Malaysia Has a Revolution

Throughout history, dynasties rose and dynasties fell. Almost all new governments started well led by genuine and true patriots and revolutionaries. But over time, power corrupts and corrupts absolutely. In the end, instead of serving the people, they serve their own personal agenda and pockets.

When a leader of a nation is being called a thief, a robber in public (Read here) and yet no action is taken against the "slanderers", you know for sure the nation is doomed if that leader is allowed to continue governing.

We are fortunate to be part of the history changers for a new Malaysia on 9 May 2018. It has not been an easy path to kick out a corrupt and authoritarian regime. In fact, it's the culmination of a long arduous process, starting from Berseh 1 to Berseh 5 when Malaysia demanded cleaner & fairer election, a free press, strengthening of public institution and zero tolerance to corruption. Read here for Berseh 4 and Berseh 5. We count ourselves blessed because the change was done through the ballot box and not guns and violence.

Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963 and she has a re-birth on 10 May 2018. It is every right-thinking Malaysian to aspire to make this place truly meritocratic, corruption-free and each one is recognized as a Malaysian not based on his/her ethnicity, colour and creed.

Will that day ever come?

Meet Again with Old Friend Down South

James Cheah is one ex-unimate whom I wouldn't miss meeting whenever I visit Perth (Read here). He is probably one among us who still diligently report for work full time daily. According to him, he would only consider full retirement at the age of 70. 

It is becoming a tradition that our get-together would always be at the Bateman Chinese Eating House & Take Away to savour their signature fish head noodles.

He roped in his wife, Bee Har and another friend, Kam Yung for the meet-up.

The rice noodle with fried crispy fish.

Friends for Life

There are plenty of wise sayings and statements that we sometimes take for granted. The abundance of handphone messaging often renders us immune to the significance of some of these slogans and sayings.

The meaning of the statement "If you find just one "true" friend in your life time, you have been truly blessed" came to life when I heard this story.......

There were two girls who were good friends since young and they went to the same school and attended the same class together. One was quite well off and the other was not so well off. By the time they finished A Level, both wanted to apply to enter university. One has no problem with financial support while the other did not have the financial mean to go through the university education. The well off girl went to her father and pleaded with him to also support her friend's study in the university. The father agreed. Later on, The well off girl got accepted to the uni. By God's grace, the other girl was offered a scholarship and she too entered university.

The story of the generous offer of the father was never told to the other girl until 26 April 2018 when they are now in their sixties. I was almost in tears when this story was narrated to me.

The two girls - Friends for life.

Bountiful harvest of olives from tree just
outside the house in Perth.

The two girls were both blessed with their
better halves.

Sibling Bond

Raising kids is no easy task. One of the most challenging I think would be managing the bond and relationship between the sibling. Sibling bond is a complex and intricate relationship that can be influenced by parental treatment, personality, order of birth and the involvement of third parties. Sibling can be best of friends but at times at each other's throat.

Clearly, what we observed - Nathan & Gracie are best of friends and the younger one admires her senior without reservation. In return, the big brother gleefully takes up his big brother's role responsibly.

Doing family biking with these two little fellows was fun and at time a bit nerve wracking. After cycling with Gracie, I was really impressed by her skill in handling her little bike. I did have cold sweat watching her as I rode from behind. In the end, I have to shout "Hurray" for her ability to maneuver confidently around bends and corners.

For the big brother, his skill is almost impeccable!

Mandurah Canal, WA

The cruise in the Mandurah Canal reminded me of the Palm Jumeirah in UAE. Mandurah Canal however, is different in that it is well concealed within the coastline while Palm Jumeirah is deliberately designed to protrude far out beyond the coastline into the sea. That probably explains why Palm Jumeirah has managed to attract the many super rich to buy some of this iconic seafront property.

One cannot fully appreciate the ingenuity of the planning of Mandurah Canal until you have a bird eye view of the layout - the easiest way is from the google map. The network of artificially created canals by way of foreshore reclamation allow every individual lot to have a private jetty and therefore direct access to the sea. This network of canals also effectively increases the length of coastline thereby allowing more property lots to be created.

One can easily get "lost" inside this labyrinth of waterway if one is not observant to pick up the landmarks as the cruise boat makes its way into the canal.

When our cruise boat zigzagged within the canal waterway, I was surprised to see no sign of stagnation of water flow within the waterway system. A faulty planning and design would have resulted in dead end waterways trapped with sea foam and litters on the water surface.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

Mandurah Canal - Labyrinth of waterways 
within reclaimed land..

Empty lot.

Cruise boat is also permitted to venture out to cruise along the main channel that leads to the open sea. However, it is not allowed to actually venture out to the open sea. Cruise along the channel gave us a chance to look at the design of at least two highway bridges that cross the channel.

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Candid shot at the jetty before the cruise.

After we disembarked from the cruise boat, we
bumped into my nephew's family who also reside in WA.

Trekking in Lesmurdie Falls

I was surprised when I was told that there is a waterfall in the vicinity of Perth. I could not imagine that WA known as an arid region without any snow capped mountain can sustain a waterfall. This skepticism was finally erased on 25 April when I was brought to see the huge catchment of Lesmurdie in the Lesmurdie Falls National Park just 20Km east of Perth city.

As expected, water flow at the waterfall would be erratic considering the rainfall pattern in Perth. At the time of my visit, the discharge dropped to almost a trickle, which was low rainfall season. One can expect a much more impressive waterfall during June-July period when Perth has it's annual wet season.

I found the place to be ideal for family outing, picnic and trekking. The trail is well maintained, its length is not too long and the gradient not too steep. This makes it easy for family with young kids to handle.