John 3:16

Kai Tak - Respect and Awe

For some nostalgic reason, I've been reading up quite a bit on Kai Tak airport over the past few days. Kai Tak airport was Hong Kong's main airport until 1998 when the new Chep Lap Kok airport took over operations. Situated near mountains, Victoria harbour, and low-rise and residential buildings surrounding the airport, Kai Tak's geographical position for an airport was not exactly considered ideal. What made Kai Tak famous however, was the unique landing approach pilots had to take when landing on Runway 13.

Due to the surrounding mountains, planes landing into Kai Tak via Runway 13 could not make a straight direct approach (which is the common and ideal approach method) and thus instead had to come in at an angle (to avoid the mountains) and in the final stage, make a 47 degrees right turn to align itself with the runway to land. While doing all this, pilots had to control their descent because directly below were low-rise buildings as high as 6 storeys; Pilots could not come in too high either as this could cause them to overshoot the runway, have insufficient braking distance and risk landing in the harbour. This tricky landing approach, further made more difficult with Hong Kong's notoriety for strong crosswinds, monsoon weather and typhoons, made Kai Tak world-famous among pilots as well as aviation enthusiasts, who took up positions at building and car park rooftops and nearby hills to snap photos of approaching planes making 'the turn'.

Back when I was a kid, my dad used to take me to the open-air rooftop of Kai Tak's airport car park. This place offered an unobstructed view of incoming planes making the turn and landing into Kai Tak. As a kid, this was an absolute thrill and watching plane after plane land in full sight in front of my eyes totally made my day. It was only until now, after doing some homework, that I realized how special Kai Tak really was. I recently read an Air Traffic Controller's (ATC) account of his term at Kai Tak and despite the numerous technical acronyms and rough understanding of the modus operandi, I was filled with respect for the people who experienced Kai Tak first hand. If you thought landing at Kai Tak was hard, traffic control was just as hard due to the busy airport operations - which was well over its designed capacity. To the pilots and ATC's who braved Kai Tak, I salute you.

After its 77 years of faithful service and amazing landings, I read with some sorrow about Kai Tak's fate - something which I could not have understood then. I'm sure that Kai Tak will always remain in a special place in the hearts of those who knew and/or experienced it. To end it off, here are some scans of my old photos of Kai Tak taken in days gone by...

A Thai Airways B747-200 landing with a classic backdrop of buildings found near the airport

A South African Airways B747-200 with the infamous checkerboard, a visual checkpoint at which pilots had to make the 47 degrees right turn

A ramp shot of a Singapore Airlines B747-400 'Megatop' basking in the sun with the Control Tower in the back

A Japan Airlines B747-400 waiting for its turn in front of Runway 13 with Victoria Harbour in the background

Kai Tak's empty ramp after its closure

Crossroads

While travelling along life's road, I recently came across a crossroad - one that would have long-term effects and change my current life plans. The decision on which path to take has made the past few days the most stressful in my life so far. I swear, no test, exam, final year project, army tekan session or anything similar has made me so stressed. Well, today I chose the path - the original path in my life plans - and believe it to be the best choice. Now, as I continue once again on life's road, I must keep the faith and have no doubts. For doubts belittle faith.

Seaweed Fortress

Kids and their imagination...

My Simple XXV Birthday

Today started off with some cycling to Parkway Parade to meet mum for lunch at Subway. 1 x foot-long Subway Melt was consumed to prepare me for the rest of the day. Following lunch, I headed off towards Changi via the park connector route from East Coast Park. I had wanted to cycle the previous week but Mother Nature was temperamental so it was no go. Today's weather was good - plenty of cloud cover, some sun and even a light drizzle later on to cool down on the way back.

The first leg of the journey was to Changi Coast Road. I had planned this some time back and today was a great day to do it. The motive: plane-watching. (WTF?! Yeah, it's a childhood pastime.) And what better way to do it right beside the runway! However, things didn't turn out as enjoyable. Double-fencing made visibility a meshed mess. And little did I know that that red "Protected Place" sign was more dangerous than it meant. A few minutes later, a police car eventually homed-in on my position and siren-ed me over. A familiar face (from army) in the police car told me that I wasn't allowed to linger there as it was a protected place. No photos, no lingering, no hard feelings, no problem. Dang, I could've sworn seeing people park their cars along the fence to watch the planes in days gone by...

That red sign with a lot of words in 4 languages and a silhouette of a man being held up by another silhouette carrying a gun means business

The second leg of the journey was to Changi Beach to find another spot for plane-watching. I found a particular stretch which gave me a nice view of the approaching planes so I settled down and let the lazy afternoon pass by. Doing something like this once I started working would probably be hard so I savoured the moment.

Savouring the moment

Following that was the journey back home. A drizzle came up when I was on Changi Coast Road but that soon stopped and the sun ripped through the clouds again. Back home, a cleansing shower rid the filth from thy body and dinner was up next at Astons' Katong Branch.

Dad got a Black Pepper and mum, a Prime Ribeye. I got a Prime Tenderloin (medium well-done) with Potato and Pasta Salad sides. Turned out to be damn bloody good. Literally. The steak was absolutely tender but it seemed more medium rare than medium well-done so I asked if they could grill it again. I soon got it back and to my surprise, my half-finished sides were replenished! Awesome. And not forgetting the IBC Root Beer I had with the meal. Best root beer on earth.

Prime Tenderloin w/ Potato Salad & Pasta Salad: S$26.50 - a bit pricey but worth it once in a while

Dinner over, it was time to head back. Simple.

The Sun Rises

A very moving song from a game called Okami where you play as Amaterasu (the Japanese sun god) in the form of a white wolf. I get goosebumps listening to it. This song plays during the final battle where you, the embodiment of pure goodness, fight the forces of darkness. An apt title indeed. At 1:28 onwards the song is like crying out, "We must not give up! We will overcome!"

News

Yesterday, I received news from my employer regarding my job application. It was not news that I wanted to hear and in fact, it was news which I did not prepare for. Prior to this, I had been preparing for two outcomes: I get the job, or I don't. I never expected to get the 'in-between' response which has now delayed things. Despite all this, the news was not something bad, just that my application would have to be delayed due to an age restriction stated by a certain policy which I am extremely sore about. I will not start a flaming session ranting about this certain policy for it will do no good; I will only say that it is a very selfish and disruptive thing. Anyway, my application will be followed-up next year so there is still hope.

The news has also taught me a thing or two about being naive. I am praying hard that my - somewhat foolish (if you ask me now) - actions have not hampered my pathway to my potential career. I shall keep that lesson in mind in future. Right now, I need to replan for this waiting period and the unknown beyond. I am still unsettled by the news, but life must go on. Oh well, as the saying goes, "Good things come to those who wait."

Time... and faith, will tell.