My 3 Little Nephew Celebrating CNY 2011

I have 3 litle nephew Jeffry, Jie Hao (my eldest sister's sons) and Zhen Yao (my youngerst sister's son). They used to call me "Ah Goo" (Hokkien pronounce) or in the others word, uncle for mother side.

During CNY, normally in the second day. There will be a family gathering in my house where my brother, sisters will come back to my house at Kamping Tiang Dua to celebrating CNY with my mum. (My dad is celebrating the last CNY with us in year 2006, now his soul is RIP)

I love my nephew very much, as for sure, CNY I and my wife will give them "Ang Pow" or red packet with some money inside.

After dinner, we will gathering together & 3 nephew will play around with their own games.

For sure at night, I will play the "MERCUN" even "Salah di sisi undang undang!"

North Thailand ~Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle Trip 2010

Chiang Mai ~ King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning "new city") in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Myanmar was a constant threat. With the decline of the Lannathai kingdom, the city lost importance and was often occupied either by the Burmese or Thais from Ayutthaya. Because of the Burmese wars that culminated in the fall of Ayutthaya in April 1767, Chiang Mai was abandoned between 1776 and 1791. Lampang then served as the capital of what remained of Lannathai. Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Mai)

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is certainly one of the most important temples in Chiang Mai, as well as one of the most revered among all Thais. The chedi sits in a rather small courtyard at the very peak of the mountain. To reach the temple itself requires a climb up a naga staircase of 309 steps. For the faint of heart, there's also a funicular cable-car to the top which has just been re-built after several fatal crashes.

Maesa Elephant Camp flanks a rushing river in a beautiful lush tropical valley a mere twenty minutes scenic drive from downtown Chiang Mai. Having been open for nearly 30 years and currently home to 78 elephants.


Royal Orchid Park is conveniently located within the bustling centre of the culturally rich city of Chiang Mai. Spread over 1.2 acres of natural landscapes & offer a self contained world of beauty and exotic plantations.

Hot Springs at Maekajan has three natural hot spring well. Each pond about 3 meters wide.
The room temperature about 80 degrees. Boiled eggs can be cooked within 3 minutes.

Chiang Rai ~ The city was founded by King Mengrai in 1262 and became the capital of the Mengrai dynasty. Subsequently, Chiang Rai was conquered by Burma and remained under Burmese rule for several hundred years. It was not until 1786 that Chiang Rai became Chiang Mai vassal. After Siam or Thailand annexed Chiang Mai in 1899 Chiang Rai was proclaimed a province of Thailand in 1933. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Rai_city)


Wat Rong Khun is a contemporary unconventional Buddhist and Hindu temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It was designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat. Construction began in 1997. It is designed in white color with some use of white glass. The white color stands for Lord Buddha’s purity; the white glass stands for Lord Buddha’s wisdom that "shines brightly all over the Earth and the Universe. It is the realization of a dream for Thailands noted artist, Mr Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed and is supervising the construction of this beautiful white temple and its many statues of figures based on religious beliefs.

The Long Neck Karen Hilltribes only used to be found in Mae Hon Son, have been settling in the region of Chiang Rai. Their womenfolk are adorned with heavy brass necklaces at a very young age to lengthen their necks. Women with long necks are considered to be the village great beauty.

Opium museum for educating the future generations about its history and drug abuse. Opium production has been illegal in Thailand since 1959. Occasionally, you may come across some live specimen in a medicinal garden for educational purposes.

The Golden Triangle is one of Asia's two main illicit opium-producing areas. From a viewpoint set high on the hillside, there are magnificent views over the Mae Khong River to the physical triangle made by Burma, Laos and Thailand at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong River.

Mae Khong River boat cruise along the best Mekong River and you able to stop at Laos border shore to have some souvenir shopping fun.

Mae Sai , borders on Myanmar's Tha Khi Lek marked by the Mae Sai River with a bridge spanning both sides.

"Ong Yah Kong" Praying Ceremony In My Village

:

              "Ong Yah Kong" praying ceremony in my Village (Kampung Tiang Dua) every years 13th days of 1st month in Chinese Calender. Since my grandfather time, the praying ceremony is still continue. Till now is the 4th generation who will contribute to lift and shake the "Ong Yah Kong" sedan chair.

              For sure, the 3rd generation like myself will also joined part in the lifting, shaking and throwing the sedan chair to the air. The highest we ever make is more than 4 meters from the ground. 

             The huge red, richly ornamented sedan chairs they were carrying rocked and jerked wildly, sideways, forward and backwards, as though a giant was jumping inside to crazy heavy metal music.  But all everyone could see in each sedan was the serene statue of a Chinese god, complete with joss sticks and sacred inscriptions.

          Besides, in Chinese religions, god will attached to some man and joined part in the praying ceremony. Unbelievable, the steel rod with 7 feet long will pierce thru the cheek, without leaving any wound when the god leaving the man.



          This is all about the religion!! Everyone in the world have their own religions. Respect each other in the world, even tough they are only minority in the world. !!

Siem Reap Angkor Trip, Cambodia (13/05/2009~15/05/2009)

Siem Reap means the 'Defeat of Siam' and refers to a century-old bloodbath, commemorated in stone in the celebrated bas relief carvings of the monuments. The name has also been translated as 'The Brilliance of Siam', as, for nearly 500 years, before the massacre, it was one of the main border crossings from Ancient Cambodia into Siam.

Many people, when they hear the name Angkor in a conversation, they ask: "Angkor What?".

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. It is the world's largest religious building. Made by the Khmer kings in a process that lasts almost 4 centuries, this magnificent area has been abandoned and hidden by the forest. Re-discovered by a french man about 150 years ago, Angkor Wat is ready to become one of the most visited archaeological and artistic site on the planet.

Unlike most of the temples of Angkor, Ta Prohm has been largely left to the clutches of the living jungle. With its dynamic interaction between nature and man-made art, this atmospheric temple is a favorite for many - who can't help but feel a little like Indiana Jones or Tomb Rider (which was filmed here) as they pick through the rubble. Construction on Ta Prohm began in 1186 AD. Originally known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), Ta Prohm was a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII.

Bayon is known for its huge stone faces of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, with one facing outward and keeping watch at each compass point. The curious smiling image, thought by many to be a portrait of Jayavarman himself, has been dubbed by some the "Mona Lisa of Southeast Asia." There are 51 smaller towers surrounding Bayon, each with four faces of its own.