Monthly Archives: February 2011

Precious gems

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Friends are gems, so precious, you want to keep them for life.

June, a long time friend since our days organising adventure camps with Outdoor Specialist, organised a simple CNY gathering over dinner. Conveniently, it also became a send-off dinner for me, before I head to climb Aconcagua. Since my earlier days in aiming to climb Mt Everest, friends have been very supportive of me and never failed to take time to gather to give me morale support. From climbing Mustagh Ata to Cho Oyu to Mt Everest, my friends had took time to prepare gatherings, surprises and send-off party at the airport for me. Some even involved their spouses.  I have always felt that I have overly abused their time spent with me. I owe part of my Mt Everest success to my friends. These are lovely people, my lovely friends.

June, forever so jolly good fellow a person
I have always called Su Ping as ping-ping an-an … her name kept me safe 🙂 [ i think she will have comments about this ghostly looking photo of her]

Polaroid photos put together … I am bringing all these for the climb [as usual, i like to carry photos of friends with me during my climbing trips]

Ahem, in no way the above represent the entirety of my precious gems, but surely, they are with me in spirit.

Tranquil MacRitchie on CNY day

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MacRitchie was pretty quiet this morning, I saw some visitors but mostly were those who do not celebrate Chinese new year (based on assumption as they are non-chinese) . I went for a 10km jog.  Pretty usual on a weekday morning, but the kayaking area was extremely quiet. I spotted a lady lying on the platform reading a book, having a good time by herself. Then it strike me to think that MacRitchie Reservoir used to be so serene and tranquil. Now with the bustling kayaking training participated by schools, that area seems very messy and noisy at times. However, MacRitchie reservoir is indeed an ideal place for kayaking training, for we do not have many choices. Got to give and take.

I ran passed families, groups of friends strolling in the trail, and a couple of others who went there to run/jog. I overheard a lady, she didn’t sound like she is a local, who was amazed that the reservoir forms part of our drinking water. She plainly pointed out to her friend and said ” this is the drinking water? so dirty!?” haha, I laughed to myself. Should I walk to her to explain to her about the water treatment system we have here?

Consumable Energy

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These are some of the usual stuff that I will have with me when I go to the mountains.

  1. Strepsils – that’s lozenges (for sore throat).
  2. Fisherman’s friend – another lozenges (more for comfort than anything).
  3. The Natural Confectionery – my favourite soft jellies on the move on high camps, refreshingly sweet.
  4. Skippy – Peanut Butter – I love peanut butter, it taste good no matter how I choose to eat it with.
  5. Pills – Ginko and Ginseng pills from GNC.
  6. Redoxon – chewable vitamin C , help to keep my immune system healthy.
  7. Pocari Sweat – energy drink, I usually drink them when on the move. But not everyday. 
  8. Gu Gels – energy gels, not a supplement for food, but it helps a bit especially on a hard day’s climb.
  9. Electrolytes – especially good for a hot day’s climb, help to replenish salt, prevent dehydration.

Plan to get some chocolates when I am in Mendoza .