Dazu Rock Carvings, Chongqing.

On 16 September 2016 when I visited  Dazu Rock Carvings or Dazu Baoding Mountain Rock Carvings, it was just a couple of days shy of 23 years since I last visited this place.

The most striking change at I noticed is the frontage or the entrance to this World Heritage Site. In 1993 when I visited this place with a group of Engineers from the Institution of Engineers Malaysia, the entrance was a simple stone arch with the Chinese characters "Baoding Mountain" inscribed on it. It was said that Bo Xilai during the pinnacle of his political career as Mayor of Chongqing spent billion to upgrade the entrance to its current monumental scale. He was known to focus on aesthetic development projects such as massive boulevards, monuments and large public parks. His appetite for gargantuan projects probably triggered his political downfall. The sheer size and intricacy of all the structures built for the entrance truly is mind boggling!

Back in 1993, no video recording was allowed in the Rock Carvings Site. Many staff and under-covers were assigned all over the place to warn people against doing video recording. They stopped and asked to check for any sign of recording. Recording video tape would be ripped off if they find any recording!

With the introduction of smartphones into the market in 1999, it would be impossible to enforce such rule. In any case, any posting of video of the site in the internet nowadays would be promotional materials and likely be encouraged by the Chinese to promote tourism! What a change!

It still amazed me to look at these carvings said to number over 50,000 statutes. Carved over a period of 500 years from AD650 during the Tang Dynasty up to the 12th Century, the carvings are good historical records of what people then perceived the living, the dead and the afterlife. It is the synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

While I was impressed by the "knowledge" of the tour guides as they narrated the tales and significance of all these carvings, I was wondering just how much these teachings and tales affect their belief system in China today?

Simple archway in 1993 as against gargantuan square 

and archway in 2016.

Another huge square and massive building after crossing the gigantic entrance archway.

September 1993 Vs September 2016

September 1993 Vs September 2016.

September 1993 Vs September 2016

The huge lying Bhudda was closed for renovation and restoration. It was fortunate that I can dig up my old photo to have a look of this huge rock carving.

September 2016

September 1993

Jiuzhaigou, China

Jiuzhaigou has been so well publicized that its beauty and majesty have been compared to shangri-la or heaven on earth. With the capacity crowd of 40,000 thronging this scenic spot everyday during its peak season in August/September, its lure to visiting outsiders often heightens their imagination and fantasy!

It was drizzling when we reached the entrance of Jiuzhaigou on 14 September 2016. From the weather forecast, we were aware that we might have to tour Giuzhaigou in rainy weather condition. Still the mild rain didn't seem to dampen the spirit of all visitors queuing up to enter. In actual fact, with an average of 13 raining days in the month September from historical statistics, it is good weather that may come as a surprise.

When I saw the huge number of locals selling "raincoat shoes" at RMB10 a pair at the entrance area, I could imagine that God must be having a hard time. Every morning, tourists would pray for good weather so that they would have the best view and under the most pleasant weather condition; the "raincoat shoes" peddlers would pray that it would rain so that their sales would be good to enable them to feed their families!

Much to our relief, the crowd that morning was small and we hardly needed to queue long to enter. Still, my guess of 8,000 visitors that day was still large when compared to crowds in tourist attractions in Malaysia.

We were fortunate not among such ungodly number of tourists!

"Raincoat Shoes"

Jiuzhaigou or the Valley of Nine Villages falls within Tibetan territory. The area was almost destroyed by massive logging to extract timbers in the forests in the past. It was said that some scientists who went there to do research were spellbound by the beauty of the valleys that they decided to petition against the logging activity. Logging was finally banned in 1979. The area was declared as a National Park in 1982. In 1992, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997.

Jiuzhaigou basically is a Y-shaped configuration of rivers that meander through valleys of this mountainous terrain. Along the flow paths, you find terraces where ponds or lakes are formed. Some are simply huge expanse of wetlands and in some areas, water drops over cliffs to form waterfalls. The varieties are simply spectacular!

I would say that a minimum two days are required to fully gaze and appreciate the bulk of the natural wonders of this rivers system. We spent a mere six hours in one day and managed to see just five of them! Still, it was sufficient to make a lasting impression.

Our first stop is Long Lake in full raincoat

Long Lake at the western upper reach
 of the river system

Drizzle did not last long and we were able to remove the raincoat and took more photos in proper attire.

Multi-Colour Lake

Multi-Colour Lake

Gran Lake at the eastern upper reach of the river system

Group photo at the Gran Lake

Timber logs are still visible in Gran Lake

Five Flowers Lake

Timber logs are still visible in Five Flowers Lake

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Jiuzhaigou has been used for a number of movie scenes and backdrops. The Flower Lake was chosen for the shoot of the epic fight of Jet Li and Tony Leung in the movie "Hero" above this lake.

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Overland flow upstream of Pearl Shore Waterfall

Pearl Shore Waterfall

Pearl Shore Waterfall

Pearl Shore Waterfall

Pearl Shore Waterfall

Shimon Peres (1923 - 2016)

Barely three years ago in January 2014 (Read here), Ariel Sharon, the ex-Prime Minster of Israel passed away. Unlike Ariel Sharon, who was seen by many as a hawkish politician, Shimon Peres on the other hand was seen as a man of peace. "Peres Center for Peace" founded by him in 1996 sums up his legacy.

Future historians in looking at the Middle East will wonder what Middle East would have been like had the promoters of the Oslo Peace Accords signed in 1993 continued to helm the leadership of Israel and Palestine. Unfortunately, the peace approach was cut short after Yitzak Rabin, the then Prime Minister of Israel and a signatory of the Peace Accords was assassinated in 1995 by a Jewish extremist who opposed the Oslo Peace Accords.

Throughout history, people who dared to chart into unknown territory in order to make a difference faced great risks and adversity. Many paid the price with their own lives.

Shimon Peres once said, "The most important thing in life is to dare. The most complicated thing in life is to be afraid. The smartest thing in the world is to try to be a moral person". This probably sums up his conviction and approach for peace rather than confrontation.

He was a leader who dared make difficult decision just like what he said. "I worked with a group of people who argued day and night - professors, officials, the Minister of Finance - but there were decisions that I had to make". This statement is particularly true because I have met leader who just loves to solicit for ideas after ideas but never dares make a decision lest it may "offend" certain people or he may become unpopular. We find such kind of "leaders" among many of our politicians! What a shame!

But Shimon Peres' assessment of the Jewish people probably is the most accurate. What he said truly reflects the tenacity and endurance of this special chosen people called the Jews: "The Jews' greatest contribution to history is dissatisfaction! We are a nation born to be discontented. Whatever exists we believe can be changed for the better".

Rest in Peace Shimon Peres!

Orange Farm in Chittering, WA

On our driving tour to the north of Perth, we made a detour to Golden Grove Citrus Orchard Farm in Chittering, an orange farm earlier introduced by my daughter.

This is quite a large orange farm with a few rows planted with lemon trees. Due to time factor, we decided against plucking the oranges but buy directly from the counter. We thought that buying directly from the farm could be cheaper. In the end, we discovered that this is not the case. Oranges sold in places like Spudshed is even cheaper.

But for people who is keen to experience plucking oranges, this is a probably a good place to spend some time with friends and family.

Tokoh Guru

18 August 2016 marked a truly significant day in our calendar. Not only was it the day when my beloved "purple ninja" was finally sold off (Read here), but it was also my wife’s birthday - a double celebration made even more memorable because she was honored as the Tokoh Guru of Papar District.

What exactly is Tokoh Guru? At first, I turned to Google Translate, but the result was vague and unhelpful. Eventually, I found a clearer explanation from the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The title Tokoh Guru is not just a ceremonial label; it is an official recognition given to outstanding educators who have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to teaching, nurturing students, and contributing to the broader development of education in their community. It is a mark of deep respect, celebrating not only years of service but also the positive impact and legacy a teacher leaves behind.

"The award is a symbol of the government's recognition of the sacrifice, integrity and contribution throughout their service. Among the criteria is that the candidate has a track record of excellence in the classroom, outstanding contribution to the teaching profession and education, active involvement in activities outside the classroom and community service, in addition to excellence in other fields. They must be a Malaysian citizens who were born in this country; as far as possible be chosen from among prominent personalities who have been awarded the title of Master at the state level; aged 50 years or over, whether serving or retired; are or have served as teachers, principals, teachers, lecturers or administrators in education services".

With these criteria in mind, the closest English translation I can think of for Tokoh Guru would be “Exemplary Teacher” or “Distinguished Teacher.”

It also becomes clear why such awards are often given either to retirees or, at times, posthumously. A teacher’s true legacy can only be fully recognized once he or she has stepped away from active service. Only then can the breadth of their contributions, the values instilled, and the impact they have left on students and the community be properly assessed and appreciated.

Award presented by the Deputy Minister of Works, Malaysia,

Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin who is also

the Member of Parliament for Papar.

The two Tokoh Guru

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Our home holds a remarkable collection of gifts and souvenirs that my wife received in the days leading up to her retirement on 18 August 2011. Each item carries a story, a memory, and a token of appreciation from those whose lives she touched. I feel that now is the right time to share some of these cherished mementos.

The parting words of the Department of Visual Arts & Department of Indigenous Pedagogy of Keningau Teachers Training Institute on the eve of her retirement sum up her legacy in her teaching career.

"Thank you for being such a wonderful leader, an exemplary model and caring. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Thank you for not being afraid to trust the citizens of IPG Keningau Campus like real people. Thank you for showing acceptance, approval and appreciation. These are all gifts that are so important for our development and we will remember you well. Words of encouragement, a little respect and simple gesture of kindness promote the perfect climate for working, learning and growing. Your attitude translates into a spirit of friendliness and good will towards other. Progress is easier in an atmosphere of creative freedom, joy and ease and we will remember you well. We salute the good work you have done, we appreciate the person you are and we thank you for your positive influence. You have passed on invaluable instruction and wisdom and created pleasurable moments associated with learning that will always be sweet memories and we will remember you well. Thank you for ensuring impression you have made in the lives you have touched. You are a great leader, teacher and great friend and we will remember you always. 

Retirement may be an ending, a closing, but it is also a new beginning. 

Happy Birthday & Happy Retirement!
17 August 2011 

From Jabatan Seni Visual & Jabatan Pedagogi Perimubi."

A portrait painting by a Lecturer.

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This year, her birthday was not celebrated solely with me. In August, Paul and Jun Shi returned home for a short holiday. On the night before their departure for Singapore on 8 August, they surprised us with a thoughtful gesture - pulling out a birthday cake from the fridge. It was a secret they had carefully kept until the very last moment, making the celebration all the more memorable and heartwarming.

We also spent an evening at Kokol Haven to enjoy the awesome sunset view of Kota Kinaballu.

Letting Go - My Old Land Cruiser

My work horse, a land cruiser which has been with the family for over 20 years was finally gone on 18 August 2016, the same day my wife celebrated her birthday. It had been a faithful "work horse" ferrying the children to and from schools in the late 90's and early 2000's. It had traversed across various parts of Sabah during the family outings. It had even gone as far as Brunei when we took a drive to see the newly opened Jurudong Theme Park. But the most unique description came from my grandson. He didn't see it as being painted purple. He called it "Gung gung's big red car!". He will miss it when he visits KK the next time.

But time is catching up and keeping it in serviceable condition is likely to become more costly. Rather than keeping it idly, it was time to let go. It was put on sale in Mudah.com.

After meeting with numerous potential buyers, one chap was genuinely interested with an acceptable offer. A handshake formalized the deal. The new owner, Ramli Mohamad however was worried that I would change my mind when I was away for two days in West Malaysia. He called me the minute I arrived home from the airport on 16 August and was keen to have all the paper work done.

In the morning of 18 August, Ramli was a happy man. His immediate plan - a drive to Kota Marudu with his wife! I am happy it is in good hand.

Reunion of MU Fifians

David Tow remains as the undisputed individual who could motivate the fifians to meet and be connected over and over again.

David Tow, a lecturer of the Faculty of Education of the University of Malaya was a Fellow of MU 5th Residential College in the 1970's. When we first entered the university as freshies in 1973 and stayed at the 5th College, David opened his living quarter in the College to allow us to meet and fellowship. We called ourselves the 5th College Christian Fellowship and the Fifians in short.

At around the mid 2000's, David and his wife Rosalina decided to relocate and return to his original country, Australia for good. Since then, they came back occasionally to Malaysia. Reunions were always organised for the Fifians to meet up with him and for fellowship. The last gathering I attended was in August 2009 (Read here).  He came back twice after that. I being in Sabah did not attend any of the last two.

A few years ago, his health deteriorated significantly after two strokes. Currently, he is wheel chair-bound and he can no longer talk. A procedure was done to insert a tube through the neck to his stomach for feeding because he is unable to swallow due to weakened muscle. Nephrostomy tube insertion was also done to drain the urine via a catheter.

Despite of his condition, he and Rosalina made another trip back to Malaysia in July. All of us knew that this would be probably his last trip back to Malaysia.

I and my wife, also a fifian flew to KL to attend a reunion with him and other fifians in one of the homes of the fifians on 15 August. Two smaller gatherings were held earlier in David's house on 23 July and 4 August. The one I attended was the largest with fifians coming from Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. We had great time reminiscing old time, catching up on news about children and grandchildren.

More than 43 years have passed since we got to know each other. Most are now retirees and grandparents. Deep down, we knew that such occasions would become more difficult to organize because time is catching up fast.

Still, we had surprises. We discovered that one among us who had no culinary skill during our university student days is now a "chef extraordinaire" - cooking skill that he picks up as a hobby. KC Ho single-handedly cooked all the dishes we had that evening.

How the ladies looked in August 2016 as against in August 2009

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With KC Ho in August 2016 as against in August 2009

My wife with Guek Yean, (right) a fellow 

Batu Pahatian and also ex Convent girl

We sang, just like old time! KC Ho, our guitarist during university days is still equally good with the guitar!

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When the rest were busy cooking in Lar Har's house, a few of us had private moments with David at his home.