Account: (login)

Are you the publisher? Claim this channel

Search in 126,031,258 RSS articles:

Channel Description:

 
 
 
 
 
 Spirit of Backpackers:

-Be independent
-Save resources
-Learn new things everyday

Latest Articles in this Channel:

  • 02/03/09--07:16: Sihanoukville, Cambodia (2008) (chan 1465682)
  • 西哈努克港,简称西港,是柬埔寨最大的轮船深水港。柬埔寨的海岸线比起邻国的泰国与越南,算是少之又少、短之又短。而在深水港旁边的海滩,实在算不上漂亮。特别之处,是举国当地人都喜欢来这里度假。有趣的是,老外都喜欢穿少少、一条条趴在沙滩上;当地人则是围着长桌子吃螃蟹、吃榴莲、喝啤酒等。沙滩上也有不少挑着火炉到处给人现烤海鲜的妇女;也有各种按摩美容美甲等的服务...

  • 02/10/09--06:55: Mekong Delta, Cambodia & Vietnam (2008) (chan 1465682)
  • Mekong Delta 2D1N Tour (27-28 December 2008) I joined the Mekong Delta tour when I first visited Saigon in year 2006. Since then, for the next 3 years I found myself keep on returning to the Mekong River. This time I specially planned for the 2D1N tour from Phnom Penh to Saigon. (Normally people would just take 6 hr direct bus by land.) It has become my tradition to do border crossings in my trip. This time the "border crossing" was done on the Mekong River. Cool~ The tour package of US$27 included land transfer, boat trips, and also a night of accommodation at Chau Doc. Please refer to Days 5 and 6 for travel itineraries. 这是第三次梭行在湄公河上了,第一次是比较靠近西贡的 My Tho 三角洲支流、第二次是泰缅寮金三角一直到寮国境内的 Luang Prabang、这次则是从柬埔寨到越南的 Chau Doc。对像我这种整天被困在城市里的人来说,最吸引人的仍旧是河边人家的生活,看着当地人民与湄公河密不可分的关系 -- 一座座每年雨季都被冲走,旱季又再搭起的小木桥、一整片一望无际的稻田、骑在水牛上的小孩、是代步工具也是住处的木船、这会儿被赶着下会儿说不定就成了桌上佳肴的鸭子、在浮屋上生活,双手划桨也许比双脚走的路还多的水上人家... 虽然只是匆匆而过,却也感受到大地是如何无限地付出予它的子民,而人类又是如何紧紧依赖着大地的养分生活着。每每看到自食其力的人家,我心里也总是说不上来地更踏实了些。

  • 02/10/09--07:32: Saigon, Vietnam (2008) (chan 1465682)
  • 28-29 December 2008 We arrived Saigon at late evening after whole day sitting on the bus from Mekong Delta. We treated ourselves to a big feast of local delights - Elephant ear fish (specialties from Mekong Delta), fish hotpot, fish clay pot and tropical fruit juices (Avocado juice!!). It happened that the Suzuki Cup final was going on for that night, Thailand vs Vietnam. And for the 1st time in history, Vietnam beat Thailand and won the Cup. WOW I think the whole Vietnam became crazy, everybody just came out on the streets to celebrate. They zoomed their bikes on the streets with their National flags. We really wondered where were all the flags coming from in such a short time. Such a passionated and patriotic nation. My mum and I have been to Saigon before so basically we just enjoyed local food at Pham Ngu Lao area, and of coz shopped at the Ben Thanh Market. Click here for more photos in Saigon taken in year

  • 02/19/09--06:06: Dalat, Vietnam (2008) (chan 1465682)
  • 30-31 Dec 2008 After 7.5 hr of bus ride from Saigon, we finally arrived at this highland town. The climate here was so pleasant with strawberries and flowers around, we almost forgot that we were in Vietnam. It's a touristic place with more local tourists than foreign tourists. Vietnamese love this place for a getaway from humid weather. Besides of the nice climate and the burst of flowers, the villas and buildings left over by the French give an impression that we have stepped into Paris or somewhere in Europe. No wonder it's called "Little Paris". It was drizzling for the whole day but we managed to walk to the Crazy House. At night, we enjoyed both local and western food (Italian pasta, Vietnamese spring rolls and ice-creams in the pineapple) at the stretch of bars near Dalat market. Wan was so into the mood so we further went for drinks at V café which is recommended by Lonely Planet for its chocolate pie. She even treated me Cointreau to go with her Dalat wine. HAHA the drin...

  • 02/19/09--06:14: Nha Trang, Vietnam (2008) (chan 1465682)
  • 31 December 2008 It was another 7 hr bus journey from Dalat to Nha Trang. The first part was at mountainous area. Some local ppl were having motion sickness on the bus. On the way we were blocked by fallen trees and we waited for about half an hour for the clearance. The second part was the flat ground and coastal area, we saw lotsa of rice fields, most were flooded by rain water. We only spent about an afternoon loitering at Nha Trang beach area. It was the last day of year 2008 so we were expecting a nice last sunset of the year. We were disappointed, though. At night we took the 12-hr night sleeping bus to Hoi An. WOW the sleeping bus was truly impressive. The Vietnamese invented this creative sleeping bus with double decker "dormitory". The passengers have to remove the shoes at the entrance of the bus. The shoes would be put in plastic bags and then in a small drawer. Blanket and water were given. There was a toilet on the bus as well. The bus is a five star one, very c...

  • 02/24/09--06:30: Hoi An, Vietnam (2009) (chan 1465682)
  • Hoi An 会安 1 January 2009 A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An was an international trading port as far back as the 17th century. Influences from Chinese, Japanese and European cultures are well preserved in local architecture and art. Hoi An Old Town is basically a living museum which is not difficult to imagine how it might have looked 150 years ago. We arrived in heavy rain after 12 hr of night bus. Unfortunately, I collected my backpack in wet after it was being soaked in water in the luggage place. Throughout the entire bus journey it had been raining fiercely so nobody could really be blamed. Fortunately Wan found a hostel just opposite Sinh Cafe and we got to check in early. (US$17 for double room, it was the most expensive place that we stayed in Vietnam.) I took out all the things in my backpack and dried them. It had been raining in Central Vietnam before we arrived, and it had never stopped throughout our stay, although it was supposed to be dry season (at least end...

  • 03/01/09--22:51: The Sleepwalker's Dreamland (chan 1465682)
  • Rong Bao Bao's

  • 03/19/09--08:24: Hue, Vietnam (2009) (chan 1465682)
  • Hue 顺化 2-3 January 2009 We arrived in Hue in the early afternoon. Rain has stopped and we were really happy about it. We stopped at a cosy eating place (Minh & Coco, recommended in LP) for lunch and planned to visit the Citadel later. Unfortunately it rained again. From then the rain never stopped, not until we left Hue. sianz~ So for the first day we only managed to walk across the Perfume River to Dong Ba market (Wan bought some Hue coffee here). The rest of the time we were stuck in the eating place (springrolls in Minh & Coco for lunch and KFC for dinner). Yummy KFC... The next morning it was still raining but as we already booked for motorbike tour (US$7), we braved ourselves under the rain on motorbike (of coz with rain coat but 浑身发抖、牙齿不停打颤、手是冻的, freezing~). Wan's driver, Minh, even "designed" for a full-body waterproof (plastic) rain coat for her. And our model successfully created eye-opening fashion attraction from fellow tourists and locals. (我们的模特儿亦不负众望地吸引不少游客的目光,还赢得了...

  • 03/31/09--08:32: Hanoi (old quarter), Vietnam (2009) (chan 1465682)
  • Hanoi 河内 4 January 2009 破晓时分巴士抵达河内旧市区,见路边学生已经抹黑起早等待公车上学。无意间瞥见一处闪烁着多盏亮黄油灯,黑压压地隐约见到人头攒动,原来是个菜市场。这古城真是充满生命力,更重要的是终于摆脱越南中部连绵到烦死人的长命百岁雨,睡眼惺忪的我不禁打起了精神。 先到还剑湖,看名字就知道背后有个古老传说。还剑湖对面竖立一面大钟,倒数 2010 年河内就一千岁了。千年古城耶,真是雀跃!我们随意走走,旧市区很多传统手工艺老店都还在,鞋街帽街竹街衣服街毛线街打铁街中药街编藤街灯笼街杂货街墓碑街纸扎街全部分门别类按街道聚落,一起竞争也互相依赖生存着。这里冒牌风极度猖狂,冒的不是什么 DVD 而是商号。只要名气大一点的餐馆或商店都会惹来“分店”。最好笑的是 Sinh Cafe 多到同一条街上可以有几十家,当然都是冒牌的(虽然个个都跟你说他才是正牌),可见它的名气。我们仅仅只是走马看花,吃吃喝喝走走停停竟也消磨掉一天。来到一家 Cha Ca La Vong 烧鱼专店,已经是第四代的老字号,号称“全越南最古老的餐厅”,连街道都以它来命名。他们只做晚餐,一开档就马上客满。菜单只有一种,没得选,碳烤烧鱼。我们有样学样模仿当地人的吃法,也极富乐趣。当然这家有名气的店也引来“分店”,就矗立在对街。我们核对过 LP 的地址,放心吃这正牌店。 隔天一整天游了下龙湾,回到河内光顾鼎鼎大名的法式餐馆 The Green Tangerine,这是与 Wan 说好了的,咱越南最后一餐要砸钱享受格调与品味。河内在法国殖民统治下是印度支那(Indo-China)的首府,光看市内殖民建筑就知道,当然这里不乏道地法式餐馆。而这家 The Green Tangerine 不只坐落于1928 年的殖民老屋里,还是美食专家评论为河内数一数二的餐馆。格局与气派都确切符合我们想要 splurge 的条件,重点是我这个乡巴妇长这么大还没吃过法国餐,Wan 决定带我去见识见识,在这里见识总好过在新加坡见识得花大钱,这里的费用应该不足新加坡的一半吧!Wan 点了前菜Salmon,汤,主菜分别是烤干贝与白鱼,还有芒果甜品,当然少不了葡萄酒,Chardonnay 白酒和红酒,算是很齐全的 full course。很有次序地一道一道上菜。先是Salmon appetizer,共有三...

  • 04/02/09--00:00: anGela talcs - WRETCH (chan 1465682)
  • Cher's

  • 04/02/09--00:08: 像大树一样,这样静止的活着 (chan 1465682)
  • Jia Xian's

  • 04/06/09--22:49: Liangxinzhan’s Weblog (chan 1465682)
  • LLD's

  • 04/12/09--03:21: Halong Bay, Vietnam (2009) (chan 1465682)
  • Halong Bay, 下龙湾 5 January 2009 耳闻太多关于各种下龙湾配套的恶名,尤其是我妈亲身经历被船夫“虐待”的故事,我们在选购配套时也特别谨慎。我们在几间信誉良好的旅行社货比三家后,最后还是选择 Sinh Cafe 一天的配套,US$23。 基本上一天的行程 7 个小时在小巴,约 4、5 个小时在船上。搭小巴到下龙码头换船,出海时是一艘一艘大木船依序开往同一个方向,极有赤壁曹操船队阵仗的架势。在船上的感觉良好,海风徐徐,老外都到楼上的甲板上晒太阳,我们则呆在楼下吹海风看风景。下龙湾的海上喀斯特地形,远看甚是壮观,尤其是太阳反光下迷迷蒙蒙的,近看反而没什么看头。 我们懒洋洋地呆在甲板上,学老外享受阳光,天气凉爽时感觉阳光特别温暖,倒也舒服。闷了就拿起相机这里拍拍,那里拍拍,Wan 还(仿)录制了一个 Visa 在下龙湾的短片。 终于游过这鼎鼎大名的世界自然文化遗产,大自然的美,只能意会无法言传。 迷迷蒙蒙的很有感觉

    一叶孤舟,大自然衬托下显得异常渺小

    下龙湾里讨生活的海上人家


  • 06/03/09--19:45: Borneo - Mulu Park (Day 1-2) (chan 1465682)
  • 30 April - 1 May 2009 Day 1 - arrived at Mulu National Park headquarter, joined walking tour to Deer Cave & Lang Cave Day 2 - took boat to Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave, stopped by Penan village; attempted Paku Waterfall but have to 中途折返 due to heavy rain

  • 06/22/09--17:58: 我的私房地图 (chan 1465682)

  • 06/29/09--07:15: Borneo - Mulu Park (Day 3-4) (chan 1465682)
  • 2-3 May 2009 Day 3 - Canopy Walk + Paku Waterfall + my birthday!! Day 4 - Moonmilk Walk + flight back to

  • 07/04/09--09:22: Niah Caves (2009) (chan 1465682)
  • 4 May 2009 - Day trip started and ended at Miri. About 2 hr driving + 4 hr walking. Niah Caves - Traders Cave, Great Cave, Painted Cave. The total of 9 km walk comprised walking through the jungles, walking in the caves and dark tunnel, climbing up and down the slippery staircases. The most memorable part was the 10-min walk at a dark tunnel towards Moon Cave. We were in complete darkness (伸手不见五指)not knowing what's beyond the torchlight, imagined ourselves in the journey of The Lord of the Ring. The 10 minute felt like hours. But it was definitely the most fun and exciting experience, and it was an experience that cannot be taken down by

  • 07/08/09--08:12: Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan (chan 1465682)
  • 5 May 2009 来到美里,汶莱也不远了。民宿的老板娘为我们安排私家车接送,不必转车转船而且舒舒服服地过边境,还是 Pajero 呢!路上见识砂劳越木柴大亨的财气,还有汶莱苏丹弟弟的霸气。一个多小时的路程,直达首都斯里巴加湾,一个左看右看都不像首都的首都(还是有钱国家的首都咧)。 不错,皇宫很壮观,回教堂很漂亮,街道很干净,路上呼啸而过的车子个个高头大马黑玻璃,又新又漂亮。出人意外的倒是市中心,仅有横竖三四条街道;更有趣的是河上的 Kampung Ayer,也就是 Water Village,据说有两万多人居住在水上,平时搭船过来上班上学办事。不要看这些水上村落很简陋,有钱人也是这么个住法的,吴尊家也是其中一户哦~

  • 07/09/09--08:29: Miri (chan 1465682)
  • 6 May 2009 On the last day of our Borneo trip, we just strolled along at Miri. Wan caught a movie while I read in Starbucks. ^^v Few photos taken in Highlands, our budget guest house in Miri. Nice~ The nicest part is the Nasi Lemak on Airasia, super yummy!!

  • 08/06/09--23:48: 传唱 (chan 1465682)
  • 大约4月底宽柔的学生终于把去年演奏会的现场录影DVD给我,这是一场我缺席的“乐宴”。想到去年一整年耕耘在乐团的努力与心思而最后却无法出席见证学生的成果,难免遗憾。虽然录影效果奇差无比,但至少让我得以重温当时现场状况。忘了何时开始,年年几乎都以团歌提琴手作为大收场,动用全团包括初一初二的小学弟妹们。曾几何时,在台上依依不舍的高三毕业生们不也曾是站在舞台前的初一初二生。年年新人送旧人,很庆幸我团传统,旧人都会继续守护团体与学弟学妹们。不同的是,去年我们送走最挚爱的陈老师,他却是一去不复回了。

    “乐宴”有个特别环节纪念陈老师,不用多想场面肯定非常感人。其实心是痛的,不是因为我没在同一个时空一起感染气氛,而是因为心里最大的一个遗憾。2007年弦乐团庆祝二十周年演奏会,已有几年不曾出席的陈老师竟然出现。当时老师已经生病,瘦小的身影更显薄弱。他静静地在台下观赏整场演出,然后循例上台领花接受大家的掌声。结束后,所有团友围到老师身边,有问候的、有鼓励的,然后大家拍了一张照片,也就是卡农之友与老师的最后一张照片。学生们呢,忙着收拾、忙着庆祝,竟然没有一个人过来跟老师打招呼,有点冷。最痛心的,是学生们为二十周年准备的montage里,团长主席首席指挥等热烈发表感言,只字未提老师团友。撇开不提其他的指导老师与历届团友,连抱病出席的陈老师,也被热烈欢庆的学生冷落一旁。也许当时没人想到,原来2007年的二十周年,是老师在世的最后一场弦乐团演出。

    2007年没有好好把握机会表达感谢,到了2008年已经失去时才来纪念,能不痛吗?这一年多来我所无法放下的,是作为一个指导老师的自责。我无意责备学生,纯粹是自我自责。老师的责任,不仅仅是传授音乐的知识,同时也应该包括做人的道理。如果当年我再做得好一点,再坚持一点,灌输学生多一点感恩与尊师重道,今天也许就不会如此遗憾。以前当我还是学生时,上陈老师的课总是听他讲很多道理,以前的我不懂,现在懂了- 什么是教育的意义,什么是老师的责任。现在,陈老师不在了已经是个事实,怀念也好、遗憾也好,但至少我可以做的,就是当个能够启发学生的老师,这样陈老师的精神永远都会在,也就不辜负陈老师当初一手举荐我当弦乐团指导的苦心了。

    今天突然旧事重提挖出来写,是因为上个星期某位学生的家长打电话来,说是这位同学很感激我的教导,教会他很多东西。这位家长觉得心存感激是不够的,感恩的事一定要让对...

  • 08/25/09--08:27: Splurge - 砸钱 (chan 1465682)
  • 我一向对自己刻薄,除了把钱塞进航空公司的口袋之外,平时基本上没有什么奢侈的大消费。但过去三个月的三项花费,狠狠把钱包榨了又榨。毕生积蓄全数倾注,还敢敢用上未来钱~

    首先是六月,终于换了“一辆车”,崭新的 Norton 越野脚车。虽然在新加坡用不上“越野”,但性能好一点的脚车较安全也较省力。服务多年的Pinky,屈指算来已是十八岁“高龄”,满身伤痕铁锈,承载的却是满满童年与青少年期间的回忆,还有过去三年里作为我每天上班的代步工具,终于可以退休啦!

    左:Pinky   
    右:노내(新脚车只有韩文名)


    新脚车还算负担得起的价格,接下来,七月,我简直像是把银行里的钱全掏空出来,再狠狠砸碎粉红猪扑满,用沾满血迹玻璃碎片的双手把白花花的银子乖乖奉上换回来的“一见钟琴”。话说六月中旬无意间试拉一把新的手工大提琴,马上爱上她的手感她的声音她的内涵总之全方位地爱上。我拉了十几年琴,这还是第一次一见钟“琴”。如果她当时名花有主也就算了,偏偏不是。小心翼翼地确认价钱,如果价钱是天价也就算了,偏偏却是我预算中的顶限,意即在预算内。为了确定自己不是一时冲动,我还到处去看琴试琴。试过很多比她更贵更漂亮的,还是最喜欢“一见钟琴”。也问了很多音乐朋友的意见,评价不一,却都认为能够看对眼也是一种缘分。我想这是命中注定吧!于是,我把“毕生”积蓄全倒了出来...

    之前用了很久的大提琴(Jurgen Klier),陪我参与各项大大小小演出,帮我考到音乐文凭,在音乐路上伴我成长。希望“一见钟琴”能把我带到音乐更高境界。穷了毕生积蓄,富了文化心灵,值!

    对了,一直叫她“一见钟琴”,其实她是已经命名的,叫Jay Haide,à l'ancienne 版

    图:琴行的Jay Haide样式图,我的“一见钟琴”看起来没这么黄,比较红

    八月,以为说毕生积蓄全数倾注以后,不过就是束一束腰带啃面包的日子。谁想因为之前早就订了的沙巴 Semporna 之旅(说 Semporna 你可能不知道, Sipadan 就知道吧),想想去到世界十大漂亮岛屿之一,也是世界十大最漂亮潜水胜地,不会潜水真的很可惜。有这样堂而皇之的理由,马上就报名潜水课程,整个配套包山包海包括2天2夜 Pulau Tioman。前面说了毕生积蓄已经被掏空,所以这笔帐用的是信用卡,预支未来钱。

    说回潜水,学会一门新技艺的感觉...

  • 08/25/09--09:10: Penang (June 2009) (chan 1465682)
  • 27-28 June 2009 This time I stayed at Chulia street area, SD Guesthouse (RM22 for twin room). Besides the usual craving for Penang food - fried kway teow, kway teow soup, laksa, chendol, dou sar pia, etc, this was also the first time I visited the west side of Penang - Teluk Bahang, Balik Pulau, etc. The bus journey from Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau was awesome. Entire mountain of durian and rambutan trees. And lotsa families and ppl gathered around for durians. Then Air Itam, a place not to be missed. Visited Grandma's house, 桑梓咖啡店 and the famous laksa stall. Walked to Gurney Drive from Komtar. A relax but fruitful trip.

  • 08/27/09--09:18: Diving in Tioman (August 2009) (chan 1465682)
  • 14-16 August 2009 My 3rd time at Tioman. This time was for the PADI Open Water diving course. We stayed at Paya Beach resort, a nice place with comfortable mattress and yummy buffet meals. (I stayed there for my 1st Tioman trip as well!) We did 5 open water, means we went to 5 different sites, each site for 40-60 min underwater. From my 1st trip to Tioman, I already discovered that Tioman has the prettiest and nicest ever coral that I have ever seen. To my surprise, this time I saw dolphins (never knew that Tioman has them) and lotsa Nemo. HA my first time seeing Nemo in real sea!! They are super cute and playful. It was a fruitful trip with lotsa memories - struggle of buoyancy control, ear infections, blocked ear, Nemo, dolphin, etc. Too bad I don't have an underwater camera so the photos here are all above water. I'm thinking of investing one so that I could share underwater pictures here.

  • 09/01/09--02:03: Bangkok + Ayuthaya (2009) (chan 1465682)
  • 21-23 August 2009 21 August - Asian Hotel, Pad Thai at roadside!! 22 August - Victory Monument, Ayuthaya, Mochit terminal, Khao San 23 August - Khao San, Chit Lom area, MBK 大城 Ayuthaya 炎热和曝晒的程度,让荷叶告诉你

    在象背上,一路摇摇晃晃、颠簸不平,一看就觉骑象不舒服。大象又何尝舒服?

    Wat Phra Si Sanphet 最引人注目的三宝塔一字排开

    树下微风阵阵,虽是盛暑,不经意间秋意却上心头。静心聆听一草一木,只想微笑

    Wat Phra Mahathat 著名的佛像,当地人极虔诚地在供奉着。环首如此,不知佛陀作何之想

    圆圆的,好可爱!

    在 Khao San,突然天降巨雨,街道瞬间满溢。苦等良久,终于雨势渐弱,比较心急的人们在雨中涉水而过,各人出尽法宝。最方便的是男人脱去上衣卷起裤管就可以大步走,也有人拿plastic bag 套头、有男士piggy back女友、怀抱女友、及让女友坐在肩上的(超贴心可是这样在水中走未免太危险!)、有人看到有空的Taxi 就上哪怕只是200米转角、还有洋男人干脆脱掉只剩底裤(还白色的,每个人瞄着他看),当然更多的是不管三七二十一湿就湿的。没有人发脾气,倒是很幽默地 play with it。再次见识 Khao San 文化!抱歉,只有这张照。

    到泰国的原因


  • 11/03/09--00:20: 心回嘉 (chan 1465682)

  • 07/14/10--21:02: Cellissimo players (chan 1465682)
  • Date: 24 July 2010 (Sat) Time: 7:45pm Venue: JB Foon Yew High School, Yang Wen Fu Auditorium Ticket: