It's Been A While... I've Been Trying To Enjoy Myself...
A sizable yet acrobatic Arowana got my adrenaline rush pumping, 1st February 2009.Back In Singapore
Touching down in the late evening on 17th November 2008, my arrival back in Singapore has been greeted by my loved ones, and I had nothing but smiles all over. My parents, my sister, my brother-in-law, my young nephew Landric, and one of my best buddies, John and his wife Phyllis, were all there at the arrival hall. All eyes were on me because I was the only dude who was holding an obtrusive (fishing ) rod holder of about 7 feet long! Not forgetting I had a luggage, a canvas duffel, and a canvas satchel. Talking about difficulties on how the heck I carried all of those stuff myself up and down the buses and trains just to get to Brisbane airport do make one wonder... I wondered to myself how I actually did it as well. I must have looked somewhat bizarrely hilarious.
I remained calm trying to look for them and then I spotted my sister waving anxiously at me. I guess it didn't take them long to locate me, or I should say, my prominent rod holder sticking out like a giraffe hanging out with a horde of zebras. The transition was rather smooth, no emotional tears, but joy and relief. They all have remarked that I've put on weight. I guess I did, but it was good and healthy weight thanks to the door ledge of my room back in Gatton, Brisbane, which I used it to do pull-ups whenever I have nothing to do. Additional lean back muscles wouldn't do one any harm anyway. I guess it's really nice to see your loved ones after some months of isolation far away in another country. Very quickly, we proceeded to have dinner together in the airport's cafeteria it was home sweet home. I couldn't wait to get home to see and hug Furbi (my pet dog), and he still looked as adorable as ever.
I was really surprised that John came because he had already told me that he couldn't make it due to work commitments. But there was a change of schedule in his work, and Phyllis was the one who actually asked and reminded him of my date of arrival. Nevertheless, it was awesome to see him and his wife waiting for me together with my family. That, to me, was priceless. It meant a lot to me and I really appreciated that.
I remained calm trying to look for them and then I spotted my sister waving anxiously at me. I guess it didn't take them long to locate me, or I should say, my prominent rod holder sticking out like a giraffe hanging out with a horde of zebras. The transition was rather smooth, no emotional tears, but joy and relief. They all have remarked that I've put on weight. I guess I did, but it was good and healthy weight thanks to the door ledge of my room back in Gatton, Brisbane, which I used it to do pull-ups whenever I have nothing to do. Additional lean back muscles wouldn't do one any harm anyway. I guess it's really nice to see your loved ones after some months of isolation far away in another country. Very quickly, we proceeded to have dinner together in the airport's cafeteria it was home sweet home. I couldn't wait to get home to see and hug Furbi (my pet dog), and he still looked as adorable as ever.
I was really surprised that John came because he had already told me that he couldn't make it due to work commitments. But there was a change of schedule in his work, and Phyllis was the one who actually asked and reminded him of my date of arrival. Nevertheless, it was awesome to see him and his wife waiting for me together with my family. That, to me, was priceless. It meant a lot to me and I really appreciated that.
My surface cruiser was strucked with ferocity & it's always a joy to watch a fishcrashing a topwater lure, in this case a small Giant Snakehead, 21st December 2008.
Fishing, Catching Up & All
After spending a couple of days at home, I started to do some catch-ups with my mates. Having only fished twice during my stint in Brisbane, I suffered from acute Sport Fishing Deficiency Syndrome, and it wasn't long before I started calling up my buddies to subdue this enigmatic passion of mine, of ours! Not that it can be suppressed for good and for long, of course! I figured out that I need to take this chance to fish as much as I can, because once I head back to Brisbane for my final semester, I won't even get a chance to wet my line this time round.
Yet another decent Arowana that couldn't resist my Skitter Pop, 28th November 2008. My luck have been somewhat patchy, but I was still able to land some decent fishes. I have had done several trips of both freshwater and saltwater fishing, and surprisingly, I had pretty positive luck with topwater lures like poppers (above: Arowana on Skitter Pop) and surface cruisers. I landed my first Queenfish on a Halco Roosta Popper, though a minuscule one, it was enough to put a smile on my face.
From left: A puny Queenfish on popper; A close-up on the Queenie as it tries to free itself from the popper, 13th January 2009; Alex with Maxy, Daxson & a small yacht passing by, 27th January 2009.
My Lunar New Year was all about fishing as well. A nice reunion dinner at home with my family on the eve and a visit to my uncle's place on New Year's day itself, Dax (my cousin) and I grabbed our gears and went right off to waters. On the second day of Lunar New Year, Both Dax's dad and mine, and the both of us went for a saltwater session. Though no luck, we were still happy to be fishing and being out there in the nature. It's just really awesome.
Then there was this night when fishing for Sebaraus proved to be extremely fruitful. Within twenty minutes, I yanked out three solid-looking Sebaraus, and Daxson landed himself a Sebarau that weighed a kilo. That's a total of four Sebaraus within a third of an hour, not too bad a result considering fishing in Singapore. Sebarau fishing has always been one of my favourite, because they strike your lure so hard that if you do not hold your rod tightly, you can easily lose it to the fish. It's that scary, and certainly not for the faint-hearted! My first Sebarau that I hooked up that night reminded me again that they're really at a level of their own. Their violent strikes, and the instantaneous screaming of the reel - a classic Sebarau fight!
Then there was this night when fishing for Sebaraus proved to be extremely fruitful. Within twenty minutes, I yanked out three solid-looking Sebaraus, and Daxson landed himself a Sebarau that weighed a kilo. That's a total of four Sebaraus within a third of an hour, not too bad a result considering fishing in Singapore. Sebarau fishing has always been one of my favourite, because they strike your lure so hard that if you do not hold your rod tightly, you can easily lose it to the fish. It's that scary, and certainly not for the faint-hearted! My first Sebarau that I hooked up that night reminded me again that they're really at a level of their own. Their violent strikes, and the instantaneous screaming of the reel - a classic Sebarau fight!
From left: Redhead Mag Minnow proves to be a success for Peacocks, 24th November 2008; This cruiser-fancying Giant Snakehead puts up a spectacular fight with hard pulls & a few impressive leaps that a tarpon would have been proud of, 17th December 2008.
Of course, there were days of fishing when we scored zero. But being out there in the wilderness outdoors already made our day. Just by simply trekking in the lively forest, or walking along the ever scintillating coastline with cooling sea breezes, that is pure contention. Along with excellent buddies who appreciate and love the same activities, and priceless photography of fishes, scenery, the processes of the journeys, these trips would be turned into fantastic memories that remains in us for the rest of our lives.
Many people tell me fishing is such an old man's activity. And that we're hurting the fish, and even ridiculously hilarious comments like "wouldn't you guys get dragged into the water by the fish?" First of all, if they do study or increase their awareness of the drag system technology that every reel has, then they would find themselves asking a senseless question. And furthermore, what we're doing is light sport fishing. Not any sort of hardcore big game sport fishing whereby people have to strap themselves to the seats of the boat while battling with monstrous-sized fish. That is what they perceived fishing is all about. Sometimes it's ignorance, sometimes it's lack of knowledge and exposure. Whatever it may be, to them, fishing is fishing. It's like when they hear a progressive beat, they immediately categorise it as techno. I've known, seen, and heard of many people like this. It's a shame, a pity, a disgrace. Mainstream music is what they like and what they acknowledge. I shan't rant about music and digress any further.
Many people tell me fishing is such an old man's activity. And that we're hurting the fish, and even ridiculously hilarious comments like "wouldn't you guys get dragged into the water by the fish?" First of all, if they do study or increase their awareness of the drag system technology that every reel has, then they would find themselves asking a senseless question. And furthermore, what we're doing is light sport fishing. Not any sort of hardcore big game sport fishing whereby people have to strap themselves to the seats of the boat while battling with monstrous-sized fish. That is what they perceived fishing is all about. Sometimes it's ignorance, sometimes it's lack of knowledge and exposure. Whatever it may be, to them, fishing is fishing. It's like when they hear a progressive beat, they immediately categorise it as techno. I've known, seen, and heard of many people like this. It's a shame, a pity, a disgrace. Mainstream music is what they like and what they acknowledge. I shan't rant about music and digress any further.
From left: My third Sebarau of the night on a Duel 3D Vibrating Vibe; Dax's 2.3lbs Sebarau that walloped his Duel 3D Minnow, 9th December 2008.
Fishing an old man's activity? Modern sport fishing requires fitness, passion and perseverance, all your good senses, the love for nature, a strong belief, a good imaginative mind and a conservative mentality. Sport fishing anglers who have all of these have been fighting very hard against the shameful and ignorant stereotyping from the majority of the commoners because they think everyone who fishes kill and take every god damn thing that they've caught. Catch and release is a conservative mentality, and we do that religiously. We enjoy the enigmatic joy of fishing, but we do not see the necessity to kill these fabulous creatures. Why would any bona fide angler destroy something that provides him his pure source of joy? Many of us would be happy just to wet out lines, seeing our lures swimming in the water. Being able to get a fish to strike our lures, or to even land one, is just but a bonus.
A sun-downing moment in the midst of a freshwater fishing trip with Dax, 21st December 2008. 27th February 2009 An Imminent Departure
A summer break of more than three months is a definite luxury, and I must say I've been trying very hard to just enjoy myself and take this great opportunity to do whatever I want. Money of course, is an issue and that is one of the reasons why I've been 'trying very hard' to enjoy myself. The availability of my buddies and friends is another big issue. It's perfectly understandable due to work and personal commitments. I still do get a fair share of activities with them - fishing, sun-tanning, soccer, chilling out.
Many people have asked if I should be working instead of wasting my time here in Singapore. Just to analyse a little bit, this is going to be the very last school holidays of my life, because I'm dead sure I won't be furthering my studies in pursue of a Masters Degree or even a PhD. Money is a huge issue again, and I need to start getting some income so as to realise my dreams in life. So I'm really just enjoying my last holidays, and then when I look back in the near future, I wouldn't regret not having to enjoy and relax myself as much as I could during this summer break.
27th February 2009 is going to be the day I have to return back to Brisbane to complete my final semester and then graduate in July 2009. Till then, I'm still trying to do the activities that I love. After all, it's been a while... Since I've enjoyed myself...
Many people have asked if I should be working instead of wasting my time here in Singapore. Just to analyse a little bit, this is going to be the very last school holidays of my life, because I'm dead sure I won't be furthering my studies in pursue of a Masters Degree or even a PhD. Money is a huge issue again, and I need to start getting some income so as to realise my dreams in life. So I'm really just enjoying my last holidays, and then when I look back in the near future, I wouldn't regret not having to enjoy and relax myself as much as I could during this summer break.
27th February 2009 is going to be the day I have to return back to Brisbane to complete my final semester and then graduate in July 2009. Till then, I'm still trying to do the activities that I love. After all, it's been a while... Since I've enjoyed myself...
P.S.: All of the pictures were taken in Singapore, in case any of you actually wonder.
posted by Reminiscence at
12:50 AM
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