Christmas Joy To The Less Fortunate- Do join us to spread the joy of Christmas to children homes

Dear Family and Friends

It is end of the year again and the holiday mood is back... with Christmas round the corner follow up by New Year and Chinese New Year 2012.

One can't imagine all these 3 happy and family occasions happen within a month apart and I am sure everyone are busy preparing for the big day...  question like 'Should I wear Red or Blue for Christmas dinner?' or 'Where should we have our Chinese New Year eve dinner?' or 'Where should we party our head off for New Year Eve countdown?' sure rings everybody (or almost everybody) heads out there...

But yet again, there is a saying 'One complain about the ugly shoe he have but forgotten those without foot to wear his ugly shoe'...

There are always many ways to spread the joy of Christmas other than big turkey or lavish gifts. We could look around us and share a small portion of our happiness to those who are less fortunate than us...

I and wife are organizing a simple visit to a children homes this coming Christmas 25 Dec 2011 lunch time. We believe in sharing and there is nothing more cheerful to us than to see those smiles on everyone faces rather than those who can 'afford' Christmas... EVERY child deserve Christmas

Purpose: To understand the challenges faced by the 'less famous' and 'less financial' aided homes

Date: 25 Dec 2011

Time: 1100hrs till 1300hrs

Place: Persatuan Kebajikan Sinar Ceria, 1 Jalan Sejahtera, Taman Sejahtera, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang

What to bring: Bring yourself and lots of joy :)- Of course a little donation won't hurt the children... there is no obligation or commitment as to what you give... a gift is STILL a gift and the values comes from the heart and NOT from $$$ worth

Not provided: We will only provides food and gift for the children. Visitor are not provided with MEALS or Christmas gift. Please not come if you looking for FREE FOOD! 

Do feel free to contact us if you wish to join us for this beautiful event.

Note: This event has nothing to do with race, religion or politic! Keep those away...

Capt Steve Foong: th_steve@ymail.com or +65 9171 9635

Suchin Koay: suchinkoay@yahoo.com or +60 12 430 6548

Thank you very much!

Steve

Old Frees Association Singapore 21 Oct 2011 Dinner

Good friendship comes a long way and there is nothing more fulfilling compare to a simple dinner where decades old friendship bonded in Penang Free School comes alive again. 

We are all a very unique and special individual as Scholar, Sportsman and Gentleman. I hope the past, present and future Frees will continue to be the flag bearer to once a Great School. 

As my buddy Adrian King said, 'It is not the magnificent white buildings or the past trophies that makes us Great. It is Us, her children who continue to proved to the World that Old Frees are indeed Great man'

Cheras Uprising 20 Sept 2011... I LOVE MALAYSIA!!!

Cheras, Malaysia- 20th Sept 2011 marks another milestone journey closer to our dream. Thanks to the arrangement made by fellow team mate, Kek Fei- I managed to meet up with one of our most important missing link in our journey, our Technical Adviser Mr Vicky hailed from Sg Petani, Kedah. A guy with pleasant personality and someone who knows what he is talking especially when comes to Land Rovers, I am truly delighted and happy to have him on our team. Not to mention he is fluent in few languages including Hokkien, Cantonese, Tamil, Bahasa Malaysia and English! A true Malaysian by heart and just the right person to represent our team... A Truly Malaysian Team!

I arrived Taman Segar Cheras at approximately 430pm by taxi from KLCC. It was a smooth ride except I got ripped off by the taxi fare, it cost me RM30 from KLCC to Cheras on a blue KIA taxi where else a conventional Red taxi only cost RM15. Reason: I didn't know it was a Premium Taxi.

The first thing I did when I arrived Cheras was to stop by Oriental Martial Arts shop. It was a dream comes true. The moment when I stepped into the shop, I felt like a small little kid stepping into a ice cream shop. The feeling was unexplainable. As a karate-ka myself and been practicing the sport since Penang Free School days, I can't help myself by asking the question that I always wanted to ask for 18years now 'How much it cost for a Shureido or Tokaido gi?'

For anyone for practices Karate, these two are like the Rolls Royce and Ferrari for karate-ka's. No one will ever understand how it feels when you donned the Ultimate gi and in total trance and concentration on the art. It is not a sport but an Art, an Art where the mind controls the actions and perfection by 10,000days of practicing the same movement.

Nonetheless, I didn't forget about my primary task  that brings me to Cheras (apart from Oriental Martial Shop) is to meet up with Vicky, an appointment made 2 weeks in advance. That shows the importance of 'Cheras Uprising Meeting'-

After couple of phone calls made, Vicky sent his friend Bala (sorry if I got his name wrong) in the most charming Orange Colour Land Rover to picked me up in front of Hong Leong Bank Jalan Manis 2.

The journey from Taman Segar to Vicky's place didn't take long as both are in Cheras. Once arrived, Vicky gave me a warm welcome to his humble workshop and showed me around. I was most impressed especially the 6x6 in his garage. We didn't waste time and go straight into business.

Firstly I need to explain to Vicky my purpose of organizing the trip and how are we going to do it. We shared the same frequency in speech and Vicky quickly understand my goal. Approximately after an hour into the discussion, we came into few conclusions:

1) We should consider reversing the trip from London/ Europe to Penang instead. This is to create a 'balik kampung' feeling and it will be more meaningful to drive home.

2) Ownership of vehicles and numbers of vehicles. At the moment, we are able to commit only to two Land Rover of the same model. We need to check on the budget of transporting the Land Rover from Malaysia to Europe or would it be cheaper if we get it from UK? Further enquiry with fellow Old Frees who worked in a logistic firm in KL, we figured out approximate cost for a 40' container including agency fees around RM10000 from Port Klang to Southampton/ Rotterdam. This comes down to RM5000 per vehicle.

3) We need to take into account of different types of travelers. Since this is not a convoy, we are skeptical of choosing our team player and only those who willing to play a role are allow to tag along.

4) As we are not sponsored by Malaysia giants telecommunication company, unlike the world trip by Datuk Azhar Mansoor we will have limited communication ways and will rely heavily on long range VHF and hand held UHF.

5) We need to make up a list of Rules of Do's and Don'ts. Strict Rules where NO ONE in convoy are allow to break.

6) Paperwork used to be my biggest concern but I was given the assurance by Vicky that this is something we should not put much effort into. Everything can be done with local agent and of course, money!

After everything was well said and done, I gave my final handshake to Vicky to a beautiful beginning in friendship.

Our next step, who are our team members?

Thank you all for your support and we shall make it back to Penang in 2012!

Steve
27 Sept 2011
0030hrs Singapore

An average person with average talent,ambition and education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society,if that person has clear,focused goals. 

We Choose To Challenge Ourselves To Our Limits... We Are Who We Think We Are!

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.

President John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962, at Rice University, Houston, Texas

Milestone Progress- Penang Meeting 25th May 2011

Dear friends     

First of all, I would like to thanks Andrew, Wong, Kai Sheong, Lih Fong and Adrian (who I met a day later personally) for their precious time on 25th May to listen to my proposal for the Round the World charity drive.

There are few proposals made for the trip and we have also received sincere sponsorship and support from close friends.

Summary of meeting on 25th May 2011 (12months and 1week to go)

1) Kai Sheong aka The Specialist, agreed on the use of Land Rover Discovery V8 model and shall start look up for available unit in Sabah sometime next month. Kai Sheong will take the lead on preparing the monster V8 for the trip and familiarization on her for the next 12months. 

2) Adrian King, being a 'local' to Sabah has volunteered to provide relevant contacts to Kai Sheong for his easy reference to search for our new monster wheel.

3) Andrew and Wong, both from Penang have showed tremendous support both mentally and manpower for the trip. As both of them are from the event and marketing industry, no doubt that their inside view and opinion stands and they are most valuable for us to kick start the charity drive. Andrew has offered his expertise to provide a proper website to our trip in a nearer date once we are into the planning stage (6months from now)

4) Steve reminded all that this is solely all assistant rendered into this project is solely for charity purposes and no any type of monetary will be paid to anyone. All money collected will channel into a charity fund for the needy orphanage in Penang and PFS Foundation (subject to OFA and PFS involvement)- PFS= Penang Free School, OFA= Old Frees Association

5) L Fong has agreed to work hand in hand with Andrew and his team for the charity drive which set to benefit the may under privileged children in Penang and along the trip. A few suggestions given as how to maximum the charity drive:

a- collect old edition and unused children's book from the public and Penang state library and children library. We shall carry with us collected books for free distribution among the childrens home along the journey.

b- collection of public donation for the good course of children's welfare. None of the cash collected will be use for the trip but in fact will channel 100% to the needy homes. 

c- work closely with interested secondary schools in Penang to use the trip as a study platform and to show to fellow Malaysian that nothing is impossible.

5) Mr Lee aka HaHa Lee is interested to compile all beautiful picture taken along trip for coffee table book compilation. Suggested part of the profit from sales to channel to charity.

I have to admit that we are now at the very infant stage of our dream but nevertheless we have good progress as long as all us are doing our part. 

Thank you once again and welcome to the exciting journey of once in a lifetime.

Please download all trip material from the two links provided below. You need to download both links (total 140MB) for complete trip material. The expiry date for download is 4th June 2011. I urge all interested members to download below material so we could all posses the same information as we progress along the way.


I shall keep the trip material updated from time to time to ensure all informations are fresh and relevant to our trip.

http://www.yousendit.com/download/dkJwR0laMGt6NFB2Wmc9PQ

http://www.yousendit.com/download/dkJwVWRqVEhCTWswTVE9PQ

Good luck 

28th May 2011

Singapore

Time To Get Serious!

Hi all

I would suggest first meet up session in Penang to discuss in details about all the preparation for our up coming trip.

Date: 24th May 2011
Time: 8pm
Venue: Penang New World Park

Do drop by for those who are in Penang as we are working out as a team for this exciting journey.

If you're big enough for your dream,
your dream isn't big enough for you!

Erwin Raphael McManus

Cheers
Steve

Start Your Engine- Team Members Name Out For Our Exciting Trip!

Dearest Families, Friends and Supporters!

Here a lil updates for our trip round the world... the dream and passion carries on! 

I was actively looking for committed people from the beginning of year 2011 who share the same noble vision and idea about a Better World For Our Children. My effort paid off as I have received numerous supports and feedbacks. 

I wish to extend my appreciation to all who supported this idea and we will ensure all will not be disappointed and WE WILL REACH LONDON 2012!

There is a saying from best seller author Mark Sanborn in his book, You Don't Need a TITLE To Be A Leader 'Fame is based on what we get in life, but true greatness is based on what we give in life'

The team members who showed their interest are:

1) OFA Capt Steven Foong- Blogger and focal contact person

2) OFA Mr Hoe Kek Fei- 4x4 world trip specialist and current trip advisor

3) OFA Kai@ Yeong Kai Sheong- Specialist in all kind of moving machineries and hardwares

4) OFA Lim Lih Fong- Focal contact point in Penang 

5) OFA Kesh@ Capt Keshvinder Singh- Professional airline pilot and best navigator to bring us to UK

6) OFA Kelly Goy- Avid adventurer! 

7) OFA Yazry Helmy- No1 supporter from KL

8) OFA Jeremy Chong- Best in marketing and sponsorship deal from KL

9) OFA Blake@ Thong Dao Wei- The best DGPS system in the field 

10) OFA Jonathan Chye@ Chye Min Yee- Our point of contact in the UK 

10) Penangite Ng Chui Lim- Family member and a crazy world traveller

11) Penangite Andrew Tan- Kind soul and a strong believer in charity for a better world. Our best bet in events and exhibitions

12) Mr HaHa Lee- Best landscape photographer who will make our Coffee Table book a reality

Nevertheless, we are still sincerely looking for potential contributer to our trip and all suggestion and welcome. 

 

I will organize localized meeting both in KL and Penang along the way to ensure WE LEAVE PENANG on 1st JUNE 2012

For those who wish to follow us on our news, do subscribe to our blog updates by entering your email address to the box provided on the right hand side. You will be automatically updated if there are further update on this blog.

Thank you once again.

Cheers

Steve Foong

New Suggestions from Interested Team Members

Dear all

After a fruitful meet up with several Old Frees in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang we have consolidate a few information which are useful for our trip next year.

Among the feedback received are:

1) Trip to postpone to 1st June 2012. This is because myself (Steve) has taken up new assignment and will only end sometimes May 2012. This new date tentatively agreed by members.

2) Changes of Route: To warm up, we have a member suggesting instead to going round the world next year. We shall consider doing PENANG- NORTH CHINA- MONGOLIA- SIBERIA- EASTERN EUROPE- EUROPE- UK. Personally I would love this idea as new route will take us approx 2-3months and this schedule will enable more people to tag along.

3) Number of Vehicles: Best would be around 2-3nos 4x4 cars, with best 2pax per car. It will not be comfortable for back seat passengers as we expect bumpy road throughout the journey. At the moment, we have already interested 3 cars for the trip including mine.

4) Type of cars: No control on this as only will leave it to individual preferences. Few suggestions:

a) Land Rover DISCO with Diesel 3.5 engine
b) Toyota Land Cruiser Ninja Turtle Diesel 4.0 engine
c) Mitsubishi Pajero Petrol 3.0 engine

 5) Strictly Free and Easy, everybody participating the journey need to play a role and step up for volunteering task. We need contacts in:

a) Good and reliable Pre Owned 4x4cars dealer
b) Professional and competitive 4x4 mechanics
c) All spares and consumables at lower than market price
d) Sponsorship contacts. This is CHARITY DRIVE and no profit will be make from the trip. All donation in cash will channel to Children's Home in Penang.

Do contact me and keep the ball rolling. If it is not now, then when? 6ft under?

Cheers
Steve
17th Apr 2011

Latest Updates as 07th April 2011...

Dear All Friends and Family members

It has been a while since any updates on the tour and it would be my responsibility to keep everyone updated as frequently as possible.

Since I signed off from my last assignment on the Lewek Toucan in mid March 2011, things has been a bit wee busy here and there... both in Penang and Singapore

Rest assure planning for the trip is still on going and we (me and team) are still moving towards to our goal...

I would like to ensure to all our faithful supporters that we never forget our pledge, to help the needy children around the world and in Malaysia.

Cheers
Capt Steven Foong

Related Questions and Answers for the Trip

Q1) Even though its still a year away, I feel its not too early to ask pertinent questions!
Yes, I purposely planned the trip a year ahead so that younger Frees (who not yet retire like me) can arrange their schedule accordingly if they are interested. There are many commitments for those younger who wish to join the trip, like resigning from their high paying job and reduces their monthly commitment like mortgages and other types of loan. 




Q2) Grateful, if you could furnish me on the cost of the trip and the entire duration. 
As for the cost, it will be solely base on our own desired touring condition and standard. Meaning, there will not be fees collected but every car/team will keep their own budget to suit their needs. Own budget will includes accommodation, food, fuel, spares and others. It is more like a back- packing style but on car. In short, no commitment, no hassle and purely a simple drive.

Obviously that there will be few things that all team members have to work out together. Like route planning, day spend in one country and discipline. Teamwork is important especially coming into helping out in planning. We do not wish to see people who are not committed following us. Every single participants will have a role to play. 

Individual responsibilities like sorting out VISA requirement, a professional hardware advisor (like types of car/engine/ tire to use), a person who can volunteer in organizing the setting up of The Lighthouse Children's Home and taking care of PFS Foundation donations.

I know that this is too much to ask but everything is solely base on participants self volunteer and there will not be forcing here. By the end of the day, we just want to enjoy a simple drive and contribute to the society.

Q3) Noticed the speed of 60 km/hr mentioned in your journey plan stands to correction I hope if not it will take us a year to cover all the planned routing. 5 hrs per day driving is also very conservative. 
Basically, the whole trip is base on Free and Easy concept. There will not be any official organizer or anything like those insurance, professional mechanic or etc. It is purely us and the road. As you might already know, many cooks will spoil the soup (or something like that). 

Me and wife, just want to drive and we will not have a fixed schedule on the whole trip but will keep a very conservative schedules. Like slow driving and stopping by longer in one place than another if the place is interesting. 5hrs a day is also very conservative because we want to take the trip as slow as possible and to drop by more places especially central Asia where most of UNESCO heritage sites located.

Q4) How many cars or person you looking for?

I actually do not recommend more than 4 cars for the whole trip (number of pax in one car will depends on the owner of the car). As mention, we are not going in a convoy but merely a simple trip where we can spend time with our love one alone. 

Q5) Can I contribute if I am not following the trip?

Yes. We would certainly love to have an extra hand to help us in preparing the trip especially organization from the younger generation such as LEO's or LION' Club, Rotary Club and any other private organization as well. As this is not a faith based mission, we welcome all types of race and religion in the Country to make this a successful trip.

We would require individual or organization who are interested to set up new children's home or those who enjoy working with the little ones. As I have no experience in welfare organization operation, all helps would be much appreciated.

All money collected will proportionally channel into Alma Mater Penang Free School Foundation and setting up of proposed The Lighthouse Children's Home. We will welcome all types of donation from monetary, services, house/place for the homes and products.

Am I crazy or what? Driving round the world?????

Dear all friends and family

In the beginning of this crazy project, many of you might be thinking this is another stunt or unrealistic project of mine. Many friends and family members started asking me questions like 'Are you sure?????' and 'Are you crazy??????'

I remember vividly the first time I circumnavigate the world on container ship APL AMAZONITE with Neptune Shipmanagement Services Pte Ltd (NSSPL) Singapore. The day was special because it falls on my lunar calender 21st birthday! and we just arrived Manzanillo, the port of Panama Canal on the Caribbean side. Yes, I was having a beer in my hand and sitting in a run down bar in Manzanillo, Panama with salsa dance floor. Who said sailing was dull?

All the crew of good vessel APL AMAZONITE were happy and excited as we had long journey from Japan before we crossed the Panama Canal locks. Everyone were tired but the our good Master, Capt Deli from Singapore managed to knock on the bar door and pursue mamasan to open the door for us at 3pm in the hot Caribbean afternoon.

Having said this, the world is not that big after all! Thereafter, I've made 2 trips round the world and calling almost all possible container ports from Europe, USA, Middle East, Asia and China!

Fast forward 11 years, time passes fast as I moved my way up the ranks in merchant navy and eventually being promoted as Master in the ever challenging offshore environment. Again, being promoted as Master onboard a Dynamic Positioning construction vessel at the age of 28years (and being Asian) was again being criticized as 'unrealistic' and 'crazy'. The obvious question is 'Is he 'Old' enough to be 'Old Man'? Traditionally, merchant navy Master are in their senior citizen age before they are promoted and therefore the term 'Old Man' are use to refer to Ship's Master.

Lady luck is on my side as I have full support from my management in Singapore and again, I have proven all the criticizes wrong. Having been trained in a hash offshore environment from West Africa to Down Under Australia and the benefits of protege under a few senior British, Norwegian, Australian, New Zealander, Russian, Filipino, Montenegro and Singaporean Master, I have learned a few tricks and survived well as Master myself.

Then comes the darkest moment in my life till date, the negative impact of all successful person. I got carried away with my early accomplishment in life and I started to take things for granted. I became a person who I am not and began to hurt the people around me. I am lost.

Within a very short period of time, I have lost everything a man can asked for in his life. Family, career, finance and love are the most important to me and I have lost it all. There is no one to blame but myself because I was travelling fast in the journey of life without obeying to the rules of life, which is always stop and turn back to appreciate how far we came from nothing.

Life is like driving a car, you can always reach your destination if you drive fast enough. But in the process of the fast journey, you cannot enjoy the beautiful scenery of the highway otherwise would be a disaster. You eyes set on the road and nothing else. Omitting all the beauties in life and nature could offer... such as the colourful flowers. greenery mountains, the smiling people around you, the unique old pre war houses and many more.

There is no right or wrong in above situation, one person will prefer to reach his destination fast enough and call it a day. Another person will prefer to take his time along the journey understanding that the destination is never a destination but merely a check point in life. Success is never a destination but a 'Journey'... and beautiful journey with different check points as we progressed in life.

What have happened in the year 2009 till 2010 taught me a very important lesson in life, the highest level of achievement of a person is to able to 'Let Go' of all the things he/ she owned.
Do you ever asked yourself 'What is my next level of achievement?' Engineer? Supervisor? Manager? CEO? Director? Owner???? and then??? the most obvious answer would be Retire!

Being a Master of a vessel at age 28years old, I always asked myself the same question. I do this because I knew that there is nothing else after CAPTAIN on the ship. There won't be SENIOR CAPTAIN or SUPER CAPTAIN or CEO CAPTAIN.

During the journey of sailing, I picked up a very unusual hobby in my life... No it is not womanizing (which many of you know that I love women with long hair and dark skin) but Reading. Yes, reading! the first book I bought for myself back in 2005 was from Walmart USA. The title of the book was 'The Success Principle' by Jack Canfield. It was a hard copy edition and eventually I re read the books three times and the all the principles in the book hit me so hard in the head that I nearly lost conscious!

The only thing I remember from the book till today is 'The Different Between Now and 5 years depends on the Books You Read and Friends You Made'

Obviously I have no choice in choosing friends on board the ship and good man doesn't stay at sea. The choices of meeting 'quality and smart' men onboard is almost negligible. But I have control over another, which the books I choose to read. Till date, I have read more books and in my 11years schooling in Malaysia combined!

I remember back in Penang Free School days, people have high hopes on me as back then 'Penang Free School' is the best the country could offer. Sadly, I never do well in school and I never ever pass in my exam in any subject (including Moral Education!) throughout my time in school. Wait, I think I passed my English and History in form 5.

Can you imagine a boy who never ever pass his exam in Penang Free School managed to get Grade 1 with 2 A's for his SPM 1998 exam? This shows the vast differences in education standards between Penang Free School and the whole Malaysia! No doubt we are the last few remaining batches from a fine British education legacy. A school who produces Kings, Leaders, 'Lions' of Commonwealth Queen's Scholar and of course P. Ramlee, our country most beloved musician ever lived.

Back to the question of 'What is my next level of achievement?'... as I mention above, I came across a book which received free (some of you might say, where got free lunch in the world) and with a little donation to a friend of mine. I finally found the answer!

Life is like walking up a mountain, you will continue to climb to the height of your success and eventually when you reached the peak of the peak... what is next is to graciously climb back down to the valley. Do not attempt to jump the mountain cliff and that would be suicide! but sadly, that is what many people are doing in today fast pacing world. People tend to work and work till the highest steps in their career ladder, and 'jump off the cliff' in another words; they Die without knowing the purpose of their life.

Looking from another point of view, would it be better to able to walk down the mountain and share the beautiful scenery and the methods to climb up the mountain? so that other people will share the same happiness of reaching the mountain top as you? to do this, you need to know where is the 'mountain top' and the allowance time for you to descent downhill to enjoy the fruit of your effort. You need to know your limit and always appreciate for who you are and not who you will ought to be, because today is always the most beautiful day in life!

Life is about able to help others to climb the same mountain and enjoy the success in life. To do this, we need able to 'Let Go' and descent the hill back to where the commoners live.

This 'Let Go' includes sincere forgiveness to the people we hate and our enemy. We must able to let go all the grudges inside to able us carry on with more meaningful life. If you only have one life to live, why waste it on sadness and grudges?

Another example would be, let say when you are driving a car. When the car does not move after you push the accelerator, what do you do next? do you release the hand brake or push more on the accelerator? the answer is clear. Life is about releasing the 'hand brake' inside us that holding us back to enjoy are more meaningful life.

I am able pick up myself from my deadly fall because I was given a helping hand from the person I love the most in my life, she is no one other than my wife Suchin Koay. She has showed me the true meaning of courage and success.

The purpose of this trip is to help the many other children around the world to realized this purpose. Setting up of The Lighthouse Children's Home will be remembered as a home where all the Children will be given equal opportunity to realize their dreams. A Home that was made for them through a A Journey which deem Impossible... We Will Prove that Everything Is Possible for the Children the same as We Prove This 'Impossible' Journey a Reality- Capt Steven Foong 09th March 2011

In everything we do... There are no obscles, only challenges... there is always a way for everything if keep our spirit High!

MISSION STATEMENT

We are dedicated to showcasing the diversity of the people and cultures of the world. The intent of this exciting journey is to promote Malaysia and awareness of love and caring for children via the road less travelled.