Monday, March 13, 2006
3/13/2006 06:36:00 AM
3/13/2006 06:36:00 AM
MMPP: Making My Passion Pay
posted by Francis Ho
I had been thinking about this for a while and I had decided to take a few tentative steps to make this a reality. For the observant today (like mangrooveDan for instance), they would have noticed a little advert on the right sidebar for a Kuching Weekend Kayak ½ Day Trip. That’s right, “now anyone can kayak!” in Kuching on the weekend with FH2o! The details and costs of the trips are as appended below. I’ll probably set up a dedicated web site for my ‘commercial’ trips eventually but for the moment this will suffice. To test the waters; I had actually put out one small advert last week in the local English newspaper, The Borneo Post, and the response had been encouraging. All those who rang up were incredulous that such trips are available in Kuching! They probably thought that this was a prank. And incidentally without exception they were all female! Whatever happened to all the adventurous guys (apart from 'roti') in Kuching!
Now, you don’t have to get on the ‘waiting list’ to go kayaking with FH2o; just make the booking and you can go kayaking with me on this weekend! But seats are limited as the capacity at the moment is for 8 persons max. I'll supply all the necessary equipment (kayaks, paddles, life jackets, drinking water, dry bags, etc) and the trip is suitable for beginners and children from 15 years upwards.
See you on the waters this weekend!
Stumble It!47 Comments:
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 
said:
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 
Francis Ho said:
Thanks mangrooveDan!
It's about time visitors n residents of Kuching 'discover' this hidden treasure of Kuching with our multitudes of boutique rivers! I should not keep these pleasures for myselves and frens only.
Since nobody's doing it - let unka show 'em the way lah! :)
These lucky ppl will be SO GLAD they did! There is really nothing like it in Kuching or anywhere else in Msia, Spore or Brunei that I've heard of.
It's about time visitors n residents of Kuching 'discover' this hidden treasure of Kuching with our multitudes of boutique rivers! I should not keep these pleasures for myselves and frens only.
Since nobody's doing it - let unka show 'em the way lah! :)
These lucky ppl will be SO GLAD they did! There is really nothing like it in Kuching or anywhere else in Msia, Spore or Brunei that I've heard of.
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
Thanks flaneur!
Wah! My first "ang-moh" customer oledi!
Wah! My first "ang-moh" customer oledi!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Sisuahlai said:
Will you take me kayaking one day? Charge me isit?
Good idea Francis. Hope the business goes well. You have Sisuahlai support...
Good idea Francis. Hope the business goes well. You have Sisuahlai support...
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
Sisualai - I give extremely generous discounts to my frens and teachers! (of course teachers older than me get FREE rides)
Thks for your support and I look forward to take you 'pey chun'!
You MUST call me when you are next in town!
Thks for your support and I look forward to take you 'pey chun'!
You MUST call me when you are next in town!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Lam Chun See said:
I really must make immediate plans to bring my family to S'wak.
I just put up 2 video clips. Hope you like. More when I have time.
I just put up 2 video clips. Hope you like. More when I have time.
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Chen said:
Nice..
whose number is that one the poster? yours ah?
then I can start calling unker liao , kekkekke...
whose number is that one the poster? yours ah?
then I can start calling unker liao , kekkekke...
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Robin CHAN said:
I strongly reccommend the Rainforrest Kayaking Adventure trip. The trip to the beautiful Wind Cave via the Fairy Cave is a lifetime experience.
Visit my blog to see all the movies that I have taken during the trip!!!!!
and all the fun we had!!!
I think the charges are more than reasonable, imagine having to carry the kayaks all the way to the destination and back and the experience guides travelling with you to handle the Class 1 rapids.
Thanks Unker, you have made my otherwise boring home coming extremely exciting!!
Visit my blog to see all the movies that I have taken during the trip!!!!!
and all the fun we had!!!
I think the charges are more than reasonable, imagine having to carry the kayaks all the way to the destination and back and the experience guides travelling with you to handle the Class 1 rapids.
Thanks Unker, you have made my otherwise boring home coming extremely exciting!!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
lam chun see - thks!
I look forward to meeting up with you and your family; soon! I've been told that Silkair has very good offers once in a while on their website. But if you don't mind the hassles, AirAsia flies daily to Kuching via JB.
FYI I know all the best sarawak laksa and other eating places in town!
I look forward to meeting up with you and your family; soon! I've been told that Silkair has very good offers once in a while on their website. But if you don't mind the hassles, AirAsia flies daily to Kuching via JB.
FYI I know all the best sarawak laksa and other eating places in town!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
chen - yeah, they're my numbers; who else? ;)
Pls feel free to call me but not in middle of d nite ok!
robin - glad u enjoyed the trip otherwise have to 'close shop' liaow!
Pls feel free to call me but not in middle of d nite ok!
robin - glad u enjoyed the trip otherwise have to 'close shop' liaow!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Chen said:
unker,
I won't call u in the middle of the night
I want to tidur also :P
I won't call u in the middle of the night
I want to tidur also :P
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Jeremy C said:
good luck, mate!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 gus said:
Now I can bring along a friend or two without worrying about the cost and trouble you go through.
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Robin CHAN said:
Unker, you didn't state that crank call will be diverted to the police station..
haha
haha
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Chen said:
robin,
what crank call r u talking about ? :P
what crank call r u talking about ? :P
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 said:
... that was a quick admission of guilt if I ever heard one! ;)
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 bonnie said:
Very cool! Good luck with it! I wouldn't think of using anyone else if I ever find myself able to swing a trip to Malaysia.
Great stuff. I can help promote you in my virtual tourist webpage. My archived January posting about Tour of Kuching - you probably want to put the kayaking feature with the tourism board if this is your intention :)i mean you put it in the papers already :)i m just bargaining for a free kayak ride.
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
jeremy c - thks for the luck; but I need you and your gang's patronage too! :)
agus - u're really a considerate person although u needn't had worried coz even if i dont have this; it would be my pleasure to take u and your frens out!
bonnie - make plans to swing this way as Huey in spore n me here are looking forward to the pleasure of your paddling's company!
Desmond J! - thks! fellow kuching bloggers juz have to pay a token sum but for u pangyau its FOC!
agus - u're really a considerate person although u needn't had worried coz even if i dont have this; it would be my pleasure to take u and your frens out!
bonnie - make plans to swing this way as Huey in spore n me here are looking forward to the pleasure of your paddling's company!
Desmond J! - thks! fellow kuching bloggers juz have to pay a token sum but for u pangyau its FOC!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 said:
Congratulation F20 or H20, whatever that might be. It is such an easily confusable chemical alias and I hope you do well with the new venture.
I have keen reader of your blog ever since you stepped into Wilson Chin’s blog and really enjoy your write-ups on life along Sarawak River and on the street in general, such as that of Ah Yee and Ah Hee. (They are just as confusing.)
Just for fun and I have this little riddle for you while you are kayaking:
-what can run but never walk
-what has mouth but never eat
-what has bed but never sleep
Jungleman
I have keen reader of your blog ever since you stepped into Wilson Chin’s blog and really enjoy your write-ups on life along Sarawak River and on the street in general, such as that of Ah Yee and Ah Hee. (They are just as confusing.)
Just for fun and I have this little riddle for you while you are kayaking:
-what can run but never walk
-what has mouth but never eat
-what has bed but never sleep
Jungleman
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
Jungleman - thanks for coming here and all confusions are purely on purpose!
Answer to the riddle - "The River".
Sorry but u've got to try harder with this unka! ;)
But for that, you've earned yourself a substantial discount off your kayak trip this weekend! So Call me!
Answer to the riddle - "The River".
Sorry but u've got to try harder with this unka! ;)
But for that, you've earned yourself a substantial discount off your kayak trip this weekend! So Call me!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
flaneur - 'ang moh' is hokkien (popular local chinese dialect) and literally translated means 'red hair'; a local neutral (meaning neither derogatory nor flattering) slang for white foreigners. 'gwai lo' is not popularly used here and in west malaysia it's 'mat-salleh' in bahasa.
To learn to speak Kuching Hokkien (with a BIG pinch of salt), u may want to go to 'SISUAHLAI'
To learn to speak Kuching Hokkien (with a BIG pinch of salt), u may want to go to 'SISUAHLAI'
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Robin Wong said:
I cant swim !!! arrghhhh....
wish I am in Kuching now.. sob sob...
wish I am in Kuching now.. sob sob...
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Pandabonium said:
That's fantastic FH2O! I hope K and I can book a paddle some time. Gambatte, ne!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 said:
fh2o... wats the response that you got today after the advert? how LONG is the waiting list? :)
regards.
p/s: went to greek connection last friday. got meself a camouflage hat, that looks like ur white hat and also a waterproof pouch.
regards.
p/s: went to greek connection last friday. got meself a camouflage hat, that looks like ur white hat and also a waterproof pouch.
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
robin - learn to swim now n u'll be ready by the time u're back. go learn now!
panda - Gambatte ne on the double!
mangrooveDan - sounds like u're ready to join me on the trip! don't worry there's always a place for u!
panda - Gambatte ne on the double!
mangrooveDan - sounds like u're ready to join me on the trip! don't worry there's always a place for u!
Pangyau - is it a prerequisite that the kayaker to be able to know how to swim? I have to put these infos in - sometimes some curious people ask me funny questions as they have small clauses in their insurance policies. I think having life jacket is sufficient right?
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
desmond J - If a person can't get out of a swimming pool without using the ladder then they wouldn't be able to climb back in a kayak if they fell out.
• Minimum age is 15 years.
• Maximium height is 6'5" (195 cm) - otherwise you won't fit!
• Maximium weight approx 100 kg.
• All participants must be able to swim (although life jackets must be worn at all times whilst on the water)
Although for the Rainforest Trip the river is mostly knee/waist deep; so I can waive the swimming requirement. For the other 2 trips they MUST be able to swim.
ALL must sign the Waiver And Release of Liability Form.
Thank You for your help Mr Desmond J!
• Minimum age is 15 years.
• Maximium height is 6'5" (195 cm) - otherwise you won't fit!
• Maximium weight approx 100 kg.
• All participants must be able to swim (although life jackets must be worn at all times whilst on the water)
Although for the Rainforest Trip the river is mostly knee/waist deep; so I can waive the swimming requirement. For the other 2 trips they MUST be able to swim.
ALL must sign the Waiver And Release of Liability Form.
Thank You for your help Mr Desmond J!
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 iml said:
Finally you can now have a bloggers' get-together kayaking trip with Unker!!!However what about those out state participants. Any accommodation provided?
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
it's my life story - one more reason for out-of-town bloggers to come visit Kuching.
talking about accommodation; there's a blog i'd wanting to do ...
how about yourself? ready to kayak? ;)
talking about accommodation; there's a blog i'd wanting to do ...
how about yourself? ready to kayak? ;)
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 fullmoon said:
Cool ! When I was kayaking in Kuching for the first time, I thought there was so much potential in those pristine rivers. Now there is finally a dedicated kayak tour bringing ppl to experience the natural wonders of kuching...
employ me as a kayak guide plse plse ;)
employ me as a kayak guide plse plse ;)
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
Hi fullmoon!
This is only the beginning ... and I'm proud to be a 'pioneer' to introduce our beautiful rivers here to residents n locals alike. I'm lovin' it!
I was thinking of doin special expeditions trips here where we can take people out where u'll come along as my guide! Perfect huh? :) But u'll need to learn how to cook from JB first! heehee
This is only the beginning ... and I'm proud to be a 'pioneer' to introduce our beautiful rivers here to residents n locals alike. I'm lovin' it!
I was thinking of doin special expeditions trips here where we can take people out where u'll come along as my guide! Perfect huh? :) But u'll need to learn how to cook from JB first! heehee
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Gette said:
100kg max weight? Thank goodness. I was starting to get afraid I'd sink the kayak.
Wait, is that per person on boat or both?
Wait, is that per person on boat or both?
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
gette - LOL!!
It's per person dear.
I'm using self-bailing sit-on-top kayaks which are virtually 'unsinkable' with a max. load carrying capacity of 280+ kg.
So when are we gonna hit the waters? ;)
It's per person dear.
I'm using self-bailing sit-on-top kayaks which are virtually 'unsinkable' with a max. load carrying capacity of 280+ kg.
So when are we gonna hit the waters? ;)
At Monday, 13 March, 2006 said:
Hi there, great stuff. I'd love to join youse, but not this time (budget limits); but keep me posted on any outdoorsy activities, yeah? Great idea. Are you into jungle trekking as well?
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 HappySurfer said:
Congrats on getting this started. Best wishes.
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
marita paige - thks! I go jungle trekking on days when I'm not kayaking but it's rather impromptu. Kuching is blessed with a myraid of great trekking places.
happysurfer - thks and you know that you have complimentary trips awaiting you in Kuching! ;)
happysurfer - thks and you know that you have complimentary trips awaiting you in Kuching! ;)
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Robin CHAN said:
if you are more than 100kg,
you dun need a kayaks, you will float and we can paddle you down!!!
haha..
(hidding under my metal table)
you dun need a kayaks, you will float and we can paddle you down!!!
haha..
(hidding under my metal table)
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
Folks - pls ignore Robin's rude and ignorant comment.
He has a loose mouth! piak! piak! *slapping him with my paddle*
He has a loose mouth! piak! piak! *slapping him with my paddle*
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Dee said:
Sighs...too bad I can't swim.:( Although I did kayak once in Pangkor...:P..I saw the advert and figured it could only be you.ALl the best!
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Robin CHAN said:
haha.. yes, just ignore me.
Dee m, U don't need to learn how to swim, each of us wears a life jacket, just don't panic or go hydrophobic when u fall off the kayak... Unker will fish you out in no time!!!!
Besides, the water is not very deep lah.
Dee m, U don't need to learn how to swim, each of us wears a life jacket, just don't panic or go hydrophobic when u fall off the kayak... Unker will fish you out in no time!!!!
Besides, the water is not very deep lah.
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
dee M - Thank you!
I'm flattered that u thought it could only be me. My 'fame' is certainly bigger than I am!
Robin is right in that u can certainly do this trip if u are seated with me or one of my guides who'll take good care of you. Think about it!
I'm flattered that u thought it could only be me. My 'fame' is certainly bigger than I am!
Robin is right in that u can certainly do this trip if u are seated with me or one of my guides who'll take good care of you. Think about it!
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Rob said:
May you find good tidings with the change from architectural infrastructure to architectural river structure. Can't wait to see photos from your adventures. Maybe one day I can fly 9,900 miles to kayak in Malaysia. Lots of nice looking rivers you have over there.
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 iml said:
As soon as the accommodation package is ready, I'll be there!!!! with my whole battalion of bodyguards!! My children lah.
At Tuesday, 14 March, 2006 Francis Ho said:
rob - thanks for your good wishes! one day yes!
its my life story - I'll work out a family package for u then with special discounts and attention! :)
its my life story - I'll work out a family package for u then with special discounts and attention! :)
At Wednesday, 15 March, 2006 Wuching said:
bey jung mah ai lui ya? kan guang tern choo kuhn! :(
At Wednesday, 15 March, 2006 iml said:
You are most thoughtful!!
finally, all the ideas have taken to the water(s)!!! bravo... and cheers mate.
regards.