Cameron Highlands

My biker buddies from BMW Motorrad invited me, a non BMW bike owner, to join them on a weekend ride to Camerons. Apprehensive at first, but then I thought; what the heck! How often does a Ducati owner get invited to ride with the Beemer boys? Besides, I'll stick out like dogs balls and that's what 'living' purposefully is all about.
So off I went on Saturday morning, after a hectic, congested, work filled week, I was off, like the wind, to join 30+ other BMW bikers on a ride up the deliciously winding slopes of Camerons. The virtually mishap free ride took about 2 hours with petrol stop at Tapah rest. Quaint little streams and spectacular waterfalls still dot the route up the highlands but the tight and sometimes long corners make the ride worthwhile.Of course the large acreages of vegetable farms and tea plantations make a grand vista.
The spanking new Century Pines Hotel we stayed in was small enought to be personal yet big enough to accomodate all of the bikers and bikes in the front courtyard. There was a karaoke cum sports bar that we bikers ended up drinking when we were not admiring each other bikes in the courtyard. Oh. Did I also mention that it was also a trip to celebrate Oktoberfest? Yes the German beers were flowing all right. And the German MD of Auto Bavaria I was with, Mathias Heimann was scintillating company as we conversed and connected on a level that transcended 'time and space'. A man who enjoys his beers as much as he enjoys biking and the business of 'not selling cars'. It was indeed a memorable night, even with all the beers in my head, what was on top of my mind as I turned in, at way past 3am that night, was a question that will almost always be a mystery posed to me by Mathias;
Where are you when you are travelling? Cue music (twilight zone)

I am eagerly awaiting the ride photos from fellow biker/photographer Norizan. Watch this space.

A Century of Days

That's how long it's been since Jon's liberation. I call him a 'Joyful Melancholy' on his blog the book of Jon

Pictured here is a moment captured in Kijal, Terengganu. The usual family holiday filled with sheer joy as they still are, of the three of them cavorting by the beach hut caught in a classic pose of 'one-ness'. And that that we had together, nothing can change. What a happy family.

Odd Man Out?

He's the first Asian to win the 110m hurdles Olympic Gold Medal and he came to do in style from near oblivion. Read more at B3's Weblog and find out why this man will be bigger than NBA Icon, Yao Ming.

Coffee Terrace

Was invited to be one of the panelists in the 'Industry leaders' session of our Shine Training at Awana Genting Highlands one weekend. After a very invigorating night Q&A session with the participants, I took the family, who tagged along, up to Genting Hotel's Coffee Terrace for what I consider one of the best buffet lunch spreads in the Klang Valley set in very stylish refurbished interior of contemporary chic.
I was both happy and relieved that my family agreed with me. The cool mountain air did all of us alot of good as well. It was a nice little 'break'.
You're welcome Guys.

The Gap, Brisbane

"Get off the Moggil Ferry drive for about 5-6 mins to roadworks then a school comes up in front turn with the corner then stop at coffee place on the right. Relax, have a cup of coffee and wait for me".

Those were exact instructions from my host Daryll who drove from his home at the Gap to meet me and lead me to his home, more aptly The Ritz Morton where I'll be his guest for the next few days. Daryll & Hsiao Ping, Jessica and Andrew Morton have lived in Asia a great deal. We met them when Daryll did time in KL with Hong Leong Bank and have been good friends ever since and whereever they went to live after KL we would call their home, The Ritz Morton due to their impeccable taste for fine living. Speaking of which, I thoroughly enjoyed the pre-dinner cocktails of newly arrived wines from the local vitners, especially memorable was the Tyrells Semillion or was it the Hunter Valley Sauvignon Blanc-Semillion with the flinty aftertaste? Yes, lovely indeed.

Pictured above is Jessica who was kind enough to model for me in front of The Ritz Morton, which is actually a lovely house sitting on 33,000sq.ft of land high on a hill overlooking the city of Brisbane.
Bottom 2 pictures of the Chinese Suite where I stayed. Notice it even comes with ancient Chinese musical instruments- in case you can't sleep, I suppose you can play yourself a lullabye. Beats the Ritz anytime.

On the road

To Toowoomba

From Toowoomba to Moggil

On the Moggil Ferry

Spent some much needed time on my own when I drove from Toowoomba to Moggil Ferry Road near Brisbane to catch the ferry to meet up my with hosts for my next Australian episode.
What a feeling...open road ahead and behind me with just acres and acres of greenfields and meadows surrounding me. Even with the powerful 3litre V6 Toyota Camry, I felt no urge to put the pedal to the metal to test the ride, the driving experience was priceless at just below 100kph.
As I drove in my time of quietude, a very welcomed tune came on the car radio just to briefly accompany and share with me that very special moment of driving alone on that long highway, 'Knocking on heaven's door' simply sung by some unknown Aussie unplugged and sublime. Jon sang that very song during school campfire nite, it was his favourite song and only solo performance with his band. I just felt very liberated and very loved as the Moggil Ferry came into view.