tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89098152012-01-28T05:39:07.172+08:00Gardening, photography, food, fishing, traveling, scuba diving, life in Japan, plus of course, news and views of being away from home...Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.comBlogger489125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-18587631285686934262012-01-23T20:43:00.000+08:002012-01-25T19:56:39.092+08:002012-01-25T19:56:39.092+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fzlv8_H-vY/Txv2OPWQ23I/AAAAAAAACII/4IdnHkJme7o/s1600/DSC_0530a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fzlv8_H-vY/Txv2OPWQ23I/AAAAAAAACII/4IdnHkJme7o/s320/DSC_0530a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Without a doubt, one of my all time favorite sweets...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Zenzai</i>, that is...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Put simply, boiled red beans sweetened lightly with brown sugar and accompanied by <i>shira tama dango</i> (white plain dumpling) and yam...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Strange as it may be, it is wise not to consume this stuff in the evening before bedtime...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Reason is, red beans have a diuretic effect and you might just pee uncontrollably during your sleep...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> My missus warned me and I said, 'only a small bowl of <i>zenzai</i>, so should not be any problem'...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> That particular occasion, in the deep of the night, I found myself literally blasting out of my futon and dashing towards the toilet...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> My missus still enjoys a good laugh over that incident...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeQhE4bGrAI/Txv2POE2KSI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ZYnZmPpmfMo/s1600/DSC_0526a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeQhE4bGrAI/Txv2POE2KSI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ZYnZmPpmfMo/s320/DSC_0526a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Noodles for one of our lunches in the weekends... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Lots of vegetables and just a little meat with a slice of whole grain brown colored <i>o-mochi</i> (rice cake)...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Just what my body yearns for in this winter cold...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLxHWQ7XBkM/Txv2Y6FLuxI/AAAAAAAACIY/luhzTBVZ4CI/s1600/DSC_0542a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLxHWQ7XBkM/Txv2Y6FLuxI/AAAAAAAACIY/luhzTBVZ4CI/s320/DSC_0542a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Natto</i> or fermented sticky soy beans...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Many non-Japanese are not very fond of eating this sticky stuff...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> An acquaintance from Italy once mentioned that the <i>natto</i> reminds him of how a cat that has been dead for two weeks, smells... (apologies to cat lovers...)<br /> <br /> [Update: Of course, I do not agree that the <i>natto </i>smells like a dead cat... (my wife asked me to add this comment after she read this post... ;)]<br /> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> These days, I like to tell my friends that it took me 15 years to 'like' this dish...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Maybe not precisely 15 years, but it does take quite a while to get used to this dish as even some Japanese folks do not take it... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Anyway, why <i>natto</i>?&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Depending on our diet (especially the consumption of meat and animal fat), our blood vessels may get clogged up, thus obstructing the smooth flow of blood through the system...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This is one cause for heart attacks or strokes... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Here is where the <i>natto </i>comes in... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Apparently, the fermented sticky elements in the <i>natto</i> have the ability to 'dissolve' the blood clots that accumulate in the vessels...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> On normal days, I take a pack during my lunch at work and sometimes, I share a second pack for dinner with my missus...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Aside from the so-called benefits, I think the <i>natto</i> actually taste quite good...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfYiQsVhXoA/Txv2Z98pbUI/AAAAAAAACIc/NXS8-Cfk6js/s1600/DSC_0539a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfYiQsVhXoA/Txv2Z98pbUI/AAAAAAAACIc/NXS8-Cfk6js/s320/DSC_0539a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And fresh sardines... yes...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We are fond of <i>ao-zakana</i> 青魚 or 'blue-back' fish as opposed to 'white' fish...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> 'Blue-back' as in fish with a bluish back, such as the sardine, mackerel, yellow tail, salmon, and tuna, among others...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Ao-zakana</i> is supposed to be a rich source of&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> EPA and DHA <i>n</i>−3 fatty acids... and 'supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA [<i>n</i>−3] fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease' (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid" target="_blank">source</a>)... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Yes, sardines laced with ginger, garlic, and chillies, and boiled in a dash of soy sauce and Japanese <i>sake</i>... a bit too much on the bony side, but we like the taste of it...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Happy Lunar New Year to folks who celebrate it...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1858763128568693426?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-15123524076280646542012-01-17T20:04:00.000+08:002012-01-23T11:59:29.945+08:002012-01-23T11:59:29.945+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> The big granite stones in our garden have been on my for a long time...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> How to get rid of them, that is...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They are taking a lot of precious space and I need the space to work on...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cujz-cPwcaM/TxVfNlsOmwI/AAAAAAAACE0/pBpFxK_u3e8/s1600/P1140822a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cujz-cPwcaM/TxVfNlsOmwI/AAAAAAAACE0/pBpFxK_u3e8/s320/P1140822a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Had been asking an acquaintance of mine to take them away...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> He finally came, after about one and half years later...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRSjHdmu4SQ/TxVfPgDXKWI/AAAAAAAACE8/_VODvmsLWEg/s1600/P1140825a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRSjHdmu4SQ/TxVfPgDXKWI/AAAAAAAACE8/_VODvmsLWEg/s320/P1140825a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Was fascinated with this one machine he brought... </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAOCulqJAB0/TxVfRKhWKGI/AAAAAAAACFE/AqtyBrYO7B8/s1600/P1140826a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tAOCulqJAB0/TxVfRKhWKGI/AAAAAAAACFE/AqtyBrYO7B8/s320/P1140826a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> It was very compact, and when he got it to spread out, woah... a spider-looking workhorse it turned out to be... </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9EuYZcxk6s/TxVfSSDn1lI/AAAAAAAACFM/UotOVMdLKkY/s1600/P1140828a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9EuYZcxk6s/TxVfSSDn1lI/AAAAAAAACFM/UotOVMdLKkY/s320/P1140828a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The stones were mainly from the leftovers of material used to construct the stone walls in our garden... </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Js6yQ1fUsHA/TxVfT6R6OgI/AAAAAAAACFU/Ip2vCzI3HVc/s1600/P1140831a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Js6yQ1fUsHA/TxVfT6R6OgI/AAAAAAAACFU/Ip2vCzI3HVc/s320/P1140831a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Most of them were of the 200 to 300 kilogram range, according to my friend... </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0TOzUFRa7w/TxVfVTO-jxI/AAAAAAAACFc/Z4yOAcScz58/s1600/P1140836a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0TOzUFRa7w/TxVfVTO-jxI/AAAAAAAACFc/Z4yOAcScz58/s320/P1140836a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> His specialty is actually in chiseling grave stones...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54VlQpovQZQ/TxVfX2uOZVI/AAAAAAAACFs/zvLnmYhtx2U/s1600/P1140853a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-54VlQpovQZQ/TxVfX2uOZVI/AAAAAAAACFs/zvLnmYhtx2U/s320/P1140853a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> All in all, he came on three occasions, each time working for about half a day... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> (Part two <a href="http://potagery.blogspot.com/2012/01/clearing-granite-stones-from-garden.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1512352407628064654?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-89874215038883254442012-01-05T20:21:00.000+08:002012-01-05T20:21:01.282+08:002012-01-05T20:21:01.282+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie9spXsqc0U/TwRDEiwzo9I/AAAAAAAACBM/WN5AfKISgq0/s1600/DSC_0153a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ie9spXsqc0U/TwRDEiwzo9I/AAAAAAAACBM/WN5AfKISgq0/s320/DSC_0153a.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> As custom would have it, we went for our 'hatsu mode' (literally, the first prayer of the year) on 1st January...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75TgQdQxBXs/TwRDRO5fVRI/AAAAAAAACBY/wkZO4GMWjVY/s1600/DSC_0140a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-75TgQdQxBXs/TwRDRO5fVRI/AAAAAAAACBY/wkZO4GMWjVY/s320/DSC_0140a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Sumiyoshi Jinja is a charming little shrine, located in a nearby hamlet... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbIxIgD4RsY/TwRDfG8c55I/AAAAAAAACBk/Nc_MhRnugBU/s1600/DSC_0150a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbIxIgD4RsY/TwRDfG8c55I/AAAAAAAACBk/Nc_MhRnugBU/s320/DSC_0150a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> A pool of water to cleanse the hands before praying...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9XHw5FSSJE/TwRDkupuqlI/AAAAAAAACBs/4-SHJXBTPuw/s1600/DSC_0147a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9XHw5FSSJE/TwRDkupuqlI/AAAAAAAACBs/4-SHJXBTPuw/s320/DSC_0147a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I have always marveled at this piece of 'decoration'...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Someone must have put this together as I have never seen such a combination (of 'daidai' orange, charcoal, dried persimmon, fern leaf) being sold at the stores...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5M_TeuND290/TwRDn2UHtWI/AAAAAAAACB0/shSCg-RxMw8/s1600/DSC_0146a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5M_TeuND290/TwRDn2UHtWI/AAAAAAAACB0/shSCg-RxMw8/s320/DSC_0146a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The 'guardian lion' of the shrine, in full regalia...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAnqdrfXpqs/TwRDq2tCQyI/AAAAAAAACB8/Ff-I4W64uCs/s1600/DSC_0158a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAnqdrfXpqs/TwRDq2tCQyI/AAAAAAAACB8/Ff-I4W64uCs/s320/DSC_0158a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And, up at the highest point of our walk, is this scene...<br /> On 1st January 2012, the Japan Inland Sea was so very calm and peaceful...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Hopefully, this would be a good sign for things to come in the new year...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-8987421503888325444?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-74343540333838024762011-12-31T12:16:00.000+08:002011-12-31T08:24:59.586+08:002011-12-31T08:24:59.586+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Was sorting out some of the pics in the hard disk...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">On this final day of 2011, thought I should post some more photos from our last trip to Mabul and&nbsp;Sipadan...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc95dFpfDGc/TuGK2iwH3nI/AAAAAAAAB78/H7i7yLSRFMY/s1600/P7140165a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cc95dFpfDGc/TuGK2iwH3nI/AAAAAAAAB78/H7i7yLSRFMY/s320/P7140165a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Took this shot of the resort just before going for dinner one day...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Forgot my&nbsp;tripod, so I rested the camera on the railings for&nbsp;the&nbsp;shot...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zmpQbwCOKas/TuGKzEiDg6I/AAAAAAAAB70/tzE1VrxKH90/s1600/P7150593a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zmpQbwCOKas/TuGKzEiDg6I/AAAAAAAAB70/tzE1VrxKH90/s320/P7150593a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">We did a lot of self-dives that time...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">We just enjoyed the freedom to stay as long as we like, underwater...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The clown fish... they were just so, so pretty... </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hugQfdj9uHE/TuGK_NqkWoI/AAAAAAAAB8U/uu7TsTVPqlQ/s1600/P7140905a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hugQfdj9uHE/TuGK_NqkWoI/AAAAAAAAB8U/uu7TsTVPqlQ/s320/P7140905a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Batfish are common in those waters... </span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">And they were not afraid even when I went close.... slowly, that is...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqkFo4TxxhU/TuGLAyqn6dI/AAAAAAAAB8g/c5H4kkdlbGs/s1600/P7140943a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqkFo4TxxhU/TuGLAyqn6dI/AAAAAAAAB8g/c5H4kkdlbGs/s320/P7140943a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Think these guys are called Bengal snappers...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">They have&nbsp;some blue lines on the upper body and the white belly being quite distinct...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWT7C2eQYdg/TuGLEn3yLuI/AAAAAAAAB8o/nTdc77lEafM/s1600/P7150266a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWT7C2eQYdg/TuGLEn3yLuI/AAAAAAAAB8o/nTdc77lEafM/s320/P7150266a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Was really fascinated with this fingered dragonet...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">It was using its ventral fins to 'walk' on the sand...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I followed and followed... </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">It walked and walked...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxg1iAQpPT0/TuGLQA6heLI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/hvb7c4Sf04M/s1600/P7150590a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxg1iAQpPT0/TuGLQA6heLI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/hvb7c4Sf04M/s320/P7150590a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">'</span></div> <div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 11px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Wondered why would anyone call these pretty things 'pink skunk' clownfish...</span></span></div> <div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 11px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">They are so pretty to look at, and to photograph...</span></span><br /> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3f0G7YILIU/TuGLJKzykcI/AAAAAAAAB84/rmqe9mpE0k4/s1600/P7150520a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3f0G7YILIU/TuGLJKzykcI/AAAAAAAAB84/rmqe9mpE0k4/s320/P7150520a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">This cute, little bi-color blenny was sitting on the corals... </span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">and waiting for me to photograph it?</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5D8d6Hrt6o/TuGLH8UGLSI/AAAAAAAAB8w/7ojf-C3J2d0/s1600/P7150408a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5D8d6Hrt6o/TuGLH8UGLSI/AAAAAAAAB8w/7ojf-C3J2d0/s320/P7150408a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Mantis shrimps are really super colorful creatures...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">This one made its home in a sunken coconut root stump... </span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Patience is needed while waiting for it to come out from its burrow... </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-7434354033383802476?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-26485398357272344022011-12-24T15:35:00.000+08:002011-12-24T22:59:07.122+08:002011-12-24T22:59:07.122+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> Was in Penang, Malaysia, for some business related to research...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lCe4bsc72cY/TvQqktE0Z2I/AAAAAAAAB90/xz4rp9aWhro/s1600/DSC_0939a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lCe4bsc72cY/TvQqktE0Z2I/AAAAAAAAB90/xz4rp9aWhro/s320/DSC_0939a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Stayed at the Equatorial Hotel at Bukit Jambul...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Nice hotel, pretty views...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwxSuJa9eZ0/TvQrvDlZGlI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/rGVbK2Jzi30/s1600/DSC_1015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NwxSuJa9eZ0/TvQrvDlZGlI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/rGVbK2Jzi30/s320/DSC_1015a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Sneaked around a bit during off-hours....</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Was happy to see that trishaws are still flourishing in the city...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKdmvd5R3JM/TvQsN6VPvcI/AAAAAAAAB-k/5dUMYB7Nd3Q/s1600/DSC_1039a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JKdmvd5R3JM/TvQsN6VPvcI/AAAAAAAAB-k/5dUMYB7Nd3Q/s320/DSC_1039a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Took a peek at the house where P. Ramlee lived...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> A refreshing, humble, little abode it was...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbpBXd6U-Yw/TvQsq-EdAAI/AAAAAAAAB-w/X0_t1tE1T1Y/s1600/DSC_0642a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbpBXd6U-Yw/TvQsq-EdAAI/AAAAAAAAB-w/X0_t1tE1T1Y/s320/DSC_0642a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> One of the many bites we had <span style="font-family: inherit;">in Penang...&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">the peanut-sauced <i>rojak </i>from the mamak stall...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The fried tofu, cucumber, and&nbsp;<i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">bengkuang</span>&nbsp;</i>(or&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">jícama)&nbsp;</span>were my favorit</span>es...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_u1CzyU_4E/TvQtN8epqmI/AAAAAAAAB-8/-RyGMoVwmf0/s1600/PC200740a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T_u1CzyU_4E/TvQtN8epqmI/AAAAAAAAB-8/-RyGMoVwmf0/s320/PC200740a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Was pleasantly surprised to see my favorite fruit, the durian, on display...<br /> Had thought that the season was sometime in August...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAZ6xgdG33k/TvQuiFp72AI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Bl_pxD8xT-M/s1600/DSC_0076a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wAZ6xgdG33k/TvQuiFp72AI/AAAAAAAAB_I/Bl_pxD8xT-M/s320/DSC_0076a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Urmm... this was the D24 specie...<br /> Tried the Musang (猫山王) as well, but think the D24 fits my taste buds better...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And as the cliche goes, <i>smells like hell but tastes like heaven</i>...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Ahh, lovely, lovely...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Am now in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, ready to fly back to Japan in two hours time...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Shall touchdown at Kansai International in the early hours of Christmas day...<br /> after that, it will be four more hours by&nbsp;limousine bus before we touch base sometime around 1:00 in the afternoon...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> So, for you wonderful folks who are celebrating or not celebrating...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Merrrry Christmas!! &nbsp;</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-2648539835727234402?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-41043066914195784862011-12-03T11:16:00.001+08:002011-12-03T18:55:11.152+08:002011-12-03T18:55:11.152+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> Throughout my 20 over years of residing in Japan, I have never been really fond of the winters...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Too cold for me... and I get cold rashes sometimes...&nbsp; </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> For some 'wintry' folks, the winters here may be considered 'mild', with the temperatures just hitting zero in the coldest times...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Still, as in the last winter, it could go down to minus four or five...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua2pP8X9x00/TtmVIYNcbTI/AAAAAAAAB6k/W7YPKkefJFI/s1600/DSC_0238a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ua2pP8X9x00/TtmVIYNcbTI/AAAAAAAAB6k/W7YPKkefJFI/s320/DSC_0238a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Till we installed the wood stove, that is...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Thanks to this stove, winters are more 'fun' now... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We started putting on our woodstove a few days ago...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> My suweeto haato is becoming quite an expert in handling the stove...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The flame was burning really well as can be seen in the picture above...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZgWNUJoXe0/TtmVL2Du7OI/AAAAAAAAB6s/mRxLk2ccvcU/s1600/DSC_0253a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZgWNUJoXe0/TtmVL2Du7OI/AAAAAAAAB6s/mRxLk2ccvcU/s320/DSC_0253a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> While my missus specializes in handling (starting the flame, maintaining it, cleaning the glass, the ash, etc) the stove, the responsibility of yours truly is in securing the firewood...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Sometimes I fell trees, other times, I get the cut logs from someone who just wanted to get rid of them...&nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow-nbICAsMQ/Ttn9Yi16v1I/AAAAAAAAB64/myDLBR9HKPE/s1600/DSC_0509a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow-nbICAsMQ/Ttn9Yi16v1I/AAAAAAAAB64/myDLBR9HKPE/s320/DSC_0509a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> These were cut and piled up to dry from last February...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> It takes about a year to have the logs dried up...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And for wood that are not split, the time needed to dry them is even longer because moisture in the wood finds it harder to escape through the bark...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSobcVxj80I/Ttn9ZjIfW6I/AAAAAAAAB68/y-juFncpsFs/s1600/DSC_0503a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSobcVxj80I/Ttn9ZjIfW6I/AAAAAAAAB68/y-juFncpsFs/s320/DSC_0503a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Wood that are split, dries faster...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And we can literally hear the 'pichi-pichi' sound that the wood constantly emits as it dries...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-4104306691419578486?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-10309129724067066672011-11-24T19:41:00.001+08:002011-12-03T18:56:01.656+08:002011-12-03T18:56:01.656+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> One morning mid November...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Was blessed with an opportunity...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Some moments, to accompany my love...&nbsp; </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxvNxs8MsNU/Ts4u19H23NI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/7byiDMkIAEw/s1600/DSC_0093a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UxvNxs8MsNU/Ts4u19H23NI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/7byiDMkIAEw/s320/DSC_0093a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The paddy fields, naked...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> A farmer's house or two...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> An 'out-of-place', over-sized villa... </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nebKfcHs3aY/TtCzEmQxz8I/AAAAAAAAB30/lczWhJ_8k-E/s1600/DSC_0069a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nebKfcHs3aY/TtCzEmQxz8I/AAAAAAAAB30/lczWhJ_8k-E/s320/DSC_0069a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Japanese pampas grass...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> gracefully dancing...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uHDzhUiKZ0/Ts4uy2FZ5xI/AAAAAAAAB3A/5tDE5ym2byk/s1600/DSC_0109a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7uHDzhUiKZ0/Ts4uy2FZ5xI/AAAAAAAAB3A/5tDE5ym2byk/s320/DSC_0109a.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Up the hills we walked...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> a fishing village, vaguely... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFntYCzAwkg/Ts4u0hopuuI/AAAAAAAAB3M/_vYQnUKxkts/s1600/DSC_0087a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFntYCzAwkg/Ts4u0hopuuI/AAAAAAAAB3M/_vYQnUKxkts/s320/DSC_0087a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Perched high up a concrete wall...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Cheering his heart out... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Stood <i>Daikokuten</i>, the god of wealth... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKgH073BCes/Ts4uzw6AS2I/AAAAAAAAB3E/YDKiK5Lg3IM/s1600/DSC_0085a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CKgH073BCes/Ts4uzw6AS2I/AAAAAAAAB3E/YDKiK5Lg3IM/s320/DSC_0085a.jpg" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A few meters nearby...&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i>Ebisu </i>the god of fishermen, smiled... cheekily </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cbzuUy4exUw/Ts4u3sAH-mI/AAAAAAAAB3g/WHBSql8ufdU/s1600/DSC_0099a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cbzuUy4exUw/Ts4u3sAH-mI/AAAAAAAAB3g/WHBSql8ufdU/s320/DSC_0099a.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We carried on... unhurried...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A pond appeared...&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I took a deep breath...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> listening to the soft wind, speaking...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PHukOQLTEw/Ts4u4vxfowI/AAAAAAAAB3o/JDODWoPDoqI/s1600/DSC_0102a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4PHukOQLTEw/Ts4u4vxfowI/AAAAAAAAB3o/JDODWoPDoqI/s320/DSC_0102a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> At a corner, a mirror stood, overlooking...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I tilted my head up...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Greeting me, a big round eye... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I held my love's hand, whispering...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Life is so sweet...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1030912972406706667?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-84808828121700311192011-11-20T20:11:00.001+08:002011-12-03T18:56:33.517+08:002011-12-03T18:56:33.517+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4yP6aaZZb8/TsjupuJ_nMI/AAAAAAAAB2c/zicZFrLHOvs/s1600/PA280260a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d4yP6aaZZb8/TsjupuJ_nMI/AAAAAAAAB2c/zicZFrLHOvs/s320/PA280260a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Had some business to do at Takamatsu JR Station the other day...<br /> Why not grab the opportunity to shoot some pics, I said to myself... <br /> The above picture shows the 'Sunport Symbol Tower'...<br /> They used to allow the public to go up to the top floor and the view was really good from there...<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHBgQ97SdyQ/TsjusxqeGaI/AAAAAAAAB20/S-VH7XjMn_E/s1600/PA280251a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHBgQ97SdyQ/TsjusxqeGaI/AAAAAAAAB20/S-VH7XjMn_E/s320/PA280251a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> This was shot from inside the JR station...<br /> The building on the left is an ANA hotel...<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogyYHn1Nvb0/TsjuqmEwbPI/AAAAAAAAB2k/dxDguoqa24A/s1600/PA270230a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ogyYHn1Nvb0/TsjuqmEwbPI/AAAAAAAAB2k/dxDguoqa24A/s320/PA270230a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Was at Gifu at the end of October for a seminar...<br /> Slept one night at a business hotel in front of Gifu JR Station...<br /> Didn't have my tripod with me, but managed to shoot a night shot from the window sill... <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DU6gLQSaa4/Tsjur5vEmdI/AAAAAAAAB2s/m-PoNF-3jEs/s1600/PA280243a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DU6gLQSaa4/Tsjur5vEmdI/AAAAAAAAB2s/m-PoNF-3jEs/s320/PA280243a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> And the next day, took this limited express train to Nagoya on the way back to Takamatsu...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-8480882812170031119?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-16474839015934286582011-11-12T07:41:00.000+08:002011-11-13T05:22:13.039+08:002011-11-13T05:22:13.039+08:00Actually have loads of underwater shots that I need to sort out and post...<br /> I suppose I will have a lot to do after I retire from my day job in 12 years' time...<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbxZP4l37ZM/TqlU006LV_I/AAAAAAAABm8/wQwDg6sZW04/s1600/P7140687a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nbxZP4l37ZM/TqlU006LV_I/AAAAAAAABm8/wQwDg6sZW04/s320/P7140687a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> This blue faced Angel fish was busy looking for food...<br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y20zMLgs4Tc/TqlU17QpuWI/AAAAAAAABnE/KmYJqgdLdUc/s1600/P7140790a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y20zMLgs4Tc/TqlU17QpuWI/AAAAAAAABnE/KmYJqgdLdUc/s320/P7140790a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A coral trout resting on the corals, posing for the cameraman... <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40UFQudZi3Q/TqlU9R1xeEI/AAAAAAAABnM/AxMpc4rGGGY/s1600/P7130354a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-40UFQudZi3Q/TqlU9R1xeEI/AAAAAAAABnM/AxMpc4rGGGY/s320/P7130354a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Think this is a juvenile bat fish...<br /> Very shy and 'unsettled' at the approach of the camera...&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETuSUzuWZsA/TqlU-RPknYI/AAAAAAAABnU/excSCVe_DvI/s1600/P7130355a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETuSUzuWZsA/TqlU-RPknYI/AAAAAAAABnU/excSCVe_DvI/s320/P7130355a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> And this, a mature bat fish...<br /> It looks like the pomfret fish and I sometimes wonder if they are sold in the markets...<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQVxlnZu5Uk/TqlVOKyFaRI/AAAAAAAABnc/BpHozaVyAKQ/s1600/P7150336a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XQVxlnZu5Uk/TqlVOKyFaRI/AAAAAAAABnc/BpHozaVyAKQ/s320/P7150336a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Beaked or Copper-banded Butterfly fish...<br /> A very attractive fish, and it seems like they like to move about in pairs... <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvK5ikNiaXQ/TqlVUVPNVEI/AAAAAAAABnk/07kafu6PYJc/s1600/P7150494a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvK5ikNiaXQ/TqlVUVPNVEI/AAAAAAAABnk/07kafu6PYJc/s320/P7150494a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Think this is some kind of cardinal fish...<br /> They appeared to be very comfortable hanging out in the artificial reef...<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mTIVgiABGA/TqlVZ9zl4FI/AAAAAAAABns/iBs9-kH-fVI/s1600/P7150530a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mTIVgiABGA/TqlVZ9zl4FI/AAAAAAAABns/iBs9-kH-fVI/s320/P7150530a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Right below the jetty, a staff member found this moray eel...<br /> Apparently, it tried to swallow its prey but got entangled with a net...<br /> <br /> <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1647483901593428658?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-50557480457216249262011-11-05T19:59:00.000+08:002011-11-05T19:59:53.918+08:002011-11-05T19:59:53.918+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> Derive a lot of pleasure looking at boats that ply the routes around here...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y5wnGQUOt8/TrUg6PBXRsI/AAAAAAAABtg/uYDnMFeSI6w/s1600/PA280274a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y5wnGQUOt8/TrUg6PBXRsI/AAAAAAAABtg/uYDnMFeSI6w/s320/PA280274a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Takamatsu Port aka Sunport is serviced by several ferry companies... this particular one connects Takamatsu Port and Shodoshima...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NABKIcf1D0o/TrUg7GXhrkI/AAAAAAAABto/BTnn_6dJsL0/s1600/PA280278a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NABKIcf1D0o/TrUg7GXhrkI/AAAAAAAABto/BTnn_6dJsL0/s320/PA280278a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Sometimes the Japanese Navy (or is Self Defense Forces?) boats dock at Takamatsu Port...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-aF23XBOQY/TrUg9MiTrbI/AAAAAAAABt4/6r1vQp-blCo/s1600/PB040389a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-aF23XBOQY/TrUg9MiTrbI/AAAAAAAABt4/6r1vQp-blCo/s320/PB040389a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Nearer to home at Aji, fishing boats moor at the fishing port in the center of the little town...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iMwcEQbaIDA/TrUg-SD01fI/AAAAAAAABuA/M83Smd0Lm-Q/s1600/PB040392a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iMwcEQbaIDA/TrUg-SD01fI/AAAAAAAABuA/M83Smd0Lm-Q/s320/PB040392a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Always a joy to see the reflection of the fishing boats in the mornings...&nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRfr8OfD5bk/TrUg_D2hA3I/AAAAAAAABuI/yf7u88k-MgI/s1600/PB040393a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRfr8OfD5bk/TrUg_D2hA3I/AAAAAAAABuI/yf7u88k-MgI/s320/PB040393a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The water surface, still as a mirror that morning...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Uhf7fMBEms/TrUg5ExWKnI/AAAAAAAABtY/zk-YJHluKb8/s1600/PB040394a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Uhf7fMBEms/TrUg5ExWKnI/AAAAAAAABtY/zk-YJHluKb8/s320/PB040394a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> This orange colored fishing boat kind of like, stands out among the others... <br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-5055748045721624926?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-25278364202302283302011-10-28T07:39:00.002+08:002011-10-28T19:47:14.447+08:002011-10-28T19:47:14.447+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> Am now actually in Gifu city, Central Japan...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Spent a night here after attending a seminar...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Would have loved to rent a bicycle to cycle around Nagara River, famed for its cormorant fishing for 鮎 <i>ayu</i>, a sweet river fish...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> But... there is always a 'but'...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Anyway, just a short post on two views that I enjoy whenever I cycle to work from home...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> &nbsp;<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5goPAKIpKPA/TqAVi052z3I/AAAAAAAABmA/3fyoZqoPqXA/s1600/PA180137a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5goPAKIpKPA/TqAVi052z3I/AAAAAAAABmA/3fyoZqoPqXA/s320/PA180137a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> This was shot from 屋島大橋&nbsp;<i>Yashima O-hashi </i>(Yashima 'Big' Bridge) during one of the low tides...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> That table top hill is Yashima... the surrounding area is known for being the venue of a historical battle fought between the 平家&nbsp;<i>Heike </i>and the 源&nbsp;<i>Minamoto</i>, two warring factions in the early 12th century...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <br /></div> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7yToGMk5Ko/TqAViQiAG9I/AAAAAAAABl4/lJdyzUH2--k/s1600/PA180143a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P7yToGMk5Ko/TqAViQiAG9I/AAAAAAAABl4/lJdyzUH2--k/s320/PA180143a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> This is 詰田川 Tsumeta River, which is situated in an industrial part of Takamatsu city...<br /> 'Industrial'... yet, 'leisure' boats are often parked by the riverside...<br /> It is but an ordinary scene... I said to myself...<br /> Still, for fun's sake, I had to capture it...</div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-2527836420230228330?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-8558375870817456882011-10-17T20:33:00.002+08:002011-11-07T20:24:56.386+08:002011-11-07T20:24:56.386+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We had the honor of hosting the 3rd potluck party for our neighbors last Sunday...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Seven families got together for a day of yakking and for&nbsp;delicious, homemade food...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The wind was pretty strong and the temperatures,&nbsp;somewhat chilly...<br /> But that didn't stop us from having a ball of a time...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3e8gQQ7We8k/TprCYWPfLNI/AAAAAAAABkY/SobkLHDYSbI/s320/DSC_0352a.jpg" width="320" /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> First, home-made buckwheat noodles&nbsp;aka soba made from scratch...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> According to our friend, the combination was 90% buckwheat flour and 10% wheat flour... <br /> Excellent, excellent&nbsp;taste...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa-TUXcGPlE/TprB_BAACGI/AAAAAAAABjg/QU-hD4Kn6bs/s1600/DSC_0330a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa-TUXcGPlE/TprB_BAACGI/AAAAAAAABjg/QU-hD4Kn6bs/s320/DSC_0330a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Some salad, oriental style with cucumber, tomatoes, egg, ham...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyqIdR390fY/TprCKOlL6hI/AAAAAAAABjo/GjqWiz0M76o/s1600/DSC_0331a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyqIdR390fY/TprCKOlL6hI/AAAAAAAABjo/GjqWiz0M76o/s320/DSC_0331a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> &nbsp;Fried dumplings... crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nI0zyAvgIeQ/TprCPk-95AI/AAAAAAAABj4/_U33IX8AjM4/s1600/DSC_0338a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nI0zyAvgIeQ/TprCPk-95AI/AAAAAAAABj4/_U33IX8AjM4/s320/DSC_0338a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Ginko nuts... peeled and lightly fried in oil, and served with a&nbsp;pince of salt...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2w7lg_edoVM/TprCSPqXWfI/AAAAAAAABkA/MjOqPb-G5XQ/s1600/DSC_0342a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2w7lg_edoVM/TprCSPqXWfI/AAAAAAAABkA/MjOqPb-G5XQ/s320/DSC_0342a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> O-yaki... in other words, Japanese yam, lotus root, glutinous rice flour, and seaweed fried in light oil over a flat pan...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This dish was new to us and while the dish did not look that 'photogenic', the taste was&nbsp;good...&nbsp;my missus&nbsp;ended up&nbsp;asking for the recipe...<br /> <br /> Update for Alice:<br /> (Managed to ask our neighbor about the recipe... )<br /> <br /> Grate Japanese yam（山芋）, lotus root and keep aside...<br /> Mix with 上新粉（top-grade rice flouｒ）<br /> Add seaweed (after softening in water)<br /> Blend all ingredients in bowl and make into patties...<br /> Fry over flat pan over some sesame oil until slightly brown...<br /> <br /> Serve with some soy sauce... <br /> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wjr_CCJ7s_k/TprCWQaP_PI/AAAAAAAABkQ/GyTRYV97RoE/s1600/DSC_0349a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wjr_CCJ7s_k/TprCWQaP_PI/AAAAAAAABkQ/GyTRYV97RoE/s320/DSC_0349a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Braised(?) pork with fresh veggies done up by one of the husbands...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3TPXQhTLeY/TprCbDM5CgI/AAAAAAAABkg/JlNiZROglAc/s1600/PA150016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3TPXQhTLeY/TprCbDM5CgI/AAAAAAAABkg/JlNiZROglAc/s320/PA150016a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Our contribution... horse mackeral, deep fried outdoors in our garden...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Fire and&nbsp;utensils were prepared by yours truly while the lady of the house took charge of&nbsp;the cooking...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojexbm8T2vc/TprCM0zua_I/AAAAAAAABjw/s4I4Y7Q6KBU/s1600/DSC_0334a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojexbm8T2vc/TprCM0zua_I/AAAAAAAABjw/s4I4Y7Q6KBU/s320/DSC_0334a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The fish was immediately dipped into a concoction of vinegar, Japanese rice wine, and lots of fresh vegetables...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And left to season for one night for better taste...<br /> I ate the fish whole... bones, fish head, fins, meat and all...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0lCmeYzsv8/TprCUfrpgsI/AAAAAAAABkI/4Dc2LhQ2nwQ/s320/DSC_0348a.jpg" width="320" /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Plus, vinegrette Spanish Mackeral... also prepared by my suweeto haato on the previous day so as to 'enhance' the flavor...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This dish&nbsp;proved to be&nbsp;very popular among the attendees...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ku_BcQd3Y9c/TprCdMP7YbI/AAAAAAAABko/SY0xF-zQCnI/s1600/PA160032a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ku_BcQd3Y9c/TprCdMP7YbI/AAAAAAAABko/SY0xF-zQCnI/s320/PA160032a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The&nbsp;sweets, various types, were&nbsp;brought all the way from Kobe...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Besides these goodies, there were drinks soft and hard, chocolates,&nbsp;persimmons, grapes, and freshly brewed black mint tea... &nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We were very happy that our neighbors enjoy the party as much as we did...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And we are looking forward to hosting the fourth gathering for sure...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-855837587081745688?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-13332714153286094242011-10-09T20:05:00.000+08:002011-10-10T21:02:00.049+08:002011-10-10T21:02:00.049+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> On our holidays long time ago, we used to snorkel at some of the resorts we visited...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> While it was very enjoyable, I wanted to go deeper, and swim with the fishes instead of looking at them from the top...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The sunburn from snorkeling was not very nice, anyway...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Plus, I particularly envied the scuba divers at the resorts...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8u9xt73048/TpGNDmVgt6I/AAAAAAAABiY/1CDQOkQ1WSw/s1600/P7141005aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8u9xt73048/TpGNDmVgt6I/AAAAAAAABiY/1CDQOkQ1WSw/s320/P7141005aa.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>My dive buddy aka suweeto-haato feeling comfortable, suspended in mid-water at Barracuda Point. </i></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> So I said to myself... if these people can do it, why not us?</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> But my missus was not so keen...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> 'I am wearing contact lenses', she said...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Took me years to persuade her to take a scuba diving course with me...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sy-a5lq95So/TpGL955Tu5I/AAAAAAAABiI/yUVQkokScu0/s1600/P7140871a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sy-a5lq95So/TpGL955Tu5I/AAAAAAAABiI/yUVQkokScu0/s320/P7140871a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <i>Barracudas circling above us...</i></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /> Then, while holidaying at one of our favorite resorts one day, we saw an elderly Japanese couple... scuba diving...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And, I said to my missus...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Hey, let's chat with them...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They had just started diving a year before...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And they regretted not doing it earlier...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkiEKN_uoI8/TpGLgdH8EDI/AAAAAAAABh4/rQQYUszc1VE/s1600/P7140816a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkiEKN_uoI8/TpGLgdH8EDI/AAAAAAAABh4/rQQYUszc1VE/s320/P7140816a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>A close shot of the barracudas...</i></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Wooh, that was what I needed to persuade my missus....</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I imagine it to be quite un-interesting to be diving 'alone'...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The following year, we found ourselves at at Koh Tao in Southern Thailand...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> It took us five days to undergo the course and it turned out to be a miserable experience...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Why, it was raining almost every day...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BqqgLdhRy0I/TpGLmuXqvGI/AAAAAAAABiA/BisRqfX9K0Q/s1600/P7140809a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BqqgLdhRy0I/TpGLmuXqvGI/AAAAAAAABiA/BisRqfX9K0Q/s320/P7140809a.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Jacks almost always make an appearance at Barracuda Point... </i></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I shivered and shivered as we did the routines in the water...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Back at the chalet, the towels were perennially wet...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We seriously wondered if it was worth the while...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Come to think of it, that was in March 2001...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xifPRR6yTyo/TpGLijurJ9I/AAAAAAAABh8/aA8PBRPpEfA/s1600/P7140804a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xifPRR6yTyo/TpGLijurJ9I/AAAAAAAABh8/aA8PBRPpEfA/s320/P7140804a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>My dive partner 'walking' on water, observing the jacks...</i></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Since then, we have been scuba diving for most of our holidays and we must say that it has been a very rewarding experience...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Our last trip to Sipadan last July was equally enjoyable, albeit too short...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Most recreation divers go to Sipadan with one thing in mind...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> That is, to dive Barracuda Point...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJxxGJX3PqE/TpGL_mZasDI/AAAAAAAABiM/Igc-xNrQa0Y/s1600/P7140905a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJxxGJX3PqE/TpGL_mZasDI/AAAAAAAABiM/Igc-xNrQa0Y/s320/P7140905a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <i>Bat fish can be seen at the shallows at Barracuda Point... </i></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We were lucky to be able to see the barracudas on the two occasions we were there...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Some divers come away disappointed as sometimes the barracudas could not be seen...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1333271415328609424?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com11Sipadan Island4.1146833 118.62875563.6078848000000003 117.9970416 4.621481800000001 119.26046960000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-58191511718014947712011-10-02T20:39:00.001+08:002011-10-10T09:57:47.094+08:002011-10-10T09:57:47.094+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXHQYO8uxqY/TohSeAVRVuI/AAAAAAAABhc/eDhwN2T2IT0/s1600/DSC_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXHQYO8uxqY/TohSeAVRVuI/AAAAAAAABhc/eDhwN2T2IT0/s320/DSC_0221.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Autumn is the season that I love best...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The air is dry and cool... and just so pleasant to be outdoors...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This is also the season when the <i>higan-bana, </i>a favorite flower of mine,<i> </i>comes to full bloom...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Known as Lycoris or Red Spider Lilies in English, this perennial plant is native to East Asia...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The <i>higan-bana</i> is commonly found in footpaths in the countryside and around graveyards...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> In East Asia, this flower is related to sorrowful legends...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Spent this last weekend in our <a href="http://potagery.blogspot.com/">potager</a> in a solemn mood...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Two evenings ago, received news from my nieces about the demise of my eldest sister...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> It is always a sad feeling to lose some one you love...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Someone so close... someone who took care of you when you were small...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The <i>higan-bana</i>...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Beautiful as it is.. yet so sorrowful...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-5819151171801494771?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-68630401929290380502011-09-24T20:17:00.001+08:002011-09-24T20:27:12.351+08:002011-09-24T20:27:12.351+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcnv6cxYXew/Tn3MCpHaSVI/AAAAAAAABg0/fJoy5J4Fe6o/s1600/P9230448a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcnv6cxYXew/Tn3MCpHaSVI/AAAAAAAABg0/fJoy5J4Fe6o/s320/P9230448a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="color: black;"><br />Went for a walk in the neighborhood with my love...<br />The view up in the hills was spectacularly beautiful...<br />So blue was the sky... <br />and so serene and peaceful was the Japan Inland Sea... </span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Still, Typhoon Number 15 had left its unmistakably destructive marks in the hills...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Landslides big and small, here and there, waiting to be cleared...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Drains choked and clogged... water still spilling...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suxnByxlXSw/Tn3Cw4bd4EI/AAAAAAAABgo/h-6OnfuQx5c/s1600/P9230454a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-suxnByxlXSw/Tn3Cw4bd4EI/AAAAAAAABgo/h-6OnfuQx5c/s320/P9230454a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Had a wonderful opportunity this weekend to meet up with some former and current students...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They were/are members of a university club that I had established...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We met up at a restaurant in Takamatsu city... one that serves delicacies using ingredients predominantly sourced from the local area...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2Zb_jg8x4M/Tn3CyIV5q5I/AAAAAAAABgs/kqFIa3A33bI/s1600/P9230491a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e2Zb_jg8x4M/Tn3CyIV5q5I/AAAAAAAABgs/kqFIa3A33bI/s320/P9230491a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> While bicycling back home, took a snapshot of this rice field...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> To me, this is so typically Japan...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Rice fields in the foreground, and houses lined up in the background...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHWxwQrZGko/Tn3CwHOWxFI/AAAAAAAABgk/Jiaxs7cIm0Y/s1600/P9230515a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHWxwQrZGko/Tn3CwHOWxFI/AAAAAAAABgk/Jiaxs7cIm0Y/s320/P9230515a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Another shutter chance came up as I was crossing a river...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Wooh... what a lovely sight, I thought to myself...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The brackish water in the river is actually quite 'black'... </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> But the reflection from the early evening sun plays magic on it...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I stood there for many minutes... doing nothing but soaking in the scene...</div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-6863040192929038050?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-36910578332670078262011-09-03T10:18:00.000+08:002011-10-10T09:55:55.835+08:002011-10-10T09:55:55.835+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Typhoon Number 12 is slamming her way past Shikoku right at this moment...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This is the second <a href="http://potagery.blogspot.com/2011/07/massive-vicious-typhoon-number-6-made.html">typhoon</a> to hit us this season...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Winds are menacingly fiery... rains, heavy and ballistic...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> On a Saturday like today, I should be out in my potager...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> But I am stuck indoors...<br /> <br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHIdXw5qcAs/TmFiBrrKEXI/AAAAAAAABfI/87yipsMkxPE/s1600/P7130474a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHIdXw5qcAs/TmFiBrrKEXI/AAAAAAAABfI/87yipsMkxPE/s320/P7130474a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And, why not take this opportunity to recall our <a href="http://lronglim.blogspot.com/2011/07/scuba-diving-seas-of-sulawesi.html">scuba diving vacation</a> at Mabul some time ago...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This was our third stay at the Sipadan Water Village...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The dozen or so dive boats there characteristically take on names that are 'lady-like'... &nbsp;</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfIOVgcUBPM/TmFiEjmPgfI/AAAAAAAABfM/V5v93tm3fwo/s1600/P7130459a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfIOVgcUBPM/TmFiEjmPgfI/AAAAAAAABfM/V5v93tm3fwo/s320/P7130459a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The gods were with us as days were really fine when we were there...<br /> Scenes were thankfully, extra pretty...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVpZ1xOQtrU/TmFiHLLOSKI/AAAAAAAABfQ/MQ1eAkY95Vg/s1600/P7130470a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVpZ1xOQtrU/TmFiHLLOSKI/AAAAAAAABfQ/MQ1eAkY95Vg/s320/P7130470a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> From our 'little' experience diving over the years, we would say that this resort has just about the most well designed dive center...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We are fond of diving the house reefs, and entry into the dive sites here is very easy...<br /> Which is one big reason why we are 'repeaters' in this resort...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcnI38gDRkM/TmFiPn_kORI/AAAAAAAABfU/nFjN4V23_W4/s1600/P7130397a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcnI38gDRkM/TmFiPn_kORI/AAAAAAAABfU/nFjN4V23_W4/s320/P7130397a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The all wooden structures are actually very well built...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And well maintained, so far...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPbD6AXcw9k/TmFiZeOC7ZI/AAAAAAAABfY/TZfKQjYDHvk/s1600/P7130388a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPbD6AXcw9k/TmFiZeOC7ZI/AAAAAAAABfY/TZfKQjYDHvk/s320/P7130388a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This time, we stayed in a chalet facing the village on the island...&nbsp;</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qAR57KnFheI/TmFicUzk1NI/AAAAAAAABfc/YwBcoXv_8i8/s1600/P7130382a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qAR57KnFheI/TmFicUzk1NI/AAAAAAAABfc/YwBcoXv_8i8/s320/P7130382a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Some&nbsp;<i>Bajau Laut</i> aka Sea Gypsies live on boats anchored off the island...<br /> Each day, in between our dives and mealtimes, I had the pleasure of observing how they went about their lives...<br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCGMixQGPgM/TmFisvLvsdI/AAAAAAAABfk/fj-ZbxlGL8w/s1600/P7130420a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCGMixQGPgM/TmFisvLvsdI/AAAAAAAABfk/fj-ZbxlGL8w/s320/P7130420a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> I witnessed the boys brushing their teeth in the mornings...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> the womenfolk cooking their breakfast at the kitchen...<br /> And their hanging of the laundry by the side of the boat...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5-iOnCoVzo/TmFio_bmsAI/AAAAAAAABfg/6r3uTr2GqDI/s1600/P7130453a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5-iOnCoVzo/TmFio_bmsAI/AAAAAAAABfg/6r3uTr2GqDI/s320/P7130453a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Still, the majority of the folks live on the island...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Relying mainly on fishing, their lives seemed so carefree... &nbsp;</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSFk30Xl2jE/TmFiv2gshYI/AAAAAAAABfo/JCmLvYMEza4/s1600/P7130438a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSFk30Xl2jE/TmFiv2gshYI/AAAAAAAABfo/JCmLvYMEza4/s320/P7130438a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Each morning, the little kids would paddle their boats...<br /> Was impressed to see how skilled they were with the boats...</div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-3691057833267007826?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-71088461119355829242011-08-27T08:26:00.000+08:002011-08-27T08:26:31.353+08:002011-08-27T08:26:31.353+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Yeap, it is that time of the year again for the <a href="http://lronglim.blogspot.com/2010/06/annual-medical-check-up.html">annual medical check up</a>...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">For the second year in a row, my sweeto haato joined me for the medical check...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Two days before the appointed day, we had to take samples of our stools...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And on the night before the appointed day, we had to stop eating before 9:00 pm...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Not an issue for us as we normally finish our dinner by about 8:00 pm every night...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On the morning of the appointed day, we woke up at about 5:00 am as we usually do...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We were allowed to consume only 200 cc of clear liquid that morning...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Warm water and tea would be ok, but not coffee...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At 7:00 am, my stomach emitted the first growl...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">No no, no eating... and off we went to the hospital...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Arriving at 7:45 am, we were number 2 and number 3 on line...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">After changing into light green pajamas, we watched television as we waited for the chime to come...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5RFTMkNxOg/Tlg1oElIK8I/AAAAAAAABeQ/rZQCPFcCKYg/s1600/P6090096a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5RFTMkNxOg/Tlg1oElIK8I/AAAAAAAABeQ/rZQCPFcCKYg/s320/P6090096a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">All in all, there were about 20 patients, mostly males...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At 8:00 am, the chime went off and the attendant nurse gave us a briefing...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I opted to have my blood samples taken first...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Any allergies? The nurse asked?</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike last year, the nurse was pretty skilled... or so I thought...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I felt no pain as she inserted a needle into the protruding vein in my left arm...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She took 4 tubes of blood and slowly withdrew the needle...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Eiiiich, I felt a little pain...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We weighed ourselves, took our heights, checked our eyesight and blood pressure...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At 8:25, a male attendant familiar to me, measured my waist...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">72 centimeters it was...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'Lrong-san ha sumaato desu ne...' mumbled Tsutsui-san... (literally, 'Mr. Lrong, you have a smart physique'...)</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He is a ten-year veteran at this hospital and he likes to chat with me whenever we see each at the hospital...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'Now let's see, you had a little polyp in your gall bladder...' he said as he instructed me to lie flat on the bed while getting ready to operate the machine...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'Oh, no problem... the size is very small... no change from last year...'</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I felt relieved and thanked him...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">At 8:40 am, I felt really sleepy and energy-less...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A nurse called out my name and I entered a room to have my eyes checked for 'hardness'...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'Now, look at that green light on the left'... flash!&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Bright stars seemed to come into view...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoA_Fqe4BMQ/Tlg1mIdBVCI/AAAAAAAABeI/JjpbtbE4S9c/s1600/P6090098a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoA_Fqe4BMQ/Tlg1mIdBVCI/AAAAAAAABeI/JjpbtbE4S9c/s320/P6090098a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next was the urine samples...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I always felt amused upon seeing the illustration posted in the toilet...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The man had two drops of sweat flying off from his face as he smiled...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'Let the first 30 cc of urine pass, then take the 'middle' portion of the urine and fill up one third of the cup'...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">8:59 am... yawned... watched TV...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:01 am... more yawns... watched more TV... waited... waited...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:14 am... a nurse called out my name...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Inside the room, the doctor in a brown-colored uniform asked, 'any health issue bothering you?'...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He placed his stethoscope on my exposed chest...&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Silently, he repeated the procedure on my back and I was out of the room in seconds...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:16 am... back to the main lounge, waiting...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:26 am... time for the ECG...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The nurse clipped my four limbs with some kind of clamps and stuck some rubber suction cups on my body...&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:40 am... underwent the lung capacity test which was introduced just about two years ago...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I asked what is the purpose of this test...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It was to check the 'smoothness' of the breathing...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She clipped my nose with a large peg, forcing me to breath through the mouth from a pipe...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was to take a deep breath, and once I reached the maximum capacity of the inhalation, I was to suddenly exhale until I ran out of air...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I did it twice...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFDI2qsZeUM/Tlg1nKa6OBI/AAAAAAAABeM/wKBJSG5rqX8/s1600/P6090092a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFDI2qsZeUM/Tlg1nKa6OBI/AAAAAAAABeM/wKBJSG5rqX8/s320/P6090092a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:50 am... backed to the waiting room... I dreamed of spaghetti... tomato based with seafood...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My &nbsp;stomach growled again...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The next procedure was the x-ray, which went by in a wink...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">9:52 am... now, the most 'interesting' part of the check....</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The staff was again, very professional... the explanation clear and concise...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The nurse handed over a small paper cup filled with just one third of liquid... which I quickly gulped down...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She had me lie down on a bed as she injected some liquid into my nostrils...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This was to prevent injury to the walls of my nose, she said...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rested, relaxed... felt sleepy...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Then she asked, which nose breaths better?</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think I did it through the right nose last year, so this year, without really answering her question, I opted for the left nose...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">She carefully injected morphine into my left nostril...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The numbness although slight, came almost instantly...&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can swallow it, she said...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The taste was not bad, but not good either...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Minutes later, she returned to give a second shot...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A few more minutes passed and into the camera room they led me...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now, lie down on your left, the doctor gestured...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He was the same guy from last year...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The attendant-nurse offered, 'let your saliva drip down on the paper towel... don't force yourself to wipe it...'</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I closed my eyes as they switched off the lights...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Slowly, I sensed the optic camera piercing through my left nostril, wriggling its way down my throat...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">'Swallow', the doctor suggested just as he did last year at exactly the same stage...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I swallowed, feeling the tube crawling through my esophagus...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Now, the hardest part is over... just relax... said the doctor as he&nbsp;maneuvered&nbsp;the camera into my stomach...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In about 15 minutes, it was over...&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My missus was waiting for me...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I quickly changed into my clothes, looking forward to the lunch box provided...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is the 'reward' for the 'troubles' we go through in this exercise...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I am not sure if other hospitals offer this lunch box service but the one I went to in Nagoya did not...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The hospital said it is complimentary...</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We slowly ate and chewed on the goodies...&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The 'bento' lunch box was delightfully laid out, and I counted over 20 different types of food...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There was fish, meat, egg, tofu, beans, carrot, yam, plum, grape, orange, fishcake, burdock, &nbsp;seaweed, miso soup, among others...</span></div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hmmm... delicious...&nbsp;</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Next, stay tuned for the&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">endoscope test on the colon which had to be conducted on a different day...</span>&nbsp;</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-7108846111935582924?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-25175185308382544042011-08-17T14:30:00.002+08:002011-11-06T19:06:03.415+08:002011-11-06T19:06:03.415+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Am enjoying the second last day of a week's holiday from work...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Had planned to work in the <a href="http://potagery.blogspot.com/">potager</a>...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> But the weather was simply too much to bear...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> After working for an hour or so under the summer heat, I'd be all drenched up in sweat...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> My body then tells me...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 'Go to the sea!!'&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IFdF8I5NU/TktT2u2Fs1I/AAAAAAAABdY/PdpOy6ZeRbc/s1600/DSC_0284a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IFdF8I5NU/TktT2u2Fs1I/AAAAAAAABdY/PdpOy6ZeRbc/s320/DSC_0284a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I was too feeble to fight this 'order'...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> So, for the past few days, I was sea-bound...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I snorkled, I swam, I <a href="http://lronglim.blogspot.com/2011/05/we-moved-to-this-hamlet-almost-6-years.html">fished</a>...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And can you believe that yours truly pulled out this colorful fish from the Japan Inland Sea?</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77SckPOKQiA/TktT7O0-OGI/AAAAAAAABdc/ofAx4lCiM-w/s1600/DSC_0276a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77SckPOKQiA/TktT7O0-OGI/AAAAAAAABdc/ofAx4lCiM-w/s320/DSC_0276a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The fish is called 'kyusen' in Japane<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">se, and '<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px;">multicolorfin rainbowfish' in Engli</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">sh...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I think the above specimen is the female version of the colorful male in the previous picture...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvakgyB556A/TktUD6OPGYI/AAAAAAAABdk/Kj0RG2lZCrc/s1600/DSC_0195a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvakgyB556A/TktUD6OPGYI/AAAAAAAABdk/Kj0RG2lZCrc/s320/DSC_0195a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Near to the rocks I poked the fishing rod...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And woah... rockfish ('kasago' in Japanese) came a-biting...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Their big mouths mean that they normally swallow the hook wholesale...</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ds8gzitslc/TktUC6uY15I/AAAAAAAABdg/Jp3IyDkonbA/s1600/DSC_0215a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ds8gzitslc/TktUC6uY15I/AAAAAAAABdg/Jp3IyDkonbA/s320/DSC_0215a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> And the rockfish turned into boiled fish during dinnertime...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Absolutely lovely with home-made <a href="http://potagery.blogspot.com/search/label/Loquats">loquat liqueur</a>...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Cayg2PkTeE/TktUHqqerSI/AAAAAAAABdo/ByhTcbYVHSY/s1600/DSC_0149a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Cayg2PkTeE/TktUHqqerSI/AAAAAAAABdo/ByhTcbYVHSY/s320/DSC_0149a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> While not snorkeling or fishing, yours truly went hunting for shellfish...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Harvested twenty one <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjTqpIHycOM/TdJi5wuYArI/AAAAAAAABS8/XOJy-rVrFiw/s1600/DSC_0543a.jpg">mussels</a> on one of those days...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I regretted taking too much as our self-imposed 'quota' is five mussels per person...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> My partner casts her magic wand onto the shells, turning them into exquisite pasta...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We 'lengthened' the eating pleasure by spreading the meal out into two dinners...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Why... as we did not want to 'hurry' by over-consuming all the mussels in just one meal...&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Our quota: five mussels per person per meal...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-2517518530838254404?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-56894135179671696042011-08-13T13:27:00.004+08:002011-08-13T13:30:35.531+08:002011-08-13T13:30:35.531+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> It is not just the <a href="http://lronglim.blogspot.com/2005/07/rains-almost-make-me-want-to-cry.html">rains</a>...<br /> But I really don't know what spell this&nbsp;'wadaiko' (Japanese drums)&nbsp;thing has on me...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Each time I witness a live wadaiko performance...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I'm almost always moved me to tears...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> By tears, I mean, tears that continue to flow and flow throughout the course of the performance...<br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1JrLJCvKig/TkUjjLKzEgI/AAAAAAAABcI/NkEIjT50EVQ/s1600/DSC_0115a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1JrLJCvKig/TkUjjLKzEgI/AAAAAAAABcI/NkEIjT50EVQ/s320/DSC_0115a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> For the past 13 years, I have had the good fortune of being requested by the Japanese folks at a neighboring town to bring a handful of international students for a cooking event...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This year, I brought seven students from five countries...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They cooked up four lovely dishes while the Japanese folks presented us with some delicious local noodles and mixed sushi, all cooked from scratch...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> After consuming the sumptuous meals, the town folks usually invite some group to provide entertainment...<br /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBGH1txGFc0/TkUjinfHs6I/AAAAAAAABcE/8oIXRz55hPU/s1600/DSC_0096a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mBGH1txGFc0/TkUjinfHs6I/AAAAAAAABcE/8oIXRz55hPU/s320/DSC_0096a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This is third time I think, that the wadaiko troupe '<a href="http://homepage1.nifty.com/kotaro2000/shibuindex.htm">Man Ten</a>' was invited...<br /> Now, 'Man' does not mean 'man' as in you and me, but 'Full'...<br /> And 'Ten' has got nothing to do with that number of fingers you may have...<br /> Rather, 'Ten' refers to either the 'Heavens' or the 'Sky' depending on the context...<br /> My preferred interpretation, however, of this amazing wadaiko troupe name would be 'Heaven Full' of Stars...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcQl5RSUtR0/TkYCMnmJWfI/AAAAAAAABc4/lY8NptN4ZQM/s1600/DSC_0093a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcQl5RSUtR0/TkYCMnmJWfI/AAAAAAAABc4/lY8NptN4ZQM/s320/DSC_0093a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> For 'stars' the drummers all are...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Throughout the one hour performance, they bang and slam...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They smile, they yell...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They swing, and they fly...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl2jwdogZgI/TkUjjqs-hGI/AAAAAAAABcM/F7s6lRLlxvM/s1600/DSC_0122a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl2jwdogZgI/TkUjjqs-hGI/AAAAAAAABcM/F7s6lRLlxvM/s320/DSC_0122a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Man Ten started off as a family outfit...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> There was just mum, dad, and two cute little daughters...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZfXDn5GwDY/TkUjkJWMLII/AAAAAAAABcQ/Fdrj--N0LMs/s1600/DSC_0147a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZfXDn5GwDY/TkUjkJWMLII/AAAAAAAABcQ/Fdrj--N0LMs/s320/DSC_0147a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Years down the road, the membership ballooned...<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> That day, I think about twenty drummers performed...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwveVHT0BCA/TkUjkhsNJXI/AAAAAAAABcU/hYLQJBRVwtc/s1600/DSC_0188a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwveVHT0BCA/TkUjkhsNJXI/AAAAAAAABcU/hYLQJBRVwtc/s320/DSC_0188a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I stood as I snapped...<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The faster the tempo, the more rapid the&nbsp;snaps...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> All the while, tears flowed on...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvaO7eKXnps/TkUkugz1jQI/AAAAAAAABcg/U09oOGkMWpc/s1600/DSC_0249a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvaO7eKXnps/TkUkugz1jQI/AAAAAAAABcg/U09oOGkMWpc/s320/DSC_0249a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Look at the expression of the drummer second from left...<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The smile, the features... rather clear...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Now, look at the other three drummers in flight...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The stage literally shook, blurring almost all images except the smiling drummer's...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlZ2Rzobsms/TkUjhkfx5tI/AAAAAAAABb8/M6exnuxOJ3k/s1600/DSC_0306a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nlZ2Rzobsms/TkUjhkfx5tI/AAAAAAAABb8/M6exnuxOJ3k/s320/DSC_0306a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> In the final act, as in previous occasions, the leader of Man Ten invited the seven international students to come forward...<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Mere minutes later, he had the students gleefully banging&nbsp;in unison on a 3-3-7&nbsp;rhythm...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> As he spruced the routine up... dancing, Japanese fan in hand...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Exhilarating just to watch... I must say...&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF4im_J6ylw/TkX-vGgIz6I/AAAAAAAABco/tHXBociZ6XE/s1600/DSC_0013aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aF4im_J6ylw/TkX-vGgIz6I/AAAAAAAABco/tHXBociZ6XE/s320/DSC_0013aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Oh yes, the food...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This is the mixed sushi with compliments from the town folks...</div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> There is always so much food there that I normally choose to bring this home to be consumed the following day...&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--sUTIpM6t8M/TkX-yrvEqjI/AAAAAAAABcs/ZjgL_Wrwm6A/s1600/DSC_0051a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--sUTIpM6t8M/TkX-yrvEqjI/AAAAAAAABcs/ZjgL_Wrwm6A/s320/DSC_0051a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Cambodian style&nbsp;stir fry vegetables with beef slices...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I couldn't control myself as I headed for multiple helpings...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> &nbsp;<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUdeyqGgpfI/TkX-1NoAtXI/AAAAAAAABcw/8TBlSpejGD0/s1600/DSC_0054aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wUdeyqGgpfI/TkX-1NoAtXI/AAAAAAAABcw/8TBlSpejGD0/s320/DSC_0054aa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The mabo-tofu,&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Sz</span>echuan style...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Was too engrossed with eating that I forgot taking shots of the Tomyam soup and the Vietnamese curry...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I certainly looked forward to being part of the event again next summer...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-5689413517967169604?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-56967320084940812642011-07-28T20:03:00.003+08:002011-10-10T09:55:55.892+08:002011-10-10T09:55:55.892+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I have always considered myself to be lucky...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In the sense that, my 'suweeto haato' shares the same passion for scuba diving as I do...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGtZ0LYRekE/Ti_6NaX7huI/AAAAAAAABao/PvwUlXkpk_o/s1600/P7130342a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LGtZ0LYRekE/Ti_6NaX7huI/AAAAAAAABao/PvwUlXkpk_o/s320/P7130342a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We particularly enjoy diving the seas off the east side of Sabah...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And what more, we don't have to go far to enjoy the thrills of being underwater...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Here, my suweeto haato was having a good time observing a school of rabbit fishes just below the jetty...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a42NgpulJqQ/Ti_6Vu2ZTKI/AAAAAAAABas/59ZnVc581kk/s1600/P7130242a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a42NgpulJqQ/Ti_6Vu2ZTKI/AAAAAAAABas/59ZnVc581kk/s320/P7130242a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Can't remember the name, but these little fishes are such a joy to watch...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They normally position themselves in the rock crevices....</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> which naturally protect them from the currents as well as being preyed upon by their bigger cousins...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQaJ-0-qEx0/Ti_6YpEUuFI/AAAAAAAABaw/RNPCadcKnkE/s1600/P7130223a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQaJ-0-qEx0/Ti_6YpEUuFI/AAAAAAAABaw/RNPCadcKnkE/s320/P7130223a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> At Mabul Island's Paradise One dive site, we were pleasantly surprised to find a moray eel sharing its abode with cleaner shrimps...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Their relationship is somewhat symbiotic in that the shrimps clean the teeth of the moray eel... and I imagine the moray eel 'protects' the shrimps from being eaten by bigger fishes...&nbsp;</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> While I was taking pictures, I could sense the shrimps climbing over to my hand...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shLvs68xRi0/Ti_6gWc7CwI/AAAAAAAABa0/qhpyvoGao5g/s1600/P7130251a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shLvs68xRi0/Ti_6gWc7CwI/AAAAAAAABa0/qhpyvoGao5g/s320/P7130251a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> This cute little puffer fish...again, I have to look up its name in the books...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Was following its movement for several minutes...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Really enjoyed watching it darting here and there...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And can you see the rock 'face' with the left arm up-stretched, index finger pointing upwards, 'kissed' by that little cutie?</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1S9zjlej0A/Ti_6uOS3G8I/AAAAAAAABa4/cAu5GvEoCbA/s1600/P7130560a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1S9zjlej0A/Ti_6uOS3G8I/AAAAAAAABa4/cAu5GvEoCbA/s320/P7130560a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> These little fishes, chromis I think...&nbsp;their colors... so crisp and brilliant...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Ooh, it feels like heaven down there...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikWPVxHizEc/Ti_6zO4jq8I/AAAAAAAABa8/ROjnKTEz-PE/s1600/P7130478a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikWPVxHizEc/Ti_6zO4jq8I/AAAAAAAABa8/ROjnKTEz-PE/s320/P7130478a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> At Paradise Two dive site, there are a couple of these yellow trumpet fishes...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They have this habit of swimming head down...&nbsp;ever ready to snap at an un-suspecting prey...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxj9sDuPgok/Ti_62xjPaTI/AAAAAAAABbA/9kMpa2RC5Hw/s1600/P7130481a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kxj9sDuPgok/Ti_62xjPaTI/AAAAAAAABbA/9kMpa2RC5Hw/s320/P7130481a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The giant clams...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> They come in several different colors and I think the bluish-purple is the most pretty...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> These clams are huge and they are a delicacy in Okinawa and I think, the Philippines...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> They are harvested for their shells as well, which I think is rather sad...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> At the Sunday Market at Gaya Street in KK, there was a stall that specialized in selling only shells...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And people were buying them in droves...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Did a check on them and was very surprised to learn that they have the&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">ability to cultivate plants in their body tissue...</span></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">They apparently feed on the plants themselves...</span></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-5696732008494081264?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-18057614404381869932011-07-21T19:39:00.004+08:002011-07-21T19:40:12.405+08:002011-07-21T19:40:12.405+08:00<div style="text-align: left;"> Just returned three days ago, from a few days' rest at Sabah...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Had always been quite attracted to the charms of Kota Kinabalu city...</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> She is compact enough to discover by just walking around, which is what I like..</div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> Being a coastal city, the breeze comes in thus making the walks quite pleasant...</div> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B22wfBO0CaE/TiVvvkHAIrI/AAAAAAAABYs/GofAOsIR6mA/s1600/P7120072a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B22wfBO0CaE/TiVvvkHAIrI/AAAAAAAABYs/GofAOsIR6mA/s320/P7120072a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> We normally take Malaysia Airlines for our flights back to Malaysia...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> At Kansai International, we caught a glimpse of the cabin crew scurrying away...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjDqSK0p7z4/TiVwF4uPe-I/AAAAAAAABY0/tU4hwb0mYBQ/s1600/P7120089a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjDqSK0p7z4/TiVwF4uPe-I/AAAAAAAABY0/tU4hwb0mYBQ/s320/P7120089a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> For the past few years on our travels, we have been asking for vegetarian meals...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Not just any vegetarian meal, but Hindu Vegetarian, that is...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The main course consisted of grated coconut with okra, curry chick peas, and flagrant rice...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mhbefN3UuW4/TiVwHjqx5uI/AAAAAAAABY4/qz5gDYvCVUM/s1600/P7120094a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mhbefN3UuW4/TiVwHjqx5uI/AAAAAAAABY4/qz5gDYvCVUM/s320/P7120094a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> KK, short for Kota Kinabalu, is quite well known for its food...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> For example, the seafood Tuaran fried noodles...</div> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> I have heard about how good it is and was happy to be able to try it at a supposedly well known shop just behind the Meridien Hotel...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The taste? A little bit greasy, but not too bad...</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yuNsRgyGhQg/TibJ6uoLrbI/AAAAAAAABZw/I8TniIdp66s/s1600/P7120097a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yuNsRgyGhQg/TibJ6uoLrbI/AAAAAAAABZw/I8TniIdp66s/s320/P7120097a.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Also tried the seafood tom yam noodles...</div> The dish looked very spicy, but it was ok....<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZtF3W_T_Gs/TiVwUdr2sZI/AAAAAAAABZA/R56VfZcE7ak/s1600/P7120115a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oZtF3W_T_Gs/TiVwUdr2sZI/AAAAAAAABZA/R56VfZcE7ak/s320/P7120115a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The other thing I like to do while at KK is to walk around the market at the waterfront...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> When the sun starts to go low, the hawkers set up shop...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ll-s84jdPy8/TiVwbwtKaAI/AAAAAAAABZE/uX3Q3kxsjUY/s1600/P7120135a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ll-s84jdPy8/TiVwbwtKaAI/AAAAAAAABZE/uX3Q3kxsjUY/s320/P7120135a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Seafood (again) laid out over a net...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Would have liked to try these but dared not take the risk of having to dash to the toilet....</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcwJqXVhW_E/TiVwnETm92I/AAAAAAAABZI/ZDVcmFEqxkI/s1600/P7120129a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcwJqXVhW_E/TiVwnETm92I/AAAAAAAABZI/ZDVcmFEqxkI/s320/P7120129a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Sitting next to the hawker stalls are the vegetable vendors...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The different types of mushrooms caught my eye...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j70h9YfKRaw/TiVws5pRAYI/AAAAAAAABZQ/Udg4FFs-aMw/s1600/P7120121a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j70h9YfKRaw/TiVws5pRAYI/AAAAAAAABZQ/Udg4FFs-aMw/s320/P7120121a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The mountain of tomatoes...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80RHVbdgKrE/TiVwwDtNAbI/AAAAAAAABZU/wJXWUOexEWQ/s1600/P7120123a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80RHVbdgKrE/TiVwwDtNAbI/AAAAAAAABZU/wJXWUOexEWQ/s320/P7120123a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Fresh veggies of the leafy kind...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> and bitter gourds...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCr0kACEJfE/TibKAE3zV-I/AAAAAAAABZ0/4_oQh8prZ8s/s1600/P7120119a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PCr0kACEJfE/TibKAE3zV-I/AAAAAAAABZ0/4_oQh8prZ8s/s320/P7120119a.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> A kid helping out his dad to carry watermelons...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4XKT_R6dIc/TiVw4RePWMI/AAAAAAAABZY/xf5qgPuhnE8/s1600/P7120152a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F4XKT_R6dIc/TiVw4RePWMI/AAAAAAAABZY/xf5qgPuhnE8/s320/P7120152a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The salt fish market... not surprising as KK is a coastal city...</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> There are loads of stuff being sold here...&nbsp;</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KZB4vlkm2g/TiVxHI0qmJI/AAAAAAAABZk/uMJ-uu77ct4/s1600/P7120148a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KZB4vlkm2g/TiVxHI0qmJI/AAAAAAAABZk/uMJ-uu77ct4/s320/P7120148a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Such as shark fins... they still sell these in broad daylight?</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XttxLpxY4T0/TibKG3y3rfI/AAAAAAAABZ4/D7X10R-PTrc/s1600/P7120149z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XttxLpxY4T0/TibKG3y3rfI/AAAAAAAABZ4/D7X10R-PTrc/s320/P7120149z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: left;"> And sea cucumbers...</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Later on, when we went scuba diving, there was not a single sea cucumber to be seen in the dive sites... guess we know by now where they all ended up...<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAfRRzrlV6U/TigPqFOiEjI/AAAAAAAABaI/3vW_IT5GmEQ/s1600/P7120139a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAfRRzrlV6U/TigPqFOiEjI/AAAAAAAABaI/3vW_IT5GmEQ/s320/P7120139a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> And finally, stole a shot of a worker processing dried shrimps...</div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1805761440438186993?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-11395320608323332392011-07-09T13:04:00.005+08:002011-07-10T19:49:53.461+08:002011-07-10T19:49:53.461+08:00Update #2: Am so happy that the demonstration turned out so well although we must not forget the people who were injured or killed during the event. <br /> <br /> Update #1: As expected, there goes the water canons and the firing of tear gas at un-armed citizens.... this is what the Malaysian police is good at, that is, hitting the people while getting paid by the very same people...calling the Malaysian police mere 'rascals' seems too much of a euphemism...<br /> <br /> Today is a really hot day here in Japan...<br /> <div> Had been working in the potager all morning, planting sweet corn...</div> <div> But my mind keeps thinking about what is going to happen in my beloved country, Malaysia...</div> <div> For today, Malaysians, cutting across ethnic lines, are going to tell the corrupted and inefficient government that we have had enough of their antics, their arrogance, their stupidity, and their contempt for the citizens...&nbsp;</div> <div> Since 1957, Malaysia has been ruled by a single political coalition.</div> <div> This coalition is headed by big-brother UMNO, who calls all the shots...<br /> Little brothers MCA, Gerakan, and MIC in particular, they are merely in the coalition as puppets...</div> <div> Imagine, for more than 50 years, these political rascals have grown to think that Malaysia is their private property.<br /> They seem to think that they can just dictate to people whenever they feel like doing so...</div> <div> At this moment, they are behaving like third world politicians, treating citizens like cattle.&nbsp;</div> <div> Imagine the Japanese police trying to stop people from entering Tokyo...</div> <div> Maybe this can happen during the days of the samurai when roads to Edo (Tokyo) were few and you had to travel by foot or horse...</div> <div> Imagine Japan channeling her resources onto the police force to try to stop citizens from demonstrating for clean and fair elections...<br /> Imagine the Japanese police arresting anyone who wears a tee shirt with a certain color...</div> <div> What stupidity...</div> <div> What arrogance... &nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div> They re-routed the bus lines into KL city, they closed down train stations, they set up barricades on certain trunk roads, they banned almost 100 individuals from even entering KL, they have arrested hundreds of people on flimsy reasons such as plotting to overthrow the king....<br /> Malaysia, my beloved country... you do not deserve this... you do not deserved to be run by these despots... &nbsp;</div> <div> And to think that these are the very same people who want to attract back overseas-Malaysians to the motherland...</div> <div> Yes, with only one condition, that is, we replace you first... we kick you out first... we want you, the whole bunch, out of the government...&nbsp;then, we talk....&nbsp;</div> <div> Meanwhile, on this historic day, I salute the steering committee of Bersih 2.0 for bringing us all to this point...&nbsp;</div> <div> And I really hope that the Malaysian police would not be as stupid as they have been... doing stupid things like blasting water canons on demonstrators and such...</div> <div> But then, I must be dreaming to even hope so...</div> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1139532060832333239?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-89545247347113080222011-06-26T20:16:00.000+08:002011-06-26T20:16:34.602+08:002011-06-26T20:16:34.602+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">The rainy season at where I live normally comes around the month of June...<br /> This year, it has really been very 'rainy'...<br /> The rains had arrived early at the end of May, and we have had rain almost every day since...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoUrCSDJiyU/TfStLnMgHhI/AAAAAAAABW4/hOHNRRR4sU4/s320/DSC_0106a.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">But God is kind...&nbsp;</span>Especially on the one weekend when we had friends over...</div><div style="text-align: left;">There was home-made rice sushi...</div><div style="text-align: left;">which was healthy and tasty...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9iWwYAOCmQ/TfStNimyHoI/AAAAAAAABXE/fIcSASuKihs/s320/DSC_0120a.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My missus made some hotcakes...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Topped with some peanut butter...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Plain, but delicious...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbZ4Pm_derI/TfStNHjEc-I/AAAAAAAABXA/uGEtQt_wT1o/s1600/DSC_0114a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rbZ4Pm_derI/TfStNHjEc-I/AAAAAAAABXA/uGEtQt_wT1o/s320/DSC_0114a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /> <br /> For the fruit course, we simply had the&nbsp;'smile cut'&nbsp;oranges...<br /> <br /> Nothing fancy but an afternoon well spent with friends...<br /> There was some leftovers... fried chicken, boiled egg...<br /> Which came in handy for our lunch the next day...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-8954524734711308022?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-23548184334684810512011-06-08T20:15:00.000+08:002011-06-08T20:15:41.291+08:002011-06-08T20:15:41.291+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One weekend some time ago...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Walked the hills with my suweeto haato...</div><div style="text-align: left;">The spring morning... </div><div style="text-align: left;">simply gorgeous....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WC0zzj9C23E/Te4UuA2YaQI/AAAAAAAABWA/V6lc_07hvtc/s1600/DSC_0474a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WC0zzj9C23E/Te4UuA2YaQI/AAAAAAAABWA/V6lc_07hvtc/s400/DSC_0474a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bright sun, blue skies... </div><div style="text-align: left;">un-interrupted...</div><div style="text-align: left;">In a field left to fallow... </div><div style="text-align: left;">a patch of strawberry torch...&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ3A6j7-PQo/Te4VAAaRZhI/AAAAAAAABWI/3UREevV921Y/s1600/DSC_0486a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ3A6j7-PQo/Te4VAAaRZhI/AAAAAAAABWI/3UREevV921Y/s400/DSC_0486a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Further down the path... </div><div style="text-align: left;">Gently undulating... </div><div style="text-align: left;">a farmhouse in the distance...&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUXyjgfpRmE/Te4VBSwVF_I/AAAAAAAABWM/A9Wf2qka2oY/s1600/DSC_0490a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XUXyjgfpRmE/Te4VBSwVF_I/AAAAAAAABWM/A9Wf2qka2oY/s400/DSC_0490a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Turned a corner... </div><div style="text-align: left;">ah, a fisherman's house...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Octopus urns...</div><div style="text-align: left;">fishnets left to dry...&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOD7HEXIAeg/Te4U_OThjXI/AAAAAAAABWE/pYDQP2-LuFk/s1600/DSC_0502a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WOD7HEXIAeg/Te4U_OThjXI/AAAAAAAABWE/pYDQP2-LuFk/s400/DSC_0502a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Up the hill we paced...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nestled amongst some tall grass...</div><div style="text-align: left;">A Japanese 'guardian angel' awaits...&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Dt5gkD0PD4/Te4VCpBwEMI/AAAAAAAABWQ/1BNCKAEKUPE/s1600/DSC_0493a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Dt5gkD0PD4/Te4VCpBwEMI/AAAAAAAABWQ/1BNCKAEKUPE/s400/DSC_0493a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">A field of leafy greens...</div><div style="text-align: left;">a hill of straw...</div><div style="text-align: left;">the sound of a dog's bark....&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yTI-Ka0BY28/Te4VKCcsW1I/AAAAAAAABWU/3IPOeAYMASg/s1600/DSC_0172a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yTI-Ka0BY28/Te4VKCcsW1I/AAAAAAAABWU/3IPOeAYMASg/s400/DSC_0172a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Up the distance...</div><div style="text-align: left;">A late bloomer of a sakura...</div><div style="text-align: left;">I inhaled deeply... </div><div style="text-align: left;">as we blissfully continued on...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-2354818433468481051?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8909815.post-15746185920999618362011-06-01T14:23:00.004+08:002011-06-02T11:51:35.448+08:002011-06-02T11:51:35.448+08:00Folks, this is a little story that yours truly penned for an internet newspaper focusing on Malaysian&nbsp;affairs...<br /> The topic is, brain drain, so I thought I could&nbsp;offer my two-cents worth...&nbsp; <br /> The original article is found in Malaysian Insider... <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/a-twist-of-fate...-kedah-man-in-japan">A twist of fate… Kedah man in Japan</a><br /> <br /> MAY 30 — Like AC who penned “First love, long lost”, life just happened and before I knew it, I found myself enjoying life outside of Malaysia. <br /> <br /> I am but a padi farmer’s son. I was working in a construction site after obtaining three Ds and one O for my Higher School Certificate in 1979. One day, my older brother handed me an advertisement by Singapore Airlines calling for pilot trainees. Fate had it that it was the last day for the application. It was a Friday and the post offices in Kedah were closed. My nephew drove me all the way from my village to Butterworth on a 100cc motorbike just to post the application letter. I can still recall how my buttocks hurt. <br /> <br /> With rather average scores, I was very surprised that Singapore Airlines called me up for an interview. I miraculously got through that and some other medical checks that followed. Soon, along with a bunch of other Malaysians, I found myself on the way to Manila for pilot training. After being certified as a commercial pilot, it was fate again when the oil crisis in the early 1980s put a stop to the expansion plans of the airline. <br /> Subsequently, we could not operate as pilots and were offered jobs as cabin attendants while waiting for the airline to recall us back to the cockpit. However, it was not to be. Singapore Airlines then offered us study loans to further our studies in the universities of our choice.<br /> <br /> We were supposed to return to the airline after we graduated. Almost all of us went to US universities. Singapore Airlines did ask us to return to the cockpit after we graduated but only a handful of us did. The rest of us found new avenues. As it is, many of my colleagues from the pilot trainee days stayed back in the US. One went to the UK, another to Australia, and perhaps two or three returned to Malaysia. <br /> <br /> I had the opportunity to remain in the US but I decided that I wanted to live in an Asian country, any Asian country. And somehow I had the good fortune of landing myself a scholarship from the Japanese government. To paraphrase AC, life simply occurred. I thoroughly enjoyed my graduate student days in three Japanese universities and made tons of friends, Japanese and otherwise. And as fate would have it, after obtaining my doctorate, one of my alma mater universities offered me a job for six years, after which, I was to return to Malaysia. <br /> <br /> One thing led to another, and yes, before I knew it, I was promoted to become a professor and offered tenure. The next thing after obtaining my tenure was my missus and I bought a property and that really opened up another phase of life for us. <br /> <br /> All my pals in the US, UK, and Australia (and, most likely, those who returned to Singapore Airlines as pilots) have surrendered their Malaysian passports. <br /> <br /> Meanwhile, I choose to remain a Malaysian, heart and soul, and a proud Kedahan at that. I have no intention of giving that up. <br /> <br /> Now, with the government touting the so-called Talent Corporation, would I be enticed to return to Malaysia? I shall touch on only the pull factors here in Japan as many other folks previously wrote about the push factors in Malaysia. There are three factors from my point of view. <br /> <br /> First… from the professional aspect, there is probably zero chance of me returning. I have a “permanent” job here in a Japanese national university. I take pleasure in working with my Japanese subordinates and colleagues. I get a lot of respect from the Japanese community as a professor in a national university. It would be extremely hard to surrender what I have now in order to look for a job in Malaysia. <br /> <br /> Second… socially speaking, I am thoroughly enjoying myself as a foreign resident in Japan. I am a permanent resident and except for the voting rights, I am on par with the locals. The public service is excellent and fair, while the people are extremely courteous and polite, and a joy to live with. To top this up, we are very lucky to find ourselves living among friendly and sociable neighbours. I have absolutely no complaints in this regard and would very much like to continue living under such favourable conditions. <br /> <br /> Third… on a private basis, we are blessed with a sizable vegetable and fruit garden in our property. I cherish spending time and energy tilling the soil and cultivating the plants in the garden. To be able to do this in Japan as a Malaysian thrills me to no end and life simply could not be better. These too will be very difficult to give up for now. <br /> <br /> Still, I do yearn for Malaysia and return home about twice a year for vacations. On every visit, I have always come away with the feeling that Malaysia is indeed a beautiful country. Perhaps when I retire from my job here in Japan, I might want to return home to further “re-discover” the many splendours of my beloved homeland. <br /> <br /> Finally, on my hopes for a better Malaysia, I truly pray for a change in the government. I have faith in the people who have realised the folly of the crop of politicians in the present government. I am rooting for the folks in Pakatan Rakyat, for sure. These are the folks whom I believe can truly bring about a positive turn for my beloved country.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8909815-1574618592099961836?l=lronglim.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Lronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16071380270069499888noreply@blogger.com18