Dream To Dare
C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps
Hin's 2nd C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 3rd – 26th, 2010)
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11. Beijing, Beijing, Beijing – Home.
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 2:52 PM
Hi Folks,
Been back home since Oct 1st and it has taken many days to recover.....
I spent Sep 27 in Yulin, walking around the "rich" (in oil and ores) city, and strolled along the Great Wall in the city, ending in a large temple where I offered some prayers of thanks. Took the overnight sleeper bus to Beijing arriving on Sep 28 morning at 7:35am.
Not knowing where I was, went up to the taxi stand and was pulled aside by a driver who showed me a map indicating that I was on the other side of the city to my destination hotel. Said it would cost me a fare of 150RMB by his taxi to get there. When I said that was astronomical, he said he could take me to the nearest subway station for 50. As I didn't want another "hwai dan" (rotten egg) on my hands, walked off into the transportation hub. Anyway, I have just walked 557.4KM, what's another 10-15KM of Beijing? (Though now, I'm lugging 23kg of baggage).
Approached the counter and a sweet young lady in uniform, diligently wrote down the bus to take to the nearest subway station, the line to get on, the mid-station to swap line and the final station to stop. Armed with the piece of paper, I hopped on bus 201, paid 2RMB and the helpful conductress gracefully told me when to hop off and direction to go towards the subway station. Got the subway lady guard to help get the ticket (another 2RMB) and in no time, became familiar with the simple, clearly marked subway system. Was most relieved when I stepped into PingAn Fu Hotel at a transportation cost of only 4RMB versus 150RMB I would have to fork out for a taxi fare.
Beijing is such a safe and easy to stroll city, with lots of places for food and one could practically go anywhere for a mere 2RMB on the subway. Visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (now known as the Palace Museum, where 24 Emperors ruled from), and a couple of Hutongs - ancient Beijing city with narrow streets and alleys.
In the evening, went to the popular WangFuXing street, wandered in the food alley and was amazed by the exotic food (live scorpions, starfish, beetles, bugs) being sold. Of course, I went with the safe option of a bowl of beef balls soup.
Sep 28, being the 2,561st birthday of Confucius (the greatest Chinese thinker, educator, if not, the world), I went to his Temple and Education Centre to pay my respects.
All in, I had 2.5 days in Beijing and would you believe it, the evening before I left I had Sichuan "mapo tofu", with rice and "khai shui" (hot water) for 11RMB!!
On Sep30 took the subway then the BAE (Beijing Airport Express) to the airport for 2RMB+25RMB. Checked in with MAS, went to the courtesy lounge and immediately had my coffee, "char shiu" fried rice, and a few buns and doughnuts.
Boarded the plane, was served satays, cod-fish with potatoes, fruits, salads, large mug of coffee, wine, fruit juices - I had not eaten that much meat for a long time. Settled down with a portable entertainment system and it was good to be "home".
I have lost quite a bit of weight and fats (see below) and now have the opportunity to re-sculpture my body with the right amount of muscles in the right places.
Weight: 57.3 vs 61.2kg (4kg lost)
Waist: 29" (73.6cm) vs 32.5" (83cm)
BMI : 20.6 vs 29.9
This journey has been very very tough and I'm grateful that I managed to complete 1,038,591 steps. This was made possible with the tremendous help of my guide, Chen Huai, support and encouragement from all, especially Andreas who walked/climbed 2.5 days with me through the most difficult stretch on the Yulin track. Of course, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable, at times, breath-taking and humbling experience.
One friend, wrote "just thinking... you in the wilderness, we at home in air-cond room . had nice dinner and watching premier league football. Why?" Well, I only have this to say, this is an opportunity for me to taste humility, humaneness and humanity in general.
Well, who will join me next year and C.O.U.N.T 1,000,00 steps?
Warmest regards to all and again, here's wishing you enough.
Hin.
PS. Have you donated to your favourite charity this year?
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Comment:
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Christopher D'Cruz (EQPT) <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Hi thean ,
Welcome home first, Secondly build yourself up and when you are ready lets meet over lunch or dinner and I can hear all the stories from you personally.
Best Regards my friend .
Chris
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Thanks bro....I thought u were going to build me up over lunch and dinner?
Angie Lee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 3:29 PM
welcome home! you have been quiet, recuperating i guess as i was waiting for this report and hoping you'd get to enjoy the business class.....
Thanks and regards
Angie Lee
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:26 AM
thanks. business class was excellent considering the number of "homestays" I had.....
Your brick and roof tile with me....
Angie Lee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:50 AM
the enrich points are well worth it then...
wow! i get a roof tile as well this time?! cool. will call ahead before we swing by for me to claim my pieces of china from you. thank you much.
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:53 AM
most definitely......esp after such a long stretch of China "homestay"s
Olivia Goonting <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 6:26 PM
So proud of you uncle Hin. Will give you a big hug when I return end of the year!
Take care. Welcome back to Malaysia!
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Thanks....look forward to seeing u and the baby...
All the very best
Christine Choi was Farley <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 8:53 PM
Hi Hin,
Good to hear you are safe and well. I Never stopped thinking about you when you were away. Hope you didn't mind my texts and call. just wanted to help you along on your journey. was interesting to read your emails and each time I saw one pop up I knew you were OK.
Very tired at the moment, my child minding business has become busy again and I am trying to get on top of paper work. These tax forms are a major headache. i keep on top of them but when it comes to adding up, expenses etc................arghhhhhhhhhhhh.
Take it easy for a while.
Love Christine xx
Christine Choi was Farley <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 9:24 PM
Sorry forgot to say. Our donation went into adopting a little african girl called Jeannelle. We will send money every month which will go towards her education etc. We adopted her on behalf of my business 'Christine's childminding'. The little ones here enjoy looking at her letters and draw pictures for me to send.
thanks Christine xx
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Oct 7, 2010 at 10:24 AM
well done.
thanks and am glad
Rose Wong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Congratulations AGAIN!! & give thanks to THE ALMIGHTY who had sent guardian angels to watch over you along the way.
GBU & family
Mawar
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:24 AM
all the time.......thanks for your prayers......saved me many times....
hoetonny <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Wed, Oct 6, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Welcome home buddy. Time for a good massage err. . Just done mine.
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Thanks. couldn't wait to er....with u again
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Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 9:28 AM
Welcome back Hin !!! Glad that you are safe ! (not so much from the people but from the tracking)
You certainly have talent for story writing...u should have a go at doing a re-write of your adventure (Adding thoughts and reflections)
Catch up again soon !
Thomas
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Thanks Tom,
And happy belated birthday......was Sep15 a good day for u?
Rgds,
Hin
Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Thanks Hin....Sep 15th was an OK day.
I am not particular nor superstitious. Just that the idea of 55 and (19)55 intrigued me. 5555.
Just had a game of golf with the guys (12 of us)...the first for us ...they played the Ryder cup format...was fun. But i was simply unfit and 2nd 9 was bad.
There was a young fella (son of Edmund Wong...dont know if u know him. A kaki of ours). a HCP of 10 and thrashed Simon Tan (dont know if u know him too). Reminded me of our younger days when we could play squash with such energy
Kenny Tay <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Hi HIn,
Welcome back home......
nxt year trip,let me know in advance 3 mths,pls \
thx.
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Ok bro....
sue chuah <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sat, Oct 9, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Tabik 2 u ! U have made a d impossible possible.
When r u sitting down 2 pen ur experience?
Siew Keok
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Sun, Oct 10, 2010 at 11:28 AM
Thanks. I'm only 20% thru.......80% to go la....
BC Wu <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Fri, Oct 15, 2010 at 12:54 AM
Hello Hin,
Thank you so much for the narration of your adventures. Very uplifting.
Cheers,
Wu BC
Andreas Lehmann <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Thu, Oct 28, 2010 at 3:57 PM
Hi Hin,
thanks a lot for the interesting reports. I felt like walking with you.
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Sat, Oct 30, 2010 at 6:45 PM
u were....and that was the highlight...forgot one more....
Lily Ooi <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Dear uncle,
I can't express more, how proud, impressed I felt to know about your a million steps journey.
Will you author into book? Were there photos?
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Mon, Nov 1, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Thanks. This is just 20% of the trip.....the whole trip is a 10-year project....the Ming Great Wall is 5,500km long.
feel free to join me any time.
Rgds,
hin
Kee Wan Lim - Oct 14, 2010 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item
Hi Thean HIn, I must confess I could not read all your million words (it must have been one for each of your million step adventure Mark 2!), but I will come back and pore over your novelette to do justice for your incredible feat! Promise! But since when did you become so verbose? It must the fresh Chinese air along the Great Wall or age, or a bit of both. Anyhow, thanks for getting me back online. The photos of you guys on the golf course - is that India? Kw
Thean Hin Ooi - Oct 15, 2010 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item
Photos were of our golf trip to Bandung.....
As for being verbose......it's the lack of English usage during the hike.......all pent up.....
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Kian Koon Teoh - Oct 16, 2010 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item
Wah! Thean Hin u are really great and I salute u for your endurance and passion.
Hang Kok Lim - Oct 16, 2010 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item
Thank you for sharing your journey/expedition with us. I really admire your courage . For a 'coward' like me, I don't think I will be able to take up your offer for your third C.O.U.N.T step if you do go next year. Anyway my congratulations to you for achieving what no other collegian has attempted before.
Julie Wong - Nov 19, 2010 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item
My dear Hin
I don't have the words to describe my admiration and awe of your brilliant achievement.
I think you should write a book. People have recorded lesser things and yet inspired readers...
I would not even dare imagine this feat in my bucket list...
Congrats young man, and "tabek" to you!
Thean Hin Ooi - Nov 20, 2010 Edit | Delete | Viewers | Reply to this item
Thanks Julie,
It has taken me 2xC.O.U.N.T. million steps to raise a response from you. Good to have you back on the site.
I just hope my little episode has inspired some of you to "Just Do It".
Did she also says, "Once is never enough"?
Well, how true.....
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