4 Aug 2015 – To Add To The Bucket List

Mon: Bhutan, the Land of Happiness – officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked country with an area of 38,394 km/214,824 sq mi and a pop of 700,000+

Bhutan’s capital and largest city is Thimphu. There is only one flight in from SIN and one out of the kingdom back to SIN daily and depending on weather.

Paro Airport/PBH is the sole international airport in Bhutan located 6 km (3.7 mi) from Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu. With surrounding peaks as high as 18,000 ft/5,500 m it is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports. Flights at Paro are allowed under visual meteorological conditions only and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset.

Tkx to Calvin at CC for hosting this informative talk sponsored by Drukair. Nice surprise to see nephew Raymond at the talk.

Talks and bucket list reminded me what George Bernard Shaw said – ‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food’, one of my favourtie quotes on food! Bon Appetit to those who agree including moi.

Tue: 1965****tells the engaging and touching stories of immigrants and natives during the time leading up to the independence of SIN. The protagonists were a part of history in the making; they become the pioneer generation who live to see beyond the prejudice and fear of racial hatred and ultimately face the challenge of nation building – a mirror reflecting the fragility of racial harmony in our world today.

My first passport was a Malaysian passport!

Then my first SIN IC and passport…

This movie left quite an impression as I was into my adolescence and do remember the news about the racial riots. Ignorance and protected then in the safe compounds at 5 Temenggong Rd, did not understand the seriousness of the situation, thus did not suffer any physical or mental trauma. Was more traumatized living with my mother’s cancer followed by her death in Jun 1965 and was sent off to boarding school in Ireland before 9 Aug 1965.

It is rather strange to be older than a nation, this nation – SIN, my birth country where I still have some affiliations to in some ways or others. Somehow I am too western to fit in here and too eastern to fit in the west. Doing my best to enjoy both worlds to the fullest 🙂

My total admiration and respect for Gill Pharaoh (age 75). Condolences to her family but hopefully they will respect her wishes by celebrating her life and may she RIP. That thought has been on my mind – to live and leave with dignity and grace!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/11778859/Healthy-retired-nurse-ends-her-life-because-old-age-is-awful.html

For now, looking forward to enjoying every moment possible! Tomorrow is another day and will look forward to lunch with Aileen and Yulis…