Year 2009 and Happy 2010

Year 2009 is coming to an end soon, and my last article, for this year.
This year, first time for me to go for blogging and I am glad that I have been very consistently contributing some articles, keep on writing, for and on my own pleasure.
This I hope and trust will be on-going. And next, hopefully, will try to use more of face-book.
Career wise, very challenging year, in dealing with the team I have in China, and now taking over the Marketing team in Korea. Burden getting more, and the challenge is dealing with two different teams, with a total different background, and different caliber, very challenging, very indeed. Company performance wise, I think we have a very good one, and proud of that come with a price, very much indeed. Not having enough rest, exhaustion, and not having enough opportunity for more personal trips.
On personal aspect, this year is a very challenging one, especially in July, when dad passed away. It was and still is, the saddest part of my life, and that will take a lot of time for me to recover (if that will ever happen). When you know it is a loss that can never be 'recovered', a point of no return, that pains you a lot. And it makes you rethink the purpose of life and living (enough for now). And I specially thanks all friends/relatives that came to visit me, to pay respect to my dad, messages they sent during this mourning period.
And having the chance to participate in my niece, Natasha's graduation is also one of the happiest moment in 2009. Meeting Joyce and Kate in Kuala Lumpur was another part that makes me feel happy about.
Year 2010, I hope, I can have more personal time (though I think it is unlikely for now).
How I wish I can spend more time traveling for pleasure, reading more good books, watching more good movies, and enjoying more healthy food.
And I wish and pray that 2010 will be a good, safe year, a happy one, a healthy one, for every beings in the world, and in this universe.

May every one be happy and healthy, always.


Sincerely,

Choong
31 December 2009

Hualian-Final Part

As I do not have much time to write tonite, a few teasing pictures first, which I have taken today and I think I should take photography seriously:) I begin to realise that I have talent for this, seriouslah kannnnnnnnnn.

Hi, continuing from what was left behind, and after a good sleep back to Taipei, here I am continuing writing. The final half day in Hualian was very good, clear blue sky, and white clouds in between, sunny days.
The photos are as enclosed. One photo, if you can see it clearly, the peak was capped with snow, as the weather was quite cold at nite time, and I was informed that there was a 'system' making its presence during that time, hence the snow.
Then, driving further, we passed by some padi field/agricultural plots and since it is winter months, and the government has asked the farmers to plant flowers by providing them with the seeds.
Passing by a blog (this word has been used by to describe the local tribe living here, the community_, we eat some fruits, like orange and banana ) Hualian, according to Mr. Pang, has the best banana in Taiwan:) There is one photo showing a group of local tribe, Amei, practicing their traditional dancing next to the floating stage, on the lake.
On the way back to the city, we passed by a road with trees, as I understood, were close to 100 years old, and protected by the city council. Each tree has an identification tag, which record down their personal data, health status, etc, just like our medical and personal record. Cool, is this not. I think Penang should have this too, for all the old, mature trees we have along Greenlane road for example.

Choong, Taipei

Teaser-Harbin (coming soon)

Hualian 3- Taroko National Park

Today, visiting around the national park, and this is one of the six national parks they have in Taiwan as I was made to understand by the driver and our tourist guide. I was raining in the morning, but the whole trip was very pleasant. Look at the pictures taken, and I think I can hold my own photography exhibition soon:). Oh yes, and the first picture, the look of the homestay.....I mean the home for me, for the last two days. The picture of me, the only one for today, just to promote myself lah, though it is not the nicest one, but because this is my blogsite, so, my photo lah.












Choong, Hualian

Hualian 2-Tzu Chi Foundation

Hei guys, finally, I am here, the place I always wanted to visit, after reading so many books about this place and the many, countless good things Master Cheng-Yan has done for the Taiwanese and whole world, with the dedicated team members that she has. At the shop here, met an aunt/lady helper whose husband is from Perak and she said she likes Penang a lot, complimented on the good activities done by Tzu-Chi foundation in Penang, and etc etc (every good about Penang). Never felt so welcome and proud of Penang, until this time. So, have to thank my friend, SB, as he is very actively involved in this.
In Hualian, everybody talks about Tzu-Chi foundation, about Master Cheng, all good activities and they are trying to find ways to help out and do charity. And you feel the air of love and caring, and good energy vibrating in this city itself. I feel so good after visiting this place. They have the schools, university, technical centre, hospital, temple, every thing you name it, and in the name of charity.

Choong, Hualian

An Appeal To Egyptian Government

http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com/2009/12/appeal-to-egyptian-government.html

Please read the link the the blogsite, and it tells the whole story. And we should support this good cause in humanitarian ground. Amitabha.

Choong, Taipei

Hualian 2- 七星潭 (Seven Stars Pools)

I am not sure why they have these names, forgot to ask the guide, and Devil does not really know, but in the past, it looks like seven pools, hence of that name. And many years ago, it was not opened to public because that is strictly an army base, Taiwanese army, with an airport here, just next to the seaside. But development has started to come in, and Hualian people are very careful not to overdevelop or destroy the eco-system of this place. And cycling around this place is very convenient, though I only managed to walk around and explore a bit of this place. Some pictures to share.

Will update more tomorrow, tired and need to rest now.
Nite from Hualian.

Choong, Hualian

Taipei To Hualian

After 2 hours train ride, along the coastal side from Northwest to Central-East part of Taiwan, here I am in Hualian. The journey was quite pleasant and very green, passing through many hillsides.
Look at some photos that will speak by themselves. Apparently, I was made to understand by my tourist guide here, that there is only about 100 thousand people in Hualian. And they lead a very simple life here, and agriculture is the main economic activity here. They have very famous sweet potato, and also muachi, which tasted so good.
On yearly basis, they have a stone sculptures exhibition and a museum for that, which I visited too. Devil, my friend, joined me and I have to thank him for organising this trip so well for me, and the tourist guide driving us and showing us around. According to Devil, he brought us to places that most tourists would not be able to find, for example, the nicest foods around in the city.
I have also appended two pictures below, on the food I have taken, and yes, they do have good shasimi here though I did not have the time to try this.
Ok, the story continues for Hualian. By the way, I cycled back to the home-place, and it was quite sometime since my last bicycle ride, cool, riding in the dark and cool weather.







Hualian is famous for its stone sculptures


Look at the trees, a type of Pine trees, planted by the Japanese, which
means they are more than 60 years of age:)
One of the scenes, coming from Taipei towards Hualian. Fishballs-Hualian is also famous for fresh seafood, and this is a good one.

This is also something like wantan, but I do not like meat so much, hence to
me, I don't like this so much though it is a popular dish here.


Hualian Railway Station


Choong, Hualian

Taipei Revisited-26 December 2009

The museum, 故宫, after renovation. A must come place. LongShan temple, the temple I visited 10 years ago, with Tony of Yueba,
Taiwan. Together with Devil and Shane, we visited this temple again, today:)


A Qing-Dynasty porcelain that I bought. I love this piece a lot:)

As I said before, this is the 10th year anniversary of my visit to Taipei, and recalling some of the places I visited brings back a lot of memories, thanks to Devil for again being a nice friend, a nice host and a nice companion to show me around.
And this time I visited, again, the museum (故宫, different from the 故宫in Beijing, though concept should be the same), and this time the feeling is different from the first time. And since I did not have any digital camera back then, so, I retook some photos and share it here. I will try to scan some of my older photos, that was taken 10 years ago, and do a comparison, how would it be:)
And then, in the Gu-gong, please make sure that you visit the shanshitang, the restaurant that sit in a very nice environment, surrounded by the hills, and you enjoy a breathtaking view with good dim-sum and also dessert. A nice place and a must go place when you are here. I like this place a lot, and if there is time, may be I would like to be back here.

Ok, sleeping soon. Got to get ready for my trip to Hualian tomorrow, by train.
It would be nice, to go to Hualian as I have never been there before, and also, I would love to visit Tzu-Chi temple, and good to have this wish fulfilled............I am contented.
Good nite from Taipei.

Choong, Taipei