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Springtime-Soirée Afternoon-Tea

7 Jun 2026 – RoastedChicken Stuffed with GlutinousRice糯米雞

Thu: a repeat from a year ago, hot&humid Jun weather forcast –

There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing – NorwegianSaying so in this case not better, and not just bad clothing but also bad atitudes&equipments! No worries with the appropriate air cooling appliances&gadgets over the years and still in use all being my real MVP – Most Valuable Providers of Cool Air.

Oct2013: Mitsubishi inverter AC.
2021-Present: PowerPacElectricClipFan$10 – have burnt out the motors of 2 since then and bought new ones.
Sep2024: EuropAce/Air-PurifyingBladelessFanS$258 using ClimateVouchers.

Aug2021: IUIGA/Neckfan S$50 – tested it out with a fully charged battery running on medium speed (3speeds) and it lasted for 7hrs. Jun2025: IUIGA has lasted ~4yrs and still working despite being taped! Tkx to Clement who is too embarrassed to be seen with me using the taped one got me a new JisuLife(5speeds). Not ready to say goodbye to IUIGA, how fortunate now to have one to use within the 4-walls and the other one when out with him – hahaha.

Fri: don’t pick the durians (like anyone will not pick!!) – says town council, as durian trees bloom at Lorong LewLian=Durian in the Chinese/HokkienDialect. Bringing back memories from a meal with one of the most appalling services despite one of the best RoastedChickens stuffed with GlutinousRice糯米雞 tasted then on this street.

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/lorong-lew-lian-durian-trees-bloom

From Oct2023 post: last there on a weekend with appalling service@18Seafood食霸海鲜UniqueZiCharDishes/SerangoonCoffeeshop,2LorongLewLian,#01-56.
RoastedChicken stuffed with GlutinousRice糯米雞 advance order is needed.

Sat: Capitol building sure brings back memories of 1962-65CHIJ/VictoriaSt – cinema/theatre for movies, MagnoliaSnakBar with their yummy milkshades+a CathayPacficAirlines pilot! Pleased that the facade is not destroyed…

 

Arcade with hip&trendy $$$eateries – https://capitolsingapore.com/

Appreciations with tkx for delightful with tasteful presentation Springtime-Soirée AfternoonTea@KempinskiHotelLobby.

Unusual PeaSoup/ParmesanFoam – pretty match for the plate and cute EasterChocolatePralines

Good selections of teas&flower beverages – my choice cold Elderflower+ hot PeppermintTea.

The entrance ceiling is of 4yrs ago, apprecitaions for the GerberaDaisies – nice touch to be able to make our own bouquet to take away.

Last there 2022 was a motorbike with a side-car – this round an affluent elegant electric buggy but with no temptations or thoughts of being anywhere but here for now!

From Jul2022 post: last there for their Botanical-Inspired
https://amylamsg.com/2022/07/08/kempinski-hotel/
6Jun2026: Springtime-Soirée for this round.

Life is a journey, but don’t worry, you’ll find a parking spot at the end – Isaac Asimov

BakedChestnuts from PandaChanSnack@FunanMall – not bad but do miss the old-fashioned-cart-open-fire roasting despite being on the messy side they do taste slightly different – pix downloaded. And yes life is good with these F-words: Fun with Family,Friends,FavouriteFoods in this order and can look forward to next week meeting with family childhood friends for a food extravaganza in Penang/Malaysia.

Sun: tkx for yummy dinner@Rochalie, taking time to enjoy these crabs.

GodivaLaboboChocolates from Theresa&CJ with BabyKai watching the amazing Pavarotti/2003WarChildBenefitConcert

True contentment is not having everything, but being satisfied with what you have — Oscar Wilde

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Hello June 2026

3 Jun 2026 – Favourite Cheese Cake, so far!

Sun: discovering what will probably be my favourites a cheese cake and coffee ice cream so far. Queic/Olivia’sSignatureCheesecake and IceCream&CookieCo/SIN-KopiC

The best cheesecake for me so far (for those like me who are not a fan of the heavy cheesecakes) in SIN – blue cheese, giving it a touch of subtle savoury which compliments well with the otherwise sweet flavours of a cheesecake. This is not baked all the way ie molten centre, caramelised top and a balance of creaminess&lightness – highly recommended.  https://queic.com.sg/

Checking out what to eat at the newest foodie hotspots in town – trending on @straitstimesfood for the trendiest joints on social media – have not been or heard of these and do wonder how many of them will be able to sustain???

https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2024/11/welcome-to-st-food/index.html?nlblurb

Mon: hello Jun with today being a public holiday here in to mark yesterday’s VesakDay. A good week&month of Jun ahead to all. High-T@KempinskiHotel rescheduled – more podcasts&sewing for now…

Happy Bday to Morten with appreciations&tks for the share of this glorious day from his house on Kvaløya,Troms/Norway – one of my favourite places&ppl to visit. Last there was 2023, do wonder if or when the next visit will ever happen??
https://amylamsg.com/2023/07/26/till-we-meet-again/

Tue: 1stTue of the month grocery@MT-Giant&wet-market done before sunrise – looking forward to the completion(supposedly by the 3rd2026-quarter!) of this Aquatic-Theme-Comm-Pk.

Usual Otah-Otah@wet-market(Peranakan)not available due to preparations for the Dragon-Boat-Festival-Dumplings. Got some@blk59,NasiLemakStall(Malay). Fresh-produceS$11 washed and ready to be put away in fridge or freezer.

Wed: the humidity this morning was quite oppresive but no worries when 6windows can be closed within 4-walls and 3AC-units. Sewing on a Brother1410 is therupeutic especially when entertained by MaryHigginsClark’s AllByMyself audiobook – enjoying a mystery aboard a luxurious cruise despite not being a fan of cruises,hahaha…

Sewing is a way to mark our existence on cloth: patterning our place in the world, voicing our identity, sharing something of ourselves with others and leaving the indelible evidence of our presence in stitches held fast by our touch ― Clare Hunter, Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle

Weather forecast – can expect power bills to go way above S$100 for the next few months!
Short, thundery showers&warm nights expected in first half of Jun.
Higher risk of haze from Jun-Oct due to El Nino, Indian Ocean Dipole.

1 Jun – Happy Bday Morten
2 Jun – Happy Bdays KK & RichardLee
4 Jun – Happy Bday Natasha
6 Jun – Happy Bday Dika & Harry
9 Jun – Happy Bday Sophie
15Jun – my father would have been 114. L&M’s paternal grandfather would have been 102
15Jun – Happy Bday AmyJ
19Jun – Happy Bdays JenLeng & ChengSong
22Jun – Happy Bdays Josh & Devon
25Jun – Happy Bdays Chon/John, Clement & Huang/HI,USA.
28Jun – Happy Bdays Jeff & JohnWilson
30Jun – Happy Bdays JenMun & AnnieKOH

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Singapore Swimming Club/SSC

30 May 2026 – Welcome Grandnephew Justin&Rebecca

Wed: welcome WinnieLL back for a visit and appreciations to Peggy for yummy lunch@SIN-SwimmingClub/SSC – last there was for NewYear’sEve2011 with cousin David from HI/USA, may he RIP.

Jan2012: now that Hawaii/USA has passed midnight, the whole world is in sync to the year of 2012. Being a wimp with crowds, the choice was to celebrate a quiet NewYear’sEve with cousin David & Leah from HI/USA who will be flying off this evening. Tkx to Mica&Mun for drinks&food@SIN-SwimmingClub where we found a quiet place. A bubbly toast in a hide-away to welcome 2012. Safe journeys to David & Leah and to all who are traveling this holiday season.

Nice to see orchids attached to the tree trunks and the orchid arrangements here.

Shared the ChickenRice,Laksa,Satay+Chendo,IceKachang for dessert between us 5ppl – good food but the service is another story…

Tkx to PT for lunch who is a member here and for the ride to&fro SSC.

HappyHariRayaHaji to those marking this last day of Ramadan – forgot that it is a public holiday here today and probably a feast going on tonight@GeylangSerai where I will certainly not be. A walk around the blocks 46&47MarineC for a fresh OJ admiring these yellow-flowering tree/Yellow-flame,Copperpod,YellowFlameTree,YellowPoinciana before these beautiful blooms fade&fall.

Gorgeous flowerets in the sunlight shining, Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day, Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining, Buds that open only to decay — Longfellow

Thu: pleasant morning rains for sewing with podcasts learning about fasting with the pro&cons+benefits&effects. The best of all medicines is resting and fasting.

Fasting is the single greatest natural healing therapy. It is nature’s ancient, universal ‘remedy’ for many problems. Animals instictively fast when ill – ElsonHaas

Fri: picked up some fruit&flowers@MT-market to see more construction outside the barricade area to later learn about the pipe leak causing flooding in MarineTerrace yesterday – glad that I was not at the market then. Pix downloaded

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/pipe-leak-flooding-marine-terrace-water-supply-12-hdb-units-disrupted

Welcome grandnephew Justin&Rebecca who are here for a wedding – good to catch up with family news. Appreciations to Les&Ivy for another scrumptious dinner@Rochalie with BabyKai learning to turn on&off the battery lamp.

Sat: another cool wet morning to start the long weekend and school holidays with dinner@Rocahlie to wish Kiera a safe jounery as she will be spending her next 2months in China.
From now will be posting some memorable foods starting with my favourite Peranakan dish AyamBuahKeluak – chicken cooked with the nuts from a mangrove tree. The contents of the nut is dug out and sauteed with aromatics&seasonings, before it is stuffed back into the nuts and is one of the most labour-intensive Peranakan dishes to prepare.

Seeds of the pangium edule fruit these seeds have the rather infamous distinction of being poisonous as it contains hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide). Even the leaves&bark of the kepayang tree are believed to contain cyanide. For this reason, the seeds are traditionally buried in volcanic ash for 40days to help get rid of the cyanide. It is only then that they are sold for consumption but still need to be soaked for a few days and scrubbed meticulously to get rid the layer of ash.

https://www.singaporeanmalaysianrecipes.com/ayam-buak-keluak/

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A Perfect World!

26 May 2026 – In My Dreams

Sat: congrats to Calvin/Camper’s for his biking licence, now he can make his dream come true to ride in Japan – pix credits to him.

This is how I will travel in my next life! hahaha!! staying in places like the KempinskiHotel, on roads where there are no traffic –

some of my favourite road-drives over the years including the 2014Iceland-trip –

Sep2019 solo drive: CnoicDhoireBheatha=DerryveaghMt, Errigal/751m County Donegal, Ireland. Lived in Dublin from 1965-1974.
Sep2012 with KK&PP: Atlanterhavsvegen=AtlanticRd, Norway. Lived in Olso&Tromsø from 1974-1985.
Oct2012 with Glenda&Franklin: BlueRidgeParkwayMilepost 304.4 – LinnCoveViaduct, NC/USA, not sure what the reflection was about and how it got there?? Lived in CA&FL from 1985-2000.

There is a moment when your dreams and your memories merge together and form a perfect world. That is heaven, and each heaven is unique. It is the world of you. The land is filled with all you will do, and the sky is your imagination – 
Enjoyed&completed watching 7Seasons/151Episodes – The Mentalist follows PatrickJane, a former celebrity psychic who admits his abilities were a con. Using his extraordinary observational skills and sharp insight into human behavior, he works as a consultant for the CaliforniaBureau of Investigation/CBI to solve complex crimes while secretly hunting the serial killer who murdered his family – not to be a spoiler but All’s well that ends well. SimonBaker as PatrickJane performance with clever cases, and a long-running central mystery(2008-2015) earned high ratings+multiple award nominations – pix downloaded.
Now back reality and to Audiobooks&Podcasts to be able to sew again where 5dress+1top all new costing a total of S$25 lining up for alterations. Luck out with this brand new BUM-dress at the marketS$5, probably some minor fault somewhere! https://bum.com/

Sun: tkx for dinner@Rochalie where BabyKai enjoyed his bubbles in the garden and grandniece Kiera being the perfect baby-sitter. Nice platter, never thought this PandanCheeseCake would get my attention to try more than a tiny bite despite being on the heavy-side but did like it enough to eat a whole piece – tkx niece Patricia/May for the share.

Mon: the seldom time making Cucumber&SmokedSalmon+eggsSandwiches is when there is NorwegianTineButter but not for myself. Its going to take much discipline&will-power to resist but heart&stomach are telling me to fast today or I’ll be sorry. Tkx to KK for the visit and for getting my windows cleaned.

MemorialDay in the US is a holiday holiday (last Monday in May) honoring those who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. It originated during the AmericanCivilWar when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. The first national observance was in 1868. A Canadian doctor, JohnMcCrae in 1915 was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in battle-scarred fields to write a now famous poem called InFlandersFields. After WW1, the poppy was adopted as a symbol of Remembrance.

Tue: current info on the LongIslandProject. Beautiful booms before entering MRT-TEL-MTstaExit2 – nice for future shade to have this climbling creeper, BleedingHeart/ ClerodendrumXSpecisumW.Bull.

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life – William Morris

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2026 World’s Richest Country

22 May 2026 – HelloSafe Prosperity Index

Wed: chicken-wings, etc lunch and picking up odds&ends@IKEA/Alexandra. Walking by MomentusHotel wondering who would want to stay in this area where there are min places of interest or convenient to public transport??

Thu: walking on MP-Rd under shaded walkway feasting the eyes with the various beautiful creeping tropical vines blooms –

1Chain-of-love/Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn
2BleedingHeartGlorybower/ClerodendrumThomsoniaeBalf.f
3BleedingHeart/ClerodendrumXSpecisumW.Bull

Junction of MP&StillRd with MPCC supposedly to be completed the first quarter of 2026! with constructions still ongoing. Heading underground to MP-MRT-sta-Exit5

Great idea to have different ceiling colours and now a new eatery/cafe to try if tired of walking from Exit5-1. Looks like these cute toddlers are having a fieldtrip here in the cool underground safe away from the traffic instead of above ground on this hot humid morning – a cheerful sight putting a smile on my face with memories of my children&grandchidren at that age.

Appreciations to Aileen for catching up with a bite@Kopitiam/PP and to share a bowl of PorkCongee+CenturyEggS$6.80 – nowadays most single portion are too much for me – pix downloaded.

https://ordinarypatrons.com/2025/04/03/new-kopitiam-food-court-in-parkway-parade/

Productive morning with pix printed from 2014&2026 (so far the only times with my whole flock all together) for the new frame and shopping@FairPrice,Diaso,Scoop+walking back.

Nice to see that most of the barricades on the main BkTimahRoad are down, making Campers’ Corner/CC front entrance more accessible&visible. https://camperscorner.com.sg/

Appreciations to catch up&check out with what is new from my favourite and the best outfitter gears location/for me! in SIN. Congrats to Calvin for his bike liscence, his dream to ride around here&Japan – safe rides to him&his biker group. If there is a side-car, would also like to ride, but only on country-roads off the beaten paths and on cool dry days, ie probably never! hahaha – pix credits to Helen&Chris.

Tkx to Helen for her company for a short stroll in LittleIndia. Pleased with another new dress+a top for S$10 and a MangoLassiS$3 with the feeling of being totally blessed to be able to enjoy the simple things in life and to be able to walk ~10,000steps today.

Fri: much to do around the 4-walls the next few days to keep away from the malls&streets. Tkx for this share – quite amazing to know that both my girls are born in the top of the list of 2026 HelloSafeProsperityIndexWorld’sRichestCountry  – but of course its all relative where the meaning of rich is concerned! To me riches are not just about money—they reflect character, wisdom, and the value we create in life.

https://hellosafe.com/travel-insurance/richest-countries-in-the-world

Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you – Oscar Wilde

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Cool&Wet Weekend

18 May 2026 – Perfect For Walking

Fri: discovering how to walk to I12 without an umbrella or rainwear in the pouring rains under either overhead shades or underground all the way going thru’HDB-void-decks from MarineC-across StillRd-thru’MarineD-HDB

-MarineP-MRTstaExit4 and looks like there will be more life here when The Anchor with these facilities open their doors.

Thinking of #6 with his&my favourite coconut drink@MrCoconut/S$7Exit1

-Exit3-JooChiatRd under the shaded walkway to I12 still raining but not pouring.

New eateries here to try with family&friends – CookBoys/BritishHainanese & SoGood/Cantonese.

TexMex lunch@GuzmanYGomezS$10.90 Movie+popcorn&waterS$11.50 – welcome back&monthly treat to myself.

CS a whole chicken+wafersS$10.30/paying .30c cash to last for 4meals and using up the yellow CDCvouchers. Walking back to the 4-walls by the shortest distance in the open now that the rains have stopped. What a fantastic TGIF-day ~9,000steps filled with blessings&treats.

Sat: the rains have practically put traffic to a halt in some areas. Bus16 from EC-JooChiatRd took ~15mins, usually ~5mins and when upon reaching OrchardRd ~20mins to get to the stop@Grange/SomersetRd was stuck another 5mins at the traffic-light junction. Usually if I take this route will est ~45mins, today ~1hr+ but do prefer being here than underground packed with human traffic when I need to be in this area. Arr@HiltonHotel on the dot of our appointed time to enjoy their HighT.

GingerLily, the botanical lobby lounge inspired by the natural beauty of the ginger lily plant complimenting the afternoon tea, artisanal cakes, and all-day menu served.

Both savoury&sweets were tastefully presented with enough food to doggy-bag.

Have not been inside HiltonHotel since they moved from the previous location – nice with the flora-touch surroundings.

Managed to brave the short walk to ConcordeHotelBusStop for some good deals@the basement shop and this round bought 4dresses S$3 each – well worth depsite having to do some work on them

Sun: hurra for17.mai Happy Norwegian Constitution Day to all celebrating&marking today with one of my favourites pix from 2016, 10yrs ago where&when #3John here raising the flag in their tree-house in SC/USA. This year he&#2Ellie are in Norway to celebrate #6-Olai’s confirmation&experiencing their first 17May parade in OSL/Norway.

Appreciations to Helen for sharing her interesting SouthAmerian travel experiences, tkx for brunch@MT-market and for taking time to visit. Introduced her my special CucumberSandwich with Norweguan butter and glad that she likes them – pix credits to her. Blessed with SundayDinner@Rochalie.

Mon&Tue: after such feasting over the weekend, body is desperately telling me to give it a break to rest!

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some – Charles Dickens

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Annual Appalachian Trail Days

15 May 2026 – Dedicated to AT-Fellow Hikers&Friends

2008: First TrailDays attended: https://amylamsg.com/2008/05/19/damascus-va/

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2016: grateful to Calvin@CC for both the SouthWest and MetroPack Hyperlite Moutain Gear, all packed and ready to test them out this weekend by Tiger-Lil

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 2016: MoFo arrived by 1030hrs and per request brought his Zpack tent demonstrating how the set-up and so that I could feel the material and before ordering it when I get back from trail days. Do like the feel and the weight of this Solplex 459g/16.2ozs. Tkx MoFo for the trouble.

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2016: On the road by 1100hrs with smooth traffic except for a short section with road constructions, scattered local heavy showers, a quick lunch+restroom break to arrive into Damascus/VA before 1600hrs to celebrate the 30th Annual Appalachian Trail Days.

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2016: Made Mimosa and finger food to welcome the gang in the motel room before heading out to dinner at Rain Restaurant Abingdon****Had the rack of lamb and it was yummy but could only eat half and doggie-bag the rest. Appreciations to HiHills and Franklin who took the time to drive for nearly 2hrs to join us in the midst of their anniversary weekend plans.

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13198421_1689418814653342_3359291270652702810_oMissWiggy and I were taking pix from the 2nd floor bathroom. MoFo was giving out beads with Lizard and Pokey watching from the porch of the Hikers Inn. Did not really want to be anywhere near this madness especially after HiHill’s accident in 2013.

Tkx to Lee&Paul@The Hikers Inn, we stayed dry and warm thru’out the parade.

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2016: appreciations to MoFo for driving me door-door to&from 2016 Trail Days in VA. 4+hrs drive just flew by when one is having fun in good company!

2016: https://amylamsg.com/2016/05/16/the-30th-annual-appalachian-trail-days/

2017: https://amylamsg.com/2017/05/22/trail-days-2-2017/

2018: https://amylamsg.com/2018/05/19/trail-days-2018/ was Bear’s final&last TrailDays, but hopefully I can be there again for 2023-Trail-Days! Has not been too easy to arrange to meet for these TrailDays being also end of the year for school events&functions for the USgrandchildren. Tkx to MoFo who made these gatherings possible by driving me there&back over the years.

Checking previous blog postings and looks like those were the four TrailDays atteneded…

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OSSEA-Orchid Show 2026

14 May 2026 – Tanglin Mall

Mon: a few days of catch up here being away from the laptop. Many tkx with appreciation for Mother’sDayDinner Sunday night to Theresa&CJ at my favourite PekingDuck location, ImperialTreasure/Paragon. Usually after such a scrumptious meal with four other cantonese dishes&dessert will need to fast for a few days, but not this time, keeping company with s-i-l@Rochalie while bro is away.

Woke up bright&early to a different scene this morning and feeding these coloutful&forever hungry koi has convinced me again that having the responsibility of any other life besides my own, ie person,pet or plant, is not for me…

Since in the area, took Ivy to the OSSEA-OrchidShow@TanglinMall. Was impressed with this year’s display tastefully done with lovely local batik motives complementing these exquiste blooms – highly recommended for all orchid admirers.  https://www.ossea.org.sg/

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished — the orchid blooms in its own season – Lao Tzu

Trying to convince Ivy to grow orchids since they have the help,space&time and also to keep the family histroy as 12Uncle JohnLAM(1926-1990) was one of the pioneers of the OrchidSociety in the 1950s before he&his family emigrated to HI/USA.

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Have been helping out OSSEA with their MOR publication from 1999-2009 and setting up with their 2003 first show The Singapore Orchid Festival@SBG, then the first festival held@SBG in the UNESCO’s/World Heritage List. For me it was and still is my favourite orchid festival&show ever.

New@TanglinMall: #5&6 would liked this new CandyStall but so-so Ramen@Hototogisu – nowdays most outside foods are either too salty or too sweet for the aging palate!

Tue: not the usual early morning scene heading from Rochalie to TEL-MRT-OrchardBlvdSta to learn about the latest for this line.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/3-shuttle-buses-to-be-rolled-out-during-period-of-late-opening-along-tel

No worries despite getting caught in the rush-hour, a handsome-kind-young gentleman offered his seat allowing interesting ppl watching. And for real, every single one has their eyes on their screen. After passing ShentonWaySta had the train practically to myself with the company of this cute cleaning robot upon reaching ExitB. Back to the 4-walls in time for the morning meds and grocery shopping before it gets too hot.

Face this world. Learn its ways, watch it, be careful of too hasty guesses at its meaning. In the end you will find clues to it all = HG Wells

Wed&Thu: saving some energy before a busy weekend. Looking forward for these 3MRT-stations to be completed in Jul.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/keppel-cantonment-prince-edward-road-mrt-stations-on-circle-line-to-open-on-july-12

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HKG-MacLehose-Thru’-Hike 100km/62m (2-6Mar2012)

10 May 2026 –  Special Mother’s Day Post

Sun10May2026: Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers with special memories to my own mother TSENG MayLan(1911-1965)and to my 2beautiful daughters Linn&May who made me an appreciataive mother&grandmother of 6.

In Memory of my mother TSENG MayLan (1911-1965) who was from HongKong/HKG

The MacLehoseTrail 麥理浩徑 opened 26 Oct 1979, is a hiking trail starting PaTamChung 北潭涌/SaiKungE-CountryPark 西貢東郊野公園. 100km, marked by distance posts at 500m intervals along the path. It is named after CrawfordMurrayMacLehose, the longest-serving HKG-governor (1971-1982) who established the Country Parks and was himself an enthusiastic hiker. This Scotsman did what he thought was best for HKG at that time and he did much good for HKG too.

Starting@TuenMun屯門/TaiLamCountryPark大欖郊野公園 was by choice so as to end this hike@SaiKung in more cheerful&pleasant surroundings.

Acknowledgements

Gratitude with thanks to Grace for her companion&protection all the way. Appreciations for advices&help to HKG-friends Chanel,JohnC,Johnny,Harry,Henry,Henrietta&Francis,Richard and to all who contributed and crossing my path here, especially to CampersCorner/SIN friends,staff&management. Grateful for Mar2012 blog postings making this ~1,000+words posting possible.

References

Various online sites and maps downloaded from some sites.
Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong: Pete Spurrier
Maclehose Trail: Richard Peace

2Mar2012 – Day1 Sections 10, 9 and parts of 8

Fri2Mar: overnight Thu1Mar@TinShuiWai to be nearer the trail. Caught the first LightRail, connecting to MTR to TuenMun and took us ~1+hr to find the trail head due to constructions in the area!! This section starts thru’ some poverty&slum, quite a sad sight. No, do not wish to go further or document this in pix but the sun was shinning and let that be the happy start of this 100km hike.

Continued to hard and concrete trails with views of TaiLamChungWaterCatchment area (interesting Marble cake looking rock formation), views of CastlePeak and WongNgaiTunReservoir. Got off track for quite a bit day-dreaming in the heat. Had to back-track and fortunately found the markings at a junction by the portable toilets. Thank goodness for excellent markings, posted nearly every 500meters/M001-M200. Hilo-pad sighted,  in case of emergency, indeed very civilized way to hike.

The old abandoned house M179 (stated in Hiker’sGuide) is now a shrine and one can light candles or joss-sticks, but the matches and lighter there did not worked! Left the coins so as to lighten weight in daypack. A nice camping ground@RouteTwist. Heading to TaiMoShan 957m 3,140ft (HKG highest peak) on hard surface-road uphill and a side road to the SzeLokYuenYouthHostel. The sunset was one of the most beautiful ones experienced. That made up for the run-down hostel costing HK$65 per night for members. Such a pity, what a spectacular location.

Day 1 started 0600 from hotel. On the trail 0930hrs, in hostel 1830hrs
28.5km/18mi. Sections 10, 9 and parts of 8 M200-M143

3Mar 2012 – Day2 Sections 8, 7 and parts of 6

Sat3Mar: started later thinking that it was a 14km day, later to discover it should be 17km. Up up up to TaiMoShan 957m/3,140ft (BigHatMt). Mispronounced that slightly and it will be BigMistyMt! Some photographers were waiting for the weather to clear but unfortunately for them, no such luck. Showed them the sunset pix, best shots in this hike ie can say so now that the hike is completed

Continued on hard surface road. Met LokMan & his pal- both fit, handsome young men on their bicycles. Nice to chat and exchanged contacts. Above pix credits to him. Grace’s friend Ben joined us here.

Pass M143 

Misty and treacherous ups & downs Grassy 647m/2,123ft & NeedleHills/532m/1,745ft M130. Knees are aching. Down to road where the WilsonTrail crosses@PineappleDam.

A monkey grabbed my ice-cream cone@ShingMunCountryPark M125

M123 Pilboxes and trenches from war days. Towards GoldenHillRd and down to TaiPoRd M115. Grace messaged to warn about the monkeys. Got her to pick me in a cab at that stretch. No other hikers – was totally alone and this human does not deal, get involved or near monkey business! 14km as originally calculated is correct for me. Cab 2-3km from MonkeyAlley to main road!

Took another cab from the main road connecting with the MTR for accommodations@NewPekingGuestHouse/TsimShaTsui. HK$210pp

Day 2: started 0800 from hostel. Trail 0815hrs. Cab 1700hrs
17km/10.6mi. Sections 8, 7 and parts of 6 M143-M115

4Mar 2012 – Day3 Sections 6, 5 and parts of 4

Sun 4 Mar: 0600hrs MTR to ShamShuiPo and cab back to TaiPoRd. Ascended from LionRockCountryPark M115 and this location was infested by monkeys. Graceful Grace took the lead and we were safely back on to the no-monkey-trail! Taking a short break in a wooden shelter.

 

 

 

 

Another misty day like yesterday with no view@BeaconHill. Nearly mid-point + high point! a cafe serving noodles and a pix of ChowYuenFatt@ShatinPass M101. A bowl of hot noodle hits the spot and continuing uphill to the mid-point M100.

Ups & downs muddy and slippery paths whole afternoon. Concentrating on every step. Planning to do 23km today, but hiking in these conditions and in the dark is too risky. Instead of hiking to KeiLingHa M069, decided to hike down from the deserted MauPingVillage M085 to PakKong. Got a cab HK$70 to LadyMacLehoseHolidayVillage/LMHV HK$20 per night for senior and HK$21 dinner with 5 dishes. A wise and good decision

Day 3: 0600 from TsimShaTsui . Trail 0700hrs. Cab 1700hrs
15km/9.3mi. Sections 6, 5 and parts of 4 M115-M085

5Mar 2012 – Day4 Sections 4 & 3

Mon5Mar:  0630hrs bus & cab to PakKong, hiked up back to the deserted MauPingVillage M085. Continued to MaOnShan 702m/2,303ft and down hard surface road to KeiLingHa where toilets and a welcoming vending machine are located. Muddy, misty, slippery and time-consuming hike.

More ups and downs in the mist, KaiKungShan 399m 1,309ft, LuiTaShek 379m 1,243ft, NgauYeeShe Shan. Due to time and conditions, did not stop or take pix as again did not wish to hike in the dark. Wanted to get in to a warm dinner and hot shower back at LMHV.

Even with all the climbing, today’s hike was yet another limited view day, but better misty than too hot. It was one of those days having to concentrate and focusing on every step. Well like everything in life, the ups and downs have to be experienced and that too shall pass.

Day 4:  0630hrs from LMHV.  Trail 0700hrs. Cab 1800hrs.
15km/9.3mi. Sections 4 & 3 M085-M045

6Mar2012 – Day5 Sections 2 & 1

Tue6Mar:  0630hrs bus & cab to PakTamAu M049. Hiking thru’ urban jungle on ups and downs hard concrete. Rather welcoming after days of wet, slippery muddy paths!

Passing the empty village of ChekKeng, mysteriously beautiful in the mist. Stopping to make use of an avant garde designed toilet M043. Passed by two tents and a sleeping body in a sleeping bag outside the tent!

No views from the two pavilions M023 & M025, unlike the last hike with Harry, exposed and sunny! Pleasant along TaiLong and SaiWan enjoying a bowl of dau-fu-fa/soya bean curd with a Swiss fellow hiker. Continuing to LongKeWan, lovely picnic and camping area M020, by a drug rehab centre. Uphill towards the main dam.

The final Section 1 M020 is along the HighlandReservoir, a hard 10km on surface road taking us 2hrs. Must be tired and not focus. Fell on my face but thank goodness on soft grounds topped with dead leaf. Can understand why Harry wanted to take the cab last year thru’ this section to start our hike from Section 2. Was quite done with this section after a quick shot.

Ran (no joke) for the bus which brought us to SaiKung and from there another bus to the MTR. Noticed that other passengers did not sit next to us

Day 5: 0630hrs from LMHV. On Trail 0645hrs. Bus 1700hrs
24.5km/15.3mi. Sections 2 & 1. M048-M001

To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping – Chinese Proverb

by

Power of the Mind

8 May 2026 – The Mentalist

Tue: Cinco de Mayo=Fifth of May, commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla (1861-1867). Will try to get some TexMex food sometime soon…

http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo

Used to celebrate this occasion when living in the USA with food from south of the border, refreshing frozen Margaritas, yummy tacos,guacamole and salsa. Also another good reason is to expose the children to different cultures and taste of foods.

Fesita Ultimate NachosMargaritas_shutterstockguacamole

From May2016: above 3food pix downloaded from various sites – having similar food except not that kind of presentation, just how I would like it to look but the below food pix is the reality – hahaha!

IMG_0912IMG_0913IMG_0919

With 5kids the Margaritas will be VirginMargaritas. Not a fan of Margaritas, so had BlueFlour made these and my plate of TacoSalad minus the shells and cheese.

Wed: supposed to meet@EC-Pk yesterday but had to re-schedule as it was pouring buckets then – welcome back Leng and tkx for one of my favourite Peranakan-dishes Ayam-Buah-Keluak lunch@Godmama/Funan. Appreciations to her for taking time off your her busy schedule to catch up. Stay healthy&safe until we meet again.
Thu: welcome Kiera back and what a treat for a Thu-dinner@Rochalie with Kiera and the family’s favourite fish+many other favourites by bro’s cooking.
Hearing news about the Hantavirus a few days ago which may have spread aboard a cruise ship – crusies are not me, so just imagine being stuck on one will be a total nightmare probably enought to kill me! – pix downloaded.
2SIN were on this ship now quarantined@CDA – pix downloaded.

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses which can cause serious illnesses and death. These viruses cause diseases like HantavirusPulmonarySyndrome/HPS and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome/HFRS. They are spread mainly by rodents – pix downloaded. https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/newshub/media-releases/hantavirus-and-tuberculosis

Fri: the power of the mind is a fascinating subject and with mentalism – a type of performing arts where a mentalist reads their subject’s movements,physical behaviors,other body language,etc using a combination of psychology&suggestion, and misdirection to create mind-bending illusions that challenge our understanding of the mind. While mentalism is only the illusion of telepathy, it has captivated audiences for centuries because it requires years of training and a deep understanding of the human mind.

To assess the quality of thoughts of people, don’t listen to their words, but watch their actions ― Amit Kalantri

Still in awe watching today’s young mentalists/DavidKwong,LiorSuchard&OzPearlman so much so to be wanting to follow

The Mentalist(2008-2015)with 7Seasons/151Episodes! and for one who does not follow with any DramaSeries, it is going to be interesting to see how many episodes these OldFlowerEyes 老花眼 can handle before getting bored – hahaha…

Lao Tzu said that if you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.