Cambodia - Reflections

First of all, the experience was not far off compared to Vietnam Ho Chi Minh City, however the remarkable difference was in the temples which the local Cambodians, who called themselves Khmers were proud of. The only other country that can claim heritage of having built such temples - called Wats would be Thailand - which inevitably lead to the recent border dispute.

Siemreap was the area for the visiting of all the Wats. The greatest of all the Wats would be Angkor Wat - making all other Wats dwarf in comparison to its immense size. The time I spent at Angkor Wat was perhaps 3 times more than any other Wats I visited. The most disappointing moment was when I reached the 2nd last tier of the temple only to find the highest point is under renovation.... a project that will drag into year 2009. Angkor Wat was build by Suryavarman II (refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suryavarman_II)
The other Wats also had their own distinct features and showed a splendour in their days of glory. Most well remembered (I really meant well remembered caused its either a lot of walking or a lot of climbing) would be the
Phimeanakas (Khmer: ប្រាសាទភិមានអាកាស, Prasat Phimean Akas, 'celestial temple') or Vimeanakas - the place where the then king had to spend a night on top of the temple with a Naga (snake or reptilian) girl every night. Otherwise either the kingdom would fall or he would die. (refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phimeanakas) One must remember that such myths or folklores are severely exaggerated at times.
Since King Jayavarman VII (7) was someone that was prominent enough to be found in the history textbooks I read before, it was no wonder he was a traditional hero to local people. He was the one who brought the Khmer Empire to the peak of its power (according to both local and foreign sources). Angkor Thom - which was preceded by high walls guarded by statues of guards - was said to be his playground (refer to http://i-gotta-go.blogspot.com/2008/11/angkor-thom-king-jayavarman-viis.html) . He also build Ta Prohm in honor of his mother and Preah Khan in honor of his father. I had the fortune to visit all three and take pictures of them.

Enough of Wats, I visited so many I lost count of them... as well as most of their names. Most of the Wats are undergoing reconstruction - or I should say projects that aim to strengthen the structures without too many changes as much as possible. The life of the boat people (which I visited on the 3rd day) was both interesting but also a reflection of living standards of most Cambodians. The Tonle Sap Lake was so massive that I felt like I was at sea!

Phnom Penh turned out the be the least interesting place of all. Even the museum itself felt stifling. The Killing Fields and the School (known as S21) where many were tortured and killed for crimes they never committed is worth one look (I really meant ONE) as you can read up the rest of the story yourself. I missed the video at the school which airs at 10am and 3pm but I don't really felt I've missed much as I've bought a related video years back by myself. Despite knowing what had happened, it was still chilling and eerie to be there particularly when it was close to evening.

Another great place was the beaches of Sihanouk Ville. Just imagine you are visiting Phuket in its early stages before more tourists and human activities corrupted the place. I was literally looking at fishes on the beach and crabs running across my feet! Its a great place to nua.

If you're going Cambodia.. brings lots of US dollars... these people do not seem to holdtheir own money in high regard. Their money is better used as small change - e.g. USD 0.25,0.5 & 0.75.

Backtracking to Saturday 15th

Went out for a celebration with the ex-JW kids - Kah Han and Andy's birthday. They've changed slightly over these few months. A pity Tinglei didn't join them. It was one outing that- for the first time I did not see her join them. The highlight of the whole gathering ... to me before I lef

t... was Mardiyah spoiling her slipper in the middle of Orchard Road of all places .... :oP

Da Jie's Baby Full Month + Visit to Kranji War Memorial

The two greatest event so far was Da Jie's son reaching his full month, unknowingly she had named her son Keith, so together with her husband Charles, she owns a Charles & a Keith! I also brought Renee along for the gathering and... hee.. kinda happy that she came along. David Lim was there with his whole family. So was David Liew Sandra, Kathleen, Zuomin, Stacey and baby Anastasia. Alice left earlier for a briefing of her trip to France, and Christine and Hilda were involved in the same briefing so they did not turn up for this event.

Visited the Kranji War Memorial the very next day.. which is today. Feeling of sadness came over me as I read the details of those who've passed on and who they were. So many of them were younger than me and did not get to live even past 30. There were Gurkhas, Indians, British, Europeans, Chinese.... and there were even tombstones that remembered soldiers without names! Serious! They came from all walks of life and were servicing in the medical corps, navy, air force, Fusilers, Artillery, Riflemen, Volunteer Corps... just name it.

The place also included the relatives of the deceased and also the resting place for two of Singapore's ex-Presidents. Yusof Ishak and Benjamin Sheares. Makes me wonder where is President Ong's?

New Camera + School Annual Dinner

I bought a new camera!
Been wanting to buy a model of camera that can react fast with clear sharp pictures. I decided not to wait anymore and just do what I want. The older camera wasn't so bad.... but after my student from the first school lost my rechargeable batteries, I found it takes up a lot of electricity. It also reacts slowly after each shot. I cannot do candid shots I want with it. So finally I hope this Canon G-10 would be great! :O)

I put it to work almost immediately and could tell the difference between the effects of a better camera!
The camera went into action on Tuesday night yesterday for my school's Annual Dinner. Grand Shanghai at Corpthorne was great looking and the atmosphere was pretty good. The quality of the food is great too but the only problem was the qunatities were so little we barely could fill our stomach. Here are some shots... and may a better year come, not before I enjoy the holidays!!

The table we sat at...

The high quality food.... and little quantity...

Free songs performance... and some really good colleagues..

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And so ends our Annual dinner... and I was tempted to go home and eat some more....

The past 2 months

A lot of things happened here and there. I did not have photos to remember all. Let me try and remember.... Gathering of many of us at Da jie's place. But found out I have to miss the Friday gathering as I have to go Thailand. Went Thailand amidst the fears of riots in Bangkok. But nothing was touched. I saw no rioters and came back heavily loaded with lots of shopping stuff!! heeeee

I found out Cheryl has settled down with her honey across the street near BLSS!!! Haha so near me! Met up with David Liew and the ladies Amy Angela Cheryl and Joey to catch up at Holland V before exams came.

PE - Presiding examiner for Year 2 level..... super shag... was waking up at 4am plus every morning. Haha my good sister Alice had to suffer waking up early too for nearly 2 weeks!!!

Jeffrey Sim got married and I was a brother from dawn to dark... it was super tiring.... Oh, one of the pictures is of his room that has a see through glass panel!

James got married too. I just had to turn up and go home. But next day was work so it was quite tiring lah....

Da jie gave birth to Keith. Now officially she has a Charles and Keith in her family!!! David Lim visited us and his baby girl is soooooooooo cute!!!! We chilled out at Ice Cold Beer Bar later on. Was scolded by Hilda for not updating her about my life! So sorry. Cuz my friends all have their own probs and I dint wan them to be piled with more of it. Oh! This is David's baby girl!

2 of my colleagues have left NPCC.... and I have to do more things now!! :OP sigh....

End of the school term for my kids... miss them haha especially my form class 2.08. A most jovial class I'd ever had.

Saw my class for next year. They don't seem as fun as the class I had this year.... hmmmmm

Geez now that I list out what I've gone through it does not seem like a lot of events after all... or is it?