M - Jiaxin

Showing posts with label Blogfest Asia 2010. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Home from the Asian European Town, Home from Blogfest.Asia 2010

George Town was named after King George III by Captain Francis Light,who founded Penang as a British colony in 1786 (So many years before Sir Stamford Raffles came to Singapore in 1819!!!). Thus the Ang Mor name. You can always google to find the history. It went a long way...

Thing I wanted to mention is: Silver is home!!!!!!!YAY!!!! *hops around* Penang was slow, laid back, and full of flavour from the good old days, but it was too hot for me. You see, I didn't hire any form of transport like a bike or a taxi or a car or something. So it was on foot all. the. way. Not fun. Especially when you've to walk under the scorching sun and there were hardly any trees on the pavements.

Don't get me wrong, Penang is nice, but I think Singapore has spoilt me. The many trees and air-conditioning that I've often taken for granted. Oh man~ You have no idea how I was wishing for more trees along pavements so I could take shelter from the sun.

And crossing the road....ARGH!!!!! HARDLY any pedestrian crossings around, so any time I had to cross the road, it's a cross-at-my-own-risk-but-I-still-have-to-cross-so-I-gotta-stand-there-for-5-minutes-until-I-get-a-chance experience. Standing under the sun waiting for a chance to dash across the road is not fun. Here at Singapore we're a damn lucky bunch. Overhead bridges aplenty. No bridge? Bound to be a traffic light crossing nearby. Don't have? How about a zebra-crossing? No? Then there MUST be an underground pass. If this is not pedestrian-friendly I don't know what is.

Blogfest.Asia 2010 (I'll call it BAP from now on) was indeed an interesting experience, giving me the chance to meet the Burmese and Cambodians, whom I would otherwise hardly have a chance to meet. I wouldn't know that it costs US$2000 to set up internet conenction at home in Myanmar, and that there are at least 30 internet service providers in Cambodia (I had NO idea Cambodia was SOOOOO tech savvy!!!!)

And there were bloggers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia (duh), and even the States. It was refreshing to be able to glimpse at the blogging culture overseas. Singapore bloggers, please know that we are a really fortunate bunch. Internet access is cheap, we have so many blog communities like Omy and Nuffnang to make the blogging scene vibrant and to bring bloggers together, heck, some of us even make money from blogging, which is unheard of, though very high desirable (who doesn't want to make money?) in some countries. Blogshops do quite well here, I must say. Are Singaporeans more entrepreneurial? Maybe, but you have to admit the fact that almost EVERY household has internet access has helped us bloggers and blogshop-owners a lot. =) I'm thankful.

There were more bloggers than this at BAP. =)

都说我自拍技术不错了咯~ 还把Alvin和SK 弄得好像照片的配角... Lol~

Alvin and SK from Omy - I really have to thank the both of them for making my trip so much more enjoyable. We were the only Singaporean representatives. Eh Sg bloggers, where are ALL of you fun people???? I missed you guys lor! (I also never got the subsidy okay...a bit bleeding la...but experience ma~)

That's me sharing on my experience of blogging and how it has helped my career and how my career has helped my blog as well. I DO contribute okay, not just sit there and nod head.

At the 2nd night's dinner, before the Bloggerconn Blog Awards, on the field before Wawasan Open Uni.

Aw gee my fat arms....argh~~~

Oh Bloggerconn Blog Awards is somewhat like our Singapore Blog Awards. -duh!!!- LOL!!!

That's Khan Khai in the middle, one of the members of the Organizing Committee of Blogfest.Asia 2010. I have to mention this - all those involved in the organzing and running of this year's Blogfest.Asia are ALL volunteers. People who have a passion for blogging, who hopes to see the culture grow. I think it's really commendable. Mind you, these Malaysian bloggers come from all over Malaysia, NOT just Penang. We complain when any committee's members stay too far away...(er...like Woodlands and East Coast???) But they gotta do inter-state lor~

This is Forrest. Like Forrest Gump. THAT Forrest. Because I was the only independent non-subsidized blogger from Singapore, I had absolutely no idea that the organizers put the rest of the subsidized bloggers at Hotel Malaysia. I thus booked my room at Hotel Royal, which means I'm alone (with Siew Kian who came one day after me. She booked her room alone too). Forrest was also a volunteer who helped send and ferry me around from the hotel to Wawasan Open University where Blogfest.Asia was held.

麻烦你了Forrest!

This is Wawasan Open University.

Alvin's blog is chockful of info, you can go read about Penang on his blog.

(Having good friends like me helps drive traffic to one's blog too, for those who attended Alvin's talk on "How to Get Your Blog Noticed". *wink* OH! And notice we watermark our pictures with our blog URL? So people who use our pictures help give us publicity. LOL!!! Smart right???)

I'm sorry Alvin. I have no idea how to photoshop the zits off... =(

I got onto several Malaysian papers for BAP!!!

Here are the rest of the links to the various papers:

(Apologies for all those who can't read cos it's all in Chinese, but it mainly comprises of me saying Penang is a more laid-back and relaxed place as compared to Singapore, with a slower pace.)

And I got my 'boyfriend' following me around, which kept me very much entertained in between serious disucssions. =D

Aww... I guess I managed to charm him on that jetty that very fateful first day....

俊男美女，不错吧~ 两个斗大眼睛一族，还都是聪明人~绝配？？？

只是就算要来个姐弟恋我都得等上15年啊~~~

嗐，就只好不在乎天长地久，只在乎曾经拥有吗？

Er hem~ 我想我是困了~ *sits up straight*

This was definitely an interesting exchange, and guess what??? Blogfest.Asia 2011 may just be in Singapore!!! We don't know yet, but let's keep our fingers and legs crossed for that, shall we? It will be fun to show people our beautiful, small-yet-we-did-it country~ =D

所谓"狮城美女",

洪子惠

（几不要脸一下~~~~）

Home from the Asian European Town, Home from Blogfest.Asia 2010

There were more bloggers than this at BAP. =)

都说我自拍技术不错了咯~ 还把Alvin和SK 弄得好像照片的配角... Lol~

That's me sharing on my experience of blogging and how it has helped my career and how my career has helped my blog as well. I DO contribute okay, not just sit there and nod head.

At the 2nd night's dinner, before the Bloggerconn Blog Awards, on the field before Wawasan Open Uni.

Aw gee my fat arms....argh~~~

Oh Bloggerconn Blog Awards is somewhat like our Singapore Blog Awards. -duh!!!- LOL!!!

麻烦你了Forrest!

This is Wawasan Open University.

Alvin's blog is chockful of info, you can go read about Penang on his blog.

I'm sorry Alvin. I have no idea how to photoshop the zits off... =(

I got onto several Malaysian papers for BAP!!!

Here are the rest of the links to the various papers:

Aww... I guess I managed to charm him on that jetty that very fateful first day....

俊男美女，不错吧~ 两个斗大眼睛一族，还都是聪明人~绝配？？？

只是就算要来个姐弟恋我都得等上15年啊~~~

嗐，就只好不在乎天长地久，只在乎曾经拥有吗？

Er hem~ 我想我是困了~ *sits up straight*

所谓"狮城美女",

洪子惠

（几不要脸一下~~~~）

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Blogfest Asia 2010 @ Penang - Day 1: Heritage Tour

Yes guys!!! I have safely arrived in Penang 2 days ago after the flight delay drama. Not told much about the cause except that it was a delay from the previous sector from Phuket. Bah~ Okay~~~~ At least I got myself entertained thinking of reasons for a flight delay....

And of course entertaining myself by camwhoring... The thing about being a blogger who posts a lot of my own photos is that I've mastered the art of aiming your camera with MYSELF in focus, very well. =D

Been really busy with the activities (and watching American Idol last night on their local station) which is why I have not been updating~ 对不起啦~! Maaf ah~

Okay, I basically concussed the first night I was here due to insomnia the night before, but what was good was that I was all fresh and prepared for the tour arranged for us the next day!

Fresh and chio~ Good. Travel photos will look (much) better. ;)

Chew Jetty, AKA Seh Chew Kio in Hokkien. It's called Chew Jetty because the early immigrants who settled here in the mid-19th century were divided into a few main clans, eg Lee, Tan, Lims, and the Chews were one of them. In fact, this was the largest waterfront settlement in George Town. So ALL the immigrants going by the surname Chew would settle here. I think that really creates a sense of belonging for people who travel here and are new to this part of the world.

This is my FAVOURITE part of the tour.

There's nothing more captivating than a living heritage. I'm personally not a big fan of majestically-built architecture. Simple houses that simple residents built makes me feel down-to-earth again. Like even if I lose all material things, I will still be fine...

The fact that this is by the waters grips me even more. Seaside/waterfront life has always struck me as refreshing. And you know what? Notice the homestay sign? I just might come back for that. The stay I mean, NOT the sign... -.-"

Just look at the simplicity of the way this jetty neighbourhood is built. I've lived in one of the last remaining kampungs in Singapore, and this brought back many fond memories of the simple though not-as-developed life.

Motorbikes can park at your own door leh!!! Try thatin Singapore and you'll get slapped with a fine. UNLESS you live in your own landed property. And I don't mean on the 1st floor of HDB flats...

In Singapore, even if you park INSIDE your home (1st floor HDB flat residents), it is illegal. Right...okay...I'll go into bizarre traffic rules and laws another time...

This has a calming effect on me somehow. It's simple. Yet so breathtaking...

This is what the houses were built on.Notice the white bottles? Those were used pails of paint! Stacked together and sealed with cement in between them. Amazing~

Also, did you notice the air-conditioning system??? WOW!!! This is what I call cool heritage-jetty-living~ Lol!You marry a bit of technology with old tradition and cultures, and you get the best of both worlds.

I'm still awed by the fact that motorcycles can ride into the jetty. I would be super petrified to do this. Just in case the floor breaks and I drop into the water... With my bike.

Maybe if I ride a really cheap old bike I might. Then again...*thinks hard*...maybe not...

You see an heritage site, and in the background are modern architecture. I'm glad Penang has been listed as one of the World Heritage Sites,so that means these old places are here to stay.

With this REALLY cute boy I met on the tour - Christopher. His parent are fellow bloggers, and him? He's a Mathematics genius, and though he's only 5, he's very matured for his age, and his mum said that hecould go into deep discussions with adults. Chris, I like you already. If you didn't have such flawless skin, I'll really like you even more~ *jealous*

He said he wants to be a half-doctor, half chef when he grows up. I just love the fearless ambitions of a kid. Untainted by adult opinions of "No you can't", "Don't be silly", "Oh, only a few make it" "You sure you want to study so much?", this is a young boy's dream of "I want and I will". Go for it Chris!!!

WAH! Macam bungalow kan!!! Got metal gates!!!

A tourist attraction? Yes. But it doesn't restrict the residents' daily lives. Clothes are still being washed, they still watch TV and lie down on the floors when we walk past, bras are still hung outside... 很写实，我喜欢~

That's our dear Jeremiah sashaying down the boardwalk of Chew Jetty...looking ABSOLUTELY like a tourist.

This house behind me was torn down. But the tearing down of one house definitely does not affect its neighbours' infrastructures.Then again, tearing down of wooden boards and metal roofs shouldn't be too complicated a process. =)

The corridors. Reminds me of our own corridors back in Singapore, don't you think?

^.^

I've always dreamt about living by the sea...and every time I pass a waterfront site, it'll rekindle my dream once again. May the jetties live on~

I know I mentioned I'm not a fan of majestic architecture, but this following one, I've got to mention.

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.

Built by a great man who proved wrong to people who told him he wouldn't make it. This house was so obscenely huge for his time (it is reputed to be only one of two such buildings of this size outside China), I wouldn't even want to think how successful he was - Cheong Fatt Tze.

They say only successful (and rich) men have many wives. He had 8. And he fathered his favourite wife (No.7)'s son at the ripe old age of 74. Wooo~~~~

Use that car as a proportionate measure. Of just the length. You have no idea how deep this house goes. It looks a lot bigger than it does here.

Restored beautifully from its former dilapidated state, it was awarded winner of 'Most Excellent Project' Award at the UNESCO Heritage Awards 2000.

The much photographed form of transport outside his house.

We weren't allowed to take pictures beyond the living area and the main courtyard, so apologies for not being able to show you the deeper parts of the house with 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows. And did I mention he arrived penniless from China, at the tender age of 16? Remember Chris, the little boy, what I said about children with big dreams? Cheong Fatt Tze didn't stop believing in his dreams. =D

This is one of the painstakingly-restored panels in the house. And you see the gold flakes around the sides? I was told those were actual gold leaves smeared on as designs. Very interesting.

This was where he greeted and welcomed his guests. It's not even officially INSIDE the house yet. Is your living room even half this size? I can do somersaults and backflips here man!!!

What greets you when you enter the house. Which means after you pass those doors after the 'greeting and welcoming' room. Yes, there are doors after that room to officially enter the house.

This is the courtyard. Said to have perfect fengshui. Word has it that if you stand between those 2 blocks in the middle in the early hours of the morning, you will feel a sense of calm and harmony with the earth and the universe around you. Anyone can testify to this? =) Email me.

I am a firm believer of fengshui and as I walk around the house, I really saw all the practical usage of fengshui being applied around his home.

On the 'kerb', you'll find a water drainage hole shaped like a Chinese coin. Incidentally, water symbolises wealth in fengshui.

Unfortunately, these were the only photos I could capture. What you can rejoice in, is that this house has been converted into a boutique hotel, so you can actually book a room and stay here while you are in Penang. You'll then get to experience the magnificence Cheong Fatt Tze built and which his family of many wives and children lived.

You can go to their website - http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com for more details and to view more pictures.

Thanks to the organizing committee of Blogfest.Asia 2010, as well as Tourism Malaysia for this wonderful opportunity to know Penang. I especially love the Chew Jetty, and of course, knowing this cute little Penang boy who claims I'm his girlfriend for the time I'm here. Cute kan? =D

More updates on Blogfest tomorrow!

槟城小男孩一见钟情对象,
*~Silver~*