New book on the shelf

My Private Map

Lao Tzu said, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Likewise, a book of a thousand words begins with a single character.

This book was recently launched at the Overseas Chinese Book Fair at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, where the Twin Towers are.

Together with other travellers, I was on stage giving a brief encounter of my trip to Morocco. It ended with a much anticipated book signing ceremony.

Thanks to Lam Yuet who makes all these possible.

One world, 24 stories.

Cafe chats

Gone soon

La Fenetre Soleil cafe owner, a tall and lanky Japanese, told me that the pre war building would soon be demolished. He said it as if it was just a matter of fact, but his eyes lost in his deep thoughts.

Not far from where he sat, I thought of the Oslo-born pianist, Ketil Bjornstad. 

He once heard that his favourite old studio, Rosenborg, would be shut down due to financial crisis. The next thing he did was to fly back from Paris to record a special album in memory of it, before the studio disappeared into dust.

The album, titled "The Rosenborg Tapes Vol 1 and 2", scored well among the audiences. It also saved the studio from being demolished. The Rosenborg now stands proudly at where it used to be in Norway, with its old Steinway and wooden walls.

I don't have the power to turn things around. But I surely can dedicate a bit of space in my blog to capture La Fenetre Soleil's beautiful atmosphere.

Here today, gone tomorrow

On the bookshelf

優雅的離去

光看書名就已引人遐思，即使是非教徒，多少也會被這來自異域的108位大師的殊勝跫音所感染。

當我讀到大師們面對死亡時的自在無礙，心緒亦隨着豁然開朗，仿佛諦見了生命的另一種不可思議性。

此書巧妙地擷取藏傳佛教，禪門佛教及印度教的大師們在面對生死時所體現出來的智慧。

這些性靈大師當中，不乏備受敬重的精神導師，如虛雲老和尚，頂果欽哲仁波切，拉瑪克禮希納，六祖惠能及鈴木俊隆等。作者通過現代人都能了解的方式，深入淺出地闡明互古即存的死亡真相。

對于曾經接觸過奧秘難懂的“西藏生死書”及“藏密度亡經”的讀者來說，“優雅的離去” 不失為一本簡易明暸，字字珠璣的心靈日記。

全書以108個章節為順序，配以精闢的文章，及信手拈來的雋永詞句，隨手一翻，喜獲良多。

封面標題下有一段引文，叫我反思良久。

“生命里所出現的事情中，那件最讓你感到驚奇？”  賢哲回道：“就是，人雖看到身邊的人一個個去世，卻從沒想到自己也會死去！”

叫人欣慰的是，罹患肺癌末期的作家蘇希拉布萊克曼，也在此書出版的一個半月后，在光明節那天，優雅地離去了。

我在錫金 Tashiding想起了頂果欽哲仁波切

Blissful Life

Noble wishes in daily life

When putting on clothes, make the wish: may we don the garment of conscience and propriety.

When tying your belt, make the wish: may we fasten the belt of the vows and precepts.

When opening a door, make the wish: may we open the door of the profound innate nature.

When closing it, make the wish: may we close the door to the lower realms.

When walking, make the wish: may we move forward on the path of enlightenment.

When riding, make the wish: may we ride the horse of diligence.

When crossing water, make the wish: may we cross the ocean of samsara.

When walking upward or ascending a staircase, make the wish: may we ascend on the path of liberation.

When arriving at the desired destination, make the wish: may we arrive at the city of nirvana.

When meeting a master or noble beings, make the wish: may we meet with a true master and be accepted by him.

When visiting a shrine for the three jewels, make the wish: may we take rebirth in a pure buddhafield.

When on a journey or going to sleep, make the wish: may we rest on the path of the dharma.

When talking, make the wish: may we use

only mindful speech to communicate with others

Blissful Life 2

9 Happiness tips to
live each day

1. Whatever happiness exists in the world, all results from wishing others to be happy. Whatever suffering exists in the world, all results from desiring happiness for oneself.

2. You cannot always have happiness. But you can always give happiness.

3. A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour.

4. We are no longer happy as soon as we wish to be happier.

5. The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.

6. Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit.

7. Some pursue happiness, others create it.

8. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

9. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Seek no more. Happiness lives inside us

All about hotels

In the world of hotel

We are only temporary guests

When we check into a hotel, we never bother to dress up the room simply because we know it's no point decorating it, we know we will leave the room the very next day.

Likewise, we will not be attached to the beauty of the room. We know they don't belong to us therefore we cannot bring them along with us when checking out.

If we can see the earth as a hotel room, and we are only its temporary guests, suddenly we feel that we are just filling up some of its space. 

The hotel will always be there, only its guests come and go. Same for the earth we live in, one day we will also depart from it.

Of all my journeys embarked, the hotel room has become my contemplating ground. Small or big, luxury or budget, they have in a way taught me something about this samsaric life.

I do not own the world. And nothing I have is truly mine.

Never take your hotel room for granted.

Cool hotels 10

East meets West

What if you were seeing a girl and your father was strongly against it? To complicate things further, you were the Prince and your father was the well respected King Chulalongkorn of Siam, and the girl you were dating was Russian.

Now imagine yourself staying in this palace and reading fanciful stories from a published hard bound book with vivid details of the Prince's love stories.

You have to be, of course, in the villa of the Chakrabongse Palace on Maharaj road near Tatien pier.

Criss-crossed with historical detail of the Chakrabongse family, the villa provides an insightful glimpse into the royal residence, also within the compound and open to the public once in a blue moon. I visited the palace late last year, which prompted me to come back for a stay at the villa.

My room faces the Chao Phraya river, with Wat Arun in the foreground, and Wat Phra Kaew in the background, I felt as if I was tucked between pages of the Siamese history. The spot where I stood on the balcony, overlooking the water once infested with floods, might well be the rendezvous the Prince used to greet his Russian wife.

The villa is a typical wooden Thai house, more so especially seen from the exterior. Its aged old interior, though classic, is well facilitated with ipod player, wifi and plasma tv. I figured a bit of creature comfort wouldn't hurt a guest's stay.

The public has zero access to the villas. Gate entrance is strictly watched by the 24-hour security guard who can recognize every guest's face. After 9 in the evening the villa staff is officially off duty, leaving the whole royal legacy of the Chakrabongse to its guests and the murmuring inserts in the garden.

In the late hours before I retreated to my bed, I came across a note Prince Chakrabongse wrote to his beloved wife, Mom Katherine Desnitsky. Even he had to give up kingship, he would never give up his love. 

How amazing love can sometimes be!

Their first meeting place, St Petersburg.

Cool hotels 9

Come, see and stay

I told Koravit, the hotel owner of Ma Du Zi, that those images on her hotel website didn’t quite do justice to the actual place itself. 

She smiled, admitted it, but was pleased that I was impressed with the room facilities.

What made me like about her instantly was her open frankness and readiness to accept advices and suggestions. There was almost an air of friendliness between us.

Having Persian blood running in her body, Koravit instinctively applies middle eastern patterns to the once-masculine French outlet. Her introduction of floral designs on the walls and doors helps soften the atmosphere by giving the right balance of Yin into the dominant Yang setup.

The evidence was subtle but I could feel her play of meticulous detail, here and there, within the hotel area. Say, for instance, a bar of soap wrapped around by a leaf or a few heart-printed chocolates on the bed, an arty-designed laundry bag or a cool set of postcards and bookmark.

These are not all that made me wow.

The Kohler branded infinity soak bath, in every room, is rewarding after a hard day’s work. You can call the maid to prepare the bath for you on your way back to the hotel. Trust me, heaven can wait while you are soothing yourself in the tub.

The extra huge bed, 8 by 6.5 foot to be exact, lets you roll around without the fear of slipping out of it. Good for a guest like me who can’t sleep “still”.

The intelligent lighting in the room lobby automatically switches off when your presence is not felt by the sensor system. It saves plenty of energy for the world, as well as for yourself. 

Ma Du Zi, in Thai, literally means “Come and see”.

And yes, you should come and see it yourself, better still, experience it yourself too!

Plenty of room to sleep on this bed 

Cool hotels 8

Hidden but smitten

Forgive me if you disagree, that I think most 5-star hotels in the Twin Tower vicinity are no match for the Maya hotel.

It rarely gets mentioned in the travel magazines or websites because it's quietly hidden in an old building which travelers tend to pass by unnoticed.

It does not get rated among the top ten hotels in Kuala Lumpur because it doesn't have the right connection in the industry perhaps.

Its sky bar commands the best city view on the 13th floor but its Cantonese locals probably don't like number 13.

Its location is within walking distance to the KLCC and Ampang entertainment spots but it's also close enough to the Malay cemetery.

Its interior decor won a design award for its sheer simplicity but not many hotel guests prefer to walk into an empty space.

For all these reasons above plus a few of my preference, such as the warm jacuzzi swimming pool, the ala carte breakfast, the fabulous toiletries set and a really cool adjustable writing desk.

I personally think the Maya hotel is such a rare find.

I have come back to stay here over and over again whenever I go shooting in Malaysia. Put all the nights together I have since stayed, it might well be over 3 months. 

Enough to prove that this is my kind of hotel.

Bamboo forest, empty space and minimal decor

Cool hotels 7

Room with a view

Few hotel rooms in Bangkok command such an unfolding panoramic view of Temple of the Dawn, where I woke up to the sounds of river boats every morning, and to my astonishment, my hotel neighbors had been living in the old quarter since decades ago.

With only 7 rooms to choose from, you are almost guaranteed of privacy. Checking in or out is smooth as the river breeze.

Nestled on the Ratanakosin island, Arun Residence is literally steps away from Wat Pho, which houses the world's largest reclining buddha, the Grand Palace, Museum Siam and Pakorn Flower market, one of the busiest in Asia.

If you rise early enough, you can make merit by giving morning alms to the monks who walk past the shop lots. Or if Thai delicacies are your bet, a stroll along the pavement provides you with an array of local tastes. 

The Sino-Portuguese river house faces the west side of the Chao Phraya river, so sunset is a great time to unwind and to observe Temple of the Dawn with its glittering lights.

I had a great therapeutic massage in the comfort of my room. The masseur was from the respected Wat Pho traditional medical and massage school. 

Ask the staff to arrange one for you, as the hotel is built on the land owned by Wat Pho, they have a special deal to work things out.

Temple of the Dawn, seen from my viewfinder.

Cool hotels 6

The city of sleep and relax

The hotel name, Phranakorn-Nornlen,  is a bit of a mouthful to spell or pronounce. Its location, hidden deep in a soi off Thewet, can be a pretty daunting task for the first timer. Nevertheless, it is well worth the effort when you finally find your way to this hidden gem.

Rose, the host of the hotel, greeted me with her genuine Thai smile. She showed me a few room layouts, each with its own hand-painted walled mural, and it was tough to make a choice among them. 

The next early morning, I made a swift visit to Thewet market, where the Royal household used to frequent 100 years ago. Rumors had it that they arrived in big empty boats, and left full of fresh produce enough for a week. I stood by the pier, now in need of repair, took a long glance at the river and imagined its hey days.

When I returned to the hotel, Rose had already made my organic breakfast, with freshly squeezed juice and vegetables grown on the hotel's rooftop. 

"We grow some of our ingredients here without chemical fertilizers. Or we buy them from the royal agricultural projects by HRH King Bhumiphol." She beamed again, "We support only farmers who live in good moral codes and use ingredients according to the season."

It is hard to believe that Rose was once a well known Thai celebrity. She didn't act like a snob at all as most local celebrities do. 

Perhaps she was too exhausted having to put on an act in the entertainment industry.

Phranakorn-Nornlen, in Thai, means "the city of sleep and relax". Judging from its neighborhood address, you would be grateful for where it is situated.

Sustainable living can be pretty cool and chic too.

Cool hotels 5

Breakfast with Sir Frank

My personal butler, Alawi, passed me his business card when he helped me with the registration in the 76 sqm suite named Takzim, which coincided with the area name for the hometown state I was from. 

Originally built in 1904 as the official residence of Sir Frank, the highest British representative to the Malay States, Carcosa Seri Negara is a hallmark of Malaysia's national heritage. 

All the 13 suites are restored to its former glory, on a hilltop within 4 acres of lush landscaping overlooking the lake garden and KL city skyline. 

The colonial charms were undoubtedly authentic. I had afternoon tea and breakfast at the drawing room where in the old days, important guests were entertained and served. 

Room service is exceptional. Laundry and pressing are free. So is the mini bar with a list of drinks. Not to mention the tropical fruits and chocolate nightcap, and two bookmarks on the spotless blanket to wish you a pleasant reading before turning in.

Be prepared for unexpected visitors at night. It was less intruding though, more of a friendly gesture I must say.

The English touch is everywhere.

Cool hotels 4

Sleep at Seven

How about a small boutique hotel with only seven rooms in seven colours? 

And all you have to do is select one of the seven days to suit your mood. Sound like a dream? No, welcome to Seven on Sukhumvit 31.

Each of the seven rooms is inspired by the deep-rooted Thai tradition of relating each day of the week to a specific god of the planets found in ancient Indian astrology.

Sunday is red for the Sun god Phra Arthit.

Monday is yellow for the Moon god Phra Charn.

Tuesday is pink for the Mars god Phra Angkarn.

Wednesday is green for the Mercury god Phra Phut.

Thursday is orange for the Jupiter god Phra Pareuhat.

Friday is blue for the Venus god Phra Suk.

Saturday is purple for the Saturn god Phra Sao.

I had the fortune to stay here for three nights, changing my room from Pink to Orange to Blue. And without fail, its ceiling to floor coloured murals affected me emotionally. When I was embraced in a sea of orange, I started feeling sunny too. Likewise in a blue atmosphere, I became more melancholy and less inclined to be agitated. 

Scientists have proved that certain colours can invoke a part of our hidden memory from our sixth consciousness. I suspect it may go even deeper into our eighth Alaya consciousness.

The day I left happened to be on sunday, I discovered upon checking out that the red lobby/public room which I have breakfast everyday was actually its seventh.

The Sun God was there in the room, greeting me at my departure.

The Orange room, with its hip murals.

Cool hotels 3

Arriving home

The Eugenia is named after the hotel owner's 83 year-old Vietnamese friend, who inspired the creation of this chic property.

It is hard to believe that the 12-suite Eugenia was built anew according to master plan. Every single detail in the house is meticulously conceived, so much so that it truly evokes the opulence of an authentic 17-century chateau.

Indeed, when I arrived here, I felt more like arriving home than at a hotel.

The suite I stayed was appointed with antique copper bathtub, metal switch boxes, old reading lamps, and a Victorian bed with Belgium-imported white linen. And if you are a vintage car fan, a nostalgic ride in Jaguar MK VII or Mercedes Ponton 220 S around the town is highly recommended.

Room amenities are standard but its unlimited free overseas call certainly sounds tempting . Calling home or friends abroad has become part of the activities here.

On the nights I was there, the hotel owner, a Taiwanese architect, was not in town. I didn't have a chance to ask him why he decided to use an old lady's name as its hotel signature.

Needless to say, it will be another fascinating story to hear.

The emerald pool is a great spot to read and write.

Cool hotels 2

Number Sixteen

I stayed at Number Sixteen for three simple reasons. 

First, most five-star hotels in London easily cost over 300 Pounds per room. I paid 200 Pounds for a 55 sqm, much spacious than the usual hotel rooms.

Second, nothing can really beat this stylish mid-Victorian white stucco terrace on 16 Sumner place, I truly felt like living the life of an English man.

Third, it's right in the heart of a bustling neighborhood, steps away from Victoria & Albert and Natural History museums, Harrod's and Knightsbridge. Plus a mere five minutes' walk to South Kensington tube station.

Last note to add. Though not important to some, I had been mesmerized by the weather forecast stickers stuck on the paper every morning. It might not help save the notorious climate reputation, but it certainly left a mark on my heart.

When you are mindful enough, people can notice the difference you make.

Instyle magazine called it a temple of sophistication