tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461941402006750562024-03-07T14:57:27.804+08:00k0k bL0kThis is a headspace and mouthpiece for a free mind.k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.comBlogger662125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-58900248657488014922016-02-13T02:39:00.000+08:002016-02-14T08:37:24.258+08:00Pantai Kasih and Literary Study in Malaysian High Schools<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"It is there, where they burn books, that eventually they burn people."</span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><br></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Heinrich Heine</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Contain some spoilers for the Harry Potter books.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am reminded of the uproar I lived through over the Harry Potter books back at the height of their popularity. Predictably, due to witchcraft being an integral element of the series, many folks who are antsy around words like <i>"witch"</i>, such as fundamentalist Christians (and Muslims), wanted nothing to do with The Boy Who Lived™ and even <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_debates_over_the_Harry_Potter_series">sought to ban it from school and library</a> for fear that the books would lead children into ungodly practices of magic. I remember back when I was doing my A-level, I had a coursemate whose parents - strict Christians - forbade her to read any Harry Potter books even though they have not even read the books themselves to see if the writings are as detestable as they were led to believe by their pastor. But that's par for the course<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">: people o<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ften comp<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">lain about things they do have<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> not the slightest clue about.</span></span></span></span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, I want to talk about another similarly controversial, though far less famous book that is facing a similar situation in Malaysia,</span><br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/24887181501/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="TARIK PENERBITAN BUKU"><img alt="TARIK PENERBITAN BUKU" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1657/24887181501_28b8aa739a_z.jpg" title="Needs more bodice-ripping if you ask me." width="422"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The cover art is very reminiscent of the illustrations of school textbooks I used to have.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What it is? Well, it's a novel called <i>Pantai Kasih</i> (<i>Care Beach</i> or <i>Love Beach</i>) by Azmah Nordin. It is the designated reading material for the literary study component of the subject of Malay language for Form 4 students in Malaysian secondary schools.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://says.com/my/news/is-the-education-ministry-promoting-negative-values-with-the-pantai-kasih-novel">What's wrong with it?</a> Basically, many people, from teachers to parents to mullahs clutched their pearls and clucked about how it is an inappropriate novel to expose our 16 year old students to because of its <i>"lewd"</i> content and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">purpo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">rted</span></span> <i>"lack of literary merits"</i>. They are clamouring for the Ministry of Education to select a more suitable work to put in its stead.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, I have not read the novel in question (and I dare wager, neither did most of its detractors). <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet, m</span>ost people felt that they have formed sufficiently informed opinions on it after reading a passage from <i>Pantai Kasih</i> which have been widely circulated on social media,</span><br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/24980506015/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pantai Kasih passage"><img alt="Pantai Kasih passage" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1592/24980506015_eb1aac331f_z.jpg" title="Makes Twilight look almost like Shakespeare, it did." width="480"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">My eyes!</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The offending bit seems to be that paragraph the finger in the picture is pointing to, and translated to English, it goes something like,</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>It cannot be held back - Doctor Sadiz was unable to control his lust any longer. Raiha became the victim of his rapacity. Without any design or willingness on Raiha's part, Doktor's Sadiz's genetically 'unique' cells made its way into Raiha's body. Those 'special' cells then swam to meet and united with her healthy, fertile ovum in her womb. A zygote was created and it develops in its process of growth, month to month - a process taking place within Raiha's belly.</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was never particularly proficient in Malay but you get the idea. The passage described a sexual act - a non-consensual one<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> - <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">followed by <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the act of<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> ejaculation</span></span></span></span>. It then became almost clinical in its very brief birds-and-bees description of how babies form.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now, all caught up? <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I confess that t</span>hat's all I know about the novel in question so far. Even knowing so little, I feel <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">confident in challeng<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ing</span></span> the view that <i>Pantai Kasih</i> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">is devoid</span> literary <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">saving g<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">races</span></span>.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ly, i</span>n my opinion, any book no matter how deplorable or detestable has literary value. I would say that even <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">about</span> <i>Mein Kampf</i> or the <i>Holy Bible</i>. The whole point of literary study is to learn how to engage with literature; how to consume it, interpret it, critique it, and understand its relevance to the greater culture around it.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, there is passage in <i>Pantai Kasih</i> in which a character was raped by another but let's discuss that. Rape, I find, is a recurring motif in Malay romance fiction. Take for example the popular local drama film <a href="https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ombak_Rindu_(filem)"><i>Ombak Rindu</i></a> (itself adapted from a novel by Fauziah Ashari): it was billed as a hard-won romance between a man and a woman, but in actuality the male protagonist (Hariz) is a rapist who raped the heroine (Izzah), a pious woman sold into prostitution by her uncle, while she was unconscious. She was then bought and kept as a sex slave by him, and must fulfill his sexual needs whenever he wishes it. She fell in love with him and married him eventually.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another popular Malay novel-turn-TV show in Malaysia is <a href="https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wedding_Breaker"><i>The Wedding Breaker</i></a> by Evelyn Rose in which Ariana Rose (the female protagonist) - at the behest of Tengku Juwita - pretended to carry the child of Tengku Adam Kamil (the male love interest) in order to break up his engagement with Tengku Juwita, who did not want to marry Adam. In retaliation, Tengku Adam raped Ariana Rose. The story ended with Tengku Adam apparently reforming after his pilgrimage to Mecca and marrying his rape victim. This too is portrayed as a love story.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most Malay consumers of such fiction, even women, readily accepts male protagonists who are rapists (evident from the popularity of such works). This ties into the motif of rape in <i>Pantai Kasih</i> too. There is much to discuss on the prevalence of rape culture in Malay communities and what inculcated it. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_culture">Rape culture</a> is a concept in feminist theory that describes a setting in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal attitudes about gender and sexuality. In fact, many religious scholars in Malaysia does not even recognise the concept of marital rape, and the Perak Mufti even said last year that women must submit to the sexual desires of their husbands, <a href="http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/women-must-give-husbands-sex-even-on-camels-islamic-scholar-says">even on camel-back</a>. We also see regular news about how <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/22/malaysian-rapist-marries-victim-girl">rape victims</a> are <a href="http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/child-marriages-not-rare-in-malaysia-with-15000-underage-brides-activists-s">frequently married off</a> to their rapists <a href="http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/marriage-is-best-fix-for-statutory-rape-says-pas-cleric">as a resolution</a> to such tragedies.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From a literary study perspective, the theme of rape in <i>Pantai Kasih</i> has a lot of sociocultural relevance and how a blurring of lines between rape and love do in fact exist in Malay culture.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Also, it seems that the consumption of such salacious and sexually explicit content is quite common <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">amongst Malaysia<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n readers</span></span>, in spite of how conservative Malay Muslim culture<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> actually is</span>. Are these works simply a form of acceptable outlet for Malays who are compelled to live in such sexually-repressed lives - lives in which outright pornography and premarital sex are prohibited?</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another thing I noticed about the passage from <i>Pantai Kasih</i> is that the lusty rapist's name is Dr Sadiz, which sounded like a <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/MeaningfulName/Literature">meaningful fictive name</a>. Authors frequently give names to characters which describes said character, or names which hold some hidden significance. One of the most famous examples in contemporary literature is Lord Voldermort, whose name in French means <i>"flight of death"</i> - alluding to the character's commitment to be immortal. Voldemort may have also been inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's M. Valdemar (<i>The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar</i>), a character who also similarly returned from apparent death. Additionally, Lord Voldemort is an anagram of Tom Marvolo Riddle, his real name. Pretty much every character that J. K. Rowling created has a meaningful name.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dr Sadiz calls to mind the Malay word <i>"sadis"</i> - a loan-concept drawn directly from the English word <i>"sadist"</i> (someone who enjoys inflicting pain on others, sometimes in a sexual sense). The word sadist itself has its etymological root in the name <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquis_de_Sade">Marquis de Sade</a>, a French aristocrat famous for mistreating women in cruel, unusual and sexual ways.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">See? Even <i>Pantai Kasih</i> can provide very relevant and compelling literary lessons in the hands of someone who knows how to approach literature. And that's how you deal with books - you analyse them, not ban them. Sanctimonious puritanical teachers, parents and religious authorities take note.<br><br><br><br><span style="font-size: xx-small;">P.S. Luckily, it seemed like the Ministry of Education is sticking to their guns and is <a href="http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/02/127166/controversial-pantai-kasih-book-will-continue-be-used-schools">keeping the book in schools</a>.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A rapacious devourer of books,</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-4294148893395493702015-08-05T22:34:00.001+08:002015-08-06T00:04:27.744+08:00Proof of Najib's Guilt?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"There's letters seal'd, and my two schoolfellows,<br />Whom I will trust as I will adders fang'd—</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">They bear the mandate, they must sweep my way</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And marshal me to knavery.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let it work; For 'tis the sport to have the enginer</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hoist with his own petard, an't shall go hard</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I will delve one yard below their mines</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And blow them at the moon."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hamlet (1603) Act 3, scene 4, 202–209</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">by William Shakespeare</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think this is as clear as day. Najib is guilty. My certainty of it is as strong as the Muslim's faith in the words of Muhammad and the Christian's faith in Jesus' divinity. <b>Why?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's pretend for a moment you are Mr Najib Razak, premier of Malaysia. You are political royalty. Your wife has big hair. You once held on to RM2.6 billion of donation money in your own private bank account. <b>What would you do?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You'd foresee that your political enemies may one day question this insanely huge amount of money to throw aspersion on your character, so you'd make damn sure you have proof to produce one day to show that you in fact received that amount of money in good faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You'd make sure that every last one your associates know about this money that was pumped into your political coalition. The deputy president of your party should definitely be informed about it so he would not <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/in-leaked-video-muhyiddin-says-najib-admitted-rm2.6-billion-in-his-accounts">appear in the media now</a> saying that he had no inkling whatsoever previously regarding that RM2.6 billion. In <a href="https://youtu.be/n8lxLVTaLaM">a leaked video</a> no less.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In fact, to be absolutely in the clear, <a href="http://chedet.cc/?p=1817">you'd place the money in the hands of trustees</a>, and not in your own private account in the first place - but forget it, that ship had sailed and sunk.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now fast forward to 2015, <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10130211234592774869404581083700187014570">The Wall Street Journal</a>, <a href="http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/how-jho-low-petrosaudi-schemed-steal-money-people-malaysia-1mdb">The Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.sarawakreport.org/2015/07/sensational-findings-prime-minister-najib-razaks-personal-accounts-linked-to-1mdb-money-trail-malaysia-exclusive/">Sarawak Report</a>, every newspaper you don't control and their dog are questioning you about this RM2.6b honest donation that sat in your private account. <b>What would you do?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The first thing you'd do is just come clean, say it's a donation from day one. If you are innocent, the truth can only help you, right?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/20129188008/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Najib Aliens"><img alt="Najib Aliens" height="400" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/20129188008_c486a33e15_z.jpg" title=""I'm not saying it was donations... but it was donations."" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Donations."</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Now, what wouldn't you do?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For starters, you wouldn't interfere with the investigation AT ALL. You wouldn't want to touch it with a 10 foot pole. You want it to appear as legitimate as possible to prove your innocence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You would not <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/07/28/uk-malaysia-politics-idUKKCN0Q206V20150728">reshuffle your cabinet</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You wouldn't <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/our-1mdb-probe-sabotaged-says-pac-deputy-chief">promote 4 members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)</a> who were investigating your case to ministerial positions, one week before they start meeting a few of the former Chief Executive Officers of 1MDB to delay or obstruct their process in proving your innocence. In fact, never in the history of the PAC was so many of its members elevated to governmental positions at the same time. It's really bad timing to do something so unprecedented that calls attention to the act itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You wouldn't fire your Attorney-General (A-G) a couple of months before his retirement for <i>"health reasons</i>" so suddenly that even he was taken by surprise and <a href="http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/gani-says-in-the-dark-over-sudden-termination">expressed that surprise to the press</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you are innocent, this series of moves at this juncture in time would make you look very, very guilty. If you are innocent, why are you sabotaging yourself so completely?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is why I feel Najib effectively confessed that he is guilty. I really wrinkled my brain but I can't think of any sane, rational reason why Najib would do the things he did if he is really innocent. Ask yourself, what would you have done in his shoes if you are really innocent?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He is either corrupt or the stupidest man in Malaysia. Either way, he has no business running this country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A creature of logic,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
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k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-27354124504695821782015-07-04T00:58:00.000+08:002015-07-04T00:58:06.273+08:00Won't Someone Think of the Children?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"If you still say 'It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve' as an argument against gay marriage you need to Adam and leave."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Unattributed</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a particularly deplorable kind of anti-gay argument that keeps popping up whenever same sex marriage is discussed. I call it the <i>"Won't someone think of the children?"</i> appeal to emotions. Basically, the argument is this: the natural arrangement of parenthood is that there should be a male role model and a female role model to aid in a child's growth. Some might even argue that children should have an inviolate <b><i>RIGHT</i></b> to one male and one female parent, and that we are somehow selfish or cruel to deprive them of this by advocating for marriage equality.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/19388395021" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Anti Gay by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Anti Gay" height="462" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3747/19388395021_f719dc78e1_z.jpg" title=""I'm too ugly to marry so I want gays to be as miserable as I am."" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And if you ask children what they need, some might even say <i>"triceratops"</i>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Firstly, there is a very contentious claim that the above arguments are predicated upon i.e. gay parents are inherently inferior to heterosexual parents. In what way are they inferior? We are not sure. Claiming that the best parental arrangement is one with a man and a woman in it (and therefore gay marriage is bad) is essentially circular logic. It's a bit like saying that apples are bad because they aren't oranges; because oranges are better than apples; <i>because oranges are totally the best damn fruits in the universe</i>. Aside from that fatal logical flaw, it is also a complete bald-faced lie. A review published last month which looked at 19,000 studies related to same-sex parenting from 1977 to 2013 finds an <i>"overwhelming"</i> consensus that <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/23/us-usa-gaymarriage-study-idUSKBN0P32AM20150623">there are no difference in children raised by same-sex or different-sex parents</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And you know what? There are studies which show that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/16/gay-parents-better-than-straights_n_1208659.html">gay parents might even be superior</a> to heterosexual parents, statistically speaking. It makes sense if you think about it (and if you actually own a brain in working condition with which to do so): gay parents consciously and purposefully choose to be parents because all avenues available to them, whether they achieve it through adoption, surrogate mothers or donor sperm, necessitates deliberation. I would also imagine that gays who want kids tend to be higher on the social ladder and are already in committed relationships. Meanwhile, it is entirely possible for teenage, non-committal heterosexuals to accidentally produce new life (and they do so very frequently, I must say), thus opening the can to sadly unwanted children being bestowed upon woefully unprepared parents. In case it is still not made abundantly clear, being straight doesn't automatically confer one with adequate parenting skills and if this is news to you, you might possibly be an idiot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Secondly, this <i>"Won't someone think of the children?!" </i>argument assumes that the only conceivable reason anyone has for marrying is to create teeny, tiny, stickier, less potty-trained versions of themselves. In fact, a anti-gay-parenting gay man went as far as to argue that marriage's purpose is not because of love but rather, <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2015/04/28/im-gay-and-i-oppose-same-sex-marriage/">it's for the regulation of reproduction</a>. Ipso facto, gays shouldn't marry. But even if we treat marriages as purely loveless social contracts with the state, there are still literally <a href="http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/an-overview-of-federal-rights-and-protections-granted-to-married-couples">more than a thousand reasons</a> for anyone to get legally hitched including tax benefits, family leave from work, visitation and health care proxy rights in hospitals, immigration purposes, joint insurance, and inheritance in absence of a will. So, if you are against gay marriage, you are spitefully denying a gay person from having all these rights your selfishly enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Besides, if the inability to reproduce disqualifies one from marrying, then why do we allow infertile or sterile, or even menopausal individuals to marry then?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thirdly, same-sex couples are about <a href="http://www.lifelongadoptions.com/lgbt-adoption/lgbt-adoption-statistics">3 times as likely</a> as opposite-sex couples to adopt. To say that gays cannot be good parents is to say that they shouldn't raise children, even adopted ones who were abandoned by their biological parents. I mean, more gay parents means that more unloved, unwanted children will find a home, right? What is wrong with that? By this fact alone, I am convinced that the anti-gay-marriage people who exhorts us most strongly to think about the children are the ones who give the least thought to children of all. It seems to me that people who opposes same-sex parenting would rather children be raised in orphanages rather than in a family with two loving, doting parents. They only care about children as far as they can exploit them in rhetorics to fight gay marriage and gay parenting, and I find that to be a particularly vile brand of hypocrisy. What they are actively doing undermines the hope of children for better lives, all while they pretend to be concerned for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, really, who are the real abominations here?<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />P.S. No, I'm not going to put a <a href="http://snopes.com/2015/06/29/facebook-rainbow-experiment/">rainbow filter</a> on my display picture. I daresay I did a wee bit more than that.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Thought about the children,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span>
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k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-69314407476508564642015-05-27T05:32:00.005+08:002015-05-27T15:50:46.734+08:00High Horses Are Meat Too, Vegans, So Stop Riding Them to Death<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"In the strict scientific sense we all feed on death - even vegetarians."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mr. Spock</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the longest time, more out of pure laziness than any other excuse, I have taken the word of a vegan acquaintance of mine and assumed that veganism is very much better for the environment than eating meat. At first blush, the maths do check out - farm animals belong to a higher trophic level & them smelly cows do fart a lot - so logically, meat production necessitates a higher burden on our resources than, for example, the humble workaday cabbage. The full vegan pitch is far longer and far more irritating, but that's really not my job to present it - or at least, it isn't anymore. While I lack the resolve to commit myself (and my family) to a vegan diet, I do try however to be mindful of the amount of delicious flesh I consume everyday and visit a local vegetarian joint semi-regularly. Whenever the topic of veganism and sustainability comes up, I just repeat what I learned from that vegan acquaintance of mine and shared much of the same references he shared with me. I recognise that I am holding out because <strike>bacon is fucking delicious</strike> of selfish reasons but I am all for more people embracing veganism if they are willing to take the plunge - though admittedly, I cannot reliably quantify the carbon footprint that will result from the combined annoyance experienced by us omnivores with the population surge of even more vegan prats, so there's that caveat.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, I have no cause to question what my herbivorous friend had told me (for years) until that same friend confronted me again regarding my choice to stick with a omnivore's diet this week on Twitter. Now, I am aware of the <a href="http://skepdic.com/backfireeffect.html">backfire effect</a> - people confronted about their beliefs tended to dig in and double down rather than change their minds - and I am sure that that is precisely what occurred to me as that vegan friend prattled on and on about what a irresponsible jerk I am for not giving up meat.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">However, in the process of backfiring and digging my trenches, I was forced to unearth and re-examine a lot of <i>"facts"</i> I had taken for granted and parroted in the veganism slash sustainability debates and in the process, I learned, for one thing, more about how alarmist vegans are great at cherry-picking stats and numbers to inflate their own contribution and sense of importance to the environment. I told that vegan friend that what he was doing to me was probably futile, given that <i>I already agree with him</i> on his talking points but because he couldn't shut up about how shitty a person I am for enjoying a chicken dinner, I went the extra mile to vindicate my own position. The sum result of all his high-horsing is that I now hold a less favourable position on veganism. <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NiceJobBreakingItHero">Nice job breaking it, vegan</a>.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The reason supplied to me for my tongue lashing from the vegan was because I tweeted a photo of my dinner. In the photo was a cut of chicken katsu I fried up myself. The vegan said,</span><br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/17507217323" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Trigger Idiot by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Trigger Idiot" height="128" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8857/17507217323_3f147e1c99_o.jpg" title="Here is where he had officially crossed the line into being a caricature of Tumblr Social Justice Warriors for me. And I am usually quite tolerant of Social Justice Warrioring." width="590"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And it triggered an urge in me to punch him in the teeth. True story.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Trigger"</i> is a word that is appropriated by the internet from psychiatric language and in my line of work, we usually use it to refer to <i>"<a href="http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/ptsd-triggers">trauma triggers</a>"</i> and it is a serious thing. Judging from the vegan's words, I sincerely doubt that he was <i>"triggered"</i> in the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sense of the word (just as I sincerely doubt he was actually diagnosed with PTSD). Furthermore, I pointed out to him that he is completely surrounded by <i>"triggers"</i> everywhere he goes considering that <a href="http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/vegetarianism-in-america/">more than 95% of people eat meat</a> and images of meat permeates the world. He should be a nervous wreck by now if he was genuinely triggered. Way to go in cheapening the experience of shell-shocked veterans and victims of sexual assault.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Speaking of <i>"triggers"</i> (in the annoying internet jackasses sense of the word), I went out of my way and ate a huge slab of sirloin steak last night
after having abstained from beef for months - as a reward to myself for
having suffered a bout of vegan evangelism. In fact, the last time I ate
an honest-to-goodness beef steak was literally years ago. I am not even joking here: all that talk about the unsustainability of beef actually <i>"triggered"</i> me to crave for a medium-rare side of cow which I have been missing.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">Here is what I had last night,<br></font>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/18109690666" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sirloin Steak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Sirloin Steak" height="360" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7691/18109690666_7b949b72bc_z.jpg" title="I deserve this." width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Vegetarian: A person who eats only side dishes."</i> ~Gerald Lieberman</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But let's get to the meat of this post, which are mostly things which environmento-vegan rangers tend to gloss over or omit in their guilt-tripping sales pitch, in no particular order:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fertilisers.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the basic things we can all agree on is that when applied intelligently, mixed farming (crops plus livestock) <a href="http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y0501e/y0501e03.htm">is the more sustainable model</a> in food production. One very obvious advantage is that manure from the animals can be used to fertilise the plants but according to <a href="http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/377385/ap037b_1_.pdf">this report</a> by the USDA, only a measly 5% fraction of total planted acreage even received manure and it's not because manure is in short supply. In fact, the US is <a href="http://modernfarmer.com/2014/08/manure-usa/">drowning in so much shit</a> that it threatens to be an environmental disaster if handled improperly. Manure is cheaper than commercial synthetic fertiliser, so what gives?</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The reason why all that poo doesn't get spread around more is because 52% of harvested crop acres in the US are on farms with no livestock production at all and the cost of transporting that much crap is proving to be a deterrent for most farmers. So, they settled on using synthetic fertilisers. And if vegans have their way, we would end up fertilising 100% of our crops with synthetic fertiliser since they want to to put an end to animal farming.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And what is synthetic fertiliser made out of? <a href="http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Fertilizer.html">Non-renewable resources like natural gas</a>. That's sustainable alright.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Emission Impact of Farm Animals Versus Plants.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cows and sheep are flatulent and they fart more than soy and corn. Agreed. But what are the numbers really like, and how do we come to a more nuanced understanding of the issue without resorting to ultimata of utter meat rejection?</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is <a href="http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/climate-and-environmental-impacts/">a chart on production emissions</a> (including emissions from processing, transportation, et cetera after the food leave the farms) from the EWG,</span><br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/18126365982" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="green_house_proteins by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="green_house_proteins" height="432" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7656/18126365982_da55354f55_z.jpg" title="For a brief moment, I thought Farmgate is the name of a scandal." width="640"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay, what are people doing to potatoes after they leave the farm?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Lamb meat is the greatest offender here, with the production of 39.2 kilos of CO<sub>2</sub> per kilo of consumed food with beef winning silver in the agricultural fart Olympics at 27 kilos. The reason why lamb generate so much emissions per kilo is because they produce less edible meat relative to the sheep's live weight - so, aside from putting a stop to lamb chops we should really boycott wool clothing as well. Also, lamb makes up less than 1% of the meat consumed by Americans anyway so giving up sheep-meat isn't going to matter much at all.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You'll notice immediately that after ruminants (hoofed animals with 4-chambered fart-generating stomachs), the emission levels dropped precipitously when we look at other sources of meat protein like pork and chicken. And just eyeballing the chart, you can tell that pork produces about 6 times and chicken about 3 times as much emissions as most plant-based food. Which is still significant, if you ignore the fact that meat is <i>faaar</i> more calorie-dense compared to vegetables and grains. I mean, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/vegetarian-or-omnivore-the-environmental-implications-of-diet/2014/03/10/648fdbe8-a495-11e3-a5fa-55f0c77bf39c_story.html">if you stop eating beef</a>, you can’t replace a kilogram of it (which has
2,280 calories) with a kilogram of broccoli (340 calories). You have
to replace it with 6.7 kilograms of broccoli to make up the caloric difference.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, a fairer and more science-literate comparison would be to look at emissions per 1,000 calories,</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/18126827532" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="emissionsCHART_NUupdate by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="emissionsCHART_NUupdate" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7689/18126827532_4e8db15829_z.jpg" title="Seriously, what's up with turkey?" width="493"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Perspective, bitches.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You'll notice right away that tomatoes and broccoli farming actually produce MORE emissions than farmed salmon, pork, chicken, canned tuna, milk, yogurt, cheese and eggs. But do you hear vegans bothering people who eat brocolli and tomatoes? No. Why? Studies showed that it's because they are oversized, wet, flopping hypocrites.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Of course, vegans will moan <i>"What about methane?!"</i> Yes, methane is way worse than CO<sub>2 </sub>when it comes to comparative impact on climate change.</span><br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/17942578110" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="meat_emissions_chart by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="meat_emissions_chart" height="353" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7660/17942578110_16dd33b200_z.jpg" title="Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down..." width="561"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I prefer chicken anyway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can see in the above graph that chicken produces nil enteric methane emissions. That's because physiologically, <a href="http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/it-true-birds-cant-fart">birds don't need to fart</a>. While I can sort of see the point for abstaining or decreasing beef intake, I don't see any compelling environmental reason to give up poultry at all.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is a reason why scaremongering documentaries like <i><a href="http://www.cowspiracy.com/">Cowspiracy</a></i> place a lot of focus on beef production (aside from embarrassingly bad puns) because ruminant farming <i>is</i> an order of magnitude worse than poultry farming. While it is not outright lying, it is propaganda that downplays the fact that ruminant farming is exceptional in their negative impact on the environment and presenting numbers which look dire on face value, while playing pretendsies that a vegan diet is always better - ignoring the fact that pork and chicken can actually be better choices than some vegetarian alternatives. But of course, he chose to badger me because of my chicken katsu instead of giving his equally insufferable vegan friends friends pain for their marinara gluten-free pasta dinners.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Will my vegan friend give up tomatoes and broccoli and start eating chicken and pork again when faced with this evidence? I don't think so.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vegan Culture's Obsession with Organic Farming, Fad Superfoods and Fighting GMO's.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is no hard way to determine just how many vegetarians and vegans buy into organic farming - and how many of them unfairly malign the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO), but one can't help but notice a huge overlap in ideology there if one frequents blogs or pages which advocate plant-centric diets. It makes sense since they generally approach <a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/orthorexia-nervosa">orthorexic</a> levels of finickiness and scrutiny when it comes to what they stuff their faces with.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Organic farming produces about <a href="http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/01/20/organic-yield-gap-shrinking-study-actually-shows-its-less-sustainable-than-conventional-ag/">20 to 30% less yield</a> compared to conventional farming practices. That means that for every 100 kilos of zucchinis we produce through conventional farming practices, we can only produce 70 to 80 organic zucchinis.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, <a href="http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/news/573.gm_crops_continue_boost_productivity_farm_incomes.html">GMO use had also lead to higher yields</a> and more sustainable farming practices like decreased reliance on pesticides and yes, prevented 203 million tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere from less soil disturbance as well. If anything, I think genetically modifying our food organisms will be how we eventually solve the sustainability problem.<br><br>And every new <i>"superfood"</i> that these eat-right clowns buy into (quinoa, chia seeds, <br>açaí berries, goji berries, et cetera) will in turn create demand for these products and thus, cause the opening of more farms to accommodate these specialised crops. Yes, non-vegans do get sucked into these fads as well but these are all technically plant-based food.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, my vegan friend may not necessarily buy into organic farming practices (and all its associated woo) and fad diets nor is he against GMO, as far as I know. I bring this up because this is one of those unquantified elements that put into perspective how the vegan movement isn't necessarily as great as they say it is when it comes to sustainability. Individual vegans may even be worse than an average omnivore like me who is pro-GMO, anti-organic farming and gets most of my meat protein from chicken - particularly if that vegan eats a lot of tomatoes and broccoli.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vegan Evangelism Isn't Going to Work.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have no doubt that one day in the distant radiant future, humanity will no longer butcher any animal for their food (I am wagering on flawless, sustainable lab grown meat) but until that day arrives, we will be eating our hoofed and beaked friends for many decades or even centuries to come. So, on a pragmatic and practical level, I asked him how successful he is as spreading the Good News about veganism.<br><br>His reply was this:</span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/17944374070" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vegan Knight Templar by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Vegan Knight Templar" height="108" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7792/17944374070_316e6f6c3c_z.jpg" title="Scored by John Williams, naturally." width="590"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In his mind, rousing inspirational music must be playing while a cape billows dramatically behind him.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That tells me that I am dealing with someone who puts ideology above actually focusing on doing what is actually effective.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br>After much dodging, he later said he had only convinced just 3 or 4 people to adopt veganism in all the years of his <i>"activism"</i>. I have no way of knowing if the converts did so due to his highly annoying proselytising or if those 3 or 4 individuals were going to go vegan anyway, but I will generously give him the benefit of the doubt. Still, at a rate of about one conversion a year, he would still have done almost no good at the end of his life, however prolonged he imagine it would be thanks to his vegan diet. He would have annoyed a great many people though.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We also know that throwing evidence in the face of people largely doesn't work, <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/science/maria-konnikova/i-dont-want-to-be-right">as this study</a> on the effectiveness of vaccination information campaigns suggests (that article even mentions the <i>"backfire effect"</i>). I mean, I already buy the party line that veganism is more sustainable and environmentally-friendly and I <i>still</i> refuse to adopt vegetarianism because it meant that I would have to sacrifice my quality of life. This is a losing battle. I ought to know - I counsel alcoholics and nicotine addicts everyday in my day job. I am technically at the <a href="http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/ss/behaviorchange_3.htm"><i>"precontemplation"</i> stage</a> in regards to giving up meat and if I already agree that meat-eating is less sustainable than eating greens, then the right thing to do is to step back and be available if I actually want more information - but instead, this vegan friend's persistence had actually caused me to be less convinced than before.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Likewise, burning fossil fuels is bad but hardly anyone is willing to give up the convenience of modern transportations or electric lights. The solution to that is creating more fuel-efficient cars (or developing equally good electric cars), inventing more energy-saving light bulbs, investing in nuclear power or resorting to renewable energy sources like solar or wind. Doing the equivalent of screaming on street corners with a sandwich board pronouncing the doom of the world if we do not <i>"repent"</i> by stopping the use of cars or the consumption of meat is actually counter-productive (especially if it comes with insults implying I am irresponsible or evil or smelly) and it belies a fundamental misunderstanding of human nature: most of us will do what is easy rather than what is necessary. So real, practical solutions would have to come at no cost to our comfort in order for them be popular enough to make a significant difference. Adoption rate is key and king.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Veganism is not the Solution.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are a million aspects of our lives which we can tweak to reduce our impact on the environment and on climate change but vegans like this Twitter friend of mine who harrassed me are disproportionately focused on their personal demons in their advocacy (meat, in this case).</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You know what is far, far worse than eating meat? Having children. You can drive all the Priuses and eat all the kale in the world but that is but a drop in the ocean when you compare that to the carbon footprint of reproduction. I think all these vegans making sustainability arguments should sterilise themselves if they think that us omnivores aren't doing enough for the environment because they too are doing a half-assed job as well. It brings to mind this parable that Mencius told about a soldier who
ran 50-paces away from the battlefield calling his fellow who ran
100-paces a coward (五十步笑百步).</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In fact, I did say as much. I told that vegan friend to go kill himself if he really cares about the environment so much. To that, he said,</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><font face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif"><br></font>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/18130193342" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Butthurt Vegan by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Butthurt Vegan" height="108" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7759/18130193342_bc1d4921e9_z.jpg" title="Veganism is so divisive." width="590"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I nearly asked him if it<i> "triggered" </i>him because he attempted or contemplated suicide before,<br>but I realised that I have stopped caring by this point.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We had been enjoying an omnivorous diet since time immemorial and we
never had a problem with animal husbandry until recent times because - get this -
meat is not the problem. It is a herring and it is red. The reason why meat
farming is unsustainable (and eventually, crops farming as well) is
because this is actually the toll that the continuously rising human
population is having on this planet.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>That's</i> the fucking problem. Fix that.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I try to minimise my own effect on the environment whenever I can if it does not come at a sacrifice in my quality of life. For example, I reject plastic bags whenever I shop but I'd still accept one if I really need it. I am mindful of the amount of meat I consume, both for environmental and health reasons. After the <a href="https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2014-12-29-sugar-molecule-in-red-meat-linked-to-cancer.aspx">sialic acid Neu5Gc in red meat</a> was found last year to be implicated in the increased risk of cancer, I have further reduced my already infrequent indulgence in red meat. When I bought home appliances recently for my new house, I tried to get the most energy efficient ones. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And I decided to only have one child, and that alone already qualifies me for a higher horse than pretty much every vegan who birthed two kids or more.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I make many of these little decisions everyday that counts towards my total impact on our world but to demonise one aspect of my life - my homecooked chicken katsu (which was delicious, by the way) - is incredibly misguided, unhelpful and tone deaf.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am an atheist and I believe that this is the only life I will ever get to experience. I certainly don't intend to live it without all the reasonable comfort and pleasures I can get out of it. I don't want the trouble of limiting my culinary and epicurean experience, making sure I am getting enough Vitamin B12 through supplementation, or being a perpetual pain of the ass of a guest with <i>"special considerations"</i> at every group meal, party or wedding - all in service of a poorly thought out, mostly masturbatory non-solution to a serious issue.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thinks vegans are pricks now,</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-34408370636538997102014-09-20T00:06:00.001+08:002014-09-24T22:14:36.519+08:00The Life of Zoë<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying."</i></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Troubles With Bird Dogs and<br />What to Do About Them (1975)</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>by George Bird Evans </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The day after <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/08/i-killed-my-dog.html">Benji's tragic and untimely end</a>, Cheryl visited the local animal shelter where we rescued him in search of some solace. Was it too soon? Probably, but there is no salve for loss as soothing as the replacement of the very thing we lost. That is not to say that Benji is so easily replaceable, but we had so much love for him that it would be a shameful waste to direct every ounce of it to grief. Instead we sought to give that love to another creature which deserves it, if only because it is still alive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On 23rd of August, exactly three days after Benji's passing, we brought a new puppy home.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15218597455" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zoë at Shelter by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Zoë at Shelter" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5572/15218597455_2c05d2cd1f_z.jpg" title="Who rang my doorbell and ran away?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the shelter.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the way back, Cheryl christened her Zoë, apropos of nothing. When I looked it up later, I found that it is Greek and it means <i>"life"</i> or <i>"alive"</i>, which is thought is delightful serendipity. There is nothing more antithetical to the deathly, funereal pall that have settled over our family than bounding, barking, warm, furry life. We needed this. I needed this.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15195541866" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zoë in Crate by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Zoë in Crate" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/15195541866_161f7f6a47_z.jpg" title="LOOK AT MY EYES AND GIVE ME EVERYTHING." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zoë, in her crate, in the middle of crate training.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zoë was very different from Benji, both in personality and temperament. To get the most obvious things out of the way first, she was female and was only about 2 months old (compared to 4 months old male Benji). While Benji was calm, confident and deliberate, Zoë was a firecracker - a wilful, hyperactive little bitch. The only time Benji got really excited was when he saw the cats, which
he would chase in delight. Zoë however, have never shown any sign of
noticing her feline housemates' existence at all. House training her was a more strenuous affair because of her weak puppy bladder so I was forced to wake up every 2 hours at night to let her water (or fertilise) the garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While Benji happily accepted his usual mealtime kibbles as training treats, Zoë proved to be a fussy, picky customer. She wouldn't even touch her dry puppy kibbles unless I mix it up with a spoonful of meaty wet food first. And since training treats have to be equal to or more <i>"valuable"</i> than her usual feed, I was forced to train her only at mealtimes, giving her spoonfuls of her food for each time she complied with commands. Eventually, I resorted to baking chicken liver for this purpose and thankfully, she deemed it a worthy enough payment in exchange for tricks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15218328412" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zoë & Sophie by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Zoë & Sophie" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/15218328412_660eb88fa7_z.jpg" title="I picked that blue collar." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sophie, already plotting Zoë's downfall from day one.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fortunately, with a bit of persistence, she was house trained and became <i>"accident-free"</i> within 3 days and could even hold it in through the night. Within a week, she learned to sit and lie down on command. She could even stand on her two hind legs for 1 to 2 seconds when asked, a trick I could never get Benji interested in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last Friday, a day before <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/09/darwin-is-one-year-old.html">my son's one year old birthday</a>, Zoë died. If this came as a rude surprise as you are reading this, it's because it was for us too.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15031868880" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zoë by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Zoë" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3884/15031868880_275d036f85_z.jpg" title="I have no idea how she lost her tail. I thought it would be rude to bring it up." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pretty girl.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On Thursday, 4th of September, Cheryl went to take her out for her evening toilet visit but noticed that there was something very wrong with her. I saw that she was holed up inside her crate and stood up, wagging her tail when I approached. However, I noted that she was not leaving her little sanctuary like she usually did. I peered inside and noticed that she was leaning on her left, her left wrist slack and floppy.<br /><br />I reached in for her but she freaked out and scrabbled backwards, something she had never done. She had a sweet, outgoing and confident disposition, and had never displayed any neuroses prior to this. I carried her out gingerly and placed her on the floor to get a better look at her - and she immediately panicked and began running in circles, persistently falling to her left. She was also drooling like a faucet. I studied human medicine, but what Zoë exhibited were unmistakably neurological symptoms. <i>But why?</i> Cheryl just took her out a few hours prior but she was perfectly fine! The only thing that happened that day to her was her 2nd ivermectin jab, which she was on because she brought mange home with her from the shelter which had left her mostly bald with lots of sores from scratching (quite unlike her pictures here), but was otherwise completely well and active. We fully expected her to recover from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We rushed her to a nearby vet who found that her pupils were also dilated and she was exhibiting what he called <i>"knuckling"</i> where Zoë's doesn't notice when her paws were placed in odd, uncomfortable positions - indicating a loss of proprioception. He diagnosed her with ivermectin toxicity, gave her a shot of corticosteroids and a bolus of subcutaneous fluid between her shoulders because she was not eating or drinking. The vet also gave me a syringe loaded with diazepam, in case she started fitting that night. And that night, I learned practically everything there is to know about ivermectin sensitivity in dogs, how it afflicts certain dog breeds that happen to carry the MDR-1 gene defect which impairs a dog's ability to transport certain compounds out of their brains, leading to a build up. I slept in the living room as well so I could hear it if Zoë starts fitting. I fed her some of her favourite wet dog food from a can using a spoon, and was heartened to see that she could still lick it up and swallow. Her tail still wagging like a windmill, which I understand doesn't necessarily meant that she was happy. When I carried her down to the garden to pee, she could still do her half-crouch.<br /><br />We brought her back to the vet the next morning as advised but found that Zoë's condition worsened. She had started making chewing movements with her mouth. The vet look at that odd behaviour thoughtfully and then swabbed some of the tears streaming out of her eyes, pipetting some of it onto a plastic cartridge that resembles a urine pregnancy test. He showed it to me and told me that it was an antigen test for canine distemper. One very bold line showed on it.<br /><br /><i>"One line,"</i> I said. <i>"That's good news right?"</i><br /><br /><i>"That is the </i>'test' <i>line you are seeing. The </i>'control'<i> line have yet to appear, but you can see it forming faintly now,"</i> he said sadly.<br /><br />Oh no...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now all my confusion made sense. Why Zoë did not react to the first ivermectin shot, why she was suddenly struck with very severe generalised mange - which indicated that her immune system was failing. <i>"But she already received her 1st shot of vaccination!"</i> I told the vet but I knew the answer before he even answered. She had contracted it at the shelter before she was vaccinated, and the virus must have been incubating till now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am a doctor myself and I knew that we were at a crossroads of hard decisions. <i>"When should we give up?"</i> I asked calmly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"When she fits non-stop,"</i> he told me. <i>"Or when she is completely unable to eat or drink."</i><br /><br />By noon, Zoë was a shambles of her former self; blind, highly nervous and likely delirious. Her jaws have started locking up and it was difficult for me to pry them apart and syringe some food into her mouth. Cheryl received word from the shelter that Zoë's litter mates have also started displaying signs of distemper two days ago, which pretty much proved that Zoë was exposed to the canine distemper virus before we took her home. She was a time bomb ticking to heartbreak, but we were completely unaware. I did more reading (as I am wont to do in times of crises) but the more I read, the more hopeless it seemed, and Zoë, at this point, had deteriorated to a state where she couldn't even crouch to urinate. It just dribbled out as she stood there seemingly oblivious to her own bladder movement. Finally, Cheryl and I decided on what we felt was right: we decided to put Zoë to sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We took her back to the vet, who seemed to have been expecting us. This time, we were directed to a different room and in the middle of it was a large stainless steel table. We were asked to sign some papers and after we gave Zoë her last pets, the vet gave her a lethal dose of pentobarbitone - and just like a robot powering down, she slumped down gently onto the table surface, her head flopped to one side unnaturally. The room filled with the smell of faeces as whatever that remained in Zoë's rectum oozed out. Cheryl cried. I was too numb to follow suit. After a minute, the vet checked her for any signs of life and finding none, asked us if we would like him to dispose of her for us.<br /><br /><i>"No thanks,"</i> I said. <i>"We are taking Zoë home with us."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The orderly there offered us a plastic bag - and we refused because it just didn't seem right. I put her back in her crate and drove her back to our house. There, I dug her a grave beside <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/08/i-killed-my-dog.html">Benji's</a>, and after wrapping her in the blanket she always slept on, buried her with her bright blue collar. I comforted myself with the thought that at least Zoë did not suffer long and had spent her last hours with people who loved her most instead of a cold, harsh metal cage at the animal shelter. In the last two weeks, she ate better than she ever had in her life and had toys (and feet) to chew. Her weight almost doubled under our care. We did everything right by her and told ourselves was not our fault she was already doomed from the get go.<br /><br />But it was still painful as hell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Zoë's human,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span><br />
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k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-26118630428392801312014-09-08T21:14:00.001+08:002014-09-08T21:25:00.837+08:00Darwin is One Year Old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Today is my 111th birthday. 111 years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like. And I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Fellowship of the Ring (1954) by J.R.R. Tolkien</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the 6th of September 2014, Baby Darwin evolved out of infancy into toddlerhood and came to the realisation that people will celebrate the fact the planet he was riding on managed to go around its sun for the 4.54 billionth time and give him free stuff for it. Darwin's mom had organised a joint birthday bash with his milk brother, Keve (which I understand is pronounced like how Ukrainians pronounce <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiev">Київ</a>, rhyming with <i>"Eve"</i>). Their milk kinship arose from my wife donating gallons of her breast milk to the care and feeding of Keve every time our freezer run out of space for my cocktail ice, because priorities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because Keve's actual birth date is on the 8th of September, they split the difference and threw the party on the 7th and everyone for whom the idea of parties with booze, drugs and loud music is a fading distant memory (i.e. parents) were invited. Even Darwin's maternal grandparents and his aunt's entire family flew over to celebrate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was Darwin's first party and quite a lot happened, and... you know what? I'll just let the kid tell you about it himself in the picture captions.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14989536940" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="366 Days Old - Posing on Toy Car by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="366 Days Old - Posing on Toy Car" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/14989536940_ddddce7552_z.jpg" title="You can tell that I work out." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yo, 'sup? Now that my aging, prime-passing, wordy nerd dad is out of the way allow me to intro myself. I am Darwin - yeah, like that place in Australia - but you can call me The Winster or D-boy, like me mates at the daycare do. And I got like everything, man. You can see me chillin' in the picture up top on my brand new 2014 Kiddieland roadster. Check out its hot vroom-vroom flame decals. It is off-da-hook!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14990005008" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="346 Days Old - In Pool with Balls by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="346 Days Old - In Pool with Balls" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3904/14990005008_659e85a98c_z.jpg" title="You can say I am balls deep in my pool." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I even got me own pool and all the balls I can ever want. I have like ALL THE BALLS, brah.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15167636072" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="01" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/15167636072_770b3ca1ee_z.jpg" title="#SadFace, #ForeverAlone" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But it all means shizznit if I ain't got that special someone to share it with, y'know what I'm sayin'? It's like feeling all lonely in a room full of peeps at me own 1st birthday party. Hey, that's deep stuff. Gimme a sec while I tweet it to my followers, mkay?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981307739" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01(1) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="01(1)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14981307739_0a061360e1_z.jpg" title="If I am a cartoon character, my head would have turned into a wolf's and I would howl and whistle and steam would come out of me ears." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And then I saw her standing there across the room. And I thought to myself, <i>"Va-va-voom! Who is that gorgeous little lady right there!?"</i> So I got me old man to carry me over to her double-quick. My mom told me that her name is Charlie. Short for Charlotte. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981314930" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="03 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="03" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3868/14981314930_8c480e8558_z.jpg" title="She like, ran all the way to her mama and I can't catch her because she's a few months older than me and can walk gooder." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I went up to Charlie and gave her one of my smooth lines, <i>"Excuse me, are you candy? Because you are making me drool and it ain't 'cause I'm teething."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I waited for a response but she just gave me this gaga gorgeous icy look so I introduced meself, holding my hand out for a dance all gent-like. <i>"The name's Darwin, but you can call me..."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And here's the part where she turned and walked away, saying, <i>"Sorry sugar, I am allergic to baldness."</i></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981388217" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="04 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="04" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/14981388217_487357bb7a_z.jpg" title="If I was your boyfriend, I'd never let you go, Charlie baby." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But The Winster ain't no quitter, ya dig? So I took to the dance floor to show her my moves. If there is one thing I can do, it's <i>working it</i>. Of course, I boogied to my jam, The Bieb's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyfriend_%28Justin_Bieber_song%29"><i>Boyfriend</i></a>, because I am a baby and I got phooey taste in music.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15167523922" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="05 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="05" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/15167523922_34f82a3f83_z.jpg" title="Thank you, ma'am, but I already ate." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My hot dancing soon drew the attention of the other chicks in the house. This one lady was all like, <i>"Your moves so hot, Darwin baby! Have all of my balloons!"</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981371527" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="05(1) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="05(1)" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3926/14981371527_fa55d3a45c_z.jpg" title="I'm not saying it's you, pretty-eyes, but it's you." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Thanks but no thanks, sweet cheeks,"</i> I brushed all of them off. They were like, <i>"Have a heart, lover boy!" </i>and was like, <i>"I ain't got no heart to give 'cause Charlie's got it."</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981352767" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="05(2) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="05(2)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5570/14981352767_12486bbe78_z.jpg" title="Hasta la vista, beeyotches!" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Sides, I only date gals my age. These girls are totally too old for me and I ain't no cougar-hunter, y'know what I'm sayin'? <i>"Excusez-moi,"</i> I bid them and left the scene. I got some major sorrows to drown.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981319158" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="06 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="06" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14981319158_f87abdffa1_z.jpg" title="Goodbye, cruel world. Hello, Aquaman." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, there I was trying to drown my sorrows in the pool 'cause my heart's fillin' the diaper, if you catch my drift. I am one year old and still single! Can you believe it, brah? I thought I got everything but I ain't got game. Ain't got hair neither. I just want to splashy-splash into the cold, deep water and end it but my mama's all like nuh-uh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"You go back in there and blow your candle on your birthday cake, young man."</i> she said. <i>"Then, it's off to bed for you!"</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15167448282" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="10" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3876/15167448282_ebfbc873b1_z.jpg" title="But seriously, I wanted that candle. Just look at my "WANT" face." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, I didn't even get to blow the candle out on my own birthday cake because I still haven't learn how to do that without spraying me sa-li-va. Mama and Keve's mama blew it out for us. Keve there in the picture called dibs on the candle and I let him, because he is my milk brah. And like they always say - milk is thicker than water, amirite? Bros before hoes! Blue bibs before pink cribs!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And thus concludes Darwin's saga of love found, lost and clean forgotten by his next bottle feed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I would like to thank everyone for coming and showering Darwin with more toys than he knows what to do with (though admittedly, he doesn't even know what to do with his two hands on most days). He had so much fun and excitement that he pretty much brought the party back home and terrorised his poor father and mother all night long. At one point, I was forced to stopper his caterwauling by streaming an episode of the 1994 <i>The Tick</i> animated series on YouTube for him (I am not even joking).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some of the other pictures from the birthday celebration:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981421357" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="02 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="02" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14981421357_8e49044900_z.jpg" title="Like his dad, he is a bit socially-retarded." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Darwin running to greet a fashionably late Keve by slapping him in the boobs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15165016531" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="02(1) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="02(1)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/15165016531_6f3db56314_z.jpg" title="Also pictured: Keve's mom, Evelyn. Keve's name is a blend of his parent's name, Kevin and Evelyn." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Milk bros fo life!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14981301938" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="07" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14981301938_976feaf2eb_z.jpg" title="I asked the kids where they want me to stick the candle and the overwhelming request is to shove it in Olaf's mouth. If it was an adult-only party, I know where I would have stuck it." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Darwin and Keve's Olaf-themed birthday cake.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15144829376" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="08" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5587/15144829376_4764633030_z.jpg" title="They knew ALL the words from beginning to end. Kids." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A pair of sisters giving an impromptu performance of Frozen's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Go_%28Disney_song%29"><i>Let It Go</i></a>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/15144813866" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="09" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3871/15144813866_1b8765209f_z.jpg" title="That girl will go places. She seems to have a preternatural sense of cameras." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Darwin, seemingly already gotten over Charlie. The blue 2-year-old in blue shirt reaching for the plastic cake knife is Darwin's cousin from Penang.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Father of one,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-29047614638744833292014-08-23T00:03:00.000+08:002014-08-23T03:47:00.796+08:00I Killed My Dog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Charles M. Schulz</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"I want a dog,"</i> Cheryl said and that made me realise that I wanted one too. The last time I had a dog was when I was 14 years old - and that was 14 years ago. My dad brought home a brown Cocker Spaniel when I was 11 but now I wish he didn't. I was expected to be responsible, to care for another living being on my own but unfortunately, I was just a stupid kid with two escaped adult hamsters, a litter of dead hamster pups and half a dozen tortoise carcasses on his permanent record. I was clearly not ready and predictably, that poor little spaniel lived its short miserable life in the driveway of my grandmother's house, its long beautiful curly fur in mats with a thousand grey bloated ticks draining its life blood. I also failed to train him and sometimes, I even made him jump at neighbourhood kids I didn't like to terrorise them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One day, when my mother picked me up from school, she told me that my dog was dead. I was told he chose a nice sunny spot beneath a jackfruit tree in front of my grandmother's house earlier that morning and went to sleep forever. He was just 3 years old. My mother took me to a large deserted bridge connecting the mainland with a man-made island called Pulau Melaka and had me dump my dog's body right into the sea with my own two hands.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"I hate animals,"</i> my mother told me. <i>"But if you had let me know that the dog was sick, I would have taken him to the vet for you."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I didn't know. I had no idea because I was just a stupid kid and my stupidity and irresponsibility killed Pixel. Pixel was the name I gave him. That name is a stain upon my conscience; a badge of shame and regret that have followed me all my life since.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now at 28, I am twice as old as I was when I lost Pixel. We have a baby fast approaching his 1st birthday and two mostly intact cats, and we just moved into big house with an even bigger garden. I thought there was no better time to give myself a second chance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, Cheryl, Darwin and I went to the local animal shelter together to look for the newest member of our little pack and that's where we found this little white puppy sitting in his cramped cage atop his own excrements - and even though he had every reason to be miserable, he wasn't. He came right up to the side of the cage to sniff at my fingers and lick them, his tail wagging up to nines. Having spent the last two years being licked by Sophie's sandpaper feline-tongue, the softness of his tongue surprised and delighted me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But he wasn't a good looking pup. He was recovering from a bad case of mites and had bald patches all over his body. His large bat-like ears were completely hairless and flea-bitten. Besides, I was also worried because he looked a tad too old - about 4 months old - and I read that the older a pup starts training... well, old dogs, new tricks, y'know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We also saw a trio of pups in another cage which looked far healthier but Cheryl said, <i>"Those cute ones will get adopted."</i> And we might very well be the only chance that that hairless little dog had to leave the shelter so we did what felt right. We took that sweet but mangy-looking pup back home and on the drive back, I christened him Benjamin Sabrecat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Or <i>"Benji",</i> as we came to know and love him.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14998757355" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji at Shelter by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji at Shelter" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5569/14998757355_02890a3e59_z.jpg" title="29 July 2014. Tuesday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4 days before we brought Benji home, we went and applied Frontline® on him.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14995694041" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji 1st Bath by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji 1st Bath" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14995694041_3e9ee34154_z.jpg" title="2 August 2014. Saturday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Benji given his last bath at the shelter by Cheryl before we took him home.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was determined to do right by Benji in a way that I never did for Pixel. Before bringing Benji home, I studied several dog care and training books to make sure I was truly ready this time. Cheryl thought I was being obsessive but she didn't know just how much this meant to me. Quite early on, I was determined that Benji would not be sleeping out-of-doors so that meant house-training needed to be instituted pronto. Every 3 hours, I would take Benji out into the yard to eliminate and learn where his toilet was suppose to be and I somehow managed to stuck to it, even waking up in the middle of the night at 3AM just to take Benji out for him to make his little doggy deposits back to nature. There were a couple of oopsies in the beginning which necessitated some vigorous cleaning (and cursing) but in less than <i>one week</i>, Benji got the hang of it! I was ecstatic. It felt like I was finally doing something right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I can't take all the credits for myself because Benji was, we believed, no ordinary dog. He was very smart and empathetic. We thought night-time whining would be a problem but he ceased that on the first night after only a few shushes. In the same week he was house-trained, he quickly learned to sit, shake paws and lie down on command as well. Initially, he barked and bounded after our two cats but he quickly stopped doing that as well after realising that his overenthusiastic approach would only draw disapproving hisses from me (and the cats). He was gentle with Darwin and never leapt up around him as dogs are wont to do when they are playful and excited. Benji was so responsive, so eager to please, <i>so perfect</i>. I cannot even begin to describe how proud I was of him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My favourite memory of him was last Sunday when we spent some time together in our yard as a family. I was weeding the garden while Darwin frolicked in his inflatable pool filled with colourful plastic balls. Benji was let off leash and he went to and fro between checking Darwin out from the side of the pool and watching me work quietly without getting in the way at all. His fur had begun to grow out and his ears were covered in a new growth of white fuzz. It looked like he was going to turn out to be a handsome dog after all. Cheryl took pictures, so we we will always have Sunday.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14998684685" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sunday with Benji 3 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunday with Benji 3" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14998684685_54fc0c1d0e_z.jpg" title="17 August 2014. Sunday." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Family.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last Wednesday, I came home during lunchtime because I forgot my phone and while I was there, I let Benji out in the yard and after he watered the grass, I noticed his reluctance in stepping back into the house. It was a beautiful afternoon so I thought, what the heck, I would let Benji enjoy his day in the sun a little longer and reminded Cheryl to bring him in again at 3PM. Then, I busied myself hanging up some bird feeders I put together clumsily on a couple of trees in the bottom of the garden. The last glimpse of Benji I had was him going right down to the woods that bordered the edge of our garden to poop. <i>"Attaboy,"</i> I thought to myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a short nap, I left home to return back to work in my car. I went to the surgical ward to interview an alcoholic who was brought in because he vomited blood and was having the shakes, and after that, I dropped by at the clinic to assess an old Malay lady who was referred to me for dementia (she wasn't - the referring doctor screwed up the ECAQ). That was when I received a call from Cheryl. She was weeping piteously on the other side. It was wrong. She shouldn't be crying. There was no reason for her to... <i>Oh no</i>... No no no no no no no...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"He's not moving,"</i> she told me through her sobs. <i>"There is so much blood. He's dead. Benji's DEAD."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't know how but I knew immediately what had happened. It felt as if I had fallen into a deep, dark pool of unreality and its chill had frozen my mind in rigid disbelief. I automatically told Cheryl to calm down, hung up and concluded my session with the not-demented old lady. Then, I went to my Head of Department to ask permission to return home early, which he granted after I told him what had happened. On my drive home, I raced through all the rooms in my head and rifled through all the drawers, searching for a memory, a clue, an explanation for this crazy living nightmare I am living through... and I just lost it. I broke down at the wheel and cried my heart out. I cried for Benji. I cried for Pixel. I was a little boy who lost his dog all over again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I got home, I espied a metre-long monitor lizard crouching in the grass and staring greedily at my driveway. What it was eyeing was a small, white, furry body lying on the concrete floor in a large, thick pool of congealing blood. On its fur, I could see the black marks where the car tires made their cruel prints on him. There was a trail of feces coming out of Benji's rear end, telling me that he crawled about a feet, shitting uncontrollably in his death throes before he stopped moving. The blood clots were disturbed, which meant that Benji was alive for at least a few minutes - maybe up to an hour - before his suffering ended. I can't imagine what he could be thinking in his last moments or how much pain he must have endured before he could finally rest. He would have been so confused, so alone at a time he needed his family the most, and the thought just breaks my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I killed my dog</i>. I couldn't believe it. I did this. I am a murderer. Benji slept under the car and I drove over him, not even knowing what I did as I was doing it. At that time, I thought I would go mad from the guilt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was almost 5PM so I told Cheryl to pick Darwin up from daycare. I would deal with Benji, I mumbled even though I was having trouble knowing where to begin. I took his collar off and wrapped his little broken body in the blanket he usually sleeps on before carrying him to the forest bordering our garden. There, between a clump of banana trees and a bamboo grove, I dug Benji's grave with a trowel and a weeding fork. I don't know why it mattered but I remember thinking that I should dig a hole big enough for him to lie down in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before Cheryl left, she came to me to hand me Benji's red collar and the small aluminium candy box I kept his treats in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i>"He owns the collar,"</i></b> she told me fiercely. <b><i>"This means he has a family and not abandoned. Give it to him. Let him wear it."</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I did. I put his collar around his neck for the last time and nestled his treat box by his side before putting him back into the earth. Then, I went inside and cried into my hands until my head hurt. Till now, I am still seeing flashes of his motionless tiny body in the driveway throughout the day and I still feel my heart race every time I put my car in reverse. I kept replaying the day's event in my mind, wondering what little things I could have done differently so that innocent, blameless Benji wouldn't need to die such a violent, lonely death. There was a million things and one, and I missed every single one of them. If only I have brought him back in instead of leaving him outside. If only I put a chain on him when he was out. If only I didn't forget to take my phone to work, causing me to return during lunchtime to retrieve it. If only I looked for him before I backed my car out of the driveway. It was a bottomless spiral of what-ifs and if-onlies; so many chances were there for me to save him that I can scarcely believe he could even have died. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Goodbye, Benji. I will miss our walks late at night, your soft gentle licks and your huge floppy ears. You were a good dog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You were too good for me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14812027839" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14812027839_d312f06fe1_z.jpg" title="2 August 2014. Saturday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You will always be family, Benji. I am so sorry.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14812094660" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji in the Garden by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji in the Garden" height="360" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3856/14812094660_69227bcab6_z.jpg" title="4 August 2014. Monday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Benji exploring our backyard.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14998725245" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji Sitting Quietly at Vet's Waiting Room by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji Sitting Quietly at Vet's Waiting Room" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/14998725245_2c841c2142_z.jpg" title="7 August 2014. Thursday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Benji's first visit to the vet for his kennel cough which he picked up from his time at the shelter. He was told to sit so he did. It was less than a week after he came home with us.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14812045849" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji Pooping with Tongue Out by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji Pooping with Tongue Out" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3886/14812045849_aac6e3d0f8_z.jpg" title="11 August 2014. Monday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">An already house-trained Benji pooping outdoors.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14812240327" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Benji and Darwin by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Benji and Darwin" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5553/14812240327_207643dabb_z.jpg" title="11 August 2014. Monday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Benji meeting and greeting the other baby of the house for the first time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14812009039" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sunday with Benji 2 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunday with Benji 2" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/14812009039_a3ca15019a_z.jpg" title="17 August 2014. Sunday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Benji and Darwin on our last Sunday together.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14812062590" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sunday with Benji 1 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunday with Benji 1" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14812062590_a0c5db725a_z.jpg" title="17 August 2014. Sunday." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Darwin, Benji and me.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Murderer,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-37611756062419387372014-08-06T08:00:00.000+08:002014-08-07T16:48:56.497+08:00Going Bump at Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action."</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<br>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"She's been having hallucinations and thought she's possessed,"</i> the medical officer on the other end told me. <i>"We are admitting her for observation - in case it is really endometritis - but we would appreciate it if you can come and review her. She seems distressed though. Afraid. Especially after we told her that she would be admitted."</i></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">18 year old Malay woman. Just given birth to her first child a few days ago. Judging from the brief blurb my O&G colleague gave me, it might mean postpartum psychosis. It was 10 PM and I was not thrilled considering that I had to chase my last postpartum psychosis patient down a long hallway to stop her from <i>"rescuing"</i> her baby from the nursery.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I quickly found the ward and the patient's bed and I saw that both the patient's husband and mother was helping her to settle down. I know I should never make snap judgements from simple once-overs but the girl I was suppose to see appeared a lot saner than I thought she would be. Her name, for the purpose of this article, is Ruya.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After introducing myself, I interviewed everyone and this was the story I was given: When Ruya was twelve, her grandmother witnessed her rising from her bed after she had fallen asleep. She then tried to leave her room when her frightened grandmother gave her an urgent shake, jolting her out of her blank, trance-like state. Ruya herself was surprised to find herself out of her bed and remembered none of her actions preceding her awakening. <i>"It was like waking up from sleep,"</i> she told me.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Throughout the years, this odd nocturnal behaviour recurred alongside frequent nightmares. Ruya's baffled and terrified family then sought out the help of <i>bomohs</i>, shamans and medicine men who confirmed their worst suspicions - Ruya was being plagued by djinns and demons which possesses her to steal her away. However, nothing these witch doctors do could free Ruya from their clutches. <i>"The spirits are too strong,"</i> they said in their failure.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finally, they came into the care of a Muslim imam - a man they refer to simply as the <i>Ustaz</i>. The Ustaz gave them the same supernatural diagnosis and have told them that over the years, the spirits plaguing Ruya had multiplied in numbers due to the machinations of vengeful <i>bomohs</i> they have stopped patronising. And, with the help of this imam, the incidence of grand-theft-Ruya decreased as she grew older. Then it stopped altogether. Impressed by the spiritual mojo that this imam displayed, the family converted to Islam because clearly, it is the One True Religion™, is it not? Why else would Ruya's night visitors loosen their grips on her?</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Keeping my face as straight as I could, I asked one very critical question: Did any of these <i>"paranormal activities"</i> occurred when Ruya is awake?</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"No."</i></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"My O&G colleague told me that you appeared very distressed and upset that you have to be admitted in this hospital. Why is that?"</i> I asked further.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ruya said that that's because she was afraid that she might have to stay in the hospital overnight alone. The Ustaz have apparently told her that she must never ever be alone or the spooks and djinns will take the opportunity to assault her again.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Please tell O&G to discharge me tomorrow! Or my mother will have to sleep here with me for another night!"</i></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At that moment, I felt very angry but since I'm a professional, I smiled instead. I started off by telling them that there are a lot of schools of knowledge and I happen to be from a school of medicine. I told them that what I know might bring Ruya some relief and proceeded to explain that Ruya is (or was) a <i>somnambulist</i> i.e. she walks in her sleep. <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/491438_8">Sleepwalking is very common in children</a> and as a child grows older, the episodes will naturally decrease in frequency, as observed in Ruya's case.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After my brief lecture, Ruya's mother thanked me and mistakenly addressed me with the honorific of <i>"Ustaz"</i> (which I declined politely). Ruya's husband however incorporated the information I have given him into his worldview and agreed that the devious ghosts and ghoulies have been using sleepwalking to lure Ruya out of her bedroom. <i>Holy crap, you can never win with these people!</i></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Realising that this is a battle I don't want to fight so late in the evening, I politely excused myself, went down to the labour room and told the O&G team that they have just referred a case of sleepwalking to me. I gave Ruya an appointment, but not for her somnambulism.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, how did the imam <i>"know"</i> that it was evil spirits that's plaguing Ruya? Was he lying or did he fool himself into thinking he is able to detect supernatural entities just because he went to Qur'an school or something? And boy he must have considered it a great success to convert an entire family to his brand of magical thinking. Had Ruya's family consulted a Christian pastor or a Taoist priest just as her symptoms were abating, they would be following a very different god today.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am frequently told that I should leave people's beliefs alone because,
why take them away if it comforts them? Ruya is one of the reasons why.
Thanks to pure superstitions peddled by the shamans and the imam, a
young woman had become so afraid of the world around her that she must
be accompanied by family members at all times. And <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2013/09/devils-in-emergency-room.html">this is not the first time</a> I have one of my patients harmed by one of these charlatans.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is the 21st fucking century, people. Stop being afraid of the dark.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He who bumps back,</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-51363614511755542772014-08-01T00:35:00.000+08:002014-08-01T21:24:16.495+08:00I Am Twenty-Eight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest."</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Larry Lorenzoni</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My birthday visited me last month and since I have tweaked my social media accounts to not alert my acquaintances to its passing, I received only birthday wishes from the usual suspects. My mom and dad did, and so did my sister. As with all previous years, I got a birthday greeting on Facebook from that one guy with whom I went to high school who was born on the same day I was. The nursing matron who oversees the department I work in wished me as well, no doubt after recently handling my work documents but thankfully, she did not pass the word. Like some mountain-dwelling misanthrope, I purposefully kept my birth date a loosely guarded secret just to see who doesn't care enough to remember, so I can in turn forget their birthdays in a passive-aggressive fashion. Take that, friends-I-don't-have!</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My wife reminded me of it weeks before <i>le quatorze juillet</i> (my birth date) came up, repeatedly asking me what I want for my birthday. Then, in spite of the (variable and confusing) answers I gave her, she got me a bottle of Ralph Lauren's Polo Blue Eau de toilette because my last bottle of BO concealer ran out two years ago. I take it that she thinks I stink but she's still married to me, so I guess it's true love after all.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14676331806" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wrapped Present by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wrapped Present" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/14676331806_28b254edbd_z.jpg" title="Though I suspect it was wrapped by Parkson's retail staff using their store's paper." width="640"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She wrapped it so I can unwrap it in a few hours time at dinner.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14696202021" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Polo Ralph Lauren Blue by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Polo Ralph Lauren Blue" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/14696202021_c9f3efef52_z.jpg" title="And "vaporisateur" is a type of dinosaur." width="480"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eau de toilette literally means <i>"toilet water"</i>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14676372876" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Polo Ralph Lauren Blue Unboxed by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Polo Ralph Lauren Blue Unboxed" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2930/14676372876_28979d1784_z.jpg" title="i.e. pretentious and foppish." width="640"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I shall smell like a polo player.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This prompted me to look up the difference between eau de toilette, eau de parfum and eau de cologne and apparently, they are just different gradings for a scent's concentration. Eau de parfum contains about 10-20% aromatic compounds, eau de toilette has 5-15%, while colognes are usually citrus extracts with 2-6% strength. There are significant overlaps in the number ranges because the French just don't give a fuck like that. Anyway, the different grades dictates whether you can spray a fragrance on yourself liberally or simply dab your pulse points with a drop or two. Judging from how some people's application of their fragrances can make my eyes water from 6 feet away, I suspect that very few people are aware of this fact. They won't notice that their scent is overpowering of course because of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfactory_memory#Habituation">olfactory habituation</a> (the why-is-this-pile-of-poop-smelling-less-offensive-the-longer-I-stand-beside-it? phenomenon). Maybe I can share what I learned about perfume strengths with them and lose even more friends.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And what did I get for myself?</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, since I asked, I'll tell me. I bought a new smartphone to replace my stupidphone. It's a Samsung Galaxy S5 - an Android - because I am an atheist and I want no part in the Apple religion. I also bought myself a few video games from Steam (Penny Arcade's <i>On The Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness 3 </i>and<i> 4</i>, and <i>Might & Magic Heroes VI</i>) and made myself a birthday drink for good measure.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was a piña colada, of course.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14512742219" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Homemade Pina Colada by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Homemade Pina Colada" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/14512742219_f1fbc5510d_z.jpg" title="Or rather, it was a pseudo-colada. I didn't have coconut cream at home so I made it out of 2 shots of pineapple juice and 2 shots of Malibu coconut-flavoured rum shaken with a shot of dairy cream and ice. Still tasted pretty damn good though." width="480"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Add cat to taste.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And because birthdays are just thinly veiled excuses to stuff our faces and then vowing (and failing) to eat less for a whole week after that, we went to Sharing Planet, a nearby restaurant that serves food portions meant to be shared by two or three average-sized Malaysians. Cheryl and I ordered <i>two whole portions</i> and ate till we hate ourselves.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14512714579" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sharing Planet Mega Nachos and Cheese by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Sharing Planet Mega Nachos and Cheese" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3925/14512714579_cce4c20dd6_z.jpg" title="Just looking at all that queso makes me mucho queasy." width="640"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Quesa-nacho grande. La tentación del diablo</i>!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14699360145" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sharing Planet Mixed Grill by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Sharing Planet Mixed Grill" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/14699360145_c892400544_z.jpg" title="Why isn't it called butt or ass beef?" width="640"></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mixed grill, with the addition of a slab of rump beef.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I'm twenty-eight. I'm at that age when I need to mentally calculate how old I actually am if people catches me unaware with a sudden question. I guess the older you get, the less significant each year becomes, eh?</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thirty ahoy,</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-4780899656210681112014-07-27T08:00:00.000+08:002014-07-27T08:00:03.157+08:00The Courtly Chamber of Fairy Cave<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"The Dwarves tell no tale; but even as mithril was the foundation of their wealth, so also it was their destruction: they delved too greedily and too deep, and disturbed that from which they fled, Durin's Bane."</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Lord of the Rings (1954) by J. R. R. Tolkien</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I learned about the Fairy Cave in the nearby town of Bau in my first year of working in Kuching but it wasn't until April 18 earlier this year that I could find the opportunity to see it for myself. The locals have named it Gua Pari with <i>"gua"</i> meaning <i>"cave"</i> and "pari" denoting <i>"fairy"</i>. Pari can also mean <i>"stingray"</i>, but I seriously doubt that that's the case here. The site is officially a natural reserve so a small fee is collected from every visitor for custodial maintenance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cave entrance was about 4 to 5-storeys up a sheer limestone cliff face and could only be accessed via a ugly free-standing concrete stairwell in dire need of a new coat of paint. On my ascent, I noticed that a smaller set of stairs was running closely to the rocks which I presumed was how tourists used to reach the cave mouth in the past. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14319166082" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 01 Stair Tower by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 01 Stair Tower" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/14319166082_cb372a5534_z.jpg" title="Would make a great movie location though." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Exercise.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14320302324" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 02 Old Stairs by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 02 Old Stairs" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14320302324_a769a183f9_z.jpg" title="I almost wanted to try it out myself." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Safety? Is that some kind of small mammal?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Fairy Cave got its name because of its association to a Bidayuh local legend that tells of a village not too far away which once held a festival. Two orphans, drawn to the celebration and revelry, wanted to participate but the villagers made fun of them before chasing them away. For their heartless treatment of these orphans, it was said that they were struck with a curse that turned them all into stone figures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That's what some of the more humanoid cave formations in the Fairy Cave were suppose to be - petrified jerkasses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14320933465" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 03 Antechamber by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 03 Antechamber" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14320933465_b7043577df_z.jpg" title="Hey, that's pretty unimpressi..." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The cave entrance.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14297775316" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 04 Down the Rabbit Hole by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 04 Down the Rabbit Hole" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/14297775316_78def4b851_z.jpg" title="... Oh." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After climbing some wet stairs through a dark tunnel, you get the first glimpse of something greater.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134265049" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 05 Towering Staglamite by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 05 Towering Staglamite" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14134265049_7915ae15a4_z.jpg" title="Fertilised by guano, no doubt." width="514" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Towering monolithic staglamites taller than houses and covered in vegetation nourished by the skylight.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The tiny tunnel that formed the antechamber of the Fairy Cave could not prepare me for what awaits me at the end of the darkness. It was a very well-lit gargantuan chamber with soaring ceilings that disappear into shadows far above, giving me a religious awe that surpasses that of any cathedral. The incessant chittering of leather-winged chiropterans were audible but barely, emanating from the whatever lightless recesses the water-carved cavern conceal from sight. My later visits to the even more majestic caves in Mulu National Park would dwarf this experience but at this time, it was the largest cave I've ever seen. In fact, aside from the faint stench of guano flavouring the air, it was hard to believe that I was standing inside the hollow heart of the mountain. There was a very Lost World vibe to it.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134255039" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 06 Limestone Cathedral by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 06 Limestone Cathedral" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/14134255039_6db0dc81fb_z.jpg" title="Journey to the centre of the earth, much?" width="464" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The main chamber of Fairy Cave.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134266760" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 08 Whole Cave from Massive Skylight (3 Pics) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 08 Whole Cave from Massive Skylight (3 Pics)" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14134266760_25c7d9eaf7_z.jpg" title="It's much more awesome in person. A single picture just can't convey a sense of perspective." width="498" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View of the cave chamber from where the skylight is.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14317396371" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 19 Last View by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 19 Last View" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/14317396371_1847d14785_z.jpg" title="Lidless, and wreathed in batshit," width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View of the massive, Eye-of-Sauron-shaped skylight.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14320183694" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 11 Bench with Giant Robed Figure by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 11 Bench with Giant Robed Figure" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/14320183694_16ff1520bd_z.jpg" title="Not the most romantic spot, I agree." width="555" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A solitary bench near the back of the cave chamber.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134143370" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 17 Deeper In by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 17 Deeper In" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5589/14134143370_ce2f1d9afd_z.jpg" title="... where your screams will echo faintly like a distant memory." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A concrete path leading into the darkness of the deeper chambers.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134213987" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 18 Darkness by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 18 Darkness" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14134213987_60be8df576_z.jpg" title="Stare long enough into the darkness and you'll start getting that creeping feeling that something is staring back at you." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The end of the concrete path. The tunnels go deeper but they were closed to visitors.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right at the centre of a cave, someone have placed the statue of an uncanny childlike figure adjacent to a huge rock. A white cap was placed on its head, a black robe was draped over its shoulders and a red sash encircled its waist. I have no idea what it is suppose to represent but I really didn't like the way it stares at me with its pupil-less, empty stone eyes. Near it was a green plaque embedded right into the rock. It read <i>"Titisan Air Fairy"</i>, meaning Fairy Water Drops or Fairy Tears. My imagination started playing a vague weeping noise that seemed to dance just outside of the audible frequency. Quit spooking me, brain!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14340956203" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 16 Weeping Angel by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 16 Weeping Angel" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14340956203_3a2cdef788_z.jpg" title=""I just want to be your friend."" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Can I come home with you?"</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't see any of the fabled fairies but I did spot a troll sucking greedily at his cigarette and letting his cancerous breaths waft about in the still cave air to find their way into the lungs of the young children who were also exploring the cave. After he was finished, he his cigarette butt nonchalantly into a pile of limestone formations. What is it with cigarette smokers that they can't even display the merest sense of consideration for other people?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14297743166" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 07 Cave Troll by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 07 Cave Troll" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14297743166_7d6071502c_z.jpg" title="Piece of garbage." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A smelly, ugly troll.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unlike the caves at Mulu which were preserved in pristine conditions by the stringent rules the park authorities have laid down, the cave formations in Fairy Cave were unguarded and unprotected. Vandals can freely lay their grubby fingers on them, climb them or even pee on them, thoughtlessly disfiguring speleothems that took hundreds of thousands of years to form in just seconds. Some superstitious Chinese visitors even worships some of the humanoid-shaped stalagmites as the burnt out stems of joss sticks lying thickly at their bases can attest. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with people?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134181728" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 10 Staglamite and Staglatite Worship by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 10 Staglamite and Staglatite Worship" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5275/14134181728_81baf82a7a_z.jpg" title="Yes, it's a stone. Let's worship it like a bunch of fucking morons!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Like a throat with a uvula dangling from the roof.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14134160368" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 12 Easter Island Head in Sarawak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 12 Easter Island Head in Sarawak" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/14134160368_e61b8112f6_z.jpg" title="Or a very weird penis." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A huge stalagmite that resembles the head of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu_Lu_Shou">Shou (壽)</a> with its high, domed forehead and beard. Shou is the Chinese deity of longevity.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14340994993" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 14 Creepy Man Shaped Staglamite by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 14 Creepy Man Shaped Staglamite" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5586/14340994993_058d5ee2ba_z.jpg" title="Another penis." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I call this one <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damocles">Damocles and His Sword</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14319011422" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 13 Tall Slender Staglamite with Torso by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 13 Tall Slender Staglamite with Torso" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5152/14319011422_75f3bc47b5_z.jpg" title="Penis, penis, penis." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't even know what this looks like but let's worship it too, just in case.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Concrete paths and steps, and its well-lit interior made Fairy Cave an easy hole to explore - no torches are necessary. It is only about 30 minutes from Kuching (by driving, not by walking or riding a slow donkey) in a southwesterly direction. Finding it should be a cinch as many signboards point the way, and visitors often do the less famous Wind Cave at the same time - which I also visited but that's another blog post.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14320071144" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Fairy Cave 20 Free Cave by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Fairy Cave 20 Free Cave" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14320071144_c3eb5226cb_z.jpg" title="Car included for size comparison." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Overhanding mountainside near the Fairy Cave.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Troglophile,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-24429078157228749362014-07-22T08:00:00.000+08:002014-07-28T23:15:50.180+08:00Sabaidee Luang Prabang: Out Alone in the City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it sure makes the rest of you lonely."</i></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Charles M. Schulz</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After our <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-first-night-in-town.html">success with street food</a> in Vang Vieng, we had grown bold. We relaxed our guards and started eating at any roadside stall that draws a crowd. To be honest, I am never particularly careful with what I eat because I reckon that after spending almost 3 years in India, my gastrointestinal tract must have cultivated a fortitude that can rival the digestive capacity of some species of pigs. My lady, on the other hand, have spent most of her adult life in Singapore, a city state that in which garbage is considered an endangered species.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's where we had dinner on our first full day in the city of Luang Prabang.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259292125" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Roadside Food by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Roadside Food" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/14259292125_e676304d73_z.jpg" title="Makes sense that the word was originally Swedish." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Smörgåsbord.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl spotted this roadside all-you-can-carry-away-in-one-plate buffet at the mouth of an alleyway leading away from the Handicraft Night Market. At just 10,000 kip (1.25 USD or a little above 4 ringgit) per pop, it was real easy on my wallet.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072711208" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Before Diarrhoea by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Before Diarrhoea" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/14072711208_d19028cb77_z.jpg" title="The shadows falling on her face sure looks ominous." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl sealing her doom.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Little did she know, she would came to regret this meal as it would make a reappearance later that night through the same orifice it went in. Cheryl, it seemed, had fallen for that commonest of calamities befalling travellers - food poisoning. The illness would go on to incapacitate her for the entirety of the following day, putting a crimp in our plans. Me? My burps tasted a little funny that morning but otherwise, all gears and cylinders were operating in pretty much the same way they always have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As soon as day broke, I left our guesthouse to hunt for another place as our room was already booked other guests. Thinking that the room rates would be cheaper if I look outside of the central area, I headed out to Manomai Road where we passed many guesthouses on our arrival night. I saw that some street vendors there were hawking a fare familiar to me, so I had some.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14327449291" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Rice Noodle Roll (Lao-style Chee Cheong Fun) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Rice Noodle Roll (Lao-style Chee Cheong Fun)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/14327449291_14221b4bef_z.jpg" title="I wonder what sort of diarrhoea is being cultured in that bowl of mince." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rice noodle sheet cooking on a hot plate.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14144282827" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Rice Noodle Roll (Lao-style Chee Cheong Fun) Topped with Crispy Fried Onions by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Rice Noodle Roll (Lao-style Chee Cheong Fun) Topped with Crispy Fried Onions" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5320/14144282827_a4cbb552e5_z.jpg" title="I probably should pick the fried onions out of it but I ate all of them." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Breakfast!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The vendor I bought my breakfast from couldn't not speak or understand English and my mastery of the Lao language begins at <i>"sabaidee"</i> and ends at <i>"khawp jai"</i>, I did not find out what the Lao call it - but where I'm from, it's known as <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_noodle_roll">chee cheong fun</a></i>. It's a kind of steamed rice noodle roll that's stuffed with minced meat or shrimp and is usually eaten with soy sauce. The one I had here was served with some sweet, fragrant oil with an overkill of fried onion garnish. It tasted amazing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14144310640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Dog in Sweater by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Dog in Sweater" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/14144310640_040de51f1c_z.jpg" title="You'll be surprised to find out I knit it myself." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No matter where you are from, the desire to put silly clothes on your pets is universal.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I finally found a place called P. P. Guesthouse that was situated right across the road from Wat Manorom which have an almost exclusively Lao clientèle. They also charge about 3 times cheaper than where we've been putting up our legs at in the previous two nights, in spite providing the same amenities (if not the same aesthetics). I immediately paid up for two nights and headed back to my ailing spouse at the Tha Heua Me Guesthouse to see if she was still alive (she was). With a bit of encouragement, I got her out of that her bed into a new bed across town, where she curled up to rest some more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Not wanting to waste the day, I started exploring the area surrounding our new accommodation. As Wat Manorom was just opposite, I went to see to pay that a visit. While it is a well known local monument, it being situated far outside the the central tourist Disneyland meant that I did not have to pay an admission fee to enter.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14144065860" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Wat Manorom 02 Front of Temple by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Wat Manorom 02 Front of Temple" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/14144065860_af4e18c25c_z.jpg" title="It seems like it is a requirement here for temples to be pointy." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The front of Wat Manorom.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can talk about it being being founded in the 14th century or about how it houses the oldest large Buddha statue in the city, but the most interesting I saw there was this monk leaning on a motorbike, smoking a cigarette.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14144043668" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Wat Manorom 01 Smoking Monk by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Wat Manorom 01 Smoking Monk" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2938/14144043668_d1f1d66064_z.jpg" title="This is so jarring because no smoking signs are found abundantly in Lao Wats." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So much for relinquishing earthly desires.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Speaking of less than materialistic Buddhist monks, here's one playing with his phone while chilling out in the courtyard of Wat That Luang, a temple near Wat Manorom.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14327343941" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Wat That Luang by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Wat That Luang" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14327343941_804d3cdd77_z.jpg" title="So, why should we give alms to them again?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to some Buddhist sects, playing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centipede_%28video_game%29">Centipede</a> is mindless enough to be considered meditation.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Situated behind our new guesthouse is the UXO Lao Information Centre. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14329028852" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang UXO Visitors Centre 01 Bombshells by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang UXO Visitors Centre 01 Bombshells" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/14329028852_e2f10a1f85_z.jpg" title="I want to decorate my future home with deactivated bombs too." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sure screams welcome to me.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">UXO stands for Unexploded Ordnance, and UXO Lao is the national bomb clearance operator that works to clean bomb contaminated lands to free them for agriculture, development and community purposes (schools, hospitals, temples, water supply, and so on). They also conduct educational risk-reduction programmes for the affected communities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A stark information board right outside the Visitors Centre reveals some sobering statistics. More than 40 years after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laotian_Civil_War">Laotian Civil War</a>, there are still casualties that resulted directly from the bombs that was dropped by the US and Laotian Air Forces. In the past 10 years, 29 people were killed while 36 were injured from live UXO's and chances are, the actual numbers may be higher as there are a lot of remote communities living far away from civilisation in this country.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14350911563" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang UXO Visitors Centre 02 More Bombshells by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang UXO Visitors Centre 02 More Bombshells" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14350911563_89c7df7a4c_z.jpg" title="One of the world's most lethal exhibition." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's mostly bombs inside.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The flipside of those stats is how much good UXO Laos is doing for the people as they have cleared more than 29 million square metres of land, benefiting an estimate of half a million civilians since 1998. The exhibits at UXO Lao Visitors Centre were simple, blunt and filled with unconcealed resentment towards the US imperialists who turned their foreseeable future into a massive nationwide game of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minesweeper_%28video_game%29">Minesweeper</a>. I think it makes for a great double feature with the <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/vive-la-vientiane-part-one.html">COPE Visitor Centre in Vientiane</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Adjacent to the UXO Lao Information Centre is a small park that featured a statue of the Red Prince, giving applause to shrubbery. The park was pretty devoid of people.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14351087673" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Monument du President Souphanouvong by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Monument du President Souphanouvong" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2923/14351087673_4fc0c8af25_z.jpg" title=""It was this big."" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Here, have an invisible burger."</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Red Prince is the nickname given to Prince Souphanouvong, the son of the last vice-king of Laos. He was also the figurehead leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and later, when they seized power, was made the first President of Laos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In another part of town right beside Pothisalath Avenue, you'll find a bust of the first Prime Minister of Laos who then succeeded Souphanouvong as the second President of the communist republic.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14327575141" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Monument du President Kaysone Phom Vihane by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Monument du President Kaysone Phom Vihane" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/14327575141_04ca7957a7_z.jpg" title="He apparently didn't have arms. Or a body below his nipples." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Monument du President Kaysone Phom Vihane.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Walking along the Mekong in a southwesterly direction on Pothisalath Avenue, you'll find a side road to your right leading to some place with the unlikely name of Ock Pop Tock. It's right after you pass the Phosy Market.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14144374147" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 01 Living Crafts Centre by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 01 Living Crafts Centre" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14144374147_765fc47456_z.jpg" title="Ock Pop what?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Welcome to Ock Pop Tock.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To be precise, it is the Living Crafts Centre belonging to the textile and weaving enterprise based in Luang Prabang called Ock Pop Tock and here in its beautifully manicured grounds, they have their weaving and dyeing studio and craft school where if you like (and have a lot of loose change), you can learn how to make amateurishly created versions of the scarves and shawls you can buy at the Handicraft Night Market by paying less. If you have serious cash on hand, you can even stay in one of their four guest rooms, each decorated according to the aesthetics belonging to different indigenous tribes in Laos - the Katu, Hmong, Tai and Hill tribe people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are suppose to be free tours there but in my first visit there and my second visit the next day with Cheryl, we were told different excuses as to why the tours didn't happen according to schedule. I suspect it was because we didn't look like we were going to buy any of their overpriced merchandise.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14330139484" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 02 Weaver by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 02 Weaver" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/14330139484_4d24457b02_z.jpg" title="Thank goodness for factories." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of the in-house artisans, working a loom.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14351014233" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 04 Large Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sp.) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 04 Large Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa sp.)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/14351014233_2bee9d912d_z.jpg" title="That's longer than some people's penises." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A massive carpenter bee (<i>Xylocopa sp.</i>) which was stuck in the indigo dye exhibit above the cafe at Ock Pop Tock that was almost two inches in length.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14351001083" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 05 Dead Domesticated Silkmoth (Bombyx mori) with Silk Cocoons by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 05 Dead Domesticated Silkmoth (Bombyx mori) with Silk Cocoons" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2907/14351001083_eec39e8826_z.jpg" title="Silk is made from the death of innocents!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dead domesticated silkmoths (<i>Bombyx mori</i>) with raw silk cocoons on display.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14307707066" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 03 VIew of Mekong Lady with Umbrella by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Ock Pop Tock 03 VIew of Mekong Lady with Umbrella" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/14307707066_ffb2761a85_z.jpg" title="Going out shopping is a little different in Luang Prabang." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A lady walking on a sand bar by the Mekong, as seen from the cafe at Ock Pop Tock.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I went back briefly to our guesthouse after my visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Crafts Centre to check up on how my lady love was holding up and to bring her lunch. After showering and taking a nap, I headed out again in evening to hunt for dinner food. On my walk, I dropped in on Wat Wisunarat, a temple build in 1513 during the reign of its namesake but it was already closed when I got there. The original was crafted from wood but after it was burnt to cinders by the Black Haw raiders who stormed Luang Prabang in 1887 so they learned their lesson and rebuilt one from stone. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14330643095" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Wat Wisunarat 01 Back of Temple by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Wat Wisunarat 01 Back of Temple" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14330643095_214795500d_z.jpg" title="I actually considered taking one of those and walking around town with it." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Streamers on bamboo poles at the back of Wat Wisunarat.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the most distinctive installations at Wat Wisunarat is the That Pathum which is more popularly known as That Makmo, or the <i>"Watermelon Stupa"</i> for obvious reasons.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14330629275" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Wat Wisunarat 01 That Makmo (Watermelon Stupa), Properly Known as That Pathum by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Wat Wisunarat 01 That Makmo (Watermelon Stupa), Properly Known as That Pathum" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/14330629275_af130f1cbe_z.jpg" title="Looks more like an egg to me, really." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That Pathum or That Makmo at Wat Wisunarat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14144256149" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Funny Sign Noodle Zoup and Fired Noodle by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Funny Sign Noodle Zoup and Fired Noodle" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/14144256149_b29b0d223c_z.jpg" title="Though this is essentially laughing at people who had less opportunities to get an education." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fun with Engrish.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And thus concludes my brief day of exploration of the B-list attractions that the city of Luang Prabang has to offer. When we return, you will be reading about the two most unforgettable experiences we had in our last two days there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RELATED POSTS:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-tubing-down-nam.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Tubing Down the Nam Song</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">Immune to diarrhoea,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i </span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-62930570795764058802014-07-17T08:00:00.000+08:002014-07-19T10:32:24.542+08:00The Third Hundred Days of Baby Darwin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to hear '27 months.' 'He's two' will do just fine. He's not a cheese. And I didn't really care in the first place."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>George Carlin</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because trilogies are <i>de rigueur</i> for epic stories, here is the third instalment of Darwin's hundred days - this time spanning the 25th of March to the 2nd of July, 2014 documenting my little pup's growth from 201 days old to the 300th day of his life and following his growth from a drooling, faeculent, flatulent baby into a more mobile, larger and heavier drooling, faeculent, flatulent baby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">He spent most of this period in Penang at his maternal grandparent's place so most of the pictures and videos here were captured using her Samsung Galaxy SIII phone camera, the screen of which he recently cracked. Ain't no Gorilla Glass tough enough for this baby! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14628393745" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="As I have yet to master speech beyond gobbledegook, allow me express my emotions through interpretive dance."><img alt="202 Days Old - Posing on Foam Playmat" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3854/14628393745_220cec3f95_z.jpg" title="As I have yet to master speech beyond gobbledegook, allow me express my emotions through interpretive dance." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 202 of life: Look at them thighs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14648308163" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="210 Days Old - Crawling After Toy by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="210 Days Old - Crawling After Toy" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/14648308163_3d77354898_z.jpg" title="Proving once again that the prime motivator of humanity is more toys." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 210 of life: Darwin's first crawl (with actual forward motion) after being on all fours and rocking to-and-fro for the longest time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441759079" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="211 Days Old - Darwin in Baby Chair Cosy by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="211 Days Old - Darwin in Baby Chair Cosy" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/14441759079_68f68dc7a4_z.jpg" title="Actually, the truth is my wife is a germaphobe. Real life is often less whimsical than how I like it to be." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 211 of life: Darwin drools so much that his mom decided to get him a baby chair cosy (or whatever those things are really called) that covers his immediate surroundings in entirety.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441718548" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="212 Days Old - Darwin Watching Isobel Get Shorn by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="212 Days Old - Darwin Watching Isobel Get Shorn" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/14441718548_cc6bf9259d_z.jpg" title="Judging from that crown of his, it will be many years before we can take a shear to that head." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 212 of life: Darwin crawled to the glass door and watched as his grandmother shave Isobel.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14625076901" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="220 Days Old - Darwin Stading For First Time to Look at His Grandmother's Laptop by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="220 Days Old - Darwin Stading For First Time to Look at His Grandmother's Laptop" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14625076901_f6c5644579_z.jpg" title="We are trying our best to expose him to as little screens as possible. It's like crack cocaine for him." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 220 of life: Darwin standing up for the first time while trying to peek at what his grandmother's doing on the laptop.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14628285985" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="221 Days Old - Darwin in Superman Outfit by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="221 Days Old - Darwin in Superman Outfit" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5153/14628285985_58e2b7b77a_z.jpg" title="The geek in me wanted to point out that Superman wears his red undies outside." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 221 of life: Darwin in a Superman outfit.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441663078" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="221 Days Old - Superman Stealing Food from Senior Citizen by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="221 Days Old - Superman Stealing Food from Senior Citizen" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5557/14441663078_4b311e2e04_z.jpg" title="That was originally my wife's caption. I can't think of anything funnier. The 'senior citizen' is actually Darwin's grandfather." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 221 of life: Superman stealing food from senior citizen.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14648177053" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="226 Days Old - Darwin Meets Himmat and Arvinder Singh and Had a Racist Outburst by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="226 Days Old - Darwin Meets Himmat and Arvinder Singh and Had a Racist Outburst" height="427" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14648177053_a523f2a760_z.jpg" title="He didn't have a moustache of his own so his mom put on his moustache bib." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 226 of life: Darwin meets Himmat and Arvinder Singh. He bawled because he is racist like that.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Day 227 of life: Darwin learning how to handle cats from his mother with assistance from Isobel the Ragdoll.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Day 229 of life: Darwin feeling up his first pop-up book, a gorgeous copy of <i>The Little Prince</i> by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, gifted by his mom's buddy, Amy. He is, however, treating it like a scratch-and-sniff and gets upset when no one flips the pages for him.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441575910" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="240 Days Old - With Spoon at Kim Gary by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="240 Days Old - With Spoon at Kim Gary" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5560/14441575910_905b59f6e2_z.jpg" title="I have a spoon and I'm not afraid to use it!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 240 of life: I flew to Penang to visit Darwin. We had lunch at Kim Gary at Queensbay Mall right after I landed.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441552798" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="241 Days Old - Prim Darwin at Kim Gary by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Days Old - Prim Darwin at Kim Gary" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14441552798_90b090de77_z.jpg" title="Kim Gary is like my dad's guilty pleasure, okay." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 241 of life: Darwin and I spending some father-son time together at the Gurney Plaza Kim Gary while his mom and my mother-in-law watched <i>The Amazing Spider-Man 2</i>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441806907" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="241 Days Old - Darwin Swimming by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Days Old - Darwin Swimming" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/14441806907_2cbf6b560e_z.jpg" title="And Darwin never seems to mind how cold the water is. I've never seen him shiver or turn blue or anything. Must be all the fat he's wrapped in." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 241 of life: Cheryl taught Darwin how to <strike>swim</strike> splash about in the pool.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441503818" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="244 Days Old - Darwin with Cheryl in Her Old Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew Uniform by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="244 Days Old - Darwin with Cheryl in Her Old Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew Uniform" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/14441503818_aa1d53c8a6_z.jpg" title="If there is a better argument for breastfeeding, I haven't heard it." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 244 of life: Cheryl using Darwin as an accessory while modelling her old Singapore Airlines uniform. Va va voom!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441695377" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="245 Days Old - Darwin in Bathtub with Rubber Duckies by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="245 Days Old - Darwin in Bathtub with Rubber Duckies" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/14441695377_cbdd4b5b5d_z.jpg" title="I don't know what's up with these rubber ducks - they just won't float upright." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 245 of life: In the bathtub with rubber duckies.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441463818" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="246 Days Old - Darwin Begging Eyes by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="246 Days Old - Darwin Begging Eyes" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/14441463818_1337c4ecbf_z.jpg" title="I am actually pooping right now." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 246 of life: Look into my eyes and obey, parent.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441390560" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="251 Days Old - Darwin Holding and Eating Cookie by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="251 Days Old - Darwin Holding and Eating Cookie" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3879/14441390560_c678bc7d44_z.jpg" title="This is just too much work! I am a busy baby! I got drool to slather over every visible surface and diapers to fill with poo!" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 251 of life: The first and last time Darwin was photographed putting food into his own mouth on his own. He figured that it is easier to just keep his mouth open until one of his parents shove edibles into it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14625925114" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="254 Days Old - Darwin in Paddle Pool with Cousin by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="254 Days Old - Darwin in Paddle Pool with Cousin" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5562/14625925114_36a5766fd8_z.jpg" title="STAHP WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME!?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 254 of life: Darwin being watered by his cousin in the paddling pool to help his sparse peach fuzz grow faster.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Day 258 of life: This is the first time that Darwin was caught cruising on camera while holding on to a couch. His motivation was to look at a smartphone's screen (what else?). You can see him changing the direction of his cruise when the phone was moved.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441612077" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="262 Days Old - Darwin Sucking Thumb While Sleeping by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="262 Days Old - Darwin Sucking Thumb While Sleeping" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5578/14441612077_2f96bb11b6_z.jpg" title="He's not very cute when he's sleeping, isn't he?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 262 of life: [Narrated by David Attenborough] And here we have a common human infant sleeping in nest of cotton gathered by its mother. We have to be very quiet so as to not startle it from its hibernation. You can see that the little hominin have one thumb planted in its mouth as a simulation of the comforting taste of his mother's nipple...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14624778021" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="266 Days Old - Darwin Going on a Safari by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="266 Days Old - Darwin Going on a Safari" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/14624778021_ae81654242_z.jpg" title="If you turn it upside down, it becomes a transmogrifier." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 266 of life: There is no toy quite like a simple box for young children.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14624760581" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="273 Days Old - Brushing Teeth by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="273 Days Old - Brushing Teeth" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14624760581_e70fecf53a_z.jpg" title="I suspect that the toothpaste tastes good but I have yet to test it myself." width="427" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 273 of life: I don't know how Cheryl did it, but Darwin's trained to open his mouth to let us brush his 4 little front teeth whenever we bring his toothbrush near his mouth.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KNNukCKR1hA" width="640"></iframe><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Day 281 of life: Darwin developed a nasty habit of biting his parents and he would do it so hard that his little jaw will tremble from the exertion. In this video, Cheryl scolds Darwin for being a cannibalistic little jerk and he cried some of the most ridiculous crocodilian tears I have ever seen.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14625873484" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="286 Days Old - Darwin's First Day at Daycare by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="286 Days Old - Darwin's First Day at Daycare" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3867/14625873484_35da1e7874_z.jpg" title="The daycare is named after the most villainous, scheming, magnificent bastard in the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series. I approve." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 286 of life: The day after he returned to Kuching, we started him in a daycare which he took to surprisingly well. Here he is, in his first day there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14441299490" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="295 Days Old - Darwin Chasing Sophie's Tail by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="295 Days Old - Darwin Chasing Sophie's Tail" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/14441299490_49bd8c85a7_z.jpg" title="We occasionally lock our cats inside with him so he can chase them and tire himself enough for us to put him to bed." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 295 of life: Because of the shedding and heat, we shaved our cats. Here is a newly-shorn Sophie trapped in Darwin's newly converted playroom.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14647846353" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="300 Days Old - Darwin Blowing Raspberry in Walker by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="300 Days Old - Darwin Blowing Raspberry in Walker" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/14647846353_f1282275de_z.jpg" title="THIS IS PFFFBBBHHHTTT!!!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Day 300 of life: Another annoying habit Darwin picked up - blowing raspberries, thus turning his drool into projectile weaponry.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In case you missed it the first time, all the pictures in this post have alternate captions in the hover texts which you can reveal by moving your mouse cursor over them and waiting for a beat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">RELATED POST:</span><br />
<a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2013/12/99-days-of-baby-darwin.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A Hundred Days of Baby Darwin</a><br />
<a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-second-hundred-days-of-baby-darwin.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Second Hundred Days of Baby Darwin</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chief captioner of Darwin's photos,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i </span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-17564172107695555982014-07-12T08:00:00.002+08:002014-07-12T08:00:04.332+08:00Teach the Controversy, Teach the Katu's Origin of Mankind Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">"We have reason to believe that man first walked upright to free his hands for masturbation."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lily Tomlin</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was honeymooning in Laos with the Crazy Cat Lady™ earlier this year in February and on the 11th, while exploring the city of Luang Prabang, we came across the <a href="http://www.taeclaos.org/">TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre)</a>
which is an independent non-profit museum that
aims to collect, preserve, and interpret the traditional arts and
lifestyles of the country’s many and diverse ethnic groups. Even if you
are not into tribal culturalism, the air-conditioning here is a welcome
respite from the dusty Laotian dry season heat. Or monsoon rains, depending on when you're in the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The most interesting
exhibit there was a pair of black wood carvings of a dog and an alleged woman which summarily represented the origins of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katu_people">Katu people</a>.
It was said that long ago, a great flood covered the world which killed
everything except a woman named Anoi Amek and a dog called Apuu Paner.
The dog wished to marry the woman but she - quite understandably -
refused the amorous pup. She said that she would only marry the dog if he fetched fire
from the top of some mountain and in the first two attempts, the dog failed as
the fire he carried was extinguished by the rivers and streams he
crossed in his return. At the third attempt, he captured the fire in a gourd
tied around his neck and with that prize, won Anoi Amek's hand in
marriage. They somehow managed to produce human children who later intermarried, giving rise to the Katu people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think that there should be some deleted scenes here preceding the birth of their children but never mind that now.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14236354136" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 Phou Si Hill TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) Katu Ancestors by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="12 Phou Si Hill TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) Katu Ancestors" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14236354136_64ac0641af_z.jpg" title="Anoi Amek, on the other hand, is hugging her legs in a fetal position." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can see the fire gourd hanging from the neck of Apuu Paner.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Of course,
aside from the impossibility of a global flood, fire surviving in a
watertight gourd, a dog which can understand the concept of matrimony, and fertile human children resulting from the union between a <i>Homo sapiens</i> and a <i>Canis lupus familiaris</i>, this myth is no more fantastic than how some Middle Eastern desert people believed that a deity
created the first man from dirt and the first woman from his rib, and then commanded them to never eat fruits from a particular tree. A talking
snake supposedly tricked them later into disobeying, resulting in their creator cursing them and banishing them from paradise, after which they managed to
populate the entire Earth with their incestuous descendants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If creationists argue that we must teach creationism or intelligent design in schools as a competing theory to evolution, then we must <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teach_the_Controversy">teach the controversy</a> in churches regarding the origins of mankind! It's only fair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Advocate for the diversity of bullshit,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i </span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-85265933591062404042014-07-07T08:00:00.002+08:002014-07-08T16:19:40.204+08:00The Lies They Tell at Church<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"The Christian theory is little else than the idolatry of the ancient Mythologists, accommodated to the purposes of power and revenue; and it yet remains to reason and philosophy to abolish the amphibious fraud."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Age of Reason (1794) by Thomas Paine</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Due to the confidentiality surrounding the parties involved in this story, I will be assigning aliases to them in the telling of this tale. It surrounds a woman whom I shall call Mary.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mary is unwell. She goes for regular appointments at the psychiatric clinic I serve at and requires medications in order to ensure that she functions well enough to stay in her job in a government agency (and as we all know, government agencies often go to heroic lengths to avoid sacking any of their employees). If you are unable to perform in the position you fill, you will be invited to fill a less demanding position. If you can't do anything at all, there is a good chance they will keep you around anyway just so they can keep paying you. As it happened, due to the nature of her illness, Mary received the former option - she osmosed from department to department till she finally sank into a position way below her qualifications and pay grade (a glorified office girl), but was still privileged with her former salary.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mary is schizophrenic. She believes that she is communing directly with her Christian God, and as House M.D. once said, <i>"You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic." </i>Believe it or not, this is actually the rule of thumb we follow in Psychiatry when we are dealing with patients who heavily involve religion in their psychopathology (though my experience with religious people informs me that there are acres and acres of grey area between piety and insanity).</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One day, during a church event, Mary experienced something which she would later refer to as a <i>"miracle"</i>. While she was praying, she felt the Holy Spirit entered her body and healed her mind. Believing that she was <i>"fixed"</i>, she stopped taking her medication - and declared that she felt no differently. Without much more ado, she approached her pastor, a very influential man amongst the Christ-loving Iban people of Kuching, to relate to him about her allegedly miraculous recovery.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A reasonable man would tell Mary to go see her psychiatrist for a professional assessment, but the pastor is not a man of reason but rather, a man of faith. And having faith means that one is accepting of absurd propositions without feeling the need to ask for evidence. So, the pastor put Mary at a podium on a stage in front of hundreds of Mary's fellow churchgoers so she can testify and witness to them regarding her <i>"miracle"</i>, thus enforcing the pastor's flock's belief that they live in a world where magic is possible and cementing Mary's own conviction that she was truly cured and that Jesus was totally speaking to her for realsies. Overnight, she became a mini-celebrity in her church and stopped coming to our clinic altogether.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What the pastor and all these churchgoing men, women and children may never know is that some weeks later, Mary had full-blown psychotic episode at work so her superiors brought her to casualty where I attended to her. The moment she saw me, she commanded me to bow to her for she (she insisted) was the Daughter of God. I told her, tongue in cheek, that I cannot do what she asked of me because I am an atheist and that I don't believe in her. She then tried to convince me of her omniscience by (wrongly) guessing at private details of my life. When she was in the wards, she claimed to have healing powers and were trying (unsuccessfully) to heal the other psychotic patients staying there. One memorable night, she used the ward's telephone to call me. She spoke gruffly, trying comically to impersonate my male Head of Department to order me to stop her medications. When she refused to pass the phone back to the nurse on duty, I hung up on her, called the other phone in the ward, and told my staff to give her a shot of midazolam to punch her lights out.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><i>Will the pastor put Mary in front of his congregation now to set the record straight? That he had borne false witness to an ersatz miracle and had inadvertently fed lies to his godly flock? That Mary is still very much sick and requires psychiatric treatment?</i></b><br><br>Of course not. And worse than misleading his congregants, he did something that we should never do to delusional patients - he <i>confirmed</i> Mary's delusions, telling her that the divine revelations she had been receiving are real, and that her doctors have shit-for-brains for insisting that the voices she hears are symptoms of schizophrenia. Now, she no longer trust us and refuses all medication we want to give her. She may even lose what's left of her job and her steady income. Thank you very much, pastor!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Doesn't this make you think? Just how many miracles declared from the pulpits, like Mary's, have the same sob centre covered in a shiny coat of bullshit?</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mary's story is not unique. It is not even uncommon. I share this story because I want everyone to know that faith is <i>not a virtue</i> and why I feel the need to criticise it whenever I encounter any expression thereof. Seriously, it doesn't take a genius to realise that believing in something without evidence is a Bad Idea yet, for most people in the world, this gullibility is <i>celebrated</i>. Faith is a gateway drug to lazy, uncritical thinking - for w</span><font face="Trebuchet MS, sans-serif">hy should anyone question the existence of unicorns when they have already unquestioningly accepted the existence of fairies?</font><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are no such things as miracles. There are just people stupid enough to believe that there are. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Faithless,</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-57510858856598974982014-07-02T08:00:00.000+08:002014-07-28T23:10:44.371+08:00Sabaidee Luang Prabang: Phou Si Hill, Haw Kham and Wat Xieng Thong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"As I see the world, there's one element that's even more corrosive than missionaries: tourists. It's not that I feel above them in any way, but that the very places they patronize are destroyed by their affection."</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>House of the Tiger King: The Quest for a Lost City (2003)<br />by Tahir Shah</b></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072888598" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 Phou Si Hill View of Mekong and Luang Prabang by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="07 Phou Si Hill View of Mekong and Luang Prabang" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5581/14072888598_6b79e8d0f2_z.jpg" title="Yes, I used the 'Miniature' filter in my camera so sue me." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The view of the old quarters in Luang Prabang by the Mekong from the top of Phou Si Hill.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Luang Prabang is a very well-loved stop for any backpacker working their way through Southeast Asia and it is easy to see why. It's like an entire city that's designed for travellers and tourists. Old, ornate Lao Buddhist temples are found every which way one looks. The more affluent old quarters with its restored French-Lao fusion timber and brick villas were postcard-perfect and most of which had been converted into guesthouses and boutique hotels. There are restaurants and bars here that cater to every appetite imaginable ranging from high-dining European outfits, Lao specialities and romantic riverside eateries to French book coffeehouses, Belgian bars and Australian sports pubs. If you tire of the old town idyll you can just hope on a tuk-tuk that will bus you to the nearby Tat Sae and Tat Kuang Si waterfalls which looked like they were constructed based on illustrations seen in a fairytale book. Then you can take a boat ride on the Mekong to see millions of Buddha statues and statuettes squirrelled away in the Tam Ting caves at Pak Ou, or hike out to the countryside to see out-of-the-way Khmu and Hmong villages for total cultural immersion. There's something here for everyone.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257192402" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Cat by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Cat" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/14257192402_0d89237761_z.jpg" title="It also hates the Lao equivalent of Mondays." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cat seen outside a shophouse along Sakkaline Road.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some have criticised Luang Prabang for being an adult white people Disneyland. Foreigners outnumber the locals by a visually large margin. Every <i>"ride"</i> and <i>"attraction"</i> requires a marked up admission fee (unlike most of the temples in <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/vive-la-vientiane-part-one.html">Vientiane</a> which cost nothing to see). <i>"Restored"</i> houses were built to varying degree of adherence to the guidelines set by UNESCO (which inscribed Luang Prabang as a World Heritage Site in 1995) but more sensitive tourists can sort of feel the ersatzness in its controlled theme park atmosphere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Still, both Cheryl and I enjoyed Luang Prabang a great deal. On our first day there, we decided to explore the central parts of the city, starting from a prominent hill rising from the middle of it all called Phou Si. The climb took maybe 5 minutes tops.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Phou Si Hill </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256284211" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 Phou Si Hill Sign by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="01 Phou Si Hill Sign" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/14256284211_f023baec3d_z.jpg" title="Wouldn't mind if I do, sign." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Don't read this too quickly.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right at the summit are a couple of temples and what has to be the best possible view of Luang Prabang one can get without the power of flight. There were a number of curios up there as well like a rusty old anti-aircraft cannon, a radiant gold stupa called That Chomsi, oodles and oodles of golden Buddha sculptures in every pose imaginable and the purported imprint of Buddha's feet which, if proportionate in size to the rest of his body, meant that he must be at least 10 metres tall. And you know what they say about men with big feet.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14073015277" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="02 Phou Si Hill Imprint of Buddha's Foot by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="02 Phou Si Hill Imprint of Buddha's Foot" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3689/14073015277_bd51db8c6e_z.jpg" title="I couldn't put something down as a size reference but it was about a metre from toe to heel." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The alleged mammoth footprint of Buddha housed in a little shrine.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072621278" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Phou Si Hill Cheryl Selfie with Buddha, Stop! Hammer Time! by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Phou Si Hill Cheryl Selfie with Buddha, Stop! Hammer Time!" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/14072621278_f159e79e9b_z.jpg" title="I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl taking a selfie with a Buddha displaying the <i>Abhaya Mudrā</i> (the fear-dispelling or fearlessness hand gesture). Buddhas in most part of the world only raise their right hands but in Southeast Asia, they raise both.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072885239" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="06 Phou Si Hill Nak or Naga on Temple Roof by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="06 Phou Si Hill Nak or Naga on Temple Roof" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/14072885239_92c52c611e_z.jpg" title="And that's exactly what I'm going to put on the roof of my future house. Or at the balcony of my condo." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Nagas or <i>naks</i> adorning the roofs of temples atop Phou Si.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072985117" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="04 Phou Si Hill Birds Anti Aircraft Cannon by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="04 Phou Si Hill Birds Anti Aircraft Cannon" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/14072985117_2fdfba3447_z.jpg" title="So much for Buddhist pacifism." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Old wartime anti-aircraft cannon sitting in the middle of a Buddhist temple. Makes sense.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257397982" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="05 Phou Si Hill Temple Window by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="05 Phou Si Hill Temple Window" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14257397982_91649e9049_z.jpg" title="Those knobby trees were everywhere. I don't know what they are called though." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The view through a window in one of the Phou Si temples.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279692993" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 Phou Si Hill That Chomsi by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="08 Phou Si Hill That Chomsi" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5559/14279692993_50699b2351_z.jpg" title="Trust men to erect a phallic symbol right on top of a hill called vagina." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That Chomsi which crowns Mons Phousi.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We noticed that there is a robust industry present in Luang Prabang selling captive sparrows in tiny bamboo cages for visitors to release in some sort of show of compassion to accrue merit (<i>puñña</i>) - which is the most wrongheaded, backward and hypocritical ritual imaginable! What sort of person can be stupid enought to miss the point so completely? To the credit of the European and American tourists, I saw none of them toting one of those tiny cruel sparrow cages while local and mainland Chinese tourists formed the majority of ignorami perpetuating the bird trade with their continued patronage.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256261091" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="03 Phou Si Hill Birds for Sale to be Released by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="03 Phou Si Hill Birds for Sale to be Released" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/14256261091_b272618d52_z.jpg" title="So let me get this straight, you caught us or bred us in captivity in the first place, and then release us thinking it's a good deed?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pointless cruelty for sale.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279682663" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 Phou Si Hill Imprisone Birds to be Released by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="09 Phou Si Hill Imprisone Birds to be Released" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/14279682663_d222274c0a_z.jpg" title="LET ME OUT." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A couple of birds belonging to a bunch of Chinese tourists.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We didn't stay on Phou Si for very long because one can only take so many selfies with Buddha before one tires of the exercise. Buddha wouldn't be very much into it anyway since he always preached about <i>anattā</i> or <i>"not-self"</i>, and that all concepts of individuality and ownership are illusory. Besides, a force of nature was churning in Cheryl's belly, compelling her make for the nearest commode. She wasn't amused when I started singing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_It_Go_%28Disney_song%29"><i>Frozen's Let It Go</i></a> in an attempt to relax her sphincter.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259119134" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10 Phou Si Hill Pleasant Descent by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="10 Phou Si Hill Pleasant Descent" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/14259119134_59581b6613_z.jpg" title="Can anyone tell me what trees those naked, knobby things are suppose to be?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The walk down Phou Si, on the north face of the hill.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Reaching the bottom of the hill which bordered Rue Sisavangvong, the main street of Luang Prabang's historical quarters, we stumbled across what we felt had to be the most charming <i>wat</i> in Luang Prabang. A sign outside calls it Wat Pahouak and it appears to be in a state of advanced disrepair. The ornate wood cravings that adorn its frontal facade were denuded of colours, and the beautifully intricate and aged murals that covered the walls of its interior were peeling and faded. It's like a broken ride at Disneyland that had been operational when the theme park just opened and by that virtue, was infused with a great deal of nostalgia and authenticity.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072894487" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="13 Phou Si Hill Front of Wat Pahouak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="13 Phou Si Hill Front of Wat Pahouak" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14072894487_a8d4f1cc74_z.jpg" title="No admission fee required, but one is encouraged to donate to restore the temple." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The front of Wat Pahouak.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257314332" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="14 Phou Si Hill Wat Pahouak Murals by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="14 Phou Si Hill Wat Pahouak Murals" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2938/14257314332_53b211e8c3_z.jpg" title="No one's there to make sure no one vandalises the place further." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The interior of Wat Pahouak.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Haw Pha Bang</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Crossing the Rue Sisavangvong from the charmingly dilapidated Wat Pahouak, we visited the Royal Palace Museum (Haw Kham) which served as the former abode of Luang Prabang's (and Laos') kings. As soon as you enter the opulent grounds lined with tall Palmyra Palms, your attention would immediately be drawn to the white, gold and emerald Royal Chapel (Haw Pha Bang) to your right.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257301632" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 01 Haw Pha Bang by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 01 Haw Pha Bang" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5037/14257301632_9888db6261_z.jpg" title="I'm pretty sure Buddha didn't have this in mind when he founded Buddhism." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Haw Pha Bang.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072859557" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 02 Cheryl at Back of Haw Pha Bang by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 02 Cheryl at Back of Haw Pha Bang" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/14072859557_5d4a55f778_z.jpg" title="Too many tourists milling in and out at the front." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl sitting on the steps of the Haw Pha Bang's posterior side.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As excessively gorgeous as the Haw Pha Bang is, the real star attraction is what it protects within its halls: the holy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phra_Bang">Phra Bang</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259421015" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 04 Haw Pha Bang Phra Bang Stop Hammer Time Mudra by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 04 Haw Pha Bang Phra Bang Stop Hammer Time Mudra" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/14259421015_99cb440de6_z.jpg" title="'No, no, I can't possibly eat another bite!'" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Phra Bang displaying <i>Abhaya Mudrā.</i></span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Phra Bang"</i> means <i>"fine or delicate Buddha"</i> and it is both the namesake of Luang Prabang (meaning <i>"City of the Lord of Fine Gold"</i>) and the palladium of Laos. One can say that after the looting of the Emerald Buddha in Vientiane by Siamese forces, the Phra Bang became this country's most important relic. The figurine itself is a 83cm high standing Buddha that was cast in bronze and covered in gold leaf and was alleged to have originated from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) between the 1st and 9th century however as the features of Phra Bang suggests like its distinctively Southeast Asian double-palmed dispelling fear mudra, it probably had later Khmer origins. The Siamese had apparently captured it twice and returned it in 1782 and 1867 because it was believed to be responsible for the coincidental political upheavals in Siam in those times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Incidentally, one is allowed to stand right outside the Haw Pha Bang to view the Phra Bang but isn't allowed to take any pictures in its presence. A surly guard was posted in situ to make sure that that rule does not get flouted so the picture I snapped was taken from some distance away using my camera's zoom function. Hey, it's not like there isn't already a thousand pictures of it on the internet. Besides, it's also taken out on a procession on the 3rd day of every Pimai or Lao New Year.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259430445" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 03 Haw Pha Bang Toddler with Broom by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 03 Haw Pha Bang Toddler with Broom" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/14259430445_0e14b4c5f9_z.jpg" title="Cheryl's first thought when seeing this was to train Darwin to sweep floors." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A plump toddler playing with a broom right outside of the Haw Pha Bang.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Haw Kham</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After seeing the greatest treasure of the Lao people, Cheryl and I moved on to the Royal Palace itself which is designed and built in 1904 during the French colonial era with a mix of traditional Lao motifs and French Beaux-Arts. After the royal family was deposed of by communists in 1975 and were taken to re-education camps, the palace was converted into a national museum which either condemns or celebrates the luxury in which the royalties of Luang Prabang enjoyed (it's hard to tell).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14236277106" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 05 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 05 Haw Kham (Royal Palace)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5072/14236277106_3a8d0d0386_z.jpg" title="Surprisingly modest." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Haw Kham or Royal Palace.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl was denied entrance initially because she was wearing shorts, presumably because they were afraid that her sexy legs will offend the imperial knick-knacks and antiques displayed here, so I was forced to shell out more money to rent a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinh_%28clothing%29">sȉn</a></i> (an ankle-length Lao tube skirt) for her to enter a building she already paid admission to.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279567703" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 06 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Bedroom by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 06 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Bedroom" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/14279567703_cb4554dcd8_z.jpg" title="Hey, I think that bed is available in one of The Sims game!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The King's bedroom.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Skint as we were, we did not splurge on a guide for the tour (the money went into renting Cheryl's <i>sȉn</i>) but if you are so inclined, you can easily shadow any of the dozens of guides leading groups of Americans who enjoy asking questions about communism and then nodding smugly after receiving confirmation that their own country is superior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After we were done with the palace proper, we went to the royal garage to check out the antique cars that the royal family owned, and most of the information plaques there declared them to be gifts from heads of states in other countries. Seriously, why do people who can actually afford to buy expensive cars get them for free?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256068501" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 07 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Car Collection by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 07 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Car Collection" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5073/14256068501_6cae91f1ed_z.jpg" title="I was not suppose to take pictures here as well. I just didn't care." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Old timey royal cars.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072723779" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 08 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Private Petrol by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 08 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Private Petrol" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/14072723779_d913a3948b_z.jpg" title="I wonder if Shell gets one of those declarative plaques stating them to be the official supplier of fossil fuels to the Lao royal family." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Petrol kiosks found right outside the royal garage.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There's also a supersized pond filled with fat, gluttonous koi fishes somewhere on the grounds. And this disapproving statue of Sisavangvong (or Sisavang Phoulivong) who was the king for whom the Haw Kham was built for.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257212462" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang 09 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Sisavang Vong Statue STOP! HAMMER TIME! Hammerpants by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang 09 Haw Kham (Royal Palace) Sisavang Vong Statue STOP! HAMMER TIME! Hammerpants" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14257212462_462dc3f84a_z.jpg" title="STOP! HAMMERTIME!" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Harrumph."</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wat Xieng Thong</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We headed back to our guesthouse for Cheryl to pump (she's still nursing) and then ventured out again at lunchtime but this time, she put on a pair of long pants to avoid antagonising the Lao fashion police further. This time, we make our way northeast to the tip of the peninsula formed by the confluence of Mekong and one of its tributaries, the Nam Khan to see Wat Xieng Thong - one of the most iconic monuments to Lao spirituality and traditional Lane Xang Arts-style architecture. Its name means <i>"Temple of the Golden City"</i>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/12698959804" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wat Xieng Thong Sim by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wat Xieng Thong Sim" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2808/12698959804_335708a68f_z.jpg" title="I could not get a shot of it sans tourists. It receives far too much traffic." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <i>sǐm</i> of Wat Xieng Thong. You can see Cheryl standing on its step wearing her rainbow hammerpants.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The sumptuous <i>sǐm</i> with its elegant multi-tiered sweeping roof formed the centrepiece of the temple complex and it is also one of the oldest still-standing monuments of Luang Prabang which dates back to antiquity having been built in 1560, making it a contemporary of my own hometown's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Famosa">Porta de Santiago</a>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279433793" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wat Xieng Thong 01 STOP! HAMMER TIME! CAN'T TOUCH THIS! Buddha by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wat Xieng Thong 01 STOP! HAMMER TIME! CAN'T TOUCH THIS! Buddha" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/14279433793_687af49f88_z.jpg" title="My, my, my music hits me so hard! Makes me say "Oh my Lord"." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CAN'T TOUCH THIS.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Every inch of the interior was completely ornamented with detailed murals rife with some symbolism or other and what it lacked in the grandeur of size, it more than made up for it with sophistication (that most other temples in Laos lack).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Aside from the main <i>sǐm</i>, I would also recommend checking out the adjacent <i>Haw Tai Pha Sai-Nyaat </i>or Chapel of the Reclining Buddha which contained a unique reclining Buddha statue which went as far afield as France when it was exhibited at the 1931 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Colonial_Exposition">Exposition coloniale internationale (Paris Colonial Exhibition)</a> which was basically the French's way of showing off how many cultures they have subjugated and robbed at the time. The reclining Buddha eventually made its way back home in 1964. The chapel containing it is also known as La Chapelle Rouge or the Red Chapel for obvious reasons.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14141669438" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wat Xieng Thong 04 Inside of Haw Tai Pha Sai-Nyaat by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wat Xieng Thong 04 Inside of Haw Tai Pha Sai-Nyaat" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/14141669438_22250b3e99_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">DO NOT DISTURB. BUDDHA IS SLEEPING.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14141647839" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wat Xieng Thong 05 Hohng Kep Mien by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wat Xieng Thong 05 Hohng Kep Mien" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14141647839_255dd51f7d_z.jpg" title="How they get it out of that tiny door is beyond me." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Hohng Kep Mien or carriage house, which houses a titanic funerary carriage within.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279387353" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wat Xieng Thong 03 Some Weird Creeper Plant by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wat Xieng Thong 03 Some Weird Creeper Plant" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/14279387353_17797aba78_z.jpg" title="I have no idea what sort of weird plant it is that's growing on the trunk." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tree seen on the grounds of Wat Xieng Thong.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14072584188" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Wat Xieng Thong 02 Cheryl Rainbow Hammer Pants by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Wat Xieng Thong 02 Cheryl Rainbow Hammer Pants" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14072584188_646ccd166b_z.jpg" title="She calls it her Lady Rainicorn pants." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl wearing her brand new rainbow-coloured hammer pants outside of Wat Xieng Thong's <i>sǐm.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nam Khan and the Mekong by Night</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That evening, we went back to the Handicraft Night Market and had our dinner at a roadside stall, but there's a lot more to that story so I am going to talk about that in my next travelogue. Cheryl considers that to be the worst decision she made in this entire honeymoon trip.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was still early when we finished eating so we made our way to Rue Soulignavongsa which runs along the Mekong and parked ourselves at a riverside café where she had a coconut shake and I a piña colada, which I consider to be a quintessential holiday cocktail. I also had some frozen yoghurt while she had a Magnum chocolate bar all to herself. Then, we took our first picture together in this entire trip with the aid of my tripod. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259336095" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Drinks by the Mekong with Cheryl and Kok by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Drinks by the Mekong with Cheryl and Kok" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/14259336095_727ba80fef_z.jpg" title="You can see the evidence of the Magnum she ate at my left elbow." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl and I by the Mekong.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We took the long way back to our guesthouse because it was such a pleasant night for a stroll. Before long, we reached the other coast of the peninsula which banks the Nam Khan. A jerry-built bamboo pedestrian bridge spans the shallow river to a poorly-lit semi-rural neighbourhood.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279446133" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Stilt Bridge over Nam Khan at Night by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Stilt Bridge over Nam Khan at Night" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/14279446133_37c6a37518_z.jpg" title="I had to wait till people stop crossing and making the bridge sway in order to take this long-exposure shot." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking back to the city from across the Nam Khan. Inspire confidence, the bridge does not.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14236162276" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Nam Khan at Night by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Nam Khan at Night" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/14236162276_dbf05115e0_z.jpg" title="Not as many mosquitoes as one might think." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View of the Nam Khan from the rickety bridge.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Night Market was already winding down by the time we made our way back to central Luang Prabang so we decided to turn in early as I intended to go hunting for alternative (and cheaper) accommodation tomorrow. Little did we know that that night, an unexpected and terrible fate would befall my wife and partner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Went to adult Disneyland,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></span>
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k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-90169253554477062382014-06-27T08:00:00.000+08:002014-06-27T15:31:03.781+08:00Cold, Hard Cash<div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it."</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bob Hope</b></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I think most households would have some sort of receptacle for the loose change that we unwittingly generate in our day to day
transactions. In my household, it takes the form of a plastic tub which Cheryl
bought for me when she got tired of me secreting coins everywhere like an
incontinent piggy bank every time I come home – and now that we have an infant
at home whose main mode of interaction with the world around him is gustatory,
it had literally became a matter of life and death.
<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago, the tub began overflowing and I decided to take the lot
to a bank and convert them into a form that would fit into my wallet more
readily. Counting the coins proved to be a much more challenging task that I
anticipated because they were in a mix of the old 2<sup>nd</sup> series coins
and the newly minted 3<sup>rd</sup> series pieces. The new 50 cents are about
the same size as the old 20 cents and are only ever so slightly bigger than the
new 20 cents. Complicating it further is the fact that both the new 50 cent and
20 cent coins are gold in colour (the former being nickel-brass clad copper and
the latter are made from nickel brass) so I had to look at each gold piece
carefully to confidently differentiate them. The new 5 cent coins are also
bigger than their 2<sup>nd</sup> series predecessors and are actually closer in
size to the 10 cent coins (old and new) so there’s that as well. But counted the lot I did and after counting the stacks I've built from them, I found that they totalled a sum a little more than
RM170. After that, I plowed the stacks into a plastic bag and then nested that
into a second plastic bag before bringing it with me to the bank.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14472500702" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Coin Exchange at Bank by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Coin Exchange at Bank" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3921/14472500702_903441a579_z.jpg" title="RM170 doesn't look like much." width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hardly anything that glitters is gold.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The first bank I brought my swag to told me that their
coin-counting machine was out of order and that no, they cannot just take my
word for it regardless of how upstanding a citizen I am or how many old ladies
I have helped across busy streets.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That could not be helped so I took my heavy bag of loot
to a nearby second bank. The receptionist who handed me my number told me that
I need not bother as their bank does not offer the service of transmuting metal
into paper for its customers. I ignored her because by this point, I was already sufficiently annoyed
that my hearing had begun failing me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When my number came up, I walked to the counter and
plopped my baggie of cold hard cash right under the nose of the teller. He
looked like he was going to repeat what the receptionist told me but I cut him
off at <i>"Sir"</i> because I am not in the habit of letting people tell me the same
things twice as if I am a particularly stupid dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"I would like to pay my credit card bill with these
coins,"</i> I said, handing him a payment slip with my credit card number on it.
He looked at me hard for a second. I smiled in reply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He excused himself from the counter, presumably to get
ahold of someone belonging to a higher pay grade than he is, and returned with
a lady who asked me how she could help me. I repeated my request.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"I'm sorry, sir,"</i> she began. <i>"Usually, we would tell our
customers to sort their coins into their separate denominations before
accepting them. You see, our machine..."</i><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"So, is there an official company policy saying that you cannot
accept my coins if I haven’t sorted them?"</i> I interjected because I wasn’t in
the mood to give any fuck. I was not going to go through the tedious process of counting the bloody coins again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"No, it’s just that…"</i> she faltered. "If you don’t want to
sort them, then you have to leave your coins with us for a couple of days for
us to sort them for you before processing your credit card payment."<br />
<br /><i>"Excellent!"</i> I said with a huge grin on my face. <i>"Let’s do precisely that!"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was taken back because she didn’t think that I would
agree to that. After another awkward moment, she excused herself, saying she
would be right back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">About a minute later, a middle-aged gentleman came to the
counter instead and asked me, quite unironically, how he could be of service.
The lady who talked to me must have given up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We had a repeat of the previous conversation I had with
the woman, including him telling me that they <i>"usually"</i> have their customers
sort their coins first and I demanding to read their SOP guidelines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Look, your colleague previously said that I can leave my
coins for a day or two for your people to sort,"</i> I told him. <i>"I agreed to it,
so I consider the matter settled. Unless you are saying she lied to me?"</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He stupidly repeated that line about how they <i>"usually"</i> have their customers do the sorting before bringing their coins to them. Since
stupid is a game that two can play at, I stupidly repeated the prior agreement
I had struck with the lady.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Okay,"</i> he said resignedly and picked up my bag of change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Good man! There’s RM170 in the bag. I will check if the
correct amount is banked into my credit card account,"</i> I said and shook his enervated
hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like I always say, why let customer service providers frustrate you when you can frustrate them instead?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">P.S. According to <a href="http://www.agc.gov.my/Akta/Vol.%2011/Act_519.pdf">Act 519 (Central Bank of Malaysia Act1958)</a>, in section 24 regarding legal tender, the bank has the right to refuse a
payment in coins if the amount exceeds RM10. If they knew the law, they could
have refused me on that ground alone. But they didn’t, so la dee da.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unflappable,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-1172659847021735352014-06-22T08:00:00.000+08:002014-07-28T23:09:17.326+08:00Sabaidee Luang Prabang: The Night and Morning Markets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"In my travels I found no answers, only wonders."</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marty Rubin</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Continuing from the last write-up of my Northern Laos travelogue series, Cheryl and I arrived in the royal city of Luang Prabang on the 10th of February, a little before nine o'clock in the evening. While I love the sense of discovery in walking into yet another strange corner in this awesome world of ours, I also dislike the disorientation that it entails. Being an obvious tourist who can't speak the local language or read the local signs, we were subject to the mercy of the indigenous predators which prey on foreigners, taking advantage of their ignorance and naiveté. Cheryl was doing better than me because she can speak a smattering of Thai, which is similar enough to Lao to be useful in bargaining for stuff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unlike in Vientiane and Vang Vieng where I had made advanced bookings for guesthouses, we chose not to do the same for Luang Prabang - favouring instead the advice given in a few travel fora I frequented encouraging us to just walk around town carrying our backpacks until we see something we like. After about an hour of guesthouse operators telling us that they were full or that they were too expensive for me, we finally docked in at Tha Huea Me Guesthouse that faces the Mekong River at Mathatoulat Street. I had to pay a bit more than I wanted to but it was worth every kip, as most of the old city's attractions were located 5 minute's walk away from it,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259196285" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Tha Heua Me Guesthouse Bed by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Tha Heua Me Guesthouse Bed" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/14259196285_e1d1762e90_z.jpg" title="I really got a kick out of seeing those swan towels though." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our room at Tha Huea Me Guesthouse.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After unloading, we walked across the street to a riveside restaurant and had our first meal in Luang Prabang. We ordered a couple of dishes that Luang Prabang is famous for like <i>orlam</i> (a speciality stew of the region) but the highlight was flash-fried crispy Mekong riverweed (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaipen"><i>kai paen</i></a>) which are algae gathered from the bottom of river that was hung up, dried, pounded and pressed into thin sheets with stuff like green onions, galangal, garlic or tomato, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. They tasted like a spicier version of <i>nori</i>. These are typically served with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeow_bong"><i>jeow bong</i></a>, a delicious local sweet and spicy paste made from chillis, galangal, et cetera with rubbery bits of water buffalo skin in them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14279373493" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Kai Paen with Jeow Bong by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Kai Paen with Jeow Bong" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/14279373493_6e24e3f714_z.jpg" title="I can eat this shit all day long." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <i>kai paen</i> and <i>jeow bong</i> combo quickly became my new favourite food.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having spent most of the day riding a bus to get here, we wanted to stretch our legs a little before heading back to sleep so we walked to Rue Sisavangvong which is closed to motorised vehicles from 5 to 10 nightly to make way for the Handicraft Night Market.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257468822" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Handicraft Night Market by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Handicraft Night Market" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5111/14257468822_3632793d0e_z.jpg" title="Me, I take only pictures." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl looking at baby bibs and baby shoes for Darwin, who was back in Penang with his maternal grandparents.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have read many testimonies from travellers in this region praising the Handicraft Night Market in Luang Prabang as the best shopping experience in Southeast Asia, to the exclusion of far more famous bazaars in Thailand and Vietnam. That's because a shopper is actually allowed to browse at their leisure without being harried and assaulted with pushy offers here. The peddlers here have pride and would not try to force a sale if you ultimately decide not to buy their wares, though I cannot divine how long this will stay the case. The variety and profusion of wares here are also quite impressive as they range from Beerlao T-shirts, metal-ware and jewelry fashioned from salvaged bombshells, woven apparel to paintings, woodcarvings, antiques and local teas.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl bought herself a pair of rainbow coloured hammer/harem pants, a very comfy type of trousers favoured by female Western travellers which I introduced to her in Vang Vieng (she was wearing one in the picture above), a painting for her sister, some pretty cushion covers for her parents, and a pair of craft baby booties for our baby boy. I bought a 5 inch tall wood sculpture of a woman in a rice paddy hat, just because.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257478282" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Handicraft Night Market Girl Posing by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Handicraft Night Market Girl Posing" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5313/14257478282_f0f5e504c2_z.jpg" title="She might be afraid actually." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A little girl at the Handicraft Night Market striking a pose when she saw me raise my camera.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/12699050683" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Haw Pha Bang and Handicraft Night Market by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Haw Pha Bang and Handicraft Night Market" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/12699050683_bcdaabbef3_z.jpg" title="Taken using a 15 seconds exposure." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another shot of the Night Market, with the opulent Haw Pha Bang or the Royal Chapel which houses Luang Prabang's most treasured relic (more on that in the next post) standing in the background.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We got up early the next day and had our breakfast at a cheap looking corner shop located by the intersection of Manthatoulat and Kitsalat, literally a stone throw away from our guesthouse. A lot local Lao people were breakfasting there as well so we figured it must be good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Between us, we had a bowl of noodle soup, a bowl Laotian rice soup (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congee#Laos"><i>khào piak</i></a>) and something that the hawker called <i>"fried banana"</i>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259329305" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Laotian Rice Soup with Fried Bread by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Laotian Rice Soup with Fried Bread" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5313/14259329305_13961f494c_z.jpg" title="If you are Chinese, all of this should look very familiar." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our breakfast.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <i>"fried bananas"</i> were no bananas at all but is actually the Lao version of the Chinese <i>youtiao</i> which I grew up with. The Lao people call them <i>pah thawng ko</i>. They are basically deep-fried strips of dough that frequently accompanies rice congee and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bak_kut_teh"><i>bak kut teh</i></a> in Malaysia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right after that, we decided to just take a stroll through the nearby Ban Pakam fresh market where all manners of raw edibles were on display and for sale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14257154482" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Morning Market by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Morning Market" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/14257154482_1f9ba6b532_z.jpg" title="Surprisingly clean market though." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In Cheryl's hand were 4 large packets of <i>kai paen</i> which I bought and later regretted.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14259319955" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Luang Prabang Morning Market Catfishes by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Luang Prabang Morning Market Catfishes" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/14259319955_2156656a67_z.jpg" title="Poor freaks." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Freshly caught and killed Mekong catfishes with eerily lively eyes for sale.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is just a brief introductory piece on Luang Prabang and just so you know, there are going to be many more posts in the pipeline about this awesomely quaint city as we spent almost 5 days there, more than anywhere else we spent in Laos. Anyway, after our visit to the morning market, we went and climbed Phou Si Hill which was located right in the middle of the historical district followed immediately by a visit to the Ho Kham (the Royal Palace Museum, former residence of the last monarchs of Laos) and the Haw Pha Bang to see the exalted symbol and palladium of Luang Prabang, from which the city got its name, before finally ending up at Wat Xieng Thong, one of the prettiest, most important monasteries and temples in the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RELATED POSTS:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/vive-la-vientiane-part-one.html">Vive La Vientiane: Part One</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-first-night-in-town.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: First Night in Town</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-climbing-pha-ngeun.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Climbing Pha Ngeun</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-blue-lagoon-at.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: The Blue Lagoon at Tham Phu Kam</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-solo-mountain.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Solo Mountain Biking Trip to Kaeng Nyui Waterfall </a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-tubing-down-nam.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Tubing Down the Nam Song</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/06/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-last-day-in-town.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Last Day in Town at Pha Poak and Lusi Cave</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/07/sabaidee-luang-prabang-phou-si-hill-haw.html">Sabaidee Luang Prabang: Phou Si Hill, Haw Kham and Wat Xieng Thong</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/07/sabaidee-luang-prabang-out-alone-in-city.html">Sabaidee Luang Prabang: Out Alone in the City</a> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not usually seen in markets,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-83075253223639193942014-06-15T19:43:00.001+08:002014-06-16T20:46:08.052+08:00The Sins of Our Fathers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"We seldom realize, for example that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alan Wilson Watts</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This is a Father's Day post</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the questions that people asked me the most after they found out that I had <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2013/09/naming-darwin.html">my first-born son take his mother's surname</a> was, <i>"How did your parents take it?"</i><br /><br />That is an important question because I am Chinese and the very core of Chinese culture is the Confucian concept of filial piety. Disobedience to one's parents and ancestry is considered to be one of the most unforgivable sins a Chinese person can commit. Ensuring the continuity of one's family name - the 姓 or surname - is a sacred duty that is entrusted upon all Chinese men. Friends and colleagues asked me about my parents opinion on my son's surname because more than anything, they wanted to know how my family could accept my act of sacrilege.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have always given vague answers to that question and occasionally, outright evaded it. What I usually say is, <i>"I have discussed it with my parents before Darwin was born. He is my son and that decision was mine to make."</i> That's usually enough to placate most busybodies. It also has the advantage of being absolutely true without actually revealing how my parents reacted to my, how should I phrase it... blood betrayal?<br /><br />Fact is, that's exactly how it was taken: a betrayal of one's family and blood (never mind the fact that Chinese women are expected to <i>"betray"</i> their <i>"blood"</i> every day). My mother disowned me, said that I did it to hurt her and cut me off from my inheritance. One of my favourite aunts said many harsh things to me over the phone and we have never talked since. My father alternately blamed me, my wife and my wife's family, lashing out indiscriminately like a wounded proud animal, spitting many hate-filled utterances that I would never have imagined could come out of his usually gentle, soft-spoken mouth. He had, in his moment of outrage, called his one and only grandson a bastard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't blame them and I certainly don't blame my father. In many ways, his reaction was understandable. The weight of thousands of years of Chinese tradition compelled him to denounce my action as nothing less than a complete abomination, and it is just as hard for him to put down that cultural burden as it is for a person raised as a Christian to blaspheme in the name of Jesus or a Muslim to eat bacon. From what he said, I gathered that he saw me as a weak, placating man who was either going beyond all reason to please my wife or was somehow bought over by my wife's family via monetary means. In a way, his disappointment in me; his perception of me as an avaricious, unprincipled coward was what cut me the deepest in this entire sorry feud.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>That's because everything he accused me of is the <b>opposite</b> of that person who did what I did.</i> I risked being disowned and disinherited for what I believe in. I stood my ground against the monstrous momentum of that thousands of years of Chinese tradition my father and family are yoked to when it crashed headlong into the unyielding, <i>unbreaking</i> backbone of my most cherished principles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Growing up, I was fed a steady diet of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVB">TVB</a> Chinese period dramas that impressed upon me the importance of one's family name which, in many ways, is synonymous with a person's honour. Only males have the exclusive power to pass down the surname and the few rare times the reverse occurred had always been depicted in the context of an impoverished, degenerate man changing his name and marrying into a wealthier, more powerful family which has no sons to pass the family name down. As you can see from my own experience, not much has changed since the Qin dynasty.<br /><br />This patriarchal practice forms the root of the disproportionate treatment of men and women throughout the annals of Chinese history. Female children, with their inability to continue their family's line and the combined cost of raising them and the cost of dowry when they are married away, are considered to be net losses to a family or <i>"money-losing enterprises"</i>, to loosely translate a charming Cantonese idiom. This devaluation of the female gender directly led to one of the darkest elements of Chinese traditions and culture: <i>two thousand years of gendercide committed against the female sex</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Till today, and perhaps aggravated by China's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-child_policy">one-child policy</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_inequality_in_China#Earnings_inequality">the lower earning power of women</a>, the Chinese people are still killing and aborting female infants to the tune of <i>millions</i>. The sex ratio at birth (SRB) of China in 2005 was recorded at <a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/content/183/12/1374.short">121 males to 100 females</a>, rising drastically from 106:100 in 1979. By 2020, men are expected to outnumber women <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6254763.stm">by 30 million</a>. This is what our Chinese <i>"culture"</i> and <i>"tradition"</i> of passing down family names exclusively through the male line represent to me. Our Y-chromosomal surnames are the symbolic bloody knives that have killed hundreds of millions of innocent girls over two dozen centuries of deadly sexism.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So tell me: how can I brand these sins of our fathers into the very identity of my innocent baby boy? How can I meekly comply and add to the silent assent for this <i>"traditional"</i> idea that men are better than women, that I am somehow superior to my wife? Am I not a man of principle?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I assure you that more than anybody else, I have considered the consequences that might be visited on Darwin because of his unconventional name. Will he be teased or even bullied for it? Will people question his legitimacy behind his back or even to his face? Will he hate me for singling him out by giving him his mother's name instead of mine? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14425145054" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Darwin Father's Day 14.6.2014 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Darwin Father's Day 14.6.2014" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5588/14425145054_e9b6c76f46_z.jpg" title="The reports of my parenting prowess are greatly exaggerated." width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A 9-month-old Darwin, wondering how that piece of cardboard would taste like.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't have the answers to those question. What I do know is that I do not want him to grow up thinking that men are more important than women. And I certainly do not want him to carry the same two thousand years old cultural burden my father did which resulted in the murder of countless baby girls and made a grandfather call his innocent baby grandson a bastard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Besides, what the fuck is Chinese culture anyway? Some sinologists have argued that the earliest Chinese people might have even practiced matrilineal naming conventions because when we look at the Chinese character for <i>"surname"</i> (姓) we can see that it is made up of the radicals of woman (女) and born (生). I neither read or write Chinese, nor worship any of my forebears' deities but that is somehow okay? And why are we wearing T-shirts, jeans and Western-style dresses instead of <i>changsans</i> and <i>qípáos</i>?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We have to admit to ourselves that the <i>"Chinese culture"</i> of any century is going to appear strange, offensive and even blasphemous when examined by a Chinese person from a preceding century. That is because culture is a constantly evolving construct and anyone who tries to defend any cultural tradition as the <i>"correct"</i> version is going to fail inevitably before the jackboots of progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My parents are not the enforcers of Chinese culture but rather, <i>its victims</i>. Their beliefs which formed the barrier that separated them from getting to know their only grandchild are not their own beliefs, but that of generations past - all of them insolently making little changes to their cultural traditions every step of the way anyway. Now, nine months after Darwin arrived into this world, my mother have since let it go and have chosen to fully embrace him. As for my old man, I texted my him this morning with an awkward, tentative Father's Day wish. I have not given up on him. I once met a beef noodle seller in Subang Jaya who recognised me and told me that my father is one of the nicest, most decent men he knew, and refused to let me pay for my lunch. I know that. Deep inside my father beats the heart of a good man.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Thank you, son,"</i> he replied.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's a start. Perhaps one day, he might even be proud of what I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">RELATED POSTS:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2013/05/being-woman-in-malaysia.html">Being a Woman in Malaysia</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2013/09/naming-darwin.html">Naming Darwin</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On both sides of Father's Day,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
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k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-33165463517844697202014-06-14T08:00:00.001+08:002014-06-14T08:00:01.813+08:00My Return to Santubong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Gonna goose that goose<br />
Gonna quack that swan<br />
Gonna rubber my duckie all night long<br />
Gonna whack that Mallard<br />
Until its feathers plume<br />
Gonna Huey Dewey Louie all over the room<br />
Scrooge McDuck, gonna give it to you<br />
Dive into your gold until you say<br />
DuckTales, whoo hoo!"</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sex with Ducks (2010) by Garfunkel and Oates</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On April 20 last month, I went back to Santubong to see if my stamina have improved since my last ascent because I have been climbing some mountain or other every week since the beginning of this year in preparation for my trek up to the lofty Pinnacles at Mulu National Park on the 12th of May - which, as the more observant would notice, is a matter of history by now and I would bore you with those details in good time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, just to quickly summarise my most recent Santubong climb: I entered the mountain using the Bukit Putri trail this time which many have said to be a more pleasant trek and boy, was it ever! The forest is sparser and less oppressive on that trail and it closely skirts one of Santubong's ridges, so there was almost always fresh air. All in all, I passed two groups of hikers on my way up while a Eurasian man overtook me. It took me about 2 hours and 50 minutes to reach the summit, beating my previous time by about an hour (which isn't saying a lot since the Bukit Putri trail is known to be easier). The real difference I noticed was that I didn't feel any aches or soreness in my body after this outing. <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/02/sailing-spirit-boat.html">Following my previous climb</a>, I couldn't walk up a single step of stairs without my thighs screaming like the souls of the damned. That infused me with a not-insubstantial amount of confidence boost, ceasing my regard of my impending Pinnacles climb as a suicide mission.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This time, missing the constant threat of expiring from the exertion, I was able to pay more attention to the bugs and other small creatures that make Santubong their home. A fellow trekker told me that once, he even saw a hornbill in flight hereabouts - which would be such a treat if it happened on any one of my hikes! Also since I made such good time, I could afford to spend about 2 and a half hours loitering on Santubong's summit and even took a restorative nap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So with that out of the way, here are the pictures I took this time,</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070261487" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 01 Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 01 Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2924/14070261487_5e665c364c_z.jpg" title="Birds are so hard to photograph with my shitty compact." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A male Common Iora (<i>Aegithina tiphia</i>) right at the beginning of my hike.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070186578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 02 Bukit Putri Trail by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 02 Bukit Putri Trail" height="316" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/14070186578_995046c371_z.jpg" title="Perfect for peeing down of." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A section of the Bukit Putri trail before it joins the common summit trail. There's always a cliff to the right.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070170509" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 03 Tall Ladder by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 03 Tall Ladder" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/14070170509_7ed327a595_z.jpg" title="Ugh, I wish they would replace these with aluminium ones." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rope ladders on the latter half of the hike. It's higher than it looks in this picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070163948" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 04 Datuk Merpati Bust by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 04 Datuk Merpati Bust" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3725/14070163948_d68174582a_z.jpg" title="It was said that he founded Santubong as a significant trading town between the 10th and 14th century. Datuk Merpati was able to command frogs to plant rice for him, paddling from Santubong to Brunei in a day (and even overtaking a sea bird on the way), and sired a golden dragon. It was believed that he could still be seen from time to time, patrolling the craggy summit of Santubong because that's how people like to spend eternity." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A bust of Datuk Merpati, the superhuman founder of Santubong.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070187240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 05 Summit by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 05 Summit" height="290" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/14070187240_b44f7a029c_z.jpg" title="I was this close to breaking in and pissing on all their stuff while they were away." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The gazebo at the top of Santubong, currently being occupied by some assholes from a <i>silat</i> (local martial arts) school who don't understand the concept of public property. They even collected bottles of their urine inside, for some reason or other.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070122238" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 09 Asshole Taking All of Pavillion Denying Others by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 09 Asshole Taking All of Pavillion Denying Others" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/14070122238_1ff4bdbb9c_z.jpg" title="It smelled like a mental asylum inside." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was not joking about the pee.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070124299" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 08 Dangerous Untended Fire by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 08 Dangerous Untended Fire" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/14070124299_5b5163a0a3_z.jpg" title="Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with these people?" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A choking, smoking plastic fire they left burning untended for whatever bugfuck fancy that have crossed violence-addled minds. I put it out using water from a nearby well, to the applause of other hikers. The vegetation on Santubong is already so dry. All it takes is one stray spark to barbecue the entire mountain!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14276965963" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 06 Dirty Well by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 06 Dirty Well" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14276965963_22fe056211_z.jpg" title="It looks more like a toilet, if you ask me." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The gross looking well I mentioned earlier.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14276956083" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 07 Snack by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 07 Snack" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/14276956083_6e238a7db7_z.jpg" title="It's like they take the best things in the world and put it in one snack bar." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brunch! <i>"Made with chocolate, pretzels, peanut butter, caramel and peanut."</i></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070116328" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 10 Common Three Ring (Ypthima pandocus) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 10 Common Three Ring (Ypthima pandocus)" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/14070116328_9571e275da_z.jpg" title="A very common butterfly actually." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Common Three-ring (<i>Ypthima pandocus</i>) with folded wings, showing its underside. The "three rings" refer to number of ocelli on the underside of one hindwing, as seen here. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14254593262" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 11 Common Three Ring (Ypthima pandocus) Upperside of Wings by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 11 Common Three Ring (Ypthima pandocus) Upperside of Wings" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14254593262_b75a6002ea_z.jpg" title="I went through an ugly caterpillar stage just to metamorphosise into this?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another <i>Y. pandocus</i> showing its upperside.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070101519" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 12 Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete diva) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 12 Painted Jezebel (Delias hyparete diva)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/14070101519_a5271a2240_z.jpg" title="Alas, it was far away and this was the best shot I had of it." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Painted Jezebel (<i>Delias hyparete diva</i>) feeding from a flower.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256369844" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 13 Unidentified Skink by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 13 Unidentified Skink" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/14256369844_b86591ba1d_z.jpg" title="Stay still for your picture, you little shit." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">An unidentified brown skink skittering nervously around the peak.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070090899" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 14 Sea View by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 14 Sea View" height="328" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2915/14070090899_74a35bb63a_z.jpg" title="A bit of morning mists still floats about." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Southwest view. Click for larger view.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256356394" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 15 Bako and Kuching View by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 15 Bako and Kuching View" height="268" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/14256356394_eb91c0f535_z.jpg" title="There's a LOT of rivers in Sarawak." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">East view. Click for larger view.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070111180" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 16 Swiss Smoker by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 16 Swiss Smoker" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/14070111180_1812fbde1a_z.jpg" title="I really didn't want to talk. Take a hint and take your toxic fumes away with you." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A Swiss jerk smoking near me without asking me if I was okay with it.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070141257" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 17 Grasshopper by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 17 Grasshopper" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/14070141257_a931de9c9f_z.jpg" title="That's because they are nowhere as pretty as butterflies and thus, have less resources dedicated to them." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A tiny, green grasshopper with striped hindlegs. I still suck at identifying them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14254550842" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 18 Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 18 Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/14254550842_c226c26b3e_z.jpg" title="It took me almost an hour to snap one using my compact camera. I seriously need to invest in some better gears." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A pretty Common Bluebottle (<i>Graphium sarpedon</i>) feeding.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070061869" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 19 Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon) Sucking Nectar by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 19 Common Bluebottle (Graphium sarpedon) Sucking Nectar" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/14070061869_1b24a10763_z.jpg" title="That's why they are so hard for me to photograph. Jumpy little pricks." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Another <i>G. sarpedon</i> that wouldn't even stop fluttering while feeding.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256328074" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 20 Blue Helen (Papilio prexaspes) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 20 Blue Helen (Papilio prexaspes)" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14256328074_44e6ed2ecd_z.jpg" title="They flaps were so sluggish that I thought they were birds at first." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looks like a Blue Helen (<i>Papilio prexaspes</i>) sunning itself on a leaf.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070052179" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 21 Other Peak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 21 Other Peak" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14070052179_2224d400ea_z.jpg" title="At least, not accessible without great risks to life and limbs." width="610" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A peek at the other peak of Santubong which I was told was inaccessible.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070105327" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 23 Moth from Nygmiini Tribe, Genus Nygmia or Rhypotoses by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 23 Moth from Nygmiini Tribe, Genus Nygmia or Rhypotoses" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14070105327_bed2bd5350_z.jpg" title="Moths are harder to identify because no one cares about them all that much." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A moth from the Nygmiini tribe. Likely <i>Nygmia sp.</i> or <i>Rhypotoses sp.</i>.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14254517232" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 24 Scenery from Viewpoint by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 24 Scenery from Viewpoint" height="398" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5114/14254517232_81fe6201f5_z.jpg" title="That's the Santubong river, by the way." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View from Santubong about halfway down the mountain.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14233531816" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 25 Jade-Green Cicada (Dundubia vaginata) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 25 Jade-Green Cicada (Dundubia vaginata)" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/14233531816_650d0e0ebf_z.jpg" title="How does a bug a little more than an inch in length produce so loud a noise?" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My first ever snapshot of the very loud jade-green cicada (<i>Dundubia vaginata</i>). I kept hearing them when I was hiking at <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/05/retracing-wallaces-trail-at-bukit.html">Bukit Serumbu</a> and <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-dip-in-waterfall-at-kubah-national.html">Kubah National Park</a> (where I took <a href="http://youtu.be/F-W-KnZCS5k">a recording</a> of their shrill, soulless, almost-mechanical tymbalisation). It's good to actually see one. The picture quality left much to be desired though.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070016679" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 26 Jade-Green Cicada (Dundubia vaginata) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 26 Jade-Green Cicada (Dundubia vaginata)" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5275/14070016679_c2dc4b36be_z.jpg" title="Hi, I sound like a party noisemaker." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's a profile shot of another <i>D. vaginata</i>. They always creep to the other side of their trees whenever I approach them and if I get too close, they will buzz away to another tree.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14070013069" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 27 View from Bukit Putri Trail Entrance by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 27 View from Bukit Putri Trail Entrance" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/14070013069_f26818dac3_z.jpg" title="Which I always thought shaped like a turtle, which is apt considering that it is a turtle conservation centre." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">View of the sea and Satang Besar Island near the entrance of the Bukit Putri trail.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14233516146" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 28 Mountain from Kampung Santubong by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 28 Mountain from Kampung Santubong" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5237/14233516146_0feab995fa_z.jpg" title="The security guard in this school was totally eyeing me when I took out my camera and appeared to be taking pictures of this school." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">An unencumbered view of Mount Santubong from Kampung Santubong located at its foothills. Majestic, no?</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14233510486" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 29 Beach by Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 29 Beach by Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant" height="208" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14233510486_d5e0e474dc_z.jpg" title="Do click the picture to see a larger copy. Or not. I don't really care." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The beach at Kampung Buntal, a fishing village near Mount Santubong. Yonder lies the peninsula that hosts the Bako National Park. The building on stilts to the far left of this picture is a seafood restaurant called Lim Hock Ann.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14069996608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 30 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 30 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/14069996608_3e397edec8_z.jpg" title="I was here once in 2005 with my old Taylor's College mates. Sigh. I kind of missed those days." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The interior of Lim Hock Ann seafood restaurant. It quickly filled with customers shortly after this picture was taken.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14256262144" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 31 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant Midin Fried with Garlic by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 31 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant Midin Fried with Garlic" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/14256262144_a8d7d3b87a_z.jpg" title="I certainly didn't move here for fucking kolo mee." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I first visited Sarawak in 2005, I was treated to some strange vegetable by my friend's mom at his house. I was told that the vegetable is called <i>"midin"</i>, a fern known by the scientific name of <a href="http://www.doa.sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/page.php?lang=bm&id=206"><i>Stenochlaena palustris</i></a>. I fell in love with it instantly and insisting on ordering it for every single meal after that. One can even say that it was the reason why I decided to apply to Sarawak for Housemanship training in the first place.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14253319621" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 32 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant Jellyfish with Sesame Seeds and Peanut Sprinkles by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 32 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant Jellyfish with Sesame Seeds and Peanut Sprinkles" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14253319621_6b98434d28_z.jpg" title="And I never had jellyfish that tasted as good as the one they serve here. True story." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A sweet and sour jellyfish, sesame and peanut salad that I adored when I first had it here in Lim Hock Ann in 2005.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14253313671" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Santubong 33 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant Deep Fried Ikan Kurau or Threadfin Fillet with Lime by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Santubong 33 Lim Hock Ann Seafood Restaurant Deep Fried Ikan Kurau or Threadfin Fillet with Lime" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/14253313671_5becce915b_z.jpg" title="Very fucking expensive." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A deep-fried threadfin fillet. Also known as ikan kurau in Malay. Served with a slice of lime.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loves, loves, loves midin,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i </span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-53421789577711578722014-06-09T23:56:00.000+08:002014-06-10T20:05:43.222+08:00Nobody Expects the Malaysian Inquisition!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Monty Python's Flying Circus</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On Saturday, I cycled 24 kilometres to a waterfall near a village outside of the city of Kuching and on my return journey, the left pedal of my bicycle came completely off - making it impossible for me to cycle back home. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere fun, about 20 kilometres displaced from my apartment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As fortune would have it, a Bidayuh man in a pick-up gave me and my broken-ass bicycle a ride. Due to my accent, he identified me as a mainlander and not a native of Sarawak. Through no fault of mine, the conversation turned to how I feel about my adopted home and I told him about how I enjoy the blurring of racial lines here in Borneo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"The Malays, Chinese, Bidayuh and Iban all intermarry freely. Race mixing is a far bigger deal back in the Peninsula,"</i> I said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Yeah,"</i> he agreed absentmindedly. <i>"There's no reason why not. I'd let my children marry any race - so long as they don't marry a Malay."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whoops. That turned racist pretty quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Anyone who wants to marry one of them has to convert to what they believe in, but they aren't expected to do the same. They expect others to give up their beliefs, their heritage and their cultural roots, as if those are less important compared to what is Malay and Muslim,"</i> he continued. <i>"Is that fair?"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"I suppose not."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"Imagine the family reunions,"</i> he said, unsmiling. <i>"If my Muslim son-in-law or daughter-in-law visits, we have to trip over ourselves just to make sure that their every dietary restriction is met. Remember how much fuss they kicked up recently over <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-malaysian-pork-choc-controversy.html">a little pig DNA in a chocolate bar</a>? Marrying Muslims divides families. It causes inconvenience and unhappiness."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That racist man made a really good point, I admitted to myself. And he did also rescue me from a 20 kilometre trudge back to Kuching under the merciless afternoon sun, so I didn't argue with him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Earlier this year, <a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/01/02/Jais-raid-Bible-Society/">JAIS (Selangor Islamic Religious Department) raided the Bible Society of Malaysia </a>and confiscated hundreds of volumes of Bibles translated to the Malay language because they think that the only reason why Christians want Malay Bibles is to use them to proselytise to the Malay Muslims in this country. There was also that story about <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/halimah-versus-malaysian-syariah-court.html">JAIPP (Penang Islamic Religious Department) arresting a Indonesian Catholic woman</a> who they mistook for being Muslim because of her Arabic-sounding name (for the crime of being unchaperoned in the company of men), and more than two years later, she is still battling the Syariah Court which by right, should have absolutely zero jurisdiction over her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, in the span of just the recent <i>eight days</i>, the Islamic inquisition of Malaysia unexpectedly gatecrashed both a wedding AND a funeral. This must be like some kind of record for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On June 1, <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muslim-woman-who-married-a-hindu-refuses-to-back-down">JAIS barged their way into a Hindu marriage ceremony</a> held in a Hindu temple in Petaling Jaya to halt it, because what probably happened was that one of the invited guests, noticing that the bride has a Muslim name decided to blow the whistle and tip JAIS off about it. The bride had a Muslim name because her deadbeat father converted their entire family to Islam - something that his illiterate wife did not realise until it was too late. After the bride's dad ran away, the mother raised the entire family in accordance to the Hindu faith. Zarinah Abdul Majid (the bride) have been a practising Hindu all her life and have spent RM20,000 in legal fees alone trying - to no avail - to change her official name and religion. The wedding that JAIS ruined cost RM30,000 and Zarinah's 400 wedding guests could only watch as JAIS officers hauled her away, sari and all, for questioning.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also, what kind of soulless excuse for a human being you have to be to alert JAIS to this joyous event that you have been invited to partake and share in? </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14196442870" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bride JAIS Raid by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Bride JAIS Raid" height="331" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14196442870_31a4252046.jpg" title="Why the fuck is the civil police aiding JAIS?" width="500" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Zarinah being hauled away for questioning on her wedding day.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then today, on June 9, <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/body-of-muslim-convert-taken-away-during-chinese-funeral-ceremony">JAIPP enforcers stopped a Chinese funereal procession</a> and - you won't fucking believe this - dragged the coffin with the deceased's corpse in it away using a van. Apparently, the departed (a 38-year-old waitress called Teoh Cheng Cheng who had a Muslim boyfriend) had converted to Islam but neglected to let her family know about her switching teams before she fell to her death from her apartment. Now, as the funeral was yesterday and she died on Saturday (that's two days apart), one wonders why the JAIPP goons did not break the news earlier to an already distraught family? Why bring even more pain and sorrow to the Teohs? <b><i>CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THE FUCK IS BEING GAINED HERE AT THIS JUNCTURE?</i></b> Is Teoh Cheng Cheng alias Nora Teoh Abdullah less likely to receive a favourable judgment from Mighty Allah because she was <i>unknowingly</i> buried without the proper magical Islamic rituals?</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14196567027" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="JAIPP Raid Chinese Funeral by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="JAIPP Raid Chinese Funeral" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3862/14196567027_3b53a66b63_z.jpg" title="Those fuckers better return that coffin. Those shit are expensive." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">JAIPP making off with Teoh Cheng Cheng's totally Muslim corpse.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The fact is, as loudly and blood-curdlingly Muslims in Malaysia bark at the rest of us to respect their faith and culture, they have proven time and time again that they have exactly zero respect for anyone who does not believe in the same Arabic god they do. That's why they can so righteously and shamelessly walk right into the middle of a Hindu wedding and nab the bride away. That's why they can so confidently halt a Chinese funeral and heave-hoed a dead woman in her coffin onto their body-snatching hearse, while being deaf to the confused pleas and tears of the deceased's mother.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">These are zealots that have no sense of sympathy or decency in them at all because they have grafted the immovable weight of blind faith onto the stump where their empathy used to be. <b>My fellow Muslim Malaysians, look at them. These are the men that you have empowered to represent and defend your religion, to police over you and all those who share your faith. At the end of one of the five daily prayers you offer to your Allah, ask yourself if what they did were the actions of good, decent, compassionate men.</b> Is this the face of Islam that you want to show the rest of the <i>kuffar</i> in Malaysia? Do you think that this will inspire others to learn more about or even embrace your religion?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My son is about 9 months of age now and when he's old enough to ask me what Muslims stand for, I am going tell him that half of them believe it's alright to do what they did to others in that wedding and that funeral, while the other half did nothing to stop them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Afraid of Muslims,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-56282811713271708022014-06-04T08:00:00.000+08:002014-07-28T23:11:42.190+08:00Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Last Day in Town at Pha Poak and Lusi Cave<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story."</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Frank Herbert</b></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The date is 10th of February, 2014. We had the morning free until 11:00AM before we had to haul ass and skedaddle to our next stop in Luang Prabang so in attempt to make the most out of my time in Vang Vieng, I decided to climb a lump of rock I've been eyeing from my guesthouse since I arrived. I noticed that it has a red flag on its top and after asking around, I found out that (a) it is called Pha Poak, and that (b) one can enjoy a rather stunning view of the karst mountains from its peak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I set out at about 7:00AM, jogging briskly westward towards it to save as much time as possible. After crossing a couple of footbridges across the Nam Song, I followed the <strike>white flags</strike> poles with white plastic bags tied to them which marked the dusty route through the paddy fields to Pha Poak.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14249095411" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="02 Pha Poak Early Morning Ballooning by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="02 Pha Poak Early Morning Ballooning" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5315/14249095411_e00060b9f2_z.jpg" title="I would be doing that instead if I'm rich." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hot air balloon taking off to catch the sunrise.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14065828317" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 Pha Poak Footbridge Outside of Town by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="01 Pha Poak Footbridge Outside of Town" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14065828317_9156f30c2a_z.jpg" title="So blue in the morning." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Footbridge over Nam Song, <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-tubing-down-nam.html">the river which we went tubing on</a> the day before.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14252032314" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="03 Pha Poak White Plastic Bag Guide Flags by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="03 Pha Poak White Plastic Bag Guide Flags" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/14252032314_70491fcf0d_z.jpg" title="I don't like small yappy type dogs." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The trail-marking flags and the dog which followed me part of the way.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14065715978" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="04 Pha Poak Panorama by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="04 Pha Poak Panorama" height="268" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14065715978_38eafd25f7_z.jpg" title="If you click on the picture for a larger copy, you can even make out the red flag on its summit." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That gumdrop shaped hill standing in the foreground of the Vang Vieng karst mountain range is Pha Poak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Picture actually stitched from photos taken after I descended from it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even with my multiple photo stops, I still managed to reach Pha Poak's base in under 20 minutes so I was making good time indeed. I noticed that there was no one manning the admissions counter and thought that I could get away with not paying any money again (like the previous day at <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-solo-mountain.html">Kaeng Nyui</a>) but alas, I found that the entrance to the trail was locked as tight as a duck's arse. After surveying the surrounding, I couldn't find any easy way to circumvent the gate and every hopeful lead was overgrown by thorny creepers.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14249054431" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="05 Pha Poak Counter Entrance Fee by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="05 Pha Poak Counter Entrance Fee" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/14249054431_3f79051b3a_z.jpg" title="A bit of a robbery, this, considering the size of the mountain." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">10,000 kip, 1.25 USD or a little above 4 ringgit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was confronted with the dilemma of walking all the way back to town to join Cheryl (who was no doubt having a leisurely time devoid of sweat-wringing exertions) or sticking around to wait for someone to unlock the gate - and I elected the latter option, thinking that I'll just loiter until 8:00AM. If no one turns up by then, I would turn back lest I miss my bus. And fortune favoured the persevering! A sleepy looking fellow reported
for duty a little before eight and after failing to sell me a can of
soda, he let me through and I began furiously making my way to the top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14251891984" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="16 Pha Poak Gated Entrance by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="16 Pha Poak Gated Entrance" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14251891984_4614a9d418_z.jpg" title="Surprisingly sturdy. I tried." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entrance to the top of Pha Poak and Lusi Cave.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have no idea how high Pha Poak is from base to summit but it only took me 10 to 12 minutes to scale it, and not stopping for taking pictures along the way certainly helped. The trek was tougher than <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-climbing-pha-ngeun.html">Pha Ngeun</a> (which was a little less than an hour's straight walk to the top) because the trail on Pha Poak requires one to actually do a bit of climbing on the razor-sharp rocks that the hill was made out off. There were initially wood and bamboo ladders bridging the rougher bits but as I neared the pinnacle, there was none to be seen.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14248989211" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 Pha Poak Red Flag at Peak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="12 Pha Poak Red Flag at Peak" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/14248989211_86d2b618de_z.jpg" title="One false step and you'll get a thousand cuts." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sharp, broken bits of limestones littered the top, marked by a single red flag.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For such a short climb, the payoff was immense. While Pha Poak isn't as lofty as Pha Ngeun, it was fortuitously placed right in front of the dramatic and iconic limestone formations that Vang Vieng is known for, making it a unique vantage point. The view was first class.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14065711640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 Pha Poak Panoramic View of Karst Mountains by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="08 Pha Poak Panoramic View of Karst Mountains" height="164" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2929/14065711640_5f52a1ffae_z.jpg" title="This picture was taken using the panorama function of my camera and so, it is inferior in quality compared to the ones I stitch myself. Still pretty good though." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Panorama of the karst landscape of Vang Vieng from the top of Pha Poak.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14249007341" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10 Pha Poak View of Karst and Plain by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="10 Pha Poak View of Karst and Plain" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/14249007341_f37c5f13ce_z.jpg" title="If the people running Pha Poak is reading this, please make BASE jumping a thing here." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The valley below. I wish I can BASE jump right off it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because there is a negligible amount of vegetation growing on Pha Poak's crown, I had an unimpeded 360° view.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14229166086" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 Pha Poak View of Vang Vieng Town by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="09 Pha Poak View of Vang Vieng Town" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2938/14229166086_29ce34a036_z.jpg" title="Picture looks iffy because of direct glare from the morning sun." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Vang Vieng town to the east.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14065693450" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11 Pha Poak Red Flag at Peak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="11 Pha Poak Red Flag at Peak" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2940/14065693450_ef81dbfe4d_z.jpg" title="Red flag means danger, isn't it?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Red flag flapping wildly in the strong thermals.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't stay very long because there was simply no way to be comfortable up there. Every surface was covered by pointy, sharp rocks that threaten to tear new anuses in my posterior. After drinking in the scenery for about 20 minutes, I started my descent. There is still a Lusi Cave for me to see (though I doubt it would be much considering how I have never read about it in my pre-trip research).</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14249031481" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 Pha Poak Sharp Peak by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="07 Pha Poak Sharp Peak" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14249031481_2b62011479_z.jpg" title="Some people might be into this." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The entire peak looks like this.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14252348665" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="06 Pha Poak Sharp Rocks by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="06 Pha Poak Sharp Rocks" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/14252348665_735ee10a65_z.jpg" title="The picture could not capture the perspectives so it looked like a gentle drop." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rocky descent.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14065672880" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="13 Pha Poak Wood and Bamboo Ladders by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="13 Pha Poak Wood and Bamboo Ladders" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/14065672880_6de4f484cc_z.jpg" title="No securing ropes. Great." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The ramshackle ladders.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The entrance to Lusi lies near the bottom and it looked like a solutional cave to me. There wasn't much to see and whatever were there were heavily defaced by graffiti. The cave formations or speleothems were so uninspired that I did not tarry or proceed much further. It was a pity that I could not find the time to also take in all the more spectacular caves in Vang Vieng like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tham_Jang">Tham Jang</a> or the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tham_Sang_Triangle">Tham Sang Triangle</a>. Perhaps another time.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14252268835" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="14 Pha Poak Lusi Cave Graffiti by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="14 Pha Poak Lusi Cave Graffiti" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5198/14252268835_6daf59858c_z.jpg" title="What the fuck is wrong with humans?" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Graffiti on the cave wall.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14251899994" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="15 Pha Poak Lusi Cave Formation by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="15 Pha Poak Lusi Cave Formation" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14251899994_46b3ac6225_z.jpg" title="Not for the lack of trying, I bet." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some multicoloured flowstones that are too high up to be defaced.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">By 9:30, I stomped back into town, showered, stuffed everything I brought with me to this country into my backpack, and had my first meal of the day - a huge cheese, egg and bacon baguette sandwich from the stall opposite the tour agent I bought our bus tickets to Luang Prabang from.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14252241795" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="17 Vang Vieng Large Delicious Baguette Sandwich by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="17 Vang Vieng Large Delicious Baguette Sandwich" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14252241795_b2aa1c9d47_z.jpg" title="Would be perfect if there's a sausage in it somewhere." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I can kiss it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, in case you are curious about what my fairer, smarter, better-smelling half was up to while I was perspiring my way up a glorified pile of pebbles, here are a couple of snapshots from her phone camera,</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14272353933" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="22 Morning by Nam Song by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="22 Morning by Nam Song" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5197/14272353933_f32e7f192f_z.jpg" title="Almost as good or even better than the view I got, actually." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Riverside cafe and bar with a view to die for.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14252168305" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="23 Morning by Nam Song Cheryl on Hammock by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="23 Morning by Nam Song Cheryl on Hammock" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14252168305_2ea0273d6e_z.jpg" title="And selfie-ing as usual." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cheryl chilling out on a hammock, sipping a cold drink.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After my belated breakfast, there wasn't much for us to do but wait for our ride to come in from Vientiane to take us along Route 13 to the royal city of Luang Prabang, the former seat of power of the last kings of Laos.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14252232235" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="18 Vang Vieng Cheryl High Five Puppy by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="18 Vang Vieng Cheryl High Five Puppy" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14252232235_d48c57f032_z.jpg" title="She was also wearing my flip-flops." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A puppy high-fiving Cheryl. That's the mark that was written on the back of her hand when we rented tubes to go tubing yesterday, in case you are wondering.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14251865064" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="19 Vang Vieng Chicken Closeup by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="19 Vang Vieng Chicken Closeup" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/14251865064_1478b30e00_z.jpg" title="Look at the hatred in that eye." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A chicken that decided to hang around with us too. You can imagine how saurian it would look if it got mange or something</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The journey would take roughly 8 to 10 hours through the mountain roads which are fraught with hairpin turns and lightlessness (as the technology of lit highways have not reached this part of the world yet). I also read that the scenery on Route 13 between Vientiane and Luang Prabang is unspeakably impressive - and indeed it was. There were soaring mountains that dwarf anything standing in Vang Vieng and valleys that dip into eternity. Few guesthouses punctuates Route 13, but I certainly wouldn't mind staying in one of them for a day or two, just kicking back and looking at the gorgeous landscapes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sorry that I don't have any pictures to share because the windows of the bus I was riding looked like they hadn't been cleaned since the establishment of communism in Laos. I did however, have this to share,</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14248900451" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="21 Crane Crash on Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang Route 13 Road by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="21 Crane Crash on Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang Route 13 Road" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14248900451_498729dde0_z.jpg" title="Would be funny if the other crane tip over too." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Motor-vehicular mayhem.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Our journey was delayed by almost a whole hour what looks like an almost certainly lethal traffic accident involving one very crumpled mobile construction crane. I couldn't see any other vehicles involved so I guess said crane must have rolled down from up high. They were in the process of trying to hoist the devastated machine using a larger crane when we arrived on site so that gave me some time to get off the bus and stretch my legs. Cheryl pretty much napped through it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, when I write about Laos again, we would be in Luang Prabang. Till next time, then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-tubing-down-nam.html">Veni, Vidi, Vang Vieng: Tubing Down the Nam Song</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/06/sabaidee-luang-prabang-night-and.html">Sabaidee Luang Prabang: The Night and Morning Markets</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/07/sabaidee-luang-prabang-phou-si-hill-haw.html">Sabaidee Luang Prabang: Phou Si Hill, Haw Kham and Wat Xieng Thong</a></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/07/sabaidee-luang-prabang-out-alone-in-city.html">Sabaidee Luang Prabang: Out Alone in the City</a></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For the love of baguettes,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i.</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-73726111071509713602014-05-31T12:51:00.001+08:002014-06-01T23:07:47.614+08:00X-Men: Days of Future Past: A Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Please Charles, we need you to... hope again."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Charles Xavier to his past self in</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This review will spoil everything in the movie.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14290061155" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Days of Future Past Poster Charles by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Days of Future Past Poster Charles" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14290061155_fb57ce4d8d_o.jpg" title="Temporal displacement syndrome." width="432" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">JamesMcAvoy superimposed over Patrick Stewart.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>The Wolverine</i> notwithstanding, has it really been three years already since the last X-Men film? I was never a fan of the Brian Singer original movies and re-watching them in preparation of <i>X-Men: Days of Future Past</i> certainly didn't help their case. The CGI was dated and some of the dialogues in them were painful to endure (every time Halle Berry opens her mouth, I want to extend my adamantium claws and poke my ears out).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then <i>X-Men: First Class</i> came along and for the first time, I feel invested in this franchise. <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2011/06/x-men-first-class-review.html">I was especially enamoured by</a> Michael Fassbender's portrayal of Erik Lehnsherr which was so sympathetic that I found myself more persuaded by his cause than Charles Xavier's. The Magneto of Singer's film was almost cacklingly, moustache-twirling villainous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, when I heard that Bryan Singer will be back to direct <i>Days of Future Past</i> instead of <i>First Class </i>helmer Matthew Vaughn, I was apprehensive. And to some measure, my fears were confirmed. Aside from a particularly tense confrontation scene between Erik and Charles on a private jet, young Magneto seems to have inherited the Cartoon Villainy Syndrome that the old Magneto displayed in the older films, and is now committed to doing evil beyond all sense and reason. His attempt to kill Raven/Mystique? His blatant show of might and attempt on Nixon and Trask's lives at the unveiling of the Sentinel prototypes at the White House? Whatever goodwill that Fassbender's Magneto won from me in <i>First Class</i>, they all dissipated in <i>Days of Future Past</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But it wasn't all bad. As a matter of fact, I am finding it difficult to decide if I liked <i>First Class</i> or <i>Days of Future Past</i> more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If <i>First Class</i> was Magneto's film, <i>Days of Future Past</i> is Professor X's. Never minding the logic of a serum that temporarily reconnects his severed spinal cord while suppressing his telepathic powers portrayed with heroin addiction imagery, we see a young Charles Xavier who have given himself up to alcoholism and despair. We see him broken, hiding away from all the ambient anguish surrounding him. Erik expressed disbelief when he found out that Charles would give up his powers just to be able to walk - but the truth is, that's not the real reason why he is taking the serum. He said he was broken. He's like a mutant Jesus who can no longer bear the weight of all of mutant-kind's suffering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The keystone that holds the entire movie together, I feel, is this scene when McAvoy Charles reached back into the past through Logan's mind to talk to his older future Patrick Stewart self,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Young Charles:</b> So this what becomes of us. Eric was right. Humanity does this to us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Old Charles:</b> Not if we show them a better past.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Young Charles:</b> You still believe?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Old Charles:</b> Just because someone stumbles and loses their way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever. Sometimes we need a little help.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Young Charles:</b> I’m not the man I was. I open my mind and it almost overwhelms me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Old Charles:</b> You’re afraid, and Cerebro knows it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Young Charles:</b> In all those voices… so much pain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Old Charles:</b> It’s not their pain you’re afraid of - it’s yours. And frightening as it can be their pain will make you stronger if you allow yourself to feel it. Embrace it. It will make you more powerful than you ever imagined. It’s the greatest gift we have that can bear pain without breaking, and it’s born from the most human power: Hope. Please Charles, we need you to... hope again.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't know if it was because of the momentous performance from the two thesps but it is not at all cheesy or Hallmark-ey. Old Charles' allusion to stumbling and losing one's way is incredibly potent. I is one of forgiveness. It speaks to both Raven's wayward ways and to Young Charles' despair. Maybe I need some time to let my feelings settle but right now, I think that this is one of the greatest scenes I have ever seen in cinema.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And this is something that filmmakers making superhero films must understand. It is not the huge action setpieces or lavish CGI that makes the film. It's not the slavish adherence to the source material. It is not the novelty of yet another iconic supervillain brought to the largeness of life on screen - as seen in some franchises trying to cram as many supervillains in their movies as they can. The focus of antagonism in <i>Days of Future Past</i> was a human scientist named Bolivar Trask who conceived the Sentinel Program that will lead to the near extinction of mutants (and apparently humans) in the future. Peter Dinklage was amazing in the role but he was essentially a walking talking McGuffin. He didn't matter. What made this film work is the complex interplay between the characters we have come to know and love from <i>First Class</i>. I care about the relationships between Charles, Erik and Raven. I care about what's happening to them. It didn't matter that Charles' and Raven's relationship is a fabrication of the movie franchise and didn't exist in the comics. That's why Raven's and Charles' redemptive arcs worked so well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Speaking of Peter Dinklage, I must commend on the casting choice. Bolivar Trask is not a little person in the comics and I don't think even the comic fans minded the choice. And it is amazing how no one even alluded to or joked about his stature throughout the course of the film! If Michael Bay made this, he would have milked this for all it is worth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Of course, all of my highbrow ideas about comic book film adaptations aside, two action sequences stand out in my mind. The first was the cold open where the Sentinels attacked a cadre of La Résistance mutants in the apocalyptic future. We were shown just how formidable they are as they brutally and efficiently slaughtered all of the mutants in the sequence. We were introduced to Blink (played by Fan Bing Bing) who has the power to cast pink teleportation portals which she used synergistically with her other teammates in combat, making for incredibly kinetic fights. I'm a huge, huge fan of the <i>Portal</i> games, and when Fan Blink Blink used a trick commonly used in the games to make impossibly long gravity-aided jumps to turn Colossus into a mutant missile, I wanted to nerd-punch the air. That slo-mo scene where she spatially displaced a Sentinel but was killed when the killbot reached back through the portal with its pointy limb to stab her was also fantastic - I had my heart beating in my throat the whole time. I hope they would hire whoever it was who choreographed these Blink scenes to work on adapting the <i>Portal</i> films!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14289555194" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Days of Future Past Poster Blink by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Days of Future Past Poster Blink" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2916/14289555194_fc49b5ef7f_o.jpg" title="I think of her as Chell mostly." width="497" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fan Blink Blink.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We were also introduced to Shadowcat's/Kitty Pryde's ability to project a person's consciousness into the past, a nod to the fact that it was her who travelled back in time to be the agent of change in the comics. Given the fact that Wolverine was laughably impotent in the film (and in one crucial turning point in the movie, was incapacitated by his PTSD) and was practically an audience insert, I don't see why it was so important to place him front and centre. Being a massive fan of Ellen Page myself, I felt that <i>Days of Future Past </i>would have been better served if we followed her instead! Yes, yes, I know she wouldn't have been born in the 1970's but I'm sure that if they are willing to just randomly change mutant abilities in service of the plot, I can't see why they couldn't have made this work somehow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The second most memorable action sequence is of course the now-internet-famous Quicksilver's prison-breaking Magneto out of a metal-less prison deep under the Pentagon where guards were equipped with plastic guns and clear-plastic batons that are reminiscent of something you can buy at a sex shop. And it was hilarious and glorious!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14103377509" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Days of Future Past Quicksilver by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Days of Future Past Quicksilver" height="450" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/14103377509_31a5379240_o.jpg" title="I think they haven't added most of the CGI at the time this screencap was taken." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Evan Peters as <strike>Pietro</strike> Peter Maximoff AKA Quicksilver.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/movies/how-quicksilvers-standout-scene-in-x-men-days-of-87308240107.html">Earlier versions of the script feature Juggernaut</a> in place of the speedster mutant and we can all agree that we have quite enough of seeing indestructible men barrelling through walls in superhero movies to last us a lifetime after <i>Man of Steel</i>. While it was upbeat and hilarious throughout, the centrepiece of the sequence was when Quicksilver single-handedly defeated a dozen cops who had Charles, Erik and Logan surrounded in the conveniently round kitchen by making them punch themselves and pistol-whip one another (bearing in mind that force is a product of mass and acceleration, a little nudge from Quicksilver at superspeed packs quite a wallop) before circling back to displace the trajectory of the bullets heading towards our heroes. And it was all set to the dulcet tune of Jim Croce's <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO1rMeYnOmM">Time in a Bottle</a></i>. There's also a nod to the fact that Magneto is actually Quicksilver's biological dad in a funny elevator exchange between the two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A note on how the film ended: <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MentalTimeTravel">The special mode of time travel</a> it uses where only a person's consciousness go back in time to their younger body will prevent the creation of alternate timelines, but it didn't make sense that Future Wolverine's memories would be be reinstated in the new Sentinel-free future because that Wolverine would never have existed. And when he snapped back into his future body, what to the the Past Wolverine's consciousness who lived very differently from 1973 to present? Was that extinguished? Of course, by <i>"resetting"</i> the timeline, Bryan Singer essentially cancelled all the events in <i>X-Men 3: The Last Stand</i>. Or to put it more pithily, Bryan Singer sent Wolverine back in time to make sure Brett Ratner never happened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Actually, the real plot of <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23XmenDaysOfFuturePast&src=hash">#XmenDaysOfFuturePast</a> is that they are sending Wolverine back in time to make sure Brett Ratner never happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">— Kok Sen Wai (@KokSenWai) <a href="https://twitter.com/KokSenWai/statuses/472242977943719936">May 30, 2014</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So yeah, I liked the film in spite of all its shortcomings because there's really a lot to love in it. The post-credits stinger at the end featured a shrimpy pale blue-lipped kid assembling a pyramid in the desert while a throng of worshippers chant <i>"En Sabah Nur"</i> in the background (which is Apocalypse's true name). That is a very unimpressive looking Apocalypse if you ask me, but I suppose <i>X-Men: Apocalypse</i> will recast him. With that, I think that is all that I can say about <i>X-Men: Days of Future Past</i>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">P.S. Xavier's theme (Hope) from the soundtrack was incredibly potent. I am quite addicted to it now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Can hope again,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-4814816057788444842014-05-27T12:00:00.000+08:002014-05-27T22:18:38.834+08:00The Malaysian Pork Choc Controversy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship. He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah . But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."</i></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Verses 172 to 173, Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Al-Qur'an</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Malaysia, aside from having the recent distinction of being <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia_Airlines_Flight_370">that country which lost a commercial jumbo jet</a> in the middle of the Indian Ocean, is also a country with a Muslim majority populace and the shadow of Islam looms over all aspects of Malaysian life, regardless whether one believes in Islam or not. For example, many concerts by international artistes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Malaysia#Music">were protested by fundamentalist Muslims</a> in this country and several of them were outright called off - the most famous being <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24691757">Ke$ha's last minute cancellation</a> of her show in October last year. Affecting me personally is how I can no longer enjoy my favourite instant ramen after <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2010/11/instant-ramen-rant.html">they changed the recipe</a> of its condiments <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-religion-poisoned-my-favourite-ramen.html">to cater to the halal market</a>, destroying its awesome flavour in the process.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14089528230" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="halal malaysia label by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="halal malaysia label" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/14089528230_2db42fc20a.jpg" title="You must be this free of pork in order to ride the halal rollercoaster." width="491" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Malaysian halal label.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Speaking of <i>"halal" </i>(<span lang="ar">حلال)</span>, the Arabic word basically means <i>"permissible"</i> in Arabic and a significant part of the concept focuses on the dietary restrictions of Muslims - much like the kosher laws of Judaism. There are a variety of comestibles that Muslims are not suppose to consume and according to the Qur'anic verses <a href="http://quran.com/2/173">2:173</a>, <a href="http://quran.com/5/3">5:3</a>, <a href="http://quran.com/5/90">5:90</a>, and <a href="http://quran.com/6/121">6:12</a>, the list includes,</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pork</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Blood</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Animals
slaughtered in the name of anyone or anything beside Allah, including
anything offered or sacrificed to an idolatrous altar, saint or divine
personages that are not Allah.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Carrion or carcasses of dead animal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Food over which Allah's name was not pronounced</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Intoxicants, including alcohol</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Animals that have been strangled, beaten (to death), killed by a fall,
gored (to death), or savaged by a beast of prey (unless finished off by a
human)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As with every other aspect of Islam, it is a Serious Business™. I mean, <a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/controversial-bloggers-to-stand-trial-for-bah-kut-teh-post">they have prosecuted</a> two hapless bloggers for daring to invite Muslims to break their fast on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bak_kut_teh">bak-kut-teh</a> during Ramadan last year in a tasteless if harmless captioned photo! If the mere idea of eating pork inflames them so much, imagine the outrage they will display when some products of a brand of famous chocolate bars that are ubiquitous in Malaysia were found to contain pork in them - <i><a href="http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/cadbury-shelves-chocolates-found-with-pig-dna">which totally happened</a> a few days ago.</i></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14272460891" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Porcine DNA Cadbury KKM Statement by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Porcine DNA Cadbury KKM Statement" height="476" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/14272460891_30da29819d_z.jpg" title="Snooze." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Malaysian Ministry of Health's official press statement.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay, for those who are unable to read Malay, the gist of it is that <a href="http://fsq.moh.gov.my/v4/">the Ministry of Health's Food Safety and Quality division</a> blew the whistle on two batches of products from the British multinational confectionery company, Cadbury, after DNA testing found porcine DNA in them. One was designated Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut and the other is Cadbury Dairy Milk Roast Almond (their batch numbers given in the statement above). The Ministry also said that all halal certification issues still lies in the purview of the <a href="http://www.islam.gov.my/en">Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM)</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The rest of the statement is a very thoughtful (but strangely out of place) review of the recent <i>X-Men: Days of Future Past</i> film and how our Minister of Health really enjoyed James McAvoy's performance as young Charles Xavier and hopes that he will reprise his role in <i>X-Men: Apocalypse</i>. That's like totally the truth, bro.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14275302434" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Cadbury Porcine DNA by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Cadbury Porcine DNA" height="428" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/14275302434_662c87461d_z.jpg" title="Yawn." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The media statement from JAKIM.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In direct response to the Ministry of Health's published statement, Dato' Haji Othman Mustapha, Director General of the Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM), officially suspended the halal certification for the Cadbury products in question. He also said that investigations will be launched to find out how these goddamn pigs mysteriously turned up in chocolate.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://qz.com/213729/molecular-halal-testing-has-turned-up-pig-dna-in-cadburys-chocolate/">One possibility</a> is that industrial food packaging sometimes uses lubricants and stabilisers known as stearates, which are made from derivatives of animal products (including swine). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Meanwhile, <a href="http://news.malaysia.msn.com/tmi/ministry-to-conduct-thorough-analysis-on-all-cadbury-products-%E2%80%93-bernama">the Ministry of Health will do more DNA testing</a> on more of Cadbury's products to see how deeply the contamination runs. I don't know about you but I find it amusing that entire labs are performing DNA tests on junk food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And now that we are on the subject of labs,</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14272421121" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Porcine DNA Cadbury by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="Porcine DNA Cadbury" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14272421121_7bc452a82b_z.jpg" title="Hey, it's CABBURY! Not CADBURY. The confectinery giant's legal team can work at it from this angle!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The lab report.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The above report basically states that a sample (here labelled as milk chocolate with hazelnut from Ca[d]bury) that was sent to the National Public Health Lab on the 27th of February, 2014 was found to contain porcine DNA.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>As
this issue only came to public light on May 24, it meant that the Muslims of
Malaysia have been unwittingly putting dirty, disgusting, super-<i>haram</i>
chocolate-covered pork into their bodies while the Ministry of Health
sat quietly on this information for almost 3 whole months!</b> It says right
in the report that the sample was analysed on the day of receipt, so
yeah.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, I think that Malaysian Muslims would - to a substantial degree - put their trusts in the halal label because it helps them differentiate halal food from the haram ones. I wonder how much trust they still invest in that label now in light of this issue. They knew the chocolates were not halal since February after all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Of course, a further question one might ask is, how much guarantee does the halal label even offer in the first place?</b> Just look back to the list of non-halal food I have provided earlier. Are any tests performed on food to look for blood contaminants? Is it even possible to avoid absolute contamination of blood in meat products during their preparation? How would they know if the ingredients contained in any food was consecrated in the name of Allah, or that it had not been offered or sacrificed to any kafir idols, deities or saints? How can they tell the difference between carrion meat or slaughtered meat? Are there magical lab tests that can tell you if a particular piece of meat come from an animal that was strangled, beaten, gored, fallen from great height or killed by a predator?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Presumably, they don't test food for DNA of other animals so it is possible that Cadbury's chocolate bars also contain the remains of a dead alcoholic buffalo which died when it committed suicide to escape its gambling debts by leaping off the roof of a Cadbury factory into a tub of chocolate, therefore making it technically as haram as pork. You don't know that they don't. <b>You don't know if <i>any products bearing the halal label</i> in the market don't, is my point.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was not explicitly stated in any of the recent news articles covering this story but <a href="http://www.mgrc.com.my/can-we-detect-non-halal-elements-in-food/">they probably detected the porcine DNA</a> <a href="http://profoundkestrel.com/index.php?page=porcine-derivative-detection">via a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR)</a>, looking specifically for genetic sequences that are unique to <i>Sus sp.</i> and are not found in any other animals. This raises a profound philosophical issue in my mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If exclusively porcine DNA is non-halal, what about DNA sequences and genes that pigs share with human beings? As with all other mammals, pigs share a lot of common genetic heritage with human beings. Before the advent of recombinant DNA tech, we used porcine
insulin to treat diabetics because it was only one amino acid removed
from human insulin (compared to bovine insulin which is three amino acid
removed). According to animal geneticist Lawrence Schook <a href="http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/handle/2440/46961">who mapped the pig genome</a>, we are so similar to pigs that <a href="http://nationalhogfarmer.com/news/human-to-pig">he claimed that</a> he was able to take the human genome, <i>"cut it into 173 puzzle pieces and rearranged it to make a pig."</i> He added that, <i>"Everything matches up perfectly. The pig is genetically very close to humans."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Does it then mean that the parts of our own DNA which are identical to pigs haram? To pose the reverse of this dilemma: are parts of porcine DNA therefore halal because the same genes are found in the human genome?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hey, I am just glad I don't have to think about all these tough questions whenever I put anything into my mouth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Contains porcine DNA,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
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k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-84378038628332116432014-05-25T20:17:00.000+08:002014-05-26T07:33:29.358+08:00The Mismanagement of Alfred Russel Wallace's Heritage in Sarawak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"Professor Johnston often said that if you didn't know history, you didn't know anything. You were a leaf that didn't know it was part of a tree."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Timeline (1999) by Michael Crichton</span></b></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13943962669" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="42 Bukit Serumbu View from Below After Descent by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="42 Bukit Serumbu View from Below After Descent" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/13943962669_818b59728f_z.jpg" title="Wallace thought it was "pyramidal" and "very steep"." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Picture of Bukit Serumbu from Kampung Peninjau, after I descended from it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last month on April 13, <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/05/retracing-wallaces-trail-at-bukit.html">I climbed Bukit Serumbu</a> near the town of Siniawan in Bau. The local Bidayuhs call it Bung Muan while Sarawak's first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rajahs">White Rajah</a>, James Brooke, have used it as a lookout point and have built a cottage at the 424 metres height of the mountain - giving the place its third name, Peninjau (which is the Malay word for <i>"observer"</i> or <i>"surveyor"</i>). Indeed, the modern villages that now fringe the foothills of Bukit Serumbu are called Kampung Peninjau Lama and Kampung Peninjau Baru.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That cottage that Brooke erected came to be known today as the Brooke Cottage and it was said that the original White Rajah have entertained guests there, including a certain British naturalist who would be later known (and then mostly forgotten) as the co-originator of the theory of evolution through natural selection, Alfred Russel Wallace. Here is an excerpt from Wallace's <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2530/2530-h/2530-h.htm#link2HCH0005">The Malay Archipelago</a> (1869),</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"On reaching Sarawak early in December, I found there would not be an opportunity of returning to Singapore until the latter end of January. I therefore accepted Sir James Brooke's invitation to spend a week with him and Mr. St. John at his cottage on Peninjauh. This is a very steep pyramidal mountain of crystalline basaltic rock, about a thousand feet high, and covered with luxuriant forest. There are three Dyak villages upon it, and on a little platform near the summit is the rude wooden lodge where the English Rajah was accustomed to go for relaxation and cool fresh air. It is only twenty miles up the river, but the road up the mountain is a succession of ladders on the face of precipices, bamboo bridges over gullies and chasms, and slippery paths over rocks and tree-trunks and huge boulders as big as houses. A cool spring under an overhanging rock just below the cottage furnished us with refreshing baths and delicious drinking water, and the Dyaks brought us daily heaped-up baskets of Mangosteens and Lansats, two of the most delicious of the subacid tropical fruits. We returned to Sarawak for Christmas (the second I had spent with Sir James Brooke), when all the Europeans both in the town and from the out-stations enjoyed the hospitality of the Rajah, who possessed in a pre-eminent degree the art of making every one around him comfortable and happy."</i></span></blockquote>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944231757" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="18 Bukit Serumbu Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="18 Bukit Serumbu Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave)" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/13944231757_2631a21ce0_z.jpg" title="Wallace bathed here." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The <i>"cool spring under an overhanging rock just below the cottage"</i> mentioned in the excerpt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The site is known as Rajah Cave or <i>Ngiroyan Raja</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could not locate the Renee Spring or Pool and fear that it must have dried up.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wallace apparently enjoyed Brooke's hospitality and Sarawak so much that he would end up sticking around for 14 months, longer than any other place he visited in this region. In fact, Wallace's first published paper mentioning evolution, <a href="http://people.wku.edu/charles.smith/wallace/S020.htm"><i>On the Law which has Regulated the Introduction of New Species</i></a> (1855), was written when he was in Sarawak and the natural law he proposed in it would come to be referred to vernacularly as the <i>"<a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/collections-at-the-museum/wallace-collection/item.jsp?itemID=138">Sarawak Law</a>"</i>. This foreshadowed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Tendency_of_Species_to_form_Varieties;_and_on_the_Perpetuation_of_Varieties_and_Species_by_Natural_Means_of_Selection">the joint presentation</a> of Darwin and Wallace's works three years later in 1858 in front of the Linnean Society of London, marking the official birth of evolution as a serious scientific theory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I myself have looked for the site of Brooke Cottage in my visit there but that endeavour was met with disappointment when I found out that what remains of it was a nondescript clearing, completely unremarkable except for a small sign nailed to a tree that proclaims it to be the famous <i>"Brooke Cottage site"</i>.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14127713662" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="36 Bukit Serumbu Brooke's Cottage Site by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="36 Bukit Serumbu Brooke's Cottage Site" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/14127713662_366135f8cc_z.jpg" title="Could have fooled me." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Brooke Cottage site.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The site was apparently lost to obscurity until its rediscovery in 1988 by the State Museum Department thanks to efforts by renowned zoologist, biologist and former Universiti Malaya lecturer Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, the 5th Earl of Cranbrook (otherwise known as Datuk Seri Lord Cranbrook) who said,</span><br />
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>"The first one I discovered was Rajah Brooke’s bungalow in Matang. I have been looking for this one (Brooke’s Cottage in Bung Muan, Bukit Peninjau) for a long time. This had led me to visit Kampung Peninjau and from the visit, I discovered that the villagers here knew the way to the site."</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Anyway, given its story, Bukit Serumbu should rightly be recognised as a location of great historical import to both scientific inquiry and the people of Sarawak, and restoration efforts were finally <a href="http://parochialsarawakian.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/sarawak-to-start-restoration-of-brooke-cottage-wallace-trail/">announced in March 2012</a>, to begin in earnest in June. According to project consultant Rangen Sangum, the first phase of the project will involve the construction of tourist information centre, car park, access road, Wallace Point and Brooke observation platform. It was estimated to cost RM1 million with a projected duration of 9 months to completion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, before I climbed Bukit Serumbu on the 13th of April 2014, I visited Kampung Peninjau after <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/an-atheist-on-christian-mountain.html">my Mount Singai trek</a> and found a wooden hut there that stands in for the tourist information centre. There was a laminated and yellowed notice pinned on its front,</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14063350078" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="45 Bukit Serumbu Rules Bukit Serumbu by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="45 Bukit Serumbu Rules Bukit Serumbu" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5033/14063350078_9bdd4b0998_z.jpg" title="You can totally leave with all the malaria parasites the local mosquitoes inject you with though." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Rules, schmules.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I followed the rules. I called up the contacts given in the week before I intended to make my climb, but found that most of the numbers were no longer operational. When I finally managed to get through to one of them, he said that he was no longer part of the committee and gave me his brother's digits, asking me to contact him instead. The bloke I finally talked to sounded clueless, but he had no objections to me making my climb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I turned up on the day of my trek, there was no one inside the <strike>wooden hut</strike> tourist information centre to collect my nominal entrance fee of RM5 (and since there was no one, I save RM50 in hiring a guide, which I didn't want anyway). The <i>"access road"</i> and <i>"parking lot"</i> that were supposed to be constructed in phase one of the restoration project were practically nonexistent. There were, however, a dirt road leading to the tourist information hut and an uneven dirt field nearby that looks hazardous to any vehicle that does not run on caterpillar tracks - so I opted to park my car by the roadside within the village instead. It took me about 5 minutes surveying the edges of the dirt field before I even found the start of the Wallace Trail. The <i>"Wallace Point"</i> and <i>"Brooke observation platform" </i>were nowhere to be seen at any stage of my trek as well and they were about a year overdue. Whatever that was present certainly did not look like it costed a million ringgit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The second phase of the restoration project expected to cost between RM2 million and RM3 million would involve the construction of a ceremonial house, longhouses, an outdoor bath, and replica of the Brooke Cottage itself based on site survey data and written descriptions of the structure. As I've mentioned earlier, the only thing they have to show for this is a piece of paper wrapped in clear plastic and nailed to a tree marking the Brooke Cottage site.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want to know who won the tender to run this restoration project. I want to know if funds were ever infused into it and if it was, where did all the money go?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14131350304" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="01 Bukit Serumbu Signboard by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="01 Bukit Serumbu Signboard" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/14131350304_8764074767_z.jpg" title="I wonder what that painted over group did to get kicked out of the party." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">According to this sign, the project is an initiative of the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), the Rajah Brooke Heritage Committee of Bung Muan, Peninjau and a 4th body that had been painted over. Funding was suppose to come from the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and <a href="https://sgp.undp.org/index.php">the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got a feeling that before long, the Wallace Trail and Brooke Cottage will be lost to the murky currents of time again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">RELATED POST: <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/05/retracing-wallaces-trail-at-bukit.html">Retracing Wallace's Trail at Bukit Serumbu</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unhappy fan of Wallace,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i</span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246194140200675056.post-59305204134250922502014-05-22T02:15:00.001+08:002017-02-19T11:16:05.007+08:00Retracing Wallace's Trail at Bukit Serumbu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>"But whether there be a God and whatever be His nature; whether we have an immortal soul or not, or whatever may be our state after death, I can have no fear of having to suffer for the study of nature and the search for truth, or believe that those will be better off in a future state who have lived in the belief of doctrines inculcated from childhood, and which are to them rather a matter of blind faith than intelligent conviction."</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alfred Russel Wallace</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">In a letter to his brother.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944387177" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="02 Bukit Serumbu Panorama from Below by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="02 Bukit Serumbu Panorama from Below" height="263" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/13944387177_fbb1531e9d_z.jpg" title="You can see that the stitch job is a bit botched by the curvature of the road." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Panorama of mist-shawled Bukit Serumbu from Kampung Peninjau.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I first heard about <i>"Wallace Trail"</i> from Ashraf who accompanied me on <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/02/sailing-spirit-boat.html">my hike up Mount Santubong</a> earlier this year on the 31st of January and I had been intrigued by it ever since. A bit of Google-fu revealed to me that it lays on an elevated piece of real estate 446 to 488 metres high (depending on what source you use) that is called Bukit Serumbu, Bung Muan or Peninjau (depending on who you ask). It consists of a single massive lump of porphyry diorite rock with very little old growth forest covering it as it had been a site of habitation for the local Bidayuh since time immemorial. Knowing of its existence, of course, meant that I must climb it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I started my hike at about 8:00 in the morning (13th of April) from its starting point in Kampung Peninjau armed with some energy bars, two large bottles of fluids and a simple diagram of the trail which I photographed at the front of the Visitors' Info Centre.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14127718951" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="03 Bukit Serumbu Trail Map by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="03 Bukit Serumbu Trail Map" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/14127718951_8a6a0670e8_z.jpg" title="I am interested to know just what sort of lost tourists would end up here." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They don't seem to be able to decide on whether to call it a Visitors Info Centre or a Tourist Info Centre.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14131031535" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="06 Bukit Serumbu Skull Hut by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="06 Bukit Serumbu Skull Hut" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/14131031535_cf0b993444_z.jpg" title="Since there was no signs there, I assumed that the money in the dish was put out for passerbys to take." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <i>Bori Guna</i> or <i>"Skull Hut"</i> is the first landmark you'll encounter. It appears to be some sort of local shrine.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The hazards of venturing into the wilderness at so early an hour included stepping stones along the trail that are still slippery with dew and pesky mosquitoes, but I enjoy taking a walk in a jungle when the cold of the previous night still lingers before it gets replaced by the malarial heat of Borneo. The trail was not very clearly marked, but someone seemed to have dropped pieces of scrap paper along it to mark their ascent - so followed the paper trail I did. Large boulders littered the path up, lots of them featuring uncannily smooth cracks and splits. One of these cleft rocks, the <i>batu tikopog</i>, is actually a feature of the trail.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107811826" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="11 Bukit Serumbu Batu Tikopog by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="11 Bukit Serumbu Batu Tikopog" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2912/14107811826_3e8bc2c844_z.jpg" title="'You cannot pass, fatsoes!'" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yeap, you are suppose to walk through the cleft. And you can see some of the paper scraps marking the trail in this picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14131248224" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="12 Bukit Serumbu View at Batu Tikopog with Altocumulus by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="12 Bukit Serumbu View at Batu Tikopog with Altocumulus" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/14131248224_015f5da815_z.jpg" title="I think that is Santubong in the distance, but my compass app wasn't working at the time so I can't be sure." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The view at <i>batu tikopog</i>. Note the altocumulus clouds in the sky.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In <i>The Malay Archipelago</i> (1869) by Alfred Russel Wallace, in his account of his time spent here at Bukit Serumbu, he wrote about dem rocks too,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>"Huge boulders, as big as the houses themselves, rise among them, and hang over them in the most extraordinary manner. Every one is a picturesque object stained with lichens, and on the shady side covered with mosses, while the tops are generally more are less clothed with curious ferns and orchids."</i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The natural second leg of the trek after <i>batu tikopog</i> takes you through a gently-inclined walk through some bamboo grooves and it had to be the most pleasant part of the climb. Dry, rustly bamboo leaves carpeted the ground while rays of sunlight streamed in from between the bamboo trunks (or <i>"stalks"</i>, since some Grammar/Botany Nazis will argue that bamboos are phylogenetically grass).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944249627" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="17 Bukit Serumbu Bamboo Trail by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="17 Bukit Serumbu Bamboo Trail" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5040/13944249627_17f5d8992d_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Through the bamboo groves.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, it would be amiss of me to not feature some of the faunae I encountered on my retracing of a famous naturalist's footsteps here on Serumbu. Here they are,</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944368457" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="04 Bukit Serumbu Damselfly Vestalis amoena or Vestalis amaryllis by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="04 Bukit Serumbu Damselfly Vestalis amoena or Vestalis amaryllis" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/13944368457_9fe8a83fab_z.jpg" title="Pretty common genus, really." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A frequently seen <i>Vestalis sp.</i> with and emerald body and shimmery blue wings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Without a good, hard look at its anal appendages, I can't pinpoint the species.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14151102363" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="05 Bukit Serumbu Gasteracantha arcuata by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="05 Bukit Serumbu Gasteracantha arcuata" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/14151102363_7b62838301_z.jpg" title="It bungeed away right after I took its picture so all I have is the butt." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The horny ass of an orange, yellow and black curved spiny spider (<i>Gasteracantha arcuata</i>).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14131019465" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="07 Bukit Serumbu Cookeina Sulcipes (Scarlet Cup Mushroom) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="07 Bukit Serumbu Cookeina Sulcipes (Scarlet Cup Mushroom)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5112/14131019465_d8d779c821_z.jpg" title="Like an umbrella that flipped inside out." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A cup-shaped <i>Cookeina sp.</i> mushroom from the Sarcoscyphaceae family of cup fungi.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14131013125" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="08 Bukit Serumbu Polydesmid by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="08 Bukit Serumbu Polydesmid" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/14131013125_1612fb75a6_z.jpg" title="Trying to hide from the big bad ape taking pictures of it." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A curled up polydesmid millipede.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944373120" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="09 Bukit Serumbu Polydesmid 2 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="09 Bukit Serumbu Polydesmid 2" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/13944373120_9532471d5b_z.jpg" title="'I'm going shoe-shopping, yay.'" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another millipede from the polydesmida order. This one was just taking a stroll through the leaf litter.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14151060923" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="10 Bukit Serumbu Unidentified Spiny Grasshopper with Orange Back by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="10 Bukit Serumbu Unidentified Spiny Grasshopper with Orange Back" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/14151060923_fbdfc6ee29_z.jpg" title="I suck at identifying Orthopterans." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A unidentified grey-green spiny grasshopper with an orange streak on its back.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14151026313" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="13 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 1 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="13 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 1" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14151026313_7098e02b0b_z.jpg" title="There's a lot..." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A <i>Bothrobelum rugosum</i> curled up in a defensive position like an armadillo.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944324528" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="14 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 2 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="14 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 2" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/13944324528_4173429aba_z.jpg" title="... of these..." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <i>B. rugosum</i> is a pill millipede, of course.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14127617281" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="15 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 3 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="15 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 3" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/14127617281_7a131571b6_z.jpg" title="... MOTHERFUCKING PILL MILLIPEDES..." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have discussed about how one can distinguish pill millipedes<br />from pill bugs in <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/to-edge-of-sarawak-at-penrissens-peak.html">my post about climbing Mount Penrissen</a>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107758266" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="16 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 4 by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="16 Bukit Serumbu Bothrobelum rugosum 4" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14107758266_0fd86a2e37_z.jpg" title="... crawling about on this hill." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This <i>B. rugosum </i>is the same one in the previous picture.<i><br /></i></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14130867745" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="21 Bukit Serumbu Toilets Male Euploea mulciber (Striped Blue Crow) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="21 Bukit Serumbu Toilets Male Euploea mulciber (Striped Blue Crow)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/14130867745_274eef4011_z.jpg" title="The stripes are found on the females, in case you are wondering." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A rather battered looking male Striped Blue Crow (<i>Euploea mulciber</i>) on the ground.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944154079" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="24 Bukit Serumbu probably Malayan Six Ring (Ypthima fasciata torone) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="24 Bukit Serumbu probably Malayan Six Ring (Ypthima fasciata torone)" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5071/13944154079_4fecab433f_z.jpg" title="Yet, I count seven rings on its hindwing. Not five. Not six." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Straight-banded Fivering or Malayan Six Ring (<i>Ypthima fasciata torone</i>) perched on some greenery.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944144329" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="25 Bukit Serumbu Male Tanaecia iapis puseda (Horsfield's Baron) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="25 Bukit Serumbu Male Tanaecia iapis puseda (Horsfield's Baron)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/13944144329_717972c648_z.jpg" title="You certainly had seen better days, old boy." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A pretty scratched-up Horsfield's Baron (<i>Tanaecia iapis</i>) basking on a leaf.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Rajah Cave or <i>Ngiroyan Raja </i>- which is more of a massive overhanging boulder than an actual cave - marks a sort of halfway point on the trail and it looks to be a frequently used camp site with bamboo pallets built beneath its shade.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944231757" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="18 Bukit Serumbu Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="18 Bukit Serumbu Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave)" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/13944231757_2631a21ce0_z.jpg" title="Totally top heavy." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Rajah Cave.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Right round a corner, the villagers have installed a couple of dirt basic privies complete with porcelain squat toilets planted right onto the ground. I did not try them out but I strongly suspect that there were no actual plumbing attached.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14130893095" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="19 Bukit Serumbu Toilets Near Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="19 Bukit Serumbu Toilets Near Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave)" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2937/14130893095_2e387152d8_z.jpg" title="Nature calls." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A pair of privies. A couple of commodes. A twin of toilets.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944246330" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="20 Bukit Serumbu Squat Toilet Near Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="20 Bukit Serumbu Squat Toilet Near Ngiroyan Raja (Rajah Cave)" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/13944246330_3610aeae9e_z.jpg" title="Definitely had enough fibre though." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looks like the last bloke who went here had trouble digesting cellulose.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Almost immediately after that, the incline rose to a steeper 30 to 40° rope-assisted trudge, and I found myself missing my gloves which I left in my car at the base of the mountain. It was no more than a warm-up compared to what <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/02/sailing-spirit-boat.html">Mount Santubong</a> has to offer, but it definitely topped <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-walk-up-mount-serapi-of-kubah.html">Mount Serapi</a> for a workout.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14127531161" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="22 Bukit Serumbu Rope Ascent After Ngiroyan Raja by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="22 Bukit Serumbu Rope Ascent After Ngiroyan Raja" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5025/14127531161_af5af583b4_z.jpg" title="Climbers, lift thyself!" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The trail after Rajah Cave.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14131117824" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="23 Bukit Serumbu Lookout Point by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="23 Bukit Serumbu Lookout Point" height="297" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5238/14131117824_5da7cb4243_z.jpg" title="I can technically see my house from here. It's in the right direction." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A lookout point a short while before the top. Click to enlarge.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At about 11:00AM, I arrived at the well-shaded top ridge of Serumbu where I saw my very first wild pitcher plant in all my time in Borneo (though I would see millions more in my later trip to Bako National Park, but that's another post for another day). Maybe I haven't been observant or gone out enough, but I am a tad embarrassed by this gaping hole in my Bornean experience, having lived in Sarawak for two and a half years by now.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107631446" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="26 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria climbing cluster by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="26 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria climbing cluster" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/14107631446_4cd347c13f_z.jpg" title="" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A nest of <i>Nepenthes ampullaria</i> upper pitchers dangling from its climbing stems.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pitcher plants are known to produce two types of pitchers - the lower and the upper pitchers - and apparently, the upper pitchers of the <i>ampullaria</i> <a href="http://nepenthes.merbach.net/english/_ampullaria.html">are said to be extremely rare</a> and had only been seen a few time. It was thought that they only produce them when they are placed under great environmental duress, so it was quite a cool sight. All the other pitchers I encountered after this were lower ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Nepenthes ampullaria</i> is also quite morphologically distinct being urceolate or urn-shaped in appearance, so it is difficult to confuse with another member of the Nepenthes genus. Also, unlike other pitcher plants which have a stronger commitment to carnivory, <i>ampullaria's</i> diet consists of whatever it is that falls into its pots - dead leaves, faeces, the occasional animal, et cetera. You can see that in its reduced and reflexed lid that leave the pitcher's opening wide open. Their lids also have far reduced numbers of nectar glands (sometimes absent completely) which in other <i>Nepenthes</i> species play a crucial role in baiting insects.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course, they are by no means picky and insects do still fall in from time to time. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944114897" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="28 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria Inside Pitcher Cup by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="28 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria Inside Pitcher Cup" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2897/13944114897_5091ddc6e1_z.jpg" title="It's not easy being green." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dead mosquitoes inside a <i>N. ampullaria</i>'s lower pitcher.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944124589" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="27 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria Single Pot by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="27 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria Single Pot" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/13944124589_9eae871c6e_z.jpg" title="It even wears spikes. So metal." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A single lower pitcher of <i>N. ampullaria</i>.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944150550" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="29 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria bud by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="29 Bukit Serumbu Nepenthes ampullaria bud" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/13944150550_c9bdd967be_z.jpg" title="That's one hairy baby." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A developing <i>N. ampullaria</i> lower pitcher. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aside from the abundance of <i>N. ampullaria</i> pitchers, the path of the summit ridge was also practically covered every inch of the way by spider webs built by innumerable, tiny spiders so arachnophobes should stay the hell away from this place. Every step I took destroyed several of the tiny silken traps the spiders painstakingly wove onto the ground.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944149538" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="30 Bukit Serumbu Shiny Tiny Orb Weavers by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="30 Bukit Serumbu Shiny Tiny Orb Weavers" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/13944149538_f36f26d00e_z.jpg" title="Maybe one male and one female, judging from the size difference?" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two unidentified spiders with metallic markings scurrying away from my huge, destructive feet.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14237037545" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="44 Bukit Serumbu Unidentified Red Beetle by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="44 Bukit Serumbu Unidentified Red Beetle" height="480" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14237037545_a10bba7b56_z.jpg" title="All these nature walks I'm taking is making me more and more aware of my own ignorance." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">An unidentified tiny, shiny scarlet bug seen at the top of Mount Serumbu.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It wasn't long until I arrived at the base of an oblong boulder aimed at the sky over a precipitous cliffside on the southwest side of the mountain. The path sort of ended here, so I assumed that this must be the summit of Serumbu (though the lack of obvious signage left me with some doubt). Against my better judgment, I crawled up that huge stone to get a better view.</span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14127441241" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="31 Bukit Serumbu Panorama of Peak Rock by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="31 Bukit Serumbu Panorama of Peak Rock" height="322" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/14127441241_7b56db982a_z.jpg" title="No OSHA compliance." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The boulder at the end of the trail.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107572396" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="32 Bukit Serumbu Summit Rock by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="32 Bukit Serumbu Summit Rock" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14107572396_bf83a3753e_z.jpg" title="As in, it has grooves. See what I did there?" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The groovy surface of the boulder.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14150802183" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="33 Bukit Serumbu Panorama from Summit by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="33 Bukit Serumbu Panorama from Summit" height="216" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/14150802183_93763d9dfa_z.jpg" title="Please click to enlarge and admire it for I have spent my precious minutes stitching it together rather than use the shitty panorama-shooting feature on my camera." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The southwestern view from the maybe-summit of Bukit Serumbu.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107540456" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="34 Bukit Serumbu Summit Rock Slope Down by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="34 Bukit Serumbu Summit Rock Slope Down" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/14107540456_4e3ee13356_z.jpg" title="My hairy leg in the picture proves that I was really there." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Climbing down is the hard part.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I had enough of pretending to be Simba posing atop of my mini Pride Rock, I started scaling down from the monolith - noticing that the base of it also teeters at the edge of another drop. Should I slip on the descent, I would be riding on a one way train to Deadtown or Cripplesville. It didn't look like a place where my corpse would be discovered any time soon either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, I evidently got down with my viscera still enclosed within my flabby corporeal self, more or less, or I wouldn't be blogging about this now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a quick lunch of some energy bars I packed with me on this outing, I began my leisurely walk down Bukit Serumbu. I was in no real hurry to go anywhere and I still have quite a lot of juice left in my camera's battery.</span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944068920" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="35 Bukit Serumbu Unidentified Bamboo Grasshopper by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="35 Bukit Serumbu Unidentified Bamboo Grasshopper" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5077/13944068920_17d77b7259_z.jpg" title="I got real close to this one and captured the beautiful details on its caraspace." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A brown grasshopper camouflaged against the dead bamboo leaf litter by the site of Brooke's Cottage (more on that in my next post)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107490366" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="38 Bukit Serumbu Male Lexias pardalis borneensis (Common Archduke) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="38 Bukit Serumbu Male Lexias pardalis borneensis (Common Archduke)" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/14107490366_8780ae3b3c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A male Common Archduke (<i>Lexias pardalis borneensis</i>) resting on the forest floor.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/13944002679" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="37 Bukit Serumbu Female Lexias pardalis borneensis (Common Archduke) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="37 Bukit Serumbu Female Lexias pardalis borneensis (Common Archduke)" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/13944002679_d1dfc41733_z.jpg" title="Shouldn't it be called the Common Archduchess?" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The plainer and browner spotty female counterpart of the <i>L. pardalis</i>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14127676842" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="39 Bukit Serumbu Gasteracantha (looks like hasselti) by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="39 Bukit Serumbu Gasteracantha (looks like hasselti)" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/14127676842_65d15a62bd_z.jpg" title="I WILL KILL YOUR FAMILY." width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A spiny orb-weaver that looks very much like Hasselt's spiny spider (<i>Gasteracantha hasselti</i>).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14107471796" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="40 Bukit Serumbu Gasteracantha (looks like hasselti) another angle by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="40 Bukit Serumbu Gasteracantha (looks like hasselti) another angle" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/14107471796_0eab29b0bf_z.jpg" title="Do these come in red and blue?" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A close-up of the same <i>G. hasselti</i>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8009253@N06/14130647545" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="41 Bukit Serumbu Xanthotaenia busiris by k0ks3nw4i, on Flickr"><img alt="41 Bukit Serumbu Xanthotaenia busiris" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2900/14130647545_21377efa9d_z.jpg" title="Xanthotaenia is a genus of butterfly with just one species in it. Thank goodness! You have no idea what a pain it is to identify most of these lepidopteran fiends." width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A less-than-pristine specimen of <i>Xanthotaenia busiris</i> or Yellow-banded Nymph.<br />Probably the Bornean <i>burra</i> subspecies.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">About halfway down, I was treated to a familiar cacophony that <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-dip-in-waterfall-at-kubah-national.html">I encountered previously</a> at the Kubah National Park - the ear-splitting tymbalisation of jade-green cicadas (<i>Dundubia vaginata</i>). Like previously, they reached a crescendo at about 1:00PM but tried as I could, I was unable to approach one closely enough to photograph it. Of course, at the time I am writing this, I have already remedied that deficiency twice over: once on a repeat climb of Santubong and more recently, during my one week at the Mulu National Park. I will tell more in my forthcoming posts about those expeditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even at my unhurried pace, I reached the base of the mountain after just two hours, and that includes the time I took poking around the historical site where the Brooke Cottage once stood. As with my trek up the mountain, I did not meet a single other trekker on my way down, which suits me just fine. I don't like people very much. <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/02/sailing-spirit-boat.html">As</a> <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/an-atheist-on-christian-mountain.html">my</a> <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-walk-up-mount-serapi-of-kubah.html">past</a> <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/03/veni-vidi-vang-vieng-climbing-pha-ngeun.html">history</a> with meeting people on mountain trails can attest, they tended to do stunningly selfish and inconsiderate things like smoke cigarettes in my presence without even asking me if I am okay with it. Did they think that I wasn't trekking for my own health? Or that I have no inclinations in enjoying the clean mountain air which I spend hours trying to access?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Still, I hope that the flow of pilgrims coming to Bukit Serumbu to retrace Wallace's steps would remain a trickle. It isn't everyday that one can claim an entire mountain of solitude for himself, you know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">RELATED POST: <a href="http://k0ks3nw4i.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-mismanagement-of-alfred-russel.html">The Mismanagement of Alfred Russel Wallace's Heritage in Sarawak</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Treading on natural history,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">k0k s3n w4i </span></span></div>
k0k s3n w4ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09564727389837796019noreply@blogger.com1