What a day - surprising, interesting, beautiful.

8am on train to Guangzhou, China.  There was SUNSHINE!

What's this all about... TWO wine fairs... 

I need to calm down and chill out - after a  LONGGGGGG  & InterestinGGGGGGGG day!!!  [Read on..]

Foreword: I'm going to write this in English - so I can share with my business partner (and friend/ travelmate) who shared the super interesting day with me.  :)

What a day!?

Story began... 2-hour sleep last night, then I was there at Hunghom Station by 6.48am.  Got my Starbucks (there is only Starbucks where I could get the coffee... ) Caramel Macchiato + Cheese Croissant, I was ready to board the Kowloon-Guangzhou Through Train!

7.03am - I met my travelmate at tne gate of the train.  "I'm jealous!" She saw my Starbucks carrybag.  SORRY that I assumed she would have had breakfast with family in the early morning at home - so I didn't call her up and asked if she would like something from Starbucks.

7.05am - WE were at Starbucks.  "Hey - I got a RAT at home this morning!  Hahaha... " (I was like @_@")  

"RAT!!!!!!???????"

7.06am - "Yeah - a rat!  We live in rural area!  I was freaked out - I'm a city girl!" (I was like -_-")

7.25am - We were on the train... Chat chat chat chat...

9.35am @Guangzhou East Station.  "We are getting off," I said.  "Oh - we are HERE!?"

10.12am - we were at our 'destination', the fairground.  

bla bla bla... bla bla bla... bleh bleh bleh... ehhh... ehhhhh....

3.15pm - "We have time before the train at 16.56, let's go shopping!"  I said.

3.32pm - We were at a 'plaza'.  There was JUSCO supermarket, H&M, and Pacific Coffee.

3.40pm @Jusco supermarket.  "Hey - this is the GALLO olive oil from Portugal!"  I said.

3.42pm - We were in front of the WINE & SPIRITS section.  "Hey - look at that!  You can do instalment payment for the cognac, the Hennessy.. and all these!"

3.46pm - "Oh... Can I... go there..." - "I didn't have time to buy the special shampoo for my new hair style [my red juicy tomato]... let me get that here!" - so I bought my shampoo!

4pm - We ended up, "Let's go Pacific Coffee."

4.15pm - Oups.. I found a little creature FLOATING ON TOP OF MY CARAMEL LATTE!!  "@_@"

4.20pm - I got my NEW cup of caramel latte.  "Let's go!  It's time."  I said.

4.23pm @Metro station (3 stops away from Guangzhou East station).  "We have to walk a little bit faster..., " I said.

4.46pm @Entrance to the customs, then the train flatform.  It was CLOSED!!  "Turn over the ticket, it says you have to be here 10 minutes before!!.. bla bla bla bla bla...."

4.56pm @Ticket office, with four others who missed the train too.

4.56pm @Ticket office.  "Shall we take the train to Shenzhen, then back to Hong Kong?"  I asked.  "Let's go!"

5pm @(another) Ticket office.  "Earliest, 1-class, departs at 5.50pm," the ticket officer said.

"OK...," I said and paid.

Tickets then were in my hand - 17.40 departs, written there.  "Wasn't that the officer said departure at 5.50!?" - I thought.

5.07pm @Entrance to the train flatform.  "Hi, you are here too!" - my friend said to a lady we met at the 'first' ticket office, who missed the train.

"Yes, here I am too!"  the lady said.  "Oh hey... " - she saw the other two people who (kind of) missed the train right in front of her.  They are first-time visitor to Hong Kong/ China from Australia!

Here, four of us were there again, waiting for another train, but only to Shenzhen.

5.15pm @Waiting area.  My travelmate + myself + Ms. lady were sitting together and started chatting.... bla bla bla bla bla.. hahahahaha... 

"Oh, so you two are selling WINES!"

"Oh, so you are an architect from Hong Kong!"

"Oh, your last name as LUKE, but the Chinese is same as me!"  I told the lady - Ms. LUKE the Architect.

5.38pm - Travelmate + myself + Ms. Luke the Architect + the Australian couple @train to Shenzhen.

6.59pm - Train arrived at Shenzhen.

7.xxpm - "Where are the two Australian tourists?  Hope they didn't get lose." - Ms. Luke the Architect got off the train with my travelmate and myself.  We walked and chatted on the way.

7.xxpm - "Oh, here you are again," Ms. Luke the Architect spoke to the Australian tourists.  

7.xxpm - We walked altogether to the customs.  Then due to different identity documents each of us held, we went through separate counters.  Then we were finally at the ticket office at HONG KONG SIDE!!

I went to washroom.

I came back, "Where are the Architect and the couple?"

"I don't know - I thought they are here at the ticket kiosk..."

"Let's see on the order side at the counter.  Perhaps they don't have the currency!?"

So we went to the other side, we found the couple and the lady!  The couple didn't have enough change, so they had to go to the counter and get the ticket!

7.45pm - we were all on the train at HONG KONG side, sat down and ready to go back to the city!  

"We are back to the civilized," the lady said.

7.50pm - I was on a phone call, "Sorry, I missed the train, and I don't think I can make it to arrive there at 8.30.  Please don't wait, and kindly pass my message to...."

I missed the event, which i thought was important, and I really wanted to go.  I was supposed to be there to meet someone who just retired and is going back to his home.  I wanted to try best to make it, because either I meet him this eve, or we never know if we will ever meet.  And, I want to send my warm THANK-YOU to him, for his support during his time here.

He will leave Hong Kong next Monday.  But, I missed it to meet him before he leaves.

8.03pm - my travelmate got off, as she lives closer to the New Territories.

8.30pm - Ms. Architect and myself were on the taxi, going to Lan Kwai Fong.

"Bye there, we'll meet again."

8.42pm - I was walking along Wyndham Street.  Party animals around.  I felt like going somewhere for food & wine.  I was starving and tired.

8.48pm - Well... no... nothing interesting.  Let me go back home, cook and get my FULL bottle of Blanquette de Limoux by myself!

9.15pm @Supermarket nearby home.  I picked one thing I wanna get for my 'dinner'.... then I thought.. ok... save time - let me do all my shopping for the weekend/ next week.

9.22pm - [Whatsapp] "I couldn't find the booth number for these two exhibitors...."

9.24pm - I 'parked' my shopping cart aside.  With my new 'smartphone' - I was working there... finding the 'answers'... DONE!

9.35pm @HOME sweet home.  "Oh - my lotus flowers... what's happened?  Seems you are all so tired... like dying... oh no, please!"  

10.01pm - Salad + Spaghetti w/ Carbonara sauce + Blanquette de Limoux in glass @dining table!!!!  

10.38pm - FINALLY.  I'm back here, home.  Interesting day!

I missed the chance to meet someone I might never meet again in life.  

I met someone new friend, same last name (in Chinese character) as me, shared the similar experience - got stopped at the gate while the train was there at the flatform underground... then we met again at the station... all the way back to Central, Hong Kong.

It's the TGIF (Thanks God It is Friday).

I wanted to do something I wanted - not as I wanted at the end; I was not expecting something I probably would not want - but all a sudden, it happened.  

Never mind - life is full of surprises.  Nothing good or bad, nothing true or false, nothing matters as the end of the day (or life).

Finally, I started writing.

Since I came back from Australia almost 3 weeks ago, I have been trying to adjust my life back to 'normal'. It's all about adjusting the pace, the view on life, and the view of wines.

Probably because this trip was mainly for learning purpose, and most of the itinerary was not under my control. So, selecting what I like & what I'd prefer to write out of the whole lot of information I got was just... HUGE LOAD OF WORK!

Also, as my itinerary was so well-planned, and I got a very tight schedule, I didn't really get a very good sense of location when I was there. Not to miss, all my mind was with the wines - the taste, vinegrowing, winemaking, the philosophies from the masters...

Basically, everything just was mixed all together after my journey of 17 days.

Well, but on the other hand, I should be happy about this. I bet all those actually tell my trip was such a fruitful and meaningful one. In fact, what I've gained from the trip was bit more than what I was expecting before.

Finally, after the 3 weeks of adjustment, I got my body more used to where I am now. I also got my mind put together, and I could write in Chinese by now!

So now, I can start writing - putting down everything in my wine journal & travel journal.

Here we are.

The first weekend after I came back was gone.

On Friday, I was there having a glass of white wine in the early afternoon,
reading the book I bought from Australia - titled 'The Good Life'.
That's the one about the Post-911 lives of a few New Yorkers.

Saturday evening, I went to the Annual Dinner at a club,
where there were heaps of Portuguese mood and smell.
I couldn't get away from the feeling of being in Portugal that whole night.
Sitting there, looking at the map up on the wall -
red lines connecting all spots around the world were starting from THAT single point.
Then the glass of red wine was from Portugal too,
with the unfamiliar grape names like 'Trincadeira',
but the smell and the taste was so close to me... so close to my heart.

Sunday, I finally got to meet my nephew after all the weeks apart.
He looks different - he could now sit straight up, he could turn his body,
and for sure he felt like crawling, yet still lack the strength to do so.
Yet, he's still my Nephew the King, with the family bond which I am always aware of,
and will last forever in my life and his life.



Today is ANOTHER MONDAY - meaning another week has begun.
May 2010 is here.
My trip to Australia has ended, my dream is over.
I am back in Hong Kong, I had my last weekend here, and a new start of week is ahead of me.

It seems as if life has changed after I came back -
I was out there away with the luxurious wine & dine experience;
I got the time enjoying wines under the blue sky;
I happened to experience the moved moments on the ANZAC Day;
I met a lady in hostel, who both the reception lady & I thought she presumably has got some mental problem indeed, and she talked to me for quite some time about her life.

Just everything I experienced has made me feel like life has changed.
'Has it really changed though?', I was asking myself today after I finished reading 'The Good Life'.

Life hasn't changed.
Here we are still who we are.
I am still a girl from Hong Kong,
hoping to go out from time to time,
drinking wines over the dinner,
going to the dinners and gatherings which I am supposed to be at,
playing with me nephew and seeing him grow up.

I found it really easy to assume that life has changed,
and once it is changed, we could not possibly go back.
In fact, life has always been the same. Nothing has changed.

What might have changed is our own selves.
We acquired new experiences, memories emerged, time elapsed...
we might choose to live the life we want or might not have lived before.
Possibly, we might choose to go with the flow, and live the life however it is.

Here we are - life has not changed, and probably it will never change.

If it was a dream...

In my dream, I saw this 'painting' through my eyes, and camera!

***
If that was a dream,
it was a really wonderful and unforgettable one.

I still remembered.
Everything was still so vivid in mind,
as if all were happened just yesterday.

In my dream,
I met angels from around, who love drinking good wines and having good food;
I was lying on the grass, seeing the blue sky above,
and watching the clouds move.
I breathed.
I felt the morning mist, and the smell of the wet grass.

In my dream,
I climbed up to the mountain,
and I saw the valley down under my feet.
Up there, I got my glass of white wine for breakfast.
It was just amazing!

In my dream,
I was thinking what if I would never wake up.
Shall I just stay here in my dream,
and forget all things around?

I knew it was not a dream.
Everything was so real,
but too real to believe.
Then that made it as if everything was a dream.

Now, I am here, I am back to everything I was used to.
My family, my friends, my room, the humid air, the dinners and gatherings...
The dream is over, but it has never gone far.
It has always been in my heart.

***
P.S. If it was a dream, shall I just stay there in my dream,
and forget all things around?
My answer is NO, I want to wake up.
I should not be staying always in THAT dream only.
I have to go out and see, and keep dreaming something else.
That would help me keep going, keep searching, keep exploring, and keep learning.

My next dream - South America!!

Explore - [SEARCH] - Rethink - Learn

Lucky me getting the opportunities to travel to some countries around the world.
Remembered that I wrote something about my 'reason to travel' -
not really thinking of 'escape' by now, but all I want is to keep exploring.

I couldn't recall when I started liking the idea of 'exploration'.
I used to be really rigid, stubborn (perhaps still a bit now) and wanted to go with MY flow.
After sometime, maybe due to the 'accumulation' of travel experiences,
I realized the process of 'exploring' could mean searching around -
for things that I don't know, and then go with OTHER'S flow.

Yes, there are theories saying that we tend to pay attention to things that we have heard of,
or have seen before. But, when you are out there somewhere you have never been to before, and you are not joining a tour - you got to do everything on your own, you'll realize how little you know.
Plus, there are THEIR ways to work things out, there are THEIR patterns of living.
You simply just can't stick to your own idea or pace sometimes.

Then you may have to rethink how to work things out,
with THEIR way while not losing your own appetite for things around.
(After all, travel should be a happy & enjoyable experience!)

If you are open-minded enough, and take this as a 'learning opportunity',
you would learn something at the end indeed!
Sooner or later, everything is a happy thing - as you would believe
'there's always the way out'.

***
During my stay in Canberra, I noted the words below - about [SEARCH] in a new place. Enjoy!

[SEARCH]

I brought with me my wife and daughter, rice cookies, and a small green buddha

I brought with me my mother's handmade linen

I brought with me traditional medicines, hair oil, tamarind and gold

Coming to a new place I brought my heart

I've brought something from each of the countries I've lived in

I have come from a very crowded city in Europe

I come from an ancient country

When I first arrived I went in the wrong direction for an hour

Before the plane landed all I could see were rolling green hills and water holes

To get here we travelled by bus for three days and nights

Which way is east?

Highlights from the trip: 'Australia 2010'

Well... well... well...

It was really a fruitful and wonderful trip indeed.
After one or two days,
I realized,
'where there are too many highlights, you don't know what means by highlight itself'.

So there I got really dilemma - how to show you all my photos.. and writings.. and all everything.
Real challenge...

Wait and see... will make it more structured soon... hehehe...

Last day in Australia - moved & touched (Part III)

After the National Ceremony, the Australian War Memorial opened.
I was in there again - instead of going to the 'Roll of Honour' - I went to the exhibition hall.

It was 12.15pm.

I started with the exhibition hall about 'First World War'...
then 'Second World War'...
then 'conflicts from 1945 till today'...
also the 'Of Love and War'...

I also visited some other halls,
showing the different wars in which the Australians were in service;
I stayed in some halls seeing the aircraft,
watching the panaroma short movie with the scene, the sound and the move of air above me - creating an illusion that the aircraft is really like over my head.

Clock ticked - 1pm... 2pm... 3pm... 4pm..
When I was at the last stop - the souvenir shop - it was 4.15pm!!

Basically, apart from the half-an-hour lunch inside the Memorial,
I spent almost like 4 hours there for the exhibition, and indeed - I didn't really go through all the exhibits.
Some of those are really bit 'heavy' for me - I still couldn't understand why there was WAR.
Seeing all those exhibits which include like letters from those who were dead;
aircrafts - bombers - guns - navy submarines - swords - knives;
photos showing the prisoners who were starved to death...
countless people were dead - some even nameless because their bodies were discovered only some years after the war ended.

So there I was walking through the years - from First World War till the most recent 'conflict of today'.
That includes the 'post-911' US-Afghanistan conflict.
(Coincident, I am reading a book about the lives of the New Yorkers who survived from 911.. )

Why war? Why no peace? What's the point of 'winning' the war with so many people died?

I was asking tonnes of questions to myself.
Yet, I am sure - there are no answers out there.

***
I was indeed surprised to see all the exhibits,
and the Australian War Memorial is definitely one of the best in my museum list!

Never imagined I would have got the chance to walk through all those history in such real touch,
I felt like I saw the weakness of mankind -
for I guess those declaring war might be indeed in fear of their own weakness being attacked.
On the other hand, I saw the courage among those men and women at war times -
or those involved in war matters for their families may be survivors from wars or ones being left behind...

Today - there are still wars going on somewhere in the world.
People are killing others; nations are fighting against others or fighting in the name of 'defense'.
Frankly, I guess there is no end to the game of 'war'.

However, I believe there is peace existing somewhere in the world.
Yet - I think before seeing that existence, everyone has to see that from within ourselves first.

***
Last day in Australia - I was moved & touched - for I heard not the voice from within,
nor that from the Nature or the people around me,
but the voice from history - from the messages left by those who died in wars.

** END **

Last day in Australia - moved & touched (Part II)

Couldn't stand staying in front of the 'Roll of Honour' seeing all the names of the dead -
I went for a coffee at the cafe next to the Australian War Memorial.

***
While having my coffee,
I overheard the story told by a veteran sitting next to me,
he was telling his story to another lady at his table.
I couldn't really imagine how life was at that time,
although probably one might tell me 'why bother? there is no war in your country!'

Inevitably, all I heard has provoked some thoughts in mind -
some thoughts about life & dead;
some thoughts about love & hate;
some thoughts about war & peace.

It was still early morning - just 8am.
I had been to the 'Roll of Honour' only - but I wanted to visit the special exhibition ongoing there, which was named 'Of Love and War', featuring the relationships and affairs at war times.
It will open at 12noon.

So, 4 more hours - what to do?
I didn't want to go back to city centre, so then I decided to stay for the National Ceremony!
(What an Australian life I had!!! I haven't been to the National Ceremony of HKSAR or PRC! What a shame....)

There was the ceremony, parade... Prime Minister... Consulate-General from the different embassies...
I was among these guys at the Ceremony!
I couldn't really remember all the things I have seen - and who the parade people are.
All I could recall was the last minute of the ceremony, before the 'big guys' left -
the noise from the Royal Australian Air Force aircraft right above me!

Stunning - I have never imagined that kind of noise... like a needle piercing into my ears.

There I was,
at the National Ceremony among all the Australians.

***
(to be continued)

----
Reference:
'Roll of Honour' at Australian War Memorial:
http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/roll_of_honour/introduction.asp

Last day in Australia - moved & touched (Part I)

25.April.2010 - 'Dawn Service'

The same day 95 years ago,
troops of Australians & New Zealanders set out to fight again the Turkish during WWI.

Today,
Australians & New Zealanders commemorate 'Anzac Day' (ANZAC: Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) on 25th of April.

**
Frankly, I wasn't really aware that I would be here in Australia on its National Day.
Until when I got to decide where I got to go after my 'wine trip',
then I realized I would be here in Australia on this special day.

Towards the end of my 'wine trip', I found that I didn't want to do anything touristic again.
I want to experience the REAL AUSTRALIAN SPIRIT -
that's why I am here in Canberra, the capital city of Australia.

I wanted to see how it goes here on the National Day - on the ANZAC DAY.

Excuse me for my ignorance, I wasn't really into history and therefore,
in fact, I didn't know that it wasn't really a celebration, but commemoration.
It is also due to my ignorance,
I started searching for more information about this 'commemoration'.

Before the ANZAC Day,
I read a bit on the internet whenever I could get online;
I went to bookstore and had a quick check at the books about ANZAC;
I was reading the newspaper which got special features about ANZAC the day before;
I talked to the New Zealander who accompanied with me during my wine trip;
I spoke to the Australians here, and asked how ANZAC Day is.

Finally - on the ANZAC Day,
I woke up at 4am, and I was on the road by 4.30am.
There was special FREE shuttle bus from the central bus station (they called it 'bus interchange' here in Canberra) to the Australian War Memorial - so I was there in the queue by 4.45am.
By 5am - I was there at the ground in front of the Australian War Memorial. Already packed.
I got the program booklet, and got a poppy (a symbol of war remembrance) in hand.
Lucky me - I found a seat there up on the stage right in front of the memorial. There I sat and waited.

5.30am, the 'dawn service' started.
Following the hymn, prayer, and speech...
there was the 'one-minute silence' - complete silent at dawn.
Only the sound of the birds there.
Last - there came the national anthem.

Then, sunrise followed.
I was there still sitting, while all others have left.
Staying there for a while to see the sky turn blue - with some grey & white cloud.
Nothing bright yellowish, as I've seen so far in Australia.
Seemed like the Almighty has also heard the cry from the land on Earth - nothing bright.

It was still very early - not yet 7am.
I was there in the Australian War Memorial 'Roll of Honour' -
watching people come to look for the names of the 'wall'.
The names are the Australians who died in wars - WWI, WWII, any other wars happened,
in which Australians joined the fight on the battlefield.

People who came are probably their children, grandchildren or colleagues who made it to survive.
Everyone put the poppies next to the names they recognized.
I stood there for quite a while, watching & watching.
I started thinking why there was war, why people couldn't really stay calm and make a peaceful world?

So cold - I couldn't stand staying there anymore.
I went for a morning coffee at the cafe next to the Australian War Memorial.

***
(to be continued)

An end marks another beginning - note from Australia.

It has come to almost the end of my trip in Australia - 2 more days to go.
Have been thinking about the 'theme' of my trip indeed.
Although for sure, WINE is definitely one that comes TOP OF MIND,
I found there are much more than just WINE.

Not until I came over here in Australia,
I realized that I really have been travelling a lot.
(Of course, compared with my CRAZY friends somewhere out there,
I am just no way comparable!!)
With all the travelling experiences, I learnt a lot for life.
Plus, all different experiences have brought me different thoughts about life.

I used to think that I got to listen to the voice from within,
for who I am, what I'm doing, what I care, who I love, what I love - hate - dislike - like...
Everything was from within myself, as I still got the choices throughout my trip.

Out of expectation - I found this trip has got me something new.
I wasn't really listening to myself - or the 'voice from within',
but the sound around me - from the Nature and from people around me.

My 'wine itinerary' was completely planned in advance and - (forgive me to say) - I got no choice indeed. So,
I was there in the vineyard - seeing the snail next to the grapes;
I was there on the field - looking over the green piece of land under the blue sky;
I was there up on the mountain - walking slowly as if I was dancing in the ballroom, just because I was so scared of slipping down and rolling over down the slope and not able to go back home forever;
I was there watching the ants running on the mud, knowing their ways, stopping sometimes without the help of traffic lights;
I was there listening to the winemakers, who were sharing how the grapes were grown, what biodynamic was, how their wines were made with passion & experience;
I was there sleeping on the grass, looking up into the sky, and hearing the fly buzz next to me;
I was there playing with the dog at the guesthouse up on the hill;
I was there just daydreaming, hearing the music on the way to winery or the stories from my wine travel companions...

A strange trip somehow - for I didn't hear myself at all.
All I heard was the voice from the Nature and people around me.

Back to the question - about the 'theme' of the trip.
Definitely WINE will make up a great part of my trip, and
I will have dedicated webpages about that.
Still - I believe there is out there a 'theme' for my whole trip.

In fact, I got one sparkled in mind - will see by tomorrow if that's really the ONE.
Yes - tomorrow - because I planned to go to the dawn service on the ANZAC day,
and then visit the War Memorial.
Everyone here was telling me that would be touching - I believe so.

Probably that would help me 'conclude' my trip on the last day of my stay in Australia.
Last but not least, I'm sure that 'conclusion' (or 'the end') will mark another beginning of my life.

What a trip, what a life!?

@Hunter Valley, Australia


Enjoying the wines up on the mountain, looking over the Hunter Valley - that was just fabulous!!


I couldn't have imagined that I would be having a wine tasting there up on the mountain,
looking down - there was Hunter Valley in Australia!

Unimaginable - unbelievable - but that's so REAL!

Will be on the road, exploring again shortly -
if not able to keep updates here, will be back 28th April.

Goodbye & See You!

Time flies unbelievably fast - it has come to the last day of the 'Wine Australia Travel Scholarship' trip.
It's the last day of it in Sydney. Time to say goodbye to my travel companions, who I was with for the past 10 days.

That's kind of crazy having a trip with 6 others who you have never met before, and from different places over the world.
And it was a 10-day trip - surrounded with wines, embraced by the sunshine under the very blue sky.
We chatted about wines, had good food, smiled, laughed, had bit of singing, little dancing steps, games, riddles...
Just fabulous!

That's hard to believe that it has come to the end of the trip,
and we had to say goodbye to each other.

Then we would be back on the track of our lives at our homes spreading across the world -
USA, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Austria, Ireland, Hong Kong.

Yet, no doubt, I believe all of us would remember the days - sometime in 2010 -
meeting some crazy strangers from different part of the world & passionate wine people from Australia,
and making new friends over glasses of wines!

I wish all my new friends there happy lives and keep enjoying every moments!

***
On this day - before 'Goodbye', I had a morning walk along the harbour.
That was early as 6am-ish, and there was the wonderful sunrise scenary.
Another brand new day has begun indeed.

On the way to Melbourne

April 10, 2010 (Sat)

9am Qantas flight to Melbourne - making me wake up at 6am, ready to leave home by 6.30am.
So there I was at the airport, checked-in.
Before going to the gate, I had my breakfast at a really slow pace.

In fact, I used to be really rush at trips before - but somehow not sure why, this time - just so relaxed.
Probably that's because my itinerary and almost everything were so well-prepared already... so, no worry at all.
(Or, so far, I didn't worry about anything much! So already kind of my 'practice'!? Anywayz.)

***
I did the online check-in on Friday indeed, I chose the window seat with just ONE more seat next to me before going to the aisle.
There was the big guy sitting there next to my sit when I boarded the plane.
After a while, we greeted each other, and started chatting!

Gosh - he's australian, married to an English woman, with the little kid - both wife & kid now in London.
So there he just got off from the plane from Heathrow, London, transit through Hong Kong, going back to Melbourne!
Most interesting - he studied creative media, then went working for a publishing compnay, doing IT magazines.
He also did write some columns for the IT magazine.
Right now, he is a primary school teacher!

We chatted and chatted... almost half of the flight hours!
He also plays African drum & acoustic!!
He's also interested in knowing Chinese culture & politics (a bit).
All everything so interesting indeed - so there I made a new friend on the plane!

***
Apart from the chat, I watched two on-demand movies: 'Avatar' (which I didn't have much intention going to see when it was on in cinema) and 'The Hurt Locker'.
Two movies both made me feel bit heavy indeed - both somehow about 'war & peace'.
I don't really know why we got the idea about war, and conquering...

***
9 hours gone really quick!
There - I arrived at Melbourne!!

***
PHOTOS:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/untitledjournal/Australia2010Day0Departure#

The Day Before Departure

April 9, 2010 (Fri) - Day (minus)1

Have been struggling how to start my writing - should I begin with my 'Wine Australia Travel Scholarship' day? Should I just write about my wine story? Should I write about my wine life?

Have been struggling where to go after my scholarship part is done - Tasmania? Western Australia? At first felt like vacation, then felt like perhaps I should make my trip all the way just about wines!?

FINALLY - All I had in mind before I departed - Just let it go, and let it flow.

***
So there on the day before my departure, I got the invitation to attend a press conference - orgnized for wines/ food from Tasmania + Queensland + South Australia. Met quite a few people there, and all of them were just telling me the same thing: 'Oh, awesome, you are going Australia tomorrow morning!? Enjoy! Do you now feel like you're there already?'

Yes - they were right! I felt I was there already - having all the wines & food from there... and they were such fresh produce. Nice!

It's the first time for me to explore Australia - although I have been involved in wine sales for Australian wines, and met the winemakers & the suppliers for times. However, I haven't had the chance to go there and see the real thing!

TODAY - I got it!!

Indeed, it was 'teatime' hour when I went to that press conference. There, we were having lobster, abalone, lamb... just LUXURIOUS!! How could you imagine that kind of food for 'TEATIME'!? Anywayz - that's how my '(minus)1 day' began!

And then in the evening - there was temporarily suspension of water supply. Because of that, I thought I would stay home and get prepared. YET - finally, I couldn't resist the temptation to go out for a drink before I left. ONE round - thanks my angel friend stopping me from going somewhere else for some more rounds.

There my day was done - fully ready physically & mentally - to Australia!

***
PHOTOS:
LUXURIOUS teatime: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/untitledjournal/Australia2010DayMinus1PreTrip#
WONDERFUL one-round of drink: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/untitledjournal/Australia2010DayMinus1PreTripNight#

The Art of Travel (V)

I was writing about the sadness while travelling alone on the road in my first piece about 'art of travel'. Then I shared some more views about travelling later on. Now, I believe this piece will be my last one about travelling for the time being. Maybe there will be some more writing about travelling later - I don't know yet. Depends on my next trip probably.

Anywayz.

This last round of thinking is going back to the question about travelling alone. I was walking on the street tonight, after midnight - it was quiet, and it was cold. I realized I always did this kind of 'walk' while I was away from Hong Kong. I remembered the walk on Champs Elysees in Paris (France), the walk from Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Rome Opera House) to the hostel nearby termini (terminal train station) in Rome (Italy), the walk from Buda to Pest in Budapest (Hungary), the walk along the beach in Cascais (Portugal), the walk...

I could go non-stop.

Next, I realized I have been travelling on the road alone for quite some time. Occasionally, there were times when I had to travel on my own - but I wasn't really into 'travelling alone', until my trip in late 2007. Probably that trip made me change. That was a trip to Italy/ Spain. Then, I found myself fallen in love with such trips. I started to notice, not just to see; I also started to listen, but not only to hear.

Very easily, we would fall into the trap of omitting the details we should have noticed or the key words we should have listened. Perhaps because of time pressure, or because of psychological issues, or whatever excuses we could make, simply the fact is - we miss the details. Then because we miss those details, we find it difficult to ask questions and know more or think more in-depth. We simply have our mind completely blank!

I guess at the end of the day, the details, the follow-up questions, the answers, what I've learnt from all these, and my thoughts - altogether made up the inspiration I have been having.

Eventually, travelling is neither an escape, nor a sightseeing occasion - but part of my learning process in life.

***
I'll keep going - and keep learning.

Remarks:
The opera I enjoyed at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma:
< http://en.operaroma.it/header/audio_video/carmen_2009 >.

An opera show at Italian opera house is kind of a MUST for me whenever I go Italy!

The Art of Travel (IV)

While you travel, your curiosity may just explode - you may never have realized you would be like a kid again, asking all sorts of questions you have long lost.

What is that plant?
What is that animal?
Where am I?
What are those people doing there?
What should I say in order to say 'HELLO'?
What should I say in order to say 'THANK YOU'?

There are just all sorts of questions one gets in mind while travelling in another country - somewhere one has no idea about.

Apart from all those mixed feelings and the questions I had in mind, there was another thing that kept my mind busy. It's the thought about 'Continuity' and how close I am to a place or to a person or to a community...

I have been building my 'city list' - not for the sake of getting the pride for travelling to that many places (after all, not many indeed - though I know compared to some others, that's a lot.), but for the sake of getting to know how it is out there somewhere in the world, and how people live there... Yes, it's back to the point about my curiosity. As my friend's message - that's for young traveller.

Then, when it came to travelling on my own, the curiosity is no longer about the places only. It's more about 'self' and 'identity'. Through talking, knowing others, going around & looking at all new things - it's easy to trigger one to ask who i am, and where i am. Probably that's what my friend said, 'seasoned traveler'.

Bet I have been undergoing that kind of 'process' - then came my last trip to China. That's unexpectedly 'something else'. Yes, I did discover something about the places I have been to, and also about who I am. On top, I was discovering something about Chinese civilization.

I went to the Henan Museum and the 'Yellow River' region - amazing! I started learning things like how man was evolved, then all the dynasties, wars, culture... simply everything about humanities and civilization. I also learnt about how the Earth, the different types of earth, rocks... I never thought that I would be going that deep into such topics. I used to visit museums and churches in Europe - but then all I thought was about 'appreciation' of all those, what has happened at that period, and what made the people at that time got the ideas on those artpieces and architecture, etc.

I basically broke down all those as 'periods' to know about, but I never thought about the 'influences' carried forward as time passed. Until when I visited the Henan Museum and the 'Yellow River' region - there came the idea about 'continuity' and how the past affects the next generation - or until now.

So my next questions was - how ourselves in this generation is actually affecting the next generation? We could easily fall into the 'trap' to say something about the next generation, they are just not as good as ours. Yet, have we ever thought about where they learnt from? Have we ever thought about what we've done for ourselves AND the next generation?

I guess unless we believe that we gotta have no 'continuity' at the end, then we could stay with the perception or behave the same. Otherwise, perhaps we should do something for the next generation(s).

***
I'll keep going.

太著迷。｜Indulgence.

如痴如醉。
太愛這個地方。
太著迷於那個藍天。
醉倒在那歷史與藝術之下。

Indulged in this place,
so much into the blue sky,
the history and the arts.

***
@梵蒂岡｜Vatican

















@羅馬｜Rome
(註：灰衣人是真人，非雕像｜note: the grey one is a REAL man, not statue)

The Art of Travel (III)

Started writing my another piece of travel write-up. Frankly, I was not sure if this will be published or not. Let's see. Yet, I enjoyed the process a lot, during which I had a lot of thinking about life and MY living.

I know people might tell me 'Don't think too much' - but then I realized it is because of such thinking - I turned out to be the one who I am. I didn't mean to be just think and think, get stuck there, then no conclusion or not moving on because there might be confusion or sadness or whatsoever something that hinder us. What I meant is to think and get to the point that could keep me go on with energy.

My friend just said to me last night on msn that I am really energetic (I don't know how many of those there were, who have already said something like this before). Honestly, I don't think I'm THAT energetic, and might be occasionally not that postive-thinking as friends thought I am. Very likely, deeply inside, I got some kind of pessimistic mindset indeed.

My friend also asked me if travel can really take someone away and make one a better self eventually. No doubt, my answer was 'YES' (for me). +100% firm on this. I know friends who like travelling too - and everyone of them got differnt 'habits' or 'views' on travel. Some take it as a 'shopping trip', some as an 'escape', some think that is a 'quality time with my sweetheart'... there are plenty of reasons for travelling - and plenty different possibilities of what one gets from the trip.

On the other hand, there were many times that I heard of disappointment about a trip - it could be because 'weather was so bad, i couldn't go out at all.' or 'I had a big fight with my honey, and in fact, we just broke up!' or 'the tour guide was really bad.' OH well - for these years, since I felt like myself as a 'traveller', not a 'tourist' - I never came across such kind of situation anymore.

That was actually another question I have been asking myself, 'Why would I enjoy every single trip I have had, no matter how it was?' In fact, I had bad times too - yes, bad ones. I got lost, I got frustrated, I got stuck in mind, I felt like I was no one in nowhere, I missed my ex-, I worried about my work, I worried about my career... - after all, I am just a human being. I never denied I had such times.

The thing is while on the road, I saw many new things, I met new people, I came acorss situation which I had to deal with - probably not from any experience I had encountered before, nor any of my way of thinking could deal with that. Remember, I was AWAY from my familiar place - basically in another culture, with people speaking another language.

I started to learn how to deal with people from all around - having different way of thinking, or at different level in the society. I got to learn how to tell what is good, and what is bad; what is safe, and what is dangerous; what is something I like, and something I dislike; what is my preference; how to get that done; how to make it work out... all those turned out to be another sort of experience which I could never get while I am in Hong Kong, staying with my friends and family.

Another thing is about curiosity - I started asking questions and questions. Then during my trip, I would be there finding out the answers or some ways to get to the answers. Usually these kinds of questions would be related to the architecture I've seen, or artpiece I came across, or some kind of customs in that foreign country, or even just simply about the plants/ animals there, or about how people dressed, or just something I have never imagined before.

At the end, I found that I liked all my trips simply because there was no longer much expectation about the trip - I just went with the flow. I just wandered around and learnt something there - about culture, about people, about the city... Everyday - there was something new. And all these would then trigger my thought about life, and MY living. Indeed, the curiosity and all the NEW things I captured through my senses have brought me the contented feeling, and the happiness eventually no matter what had happened.

Guess I am the lucky one who can keep such kind of feeling even after I come back to Hong Kong after my trip. There came the energy I have here with me, and the passion burning in my heart.

***
I'll keep going.

<> A photo my 'din por' friend shared with me. P.S. Perhaps some friends have realized that I always get lost in Hong Kong. In fact, whenever away from Hong Kong, I seldom get lost! You know why now...

The Art of Travel (II)

There was another question I have been asking myself too - 'Where's next?'. I couldn't stop thinking of the image of a map, and then I would start thinking 'How many hours it would take me to get to elsewhere there from Hong Kong?'

In fact, is it because of the distance I like - got to get far away from where I was born, where I live? Or is it because I like being there on the plane, and feeling as if I am flying freely in the sky?

The very first question has triggered a series of questions... questions... and questions...

A week ago, I came back from China. All a sudden, I felt like I got the answers to many questions. Not quite sure how this transition came up, it just happened.

I realized it is NOT the distance I like, which made me wanna travel. If so, I would not have enjoyed my trip to China. The distance is not comparable to that to Europe.

I realized it is NOT that I like being on the plane. I never felt like flying freely in the sky while sitting with the seatbelt fastened, plus hearing the announcement saying that 'we are now going through some turbulence. The toilet is closed. Please go back to your seat and have your seatbelt fastened'.

I found that what I truly enjoyed was being 'away' - without anyone around knowing who I am, or where I come from. Staying at home, I got the 'identity' as my mom's daughter; staying among my friends, I am 'Jennifer' who they know; participating in a wine dinner, I would be expected as a 'wine expert'... I never got the 'real chance' to know who I really am. The 'identity' is not exactly ME - that is somehow 'expectation' from around.

Being 'away' somewhere else has brought me the time, realizing who I really am. No one knows me, I am just a 'no one' in the eyes of the passers-by or people I meet during my trip. Chances are there I would be asked where I come from; there are also chances that they would ask me what I do in my country. It is because of such communications, I know who I am.

Remembered there were few occasions when my friend asked me why I wanted to travel, and being away that long. One friend told me it is 'luxurious escape', the other friend said to me 'you must have broken up with your boyfriend', and another said 'you never like Hong Kong'. My response to them was everytime a simple 'yes'. However, today - I realized not exactly indeed.

I wanted to travel because I wanted to be 'away'; being 'away', I could spend the time to search for 'self' and search for thoughts.

***
I'll keep going.

Taken @Henan Musuem.

***
Myth (1): How could you 'communicate' with others while you speak different language from that they speak (and English/ Mandarin doesn't work out)?
Jen: Well, body language is universal. That's the best way to communicate.

Myth (2): Do you talk to any other while travelling on your own?
Jen: How can I not speak at all? No way! I like meeting new people and making new friends. Also because of the conversation, I learn more about their lives and my own life.

The Art of Travel

Edward Hopper Compartment C, Car 293 1938 © Private collection; photograph © Geoffrey Clements/Corbis Oil on canvas 50 x 45 cm

Some months ago, I bought a book 'The Art of Travel' (by Alain de Botton). It was an excellent one, with writings about travel, and the feeling from deep in the heart of a traveller. A traveller, not a tourist.

I kind of left the book behind, for I came across some Chinese books which caught my attention. Then I had my Henan trip, and now, I am back. I started reading this book 'The Art of Travel' again. Just felt like time to read something in English, and also re-think what travel means to myself.

***
Friends know that I don't feel like staying here in Hong Kong - not because of the solitude feeling I have, I never really have because I have all really nice friends and people around me. I love them all. Yet, I still keep going, keep travelling. There was one point I started thinking whether I really want to travel around and see what's there outside Hong Kong or how people live their lives elsewhere in the World. Shouldn't I stay here with my loved ones in Hong Kong?

There was another point of time I started thinking why I like travelling by my own self. People said to me they would feel lost, crazy, bored... whatever bit negative feeling would come up once talking about 'travelling alone'. However, I enjoyed the time being on my own (except the time, when I wanna try some big portion of food while on the road, I simply couldn't make it to eat them all!). I enjoyed the time looking out there silently, with just my eyes and my camera. I also enjoyed the time thinking and hearing the voice from my heart.

Being alone on the road, I could hear many things too - the songs by the birds, the conversation between people around me, the radio, the noises in the market, the shouts by the hawkers... I felt myself really there at the place where I was.

I also asked myself if there was any sort of sadness inside my heart, while being alone that far away from home, far away from my friends and my beloved ones. Yes, there was. It wasn't a kind of sadness that would make me cry, not even a sort of sadness that would break my heart. It's some sort of sadness which brought me away from reality, away from an 'ordinary state of mood'. It's out of the emotions which I normally have during the time when I was with my friends at a familiar place. This kind of sadness does not stay long in my heart, it was just there while I was lost in thought during that particular moment or thinking something I have never thought of before.

The next moment, sadness is gone. I felt contented.

***
It was a chapter in the book 'The Art of Travel' that brought me the thoughts shared here. There were also some paintings in the book which inspired me. Shared here one of those, and the link to know more about this artist, the author of the book, and some of the content in the book:
'The Pleasures of Sadness' <>

***
I'll keep going.