Christmas 2004
25/12/04 13:48 Filed in: Christmas Letters
Seeing that I've been consistently late with the Christmas letter for the past few years, I thought I might as well make it a tradition and be late this year! After all, if Microsoft can be late with their software releases, why can't I be late with my Christmas letter?
Last year, I mentioned that my boss gave me a Christmas present. Well, there was a catch to that, which I found out earlier this year when he chastised me for not working long hours. He also said that 'sick leave' means I must be physically bed ridden, not just feeling off etc. (My reasoning is rather than show up and being totally unproductive, might as well take the day off). So I guess I've been very healthy this year. Anyway, the work load picked up as well, so I really had something to do at work rather than surfing the net! We're still in the "I'll-be-nice-to-you-when-I-need-you" mode. He's very friendly and agreeable when we're overseas in Asia, but once we're back in the office...he doesn't talk to me much...unless he needs something. 🙂
Health-wise, I injured my neck earlier this year. I was leaning against the wall on my side on my bed playing X-box, and I slowly slipped down the wall with my head still against the wall. Eventually, my neck hurt and I stopped the game and got up. But the next day on, I started getting this headache and it went on for weeks. I had to take headache pills everyday. Cutting a long story short, I went to a doctor, then physio, and now my neck is good again, except occasionally, I go to my physio for a 'tune up'. Speaking of physio, Dad's leg continues to improve. You may remember that he had a fall last year. He now walks with a walking stick and walks just as fast as he did before.
In May, the whole family took a vacation in Kuala Lumpur for a week, where my cousin Robert was our tour guide. He has a MPV with DVD installed, and took us to a few of the cities surrounding Kuala Lumpur. I wouldn't say we did a lot of sightseeing, but we did a lot of shopping and eating! I bought a digital camera (Kodak DX6490) and took a lot of photos - mainly of food. We were well looked after, and it was fun and relaxing. (For my friends who are not familiar with Asia, the photos below - first one is Chicken Satay, second picture is durian - a fruit). We went to Genting, a resort famous for gambling. Genting's Chinese name translates to 'above the clouds'. Take a look at this photo and you'll see why.
In June, I went to Shanghai and Taiwan on business. As usual, it was 2-3 days here and 2-3 days there. We saw Hong Kong airport twice in 3 days. We were getting very familiar with the terminal and the gates! The exciting part of this trip was right at the end, when we were in Taipei. We were there to attend a seminar, which my boss and I were to present. But as 'luck' would have it, a typhoon came visiting. So the seminar was cancelled, and fearing that we might be stranded there over the weekend, we were racing against the typhoon to get out of Taipei before it hits! It was like escaping war! Of course, the airline play tricks with you by first delaying the boarding because of technical problems, and then changing planes altogether! Here's a photo of the famous Bund in Shanghai (left), and a photo showing (right) why I like old Shanghai.
In October, I was back in Shanghai again. And this time, instead of Taipei, I went to Beijing. Now, usually with my trips, I really couldn't be bothered if I 'see' a city or not - I just want to go home, but if I have fun along the way, that's a bonus. But somehow, with Beijing, I wanted to visit the Great Wall. I actually planned my trip to see if I have time to visit the Great Wall. I called the hotel I was staying at from Sydney to ask what options I have to go from the hotel to the Great Wall and back in time to go to the airport. And if I had time, I also wanted to visit the Forbidden City. Well, I made it. I visited them both. The day I arrived in Beijing, I dashed for the Forbidden City with about an hour to spare, and took photos. All the places I read in story books and movies, all the assassination attempts on certain emperors, the Empress Dowager etc. They all went through my mind as I walked around the place. Surprisingly, the actual palaces and courts are smaller than I thought. So in the books where they say that the emperor had 50 scholars and 50 generals when he's having his meetings - well, I'd say it would have been VERY crowded - definitely standing room only. But outside, there's plenty of space - definitely befitting of a palace - good security too. Take a look:
Remember John Lone in "The Last Emperor"? Here's the door he took when he left the palace:
The day I was to leave Beijing, I went to the Great Wall. On the day I arrived, I sussed out the limo driver about the cost of going to the Great Wall. Since he was a nice guy, I asked if he'd take me there. My main concern was that some taxi driver was going to take my luggage and disappear while I climbed the Great Wall. This guy seems honest looking, and decent. Anyway, when the boss found out I was going to the Great Wall, he was very interested. So I took him along - to share the cost. 🙂
Since the Great Wall is so long, there are actually a few 'different ones' to visit. We went to the MuTianYu Great Wall, instead of the BaDaLing Great Wall, where most tourists visit. MuTianYu Great Wall was visited by Bill Clinton. Hey, if it's good enough for a US President, it's good enough for me.
My driver recommended this place because:
- It was the better one to visit since it's unlikely they'd take the US President to an 'ordinary' Great Wall.
- It was closer to the airport.
- Because it's further away from Beijing city, less tourists visit.
- The mountains are steeper and prettier, more trees.
Along the way, the driver told me that to save time, I should consider taking the cable car up to the Great Wall. Many years ago, my mother climbed the Great Wall (which I now suspect is not the same as the one I visited). If mum can climb it, so can I. So I told him cable cars are for whimps! And so we commenced our journey towards the Great Wall, while my driver kept an eye (or two) on our luggage. Following the signs, and asking for directions, we were soon on the right track to the Great Wall. Then, something strange appeared. Every so-many steps, there would be a sign with a number. Then we realised that it was the number of steps we've climbed. So the question was: how many more?? It turns out that there were just over 1000 steps. 1000 steps takes you to the foot of the wall, you still have to climb more steps to go up to the top of the wall! At the 500th step mark, I was huffing and puffing so badly I thought I wasn't going to make it! I tell you, I wished I had taken the cable car. But then, it would not be 'climbing' the Great Wall. So I persevered and in the end, I made it to the top (and did it MY....WAY.....). And it was worth it. Here's my proof:
This MuTianYu Great Wall was built about 500 years ago. There was a nice breeze up there, and very peaceful - except for some stupid kid who was shouting and nagging his mother until she threatened to throw him down the mountain. I was very tempted to encourage her to do it ("Come on, you can do it!"), and take a photo for souvenir. Anyway, the wall is literally built on the peak of the mountains (as you can see) so the enemy would have to climb up the mountain (my guess is 1000 steps) just to get to the foot of the wall, they would have to bring their own ladders so that they could climb up the wall. And then, you have a very high chance of being killed by the soldiers guarding at the top of the wall! Now, if we go all that way just to get killed, that really would have p**sed me off! Seriously, I wouldn't have bothered. On the other hand, can you imagine "the Sound of Music" being shot in China and the Von Trapp family, or more appropriately, the invading Mongolian soldiers, singing "Climb Every Mountain"? Climbing the Great Wall was definitely an experience I'll never forget.
Oh yeah, we took the cable car down. 🙂
Other than that, Beijing is really not that nice - I was constantly being panhandled, 2 of them were professional con(wo)men. I prefer Shanghai. I reckon the people there are nicer.
In case you haven't noticed, I have a new hobby - digital photography. I have a photo site posting the photos that I've taken with my cameras. If you are interested, email me for the password. Here are my attempts at our famous Sydney landmark:
The rest of the family is well. My sister May is taking on a new job challenge to set up a support centre in the Philippines. It'll be a 2-year assignment and so it looks like we'll be going to Manila for a holiday within the next 2 years. My job is probably going to take me to Taipei and possibly Shanghai more often next year. But in any case, we've set up webcam just in case.
My other plans are temporarily on hold - I have to keep this job to help pay for my expensive new hobby, in addition to my existing ones. Maybe next year.
On Christmas Eve this year, we're having a couple of friends over for a BBQ. I'm going to be the Head Chef. It's ok, plan B is in place and ready to be activated in case I screwed up plan A. Back in 1987, I spent Christmas in Toronto. It was the first time I was away from my family and did not spend Christmas with them. I'll never forget the feeling on Christmas Eve, going back to an empty hotel room. Luckily, a colleague at the time invited me to spend Christmas Day with her family. Another colleague invited me over to place for Boxing Day. I'll always remember and forever grateful for their kindness. Christmas is about friends and family. Christmas is about giving and sharing (except MY toys!🙂). Given our current political climate, I think it's appropriate that my Christmas wish this year be this: Peace on earth, goodwill to man.
Take it easy over the Christmas break. Stay safe.
May this letter again finds you well. Until next year...Merry Christmas.
Your friend,
Bevan
