impromptu travel

Taipei - 草叶集概念店

2011-01-14T22:22:00.000-08:00

台北市内湖路一段47巷6弄12号 TAIPEI, TAIWAN

感谢Peggy把我去年寄过去的书摆在书架上。
在另一个城市看到自己的书感觉很奇妙。又陌生又熟悉。

热情的店主Peggy在泡着下午茶……
很享受在她工作室的时光。我们聊书聊生活聊爱做的事……

熟睡的卫斯理……

好玩的卫斯理……

A LITTLE SOMETHING + WOOBBEE

2010-11-25T02:54:00.000-08:00

日子是平淡的，是人的推动力把它搞精彩了。
It is our initiative and motivation that make
the plainest of days splendid and delightful.

在等待一杯茶的时候想着某人……
寄出简单的一点心意，让他们的一天快乐无比！
While waiting for your tea......
send A LITTLE SOMETHING to someone
and make their days delightful-ly woobbee =)

--------------------------------------------------------------------
WOOBBEE BUBBLE TEA
1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza #01-18
Hotline: +65.6220.8220

一点心意 A LITTLE SOMETHING

2010-11-18T19:58:00.000-08:00

苏格拉底猫 CAT SOCRATES | #03-39B Bras Basah Complex
18.11.2010 - 31.12.2010

A LITTLE SOMETHING - EXHIBITION

2010-11-12T19:55:00.000-08:00

Woods In The Books | 58 Club Street
12 - 21 November 2010

A LITTLE SOMETHING - EXHIBITION DISPLAY

2010-11-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

Some of the exhibition pieces...

A LITTLE SOMETHING - INVITATION

2010-11-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

open your heart open your mind

2010-03-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

Mia Doi Todd "Open Your Heart" dir. Michel Gondry from Viewers Like You on Vimeo.

Swing my swing high

2010-03-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

i decided to take a giant step by going out of the house. ever since i moved back from Rowell to the suburbs i didn't feel like heading out anymore. now i've got a tan from swinging in the park last sarturday hahaha unbelieavable. i brought my writing to Fort Canning and it sure feels different writing outdoors.

strangely, there was a little note at the side of the swing and curious-me opened it up and tried deciphering... some children trying to find a poison flower for the witch.

standing far away from the normal society

2010-03-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

my mom feels safer when i travel, cos at least when i'm away, my life is insured. sometimes life can be such a joke, pulling your leg in any way possible. the day you find out you haven't been covered for the past 2 or 3 years you start wondering what you've been doing.

the rosy insurance lady said "how can you be living like that?"
i said i don't know. i think i was living, somehow?
isn't happiness all that matters?
"there's reality darling. the real world, you know?"

i don't know much about the real world. maybe it's a sign that i should head off somewhere. i feel happier when i'm away. i think distance plays a part in making everything beautiful.

till the day i get my insurance, i'm not covered.
so if i die tomorrow, you know i love you.

Piano Island - Silent Night

2009-12-24T23:51:00.000-08:00

34 Lujiao Road, Gulangyu Island

The clouds came from above to make her a wedding gown...

Take the road less traveled and pick up the signs along the way. When you have no expectations, anything that comes along is a bonus. 10 days of adventure, starting from Christmas eve...

Occupying a land area of 220sqm, Christ the King Church was built by the Spaniards in 1917 - Gothic architectural style with beautiful interior designs. Other than being a car-free island, Piano Island is well-known for its churches and embassies.

Clouds made the sunset beautiful.

Christmas eve gathering with stage performances and a huge Christmas tree. hugsss

People-watching.

For the very first time, Christmas carols were in Hokkien. So different yet, so familar.

what a coincidence!

2009-12-09T02:33:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across a website that led to another and another and... arrived at this Wikipedia list of "Carfree places". Can't help but notice that my next destination actually coincide (on the same page!!) with my previous destinations!

Gulangyu (a.k.a Piano Island), Xiamen, China
Fort Collin Old Town, Colorado, USA
Melbourne City Center, Australia

Suddenly (!!!!) it became clear! Perhaps, my life project is to set foot on all these amazing carfree places! One after another. And the best part? I don't even need to get a driver's license! haaahaa maybe I should have the list somewhere and start striking out the places I've been to!

2009-12-01T03:32:00.000-08:00

i dreamt that i killed a snake, squeezing and forcing the poisonous slime out, then throwing it into a lake. strangely enough, it found its way back and i was staying in this weird 2 storey looking house. whoever i was staying with passed me an axe and i charged desperately towards it and killed it all over again. so gross so gross so gross!!! what's worse was the skull underneath! very disgusting. argh!!!

2009-11-30T02:31:00.000-08:00

i _ _ _ _ running, but i bought an expensive pair of shoes - the supposed "right arch" for my over-turn-out feet. so i diligently bring them out for jogs every weekend.

i _ _ _ _ the sight of passing trains every time i jog by that corner, reminding me that life is but a routine, doing the right thing at the right time. nothing more nothing less.

i _ _ _ _ that awkward sound made by soccer players when they kick the ball. see, the jogger's path is in between 2 fields. whenever the ball goes over to the other side, i'm paranoid that the ball will hit me.

i _ _ _ _ people walking their dogs in the opposite direction of me. every time i see a JRT nearing, i lose focus. even when they pass me by, i turn to take a second look. once a wired-haired JRT turned back the exact same moment i did, we repeated that gesture twice. although i knew it wasn't you.

i _ _ _ _ children who park their tricycles and spill their toys along the jogger's path. why doesn't their parents do anything about it? i don't go running into the field or obstruct the goal post so why can't they be more considerate?

today i want to start _ _ _ _ ing the things i _ _ _ _.

Kuching - Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

2009-11-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

Orang Utan Rehabilitation

Feeding Times
Morning: 9.00 am to 10.00am
Afternoon: 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm

I love how the orang utans are free to roam. They are trained as "semi-wildlife" - they don't attack humans (unless people get too near) and they are not trapped in an exclosure.

Mother and Child

Kuching - what a sight!

2009-11-06T23:44:00.000-08:00

The window view revealed the beautiful curves between the mountain, the sea and the river... S P L E N D I D !

As the car made its way out of the airport, I was so thrilled to see the lamp posts along the way - they looked like birds in flight! With the mountains in the background, I felt close to mother nature again - a feeling that I felt so strongly when I was in Colorado.

The girls were dozing off in the car and all of a sudden, I caught sight of the reflection on the lake. Joey's friend, Dick, was really nice to make an introduction and a detour into the secluded compound. This is the Sarawak State Library (a.k.a Pustaka Negeri) - tucked mysteriously among the trees and sitting majestically on the lake. Dick pulled the car by the road side and I totally forgot about how tired the girls might be and how much the mosquitoes wanted to suck my blood, I was so blown away. Especially with the full moon in sight. I began to visualise how going to the library could be like a walk in the park. I love lakes. I want to come back again.

Good Morning!!!

2009-11-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

Off on an adventure to Kuching, Sarawak!!

One fine day at work, Irene exclaimed "Shall we go Hong Kong?!!" She decided that we should have our annual "department outing" - somewhere. To me, anywhere is good! That very night, her text msg said "Bring your passport, we are going to Macau!" haa i DID bring my passport the very next day! Every week of december seems so impossible and january seems so far away. We wanted something to look forward to, soon. What about november? Joey is going back home. Shall we? Shall we? Shall we??

Yipeee!!! We are going for the adventure today!!! The weather is great! I can't wait!! woohooo

Jinhua - Architecture Park

2009-08-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

Hangzhou >> Jinhua
By train

View from train window

we finally arrived... it was scorching hot but we never once let the sun look down on us! we went on - one pavilion after the other with our ice-cream tubs in hand!

Partner in crime!

Love my view

Canon City - Fort Royal Stables

2009-08-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

1 Block East Of The Royal Gorge Turnoff
Canon City, CO 81212

The weather was so fine and my first horseback ride was just perfect! Uncle Don said that I've always wanted to do this since when I was what, 4 yrs old? haaa so finally, I did it! I love how we were surrounded by mountains and we did not go round in circles! We had a pretty scenic one-hour ride - towards the mountains and away from it.

Uncle Don & Aunt Patsy

Raven & me

Raven is perpetually hungry... just like me. I think we got along pretty well. Although he DID try to be funny and walk me into the bush!!

Trio

You are so beautiful.

Canon City - Skyline Drive

2009-08-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

This was great fun! There were dino-trails along the Skyline Drive and I was really thrilled by the size of each dino footstep and the fact that we were walking right underneath history!!

Canon City - Royal Gorge

2009-08-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

4218 County Road 3A
Cañon City, CO 81215
www.royalgorgebridge.com

According to the website, this is the highest suspension bridge in the world, with the scariest Skycoaster ride.

Height above the Arkansas River: 1,200 ft
Speed: riders reach speeds of up to 80km/h.

A week ago, U.Don asked me in an email if I'm afraid of heights and I thought that was for flying. Turned out that, they were sending me into the sky in a much crazier way than I had imagined. The tagline on the ticket read: "Goodbye Earth, Hello Sky". WOAH!! I freaked out! I said NOOOOOooooooo way!

Well, looking back now, I'm REALLY glad that A.Patsy prompted me again on our way out (A BIG THANK YOU). Yes, we did it, OUR very own adrenaline rushing adventure! I can finally put sight & sound to the word "breathtaking" - an experience with a view that was enough to last a lifetime. Spectacular!!!

Canon City - Holy Cross Winery

2009-08-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

3011 E. Highway 50, Cañon City, Colo. 81212
www.abbeywinery.com
From Denver, take Interstate 25 south to Colorado Springs, then Colorado 115 southwest to Penrose and U.S. 50 west to Cañon City . The winery is 12 miles east of the Royal Gorge.

Holy Cross Abbey continues the tradition of the Catholic Church’s long history with grape-growing and wine production. We went for wine tasting at the Holy Cross Winery and bought a bottle of their Merlot =) The sitting area among the trees was so charming. OOOoooo I think the picnic bag (with the wine glasses fastened within) is such a perfect set to go with the Summer Gatherings book. Infact, everything in the shop made me happy. CHEERS!

Click on picture to enlarge

Canon City - Holy Cross Abbey

2009-08-04T18:09:00.000-07:00

We were on Interstate 25 the entire day from Fort Collins to Canon City, passing by Loveland, Denver and Colorado Springs. This is the north-south highway that runs from New Mexico to Wyoming.

By the time we arrived at Canon City, it was quite a gloomy evening but our spirits were still high. There wasn't much we could do by then so we went walking around and we stumbled across the Holy Cross Abbey. I love how it's tucked away between the trees. Very exclusive.

U.Don explained that with the gargouilles and spaces made for patron saints, this was built as a catholic church in 1924. Over the years, things might have changed and it's been converted to become an abbey.

Fort Collins - Casual evening

2009-08-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

Uncle Don & Aunt Patsy brought me to Old Town for an evening stroll and I heard the Bear telling the Fish "We can never be together darling... cos I'm always hungrrrry"

FROZEN FOOD CENTER
This is interesting. U.Don explained that (very long time ago) when fridge wasn't popular yet, this was where people store their frozen food. Like P.O Boxes!! How very charming! Imagine saying this "Yoohoo! I need to retrieve my ham from locker number 133790!"

And while we were talking about food storage, we came across Mr.Squirrel who's busy storing acorn into his mouth. HAA! He's not afraid of us at all!! He posed for a picture! Cool dude!

WOODY'S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA
518 West Laurel, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Open daily from 11am - 2am
www.woodyswoodfiredpizza.com

Dinner was fun at the salad bar! I could pick whatever I fancied!
Sunflower Seeds
Cherry Tomatoes
Goldfish Crackers
Beetroot
Greens

U.Don ordered Anchovies & Olives Pizza... YUMMMM!!!

Isn't it great to stay around nature? Imagine after a hearty meal every evening, we'll drive up to watch the deers and the sun set.

Click on picture to enlarge

Fort Collins - 云的影子

2009-08-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

以往看云的角度
都是从陆地上抬头仰望
当飞机慢慢和云成平行线时
我开始享受
能和它们面对面的这一刻
感觉和乘坐大型的商业飞机不同
至少对我来说
这是更亲密的接触

城市里的遮荫不是大厦就是树
终于在这片辽阔的大地上
流露了云最真的影子

这样的懈逅
是可遇不可求的

云的倒影让我想起了《东邪西毒》里，独孤求败练剑的一幕。

Fort Collins - the sky is the limit

2009-08-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

N33196 was eager for an adventure and so was I! We went soaring and gliding into the sky... never a dull moment from the hangar at Fort Collins to Long's Peak at the Rocky Mountain National Park. I felt really fortunate to be flying on a Monday Morning with boundless landscapes & great company.

last minute changes
deadlines
emails
MSN
phone calls
dusty floor
monday blues

Fort Collins - waking up to the mountains

2009-08-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

My adventure started when my connecting flight to LA was delayed and I missed the following one to Denver. When I finally made it to see Uncle Don & Aunt Patsy, I was soooooo delighted. It was almost midnight and I was still hyper despite spending 2 days in & out of planes & airports. The faithful lamp posts guided us back from Denver to Fort Collins, otherwise the place was in darkness, hiding all the magic away.

When the sun came knocking on my window, I saw the first spillage of magic. I jumped out of bed and scampered down to the kitchen... Aunt Patsy let me out to the back of the house. Gooooood Morning... there stood the Horse Tooth Peak at the far end.

Click on picture to enlarge

summer holiday

2009-07-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

spending friday night ziploc-ing ALL liquid items, packing bag into bag into bag... it's just summer and i've already got so much to pack!! really looking forward to running away.

1442

2009-07-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

sometimes when i close my eyes i feel like i can go a long way. unlike life. i ran 14 rounds tonight. new found relieve. next week this time, i'll be somewhere far away in search of lost time. not really looking for a particular something but more like examining a certain surge of emotion. i hope by doing that i'll discover something new about myself.

i dreamt of my first watch last night. i wonder what that means.

great company

2009-07-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

My last run was dated 10 years ago - that compulsory 2.4km during graduating year. Two great things about entering art school after sec 4: 1) no more uniforms 2) no more running. I HATE RUNNING.

Last night, my inspiring colleagues got my spirits up and we headed for the stadium. I LOVE MY COLLEAGUES. They are always there for me. (That includes Joey who went to do Brazilian waxing with me last week! OOOoooo!)

Okay i survived! Ran 36mins (4km) and walked 24mins (2.4km).

I'm beginning to see running from a very different perspective as before. Maybe because I had Nodame Cantabile Orchestra playing from ear to ear. The entire journey felt more passionate and less strenuous. I had my eyes closed during some parts of the run, imagining that I'm conducting Rachmaninov's piano concerto no. 2. They said I ran strangely with my hands swinging everywhere hahahaa but I knew I wasn't running, I was Stresemann in the making! wahwawawhhhaa. I like the stadium, especially the floodlights. I understood why Hitler loved them so much.

Okay I'm gonna train up for my next travel destination!

subtracting the blues away

2009-07-15T23:53:00.001-07:00

first attempt in removing the blues from my life...
i wonder if that'll make me a happier person?

In Search of Lost Time

2009-07-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

My boss passed me this issue of MUSE the other day and I found something that i'm looking for. Well, almost. I really love this first paragraph leading to Ron Arad's interview. >>>>>> "If you want the future to come, you have to be willing to make sacrifices", that is, to give up something, very often something dear, leaving it behind and saying goodbye. London based architect and designer Ron Arad has said goodbye many a time... <<<<<<

That evening I got my nails painted in 5 different colors. My mind needed some happy colors to act like stimulants.

I'm thinking of Proust again.

If a little dreaming is dangerous,
the cure for it is not to dream less
but to dream more,
to dream all the time.
......
Happiness is beneficial for the body,
but it is grief that develops the powers of the mind

问

2009-06-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

in chinese,
to "ask" is written as "问" >> a "口" (mouth) within a "门" (door);
the word for "entrance" is "门口"

standing at the entrance, i was tempted to ask if anyone wanted to come out and play. i wanted to know why the door was made up of two uneven parts. i wanted to find out what's on the other side. i wanted to make this my secret hiding place.

lonely sukiyaki

2009-06-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

i arrived 2 mins before last order (thankful that they didn't turn me away). as much as i've gotten used to eating alone at swee choon or anywhere else, this was probably the first time i sat for a pretty elaborate meal - in a cold empty restaurant - all by myself. interstingly, i paid more attention to my sukiyaki than any other time i had had it.

i love to coat my enoki mushrooms & beef slices with raw egg.

relief rain

2009-06-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

When the clouds can no longer hold the water droplets, relief rain begins to fall... it was a very long afternoon. just like all other sunday afternoons. nothing seems to change.

almond flavoured clouds

2009-06-20T05:36:00.000-07:00

dear pennylane, i saw our clouds! they were accompanied by large tear-drop crystals. it felt totally surreal.

SG - geodistance

2009-06-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

After measuring my walking distance with a sewing thread on street directory (scale 1:7500), shaunny boy introduced me to geodistance where I could do it online. Okay I'm doing this measurement for the sake of irene dearest - who refused to believe that singapore is tiny. heee.. very fun!

SG - Walk

2009-05-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

I made it to my mum's place!!!
Total distance: 15.8km
Total time: 3.5hours

07:10 Rowell
07:17 Tekka temporary market
07:24 Carlisle Road (Changed my mind about living in the building near LTA, I'm falling in love with some of the units here already)
07:33 Derbyshire Road
07:43 Thomson Road

You'll hear my heart when the sun find its way to you, lil'peks. -secret-

08:05 Thomson Nursery
08:18 Upp Thomson Road

THERE'S A PENTHOUSE ON THIS HDB FLAT??!!!

08:37 Thomson Plaza
08:59 Watched a squirrel run up a tree and leap off to another
09:09 Lower Pierce Reservoir (Kerbun Baru Vista)
>> Turned right into Yio Chu Kang Road

Started to walk backwards with head back-facing the sun.

09:19 Said HI to a golden retriever
09:37 Lentor Avenue - first sign of the MRT line
10:20 The MRT train turned and headed for "The Woods" (I like to think that my mum's place is in the suburb. For strange reason, the hopping lamp post in Miyazaki's TOTORO is always on my mind)

10:40 Mum's place

SG - Walk

2009-04-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

09:23 Tekka temporary market

09:39 Carlisle Rd
09:49 Derbyshire Rd

Rose of India, I remember you.
There used to be this tree near my place when i was 10. I forgot the scientific name, only remember how my teacher affectionately called it the Rose of India.

09:52 Thomson Rd

10:43 Upp Thomson Rd
11:27 Lower Pierce Reservoir (Kerbun Baru Vista)

Tanny, i finally made it to Pierce Reservoir.
I'm ready to check out Juan's place around Thomson.

SG - For the near future

2009-04-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

I've dumped 2kg from paper weight of the past and cleared 19sqf of space for the future. Feel lighter now, mentally.

I remember watching Brat Academy on Discovery Channel last year - about a disciplinary school for the spoilt kids in China (also nicknamed the "Walk School"). I'm beginning to believe that walking is more about character building than just plain exercising. It allows the child plenty of time to think and to me, this is therapeutic.

For the past 2 months that I've been staying in Rowell, I've found my way to work (at Tanjong Pagar) by walking - once/twice a week. Since last week's walk to Thomson, I've decided to set a few goals for myself. Ganbatte! Ganbatte!

SG - Morning Walk

2009-04-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

I woke up that morning feeling empty - not even hungry. Then I decided to embark on a journey to my mum's place. It was her birthday and I wondered if I could make my way to her from Rowell. The time was 7:55am.

For the Cindy's sake, I recorded my various timings. In case she asks me to join her in the Great Eastern Run - then I'll just walk. I hate running!

8:10am KK Hospital
After passing the hospital, I passed by this building near the Land & Transport Authority. I want to live here.

8:20am Novena Square
8:25am Made a turn into Balestier Road to buy some pastries
8:50am Thomson Nursery
I was delighted that the fresh-cut-flowers department was open. It was freezing cold!!! By the time I made up my mind to buy the bunch of 20 roses, my sweaty body has cooled down. With the pastries and flowers, I ended my walk and took a cab back.

After measuring the distance on the street directory, I'm quite please that the journey was about 5.2km. So if my speed was 5km/hr, I COULD HAVE walked to Khatib in another 2 hours' time??

SHALL try again.

I think flowers and Mr Lim made my mum happy. And of course, her two adorable children. I miss my brother a lot.

Kukup - Morning After

2009-03-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

6.00am

6.30am

Everyone was sound asleep when I made my stroll down the cold jetty. There was a sudden downpour at 4am and I was more or less prepared for all the gloominess out there. To my delight, I caught a faint smile of the morning sky and the sea was calm and quiet. The wind was so chiiiiiiilly and there was a light drizzle on me. Good morning villagers!

Later in the morning, Qiang's wife sat comfortably at the edge of the house, watching the trio walk down the jetty. Such a bliss. Life can be so slow and simple.

Cat was engaged in photo taking around the house and along the jetty. I'm glad that she was wearing orange. How can anyone lose sight of her?

Kukup - Night life

2009-03-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

Lesson #1.01 from Ah De: Swing the rod to the back, hold the line with your fingers. Let go of the line when you swing the rod towards the open sea. Lesson #1.02: Wait. After catching that last spark of firework and racing the girls up and down the jetty for countless times, I was too exhausted to fish. I completed #1.01 but never really made it thru #1.02.

Patience is not my forte.

The GT guys were gentler than what their tattoos had portrayed. A fatherly figure, a kind friend, they made such great company. Every one of them. We couldn't have done this trip without them.

Kukup - Follow every rainbow

2009-03-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

It was pouring in JB before we set off for Kukup and we were quite upset with the gloomy sky. Everywhere was dull and grey. Later did we know, the lovely rainbows have planned for a surprise greeting at the end of the road trip! The rain has stopped, the sun was setting and the sky was such a warm delight. Right place, right time.

I thought of my childhood when the little girls smiled.
And this song found its way to me...

Climb every mountain,
search high and low
Follow every by way,
every path you know

Climb every mountain,
ford every stream
Follow every rainbow,
till you find your dream

A dream that will need,
all the love you can give
Everyday of your life,
for as long as you live

The restaurants on the kelongs were filled with dinner crowd already and we slowly made our way to the guesthouse further in. I love walks, especially when the sun is setting.

Johor Bahru - Qiang

2009-03-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

Qiang is the construction foreman at Graphictech - our most trustworthy and reliable set-up team for every event. Our initial plan of visiting him and his family across the causeway became a trip to Kukup with the rest of the GT guys.

We arrived at his house despite the heavy downpour and I'm really glad we made it cos I've never seen him so gleeful.

With his wife and daughters, Jiayi and Jiaxuan.

Melaka - Windmill

2009-02-08T10:37:00.000-08:00

Lil' sweetheart went around the windmill chasing no one but herself.

Melaka - Sunset

2009-02-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

I made my way back to The Jetty again and found the way to the ground level through a stairway from a KTV. There was a restaurant right at the end of pier and I'm really glad no one chased me away.

These days, I've mellowed quite a bit, I think. I'm okay being alone, having all the time and watching the world go by.

Melaka - Playmates

2009-02-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

They met and played; fought and snuggled up close together. Such a lazy saturday afternoon, great to have found each other.

Melaka - Voyage Traveller's Cafe

2009-02-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

40, Lorong Hang Jebat

I love this quaint little place. It's 5 minutes away from Harper's and right before the start of Jonker. I felt a sense of relief, like there's still something precious about Melaka that I can hold on to. For once, I documented my thoughts and feelings away from me - on a random page of their guest book.

Passing the back lane of Harper's again and again. The chairs and tables arranged in a neat fashion. They still looked pretty much the same, touching from a distance...

Melaka - rreeeaauuu

2009-02-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

The little white cat followed my voice and came to sit beside me! Such a lovely day-brightener! Then, she rested her body on my foot! Awww... she felt so warm. The moment lasted for about 1 minute, I think.

We marched down the road to where the children were waiting and there, she sat and watched them laugh and play.

Melaka - Taman Melaka Raya

2009-02-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

From The Jetty, we went in search for breakfast. Tanny said we should eat every 3 hours.

My breakfast - Pumpkin cake + Yam cake + Chee Cheong Fun.

Juan's breakfast - Kosong prata + Egg prata + Fish dumpling noodles. Sumi and the rest were obviously impressed!!

After breakfast, everyone looked so sleepy still. I'm like the mother who dragged her child out for breakfast at 7am on a Saturday morning. Ooopsss...

This shop looked really inviting, it's a pity we were there too early.

HO! HO! HO!

Melaka - Sunrise at The Jetty

2009-02-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU for waking up at 5.30am to catch the sunrise with me. Despite the cold winds. Despite the disappointment that The Jetty will only open its shutters at 11am. Despite being stung by weird crazy plants. Despite the fact that the sun didn't appear at the horizon.

The clouds made the sunrise look so grand. I was really excited.
(Double-click for a bigger image)

There's this "mini jetty" jutting out into the sea - so tiny that we were all standing along the edges.

(from left)
Sumi with her Black Bird, Fly;
Tanny with her Canon SLR;
Juan with her Nikon SLR + tele-lens & digi-cam;
Xiaoxiao with her digi-cam.

Melaka - Revisited

2009-02-06T23:51:00.000-08:00

Remember, remember, the heart of Melaka... it has been 4 years since i set foot here. I remember drinking to my heart's content at the Geographer Cafe, it was such a lazy afternoon. I remember the beer & cigars at Harper's. I remember watching monitor lizards fighting along the river. Gone were those days.

I can't say I like the new image of Melaka - a step to becoming city-like with commercialized river cruises and fancy lightbox signages. Perhaps along the way of re-branding itself, it has lost its old charm.

I tried to walk with my eyes half shut and remember the quaint old character that i once fell in love with.

GEOGRAPHER CAFE
No.83, Jalan Hang Jebat 75200 Melaka
www.geographer.com.my

HARPER'S CAFE
2 & 4, Lorong Hang Jebat 75200 Melaka

Johor Bahru - Customs Checkpoint

2009-01-27T22:59:00.000-08:00

Despite the criticism about the departure hall and the twirling highway out, I do like the NEW and IMPROVED customs checkpoint. Goodbye to the dodgy old checkpoint and long walk across the causeway. Okay, I think I'll visit Malaysia more often.

CNY - My Family

2009-01-27T15:42:00.000-08:00

with Dad
Yishun. Singapore

with Mum
Yishun. Singapore

with my little brother
Kota Tinggi. Malaysia. (At Grandma's place and we couldn't leave our favourite car alone)

Hong Kong - Finale

2009-01-18T23:26:00.000-08:00

I'm glad that we made it in time for Macau and spent a good eventful 8 hours walking around the old portugese town. The buildings and streets (with balconies and crystal-clear lamp posts) were so quaint and weathered. Very charming.

The grand finale of the day was Shaun's marriage proposal to Eileen after dinner. Though I had documented the proposal for him, I shouldn't elaborate here. It's too personal.

Here's a picture (taken earlier in the day) I would like to remember them by. In chaos, they found order and in doubt, they found certainty. This moment to me, was perfect.

Hong Kong - Chungking Mansion

2009-01-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

36-44 Nathan Road. Tsim Sha Tsui.

My initial plan was to find any hostel here upon arrival (that was before Kobe came into picture) in Hong Kong. And strangely on my last day, I arrive at this building cos Shaun & Eileen were putting up at the Imperial Hotel next door. I couldn't stop raving about the proximity until he said he hadn't watch Chungking Express and neither had he any idea what I was talking about. Suddenly I could hear my manager's voice nagging at me - about how messy the place is and how I'm in my own world blah blah blah... haha. ok I'll leave this place alone. But before that, I've already taken countless pictures of myself with people rushing by like there's no tomorrow.

Imperial Hotel lobby.
I was too excited and too early.

Breakfast with Eileen.
I couldn't keep my eyes off her. It's not just her flawless face. I think I'm particularly drawn to her (since the day Shaun showed me a picture of her on flickr) for no specific reason. Perhaps, it's her composure.

Hong Kong - Sunday Morning

2009-01-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Last morning stroll from Causeway Bay >> Wan Chai >> Admiralty. I love how the sun slowly makes its way onto the empty streets and corners. A very subtle morning call. Missing Hong Kong already...

Hong Kong - The Tram, The Escalator and The Rooftop Garden

2009-01-17T23:38:00.000-08:00

We decided that the night was still young and we could do something that we don't usually have time for. Like, doing nothing for a change. haa.. after a tram ride and some escalators later, we ended up at the rooftop garden (Fringe Club), fantacizing about living in those apartment units behind us. "Wouldn't it be nice if..."

After putting the camera on timer, I made the couple continue with picture-taking while I took a sip of tea. No one was looking at the camera - that was a moment when our parallel lives converged.

Eileen & Shaun... shall live in one of the apartments around Central one day. And they WILL invite me to their place very often.

Hong Kong - The Pawn

2009-01-17T21:16:00.000-08:00

www.thepawn.com.hk
62 Johnston Road. Wan Chai.
T. (852) 28663444

I walked by this building several times but didn't have the courage to walk in alone. I began to enjoy the elevated view from the tram - every time at the turn, I felt that my fingers could have a brush at the walls... if I stretch my hand far enough.

SO!!! I was delighted when Shaun and Eileen had no dinner plans that very night they arrived! Wine & dine by the balcony (2/F), watching the busy traffic pass us by... I suspect that's how the travellers who visited the Red Dot in Singapore feels Especially those who chill at Boulevard, sipping Hoe Garden by 5pm and watching us rush our hearts out at work upstairs. GULP.

Hong Kong - FOTAN Open House

2009-01-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

www.fotanian.com

I set off in search of FOTAN, thinking that I would move on to 1a:space (www.oneaspace.org.hk) at Ma Tau Kok by late afternoon. I was so wrong. Haaa... By the time I was done, Shaun & Eileen had arrived in Hong Kong. In all, I've spent almost 7 hours at FOTAN!! That was when I started wondering how my space will look like if I had a studio there.

NOTE 1: LIFT LOBBY
I stupidly waited for the lift door to open!! HA!! Turn out that, you need to manually slide open and close the 2 metal gates to get in and out the lift!! Then as advised, get to the 18th floor and slowly take the stairs down to visit the rest of the studios. Sometimes I do enjoy a moment like that - amused with something and laughing at myself.

NOTE 2: STAIRWAY
There are dark corners in between swing doors and a little curb at the end of the last step. Be careful of the swing door as someone might be pushing it from the opposite side and you might get knocked.

NOTE 3: SIGHT & SMELL
What's bizarre about FOTAN is the coexistence of art studios and other tenants in the industrial estate. Unlike Beijing's 798 Art District where old factories were cleared and converted into galleries/studios, FOTAN juxtaposes The Artist, The Butcher, The Metal Man, The Printer, The Rice Dumpling Seller all into one area.

For detailed map, check out: www.fotanian.com/map.php

Studio Bibliothèque
studiobibliotheque.blogspot.com
Unit 12, 18/F, Block B, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

MOUNTAIN LOFT
www.wongtinyan.com
Unit 7, 17/F, Block B, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

LEE'S WORKSHOP
Unit 14, 12/F, Block B, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

917° PLAYGROUND
Unit 15, 13/F, Block B, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

818 STUDIO
Unit 18, 8/F, Block B, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

I love sunlight and shadow play. Accompanying me through out the lonely walk from 18 floors down Block B and then 18 floors down Block A was none other than The Sun - awaiting my visit at every window.

YILIU PAINTING FACTORY
Unit 21, 15/F, Block A, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

STUDIO 1023
chowchunfai.com
Unit 23, 10/F, Block A, Wah Luen Industrial Centre.
15-21 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

What a coincidence. I saw his works in one one the Italian gallery at Moganshan, Shanghai. I remember Jenny singing the Old Shanghai tune to Irene & me. This time round, he exhibited his paintings with the song in DVD format. O!! I love those platform with drawers for archiving.

Great view...

VONNIE
I bumped into this nice stranger after visiting 30 over studios of the entire Wah Luen Industrial Centre (Block A & Block B). She said her friends have left cos the smell was affecting them. So we decided to check out the rest of the studios together. Pretty amazing how we clicked and kept each other company through the stairs and lifts of various obscure spaces.

35GROUP
Unit 4, 5/F Block A, Wah Sang Industrial Centre
14-18 Wong Chuk Yeung Street. Fo Tan.

L'EAU
Unit D35, 20/F Block D, Wah Lok Industrial Centre
35 Shan Mei Street. Fo Tan.

THE PHOTOCRAFTERS X WORK AND WORKSHOP
www.thephotocrafters.com
Unit 6, 1/F Block A, Veristrong Industrial Center
34-36 Au Pui Wan Street. Fo Tan.

Hong Kong - Performing Arts

2009-01-16T23:28:00.000-08:00

Tatsumi Orimoto
BREAD-MEN WALKING IN HONG KONG CITY
Venue. From Para/Site Art Space to Graham Street Market. Central.

The Breadman and his followers made quite a scene around Central! They made sooo many people laugh along the way. It was fun catching this performance! Time for a drink!

It's so comfortable to be around Mich & Grace! I love how spontaneous they are! We did so many interesting things in a single day! Cheers!!

We ended the day with a dance performance at the Fringe Club.

FRINGE CLUB
www.hkfringe.com.hk
中环下亞厘毕道二号
2 Lower Albert Road. Central.

This is how Fringe Club looks in the day. There're pottery workshops! And gallery, and music, and dance, and a roof top garden bar! So much in one place! I was just in time for their annual City Festival (January).

Hong Kong - Day out at school

2009-01-16T12:22:00.000-08:00

Mich and Grace (www.commongroundhome.com) have invited me to the Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity where they are doing their Artist-In-Residence programme.

"Every morning we walk by the park before reaching the school."

Art class. I love how the students have their own mini studio space - own easel, own references, own sketches... and a very patient teacher, or teachers. And they are taught to do documentations!

Mich's sketches and paints..

Grace's sketches and paints..

View from high up there. Standing alone on the roof top with the sight of the graveyard didn't terrify me a bit. The wind was blowing in my face and i found this sense of peace inside me. Very surreal. And those random red trees among the tomb stones, they looked so cheery in the sun. For the very first time i gave the phrase "Rest In Peace" a little more thought.

There was a school excursion and the teachers were bringing the students to Osage! I couldn't have found this place on my own! It was tucked in some indutrial estate near Kwun Tong MTR station.

OSAGE - KWUN TONG
www.osagegallery.com
5/F, Kian Dai Industrial Building,
73-75 Hung To Road.
Kwun Tong, Kowloon.
T. (852) 27934817
E. info@osagegallery.com

Hong Kong - Central/Mid Levels

2009-01-15T15:33:00.000-08:00

I went on the Mid-Levels Escalator in search of Christopher Doyle's apartment from Chungking Express and perhaps the various angels-in-disguise from Lavender. Obviously, i didn't find any. haa.. but it was this initial thought that filled the morning start with excitement.

By definition, this is the longest outdoor escalator system in the world and it gets you up the hill without breaking a sweat! Yet i find the downhill walk an even more enjoyable experience.

I totally had no idea where i was heading to and stumbled upon a cafe for brunch! How very timely!!

BRUNCH CLUB
www.brunch-club.org
G/F 70 Peel Street. Central
T. (852) 25268861

On my way down, two big dogs said HI and their beautiful owner got them to SIT for a picture. Woooof!!

ART CAT
Shop B, G/F Tin On Sing Commercial Building.
41-43 Graham Street. Central
T. (852) 23176227
E. artcat@biznetvigator.com

The moment i stepped in, little Mikko-chan ran over to hug me - such a big gesture from someone so small!! And along came the cat brothers, snuggling up in the warmest way. If only i could spend the whole afternoon here.

Mikko-chan and mummy. This lady is so full of grace.

Mikko-chan bidding farewell. Kawaii.

Hong Kong - Homeless

2009-01-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

www.homelessconcept.com
香港銅鑼灣恩平道17號1樓
1/F, 17 Yun Ping Road. Causeway bay.
T. (852) 28908789

Hong Kong - Bread & Pastries

2009-01-15T11:29:00.000-08:00

QUEEN'S CAKE
Along Yun Ping Road. Causeway Bay.
I love this corner shop and its variety. I tried some buns and sweet pastries... it's a pity you can't pack taste back in a luggage.

DAS GUTE
Times Square Station. Causeway Bay.
German pastries that look irresistibly good.

MAXIM'S CAKES outlets are everywhere - even in MTR stations. My daily meal-on-the-go includes a luncheon meat bun and Vitasoy milk.

Hong Kong - ACO Orange Room

2009-01-15T08:11:00.000-08:00

This is how it looks when everyone has gone to bed.
I LOVE MY SECRET ATTIC!

Morning after... the sun slowly made its way onto the duvet cloud and i sank right back in. I can so imagine myself living here.

Hong Kong - ACO Book

2009-01-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

www.aco.hk

灣仔軒尼詩道365號富德樓1樓
1/F, Foo Tak Bldg, 365 Hennessy Road. Wan Chai
T. (852) 28934808
E. acobook@gmail.com

KOBE is the first person i met in Hong Kong. She's so lovely. For reasons, i think she's the start of all the right things that came along. I can't thank her enough.

Amy made a guest appearance in the evening cos she was in HK for a meeting. I was really happy to see her.

I like how she had the black flower on her head. Nice touch!

Met Grace & Mich (painters from UK) for outdoor steamboat. They left a welcome message in the living room cos they would only be back at dinner. So sweet. We would be housemates for a little while. yay!

Amy and I think Kobe is so cool!! Especially with the hat!! Amy was sooo thrilled when she realise that Kobe loves Erlend Øye (King of Convenience) and we started raving about how good his performance with The Whitest Boy Alive was at Zouk.

Hong Kong - People Bookstore

2009-01-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

www.people-bookstore.com

銅鑼灣羅素街十八號一樓
1/F 18, Russell Street. Causeway Bay.
Opposite Times Square

Kobe passed me the name card of this place and asked me to check the place out. I almost missed it!! In Hong Kong, there's usually a Ground Floor (G/F) to all buildings so 1/F is actually the second level!

I was in for a surprise when Samantha called my name! WHAT A COINCIDENCE!!! We hardly see each other in Singapore and here we are, sharing a moment together in a HK book shop!! She passed me this "Art Map" and said "you'll like FOTAN!!" We parted 20 minutes later - she, off to The Peak and me, walking back to ACO for dinner.

Hong Kong - ACO Artist Residency

2009-01-14T12:30:00.000-08:00

www.aco.hk

灣仔軒尼詩道365號富德樓14樓
14/F, Foo Tak Bldg, 365 Hennessy Road. Wan Chai
T. (852) 28934808

Take a closer look and you'll be able to spot the logo from across the road. When i arrive at this junction, i knew i've fallen for this building.

On the 14/F, while waiting for Kobe, i decided to set the timer...

The Living Room

The Kitchen

The Orange Room

Arriving in Hong Kong

2009-01-14T11:50:00.000-08:00

Braving the market crowd and lugging 27kg of luggages to ACO, I made it in one piece. Phew!

I have vague memories of my first trip to Hong Kong - 12 years ago with my school. So in a way, this is my first REAL Hong Kong experience. When i finally arrived at Causeway Bay MTR Station, i felt this excitement climbing up my head.

AIRPORT EXPRESS
2 way ticket from Airport to Hong Kong Island and back costs 180HKD (1 way costs 100HKD).

One step closer to Russia

2008-11-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

Russian Alphabets

I've signed up for Russian classes. yay!

MEET & GREET!
Здравствуйте (zdrasvuitye) - Formal way of saying Hello.
Меня зовут ... (minya zavut) - My name is ...
Как вас зовут? (kak vas zavut) - What is your name?
Очень приятно (ochyen preeyatna) - Pleased to meet you
Как дела? (kak dyela?) - How are things?
Хорошо спасибо (haarasho) - Good
До свидания (dasveedaneeye) - Formal way of saying Good-bye

2 other important words:
Спасибо (spaseeba) - Thank-You
Пожалуйста (pazhalersta) - Please/You're Welcome)

Shanghai - Lighting up

2008-06-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

In less than an hour's time of waiting for the girls, the dull and gloomy landscape revealed the night scene of the vibrant city that everyone has been raving about. There was so much more to explore yet so little time that was left.

Shanghai Sculpture Space

2008-06-26T22:35:00.000-07:00

www.sss570.com/english/codes/main.asp

Shanghai - Bridge 8

2008-06-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

Shanghai - Moganshan Art District

2008-06-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

Moganshan Art District is somewhat like Dashanzi Art District in Beijing - clusters of warehouse-turned-studio/gallery. Unlike the latter, there wasn't directories so i think we merely went into the ones nearer to the main area.

I would love to be working/living/creating/writing in this space. It's this really rusty glass room on the second level with a walkway joining the main building.

This artist has got his face all over his artwork and so i decided i'll buy a piece of his face back. haaa...

Irene, Jenny and me stopped at this studio and went "oooooo... if only our studio looks like this..." the white-on-white area beside the reception looked so inviting like so many ideas and possibilities can be thrown into it.

Timezone8 Bookshop
There was an exhibition of "Andy Warhol in China" when we were there. Didn't think Warhol blended in so well with the peasants. haha.. so cute.

OFOTO GALLERY
www.ofoto-gallery.com/en/intro/

Great "compressed" wood benches!!

BANDU Music Cafe

This is at the end of Moganshan Road (or the beginning if you had started from here). I was totally drawn to this. After hours of contemporary art & paint techniques, we ended the Moganshan trip with seeing real life - the common people's way of living. To me, this was the greatest.

1918 ARTSPACE
www.1918artspace.com/home/1.html
No,78 Chang Ping Rd ( Near West Suzhou Rd )

Somewhere near Moganshan Road, there's this nice space perfect for exhibition and events.

Brisbane - Warm & Fuzzy Winter

2008-06-02T22:06:00.000-07:00

This is the living room of the house where Xander stays - with his housemates and their girlfriends. They are like this big happy family who take turns to cook once in a while. That night, he was the chef and Laksa was served in a big pot.

Yes, the fireplace is for real!!! haaa.. I was quite thrilled to see that it works.

Brisbane - Gallery of Modern Art

2008-06-02T15:09:00.000-07:00

GALLERY OF MODERN ART
qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions

Though i was too late for the Andy Warhol Exhibition and too early for Picasso & his collection, though it started pouring half way... our trip to GOMA was pretty fun-filled. For the very first time, i visited a museum with my brother!

Brisbane - Visiting my brother

2008-06-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

The first thing we did after my brother picked me up in his fast car was to have breakfast at the Powerhouse. I really appreciated that. We could have eaten at the South Bank or gone anywhere else - even his house - but knowing his sis, he had decided to bring me somewhere arty. yay!

POWERHOUSE
http://www.brisbanepowerhouse.org/

I got really excited with the space – very raw, very industrial, very my-kind-of-space. haha!

Food, not art
When Xander told me that these were actually pasta, I was like OOO!!! Not that I had thought they’re art installation of sort, just that, I didn’t think they were edible. They looked so pretty hanging there - like hand towels.

Dinner at the steakhouse
From dinner reservations to getting dressed up to car allocation, these kids are PROs. I’m never capable of organizing dinners.

Melbourne - Off to see the Apostles

2008-05-31T22:54:00.000-07:00

The road trip along the Great Ocean Road started with some excitement at the sight of sheep and cows.

It was ALMOST sunset and the view was breathtaking. The whole area was filled with tourists, photographers (with personal suitcase of tripods & lens) and tourists with professional cameras. Everyone wanted to take a piece of beautiful memory home. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere was pretty romantic.

I wished i was seated on that tree over there, hugging a monkey perhaps, to watch the sunset.

Dinner at WAVES, Port Campbell. Just the starter was enough to make the evening perfect!

Melbourne - 2am Lockout

2008-05-30T23:54:00.000-07:00

The bar that i intented to visit in the evening was scheduled for a protest at the Parliament House. In fact, most of the bar owners and bar goers in Melbourne were headed for the same place! And the best part - it's an OFFICIAL PROTEST. wow! i've never been to something like that before.

Melbourne - Gertrude Street

2008-05-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

The fiesty dog at the start of Gertrude made my spirit real high! Such a well-drawn piece of work!

COTTAGE INDUSTRY

LITTLE SALON

GERTRUDE CONTEMPORARY SPACE
www.gertrude.org.au/

Melbourne - City >> Docklands

2008-05-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

I had a quiet morning walk from the Southern Cross Station to Docklands - filled with shapes & forms; colors & patterns.

Instead of having your car parked, you have your boat anchored. What a luxury!

The seagull that accompanied me.

I was so tickled, I couldn't stop laughing - all by myself.
Then I waved!

Melbourne - Centre Place

2008-05-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

Melbourne - Cafe round the corner

2008-05-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

Dubai - Five Green

2008-03-31T23:55:00.000-07:00

www.fivegreen.com/

From the moment i stood on the steps of the entrance, approaching the heavy metal door, I knew instantly I was about to fall in love...

Dubai International Financial Centre

2008-03-31T23:39:00.000-07:00

The DIFC was less corporate and serious than i expected. Infact, i enjoyed everything that was there - even the hoardings for shops and galleries that are in construction.

The DIFC was just opposite my hotel but it was more complicated than just simply crossing the road - traffic in Dubai is just terrible. Despite that, I made my way there for 2 major exhibitions that i didn't want to miss.

COLLECTED VISIONS
from JPMorgan Chase Art Collections

WORD INTO ART
by The British Museum

Dubai - Raffles Hotel

2008-03-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

www.dubai.raffles.com
From the website banner of Raffles Dubai, one can more or less expect the view from the tip of the pyramid - breathtaking.

ASIANA RESTAURANT
www.dubai.raffles.com/z881/restaurants_07.html

The alfresco moment felt so REAL, especially with the wind blowing. Definitely a better sight than seated indoors within the glass panels.

The ladies' washroom

Dubai - Al Quoz Industrial Area

2008-03-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

There are a number of galleries, studios and cafes tucked in this dusty industrial area. Endless possibilities behind each and every dull facade you see. Never judge a book by its cover, never judge a place by its exterior.

THE COURTYARD GALLERIES
www.courtyard-uae.com

THE THIRD LINE GALLERY
www.thethirdline.com

B21 GALLERY
www.b21gallery.com

Dubai - Bastakiya District

2008-03-31T06:03:00.000-07:00

Like the Chinese, the Arabians have gotten their old courtyards converted into galleries, guesthouses, boutique shops etc. I was reminded of my first attempt to locate Beijing's 798 Art District... Back then, I had to instruct the Chinese cabbie that it's near the Da Shan Zi Roundabout. This time, in Dubai, I had to point out the Al Fahidi Roundabout! Good point of reference.

Coincidentally, the CREEK ART FAIR (www.creekartfair.com) was on and almost all the art galleries in Dubai were involved in this event. There was so much to see and so little time.

Alley way leading to hidden spaces within

BASTA ART CAFE / ORIENT GUESTHOUSE

XVA HOTEL/CAFE/GALLERY/SHOPS
www.xvagallery.com

Hotel entrance

Cafe - perfect for laid back afternoon

S*uce

Galleries

Looking back at the Bastakiya village from the Dubai Creek, there was a certain sense of mystic during sunset. There was probably more to explore than what i saw.