KL City Day Run - Part 3

KL City Day Run on 22 February at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Please click here to view photos by courtesy of JASON LEE.
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I read in Star newspaper (Metro Section) on Wedn 25 February that FTAAA will continue to bar foreign runners without PR status from road races.

So in the KL City Day run on Sunday 22 February, the usual Kenyan runners that sweep all the top positions for men and women categories were all not within sight.

As reported, FTAAA’s aim is to encourage more local runners to take part as well as win the prizes. Unfortunately, some selfish people have taken advantage and roped in foreign participants for their own financial gain. They have to stop the unsporting practice.
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I was told by Steven Penguin-5 that he has seen the local people ferrying a big group of Kenyan runners -- in a battered old van -- to the starting venue and compete with the local runners.
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When the race was over, in my opinion, it is not surprise that they will then share the prize money with the local driver for the service rendered. Since the winners go up the podium to collect the prize money, the local driver would know exactly how much is the ‘catch’.

I could imagine that the local driver would also double up to help to register for the foreign runners. So it is another way of cari makan, both for the local drivers and the Kenyan runners -- effective business collaboration applying to running!
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I think there are two valid points to this issue: (1) some say it is good to have foreign runners to raise the standards of the local runners, (2) on the other hand, with the foreign runners, there is no chance for the local runners to win prizes. It is akin to trading in free market competition and in protected environment. Nevetheless, FTAAA has made the decision and acted accordingly.

Well, if nothing is being done, maybe one day, Steven would tell me that he sees the familiar van driver (still ferrying foreign runners) but the van could be a new one.
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Jason Lee

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Posted by KC

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KL City Day Run - Part 2

Please click here to view photos by courtesy of JASON LEE. Stay tuned for Part 3 ...

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Jason Lee

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Posted by KC

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KL City Day Run

Event: KL City Day 10km Run
Date: 22 February 2009
Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur

Please click here to view photos by courtesy of JASON LEE. Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3..
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Need help to navigate in photo album? click here...
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Does it occur to you that the runners are wearing different type or running vests? With a registration fee of only RM 5, this is by far the cheapest running event around. Obviously, we do not expect the organizer to distribute free T-shirts to the runners. Besides, there are many medals to be awarded to the runners. Bravo to the organizer!

Jason Lee
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Posted by KC
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Next Trekking - Gunung Nuang

Kathy (back row, 3rd from right) and Group at the peak of Gunung Nuang
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After discussing with TonyQ, the Mountain Sifu, we shall organize a trekking trip to Gunung Nuang on Saturday 14 March 2009.

Gunung Nuang is located in Ulu Langat area. With the 3-tier terrain spanning from flat to steep ascent, it is a very good training ground preparing trekkers for the actual event. This is a tough trekking trip where one way to the peak takes about five (5) hours.

For Tony, he is leading a group of trekkers going up Mount Kinabalu on 29 April. This training is also preparing my team of trekkers for trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC) in October 2009.

If you are a runner or an avid trekker and are interested to join us, do inform Tony (016-274 2213) or yours truly (KC). In all the trekking trips that we go, we will always conclude with a sumptuous meal to celebrate the achievement.

Click here for previous postings on Gunung Nuang (scroll down the pages).

Posted by KC

Annapurna Base Camp

I am pleased to share with you photos taken by Ivy Lee who went trekking to Annapurna Base Camp (“ABC”) from 11 to 28 October 2008. As you can see, there was lots of deep blue sky in autumn compares to spring in May.

Please click here to view 368 photos taken by Ivy Lee..

Ivy Lee - admiring the peaceful and tranquil environment.

The 12-man KC and Team went there from 28 April to 4 May 2008 click here (and scroll down the pages); comparing the two seasons, you will see that in May, the ice and snow are still visible at the lower ground but the sky is always full of clouds. Hence, it is not stunning when taking photographs.

In October, most of the ice and snow would have melted save for those at the peak of mountains.

Which is the best season to go? The answer is: experience the different seasons in different trekking regions in Nepal. Both seasons have their unique experience and fun.

(AB Tan informed me that he will be leading a 7-man team trekking to ABC in early April 2009. Click here for his most recent trekking trip to Mera Peak, Nepal.).

Ivy Lee trekking to the peak of ABC (October 2008).

Ram, Cynthia, LimKH and NgChooi Ling (same journey in May 2008).

Ivy Lee arriving at ABC.

Weng arriving in ABC (May 2008).

Most ice at the lower ground is melted (Oct 2008).

Lili Ng standing almost at the same location (May 2008).

It snowed in May 2008 - Cheban, the boss of Nepal Trekking Agent.

Chooi Lin, Yee Choi, Chiew Hong and Weng (May 2008).

Posted by KC

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Elizabeth Wong

It is indeed unfortunate that Bukit Lanjang assemblywomen Elizabeth Wong (“EW”) has to endure such mental anguish. She must be saddened, frustrated, angered by the act of the person whom she once loved before.
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I just received this photo from a friend showing EW’s former boyfriend – so the cat is out of the bag. From what has been reported, this perpetrator of the crime cabut (fled) to Indonesia after posting EW’s photos – a coward person with coward act.

Why would a person do such inhumane act to humiliate and frustrate his lover? One of my friends said matter-of-factly that “why not, if the person is being offered millions of Ringgit”.

In summary, it shows that EW’s former boyfriend is kurang ajar (lack of receiving proper teaching). For a normal and kind hearted persons (like you and me), we would not do such nasty act. We have been taught some good attributes such as 'yee hei' (righteousness) and 'kuat (as in bone) hei (moral integrity)'. We shall not 'chu mai' (betray) people whom we once loved – no matter what actually happen later in life that cause the relationship to go sour.

The situation, of course, is different if the guy possess a criminal mind intended to cheat (or extort money from) the woman right from the beginning.

For Women: So, if you are a rich, single lady who is above 35 years old and your boyfriend is many years younger than you, you better take heed (of EW’s case) and verify the character of the person and the genuineness in maintaining the relationship. If your boyfriend is a foreigner, the risk soars. When things go wrong, he just fled to his home country and there is no easy way to locate him.

For Men: If you are a rich, not married person who is above 35 years and your girlfriend is many years younger than you, then you are a lucky fellow and probably is courting the right woman. However, the risk increases if she is a foreigner (that she is not after your money). Aiseh, I may sound like a fortune teller.

Sometimes, where we meet the potential boyfriend or girlfriend is important. In my opinion, one of the safest places to meet your dream person is in running and trekking … ahem. Yes, I am not joking! If the person who has in mind to cheat, after running for sometimes, he either give up the idea (of cheating you) or may one day become a marathon runner – a new found direction in life. Likewise, trekking is also good to look for your steady as the bloodsucker, after experiencing what it takes to be closer to mother nature; being bitten by the mosquitoes and leeches, would one day realized what it means to be the victim.

We hope that the person responsible for this crime be brought to justice.

p/s I just read in the Star newspaper that the culprit is called Hilmi Malek.

Written by KC

Le Tour de Langkawi (LTDL)

Cyclists in white shorts with blue patch (at the vital areas) standing on a podium? Ah Ha! My attention was directed at this photo when reading the Star newspaper on Monday 16 February 2009. Most cyclists wear black shorts and it is indeed refreshing to see them in white (shorts).

When I read the caption, then only I realised that the event was held a day before (Sunday) at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. Aiyo, why there was not much publicity on this event? That was also true that the organizer closed the highways for this event without much publicity. I am glad that I was not caught in the massive traffic jam a few days earlier when the peloton (large main group of cyclists in a road bicycle race) went through the major highways in Kuala Lumpur.

Unlike the previous few years, we could actually follow the various stages and know where the pelotons were when they took part in the Le Tour de Langkawi event. The photographers (Jason Lee, Weng, Chan Wing Kai, CS Wong, Shukri and yours truly) would then wait excitedly for the final stage at Kuala Lumpur and take photos for the event.
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When I checked in the Star newspapers (after the event was over), then only I realized that the reports of this event were overshadowed by the photos of huge, colourful and exciting football games, and the leng lui playing tennis.

Photos from the organizer: click here for 2009 LTDL; Click here for 2008 LTDL.
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Click here for past photos of LTDL taken by Jason Lee, Weng and yours truly (KC) [scroll down the pages].

Posted by KC

The two photos above are extracted from the official website.

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Fraser's Hill

Trekking in Fraser's Hill
Written and Photos by Jayne Aw
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As I stumbled into this forest, I wasn’t sure if it was a dream or had I been transported into the mystical land of Narnia. No, there was no snow here as the Pevensie children Edmund, Lucy, Peter and Susan had joined the mighty lion Aslan to free Narnia from the spell of the evil White Witch who had reigned the land of Narnia under winter for 100 years.

The forest was densely wooded and engulfed in mist. It was a refreshing walk as one was welcomed by the fresh air and kissed by the cool breeze.

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The trail started off with steep steps going downhill which made it a relatively easy trek at the beginning. Yes, it only just began ... The occasional heavy down pours had uprooted some of the aged trees that form natural barriers which made the trail more challenging..
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The trail is covered with thick foliages and carpeted with moss.

With almost two and half hours trekking uphill and downhill, we reached a small clearing on top of a slope where one could have a good view of the distant rolling hills..

After 30 minutes of rest and refueling the body with food and water, it was time to head back to the starting point. As I stood up, I felt an excruciating pain on my two thighs and my legs wouldn’t move. I was rather worried that I might not be able to make my way back. At that moment I was hoping I could find the way to the magic wardrobe which could lead me home instantly, as the Pevensie children had experienced in Narnia. Well, a dream remained a dream for I was not that fortunate. The journey back to the starting point took another 2 ½ hours with a torturous uphill climb at the last stretch where I had to literally drag my feet over each step. Finally and painfully, I made it back to where I had begun.
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.Sunset in Fraser’s Hill
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Sunset in Fraser’s Hill is spectacular. As the setting sun disappearing into the sea of clouds, the drama unfolded on the Nature’s stage, of the battle in Narnia between the mighty lion Aslan and the evil White Witch..
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Aslan flung himself upon the White Witch and they rolled over together but with the White Witch underneath. While the battle and the chase were going on, the stage light changed from yellow to flaming iridescent gold at the backdrop.The battle was all over in a few minutes and the White Witch was dead. And Narnia was freed from the winter spell of the White Witch. As darkness set in, the stage light gradually dimmed off and peace and tranquility reigned over the distant mountains ...
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“Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey.” -- Harold B. Melchart.

.Click here for other postings on trekking in Fraser's Hill (scroll down the pages)

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by Jayne Aw

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Photographers and Models

These two photos were taken with my camera phone. I went to the MPSJ new library on Saturday morning, 14 February. On my way out of the building, I saw a group of photographers were testing on their photography skill by engaging models as the subject of their photo shoot.
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Obviously, I was marveled at the sight. How I wish that instead of carrying books in my hand, I was carrying my SLR to join the group.

I see that a few of the photographers were amateurs and a few are pro. How do I spot the amateur photographers? They use the build-in flash from the SLR camera body.

The models (a guy and a gal) were asked to do many different poses. After all, I think it is all right to test out their lenses and also the different angles that they would take the photos.

I could see a photographer asked the models to hold hands much like parting while showing the affection feeling for one another. After that shot, another photographer asked the models to hug each other. First, it was the standing hug followed by the bending of body backward (by the gal).
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Wow! There was certain degree of difficulty here; not too suitable for runners as we usually have stiff back. I could imagine that the photographers were like directors directing a romance movie in their movie studio. After all, it is a Valentine's Day. Ahh... now I see it -- it was a Valentine's Day. What an excellent way of spending the Valentine’s Day by the photographers.

By KC