DMW: THE FINALE : 玩转山城 Get High on Highland
Every week , sometimes on a saturday or a sunday,here i sat, uploading pictures and penning my thoughts..sometimes with much gusto, at times, trying hard to recapture my feelings..once or twice, too lazy to carry on..
But now, as i set about my weekly task, i am filled with s sense of regret..of loss..for this is the final episode of Destination Most Wanted..With a heavy heart i write..as now my journey is coming to an end..Somewhat baffled at the speed time flew..Just moments ago, i thought i was still packing my luggage..or waiting for the plane to take off..and now, i am writing my last entry…It took us almost one year to finish this project and in a mere thirteen weeks, the entire year is gone.But i have learned so much, my dear friends, i have felt so much within the one awesome year..i have seen so much..experienced more than i could..and i am forever thankful, to have had this precious chance to do this programme,which i think is rightfully the milestone of my career.I am much honoured to have had this opportunity to share with you guys what i have learned and very much thankful …that you have walked the extra mile with me..
The end is near..12th of may..my journey and my journal ends…
walk with me till the end..and together, we will finish this journey of innocence and experience..all time high..on..the Highlands.
巴德岗山城 Bhaktapur: Nepal
i stood tall on the mountain top, as the first light broke through the morning mist..rays of light filtered through the clouds, sprinkling golden dust across the land..the himalayas rosed ,proud and magnificent..
as i looked at the rising sun,i saw the beginning of day..the promises of a better tomorrow and..most importantly..of HOPE
I gazed so hard faraway, my eyes taking in the splendour of the view..thinking how big the world is..and small as i may be..i know, i can still make a difference
Sitting in an enclosed area, i cringed at the irony, that this pic makes a mockery of our mundane lives. ,aren’t we all trapped in a little birdcage looking out, when the world out there is awaiting us?
this is where we lodged..rustic and serene..and the view, in the earlier pictures, are simply heavenly..
Terrain farming is widely practised here ..life is simple..and hard..
But a simple life rewards in its own ways.Life devoid of greed and wants allows a simpler outlook of life and without the constant pursuit of materialistic possession, true happiness prevails..
Innocent looking greens ..however, if you were to light it up……
we were invited to visit this traditional home of the local folks..with much warmth which touches our hearts..Mud walls, straw roofs..life is as basic as it gets..
from her smile..her happiness shone through..how to this happy?one may ask..if one reverts to such a simple life?
even the goat look pleased wor..
The town square is a raw beauty ..a trip down memory lane, as it was more than well preserved..
time to sit and watch the world goes by..One question: When did you last did that?
Simple pleasures on a rainy day..
Heavy as it was..the smile stayed on..
I see and i absorb..i watched…and i lived to tell..
To experience the life and culture of this highland makes me ponder..of my complicated lifestyle .would i survive in this simple life..would i make a good candidate and be an accomplice to simplicity..
One could only wonder..if we dwell on it.
if only, when we dwell on it.
西姆拉山城 Shimla: India
its not that difficult to get high on highland..just the view will get you all time high..
Before this trip, i have not heard about Shimla before..Not knowing that it was once a British colony and not knowing that coffee is big here…
It is divided into three level, or three different classes if we were to get down to be really snobbish..Obviously, the peak would be first class and that is where the trades are carried out..and the most pleasing to the eye..of course:)
When one strolls along the street,one could easily detect the English influence..the style of the buildings..the layout..the street lamps…
Notice the wrought irons? so English la…
We all know that Indians are more inclined to drinking tea but, over here,coffee was once the main outstanding commodity and coffee houses are strictly for businessmen who are in this trade and dress codes were to be adhered too..
I so adore the whole ambience of this coffee house..it’s quaint and echoes memories of long ago, where the sights and sounds of yesterday are just a blink away..
Shimla is unofficially split into three levels..three social classes..while at the top, where everything is pretty and dandy, life takes on a simpler role when we descend to the second and third landing…
this is their ordinary folk’s market street..the mood here is definitely more light hearted than above..
but the dwellings not as fancy….
and its sacks that were being carried..not shopping bags..
When the night falls, we are transported to yet another world..
the class system in Shimla exists even till this present day and the blatantly split three levels indicates strongly the three social status..However, when the sun sets and the mountain is bereaved of lights, all becomes one..every light bulb from every house sparkles and from faraway, Shimla is a blaze of shinning star….
甘托克山城 Gangtok: Sikkhim
Most people have not heard of Sikkhim before..well, to make it short, Sikkhim is surrounded by India,Nepal, and Tibet. Mountainous region with lush forestry ..To get to Gangtok, you have to go in via India, transport widely used would be a 4×4..
After hours on a winding road, you reach Gangtok feeling rather dizzy:) But once you hit there, there is no mistake about it, the cool if not cold air will refresh you instantly.This trip, we stayed in this guesthouse that is ever so lovely..The building in art deco style and green is the prefered colour,as it compliments nature..
There is a fantabulous reason for anyone to wake up early..just the view is one of many..
The heart of gangtok is a throwback to the fifties or so..
a wave of nostalgia swept over me as i drank the sights of the art deco styled buildings ..
Though old and some rather run down, attempts to liven the mess with flowers and plants adds much respite to the drab..
Movies..anyone?
Not far away from the centre is a tibetan monastry that captured my heart…
The vibrant colours are such a celebration of Life!
Every mural is an esteemed art piece..a work of love..and devotion
with this last picture , we come to the end of destination most wanted..
with all my heart, i wish that one day, you will too, take off into the skies and roam the world..
perhaps one day, in a foreign land, our path shall cross
we will then,stop and have a cup of tea
just like all travellers do…
and we shall talk,
about our own destination most wanted..
its been a wonderful journey, my dear friends
and thank you..
for walking the distance with me…
on May 9th, 2009 at 12:21 am
this is indeed a very beautifully written piece for the finale episode.. thank u bryan for sharing with us all these valuable experience and nice photos of places which most of them i don’t think i will ever have a chance to visit in my life time.
congratulations to u too, for having owned a such a wonderful travelogue series, which belonged all to yourself, and i guess it could probably the “programme most wanted” by any host or artiste. thanks to the producers and crew for putting in so much effort for this travelogue too
on May 9th, 2009 at 1:23 am
期待，你的新节目。。
加油哦！！
晚安！！
on May 9th, 2009 at 2:20 am
I think someday in my life, I must go Bhaktapur in Nepal once. At least once.
I love your 1st photo shown. Beautiful sunrise.
When I saw your 4th photo, I can visualise how beautiful that scenery must be! Breathtaking view, right?
那个画面一定非常美。
Will catch the last episode of DMW this coming Tuesday night.
Happy Vesak Day!
on May 9th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Hi Bryan,
finally it comes to an end.
btw, thanks for sharing your experience with us, introducing us places we’ve not heard before, bringing us to explore the beauty of the nature.
there are miles and miles to go,
all the best to you!
Take Care!
on May 9th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Your photographs on Gangtok certainly brings back fond memories . The winding journey to there is tough but it is worth it. Will keep the date on Tuesday.
on May 10th, 2009 at 12:04 am
thanks bryan, for sharing with us each and every week, your thots and feel and also all the lovely pics that u took of the destinations u’ve travelled to. what u’ve shared on your blog completes the DMW watching experience for me.
i liked the efforts u guys put into the little details, like dressing u in the nat’l costume of bhutan and in the clothes that the locals wear…
kudos to the DMW team for bringing us such an impressive travelogue!
on May 10th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Hi Bryan
Your travelogue is a wonderful selfspeaking piece of art ! some photos and so
wonderful and leave a person wonderstruck . Thanks a lot .
on May 11th, 2009 at 1:36 am
the highlands… one of my favourite places~ will certainly stay tuned on tuesday =)
on May 11th, 2009 at 6:30 am
Hi, the pictures taken are awesome. May I ask which camera you used for your photos? Thank you!
on May 11th, 2009 at 9:40 am
hi bryan
tremendously enjoyed journeying with you in this whole travelogue series; the world is certainly so full of learning experiences and i kind of journeyed along with you even when i may not have the chance to visit so many places in my lifetime!
thanks for sharing deep thoughts/lessons
am looking forward to meeting you soon as you will be speaking to our audience on 30 june
mei sin
on May 11th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
well indeed a job well done and I never miss your show.
You deserve a praise on the show cause all the pictures are all so nice.
on May 11th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
hey blake and xinying
its a canon G9, the camera, i mean:)
on May 11th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
You’ve got a amazing trip there. Thank you so much for the share. Very much meaningful. Cheers!
on May 11th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
hi bryan, i love your travelogue! (: i myself am a travel lover and am hoping to travel and do volunteer work especially wildlife conservation in africa when i have the funds to do so.. ( sadly i think i would have to wait for years to do so.. if only i can get sponsors/donations haha! ) anyway i would like to ask if the total costs incurred for a trip to each country were high and on average how long did you stay in each place? thanks (:
on May 11th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
hey bryan
have been following ur blog for some times
but this is the first time i leave a comment here
i am so impressed by all the photos taken
they were so nice and great and well taken
i wonder who is the photographer
and obviously the main character inside the photos must be good too
mine telling which camera are u using? =D
on May 12th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
It has been such a joyous and enlightening stint with you on the Telly. Thank you so much Bryan and the crew for bringing such wondrous experiences in great visuals on our TV, and I hope everyone looks forward to seek happiness through personal contentment, and indulge in the simplest pleasures in our lives .. because they are always opportunities to be happy. Well done! Awesome travelogue! I hope next Star Awards, you will win the best host award and this prog will be rightly rewarded! I’m looking forward to your next prog on simple food pleasures if Im right.
on May 12th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Enjoyed watching the show very much and sad that’s ending.
Looking forward to your new show – 优质人生.
Also glad that 摆家乐is coming back, learnt alot of DIY from the show too!
on May 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Hi bryan, It’s really nice reading your blog because of the pictures and the way you type it. By the way, I am the girl who stopped you outside the restroom when u first entered the hotel yesterday evening for a photo. Forgot to tell you, besides watching ur shows from young , I enjoy spending time reading ur blog too and was very happy when you won at the Star awards cause we all didnt forget you =) Take care & hope to see u on TV soon! Cheers =)
on May 12th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
commercial break time. i love wat u sae abt the Nepalese. Wat they have is wat we city dweller lack. It juz touched my heart and i cry. =)
on May 12th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Dear Bryan,
KUDOs for a such a wonderful show well-done. I enjoyed the breath-taking scenery, simple lives, the gifts that nature has given to us, and most of all, I enjoyed your sharing of your thoughts, and genuinue emotions throughout the journey.
It must have been a transformational trip.
Carry on the good job ya! Love the new you
on May 12th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
I caught the final episode of Destination Most Wanted just now. Can’t believe that it’s the end of the program. I really enjoyed the entire series of travelogue. And it introduced me to a whole new lot of countries that I have never even heard of like Sikkhim. I can’t help but think that you are a fortunate one, to be able to travel to so many countries, immersed in varied cultures and enriching your personal experiences.
You have also given me a whole lot of ideas as to my next travel destination.
Just wondering, what left the deepest impression on you throughout the entire program and which country would you definitely want to go back again?
on May 12th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Dear Bryan,
Have been watching this series quite regularly. Oh i didn’t know tonite is the last episode, however i particularly like this episode. I was so mesmerized by the scenery you have introduced. Also i like your words of enlightenment though i may not be able to feel as much as you do. Somehow i wish at one stage i can full totally understood at how you feel.
Looking forward to your new projects. And yes keep up the good work.
on May 13th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Hi Bryan,
Just would like to drop a message to let you know that you did really well.
这是本地少有的优质节目.看后观感就是觉得你是一位非常棒的节目主持人,认真,口才流畅且对生命充满热诚.
刚看完<> 的那一个环节,心中充满感动,内心暖暖的. 所有参与节目制作的工作人员都超赞!
on May 13th, 2009 at 2:00 am
dear bryan,
cant believe we’ve come to the last episode. one thing u said on tonight’s episode really touched something in my heart. u were commenting on one of the young couple u met along the way, and u said something like: they have a restaurant, 2 children, 2 cows and a goat, and they’re happy. those were my exact sentiments too. and at that point, it made me wonder, i have so much more than they do, but am i truly happier than them? i also liked what the woman said, which was something along the lines of: i dont want to go to the city, because there’re only people there. here, there is mother nature. guess the way for one to be really contented is when one realises the wonders and abundance of mother nature and the insignificance of material gains and profits.
it has been a wonderful journey all this while, walking with you and hearing you share your experiences of all those beautiful places at different parts of the world. hopefully one day, i’ll have the chance to visit them too. meanwhile, i’m looking forward to your new variety show that’s showing soon. i saw the trailer just now and it looks interesting. will be staying glued to the tv when it comes on air =)
on May 13th, 2009 at 2:54 am
Hey Bryan!
really enjoyed the travelogue that you did.. especially this episode!
it made me recall the great time i had many years back when i visited Kolkata, Darjeeling and Yuksam (a small village in Sikkim)..
i think you had wonderfully expressed the exact feelings that i had when i travelled to Sikkim.. it is a place where life is so different from the city life we experience everyday in Singapore.. and the peace and tranquility of Sikkim really makes you look at the smaller, simpler things around you and make you look at life in a different light..
all i can say is the way you explore the world and expressed your thoughts during your journeys is mature and beautiful..
thanks for your good work and enjoy Travelling!
on May 13th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Hey Bryan,
Really loved your show as i escaped into your world every tuesdays amidst the hustle & bustle of city life… u have ventured to places i don’t think i would ever go to… thanks for the memories (i’am sure u have a treasure chest full of them!!)
Have a request here: i am rather curious of the behind-the-scenes production of this travel show e.g. planning process, how the places were chosen, any interesting things that happened during filmming. Would really like to hear about them!!!
ps: the comment on the goat was hilarious.. hahahahaha…
on May 13th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hi Byran,
Me like this last episode.
Me always like mountains. Hv not been to any of these 3 places tho’.
Keeping my fingers crossed to be able to do it ONE DAY ! & real SOON, i hope …
u lucky CHAP !
BTW, what is the title of that song & the artist which u used at the end of the show?
Me like it v much.
on May 13th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Kind of upsetting that 13 weeks flew by so fast. Enjoyed your show, bringing us to see another side of the world that may or hardly been discovered although we weren’t physically there. But somehow there was this connection that make us feel like we were there, walking paths you walked, eating food you ate, doing things you did and discovering ourself in a process. Will miss this show definitely, credits to you and of course everyone who made this show possible.
*claps*
on May 14th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Good Job Bryan!
Enjoy looking at all the pictures you took..So artsy..
on May 15th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hi Brian
This is the first time I leave a comments. Love the pictures u hv uploaded, touch with what you have said. Reading ur blog hv change me on looking at things and also change of my view to you. I use to don’t like you (I know u don’t care) but after reading ur blog, ur thought, I see a complete new Brian and I fall in love with you.. haha… cheers…
on May 17th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
the caste system in india is so clearly defined… hmm. why should they do so? while enjoying different forms of happiness, i guess the ‘lower class’ knows and enjoys ‘happiness’ the most because their happiness doesnt come in monetary form, which it may one day just be gone, but the happiness they are curently holding on to are permanent assets.
I really adore the sunrise from among the clouds… will never understand how breath taking it is unless u are there man… but will try to imagine for now. ha!
on May 17th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
bryan, do u photoshop ur pics? they’re awesome even if u did….
do u shoot mostly in manual mode or what modes? pls share…i’m amazed!!
on May 18th, 2009 at 7:59 am
dear cranky,
most often than not, it is shot in the auto mode..not much photoshop done though..but the sunrise shots or scenery shots i use manual:)its a canon g9, just on case you are wondering..
on May 18th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Nice photos..great trip. what a life you have
on May 18th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
cool…i really love your shots…
you have a good perception of what is a good shot
powerful camera.. thanks for sharing!
on May 19th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Hi Bryan,
Continue the good work! I like your acting.
Nice and meaningful pictures there.
Kim xx
on May 26th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
为什么给你的留言都不见了？
on May 28th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Hi Bryan,
I just want to say that I’ve really really really enjoyed your Destination Most Wanted series. Every Tuesday, I would make it a point to watch your show and now that your show has come to an end, I too feel a sense of loss. I like the show not just because of the places you bring us to (beautiful in their own right) but also because of your reflections, the words you use to put your thoughts together inspire me so much. And sometimes, when you bring us to places that are poor but the people get by simply, I wondered to myself if you really envied them for their simplicity and happiness. Because while it’s easy to say we would like to live simply, and this is something I struggle with myself, I find it difficult to give up my material wants as I grew up in a materialistic society. But I really hope that even for a moment, when you were there, in Bhutan, or Shimla, the happiness you see in the people there is so true that it touches you. And you know, I think it’s a real pity that 9 months of travelling gets reduced to 13 episodes. Can’t you guys just show us a little more?
But in any case, I’ve truly enjoyed myself on this journey with you. I wish you well and all happiness you can get.
on June 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
da best. Keep it going! Thank you
on June 7th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
you so lucky. travel to so many countries on company account.
on June 18th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I like the photog in beanie cap – awesome looking. Even the monk look dashing. May I know which camera are you using?
on July 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 am
Hey, it’s so cool to be able to travel to so many parts of the world! :}
on July 3rd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Nice and meaningful pictures there..May i know camera which are you using ?
i really love your shotsss
Well Done .Thanks for sharing!!
on September 9th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
hi bryan, yr photos very breathtaking, i just return from nepal, d name shimla might not ring a bell, is it in nepal or india ? bcos at d same time u r actually introducing nepal, pls advise. this place called shimla is full of colour and life and so many nice victorian buildings to be admired, is differ d places i visited. shd make a trip down these wonderful lanes. i might not b a fans of yrs but yr travel programmes i watched with admiration, i travel most of d time to outskirt of japan bcos me and family loves d nature and living in our family resort. love to travel especially to exotic places, u r one very lucky guy. hope to see more of yr photos.