It has been almost two years since my last update. Life is treating me very well and in fact, I am very grateful to the Universe for placing me and my better half in this very friendly and welcoming country, Brunei. I take this opportunity to introduce Cassandra Tang, a wonderful woman I knew since I was 16 years old and a long- lost friend for 19 years.
Suffolk House Penang
We tied the knot in Penang on 12 June 2020 and had our little wedding photography at the Penang famous Suffolk House. The Suffolk House is a Georgian-styled mansion completed in 1809. During the 1810s and 1820s, the mansion was a Government House that assumed the role as a meeting place for critical political discussions, including, most notably, discussions with Stamford Raffles regarding the founding of Singapore.
Our very own Lifestyle magazine published 2021
Not too long after our wedding, I returned to Brunei from Penang and Cassandra joined me within 3 months apart. This is Cassandra's first time leaving her comfort zone in Penang to live abroad permanently. A game-changer for both of us indeed.
Sg Liang hiking trail
We found our favourite strawberry shake at Grandstand Seria!
We knew both of us came from very different backgrounds and bring along mixed life experiences. Along the way, we found our middle way by merely open communications as husband and wife. Middle Way is to find a balance between all extremes and to be able to see the truth those lies in the middle. When emotions such as happiness and sorrow or love and hate are taken to the extreme, they bring suffering.
Ulu National Park Temburong
Cassandra masterpiece
Mr Khoo and family
We met many wonderful family and friends here who treat us as part of their family. Both me and Cassandra feel extremely fortunate and no words could express our sincere gratitude towards the love and care they showed to us.
Capt Hau with his best Malaccan ikan asam pedas
Premium toddler support Brunei
Walnut!
Our motherly figure 干妈 Ah King during 2021 Chinese New Year
Thank you Brunei for COVID vaccination!
Dolphin wreck Muara Brunei
19 June 2021 Question: Where did you get the love from?
Our beautiful one year in beloved Brunei 2021!
Cassadra is relentlessly giving her best for our family, and she is one very strong, independent, sometimes crazy, and sexiest woman I ever met!
Happy 37th birthday my love and thank you for loving me, trusting me and spending your life with me.
My sincere heartfelt appreciation to fellow riders for their beautiful photos especially Meng Lee who took the effort to produce the video for our trip. Our riders are Alvin, Ah Singh, Darren, Archie, Eugene, Hament, Heng, Koh and Quentin.
Pump up your volume on the video 😁
This trip has always been part of my bucket list. This trip was originally planned for early 2019 however it was cancelled due to busy work schedule. However as always, I never give up and continue to make arrangement so I could join my buddy Archie and the rest for the trip in August 2019.
I left Miri Malaysia to Singapore the day before our flight to Delhi. The excitement is all ramp up and this is the first overland trip since the long trip in 2012.
Our original trip schedule
Its been 18 years since my last trip to India. I remember vividly I was onboard APL (now defunct American President Line) container vessel APL Cairo calling to Port of Nhava Sheva on the west coast of India.
Old city of Leh Ladakh
Collection of hand made jewelry and Tibetan singing bowl
Fruit vendor in the middle of Leh town
First day in Leh
The journey up to Leh Palace
Leh Palace is a former royal palace overlooking the town of Leh, Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas.
The palace was constructed circa 1600 by Sengge Namgyal. The palace was abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid-19th century and forced the royal family to move to Stok Palace.
Leh Palace Royal praying room
The first day at such high attitude can the quite taxing for person like me who came from Brunei. Altitude sickness can affect anyone who goes to high altitudes without giving the body time to adjust to the changes in air pressure and oxygen level.
Constant flow of stream behind our hotel
The second day of our trip started early as we are preparing for our familiarisation ride to Magnetic hill. Located at a distance of 30 km from Leh city on the Leh-Kargil Highway is a small stretch of road that defies the phenomenon of gravity. The reason is the magnetic hill that pulls stationary vehicles upwards. Famous as the Magnetic Hill in Ladakh, it is a major tourist attraction in the valley and a perfect pit-stop for tired riders moving on the highway.
Our first group riding photo
Second day of the trip brought up from Leh to Hunder, passing the Khardung La Pass at 5359m above the sea level. The pass on the Ladakh Range is north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lies part way up the latter valley. Built in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988. Maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the pass is strategically important to India as it is used to carry supplies to the Siachen Glacier.
Archie, Alvin and Steven before we left Ewon hotel
Archie enjoying his photography
Khardung La Pass checkpoint
My first ride at 17582ft!
We arrived Hunder and stayed here for 2 nights. Hundar is a village in the Leh district of Ladakh, India famous for Sand dune, Bactrian camel. It is located in the Nubra tehsil, on the bank of Shayok River. The Hunder Monastery is located here.
Double rainbow at Hunder
The long road from Tuktuk to Hunder
Meng Lee point of view
Steven first water crossing
Milky way
This view is taken from Leh
Day 5 bring us from Hunder to Pongong lake. The distance is more than 120km and we even got lost half way through the journey.
Pangong Tso, Tibetan for "high grassland lake", also referred to as Pangong Lake, is an endorheic lake in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4,350 m.
Where are we?
Pongong Lake accomodation
Traditional wooden yark woven machine
Day 6 bring us from Pongong lake to Hanle. Truthfully, I cannot recall Hanle after a month return from the trip. This is probably early sign of mid life crisis man
Alvin distinct scramble helmet
Is that Archie?
Eugene in action!
Our hero Mr Heng steadily into the water
The man, Quentin and Singh
How do I look?
Day 7 is the most interesting day among all as we had skin dipping in the Moriri lake! Both me and Heng big brother decided to dip in one of highest lake in the world!
The lake is at an altitude of 4,522 m (14,836 ft). It is the largest of the high altitude lakes entirely within India and entirely within Ladakh in this Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region. It is about 16 miles (26 km) north to south in length and two to three miles (3 to 5 km) wide. The lake has no outlet at present and the water is brackish though not very perceptible to taste.
Back to mother nature with bare all
The lake is fed by springs and snow melt and has a maximum depth of 40 m (130 ft). Aridity and cold desert conditions prevail in the lake region; with summer temperature varying from 0° to 30° C (32° to 86° F) and winter temperature recording −10° and −40° C (14° to -40° F).
Moriri Lake famous for her mirror image beauty
On our last day riding, we did not sleepover in Lato as planned earlier and we return directly to Leh town.
Malali to Leh highway highest pass at 1300ft
The average elevation of Leh-Manali highway is more than 4,000 m (13,000 feet) and its highest elevation is 5,328 m (17,480 ft) at Tanglang La mountain pass. It is flanked by mountain ranges on both sides, featuring stunning sand and rock natural formations.
BSA just keep moving
Our reliable technical support Mr Pinky Singh and team
Steven motorcycle after many days of harsh riding. The back mud guard dropped and secured with temporary raffia rope
Our team arrived safely back to Leh on 16 Aug 2019 and the trip has been most memorable. In fact, I love the trip so much that I am planning for a returning trip in 2020.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful riding experience. We will return again.
