没有留恋

    有人问我，要回到马来西亚的心情是怎样的？ 会矛盾吗？ 想继续留在加拿大吗？想回去吗？
    我的人其实很简单，很少带着留恋离开一个地方，这次也不例外。一段旅程走完了，就要进入另一段旅程 ，有什么好留恋的，有什么好依依不舍的，我有时真的搞不懂。 这段旅程是充满了记忆，很多美好的记忆，不过记忆终究只是记忆，把它放在心里，然后继续向前走就是啦。
    如果真的要有留恋，生命中有太多留恋的东西了。回头再看，有时会觉得当时的留恋是多余的。 留恋过去，怎能想未来展翅呢？小学到中学，到大学，间中很多的小旅程，很多都可以留恋。与其留恋，还不如让它成为推你向前一把的力量。
    旅行的过程是很愉快的，玩够了，还是要回到现实生活。 我想我也玩够了，是时候更踏实的过生活了。有机会，当然希望可以回到加拿大，不是因为留恋加拿大，只是觉得这里有更好的发展空间，更好的生活素质。
    我回来啦！！马来西亚，始终还是我的家。

The race

    Time flies...a flash of eyes, I'm back in Vancouver Airport, YVR. This is the beginning of my race in Canada, and it will be my ending as well.
    Looking back to the day when I arriving here, everything was so fresh to me, overloaded with curiosity, I came to a place I never wonder that I will step on. Everything is depend on myself, everything is start from zero, just like the runner prepare to give their 1st step on the track. Start to build up a network, get to know more people, establish more friendship, learning and adapting new culture, and develop a whole-being of my character. 
    Every step on the race were so fast, the next step I was already in University of Victoria, then into my church life in EBC and CBC, one more second  was already on the backpacking journey in East Canada. and now, the second where I am one more step to earn my trophy for finishing the race.
    I saw a lot of people were applaud wildly for my journey, they cheering even before I start my race, and they keep on cheering on my race, and they all stand up and applaud when I am going to end the race. All the faces, are a flash go through my mind, I wish I could remember all of them, but some were left and some were hidden.
    The day when trophy is given to me, there will be more people giving me their blessing, all of it, form a overwhelming energy to encourage me to keep me on the track. There will always be a next race, and the next track will loaded with more blessing.

说不完的再见

  眼看，离开枫叶国的时间已渐渐靠近了，不到十二小时的时间，就已经登上铁鸟，飞回孕育我长大的马国了。
  再见，总是盼望着未知的未来，好像没什么机会再见 。在维多利亚的五天里，每天都与不同的圈子吃晚饭送别，与不同的朋友说再见，希望他们过来找我，或者我来找他们。 但，这个再见好像都太遥远了。真的有机会再见吗？真的还会保持联络吗？ 有点怀疑。。
  不过，真的很感谢，能够在离开之前再次见到你们，能够带着你们的祝福陪我回家乡。Uvic 的朋友， CCF 的朋友， CBC 的朋友， EBC 的朋友， OIBI 的朋友， 因为你们， 我离开前的几天都有很多的祝福。五天一连串的送别会，真的很丰富。
  最后，还是真的要说再见了。希望有生之年真的可以再见面，希望我可以回到枫叶国吧。 无论如何，我们 还是一定会在天国见面的。愿神继续的赐福你们!!
  Eunice, Oliver, Dough, Gladia, Gwon, Yi Ru, Adam, Herve, Wilson, Cecilia, May, Tze Lee, Sun Lu, Evan, Hai,.....GOD bless you all!!

相信自己，相信神

     “人所能做的，无非都是在人的能力范围之内；但神所能做的，是使人夸过范围的界限，创造奇迹！”
     曾经怀疑过自己，质疑过自己， 为什么我要这么做，为何那么执着。 背包旅游的过程，让我看见了神的带领，也不再有任何的质疑了。我必须承认，我是个很执着，很固执的人。很多时候过于相信自己，所以很多时候是听不进他人的想法的。 我拿起的东西，握着的事情，有时候我自己也放不下。 不过，我现在学会了一件事，放下自己，倒空自己，当你看见自己的无能时，你就很有机会看见神的大能。
     我的路途中，很多时候都有放弃的念头，刚开始相信自己能够做到的的信心已经一扫而空了。 但是我仰望神，依靠他，他的话语很多时候都给了我很大的鼓励，把我往前一推，就这么简单，就到达了终点。 一个从来不骑单车超过十公里的小孩，竟然一骑就是百多公里的旅途，只能说那是已经超越了我的能力范围。如果没有一个信仰支持我，我的精神支柱也许早就崩溃了。
     在这样跨越文化的旅途中，遇到很到比你更了不起的人时，你也只能看见自己的渺小。 开始学会了聆听，尝试去了解，去接受，他人的文化背景，去听他们的故事。 就这样的，神把我塑造成一个更有弹性的人，有自己的想法同时，却不否定他人的想法。也许，当你开始了解他们的故事时，你会开始认同他们有这样的想法是应该的。
     我的旅途中有太多不可思议的事情，超乎想象的空间，让我不得不承认的是，这样的事情绝对没有碰巧或运气，感觉就像一切都有安排，让我更相信了，神的作为绝对超越人所能想的， 神的作为是人的耳未曾听见，眼未曾看见，也未曾想过的。相信自己，绝对跨不出这样的能力范围，只有信靠神，他才能让你跨过去。
     使徒彼德， 相信神，所以走在了水面上；怀疑神，所以跌倒了。相信自己，是绝对没有办法让你走在水面上，因为那已经跨越了人的能力范围，而神却能使你超越它。只要仰望神，定睛在他身上，而不是在你的逆境里 ，你也会发现你是站在水面上的。
     我相信自己，但我更相信神；因为相信神，所以我学会了相信人，也相信了自己。

Thanks Giving

     Journey had end, there are overwhelming of gratitude and thanks deep inside the depth of my heart. I just want to list out one by one, to people that giving me a hand, a word, or even a eye sign.
     Mary Louise, a doctor that came to ask me if I need a ride as I looking at the map, when i just arriving Quebec city in a raining day, and the day is getting dark. She gave me a ride all the way from airport to my place in Quebec city. An surprising angel that came out just when I really need a help.
     Rafael and Caroline, my host in Quebec city. We having lot of great time together, drinking a lot of wine, beer, vodca..basically a lot of liquor. Not just only with them, but they brought me into their circles of friend as well. Max and Ben from French, David and his gf, Caroline best young friend, Rammi which I meet in Toronto. I go into not the journey of travelling, but embracing the culture of Quebec-qua, hear a lot of history of Quebec, eating Quebec's Poutine, and drinking wine. Rafael came to Toronto on my last day in Toronto, with Rammi, he is the 1st and the last in my journey. I really glad. All are not in planning, but it comes just the way that surprising me.
    Anonymous that show me the road with their car, I following behind. He show me the way to the place I looking for when I ask him the direction. He not really know how to go, but he went to a pizza delivery shop to ask, and then driving slowly so that I can catch up them. 
    Mireille, my host in Trois-Rivere. Not forgetting her friend that met on the night of my arrival, in very dirty look, Lisa, Vennessa, and ..........Mireille said I came just in time, on the day which they had plan for the gathering dinner, and Vennessa have free VIP ticket for a choir concert in church. She is a very friendly lady, and a great tour guide. Bring me to visit around Trois-Rivere on Sunday, went to church, and went to the concert. She even help me to clean and fix my bike while I cooking the meal. We having a common topic during my stay, which is about religion, and thing happen around us is so plan to having connection with religion.
     An anonymous guy, that treat me with tea while I on the way to Montreal. I was just resting at the front of his office to take my lunch. Then he just come out to say " hi ", he himself is a cyclist as well, thats why he very glad to saw a cyclist stop by, I am the 1st cyclist that stop at his apartment, by the way. He gave a good courage to carry on my road.
     Lily in Montreal. A very easy and out going lady, teacher of dance and yoga, and she like to yell " Woohoo", just like a small child. Having her around is just like having a good friend around, cause her act just like the lady of my age. We went to watch Cirque de Soleil together, and really enjoy it. One thing I will remember about her is "tea", we having hot tea together every night before went to bed.
     Pieter, my host in Mentobello. He is an older gentleman live in an isolated country house. I spent 2 days there, and we having the best dessert, Mango Frozen Yogurt with Whiskey. He is a very nice guy, we had a lot of common topic to talk. He even make the dinner I made for us to his friend, haha....and they like it as well.
     Anonymous that give me a hand when my tire get flatten on the way to Ottawa. He give me cup of coffee, called his friend to get a batch for me to repair the tube, and drive me to get the batch from his friend. I really appreciate the help he given.
     Paola,  host in Ottawa. She is a great lady, and she doesnt look like her age. What remind me of her will be the yogurt drink, she had it like almost every morning. She also had 2 great housemate, John and Twan, which I also have good time with them, good conversation. Paola even borrow me her map so that I wont lost, the bike route in Ontario is not as clear in Quebec, without map is really will get lost. I mail back to her the map as I reach Niagara. Oh ya, their house people are all professional, haha....a lot of technical chat among us.
     Bernie and Bar, 2 very nice lady that I met in Westport, when I went in the office. We believe in same God, and we believe our meet is not by coincident or luck, all are plan by HIM. We had dinner and breakfast together, which not left me alone, and great time together. They gave me a great courage and blessing, even when I am out of my schedule, but they let me know this is HIS schedule for me, to be in this place, to meet these 2 lady.
     Anna and Andrew, host in Yarker. We do not have much time together, but I feel comfortable at their place. Anna made very good Polish food for my dinner, I was wonder how can a vegetarian made a good meal of meat? Amazing?
     Katherine, host in Port Hope. and not forget her boy friend, Claudie. She is a super great lady, arrange mountain bike activities with her friend, Sue. Having my birthday eve dinner with her, and she gave me some very memorable present for my birthday present. We had a lot of thing to talk, a lot of conversation among us had enlighten me. She encourage me a lot to come to Canada to work and live, and even recommend some plastic company to me. I will definitely try to come back again. She also very concern about my journey, always text me before even me meet, especially when the weather is not good. She tell everyone about me when I was there...haha....I enjoying the time in Port Hope too much, until I actually plan to stay for 1 night, but end up stay for 3 night.
    Gefei for sure, my best Pal in Canada. We know each other in Victoria, and so blessed that we can meet in Toronto. He came to Toronto for internship in May, and I so glad I was in Toronto at this time also. We had great time together a lot, having my Birthday dinner for Japanese buffet. Too bad we cannot go to Niagara together. We went to the CN tower together, which is one of my best experience. Only in Toronto, I went out every night, cause we having too much fun together in the night.
     Not forgetting those people that give me a hand sign of good, or a greeting, on my journey. There are a lot of cyclist that come front opposite direction that give me courage, give a sweet smile when they saw I having luggage behind my bike, they know I am traveling to others place.
     The last, yet the most important. Thanks GOD!! for all the blessing and the people You put into my life and my journey.

The Stand

     " Where am I now? Where are you now? "
     There are a lot of journey in our life, and the journey never bring you to the destination easily, you definitely have to go through a lot of obstacles to reach your destination, or to reach where you standing now. Do you ever wonder, whether the journey had pull you down, or slow you down to reach your destination? Don't ever let the past to drag you, let the future bring you. The past is past, and the future is waiting, and where you standing now is the strong evidence of your life journey that tell you that you had reign over thousands of obstacles.
     There is one thing I had learn, through the journey of my cycle backpacking. You never look to what you had giving out when you had reach the destination, you don't even remember how struggling you had when you already reach the top of the mountain, because where you standing told you that the past had past, and it bring you to where you standing now. I had conquered 170km journey on bike in 8 hours, there are more than thousand time I having the thought to just take a rest in the middle, find  a place to sleep, or hitch a car, those negative thought never stop surrounding you when you are on the journey, is all about whether you beat down the negative though or you let them beat down you. But, when I finally reach the final destination, I felt all the effort I had given out is more than worth. With the rain and snow, the crystallize sweat cover the face, the tanned skin by the UV, the leg that almost malfunction, all of it become small little chunk victory for you to reach the final victory.
     When I was looking back at my devotion, in my meditation, in my experience, a lot of time, I had been dragging by the past. I believe most people does the same thing. Did you ever feel guilty for the sins you had commit long time ago? Did you still live in the past of your memory? Jesus, the Lord Savior had wash away our sins, and He said he had forgiven us, when we come before His almighty throne. Do not let what you had done to led you away from the destination you want to reach, to build up the relationship you want to have. Those experience are meant to strengthen your wills, to grow you up to become what you meant to be, in His wills.
     Learn to be gratitude to what ever the past was, the bad and the good. They shape you of what you are now. The sin you had commit, the thing you had done, it might still hurt, but when you turn to God, He always make them right to you, and He make them the stepping stone for you instead of falling stone.
     What is your stand now? What is your goal now? What do you want to achieve now? Go for it because the time at front is still waiting for you to reach. Stand at where you are now, you will see the past had bring you to here; stand at where you wanna be, and you see what you need to do to be there.
     God, please grant me the wisdom to know of my stand now, and my stand in the future. Not by my own wisdom, but in your leading.

Day 25 of Cycling Journey - Niagara Falls to Toronto

22 May 2010, shower rain and cloudy

     Time had finally come to the end, I had successfully accomplish my journey all the way from Quebec city to Niagara Falls, but I wont bike on the same journey for the 2nd time. I will just easily take a bus back to Toronto this time, no more biking, and is time t have a good rest day, is the 1st time for me to just sit on bus and waiting to transport the another place.
     I am the 1st one wake up in the room, as usual 630am, then stretch a bit and go to clean up. Try not to make too many sound to wake others up, I clear my thing and get out from the room. I want to visit the Niagara in the very early morning.
     The morning of Niagara is huge different from that of the night, is quite and every shop is close. Especially when I am in the main tourist area, no one is coming here in the early morning, they were just back from the party. Biking around the town and found there are quite a lot of buffet breakfast over here. The breakfast buffet is cost only 7 bucks, and you have bacon, eggs, potato, pan cake, waffle, yogurt, fruits, sausage, cakes, eat as much as you can. But, they don't serve with drink, which the drink will cost 3 buck. Anyway, I have both, the food and the drink, and I eat for 5 round..until almost 10am, I think I eat too much...Ooppss!! haha...but not as much as the Japanese buffet I ate few days ago.
     It was suddenly get a heavier rain when I still biking around the town, and I just get in one of the 5 star hotel over here. Sit down in the lobby, and take the news paper to read, and play shoduku on the paper. It still raining outside, so I just keep on staying inside and reading my book. until almost 12 noon. I head right away to the bus terminal and get back to Toronto.

 

     There is actually nothing else I really wanna visit in Toronto, but it too early to go back house and doing nothing. So, I went to the Toronto Convention center. I actually do not plan to come here, just pass by, and found that there are Korea exhibition in the convention center. I went in and found there are a lot of people, and a lot of event. get the ticket, and you can try a few kind of korean food, just have to queue up for quite a long time. I have time, why not. I get fried glass noodles, dumping, and korean salad...and try a lot of korean product drink, the banana milk is damm nice!!

     Then, I went to the horbour front again, and found out that there is an festival today, for kids...there are a lot of event for kids, drawing, kayaking, lego building, comedy show, easy circus, balloons game.....and of course a lot of food as well. Seeing kids all so enjoy the atmosphere here, I also can catch their joyfulness. After that, walking around China town, and also Kensington market. There are very merry, very crowded and you can get a lot of cheap stuff over here.
     Was actually planning just to surf on internet then go to buy some bun to eat, but suddenly Rafeal send a hi to me on fb, said that he is in Toronto. So, I just went out to meet him, with his friend from Quebec as well. They are here in Toronto just purposely want to try a Japanese restaurant called- Guu Izakaya. This restaurant is not far from my place, 5 min biking distance. They actually on the way to Niagara for the vineyard trip, because they taking the course of learning how to taste wine, and his friend is the class president. The others member will go to Niagara tomorrow by bus, but they fly to here today, to try this restaurant, then will go to Niagara on train tomorrow. Amazing isn't it?
     They were both drunk when I saw them, cause they had been drinking since 2pm, due to the lose of Canada Montreal ice hockey team in the game. Rafeal was shock when he saw me, he said I become very tan than before in Quebec. We drink Sapporo and hot Sake, it was nice. Then go inside to have the main dish. They do the ordering, I just eat. They don't really know what to order as well, so just ask the server to come out what ever she think is good. We have 9 dishes, and it was so Great!  I have to admit, this is the best Japanese restaurant I ever been, they don't sell sushi or sashimi at all, sell only those elegant Japanese food, which not easily found in normal Japanese restaurant, all in small portion but is super nice; and the restaurant is crazy, everyone sitting together on the long table, and when there is people come in or go out, everyone in the restaurant greet them, by yelling, and i this single night, we had sand 4 birthday song in the restaurant, everyone singing...lolx...it is insane! Now, I can understand why 2 executive chef from private club want to come all the way to Toronto just to try the food...it is really good, more than good, it is great.!!
     I had a great night with Rafael, he is the 1st I saw in my journey in Quebec, and he also the last I will see in my journey. How great is it? This put a good fullstops to my journey, better than I can ever imagine.

Day 24 of Cycling Journey - Toronto to Niagara Falls

21 May 2010, Sunny and Hot.

  
( these are the 2 picture I like the most of the Falls, 8pm and 8am picture )

     The times had finally comes, the next destination will be my final destination, Niagara Falls!! The distance from Toronto to Niagara is actually 120km, but since I using the Waterfront Trail, it take me all the way to Niagara on the Lake, then only to Niagara Falls, it actually took more than 150km, which I believe is more than that. Today the wind is calm, the road is in very good condition, and I don't have any luggage at my back, so I go all the way in full speed, top gear for the front and rear, but still it took me 8 hour at least to reach there. My last journey, yet the longest journey.
     And guess what, today is very hot, the sun is so strong. I take off my shirts, and biking topless for 6 hours or more, not just because it is hot, but because I want my body to be as tan as my hand also, to make it more uniform. Some people are looking at me when I bike across the town area, but they don't really care. This is CANADA, not Malaysia. haha...
    Anyway, the trail was company by great view along the Ontario lake, a lot of beach, no traffic, a lot of park, and also a lt of vineyard when I reach Niagara region, is like more than 20km of journey is along the vineyard. No wonder people said: it is a compulsory to visit vineyard in Niagara, and go for the wine testing as well.
    I glad I finally reach Niagara before the day get dark. My leg is almost paralyze when I reach Niagara, biking too hard for too long, I loosing feeling of the leg. But the view of the Niagara Falls had rewarded my journey, it feel worth for everything you had done to get here. Just sit on the field, and drink a pop, rest for a while, looking the crowed from all around the world to come here just for the falls, you feel amazing, awesome!!
    Niagara Falls is one of the 7 wonders of the world, and it catch the most amount of waters from more than 100 of rivers. It separate US and Canada, but you only can see the beauty of Niagara Falls in Canada, surely not US. I was impress and amazed, when saw how much water it fall from the top, and the power of the falls cause such a huge amount of mist. you can even get wet when you standing just beside the falls, the mist raise from 50m height to hit you. Can you imagine that? what can I said? Awesome, Awesome, and Awesome.........the wonder of God's creation is so awesome.
    I was actually plan to just overnight by walking around here and find a 24h shop to rest inside, if I couldn't get a deal for bed. When I came to Red Carpet Inn motel, he was actually giving me 50 dollar per night, then we bargain and he give me 30 dollar per night. This price is actually reasonable enough, then I ask him where is the Hostel International, then he said he actually have dome room if I want, just for 10 dollar per night...Wowow...why not?? that is the cheapest deal I ever heard. I paid 10 dollar for a bed in a motel, with tower and hot bath tub...the room were 6, but there are only 3 in room. I think I am blessed. hhaha...

 

    I even more blessed, when I went to the reception to ask for tourist information, I was told that tonight there will be the 1st night of the open air concert and fireworks....this event is just start, and only on Friday and Sunday. My timing is just right at the time, not too early, not too late....I'm glad i am here at this time. The firework really nice, short but nice.

    The tourist area were so merry the whole night, even until late 2am still a lot of people on street. This is an unusual phenomenon in Canada, usually everything go off before 11pm. All the themes park, the museum, the haunted house, the skylon tower, everything is until morning. I not a big fans of themes park or museum or haunted house, I just like to seeing thing, seeing the culture, the atmosphere, and especially when I am travel alone. Something is only fun when you were with others, not by alone. There are different when you travel with others and travel on yourself.
     I took my dinner at 12 midnight in a chinese restaurant, just because I have the desire to eat rice. But, it was sooooo disappointing. I ordered a beef fried rice, and it was the worst fried rice I ever had in a restaurant. The whole fried rice have only a few beef, and few green onion, a egg, then the rest is just rice, absolutely nothing else. and the taste is only soya sauce, not salty, not sweet, basically is no taste. I pretty sure most people can cook a lot better than this, and I for sure can make better. Really, dont eat chinese food in Niagara, Never!!!
    

Day 23 of Cycling journey - Toronto

20 May 2010, Sunny

    Today is unusually hot, just like in the summer, it is 23 degree today. What I doing today is basically, just relaxing. Do nothing much but just relaxing. Sun bath at the urban beach for 1 hour, laying down, let the skin feel the warmth of the sun, yet it doesnt hurt or burn like the Malaysia's sun.

 

    Bike to Ontario place, then found out that it is off until the weekend, then stay there to take my lunch at the park. Went to Tim Horton to get an Ice Coffee and stay at urban beach to rest. The take the ferry to Toronto Island, and rest again. A slow slow day, a real holiday. Toronto island is pretty small, but also pretty nice. A lot of people went there just to relax, biking around the small island, rest at the beach, or picnic at the park. No one is rushing or hurry there.
    Have a dinner with Gefei at the Jazz bar. I have my first Nachos, it was so good and so hot, yet I cant stop eating it. Then come the burger, which likely is the best burger I ever have. I really like the burger, using Italian herb bread instead of normal burger bread, and the burger is cover with cheese and mushroom. It taste so good...!!Yummy.. We drink a beer, but Gefei start to feel dizzy, maybe due to tiredness of the work.
    today is just relax, and embracing the leisure of Toronto-ian. There is actually nothing much to see in Toronto, if you dun like shopping or museum, the only thing left is the CN tower and relaxing in park and harbor.

Day 22 of Cycling Journey - Toronto

19 May 2010, Sunny

     Went to University of Toronto- UoT, which is the 1st location pop up in my mind. It doesnt look like a university at all, look more like a small town, and the building were jut so similar to others big building in Toronto. UoT is very spread, the building is not concentrated at a place, but surrounding the parliament building and Queen's park. It is very huge indeed.

     Royal Ontario Museum - ROM is the biggest museum I ever been, as I can ever remember. There are a lot of different kind of museum inside it,Asia, Europe and Canadian, 1st people, Mineral, Dinosaur, Animals, Bats, Contemporary arts.....I spent 3 hours inside the museum.....although it is impressive, but I only can say "Oh", after that. I think I get almost saturated with Museum. Too many Museum in this journey, too many similar thing. I dont think I wan to go any others museum anymore after this.

    Biking around Toronto, went to Eaton Center and all the way down to the harbor. Gosh! I love the harbor very much, a lot of people walking around there, doing exercise. What most impress me is that there is an urban beach over there. A man-made beach in the mid of the deck, and a lot of people just laying there for sun bath. So relaxing, is feel like in Hawaii. I also laying down at the bench beside, and sun bath also for a while. I wish that my body color and balance with my hand. My hand get too dark during this cycling journey, while my body look white after compare with it.

    Drinking a Ice Capp from Tim Hortons, and an apple pie...under the sunny day, yet the sun is not strong to burn my skin...I love it....!! a lunch with great view of the Ontario lake, and there are always some flight take off at the air port on the Toronto island.

    Meet with Gefei after his work, then we go to CN tower. The tallest building in the whole North America. Not the highest, but is 100m higher than KLCC twin tower. 557 meter high, that is incredible! When we were on the top of the building, which is 443 meter high, that is the 1st time I can see the earth is in curve. We wait there until the sky get totally dark, enjoying the changing color of sky from redish orange to dark, and the light bulb from the street and building on the city, it was awesome! And, do you know that, CN tower is one of the 7 wonders of modern world? Me and Gefei decide to go to the others 6 wonders in our life time tgther..haha....hopefully we can do that.
    Toronto, simply said, is a highly urban city yet with lot of recreation park and harbour for people to get out from the tense of boring life.

祝我生日快乐

终于， 又长大一年了。
意味着什么呢？
 老了一岁，多活了一年，离死亡更接近。。。

我的生日，
是多了一年的主的恩典，接下来还会有更多的恩典！

    第一次背井离乡的过生日，其实也真的很不错。 旅途上的祝福，有朋友的陪伴，贵宾似的招待，还有网络上的祝福满满。一点都不寂寞，一点都不孤单，而且还很惊喜呢！

    这是生日的礼物，生日的祝福。 很感动，很精心挑选的礼物。 黄色的搅拌匙，使祝福我能更享受厨房的味道，能做出更好的佳肴， 因为我在她哪里都用这个搅拌匙煮，所以她也特别把一个新的送给我。 这本书， 是谈到五年后的人生，到时的我会是怎样的？我和他谈了有关这样的话题，所以她把这样书给了我，让我为五年后的我更努力，有方向 。 这张卡，是我最最最喜欢的了。 一个自行车，载着蛋糕在后面，代表着生日的愿望会随着我，而我的愿望很简单，就是平安，喜乐，和爱都随伴着我，这就是我最大的愿望了。前面有满满的礼物，代表着祝福，前面的道路有很多的祝福等着我，而且还多到我快装不下了。 很有意识的一张卡，特别是在我这样的自行车旅程中出现，更显得窝心。
   
    在枫叶国的生日，就已经是一个数不尽的祝福了。 我很感恩， 有这样的一次经历。 这样的经历和生活， 才算得上是真真的人生。 长大了，也就是要更有勇气的面对现实的生活了，而且还要有智慧的去迎接生活的挑战。 靠着神的恩典， 不是单单靠自己。

    “祝我生日快乐，生日蒙恩！！”

Day 21 od Cycling Journey - Port Hope to Toronto

18 May 2010, Sunny

     It was so surprise, when I there is a paper bag on the table when I turn back, and Katherine told me that is for my birthday present. Wow!! She is such an amazing lady, so nice to me. All the present, is so design for me, is give specially on my need. I like you so much, Katherine..haha...

( The Stir for me to cook, the book about what am I gonna be in 5 years time, the card with blessing on my bike tour)


( Katherine and me while she sending me off, on the road)

     I follow the Waterfront Trail, as suggest by Katherine and her members from the bike club. It was a very nice road to take. One thing good about travel on bike, is the you never go on the highway, instead using the back road or the country road. The waterfront trail is design specially for cyclist, and the scene along the road was amazing, so nice, so natural. This is what that never make you get tiring on the bike, because you enjoying the journey. Honestly, this is the best route I ever take on this journey. Again, have to thanks to Katherine for print out all the trail for me, so I wont get lost.
 
    When I reach some place near Oshawa, I saw a lot of people over there, and police officer were there also, road is blocked. I was wondering what had happen? There are strike, an legal strike organize by the worker's union, because the company try to take away the pension of all the elders. Well, this really have nothing matter to me, but they have free hot dog and pop for everyone, just Q up and you will get it, why not?? hah...it was 11am, and is almost time to have lunch after 3 hours of bike. Really glad to have a hotdog and pop...haa..
    I reach Toronto at around 3pm, while waiting Gefei finish his job at 5pm, I went to The beach, and the 1st thing I think about is Ice Cream. Sitting at the bench, eating Ice cream and the zuchini cake made by Katherine, looking at Ontario's lake, it was so awesome, so relax. When the boss ask me how far had I travel, I told her 130km, she was shock!! haha...she havnt heard I biked for 160km yet....but, today is a long journey yet feel so short, because of the great scenery along the way.

     Gefei work and stay just right at the middle of Toronto Downtown, working with Cancer Care Ontario. It is easy to find his place, and is very convenient to access to anyplace in Toronto, because it is so near to all the hot spot in Toronto. We back to his place, arrange and prepare something, clean up my self with the cold shower ( the hot shower is run off), then we went to have dinner.

Day 20 of Cycling Journey - Port Hope

17 May 2010, Sunny

    Arrange by Katherine, I went to have a mountain biking with Sue, using Katherine mountain bike. Sue was an older lady, age of 56, but she is very fit in shape, and still very active, do a lot of out door and extreme activities. Mountain biking for Malaysian, maybe will just thinking of bike in forest, nothing special, but that was totally a wrong perception about mountain biking!!
   This is the 1st time i have such a kind of biking experience, it was amazing, fascinating, extreme, and so fun!!!! Mountain biking involve a lot of up hills and down hills, and bike on soft sand, you have to learn to balance your self during climb up the hills, and during high speed down the bumpy hills. This was an amazing birthday gift for me. Sue was more than double of my age, but she mountain bike a lot faster than me, I have to chase her with all my strength. But, still a lot of time I lost my balance and fall down. She is an awesome great lady, the pedal doesnt fit in my shoes, so she drove me to 1 of their fellow in the biking club, Rob, and he change a pedal that fit my shoes clip.
     We had 2 and half hours of mountain biking, done around 20km, 3 or 4 loops, but that is alrd a tiring day. I really enjoy mountain biking a lot !!!!! Thanks Katherine and Sue for all the effort that make my days so meaningful.
     Had a rest, and went to help Katherine to do with her garden. She wanna to clear the grass in front of her office today, so I volunteer to help her together, so we can make thing done earlier and easier for 1 person. She not kind of person that will ask ppl to help, but I love to help. This is one thing that I learn, dont always wait others to ask to help, go and volunteer to help before ppl ask you. They will appreciate your effort, and you gain more when you giving out.

 

     I had agree to make a good dinner for Katherine today, and since it is my Birthday eve, I also wish it can be a good meal for myself as well.Beside, is my last day in Port Hope, I wish to treat Katherine with a very good meal as well. Katherine has some salmon, and she love salmon a lot. So, I decide to make a ginger baked salmon, with asparagus sauce that I made myself, with dressing of Ceaser Salad and Fried Asparagus with Fettlehead. I had learn baked Salmon before in Victoria, and I wish to make it more special this time. So, I mix the ginger with maple syrup, made the paste to baked the Salmon, with some season of red wine vinegar, lemonade, garlic, onion, Parmesan cheese and fresh Basil. Katherine and I enjoy the meal a lot, and I really love it as well. It took me 1 hour to cook everything, but I really enjoy it, especially when you cooking for people that will love your meal. i even try to arrange the meal in very nice way, think that I had quite good of culinary art as well...haha....How was the look? Homemade thousand Island sauce for Ceaser Salad and Homemade Asparagus sauce for the salmon, it was perfect combination...
    Katherine made a cup of espresso for both of us, and serve with zuchini cake. It was a good supper or dessert. We had a almost 3 hours of meal, from dinner to dessert, non-stop of eating. But, we really have good time together.
    Tomorrow will have a long ride to Toronto, following waterfront train. and will meet Ge Fei there. Have to prepare to rest d.
    Happy and Blessed Birtday, Leon!! May GOD always grant me with Peace, Joy, and Love!! that is my Birthday wish.

Day 19 of Cycling Journey - Port Hope

16 May 2010, Sunny Sunday

     Have a great rest yesterday, and woke up 6am in the morning. I think both of them were still on the bed. It was Sunday, so I went out to the backyard to do my devotion, read bible, read the devotion book, meditation and pray. The air was so refreshing in the morning, the grass was so green, the sun was so warm, is like everything, every natural in Port Hope were greeting me a good day.

     I made the yogurt and coffee myself, while waiting them to wake up. Having some chat with them, then prepare myself to church, and visit around this little lovely small town. I went to the First Baptist Church, this was the 1st time I went to church service during my biking journey. I felt like being back to the home, so warmth heart, so belonging. When the song of praise were raise, it hold my spirit up as well, the desire to worship is deep inside beneath the bottom of heart, especially after you had experience so much of grace and mercy. A lot of brother and sister came to greet me, and bless me for my journey, although it seen a bit of crazy to them.
     The whole noon time were so short, I were just cycling in the town, a very slow cycling just to see the town and take picture. I really enjoy the light burden, so relaxing, so down to earth, feeling so right at the moment. It is surely a good way of spending a Sunday, just to make yourself back to the mother nature, seeing the masterpiece of natural work.
     Katherine had done a fabulous work for me. Help me to plan my journey to Toronto, following the water front trail, which I was planning to take the number 2 highway, she said is very busy and dangerous for bike. She mail her friend to ask opinion, and print out the route all the way from Port Hope to Niagara Falls for me. Not just that, she also called her president in the cycling club to have a mountain bike trip with me next day, and borrow me her good mountain bike as well. Arrange everything for me, so that I could enjoy Port Hope to the optimum.
     We had decided to have BBQ steak for the dinner, but Katherine is sick with steak, so she had her chicken. Claudie bought some sausage also, a true sausage, not wiener that we found in Malaysia, which taste a lot better. This is my first time to eat a bake Asparagus as well, with squash  and salad as well for the side dishes. We even have tea and chocolate as dessert later after the dinner. It was a great and full dinner. 
     I am really blessed, really glad, to have Katherine and Claudie here in Port Hope, to host me on my journey. Although she keep on saying I am her hero, for doing such a long journey, no planning, with big laptop, with forehead wind......but, she is my angel, that give me blessing on my journey.

Day 18 of Cycling Journey - Yarker to Port Hope

15 May 2010, Strong Windy

    Woke up very early in the morning, 5 am, when everyone is still in their dreamland. I also have no idea, since when i start to get wake up so early everyday, maybe because the sun get up 5am in the morning, the room is already totally bright, I get waked up by the sun everyday.
     I try to lower down the sound in every movement, because they just live beside my room, I can easily wake them up if I dun go it slowly. I prepare my bag, clean myself up, and bring everything down stair. it was only 6am by that time I went down stair. Then make my own toast, and a cup of milk. Then Andrew come down, he used to be the 1st that wake up in this house, but now it was me. We have coffee together, and he send me on my journey to Port Hope 7am in the morning. This was the earliest time I ever start my journey.
     The journey to Port Hope was 140km according to google map, but I think I bike more than that. There are a lot of bumpy, and quite a bit of hills. The worst is the strong wind that keep coming forehead, never stop for the whole journey. Anyway, the journey to Port Hope is a lot easier than the 2 before this, the road is very clear, and I never miss a junction, just all the way following highway 1 and 2. Beside, I like the scene on this journey, a lot of cow and lamb farm, some horse farm, and lots of apple farm. I took some picture during the bike, without stopping down, and take the picture when the bike goes on....

 

     I reach Port Hope at 3 something, and Katherin were in the garden, cover in soil as she said, doing her gardening with her boyfriend. They were really friendly, the 1st thing I have for my arrival is a refreshing Carona beer with lime, I love it. Katherine show me the room after that, It was amazing, a lot more than I expected.

 

     We have a lot of great time together after we clean up. We went to get some grocery together, and I make the dinner. Again, curry chicken, coconut milk rice, but this time with addition of Asparagus Shrimp, with some new idea I have in my mind when I was thinking how to deal with it. The Asparagus Shrimp turn out to be the best food among this. I glad they enjoying the dinner very well. Me and Katherine have red wine, while her bf has beer.

    This was really a good time with both of them, I hope to stay more day just to relax, in this little beauty nice town.

Day 17 of Cycling Journey - Westport to Yarker

14 May 2010, cloudy

     Wake up morning at 7am,  it was really a good rest. Take a hot bath in the tub, it give refreshing for the morning, and prepare for the journey ahead. I love the hot tub a lot, never had it since I on my bike journey, which I used to have it everyday in the hostel in Victoria.

     Went the the restaurant just in front the motel, and met Bernie and Bar sitting there having their breakfast also. So, we sat down together and enjoy our breakfast. I order a breakfast set which come with bacons, 2 soft eggs, toast and fries potatoes, not forget my favorite coffee as well. We have a good conversation together, talking about church a lot. Which, I really enjoy talking about it. When we about to finish our meal, Bar went to the counter and buy the bills of everyone, she was so nice. I having 2 grandma now, Bernie and Bar..haha!! There were really an angels for me.  
     Do you ever felt you were in the wrong place, and asking God why am I here? I had ask this question yesterday when I have to stop at Westport. But, some how, God's will is higher than my will, He know exactly what I need, and what best for me. It was just at the right timing, right place, right people. I met this 2 sister when I go to the motel's office, and I never ask a stranger for dinner together yet I done it, then I know them. Isnt it incredible? and It get raining after I reach Westport....If God is not in all the scenario, how can everything seen so perfect, so arrange?
    Bernie and Bar gave me a big hug as a blessing to send me on my journey. I really love to meet with them again, hope they will make their trip to Langkawi one day.
    The journey to Yarker is not really long, 80km.  This was a best weather I had for biking, it was cloudy, but not too windy, and no strong sun. The forecast actually predict today gonna rain, but end up God is looking after me. I always have good weather here, except the 2 day in Mentobello. However, this was the day I had most hilly journey, the road to Yarker is all along the big lake of Rideau, the scene is very nice, amazed. But, I was heading toward my destination, so I didnt took picture along the way.
    However, I miss a junction, and missing my way again. End up I took 20km more than I expected. But, still safely reach Yarker before 2pm. This was the earliest time I ever reach my destination, usually I reach a place at 5pm above. Yarker is a very small and quite village, just 3 street in the village. I have a good rest over here.
    Anna and Andrew was expecting me to reach their place. They were renovating their art gallery that is going to open on August, and since I am free, i volunteer to help them to do some work also, just for a while. Then I take some walk around the village. Anna is an artist, paint a lot, and Andrew is a professional photographer, which have some work put in the museum in Montreal, and he use to go to elementary school to give workshop on photography.
    Anna make us some Polish dinner, as both of them are from Poland. This is the 1st time I eat a mash potato as the main dish, and others meat and vege as the side dish, but it was really a nice meal. Polish food is good....they also have their own home made beer, taste like the Tiger beer....gosh, I miss Tiger beer!!
    Tomorrow going to have another long journey to Port Hope, to meet Katherine, and probably will have some day over there, to go church on Sunday also. Hopefully it will be a good weather for biking tomorrow.