Rural Outreach to Kampung Empasak

Following my previous post on the living condition of Kampung Empasak, the New Century Lions Club of Kuching Emerald has drafted out 3 stages for the outreach project to help the village, namely: (1) Christmas party for the children including those from the nearby villages of the Balai Ringin area; (2) donation of necessities to the 11 households; and (3) health screening for the village folks in collaboration with the Sarawak British Alumni Association.

The village is indeed in dire straits.

Every household needs some donation of groceries listed in the wish-list.

The wish-list on necessities that the Club has come out with is already posted up by Brede101. We are now seeking for sponsors for the items listed and these will be handed to the households on the 20^th December 2007 right after the Christmas party for the children.

We are reluctant to donate cash as the money may end up on alcohol consumption.

Some of the children may be experiencing the Christmas party for the first time.

They are waiting for your help in any kind.

The children's Christmas party will be held in this newly completed church.

If you are interested and would like to contribute to this project in any kind, please contact our Club President at the following address:

New Century Lions Club of Kuching Emerald
P.O. Box P70
93457 Kuching
Sarawak
Malaysia
Email: jenny_chu@yahoo.com.hk

Santorini – Almost Heaven: Gazing at the Sea in Fira

The sea around the caldera of Santorini is so blue that you can't stop gazing at it. Coupled with the steep cliffs of the caldera, and the little buildings around, it is heaven here on earth!

The giant central lagoon.

Gazing at the uninhibited Nea Kameni.

The shade echoing the shape of the caldera.

Viewing across the collapsed caldera.

Leading the way.

The mansions and hotels on the steep cliffs of the caldera.

The mansion gawking at Thirasia. Thirasia is literally 'Little Thira'.

St. Peter's Gate.

No matter you are on a cruise ship or under the umbrella at the hotel balcony, Fira is as beautiful at it is.

I feel like jumping into the deep blue sea from the roof top!

Sailing away from heaven.

Lives in heaven.

If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-

1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods

• Acropolis
• Ancient Agora
• National Archaeological Museum
• Exposé at the Parliament Building
• Neoclassical Trilogy
• The Walking Tour
• The Graffiti
• The Central Market
• Panoramic View

2. The White Dream in Mykonos

• Whitewashed Cube Houses
• Stairways to Heaven
• Barricades in Paradise
• Sea Breeze
• Wind Riders
• With a Little Bit of Red
• Roaming the Streets
• The Holy Ground
• When the Sun is Going Down
• I've Been to Paradise

3. Santorini – Almost Heaven

• Roaming Around the Streets of Fira
• Gazing at the Sea in Fira
• The Southern Crosses in Fira
• The Golden Hour at Fira
• Fira Sunset and After Dark
• Strolling the Streets in Oia
• The Cliffs and the Sea in Oia
• The Domes and the Bells in Oia
• The Barriers in Oia
• The Sunset at Oia
• The Volcano at Nea Kameni
• The Black-sand Beach of Kamari
• Ancient Thira

4. Miscellaneous

• Piraeus – Tinos – Mykonos
• Delos – The Open Air Museum on an Island
• From Mykonos to Thira
• Nuts about Kebab
• Patras

Wordless Wednesday – Dream Machines

Santorini – Almost Heaven: Roaming Around the Streets of Fira

Santorini or Thira as the locals call it, is probably one of the most visited islands in between the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Crete. The Santorini as I saw it in July 2007 is the result of the rebuilding from the catastrophe of 1956, which was an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale. The chain of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that happened in 1650 BC was somewhat the largest natural explosion in the history of mankind.

Despite the threat of volcanic activities, and yes, the volcano is still active, tourists swarm to this island for summer vacation. However, this is not a suicidal act as only tremors were felt for the past years.

Fira is the capitol of Santorini and it was where I put up at San Giorgio Villas. It is the largest town around the island and most travelers put up here as the station to explore the island.

This street is the women's favourite.

This has got to be my favourite, food!

The narrow street on the caldera can get misty in the morning.

Peeping through the arch.

The streets are clean and cosy to roam around.

It was a lot of fun wandering through the swirling and sloping streets.

This is the main street of Fira, and the largest of all streets on Santorini.

Will you walk into this shop if it is in Malaysia?

See any brands?

I spotted a model.

Please follow the sign if you are one.

Oops! Have you become one?

Poseidon is king and Athena is queen?! You gotta be kidding me!

These are very unique flower pots indeed.

Nobody knows when the the next volcanic eruption is going to happen, so, if you want to see her beauty, you better be there soon.

If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-

1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods

• Acropolis
• Ancient Agora
• National Archaeological Museum
• Exposé at the Parliament Building
• Neoclassical Trilogy
• The Walking Tour
• The Graffiti
• The Central Market
• Panoramic View

2. The White Dream in Mykonos

• Whitewashed Cube Houses
• Stairways to Heaven
• Barricades in Paradise
• Sea Breeze
• Wind Riders
• With a Little Bit of Red
• Roaming the Streets
• The Holy Ground
• When the Sun is Going Down
• I've Been to Paradise

3. Santorini – Almost Heaven

• Roaming Around the Streets of Fira
• Gazing at the Sea in Fira
• The Southern Crosses in Fira
• The Golden Hour at Fira
• Fira Sunset and After Dark
• Strolling the Streets in Oia
• The Cliffs and the Sea in Oia
• The Domes and the Bells in Oia
• The Barriers in Oia
• The Sunset at Oia
• The Volcano at Nea Kameni
• The Black-sand Beach of Kamari
• Ancient Thira

4. Miscellaneous

• Piraeus – Tinos – Mykonos
• Delos – The Open Air Museum on an Island
• From Mykonos to Thira
• Nuts about Kebab
• Patras

Famous Blue Raincoat by Jennifer Warnes

The 1986 Famous Blue Raincoat must have been the most successful album released by Jennifer Warned thus far. This is evident by the release of the Famous Blue Raincoat: 20^th Anniversary Edition this year.

Famous Blue Raincoat: 20^th Anniversary Edition (2007).

It is also a test CD or LP in the audiophile arena that almost everyone must have one to showcase one's hi-fi in reproducing female vocals. The best sounding CD pressing comes from Attic Records based in Canada, and I found it to be the same for the LP pressing on the Attic Records label. Classic Records reissued this album on limited edition LP but I found it to be richer at the bottom end but lacking in the sweet mid-range and silky-smooth high frequency found in the Attic Records pressing.

Top left: Attic Records LP; top right: Classic Records LP; bottom: Attic Records CD. These are extremely hard to find nowadays and I'm lucky to have all of them.

Top left: Attic Records LP; top right: Attic Records LP cover; bottom: Attic Records CD.

This is my favourite track ripped from my Attic Records CD, Song of Bernadette.