime towards the end of the year and is targetted for overseas distribution and would be on DVDs too.

Chung Lee has covered tourism products in Southeast Asia more than thrice over and it takes a lot to get her excited and it was amazing to watch her enthusiasm on one whom you would expect to be jaded from so much traveling and viewing of tourist sights around the world. She truly has "been there, done that" and is the author of 12 books and her recent book - "Journey Through Sarawak: A pictorial guide to the land of dayaks" had just hit the bookshelves in recent months.

I felt honored to be in the company of such dedicated professionals and was thrilled that they actually love my kayaking trip! Perhaps they are being nice or are afraid that I may leave them in the jungles of borneo amongst the head hunters and crocodiles! Obviously not. Authentic people are relaxed and easy as they are clear about the life's journeys ahead that they had charted for themselves.

I was delighted to learn from both of them that the rainforest kayaking trip through Borneo Highlands is like a "Three-In-One" as portions of the trip are reminiscent of Taman Negara and Mulu National Park together with the unique features of Borneo Highlands! And you get all that breathtaking sceneries on the one trip! What are you waiting for?

Buddy’s with us nearly 2 weeks now and he has settled in quite nicely with the other 4 dogs and his new abode. He has been exploring (and digging up!) the gardens and the river banks and much to our chagrin has gotten himself (and us) covered with mud and dirt in the process! He has certainly more than gotten his paws wet.

The jetty is another place he loves to wander to and we watched with trepidation each time some fruits or twigs from the mangrove trees fall into the river and Buddy looked as if he’s going to lunge into the river to get it. Is it a matter of time; as he is, after all, a retriever! *sigh*

We have always taught our children that the best present that could give anyone is not something that they can buy, no matter how expensive they maybe; but rather something that they create themselves as such gifts are priceless.

So our daughter KH2o was busy the other night making a card for her Korean friend in class and whom they are going to throw a surprise party for after class. It was an original and most beautiful card and I asked permission to take a few shots of it. Not only did she said “Yes!” but she also gave me permission to blog it! She must be proud of it and we're so proud of her!

So here’s the lovely card and she has even given it a brand – “Kim’s Kreations”. Anybody wants to order an original hand-made card from her? I'm taking orders! ;)

Not really!

But apparently his website has been hijacked to send out spam viagra emails!
And at this juncture www.kennysia.com is still DOWN.

The price of popularity indeed ...

As you all know www.kennysia.com is one of the most popular blog in Malaysia and Singapore and yesterday due to a large volume of traffic, it caused the servers to become unstable and it was disabled. There were in excess of 250 concurrent connections at the time! Most of us do not even get that number of hits in a day or an entire week or month. *sigh*

Now you know why you couldn't access my site for a good part of the day (and evening) after lunchtime yesterday. I hope that this is the last of the interruptions as this is not exactly what I was looking forward to when I switched over from Blogger's free servers! *sigh*