Dream To Dare
C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps
Hin's 1st C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 7th – 29th, 2009)
5. Home Sweet Home.
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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 4:46 PM
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Hi,
Just to inform all that I'm safely back at home. For the 1st few days, "suffered" withdrawal symptoms - would wake up at 5:30am wanting to get ready to walk the next 1,000,000 steps.
Did another summation and I actually took smaller steps - 1,121,284 (total 1,147,882) steps over the 593.2KM, thus only averaging a 52.9cm/step. Talking about satistics, let me share some of my vitals, my weight dropped from 65kg to 59 (9.2%), my waist went from 32" to 29 (9.2%), my BMI from 24.1 to 22.1 (19.5%), and my......ok, the rest shall be kept secret. Imagine all those achieve in a span of only 20 days of walking.
It was an incredible trip with enormous luck and with wonderful people, and I'm looking forward to the next installment.
I did take a dip on the last day of my walk but not in the "brown" Yellow River. While crossing a small clear river in the morning, I fell in and was soaked to the waist. My Maxis phone went into seizure and would not operate after that. My other China phone was wet and went out of commission as well. There I was, with another 3KM to go and no way to contact my guide to pick me up later. Had to walk to a village 1.5Km away and approached an old lady of the 1st house. She offered me the use of her house phone but as the guide's number was on the SIM card, I couldn't make the contact. She then kindly offered me lunch, fruits, water which I was no mood to indulge. I then tried the China phone again and Lord behold, it came back alive and I'm back in business again.
I profusely thank the kind old lady and took my leave after informing my guide that I was continuing. Unfortunately the GPS track fell short and I ended up on top of the mountain. I then decided to walk the wall all the way to the Yellow River.
And there he was, 2 mountains away waving, and I couldn't be more glad to see him. I then went down the mountain to the banks of the Yellow River and cleanse my body and "soul".
I hope to catch up with you in the coming days as my blistered and mangled toes heal.
Take care and all the very best.
Warmest regards,
Hin
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COMMENT:
Jit Kee Chuah <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 5:10 PM
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Hin,
Congratulations! An amazing adventure indeed.
Jit Kee CHUAH
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Thanks Jit.
Join me on the next?
Rgds,
Hin
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Yap, Mei Yen <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 5:26 PM
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Hi Hin,
Good to hear that you are safely back at home now. Take good care of yourself, will catch up one day with you.
Best regards,
Mei Yen
Keu Heng Tat <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Hi Hin – my goodness you made it. Here’s looking at you kid!
My trek down the Grand Canyon to the end of the trail – 10km back and forth in 1 day pales in comparison.
Seriously – would you like to put your thoughts to print? – ala Letters from the Great Wall format. You just need to edit your emails and add some pictures. If you are interested, I will let my Editor know – but decision to print is of course up to him.
Must catch up with you soon.
PS: Have been in Philippines since Wed last week. Half my staff have property damage from Ketsana. Hoping the 3rd typhoon will not come... On pledges to donate – does donating to my staff count O Great One?
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Hello Mr Keu,
My "campaign" is just an awareness for the fortunate to donate to the less. Any form is up to you, my good friend - as long as you do it for a good cause and in good faith.
"Thoughts to print"?, now that's a thought, let me know the format?
Now that you have done the Grand Canyon walk, perhaps, you can join me in the next 1,000,000 steps?
Let me know when you are next in KL.
Rgds,
Hin
Keu Heng Tat <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Still have Sheraton points from good old DHL days I want to use – best deal is Sheraton Imperial. Will definitely plan a trip up there.
This will be published in Medical Tribune (After Hours Section) – most important, do you have pictures?
Keu Heng Tat
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Yes, have some photos....
Christine Choi <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Awwwwwwwwwww. Hin. my very dear friend.
Take it easy for a while, sounds like you have had lots of fun, but now you need to rest.
I thought you might have got the withdrawal symptoms, I suppose it's a bit like jet lag isn't it. You have been going for so long..Bless you......... I am so proud of you.
I am pleased you are safe and have achieved your goal..... (Well OK some of them.)
Take care
Love you loads
Christine xxxx
khor danny <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 5, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Welldone my friend!
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Thanks bro
Kee Lim <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 7:27 AM
Hin,
What dates will you be in Melbourne in December? We may be in Malaysia/Kunming/Guangzhou from 26th Dec to 9th Jan with some friends.
Regards,
KW
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Shall be in Melbourne Dec7-31. Shall catch up with you and others?
If u r in Kunming, do not miss the chance to play golf at Spring City...
Rgds,
Hin
Angie Lee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
waaa....... i feel so humbled reading about your journey.
welcome back! hope the 3 t-shirts served you well.
Thanks and regards
Angie Lee
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Thanks. Got your dislodged "brick" from the Wuwei mountain top before the HuangHer River. Come collect when free.
Rgds
Angie Lee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 1:48 PM
YAY! thank you thank you...... will drop by when free, and see the 'new' you. :)
Patrick Wong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Hi Hin
Congratulations, Hin for completing your incredible feat!
I was telling my wife just yesterday that I have yet to buy you a good lunch/dinner for putting my son in contact with Chong, your buddy running an engineering/construction outfit.
I did not realise you have gone to China to do that “silly thing”. You were supposed to talk to me about opening a bank account or something like that before you set out.
Good to have you back.
Photos would be nice.
Regards
PW
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Good to hear that your son is doing OK at Chong's.
Just a few photos from the 1st day......
Notice, the hair is shorn........national service cut on 31 Aug. (got rid of comb, shampoo and conditioner).
Also, contemplating whether the legs can take the climb......
Let's catch up when u r free....
Rgds,
Hin
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C G Kang <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Hin - Still trying to understand about your walk. You did this alone? How about the planning? And the maps, directions, accommodation etc. Must take my hat off to this crazy old walking man! Do you mind if I forward your email to my KL friend (the one I think you met regarding SIN-MAL ringgit/dollar many years back)??
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 10:14 AM
I had a walking companion for the first day - a HongKongese, aged 29 weighing 100Kg. Gave up when he couldn't climb over a railway fence, but stayed to go site seeing for the next 14 days while I walk alone.
I had a guide who takes me to the start and pick me up at the end points everyday (except for 1 when his jeep was stuck in a ditch on the mountain top and I had the good fortune of staying at a villager's home). Most nights stayed in local hotels.
My good internet friend in Germany bought a Garmin GPS tracker, loaded it with the GWC tracks and DHLed to me before I depart for China. Even gave me Russian military maps of the region showing all the various water points, just in case.
Planning?....just do it la....
By all means, do forward to all your friends.....hopefully the charity awareness goes along with it.
1,000,000 steps per year for the next 10 years and I should be able to complete the Ming GWC. Care to join me next year?
Take care.
Rgds,
Hin
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