lone traveller

Slow Food 1

2011-12-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

慢吃.快活

旅居曼谷十年，三餐皆外食也，有朋自遠地來，肚子一餓，多半時候，都在市井裡的深居陋巷解決，探覓道地的原味美食。

舊攤口，小肆，騎樓，老店鋪，外觀不甚起眼，食物卻出奇的美味。

泰皇五世朱拉隆公愛吃是出了名的。他赴歐遠遊，常在日記里提起緬懷的家鄉味。一國之君尤此，影響其子民之深，可見于當今泰菜的多元特色口味。

曼谷固然不缺氛圍雅致的餐館，然其商業味重過食物的滋味。

曼谷之大，除可尋幽探秘，最佳者乃途徑一深巷巧遇美食而就地品嚐。

吃上了，一晃即是十年，竟給我吃出一份美食地圖來。

好友到訪，從不為景點名勝，多為吃而來。

慢慢品吃的快活。

Slow Food 2

2011-12-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

梅園鴨麵

拉瑪四路華隆蓬火車站附近的梅園老店，不識貨者不止步。皆因店面陳舊，桌椅五色參雜，又近大路，塵土飛揚食物難免會加料。

嗜食者不拒外境之干擾，椅子一拉，坐下，來一碗正宗的暹羅鴨麵。

麵條鬆軟又嚼勁好，鴨肉之嫩滑不在話下。它的湯頭，可謂嘔心之作。香料全，火候小，慢熬始能入味。

喝一口，有椒香氣，有薑沖氣，亦有八角和桂皮的藥香味。鮮香也！

常見食客總是整碗湯喝下，那口感超爽。

營業從早十一至午二時，趕不上中餐的話，午四時至七時倘有一回。可早點到，坐著等，聞著大鍋中傳出的幽幽湯香味，不餓亦難。

湯頭好像也帶點茶味。

Slow Food 3

2011-12-24T20:40:00.001-08:00

四方城椰子冰淇淋

單看那快要倒塌下來的老店口，已吐露出店主六十年來的苦心經營。

不賣別的，只專冰淇淋。

那串串肥美椰肉剛鮮挖出來，用菜刀細細切碎，再混進用椰奶制出來的冰淇淋，配上花生仁及亞答仔，一道生津止渴，沁人心脾的甜品上桌了。

問過店主，單靠椰子冰淇淋可否維持生計。他說大小餐廳訂單源源不絕，生意之好，實不相瞞，一天至少得用幾百個鮮椰，且只用泰南鮮椰。椰不佳者概不選用。此商業道德可喜也。

德不孤，必有鄰。這家座落在“秋千紅門”的老字號，連日本雜誌亦慕名而來，可見慢工出細貨，自有欣賞者也。

老店口的木桌木椅也有一把年紀了。桌面上的輪紋磨出一般神韻，每每用完冰後，竊想把它搬回家的衝動。

店主的老店口

Slow Food 4

2011-12-24T20:39:00.001-08:00

鉛筆街廚神

提起廚神（Krua Apsorn），當地人都知道它是已故的泰皇姐的偏愛。

相信尋遍整個曼谷市，也找不着一家餐館是在晚間八點打烊的。

晚上八點在台北，香港，上海或東京，人們才剛要外出用餐呀!

主因是，門市生意太好，店主知足，不想累垮，故提早關門。

單這點，叫我佩服他的經營理念。

常叫的那幾道菜有：木瓜絲涼拌，炸雞翅，清炒遙馬力菜。

蟹肉長豆炒紅椒，海鮮冬粉，酸橙湯也不賴。

它的炸雞翅，外皮酥脆，內肉鮮嫩；因醃醺久故五味已入肉，咬在嘴里爽韌有味，甚是絕品。

稍晚些去，較好的菜色多已售罄，叫個“炸蛋”就著半碗白飯吃，不亦美乎？

這兒的小菜都很下飯，胃口不佳時尚值一試。記得晚間八點前到。

廚神的香辣很下飯

Slow Food 5

2011-12-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

一晚一桌

店名叫“一桌”，擺明了不多做，一個晚上就只做你一桌的客人。

缺點是：得湊足十人一桌，才有幸吃到林哥的拿手好菜。獨來獨往的老饕沒口福了。

這家位於曼谷唐人街濕巴剎對面的老字號，只接預定，且得提前一兩個月, 謝絕walk in。

有人嘆說老店已沒啥好吃了，口出此言者，不是內行人。

“一桌”的菜色，上至鱈魚，河蟹，下至滷肉，高麗菜，各有風味；且鮮，因只供一桌的菜，材料全部符合菜單，想叫多一碗白飯也不成。

價格略嫌貴了些，但想到整家餐館就只有你一桌子人在大快朵頤，也就物有所值了。

材料只夠供一桌的菜。

Slow Food 6

2011-12-24T20:34:00.000-08:00

海外天醬清鳕鱼

耀華叻(Yaowarat Rd)路口貼近交通燈旁的海外天，其泰式中華風味全曼谷市最是深濃。

店面不甚雅觀，幾近頹廢，若不是事先有人告之，打死也不進去的那一類食店。

可偏偏醜店常出美食，店主把全副精神放在食物上，也難怪無暇點綴店口了。

我常來這吃，且常叫那鍾愛的三道菜：醬清蒸鱈魚，蝦仁魚鰾和芹菜羊肉。

蒸鱈魚最關鍵的，在那一匙醬清。

店主自詡祖傳訣竅的醬清，我懷疑該是加了其他成份。

或是蛋白？或是梅子？店主不說，無人知曉。

炒羊肉，何以如此誘人？連不嗜羊者如我亦不能拒之。

羊肉多腥，切成薄片和芹菜一起炒，腥味即除；再撒些蒜蓉及豆豉，已近清香灑逸。

這些材料皆為常用品，不知為何加在一起即成佳味，非廚藝高超者實難為之。

美中不足處，鱈魚小的一片要450泰銖，大片550泰銖。炒羊肉也要350泰銖，魚鰾蝦仁400泰銖，三樣小菜也得花上千銖。

我所謂之“常來”，非每星期一兩回，而是每年三幾回也。

豆豉和醬清，會用即成佳味。

Slow Food 7

2011-12-24T20:32:00.000-08:00

阿里站菜包

捷運阿里站周遭不乏高檔餐館及咖啡廳，最叫人回味的卻是Voraporn菜包。

此素味，集沙葛，香菇，青蔥及蘿蔔絲于一身，咬起來菜汁四溢，連包皮也不必剝開，質感細柔，口感極佳。

Voraporn每天賣出上萬個包子，並以連鎖店的方式在城裡五個熱點出售。不標榜什麽“得獎美食”的陳腔，卻依然門庭若市。

除菜包外，尚有肉粽，也極好，裡頭含肥肉，蝦米，豆仁，豆沙及香菇，還附加一粒白果，鹹中帶著一絲甜，糯米油卻不膩，吃它兩大個也不反胃。

初一十五齋日，菜包尤其搶手，中午前即售罄。

阿里站這家包店剛好毗鄰麥當勞，但明眼人一瞧店裡的客流量，心中已有數。

菜包的香餡都是真材實料。

Slow Food 8

2011-12-24T20:26:00.000-08:00

丁財發蝦丸麵

不是基于同一姓氏，才特別光顧這家位於蘇恭維路62巷的蝦丸麵。

拌麵的香料當然是自加的四大天王（糖，醋，辣椒粉及花生粉）。

手擀麵條是QQ的，微沁醬汁，加上豆芽及豬油屑，叫人食指大動。

最絕活的乃其蝦丸，融進了蝦的鮮味，稍微輕炸後才入湯，肉質是白里透甘紅的那種蝦色（日本牌襯衫最常見此色）。

店主說蝦丸是自家的秘傳，只用一種叫黑花蝦的蝦子，其他蝦子一律不用，用雙手一粒粒捏出來。

簡樸的拙作卻因食材鮮而成了雋永好味。

一碗才放四粒蝦丸，價格卻比外面的麵食貴一倍，故顧客多為識貨者，吃兩大碗貴過一個巨無霸漢堡。

手擀麵加蝦丸，一絕也。

Slow Food 9

2011-12-24T20:24:00.000-08:00

水牛橋源發雞飯

水牛橋捷運站近大路旁有一家小館子以雞飯馳名，而且一賣就是五十多年。

每天約可賣出150隻雞的源發，橫掃美食獎項，曼谷五大電視臺（第三，五，七，九，十一臺）皆有特約報導。

論店面，甚無特色，還有點淩亂，舊墻上掛滿了大明星光顧此店的玉照。

它的雞飯，香在米飯上，不油膩，粒粒米飯都飄逸出薑，蒜及米的清香。

醬料也是一絕。指天椒，薑絲，蒜蓉，加上醋及醬油；這五味雜陳之濃醬淋在細嫩的雞肉，更為佳配。

有人說單油飯一碟，也能吃出味道來。

配飯的高湯是雞骨和冬瓜燉出來的，香甜又不嗆喉, 喝了也不口乾，絕不是外頭那種用味精調出來的湯味。

門市生意旺，但店主依然親切，服務好，雞腿肉也不像新馬一帶的食攤要額外收費。

最好在中午前到，要不，最好的雞肉部位都被人搶光了。

飯一碟，也能吃出味道來。

Slow Food 10

2011-12-24T19:47:00.000-08:00

耐人尋味

有許多個人喜愛的小館子，尚未一一介紹。只好留下店名，讓“知食”份子好好研究。

1.楊家炒（皇園路近朱拉隆功大學)
2.霓姐芋條（近十月十四紀念塔）
3.新光粥館（暹羅廣場）
4.國際菜館（暹羅廣場）
5.肥姐suki（皇園路朱拉隆功大學旁）
6.燒土小吃攤（Jatujak週末市集）
7.黑糖涼粉（Jatujak週末市集）
8.嗨！木瓜絲烤雞（席龍路）
9.香蕉葉食館（席龍路Central大廈）
10.大戶屋日本料理（Paragon購物中心）
11.金山費姐乾粥（老城金山區）
12.金山泰式炒麵（老城金山區）
13.日落街印度煎餅（老城日落街）
14.霜月街七十一炸魚丸（老城霜月街）
15.三宴巴剎阿嬤韭菜糕（三宴路）

近席龍路的老店。

Be an island

2011-12-14T22:02:00.000-08:00

心的依止

我們所遭遇的每件事，都是修行的一部份。

順境還是逆境，都是成長我們的因緣。

有次在尼泊尔，途中車子拋錨，許多乘客為此埋怨。

我下了車，趁機松松筋骨，透透氣。

順便拿起相機拍下幾張照。

在修理車子的司機。

Once in a lifetime

2011-11-11T02:55:00.001-08:00

11/11/11

Today, people around the world will enjoy a numerically auspicious hour and date unlike any other in the modern times: 11:11 on 11/11/11

Thousands will gather for ceremonies or trance dances, while numerologists and metaphysicists are looking for signs of some broad humanistic awakening.

Good day or bad, it is truly up to your mind.

The sun does not set, it just rises up from

the other side.

Happiness is...

2011-11-11T02:43:00.001-08:00

享樂像止痛藥

我們所謂的享樂,只是建立在痛苦暫時的舒緩.

那一剎那舒緩快感,我們誤執為快樂.

享樂就像止痛藥,只是暫時將痛苦舒緩,却沒有將痛苦的因連根拔起.

它只是將病痛部位的神經區麻木却沒有將病根除掉.

我們以為不痛了問題就解決了,它只是在等待下一次更沉重的出擊.

止痛藥只是暫時舒緩痛苦。

Inspired Moments

2011-11-10T01:51:00.000-08:00

無聊最好

人一靜下來便會覺得無聊.非得找些事情來做不可.這是自我努力求存的一種手段.

所謂的無聊,是我們疲于奔波的心不能適應突而其來的寧靜空間.所以自我便命令我們的心找一些消遣來填滿這個空間.

這個寶貴的寧靜空間,若能好好利用,既是靜坐冥想的第一步.

自我是靠源源不斷的活動來支撐自己,所以製造出許多名相來制服我們的心.

心一有空檔的時刻,自我便乘虛而入.將它標籤為無聊.

心若不採取行動找尋慰籍,自我便會責怪它無所事事,浪費生命.

心，無所事事...最好

Traveller notes

2011-10-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

Watch our reactions

Everytime we have a thought appearing in our mind, if we react to it, we create actions - negative or positive - which will leave imprints on our mental continuum.

This is the way how karma keeps binding us to Samsara.

The next time you have a thought, do not react to it immediately. Watch your thought. See where it is coming from and where it will be going. Soon you will see the thoughts go into nowhere. It is just like wind, leaving no trace at all, if we do not react to it.

Reactions create actions. Actions create negative and positive imprints. All the imprints create karmas. All karmas create Samsara, the world in which we live in.

If we trace back we will find the culprit. Not the reactions themselves. The creator of our reactions is our self cherishing mind, our grasping ego.

Walking and cycling in Marakkech, Morocco.

2011-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our true nature

Kalu Rinpoche said: The mind in its natural state can be compared to the sky, covered by layers of cloud which hide its true nature.

Our buddha nature (the sun) is always there. It is just our delusions (the cloud) which obscure our mind and make us "blind" to the truth of ourselves.

Clouds seen from Four Seasons Hotel, Lisbon.

little words

2011-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

人不可無癖

清朝詩人張潮曰：

花不可無蝶。
山不可無泉。

石不可無苔。
水不可無藻。

人不可無癖。

人之一癖，說穿了，乃無始劫之習氣也。

好壞應看個人造化了。

Moss garden, Kyoto, Japan

Words that click

2011-08-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Henri Cartier Bresson

on composition

Our eye must constantly measure, evaluate.

We alter our perspective by a slight bending of the knees; we convey the chance meeting of lines by a simple shifting of our heads a thousandth of an inch...

We compose almost at the same time we press the shutter, and in placing the camera closer or farther from the subject, we shape the details - taming or being tamed by them.

I captured this decisive moment in a street

near Toledo, Spain.

In a sense

2011-08-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Paradox of our age

We have bigger houses, but smaller families; more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgements, more experts, but more problems; more medicines, but less healthiness.

We have been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever before, but have less communication.

We have become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are times of fast foods, but slow digestion; tall man, but short character; steep profits, but shallow relationships.

It is a time when there is much in the window, but nothing in the room.

[By His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama]

Kyoto, Japan.

tree of life

2011-08-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

剛剛好

很多人都曾經見過路邊的大樹，但我們不曾好好地觀賞這棵大樹；覺得它的出現和我們無關，好像我們只是碰巧遇見它似的。

這棵出現在路邊的大樹和我們相遇絕非偶然，而是萬緣具足的情況下才會顯現在我們的外境中。

假如我們走錯了路，這棵樹便不會出現。

又或者在夜間沒有街燈的環境中經過，而沒注意到它。

若剛巧發生林火，這棵大樹或已遭殃。

早三十年走這條路，我們也無緣和大樹見面。

要是不走路經過，而是坐在車內的左側，這棵在大路右邊的樹也會悄悄的從我們的眼界中溜逝。

或在車內，有人和我們說話而套住了我們的注意力。或手機剛好響起，我們急着接應而忽略了這棵大樹的存在。

若有一位伐木工人在我們之前先經過而把樹砍了。我們也無緣見到這棵樹。

雷劈也會取了大樹的生命。白蟻能夠將它化為烏有。酸雨久能使之腐朽。

這棵樹早在幾十年前只是一粒種子。經由一只小鳥，松鼠或蜜蜂的傳播而落身此地。經過陽光，雨水，泥土，垃圾養份的滋潤，還有二氧化碳的催化下，這棵大樹才有可能茁壯成長。

我們能夠只是說，和這棵大樹相遇，只是我們剛好經過嗎？

只要缺少或碰上以上其中一個外緣，我們就沒有機會和這棵大樹擦身而過。

老實說，我們有好好去欣賞過這棵大樹嗎？

有細細地看過，摸過，抱過或爬過它嗎？

萬事出現在我們的人生境界中絕非湊巧，而是無以計

數的前世因緣成熟，才有可能浮現。

不只是一顆大樹，一切的人，事，物應作如是觀。

好好珍惜你生命中的每位朋友，你生命中所發生的每件事，和你生活中所出現的每樣東西。

它們並非剛好出現，你也並非剛好經過。

Make a difference

2011-06-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

Work a day for Rinpoche

My precious root guru, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, was developing manifestation of sickness and now hospitalized in Australia.

Beside donations, I have also worked together with Diana from FPMT on a series of downloadable posters which are to be posted on the FPMT website.

Each poster carries a wonderful message from Rinpoche himself, together with a photo which I have taken from my trips in the Himalaya.

Hopefully these posters will serve as a reminder to all students of Rinpoche to practice dharma in their daily life.

New covers on the shelf 2011

2011-06-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

Old Penang Old Stories

For those who have been to this oriental island, whose shape is like a turtle and about 5 kilometers off the peninsula, these books are a pure delight of those sweet old memories.

I knew the writer well and was quite depressed when his book hit the stand. I told him that the cover design could have been better. I could have helped him out with the design, if I have time.

The next thing, he came to me abruptly one day, saying his books will be reprinted, and the publisher was happy to have a new cover. I was in.

Cover for the old children songs in Penang

Cover for the old roads in Penang

New cover on the shelf

2011-05-21T23:53:00.001-07:00

An anthropologist in the rainforest

Recently I am working on a new cover for a book written by an anthropologist who stayed at a small village called Semaq Seri, isolated from the world outside for centuries.

I combined an illustration of forest with real photos of plants to create a mixture of reality and illusion, trying to send the message across that our preconception of life can sometimes be realistically unreal.

The plants and trees are shot at different locations in Malaysia and Indonesia.

The native kid was shot by the author himself.

Rainforest with stories to tell

Van Gogh's words

2011-02-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.

I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.

Conscience is a man's compass.

But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things.

A good picture is equivalent to a good deed.

If one is master of one thing and understands one thing well, one has at the same time, insight into and understanding of many things.

If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.

It is not the language of painters but the language of nature which one should listen to, the feeling for the things themselves, for reality is more important than the feeling for pictures.

inspiring story

2010-06-23T09:52:00.000-07:00

Cracked pot

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.' The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Water pot carried by little novice
at Kopan monastery, Nepal

Cover story

2010-06-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Cover story on book design

I have done two cover designs for two books. One is a vegetarian cookbook published by Kopan Monastery in Nepal. The other a compilation of articles under the publication of Dharma Rain, by a writer who is a rice specialist in Northern Malaysia.

It feels good to be in touch with design again, after more than 15 years in advertising. My wish is to modernize the book cover for dharma books, making them look as attractive as other imported books on the shelf.

A beautiful look still matters to attract the sentient beings in our human realm.

The book cover title bears the calligraphy of
Zhi Cheng Fashi.

A cookbook with Kopan's favorite recipes.
Sketches from Nat Khadro who happens to be a vegan too.

Smiling quote 1

2010-03-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

Guide your doors

" The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live. "
Flora Whittemore

A meticulously crafted wooden door, at the Unesco-listed
Chagu Narayan temple within the Kathmandu valley

Postcards shelf 2

2010-02-28T08:54:00.001-08:00

Send a card with loving kindness

Another 5 designs from the postcard set.

The young monk against the yellow background was from Kopan monastery. His name is Lama Rigzin from Tsum valley. Many who bought this postcard were wondering where the venue was for this shoot.

Even the monks at Kopan were not exactly sure where it was.

Postcards shelf

2010-02-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Send a card with compassion

10 postcards, each with a beautiful dharma quote, are out late last year and already on the shelf at bookstores of Kopan monastery in Nepal, and Namgyal monastery in Dharamsala.

Over 600 cards were sold in the month of November when they first hit the stand at Kopan monastery.

They are also available at major bookstores on Thamel road in Kathmandu, and at House of Treasure in Dwarika's hotel.

Each card can stand on its own when folded, making it an ideal prop on the table.

New book on the shelf

2009-09-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-24T03:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-21T05:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-30T22:55:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-30T22:44:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-30T22:42:00.002-07:00

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

2009-04-30T22:42:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

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 4

2009-04-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-14T10:37:00.000-07:00

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

Cool hotels 1

2009-04-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

A letter to Kurt

Dear Kurt,

Legendary is a word I hardly use in my daily vocabularies. A word I probably will not relate to the service industry, unless of course, the establishment really deserves it.

This is my first stay with the Oriental Bangkok, and undoubtedly one of the most memorable hotel stays I have so far in the land of smiles.

The Sukhothai may be known for its imported buckwheat pillows. The Four Seasons for its 24-hour fitness centre with free flow of fresh juices and coffee. The Peninsula, diagonally opposite from the Oriental, is thoughtful for its digitalized weather forecast in every room.

But none comes close to the Oriental for its impeccable personal service.

Daisann McLane once said when hotel rooms are perfect, she often forgets the details. Here I will not go into detail on the décor of the rooms. But allow me a few words on the pleasant staff at the Oriental, who is well mannered in every sense of the word, and who makes me feel both welcome and comfortable all the time.

The butler on my floor, Khun Rinrada, is a charming lady who goes all her ways to meet my needs. She will always press the lift button for me every time she sees me leaving my room. She gave me a vase of fragrant flowers for my bathroom. And she even offered me a bar of lemongrass soap when she learnt that I liked the smell of this Thai spice.

My room is well maintained by her meticulous inspections. She feels more like an old friend to me than a staff at the Oriental. And giving more than what the guests expect has indeed become a motto here.

Another important person worth mentioning who makes my stay possible is Khun Santichai, director of sales. Within my tight budget he managed to work out a good deal for me to experience the Oriental stay. I was particularly impressed by the view of my room. He even called to wish me well during my stay.

Needless to say, no one can whistle a symphony alone. It takes a whole orchestra to play it. Over the past few days I observed the staffs at various departments, and my conclusion is, they all love working for the Oriental and feel proud being part of it. From their bright smiling faces I see loving kindness and friendliness. And it reminds me of a beautiful saying: you cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future. George Bernard Shaw knew it. And you knew it too by saying about the Oriental: our history is also our future.

I wish the Oriental the very best in the coming years.

Sincerely

Vancelee Teng

Where renowned writers sat and sipped...

Life observer 2

2009-03-21T01:06:00.001-07:00

離開地面一尺

不是市集小販們此起彼落的叫賣聲。

不是從遠處聖母大教堂傳來的娓娓鐘聲。

也不是西貢河上擁擁攘攘的漁船所發出的引擎聲。

是轟隆隆的電單車聲，以千軍萬馬之勢，先把胡志明市這座法殖港城給吵醒的。

天微亮了，車龍出現了，震耳欲聾的車聲源自四面八方。大路上，小徑邊，窄巷內，川流不息着，為越南人開始鋪上一天的生活節奏。

每日進出市區的電單車不少過兩百萬輛，以第五區的唐人街為甚，其次為第一，三，十及十一區。

吵，是難免的。亂，也是無可厚非的。

居住在胡志明市而不聞電單車聲，那你的神識肯定是遺留在睡夢中了。

無所不在的車聲，是胡志明市的生活音符，翻滾着，充塞着整個空間，經由公路表面往地底深處下鑽。想要諦聽它跳動的脈搏，最好選擇離地面越近越好。

太高，觸目盡是一大片鋼骨水泥及稻田茶地。太低，又只能窺見污泥水道及高腳浮屋。

貼近地面觀察一個城市的精神面貌，比較接近真實記錄中的原汁原味。而“身入其境”指的，當然是自身對周遭的環境感受。

跳上一輛 Xe Om（越語為電單車之意），屏住呼吸，飛馳在房與樓之間的公路上。Xe Om 車伕擅操捷徑。所謂捷徑，多為民房住宅區內又長又窄的陋巷。好處是，少了公路上的水泄不通及烏煙瘴氣。而一路上，尚可親睹形形色色的人生百態。

依偎在母親懷里哭鬧的嬰兒，上學去的天真孩童，嬉笑玩樂的小伙子，晝夜辛勞不停的小販們，恩愛的情侶們，吵架的夫婦們，還有握着拐杖坐在曬太陽的老婆婆。

一幕緊跟着一幕的生命實相，以生老病死的詮釋方式，用極快的速度在我眼前呈現着，又如閃電般地消聲匿跡。在雙腳離地面一尺的水平線上飛馳着，盡入眼簾的每一幕都是一場活生生的戲。戲中的主角雖不是自己，卻總是息息相關。

場景和主角一直在更換着，聲音和空氣中的味道也隨着境界的不同而改變。還沒來得及明察眼前當下這一幕，下一幕又呼然而至。幕幕匆忙交替中顯得有點混亂，但又亂中有序，像小時候寫字用的大方格簿子，一格接一格地迅速被填滿，又一格格地被塗擦掉。

離開地面一尺不算高，在腳不着地的虛幻空間中飛走着，少了高空遨翔的遼闊自在，卻多了一份踏實之感。

我的靈魂騎在車背上，在一個又一個不經意的拐彎處，我總會帶有些期待，驚喜及一絲許無法自拔。

離開地面一尺，我尚未脫離娑婆世界的業力牽引，依舊在半真半假的時間空隙中飛馳着。經過眼前的景或物，是如此神速，如露亦如電。

闔上雙眼，把色塵拒絕在外境的門檻上，心不作他想，意不作他解，渾然忘我地飛越在有和無之間的生命長廊上。

只知道，雙腳一着地，"現實"即刻尾隨而至。

進出胡志明市區的電單車

Healthy living 3

2009-02-17T08:22:00.000-08:00

多說好話

家人病時，你會關心慰問。好友不如意時，你會好言相勸，甚至心儀的寵物受驚時，你也會抱抱或摸摸它。

但當我們體內的器官受到壓迫時，你可曾好好地和它說過話？如果說一切生命皆有佛性，那器官內的每個細胞亦復如是。

大陸著名作家賈平凹害了多年的肺病，尋遍名醫都治不好。他把心一橫，索性隱居起來。幾年后重出文壇，肺病卻離奇地痊愈了。

記者追問他來龍去脈，只見他輕描淡寫道：我什麽藥都沒吃，這幾年就只是每天和我的肺說好話。

關懷的一句好話，勝過華佗的仙丹靈藥。

日本科學家已經證實，一杯水的分子結構能因一句好話而徹底改善。更何況是我們體內一個個生氣勃勃的細胞呢？

除非似木頭，一切生命皆有佛性

Healthy living 2

2009-02-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

戒口

爬了幾百級的楷梯，終于登上了蘇瓦莆迪那大佛塔。

迎面撞上了一位喝得酩酊大醉的年輕藏人。他追着問我的名字, 我告訴了他。他窮追不捨，又問我吃肉或不吃肉。

我先是一征，然后回答：吃。

你吃肉？他口齒不清的咆哮着，用他的手指頭在我的手背上捻了一團肉，又大言不恥地說：你吃肉！你吃肉！

我被他這突如其來的舉動給震懾住了。回返曼谷后，我真的把肉給戒了。先從豬牛羊開始，接着是雞鵝鴨。

我和那位年輕藏人平生素未謀面，有緣相遇，多半為業力牽引。他那天雖喝醉了，心卻還是清醒着的。

時時提醒自己少吃眾生肉。

Life observer 1

2009-02-17T07:44:00.000-08:00

凌晨兩點的飛機聲

凌晨兩點十分，躺在床上倘若還未墜入夢鄉，可以很清楚的諦聽到飛機劃過公寓上空的隆隆聲。

離我頭頂上方三萬五千尺，有一架載着各地乘客的747緩緩而行，我不知道它要飛往地球上的那一端。但每逢此刻，方察覺自己失眠了。

地上的人為了瑣碎塵事而睡不着。天上的人呢？

在寺廟旁偷睡懶覺的老人

Healthy living 1

2009-02-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

有洞的菜才好吃

鄉下長大的人應該有聽說過，農夫自己種的瓜果蔬菜，自己也不敢食用，主因是農藥打得太多了。

你可能會反問，農藥成本貴又對人體有百害，打這麽多幹什麽？

若我們捫心自問，尤其是家庭主婦們，上超市買菜時，會否買有蟲洞的包菜？會否買帶疱的番茄？會否買表皮粗糙的黃瓜？

答案是非常明顯的，大家只要買漂亮的果菜，農夫們為了漂亮的收成而拼命打農藥把蟲蟻趕走。這些外表美觀的果菜，都沾滿了一層層毒性極濃的農藥，好看不好吃呀！

自己種的瓜果蔬菜不打農藥

Well beings 2

2009-02-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

Tagore's house

Sufferings, in Rabindranath Tagore’s eyes, had become a good medicine for his questioning mind. From the close encounters he had with the people living off the dusty street, he penned what would become the world’s best literary works as judged by Nobel committees.

He was also under great influence from the Japanese masters at that time. He traveled extensively to the land of the rising sun, and immersed himself in the art of tea ceremony, meditations, paintings and Buddhist teachings.

One glance at his poems you would not wonder why. There was almost a zen touch in one of his Bengali poems that goes like this…

"Where movement is not all movement
and stillness is not all stillness;
where the idea and form,
the within and the without are united;
where infinite becomes finite,
yet not losing its infinity."

On 7 August 1941, Tagore breathed his last in the
comfort of his house, ending a life so beautifully lived.

Well beings 1

2009-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Mother Teresa's chair

I was particularly moved to see two chairs exhibited at a crammed room next to Mother Teresa's tomb. One was labeled as her regular wooden stool which she used to sit while working in her office. The other, a cushioned chair which she always refused to sit at work, at least not until when she was in great pain in her last ailing year.

She sat on that cushioned chair briefly for one last time on the morning of 5 september 1997. On the same day at 9.30pm, she peacefully passed away. Her last word: " Love one another as I have always loved you."

Another sentence also caught my teary eyes when I read from the exhibition material. I could hear her voice calling the world afar... " What you cannot do, I can. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do beautiful things for God."

I got out of Mother House through the entrance where I was led in. The signboard, next to the door, made such a great impact on me. It read: MOTHER TERESA. IN.

I knew she still is. I could tell from the faces of those nuns and devotees.

The miracle of faith and selfless compassion

Lost & Found

2008-12-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

The boy that has no name

I took pictures of him in a classroom last year in December. It was an orphanage near Thamel, not far from where I stayed.

I didn't know his name. Worst still, I lost the email address he gave me.

Tomorrow when I arrive Kathmandu, the first thing I will do is to try to locate him. And give him this picture I promised a year ago.

I hope he will not find me a stranger. Wish me luck.

The young orphan whose name I forgot

On the road 10

2008-12-22T08:17:00.000-08:00

In the comfort of a stranger

I do not know how others feel. But being with a stranger, to me, can be quite a refreshing experience.

When you are on the road travelling, you are bound to meet some.

Be they the taxi driver that takes you around, the waiter that serves you, the hotel manager that accommodates you, or the bunch of kids that always pesters you for candies or money.

You can't walk away from them. For you can't probably survive in a strange country alone.

A stranger, if you observe it mindfully, provides you with a great opportunity to practice non-judgmental way of looking at things. When you see him or her for the first time, you have no burden from your previous baggage, and therefore you are more likely to look at the person as he or she is.

You will not label that person as good or bad, interesting or boring, hardworking or lazy, until you know him or her better. That's the trickiest part, once you know a person in details, you begin to judge with your own dualistic notions based on the information you yourself collected.

I like meeting strangers on the road. That feeling of non-judgment really releases me.

An old stranger I met in Patan

Viral buddhism

2008-12-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

Karmapa on Facebook

When asked what his life mission was for the 21st century, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, now 23 years old, promptly replied: " My mission in this life time is mainly dharma activity. However the dharma must change in order to suit the time and the needs of society and its people. I may give the Buddha dharma a new external shape. I will update its expression so it can most effectively benefit the people in this modern time."

Indeed, his statement comes timely, especially in this high tech era where playlist.com replaces conventional hi fi, and sms spreads the news faster than BBC and CNN.

I was on the net last night. and to my surprise I came across the 17th Karmapa on the Facebook too, with thousands of fans across the globe checking out his activities on a daily basis. He has quickly risen to be an iconic star in the west after confirmation by the 14th Dalai Lama that he was the incarnation of the 16th Karmapa who used to reside at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim.

His recent visit to the USA proved he has more than just good looks. His presence at the venue drawed in as many as 30,000 faithful devotees. His talks inspired many who came close to tears.

Even I was tempted, though not successfully, to become a fan on his Facebook.

www.facebook.com/pages/Karmapa/10737498099

In Rumtek or any part of Sikkim I saw him everywhere

Moroccan touch 1

2008-12-15T07:22:00.000-08:00

說走就走

旅行，其實就是短期離家出走的經歷。

每一趟的出走，我把家人、朋友、工作及熟悉的環境擱置一旁，全心投入一個陌生的國度，讓自己疲于奔走的心暫時沉澱于異國風情的空茫中。

和其他旅人相比，我每一回上路，都不攜帶《孤星》旅游指南，只隨着性情和喜好，不管任何季節，一興起，背上背包，說走就走。

發現 Quarzazate，也是一次沒有設防的遊歷。

從卡薩布蘭卡一路往南下，途經馬拉喀什，整十個小時的旅程中，我風塵僕僕地在高速公路上穿行于荒漠及峽谷間。當日光漸漸依山盡，夜幕低垂下的阿特拉斯山脈，美得難以言喻。

那柔柔的淡黃色月光撒瀉在覆蓋着微微發光的雪白山坡上，像剛抹上脂粉的回族少女。四周一片山靄蒼蒼，時有倦鳥歸巢，偶爾經過山區的小村落，藏有幾許零星燈火，儼如夜空中的朦朧辰星，閃閃爍爍叫人難以捉摸。

山迴路轉處，都是鬼斧神工只有阿拉真神才能造就的雄偉峰嶺，還有那些用石板及泥塊層層疊疊建構起來的傳統民居，在一片田野好山水之中勾勒出家的形象，給予夜間趕路的我一份沁人的靜謐。

我知道，這一路上的月落烏啼，今生沒有多少個機會能再讓我重遇。

Quarzazate 古城入口處

Moroccan touch 2

2008-12-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

獨享山空

張開雙眼，面前晨光流滿一地，石土建造的房子聳立在眼前，而冬晨懶懶的陽光正為眼前匠心獨運的一磚一石，一樑一瓦，鋪添瑰麗的色彩。甚至是生了鏽的鐵門，依稀還展現出巧奪天工，釋放出幽幽的摩洛哥文化精粹。

多年游走的經驗告訴我，那些通俗平凡的地方，往往天意安排無數次的重訪，而那些山明水秀人情豐厚的地方，卻往往總是匆匆一瞥。

所以，每回被眼前的景象觸動，我都恣意貪婪地吸收、品味、沉澱。

就在一個拐彎處，期待已久的景象排山倒海般向我涌來，如此的震撼和悸動，已是如今鮮有的體驗了。

五層高的 Ait Benhaddou 大古堡近在咫尺，泥磚古堡櫛比鱗次大放異彩，輝煌的金褐色在晨光的折射下有如一件稀世古老珍品。令我驚悚的是，卑賤的爛泥巴也能孕育出如此氣勢磅礡的雄偉建築。

我小心翼翼趨近，伸手觸摸那扇住滿歲月精虫的大拱門，感受古堡體內蘊藏的一點一滴精華。此時的我，早已變成一台攝影機，時刻警戒地發掘身旁的事物，惟恐錯過眼前的龐巨荒漠峽谷、匪夷所思的泥磚古堡，以及隨時在面前經過，身着鮮艷衣飾又笑容靦腆的巴巴里人。

古堡旁的一角，樓房牆壁的花巧裝潢與手繪紋樣，也同樣叫我傾心凝足近觀，我細心地將每個映入眼簾的畫面留下，永遠保持着原來的面目。

我低頭鑽進那些隱蔽的角落，迎着冷冽的北風，徐徐拾級而上。也幸好是旅游淡季，我不用在人潮推擠中亂了腳步和思緒，可以用冷靜的一顆心獨享山空。

爬上堡頂，居高臨下的角度很適合坐看這座天際山城，我循着崎嶇地面，進入每一間荒廢的房間尋幽探密，窗口外的景觀也隨着每一間不同的房間而變化。

雖是空山不見人，但聞人語嚮，古堡內似有似無的幽靈依舊徘徊不去，彷彿還浸淫在千年王朝的浩瀚記憶中。

卑賤的爛泥巴也能孕育出如此氣勢磅礡的雄偉建築

Moroccan touch 3

2008-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

冬夜的饗宴

負責載我到 Ait Benhaddou 大古堡的司機叫Mohamad, 風趣的他曾參與好萊塢大制作 Gladiator 的場景布置。由于Quarzazate的地勢得天獨厚，地平線一覽無遺，許多經典名片如 Cleopatra, Kingdom of Heaven, Kundum 皆取景于此地。

Mohamad 是個典型的巴巴里人，友善率直又好客，他帶我回家作客，其妻子和孩子們皆對我的到訪雀躍不已。

傳統的摩洛哥家居有點類似中國的四合院，四周建有房間、廚房和客廳，中間的露天庭院則是冬日取暖的好地點。

在盛意難拒之下，我留下來和他們一家五口用晚飯，大伙兒圍坐在矮小的圓桌邊，一鍋地道的 Couscous 在冷冷的冬夜里吃起來，叫我這個過客感到異常的溫暖。

現在回想起來，那一頓飯雖然不是山珍海味，卻是我生命中最豐盛的饗宴。

Quarzazate 當地流行一句家戶喻曉的格言：登門造訪的客人是上帝派來的，給予他們你所擁有的。

我有幸親身體驗這句格言的含義，實屬人生一大樂事。

Mohamad和他的傳統摩洛哥家居

Give a little

2008-12-04T21:08:00.000-08:00

The Little Painters

Saigon Children's Charity approached me to help them design two sets of greeting cards, one for Christmas, the other for Tet Vietnamese New Year.

A total of 200 children paintings was sent to me for my perusal and selection.

In those colourful strokes I saw hope and ambition, and a new generation eagerly to explore the world of opportunities outside.

The charity kicked off with a spectacular live performance by HCMC Ballet Symphony and Orchestra at the Conservatory of Music, followed by an Art and Photography exhibition sponsored by HSBC Bank.

Ms Thu, the organiser from Saigon Children's Society, called up one day, and told me the greeting cards were doing very well.

In return I wished her all the best for the year of 2009.

One of the Christmas paintings.

One of the Tet Vietnamese New Year paintings.

Going home

2008-12-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

回家

離開家鄉已經整整15年，由于工作因素，曾先後定居新加坡、曼谷及胡志明市。

總覺得自己活像一個居無定所的游牧民族，一路上隨着周圍環境的改變而更換目的地。

就這樣來來回回十數年，從湄公河邊的寧靜公寓，密密麻麻的政府組屋，機場旁的法式民樓，到土生土長的民居板屋，回家，因地點不同，感受也不一。

唯一的不變，是家的味道。

身為一位廣告創意工作者，自己確實是比常人較能接受新奇事物。家的詮釋對我來說，也有了不同的精神與物質層面。

一個創意是先從一張白紙開始的。而一個家也是始于一個陌生的空間，經過日月精華的悉心照料及主人和房子的朝夕相處，家的氣氛才會全然地釋放出來。

住不久的房子不會有家的味道。就像床頭上的舊被單的味道，往往令我們更容易入眠，新的被單在怎麼華麗，也取代不了舊的。

最近回一趟吉隆坡公幹，才赫然發現茨廠街賣福建麵的金蓮記有了新家，但我還是喜歡坐在舊攤前享受嘈雜的叫賣聲。

上個月回曼谷，常光顧的那家日落街老字號餐館也已搬家，取而代之的是一棟別墅洋樓。

家，不會永遠固定在一點，不會永遠不變，但百變中依然不會離開主人的存在。

家和主人是互相依存的。

偶爾一連幾個星期到幾個不同國家出差，家的界線也隨着出入境的頻密而變得模糊起來。有時候，晨早醒來，時空的交錯下也難免混淆，不知自己身在何處。

家，時時隨着“境”轉。但對我來說，回到哪一個家，我似乎完全已不在乎。

記得把心也帶回家去。

Autumn retreat

2008-11-09T06:21:00.000-08:00

下田修行去

小一那年上作文課,班主任要我們寫出自己的志愿. 記得當時我想當的是一名農夫.

30年后到農禪寺打佛七, 意外地獲悉東初老人也是從農的.

最大的證據無非是寺外那一片稻田,至今仍完好地保留着.

秋高氣爽的午後,坐在石岩上放眼望去,綠油油的田和藍幽幽的天,加上蟲鳴鳥啼,已叫人樂不思蜀.

佛七期間嚴厲禁語.凌晨五點開始拜佛, 念佛, 禮懺, 聽開示, 繞佛, 直至晚間九時的大回向。確確實實是過着日出而作,日落而息的日子.

除去早午齋及藥石的時間,沒有一刻不是用在修心工作上的.

末法時代欲以正知正見來修心養性,老實說,比下田還辛苦呀.

靜坐是修行, 勞動也是修行.

Little big things

2008-11-09T06:12:00.000-08:00

聽話的螞蟻

晨早起來喝水時, 發現水壺內有一堆死螞蟻, 連續好幾天, 情況都未見好轉.

細心觀察後才知道螞蟻為了解渴, 甘冒喪命之險爬進水壺內喝水, 死去的就是那些不慎失足跌進水里的.

想了一個對策之計: 在水壺旁我放了一個盛着水的小淺盤, 方便給經過的螞蟻飲用.並輕聲告訴它們往後別再冒險爬進水壺內汲水.

從那天起, 螞蟻們就再也沒有出現在我的水壺內.

小如螞蟻, 也有善解人意的時候.

Home stay

2008-11-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

山居小住

維鬘學會的月美姐带我和阿量到她的山居小住一晚.

品着她泡的烏龍茶,嘗着從內灣老街買回來的客家小吃,我的心漸入空靈.

居高臨下遠眺尖石鄉上重疊的山影.山還是山…

回來西貢後,偶讀虛雲老和尚著的一首偈,意境神似,當下法喜充滿.

山居意何遠。放曠了無涯。　
松根聊作枕。睡起自烹茶。
山居道者家。淡薄度歲華。　
灶底燒青菜。鐺內煮黃牙。

此處非彼處, 意境兩相投.

on the road 9

2008-11-09T05:59:00.000-08:00

越男

住在西貢一段日子, 發現成天泡在咖啡館裡無所事事的絕多數為男人.

他們抽着煙, 談着天, 手裡握着的咖啡杯, 似乎永遠都喝不完. 煙氣氤氳的館子內, 偶爾會碰見喝過洋水的越南男人, 用破爛的英語交談.

華燈初上, 男人們意猶未盡, 不肯離去. 一個個吞雲吐霧, 彷彿忘了家裡頭還有等着他們開飯的女人.

一杯在手, 話題沒完沒了.

on the road 8

2008-11-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

腳踏千金

有一回身上帶多了錢, 逛夜市時唯恐被人扒去, 急中生智把錢藏在跑步鞋里.

左右兩邊各塞進五百美金.

說也奇怪, 整個人走起路來, 每一步都清清楚楚, 整個心都放在兩腿上. 深怕步伐走得太快, 錢會不慎跑出來示眾.

平時自己走路總是心不在焉, 常被外境所轉. 眼着色, 耳着聲, 鼻着香, 舌着味, 身着觸, 意着法, 六根染六塵而生六識, 一顆心忙得不可開交.

此刻我才深諳內心的浮躁狂亂.

也在此當下一刻, 我用自己的腳步攝住那顆隨波逐流的心.

用心走路看似簡單, 其實不然.

On the road 7

2008-11-09T05:46:00.000-08:00

森林中的法語

“森林”是由一堆樹木因緣和合而成的.

單從意境上看這兩個字的結構,已有身在林中不知處之感.

從農禪寺解七出來, 順道走訪三義木雕博物館. 第一次見證檜木的巨大, 叫我合不攏嘴. 一看樹齡, 不得了, 足足活了600至800年, 不成妖, 也多已成精.

月美姐說尖石鄉山上的檜木更大更壯觀. 幾個人也無法環抱一根樹幹. 可惜我無緣親眼目睹.

古詩有曰: 人有情而易老, 樹無情而長青.

無情并非沒有覺知, 而是不感情用事.

咱們凡夫就是被無始的貪嗔癡所毒害. 七情六欲侵襲着我們的清凈心.

不老亦難呀!

“森林”這兩個字是一堆樹木的縮影.

heard + quoted

2008-10-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

A few words of wisdom

I'm in the midst of reinventing the office meeting room on the third floor. The ultimate challenge: to create cool design with as little money as possible.

I can't change the furniture as it will be too costly.

I can't paint the wall in other colour as it will not coordinate with the surrounding areas.

I can't open another window as the building management will not allow it.

What I did: well known quotes cut out in stickers and pasted on the glass panel and the entrance door. The wisdom words don't just beautify the meeting room, they also help inspire the creatives from the department.

Some of the quotes on glass panels.

Life's journey

2008-10-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Same same?

A friend of mine had bought a new Toyota sedan. The car looked stylish and quite spacious inside. He was very proud of it and often drove his friends around the city.

A few months later, a transportation company used this new Toyota model to launch its taxi service. You can see them almost anywhere in the city, the once-exclusive car model is now painted in yellow and black.

Suddenly, the privilege of owning it has disappeared.

My friend was upset and decided to trade in for another model.

Mind you, but where has the privilege gone?

Old taxi, from Varanasi to Sarnath.

Points of view

2008-10-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

The other side

It's very easy for us to forget the other side when we are so caught up with what we see in front of us. Too many times we see things the way we want to see, conveniently neglecting other possible points of view.

But if we change our angle of seeing a problem, sometimes we will be rewarded with not just a solution, but a whole new world of possibilities.

World renowned painter, Renoir, said it best: "When I have arranged a bouquet for the purpose of painting it, I always turn to the side I did not plan."

Nelson's column, seen through an autumn branch

in Trafalgar square.

Gourmet trip

2008-10-25T04:02:00.000-07:00

Italian touches

I was briefed to do a print campaign for a posh Italian restaurant in Bangkok. The client claimed that it has one of the most expensive menus in town.

I did a tour around the kitchen with the Italian chef. He made 10 dishes for me to try and one of them was a salad made with really expensive tomatoes. "All the ingredients are imported directly from Italy! " the chef proudly acclaimed.

I saw a simple visual idea in those words he told me.

Making use of the colours of the ingredients, I managed to say "truly Italian" in an interesting juxtaposition.

Indeed, when you look deeply, you can see the sun, the rain, the soil, the hard work of Italian farmers in those ingredients.

Italian flag 1 with crabmeat as an appetizer.

Italian flag 2 with lamb chop as a main course.

Italian flag 3 with fruity pudding as a dessert.

Book to share

2008-10-05T05:12:00.000-07:00

Life is a beach

We are like the children on the beach, joyfully involved in building all the beautiful sand castles. We get fascinated by what we created, quarreling over seashells and digging spades. We go through all kinds of emotional ecstasy about what we gain or what we lose.

The enlightened ones are just like the adults on the sun decks underneath the shades. They sip their cocktail while watching the kids "playing" friskily on the beach without any judgmental remark. They will not get upset or angry or disappointed over someone stepping onto the sand castles. They just watch from a distance, as if they are not in the scene.

-- Taken from "Almost Buddhist" by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche.

Frolicking on the beach of Cote D'azure, Nice.

On the road 4

2008-09-29T03:46:00.001-07:00

Healing power of voices

I was introduced to Dr Goh at Selayang Hospital. She is the founder of the Hospice centre whose mission is taking care of dying people in the rightful buddhist tradition. I was in discussion with her to see if a collaboration between her centre with the 1000 stars foundation in Bangkok was possible. The talk was promising.

In the lobby where patients waited in agony, I watched impermanence and emptiness of self in close inspection. Hospital is where life begins and ends. To me it's also the most practical place to observe Buddha's teaching on life's impermanence.

Dr Goh told me the importance of talking with the dying people in dignity and truth. And it reminded me of a hospital ruin I once visited in Perga, Turkey. I was informed by the tour guide that the doctors, during the Byzantine period, built a long tunnel filled with water and plants for patients to walk inside.

And the doctors themselves, being sympathetic, would talk to the patients in angelic voices through a specially designed sound "holes" via the tunnel. And it healed many of the patients with the voice therapy. I found it so miraculous if we knew how to watch our speech and make good use of it.

At the hospital lobby where I bid farewell to Dr Goh, I suddenly thought of Brian Eno and his soothing, haunting music.

The British composer, once laid on bed in hospital after a serious accident, said of his new discovery on music combined with the environment. It all happened with a broken tape recorder playing music so faint it almost blended with the sounds of the rain outside Eno's room. Hence he had an idea of combining these two elements together and became the pioneer of ambient music.

The hospital, after all, is not such a bad place to get yourself in touch with enlightenment.

Ruins at Perga, founded around 1000 BC.

Music for airport, Eno's debut in 1972.

Eye-witness

2008-09-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

The End

Leaves are falling. It's the end of summer, and the beginning of autumn.

Temperatures are dropping. It's the end of sunny days, and the beginning of cool windy days.

I am aging. It's almost the end of my 30s, and the beginning of my 40s.

It's 3.32am in KL. It's almost the end of the night, and the beginning of a new day.

See, nothing stays put at one point of time. Something is ending and something begins.

Old couple strolling along Hyde park, London.

On the road 3

2008-09-28T00:44:00.001-07:00

Faith that never rocks

A few phrases to share on the power of faith when one's walking on the middle path.

Faith is courage; it is creative while despair is always destructive. -- David S.Muzzey.
Faith is a passionate intuition. -- William Wordsworth.
Faith is like radar that sees through the fog. -- Corrie Ten Boom.
Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark. -- Rabindranath Tagore.
Faith ... must be enforced by reason. When faith becomes blind it dies. -- Mahatma Gandhi.
Faith and doubt both are needed - not as antagonists, but working side by side to take us around the unknown curve. -- Lillian Smith.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. -- Martin Luther King Jr.

For me, faith is not knowing what you will be rewarded, but you are still happily pursuing it.

The holy rock at Kyaiktiyo pagoda, Myanmar.

Room with a view

2008-09-27T18:29:00.001-07:00

Music and surroundings

Tadao Ando, once in his book, wrote about his experience of music connection when he saw a really mystic view somewhere in China. It was Brian Eno's music which floated in his mind and completed his illusionarary feel of what he saw.

Out of my room window from a homestay in Essaouira, I was greeted with a peaceful scenery that reminded me of German composer, Anuragi's soulful piano. The music played in my head so clearly I felt I was engulfed in the middle of a concert.

The surroundings had become the music. And the music the surroundings.

Sunset by the window, with a lone seagull.

Take a peep

2008-09-25T02:43:00.001-07:00

The laundry man and his
white blankets

Walking through the backyard of a guesthouse in Luang Prabang, I came across an old laundry man at work. It was in the middle of the day, the sun was high up and he was putting all his washed blankets on the clothe line, a task he was probably sick of doing and couldn't wait to finish it.

A few metres away from him, I was actually enjoying my view and marvelled at the simple beauty of a daily life.

The next thing I noticed, a barking dog came after me.

Beauty lies in everywhere, even in mundane daily life.

Booklover

2008-09-23T07:53:00.001-07:00

Writer by the Seine river

I took this picture upon entering the Shakespeace & Company bookstore in Paris. It was an old building with worn-out bookshelves and furniture, full of tourists and local book lovers. But I was drawn to the quotes written in white chalk by Sylvia Beach.

It was also a dream for me to have a little bookstore, better still if it comes attached with a cafe selling teas from around the world.

Life is beautiful when it's at its simplest.

Remember Ernest Hemingway in Paris? I bet you do.

Architexture 1

2008-09-23T07:47:00.001-07:00

Let there be light

I am in love with Tadao Ando's architectural works. From the Garden of fine art in Kyoto to the Temple of water in Hyogo. You can find his passion and dedication everywhere in Japan.

Born in Osaka, Ando did not receive any formal architectural schooling. Instead, he trained himself by reading and travelling extensively through Africa, Europe and the US.

In opposition to traditional Japanese acrchitecture, Ando creates spaces of enclosure rather than openness. He uses walls to establish a human zone and to counter the monotony of commercialism. On the exterior, the walls deflect the surrounding urban chaos, while on the interior they enclose a private space. To him, walls are the most basic elements of architecture, but they can also be the most enriching.

Like any great photographer or painter, Tadao Ando is also a master of light. I saw clear evidence of this creative use when I stepped into the Church of the Light in Ibaraki. I was immediately taken aback by the sheer power of the presence of light.

Ando often uses Zen philosophies when conceptualizing his structures. The space of the chapel is defined by light which enters from behind the altar from a cross cut in the concrete wall. Beyond the walls there is profound emptiness ozzing a sense of serenity in the stark contrast between light and shadow.

I could feel the divine power of light touching my soul.

Streaming light from God, Ibaraki of Osaka

Middle path

2008-08-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Giving is believing

In the early morning if you walk along the old city of Bangkok, you will bound to meet a group of monks - young and old - walking barefoot across the neighbourhood getting their alms.

This is probably one of the beautiful sights Bangkok can offer to a visitor, provided of course you can rise up early to witness it. If I stay at the Arun Residence by the Chao Phraya river, usually I will get out of bed at 6am, half an hour later I will be seen with foods in my hands, ready to make my offering.

The monks are not supposed to look around while walking. And they should be mindful not to step on any living creature on the ground, be it a little worm or an ant, to avoid killing.

Some of the monks have to travel from the other side of the river by boat to get their morning alms. From my hotel balcony I can see Wat Arun in the background, with twinkling orange-robed novices on the wavy water of the mother river.

Novices with their morning alms, Thailand

On the road

2008-08-29T18:44:00.000-07:00

Leaving your home behind

Taking a journey to me is leaving familiar things at home behind. When I'm in a new country, I try my best not to judge or expect or compare. I take in what the world gives me.

We should always remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. Travelling is about exploring and experiencing what you have not in your own country. With an open mind and a willingness to get lost or cheated by touts, you can proudly call yourself a traveller.

The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist. I guess Russell Baker is always in fear of being recognized. But to blend in with the natives, you need careful observations from what they wear to how they greet.

For me, it always pays to make friends with a local.

neighborhood on a Luxor street

Old tales

2008-08-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

In the shadow of Gods

Man is a strange creature. At one point he claims he knows all and wants to conquer the world, on the other he builds unbeatable feats in respect to the almighty above.

The Emperor Qin who desired to be immortal and built the Great Wall instead. The Genghis Khan who invaded half of the world and left his generations all over. The Napoleon who went to the wars in Europe and left with nothing but a few paintings in the Lourve.

And the Pharoah, who at one time, saw himself as the godsent creator of the universe and built the Pyramids and Sphinx.

Standing in front of a gigantic pillar at Karnak temple in Luxor, I felt so small and insignificant.

Karnak Temple, Luxor.

Pyramids, Giza near Cairo.

Asian spirits

2008-08-08T01:14:00.000-07:00

08.08.08

Today is an important day for China and its people. The day the Summer Olympic starts on 08 day 08 month and the year of 08, with the live worldwide telecast at 8pm.

So much has occured for the past few months prior to the Olympic opening.

The torch relay has created much troubles from London, Paris to the US admist the Free Tibet campaigners around the world. The riots in Lhasa put the issue on focus and ended with a bloody military crash that cost many lives. China and Tibet's indifferences were stuck in the pages of history. The future looks bleak for both.

On the northwestern Xinjiang where muslim Uighurs abound, terrorist attacks have forced China to again use crude force to curb the violence. Bombs in Shanghai and nearby Kashi has claimed many lives including 16 police officers.

And just a few days before Olympic kicked off, the smog caused major pollution in the old city of Beijing, threatening the committees to consider pulling off a few matches including marathon and cycling.

But, the day still has to arrive.

Let's join our hands together and hope China will make the XXIX Olympic the best in the sports history. Let's also hope China will go through all the life's humanitarian lessons along its way before it can proudly acclaim a mighty nation of the world.

"Real strength is not just a condition of one's muscle, but a tenderness in one's spirit."

Hence the description for my entry to the Visa Beijing Olympic "Faster, Higher, Stronger" photo contest. I hope it reflects a future China which the whole world wants to see.

Shortlisted and now on travelling exhibition in Asia.

Flight details

2008-07-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

I know why the caged bird sings

Looking at my recent schedule, I begin to realise that I have slept in a hotel room more often than at my own place, taken flights more regular than taking a taxi and believe me or not, left the airport and came back again within 12 hours.

A quick glance at the flight details will reassure my stance.

5 april to 23 April HCM city to KL for friso shoot.
23 to 25 April KL to BKK for pepsi music online.
26 to 29 April back to HCM city.
30 April to 4 May back to Singapore.
5 May in HCM city.
6 May till 10 back to KL for firso talking tots online.
11 May till 13 KL to BKK for pepsi max shoot.
14 May till 16 back to HCM city.
17 May till 21 back to BKK for pepsi max online.
22 May till 27 BKK to KL for friso rocky onine.
28 May sting ppm in Bangkok.
29 May 1.10am BKK to manila.
29 May 7.20am Manila to Brunei.
29 May 4.50pm Brunei to Kota Kinabalu.
31 May back to HCM city.

Some mornings I woke up not knowing where I was, but i was quickly calmed down by the familiar sights and sounds outside the windows. Some occasions I spoke Thai when I was supposed to converse in Bahasa or English. Once I almost missed my flight due to an hour's time difference.

Freedom to fly is a gift. It's quite another when you have to do it often.

But I truly enjoy it.

Morning flight, Patan Durbar square, Nepal

Clay maker

2008-07-13T05:47:00.000-07:00

A Japanese lesson on attachments

I learnt how to make tea cups and rice bowls from a humble Japanese master, Kitokuchi san.

He gave me a piece of wet clay and showed me how to press the clay with even strength and meticulous attention, of course with the help of a swirling machine.

Within 20 minutes I was amazed to see out of the formless clay I had transformed them into a shape which we proudly call a tea cup and grew attached to it happily.

To see a piece of clay a while ago and a beautiful zen cup minutes later was a mysterious transformation I have never encountered before in my life. It gave me the perspective to observe how things come and go.

Everything in our life is composed of other elements and never exists independently. The names we give them are nothing but a conceptual idea. A cup is never a cup without clay, water and heat. The same can be said to all other things in our life.

All the possessions in our life – cars, houses, furnitures, even pets and plants – are created by different causes put together. We do not own anything in this life. So there is no point of clinging to them.

Now when I hold a cup in my hand, I see more than just the cup itself. In it I see the sun, the rain, the soil and the ceramic master.

I can see the whole universe in a tiny tea cup. I can also see impermanence and attachment dwelling in the very present moment.

From nothing...

to something.

Bookaholic

2008-06-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

Living with books

Of all the bookstores I have visited throughout the world, a handful of them is worth coming back for, partly for its cozy atmosphere if not for its book selection.

The shakespearce and company near the Seine river, is a cool place for book lovers. Ernest Hemingway used to come here often by taking a detour to avoid the bakery shops as he was out of money to get even three square meals. On top of the bookstore there are guest rooms reserved for writers from around the world.

The Pilgrims on the Thamel road, is quite different from its parisian sister. Ran by an Indian yogi and choked with cheap books printed from India, it's a little run down but certainly filled with atmosphere authentic enough to charm any bookworms.

The Passport, right in the corner of the old city, is a beautiful haven for anyone looking for a moment of peace and serenity. Its owners, Yong and Num, are friendly and helpful to any visitors to their book-scented room.

On any leisure weekend, a stop at any of these bookstores will surely enlighten your day.

Don't even think of trying it when you are in Bangkok.

Dream home

2008-05-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

The city I once knew

From my window of Maya hotel I could see the Petronas twin towers in full view if I lie down on the bed. The towers look even more dramatic when it's against the rising sun in the early morning.

They looked a bit out of the place when first built on Jalan Ampang. 1o years later I returned to a city where the skyline changed beyond my recognition.

My close friend, Yong Ming, took me to see the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. I had always had a fascination for this building. Designed by British Architect Arthur Benison Hubback in a mixture of Neo Moorish and Mughal style, it houses the hub of the railway in the city.

What impressed me most was not only Mr Hubback's meticulous detailed plan, but also his open mind to adapt Islamic elements as part of the key designs throughout the whole building. In 1910 he could have easily designed a European-styled building. But instead he adopted the local influence and built the most notable architecture of that era.

Sadly, as I strolled on the pavement in the late afternoon sun, I noticed corny-looking flower lamp posts erected along the main road trying to beautify the atmosphere. A renovation campaign probably under a few talented men from the Tourism board who must have thought they had done a great job.

What an eyesore for me! But who should take the blame?

The importance of discerning eyes matters most when it comes to housing developments. At Sentul East I saw hope and consolation from a series of YTL projects, most prominently the KL Performing Art Centre.

The architecture was created out of an old railway station, making it look classic yet modern with its glassed walls. According to Yong Ming, Sentul was still a poor neighbourhood a few years back.

Kudos to the visionary inspiration crafted by YTL. I hope more Malaysians will use this as a benchmark in future developments.

When I looked down from the plane on the city I once knew, I was glad it escaped my cruel scrutinies and became the talk of the town.

Twin towers, from my hotel balcony on 13th floor at 6.30 am

When you respect the local culture, you get it in return too.

Something delightful I could fall back on

after leaving home for 15 years.

zen wisdom

2008-05-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

沒用的往往最有用
丁一

去年坎城廣告展中，有許多濫竽充數的得獎作品，甚無看頭，獨有一支120秒的銀獅作品，至今我仍百看不厭。

影片拍攝手法簡潔流暢，以男主角自述其坎坷際遇為開場白。

孤僻的他從不受人重視，也不被人了解，在別人的眼裏是個不中用的窩囊廢，走到那兒他都不受歡迎。從畫面上，我們看到他掀起女性的裙子，弄亂路人的頭髮，颳倒帳逢及整壞老人的雨傘。他似乎像個小無賴，弄得人人雞犬不寧。

有一天，他途經公園一隅，並作弄正在看報紙的一位先生。有禮的先生不厭其煩地請他坐下來，並和他作了朋友，還介紹一份工作給他。

畫面又重回到男主角身上，他自信又欣慰地說：“當別人開始接受並看重我的時候，我覺得自己變得有用起來！”

整支廣告最耐人尋味的地方乃其結尾文案。

“風，讓我們好好利用它的能量。”

此語一出，才恍然發覺男主角原來是風的代言人。EPURON能源公司將風人性化，呈現出一幕活生生的伯樂識馬圖，創意之妙叫人拍案叫絕。

這個廣告不禁令我聯想起2500年前，釋迦牟尼佛也有個叫般特的弟子，為人忠厚老實，遺憾的是生性有些愚鈍。佛祖讓五百羅漢天天輪流教導他，可是仍然看不出他有甚麼長進。眾弟子都瞧不起他，甚至不與他為伍。

大悲的佛祖非但沒有唾棄般特，還逐字逐句地教誨他。

日復一日地推敲琢磨，終於讓般特徹底覺悟了，並成為一名備受敬重的法僧。

這個典故提醒了我們，重要的反而不是智慧的高低，而應該是，我們能否慷慨給予他人一個重生的機會。

有時候不免覺得沮喪，因為在一個以創意表現為指標的廣告公司裏頭，你會發現有好多看似不中用的同事遭受被冷落的厄運。

甚至，有些自詡為“創意高手”的資深廣告人，也不屑與這群不起眼的同事打交道。

但是如果我們放下分別與成見，靜下心來想一想，這些所謂不起眼的同事，卻往往為公司盡下最重大的職責。大家仿佛只看到表面的光華，而忽略了內在的辛勞。就好比一輛時髦的法拉利跑車，沒有工人的裝配，絕對生產不出來。

不妨想想看。。。

沒有美術指導，誰來幫你畫稿？

沒有總機接線生，誰來幫你接聽電話？

沒有清潔女傭，誰來幫你泡咖啡，整理辦公桌，及清理垃圾？

沒有快遞人員，誰來幫你傳送信件？

把視野再放遼闊起來。

路邊的清道夫，駕德士或巴士的司機，賣咖啡的小販們，大廈的保安人員。這些小人物每天都在幫助我們營造一個舒適的生活環境，以讓我們能處在最佳狀態，發揮十足十的工作效率。

我們每個人都受惠於他們經年累月的服務貢獻，是他們造就了今日的我們。

在日本禪宗裏，倒是有一個很吻合的現象，即禪師所強調的“空”，正是取自無用之用的哲理。沒有“空間”，何來一切法遍虛空呢？

比擬來講，一個沒有空隙的杯子，水該如何盛進去？一個沒有空間的手提袋，該怎麽裝下東西？一棟沒有空洞的房子，人是不可能住進去的。

這些看起來多麽微不足道的“空間”，卻無盡地涵括了世間的一切事物。

在我們周遭那些扮演著無足輕重的小角色，卻往往為我們提供了無盡的發揮空間，就像杯子裏看不見的“空間”，看似無用，其實卻是妙用無窮。

世上根本沒有所謂的無用之材，問題是我們怎麽去好好善加利用。如果能從一堆垃圾中瞥見一朵綻開的花兒，我們即以抽離扭曲的邏輯分析，而開始認真的去反省思考。

就如一行禪師在其新著“認識你的自性”中所說的：

“我中有你，你中有我。你我都是同出一轍”

放下一切人爭我執，則處處都是可以啟發我們自性的般若智慧。

A windy day in Lijiang old town, China.

Happy day

2008-05-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Continuation Day

We don't just live for one life time. We are the continuation of countless life times from the past into the present. There's no birth. Hence there's no birthday.

Likewise, there's no death. And death is not the ending. It's just a continuation phase to the next life.

We can somehow stop the continuation of this karmic cycle if we attain nirvana.

Challenge is, how can we?

The buddha showed us his middle path to the enlightenment. All we need to do is just take the first step and follow him behind. Easier said than done, you might argue. But without our willing mind nothing will open up for us. Not even the Amitabha buddha can take you to the pure land paradise if you are not willing to.

Remember those childhood days when you chose to believe in monsters and later realised it was purely fictional. What you need now is your willingness to believe once more, that your life can be better and beneficial to all sentient beings if we practise what the buddha taught.

The one eternal truth is out there awaiting our discovery.

Give me your hands. And tell me you will.

The largest Buddha Amida in the world, Kamakura, Japan.

Tea retreat

2008-04-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Walking mindfully with Thay

The bus left Pham Ngu Lao at 8.15pm. 5 hours later I arrived Bao Loc in the middle of the night. The gate was closed and I had to trouble a novice to open it for me.

3000 people came for this retreat! I was told and my sleepy eyes awoke a little. the next early morning at 4.30 the sonorous temple bell rang throughout the monastery compound. After brushing I made my way to the meditation hall. I saw seas of heads in the huge hall, with a silhoutte prominently standing out from behind the lighted buddha statue.

It was, unmistakenly, the Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. This was my second retreat with him and I felt good seeing him again.

During walking meditation, Thay (or teacher as it's called in Vietnamese) led us from the hall down to the tea plantation. The Prajna monastery is, to my surprise, nestled right on top of the tea hill. Thousands of petit yellow butterflies danced admist the fragrance of tea when we walked past. I felt blessed in Thay's presence and I could feel Nat and Koh's presence too.

I also had my first taste of raw tea brewed from fresh tea leaves. It had a biting after-taste on my tongue. The tea meditation was great to relish, beside Thay's comprehensive teachings on how to guide our minds into the 21st century. Most of the attendees were under 30 so Thay focused quite a lot on the problems faced by the young generation.

The rainy season approached with heavy downpours, making a huge number of cicadas buzz with a loud note. A few times Thay's voice was engulfed by the roaring buzz and we were totally lost in nature's cacaphonic symphony.

My cheeks were wet with rains when I left Bao Lac. For a while I couldn't tell if they were rain drops or my tear drops.

monks walking, Luang Prabang, Laos.

Special day

2008-03-27T22:01:00.001-07:00

No mud. No lotus.

Today is the continuation day for Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, which literally means universal worthy. He is the guardian of law and always placed on the right of Shakyamuni, while Manjushri Bodhisattva, the guardian of wisdom, is on the left.

Bodhi means enlightenment and Sattva means sentient and conscious. Therefore, Bodhisattva refers to the sentient being of great wisdom and enlightenment. Bodhisattva's vow is the pursuit of Buddhahood and the salvation of others and of all. He is devoid of egoism and devoted to help the others. The way and discipline of Bodhisattva is to benefit the self and the others, leading to Buddhahood.

A few weeks ago, my good friend Nat has taken the Bodhisattva vows in Dharamsala under His Holiness's blessing. Another close friend of mine, Koh, has also taken the vows while he attended the winter retreat late last year at Plum Village of France under the ven Thich Nhat Hanh.

I feel blessed while being with Nat and Koh. They are truly like the lotus in the mud. The lotus is born out of mud, yet it is clean and beautiful. So out of the dirty mud arises the symbol of purity itself. Things in our daily life are only "dirty" or "clean" because we perceive them to be that way. We do not have to erect a wall between them.

Coincidentally, 3 of us are also born on friday, the day the Buddha was born. I have specially made two stone buddhas in contemplation pose as a dharma gift to them. The stone buddhas, carved out in a really minimal way, can only tell of its buddha presence if we feel it inside us. We only need to purify our minds so that our perceptions become pure and unmitigated by defilements such as attachment to the self. Buddhahood is truly everywhere.

On the Dalai Lama's official site, I found one of my favourite quotes by Shanti Deva, "For as long as space endures, and for as long as living beings remain. Until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world. "

May we turn the muddy world into a pond of clean water, with lotuses blossoming everywhere.

Lotus shot with intentional camera shakes, Siam reap, Cambodia.

Lesson en route

2008-03-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

The old man and the sea

On the seashore of Alexandria, I noticed an old man fishing in silence. He had probably sat there for hours but judging from his leisurely manner, he didn't seem to mind at all sitting till dusk.

I squatted down with my camera, he saw me from afar but not even bothered to stop me. I was trying hard not to invade his privacy. The passers-by walked past him in twos or threes. He was not distracted at all and still indulged himself in his own world.

He was truly present in the here and now, between himself and his fishing rod.

I recalled a zen koan of a young novice asking his master: "What is zen?" The master simply replied: "When you eat, eat. When you sleep, sleep."

I smiled at the old man when I walked past him. He didn't return with a smile but I was thankful for the lesson he taught me.

Old man and the sea, Alexandria, Egypt.

Asia today

2008-03-16T03:01:00.000-07:00

Back with a revenge

Last friday on CNN's breaking news, Lhasa is erupted in deadly violence as Chinese security forces used gunfire to quell the unrest after 3 days of protests by hundreds of monks in Lhasa, India and else where around the world that marked the anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

I was shocked to see the world's highest city littered with cars and motorbikes set ablaze. Black smoke billowed in the background not far from the Jokhang temple where the riot started. Barely a year ago I was with Jick walking around Barkor street and saying prayers.

My close friend, Nat, now in Dharamsala atttending the annual spring teachings, has probably witnessed the brutal truth the Tibetans have to accept when news of Lhasa riots spread across the Himalaya region.

Last October in Yangon city, the Burmese junta also crushed on the unarmed protest led by monks and many were killed as they marched in the street. A peaceful demonstration has turned uglily into a bloody massacre.

The non-violence approach adopted by Buddhist monks is always met with violent suppression by the opposed party. It was worrying to think if the monks resort to violence to fight for their freedom, there will be even more uprisings like these in near future.

Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has already appealed to the Chinese leadership not to use force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through sincere dialogues.

I can only hope the Chinese will drop their weapons, and come up with a win-win solution for both the Tibetans and themselves.

Violence can never curb violence. Only loving kindness and compassion can.

Angkor Wat under a stormy sky, Siam reap.

My thai life 5

2008-03-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

可歌可泣的泰國廣告

丁一

記得從一本雜誌上，看過一篇報導，大意是說有一名東歐旅客赴泰觀光，掉了一枚硬幣在地板上，眼看著硬幣就快要掉入溝渠中，旅客急中生智，用腳狠狠一踩，保住了硬幣，但老外卻惹來周圍泰人的白眼及非議。

原因無他，老外踐踏的不只是一枚硬幣而已，而是高高在上的泰皇九世肖像。

我剛來曼谷時記得很清楚，頭一回上當地的電影院，感受到相當大的文化衝突，電影未上映前，會播放一段歌頌泰皇偉績的錄影帶，全體觀眾一律起立示敬，外國人無一可倖免。這位號召力十足的風雲人物，非泰皇蒲密蓬莫屬，他對整個泰國社會有著啟發領導的影響力。

1946年登基為皇，並一路沿用親民的手法，把泰國帶領到一個繁榮強盛，而又文化璀璨的世紀古都，轉眼間竟經過了六十一個年頭，他也名正言順地，成為世界上任位最久的君王。

泰皇九世的慈祥純愛及努力不懈的精神，贏得了六千萬子民的喝采與愛戴。受餽於泰皇的慈善工程的多為東北部的農民，佔了總人口的70%。而且泰皇年輕時，喜愛四處雲遊及探討民生問題，所到之處都引起轟動，成千上萬的泰人都蜂湧而至，只為一睹君王風彩。

更誇張的是，有些伊森族的村民還把手帕鋪在泥地上讓泰皇走過，並將那條沾有足跡的手帕，視為神聖的膜拜物，有的還被供奉在廟宇裡。顯然，泰皇的身份與地位已超越平凡的肉身。

在泰國每戶人家，似乎都安有一幅泰皇肖像，而各大政府機構、私人企業、銀行、學校、餐廳、商店、醫院、機場、車站，甚至於麥當勞快餐店，也少不了它。走在街上處處可見泰皇的影子，每逢十二月五日皇誕，市內書攤擺滿了，以泰皇為封面的各大雜誌，許多電視台的晚新聞，也會爭相報導皇室的活動消息。

任勞任怨的泰皇，所親手發起的慈善工程，不少於3000項，其中功勞最顯赫的，有防災防旱用的大水壩，為東北農民防旱特制的人造雨，解決曼谷各道路擁擠的交通大橋，以及大大小小的農業改善措施。去年6月，聯合國秘書長安南，還特地頒發一個勳章，藉以彰顯泰皇的豐功偉績。

泰皇蒲密蓬是位虔誠的佛教徒，時常以奧妙的佛理教化眾生，民間津津樂道的，是泰皇領養過一頭野狗，經過他嚴格的訓練後，而變成一隻深富靈性的狗。

九七年金融危機爆發後，泰皇更是竭力推動自給自足的經濟方針，務必使每個泰人學會知足常樂。除了熱愛攝影及油畫外，泰皇也熱衷於爵士音樂，他本身年輕時可是一位出色的爵士風高手。去年十二月海尼根啤酒舉辦的爵士音樂節，特邀海內外知名爵士歌手，赴泰為泰皇登基60週年慶典獻藝，吸引了百萬人潮。

泰國電視台最近紛紛推出一系列以泰皇事蹟為主的立體廣告，其中有一支「寫信」篇，更是賺人熱淚，入圍了2006年Adman本地廣告獎。

故事敘述一名窮苦的喪父少女，如何承擔重任，供養患上絕症的母親。在徹底絕望中求存的她，寫了一封沒有貼上郵票的求助信。日子一天天過去，終於有一天小女孩接到一封來信，覆信的人竟然是泰皇蒲密蓬，信中噓寒問暖的內容，更讓小女孩及母親喜極而泣。

廣告中的結尾文案是：無論多麼遙遠，父親（泰人對泰皇的暱稱）始終不會忽視我們的存在，父親的心永遠與我們同在。2006年月6月9日上午，在擠滿千萬人的廣場上，我望著站在國會大廈陽台上，向大眾招手的一位白髮老人，兩行熱淚不由自主地，在我臉上劃過。

The King and his jazzy friends in 1963.

My thai life 4

2008-03-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

春光乍現的泰國廣告

丁一

來泰國觀光的遊客當中，有八成為男性，其中以歐美日韓居多，這群介於30至60歲的老外，除了飲酒作樂，也趁機享享廉價性服務，食色性也的趨勢，自然而然地造就了泰國醜業的急速發展。

追溯起來，泰國性服務的風行應始於70年代美越戰爭期間，美國當時停駐在南部的芭塔雅，是為了提供消遣娛樂給作戰的海軍們，泰女們的柔情與體貼火速地虜獲了美兵們的心，酒吧一間緊接著一間地開，整條海岸線由一個樸實古雅的漁村，驟變為燈紅酒綠，夜夜笙歌的人間天堂。

這股性開放的黃潮，不僅席捲了芭塔雅，也向西吹襲至曼谷和普吉，北於清邁，南至合艾，先由酒吧紮根而起，後有色情按摩院、阿哥哥女郎秀、三溫暖及變相卡拉OK，演變成一個年平均收入2.5億美元的龐大交易，遠比農業及製造業來得可觀。

泰國政府坐享漁人之利，從中攫取稅收暴利，貪贓枉法下促使了色情集團更加猖狂肆虐，供不應求之際，索性販賣人口，逼良為娼，連童妓也登堂入室，以迎合遠洋尋春團的口味。

我公司有一位同事的表舅，家住清萊省，為山地人，育有4女2男。父母親從前靠種大麻，生活尚可糊口，而今政府全力肅毒，家中經濟頓時入不敷出，唯有靠未滿15歲的女兒操醜業養家，男生也到曼谷當司機，偶爾也充當色情嚮導，為男遊客拉皮條，從中取蠅頭小利。他的表舅一本正經地對我的同事說：「沒飯吃的時候，那還顧得了面子尊嚴問題」

如此豐厚的盈利也不全是拜外國尋歡客所賜，上個月我在雜誌上看到一個性調查，報告指出老外只佔了嫖客當中的15%，其餘的全是當地人。在傳統社會體系中，已婚的男人可能因生意需要，而外出逢場作戲，尋花問柳，為妻者無權干預，風流成性的泰男，也堂而皇之地成為人肉市場最大的買客。

在曼谷著名的帔蓬紅燈區，到處都可見到當地嫖客的蹤跡，潔身自愛的年輕人少得如鳳毛麟角，聽說某些高中女生還明目張膽地在夜店徘徊釣客，賺取外快以滿足物質虛榮，租妻服務在名人界也時有所聞，非洲人種的猛男性服務尤其受到有錢玩戶的青睞。

80年代聞名色變的愛滋病突襲全球，泰國首當其衝，成了帶病菌者最嚴重的亞洲國家，但色情業還是如昔地車水馬龍，客似雲來。海尼根啤酒最近還在帔蓬旁的戶外看板上打了一個醉翁之意不在酒的廣告，看了引人遐思，也不得不佩服客戶的膽大，敢把一個國際品牌和一個聲名狼藉的紅燈區掛鉤。

愛滋病的出現非但沒把嫖客嚇跑，反而帶動了另一個產品的流行，在政府日夜鼓吹安全性行為運動下，保險套的銷路在應急中飆升如搭直升機，各種品牌紛紛在市場推出，更甚者還有專為男同志精心設製的保險套及潤滑液。連和性扯不上關係的電訊產業也來勢洶洶，利用性感美女過足嫖客癮，不只樂了電視機旁的觀眾，也肥了客戶的荷包，廣告一推出即廣受歡迎，捷運的搭客量也突然激增數倍。可見性的影響力，足以帶動整個國家的經濟。

BUG下載服務廣告「辣舞秀篇」，訴說在捷運上有一性感女郎彎下身子繫鞋帶，坐在周圍的男乘客們頓時飽享眼福，剛好此時某人的手機響起，竟是一首流行舞曲，令整個場面更加火辣。性感女郎委屈地成了跳鋼管舞的阿哥哥女郎，原來這賣的是手機ringtone音樂鈴聲下載服務。此廣告還曾榮獲2004年坎城銅獅獎。

Khaosan road at night, Bangkok.

My thai life 3

2008-03-08T06:44:00.000-08:00

活色生香的泰國廣告

丁一

泰國人愛吃，眾所周知。泰國人懂得吃，恐怕待在這裡一年半載的人才能體會。

泰國菜之所以出名，當然是由於天然物產的富足，依地理位置的優勢，東南環海、西北多山，所以山珍海味，都賤如泥沙。加以天氣溫暖、土質肥沃、瓜果蔬菜隨處可植，隨時可採，鮮美材料終年不斷。且各地經商者眾多，做菜材料取自本地，烹飪學自外方，五味調和，百珍並列，從溫和的湯飲、生猛的海鮮，脆爽的蔬菜，到辛辣的咖喱和香味撲鼻的燒烤，於是乎泰菜之名，就宣傳在饕餮家的嘴上了。

另一個舉足輕重的因素，若要真正追究，得把時間倒回去1868年，當時掌政的泰皇五世「朱拉隆功王」，是一名多才多藝的美食家，除了愛吃，他也精通各門廚藝，還經常親自下廚宴請賓客，當時還留下了一本心得食譜，收藏了整整兩百多道他悉心調配的美食，也為泰國奠定了美食王國的地位。

聽說泰皇五世在1897年出訪歐洲期間，頗思家鄉味，遠在千里外，居然在其日記中特別提到這令他回味無窮的涼拌木瓜絲，從這一件軼事看來，也可想像這木瓜絲的風味了。

我剛被調任到曼谷時，也對此味情有獨鐘，大街小巷邊的攤頭店內，到處都堆滿著淡青色的木瓜絲，價錢的廉，味道的鮮，比當年泰皇五世在伊森府所嚐食的有過之而無不及。

最絕的應是華隆蓬火車站外，比比皆是的木瓜絲路邊攤，一位當過警官的朋友特地帶我去實地見識，說穿了不過是掛羊頭賣狗肉的暗娼勾當，那些蹲在路旁賣木瓜絲的女郎，個個衣著暴露，性感撩人，一有男顧客搭上，談好價錢，即把攤位擱在一旁，做另一行生意去了。此創舉聽說是為了躲避警員們的騷擾，女郎們擺個攤位做擋箭牌，名正言順地賣起「色」來，數目之多，到了駭人聽聞的地步。

說到娼妓，自然不得不說一說拉瑪四路邊一家叫「無手」的餐廳，除了有餐飲供客，誘人之處是火辣女郎陪座，姿色不在話下。君子們在這裡用膳，是名符其實的「動口不動手」，飯菜一上桌，女陪座立即把美食送到口裡，餐桌下個個都是偽君子，閒著的雙手直往女陪座乳縫腿間鑽，從前聽說更可以在餐廳的閣樓上開房，飲食男女，不必分求，一舉竟可兩得。

業主與我的泰國好友相當熟絡，悄悄地對我說：「曼谷的餐飲業，競爭激烈，除了要有好吃好喝的，還得出奇制勝，我這把就叫「飽暖思淫慾」，顧客來到我這裡，可大飽口福，也可大享艷福！」說完即呵呵大笑，露出滿口金牙。

論到調味料，莫過於少不了的廚房四寶：魚露、辣椒粉、糖、醋這四味。拷桑路的路邊攤，連陋巷窄道也不放過，無論走到那兒，隨時都有東西填肚子，連蟲蟻蟬蜢也可當蛋白餐吃，更別說蛇鼠狗貓了！不怕你沒錢吃，只怕你沒膽嚐試。

根據2005年泰國的統計資料顯示，單單在曼谷的餐廳酒館就超過一萬家，美食戰場競爭激烈。也難怪餐飲鉅子常搞此噱頭，弄了一個美食獎來釣一釣老饕的胃口。走在街上不乏掛有青瓷碗商標的餐廳，有了這個鐵飯碗作號召，不愁沒生意。

JCB日本卡和VISA卡更會打食客的主意，在塔妮亞路一間叫「幸」的日本館子，招牌上大打免費廣告，每逢傍晚時分，裡頭都坐滿了著西裝的日本闊佬。Cheers啤酒也首次進入泰國市場，如法炮制做了一個拋磚引玉的立體廣告，深得人心，叫好又叫座。

Cheers啤酒「蟹肉冬粉篇」是在訴說一對情侶上餐館吃飯，菜端上來，男的赫然發現只有一隻蟹箝，只好吞下口水讓給女的，吃著吃著又猛然發現另一隻蟹箝（在泰國很少見，因蟹肉昂貴），樂得他高聲歡呼，在座的每一位也為他一齊喝采。結尾文案：「生活中的小事，也可值得大大喝彩。」Beer cheers取其品牌之意，大大激起了消費者的食慾。此立體廣告還曾榮獲2006年香港Media Asian Awards銅獎。

泰國子民以食為天，打廣告非得加鹽添醋，才能有事半功倍的效果，廣告公司絞盡腦汁，為的就是能在龐大市場中分一杯羹。

Frog legs as a delicacy, Aranyaprathet, bordering Cambodia.

My thai life 2

2008-03-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

輪迴轉世的泰國廣告

丁一

泰國的佛教事業，雖不及緬甸那種山路逢人半是僧的地步，卻也是城裡處處千簇寺，泰人受佛教的薰染，何止是生活上或精神上這麼簡單

到臥佛寺參拜過的人，倘若留意，除了木雕斗拱，敷彩磚瓷，還有兩面帶著畫痕的老牆，依稀殘存著十道輪迴，法界眾生的遺跡，但歲月畢竟走得太遠，只留下糟朽粉化的時間齒痕，唯一可見證歷史的，是佛殿中擺滿一堆黃澄澄的僧桶。

所謂僧桶，是一個普通的黃色水桶，裡頭裝滿了僧侶的生活必須品，如肥皂﹑僧袍﹑香燭﹑火柴﹑洗衣粉﹑牙膏等。在泰國社會體系中地位最崇高的莫過於僧侶，捐贈僧桶的習俗源於此，而流傳廣至民間。

泰人行善，通常是為了積福德，而且是為了來世而積，就像航空公司飛行獎勵計劃裡的里程促銷一樣，累積得愈多愈好，這種根深蒂固的觀念，促成慈善事業如雨後春筍般蓬勃發展。而僧桶也自然成了熱門貨，甚至 7-ELEVEN 及 Tesco 也爭相販賣，可見市場之大，盈利之豐，無人可抵擋。

每逢陽曆十月，泰國曼谷外的烏泰府，景況更是熾熱鼎沸，成千上百個僧侶，從山頂下來和眾生化緣，希望讓有情眾生的善根得以萌芽，為來世鋪好路。住在曼谷和普吉島的泰籍華僑，也共同慶祝十天的齋節，因泰人相信吃齋是通往天堂的捷徑。另一個令泰國人樂此不疲的是放生活動，寺廟外經常可看到提竹籃，裡頭裝有麻雀，供人放生，「因果輪迴，生生不息」，所以人人做起善事來，個個毫不猶豫。

幾年前在素可泰的農村有一個窮老婦，中了六千萬銖的彩票，而他竟把全部獎金捐出去建寺廟，引起眾人議論紛紛。記者還特地去採訪他，只見他清描淡寫地說：「今世都窮了半輩子，老了錢多也沒用，不如拿來行善，來世我才能享盡榮華富貴。」此軼事對於泰人行善的心境描寫得淋漓盡致。

國際慈善機構 Recycle 年推出一系列再生循環平面廣告，不僅活用了佛法的輪迴論，還在2006年坎城廣告展上報捷，廣告巧妙地以鋁罐為前世﹑鋁鍋為今世﹑賓士為來世，道出行善得善報的連鎖效應。另外兩篇則以廁紙，百科全書﹑美鈔及玻璃杯，桌燈﹑教堂彩窗，配合文案：今世行善，來世會更好。雖然不致頓悟，卻也不失警惕。

泰國的 Sylvania 燈管，索性就地取材，做了一個深入民心的立體廣告「壁虎篇」。是敘述一位農婦在洗澡，忽然聽見有人叫她，回頭一望，原來是一隻大壁虎，是她過世的前夫投胎轉世的。結尾文案：「來世不想落得如此下場，今世請布施 Sylvania 燈管，包你世世代代一片光明。」此立體廣告曾榮獲 2004 Adman Thailand銀獎。

Wat Pho with the world's largest reclining buddha.

My thai life 1

2008-03-08T06:22:00.000-08:00

同性相吸的泰國廣告

丁一

有位台北男性朋友遠道而來，從機場驅車前往我家的路上，司機趁機打開話匣子。
「你要女人嗎？」
「不要，謝謝。」我朋友禮貌性地婉拒。
「你要男人嗎？」
「……」朋友啞口無言。
「喜歡我嗎？」司機露出一臉淫笑。

朋友半途下車，落荒而逃。他大概是被司機的大膽言行嚇壞了，但在曼谷住了六年的我，早已見怪不怪。
泰國的同志，比其他亞洲的許多同志活得更光彩自在，在於當地同志敢於奮鬥求新，敢於跨出第一步。泰國的法律既不排斥同性戀，也不鼓吹，但同性性行為的法定年齡為15歲，較異性性行為略早了三歲，叫人百思不得其解。

無意間，造成了同性戀提早進入青春期男女的生活圈子裡，再加上一般泰人面對同志，都開放接受，說穿了全民六千萬無非也是深受小乘佛教的教化。經典上有詳細記載，同性戀者身不由己，乃前世所種的因，才會有今世的果；在此觀念下，泰人對男女同志皆流露出非凡的憐憫心及包容心，遂使同志文化因而根深蒂固地存在，形成今日泰國民生社會中相當普遍的生活現象。
多年的同志文化，在90年代初開始在各個領域開枝散葉，除了酒廳、舞廳、餐廳、卡拉OK、桑拿館、男秀、按摩院和旅行社之外，蓄勢待發的還有以同志為對象的情趣旅館，老外同志泰語速成班，甚至在泰國中部剛建成一個同志村，雅名為花城，裡頭住著清一色的「酷兒族」。泰國的同志場所來勢洶洶，聲名遠播全球各地，其中首推沙通泰路的巴比倫桑拿館，乃歐美同志旅泰必來的「解放」之處。

聽說最近新加坡也紛紛大搞同志文化，勢必想和曼谷力爭亞洲酷都 Queer Capital 的美譽，而座落於席隆路2巷的 DJ STATION，可是同志夜店中的佼佼者，也是國際大本營。各國各色的英雄英雌皆匯聚於此，夜夜人心悸動，促成情慾橫流的風氣。
海尼根啤酒看準這項商機下手，在席隆路作了個戶外看板賄賂同志的心。一個國際品牌敢和同志扯上關係，皆因同志市場潛力龐大。

根據2004年一項世界消費調查，同志一族的消費能力遠比一般白領階級還高。於是同志元素，開始滲入化粧品，護膚品，健身器材，服裝，SPA及健康食品，以尋求品牌認同感。

Axe 男性體香露推出的平面廣告，剛好正中下懷。創意執行源於電子遊戲，卻又暗佈格局，刺激感官，幽默中不乏性感，在2005年紐約廣告節中奪金。
另一當地品牌 SYLVANIA，索性將同志暗戀的心態，原汁原味地呈現在電視螢幕上，「暗戀篇」娓娓道出，一般男同志畏懼表達情感的窘境，一位英俊的男顧客來買 SYLVANIA 燈管，店主一聽立即轉喜為憂，吞吞吐吐說不出話來，後來終於提起勇氣，向男顧客示愛，原來燈管持久耐用，店主唯恐要隔好一段日子方能再和男顧客見面，進而早點吐露心中的情感。

Print ad for Axe body spray.

Tea break

2008-03-01T02:54:00.000-08:00

Cafe hopping !

Very few places in the world has a good culture of cafe hopping. The well known ones have a long tradition and been popular among tea connoisseurs. Its people know how to make a cup of good tea and when challenged, will turn things around with a twist.

The English, being a tea lover, has revolutionized our work day with the 4 o'clock break. They even have a label of tea named after their country!

The French makes tea business a flourishing trade. You can see lots of them along Saint Germain street. A small cup at Cafe de Flore will easily cost you up to 8 euros.

The Indian and the Nepali drink tea round the clock. "Chai" is something essential in a typical meal. Not a single day passes without a fragrant cup of the yellow liquid.

The Sri Lankan doesn't just take tea. They smell tea too right in front of their houses in Kandy.

The Japanese turns tea into a longevity product and makes the world go crazy with green tea. The tea ceremony also links zen buddhism deeply into their lives.

The Tibetan makes really oily and salty yak butter tea. After gulping down a cup you will feel like already taking a big meal.

The Chinese even has a sutra written to celebrate the goodness of tea. Many of its poetic works and literature are inspired by the sheer thought of tea too.

The Vietnamese somehow has turned cafes into a different hangout place with disco music blasting from all corners once you walk inside.

Flower tea at a cafe called "休", Seoul.

disappear 7

2008-02-23T06:41:00.000-08:00

EVERY EXIT IS AN ENTRY

SOMEWHERE ELSE

At the end of every journey I embarked upon, I always like to know what I have learnt from it. Perhaps it’s not important to some, but it matters to me because the journey gives me a great opportunity to see the real world I live in – suffering alongside compassion, sorrow alongside happiness, life alongside death.

In his acclaimed spiritual masterpiece, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche speaks of death in the modern world. “People today are taught to deny death, and taught that it means nothing but annihilation and loss. That means that most of the world lives either in denial of death or in terror of it. Even talking about death is considered morbid, and many people believe that simply mentioning death is to risk wishing it upon ourselves.”

The simple truth is, life and death are seen as one whole. On the day we were born, we began to die. Our lives are like an hourglass that never stops… each moment follows the one before, without end. From moment to moment, life drains away. We are babies, then adults, then old and dead. Each moment follows the one before, without end. Our lives are like a bubble or a candle, impermanence and death are like the wind!

On the many trips to those far-flung places, like the ones in Pashupatinath or Varanasi where sadhus abound, I’ve witnessed deaths amidst births. I become aware of my own ignorance about my existence in this karmic world, of my own helplessness about impermanence in everyday life, and of my unwillingness to withdraw myself from all samsara pleasures.

The roads ahead are waiting. For me, and you, and all sentient beings.

The journey never ends. Only travellers come to an end.

One of the windows, Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

disappear 6

2008-02-23T06:40:00.000-08:00

TIME IS THE LONGER DISTANCE

BETWEEN TWO PLACES

What makes a tourist different from a traveller is that the latter has the luxury of time. To me, the thought of visiting the Pagan ruins in an hour is certainly intolerable.

For some, travelling simply means being there physically with a tag that proudly proclaims “I have been here”. But you can’t call yourself a true traveller unless you are fully immersed in the place you visit.

You need time.

Take time to explore and get familiar with those little side lanes. You will discover a lot more than just the usual tourist spots on the map.

Take time to find one of the best local restaurants for an authentic meal. It’s where you can avoid the tourist crowds and tourist prices.

Take time to visit a museum or a gallery. You will never appreciate a country’s beauty without first knowing its glorious past.

Take time to speak to a local and who knows, he might end up being your personal guide and offer you insider tips on shopping and dining.

Take time to peruse the detailed structure of a temple or a church or a mosque. It’s those details that will make you believe that God, in whatever form, still exists.

Take time to sip a cup of tea or coffee at a local café. Chance acquaintances always appear in such relaxing places.

Take time to visit a local bookstore. With a bit of luck you may come across a good book that enlightens you.

Take time to pen a postcard to your loved one or simply to yourself. Because postcards are the best mementos to rekindle your travel memories.

You just can’t rush a seasoned traveller.

Lijiang at dawn before tourist invasions.

disappear 5

2008-02-23T06:39:00.002-08:00

SHUT YOUR EYES TO SEE

THE WORLD CLEARLY

The poet Pablo Neruda wrote a book of poems which he called Odes to common things. It included odes to such objects as a bed, a chair, a bar of soap, an empty plate, an apple, a tree, a cloud, a door. It reads:

O irrevocable river of things
No one can say that I loved only fish, or the plants of the jungle and the field,
That I loved only those things that leap and climb, desire, and survive.
It’s not true.
Many things conspired to tell me the whole story.
Not only did they touch me, Or my hand touched them.
They were so close that they were a part of my being,
They were so alive with me that they lived half my life
And will die half my death.

I think Neruda tries to make us see that everything we look at has a unique shape, colour, and texture as well as function. Although we rarely pay attention to them, if we look at them with a sensitive eye we can definitely appreciate their aesthetic qualities.

When I was noting the Bank of China from the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, I became aware for the first time that the twin spires on top of the building designed by I.M.Pei resembled a preying mantis. The same was true of his glass pyramid with its graceful triangular shape that made it seem as if the peak was eagerly reaching out to compete with the Lourve. Had they been presented in a display room, I would have seen something more than objects, something deeper in the way forms can take on a life of their own and create enduring values.

When asked about how he managed to produce such beautiful literary works, Ernest Hemingway simply replied: “All my life I’ve looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time.”

The art of seeing. No more. No less.

See it or not, these stains are part of the street scene in Ho Chi Minh.