The Little Green Bag

12:00 - 17:30 of non stop eating

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:38:00 +0000

Guest blogging the wife! Seeing my husband has not updated his blog much to his fans' unhappiness, I am going to update our day, which included a 13 course meal at 3 different location with my folks. Sorry peeps, no backdating of ALL the events he failed to report, eg, the ROM ceremony. Drop him a mail and he'd send the link of the photos to you.

This food eating fest was organised by the media - dad saw this and applied for us to participate. We had to pay about $50+ each, but the tough part was 1,000 people applied and we happened to be one of the 40 chosen! (Seems like probability has not been a big problem for me and C, except maybe for the toto and 4d!)

We started off at Mandarin Oriental's Ristorante Bologna at 12 noon, where the chef prepared a lasagne, some fish and desserts for us.

The chef and the lasagne

We then moved on to Copthorne King's Tien Court for another 5 dishes. Our favourite for the day has to be the Combination of Pan Fried Scallops with Crispy Fried Honshimeji mushrooms that was marinated with Foie Gras! How interesting is that right?
Next up, double boiled black chicken soup with chinese herbs. Very good as well.
Steamed Fillet of Cod with 'Chef's special sauce'
Crispy-fried King Prawns with Lemongrass & Vegetables Salad.
Then comes the chef's signature dish which he didn't want us to leave without eating - pig knuckles noodles!
We then move into Sentosa Island into the Rasa Sentosa resort, where we are created by the friendliest staffs ever. We even have to play a little game to decorate the dishes. Like this one below ain't designed by chefs okay... we did it ourselves!
This was how it looked like - in huge plates and they told us specifically how many to take.
The chefs and their masterpiece...
A delighted father (in law) tugging into the food..
Another round of steam fish...
My favourite part - ice cream.. to end the wonderful eating session which ended at 5.30pm.

27 May 2008.... one woman... point 76 carats and many months later

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:55:00 +0000

Last post Aug 7 2007????? my goodness.. how freaking fast times have passed from my avid blogging days of posting every few days to an almost year's absence... how many people who have read my blog... come here anticipating a new post... only to be sorely disappointed... haha i am too ego liao... who the hell reads my blog... but 7 Aug 2007 and now 27 may 2008!! Lets see now... what has happened in this time.....hhmmm..

yes yes went to alaska.. saw the northern lights..
came back went thru an army proficiency test with my platoon and battalion...
Promoted to captain...
got my scheme c...
got a decent year end bonus...
went to a bintan kelong for a short tour..
celebrated chinese new year with my family and my girl...
bought a .76!!!! carat diamond ring ( no $$$ liao)
Proposed to my girl
applied for an HBD flat ballot and got queue number 5
Got the keys to my Toa payoh brand new 35th story flat.... (even more no $$ liao)
officially entered boring adulthood.. marking it with spending time choosing tiles for the floor and curtains for the windows.
spent $$ on renovations, frigde.. kitchen, hood cooker... blah blah (did i mention i was washing dishes part time?)
and now working in division... a much happier and rewarding place..
looking forward to a june holiday in darwin australia doing backpacking and treking...

and they say time travels fast...

my gosh to all my friends i have not talked to for so so long.... for i have been too engrossed in my tiny rat race.... i am sorry for being a bad friend.

but hey at least u know clifton is still happy and still has that crazy sense of optimistism (although i must say that that stint in my first unit really tested this sense to the max!!)

but yes finally after almost a year i have a post...

maybe i'll try to improve and post sometime at the start of 2009 this time...

oh oh oh... one more and most importantly... i am getting registered (in singaporean context ROMed) July 2008. Maybe the next time i post.. got my baby's picture liao... hahhaha :)
Cheers,
Clifton

23 Hours of Daylight!!!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:59:00 +0000

I am leaving for ALASKA tonight!!!!!

Its been a while...

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:37:00 +0000

haha as expected, the return of clifton back to singapore marks the inevitable demise of my online presence. From the having the time to edit videos, post pictures and write out ridiculously nagging sob stories to having barely enough time to finish reading the emails. I also believe that i have mentioned that i have a lovely gf and that my job is already in full stuff, time is really such a premium. It is a wonder in itself that i have the time to actually sit mid week and write this out!

The one thing about working is that i do not get to travel... wait i take that back... since i have been back i have already gone to taiwan and i am going to alaska for work. Perks of the job that i still get to travel and the best part is that i still get paid for it. Other than i know have a lot of travel blogs that are backdated, namely the tibet journey... the graduation trip and the cambodia trip. but one thing at a time..

My life is doing well, my career is ok. i am doing decently, getting paidly quite comfortably, but i dun think i have shown my true potential yet. i think i have a lot to show but i dun think my ability are fully utilised yet. So there is still a lot that i have to give but now i a pretty much having to start from ground zero and be humbled by the amount of things that i can't do. Sure there are things that i can do really really well... but being in charge of every aspect of the platoon's life. there are so many interdiscilipinary skills that you have to pick up on the job. It is definately challenging, frustrating, at time demoralising at my inadeptness in some areas... but overall definately rewarding to have a group of ppl under your charge and working towards a common mission.

On the personal front, i am just really really happy to find someone that makes me smile so effortnessly... and i am starting to chart out my financial future... being 25 and having a stable job.. it really makes you think about what you want to do in this so called golden age and make the necessary financial planning to enable such events possible. Haha no i am not thinking of getting married just yet... more like saving for my masters... saving money for buying property.. saving money for my retirement.. blah blah... its always better to start now then later.

oh my gosh... i am really turning into a typical boring singaporean... damn.. but traveling will always be in me and thats going to be what sets me apart from the majority... In the meanwhile, i just settle for great meals and amazing food to occupy my time.

ok i will aim to update on my travels the next time.!

Cheers,
Clifton

She left on a jetplane

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:42:00 +0000

Now that she is gone.. i feel so not myself... its just so weird being alone.... But yes.. you will probably see me update this blog more often now..

Calling out for donations!!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 04:50:00 +0000

Hi people!! I know its kinda late, but i am leaving for cambodia and vietnam on friday 20/04/07 . So my gf decided to start a fund to collect money to buy stuff for the underprivileged kids there. We are buying staionery, toys, candies etc... anything to make their lives a little better. So if you want to help, call me or post a comment here and i will get in contact with you.

I am coming home!!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 00:45:00 +0000

Just a few more days

Towards greater heights.

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:56:00 +0000

Why do people leave their love ones behind, travel all the way to a different country, suffer the wrath of nature's weather, climbing mountains and surviving on a meagre amount of sleep. What can drive a person to such insanity? Now let me be honest, i do not proclaim to be the all saintly and lie that financial reasons were not at least part of my motivation for joining the SAF. But ...being a singaporean and listening to army stories from my dad, uncle when i was young and going to the national education program. (yes i am brainwashed as some of you might say) I do feel a need to protect our land our way of living from any assholes to decides to play punk with our country and question our sovereignty. I get so pissed off when other states try something funny and try to threaten our way of living..

Yesterday, my brigade commander gave us a prep talk prior to moving out for the exercise. One thing he said yesterday really verbalised what i was feeling inside. He said," if you are a man that can look at your parents, wife/gf, brothers, sister being tortured or worse and yet can do nothing about it, you are not much of a man at all." Being in this professional i do take certain pride in the sense that i am contributing in my own little way towards the deterence of such an event ever happening. Granted given the social political situation our region is in right now.. it is unlikely that such an event will occur in the next 10 - 15 years...

But this situation we are in, is also due largely to the preparations we have been doing militarily and the constant steps we are taking to further the capabilities of our armed forces. Our aim is to be so much better and so effective that anybody that tries to take this so called small dot on the map.. will have to think twice, thrice and eventually abandon the idea. This is exactly the reason why i am here right now. On the micro level, it is understandable why so many people say this is a waste of time... why the hell am i here. But i am very very clear.. i am here for a reason.. i am here to be a warrior.. a warrior for singapore.. a warrior that will fight for this loved ones, his wife and his singapore.

Yes, even though my thoughts are with a certain someone back in the sunny island. I also know that being here is to build the foundation for stable society in which a future can realised with her. So i will do all i can to learn to absorb the skills needed to do the job if ever the button is pushed and i am called to bear arms for the ultimate duty.

A soldier of my homeland.

The Reason

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 14:29:00 +0000

Hmmm.. my secret has been exposed.
But nevermind, this is one thing that i am proud to share.
Work has a competitor for my time.

Happiness has a name.
Now it has a face.

:)

Almost one month!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:49:00 +0000

Wow.... i have almost gone by for one month without updating my blog.. This is obviously a sign that i am seriously overworked.. and my work life balance is starting to tilt ever so light towards the work side. Nevertheless, i still strive to maintain the balance, even though time is really at such a premium.

On settling down back in singapore and getting adjusted to my new life. The two word are 'not yet'. It is really such a drastic change from university life. Time is like one cent coins.. you can spend as much of it as you want but yet still barely feel the pinch. Living in the US, i remember everyday i could wake up at 10.. slowly take a stroll to school.. come back.. sleep a little.. then play some games before leisurely prepare the nights' menu for dinner with friends. Meeting deadlines, rushing for time? nah.. but working life is really very different. I am finding it hard to spread the little amount of free time i have among my family, friends and personal time. Right now what i am doing, i can't say that i have a passion for it. It some administrative work to collate all the results of my battalion for some internal competition. Its tedious and very taxing on the patience and require someone very meticulous.. which isn't quite one of my better traits. But soon i will be going for a course.. a course to learn about new weapons.. and thats what i am looking forward to. So with time, i'll settle down more and be at my creative best again. I must not let situation dictate my personal growth!

Journey to the Motherland Part 8.3 - Tibet, Shigatse and Gyantse

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 09:47:00 +0000

yes i know i know, after the graduation pictures i should probably blog about the graduation trip with family. But as this blog is a creation of my discretion.. i feel like resuming the journey to the motherland series. So i will blog about the graduation trip.... eventually.

On the way to Shigatse

So yes, the last time i left off on this series was when i returned back to Tibet and we visited a couple of tibetian monasteries and finally experienced the serenity that we were looking for. So after we rested in Lhasa for that few days, we embarked on our pilgrimage to Mount Everest... And somehow we managed to convince the two ladies to join us for the trip.. they were good company so we sort of strong-armed them into joining us.. haha but they had fun... but anyway... the first stop towards everest was this city called shigatse... how to describe this place... well.. i would say unforgettable at best.. Its a tibetian city totally awashed with the chinese culture... literally if it wasn't for the tibetian characters on the signboards you would think that this was just another chinese city. But we had to come to this town to get our travel permits so that we are able to get into the Mount Everest area. But the redeeming factor is the company.. at least we had fun having dinner and talking on the rooftop of our prison cell inspired hostel.

Oxygen bar in Shigatse

Some monastery in Shigatse which we did not really bother going in.. perhaps that also gets boring after some time

The Everest travel permit that brought us to this city

A video of our room and the mishap we had during dinner

On the way to Gyantse

And after the relatively uneventful stay in shigatse.. we headed for Gyantse! My my... what a beautiful place.. seriously.. it must have been one of the most gorgeous places i have ever visited... they use yak shit for fuel... there is an amazing octagon shaped monastery... there is an defense fort build high on a hill... all the buildings were constructed in tibetian style... and other than the paved roads and automobile transport... this is probably one of the last few villages that you can see the a glimpse of how life used to be before the Chinese came. (but i am sure there are other villages that are more reserved but i only know this one for now)

Yak shit

The defensive fort overlooking the village

Tanwee looking over the monastry

Me looking tired after the climb up the knoll... if you are wondering about my bandage.. ask tanwee. :)

She looks to be giving an military assessment of the terrain right? Or is that just my silly imagination

One of the most memorable parts about this leg of the trip is that we managed to make contact with most of the local tibetians.. You really should come here one day and see it for yourself... here we are in the middle of tibetian.. and i am talking to a boy whose ambition is to become a farmer...but yet he was able to speak english to me... damn.. tibet never ceases to amaze me..But anyway.. these children were so so cute.. if there is one video that you have to see... this is it.. it has footage of us playing with the children... they were so kind as to invite us into their home and treat us with some tea. Their pure innocence and trusting nature will simply melt the hardest of hearts... If people can see how they behave... i am sure they will have a lot to reflect upon and be shameful of..

You have to see this

Ok as always its a sunday night and i had intended to write more.. but somehow time always finds a way to sneak up on me and i have to go back to camp already... nevertheless... just take a look at the second video.. even if it takes a long time to load.. Ok i am off to camp!

Graduation Pictures!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 13:32:00 +0000

haha apologise for the lack of creativity in the title... i just finish packing my stuff for moving into camp.. so kinda tired and brain dead from the day's exertions.. So before i move into camp and live my life there from mondays to fridays.. i think it would be proper that i at least put one post in.

i know i know... the journey to the motherland series has been long long overdue.. and i am doing it in stops and starts.. but at this moment i dun have the mood to write about the china trip.. so i'll do the next best thing.. i'll show you pictures of my graduation.. nice? :)

So yes graduation... after 4 very interesting years.. i must say.. i really did live my life to the max in these four years... got involved with someone (though it didn't work out), did an exchange in barcelona, travelled to mexico... france.. italy.. tibet... many places in the states...(ok i beta stop b4 i get carried away) made so so many good friends... enjoyed myself to the max.. got really involved in the eller college student council.. while getting decently well in my studies... when i do look back on this period of my life. Man i am so glad i did all that.

Ah thinking about it now gives me a big broad smile!

Thats me with my group mates at Eller 100 its a pre-graduation recognition thingy

Yours truely the only chinese on stage! Asian Pride! haha

Mi and my family from Globe, Arizona

The ladies from council!

Wheres Clifton?

Clifton Iyer with his family!

My study group from a long time ago

Daysha and Brenna.. my two close friends saying goodbye... tear.

My FAMILIA~!!

The Singapore traveling contingent! :) See my grandmother so fit hor... 78 years old

Okok.. i intended to write more.. but look at the time i really should be heading for camp now.. if not... i will not be able to get into camp by 2359 hrs... which is bad.

So til the next time i update. Take care guys!!

Houston, we are back!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 08:30:00 +0000

Hey ppl!!! thanks for all the comments and the help given. and thanks to your comments and your blessings.. i am back in business. I am using my own computer now and in the process of replying long overdue emails. Should be able to post a blog in a couple of hours. Thanks again peeps!

Undeterred

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 23:56:00 +0000

So i woke up this morning early and on the backdrop of a misty morning. I had intentioned to write a nice little blog about how i am safe and well in singapore. And after all the troubles of bringing back my CPU from the states, i did hooked up the computer to the monitor, speakers, keyboards and what have you. So after that was done, with all the enthusiasm in the world, i turned on the power to see my beloved cpu again.

but with the flick of a button, a loud bang came from inside the CPU, soon to be followed by a crisp burnt smell...

there happened to be a small red switch that changes the voltage from 115 (US voltage) to 230 (Singapore voltage) just under the CPU's slot for the power cable. Ah what a way to welcome me back to the sunny state. This is truly a clean clear cut from my past. hahaha.. But hey the worst i can do in this situation is to get angry and blame the USA for trying to be different... but i will not bring myself to that level. I shall bring my CPU to Sim Lim tower, try to get it fixed. If thats not possible, i can go to a data recovery company and pay them some money to retrieve the data i have in my harddrive. So i basically fried my CPU, if anyone of you knows how i can remedy the situation, a little advice would be much appreciated.

But despite this, i refused to be brought down. Bring it on.. theres nothing that can deter me.

20 mins for 4 USD!!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 07:17:00 +0000

Right now in the internet cafe of my san francisco hotel. Been doing my two week graduation trip with my family, thus the long delay in updating. Its been fun so far, been to las vegas.. grand canyon.. lake tahoe.,.. not to mention my graduation and all the farewells i have had. but anyways, just a quick note to let ppl know i am alive. Will be back in Singapore on the 30th of Dec. So friends... u know what to do... free meals for the graduated student... no... the graduated alumni!

Buzzed!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:16:00 +0000

wow, my family is here and i am having the time of my life. Its so good to see my family after 1.5 years and seeing them enjoy themselves with the wonderful weather that has been bestowed on us. But in the midst of all of this, i am still trying my best to live out the very last moments of my life as a college student. Drinking sangria and get buzzed... man this is the last few bursts i have before the reality of my situation. So now i am buzzed with a liberal amount of the red elixir of life and my graduation ceremony is tomorrow! Erm.. life is good...but i really can't bear to leave my lifestyle just yet. TO COLLEGE!! last few moments!

Family arriving in 19 hours!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 08:52:00 +0000

wow, they are coming in a few hours time!! really excited! woohoo!! wanted to do the blog on tailgating and american football. but really not in the mood right now. haha i actually spent that entire day taking pictures and trying out different angles.. so much so that my friends were weirded out by me. haha.. as for now.. all i can think of is seeing my family. Its been 1.5 years!! Oh my goodness. My brother must be taller than me now... the last time i saw him, he was 13 years old.. now 14.5... hhmm..

Yay! La Familia!

Bye Srini!!

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 10:32:00 +0000

Another of my farewells, Srini a good friend of mine, is leaving for India tomorrow which means it will be a long time before i get to see him again so we all went out for a goodbye dinner at a good ole fashioned steakhouse.

This is my 2 lb / 1 kg worth of porterhouse steak

Which i very successfully finished

Zhenlin's mum commented that he looked handsome, any admirers please contact me for his number

I got home after the dinner and movie, it sort of hit me that i have not really gotten anything for them. So i decided to make a photo video thingy for them. Its not the best choreographed, but its the thought that counts and the fact that i only started doing it at 2.10 a.m.

Bye Srini. Come visit me in Singapore!

A Letter to Clifton

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:13:00 +0000

Wow, time is coming so fast at me, 13th of Dec seems to be on a collision course with my reality. One week and my family will be here.

Had to attend one of the graduating senior receptions earlier, the main reason i went was to eat the free food. Unfortunately, i think the food in my pantry probably tastes better than what was served. But no matter, i was also given an award in a nice plaque so i can't really complain too much.

I also could say goodbye to the many professors that have truly added depth to this otherwise empty head of mine. It feels like the luggage is packing itself and everything seems to move so fast. But my mental state somehow just doesn't seem to want to be a part of it.
I think its probably me having a hard time letting go of the four wonderful years i have had and the knowledge of the work to come.

During the reception, the management department head sort of gave us an 'assignment'. He wanted us to write a letter to ourselves ten years from now and congratulate ourselves for the achievements we have done in that ten years. Sounds weird, it sort of does make sense for me. A beginning to detract myself from the memories of past and look forward into what is to be. So here goes.

Dear Clifton,

Hey you did better than i expected, even thought you have been placed in a situation what you did not truly want, you still managed to make the most of it all. You still was able to grow as a person and not stagnate like those commonly in your position do. Thank you for being able to be positive and not blame circumstances for what you are in. Instead, thank you for being able to turn around what the environment has placed onto you and made it into something that you OWNED, something that you were comfortable in and something that you enjoyed and even to a certain extent had a passion for.

Thanks for being able to balance your life and not totally submerge yourself in work to the extent that you neglect the most important things in life, friends and family. Thank you for being able to be above petty material wants and treasure the most important gifts you have.

Thank you for being able to still remain yourself, despite external pressures and situations. Thank you for being able to differentiate your professional efficient side and your happy jovial and relaxed side. Thanks for learning the lessons of practical management and becoming a better person. Thanks for putting the extra effort in and in the process gaining brothers that will gladly lay their lives on the line for you.Thank you for maturing and becoming a man of men, a leader among brothers.

Thanks for taking the time to understand yourself more and learning how to manage your shortcomings and yet illuminate your talents. Well, thanks for finding your talent, what you are truely good at. and after finding this out, thanks for doggedly pursuing how best put these talents to the best use.

But most importantly, thank you for finding out what you really want to do in life. Finding out what you can do, what you like to do and what you want to so so badly. Well done clifton.
:)

Cheers,
Clifton - 7th Dec, 2006

I hate goodbyes

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 02:57:00 +0000

I had been in student councils for the longest time i remember. For most of my adult life (aka 17), i have been involved in student councils. First in Singapore, with the Nanyang Junior College Student Council, where i served for one very enriching year as the president. It was really the first time that i got to know people on such a deep level and develop lasting friendships. Not only has the student council developed me on a social level but also it made me realise a lot of flaws of that i had. So when it came time to end my term of office, it was naturally emotional and hard to let go. Because i love these people, they really made my life so much more than it was.

thats me receiving the flag from my senior president

22nd student council in the student lounge back in the day.. i think it was circa 1999 - 2000

So when it came time for me to leave Singapore for my studies abroad, it was really difficult for me to say goodbye to all these friends that i have been through so much with. Fast forward six/seven years, and i am saying goodbye to my councilors in the Eller College Student Council. Another student council and yet another difficult farewell.

22nd student council sending me off at the airport in 2003

I just got back from my farewell banquet with the student council and i know that i am probably not going to see some of them for the rest of my life. Yes, so sad but its true. With me leaving Tucson in less than 2 weeks and leaving for Singapore in less than 4, the chances of seeing some of these enterprising faces are slim to say the least. I am lucky to have crossed the paths of these talented individuals. Some of them i am sure i will see on the frontpage of Time magazine some day. But yet again, i have to say goodbye to friends that i am sure to miss.

At a management and technology function

Santa's little helper

With the gang!

The goodbye dinner

People actually think i am inspirational. what has this world come to...

argh, its the beginning of the end. dec 16 i am graduating and i am already starting to say goodbye to the friends i have made here in Tucson.

:(

Thanksgiving Weekend 2006

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 10:15:00 +0000

Usually this time of year, i would be eagerly anticipating the after thanksgiving sales without any regard for the holiday of thanksgiving. But this year, being my last year, i decided i had to experience a thanksgiving for myself. The specific reasons for thanksgiving, i am not too sure about. Its something about the white men sharing dinner with the native american indians... but to my knowledge, the white ppl killed them not long after right? i really do not know so pardon my ignorance.

So i went to Globe, good food, time with friends and a whole lot of turkey. See for yourself

After the intoxicating overload of turkeying around. I travelled up to Phoenix to see some of my friends. As graduation draws nearer.. the time i have left with my friends are becoming scarcer. So dinner.. drinking beer.. clubbing... and singing... all part of the fun times i have with Daysha and Brenna that weekend.

I like posting videos so much more ... tells so much more eh?

Farewell my council

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 09:19:00 +0000

Its 2.18 a.m. right now and i have an exam in a couple hours. But just wanted to say that i was away for Thanksgiving, a very 'fulfilling' American tradition, in the Durnan residence and spent some time up in Phoenix hanging out with a couple good friends of mine. It was really fun and i took lots of videos which i will be editing and posting in due course. But for now, i'll just post the videos of the farewell video i made for my Eller College Student Council. Once a Councillor, Always a Councillor.

Journey to the Motherland part 8.2 - Tibet, Back to Lhasa

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:59:00 +0000

So we had another day in Lhasa before we embark on the pilgrimage to Everest. So we rented bicycles and decided to visit the monasteries just outside Lhasa.

Starting out at the square opposite the Potala Palace

First stop was Sera monastery.

Enjoying the shade after the ride up to Sera

As you can see, the typical tibetian style of architecture is full of vibrant and lively colours.

Rich colours of the Tibetian Sera Monastery

As you may recall in my earlier post, i hated Jokhang temple for its excessive tourists crowds and flood of human bodies. Sera in contrast was much quieter and feel much more peaceful. Gone with the throngs of excessive commercial exploitation and serenity takes it rightful place in such a wonderful environment. You really can clear your thoughts and recollect yourself in such a place.

Prayer wheels in Sera

This courtyard was really one of my favourite scenes of my entire trip.. just so nice

Below is a edited and complied video of Sera Monastery, if looking at it makes u feel peaceful (the second part) then can you imagine how it was to be there?

Along the way, we met Tashi and we started chatting and he offered to bring us around the place. We hit it off immediately and he explained the significance of different deities depicted. He was very nice and a rather intelligent chap. He is currently studying traditional medicine and he told us that few days after we met, he would have to go on 3 week (maybe less can't remember for sure) expedition to search for herbs for common sickness. How cool is that?

Tashi our tibetian friend we met in Sera Monastery

Tibetian Deities

After Sera, we had a couple of hours left and we decided to rush for Drepung Monastery. Although, it would be about to close when we arrive, we decided to go for it anyway. The ride up to Drepung.. is punishing if anyway. It was at least two or three kilometers of steep uphill ascend and being at such high altitudes.. it was really a challenge. Its took quite a bit of determination and we were both looking forward to the presumbly fun descend after the visit... or so we thought.

Actually arriving just before it closes turned out to be a very good decision as there was literally no one there except for us and the Lama looking after the place.

Tired after the climb up Drepung

I commentated a lot in the videos.. so the stories basically captured inside the videos and i added some basic effects and editing. So if you dun have the software to watch them, download it!!!

Looking out from Drepung Monastery

So.. after a long and hard day of biking, it was time for us to cycle back to the city. And yes it was time for the downward trip through the steep and curving '90 degree turns' roads. So my dear companion.. being the risk taker and dare devil that he is... decided that since we have put in so much effort to come all the way up here... we might as well 'reward' ourselves and race down to the bottom of the hill. I won't go into details.. but basically we crashed and i torn a hole in my favourite shirt... so sad..

The Crash

The injuries... damn it.. i still look so happy.

The wounds were pretty deep and i had to bandage myself up pretty good. Tanwee sustained some injuries as well.. and we both 'enjoyed' cleaning up the wound with alcohol. Our french roommates were game enough to take a video of us squirming like little girls in pain. Ah such memories.. right brother?

Next i will finally start on the trip towards Everest.

Journey to the Motherland part 8.1 - Tibet, Back to Lhasa

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 11:51:00 +0000

Let me do the introductions, the one in pink is Ye Zi ( Leaf in chinese) and Zhao Shuo is the name of the other girl.

Its actually pretty interesting how we met. Tanwee and i were having lunch in a french /tibetian restaurant (go figure) and out of the window Tanwee spotted two girls peddling trinkets and ornaments on the street. It look strange cos among the street of native tibetians offering such goods for sales, they stood out loudly as they obviously looked like foreigns here for travel. Intrigued, we went to their makeshift stall (which is a piece of cloth laid on the ground) and somehow managed to sit their and help them peddle their wares. Before long, we got to know each other and found out that they were university students from Guizhou (somewhere in southwest China) and have been here for some time on vacation.

What amazes both Tanwee and I, was that these two brave girls set out for Tibet with only 500 yuan (SGD$100, USD$70), with 250 yuan going to the train ticket. At the point when we had met them, they have already been in Tibet for almost a month, for food and lodging they basically survived on the income from the resale of goods they bought somewhere else. Now Thats really being a traveler, just placing yourself in a situation and figuring things out as they come. Needless to say we were mightily impressed.

So we got to know each other and we hit it off immediately. They were fun to hang out with and had tons of energy. So somehow, we clicked and become rather good friends. We would just wander around the streets of Lhasa, talking rubbish and making nuisances of ourselves, in the meantime having lots of mischief and fun of course. We would gather around a circle the square facing the Potala Palace at night and just talk about... nothing.. haha its the feeling you get when you chill out with a couple of your old friends... just having fun... rambling about nothing in particular.. a real comfortable feeing.

So after we got back from Namtso Lake, we were pretty recovering from the altitude sickness and waiting to start the long pilgrimage to Mount Everest. So in the meantime, we pretty much hung out with them and played winning eleven in the LAN shops.. ( i know.. lame.. but hey i kicked Tanwee's ass! haha)

So on of the days we hung out, we decide to go the outlying areas of Lhasa and just take a bus to whereever it goes... Unfortunately, Ye Zi was not feeling well that day, so after lunch she did not join us. So leaving Tanwee and I to torment the poor little Zhao Shuo. BBWWWHHAHAHAHAHA

Me getting Zhao Shuo to pose for the camera. I was trying to do the scene from Jacky Cheung's Goodbye Kiss video... in the process embarrassing her a whole bunch.. haha the old man looked amused.

So the bus took us quite a distance.. and basically to no where in particular.. but Tanwee and I were having so much fun disturbing Zhao Shuo.. we didn't really care. We wandered around the countryside... went into factories.. had cows and sheep curiously staring at us... while farmers amused by our presence. Oh yes and then we need to go to the bathroom...........

I had promised some of my friends that i would take videos of the conditions of the chinese toilets.. to be honest.. it really has improved a lot over the years... So you can imagine.. if it is like this now... what was it before? Enjoy.

So being the mischievous little devils that Tanwee (..ok and me too) was, we decided to play a game of bluff with the stack of cards we had. The loser of the game would then have to go into the bathroom and stay there for 1 minute.... haha its obvious who won right? haha here is the evidence of our dastardly deeds.

After that whole thing, we realised that it was not really that easy to catch a bus back to Lhasa from where we were.. so we tried hitchhiking... Fortunately, Tibetians are really nice people and we found a vehicle at the petrol station willing to give us a ride. See below

You see.. i love it when i meet people like that, its really the goodness of their hearts and the true nature of human beings... yes i am a believer in the natural goodness of mankind. Sometimes the more educated and 'civilized' you become.. the less of a human you resemble... but i digress. So anyway, we got back before nightfall and we continued to hang out. Ye Zi and Zhao Shuo were to be our travel companions for some time but more of that in future entries.

Journey to the Motherland Part 7 - Tibet, Namtso Lake

noreply@blogger.com (MrGreenMonkey) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:59:00 +0000

After a couple days of sightseeing and acclimatization to the altitude in Lhasa, we set off to our first destination outside Lhasa. As with everything in Tibet, things here just seems to be that much nicer... The children.. The grass.. The yaks.. The mountains.. The sky.. So I wasn't surprised that the road to Namtso Lake was just a feast for the eyes.

Road to Namtso

Tibetian women beside prayer flags

Saw Nomadic herdsmen with their Yaks grazing along the way to Namtso

Saw this tibetian man in the middle of nowhere.. either he was a herdsman or he likes nature that much

Ah i love this picture.. the road winding amongst Tibetian sentients protecting the vast ocean of blue

Just before we got a view of the lake, the van had to climb a steep mountain pass. But once we got over the top of the pass.... i took my first glance at Namtso Lake from afar. Despite the high altitude, strong winds and considerably cold temperatures, both Tanwee and i were just overcome with excitement and satisfaction. This is another one of those moments that we had anticipated and it definitely lived up to our expectations. :)

Prayer flags on the mountain pass

View from the mountain pass

On the mountain pass

Brothers sharing the moment

After coming down from the pass, the view of snow peaked mountains awaited us

One interesting thing that we observed is that when we reached the camp grounds, the local tibetians were all playing 8 ball. For some queer reason, that seems to be their favorite pastime while being in remote lake Namtso. There wasn't only one table but at least 7 or 8 tables around the camp. Really goes to show the extent of globalisation even here in Lake Namtso.

Being the highest lake in the world and an obvious natural abnormality, the lake is sacred and revered by tibetians, thus prayer flags were wrapped around the cliff near the lake shore. Apparently, the view from the top of the cliff is amazing, but both of us were hit by altitude sickness. Every step taken was a chore.. maybe its because of the 4800 metre altitude or maybe its just because we were weak. But for every 2- 3 steps taken we had to stop to catch our breath before being able to walk further... so the climb up the cliff was out of the question for two out of shape singaporeans.

The prayer flag wrapped cliff provides the background for tanwee

Standing in the middle of the lake.. ahha the gotex army boots really comes in handy

Explanation of how the lake was formed

There were plenty of tibetians around the lake trying to make a quick buck from the boom of tourism and one of the services provided was horseback riding. They initially quoted us a price of 100 yuan per hour (SGD$20 or US$13.50), but being business students we quickly figured out that we could probably get a much better price. So after much haggling and a pretty heated argument with one unscrupulous vendor.. we finally managed to rent two horses with attendants for one hour by paying just 30 yuan.. (SGD$6 or US$4) Haha i love it when i get a good bargain. and these six bucks really was one of the most well spent 6 dollars.

Tanwee and his horse attendant

The horseboy and I

Riding on horseback by the Lakeside was just amazing, the crystal clear waters reflecting the blue skies surrounded by lush green plateau with towering mountains in the distance.. wah.. just orgasmic.

Sorry for the bad footage.. i was after all on a horse

Stacks of stones piled up as a form of prayer offering

Views while on horseback

Still on horseback

Beautiful isn't it?

After that unforgettable experience, the throbbing headache from the altitude sickness was getting to me and i had to go back and rest in our accommodations.. and i didn't really come out till dinner time.

Being at such a high altitude, there weren't many clouds obscuring the sky and when i stepped out of the cookhouse after dinner.. the sparkling of the stars really took me aback.. this is probably the best star-lit sky i have experienced. The skies was literally covered with stars... and being in an remote area without light pollution.. the stars really stood out... i never knew there were so so many stars in the sky. It was so clear that i could make out the milky way from its white milky band of stars across the sky. So we went down to the shore laid down by the beach, listening to the gentle waves hitting the shore with the cinema of lights above us... damn.. what an feeling!!

The next day we walked around and got last views of this wonderful place..

Its really fortunate for us to be able to come to this place and experience its magic ourselves in person. Also to be able to do with my brother.. really something to share with my grandchildren.. haha or maybe just ask them to read the blog.

I actually wanted to end the blog by being sentimental.. with tanwee looking into the horizon, pondering about whatever was in his head.... But i am not really in that sentimental mood now... So just enjoy looking at tanwee being sentimental. :)