Huizhou-徽州

Huizhou is the province where Huangshan is located. And it is also where Anhui is, one of the historical cities in China. According to history and local Chinese, it has much influence in the last history of Beijing.
Huizhou is famous for its architecture, and this is also the place where the movie, Crouching tiger, hidden dragon, was filmed partially. I like the mountain where you can find newly grown-up bamboo leaves, I love the green color of the leaves. When you look at the mountain, there is a greentone, from dark to light and dark again, exactly like what you see in the movie.
I like this view a lot, I have some pictures in my blackberry, will try to unload it and share later.

some pictures in Huizhou to share:

黄山-Huangshan-Yellow Mountain

Finally, at this place, very famous place in China. There is a saying which goes like this, if you have been to Yellow Mountain, you would not like to see other Mountains in China'. I am not sure how far this is true, but I guess I need to get back there for another visit, because the view I had was almost nothing, cloudy due to the rain. But this I find was quite interesting too, cause how many times can you really see this 'view'.....haha, being positive I guess.
Huangshan is famous for its pine trees, and I have taken some, but due to the weather it is hard for you to see and hard to explain too. It was just a coincident that I was wearing yellow rain-coat.

Choong, Beijing

Flights Delay-I Hope China Airlines can improve further

I took a day off, to go to Huangshan (will share picture later, when I have the time to do so), but on the journey back, bad experience again with China Airlines, CA (a member of Star Alliance). There is no offense intended, but I think there are still big big rooms for CA to improve their services further and as a regular customer and user of China Airlines, I think I also have the right to comment in my blogsite.

Here was the notes I have taken down using my bb, while waiting for the flight, in very unhappy mood.

I have a few times, experience with CA, and though like local chinese here,
fed-up but left with no other option or channel to complain, I have to put this in my blogsite.
At one time, last year, I was using their flight to Busan, already checked-in, but the
flight was cancelled 30 mins before departure time. No apology, no explanation and no compensation for food, transportation. If they need a record (I remember asking our company secretary to write a fax to voice our disappointment, I can dig that out from my Star Alliance membership card with SIA.
On 27th June, flight delayed, because Beijing airport was busy, no offer of apology,
but ok, 'normal' and understandable. My flight was CA 1551.
And tonite, writing from Huangshan airport while waiting for arrival of
aircraft, no explanation again for the fligth delay, just weather. First service counter told us, flight arrival time from Beijing was delayed, from 8.20pm to 9.25pm, then announcement made for arrival to be 9.40pm. And then they said the aircraft has to make emergency landing at Nanchang airport
due to weather condition, no more further announcement.
Next, there were some rain, then it stopped. 2 flights departed, then 2 flights
arrived, one from SH and one from GZ, all are from CZ.
If you said weather is a problem, how can these flights landed? And how can
other flights departed from the same airport?
And flight delayed, no explanation, we were just asked to wait.
And by the way, CA is part of Star Alliance grouping, and being a goldcard of SA, I felt a bit meaningless, because the service is poor, food with CA flights are
terrible (famous, aluminim foil wrapped hamburger is one example). I just wonder how they can be part of SA, when they have not reached
the service standard of SIA, Thai airways, Air NZ to name a few. But the point
is, what further options do we have, as far as flight options are concerned right here in China with Star Alliance?

Note : To be fair too, after 2.5 hours of waiting, we were given a bottle of water, and some biscuits.

But sorry, I forgot to mention earlier, I arrived at Beijing Airport around 3.20am, then took the airport bus, reclaim my luggage, and taking taxi at 4am is again a nightmare. Initially, I asked my company driver to pick me up, but due to the delay, I have to forget about it, and to let our driver rest. As soon as I was a taxi counter, and when they asked where I was heading to, I told them Liang ma mingju, the face change, behavior change. And the driver (taxi number 219169) asked rudely, if I were to use meter or negotiate for the rate. And can I pay more to him, as this is early morning. Which route to use to reach my apartment, and was this personal trip or company, I did not answer him, being aware of the style and attitude. This is another issue, but the point is, if this delayed was caused by CA, dont they have the responsibility to assist in transportation home?

A disappointed customer of CA,
Choong, Beijing.

Weekend Again

Time passes, and again weekend.
weekend, will follow-up a bit on CNN news, to catch up on Michael Jackson.
And also think a bit of life, ooooooo, life.

The longer I live, the more mature I am, the more I see what Buddha said a few thousand years ago, and the more I believe and trust in Buddishm.
人生无常....................Life is impermanent............

Choong, Beijing

Passing Away Of A Legend-Michael Jackson, and Ms. Farrah Fawcett

picture from www.ueltzhoeffer.de





This morning, I heard from CNN news, and it is basically, quite sad to hear. I mean he is the idol, the singer, in fact very hot and some one who has achieved so much, and a person who has no childhood (being in entertainment and making a living since at age 6)...and many more, and most importantly, some one you grew up with, with Songs like Ben, Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, I'll be there (my favorite song), and though I do not know him personally, it actually has some impact on me, when I saw the news. It is the same like when another legend from Leslie Cheung passed away a few years ago.
picture from wordpress.com

At the same, I also heard the passing away of one of the Charlie's Angels, Ms. Farrah Fawcett after battling cancer for a number of years. We remembered her well, for her potrayal, as one of the intelligent angels, together with Kate Jackson and Jacyln Smith.
This was one of the Television series that I grew up with, and the first time I saw a group of ladies that are independent, strong, capable and sexy at the same time, and I guess that helped me to accept equal sex, as ladies can be strong too. So, I have to say thank you to these show too, for helping to form my mindset since I was a boy.


Deepest condolence to both of their families.


Choong, Beijing

Dynasties In China-FYI

Dynasty	Year
Xia	2100bc-1600bc
Shang	1600bc-1100bc
Zhou	1100bc-221bc
Qin	221bc-206bc
Han	206bc-220ad
3 kingdoms	220-280
Jin	265-420
Northern and southern	420-589
Sui	581-618
Tang	618-907
Five	907-960
Song	960-1279
Yuan	1279-1368
Ming	1368-1644
Qing	1644-1911

Some Omiyage From Japan-Nice Cakes and Cookies

Look at the packaging itself, this is the price you pay for better packaging, better quality food. One is a type of Korea Green tea cake. Nice, soft, not sweet, and very good with our Cameronian tea, drinking hot.
The other one, is the latest type of biscuit, which Ms. Morisaki got it for me from Daimaru Tokyo. Looks exactly like Water melon (which is in season now) and the biscuit tasted good and crispy when you have a bite.

Happy looking and enjoying.

Choong, Shenzhen

Away Again

Still in office now, and tomorrow will be away again.
In Shenzhen for two days then back to Beijing.
Tired and tired, but that's life.

Back home, I hope my dad will be better, and hopefully Ah Ma will bless him, so that he does not need to go through that operation. He might not be able to stand that pain and suffering.


Sincerely,

Me, Beijing

Reading-Consider This Book

I have just finished reading this book, and John Maxwell has been one of my favorite writers.
The other book that I like, coming from him, was 'Make Today Count, which deals with our present day issues, if you have not read, please try to get it.'
Anyway, for this new book, how successful people think, I think it way the ideas are presented are very direct to the points, and again, like all self-improving books, it gives you more ideas on how to better, improving yourself, with ideas and mindset.
Happy reading.

Choong, Beijing.

Shaolin Temple-少林寺

Wanted to Publish this but there were some problems before. Could be a repetitive. But anyway, please find the photos, to one of the Unesco listings in China.
A bit below my expectation, except the three words, 少林寺, nothing much to expect inside the temple itself or the place where Bruce Lee and Jet Li were the former disciples/students here.
Not easy to get to the temple, and there is also a backyard way (have to be careful when I mention this.


Choong, Beijing

New Bag-Japanese Brand-IKETEI Japan

Hi guys, how does this bag look like? After searching for quite a number of days, finally I got what I want, though it does not come cheap, but a 100% Japanese made and designed, two criteria that I was looking for.
Anyway, using it already.
Oh yeah, in my earlier mail, I was mentioning about bags in Daimaru Tokyo, and when I was trying to search for it in Daimaru Osaka, I could not find it. Generally, I prefer the Tokyo outlet, more organised, more stylish and as Malaysian said, got 'class' a bit.

Choong, Beijing

Funny Though

It seems like I can only write in office, I still cannot access my blogsite from home. Anyone can help out. You see, a writer will write whenever he or she wants it, and you cannot say, lets put it on hold there, and then write later, or some other days, but ideas cannot be postponed or the feeling and desire to write cannot be put on hold, you cannot say, eat your laksa 10 days later, ok? Drink your teh tarik next weekend, or postponed your trip to the washroom to a later hour, can you?

Over the weekend, it was cleaning the house, and getting things organised a bit, and staying in the house throughout. Just want to be in the house, after so much of travelling, except dinner with good soup from my HK friends. Very nice of them to offer that.
And then also a piece of bad news again, was informed by my family that my dad's leg is getting serious and there was blood vessels blockage in certain parts of his leg. First they need to 'unblock' it, and then, a small portion of his leg, my need to be amputated. And at this age, to do this operation is a little bit crazy, but what can be said. Was it that comes with his Karma? I do not know, but I only pray that he has the minimal suffering.

Ok for now, it is going to be a busy day for me today, too many things to do as usual.

Choong, Beijing.

One Of My Favorite Websites And Writers

photo: from the Nutgraph



If you are free, please visit this website, http://www.othermalaysia.org/. He is Dr. Farish Noor, and all articles written are very good and interesting. I like a lot of topics on being Malaysian.
I have not read one of his famous books, from Majapahit to Putrajaya. Hope I will manage to get one soon when I am back to Malaysia.

Choong, Beijing

A Book To Read-Saya Pun Melayu

I have just finished reading this book, very interesting and worth reading this. If you have the time, please find a copy of this and read it. I have the book sent over to me by my friend in KL, Beng Kooi. When he was trying to get this book, he asked the shop assistant by telling them that he was looking for a book, 'Saya bukan Melayu', the the lady assistant was laughing out loud. They told my friend that, 'saya tahu, engkau memang bukan Melayu'.

Choong, Beijing

My Restaurant-Soon Heng????

See the pictures, and I will tell you where all these were taken later. Enjoy

Back To Normal?

Seems like I can continue updating my blogsite? This is just a testing, hope it can be done accordingly, cause I have a lot to update. And I hope there is no further problem to this. I just want to write, and write, just a channel for me to voice my opinion and share latest from my end.

Thanks.

Choong, Beijing

Bye bye Blogging and Bye Japan

Just finished my dinner with another Satoshi, from OSaka, a good friend. Catching up on the old time issue, said to him, we are getting old together, haha.
Will be going back to Beijing tomorrow morning, will depart from hotel around 6.30am, as I need to catch 6.58pm's bus for trip back to Beijing.
I enjoyed this trip a lot and spend some money shopping but very happy in this respect and I will also miss my blogging as I think in Beijing, it will still be blocked, hence I would not be able to update.
At the same time, I am also worried about my father and how my sister is coping back in Penang. I will call shortly, but I hope things will be going smoothly, as my sister has to be in charge for the time being, and dad, at this stage, is a bit irrational and a bit emotional, so it is not easy to handle.

OK for now, bye Osaka, bye blogging for the time being, and I have to be strong for whatever is going to take place, on family related issue.

Thanks and nite.

Choong, Osaka

The Heart Of A Child

I guess it is part of our growing up and part of being a responsible person, when something happened to your beloved ones or family members, then no matter how career minded you are, how professional you are, you heart, your emotions, your feelings and etc, will be affected.
Today, conversation with sister, telling me dad is in bad shape, in contrast to a few days back, coupled with his behavior of being uncooperative with hospital and nurse and his sometimes bad temper, it makes things even worse and I am worried of his further health condition.
Uncle Min has suggested to be sent to LHE hospital, and I agreed, but the point in not being in any hospital, the point is whether he wants his life to be saved or not. We can arrange, we can forced me, but if he pulled those cathethers and keep on arguing with hospital staff (though I know he is in 'sick condition', and not being allowed to use any sedative, it will make situation worse. ANd I know my sister is quite emotional affected, any being away for now, and not being able to help directly makes it even worse for me.

OK, just to voice it out a bit here. Have to get ready for my next appointment soon, and have to be professional.

Choong, Granvia hotel, Osaka

Friends in Japan

It is quite late, but still I want to write a bit of this happy meals that I had for the last two days.

1) Last nite was with Satoshi, a friend in Tokyo. We have not met each other for more than 2 years but still, we talked a lot when we met, catching over what has taken place in each others' life for the past 2 years, as 2 hours just passed-by, just like that. That feeling is nice.

2) This morning had a meeting with Nakamura-San, short, but also a feeling of catching up, though between Nakamura-San and myself, we do not joke that much, and a bit serious, but it is beginning to feel more friendly in one way or another. Still, just like meeting with an old friend, after all, we have known each other for more than ten years.

3) Tonite dinner at Italian restaurant was nice. First, before that, my shopping partner, Kamahira-San, as usual, within 1 hour and 30 minutes, we want to 4 shopping places, and I got a pair of shoes, and 1 shirt, 1 potential bag in waiting list. Imagine that.
And then dinner with Kamahira-San's wife, Ms. Fumi, Irifune-San, his wife, Moriko-Chan, and also with Morisaki-San. Dinner started around 8PM and we chatted until 11PM, without realising that the restaurant was ready to call it a day.
It was nice chat, joking around, and was very happy to meet Irifune-San too, after so long period of time. Morisaki-San, as usual, very happy, and I was happy to meet her, joining us over for this long conversation. It was very, very happy and enjoyable chat, I love it, very much and one of the happiest too.
Thanks to you all for making this nite a memorable one.

OK, sleeping time for me, and see you all soon.

Choong, Granvia hotel, Osaka.

An Old City in Gui Yang-QingYan

Pheonix-凤凰 The Story Continues

Daimaru, Tokyo

During lunch break, was in Daimaru for a walk, and have look at their bags, wow, wow, and wow.
So many of them, and I like a particular color, Green (though I know, green is less used by guys, but I always like the idea that Japanese are very daring when it comes to bags, or fashion. They dare to try to new ones, of course the best quality because they can afford to pay more.
But it is always nice to look at, beh tahan liao.

Hei, Devil, thanks for your recommendation, will take note of that too.
And well, I am leaving the hotel room for now, for another appointment, but frankly, I do not really like to go with this group of Japanese. Sort of cunning look, but will bear with this for a while. They will know........bersabarlahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Choong, Tokyo

Deepest Condolence-Datin Ruby Lee

Of course I personally do not know her, but when I was in high school, many years ago, I was a member of Red Cresent Society. And her name was always mentioned, and if I was not wrong, I saw her twice, may be during one of the annual Marching competition in Penang, for whole Penang state. But that is not the main point, the main thing is on her selflessness approach in supporting Red Cresent Society's activities in Malaysia, and all charity works she had helped throughout.
My deepest condolence to her family.

Choong, Tokyo

Lazy To Explain...............

Having done with my business dinner, and having had a conversation before, I felt a bit bored sometimes, having to explain again and again, about my job experience and how many times I have been to Japan, taking care of Japanese market. And talking to people who are like empty nuts make it even worse. I do not like this. But that is also part of working life, tired. Boasting is another part that I dislike too.
OK, bite, but will take it easy anyway.

Choong, Tokyo.

Tokyo-Shopping

Oo, talking about enjoying, today, I am right now in Tokyo, oooooooo, so good. I realised how much I miss Tokyo, the last trip was in September 2007.
And walking around, and yesterday in Shinagawa, and now in Tokyo city centre, walking through all the malls, supermarkets, seeing the fresh vegetables, fruits, the packaging of all their products, ooooooo, i realise how much I miss Tokyo and how I wish I can have more time.....
Ok no complain, at least, yesterday did some window shopping in Yebisu mall, and now, around Marunouchi area. Bought some clothes from BEAMS, my favourite brand, and then some cakes (green tea cake, and next, hopefully, one to two bags, may be from Porter, Drastic (not sure if this is a new brand), and Takeuchi which I have yet to see any so far. How I miss all this, and how I wish I bring along bigger luggage and have more time.
haha, and not forgetting to 'print' more money,....................for shopping.
Hey guys, in Beams, they even deducted the tax out for me. I am glad, not much, but enough for my tea break......

OK ok, got to take shower, and start dressing nicely. Here in Tokyo, appearance is number 1.
Fashion, fashion and fashion, from toddlers to young children, from aunty to ah pek, all of them will take care of their appearance and what they wear.
Oh yeah, I think even kitchen wares, are also in fashion. They have so many stores selling all sort of new wares, new designs......
Tokyooooooooooooooooooo I love you..

Choong, Tokyo
Maruouchi Hotel

Now You Can See The Difference

I guess the earlier photo was taken about 14 years ago, compared to the recent one?

Aging for sure lah, but then age gracefully, as the saying goes. Apa macam, still keep quite well, right. Old is gold...... ginger, the more mature it is, the spicier it tastes, and macam macam lagi.

That first photo was the courtesy of Joyce, my sis in San Franscisco and may be to remind me that I used to be young. Well, I guess everybody does. And then, about 2 months ago, Jenna said I looked older, relatively to myself lah. So, that is part and parcel of life, is this not.

As long as you enjoy a meaningful throughout the aging process, rightttttt.....

Choong, Tokyo

Some Nice Photos-ZhangJiajie

Hi From Tokyo, Japan

It has been more than a week since my last update, because as I said, my blog or in fact the whole blogsite.com is non-accessible in China itself, hence I can't write, can't update anything at all. And now I am in Tokyo, at my friend's house in Tokyo.
Just came back from Yakitori dinner, and ate a lof of fruits, Japanese Fuji apple, and orange. Taste fantastic. And coincidentally, it is raining, and that is what I like, romantic feeling.
Oh yeah, just now went to look at some of the bags there, Porter brand, but have not look at Takeuchi as yet. Hoping to get something nice then, to bring it back to Beijing.
And I found a pair of sport shoes, Patrick which looks cool. My friend say, that is too young for me, but what is young and what is old? As long as it looks good and I feel good, then why not. There is nothing wrong, right..........as long as it suits me well and I feel happy about it.
OK for now, shower time, then sleeping. Tomorrow will continue with my shopping spree, and then another business dinner at nite time.

Choong, Tokyo, 10.10pm.

Fenghuang-凤凰

Visited this old, traditional riverside city, surrounded by hillside. Feeling is nice, and I think it is a romantic place to visit. Please make sure, if you visit this place, find rooms next to riverside. It can range from RMB 60 per nite to RMB 300 per nite, depends on what category of rooms you want, and how much you are willing to fork out. There is a night market too, for food, so make sure you do not miss it.

Choong, Penang