Hampi, India

Wow! I am so excited, I am going to Puttaparti, India again in January 2007. This time we will be spending more days in Hampi. It is an ancient site, written on a website : "Hampi the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire lies in the Deccan heartland,in the state of Karnataka. Hampi is situated at 74 kms from the city Bellary and 13 km from Hospet city in Karnataka. The ruins of Vijayanagar Empire in and around the village of Hampi are spread over an area of more than 26 sq kms. They are one of the most fascinating historical sites in Southern India. The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March." This is also the site where Jackie Chan filmed his movie "The Myth", remember the place where there was a commotion when the famous levitation Yogi fell off the roof of the temple when Jackie and his sidekick accidentally destroyed a levitated sarchophagus. Yeah, that is the ancient site you see in the pics above.

And I am going there right in the middle of the best months. The photos above were the ones I took when I was there in Jan 2006. I love the sites. Especially the temples, they are awesome.

There were lots of spiritual revelation for me. There were experiences from the deeper sense of my being. It brings me to realise more about Love and what it compasses!!

Great feelings!! Check it out when you next want to visit India. It is worth the journey!!

On the highest lake in the world - Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca, when I first read about this lake in my geography book about 30 years ago, deep inside me I wanted to know - how can a lake be the highest in the world? How could a lake that high in the mountains contain water? Where does the water go? I grew up knowing that there is such a lake that is the highest in the world.

"It is reputed to be the highest navigable lake in the world (about 3810 m/12,500 ft above sea level), extending from southeastern Peru to western Bolivia. The lake is 196 km (122 mi) long with an average width of 56 km (35 mi). The lake has waves, testament to its size and not surprising the waters are cold. At that altitude and fed from snow-clad Andes the lake does not invite swimming. It is the remnant of an ancient inland sea and the blue waters make a beautiful contrast to the parched altiplano." - got this from a website.

We get to Lake Titicaca from "the Peruvian side from Puno, the capital of Peru's altiplano which is the folkloric center of Peru and gateway to Lake Titicaca."

The 4-cylinder boat took more than 4 hours to get to a floating island where there are villagers who build their houses (like those teepee in the pictures) on the dried straws. Will show you guys more pictures of these amazing islanders later.

(To be continued.........)

Feel wealthy in Monte Carlo, Monaco

I think this is the smallest country I had put my foot onto. So small, I don't even know I had gone into that country. This is the Principality of Manaco.

Yah, you might want to say Lichtenstein, but I was in Lichtenstein too and I didn't feel the glamour what Monaco can offer. The beauty, the rich, the glam, the studded stones, the wealth....all are here in Monaco, more fondly known as Monte Carlo.

It is said to be The Charms of the Riviera.

Monte Carlo is on the Riviera between Provence and Italy, very close to Nice and Cannes where the rich and famous Hollywood and the world filmstars convene annually for the Cannes Film Festival. We went to the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence, and was told that Sean Connery bought a mansion and he lived there too. Well, stories tour guides tell when they want the world's attention (ooops......but she said don't tell, Sean Connery wants it to be a secret (uhh??!!)

This is true, though, Princess Grace (Kelly) and her daughter were killed while driving on the Riviera through the winding slopes, that was many years ago.

We did not stay too long in Monte Carlo, most activities centred around the world famous casino or else will be just shopping for world famous branded goods and apparels.

I must say it was an eye-opener for me as to what wealth and wealthy look and feel like. So, I am very rich already, hehehe!!

Touch A Life - Feed The Poor project in Melaka, Malaysia

"Listen carefully : Your family of origin does not know how to get you to your North Star. They didn't when you were little, they don't now, and they never will........People whose families were accepting and supportive have to face the fact that familial love can't take them all the way towards their right lives." Martha Beck Finding Your Own North Star : How to Claim the Life You Were Meant to Live

Touch A Life project was mooted by Mavis (she is the one on far left in the above group photo where all ladies touch each others fingers, a symbolic gestures to show "touch a life"). She is a piano teacher. She loves music. For many years, however, she has this inspiration to cook for the poor. One day, she just decided to give up her present vocation and went in search of that little voice that calls her everyday to "feed the poor" - giving up her love for music to follow her own North Star. She heeds the calling and went straight to Indonesia. She went to a small village someone near Yogjakarta, knowing no one, no place to stay and nothing in her hand, just holding strong and faithful to that warm loving little voice in her heart, she started to befriend the villagers. She found a place to cook and with a little money she bought the veges and rice, started cooking, and amazingly, people turn up to collect packet food from her. At the recent volcano eruption that devastated the village, Mavis was there cooking for the survivors.
For one year, she goes back and forth from Melaka, a city famed of its historic heritage in Malaysia. Well, as what Paulo Coelho wrote in his book The Alchemist : "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
With no money, no friends there, no place to stay, no knowledge where to start, Mavis performs love miracles by bringing so much hope for the people who need food.
As one thing leads to another, a group of friends got together and got a house in Melaka and starts this project home-base. Project launched on 3 Nov 2006 (Friday). They will serve the poor on Tuesdays and Fridays starting 12 noon to 2.00pm. All are welcome and please bring people whom you know who are poor and need foods.
Mavis picked up an Indian man from the street and brought him to the house. He ate happily throughout.

Would you like to help?

Meals will be served at:
Where: No.11, Jalan Taming Sari Mata Kucing Dalam,Malacca
When: Tuesdays & Fridays
Time: 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

Touch A Life welcomes, with much gratitude, contributions of vegetables, eggs,fruits, provisions and cash.

If you would like to volunteer your love, time and energy, there are many ways to do this.
You could :
* Collect and transport vegetables from thewholesale market.
* Prepare the vegetables for cooking.
* Cook.
* Clear up after the serving period.
* Clean the premises.
* Be a Welcomer who creates a safe, loving anduplifting space for the people who come.

This is the whole point of TouchALife. TAL is beyond food.
To volunteer, please contact :
Mavis Ching : H/P +6 012-6799 086

For contribution in cash :

Mavis Account No. at Hong Leong Bank (Melaka Branch, Jln Ong Kim Wee) is :

026-50-44249-4.

Cheques can be made out to : Mavis Ching Siew Geok