Friday, February 17, 2006
2/17/2006 11:42:00 AM

River Revelations

posted by Francis Ho

After the CNY feastings and even more gobblings until Cap Goh Mei; which mark the end of the CNY (and any excusable gluttony); I was feeling positively sluggish with an increased waistline to match. Although I had no plans to kayak after a fouled-up arrangement, the rising tide, gentle breeze and overcast skies was more than I could bear; after all our dinner invitation was still more than 3 hours away.

With Ying-Yang watching me, I shoved off from my jetty and I entered a liquid realm of serenity, gliding away from the world of offensive cartoons (and even more repulsive reactions) and free police CNY hair cuts. What bliss these waters offer to the soul. But before I got too carried away in my perfect world, the dumping of unsuitable fill materials by the bastards people who lived next to the river at the resettlement scheme was appalling and I wondered about the mentality of these people. It was depressing so I paddled on so as not to dwell on it. Around the bend of the river I saw some fishermen and although they were not getting a good catch this afternoon, they still manage a smile. The pollution to the river is certainly not helping them in this regards.

Remembering that happysurfer from KL was curious about the fruits of the mangrove apple trees growing by the banks of Sg Stutong, I took some photos of them. Before too long I reach Sg Kuap and I amuse myself by trying to take some self-portraits which was a fruitless exercise as I don’t think I’m going to look any better from whichever angle I took(!); before turning my kayak around to head back.

On the way back I saw some kids playing by the river bank and seeing me, they hollered at me to paddle over, which I gladly did. I took some snaps of these carefree kids and wondered when it would be before the end of their innocence of their carefree days by the river. I hope I belong to part of that memories.

As I got on my jetty, I marvel that the same river would reveal something new to me each time I get on it; or is it that the river helps us to unravel the true nature about ourselves. Somehow I don’t think that the people around me would be wondering about things like this at the dinner party we would be attending tonight! *sigh*

11th February 2006

StumbleUpon Toolbar Stumble It!

18 Comments:

« back home
Post a Comment

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Selba said:

Ok, this will be a silly question but pardon me because I really blur with kayaking... are the fishermen also kayaking? how about the people in thailand who sells goods in the river?
and unker please don't ask me to dye my hair to blond because I prefer brunettes one :P

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger HappySurfer said:

FH2o, some me-time, eh? Nice, like the world is your oyster? And thanks for the mangrove apples - interesting shape, like a pin-wheel. Did you get to try it?
I thought that was your assignment! No, just kidding. Thanks again.

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

selba - d fishermen were in their traditional open wooden boats/canoe or sampan and paddled with a short single-blade wooden oar. U'll see the same/similar all over indonesia, thailand and in SE Asia, i believe.

u can go dye your hair this weekend or spend the time 'googling' up on canoes and kayaks!

happysurfer - i always enjoy a solo paddle; wished it was longer. i plucked a few as i like the fragrance when ripened. u r most welcomed! i hope u like the photos montage as well. have a nice weekend!

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Fish Fish said:

The kids picture are superb.Remind me my long long time ago childhood. ;)

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

fish fish - long long time ago childhood? i was of d distinct impression dat u're about half my age; or god-forbid, even younger! (still teething!)

glad that u like the kids pic n that it brought back pleasant memories!

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger gus said:

Ay FH2o, nice pictures. A string of expressions, young and old, captured brilliantly. Ever thought of going back to the places where you captured images of the children and handing the autographed copies? Remember to put your blog address so they can visit when they get the chance. I wouldn't be surprised if they drop by the very next day!

And btw, go easy on your wishes there ol' pal, a tsunami would definitely wash away their innocence of their carefree days by the river, in a blink of an eye, and you'll wonder no more.

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger HappySurfer said:

Agus, that's such a sweet and brilliant idea, the autographed pictures and the blog address. Yeah, FH2o. It'll be one for their album and you get more blog traffic in return. How about that, eh?

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

agus - had thought of givin 'em d photos which i'm certain would be appreciated; but i'm not so much of 'em visitin my blog as i'm sure that would be d least of their priorities considerin their humble background.

i was pissed with the polluters but on 2nd thought, the collateral damage is unacceptable! have a nice caffeinated weekend ...

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

happysurfer - i'll give them the photos - thats a great thought.

But generating more blog traffic is not really my priority. I enjoy sharing my pics n thoughts n it feels nice that ppl 'out there' are enjoying it too. I had been questioning my 'motive' for blogging (which is perversely addictive) and seeking popularity n approval it is not. It started as a means to share my kayaking pics with friends; then I met Robin and we used it as a means to 'chat' n keep in touch and NOW it has grown into something totally UNEXPECTED!! I'll blog this one fine day n have a NICE HAPPY WEEKEND!

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Pink Cotton said:

wow..where is sungai stutong?? i suspect its somewhere near tabuan laru???

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Pandabonium said:

Great sets of pics FH2O. Love the kids.

Well, I had a rude intrusion to my winter walk down "my" the other day. It was two big piles of used housing materials - each about a small pickup load. Someone couldn't take time to dispose of it properly and dumped in someone's rice paddy. Infuriating.

Those fruit are interesting. Never seen anything like them.

  At Friday, 17 February, 2006 Blogger Chen said:

uncle, don't wish for tsunami lah..
tsunami don't recognise people.
it will sweep everything :P

  At Saturday, 18 February, 2006 Blogger fullmoon said:

I had heard that the mangroove flowers are used in cooking ? I have lso heard that even the fruits can be eaten ? true ture ?

  At Saturday, 18 February, 2006 Blogger Robin CHAN said:

haha.. after being the cele-bratty kayaker and tour guide, I guess a trip out all by yourself would be a bliss...

definitely enjoying your pics..

  At Saturday, 18 February, 2006 Blogger gus said:

Hey, I just noticed your links. Didn't know you have one already. But I love being under Dry (but not boring). It means a lot, the tag. Thanks.

  At Sunday, 19 February, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

pink cotton - Sg Stutong runs alongside Tabuan Jaya Baru 1 & 2 as well as the '8-point' resettlement scheme. U catch a glimpse of it as u crossed the bridge at Jln Stutong.

panda - glad u enjoyed d pics as much as i do takin' 'em. I trust dat i'm gettin' better at it!

chen - just a figure of speech; i don't really mean it literally! :)

fullmoon - fruits can be eatern raw with belacan. haven't heard about the flowers as they blossom overnight

robin - hello? who's d celebraty? not me! juz another 'strange but wonderful' guy who loves d peace n serenity n enjoy d adventure, fun n mystery of being out on the waters ...

agus - u r most welcomed! I finally got round to doin it but had dragged my feet 4 a while as I was busy/lazy and I also don't want to leave out anyone inadvertently.

Folks if i do - PLEASE let me know! Just want to have some fun and humour with the Title of the Links. Trust that no one is offended! Especially the under 20s - under "Teething". Time for unker to get "even" with these young punks! kekeke

  At Sunday, 19 February, 2006 Blogger Chen said:

uncle,
I know what u mean..
I just want to pull your legs only :D

  At Sunday, 19 February, 2006 Blogger Francis Ho said:

chen - doc, my legs r long enough - no need pulling!


« back home
Post a Comment
18 Splashing Comment(s)