Sorry for the previous gibberish......

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Dear all,

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Been home on a wing and a prayer for the last couple of weeks, still recovering from strained knee and ankle.

This year’s journey has been even harder, and I’d like to think it’s due to the difficult mountainous terrains of the Beijing surrounds rather than my advancing years. On second thought, I think it’s probably a combination of both factors which resulted in the completion of 25 days walk/climb, covering only 510,628 steps (309.6km). Lots and lots of climbing this year.

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The target was overly ambitious and of the 400km “traced” Great Wall from Dongbeikou (40°31'2.01"N 116°27'52.72"E) to Panjiakou, we only managed about 240km to the location of Huangmenzi (40°23'3.02"N 117°13'19.90"E). 

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We are at the edge of the Beijing walls line and shall enter Tianjin and East Hebei provinces next year. Given the experience this year, it means more homework to find the ancient Ming path to access the walls and towers – which we are told would be doubly more challenging henceforth.

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16/10.  09:45 – 12:35.  Hushan great wall, Dandong. 5.6 km, 10,182 steps.

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I’m fortunate to be able to go to Dandong (丹东, at 40°07′N 124°23′E ) with my “flesh-out” (help me to regain weight) angel and walked the Hushan wall (the eastern-most end of the Ming Great Wall), right next to the North Korean border. The wall is very well restored, snaking up the mountain for about 1.2km, overlooking the Yalu river, across which is North Korea.

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Dandong is a fascinating place – the only outside trading point for North Korea through the border town of Sinuiju, and is famous for its “Broken bridge”, bombed by the American B52’s during the Korean war, to stop the Chinese from bolstering support for the North.

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North Koreans are allowed to work in the city, mainly in the Korean restaurants which serve mediocre fare, hyped up with singing and dancing muscular traditionally dressed up waitresses. The development between Sinuiju and Dandong is night and day, bustling in Dandong, with hardly any activity in Sinuiju.

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Dandong is not quite a tourist attraction, except for those who would dare venture to visit North Korea, via Sinuiju and thence to Pyongyang.

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We did take a boat ride along the Yalu river and had a close glimpse of Sinuiju, which looks pretty grim.

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Anyhow, I’d like to share a video summary of my 5th C.O.U.N.T 1,000, 000 steps, showing this year’s exciting challenges and exquisite scenery and experiences, which unfortunately the camera can only half portray and capture the essence of wonderment and incredulous fascinations.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_FQHRg1_5I

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To date, in the last 5 years, I have covered:-

1. Y2009 - 20 days hike: 593.2km, 1,137,882 steps;
2. Y2010 - 24 days hike: 557.4km, 1,038,591 steps,
3. Y2011 - 22 days hike: 553.2km, 1,005,782 steps,
4. Y2012 - 23 days hike: 421.3km, 781,296 steps,
5. Y2013 - 25 days hike: 309.6km, 510,628 steps.
totalling 2,434.7km, 4,514,279 steps.

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And finally, just a quick reminder - have you donated to your favourite charity yet?

C.O.U.N.T (Compassion, Optimism, Unity, Nature, Tomorrow) 1,000,000 steps :-

"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."

Wishing everyone, many friends who care, lots of health to spare, and abundance of love to share.

 

Take care and all the very best.

 

Regards,

Hin.

PS. I came back with a weight of 58.3kg (lost 1.6kg), and waist of 77.5cm/30.5" (lost of 3.5cm/1.5”).

 

 

Comment:

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Hong Loh <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Wed, Nov 6, 2013 at 11:11 PM

 

Thean Hin,

 

Congratulations on another successful personal endeavor to walk another phase of The Wall. Your commitment to pursue this challenging journey is most admirable. In recognition of your pursuit of C.O.U.N.T, I have donated to the annual United Way campaign at work thru payroll deduction for all of 2014. 

 

All the best, Hong. 

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Wed, Nov 6, 2013 at 11:18 PM

 

Dear Poay Hong,

 

What a wonderful gesture and thanks for showing your great generosity......

Your wonderful action has really "completed" my journey for the year.

Take care and all the very best.

When will we see you and family this side of the pond again?

Rgds,

Hin

 

 

Edward Chua <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 7:11 AM

 

Good read & satisfying video to match the sharing of your journey.
Welcome home!.

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 10:04 AM

 

Thanks bro.

See you soon.

 

 

C B Ong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 9:03 AM

 

Dear Hin,

 

A Big Congrats to your successful completion of the 5th COUNT !

 

Your video is just nothing less than fantastic ! 

 

Hopefully, I may have the opportunity to be with you at your finishing line. Keep up the great expedition & cause.

 

Regards,

Chong Beng
Sent from my iPhone

 

 

Martin Wee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 12:48 PM

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kok Fong Kom <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>
Date: Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Subject: Re: 10. (Resend) On a wing and a prayer. (Hin's 5th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps Ming Great wall of China)
To: Martin Wee <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>

Hello Dr.

 

Thanks. 

 

Fantastic guy, this Hin... great passion and perseverance    

 

Fascinating journeys ...into history.

 

May he continue to enjoy his future adventures....

 

Best regards,

 

 

kbkoh <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 8:27 PM

 

Tough but you always miss it.  

 

Hin - can you email me those rock climbing photos?  Thx

Regards

Koh Kiam Beng

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Fri, Nov 8, 2013 at 12:12 AM

 

Hello, only last 2 years la....1st 3 all OK....

 

Anyway, fwd you all related photos from mine, Andreas, KQ and Junji's collections.

Take care.

Rgds, Hin

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CHEE KONG CHI <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 7:54 AM

 

Well done Hin ! Ok. Next year v will join u - maybe for the last 5 km. 

Last Sun I walked 10 km around the city of Melaka n was exhausted. So, i hv some idea what u went thro. To imitate your feat I put on hiking boots n climbed St Paul's Hill. The challenge was not the slope, but elbowing thro the swamp of tourists haha...

 

 

Keu Heng Tat <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 10:54 AM

 

Dear Hin - congrats on another successful climb and the video was great in helping me appreciate the challenge.  I salute you and heal well my friend:)  

Cheers - Keu.

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 10:09 AM

 

Thanks Mr Keu,

Are you back working in Singapore?

 

Keu Heng Tat <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 11:12 AM

 

I have been back for a year already. . Not working yet :)

 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sat, Nov 16, 2013 at 4:09 PM

 

wow, good on you. Long sabbatical huh?

 

 

sue chuah <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>   Thu, Nov 7, 2013 at 9:39 PM

 

Kudos 2 u, Thean Hin. I' m awed by ur determination & courage for a noble cause. May GBU & family!

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