#TSBreakAway - Come Fly With Me

Captain Godric Hong was passionate when he talked about his works as a ground instructor and club pilot. "It was my dream to become a pilot," he told us as we waited for our turns in a cafe inside Skypark Terminal, Subang. There was no reason to doubt him.

As the other team, Anis and Isaac, roamed around the city skyline with Captain Badrul Zaman, Vanessa and I were chatting away with the young captain who just graduated from a flying school in Langkawi this year. "At the moment, I am working here in Air Adventure Flying Club while waiting for replies from airline companies," he said. According to him, he was among the lucky ones for securing a flying gig not too long after graduated. Apparently, there were many pilots in Malaysia unable to land a job.

While unemployment rate in Malaysia is still in a manageable level, there are many fresh graduates unable to find a job. Economic downturn causes most companies to downsize. I myself is part of the unemployed group, though in my case, it was my own will. For me, I rather be temporarily not working than slaving away in dead-end jobs.

Cessna-172, a small aircraft we flew with

We took off in a small aircraft enough for 4 persons, a Cessna-172. Both of us took turns being a co-pilot and a passenger with Captain Godric in charge of the plane. This allowed us to experience both sides, we were told earlier during briefing.

Captain Godric Hong, with Vanessa as co-pilot

I may not be a strong advocate for KL skyline but the city sure looks pretty from up here. We flew by both the city's landmarks, the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Tower, and seeing them up close was just amazing. The scenery changed from clustered skyscrapers to dense housing areas as we moved further away from the city centre. The greenery shrubs we saw while up in the air astounded me. I didn't realize there are so many recreational parks and forests still exist in the city.

We passed by both KL Tower and Petronas Twin Tower

Where the earth and sky meets

When it was my turn to man the aircraft, excitement overwhelmed me. I have been on a plane before but never the one to pilot it. Although our control was restricted to just maneuvering the vehicle up and down, left and right, it was more than enough for me. I can just imagine the pressures that come with being an actual pilot, the need to do everything right, knowing that lives are stake even for a minor error.

While we were flying around the city, Captain Godric told me that he never get bored with the city sky view every times he took a client for a spin. "Now you understand why I like flying," he said. I believe I do.

Flying is the theme of Day 4 of #TSBreakAway, a pilot program initiated by Tourism Selangor. 12 Xplorers were divided into 3 groups, each having its own adventures. However, due to unforeseen weather complication, only piloting and paragliding took place. The other adventure, paramotor, had to cancel and the paramotor group merged with paragliding as one. 

#TSBreakAway - Gedung Raja Abdullah

It began as a storage unit and a home to Raja Abdullah and his family. Tin mining was booming and Raja Abdullah, appointed "Orang Besar Klang", was in need of a warehouse for tin ores. Gedung Raja Abdullah, mixtures of Anglo-Indian and local elements, was a sight to behold.

Gedung Raja Abdullah

When the Civil War broke out between Raja Abdullah and his rival, Raja Mahadi, he turned the building into a fortress to protect his control over Klang. However, neither came out as a true victor from the war and the British took this opportunity to infiltrate Selangor. Driven by the words of the colonial power, the warehouse was took over by the state, transforming into a centre of administration in 1874.

In 1880, another transformation bestowed upon Gedung Raja Abdullah, this time as the police headquarter for the Klang district. Some renovations were implemented to better suit its new purpose such as installing iron gates for lock-ups. This was its identity for a good 100 years until it was deemed no longer suitable. A new headquarter was built right beside Gedung Raja Abdullah, now itself a listed national monument and a tin mining museum.

Iron steel gates installed for lock-ups

The current state of Gedung Raja Abdullah is depressing. During my visit, there was barely a soul except for Mr Azizan bin Omar, the museum's officer-in-charge, a security guard and a cleaning lady, and understandably so. The exhibitions on display were to the minimal, all neatly fitted in just one room. The upper floor was closed to public. Just a quick 5 minute tour is all you need to spend for this so-called "museum".

Like an old man past his prime and unattended by his heirs, Gedung Raja Abdullah too has fallen out of grace into this current predicament. How can a national treasure with such a vibrant, colourful past, not be fully utilize to showcase our history?

Mr Azizan explained that most of the exhibitions were transferred to Shah Alam for renovation works. There are damages sustained over the years and it takes time to fully restore the building to its former glory. In fact, I was told that there might be another round of restoration work to take place this coming year end if things go accordingly.

Once the meeting centre, the upper floor is off limit due to damages

I understood the need for these renovations and repair works. Water seepage over the years left unwanted marks on the walls. Signs of termite activities were dominant on its wood structures. To prevent its roof from collapsing, wooden pillars were temporarily installed to provide extra strength. There are still much to be done. When all these repairs are over, what will be the fate of Gedung Raja Abdullah? According to Mr Azizan, the Sultan is keen on maintaining it as a tin mining museum.

I would definitely drop by when this grand dame is running in her best form.

Map Your Trail is the first half of the 3rd day of #TSBreakAway, a pilot program initiated by Tourism Selangor. Each Xplorers were required to plan their own explorations around Selangor. I chose to visit the royal town, Klang. This is also my entry for the CANON Photo-Storytelling Challenge. 

#TSBreakAway - Are You Afraid of the Dark?

"Follow my voice. Follow my voice."

The voice - a female - in front of me repeated the phrase like a mantra. My left hand guided the long cane left and right, clearing a path ahead while my right hand reaching out blindly for something to grab. There were voices everywhere, the same phrase being uttered by different persons but I drowned those noises out. Like the sailors drawn towards the sweet serenade of the mermaids, I too was mesmerized by mine, entrusting my safety to her lullabies. In pitch black darkness, her tender voice was my sense of direction.

This is not a scene from the American reality TV series, Total Blackout, but rather a workshop in #TSBreakAway called Dialogue in the Dark. Both programs thrive on its participants being surrounded in total darkness and having their wits tested. However, the similarities end here for there is more to Dialogue in the Dark than just a fear factor challenge.

Siti - that's the lady with the golden voice - led me and Roul to a spot and told us to stand still. How could she tell here from there in this darkness was beyond my imagination. While we were left to our own devices, we heard more and more peoples coming in, two by two at a time. Voices were getting louder and space crowded, yet I felt no one by my side except for Roul.

Once all of us had entered the blackout hall, the adventures began. We were divided into three groups based on the flavours of candies we were given earlier. Shouts of "durian", "mint"  and "coffee" echoed throughout the room like the vendors in pasar malam bellowing out loud to draw the customers' attentions. It took more than 5 minutes for this chaotic scene to come to an end, with everyone in their rightful group. I am proud to say that Durian came out first in getting all its members in one table.

A series of activities were given to us that test our remaining five senses; touch, smell, taste, hear, and sense of humor. We performed it all in good sport, neither overly competitive nor with 'whatever!' attitude. Peals of laughter resonated in the dark room, not terrified shrieks or screams commonly associated with such scenarios. Somehow, we felt safe in the hands of these teammates of ours, all of us strangers to each other 24 hours ago.

At the end of the program, lights turned back on and we can finally match the faces to the voices. Team Durian's facilitator, Siti, was just as lovely as her voice has indicated. She shared her story of how she overcame her blindness, never letting it becoming a hindrance to achieving what she wants with her life. In fact, just like Siti, the remaining four facilitators are visually impaired peoples, yet, they see life clearer than some of us born with the gift of eyesight.

They say that if you lose one sense, your other senses will become stronger, sharper. How true is that myth, I have no idea. But coming out from the workshop, I gained a new perspective of life. Often we take God's givens for granted, acting as if they are our rights, not privileges, not knowing it is the other way around. During the early stage of the workshop, one of the facilitators asked us, "What darkness means to you". For me, darkness tells me to be appreciative of my sights.

Nothing but kind words for Dialogue in the Dark

Dialogue in the Dark is one of the workshops for #TSBreakAway, a pilot program initiated by Tourism Selangor.