Through The Lens

VietGeo Adventure

2010-05-07T12:12:00.001-07:00

From Singapore to Vietnam, these trip would be the most adventurous yet from my last trip to Thailand. The weather in Vietnam is not much of a different from my hometown Singapore, however temperature could reach up to 36 degree Celsius in a day. On my previous visit to Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam in 2009, nothing around my have change, the road was busy as usual. The trip this time was not going to be a short one, i'd already had plans on going out of Ho Chi Minh City. At the mean time, an early lunch with my favorite Vietnamese traditional beef noodle that packs with deep aroma filled with the local’s exotic ingredients.

With a slight cool still air on the next morning, it is time to rush for our first flight to adventure and beyond. Next destination, Hue. Just further up from Da Nang Vietnam, a small slow city. This city was also a former home of the Vietnamese emperor. At first impress of the slow life in Hue, it was not much equal to Ho Chi Minh City but traffic was calmer.

Didn’t know where to visit first, just outside the hotel there is a palace which is still standing strong for tourist. As the entire compound is extremely huge, walking around in a day will be impossible. At the entrance of this majestic palace, a Vietnam flag hangs high proudly with red and yellow star to show to the world.

Taking a trishaw like transport around for the short introduction of Hue would be a nice way to start off. Having to say to enjoy the view, sitting on these trishaws will thrill you, especially when other faster moving motorbikes and bigger vehicles runs all over from your point of view. Our first stop was at a home local eating stall, with alien like ingredients in my bowl of noodle soup, taking a bite makes thrilling experience, chicken and a chunky mince pork. Interesting but yet tasty.

A trip to a busy market full of Vietnamese treasures should also be as fruitful as fun. With tons of items to fest your eyes and experience, like any other markets in the world, dried foods, shoes for everyday wear, shirts and pants, endless vibrant color fabrics, toys, souvenirs, watches, and many others things for us to discover. You can also buy fruits or drinks just along the roadside.

Continue strolling around Hue on the trishaw with our friendly guide. Seeing the scenery on Hue, around us we could imagine how it may look like back during the American army invasion, gigantic armored tanks and trucks that run the streets of Vietnam, war planes rules the sky and soldiers pointing their weapons in all point of their views. However those were the past of history but a relaxing vacation place to be in.

On the following day, a paid round trip was schedule to take us for a ride in a dragon boat. In these boats along the huge riverbank, each boat is a livelihood for a family or two. These are like family business on water; they cook, sleep and do almost everything in a single boat. In the tour, lunch will be provided for that day trip along the river visit. Our first place of visit was a wushu school. As history said, the Chinese of China had a martial art competition between the Vietnamese and the Chinese of China. In order to protect themselves from the Chinese, the locals of Hue learnt wushu to compete with their revile from China.

Our next visit was a temple. An old temple just standing along the river, a steep and high stairway to the entrance.

In a brand new day, our guides on motorbikes were already prepared to take us for an adventure we would never forget. Our destination will be from Hue to Da Nang and Hoi An, yes all in a day. We finally reach the city Da Nang, at first glance from the back of the motorbike pillion seat, Da Nang looks and feel almost close to as no different from Ho Chi Minh City. Da Nang traffic is just as busy, just as well populated too. However, the roads in Da Nang are wider.

After an about another whole 2 hours travel from Da Nang City, we finally reach Hoi An. In this remarkably beautifully relaxing city, almost everything moves slowly. Hoi An was a major international port and trading business. Now Hoi An became a tourist attraction. My favourite time was sitting outside a sugar cane drink stall and flown away by the easy slow life style of Hoi An. Nothing in Ho An seems to be moving faster then I am, I guess that not all cities in Vietnam has the same life style culture from just a single city.

Traveling long distance to these cities was an enjoyment for anyone, however with a souring bottom and aching back that has to be endure. Breathe taking view of sensory after another, the warm breeze on your skin going against the rough air, the blazing sun light that color up the green mountains.

Saigon

2009-10-28T21:09:00.001-07:00

My window seat

It was a quick weekend adventure get away trip. Formerly known as Saigon till the 70s and now is rename as Ho Chi Minh City. My adventure started at the airport entrance, greeted by dozens of taxi drivers approching my travel companion and myself for sharing the ride with other just arrrived locals and tourists. It is my first time in Veitnam HCMC and coming for a world of different and somewhat a world in my own universe, a little culture shock at first but was quickly subsided to the fear of traveling to another planet alike. However, my entire objective was to visit and celebrate my girl-friend's birthday and also a short holiday.

As we wanted a cheaper transport to our hotel, bus is the best choice, however as we took the evening flight and reached the city rather late and we could have missed the last bus. Leaving us with no choice but to hire a taxi. The taxi business in HCMC was rather interesting and yet an eye opener, you must burgain you way out of the price they give if not when they reach your distination they would vomite out a high price.

Madam Cuc

We stayed in a cossy hotel name "Madam Cuc 127". Upon at the reach of their entrance, we were treated this time with a warm and welcome hospitalty smile. My travel companion had preversily stay in this hotel, so i did not have much to worry about when during my stay. Oh did I mention, "Madam Cuc" hotel provides both breakfast and dinner when you check into their warm welcome hotel.

The morning moment

My neighbour

Fruit seller

Taxi?

Street cafe

A new morning, as excited as a child getting his new toy. From our room balcony, I just couldn't wait to get out of the hotel to snap pictures. When ever I am traveling to another country, i would always look out of my hotel and see how the place looks like and behave. My first impression was, Vietnam has lots of motorcycles and rather clean along the road side. After breakfast, our personal HCMC tour guide arrives, also my only beloved girl-friend. One of the best way traveling in HCMC is not just the public transport but the motorcycle. I had a fun but also a memorable ride with her. We only have little chance to see each other.

My favorite ride

We were going to the "Chi Qui tunnel", we have stop by the bus interchange to get to our destination. Why not on the bike? The ride to the tunnel took almost about close to 2 hours, yes I felt asleep on the bus. The bus ride is also always crowded when going there. But before the sleepy eyes closes, I managed to snap some joy ride photos along the way. The traffic in HCMC especially in the morning till the mid day, the road will always be jam pack with vehicles dashing from all sorts of direction. During the yesterday war time, all they could able to find as food source was tapioca, a kind of potato like food. All they did was steam them up and dip them with fine grinds of peanuts and sugar. I would image how was it like during those war time.

Saigon traffic

The round about

The local bikers

Bus stop

The morning locals

Motorcycle cushion shop

Some place

After a long and slow trip on the road to the tunnel, we finally embark at the "Chi Qui tunnel". The place is know for how the Vietnamese pull through during the American occupation. A lot of history and knowledge I had learn in this place, however what surprises me the most was their will to carry on with their life even though how hard the war was.

Chi Qu tunnel tour guide

THe trap

Our personal guide

Tunnel?

Hut

Watch house

Incoming!

Polishing rice

Hut builder

Constructing a new home

The intelligent department

Recycling war canons

Grave site

Tapioca food

My bus ride

The bus ticket collector

The end of my quick weekend get away is almost up, we had only a few hours to spare before boarding out plane home again. A last minute shopping for cloths and stuff at the "Saigon Square" was and interesting one, lots of nice looking appearal but do remember to do your bargaining if not the price may not suite your wallet of treasures. Before catching our flight home, we had to slow down our feet with our host, and quickly head back to the hotel to check ourselves out, but along the way my travel companion and I had to have an ice-coffee drink by the street, it is sure does not taste anything like Starbucks but better, just like real coffee should taste like.

After shopping

My hosts

Great ice-coffee

2009-09-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

This is a place where the young adult males may find it boring and may not want to go as soon as the are out of their national service in Singapore. However, for some of us, like myself which i have never being into the army during my national service days. It is another one of those hot and skin burning Sunday where families and tourist would want to visit in. This event was called the Singapore Army Open House, open to the public but also at the same time the men and women in the army would get together with their families and love ones.

As for myself, it's a great eye opener. I fired a live round rifle (finally!) and sat on a moving tank and take the public for an off road ride. What a dusty ride, my camera is then covered with a layer of sand dirt but looks rather cool. The camera (Nikon D2x) gives a look as though it had went through war photographing war events.

Casting our shadow

A friendly face

Round up!

Tired

Roll out

Sons of our nation

Today we fly high

2009-08-29T20:30:00.000-07:00

With the sun ray burning my skin, on a Saturday late afternoon, this event bring people from all over the island of Singapore to join in the fun of kite flying. It is a kite festival held in West Coast Park for all ages and families to get together.

Family together

My kites

Today we fly high!

Trip to a farm

2009-08-16T02:55:00.000-07:00

The weather of the world has being climbing since the last drop of ice in the north pole. Today as usual with the razor burning sun and rather lazy too, I brought my mum to a farm. From the picture of the advertising poster of the farm, it looks like as though they have many exciting exhibition to see, however it turn out they have only a few small animals and a eating place to cool off from the heat or chill out with your friends and family. The farm was more like a market place now, they carry merchandise for the public from natural honey, crocodile meat, fresh vegetables from near-by farms, aquarium with almost all kinds of fishes, pet shops, your gardening needs and many more. They also have quite a big parking space for your car, if you are taking the public transport, they provide transportation from a near-by train station to the farm.

For more details of the farm, here is their website -> http://www.farmart.com.sg/

Peek-a-boo!

Rainbow

Goat

One way bus fare

The Kusu trail

2008-10-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

My first time stepping on this interesting island. Unlike other theme parks or tourist attraction islands around Singapore, Kusu island is also a small worshiping place for the chinese Singaporean. At the same time Kusu island is also a place not just for praying but also to put those busy schedule behind and relax.

The Christmas boy

2008-08-23T23:55:00.000-07:00

The story
A young boy, Thomas shares his love with the rest of the world when he move to a new home, an unfamiliar culture. His adventure begins with a stranger who is hard to please, but Thomas did not give up to stop sharing his heart but inspires more to try.

My first independent film, direct, produce and writer. It was a long process to shoot this short film, but well rewarded. I've learn to be a much more patience person after going through countless problem solving moments, for example when you needed to have a dry and sunny day but the weather just didn't behave the way you want to be. Leadership is never easy to be earn and respected.

1st shot of the day

Our camera operator

Talking with my art department

The producer and the children cast

The crew

Hard workers

My assistant directors

Standing by

Action!

I love my job

The gang

Over shoulder

In focus

My office

Almost done!

Night market

2008-05-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Refreshing scene at Toa Payoh. Selling fresh vegetables at night that no traffic to be disturb and a clear night with good fierce bargaining mouth, vegetable seller buying from these wholesale seller that make this location an interesting spot for a nice relaxing and refreshing chance for candid photo.

My new toy

2008-05-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Testing my new toy. Canon EF 15mm USM Fish Eye lens.

Climb master

2008-05-28T10:43:00.001-07:00

A day of an rock climbing event challenging between schools in Singapore.

2008-05-22T02:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos taken earlier today after such a long time not touching my camera. Not knowing what to do to so i'd decided to take the DHL balloon ride (Singapore), as i am someone who has the fear of height and taking the ride on my own is a thrilling experience. Sometimes i would wish i have someone to hold on to when i have something to fear about. Though the height and strong breeze that fears me with all kinds of silly imaginations that what if something bad happen, but the view was breathe taking. Awhile later i am actually walking around the balloon safety cage snapping photos away. When the balloon finally touch to the solid ground from after 150m high above, i could relax more but still slightly shacked from my fear of height.

Going up

The city view

Breathe taking

Going down

My new toy

2008-03-05T04:09:00.000-08:00

A full test of my new toy. Shooting digital with an old FD mount lens that gives a film look on digital.

Serve among us

2007-12-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

In the many years what I've may not know about, the wardens in a church community plays a rather big part. Not just they are capable of directing any perisher to an empty seat during a church service or just collecting funds from our pockets to give the church a much comfortable place to have our prayer to be heard by Christ. In the eve of a Christmas church service, almost every wardens were called upon to do their bit. They are like the police people keeping the crowd under control and trying their best to have every believer get to have a seat for the service. The true warden duties still hidden beneath their hearts, being an usher or crowd controller but most importantly it is everything about servicing their true believe in christ and the church.

Finish your race

2007-12-02T02:19:00.000-08:00

These morning at the Padang, it is not also about finishing a race and challenging other participants in the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2007. To some, these marathon race is their life, and to most it is about an achievement in life, challenging ourselves to something that we may not be able to finish. And some day, that glory or victory will be yours when you cross that finish line.

Everyone is a winner

Keep running

Henry Wanyoike

My best friend & his wife to be

The medal

Biker

2007-09-29T04:35:00.000-07:00

A hot Saturday afternoon. Decided to grab my camera out for some shot, and when coming to an approach to the end of the day, what caught my eye is this group of BMX biker youngsters just doing what they love most, thrill. Riding and challenging themselves to perform stunts in this concrete urban city Singapore.

The Lantern Festival

2007-09-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

An almost lost tradition that the Chinese around the world celebrate today. Also known as called Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese shared the comment time together with their love ones.

The History
The origin of Lantern Festival dates back in the early Han Dynasty during Emperor Wu of Han's reign. Legend has it that Emperor Wu of Han had a dream of his palace being burned downed and felt that the dream was a bad omen, so he asked his subjects in his imperial court for advice the next day. Some of the subjects took the opportunity to perform a good deed for the thousands of concubines and female servants in the imperial palace who were prohibited from going home by telling the emperor that the dream was indeed a bad omen and the palace would be burnt down to the ground by deities. In order to avoid impending disaster, each female resident in the imperial palace must carry a lantern and go home, thus fooling the deities in believing there was already a fire in palace and people were fleeing, and every one would return to the palace afterwards. The emperor agreed and of course, there was no fire at the palace and the emperor credited the supposedly successful aversion of the disastrous fire with what was done, and hence he decreed the event to become a regular festival. As a result, the festival eventually became a family reunion day when it merged with other Chinese traditions of various regions in China over time, such as eating tangyuan (Simplified Chinese: 汤圆; Traditional Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), a sweet glutinous rice dumpling served in a sugary soup, symbolizing family reunion.[1]

Traditionally, the Lantern Festival is also used to serve as a day for love and matchmaking, on which an unmarried girl was traditionally permitted to appear in public unescorted and thus be seen by eligible bachelors. It was one of the few nights in ancient times without a strict curfew. Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope. As time has progressed, however, the festival no longer has such implications nowadays.

Those who do not carry lanterns often enjoy watching informal lantern parades. In addition to eating tangyuan (Simplified Chinese: 汤圆; Traditional Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), other popular activities at this festival include and guessing lantern riddles (which became part of the festival since Tang Dynasty), often messages of good fortune, family reunion, abundant harvest, prosperity and love.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantern_Festival (Tuesday 11.10pm 2007)

Spending time with Taize

2007-09-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

It was an interesting experience during those two hour long prayer session. I was invited by a friend to attend or spend sometime with God. At first i didn't know what does the community do or what it is all about, till they started with the prayers. Another different way to pray to God, meditation, but of cause with some readings and hymns.

The community of Taize are not just about just prayers and meditation, it is also about bringing the people from all races and religions together to pray as one unity, just like good friends hanging out together. Taize is a peacefully and yet spiritual community. My experience during the meditation just somewhat brought me closer to God again, sacrifice my own enjoyable time with the beers but instead i was invited to join this special meditative prayer community.

Treasures of memories

2007-08-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

I couldn't exactly remember when these photos are taken, but they do bring back lots of memories. I could remember when i was that small, fun was about not today's that we have PSP, Gameboy, computer game, etc etc. But my kind of fun yesterday was no less then this present day's games. Remembering myself and a friend going to catch what they called, fighting spiders. Finding and catching them were the fun part, and not forgetting getting these eight legged creatures to battle is just another golden experience. Another game till today i sometime would play with my best friend, not sure what is the name of this game was called. It's uses a minimum of two erasers, both opponents are to battle it out by trying to over-lay their own erasers, whoever wins take home their losers eraser.

At the Singapore airport (From left, me, my mum, my aunt from HK)

At the St Mary of The Angels Church

Looking back at these photos, they all remind me some of my old friends that I've lost contact with and places that i had being and they may or may not no longer exist. Best yet, with today's 21st century technologies, i could restore each photographs back to almost their original stage.

From left (My god-pa's mum, my mum, me)

From left (Me, my god brother)

My god-pa and family

Baptism in Church Of The Risen Christ

Me got bless

A group photo

When i was older, joined the Altar Boys

Why the world needs a real Justice League

2007-08-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

After some time watching the news on TV, countless results about war and not much about peace talks or about stopping the fight between each selfless soil in one huge silence cry. Until recently, a rather disturbing news came upon me about a small group of defenseless Christian group while on a missionary trip, now till this date they are still held hostage by the Taliban militants, and worst yet they'd already started killing the defenseless, one by one.

Sometime i would wounder what if there are really heroes amount us, real men and women with a heart like a courageous lion. If this would to happen, maybe, just maybe the world would be a little different and much safer from any terror threat. However all this imagination that all of us hope someone will save the day for us are just only happen in the movies or comic books, just like the Justice League.

In some ways, the real heroes of today maybe exist is another view. They may not be in colorful costumes with heroic poses that scares off bad guys, they are just the everyday of men and women from law enforcements, rescue workers, military specs, etc, etc. They are just only ordinary beings that either follow their superior's order or just follow what is right in their hearts to fight for. Heroes doesn't actually need to have capes to help them fight terrors but instead an old fashion calling called bravery and courage.

I guess no one really has yet to thank this life action superheroes in a real hero ceremony or parade. These men and women do deserve the glory that only comic book heroes were would overwhelm by their fans. So do you still think the world needs of a real Justice League that we only see them in the comic books? Maybe not, we already have our own, now it's up to us also to try in to continue keeping the peace and harmony with our own neighbors living among us in different colors and believes.

Through the lens

2007-07-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

In these roll of film, i have managed to capture some of the sprite of before the Chinese Lunar New year of 2007. Every chinese house hold in Singapore will normally flog down to the famous China Town to get their last min shopping done.

Start of point (Lasalle SIA)

The night scene

Fierce bargaining

Trying a self portrait

Carefree

Business man

Time pieces

2007-07-29T01:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, i had the sudden interest in shooting on film again. In this roll of negative film which had lasted me about almost a year, always kept in my trusty camera. Once in a while i would bring this German made camera out for a walk to capture some of the most priceless moments. About a year pass-by, the final frame in this roll of film is now ready to be developed. It is all about the surprise that you may or may not know what you will capture on film or how it turns out to be.

Preparing for a play

His first cook (My cousin & aunt)

As for some, photos are just photograph that are for fun in snap shot. But others may have a different point of view, i am one of them. They are more then just any photos, but a moment capture to perfection, an event you may not ever see again, a documentary of a life that grow so fast that you may just share a tear with a photograph. As watches are called time pieces, if you care for it well enough, they will last you a life time looking the same. But not a photograph, once destroy or lack of the care this priceless time pieces maybe lost for ever.

In the play house (My nephew & niece)

Tunnel jam

In this 21st century we are living in now, photography somehow became digital, even a camera became hi-tech. Nowadays we could even restore old photographs back to new, as if they were just taken today. However, the tradition of photography seems started to vanish into the 21st century technological black hole.

Paper work

New attraction

Portrait of my world

2007-07-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

A rainy day that brings down the mood of most who does lots of outdoor activities, i too had lost mine just today. However I didn't want to disappoint myself further in wasting the journey and my heavy camera equipment that already gives me a backache.

The ice-cream aunty

Learning point

Refreshment

The balloon sisters

A nation's rehearsal

A self portrait

Most of the photos seen here are taken today and a few weeks ago as well.

Good bye old campus

2007-07-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

On 29th of June 2007, the old art school Lasalle-SIA at Goodman Road had now come to an end. But before the school is going to give up its life to something new, the students and the people that had brought together this old campus together, they had organize a last campus night party. They even brought back the old students and lecturers back for the event. Now the new campus is located at 1 McNally Street, just next to the famous IT mall Sim Lim Square.

2007-07-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

After such a long break from photography and due to my busy schedule, finally i have once again enjoyed this hobby and hope to do this regularly. However brushing up my skills in composition of a subject i would hope to improve better.

Stands alone with the heat

Sun in my eye

New life

Imprisonment

Global warming

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

2005-12-21T22:44:00.000-08:00

After three days of coverage under the sun and little of rain with the Hope Center Singapore carnival by Focus On The Family Singapore Ltd an non profitable christian organisation that also focus on bringing both old and young from families of public together. The World Of Narnia, in the heart of busy shopping paradise in Orchard Road Singapore, just opposite Wheelock Place which all the fun begins. Volunteers from around island wide and from also all walks of lifes, that had already spend their times at the field had shared the hard work and sweat and enjoyment bringing this fantasy novel by C. S. Lewis to film for the whole family till this eve of Christmas 24th of December 2006. In this event the main focus is all in all also to give families and the young ones something to smile about this festive season. One of the favorite attraction is The World Of Narnia, an interactive showcase by all stage plays and drama artists and students, live artist performers will give the public a little preview of what you will get to see on the big screens.

Girl learning to do straw art.

No photography please!

Before the show starts. (Peeping away, hiding away)

In this fun world of the children and families fantasy event, not just only you'll see colourful balloons and gifts stores that sells books and many other things, characters from the inside of story book will also comes to life touring around the carnival for some photo taking opportunities with them. Also from the main attraction of The World Of Narnia, snow will be a treat to the young at hearts too. Some of which the other buzzy things to do there would be the blue screen photography with from scenes in the movie that you can get to be in, as well it comes with a beautifully designed mini album to bring home. In addition there will be stage shows not to be miss through out the day if you would just like to hang around. All payment of any attraction to the carnival will be proceeds to the charity.

It's show time!

The Queen of Narnia.

YOU!

Action!

Say cheez!

Ok big smile everyone.

Into the world of Narnia for the first time.

Wow! Snow!

Photos and Story By,
Henry Wong

2005-09-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

The last colourful culture of Singapore

In the late evening of a small estate of Toa Payoh, from as far as about three blocks always, sound of loud traditional drums and clashes of cymbals were lifted into the quiet warm air around the neighbourhood. Old folks from almost all over the northern distract Toa Payoh were gather round this traditional chinese opera stage, just to entertain themselves with stories or just bring back memories of old times. Chinese Traditional stage play like this are now a days lost in time.

Usually before every play is shown during in the evening, in the late afternoon, the chief of the tribe which they called him in the chinese opera will pray several times to their believed god. This process will last no more then half a day, the chief when pray, he’ll just ask the god what show do they want to watch and when finally decided they will have the stage costumes and actors prepare for the night of colourful and entertaining for the public. And usually the people in this opera, they are always moving as a family around Singapore as they have being doing this for number of years, but yet this colourful seems to be cast away from the new generation.

Mini Chingay

2005-04-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

Students in group from Lasalle-SIA now just amending their final 10 mins shoulder art or costume design before walking along the aisle to show of their creation. Each group had spend roughly about a week of preparation for some of the most colourful shoulder art, some too had only send just the day before the show case starts. After spending about 2 days helping with my group on our concept costume, the snowy white gown was help by our 2nd year fashion student and the rest of the shoulder and arm jewellery were done by us.

The day to let our beautiful gown glow is finally here, just about 5 mins before the start of the show, you’ll get to see all kinds of wonderful designs, some were like monsters with huge dragon leather like wings and some as adorable as an like white fairy that sparkles in every males eyes. I remember weeks ago when our lecturer handed to us a post card about an exhibition showcase on foundation year student’s work, I had told my classmates our art work wouldn’t be selected. However I was wrong, my class had 2 design got chosen to be exhibit, my group is one of them, well we didn’t expected that too.

Time to walk down the aisle, it was a rather spectacular experience, rainbow colours had walk pass my sight as I watch other student’s design and most importantly watching the rest enjoying the moment of their hard effort had put to good use, showing off their talent.

Sawatdee Krup

2005-03-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

It was my first trip together with my best friend’s family to Bangkok and also my very first to this capital city. Well I would said it’s pretty nervous for me as I’m kind of worried of flying after reading and watching the news about the tsunami happened in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Phuket. However I was very ecstatic when we finally touch down in Bangkok International Airport.

My friend did told me about the air in Thailand is actually polluted and yes it is, well it’s still breathable air but you can smell something in the air like it has gone bad. When arrival, it was already 12.45am Bangkok time. Streets of this fascinating city is actually pretty chaotic. Taxis are everywhere, however what interest me was this three wheel open air taxi called “Tuk Tuk”, oh these drivers are always aggressive with their prices and not forgetting their driving too.

I was the first amount the family group to be awaken the next morning, couldn’t wait for my adventure to start off I guess. Sooner as you know, we had already finished our delightful breakfast. As we were walking to the main entrance, our guild is already waiting by the van. The guild greeted us with her cheerful “sawatdee krup” which mean good morning, good evening, good afternoon, good night, hello or good-bye. Yes, at last my adventure begins!

Our first stop was the sun flower farm up on the mountain top, the ride was about one and a half hour long. We were told by our guide, there are many other farms but the one we are going has bigger and fresher flowers and yes I do believe what she told us. They were much bigger and brighter then any other sun flowers from across the farm, however it is not just sun flowers that they have but they too do own an elephant for tourists to have a few pictures with. It is rather a small elephant but attractive enough to bring in more business.

We head on to our next destination, it’s a vain yard up on the mountain too. The weather up there was much cleaner then in the city and cooler too, I had tasted some grapes which are meant to be sampled for guests, they were as sweet as honey fresh from the plant. The scenery was breathe taking, the green from the fragile jungle just helps to relax your eyes and our everyday busy life. Soon it’s time for our next adventure again.

Hitting the road again with a refreshing mind, it’s about lunch time everyone is hungry already and wanting to taste the famous “Tom Yam” soup, the delicacy of Thailand favourite dish. It’s an almost must have dish in every home of Thailand. We had our lunch at an near by beach and an cow farm, an unusual experience but something new that we don’t get to have your meals with the cows everyday. Yes the food is finally here and of cause the “Tom Yam” we’ve being talking about is on our table too. Just a little sip I had tried, oh man, it;s just burn my tongue for awhile. At first the soup has a taste of sour and the sizzling spicy came in, after awhile the soup tend to be delicious. It was boiled with numbers of spices and ingredients, so that’s where most of the fragrance of the soup came from.

Ah yes, we are heading off again. Yes! Jumping with joy when I heard we are going to “Wat Maha That” a ruin city, if i did remember correctly, this city was build actually in the12th century 1372. I was overwhelmed once I stepped inside this city, somehow it just came alive, I could actually feel the peace in my heart and also at the same time the contrast of its truth past too had interest me. There are lots of statures of Buddha with their heads missing, we were told by our guide, during the old days the head of the Buddha is worth lots of money so people would try to steal the head by cutting the head off to sell to any foreign countries.

It was about 7.30 am the next morning, we had to get up early to meet our guide. That morning we were going to “Damnoensaduak” the floating market. Ah yes another picture taking time, we actually took about 1 hour plus to reach there. Before we would embark ourselves at the floating market, we drop by a real Thai family. The visit basically is to educate us what is their life style is like, they live and sleep altogether is a hut, it was rather dark however they need not any fan at all as the habitat is cooling enough, the cooking area is within their living space too. I didn’t see any electrical appliance anywhere, they do really living a simple lives. But where would their income come from, they make couple of useful things out of coconuts to sell them, one of their products was coconut sugar for cooking, the rest would be coconut oil for the skin to be apply on, hats, plates, forks and spoons, etc, etc.

At last we’ve reach the floating market, our guide didn’t had her breakfast and so she will head off first to had her bite, my friend and I decided to follow her because we too wanted to try some local dishes around the market. We soon sat down by the edge of the river to have some sweet and spicy noodles called “Pad Tai”. It’s some fried noodle made out of rice, topped with peanuts and dried chilli, this dish will actually sweeten your heart. Once taken, you’ll get hook by it so beware. Again around me were boats in two sizes, the small ones which is meant for selling of their foods and fruits own by the Thai's, the other is called the long boat which is for the tourist or some form of transport to go around the river bank. There were some other stalls around too that sells cloths and also souvenirs too and do remember ask for discount when you shop.

So that is the end of our trip for now, but wait we still need to go down to China Town to get some herbal spices. When we stop by at some shop to pick up what we wanted, I look around on the street of China Town in Bangkok, man! The streets are like an ants nest, always busy and moving without their eyes. The Traffic is like there is no law at all, however it would be dangerous for any tourist like me who didn’t know how their system works. The toilets there are not easy to find either, the only washroom to go to is either the near by hotel or restaurant and must remember to ask for “Hong Nam” which means toilet, if not they might not be able to understand what you are trying to tell them.

The next dawn has started, today we’ll be shopping around the city. “Mah Bon Kong” is one of those well known mall that we would be going, it has almost everything in there from brand of bags to contemporary cloths and food. Unfortunate most of any recognised products like Adidas, Nike, Puma, Jeep, Timberland etc, etc are always still expensive, the only item would be always having offers will be Giordano. Being browsing the mall for about three hours, we’ve decided to head to another shopping place which the Thai’s called it the “Weekend market”. Before our shopping craze start again, we needed to replenish what we’ve burn on all the walking. Buying food at their food court was pretty unusual for us Singaporean, in order to buy whatever we wanted to eat, first we’ll need to purchase coupons for the food we want.

Now our stomach had being filled, time to head towards the Weekend market. getting there would be another interesting experience for us, we’ll need to take the sky train to our destination. The train happened to have a larger space then our local MRT train and also have more and rear bars then our trains. I would hope the Singapore MRT train will use their idea as I feel it is much safer for everyone to hold on to something when on the move. The tickets they are using are the ones we had once used. On arriving at the market, we had came across huge banners and poster of Thailand’s King. Later I’ve learnt it was the birthday of His Majesty.

Yes finally we’ve come to the very busy weekend market and yes it’s very crowded, we couldn’t even walk pass one stall yet, but beware of your belongings when you are there to shop, we happened to come across a pick pocket caught by the police. Thank god he was nap earlier if not who knows, any of our valuables may be stolen.

After a day of shopping and two days of adventure around this such lively capital with a culture so vibrant that I would like to learn more about them. Bangkok is a beautiful capital with a mixture of aromas, sights and of cause visual delights. A city of infinite layers, get beneath one and you'll reveal another however that could take years to be discover.