Taiwan - Flowers in Full Bloom

I am pleased to share with you photos taken by Huey Ling's friend, Cheu Leng.

Huey Ling is one of the 8-person team visited Taiwan (11 to 25 April 2010) click here whereas Cheu Leng and friends visited Taiwan from 10 to 17 March 2010.
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Cherry in full bloom

Please click here to view photos by courtesy of Cheu Leng.

From the photo albums, we can see all types of flowers in full bloom. What a pleasant and memorable experience walking along a forest reserve trail to be greeted by all the beautiful and refreshing flowers.

Just like running full marathons, we need a few tries to get it right – I shall go visiting Taiwan again for the flowers and trekking.

Note: when you are in Flickr photo album, click the icon at bottom right to expand the display.

Happy viewing.

At Alishan -- Good to take time off to smell the flowers

Posted by KC

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Gunung Angsi Climbathon – Prelude

Quite a number of the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon (23 Oct 2010) team members are participating in this Gunung Angsi Climbathon scheduled on Saturday, 8 May 2010. This is an excellent event for testing one’s fitness level leading to the mother-of-all Climbathon challenges in Malaysia.
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Prelude to Mount Kinabalu Climbathon 2010: click here2 and here1

TonyQ, the Mountain Sifu, cautioned that last year, there was no water station for the same Gunung Angsi Climbathon.
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Filepix - obstacle course en route to the peak of Gunung Angsi

According to Michelle Looi, one of the team members, 500cc of water might not be enough and suggest a participant to load 250cc before the start of the Climbathon.

Anyway, looking for toilets in the jungle is much easier compare to running on busy streets as one can easily blend in or camouflage with the bushes.

After talking to TonyQ, I realized that it is not easy for the organizer to carry so much water to the peak to set up a water station for some warm welcome to the participants who would successfully make it to the peak. That, they would have to engage those tough EBC (Everest Base Camp) porters to do the job, or airlift by helicopter if there is no constraints with budget.

So, if one bottle of 500cc of water is not enough, I would suggest each participant is to bring two bottles and carry them in our small backpack.

Alternatively, tie each bottle with a plastic raffia string long enough to sling over our shoulders in X formation. This is somewhat similar to Indiana Jones when he slings his bag over his shoulder. Most of the time, we hold the two bottles to run. But when we need the free hands to hold on something, we just let go of the bottles. When done, grab the bottles again (still hanging from our shoulders) and continue running. In case we are chased by animals, we can use the two water-loaded bottles for self-defense instead of our bare hands.

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Filepix - having a dip in the cold stream after completing the trekking trip at Gunung Angsi
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Though it is quite amusing to look at holding two bottles to run, much like Clint Eastwood cowboy movies carrying two guns for the showdown; but when one is thirsty and there is no water station, guess who will have the last laugh … :-)

Then Raymond Ng (click here) has a bright suggestion: hope it rains and we will have plenty of water....hahahaha.

Hmmm… the participants are getting into a tricky situation: no rain, no drinking water; with rain but it would be wet. If that is the case, I would suggest to bring along a plastic funnel and an empty plastic bottle also other than a light, disposable raincoat in our backpacks. While we run, we just hold the funnel upright to collect water for drinking. Of course, we can also demonstrate the sifu stunt (to other participants) to run with the funnel in our mouth for fast, direct and uninterrupted channeling of fluid.

Click here for official website of Gunung Angsi Climbathon.
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Click here for all previous postings of trekking trips at Gunung Angsi.

Have a good run

See you there

cheers... KC
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Taiwan Backpacking Holidays (2)

Alishan ku niang

In the evening, the group likes to visit night markets that operate in urban or suburban areas of Taiwan that have become popular tourist destinations among sightseeing foreign travelers. Much like the Pasar Malam in Kuala Lumpur offering vast variety of food and shopping, the night markets in Taiwan operate in much bigger scale.

Alishan dancers performing a cultural dance
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Night markets offer excellent environment for shopping and to savour the delicious Taiwanese cuisine. There is so much food to eat that we usually eat more than three types per evening. However, there is something in common that becomes staples in all night markets: the stinky tofu that gives off an unforgettable aroma -- IT SMELLS LIKE SHIT! Since one man's taste is another man's poison, much like durian in Malaysia, this is an acquired taste which I shall reserve one day to try.

Heart shape forms by two cypress tress ... Hui Min and Hui Mei

.Please click here to view Photo Album #2 (of 2) taken by yours truly (KC).
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Su and Huey Ling walking along a trail in the Alishan forest reserve area
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Coffin cakes (棺材板 guāncáibǎn) – What a name! It is bread baked into the shape of a coffin, hollowed out, and then stuffed with minced meat. But it is delicious!!.

Fried Chicken Fillet – At Shilin night market, there is a particular store which is well known for serving tasty fried chicken breast, in large portions and for only RM 5 equivalent. While standing there, people are seen queuing up to buy.

Magneficent old tree that dated back almost 2,000 ago
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Based on simple deduction, the prices of most drinks and beverages are about 25% more expansive than in Kuala Lumpur. For example, a can of cold Coca Cola is RM 2-00 equivalent whereas it is about RM 1-60 in Kuala Lumpur..

Train out of service ... Su, Huey Ling, Hui Mei and Hui Min

Iron Man 2 Taiwan version (now showing Iron Man 2 Holywood version in cinemas)

A cruise boat ride at the prestine Sun Moon Lake

Thao tribe cultural dance at Sun Moon Lake

F4 girls enjoying a scenic sunset at Sun Moon Lake

Calm and serene ... in the morning
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A Magical Crystal Lake -- The beauty of the lake, from dawn to dusk and from spring and summer to autumn and winter, whether it is bathed in sunlight or shrouded in mist, exudes such an aura of enchantment that viewers never tire or looking at and sighing over it. [Extracted from Tourism Board, SunMoonLake]

Yours truly (KC) waiting for train together with other group members

Freedom Square at Taipei ... Hui Mei

Taipei 101 Skyscraper ... Su
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Posted by KC

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Taiwan Backpacking Holidays

I am back. It is fun to be part of the 8-person team going for backpacking holidays in Taiwan for two weeks (11 to 25 April 2010). We traveled from north (Taipei) to south (Kaohsiung) via east coast railway line and back to north again via the famous Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and Sun-Moon Lake route. I wish I am 20 years younger to travel and see the world using this method... :-)

Posing next to a replica of Queen's Head, the symbol of Yehliu Geopark ... Hui Min, Su and Hui Mei

Please click here to view Part 1 of the photos taken by yours truly (KC)
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Yours truly (KC) and the Queen's Head
At National Palace Museum ... Huey Ling, Su, Hui Min and Hui Mei

Though it is spring in Taiwan, the weather was cloudy and gloomy with limited hours of blue sky. Most of the time, it is cool, and occasionally, cold. At certain places, it was hot in the afternoon.

Night view of Tamshui Fisherman's Wharf

The tourist spots are scenic but not the city view that is typical of any established towns or cities. The Night Market in Taiwan is unique offering lots of delicious Taiwanese cuisine. So far, I did not notice any curry or spicy food.

The group is cycling to the beach while stoping at a junction

The people of Taiwan are courteous and very helpful. Mandarin is widely spoken. We feel safe walking at the streets of any towns.
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Oh! What a feeling ... strong winds from Pacific Ocean

At the mountainous areas of Alishan, I was a bit disappointed not able to see the cherry in full bloom and also to meet the pretty Alishan girls, as sung in the famous song describing the mystic place and tribe people. Instead, I was greeted by the elderly and oversized tour agents and shop assistants ... :-) I enquired and the best time to see cherry blossom is from mid-February to mid-March.
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Taroko Gorge

Staying in the budget hotel is cheap, clean, and comfortable. At around RM 30 per pax per night, the facilities include air-conditioned room, hot water bath, soap, towel, hot water, flat screen TV, etc.
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Hui Min and Hui Mei

The public transport is clean, fast and on time. We travel to places by the spacious trains, public buses and high-speed trains.
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Beach at Kenting, the southern tip of Taiwan

Will I go again? Yes, I shall organize a nature and trekking trip to Taiwan in three years time focusing only on Alishan mountains and Sun-Moon Lake for about one-week’s holidays. With a flight time of 4.5 hours (takeoff and touchdown) via Air AsiaX direct flight, it is indeed a must-go holiday destination.
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Yours truly (KC) at left ... Chen Hock (at right)

Without any tour guide for the guided tour, backpacking trips require considerable amount of time to identify places of interest and read maps as to how to arrive at the destinations. We constantly have to ask the local people where or how to go. So when we asked for direction, we address them as "lao xiong" (old buddy) or "da ker" (big brother). The word "lao" (old) does give some hesitation to the person who was addressed (the guy may be thinking: am I that old?). Nevertheless, the 'da ker' gives more motivated responses.

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Hui Mei, Hui Min, Su and Huey Ling

Group photo taken at Kenting National Park, the southern tip of Taiwan Island.
(L-R): Back: KC, Chun Lian, Chen Hock
Middle: Su, Hui Min, Hui Mei, Huey Ling
Front: Donny

At Love River @ Kaohsiung

According to Taiwan's Tourism Bureau, there are countless places to see in Taiwan. But the following eight sites are among the best to experience the island's natural and cultural charms. Out of the 8 places, we managed to visit 7.

At Fo Kuan San

Top-8 Sites are:

1. National Palace Museum

2. Taipei 101 Building

3. Sun Moon Lake

4. Taroko Gorge

5. Alishan

6. Love River in Kaohsiung

7. Kenting (pristine beaches)

8. Yushan (Jade Mountain) - Did not manage to visit.

Arriving at Alishan ... at 14 degree Celsius.

To be continued ... click here for part 2
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Posted by KC

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Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix 2010 (Part 3)

Please take note that the next posting shall resume on 28 April 2010. I shall be away for a free-and-easy backpacking holidays to Taiwan with other trekkers for two weeks.

More Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix 2010 photos ... the following photographers are processing and uploading the photos:

Photos from Shukri: Please click here later to take you to the main photo album.

Photos from Jason Lee: Please click here to Hon You's main photo album; click here to Weng's main photo album.

Photos from Wei Liam: Please click here for the main photo album.

Yours truly (KC)'s main photo album: click here

Another photo album containing Jason Lee's runners in action: click here

Click here for Part 2, click here for Part 1 of the Petronas Malaysian F1 GP 2010.

Posted by KC

F1 Petronas Malaysian GP 2010

Please click here to view photos (Album #2) taken by yours truly (KC) on Sunday, 4 April 2010 - F1 Race Day
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Lots of passionate F1 fans waiting for the Driver's Authographs session

"Are you the guy from the Sunshine Runners blogsite? You look familiar ... " A tall, young and good looking Malay guy inside the barricade area asked me. Together with the F1 fans, Jason Lee, Shukri and I were standing next to a railing patiently waiting for the F1 stars to arrive for Driver's Autographs session at 12 noon on Sunday, 4 April 2010 -- the final race day. It was announced that the passionate fans actually started to line up as early as 8 a.m.

Initiation of Starting Grid Parade

I was pleased that someone could recognize me from the blog. It sounds like I also have a fan. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I asked him why he was there. Due to the loud environment with radio DJ from Hitz FM entertaining the crowd, I could only see that his gesture pointing to a Maybank foreign exchange outlet about 10 feet away. After knowing that his name is Afig, I thought that this name is unique.

Huge crowd at the C3 Hillstand

When I read in the Star newspaper on Tuesday 6 April 2010, I saw a familiar face: AFIQ is one of the rising stars of drivers in the Formula BMW Pacific Series. Now it makes sense why he is inside the restricted area. I should have known that he must be of someone special in this F1 motorsports, and get his autographs and take photos with him... :-) When he is as famous as Michael Schumacher one day, that photo with Afiq would be valuable.
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The 1Malaysia F1 car

Afiq in the Formula BMW Pacific Series

Written and posted by KC

Petronas Malaysian GP 2010

Saturday 3 April 2010: Pre-qualifying Race

Arriving at Sepang F1 Circuit at 10 a.m., the crowd came in slowly since it is considered quite early. This time, the photo kaki group is getting bigger other than Jason Lee and Shukri. In order to support the Malaysian Grand Prix 2010, we went to Sepang F1 Circuit for two days: Saturday and Sunday; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Please click here to view photos taken by yours truly (KC).

Photographers and F1 Supporters: (L-R) yours truly (KC), Shukri, Melvin, Lam, Wei Liam, Jason Lee
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Outside of the Circuit, the familiar sight is the Marlboro booth and the elegant sales girls that provide good opportunity for photographers to show off their skills other than targeting the extreme fast moving cars. Another favourite station is the LG booth demonstrating the latest technology on electronic gadgets and simulated F1 racing cars even those under-aged drivers are able to negotiate tight corners safely.

The Marlboro sales consultants

Life is Gooooooood

Kangaroo TV – This is an excellent gadget where one can rent the handset for two days for RM 300. Not only one gets to see the moving images on a 3"x3" small LCD screen, one can chose the preferred TV cameras (as there are a few of them), and get to hear the live commentaries of the latest happening. The audio version is just the radio headphone which rent at RM 100 that can double-up as earplugs.

Air show -- it was a pleasant surprise to hear the deafening roar from the sky high above as four fighter jets from Royal Malaysian Air Force were performing acrobatic stunts on the sunny sky. While three fighter jets were flying in unison, the fourth and the lone one is spinning around, performing stunts of vertical climb and dropping vertically from the sky. BRAVO to the pilots !!

Yours truly (KC) posing with a retired F1 car
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History of F1 cars -- there is an exhibition of a few past F1 cars. The design of modern F1 cars, not only practical and aerodynamic in design, are most pleasing to the eyes. During F1 races, with the parts flying all over during crashes, one would think that they are flimsy in build. Testing them with a few knocks (with my bare fist) on the exhibition units, they are as solid as rocks !!
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Wet ground that increases the challenges
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Pre-qualifying Race – Just after the pre-qualifying round of race was initiated, it started to rain; at times, it gets heavy. It was during that time we got to see F1 cars start to spin around though they were not like in Australian F1 (a week ago in Melbourne) with accidents and smashes. A few of the top racers actually made the wrong judgment (thinking that the rain would stop) and did not change into tyres for wet conditions.
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After going to Sepang F1 Circuit for a few times, I begin to appreciate the saying of one of our F1 photography guru, that it is a serenely conducive place to relax and unwind amid all the deafening roar of the mean machines. Sitting there in the hot afternoon under the covered grandstand with the gentle movement of air, it is the perfect formula for dozing off. And later, feeling very much refresh and energize after waking up from the nap.

Sunday 4 April 2010 – Race Day

Arrival of the F1 stars greeted with warm welcome and cheers

Driver’s Autographs Session – Jason Lee, Shukri, Melvin and I spent some time waiting for the F1 stars at the Driver’s Autographs session. The crowd was entertained by the DJs from Hitz FM. It was announced that the fans actually started to line up as early as 8 a.m. The excitement intensified with the arrival of F1 stars in a few black Naza MPVs at 12 noon. The star that garnered the loudest roar has to be Michael Schumacher. The Malaysian fans like him.

Michael Schumacher - walking tall

F1 Merchandise – One T-shirt cost RM 300; one cap cost RM 150: they are really not cheap to Malaysians. But for staunch supporter, it is worth the money no matter how much is the price. On the other hand, with the strong foreign currency rates, I presume the prices are okay to mat sallehs.

KC posing with supporters from UK
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Supporters from Britain – We saw the same loving couple from UK. They were here last year. According to them, they come every year to support the F1 event. BRAVO to the staunch supporters.

Lunch Packs – This year, there are more choices for food. After looking around, we like the lunch pack (sandwiches) offered by Coffee Bean. The choice of sandwiches are chicken, ham and tuna that cost RM 20 each; a can of drink is RM 5. The only satay stall there is doing a roaring business judging from the amount of smoke that went up into the sky; from far, it could be misconstrued that the smoke came from the engines of racing cars that malfunction.

Sugarcane juice – A stall operated by a group of Chinese, it cost RM 6 for a small bottle. When I chat with one of the partners, he said the rental is about RM 30,000 for three days. Most likely, they will make a lost. Anyway, the mat sallehs don't drink the sugarcane juice; that left with a small segment of Chinese customers.

Hillstands – There are many spectators at the hillstands taking advantage of the lower entrance fees. The popular ones are C3 and C2 which is a covered hillstands. It is a must that spectators at the hillstands come equip with umbrellas to ward off the sunlight and also when it rains. Looking through our telephoto lenses, a group of Ferari supporters even set up a tent that read " Welcome Back Michael Schumacher". BTW, he has switched camps.
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Designated Seats – This is the only moment that sitting is according to the numbering on the tickets. However, as for those who are busy taking photographs, we don’t sit at our designated seat; we just walked around taking photos. Together with the deafening roar, I notice that the cars are moving at much faster pace whether it is hard breaking or lightning-speed acceleration.
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The weather for the final race was superb with the overcast sky and as such, it was a dry day for the race. There was a bit of mishap but the one that attracted our attention is when Michael Schumacher’s car was moving slowing in front of the C2 hillstands and finally came to a halt. After waving hands in acknowledging the fans, he was ferried away in a slow-moving kap-chai (small sized cc motorbike) by the F1 workers.

After two days at Sepang F1 circuit, I was roasted and my face is very red with the sun tan. This event attracts many mat salleh spectators, as well as the locals. One fan said it is better to shift the Malaysian F1 one week later to avoid the convectional rain in the late afternoon. On the other hand, the additional obstacle – the unpredictable rain – is something unique to a tropical country that makes the event more challenging. After all, this is the sports that challenge all obstacles and impossible.

Written by KC
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Stay tuned for more photos ...
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