Everyday, do something that makes your heart sings!

Back from holiday mood! It felt surreal, having holiday I mean. Time flies so fast that I didn't feel I've enough of wondering the world out there!

For a start, let me just share you a story, a true one, that I made along the 3 weeks stints I've in California.

I went camping at the Yosemite National Park. Camping for consecutively 3 nights with my loyal NZ summer tent and my synthetic sleeping bag. And through it all, there were snow and blizzard days and nights I was there. And you can imagine how cold was it. No, don't imagine just yet and let me tell you my story before your imaginations take place.

Day 1: I arrived on bus from Merced at Yosemite at around 12 noon. The weather was alright, not too much soon nor was it gloomy. Perfect for hiking the trails that I've been wanting (or rather dying) to get my feet on. I went to the designated camp site:free, and arguably most deserted one as it doesn't have any of the facilities that other camp sites had to offer. Set my tent under a tree, stow my food in a metal locker and off I lurked around the park in my boots. The rocks that formed the mountain there are mammoth, giants and huge! I feel so small standing there in awe. Such is the greatness of nature! Had dinner by 6 pm after satisfying my walk about to the rather short (3 miles) trail to the Mirror Lake overlooking the Half Dome. That night, as I slept the snow started to fall. I got excited, since it's my first time camping in the snow, so the cold didn't really get to me. For now.


Day 2: As I woke up that morning, opened my tent door and I saw bears paw prints on the snow near my food metal locker. Strangely enough, I didn't hear a thing last night! Snow was my knee deep (2 feet!) and it's still snowing. I told myself it's going to get better by the day and my hike plan was still on! In fact I was roaring to go that I got all my hike gears on me in no time. As I continued to do one of the hikes that goes all the way up to 2000 feet elevation to the top of Yosemite Fall, the snow got worse and I wasn't able to see anything beyond a meter around me! It's all white..Felt like in Alice's Wonderland! So I decided to pull out and walked down and do rather flat walks around the park.. I said to myself lets go to the Mirror Lake again! And I did.. Snow didn't stop the whole day, by the time I hit the Mirror Lake it's not that easy to maneuver around in thigh deep snow. But I felt so blessed: I saw many reindeers, bobcats, squirrels along the way. Was truly a day! I returned to my tent only to find out my tent is almost collapsing under the snow weight. Had to dig that one out before I could get in my tent and rest for the night. Snowing still...
Day 3: When I got up, it was impossible to open my tent door as the snow was waist deep! Had to work my way out of the tent a bit. It's now snow blizzard. Couldn't see anything but snow flakes falling from the sky! Beautiful.. I couldn't bear myself to stay the whole day in the tent so I've to keep moving if I don't want to die from cold. So I went to all the short treks that are full of the history of the park, significant buildings etc. It was so cold by the time I get back to my tent in the afternoon (5 pm) I was shivering cold. Down jacket, rain jacket pants and almost everything were wet from the outing. Had to survive for the night...Have to! Slept shivering...
Day 4: Must leave the park today as the roads were cut and closed for all vehicles. Hitch-hiked to Merced, or San Francisco. 2 guys I've chatted with earlier the days before remembered me as they pass by their hotel lobby. Told him my story, bus isn't coming and I'm wanting to get off at SF for my flight home. The 2 guys were very kind to give me a lift, and along the way asked me if I've a place to stay. Told them I've no one in SF and that I'm staying at a backpacker hostel. David said, 'Look Jess, we've a room in our house that you can crash in for as long as you need'. Gasp..Lovely Americans!! Stayed in a house that is on top of the hill called Diamond Heights overlooking SF city lighted up in lights everyday until the day I left. I found my family in SF.

Comment: 'There are no strangers in the world, only friends we've not met'

National Red and Black Day--04/03/2011

Today I wore and walked down proudly my black & red colored T-shirt with my black jeans to school. My 20 minutes walk was somewhat sombre when I noticed that there's very little Aucklanders showing solidarity towards the Cantabrians that are badly affected by the recent killer earthquake on the Feb 22. It was televised and published elsewhere in the mainstreams and the internet that today the nation will support the devastated Christchurch, yet it seems that only a handful of people remembered this. Sad.

On the other hand, I've great pride of this country I call home. As I walk with black & red clothes today, I've that goosebumps feeling that I wouldn't choose other countries to call mine despite the tragedy. It's been 9 days since the earthquake struck our once most beautiful city, and in that time I've read and watch people of all alignments, both government and opposition members stand together in 1 solid side--no politics, no nothing but supporting shoulders. During this time, it almost is the time that I wished for not only for my Kiwi brothers and sisters but my fellow earthlings. The days when we agree to each other towards a better cause, to distribute resources to help the unfortunate and sadly, to grieve for the lost loved ones and remember their living memories to move on.

Christchurch will certainly never be the same again, more than just the removal of the cities historic buildings, sacrificed lives and forecasted utterly sluggish economic & tourism recovery. Today, more than ever, Cantabrians know that the whole nation, citizen and visitors alike, will take our shirts on our back off to help them.

Comments: International donation to people of Christchurch at the Salvation Army website is available here

Hike Trail: Feb 2011

Torea Saddle (beginning of uphill ascent)

The second installation of this hiking entry will be from my recent walk (in fact I just got back from it today!) at the Marlborough Sound, NZ. The Queen Charlotte Track is actually a 71 km long track and trampers are expected to hikes for at least 3-4 days to finish the walk. My day walk was the last third of the length-- 22.5 km from Torea Bay to Anakiwa. All and all, this walk was designed for moderate trampers, i.e. people with moderate physical fitness and a good pair of walking shoes. I am planning to come back again and do the other two-third of the length when I am able to. One thing I love about hiking in NZ is that its track are all properly maintained, thanks to the DoC care. It's one thing that Malaysian Govt should learn to encourage bush walks tourism.

Properly maintained track is important to minimized damages

I hopped onto the chartered boat cruise, Endeavour Express as early as 9 a.m. to kick start my journey. By 9.30 a.m. I was well on my way up to where the real hike walkway starts at Torea Saddle. This is the start of 8 km of majority of uphill walk; I am expected to take 4 hours to finish this section.

Kenepuru Sound

Looking back to uphill ascent walk. Boy, did it kill my legs or what?!

The view from high altitudes are spectacular. Here's the Kenepuru Sound magic bursting through an overcast day. It's a shame that the Sun has been hiding behind the thick clouds, but nevertheless this did not diminished the views as far as my eyes can see. After walking for an hour or so, it started to drizzle and pouring a bit here and there throughout my first section of the walk. I looked at the bright side and put away contempt for the awful weather and sitting on it.

Some greens I've found in the pathway..

It's probably this quite cold weather that helped me cut the walk time down to 3 hours. I was so surprised that I've finished this ascent hike in time for my lunch break. I had a stop overlooking the Te Mahia Bay for my 20 mins lunch break. The weather improve slightly in that it's not trickling anymore around noon, despite it's being overcast.

Te Mahia Saddle

Second part of the walk (14.5 km)

A little bit more to go!

The rest of the track is as easy as this..

By now I've realized that I may be running out of time to catch my boat home if I delay my second section of the walk by any minute. My backpack are lighter too now that some fruits are eaten and water is down to half.

The second section is a 14.5 km long cruise walk. It's through thick bushes with no extreme uphills ascent in contrast to the 1st section I've done earlier. I am supposed to take 4 hours for this walk. This walk is through much of private property lands; so essentially some fences here and there.

Rewarded with a view of Omahau Bay

I managed to finish this section in 3 hours. Again a feat that I was a bit disappointed of since it's much easier to navigate yet it took me quite a while to finish it. Maybe my legs are getting too tired or my pace gone down. Either ways, I've much time to actually fell asleep waiting for my boat at the wharf while reading my book. I've got an extra 45 mins time, so I didn't feel guilty falling asleep!

End of Walk, Anakiwa Wharf

Terribly heavy eyes...

By the time I got into the boat, I met another hiker who'd done the 3 days feat tramp of Queen Charlotte track. Boy, did he looked terrible after the tramp! As we talked, we've become acquaintances and I got to know that he, Yahael, an Israeli is on a 3 months mission to sightseeing NZ. A feat that I doubt I can last.

Yahael as it turned out had tramp around North Island for the last 1 month, and this is the start of his hike on the South Island. The poor guy apparently has ran out of water and food since 11 am that morning of his 3rd day, and I feel pitiful for him that I offered my energy bar which he declined respectfully. Not giving up, I persuaded the guy to take my water since he's sounded like he's losing his voice while earnestly making a friendly conversation with me! Yahael took several sips, and I felt like I've offered half of my inheritance to a a beggar! :P

At the end of the conversation, I offered him to come to stay at my backpacker hostel since he's got no planned stay. Luckily we've got room left for him to stay for the night, and we've become good friends in a matter of hours! I shall talk more of him and Israel in my future entries.

A bird eye view from Cessna of Queen Charlotte Track

Comment: Yahael is my 2nd encounter with an Israeli who's from Israel so far. I think it's magic meeting given that my passport would never allow me to go near to his country, yet thousands of miles away I get to meet an Israeli and carry on a conversation as if he's my neighbor for centuries! Sometime I don't get it why our govt barred us from entering Israel...

Hike Trail: Jan 2011

Well, this was supposed to be written in January when I did this day walk. But as you can see, it's now dated February--and I am desperate to share this over 16 km walk covering a third of the Motutapu Island. It's a feat to finish it in less than 3 hours, and admittedly I felt the walk was rather easy. There aren't many battling hills and thick bushes in this conservation island and I feel much like going there for a picnic away from the city.

I started off at Home Bay, where the ferry dropped me off at the little jetty that they've there. It took the ferry about 30 mins from the city harbor to reach there. The funny thing about the ferry schedule is that its frequencies to Motutapu Island is every second and forth Saturdays of each month of the year.

When I got off, it smelled like sheep and cow dungs everywhere. Yes, these animals are scattered around the perimeter of the island, where the DOC rangers reared them for some reasons or another. Anyhow, as I walk through the Rotary Centennial Track (consisted of thick planted native trees for conservation) the smell fades away. When I re-emerge from the other end of the 10 mins walkway, it almost felt like surreal! As if a parallel world exists!

View from the Rotary Centennial Track

View at the end of the Rotary Centennial Track

At this end, I saw some relics from WW2 military post in the island. These concrete+metal buildings looked old, and decrepit. So I walked on (clearly I wasn't interested!) and embarked on the 1.5 hours walk along the valleys to reach the north point of the island (aptly named the Billy Goat Point). And along the way I stopped here and there to rest my eyes on the undulating fields.

Breathing in the glorious lunch break at Waikarapupu Bay Point

Waikarapupu Bay

Sandy Bay with Rangitoto at the background

When I reached my end of the track (back to Home Bay where the ferry picks me up), I've got some time to kill and I took that opportunity to lay down on my back and eat my apple. I saw rich people cruising in their expensive yatchs, making me long for winning the lottery by millions! Jealousy is indeed a grave sin!

Home Bay

Comment: This is the beginning of my hike highlights entries--planning to go see the lush sceneries around every month! :)

Egypt Raising!

I'll be writing something about politics, and Gen Y.

We learn one of the biggest historical moments just happened this week in Egypt, and Tunisia--and perhaps other repressed countries will soon oust their corrupt leaders. As I go through the webpages on BBCs, the force behind the rallies that free the countries from these selfish leaders are the Gen Ys. Those who are educated, awarded degrees that merit respects, have to end up selling stuff in an illegal market (for example) or even worse remained unemployed more years than they spent earning their qualifications. These are the people who got fed up with the self indulging, enriching leaders while they (the people) lose many nights of sleeps working hard to earn themselves meals for the week.

I'm proud to be on their sides, the Gen Y. They are the living examples of people who are willing to die to gain freedom. They bled, sweat and cried through the uprising because they want their hopes and voices to echo deeply into the palatial mansions of the self serving politicians. We the Gen Y, can say it out loud that we don't want a corrupt person/people to continue enjoying all the benefits by themselves exclusively. And they ring across the Internet world, and like the domino effect they merged into one uber-power that not even any guns can stop.

Bag-packing!

Oh! Summer is here, and we're about to see the end of it when the dark clouds that loomed over New Caledonia and north of Australia arrive Auckland from next week as forecast by the weather-guys at MetService.

Traveling is one of everybody's hobbies. I mean, who in their right mind will despise travelling and sight-seeing?! Personally, travels associate themselves with holiday--at least to me anyway. It doesn't matter if once I reached my destination, works are going to eat me alive.

I think the most juicy bit about traveling is the preparation for the journey itself. Packing your luggage and back-packs, that is. I think it's one of the most stressful stages of traveling. The top one is of course when you've not a dime in your pocket. Selecting clothes that are appropriate for the weathers, weight and space. Bundles of socks and undergarments. A mini first-aid kit (really it's just a combination of Iburofen and band-aids supplies). A damn good walking shoes. A torchlight. A toothbrush. A sunblock. And... A nice dress. Just in case a nice gentleman ask you out for dinner at a not-so-fancy restaurant.

So there, the essentials list out for me. Emphasis on the toothbrush, and I always force myself make a good, big notepad with 'TOOTHBRUSH?' written on it by my room door. I've about a dozen or so of used toothbrush that I accidentally collected as souvenirs from my travels, so there! Make it a point to pack a toothbrush!

I'm elated--in fact I've planned in my head my luggage contents for my trip to California. Soon! Of course, I'm there on work. But above all my mind already works its wonder on hiking around Yosemite Grand National Park--after the conferences of course. One of my favorite nature's photographers, Ansel Adam took a defining moment at one particular spot there--and I'm determine to walk a few days (if needed) to breath in the spectacles of Half Dome.

Here's the taste of Yosemite that I can't wait to go to (courtesy from Ansel Adam webpage photos).

A new year, a new you!

Wishlist:

To self.
1) A change of heart. A heart that is a bit wiser, a bit kinder, a litte braver too.
2) A change of habit. Take a deep breath before I say anything. Don't charge in. Don't rush through it.
3) Keep my mouth shut. Talk only when necessary. Argue only with facts.
4) Forget my past. Everything. Including my achievements. And start anew, from scratch, every day.

To friends.
1) Remind them that I think of them every now and then.
2) Let them know that my hand is in theirs. They can reach out for me regardless of their shortcomings and flaws and perfections too.
3) Apologize to them when I've said something out of place. No buts, no laters.

To home (where the heart is, NZ)
1) Our children and the weaks (including animals) are protected from abuse. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally.
2) Greener. Say no to plastic bags. Cycle, walk, hike, bus around. Recycle.

To home (where I pledged my loyalty, Malaysia)
1) Transparency. Ideally, in all areas. But if it proved to be too much of a hard job to accomplish, then the economy.
2) Greener. Say no to plastic bags. Cycle, walk, hike, bus around. Recycle.
3) Go an extra mile effort in dumping thrashes responsibly. Rivers, seas and forests are not the designated bins.
4) Release emotional baggage. Concede that the other party can also do and say the right things. Result orientated governance, not pure rhetorics.

Comments: Will again missed voting for the next GE @ M'sia. Make a difference. Vote to be heard.