Saturday, July 19, 2014

My Trip

Today is my last day for in Amsterdam, and can be considered the finale of my 20days journey..6 cities altogether for this exploration, and one city, Frankfurt, as a transit city....
I am not sure how to describe this whole trip, but it is again, very soulful trip for me, and when you are alone again throughout your trips, it allow you to be emotional with yourself, to explore yourself more, to challenge yourself, and to practice more your beliefs, and for this case, I have more opportunities to meditate and to find our more answers for myself.
And I am thankful,  and I am glad and I am contented for having the chance to visit these cities and meeting all the people, even though it uses a lot of my savings, but I think life is about journeys, about people, about human beings, about "within yourself"....
Through out the cities, people I met have been very helpful and very courteous, and that makes me belief more in cause and effect, and the law of karma....and some people you met, even for the first time, you feel that you have known them for ages. And seeing the sceneries, and the drawings I made when I was in primary schools, I just wondered how my ideas came from, as I have not been to these cities before. How was I connected to this place and how was the idea of my drawings coming from...where was the idea coming from, as I stayed in my Grandmother's kampong, and all I have seen are coconut trees, rambutan trees, durian trees, .........

I have always in my mind, that people you met, most of them strangers, are somehow to connected to you, one way or another, in soulful manner. It is hard to explain, but somehow I believe in that. And your karma has a say in this too...whether you are back to repay or people are repaying.. it does not matter. And you see more of people along the journey, of babies, teenagers, young and old couples, all of them are the same, and each and everyone of us, is just passing through a lifecycle.. whether you are rich or poor, black or white, or yellow, you can't run away that cyclic birth...
Important thing is, you know what you can do now, what you have to do, and what you need to do, of the present.
And I do believe your present life is a reflection of your past, and your present will be reflected in your next one....hence what we can do is present...and present.
And two days ago,  when you heard news like MH17 (my prayers are still to all of them), makes me believed in destiny, in karma....whatever you call that.
I always told myself if it is destined for me (because of my past karma), then I have to face my own music. What I can do now is to do better, in all aspects that a Human being is able to...

Thank you.

Amitabaha, sadhu sadhu sadhu...


Choong
Mercure hotel
Amsterdam city
19 July 2014












Meanwhile, please listen to this song....so soulful...

Netherlands-Amsterdam

Time passes very fast, my 6 days 7 nights here will be finishing soon.
I am very happy with my stay here, I think as I have mentioned somewhere, when I first arrived to Amsterdam, without any arrangement made earlier except hotel booking, I have to start finding information from scratch. And thanks to the good people I met along the way, from the information counter, then tourist information counter, then buying my ticket, then to the gentleman who directed me to the right train, even the right station to disembark, then at the station, the lady who confirmed the bus number 58 for me (yes it is Dulvendrecht to Joan Muyskenweg). I feel gratitude and happy to have met all these people, thanks again.

Amsterdam, when i first walked into the city, and especially close to 10 days in Scandinavian countries, it was a kind of "relieved", as I told Henk, a friend that I have known  more than 2 years ago, that it somehow gave me an impression that I am in BKK, not that Amsterdam looks like BKK but in a way it is quite similar....with more choices for food, the canals, the red light area, the bars, the pubs, the crowd, the main station....all these gave me that kind of impression.
And you can see also a lot of immigrants coming from African countries and some east European, and in Malaysia, we can say it is a masyarakat majmuk (plural society), where everybody speaks Dutch and I also met a lady, I think by the name of Winny, parents migrated from HK 30 years ago, and she speaks perfect Dutch (I got this confirmed from a local Dutch).....

Going around the city... and moving around places with my GVB card, with my daily regional city passes, and with new friends I made and also a friend that came to meet me (though we have known each other close to 2.5 years since our first contact in Beijing), that was Henk, and also an acquaintance I met at the hotel, Adolf whom is visiting family here and gave me some share of advice on places to go and to be careful on my bags, etc.... I am thankful that I knew and understood more about Amsterdam and other parts of Holland more. And I hope to come back for another visit for sure.

Going out of the city, like Edam Volendam, Marken, Monnickendam, Hoorns, Vondelpark , Zaanse Schans and Broek in Waterland opened up my eyes wider, and at the same time can understand the historical aspect more...which I really appreciate. Visiting Vang Gogh Museum, taking canal cruise, visiting Rijksmuseum, "finding" my ways to China town, red light district, seeing many gay bars around the city, the flea market (at Waterlooplein) and visiting the new market were very interesting. And yesterday, I spend close to 10 hours in the city alone, part of the reason was waiting for sunset to happen so that I can take sunset pictures of the city, and which I did.
And I enjoyed that a lot yesterday, even though I was alone throughout, but I kind of feel it was great and was very happy and contented. And before I left the city, drinking a can of Hineken beer with a pc of freshly baked Pizza it was nice one. And I ended my trip today, with a  more relaxing day, spending almost half a day at Zaanse Schans and also at Broek in water land was meaning. It was rather a very hot and sunny day, but then again I am not complaining. I felt happy, very much satisfied. dank u.
Oh yes, one point, I hope I was informed of the I Amsterdam city card in advance before anything else....as this is a good option and cost saving to visit the city.
In short, I am happy to roam around the city, the explore the unknowns, and in the process found most of the places I want to visit and see, and also met a few nice local people who are very helpful.
And I did get my Royal Delft,,,, which means my ceramic collection is going to increase soon.












Nite from Mercure hotel. Need my sleep soon.

Choong
Mercure hotel
Amsterdam city

Some Points To Ponder

Having read so many articles about MH 17 and previously on MH 370, and also as a frequent flyers, sometimes I do ask myself, how would all these passengers on the affected flights felt....I mean as passengers, half-way throughout, I suppose they have taken their meals, some we reading books, some we watching movies, some we reading, some were chatting, some are in the toilets, some are playing games, some are drinking beer and wine, some are dreaming, some are thinking of parents at home, lovers, some are planning what to do next when they arrive to the destination...some are meditating, offering prayers....and of course pilots are busy taking care of the flights in the cockpit and air steward and stewardess a busy as usual...

And out of sudden, that moment, the final moment....the final few seconds, I just cannot imagine.
I mean I or us, or just anyone flying, we could be potentially be in that situation (not that I am wishing), but we cannot run away from this possibility if we are flying, be it on mechanical problem or otherwise,......

Sometimes, I really cannot imagine....the final moment, and I dare not to think further. I only wish the affected victims really rest in peace, and my teardrops flow freely now, when I think of these. I cannot do anything, but just, as I mentioned yesterday, offering my prayers to them, and when i go back home, I hope to go again to temple and offer some Dana to the affected passengers. I really hope and wish they rest in peace....may you all rest in peace and may you are blessed always whenever you are.

And to the family members of these affected passengers, take care, and besides that, I do not know what else to say.
Of course I know death is beyond our decision, beyond out control and for a person who believes in Buddhism, who believes in Karma, I cannot only accept this in this manner....and I can only offer my prayers..

Amitabha, and again, to all those affected (the deceased),  may you all rest in peace.
Sadhu sadhu sadhu...


Choong
Mercure hotel
18 July 2014

Friday, July 18, 2014

MH 17--what happens?

My deepest condolence, and my prayers to them all (if it is confirmed to be true). But offering best wishes and prayers for them first, in my opinion should not be a problem.

I do not know what really happened, and was shocked when I came back to hotel and received a lot of messages from friends all around, asking if I was alright. Yes, I am fine, still in Amsterdam but after going through a few websites, I feel sad. Not sure why this happens, why they shot MH (if the news is true), our plane, and why are we flying over this dangerous zone, all questions are coming out in my brain, just could not help thinking over this.

Aiyah, now just offering prayers, cannot go anything, but my heart feels the pain....MH 370 and now MH 17, although different kind of problems, still human lives are lost.

Amitbha, can only recite some prayers.....



Choong
Amsterdam, Holland
11.05PM

Sunday, July 13, 2014

A self reflection...自己的感悟

sitting over the coffee table enjoying my cup of earl grey, under the morning sun, suddenly my mind was running a bit wild..reflecting my this trip, and my previous trips, and my many travels since last 8 months and also my many solo trips since 20 years ago until now. initially it was weird to do so, and sometimes you do feel lonely or a bit shy...as most people visit in a group...especially Asian..and rarely you see induvidual travellers from Asia with except in some occasion you see Japanese (but now it is quite normal to do so..esp u can also selfie...haha).
but looking at it...recalling all these trips, I can only say I am happy and contented...esp later on wheb I came across a Buddhism book where Buddha says it us good to travel to places you are not familiar with ALONE...(no sense of attachment) and another book which says...3 important things that will change your attitude about life..peope you met, books you read n places you visited. So I totally agree with all these..ehm....though when I first travelled, I haven't come across all these statements as yet.
you tend to be more soulful, more deeply involved with yourself and more exploring your inner selves...esp since these last 8 months...since many things that have taken place in my life. It is not easy...but when I look at them now..though I can't say I am completely over it...or that I have reached an enlightened person stage that no one is an enemy or everything is fine...but I believe in cause and effect. Things happened for a reason...because of your past and of the present....
too long for my own personal message...但是简单来说这也是俺的感悟。俺想记录下来等在晚一下年后, 再回忆。
这可能更加有意义。。。

choong
in board of MS Gabriella
on the way to Helsinki for boarding flight to Amsterdam this afternoon.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Copenhagen

Time passes so fast...the land of carlsberg...the land of mermaids...the lands of vikings...the land of creative designs...Thank you. I had a nice n memorable stay.
when I first arrived, finding the shuttle bus to the city was a bit of problem esp with the driver who was at his final shift..but subsequently because of this driver, I hv to fork out 2.40 krona..but then u met another totally different driver who was very nice n helpful..so it was good.
with hop in hop out..I guess it was the easiest to move around, afterall Copenhagen is not really that big.
And meeting a local guy here, anders was helpfuk..not only he brought me to a bar but he also brought me to a seaside, though short but an eye opener.
so from him I got to know Copenhagen more n he said Mr. Bek Nielsen..UP controlling shareholder n owner..was from his home town. whether here is hot n humid b since I did not expect weather to be this hot...I hv not enough clothing..hence today I bought additional two pcs of pants.
Things here are quite expensive too...couple with current exchange rate, it is quite a disadvantage.
comfort hotel is not as comfort as what was found at Oslo.

ok..sleepy now n tomorrow whole day traveling.
sleeping soon.

Choong
Comfort hotel Vesterbrograde.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Oslo..Norway

Someone told me one of the nost expensive city in Scandinavia..indeed it is, I think. The place where Nobel HQ is...and the place where u hv the fjiords and vikings. City is clean though u can find beggars from other European countries and also road side performers but also there are a lot of licsl youngsters wearing branded stuffs...oh yeah not forgetting that there are many Chinese tourists as well.
arrived here in the nite time...though still bright. Hotel terminus is just next to the main terminal..on the left hand n uts nain entrance you can hv a view of the opera house. wifi here is good but still I think so far the best is still at Helsinki.
They have an old town though it is a small one. oh yes...Oslo is celebrating 1000 years of existence...if I got it correct. People here has been nice n helpful n always wearing a smile too.
overall...I m quute happy n I walked a lot..esp to Vigeland.
looking forward to the next......

Choong
lobby
hotel comfort

Stockholm

two days at this city...I think 10 years ago..I wanted to come here so much as MAS during that time were offering a special package...but I did not make it until this time. Compared to Helsinki..Stockholm is bigger city and has more architecture n historical buildings especially at the old town. people are helpful, esp hotel staff. wifi is available mostly though I still think Helsinki is yhe best in this aspect. The train station is a bit dirty n I can see more beggars around though I m sure they are not locals.
Buying fresh food at Coop was good just  on the underground floor of main  terminal. one thing is I don't think the tourist information counter manning staff are that helpful but those at my hotel..terminus hotel, they are very much supportive n give a lot of good advice. The line 7 trams was superb n efficient.
oh yes...I found an antique store next to the Royal Palace and I think the stuffs they have are excellent and reasonably priced. one of the co owners is a Thai...our neighbour. overall I like Stockholm....

Choong
comfort hotel Oslo