KingCamp Peak

Accommodation is limited and not cheap in Mongolia so we considered camping. We have been hunting around for an affordable and durable tent in Singapore but choices were very limited and prices were steep. A three season two men tent with aluminium poles costs at least S$275 or more. Five days before departure, I came across Adventure Gear Post selling the type of tent we're looking for. They were selling KingCamp series - S$208.50 and S$223.50 (after 25% discount). We almost wanted to make a trip down to Aljunied when he chanced upon the same tent selling at 798 yuan (S$159) in China. As we didn't have much time to spare in Beijing and there wasn't an outlet near where we were staying, I instantly wrote to KingCamp to check if they could deliver the tent to our Beijing accommodation. I received a response from the company within two hours (around 2am in the morning mind you) and they managed to arrange someone to deliver it right to the doorstep of our hostel! We reached Ming Courtyard at around 8.30pm (half an hour later than expected) and a representative was waiting patiently at the lobby for us. I'm extremely impressed with their speed, efficiency and standard of customer service. Our tent served us well throughout our journey in Mongolia. Thank you KingCamp China!

Central Mongolia

We went through a lot of deliberation and hesitation before we finally decided to go Mongolia. Getting there quickly and cheaply was challenging enough to deter us from visiting this country. We were not even confident we would be able to make it there. We flew to Beijing via Hong Kong and travelled northwards to Ulaanbaatar. From the capital, we moved west to Arkhangai aimag and made our way back to Ulaanbaatar stopping in Töv aimag en route. That's all we could cover in 14 days without having to apply for a visa!

后箭扣之28岁的好汉

RS often ridicules that no one will believe he has been to Beijing. He not only missed China's national dish, he didn't even visit the Great Wall! My bad. I was such a lousy host back then. So the next thing we did in Beijing was to charge to the Great Wall!


So many sections which to choose? I decided on Jiankou located in Huairou district 73km north of Beijing.


I visited Badaling and Juyongguan several years ago but it was only at collapsing Jiankou I really start to take in the majesty of the Great Wall.


I enjoyed climbing on the ruins but not these creepy-crawlies!


Most of the walk involves crashing through thick vegetation. That's me disappearing into the bushes as crickets buzzed and creaked.


再也没有遗憾的好汉!


He didn't want to continue anymore and since there wasn't enough time to visit the dangerous stairs and main watch towers, we made our way down...(disappointed)


Last glimpse of the steep and jagged mountains~


We stretched our sore limbs while watching the Olympics at Zhao's. I was about to fall asleep (the tv had no sound) when we heard sounds of gun shots. I pulled open the curtains to see what's going on and BANG! a huge firework exploded right in front of my eyes! I thought I was gonna be shot dead man. That was the best and biggest firework display I have ever seen!

Admission fee: Unlike other sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, there is no admission fee to Jiankou (hooray!) but there is 20 yuan pp entrance fee to Xizhazi village. It is possible to climb Jiankou without entering the village. We have seen locals entering the site via a hidden "carpark" for their evening exercises.

Transport: It is possible to get to Jiankou by public transport from Beijing. From Huairou to Jiankou, there is a public bus which runs twice daily from Yujiayuan (near Huairou bus terminal) to Xizhazi but the timings were not favourable as we were pressed for time so we took private transport. The market rate was around 200 yuan return. No drivers agreed on 100 yuan for one way trip because they need to spend on petrol to return to Huairou. We bargained hard from 200 to 120 yuan for a one way trip. I promised the driver I will post his contact number here if you need a ride try calling Mr Zhao (not related to Zhao homestay) 13241506000. 

花家怡园 (簋街店): 八爷烤鸭!

Four years ago, two scrooges were wandering in Wangfujing and stopped outside Quanjude, the most famous Peking duck restaurant in China. As they didn't have much money, they could only take a photo of its grand exterior and packet a duck back from the supermarket. He has been nagging about missing out on China's national dish ever since. So the first thing we did in Beijing was none other than feast on roast duck! Since we were staying in Dongzhimen and we were starving, we walked into Huajiayiyuan and ordered a half duck (118 yuan in August 2012). Their roast duck is served with a new twist. Other than the conventional spring onion and cucumber sticks, shredded lettuce and fruit sticks such as pineapple, cantaloupe, hawthorn, etc are included too. Wrap everything together with the special wasabi-mustard sauce and you taste an explosion of flavours. Awesome! 

Silver Fern Backpackers: Affordable Accommodation in Auckland

12 bed mixed dorm costs $18 pp plus there's free wifi for about five hours! (Over here wifi is rarely free.) Not bad huh? But no free luggage storage and owner is quite anal. He comes up with equally anal policies such as you cannot extend your stay in the same room after you've booked it previously online even though there are empty beds in the room (they make you upgrade to a more expensive room) and you can only stay maximum three nights in 12 bed mixed dorm. If you have not made up your mind whether to pay $45 to be a BBH member and need a cheap place to stay in Auckland, Silver Fern Backpackers is not a bad choice.

Singapore to Auckland via Melbourne: Declare or Dispose!

Our friends made their way down to the airport to see us off and we really appreciate their effort. Our journey to Middle Earth started with a $100 penalty for overweight luggage (it's $25 per kg we exceeded by 6kg and Jetstar waived off 2kg) and gulping down our last fishball noodles (that cost $5 each and unfortunately they were not nice). We declared everything we've got and luckily none was confiscated yes including 4 cubes of instant noodles, two big bags of Julie biscuits, sweets, solid fuel and tons of other food. Phew! 

My New Passport

I recently renewed my passport and I didn't know I can just email the immigration office to update my e-visa with my new passport number. I got a cool seal at the back of my passport (which I broke it) but now I have to carry two passports for the next five years!!!

A Leap of Faith to Freedom

On the last day of 2012, I chopped off my tresses to start the new year.

I drew a decent salary and had amiable colleagues. I could easily stay on this job forever but is this really what I want to spend the rest of my life doing? The signs were showing. I had no life after work. I was losing my dreams. I grew weary of replying appeals (postman), listening to grievances (aunt agony), being scolded for national policies beyond my control (punching bag) and fighting fire (fireman). I didn't know where all this was leading to.

One fine day in the beginning of 2012, we came across an article from The Huffington Post shared by many Facebook users. We were inspired. It spurred us to apply for a working holiday we've been contemplating for a long time. We managed to convince ourselves and each other the time is now or never. At least we have no huge financial or family commitments. Our visas were approved within a few days and we could leave any time. But we didn't. The thought of losing my job was really terrifying. What if I can't find a job over there? What if I can't find a job with a comparable pay after I come back? I still need to support my family's living. How can I be so selfish?

So I continued to stay on the safe path. The good thing is our visas have a validity period. When there is a time limit, we are forced to think carefully and make a decision. I tried to put my misgivings about leaving my family and apprehensions about my future aside and rationalised. I still have siblings and some savings to keep the family going. If I really can't find work over there, I can come back, look for a new job and join the rat race again. Of course at the end of the day we can chicken out, forfeit about S$150 application fee each and give up this once in a lifetime opportunity. To us, that was out of the question. And so we took the leap of faith.

After 3.5 years, I left the Corporation. Frankly, I have sleepless nights after quitting my job. It's that uncertain and frightening feeling of walking into a small and dark alley while everybody else is moving along the main road. My father opined that I'm making a mistake and wasting my time. Why work as cheap labour when you should be building your career and settling down? He chided. It can be quite demoralising. I know he means well and we just have different perspectives about life. My friends were generally supportive. Some of them asked me how did I manage to quit my job just like that to do such a crazy thing? I suppose if you are certain about what you want, all you need is courage to go after it.

I am going to lead a poorer but hopefully happier life for awhile. I do not know how long I will be away or when I will be back. I thought about the wish I wrote on the lantern in Pingxi and can't help smiling to myself. I'm on my way to making my dream come true.

Why I Finally Joined Facebook

People would always give me an unbelievable look when they found out I don't have a Facebook account. It reminds me of those days where all my JC classmates have handphones except me and they had to call my home number to contact me. My friends have been nagging at me to create an account for years. But I have been avoiding Facebook since it started in 2008. When Facebook just started, I thought it's just another social networking site that will be replaced by another more powerful site, just like how Facebook killed Friendster. I'll give it a miss and join that "next powerful site". Then came Google+ in 2011. But it didn't look like it'll replace Facebook anytime soon. Truth is, I was also afraid my privacy would be compromised. It's been really quiet and lonely on MSN too. So I have thought long and hard about this and decided to sign up now so that I can keep myself updated about what's happening back home. Since I will not be easily contactable and will not be able to meet my lovely friends for a period of time, the reason why I finally joined Facebook is simply to stay connected with the people I care about while I'm away. If you're reading this post, that means you! Add me or accept my friend request ok?

Memories of Beijing

每次回到天安门广场
一定得在这位置照相
四年之别
想不到我对北京是如此眷恋
地铁 公交 刷卡 打的
煎饼 豆浆 金凤成祥
服务员 超市 方便面
曾在这里生活的点点滴滴
我既然都还记得
看着熟悉的环境 听着城市的喧哗
让我有种莫名的亲切感
似乎像回家的感觉
...