Vicky Fong, a columnist with Sarawak Tribune ‘Outlook’ ( a leading local english newspaper), was at our place a couple of weeks ago and having previously visited was fascinated with our place by the river and my kayaking; she asked if she could write an article on this to get off the ground a new series of article on the sporting lifestyles. Eager to share my love of this sport I consented and suggested that she logged onto my blog to find out more my kayaking trips and experiences. Life happens and I didn’t give too much thought on whether she is actually going to do a write-up when I received this sms from Danny – “Morning Francis. Congrats! Pl read OUTLOOK, Sarawak Tribune today.”

So here’s the full-page feature article and my 15 minutes of fame!

I am sure that Robin must be amused and/or delighted to find that they had taken a picture of him kayaking (from my site) instead of me! And those who read the article and are interested in kayaking would be sent on a wild goose chase looking for the elusive ‘Kuching Kayaking Club’! (perhaps I could start one?) Apart from these two minor gaffes, I am thankful and grateful to Vicky for writing such a nice article about our place, me and kayaking. Life is indeed sweet!

The picture's text maybe a little bit hard to read especially on a small screen; so to save your eyesight, here's the article's text:

He bought a new double-storey, corner terraced property because it overlooked the tributary of a river. His house in a cul-de-sac served its purpose but there was a large enough area in his backyard for improvement and extension.
An architect with his own company, Francis Ho from Kuching knew what he could do to improve the usual façade of a modern terrace house.
In no time, the side walls of his small living room were moved back, the kitchen and dining room re-located and extended into the garden. But the renovation work did not stop there.
His dramatically different home now has immense appeal with a more attractive portico, a larger living area with translucent glass panels and sliding doors to provide light while retaining privacy, and a nice alfresco area for outdoor entertaining.
Because his garden is ideally next to a river, a private timber-decked jetty was built. It blended well with the river scene. Efforts were obviously made to maintain its natural surrounding because there is still that wildness around the jetty instead of manicured landscaping.
The tradesmen who did the jetty job would have been wondering what Ho was up to! And so did the rest of us who are his new acquaintances.
He recommended that we log onto his web-site. Well, I did and was very moved by the poetic words that he sang about life:

Life hurts and life instructs.
Time passes and what is left
Are all these thoughts
Going through your mind
In an endless cycle
So I decide
To seek wisdom and choose happiness above all

Indeed, he chooses to be happy doing the thing he is most passionate about and that is river kayaking!
Paddling along the Sarawak River and its tributaries, he is always in awe of the beauty of the rivers and the rainforest, recording as much he can on his digital camera.
“I am most peaceful when I am on the waters,” said Ho, adding that the water sport was a glorious way to spend a day.
He belongs to the Kuching Kayaking Club and his free time is often spent with his equally enthusiastic kayaking friends.
“It’s a magical way to explore amazing places,” said Ho who built the jetty in the backyard of his home for convenience.
The three-tiered, timber-decked structure is also a favourite spot for his family to sit, read, meditate, and to suck into the lungs the abundant oxygen supply from the natural surroundings.
Mangrove swamps, tropical trees and foliage together with a bit of wildlife (occasionally, one can catch glimpses of monkeys on the opposite bank) create a unique environment for this urbanised home, which is situated in a new housing estate in Kuching City.
On a good day, you can even fish for crabs and fish on his jetty. We tried just that on New Year’s Day but to no avail.
As for kayaking I have not dismissed Ho’s offer. A river has its moods I understand, so perhaps on a good clear day with ideal paddling conditions, I may just attempt it. Firstly, I must master the important elements of paddling, and learn how to prevent the kayak from capsizing.
Until then, I will stick to writing because I love the psychology of why people choose to do a certain thing and why their house is decorated that way!

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