My Khmer Adventure: Part II

So after a very thrilling day one..we were really looking forward to day two..as today was when we were going to see one of man's greatest creations: The Angkor Wat
As our tuk-tuk approached the temple complex..i could actually feel the atmosphere building up...it was so electric..finally i was going to see Angkor!!
hmmm...it is really difficult to describe the Angkor..i am absolutely speechless..it is heaven!! the ancient khmers really have built a heaven on earth...

Magnificent Angkor

The whole temple complex is surrounded by a huge moat for protection..and has four entrances facing the four direction...the complex took 35 years to build with 4 million people working on it..and it is still incomplete..they stopped the temple construction when the king passed away as they had lost their inspiration...the king was finally laid to rest in the secret chamber in one of the towers...

Splash of Orange

Second Level of Angkor

Long passsges...

The Architecture is just too good..the carvings are in so fine detail..most of the carving are stories from the Ramayana(fight against Ravana, fight between Sugriv and Bali, Hanuman's visit to Lanka) and Mahabharat (Kurukshetra war)..and other stories like the Sagar Manthan (churning of the ocean)...the temple originally was a Vishnu temple..and later a Buddhist temple...there are 3 levels and the steps are really steep!!!

It took us the whole day to see the temple complex..after that we went to see the entrance gate to Angkor Thom (temple city)...this is another complex where people actually stayed..even the kong stayed in Angkor Thom....the main entrace gate is really impressive...again depicting the sagar-manthan (seems to be the favorite story !!)
After this thrilling and rather exhausting day..we headed over tp Pub street in siem reap to chill out...found a lovely Irish pub with some good drinks and food...
Perfect end to a perfect day...

My Khmer Adventure: Part I

So it was time for another quick vacation..and this time the Chosen Land was the mystic land of Cambodia...
I have always been fascinated with architecture..lets just say that it runs in my blood..and I was really looking forward to see the grandeur that is Angkor...At the same time..in the past few years I have been so fascinated with Cambodia and its brutal past with the Khmer Rouge...I have spent hours on the net and reading books about this genocide...that I just wanted to go there..to see it for myself...
On a side note here are some recommended reads on Khmer Rouge:
1. Daughter of the Killing Fields: Theary C. Seng
2. Stay Alive, My Son: Pin Yathay

So thanks to cheap budget airlines aka. Jet Star Asia...we set for the Siem Reap..our gateway to this magical kingdom...
First Impressions:
1. The airport was surprisingly wonderful
2. The place was so calm and serene surrounded with lush paddy fields
3. The people has such wonderful smiles
Our stay during this adventure was at this fantastic, cosy, comfortable villa: The Villa Siem Reap..the place is just too good..it is run by 2 australians who moved to siem reap a few years ago...Guys..pls stay here if u plan to go..it is worth it and is also centrally loacted!!

Day 1:
we just had half of the day on Day 1...so after a quick lunch at the villa...we made our way with Mr. Hao and his tuk-tuk to the 'Cambodian Cultural village'...this is good starting point...as you get oriented with different khmer cultures..their history at the wax museum..and the lifestyle of the people...
After that, we made our way to the 'Mine Museum'..this is a must see..it is an informal museum..and all the mines found in the siem reap area are kept here for exhibit...lot of areas in the countryside are still over-run by these mines...and a huge amount of effort is underway to clear all the mines...it is just so shocking to see all the mines and read about the horrific stories of people and theie conquest over this hidden enemy!!

Grim Reality!!

After this rather horrific emotional experience...we made our way to get our Angkor passes..you need these to visit any of the temples..we got a 3 day pass...
Tip: on your first day, get the pass after 4:30 which gives you free entry on that day...

Since we had free entry for that evening..we went to the hilltop temples of Phnom Bakheng..the view from the top is awesome..and you can catch the sunset over the Tonle sap lake with the angkor wat in the distance...just too good for words!!! and to make it ever more magical..it was drizzling slightly and the sky was blessed with a lovely rainbow stretching till the horizon...

Sunset at Phnom Bakeng

It was indeed a fabulous start to this adventure!!!

Watch out for Day 2...

My Hopping Around

Hi guys...let me start off with my usual apology for not writing sooner...wat to do..life is like that only...I really haven't had the time

so I came back from Thailand work trip...and off I went to Cambodia for a 4 day holiday..and it was exactly wat i needed...the place is so good..and the Angkor temples are just too incredible to put into words...(will write more on this Khmer adventure in future posts)

so after my indiana jones adventure in Siem Reap..I came back to sgpore..to find myself so engrossed with work..that didnt even have the time to breathe at a snail's pace....
Off I went to Thailand again...and this time to the new airport..with a new government in the country (after the coup)...and the lovely Pahd Thai

Now I am back in sgpore for a while...charring my lungs with the horondous haze which has shrouded the sun for days!! It feels as if Sauron has sent his shadow over singapore and preparing for the final assault...(ok.ok..have been watching too much of lotr)

Neways..watch out for more posts on my Cambodian adventure...

My trip to Tom Yum Land

Sawadaee Kap!!

Last week I got the wonderful opportunity to go to the vacation/holiday country that is Thailand for Work!!
So off to the land of Rama IX and its abode: Bangkok..the last time I had been there was a long long time ago and man.. has the city changed drastically!!!

Immediate Observations:
1. All that one can see are the long surpentine flyovers which offer a huge relief from the snarled traffic under them...(there is a toll to use the flyovers)
2. The other thing you can see are the thousands of potraits of the king and queen adorning every building, monument...
3. The people seem to be sooo polite as if all of them have attended some freaking Finishing school..really impressive..and I am telling you this gets to u..and u will start doin the same 'namaskar' when you meet someone...
4. The land (and the waters around it) is blessed with abundance of Shrimp...every food item is loaded with shrimp..and not small ones..big king prawns!! wow!!!

Really enjoyed the 5 days I spent there...
Will write a detailed account of my trip soon...

On another note:
Has anyone tried the new Blogger beta?? Is it wise to convert to it??

My KANK Syndrome

Yes..I have been diagnosed with this awful brain disorder..people beware!!!..this virus is spreading faster than the bird flu...experts have finally been able to pin-point the cause for this pandemic..and it is watching 3hrs 20mins of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna...

Like bees attracted to honey..we were lured into watching this movie...and it turned out not so sweet...and i think it is definitely time for KJ to say alvida to film-making..

The movie is definitely quite bold in its topic and certainly will usher in a new era in hindi films..we must give credit to KJ for that...also certainly a grand applause for Preity who is certainly at her best..also great job by Abhishekh and obvioulsy Amitabh..(like father..like son!!)

After the movie I had so many questions in my mind:
1. For Rani: Why are you perenially sad? How do you cry so much? How do you not get dehydrated?? Can you teach ur how to cry? Are you mutant who gets her daily water intake by soaking in the rain?
To replenish your tear stock..we have launched the 'Replenish Tears' programme..where donations of 100 plus, mineral water can be made here or here...which will be then delivered to you..

2. For SRK: Why are you so grumpy? Why are you still acting? Why are you a child abuser?
For you..I think there is no solution..you are a lost case...pls retire now!!

3. For Rani and SRK: Why do you like 'blue'? Why do you dance in different colours when you like only 'blue'?
hmmm..wat to say abt this...ppl tell me why do they like blue!!!

4. For KJ: Do you get any commission for shooting in New York? Are you in love with the Brooklyn bridge? Do you have any creativity left? did you shoot this movie during 'kal ho na ho' itself?
come on...your freaking movie is so similar to ur last one!! get a life!! i think it is seriously time for you to consider other professions...i really worry for u..as i think ur life maybe in threat after ppl see this movie...

A final prayer:
Hope a cure for this KANK syndrome is developed fast before it causes crtical brain damage!!
God save the world!!

My New Record

Sorry for the lack of updates..Again!!!

Have been too busy with work and then classes in the evening!!
Just added a new record in the 'My Broken Record' section..another lovely song..'Edge of the Ocean' by Ivy..again thanks to Grey's Anatomy for this..

Thanks to venkat as well for recommending this...

My Shock!!

7 bomb blasts in Mumbai..and 2 of them right in Khar and SantaCruz!!! I am seriously shocked!!

I hope that there are not too many casualties!! and pray for the safety of all Mumbaikars!!
This is a sad day in our history and it is time we take proper action and not just moan over it and proclaim that it is a cowardly act of terrorism...it is time to DO SOMETHING!!

My Today and Tomorrow

Today is the day I landed in this tiny island state 6 years ago!! I have absolutely no idea how time has gone by...absolutely no idea what I have done in this time..absolutely no idea on what I am goin to do...
SO is it time to celebrate?? or is it time to brood over the past?? or is it time to conjure some master plan to leave this land and look into the future??
I HAVE NO IDEA!!!

Tomorrow is the day one of my close friends leaves us all to seek new adventures in a new land..I wish my friend all the success and all the luck!! I want to thank my friend for being there always..for accompanying me on long walks around NIE..for lovely 4 years in university and for being such a good friend..
I will really miss you!!

SO life goes on...and you never know what tomorrow has in store for you...so live every day to the fullest
(y the hell am i so senti today!!)

My journey continues to Ellesmera

After my first encounter with Eragon...I was so anxious to get hold of the second book in this amazing trilogy...

'Eldest' is just too good for words..the story just turns more and more interesting as u flip the pages..and it is certainly one of those books which you just cannot put down till you have finished the entire thing!!

Only problem now...I have to wait till 2007 for the last book in the series and the anxiety is just killing me!!

I always tend to day dream...(I think Pisceans r known for it)..and for the past few days since I finished this masterpiece..the only thing in my mind is how I wish I were an elf...(i thought about this after LOTR as well)...there is something just so noble about elves!!
I think each one of us loves to run away to some fantasy land..escape from reality..I think my fantasy land is certainly Alagaesia or even Middle Earth..

here's something for all of u to think about...where would you escape to? and what would u like to be?
ohh...reality sucks...

Why the silence?

It has happened again...once again I seem to have gone into my hibernation and not updated all u guys with my new thoughts and happenings...
well..some say silence is golden...but I think...silence is just a manifestation of my boredom..silence is just a side-product of my non-happening existence for the past few weeks...I need some medicine...i need a 'Josh' stab....and i think it is finally here!!!

so many things to do!! need to watch Xmen, Fanaa...drool over the wonderful gizmos at the PC show at suntec over the coming weekend!! I think a nice Macbook will certainly end all my misery :)

ahh..it feels so good to break the silence....

My journey with Eragon

Sorry for the lack of updates..but have been quite busy...not just with office work..but with time I spent in Alagaesia!!
Guys..do check out this amazing book by Christopher Paolini...'Eragon' is the first book in a three part series called the Inheritance Triology...

If you are a huge fan of Harry Potter..or if you arecrazy about the Lord of the Rings...u will surely love this!!! Some might find it a bit similar to LOTR..but it is surely a great read!! Dragons, Elves, Dwarfes, Men...its all there!
For some book reviews go here

Can't imagine the author was only 15 when he wrote this masterpiece...

PS: Thanks to Venkat for introducing me to this magical world of Alagaesia...

My Hongkong trip: Part 3

Day 2:
From the beginning…we knew that this day was goin to be really hectic..and so we needed all the energy we could muster…so a good breakfast was a must!!

Found this really amazing coffee shop next to our hotel and they had the most amazing French Toasts ever!! The secret ingredient..peanut butter between the two slices and lots of honey..
So off we were for another adventurous day…

Agenda:

1. Wong Tai Sin Temple: This is the Temple of Luck in the heart of Kowloon and has become a must-visit for everyone who comes to hongkong…it is ‘the’ place to get your fortune read and unravel the future…
Everyone who goes there is given a canister of bamboo stick which are numbered….so you close you eyes and shake-shake-shake till one falls down…so you take that one to the fortune teller who will then pick out a paper with the same number and answer 1 question for you…
and wat was my question…’how will be my career in the next 1 year’..turns out a picked a chit which told a story of a general who faced hardship for a long time..but in the end was very successful!!
So in simple words…I am going to suffer a lot and face a lot of obstacles but in the end will have rivers flowing with milk and honey….

Is today my lucky day?

2. Temple of 10,000 Buddhas: Next stop was this amazing temple..I had read about in my hongkong bible…we made our way to Sha Tin in the New Territories..and tried to find our way to the temple…I knew it was on a hill..with about 500 steps leading upto it…we found a temple-kind of place..and went all the way up…only to realize that we had landed at the wong place..it was actually a Memorial for the dear-departed..oops!!
So down we went and finally took the right steps to the temple…the walk up is really interesting with sculptures of monks all the way up…
The temple was so serene and peaceful..felt like out of this world!! The main temple is really amazing…inside the temple..all along the walls..are small effigies of more than 10,000 buddhas..really very unique!

Potrayal of Emotions

Buddhas lining the walls

3. Repulse Bay: After a late lunch..we went back to hongkong island..and took a bus from Central to Repulse Bay…this is on the south side of hongkong..and is really a contrast to the buzz in central…as it is made up of beautiful beaches..long promenades hugging the south china sea..and the wonderful mountains in the backdrop..oh I wish I had a house in one of the wonderful condos along the sea!!

The breath-taking Bay

4. Stanley Market: This is an open air market on the south side of hongkong…and you get all possible souveniors..and kinck knacks..we were a bit late and the place was closing already…but still managed to get some beautiful water colour paintings of hongkong

5. Wan Chai and Causeway: This is one of the most lively places ever!! The streets were packed..the shops were glittering with all gizmo lights…and the atmosphere was just so electric!! We also ran into a anti-WTO protest march…quite interesting…Had some nice pork dim sums for dinner..while my veggie friends stared at me..

Hustle-bustle in Wan Chai

Here comes the Tram!

6. Avenue of Stars: It was quite late by now..we took the MTR back to Tsim Sha Tsui to go back to hotel…but on the way went to this beautiful promenade facing the harbour with the tall buildings of Central in the backdrop…was a bit misty..but still enjoyed the spectacular views of Hongkong

My Hongkong trip: Part 2

Day 1:

Caught the early morning to HongKong .. JetStarAsia was really quite good.. as each hour went by.. my excitement was rising..and finally after 3 hours we landed at HongKong Airport..being a budget airline we acutally got down on the tarmac..and were greeted with a nice chil air..it was such a nice relief from sulty sgpore!!..the airport itself was just amazing..it is so huge..only downer...the immigration just took too long!!
Once we were in the Arrival Hall..we got our Octopus cards..very similar to Ez-link..but much better as it is used more extensively in all shops as well!! Got the free coach for our hotel transfer...and planned our agenda for the day...

Agenda:
1. Cover Central District: This is the heart of Hongkong with all the financial centres housed in majestic sky scrapers..in addition it is also a historic district..with all the old British administrative buildings with their magnificent facades..the whole area is really impressive!!

Legislative Assembly

Towering Bank of China

Walkways on upper level!!

The new and the old..what a contrast!!

2. After roaming around in Central..we had to book our ferry tickets for Macau..so did that..and then off we went to the famous Victoria Peak..we took the tram..and god it goes steep..nearly like a 40deg angle!! the view from top aws really breath-taking..on one side is the whole central area..with the bay in the background..while on the other side is the quiet south hongkong and the open south china sea...
and it was really freezing up there..but felt better once we got some hot coffee and donuts!! We stayed till dark..to catch the night view of hongkong..and this is one sight you cannot miss!!

Up and away!! in the tram...

Sunset over the South China sea

The VIEW!!!

3. It was alreay quite late by now..so we made our way to Lan Kwai Fong..this is the place to be in the night..it is packed with pubs..restaurants..people are literally just spilling out on the streets..having drinks..chatting..partying and living it up!!

Finally we took the ferry across the bay...back to Tsim Sha Tsui..to our hotel..to call it a night..

The day had been just awesome!!!

Day 2 coming soon....

My Hongkong trip: Part 1

Yup..it has already been 3 weeks since I got back from Hongkong and today I finally have the time to share my adventures with all of you...

Planning:
A lot of preparations went into this trip..I believe that when you are goin to a new place..it is always wise to research the place fully in advance so that u know exactly wat u have to do once u r there...plus as you read more...the more excited you get..and the more fun you have!!!

Got this wonderful book from Borders.."City Guide:Hongkong and Macau" and this was literally the bible for me..it is so good..really if u r planning a trip..do get this!!
The next thing was to find a good fare and a good hotel..and the winners were..for the flight:JetStar Asia and for the stay: Hotel Kimberely..right in the middle of Tsim Sha Tsui..and the right agent for all this was "Holiday Bagus"

So after all the planning..I finally set out for hongkong with Aye Kay, NMK and another friend..Oh and what a trip it was!!!

Stay tuned for Day 1 of the trip....

My new Hobby

I am back from Hongkong..and the trip was just awesome..detailed account and pics will be posted soon...

but for the time being I have discovered a new hobby, all thanks to Orkut!!
wow...this is just an amazing thing...have spent hours looking up for old school friends...and was really glad to find them and chat with them after so many years...

I know there are many similar websites like batchmates, friendster...but this Orkut is too good..very simple to use..and I love the scrap-book concept..

Do try it out..if you need invites let me know..

so happy Orkuting and happy scrapping!!!

My spring break..yohooo!!

Yup it is spring again..time really flies..last year I celebrated spring in Austin..
and this year I shall celebrate in Hong Kong!!!

So I am off to Hong kong tomo for 5 fun-packed days..of roaming the great city...trying the exotic food...and obvioulsy gettin some good bargains..

Hong Kong here I come!!

How do I give up Chicken?

With the bird flu taking a grip over the world..I had resolved a few weeks ago not to lay hands on my primary means of sustainance in sgpore..my feathery friend..the chicken.
But in this country..where veg food = some leaves boiled in water..it has been really hard to get good veg food around (unless i go down to some indian rest.)

So was thinking today of what to do..to solve my predicament..
1. return to my so-called diet..which will just solve all problems
2. carry a thermometer to all places and check if the chicken is cooked above 70degC
3. substitute daily meal with mock chicken
4. and finally relish my favorite seafood...

I think #4 seems to be the most convineant thing to do...so ppl..remember if u r calling me for lunch/dinner..i wud love some prawn curry with some tandoori pomfret..and maybe chilly crabs...
thank thy lord for giving me this opportunity to express my love for seafood!!

My Disbelief

Wow!! I am really amazed by the amount of damage caused by a handful of Danish cartoons..I just cannot fathom the fact that these cartoons have now led to massive violence and tremendous economic damage!!

I have no problem in people believing in something or being a staunch follower of some faith...but what seems to have happened over the years..is that..this faith has got disillusioned...it has now become a weapon for violence!!

I agree that freedom of expression and free speech comes with a responsibility and I also agree that in this case the boundary for this has been overlooked....but even then...there is simply No excuse for what is happening all around us today...everyone has the right to protest and uphold their values but that doesnot mean that one turns to violence to do that..

I think it is high time people realise that it is because of such ridiculous behaviour and ignorant fatwas...that led the caricaturists to draw the cartoons in the first place!!
By protesting violently all they are doing is simply adding fuel to the fire...

So do protest and be commited to your faith but do it Peacefully...after all we have to share the same world for eternity...

Part II: My dream job

After my last post...I was thinking a lot on what my dream job wud be..I definitely know that I need a job which is very dynamic and not the same old 'staring at the computer for 8 hours' kind of job..
So here is my dream list

1. Work as an Anchor for Globe Trekker: I just love to travel and what better job than be a travel show host...I have spent hours tuned to Discovery travel and living watching this awesome series...It is definitely not like any other travel show..but has a lot of adventure and creativity involved in it...
I have always had a passion to explore and interact with different cultures...so this is right channel for it...

2. Architecture/Interior Design: With my whole family in this line..I have often been asked why didn't I go for it too..but back then..when I had to make a decision..I thought that I should be doing something new and different from everyone in the house!!
Anyways I have always had a strong inclination for this..lets just say it runs in my 'blood' and will definitely help me develop and nurtue my creative side...

3. Archeologist/Historian: with the amount of research I have done on Egyptian and Byzantine civilisation..I have developed a strong interest in this field..it is the excitement of uncovering ancient mysteries and coming up with theories which has truly captivated me...

4. Work in Disney: This has been my dream job since I was 5...always wanted to work in the animation studio...but after a horrible professor for Computer Graphics in NTU..lets just say my strong incline for this has sublimed...strange how things can change...but even then I wud still like the chance to work in the creative team with Disney...

so thats my list...put down on paper finally....
so what is the next step? what is the plan of action?? How do I try to make this a reality? is it even possible to do this now?
These are the questions to be answered!!!

Part I: My dream job

Everyday I get up at 6..push myself from the bed..and somehow manage to get ready..then it is off to the bus stop..take the 197..get off 4 stops later to change to bus 30 and then take a singapur darshan for about an hour..to finally reach near my office..and after another 10 min walk...i have finally made it to my desk!!
Then the day goes by...answering customer mails...doing some project work...drinking coffee a zillion times to keep myself wide awake...and then it is time for lunch...
Off to the same old food courts with office colleagues...thank god I like the food I get there...nave a decent lunch over some good conversation..and before you know it.. its time to get back to work...
The afternoons are the most dreadful..doing some work after a nice lunch is something I find the most difficult thing to do!! I stretch myself..gulp some more coffee...try to figure out the problem in the design...come up with some feasible solution..send again a bunch of emails...
and then finally...it is time to leave....

So finally 1 day of my work life is over and a zillion more to go!!!

Is this my dream job?

My X'mas Tree

Hi Guys

Sorry for the delay in putting up this pic...now isnt the tree just lovely!!

Enjoy!!