Xplore the unXplored

A Fishy encounter.....

2009-08-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

I am back in Boleh land for the moment.
And while I have those moments I am out also tasting much of the food that Malaysia so proudly displays.

Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die. (Isaiah 22:13)

Here lies a nice plate of a local favourite... Ikan Bakar (BBQ fish).
The fish in question is a Stingray (pari).
Looks good and smells good too....except for the surrounding environments which not too pleasant for the eye. Its typical Malaysia...who cares.

Closed my eyes and placed a piece in my mouth.
Let the tongue do the tasting and not your mind...
hmmmm....its simply delicious.

Well this is just another of my fishy encounters...

Crossbreed for FREE

2009-08-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here she is.....all by herself having a mouth watering bone.

Isn't she cute?....certainly mischievous too as most pups are. She is all up for grabs to anyone who are strickly dog lovers. Totally free.

She came thru a friend a few weeks ago and is looking for home that will take her. She is probably 3 to 4 months old and a crossbreed. Said to be crossed between a German Shepherd and Labrador which makes her very special. Looks to grow smart and tough.

Any takers out there. Please drop me a line here on the website..

Back from the Past......:)

2009-07-05T03:23:00.001-07:00

It’s been quite a sometime since my last posting…many many moons ago. Many seasons have passed….couple of months.

Yah...where was I and what was I doing?

Certainly I didn’t croak. Its timing you know. The man upstairs wasn’t ready to receive me yet. hahahha Yeah say that again... I was indeed around and still on a job too working my butt out on some platform somewhere along the handles of the mighty Atlantic.

Amidst all my travel and work I ventured for my damsel in shiny armor too (its usual a prince in shiny armor they say?) but then I landed with a Macbook and Ipod. Certainly did not miss out on the acquaintance but sadly nothing much has progress. …it doesn’t come easy these days. …El Nino effect I guess. Nevertheless.. the search is on…:)

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-25T19:38:00.000-07:00

Wow...finally I got my feet on dry land in my pink of health. The feeling is so great especially after all the hard work.

It was 45 mins ride on a chopper to Richards Bay in South Africa for a night stay. This country is certainly pretty huge and beautiful too. Then another day at Durban and finally took off home bound across the Indian Ocean. It was a long flight of 13 hours to Hongkong and finally to boleh land.

What can say...good to be home catchin up with family and friends for 3 weeks or so. Then I should be back again on my next assignment for another rendezous across the amazing planet of ours.

Keeping you posted.

Moving Forward

2008-09-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

The sun rises and the sun sets and hurries back to where it rises…. (Eccl 1:5)

It’s another day in paradise in the mighty blue seas, all against a changing backdrop of the sky expanse and canopy, a handiwork of the Master’s hand so wondrously displayed.

We are moving at maximum speed heading down the Mozambique Channel towards the tip of Africa. A couple of days or more, a week and soon we will be setting our foot on land to delight of many hearts. Amidst all the hard work, the good times and the bad times plus the silent passing time, perseverance has done its work…..ever moving forward keeping locked-on to the target.

……in the southern seas

Across the Horizon

2008-08-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

It’s been more than 7 weeks since I’ve seen land. Onboard this titanic size vessel on the turbulent high seas across Asia has indeed been a much trying experience. Certainly my eyes have got tried with the plain sea and the confined space living. No birds in sight too. Hmm…where have they all gone? Maybe they just avoided my peering looks.

Another 2 weeks or so to go, and I’m sure to have my feet on solid ground. Just can’t wait to get back to the luxury of the flora and fauna, the bustling markets and the shopping malls as well as the much ever-ending buzz of the human species. Interesting…isn’t it?

Here’s a snapshot of sunset evening across the horizon in the southern hemisphere.

“Crossing the Line” Ceremony

2008-08-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

What line is there to cross that would demand a ceremony?

You would probably think it’s something to do with sports and games. But in the sea, is there such a line? Haa.hha… Strangely I did find out onboard the Akpo FPSO vessel as we sailed across the Indian Ocean expanse.

Rituals and traditions have certainly got the better of mankind even in the mighty seas as I had discovered. One of the most famous of all rituals in practice was the “Crossing the Line” ceremony which is widely observed on most sea faring vessels. Here is a brief info on this practice.
The “line” in question actually refers to the nautical reference for the Equator, and, for the common seamen, crossing this invisible boundary from north to south marks the point at which everything becomes strange and backwards. Seasons are reversed, the sun starts traveling on the northern edge of the sky, and they lose their ever-present night guide, the Northern Star. This Crossing the Line is therefore seen as an occasion worthy of celebration by the vessel’s crew. It is a time where the rules of authority and ownership are suspended altogether under a ruling authority of Neptune (referring to the Roman God of the oceans).

The ceremony is quite simple. On that day the vessel crosses the Line (equator), all crew are summoned to main deck to appear before a kind of court presided over by Neptune and his entourage, all played by senior seamen onboard. The character playing “Neptune” is often the most seasoned. His costume consists of all of the traditional accoutrements, including beard, net, and trident. Usually he is accompanied by his “wife,” a comic and/or somewhat humiliating role, depending on who it is assigned to. There are also an assortment of guards, a jester, and other members of a royal court. A proclamation is then read which goes to say that Neptune has received word that some new seamen (onboard) are crossing his royal boundary without permission, and he demands retribution. What follows is a series of humiliating and disgusting “punishments” for the new comers. These could include shaving your hair, smearing your face and head with all kinds of nasty refuse. Once they are thru these messy trials successfully, they are officially pronounced fit to freely navigate the seas and have attained the right to inflict the same on future new comers.
It was quite amusing to see this ritual in practice in these modern days though it was done on much a lighter scale onboard our vessel and was later followed by sumptuous dinner.

On the High Seas

2008-07-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

Further updates while departing from the land of the morning calm.
My working journey has certainly struck a new note with my very first long distance travel by sea. Early this month I left South Korea onboard this titanic FPSO (floating, production, storage & offloading) vessel which is towed by 3 tug boats from the shipyard to its home in offshore Nigeria. (See picture). This is my current humble abode on this journey of about 4 months. Starting from north-east Asia the vessel’s journey will take you down to the equator of Singapore and then across the south west thru the Indian Ocean expanse to the southern tip of Africa, and then up north to the west coast of Africa. And what will I see??…..Just plain sea and sea and sea !!

I don’t plan to stay thru the whole sea cruise and will hop-off at Cape Town (South Africa) and fly back home to Boleh land in a few weeks.

In this entire vast expanse of high seas and work, the Master is very much present, as He has promised. With peace, strength and security. ….Be quiet !..still!.... (Mark 4:39)

New Kid in the Block

2008-06-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

Here lies my little doggy Wilmur.. Isn’t she cute?

Don’t you like her? She’s got a mischievous look too.

Following my previous dog (fluffy) demise last year, God has provided us with our next dog to our family. She’s also a newcomer in our neighborhood. She’s a lovely black beauty so full of life of the cockers spaniel family. Here she’s seen lying on my bed either for a cozy nap or some mischief playing. Miss her during my travels.
We ought to take care of animals under our care…its a principle. “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals …. (Prov. 12:10)”

Greetings from Korea

2008-06-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

I’m back again …. this time from dynamic South Korea. It’s my 3rd visit to this land of the morning calm since 2005.

I’ve been pretty busy for some time and have certainly not updated my blog as you would have noticed since my last abode in Singapore.

Travel and work has got the better of me. The picture above is taken at Hyundai shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. They make ships like making toys! Believe me!! More on my new sea voyage in the next posting.

Shalom & Adious..

2008-06-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

Here stands the CHIJMES…
Doesn’t this gothic architecture look very much that of a Chapel?
Yup…That’s what I thought at first glance, a church. Further discovery tells me this was the grounds of a former convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Middle Education School. The convent was founded by some nuns of the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus Mission that brought had about many convents across Malaysia and Singapore between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Sadly the Chapel’s closure came to an end in Nov 1983 when the last service was held after over 100 years of its operation. It was deconsecrated and the convent closed. The whole building has then being renovated to suit Singapore’s retail grandeur.

It now stands as a popular entertainment centre with restaurants, bars and shops. You can find it in Victoria Street in downtown Singapore. You see this shocking transformation also happening in Europe where traditional church buildings are converted to entertainment outlets. It’s a really sad. Well, I guess everything happens for a reason under the sun. Only time will tell.

Back to the Future

2008-04-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone......

Yeah..I've been missing in action for sometime. My sincere apologies!! I've been away in sizzling Singapore these couple of months but now I'm back in boleh land...back to the future from where I left off.

Man's Best Friend - The Christmas Bone

2007-09-03T02:26:00.000-07:00

Here lies a snapshot of Man's best friend...my little doggy.

Her name is Fluffy. She is seen here tearing apart the wrapper to discover a juicy bone. It was her little present for Christmas some time ago. She is such a adore and truly man's best friend who lived a remarkable 16 years before slipping away after a short illness recently.

Thru out history dogs have been know for their blind love and faithfulness even to the extent of saving lives. Love of their master far exceeds their own. When loved ones come home, they always ready to run and greet them. They thrive for attention and no matter how often you scold them, they never buy down into guilt but just run back happily to make friends.

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -- Unknown

Flight Safety

2007-09-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Have you ever traveled on an aircraft only to find the seat arm-rests totally broken or maybe even the seats safety belts going missing. My trip on an Indian Airlines Airbus aircraft recently was amusing…well...what can I say! It was different.

The seat in front of me on the window side had its right arm-rest totally missing but lying on the floor on my side (see picture). This same experience was encountered also on my return but in a different seating area. To add to further amusement the seat diagonally across me had its safety belt missing too. The passenger could not fasten himself since there was only one side of the belt hanging. After informing the crew, the male stewards hurriedly removed the seat bottom and fixed a new set of safety belts while the aircraft was taxing for takeoff. As for the arm rest, nothing could be done. Wonder if other things were holding but nevertheless the landing was in one piece. So much for flight safety.

Flying High

2007-08-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

At one glimse you would probably think, "arent those flags flying look like US flags"? Yes, they may look but they definetely ain't. It's not election time either. It's Malaysian. The Malaysian flag has some similarities to the US in terms of its red and white stripes but there are many other differences.

Here you see them decked from one side of the road to the other in a suburban locality in downtown KL (Kuala Lumpur), the country's capital. In the midst of heavy traffic these colour flags spring a sense of patriotism for the people of this land. The country just completed its 50th year of Independence this 31st day of August.

Pigeon Pose

2007-08-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Do pigeons stand on one leg??? or is it a one-legged pigeon. This snapshot was taken in one London's subways stations. Interesting.....some great balancing work. Doesn't look starving too. Ah.... i think it's one of those yoga meditation exercises.. Pigeon pose!!!

Offshore Nigeria

2007-08-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

Life Offshore can be tough depending on the kind of work but it has its rewards. You work 12 hours each day, seven days a week on a continous run from a minimum of 2 weeks to 8 or even 12 weeks.

Some of my work took me to offshore Nigeria in West Africa, in the area of the Gulf of guinea where there are numerous oil rigs. A hot place both in terms of weather and the oil. Not a place where everybody would love to go. Militants and criminals have often sought ransoms with attacks and kidnappings on foreign workers in the Niger Delta, Nigeria's main oil region. Sunset beauty is not be missed while at sea. More snapshot will follow later ...... cheers.

Malaysia's 50th Independence Day Celebrations

2007-08-25T07:43:00.004-07:00

Malaysia is all hyped up in color and splendour for the nation's 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations on 31st August 2007.

The year has also been designated as Visit Malaysia Year 2007.
With tourist and travellers flowing in from all parts of the world, the country has a lined up a variety of functions thru out the year.

Drop in and be part of this Celebrations!!!!

On the road in Kabul

2007-08-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

My short stint in war torn Kabul has been an experience I will never forget. It's a different world out there.

In the midst of the beautiful mountain tops and valleys and a hard working population trying to make a living, bombs still go-off killing innocent lives.

War, instability and isolation have left a heavily mined nation with an average life expectancy in the mid 40s and some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Powerful regional warlords, a booming narcotics trade and Taliban insurgency, which is trying to oust foreign troops and the western-back government, are all contributing to current situations.
The international community has made many commitments to Afghanistan, not least the USD10 billion pledged at the London conference in February 2006. The country will require much to overcome the decades of destruction and to combat the years of neglect to its infrastructure. However, security remains a critical factor. In the southern parts of the country, humanitarian aid is unable to reach vulnerable people because of the insecurity in the area due to the continued insurgency.
Despite the tensions, Afghans have welcomed and embraced their new freedoms and there is now a quiet confidence and hope that peace might finally spread throughout the country.