Holy Darkness

At long last, I have this song. This has been in my mind since I heard it during Mass on Holy Thursday. This was during the adoration of the Eucharist before it was taken away for Good Friday.

Just listen to it and the words. Tell me what you think.

Holy Darkness-John Michael Talbot

If you want the lyrics, let me know and I can leave it here.

Addition 9 Aug 07

Holy Darkness
by Dan Schutte

Holy darkness, blessed night,
heaven's answer hidden from our sight.
As we await you, O God of silence,
we embrace your holy night.

1. I have tried you in fires of affliction;
I have taught your soul to grieve.
In the barren soil of your loneliness,
there I will plant my seed.

2. I have taught you the price of compassion;
you have stood before the grave.
Though my love can seem
like a raging storm,
this is the love that saves.

3. Were you there
when I raised up the mountains?
Can you guide the morning star?
Does the hawk take flight
when you give command?
Why do you doubt my pow'r?

4. In your deepest hour of darkness
I will give you wealth untold.
When the silence stills your spirit,
will my riches fill your soul.
5. As the watchman waits for morning,
and the bride awaits her groom,
so we wait to hear your footsteps
as we rest beneath your moon.

Only in God

11 weeks 6 Days

The title of the post is the title of the song as well. This, done by John Michael Talbot is in describable. Listen to it, meditate on the lyrics taken off Psalm 62 and let yourself be filled with the wonderful meaning in the message it is bringing across.

Equally inspirational is the biography of John Michael himself. You can read more about it at this website

Treat yourself to the music in the video below and let me know what you think.

From Russia With Love

I am back from an amazing expedition to Russia. I left Singapore on 3 July and was back on the 17th. The trip consisted of 2 parts, the main aim was to go to the Caucasus to climb Mount Elbrus and the second part was the R&R in Moscow before coming back.

Mount Elbrus, standing at 5642m tall is one of the seven summits, highest on the continent of Europe. Having done Kilimanjaro last year, it was time to do another mountain and a snow peak. It was a good opportunity to see how I would fare on a snow peak this time, instead of a trekking peak. Coming here would also give me the chance to see Russia.

All in all, the peak was tough. My climbing partner and I summited on 10 July 2007 at 1330 hrs. We were part of a group of 10, of which only 5 summited. Conditions were much tougher than in Kilimanjaro with temperatures dipping to -10/-15 degrees celsius as well as being blasted by up to 40km/h winds. The wind was strong enough to send ice flying into your face and body. It was rather painful and inconvenient when it got into the wrong places. The wind was also strong enough to knock you over, if you were not expected the sudden gusts.

The second part of the trip was a 3 day trip to Moscow. It was a very exciting experience being in this great Russia cit, full of history and culture. It was all my previous childhood knowledge from books and pictures come alive! There was so much to see, hear and devour and the 3 days were all too short.

I shall be putting up the photos over the next few weeks as I edit them and put some detail into it. I shall also put up snippets of my own documentation of the many things done and the many thoughts that passed through my mind during those 2 weeks here as I go along....

Look out for it

The Best 4x4xFar

Watching this video, I have got to agree with the title. I have owned Miss Daisy for 2 years now and I have enjoyed every drive with her.

The History of Land Rover Part 3

The History of the Land Rover Part 2

The History of Land Rover Part 1

A wonderful series on the history of the Land Rover and how it grew to become one of the most highly regarded off-road vehicles in the world. It has a certain nostalgia to it...and as you can see, I am crazy about Landies. Enjoy!

TM with SUVEC Group 24 June 2007

The Serengeti

There is a place on Earth where it is still the morning of life and the great herds still run free

This line echoed round the hall while images of the great African plain appeared in front of our eyes. I rubbed my eyes.... and confirmed what I saw, or was I there?

Fran and I dropped by the Omnimax Theatre at the Singapore Science Centre after a long hiatus. The last show we watched there was Journey of Man by Cirque du Soleil.

What did we catch? The IMAX movie: The Serengeti caught our eye with an ad in the newspapers. This is the official synopsis

James Earl Jones narrates this stunning, award-winning IMAX film that explores the natural beauty and timeless cycles of Africa's Serengeti plains. The highlight is a spectacle that few humans have witnessed--the great migration--during which 2 million wildebeests, zebras and antelope travel over 500 miles across the plains.

With the promise of such a spectacle, how can we miss such a show? This was also a good opportunity for us to relive our trip to Kenya and Tanzania in 2005/2006. We had a short 3 day Safari after our climb to Mount Kilimanjaro. The Serengeti plains, Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge were just some of the places we visited and was also mentioned in the movie.



Director: George Casey

Writers: George Casey
Mose Richards

Release: 1994

Runtime: 40 min

Try it....you will be stunned and awed at the spectacle of life.

C to C Roll

I started off my rolls with this particular version. The C-C action made me feel it was easier to get myself up. However, I personally found that I was using a little too much force to get myself righted up in the kayak.

However, this is relatively easy to grasp and learn as someone starting out to learn your rolls.

An Overview of the Kayak Roll

I stumbled upon a few very instructive videos with regards to the kayak roll or 'Eskimo' roll as most people would know it by.

In my opinion here, the explanation is lucid and demonstration effective. The theory presented is sound and it makes you feel the need to jump into a pool to try what has just been presented.

For those who are into paddle sports... just a teaser for you all. Enjoy!

Song of Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Song

Found this Kilimanjaro song. One that the porters sing to the group on the way down the mountain.

It is so cheerful and a wonderful conclusion to a great climb.

Kilimanjaro. Highest point on the continent of Africa. 5895m.

The Greatest 4x4 in the world...the Defender

Land Rover Defender Video


This is a fantastic video done by the BBC programme TopGear.

It gives a succint yet inspiring background to the Land Rover Defender. This has to be the greatest 4x4 vehicle on this earth.

And I own one.... Enjoy the ride!