Mystical Cambodia

Cambodia, a land of mystic and yet charming to those who visit this kingdom. Ascend into the heavens, one would find the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, a beautiful fusion of symbolism, symmetry and spirituality. Descend into hell, one would come face to face with the terror of the Khmer Rouge and its killing machine at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Welcome to Cambodia, a country with a history both inspiring and depressing, an intoxicating place where the future is awaiting to be shaped.

Cambodia, a country borders Thailand to its west and northwest, Loas to its northeast and Vietnam to its east and southeast. In the south, it faces the Gulf of Thailand. Inland from the coast, lies the Cardamom Mountains which consists of vast tropical wilderness that provides a

home to the wildlife and also an emerging ecotourism adventures. There are abundance of natural attractions including waterfalls and crater lakes that one can hardly find in other parts of the world. For a photographer who enjoys the wildlife and the natural beauty, this is a place not to be missed.

Against the backdrop of the beautiful nature, life is no picnic for the average Cambodian. It remains one of the poorest countries in Asia and it's a tough existence for the population as they battle for survival against the nature and sometimes their politicans.

In 1975, when the Khmer Rouge abolished the education system, destroying text books, teaching materials and publishing houses. Schools and Universities were closed and put to other uses. The Chao Ponhea Yat High School was one of those schools that were converted into a prison and interrogation centre which is called Security Prison 21 ("S21"). During this period, qualified teachers, researchers and technicans either fled the country or died. When the new Cambodian Government came into power in 1979, they reconstructed the educational system, making basic education compulsory for nine years. The education system faced many difficulties due to shortage of qualified teaching staff , low morale due to low wages and teaching materials.
School attendance are low as children in rural areas are expected to stay home and help their families in the field. The picture above depicts how young children helps golfers to pick up golf balls which landed in the water by collecting US$0.50 per ball.

One of the places that one must visit is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Be prepared to the atrocities that the Khmer Rouge inflict on its people. Please be advise that do not go after a meal or else you......

If you are a tourist visiting Cambodia for the first time, are you glad that this didn't happen to you? Each life is precious and to do what the Khmer Rouge did to its own people is beyond imagination.

If you have not been to Cambodia, try it, you won't regret it. The Cambodians have been through hell and back and they have prevailed with their smiles intact. They have an unbreakable spirit and optimism which will definitely rub onto you, just like me...

1st Budget Air Golf Adventure ("BAGA")

Ever heard of BAGA? Now you heard of it. It stands for Budget Air Golf Adventure. It is an golf adventure via Budget Air. BAGA was first founded on 9 Jan 2004 by four crazy golfers who will travel to play as many golf courses as possible and return within a day.

First time on budget air, Airasia whose logo is "Now Everyone Can Fly" makes air travel easy and cheap for anyone who needs to get to places where the normal airfares would burn a hole in your pockets. With budget air, one would only pay a fraction of the normal airfares to get to their preferred destination.

For golfers, one would love to play in different courses for the challenges and environment. As one would know that golf is an expensive game and to go to other places to play, the cost will be high. With the budget air, one would reduce this cost tremendously and to go to new places for the challenge will be justified.

Travelling by budget air is very different from the normal airlines. Do not expect free drinks or meals but instead has to pay for it. The seats are slightly smaller and also a bit more cramp. Would recommend only for short distance air travel.

Well if you have not try it out, go for it and let everyone knows how it feels.

Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club Hotel, Sarawak

Located in the jungles of Sarawak and above 1000m above sea level lies an international class resort, Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club Hotel. The golf course is build over a highland plateau with a year round temperate climate and an 18 hole golf challenges. The course is very intimidating to all golfers with many hidden hazards even to an season golfer. Bring more golf balls if you are a beginner golfer.



If you do not play golf, there are hiking trails into the forest, open fields and even outdoor recreational areas and if you are not into those, one can relax by the pool or have a massage or spa.


The hotel rooms are very spartan with the basic needs. Do not expect television, telephones or even air-conditioning in the room as there is none. There is a ceiling fan which will keep you cool while you sleep. The night is quiet except for the chirping of the insects and the slight cool breeze which make one wonders where you are if you do wake up in the middle of the night.

The only restaurant located in the hotel serves only vegetarian food. Vegetarian food here consists of only vegetables which may be different from where you come from. For meat lovers, regret that the hotel do not allow to have meat eaten in the restaurant.

Not bad for a place to relax, if you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life just to unwind yourself and get your senses back in order....try it, you will not regret it....