First Glimpse of Russia's Fairytale Architecture

I have a friend who, before retirement, worked as a bank manager and eventually rose to become the Chairman of a local bank. One of the privileges he and his wife enjoyed was the opportunity to travel abroad every year to destinations of his choice. He once told me that, of all the places he had visited, the most beautiful city was St. Petersburg, Russia.

That conversation left an impression on me, and I told myself that one day I would visit Russia if the opportunity came. Indeed, in July this year, I learned about a tour to Russia. Without hesitation, my wife and I signed up for the 9D6N journey.

Upon landing at Moscow Airport on 12.09.2025, our first destination was the Izmailovo Kremlin. This striking complex, with its brightly painted towers and ornate wooden facades, immediately caught our attention. Despite its name, it is not an ancient fortress like the Kremlin in Red Square, but rather a cultural and architectural complex built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Designed in a fairy-tale style, it combines elements of old Russian architecture with a playful, almost theatrical character. Within its grounds, visitors can find small museums, a chapel, traditional craft workshops and a lively market - all offering a fascinating introduction to Russia’s rich cultural traditions.

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Up until the early 20th century, Russia was largely an agrarian society, with the majority of its population living as peasants who depended on the land for survival. Agriculture was the backbone of the economy, shaping not only daily life but also the culture and traditions of the people.

In this particular building, visitors are introduced to the traditional farming techniques once practiced by Russian peasants, especially in the cultivation of rye - the most widespread and essential grain in old Russia. Hardy and resilient against the long, harsh winters, rye thrived where other crops often failed. It became the foundation of the peasant diet, most notably in the form of rye bread, or “black bread”, which was regarded as the staff of life for generations of Russians. More than just food, it symbolized sustenance, endurance and the close bond between the people and their land.

My impression was that the guided tour encouraged a good deal of visitor participation, which made the experience both fun and memorable. At the section showcasing traditional farming tools, one of our tour members, Darren, was invited to take part in a hands-on demonstration - much to everyone’s amusement.

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Later, inside one of the exhibition houses within the complex, my wife and I were challenged to a friendly contest: rolling up a long piece of thread to see who could finish faster. The activity was simple, yet it gave us a playful glimpse into the everyday tasks of old Russia, while adding a touch of lighthearted competition to our visit.

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The Church of St. Nicholas in the Izmailovo Kremlin is not just an architectural showpiece but a functioning Russian Orthodox Church. Constructed in the early 2000s, it was designed in the spirit of 17th-century wooden architecture, echoing the traditions of old Russia. Rising to about 46 m, it is often cited as the tallest wooden church in Moscow, a striking landmark amid the colorful towers of the Kremlin complex.

Dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, one of the most revered saints in Russia, the church holds regular services and ceremonies, including weddings and baptisms. It therefore serves a dual role: as a living parish church for the local Orthodox community and as an integral part of the cultural and architectural ensemble of the Izmailovo Kremlin, where history, faith and artistry come together.

Inside, it has traditional Orthodox icons, candles, and a prayer atmosphere.

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Other fairytale structures within the compound.

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Just before concluding our visit, we had the unexpected pleasure of witnessing a pre-performance rehearsal by a group of boys and girls dressed in vibrant traditional Russian costumes. Even in training mode, their spirited energy shone through as they moved around. The lively footwork and playful choreography gave us a taste of the joyous authenticity that characterizes Russian folk traditions.

Such performances are among the highlights of the Izmailovo Kremlin’s cultural program, designed to celebrate and preserve the richness of Russian music, dance and heritage. With their colorful costumes, graceful movements and youthful enthusiasm, the young performers created a festive atmosphere that left us with a lasting and heartwarming impression - a fitting finale to our introduction to Russia’s cultural treasures.

Politics and Divine Intervention

Members of the BCCM KK Benevolence Committee have finally shared the photographs of the newly upgraded access road leading from Jalan Tuaran to the BCCM KK Cemetery which was completed on 04.09.2025. This time, the road has been resurfaced with bitumen and enhanced with clear road markings - making it smoother, safer and more accessible for all.

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Before (left photos) and After the Upgrading Work (right photos).

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Securing the government’s intervention to improve and upgrade the access road has been a long and arduous journey. The latest push began on 22 April 2023, when we successfully invited MP Mustapha Sakmud, the Member of Parliament for Sepanggar cum Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, to personally inspect the site and consider allocating funds for the proposed upgrading works. Following his visit, a formal application - complete with an engineering design plan, technical details prepared by our consultancy and cost estimates - was duly submitted to his office.

This application was not our first attempt. Over the years, we had made numerous appeals to local state assemblymen and members of parliament for assistance. One who had rendered some help was YB Yee Moh Chai (State Assemblyman for Api-Api from 1994 - 2013), but unfortunately, the repairs carried out under such initiatives were piecemeal and cosmetic. The works were often done without adherence to proper road construction specifications, serving more as a gesture to “please and appease” rather than a sincere attempt to resolve the problem. The "repaired" road soon after fell into disrepair.

After MP Mustapha’s site visit, it was later discovered that the road does not, in fact, fall under the Sepanggar constituency. Responsibility was then referred to MP Chan Foong Hin, the Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu cum Deputy Minister of Plantation & Commodities Malaysia, for further action.

Arrival of MP Mustapha Sakmud to site
on 22.04.23.

Briefing MP Mustapha Sakmud about the 

proposed access road upgrading works.

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Upgrading work finally started on 25.06.2025 and completed on 04.09.2025 - almost two and half years since we liaised with the authority for the proposed upgrading works!

Group photo just before commencement of
work on 25.06.25.

Group photo taken during the joint site inspection 

on 12.09.2025 following the final completion of 

the works, joined by YB MP Chan Foong Hin 

(in yellow T-shirt).

In appreciation of the valuable assistance extended by YB MP Chan Foong Hin, he and his team were invited to a luncheon at a local restaurant on 12.09.2025. The gathering, held immediately after the joint site inspection organized by the Benevolence Committee of BCCM KK, served as a meaningful occasion for fellowship and gratitude. Regrettably, I was unable to attend the luncheon as I was away on a tour to Russia at the time.

In Sabah, there has long been a common perception that the period leading up to an election is the most opportune time to seek assistance from the authorities through politicians, particularly for the implementation of small community projects. Sabah state election is scheduled to be held not later than the end of the year. Hence, the recently completed access road, which now serves five cemeteries under the care of both the churches and the Chinese association, stands as a timely example. It certainly provides a strong campaign boost for the incumbent candidate.

Yet, one cannot ignore the deeper truth - that the success of such an initiative depends not only on political timing but also, on a touch of divine intervention.

A Former Classmate who Refuses to Give Up

Through a casual chat with Siew Fung, the wife of my former high school classmate, Yap Kim Tong, I came to know that Kim Tong - who is still recovering from a stroke he suffered a few months ago - was very eager to reconnect with his old friends.

Finally, on 04.09.2025, three classmates and I visited him at his home. Although he continues to struggle with mobility, sometimes losing balance and falling, we were heartened to see him cheerful, talkative and in remarkably high spirits.

According to Siew Fung, his journey with strokes actually began as far back as 2023. He had unknowingly suffered a mild stroke, which only came to light when a doctor pointed it out during a consultation for chest pain.

At a mini-reunion of former classmates on 09.11.2024, held to welcome newly reconnected friends Paul Yap and Timothy Piazin at a local restaurant, Kim Tong appeared perfectly normal - none of us could have imagined what was to come.

Mini-reunion on 09.11.2024
From left: Me, Timothy Piazin, Peter Tan,
Eddie Chow, Paul Yap and Yap Kim Tong.

Just before Christmas in 2024, I received news from Siew Fung that Kim Tong had suffered a second, more serious stroke and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance. I still remember visiting him at the hospital on 26.12.2024, the day after Christmas. He was then unable to walk or speak properly. Yet, with consistent medical care and the aid of acupuncture, he made a remarkable recovery and regained much of his strength.

At the hospital on 26.12.2024.

Unfortunately, his third stroke in April 2025 was far more severe. Even so, his unwavering determination, coupled with the devoted support of his wife and family, has made his ongoing recovery truly extraordinary. His commitment to daily exercises to strengthen his legs is living proof that he refuses to surrender. Despite his mobility challenges, he continues to attend the Senior Citizens Fellowship of his church, BCCM Donggongon, always faithfully accompanied by his wife.

Taken on 04.09.2025 at the residence
of Yap Kim Tong.

Indeed, Kim Tong’s resilience, courage and zest for life are nothing short of inspiring, not only to his family and friends but also to all of us who have been privileged to witness his journey.

It is my prayer that his recovery will continue smoothly and without setbacks. We eagerly look forward to the day he can once again join us for a simple yam cha - sharing coffee, stories and laughter together, just like in the good old days.

August 2025: A Month of Farewells and Reunions

August 2025 would be remembered as a month marked by both sadness and unexpected reunions with old friends.

While some former classmates and friends departed this world for good, I was blessed with the privilege of reconnecting with others - including a few I had not seen for more than two decades.

On 21 August 2025, my wife invited me to join her for a reunion lunch at Chennai Recipes Restaurant with several of her former colleagues from IPG Gaya (Gaya Teachers’ Training Institute). They were not unfamiliar faces to me; in fact, I had met almost all of them exactly ten years earlier, in August 2015, when we gathered for dinner at Signal Hill Eco Farm, an eatery owned by my former primary school classmate (Read here).

Chennai Recipes itself carries a special connection. It is run by a former IPG Gaya lecturer who was also my wife’s colleague, and the restaurant has earned a reputation for its authentic Indian food, especially South Indian/Tamil Nadu-style cuisine. It was not our first visit either - we had dined there twice before, once with Serene’s family and later joined by Paul and Junshi during the Lunar New Year earlier this year (Read here).

Now that nearly everyone in the group has entered retirement, conversations have naturally shifted. With their children grown, married and raising families of their own, the talk now revolves around travel plans and stories of recent journeys. In fact, fixing a common date for reunions has become something of a challenge - often depending on whether someone is away exploring another country!

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As we stepped into the lift at KPJ Specialist Hospital shortly after completing our routine Hepatitis vaccination on 29.08.2025, a man with a familiar face happened to exit at the same moment. For a brief second, I hesitated, then it struck me - it was Johnny Mositun, someone I had not met in almost two decades. To my amusement, my wife only recognized him after I called out his name aloud.

I first came to know Johnny in the early 2000s, when he was engaged by SMK St. Mary Papar to reconstruct one of the aging school blocks into what became the Domestic Science Block. The Principal then - my wife - had roped me in as the Consulting Engineer to provide the design and supervision. That project marked the beginning of our friendship.

The last time I saw Johnny was in 2006, when he invited my wife and me to the Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival Celebration) in Papar. By then, he had already entered politics as a member of the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) under the leadership of Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, the former Chief Minister of Sabah, whom I also had the privilege of meeting at that event (Read here).

Johnny went on to have a colourful political career. He rose through the ranks and served as the Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly for a 5-year term from 21 May 2013 to 20 May 2018. Today, he remains active in politics and continues to serve as one of the Vice Presidents of PBS.

As for the Domestic Science Block that brought us together, I was delighted to see it still standing strong and serving its purpose when we visited SMK St. Mary Papar on 2 December 2018 (Read here).

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Much to the annoyance of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, 31 August continues to be promoted as the “Independence Day of Malaysia.” This is historically inaccurate. On 31.08.1957, it was only Malaya that gained independence from the British. Malaysia did not yet exist - it was only officially formed on 16.09.1963, a date more rightly remembered as Malaysia Day.

Politics aside, we spent the late afternoon of 31.08.2025 doing a bit of shopping at Imago Shopping Complex. After dinner at one of the basement restaurants, I happened to notice a senior lady and a younger lady who looked strangely familiar. My memory failed me at first, and I could not place their names. As we stepped out of the restaurant, the senior lady suddenly approached my wife and called out her name. In that instant, it clicked - that was Mary Ho, together with her daughter June and husband Vun Fah. They were back in Kota Kinabalu for a short vacation.

It was hard to believe that they had left KK and migrated to Australia nearly twenty years ago. At that time, after both of their children completed their tertiary education and decided to settle down in Australia, Vun Fah and Mary were encouraged to make the move as well - and so they did, beginning a new chapter of life there.

Vun Fah and Mary had once been among our close friends in BCCM KK (English) during the late 1980s through the early 2000s. I still remember attending June’s wedding. Seeing her again that evening felt surreal - she is now the mother of a 28-year-old son.

To me, that was both incredible and almost beyond belief, a poignant reminder of how swiftly time passes and how much life can change in what feels like the blink of an eye.

Vun Fah, now 86, remains fit and healthy, though his wife mentioned that he experiences a slight stability problem when walking. Other than that, he is still remarkably sharp, with an excellent memory. He and his wife, Mary, reside in Sydney with their son Julian and his family, while their daughter June lives in Brisbane with her own family.

My Wife Turns 72

As we sat at the dining table of the restaurant to celebrate my wife’s 72nd birthday, I was reminded that this is no ordinary milestone. Twelve years ago, she celebrated her 60th birthday surrounded by family and relatives in Western Australia (Read here). That gathering marked the completion of one full life cycle in Chinese tradition. This time, however, the celebration was simple - just the two of us sharing the moment together.

Now, reaching 72 means she has gone even further, completing six full cycles of the zodiac. This is regarded as a rare blessing, a gift of longevity and a testimony to a life well lived. 

Yet, beyond the symbolism of numbers, the true beauty of her turning 72 lies not in the years alone, but in the wisdom gained, the grace she carries, and the love she has so freely given to those around her.

In such occasion, we can't help but count ourselves truly blessed, especially when we think of our former classmates, university mates and friends - some younger than us - who have already departed this world. It reminds us that the greatest treasure in these later years is not wealth or status, but health. Like many other seniors, we acknowledge that good health is the paramount concern. Thankfully, we still cycle, walk and trek - albeit now at a more moderate pace and on gentler slopes!

May the years ahead continue to be filled with health, joy and the warmth of family. Happy 72nd Birthday!

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While the birthday celebration was confined to just the two of us, technology made it possible for greetings to arrive instantly from afar.

Our grandson Nathan - who, twelve years ago, helped his grandmother blow out the candles on her 60th birthday cake (Read here) - did not fail to send his warm wishes. Together with his sister Gracie, they chatted with their grandparents over a WhatsApp video call, filling the moment with love and laughter despite the distance.

From Singapore, our two granddaughters, Livve and Maddie, also made the occasion extra special. They sent their birthday wishes through music, each playing the instruments they are currently learning. Their heartfelt performance not only expressed their affection but also gave us a joyful glimpse into their growing skills.

Another Empty Seat in Our Class

There’s a certain stage in life when our reunions and conversations become less about plans for the future and more about memories of the past - and too often, farewells. School friendships, once filled with chatter about exams, sports and youthful ambitions, now carry the weight of decades lived and of lives gradually drawing to their close.

Lately, I’ve noticed a shift in the tone of my postings - more often than before, they’ve become farewells to friends, classmates and acquaintances. Sadly, this is inevitable. Many of my peers are now in their seventies, already at or beyond Malaysia’s current average life expectancy of 75.2 years.

On 13.08.2025, a message appeared in our High School Class WhatsApp Chat Group: our former classmate, Richard Chua, had passed away on 10.08.2025.

Richard and I shared the entire journey of high school together at Lok Yuk Secondary School - from Form 1 in 1965 right through to Form 5 in 1969. In the early years, from January 1965 until mid-1966, our lessons were held at the old school premises on Signal Hill. In August 1966, we moved to the new campus along Jalan Teluk Likas. The old school premises, steeped in memories, have since been transformed into the Sabah Theological Seminary.

As a student, Richard stood out - not only for his academic ability but also for his natural leadership. In 1969, he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister of the School Council, a role that suited his steady and responsible nature.

After leaving school, Richard’s career path was as varied as it was interesting. He worked with trading companies dealing in veterinary products and agricultural tractors, and even ventured into breeding guard dogs. Eventually, he turned to vegetarian food marketing - a step that marked his gradual transition into a vegetarian lifestyle. In time, he became, as one classmate put it, “a diehard vegetarian.”

In 2006, Richard suffered a serious stroke that left him wheelchair-bound and made speech difficult. In 2019, when a classmate who has migrated to Hong Kong returned for holidays, several of us visited him (Read here). That was the last time I saw him. His speech was slurred and hard to follow.

In the afternoon I received news of his passing, three other former classmates and I gathered at the funeral parlour to pay our final respects. From his wife, I learned more about the long battle he had endured. Richard had lived with the effects of that stroke for 19 years - nearly two decades confined to a wheelchair, unable to move independently and struggling to communicate. It was a grueling journey, endured with quiet strength. Equally moving was the steadfast devotion of his family, who stood by him through every challenge, ensuring he faced those years with dignity and love.

Now, another familiar face from our class has gone - but the memories remain: his smile, his spirit and the echoes of our youth, carried in the hearts of all who knew him.

11.09.1948 - 10.08.2025

With Richard's wife at the funeral parlour on 13.08.2025.

From left: Johnny Loo, Peter Tan, me and Eddie Chow.

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With Richard's passing, it feels only natural to leaf through old photographs, revisiting the moments and laughter we once shared. They bring back the warmth of friendships and the joy of those bygone days, now etched forever in memory.

Colourized photo.

An old photograph taken in 1965 (Form 1) during class recess at the old school in Signal Hill. Back then, students often lingered along the corridor just outside the Chapel. In the picture, Richard stands second from left while I am beside him at his left.

Colourized photo.

An old photograph from 1967, taken when we were in Form 3 at the new school in Likas. Standing at the rear, Richard is fourth from the left, Peter Tan is fourth from the right, Eddie Chow is fifth from right while I am at the far left. In the front row, Peter Loo is second from the right.

An abstract of the first publication of School Magazine in 1969, "The Hornbill".

Chapter 40: Director's Quarters in IPG Keningau I Once Called My "Second Home"

It has been fourteen years since my wife retired as Director of IPG Keningau in 2011. Of all the places on campus, the Director’s quarters is perhaps the one I feel most deeply connected to. For three memorable years, from 2008 to 2011, this was the place she called “home.” (Read here).

By then, our family home was already a quieter one. All three of our children had left the nest - the older two building their careers overseas, and our youngest pursuing university studies abroad. Our family home, therefore, became a space of quiet evenings and solitary mornings.

Many of her predecessors - particularly the female Directors - had chosen not to live alone, often inviting a few trusted students to occupy the spare rooms and provide companionship at night. My wife, however, decided otherwise. She chose to stay alone - a decision that, in hindsight, revealed not only her independence but also her quiet courage. It was a choice that reflected both her strength of character and her willingness to embrace solitude with grace.

During her tenure, my weekdays were spent alone in Kota Kinabalu. She would return home on Friday evenings and leave again as early as 5 a.m. on Monday. Whenever her official duties kept her in Keningau over the weekends, I preferred to travel there and spend those days with her. The 115-kilometre drive from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau became a familiar ritual - sometimes setting off on Friday at 5:30 p.m., other times as late as 8.00 p.m.

The journey itself was often an adventure: sometimes driving through sudden tropical downpours, at other times navigating the mist-shrouded bends of the Crocker Range where visibility dropped to less than ten feet, or cruising along the winding roads deep into the night. Each trip had a single, cherished purpose - to spend those precious days with her in that modest “home.”

By God’s grace, I always arrived safely and returned without mishap, spared from accidents or harm, and deeply grateful for every moment we could share. Equally remarkable was that my wife too travelled that same challenging route countless times without a single incident - another quiet blessing we never took for granted.

On 8 August 2025, I once again found myself standing before that old quarters - now home to the current Director. My last visit was in 2019, six years ago, when my former high school classmate, Ah Miao, returned from Hong Kong and we stopped by for a brief walk down memory lane (Read here).

With the current Director who now lives in the
quarters. He too will be retiring in 11 months'
time. Another new Director will take over
and become the new resident of the quarters.

This time, I was struck by how little had changed. The structure stood as it always had, its mild orange walls seemingly untouched by the passing years - exactly as they were in 2008, when my wife first reported for duty here. Even the familiar contours of the building seemed to whisper, “I’m still here.”

Over the past forty years since the college first opened, many directors have passed through these doors - each arriving with a sense of purpose, each eventually leaving through retirement or transfer. The quarters have quietly borne witness to it all: evenings of quiet rest after long days, laughter shared with visiting family, moments of solitude between duties, and the unspoken farewells when it was time to move on.

Standing there, I felt the weight of its history. People come and go, but the place remains - a silent keeper of stories, holding within its walls the echoes of lives once lived here, including ours.