Expenditures before China/Japan trip

Background: Was intended as a Tibet/Japan trip. Had to make changes since Tibet is politically unstable and China has just started strict VISA regulations to travelers. Initially, it was essential to get a VISA to get into Tibet itself, and it is hard to get one. A pain to forgo such a beautiful place.

Flight to Chengdu, China : SGD436
Application of International Driving License: SGD20
A big backpack suitable for backpacking: SGD250 (its crazy i even get a 40% discount, i got it because its functional)
Ferry from Shanghai to Osaka, Japan: SGD300++ (cheapest class on tatami mat)

Of Endorphins and Serotonin

What happens in a relationship and why does passion die off?

It could be because of the brain, the single most important sex organ:


Endorphins is a neurochemical that can be produced at the frequent presence of a loved one.
Endorphins are a group of chemicals produced by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in the brain. As they travel through the bloodstream, endorphins act as natural painkillers and create a sense of well-being.

Sense of Euphoria

A product of endorphins, this creates the 'high' that many people experience when they first fall in love.

Obsessive behavior

Love causes serotonin levels in the brain to drop, causing obsessive behavior, researchers at the University of London have found. It also increases production of cortisol, which can cause high blood pressure and loss of sleep.

Tribob Sprint Biathlon 19 apr 2008

My first ever Biathlon event: Tribob Sprint Biathlon 2008

I completed the event in about 1 hour 10 minutes. I'm glad I completed it.

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Got the official timing: 1 hour 6 minutes and 12 seconds (recorded by the timing chip with a deposit of SGD50)

Transit

It was fun thinking of how to set up your own stuff at the transit area, how to place your shoes, socks, running singlet, a bottle of water to wash off the sand. A proper setup saves a lot of time. One participant even got a field chair set up.

Swim

The 750m swim was tough for me. Technique was not there and the sea water tastes horrible. I do not know what prompt me to go for it. My timing was bad and was among the last few to come in from the swim. Have to learn free-style next. I had some encouragement from my coach though. He said if I think the swim was bad, it's bad. He thought I did all right. Well, Tribob is an expensive event and I appreciate that he joined the event, accompanying me to let me have a taste of biathlon.

Run

It was a short 5km run, considering I try to do 10km every weekend. I realized training was not enough, after the swim, I could not push my body. I had to maintain jogging and was really delighted, somehow I feel its damn short at the finishing line. The swim killed me. My legs were heavy and I had to catch my breathing.

After the race

It was a delight having the event helpers to put on the finisher's medal for you. The finishing is a triumphant moment. I felt I worked hard it. There was this bag of isotonic drink, mineral water, banana and apple given to everyone. One thing about the event is, its a small event and its in Sentosa, there are not much people to cheer you on. Cheerleaders would helped a lot.

I would take time off to learn free-style and take on the full biathlon.

Tibet Preparations

Been some time since I blogged, there will not be too much organization.

Tibet is in turmoil. We are here safe in Singapore but Tibet is under siege. I would not take sides but as a traveler, it is a pity that we have to make changes to accord to the situation. We bought tickets to Chengdu, China anyway and is flying in on 9 May, 2008.

-If the unrest settles down in Tibet on 9 May, we will set foot in it still, fly into Lhasa.
-If Tibet is still in turmoil, that is no way the Chinese government will let travelers access the place. So we will tour a few major China cities and make a fast exit.

Research by Benny-san has shown that past travelers to Tibet had to hide the fact that are traveling to Tibet. The Chinese immigration officers are not willing to let just anyone get into the scared land.

It is not until the 'Tibet turmoil' that I know that Tibet's spiritual leader is living in exile in India. Well, I hope the unrest and protest will stop and both sides will take a peaceful stand on this issue. I hope that the Beijing Olympics will go on smoothly too. Afterall, the stand to many countries is clear,

"Do not let political issues get into the way of a great Sports event."

Very comprehensive coverage on the 'Tibet Turmoil'