Labels: Kuching Kayaking

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Take off and jump in to cool off @ Borneo Highlands, 29 July 2007

A sight to behold ...

We started off on a dreary drizzling Sunday morning, and looking at the forlorn and gray sky we wondered if the small but relentless rain drops are ever going to stop coming down ...

Blue skies and mists rising over the Bengoh Range @ Borneo Highlands, 29 July 2007

But we needn’t have to worry as shortly after we stop for the swimming break by the sandy banks at the midway point, the sunshine broke through the heavy dark clouds cover and suddenly we had brilliant sunshine and blue skies.

Rain or shine, Stephanie and Dorte from Germany knows how to have fun!

It started to get quite warm on the waters, so what‘s a girl gonna do to beat the heat?

I love this job!

So - kayaking with me this weekend Mr. Charlie B? ;o)

A great way to relax and tan while floating down Sungai Sarawak Kiri @ Borneo Highlands

Labels: Kuching Kayaking

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FH2o strikes a "sexy" pose @ Sungai Abang, Borneo Highlands.
I think that kayaking is cool and that rivers are sexy but me? You've got to be kidding!

This is bizarre! I was checking on the number of visitors to my blog today on StatCounter (it was around 142 just now) as it is sometimes interesting to find out where the wonderful strangers who reads my blog comes from (or if anyone actually reads my blog!). Some stumbled onto my blog from their internet searches about Kuching but this one really takes the cake as the most bizarre that I have yet to come across! And I am very flattered lah! *ahem*

Labels: General

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I can’t decide whether it was a good or bad thing that a croc was caught near Sungai Taitong, Bau as it was really unusual for crocs to be found in that kind of habitat and in that area. It’s a bit of a mystery how it got there as there had never been any reports of crocs sightings there in living memories. The locals I spoke to speculate that it must have escaped from the nearby mini zoo of the restaurant called "Turned Red" where they kept in captivity crocs, birds amongst other animals; which would be quite irresponsible of them. It probably might not have survived too long there had it not been caught and relocated but on the other hand if it did and though it's a small croc; it would be too close for comfort probably rendering one of my favourite places too dicey to kayak. *sigh*

But I’m definitely glad that Georgette caught hers – on camera; on her media trip back from Bako National Park.

Labels: General

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Fishing trawler keeled over along the banks of Sungai Kuap, 28 July 2007

I wished I was Superman so that I could upright the sorry looking vessel!

Labels: Cycling

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Azmi was taking out 6 guests today for dolphins spotting on his own and since 2 of them were staying in town and the other family of 4 from Holland were staying at Damai Beach; I thought that I'll drop by after work to help him ferry the family back to Damai so that he would not have to backtrack on the journey back and be home too late for dinner.

It was still drizzling slightly when I got to the secluded beach where we put in and I was rewarded with friendly smiles from our foreign guests who appreciated the time out on the lovely waters at the bay and sightings of the elusive Irrawaddy dolphins were a bonus. The bonus to me was the lovely sunset skies which I promptly captured. And which is more than I can say about my long suffering colleagues at work whose long overdue and anxiously awaited bonus is still very much in the air despite a record breaking profitable year. What stinginess! misery this is. *sigh*

Irregardless, here's wishing you all a wonderful weekend which is a bonus in its own right! Cheers!

Labels: Kuching Skies

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Nina, Chew, Alex and Ian taking up on the surprise and generous offer.

I’ve said it before - It’s never exactly always the same floating down the same river even time after time; as surprises awaits us. The river’s flow and water levels can never exactly be the same and the scenery changes slowly but surely over time. When I look at the photos I had taken months ago compared to the current place, I can see the difference(s) and some of them quite noticeably so. I have yet to get bored paddling down the same river even after dozens of times; and I don't think I ever will as I just love it on the waters - for me, there's nothing quite like it.

First class and attentive service by the river bank that you'll never get at a bar in town.

But what is a constant are the friendly Bidayuh folks who live in Danu and Kg Semadang along Sungai Sarawak Kiri whom we occasionally encountered and who have more than warm smiles to offer us. And we are always grateful for and appreciative of their open friendliness.

"Trust me - this will perk you up for the paddling ahead!"

And on the Sunday afternoon of the 15 July 2007, we were offered “langkau” or distilled rice wine ('tuak') as we paddled past a small group of men by the river banks near Kg Semadang enjoying their Sunday afternoon and their home-brewed langkau! I took a small sip and it was excellent stuff and I wished I could have lingered on to enjoy the langkau and their company. If Kelvin had been with me that afternoon, I’m certain that that’s where and when he wants to get off! The next time I'm there, I'll look for those guys and see if I can purchase a couple of bottles off them. Cheers Everyone!

It was certainly thumbs up for the excellent home-brewed "langkau"! Langkau Kayaking anyone?

Labels: Kuching Kayaking

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This house has been empty since we moved in back in 2005 ... Back when I started blogging thinking then that no one would ever bother to read my lame and boring blog about kayaking, clouds and reflections on life. I'm glad that I was wrong as people either enjoy reading about my kayaking adventures or simply like the photos that I love to take or the way I looked at things.

Kuching sunset 24 July 2007

I had since the beginning of this year, spent less and less time visiting and/or commenting on other people's blogs as I simply do not have the time to do so; what with the demands of my new job in a senior position in a main board public listed company and managing my kayaking trips business which has seen a more than three-fold in the number of guests taking our trips since I started it back in March 2006. I'm really grateful that Azmi is so capable and to Bev for chipping in to help on the weekends. Although the number of comments has dropped drastically, the number of visitors to my blog has not! But I still have my regular readers such as QV, Wuching, Moody Minstrel and blogging kayakers like my friend and proud new father Huey and Bonnie. And of course I always have lurkers who reads but prefer not to comment. All are warmly welcomed. I guess in part my blog is being 're-discovered' by new visitors all the time; perhaps also due to my link in the famous and popular local blogger Kenny Sia's website. I suppose Kenny like a lot of young people I meet, find me interesting while the older folks (except for Lam Chun See of "Good Morning Yesterday") find me weird! Hmmm.

Evening skies outside my office 24 July 2007

Mine, mine - how the time has breezed by since. Time and tide certainly waits for no man and changes are inevitable. I trust that the past 2 years had been as interesting and kind to you as it has been to me and that the changes had been positive and meaningful. Go with the flow and be well!

Sunset outside my house 24 July 2007

Labels: About Life, General, Rantings

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Elke was all smiles on Sg Sarawak Kanan @ Bau on 22 July 2007

I thought I was the only person mad about kayaking until I met Elke Wollschon, whose only previous kayaking experience was on the Russia River when she last visited the US, who signed up for all 3 of our kayaking trips! I thought she was kidding when she first emailed me and did not pay too much notice to it until she pleasantly surprised me with her call on Saturday evening reminding me that she has signed up for all our kayaking trips and is raving to go!

Too beautiful for words to ever capture but no problem with a small digital camera

Though born in Germany, Elke now lives and work in KL (for the past 7 years) where she owns the largest used book store chain in Malaysia, Pay Less Books, with 5 branches in KL. She loves Malaysian food and is probably the only angmoh I know who takes chilli-padis with her food and loves curries! Elke looks like an angmoh outside but is half-malaysian inside according to her!

Elke's dream of kayaking through the jungles came true and she wanted the images for keeps

I took her out on Sunday at Bau while Azmi took her with another group on Monday at Borneo Highlands and she went dolphins spotting with Azmi again this morning!

Elke loves bamboos (she has some in her renovated bathroom) and was in awe of the giant species found along Sg Sarawak Kanan @ Bau

Elke has always dreamed about kayaking through the jungles and was most grateful that we made her dreams come through. She confessed that she was so excited when she ‘googled’ on the internet and found out about our dolphins kayaking trip. We loved kayaking and we are so glad that someone else also shared our passion. Thanks for taking our trips Elke and for being the first person to go on all our kayaking trips! And Elke told me that she'll be back again and would like us to open up more kayaking trips for her to experience. :)

Elke on Sungai Abang @ Borneo Highlands 23 July 2007

Labels: Kuching Kayaking, People

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Green (for now) lizard on a dead tree trunk

We're frequently asked whether we would be able to see wild animals on our rainforest river kayaking trips. But with the racket generated by an excited bunch of people; even bigfoot would be frightened away!

Chameleon Lizard in her hair! Notice how it has changed it's colour to match Lin's hair!

Lovely Jessica Lin @ Sg Sarawak Kanan, Bau. 20 July 2007 Kayaking anyone?

Labels: Kuching Kayaking, People

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FH2o in the sun somewhere on a river @ Bau, 22 July 2007

Trust that you Sunday has been just as relaxing and peaceful as it has been for me and Buddy!

Buddy in the shade @ home probably dreaming of being somewhere on a river with FH2o ...

Labels: General, Life

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'Elephant' clouds in Kuching on Friday, 20 July 2007

'Bird cloud' in the sky!

Rainbow on Friday, 20 July 2007

Btw someone shared something interesting to me today - we all can tell our future; because our today becomes our tomorrow because our today is a consequence of what we did yesterday! Ponder on this while looking at the sunset clouds on Friday below!

Sunset clouds on Friday, 20 July 2007

Labels: Kuching Skies

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When I went to work this morning there was this guy sitting at the stairs with his head bowed down staring at the floors, looking lost in his problems and miseries. He didn’t even budge or look up as I tried to engage his attention as I walked past. Later he would be sprawled out on the landing. He could possibly be drunk.

I had forgotten all about him being swamped with work with emails and phone calls to return until I heard a commotion outside several hours later. Someone had called the police probably feeling threatened by this person loitering in the staircase. He was sober when the policed questioned him and was taken away and looking at him – a picture of a man who had given up on life; I felt sorrier for him more than anything else and wondering if there is anything I could have done for him.

He serves as a reminder that we are much luckier than he is and that there is much that we take for granted and that our lack of empathy for others makes us feel threatened by the likes of vagrants and the down and out. I trust that the rest of your work week would be spent up and in a nice swanky place and not seeking solace in some stairways ... and incurring the irritations rather than the sympathies of others. Be well.

Labels: About Life

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Kuching Sky, 18 July 2007

After a late but interesting night out almost getting drunk with a new friend from Singapore chatting about the tourism business, people and life; I struggled to get out of bed when my handphone alarm went off. But a half-opened peep of the beautiful morning lights through the curtained window was enough to get my adrenaline going as I rushed downstairs and outside just in time to catch this fleeting midweek images. There is nothing like a great late night conversation followed by a great sunrise. Have a great Wednesday.

Wednesday morning sky in Kuching, 18 July 2007

Labels: Kuching Skies, Life

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This was taken just outside the office tower ground floor entrance but somehow I doubted if any of those who came out of the same meeting as me actually saw this! *sigh*

The monthly management meeting in the afternoon was preceded by undue stresses from demands for last minute panicky updates for reporting and other real or imagined nonsense concerns; which in the end (as it usually is the case) nobody seem to really care! I suppose rare are those who seek true meanings rather than allowing themselves to be caught up in a treadmill of ever increasing profits targets in their narrow ever diminishing lives ... *sigh*

Reflecting on the day and the reflections on Sungai Stutong, 16 July 2007

Luckily my monday blues were washed away by these sights by the time I got home and nicely capped off by a hearty and delicious home cooked dinner that awaited me. I should be so lucky. Trust that you are just as lucky too. But then again we do make our own 'luck'. No? You decide.

Another 'ordinary' miracle Kuching sunset for those who seek it; or 'ho-hum' to those who don't. Chasing such miracles is ultimately more meaningful and enriching to the soul than some financial figures. 16 July 2007

Labels: Corporate Life, Kuching Skies, Rantings

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I had a beautiful sunday yesterday at the real rain forests @Sungai Sarawak Kiri, Borneo Highlands ...... with brilliant beautiful blue skies ........ beautiful crystal clear water ...... and lastly, sexy beautiful company ... I love this job!

Labels: Kuching Kayaking

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KH2o was more than happy to be with Buddy on the trip.

Guessed who joined me kayaking through the rainforests of Borneo Highlands today? And it was at the request of our guests from KL who got to know about him through this blog.

Buddy in his element @ Sungai Sarawak Kiri, Borneo Highlands 14 July 2007

Labels: Kuching Kayaking

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Congratulations to Edmund and Caroline.
We couldn't be happier for the both of you. Wishing you both happiness always.
And who says that life doesn't begin at 50? Definitely not Edmund! ;o)

Labels: Life, People

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If there's someone whom KH2o is more fond of than her mum and dad; it's probably YingYang.

Labels: Inspiration, Life

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The colours in the photo above do not do justice as to how bright these cards really are in real life!

I meet a lot of new people in the course of my work and we customarily exchange business cards. And the ones I received yesterday evening really top them all as the most ridiculous brightest (and loudest) that I had ever seen. And silly me had always been thinking that cards from bankers are usually pretty dull and boring ... I am sure that they glow in the dark as they are pretty glaring already under the office fluorescent lights!

Mercifully the beautiful blue sunset skies that greeted me when I got home helped to soothe my vision that was nearly blinded by these radioactive cards ... ;o)

Kuching Sunset Clouds, 10 July 2007

Labels: Corporate Life, Kuching Skies

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I attended the "CEO Luncheon Talk 2007" at lunch time yesterday at Merdeka Palace Hotel; and with a topic entitled "Issues, Options and Recommendations for Malaysia PFI Institutional and Regulatory Framework", it's any wonder that some of the attendants find getting through the session rather trying!

Labels: Corporate Life

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FH2o, Ashiq and wife Hana @ Bengoh put-in, 8 July 2007

We'd had an unexpectedly busy kayaking week with Azmi taking people out everyday starting with an aussie retiree group of 15 on Monday to a multi-national group of 7 on Friday. And so on the weekend he was relieved by Bev on Saturday and yours truly on Sunday.

Unexpected surprises await Ashiq and Hana @ Sungai Sarawak Kiri, Borneo Highlands

And for Ashiq and Hana from Singapore; it was an unexpectedly pleasant surprise for them to discover kayaking through the rainforest in Kuching on their first visit here. It was an 'unplanned' trip for them this time but the next time they are planning to come back with their 3 years old daughter for her to experience the magical kayaking trip!

Taking in the sights under a rocky outcrop

Couple who kayak together - stays together!

Trust that your work week ahead will be unexpectedly productive and blissful!

Labels: Kuching Kayaking

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