A Man Without Borders

Urbanized People Seems To Care Less

2010-05-07T13:48:00.000+08:00

Well..go on reading. If your finished and do not like what was said, please comment. Probably most of you will not continue reading but that was how I describe you.

Hit and Ran is bad but what makes it worst when there is a dozen of people witness it and did not offer aid. Either they care less or do not wish to get involved. Last week I witness one accident. Today's News another such incident but not hit and ran case, it was "See, Saw and Fuck Off"

20 years ago when returning from camp duty, my man left on his bike and got home. We were travelling the same road back but he was ahead. 5 mins later I saw him laying on a cross junction. He had met an accident with a taxi. There were 2 cars held up behind the accident but I did not see anyone attended to him. All I saw and heard was people standing around murmuring about the accident.

When I got to my man, he was unconscious then came along a Filipino business man who was a passenger in the taxi. He started complaining to me about my man and his action while I was trying to help. I was freaking furious and fucked the guy off and told him to shut up but to call for an ambulance. Believe it or not, 5mins into the accident, no one called for an ambulance. There wasn't any time to listen all these bullshit. My man live was at stake, I checked his pulse and breathing and from my observation, he had a broken arm because it was twisted. His thigh bone had a compound fracture, that means the bone was sticking out of his flesh. There was little I can do. All I did was to prevent him going into shock by layering a bike poncho until the ambulance arrived. He was in the hospital for 6 months and 1 year later he was discharged by the Navy. Today he survived the accident but at a cost, his thigh recovered but his arm had a nerve damage.

The moral of the story. As a city dweller, how much do you really care? In a city burst with full of information, gateway to the fastest broadband, home to McDonald's are you busy just trying to survive the city and ripping people off? Do you really care the people around you or does it have to be someone you know. Today's modern city is full of lies and deceiving people. I have grown up from a 3rd world city to 1st class world city. I can only say, these transformation have changed the way people lived. People became care less and the only action they more is complain and complain.

Internet has become the world's worst disease, myself is infected too. Either you learn good information from it or you just sits behind and chat or play games. People who sits behind facebook or MSN are mostly full of shit. What do they really care, their country? their family? their life? All they do is write up some bullshit stuff and hope to get reply from others. All they want is to get attention but frankly, nobody really cares unless they are your true friends. Use the internet to the fullest, there are tons of information you can learn such as first aid and survival. You might able to help someone or even your love ones one day.

Space 1999

2010-04-29T01:42:00.000+08:00

This was my first Sci-Fi movie 30 years ago, not sure how many of you remembered it. I used to draw the Eagles and stick men fighting the evil..LOL

Siboy ~~ New Family member

2010-02-25T01:21:00.001+08:00

viewing Sunset at Tianan Beach park

Found Siboy in Hualien Beach Park when we were camping out in our Delica, guess he is around 3 months old. He had another four helpless abandon siblings who were all fury black except Siboy. We decided to take pity on them but we can only bring one with us. So Siboy was the chosen one. He was infested with ticks but after purchasing a tick spray and had he totally soaked in it, it got better. Someone was telling us we found a great dog, he sighted by looking at the bristle below his lower jaw. Well....so far Siboy had been great...he doesn't bark much.

Hualien Beach Park

He had been on the front seat for the last 3 days of our journey

Siboy first night market visit in Danshui

My Birthday Again!!

2010-02-24T23:32:00.000+08:00

Not a good year for me I guess, not for the Monkey in the year of the Tiger. Even I do not believe all these myth but after encountering few setbacks, guess I have to agree to some point. My year is SHIT!!

After doing a small business during Chinese New Year, our income was stolen in Hualien when we decided to do a round island trip. Even before this business trip, I received an unpleasure news back home and few other thing that happen down the road. So today when we arrive back home after 11days round island, I decided to visit the Temple to pay respect to Tai Sui. Feng Shui says... I need to stay low and be humble if I wish my year to pass by blissfully. Sigh.... Is another Tiger back home roaring my back??

Thank you all for sending the birthday greetings......

Here I burnt my offering to the Gods to beg for mercy

My First 4 Wheel Mitsubishi Delica Starwagon

2010-01-13T22:38:00.002+08:00

Guess my Christmas wish came true.... My first 4 wheel vehicle Mitsubishi Delica 4WD 2.5 Turbo-charged

Mitsubishi Delica was originally made for Japanese market. Somehow when they introduced to Taiwan, there was an overwhelming response. Today you can find them in Philippines, China, Taiwan and Japan. In UK, Australia and Canada they are all second hand imported mostly from Japan. You do not find these vehicle in Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand. Since 2007, Taiwan had stopped producing them and the new Delica D5 starts to take shape.

What is so great about this vehicle? Currently most of the rescue teams in Taiwan owns them. With 4 wheel drive, they have the ability to cross rivers, going off-road and carry heavy gears with them. As I am a outdoor person, I found it is the most ideal vehicle to own. I packed 3 mountain bike and camping gears in it and off we went to the mountain.

Paid around SGD5400 for a 12 year old vehicle. I can't complain much about the exterior but if I made a profit, I would have her repainted, probably white in colour. The 2.4 Auto gear Turbo-charged Diesel engine seems pretty interesting but somehow after a 1000km drive around the mountain road, I found it was not performing well. I suspected the valve clearance are out and probably the turbo-charger has too much clearance. So before coming back to Singapore, I decided to leave in the workshop to have everything check out, belting all change and radiator flush. But before I carried out these work I told the workshop engineer I like to witness the compression readings on all 4 cylinders just to be sure there are no other problems on the piston rings or cyclinder liners. I was pleased with the readings and it came out healthy around 34kg/cm2. I understood from Mitsubishi workshop that they have completed her service and I just can't wait to get back and drive her.

On 10 Dec when my father passed away, I had a friend who owns the same model to give a test drive. I was pleased with the test drive and I decided to confirm the purchase. A week later in the middle of the night, something was going around my head about the vehicle plate nos. I had a strange feeling that these nos correspond to my late father's birthday. I got up and check my diary, it was his birth date June 22!!

I sat on my desk, poured me a glass of whisky an couldn't believe my eye.....Did my father led me to buying this vehicle. When I was young my dad started his own business and he bought a van to go around. I was planning to the same using this vehicle for mobile business.... Coincident or what?!!

.
My son really enjoy this vehicle. During long journey, he had so much space and was able to stretched his legs. My partner said the passenger seat was comfortable unlike saloon car seat which is too low. The vehicle height standing at 2.1mtr gave us good views, we were able to view across the bridge barrier and see what is below.

There was supposed to be another roll of seat at the rear but was remove by previous owner, it gave enough space to packed atleast 4 mountain bike and gears. A good friend told me that he has the last roll seat and can loan it to me if I needed. I would be able to pick 7 passenger. So guys, next time you in Taiwan... Let go for a joy ride.

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-03T18:53:00.002+08:00

A trip to the world tallest building Taipei 101 to witness the 2010 New Year's fireworks. It was once in a life time trip to watch fireworks off the world tallest building. On 4th Jan 2010, Burj Dubai will be offically the tallest building.

sorry about the vid. Forgot I cannot rotate vid from PC when formatting :(

at 9pm, you already find people picking their best spot to view the fireworks

We were glad we parked out vehicle away from the city and cycled 2Km into town. The whole place around 101 Taipei was very crowded and party was almost everywhere. I must say the party is far better than what is happening in Singapore. Scored of Disco pubs blasting their music and launching their owned fireworks. After the fireworks, the road were all jammed pack and even the scooters had problem navigating through the traffic, that is where our bicycle came in handy.

When I was young, I remembered my father used to take me to Neptune and sat on the rooftop to watch the firework. I am glad I am giving my kid an experience of a life time....

Father and Son

2009-12-15T22:31:00.005+08:00

James Chew Keng Peng

My father, James Chew Keng Peng left us on Dec 10 2009. He was born on 22nd June 1947. Just a week ago, I came back to Singapore and met my old man. 5 days later after returning to Taiwan with my son, my sister left a MSN message that he was admitted to hospital and I had a strange feeling that something is going to happen. The next day it just happened....He is gone.

My father was not really a father figure to me, he only felt responsible to get me educated and when my wings are ready, he wants me out. When I was young, before my sister came into this world, my old man was like a monster, he would beat me and my mother. I still remembered when I was 6 years old when I was stripped down in the toilet and beaten with a rubber hose, my hand was brunt for stealing his money, my head was shaved half bald because I failed my PSLE examination. I hated him, I wish him dead. I told myself I was never going to be like him. I am not him and will never be him.

In some ways, I am glad he did that to me. I learnt to be strong on my own. There were many things happened in my life even my sister or my mother do not understand me. My dad left a stigma in me, I tried very hard to control myself not to be violence but in my last marriage I was put into a test and I failed. Till today, I hated myself what I did to my ex-wife. She too did not understand my past, the words I told her about my life, no one could understand the pain that I have gone through. I still have the monster in me, the stigma is still there and can never be erased. I can only try my best to control it.

During his time of death, I was asked to return to Singapore but somehow I refused. I know many of you will hate my guts for doing that. Some one told me is the respect I have to give and is the duty of a son to send my old man off. Do I only have to show him the respect when he is dead? I am glad I did something with him when he was alive. We did spend sometime in Sabah visiting his brother. Exactly one year ago, he was in Taiwan with my kids. As a father to my kids, I want them to spend sometime with my old man to know more about their grandfather and also to give my father a chance to be a father. During the time in Taiwan, he had fits and my kids got scared, later I went to check on him and found he had shitted on the bed. Me and my partner had to clean his shit up. Did his wife clean his shit or anyone?? After all the shit he gave me when I was young and today I cleaned his shit. I am glad my kids saw me doing that. I still respected the old man when he was alive.

Today my son is with me in Taiwan for a break, we just came back from a 4 days camping trip doing nothing. I sat in the night looking at the starry sky, thinking back when I was young what had my father did for me, I can't find many answers. As for the moment now I don't know when me and my kids can spend these quality time again. Since my son is here, I will try as much to show him love and teaches him new stuff in his life, hoping one day he can do the same for his children. I do not wish to give up my chance with my son and visit my old man's funeral. My father is already dead but my son is still alive and living to be a father one day. I want to show him how wonderful a father can be and not what I have gone through. Teach him how to respect the living and the mother nature that surround us. I do wish my daughter is with us so I can do the same for her.

My sister wrote something on my facebook and said I did not pull the plug on my father which I did requested that she do it. I can't be there to do it and if I was there I would do it. Maybe I heard her last message wrongly but in my heart I already pulled the plug. The last few trips with father, we had a good chat. He wanted to die simply and not going through the pain. There were 2 women in his life, the past and present. He was torn between his religion and he will never agree to a divorce and the other woman whom he loved in the past, he decided to treat her as a sister but in his heart he merely finding excuses. My father's life was all about woman and I would say today his death was about woman. He would rather die than having a divorce. All I can say my old man....you die in vain. May God have Mercy on your Soul. After all I did love you. You should have given your time to your children.....

2004 Birthday

Marine Aquatic Aquarium

2009-11-23T13:56:00.001+08:00

I have always wanted a Marine Aquatic Aquarium, I knew it was not an easy task looking after such aquarium. Last weekend in Kenting, I caught a few hermit crabs and felt the were alittle cramp in my fruit bowl. So yesterday evening I decided to purchase a small aquarium for them. Got the tank, water filter, a blue lamp and 2 bags of sea water for around NT789 (SGD35).

Currently in my tank, there are 7 hermit crabs, 1 slug and 2 tiny crabs which they somehow got caught while scooping some beach sand in Kenting.

Hermit crab having a squid feast

one of the tiny white crab

slug

This morning I woke up and found a mysterious guest...some kind of green spiky slug

Ancestry 周 (Zhou)

2009-11-12T16:19:00.006+08:00

I am Zhou "周" the 29th Generation of this family tree. My grandfather comes from the island "Hainan" thus I am Hainanese.

Chinese civilisation evolved thousand of years ago and today it is one the the biggest immigrants throughout the whole world. From Latin America to New Zealand, you can find Chinese immigrants everywhere. There are many history that has not been uncovered or simply stop dead in the thread. But for my Ancestry, I thanked my Grandfather for not stopping the thread. I am determine to do the same.

I came to realise that people living in the modern world have all forgotten where they came from including myself. They are either to busy trying to pick up their paces so that they are not left behind in the society or they are too engross making money in hope for a better living.

Most of the people I have spoken to, either they do not know their roots or they simply refuse to accept the fact. My friends from Singapore and Taiwan seems to be thinking a like. Both inhabitant of these islands are immigrants. Their ancestry roots are from China however they have treated these islands as their home, build beautiful nest around it and settled down and nothing to do with their ancestry.

In Singapore people have been living very comfortably for the last few decades. Today's generation doesn't seem to be bothered who they are or where they are from. They are either happily engrossed in the world of IT or partying with friends. Most of them do not know their true heritage, culture is lost and identities are forgotten.

In Taiwan, most people think they are a sovereign country and they are not part of China. When asked about their ancestry, most who say they are either the 2nd or 3rd generation in Taiwan and have no knowledge or denied their ancestry in China. The only common answers they might said their father or grandfather was from a certain province in China. Well..at least better than most Singaporean who do not even know that.

Getting the facts from these inhabitants on these islands, it is clearly shown that developed countries and people living in cities either they do forget themselves or they deliberately not wanting to know more. For most, they believed are living in a real world where only money matters. I can't blame these people but it is the society and the governance of the country that changes people.

I have to admit I was once just like these people, too busy with work just to make more money so that my family can have a better living. I do not know my Chinese heritage at all until I met my partner who is a Taiwanese, I started to pay a little more attention. When my grandfather passed away, he left a note to all his sons who are the 28th generation of the "周" family tree. In his note, he had laid down part of the generation names for our families to follow. With my partner assistance, here it says....

纉緒成德經世安邦家修朝獻五世其昌
(纉緒成)From the beginning to the end (德經世安)Virtue through peace and health (邦家修)build home country (修朝獻五世) towards 5 generations (其昌)prosperity

My 周 (Zhou) Generations
24th 纉 tzoan
25th 緒 xu
26th 成 cheng

27th 德 de
周德?

28th 經 jing
周經軒(Chew Keng Hin)
??
??
??
??
??
周經平(Chew Keng Peng)
??

29th 世 shi
周世新(Chew Tee Shen)
周丽娟 (Chew Lee Kin)
周世珍(Chew Tee Chin)
周世友(Chew Tee Yew)
周世誼(Chew Tee Ngee)
周世寶(Chew Tee Poh)
(Chew Poh Geok)
??
??
??
??

30th 安 an
周淑丽(Stacey Charlene Chew) Zhou Shu Li
周安瑞(Scott Ryan Chew) Zhou An Rui
周安康(Chew An Kang)
周安盛(Chew An Sheng)

31th 邦 bang
32th 家 jia
33th 修 xiu
34th 朝 chao
35th 獻 xian
36th 五 wu
37th 世 shi
38th 其 qi
39th 昌 chang

So far these are the names that I remembered, will follow on my research to complete it. I hope my children and their children will follow these ancestry names.

Zhou is one of the top 9 family names. Join the Zhou Family Clan in Facebook

Chinese : one of the oldest Chinese surnames, already being the name of the Zhou dynasty (1122–221 bc), when many current Chinese surnames first came into use.
According to legend, Jiang Yuan, a concubine of the legendary emperor Ku in the 25th century bc, accidentally stepped in the imprint of a god’s big toe, which impregnated her. Not wanting such a child, she abandoned the newborn baby, Hou Ji, in the wilderness. The infant was protected from the elements by the wings of eagles and was suckled on the milk of cows and sheep. He learned how to grow grain, and became the minister of agriculture under the legendary emperor Yao. His clan eventually settled in a city named Zhouyuan, in present-day Shaanxi province in western China.
Under the influence of the name of the city, they came to be known as the Zhou, even though their surname was originally Ji. This situation lasted for over a millennium until a descendant, the famed virtuous Duke Wu Wang, changed his surname to Zhou, and his son established the Zhou dynasty.
Zhou Enlai, premier of China from 1949 to 1976, belonged to this clan.

Giant Trance X zero

2009-11-10T15:15:00.006+08:00

Back in Oct 2008, after almost one year of reading up about the new Giant Trance, I finally decided to get myself one. I was very reluctant to get the complete bike due to the cost. In Singapore the Trance XO was selling for SGD5200 but in Taiwan, home of the Giant it cost SGD200 more. The complete Trance comes with great setup but I was not ready to give up my 05 XTR group set which I had spent money on the Giant NRS. So I headed to Tay Cycle in Singapore and got the frame itself for SGD2000.

The original Trance weighs amazingly 11.5kg but my whole setup was 12.5kg. Maybe it was due to the weigh of the rims. Currently I have Mavic 717. I prefer conventional 36 spokes rims as it will be easier to replace broken spokes. The Crossmax rim sure weighs lesser but cost twice as much.As for the tries, the WTB Weirwolf DNA 2.1 had been giving confidence over the last few years. Back home with muddy terrain and riding over overgrown roots, it had prove itself with great traction. Before I came over to Taiwan I wanted to get another set but somehow both Singapore and Taiwan had stop importing them. I ended up ordering from REI for USD50. 5 yrs on these DNA tires and it had never given me a flat except for one time when I got nailed.

Orignal Trance XO Setup (My set up)
size XS (14.5), S (16), M (18), L 20), XL (22)
color Silver / Anodizedframe ALUXX SL Aluminum, 5.0" Maestro Suspension.

fork Fox 32 F120RL, 120mm travel (Fox 06 Talas RLC 140mm)
shock Fox Float RP23
handlebar Race Face Deus XC low rise, 31.8mm (Easton Monkeylite XC low rise)
stem Race Face Deus XC, 31.8mm (Easton EA70)
seatpost Race Face Deus XC, 350 x 30.9mm (Easton EA90)
saddle WTB Devo Carbon w/Ti rails (WTB Lazer)
pedals N/A (Crank Bro Eggbeater)
shifters Shimano XT Rapidfire (Shimano 05 XTR Dual Shifter)
front derailleur Shimano XT (Shimano 05 XTR)
rear derailleur Shimano XTR, top normal (Shimano 05 XTR)
brakes Avid Juicy 7, Disc 180F/160R (Shimano 05 XTR Dual Shifter)
levers Avidcassette Shimano XT 11-34T, 9-speed (SRAM)
chain Shimano HG-73
cranks Race Face Deus XC, 22/32/44 (Shimano 05 XTR)
BB Race Face X Type, external (Shimano 05 XTR)
rims Mavic CrossMax ST (Mavic 717)
hubs Mavic CrossMax ST (Shimano 05 XTR)
spokes Mavic CrossMax ST (DT Swiss)
tires Kenda Nevegal, 26x2.1 folding (WTB Wierwoft DNA 2.1)

Overall with both from and back 5 inch travel and a high speed rocky terrain had prove to be effective. I still need to setup on the compression and rebound alittle more for the terrain. Otherwise I am perfectly satisfied.

Giant Trance XO
Bike Magic review

My Trance in action

Misery

2009-11-06T02:19:00.001+08:00

Life can only be so much, you gave life and love and in the end they turned their heads against you.
What is the pleasure of loving someone when they are not even interested. I Sigh my despair....

I can only blame myself for not trying hard enough. I am prepare to resign life but not at these cost.
Why is my most beloved turned deaf ears. Were they brain washed or are they simply not intersted in me. I can only say my soul and mind is dying.....Who should I blame.....ME!!

Singapore Laksa made easy

2009-10-07T11:45:00.000+08:00

Oh man.... I got too many craving for my home food but thank god I can still find some over here in Taiwan. Just the other day while shopping for food at the supermart, I came across a very distinct smell... the smell of coconut gravy .... the smell of belacan with a lethal dose of dried prawns. I followed my nose till I came across this lady giving out free sample of food. I cut the queue short and when to investigate her Pot. OH MY GOD!!! IS SINGAPORE LAKSA !!! But then... I stopped short and asked the lady where is the See-Hum (cockles)??!! Taiwan got no See-Hum!!!! Mai hum Mai Hum!!! I miss See-Hum!!!
In the end I brought back the mix and when to work on it immediately.

Tau Pok is a must. (Taiwanese called oil tofu 油豆腐)

bean sprouts

fresh prawns, shredded chicken meat and "hum-ma" (cockles will be the most ideal choice)

can't find chor beehoon so ended up using their mee tai-mak

no laska leaves so I used Thai Basil

simmering the mix with prawn head and tou pok till the gravy soak in

another yummy but I need SEE-HUM!!!!

This Prima mix is rock solid. The taste and texture of the gravy could beat any Laska hawker stall in Singapore. The package comes with 3 pack; laska mix, coconut powder and sambal.

I would recommend that you use 3/4 of the coconut powder otherwise it will overpower the taste of the lasak. I bought 3 packet that cost NTD399 which is around SGD20. Each pack could served 3 person thus 1 serving of Laska is NTD133 plus ingrident.....NTD200!!!

OMG...1 bowl of Singapore Laksa cost me almost SGD10!!!

Fried Mee Siam

2009-10-06T11:17:00.000+08:00

Here is another one of my craving dish. In Singapore they come both in wet and dry version. I preferred the Chinese Mee Siam, the Malay Mee Siam tends to be much sweeter. The secret of the taste likes with the belacan, dried prawns, tou-chu and tamarind juice. The Fried Mee Siam was originated from the Nyonya.

Fried Mee Siam with Sambal Tumis... simply yummy

Tthe dried prawns found in Taiwan are really fresh and does not smell. The dried meat is not too hard and you can actually eat it as a snack.

this is the wet version... btw I did not cook this but stole this pic somewhere here

Here is a Humour video from our Prime Minister Lee

Sambal Tumis Made in Taiwan

2009-09-29T09:46:00.000+08:00

Finally I perfected the Sambal Chili!!! Not the kind of Nasi Lemak sambal chili that you get in Singapore which is too dark in color and too sweet but the Malaysian style, spicy and aromatic. This sambal brings me back to Terengganu, Rantau Abang. There I used to frequent the Awang's Chalet, a simple lay back Malay style chalet. In the morning I would head up to the main road and grab this simple Macik's nasi lemak, a common breakfast meal in Malaysia. Damn.. shiok!!! Rock your brain OUT!!

my power breadfast.....sambal tumis with onion, ikan bilis, hard boiled eggs and plain rice.

To get the perfect taste, you have to mix them all up.

(crap just finished my breadfast otherwise I would have another picture)

After seeking advise from my ex-wife's friend, Liz. I did further search on the Internet and try-outs. The secret lies with the balacan and chili. I had used fresh red chillies and dried Thai bird eyes chilli. This mix will then create the freshness of the sambal and the killer spiciness from the dried chilli. Next is the onions which I used a fraction of red onions, garlic and plenty of shallots. As for the taste, sugar, salt and tamrind juice is all up too you. Once you get that right, you will create a power pack SAMBAL TUMIS which you can cook with ikan bilis, cuttlefish, hard boiled eggs, prawns...etc.

So here it is the Malaysian style breadfirst...

PS I made another dish last night...chicken satay, my partner's family loves it. I will made few more sticks for my biking friends for this coming Friday's Moon festival BBQ. I don't think they can handle this sambal but I will bring down and let them try. Most Taiwanese don't handle chilli very well.

Back to Nature for a Break

2009-09-22T17:53:00.004+08:00

Well.... finally the Taiwan school breaks are over. Last week end spent 4 days camping in Kenting basically doing nothing. But before that we drop by a waterfall along the way. It was real refreshing break, back to nature and enjoy the views of mother nature. Well atleast I did something nobel, freed a bird that was caught in an illegal netting.

I was camping at the same campsite when my kids was here in June. Looking at the place we had spent those nights, I was really missing them. Hope we can spend sometime again during their Dec school break.

Peranakan

2009-09-15T05:25:00.002+08:00

My grandma was a Peranakan. I always thought that Peranakan are descendent from the colonial time in Malaka.
Just the other day while I was watching Discovery Travel about Malacca, they mentioned that Perankan are cross marriage between a Chinese and Malay.

My grandma who since passed away had not taught me much about the culture. I came to understand that Peranakan woman are known as Nyonya and the man as Baba. In Paranakan culture, there is great expectation from a Nyonya, they expect the lady to have the best culinary skills before they can be married to a Baba....wow, maybe that explain my expectation for food.

I have 2 kids, their mother is a Brunei Malay and I am a Singapore Chinese. Just like my grandma, are my kids now known as Peranakan; a Nyonya and Baba? This will be a culture shock for us.

Here is the Peranakan link

Indian Curry Fish Head

2009-09-07T14:09:00.003+08:00

Finally after almost 1 year of missing this dish, I have managed to cook for myself. The taste was so close to the Indian Restaurant that I often frequent. I love Indian curry fish head, the tenderness of the meat on the fish cheek, the juicy eye ball, the texture of ladies fingers is simply so yummy.

What I miss out in this dish is the Indian Papadam and banana leaf. The way to enjoy this dish is to serve your steamy rice on a banana leaf, have the sour curry fish gravy over your rice and you dip it with you fingers. Getting fresh fish head is not a problem here in Taiwan, most of the seafood are fresh but the price is twice as high compare to back home in Singapore. For a halved Red Snapper fish head it costed NTD190 (SGD9.00) which I would have paid for a complete fish head back home. But anyhow, the dish was rewarding.

For that I like to thanks my Ex for getting the Baba's Seafood Curry Powder back in Singapore. Without this seafood curry powder, I would never achieved the unique taste. Getting a good curry powder is still a daunting task in Taiwan. Not that I can't find it but the curry powder but it is so different, it just simply lack of the strong aroma. I find that cooking curry is the easiest and the taste is so unique. The only problem is that you need to get the right ingredient. My kids simply love my chicken curry and so are some of my friends here in Taiwan.

For the past 8 months, I have been looking for fresh curry leaves. I had managed to find the dried version but it lack of the aroma. 2 day ago I managed to find fresh curry leaves on the internet. Somewhere in Taichung, there a nursery garden sells it. They sell a 5" pot curry plant that is about half a meter high for NTD110. Looks like the whole pot of curry tree will be coming my way soon.

Pandan Leaves, lemon grass and lemon leaves are now my remaining quest before I can cook myself a South East Asian dish!! Do let me know if you know where I can find them in Taiwan.

Humanitarian Aid

2009-08-17T15:25:00.005+08:00

After waiting for a week trying to see how I can help these people in Taiwan and finally our bike club decided to head to Maolin disaster area to lend a helping hand. I spent the weekend helping these folks sending the supplies through the damage rugged roads. Read more with pictures

Helping the Needed

2009-08-11T10:45:00.007+08:00

After hearing the news for the last 4 days about the Typhoon and the destruction around the island, Taiwan. The worst hit area are in Taitung, Pintung, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Chiayi Counties. Thousand of lives are in despair, villages been swept away, mountain crumbled and buried those in her path. I can't help sitting around doing nothing. I really wish I could be there to give these people a helping hand. After hearing from the radio they would need clothes, blankets etc, I decided to donate 2 nos of my sleeping bags. So I decided to head down the Kaohsiung City Hall and hand over those items. Here are some pictures at he relief center

a receipt of my donation

Typhoon Morakot

2009-08-07T18:03:00.003+08:00

So, what is everybody doing during a Typhoon. For some they will hide in their comfortable home and for others like me, I would like to feel mother nature's fury. Coming from an island that is free from mother nature's fury I have yet to have a real taste. Since the last 3 years in Taiwan, today I am so tempted to drive down to the east coast and have a face to face with mother nature to feel her roar, her strength and the power of the waves.

Well some of you might call me silly but you can't blame a guy who had never tasted any of these before. Those day back home I would wait for the monsoon to hit Malaysia and flooding the village, I would then set off riding my off-road bike down the east coast of Malaysia all the way to Thailand. I missed watching the coconut trees swaying against the wind and the waves beating the beaches. Gone are those days when Singapore had the nature surrounded her.....alas today all is left is just a concrete jungle.

Here I am, under the heavy rain and a wind of force 12 out doing shopping for my chocolate ice-cream, a frozen pack of mutton soup for dinner and not forgetting the beers from 7-11 behind me. Actaully is not that bad here in Kaohsiung, but those poor chaps up north will have a hell of a time as Typhoon Morakot 莫拉克 passes by them in the evening 7 Aug 2009.

There will be more news after the Typhoon Morakot leaves the island from major landslide and flooding. So if you are interested in the news, click the link below.

Here are more post on Typhoon Morakot 莫拉克 with detail updates

A short hike to Yuan Yang Waterfall 鴛鴦瀑布

2009-07-26T15:35:00.004+08:00

I was supposed to join my friends on an off-road biking to a waterfall but somehow I had overslept. I decided to drive to the location instead and hope I could meet up with them.

So armed with my GPS and drove around 50km to the location I manage to find the place. Then it was a short hike around 2.9Km and the weather was wonderful. The trail we took, I did not think my friends could have come this way. There were not tyre marks on the trail, I thought they could have change their mind. Anyway I decided to press-on and finally I found them near the waterfall. They were about to leave but insisited the should stay back and try my home-cooked curry which I had brought along and I am glad they had enjoyed my curry.

Friends back Home

2009-07-22T10:51:00.011+08:00

2nd July 2009, on request of my friend, Kelvin who had paid for my ticket back home. I returned back to Singapore to celebrate his 40th Birthday on 3rd July 2009. Kelvin and me had tested our friendship over the last 10 years and not until I left my last company, our friendship started to grow. He had been a great friend in many ways.

My 10 days back in Singapore had been great, I was able to catch up with friends that I have not seen for a while and also to meet friends that I had been playing on Xbox Live.

But most of all was able to see my kids again and was able to catch up with my oldest lost friend.

Kelvin's 40th Birthday together with his closest staff and friends

Irwin is a very dear friend and he is the godfather to my son. He currently runs a Music School

Breden, my 12 years senior monkey partner. I knew Breden thru work, both of us enjoyed bike touring and we have done couple of trip to Malaysia and Thailand. I really enjoyed my time with this monkey.

Freddy, Cliff and Froggy. They are my closest off-road biker friends for the last 15 years

Freddy had given up off-road biking for mountain biking. We had many MTB fun days

Cliff is still in his world of off-road biking but since he had started his family, he hardly had time for his bike. I am still waiting for him so we can hit the Malaysia off-road trial one more time.

Froggy too had given up off-road biking and took up MTB. We did one long distance biking trip from Singapore to Phuket back in Christmas 2000.

This is Josephine and her son, she have given 4 boys to Cliff...wow, what a woman

These are my new found friends from Xbox Live. Most of the time we would just play Gears of War together

Left to right: nats25, eelmarksg, scykoe, KongKK, SCX2000JR, fy sg, SCX2000SR, xx prokid xx, kAkaShi style27

It was great to finally meet you guys in person!!

and finally my dream girl Karan. She was my first date back 27 years ago in secondary school but we never took off.

Since then I have been searching for her and only last 5 years I saw her by chance. Finally we had time together and so many tales to tell. I do hope our freindship could last forever.

You guys had been great pals and in some ways you have stood by my side when needed. I will be there for you if you need me.

LONG LIVE OUR FRIENDSHIP!!

Reunion with my Kids

2009-06-28T12:57:00.022+08:00

On 2nd June 2009, my kids had arrived to Kaohsiung, Taiwan to spend the next 3 week plus with me. We had plenty of outdoor fun from biking, camping to river rafting. Below are the pictures with links to more detail activities.

(click the link below the picture for more details)

Biking around Kaohsiung

Biking 120Km from Kaohsiung to Kenting and later camp there

Camping in Chiayi Farm and Sentokan Idea Living Farm

Camping in Saijia Recreation Park

Dulukuan Water Theme Park

Drove up the mountain to visit Wutai Aboriginal village

River Rafting in Laonong River

Camping at Baolai Hot Spa Village

Camping along the river YuSui Hot Spring

Driving along Southern Cross-Island Highway 20 before Typhoon hit us

The last few days we bike another 40Km around Kaohsiung City before they headed back home on the 26 Jun.

~~~~~Daddy misses u!!~~~~~

Singapore Now and Then

2009-04-03T07:19:00.009+08:00

This a video footage of Singapore in 1938, 30years before I was born on this island. My grandfather had traveled from Hainan, China and decided to make this island home. He had later brought with him his elder son and wife to reside on the island. Over the years he raised 7 sons and 2 daughters. He had since passed away 12year ago just after I gave him, his great grand daughter, Charlene. I am happy that I was the only grandson that was able to let him see the fruit of his labour.

5 years after the above film footage came the war. To my surprise while doing a research of war, the invasion of Malaya and Singapore planning was stage from the Formosan Island, Taiwan by a Colonel named Tsuji Masanobu. This information can be found here. Taiwan was at that time under the Japanese rule and had ruled the island for 50 years 1895-1945. The Japanese invaders came by land with 150 tanks, 30 000 troops and 18,000 bicycles while the British forces was 3 times the size. However the real figures of the troops has been challenge by POW Taiwan website. They had indicated the Japanese had more than 200,000 troops. Even then, the real defeat of Malaya and Singapore was the bicycles. The Japanese troops had invaded each town in Malaya by bicycles. Below are the footage on Japanese Invasion of Malaya

Part 1...

Part 2....

Part 3.....

Singapore was renamed Syonan - Light of the South by the Japanese Invaders

Singapore Today.....

A Tribute...

My Fitness

2009-03-25T15:25:00.006+08:00

I happened to stumble upon this blog, Adventure Normad and after reading Ken's profile and blog I started asking myself, isn't that what I like to be since young??!!.. be fit and adventurous.

Looking back the last 3 months staying in Taiwan and joining the local bike club rides. I realised I was way out of fitness. In the beginning I thought..yeah, Singapore has no mountain so if you can't keep up the 9km uphill mountain ride is OK and can take time to catch up. Oh well...my old knee injury from my bike accident is keeping me back too......Is that a god damn excuse??!!

Yesterday morning I left a message on Ken's blog

scx has left a new comment on the post "Pierce Trail Run":

I really admire you guys with such fitness. I have always wish I could be one but lack of discipline. Did you join the Sabah Adventure Race, Ken? In your opinion which is the most demanding race on the planet, forget Marathon.

and here is Ken's reply

Ken has left a new comment on the post "Pierce Trail Run":

Hi Spencer,

Ooh... a loaded question...

I'm going to have to say that every race brings its own unique challenges, and it is how you bring yourself to a race to meet those challenges that determines how demanding you perceive that race to be. ie Planning, preparation, training and mental attitude.

I tend to pick races in unique locations, with spectacular scenery, and with reputable race management.

At the time I ran the Gobi March, I was not a runner, and so the challenge to complete the 250km race seemed huge. I researched running technique, training, equipment, nutrition, etc. I sought help and advice from previous racers and other experienced ultrarunners. I arrived at the race in probably the best shape of my life and finished in 2nd place with my team, and had a hell of a good time too!

I think you would be surprised how unfit I am right now. I'm not fit year round, I only plan to peak once or twice a year for key races. Right now, I'm actually trying to move away from racing and focus more on adventure trips and expeditions.

Ken :0)

I used to race but since my last motocross accident during training and broke a collar bone, I stopped. Now... was that a good decision. Good and bad.... I was thinking about my family... they need me to put bread on the table but on the other hand my challenges have diminish. I became less active and less fit. I asked myself is it really necessary to challenge others to be first...well the truth you can be first but someone else will take you down one day. So I gave up racing totally. I started to ride against myself instead. I started to challenge obstacle lay ahead by mother nature. When I was introduce to Woodcutter trail I was amazed by the obstacle ahead. At one time, almost every weekend I was at Woodcutters.. riding over fallen logs and dragging my wheels over the roots. It was great, I started to ride better but that was 5 yrs back when I was 35.

Todate I am 41, do I really need to keep fit and risk myself over the adventure? or one my friend said to me "We work hard so we can save enough money for medical expense when we are old" Now.... which is a better answer?? Damn... I think Ken have left me an answer there.

I love adventure and I love nature. I have whole lot of outdoor gears and paid dollars for Ultra lite gears. What are they doing???

Funny truths about life in small small Singapore

2009-03-02T17:00:00.002+08:00

I received this from an email.
How true can this be about Singaporean.....you tell me??!!

1. Nite - Sleep with air-con; Day - Bathe with heater on

2. Day - Cannot Wake up; Nite - Cannot Sleep

3. Cigarettes - Convenient to buy; not convenient to smoke

4. Chewing Gum - Can Chew, Cannot buy?? (Restricted to buying)

5. Smell Of rubbish besides letterboxes; Rubbish inside

6. Private Cars - Cheaper & Cheaper to Buy,harder & harder to Maintain

7. Education - Teachers teaching Less but expects students to learn More

8. High-tech barbaric Singaporeans - know how to use state-of-the art equipment, but dunno how to use a simple dustbin or a toilet

9. There are quite a number of rich/poor in spore - They have Car, Credit Card, CPF .... But no Cash and lots of loans

10. Translation is needed between Singaporean Chinese and Mainland Chinese

11. Sporean never like to vote, but like to

12. Half Sporeans rushed to buy Hello kitty, but the other half busy killing stray cats

13. Public Bus - Half the Crowd squeeze in front section of the Bus, Second section is for Carrying Ghost

Taiwanese Nuts

2009-02-28T19:22:00.005+08:00

What is betel nut?? I thought only the Indian chew on it but in Taiwan, land of the Chinese?? 5yrs ago it was featured in Singapore about Taiwanese all time "drug" and their sexy women in the streets of Taipei. Only then I realized what was it and from the News in Singapore, when we say Taiwan it always associate with Betel Nut ladies in skimpy dress...... Not less talk more action.

Here are some video clips on Betel Nuts Ladies and their "Nuts"

24 feb My Birthday?!

2009-02-24T02:45:00.020+08:00

Geez, is it my birthday today?! Oh my god..... I am 41 now!! Just like any other day, me and my faithful computer to communicate....SIGH!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY myself......!!!

Update: To my friends who had send me greetings.....Thank you, you remembered!!!! I wish you and your family all the best in whatever you do.

my simple birthday meal with my partner

a warm sake to toast the day

some meat .....

and veg salad......

a pot of soup...nice!!

and my all time favourite....sashimi

why I blog???!!

2009-02-23T16:44:00.001+08:00

I don't really understand much about blogging. I started blogging when I decided to leave home, Singapore for Taiwan. I was hoping my blog would keep in touch with my friends and families. But over the past weeks, it seems I got more strangers visiting my blog.

I started off last year 2008 May a blog called "Globe Bikers". My plan was to travel the world on a bike and use the blog to up-date my journal. Not until couple of days ago. I started reading materials about blogging. People are making tons of money from it. Some even gave up their full time job and just blog. What the heck am I doing??!!

I am not sure if my friends have actually visited my blog but definitely I get 10 times the strangers viewing my post. So today I decided to create another personal blog and this time is going to be "Personal". It will be a blog about my thoughts, my friends and anything that is happening to me. Well I am not sure if anyone really intersted in reading them but I wish this is something I can leave for my kids to remember. Oh geez... I really miss my 2 rascals. I wish they are with me....

Currently I have these blogs running;
Globe Bikers - a blog about bike travel, places and anything in regards to 2-wheeler
Outdoor Kopitiam - review of the products I owned and an insight to today's world
Karung Guni - not exactly a blog but things that I wish to sell is publish there.

Well hope you enjoy the material.

Cheers!!

Bintan Island Biking

2009-01-10T18:55:00.026+08:00

Date o8~11 March 2008 (4D/3N)
Distance 98Km

On 08 March 2008, we started off the journey by driving to the Singapore Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. The fast ferry to the island took almost an hour. We arrived at Tg. Pinang ferry terminal around 3pm and my partner from Taiwan had to arrange the VISA on arrival for USD10. After which we started our 40km biking to the Nostaliga Yasin Bungalow Resort on the east coast. The journey on the island was not an easy task even we were on the road. There were many 30 to 40 degree uphill ride along the way. We managed to arrived just around 7pm at the resort and I must say this is one of the cheapest and natural environment feeling you can get. For just SGD30.00 a night without air con and the service was great. We decided to spent 2 nights, our room was on the water andwe had some beers to enjoy the moment.

On the 3rd day we set off from the resort and headed towards the more upmarket resort which is 60km away. I decided to take a longer route to view the nature part of the island. Cycling along the east coast was beautiful until we have to turn inland where the killer uphill starts. Somewhere inland around the town Anculai, I decide to be more adventurous and took an off-road north toward Bintang Resort. This route was not listed on the my map and with the aid of my GPS, we arrived at a northern coastal small fishing, Segiling. I wanted to camp over the village but my partner had warned that we were short of water and ration supply. So after consulting with the villages, they showed us an eastern route to the resort. By the mercy, it was the longest and shortest route we ever taken. Just 2km away from the resort, we met with soft beach sand that is so fine we could not even ride over. We ended pushing our bikes for the next 2Km over the soft sand.We arrived at Bintan Lagoon Resort just before 7pm. Well ... the resort is really great, they have golf course, swimming pool and 4 restaurants and for the price..... SGD140!! Well... you paid that much so you just got to relax better. The next day we departed the resort, our bikes were taken care by the hotel and they delivered to the ferry terminal with no extra charge. Overall the journey was great. If I have another moment, I would do the same ride again.The cost for the ferries was around SGD100, lodging SGD200 and food and drinks was around SGD50. Yeah I know.... it can be cheaper if not for the up market resort and our beers. :)

Around Taiwan by Car

2009-01-02T18:15:00.002+08:00

It has been 2 weeks since I arrived on this beautiful island. Last 2 weeks had been fun with my kids but they have since gone back to Singapore. I miss them.....

On 15 Dec, together with my kids, my father and partner, we started our 5D/4N journey from Kaohsiung by driving around the southern island; Kenting, Baolai for Hot Spa, Jianhu Shan where the kids had fun at the amusement park and into the mountains to Chin Jing where we had fun at the farmland.

At Kenting where one of the restaurant had these "REAL" Sharks for display

Amusement Park at JianHuShan

Farmland at ChinJin

Finally after months of preparation to get my ARC (Alien Resident Certificate), it has finally arrived. Now I am able to start my "New" life!!!