Weathering Heights

"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Old age should burn and rave at close of day.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
(Dylan Thomas)

In loving memory of our late former president Dr. Wee Kim Wee.


If there's one thing I truly abhor about Singapore right now is the friggin' weather. The soaring temperatures make it feel like we're trapped in this big over or something. So much so that we were too lazy to walk to the interchange for lunch and its like what? 10 minutes away?

Everyone's been perspiring by the bucket loads and as I've been sitting and pondering, I really do wish I were back in Middle Earth.
Had it not been for my responsibilities and dad's working schedule, I wouldn't be surprised if we had stayed on even longer.

I did not perspire for a week!
I climbed hills without much complain or wiping of the brow to be done...
Rather, I had to "hide" from the cold air.

I truly miss New Zealand (and no, I'm not trying to make any of you jealous)
I felt truly pathetic when I mistook the sand quarry nearby Bedok Reservoir for a mountain. It's true. Dad was driving when I exclaimed, "Look! Mountain!"
I felt like burying myself in that sand quarry; head and all.

And no, I'll save you the Lord of the Rings experience for another time.
I just needed to lament about the weather. Bahhhh!

OK OK...maybe ONE Lord of the Rings picture.


The Gladden Fields

The Gladden Fields was the place where Prince Isildur fell to the Orcs and the ring was then lost from the Fellowship of the Ring.
Anyhow, I just wanted to highlight the beautiful path that I walked through while I was at Wilcox Green situated in Arrowtown.
Wilcox Green's kinda like a park. Doubt I'd be able to walk through something like this in Singapore except for the mangrove swamps perhaps.



Wanaka

Here's a picture of me outside the motel in Wanaka. My bed was facing that exact mountain in the picture. Imagine waking up to that everyday!
Bukit Timah Hill anyone?


Gorge

Okay, now this one's way cool. I couldn't think of anything in Singapore that could draw comparisons to this.
While we were driving down a mountain, we managed to take a picture of this beautiful gorge down below.
And how proud Zul was when I used the word "Gorge". Truly, if you do not have an inclination for geography, the word would sound very alien.
Had it not been a road, I would probably grab a deck chair, prop myself at that height and just write.


Sunset on Lake Wanake

I managed to catch a series of sunsets when I was in NZ. Something I would love to do in Singapore but the hectic schedule that I have disallows me. To catch such a breathtaking sight before my eyes was truly awe inspiring.
A week in New Zealand, took my breath away.
And true enough, a week wasn't enough. I should return soon to Aotearoa.

But, before I return, I really should stop complaining about the weather in Singapore (although it's no secret that I would seriously prefer living in the UK and now, NZ).

But, I guess, one must truly embrace and love one's country first aye?
My Singapore, My Home anyone?

"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle."
(George William Curtis)