Outlying islands of Hong Kong: Chang Zhou

I felt like I have suddenly stepped into another world from bustling Hong Kong.

There were no vehicles on the road and the people here cycle around the island. The islanders were friendlier and more patient and we found some hostels to put travellers up for the night. Might be coming back to stay for a night on my next visit.
Wall painting done by kids from the kindergarten. There is a good appreciation of the children's work as the walls were all painted by the kids. Sunning shrimps that are to be made into sauce later.

Another view of Macau near the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre at Sunset

My newly acquired jacket from Macau. Stunning sunset


The 338 Metres tall Tower offers paranomic views of the city. Took me quite a while to get this shot as the sun was in my face. Above is the Sai Van bridge which is placed strategically to link to Gunagzhou in the future.

View From the Ruins of St Paul's Church

View at the top of the ruins.

View from the top of the stairs leading to the ruins.

Macau: Senado Square, nostalgic and beautiful.

There were strong draughts of wind that day. So cold that I have to buy another jacket at U2 Macau to wear over my existing one. I was coughing real badly and the cold made it worse every minute. My discomfort was eased when we finally arrived at our long awaited destination: Senado Square where the Ruins of St Paul's church was located.

On the last morning of my stay, I dilligently dragged myself out of bed.

The sunrise is beautiful but I find more charm in the night skies of Bintan.
The first night at the resort, I got the girls out to watch the night sky, just as they were falling asleep. They sleepily rubbed their eyes and sat up, I guess they must be wondering what has gone into this nutcase of an adult to wake them up like a lunatic in the middle of the night. " Hey! Gals! You will not want to miss this!!" Wake up! Wake up! " They sat up obediently and looked up at where I was pointing. Gasps of surprise went through the first batch and they went off to wake the others. Minutes later, they were all lying on the planks, eagerly waitng to catch the sight of a shooting star to make their wishes.
The entire night sky was covered with stars.
I will never have taken a look at the sky in my tired state of mind that night, if not for what one friend have described to me years ago, that the night sky in Bintan is a sight to behold. Thank you! Ris, for sharing this with me. The whole group of us would have missed this.......what a real pity if would be! I could not take a picture of that moment due to lack of proper equipment for the purpose, but I'm pretty sure those same kids who were there with me that night will have those beautiful memories to keep and relish over their stressful years of growing up. I went to bed, feeling fulfilled and happy that night.

A familiar feeling crept over me as I took this photo

It reminded me of the feelings of loneliness even when I'm with a big group of people. As I grew older and (hopefully wiser) over the years, these feelings slowly fade away, leaving only faint footprints somewhere. Perhaps I have learnt to trust and accept the goodness and faults of people around me. Perhaps I have learnt to love the one and only me...............

My little documentary snapshots

I think this looks like a scene out of a documentary, like the one on The Antartica series, where there's nothing on the land except never ending miles of snow and ice-filled areas. I half expect to see a penguin pop out from somewhere.
This is an amazing shade of blue sky and land and brown rocks . Something I have never seen at the seaside back home in SG.


There are times when I feel like this solitary structure. Out there in the sea, but not sinking.
Holding on, to what I believe I can accomplished within my means, waiting for the next tide to crash in.

Lovely sunset at Bintan

It's a perfect setting for a dinner at the beach or walk with that someone special.

Somewhere over the rainbows, there are earthlings everywhere who marvel at this gift from Mother Nature.

Rainbows captured at Bintan resort, November

Twenty over years ago, I saw my first rainbow. I could still remember staying at the windows for a long long time til the rainbows finally disappear and the excitement bubbling inside me as I stared hard, trying to retain the images I had that moment.
Takjng care of a whole group of active teenagers and tired adults at the Bintan resort was a stressful task, in fact my first experience ever. At that moment, as we, (adults and kids, gawk at the rainbows with oohs and ahhs ). I sincerely give thanks to Mother Nature for reducing my stress level significantly with this wonderful sight in the early morning.

The only thing that makes me sit still for hours on a plane.

I'm glad to have a window seat for the afternoon flight. Even if it means crawling over my friend to go to the bathroom.