Hin's 3rd C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps (Sep 19TH – Oct 12th 2011)

 

1. 16 Sept: 1Malaysia Day

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 2:42 PM

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Folks, Happy Birthday Malaysia!

It's that time again when the "crazy walking man" is on the C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps.

C.O.U.N.T (Compassion, Optimism, Unity, Nature, Tomorrow) :-

"Every fortunate person to demonstrate the Compassion of one's heart and donate to the destitute and needy, so that together we can share and partake in the Optimism and hope for the Unity of all peoples to preserve the wonders and beauty of Nature for our children of Tomorrow."

Year 2011's 1,00,000 steps shall traverse a total of 77 tracks (totalling 514KM) of existing wall starting from the picturesque Laoniuwan in Shanxi (山西) through Datong's (大同) Hanging Temple and ends at the very important "Great Wall Museum of All Dynasties" at Zhangjiakou (张家口) in the province of Hebei (河北).

The total walking distance to cover, including detours and collapsed wall sections, would probably amount to 580KM.

Googlemap Hin 2011 (link removed - please refer Hin's COUNT 7 path in MyMaps) shows the tracks, with terrain and/or road map of the walking route. Shanxi (山西) - "West Mountains" borders by the Huang He (黄河) river on the west with Shaanxi (陕西), and on the east by the Taihang Mountain (太行山), which, as expected is mountainous with the Great Wall climbing to a high altitude over 2,000m. The high elevation terrain continues all the way to Zhangjiakou in Hebei.

This 3rd 1,000,000 steps indeed is going to be the toughest thus far and it would be considered great achievement to average 20KM/day. I counted about 15 river crossings but fear not, as this time round, I'm taking along our very own "Kampong Adidas Chap Gajah" - fully natural rubber shoes so that the leather hiking boots remains dry.

I'm fortunate to have the company of my good German friend (AL) for 3 weeks, 2 enthusiastic Singaporean friends ("kia-si-mit" KQ, KB) for the 1st week and of course the good guide (CH) for the whole trip.

Last year I started my journey on 31st Aug (Merdeka - Independence Day). This year I begin on the 17th Sep (1 day after the "puzzling" very first celebration of 1Malaysia Day - 47 years after Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore joined Malaya to form Malaysia); flying (fingers crossed that Air Asia X doesn't delay the flight as they did last year by 9 full hours) from KL to Tianjin (天津), then the fast train to Beijing to catch up with KQ & KB and onto the overnight train to Datong, 340KM away. CH shall meet us on 18th Sep and together with AL we shall hop on the jeep and drive another 300KM to Wanjiazhai Dam (万家寨镇) where we will stay for the night.

The following morning, 19th Sep, we shall take a wonderfully scenic 17KM boat ride down the Huang He river to Laoniuwan and from there start our Great Wall hike up the mountain. The first 2 days is going to be very tough and rough, with no road access and if we are lucky, might find shelter with a farmer or a herdsman. After this, I'm informed that the rest of the journey will be a "walk in the park".

2011 has been kind, with my former boss employing me for 6 months (thus this year there shan't be any need for sponsorship), but when the blood pressure went to 162/98, the body was telling me to take a break, which I duly did. 10 weeks leading up to now, I have covered 896,335 steps (not quite the 1,000,000 I was aiming for), which I hope is sufficient training to complete this 3rd C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps. The longest training day was on 9th July when I took 48,907 steps, from/to home - KL city for the Bersih 2.0 rally, a long 8 hours walk reaching home at 19:30hrs.

The theme colours are Orange and Blue (every year, 2 colours are selected from the rainbow band), and the walking theme is Unity.

When PM Najib uttered 1Malaysia, it was viewed as a uniting of all Malaysians as 1. Over time, we now have 1Umno, 1MCA, 1MISM, 1Melayu, 1Bumi, 1Pakatan, etc. With so many 1's now, we are really back to square 1! Instead of looking for commonalities (common grounds), we are back to highlighting our differences.

On this 3rd C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps, we are just a united party of nationalities (German, Singaporean, Chinese, Malaysian) walking as 1. It's amazing what united nations help enable my walk, e.g. from China (Beijing Olympics cap), Germany (Deuter sleeping bag), Japan (Canon camera), USA (Timberland hiking pants), UK (Karrimor leather boots), Singapore (SAF socks), Switzerland (Swiss Army knife) and Malaysia (Kampong Adidas Chap Gajah). Our expressed hope is that there shall be unity and peace throughout the world.

The 77 tracks were mapped out by AL as part of his Great Wall research, so this year I play the serious role of research assistant, for 3 weeks at least. The last week I shall just relax on my adventure and treasure hunt.

I shall keep all interested of my trek's progress when I get the chance.

My small appeal - donate to your favourite charity, do good deeds and earn dharma (virtue) points.

Thank you to all for help and encouragement to make this trip possible. I hope to find even more angels along the Great wall.

Omitofo and all the very best.

Regards,
Hin.

PS. Health state before departure. Shall compare upon return.
       Random Total Cholesterol 5.59
       Random glucose 6.0
       Weight: 61.5kg
       BMI 22.6
       Body Fat 17.9%
       Waist: 33" (84.5cm)
       BP 145/91, Pulse 69.

 

                                                                  

Comment:

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Catherine Tay <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 3:15 PM

Hin, 

My salute and admiration for u as u venture on yr 3rd C.O.U.N.T.  I shall pray for u and may you be blessed throughout your journey.

 

Yeah, keep us posted on your progress. 

 

With metta,

Catherine

Sent from my iPhone

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>    Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 6:10 AM

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Thanks cat

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khor danny <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 3:29 PM

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Bravo and all the best.

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 6:11 AM

 

Thanks Bro

 

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Kee Wan Lim <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 3:50 PM

 

Hi Thean Hin,

 

Bravo! Keep safe, our very own Don Quixote!

See you in early November. I will be back in KL for a few days; 31st Oct -4th Nov.

 

Best Regards,

KW

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:34 PM

 

See you in KL.

 

Thanks,

Hin

 

KK Lim <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 3:54 PM

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Young friend u can do it, uncle said

Thank you. 

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Best regards,

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K K Lim

Sent from my iPhone

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:35 PM

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Uncle,

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You are my inspiration, I must do it.

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Thanks,

Hin

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chee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 6:11 PM

 

Wah...I walked 5km around Melaka n my legs go rubbery. I always thot u r jus a fighting cock. Didn't know u r oso a " walking cock " haha... Will keep u in prayers." May the Lord bless u n protect u.". C u in Macau in Nov.

Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:37 PM

 

Thanks CKC,

 

Cock to all and I'm sure you can do it too.

Thanks,

Hin

 

 

HK Goon <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 6:14 PM

 

Wishing you all the best. Hope you have a most eventful but safe journey. 

Regards

 

Goon. 
Sent from my iPhone

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:38 PM

 

Thanks Doc.

 

Hope to see u again.

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

Patrick Low <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 6:39 PM

 

Hello Hin,

 

Cheers and good luck !!

 

K.O. Low

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:39 PM

 

Thanks Mr Low.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

BC Wu <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 8:31 PM

 

Dear Thean Hin,

 

Just keep us posted of your adventures and see you when you come back.

My best wishes to you and keep safe.

 

Best regards,

Wu BC

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:40 PM

 

Thanks BC.

 

See you soon

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

C G Kang <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 9:34 PM

 

Take care and enjoy yourself. Look forward to reading your daily journal. God Bless.

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:41 PM

 

Thanks

 

All the best to all at home.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

Teoh Kian Koon <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 9:52 PM

 

Hi!Thean Hin,
U r truly great - I really have great respect for your great perseverance & rather charitable act to persue your passion of doing this 1000000 steps over such rough terrain for a 3rd time. I would like to wish u all the best.

Regards,

Kian Koon.

 

 

sue chuah <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Fri, Sep 16, 2011 at 11:12 PM

 

Thean Hin,
All d BEST, we r proud of u.. very few amongst mankind can perform this feat!
Do keep us posted.
RGDS,
sk

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:43 PM

 

Thanks Siew Keok,

 

On the contrary, if one puts one's mind to it, everything is possible.

 

Thanks for the well wishes

 

 

Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Sat, Sep 17, 2011 at 8:32 AM

 

Dear Hin, its regrettable that i didn't make a visit to KL in time this year !!!

Will certainly do the welcome home visit when you get back instead.

Having read your mail, i should have asked Adidas to truly help sponsor your gears
and perhaps even get Canon to provide camera for your pictures. Would be great if you could capture the pictures - and collate them for a book ! Just compiling your emails into
a book could be of interest

Have a great trip and adventure !

thomas

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 6:12 AM

 

Thanks Bro,

 

Consider next year. Till date, no need to use Kampong adidas yet. Maybe 2day

 

 

ron tan <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Sat, Sep 17, 2011 at 1:29 PM

 

yoohoo...bro.....i can see this growing year on year!!!!

congratulations on keep this up and have a great time this year!

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:44 PM

 

Thanks Bro

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Julie Wong Sep 17, 11 Edit or delete  (http://www.MyFamily.com/sahc71&73)

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Hin, I don't know how you do this! I am in awe of your clarity of vision and your fortitude in bringing that vision into reality. I humbly congratulate you on this your 3rd momentous mission, and I await all your stories as you progress... God bless....

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Kok Cheng Ng Sep 17, 11 Edit or delete  (http://www.MyFamily.com/sahc71&73)

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Hi Thean Hin, Good on you Mate!. All the Best

 

 

Teik Soon Phang <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Sun, Sep 18, 2011 at 7:32 AM

 

Hi Thean Hin,

 

Time flies, it's already a year since you last made the trip.

Let me commend you again for your exemplary courage and strength, second to none. It's not a feat that everyone can do it. Bravo! Bravo! to you my dear friend. We are all proud of you, keep it up.

 

May I wish you every success in your journey.

May you be free from enmity and danger.

May you be free from physical and mental sufferings.

May you be well.

 

Looking forward to hear the interesting narration from you.

 

Take care & with metta from 

Teik Soon & Gaik Wah 

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:45 PM

 

Thanks TS,

 

Hope to walk with you one day.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

Teik Soon Phang <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 8:18 AM

 

Ya, we shall take a 9 hole walk in SP Club when you are back.

 

 

Yap, Mei Yen <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 10:14 AM

 

Hi Hin,

 

Keep it up!!  You will make it. 

 

Take care.

 

Cheers,

Mei Yen

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:46 PM

 

Thanks MY,

 

How's the new baby?

 

Al the best to all at home.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

Yap, Mei Yen <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 10:09 AM

 

Hi Hin,

 

Great reading all the real experiences.  I am not as adventurous as you are. 

 

Anyway, please be extra careful and be more alert when you are alone.

 

My expected due date is end of this month.  Another few weeks to go. 

 

Take care and keep it up.

 

Best regards,

Mei Yen

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 9:48 PM

 

Thanks,

 

U do take care for both of u.

 

Really all the best.

 

Catch up when back.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

Lawrence Lee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Mon, Sep 19, 2011 at 2:57 PM

 

Ha ha my dear friend you have German company I’m glad to hear that as alone not safe lah.Will take your advice to donate take care Keep me posted on Scenic

Places Rdgs Lawrence

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:47 PM

 

Thanks bro,

 

All the best.

 

 

Rose Wong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 6:56 PM

 

All THE BEST dear...didn't know u were going again!! May GOD Bless & protect u & your friends all d way.

Love, mawar

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Oct 2, 2011 at 9:48 PM

 

Thanks Rose,

 

And the same to u and family.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

Keu Heng Tat <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>    Sat, Sep 24, 2011 at 12:52 AM

 

Dear Hin, how's the hike so far and do forward me your blogs if I have missed any. How's KQ and KB keeping up with you?

 

My goodness, with your BP, you need to be on hypertension medication like me.

 

Best regards - Keu
Sent from my iPad

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 11:04 PM

 

Hi Keu.

 

Did 5 days with the Singas - young singa broke down with muscle spasms after 12 km on 1st day. The marathon man was great. Most impressed that he carried on the latter half of the next day.Great climb, fantastic scenery. Lots of "home" stay, after which we came down from the mts to send them on their way home. Then back to the mts and just came down to Youyu town for hot showers and clean-up. Back to the mts again tomorrow, now just the German and I. Tough tough climbs to almost 2,000m and the scenery is just unimaginable.

 

Perhaps next year?

 

Tired out. Write more later.

 

Rgds,

Hin

 

Keu Heng Tat <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>  Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 12:26 AM

 

I gather young singapore is KB? So he stopped or did he continue?  Looks like the Lao jiao is the strongest. 

Sent from my iPad

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 8:04 PM

 

KB rejoined on 2nd half on 2nd day. Plodded on for the next 3 days until he had blistsers and knee cap problem, whence we stopped earlier.

 

Guess he's recovered now back at work.

 

Rgds,

Hin 

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