One Hundred Days

Day 100

I have arrived at THE milestone. How time flies...

It has been a bumpy ride of self-discovery. Tears of happiness and sadness, ups and downs. I guess that is all part of life. I would say a lot of progress has been made. Hopefully the future stays bright.

Just to be sure, during my pilgrimage in Borobudor, I made a wish. Inside each bell, there is a meditating buddha statue. So, it is customary to stick your hand inside, touch Buddha's foot and make a wish.

Borobudor bells, originally uploaded by beeworks.

My friend Hana passed me this site. This is what happened this very day!

A cosmic event of earth-shattering proportions (in the best sense) arrives on September 22, when Jupiter, the planet of gifts and luck, moves into Libra for its first visit in twelve years. The home is of prime importance to you, Cancer, and when Jupiter moves into Libra, it will light your fourth house of real estate, home, property and any and all matters involving your parents. Suddenly, the best part of your life will center on these very matters. Even a business you start now should prosper, as long as it is based in your home.

For that One of a Kind experiments

Heaven on Earth

Day 98

As the old Chinese saying goes...

In heaven, there is paradise. On earth, there is Suzhou and Hangzhou.

We went to Hangzhou over the weekend to look at the famed West lake (Xihu). The place was crowded with tourists, as did the Great Wall of China. I accepted the fact that this is the tourist's life in China.

1. You can rarely take a photograph without a tourist getting in your view.
2. Don't drink too much water.... you will never know whether you will come across a clean toilet.
3. Chinese people rarely speak English.
4. Chinese people like to smoke everywhere. They rarely queue too.
5. Wet ones, essential!

Hangzhou, originally uploaded by beeworks.

For that One of a Kind experiments

Wonder of the World - A Crash Course

Day 95

First, it was climbing the Great Wall of China. A few days later, I was in the foot of Borobudor temple in Indonesia.

The temple was very well preserved, having learnt the fact that it was once covered in lava (from neighbouring active volcanos) and thick jungle. It was discovered in ruins by 2 Dutch archaeologists. The walls were beautifully chiselled, telling the story of the life of Buddha and other mytical tales.

Borobudor Walls, originally uploaded by beeworks.

After visting the temple, we committed more sin by giving into the shopping temptation. In return, we managed to get conned in the process. The street life is really vibrant. I hadn't noticed it until I reviewed all my photo albums.

Fruit Seller, originally uploaded by beeworks.

We struggled food-wise...not being able to trust the street food. So, it was McD's for lunch and room service for dinner. Instead of helping the Indonesia economy a little bit more, we helped the Americans. Terrible!

McD, originally uploaded by beeworks.

Borobudor is pretty. Shopping was pretty good. Food was pretty bad.
Glad to be home!

For that One of a Kind experiments

The Emperor's New Drinking Hole

Day 85

Did you know that the Imperial Palace in Beijing is referred to as a "place with 9,999 and a half rooms", as only heaven has 10,000.

In reality, there are 8,706 rooms and halls ......and 1 Starbucks outlet!


Location: Within the 39-foot walls of the Imperial Palace, Beijing

For that One of a Kind experiments

Travel for Thought

Day 84

Here are my thoughts...

Counting the minutes during my 6-hour flight from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur...

Wednesday, off to see Borobudor with Hana
Return on Saturday...
Then, Sunday night, off to Shanghai.
3 Saturdays later, off to Netherlands.
How am I gonna survive the next few weeks?

Trapped on the Airbus 330 with no individual tv screen and sitting on a worn-out economy class seat...feeling every spring in the seat, watching the in-flight movie from a tiny screen on the wall...

How can I escape sitting through another 12-hour flight to Amsterdam?
My neck is strained.
My butt is aching.
Great! the guy in front is snoring. I can hear him through my headphones.

2 hours into the flight, paranoia sets in...

This plane blanket did not come in its normal plastic packaging.
It has been used before. Gross!
I wonder how often do they change the head cover for the seats....
I wonder how many dirty heads had laid on it. Gross!
I need to take a shower asap!

Finally, touchdown. I couldn't be more glad!

Waiting for my luggage in the baggage area...

Where is my bag? Where is my bag?
Why is it taking so long?
This is great...they lost my bag!
Oh my! there are so many more bags coming out from Beijing than from Shanghai route.
Peaches! Somebody bought a carton of peaches from China. What a good idea!
Wait a minute...is he able to go through customs?

I got home at midnight yesterday.

While having my midnight shower...

36 hours ago, I was climbing the Great Wall of China.
12 hours ago, I was walking along Tiannamen Square.
Now, I am having my shower at midnight at home.

No wonder I am dead tired!




For that One of a Kind experiments