2013 - Penang Bridge International Marathon

Penang Bridge International Marathon on 17.11.2013

The Penang Bridge International Marathon broke its own 2012 record with more than 47,000 runners this year - it will be in the 2013 Malaysian Book of Records. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng gave away prizes to the winners as well as the grand lucky draw prize of a Honda City. Next year the run would be held in the Second Penang Bridge.

We stayed at Ching Neng Shyan's residence in Tanjong Tokong Penang, getting ready to go for the run at 10.30pm on 16th Nov. And at 11pm we drove to the Queensbay Mall car-park and slept in the car till 2.30am. We had an early breakfast of bananas and a bottle of 100plus and then walked to the starting point and waited till our run at 3.30am on 17th Nov. It was a 21.25km marathon run completed in 3:15:04

Elise Ching Sze Lin will be joining us in 2014 ... yeh! yeh!


A short speech before the start of the run at Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 count down begins....

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - At the middle span of the Penang Bridge.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - At the middle span of the Penang Bridge.

These are the water sponges for cooling the body being thrown all over on the bridge after used.
Can you spot where am I and Jin Yuan in this photo at the finishing line?
Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - We are right behind the guy number E06921 on the right.

It was a father and sons team taking part for the first time in the 21km Penang Bridge International Half Marathon.
Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - Both my children and I completed the 2013 PBIM (Half Marathon) at 6:43:41 am with a time of 03:15:04.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - A wonderful Sunday with all the 47,000 runners enjoying the run on the Penang Bridge started at 2am for the full marathon and at 6.30am for the 10km run. We all enjoyed the breezy and scenic atmosphere on the bridge and also at the finishing line as the weather was good.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - This is the best medal I have ever received - so beautiful and well worded.



Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - What say you? Showing off our motto to all 47,000 runners: " I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done".


Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - Making new friends from the run after getting our finisher medals .... Congratulations to all participants!!

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - This is the best medal I have ever received among the other medals.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013 - This tall guy Stephen Tan or known as the Wawasan Power Eagles is definitely a giant! And he beat me by about 3 minutes. 



Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013
Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013
Penang Bridge International Marathon 2013
Celebration Dinner: 
For our successful run in getting the medal, there was a great celebration dinner hosted by my brother Ching Neng Shyan and family at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah.

Teoh Sau Jin with Ching Jin Wei at the entrance of Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah.

Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah - I was overwhelmed with everything on the table. I didn't even know how to start …… Nevertheless, I grab a glass of Korean beer to start with followed by the Korean rice wine .....
Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah - Indeed the Ching's family is definitely enjoying a wonderful dinner.
Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah - Plenty of food was served on this typical Korean floor sitting dining table room.

Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah - Dishes were prepared at our table on gas and also charcoal grills that are built into the table itself.

Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah

Shevin Teoh and her brother Sau Jin with Ching Jin Wei at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 
Judith Khoo with daughters; Evonne Ching and Elise Ching at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Judith Khoo, Evonne Ching, Elise Ching and Ching Neng Shyan at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Caason Ching, Winnie Law and Isabelle Ching at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 
Caason Ching, Winnie Law and Isabelle Ching at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 
Elise Ching, Ching Neng Shyan and Caason Ching on the right at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Evonne Ching, Elise Ching holding a bottle of Korean rice wine Makkeolli with daddy Ching Neng Shyan.

Ching Jin Wei, Ching Neng Bin and Catherine Oon at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Ching Jin Wei, Ching Neng Bin and Catherine Oon at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 
Evonne Ching loves the "Japchae" at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 
Elise Ching loves the "egg soup" at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 
Judith Khoo and daughter Evonne Ching at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Winnie Law and daughter Isabelle Ching at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

At Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

At Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

At Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Dak galbi (닭갈비), barbecued chicken at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

BBQ Dwaeji bulgogi (돼지불고기), spicy pork bulgogi at Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 

Japchae is a Korean dish made from sweet potato noodles, stir fried in sesame oil with various vegetables.

At Daorae Korean BBQ in Tanjong Bungah 












































































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Day 14 Trekking ABC in Nepal

Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) Trekking Adventure 07 to 21 October 2013

Day 14 (20.10.2013) Pokhara fly to Kathmandu by Yeti Airlines

We took a last memorable look of the Annapurna ranges and took the 10.10am flight to Kathmandu and landed at 10.35am. The tour operator drove us to the hotel. This is a leisure day which can be utilized buying gifts and souvenirs for friends and family. In the evening we were invited to a farewell dinner and the certificate presentation by the President of Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey and we shared experiences of the trip.
A last memorable look of the Annapurna ranges in the morning from our hotel.

The magnificent snow covered Machapuchre also called Mt. Fishtail dominates the scenery because of its proximity to the valley and can be seen from anywhere in Pokhara. Pokhara is blessed with stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna range which forms its backdrop.


At the Pokhara Airport waiting area.


We took the 10.10am flight to Kathmandu - the fastest turboprop Jetstream J-41 aircraft operating in Nepal, uses two 1230KW AlliedSignal turboprop engines driving 5 blade McCauley propellers.

The cabin seating for up to 29 at 3 abreast.

The charming sweet cabin attendant.
Although it was cloudy we got to see the incredible view of the Annapurna range from the plane.

The spectacular flight to Kathmandu with the mountain ranges view from east to west.

A bird's eye view of Kathmandu.



At the domestic arrival site to collect our baggage.

At the car park we saw this Myvi car made in Malaysia.

We saw this special Buddha statue in a restaurant.

We were invited to a farewell dinner at this Tehzeeb 50cent bar and grill.

Tehzeeb is a fine dining multi cuisine family restaurant situated at the heart of the city. We had Indian set menu: Abo Jeena snack, Chicken Sekh Kebab, Taja Sabjika Shorba soup, and the main course are Chusa Makhani, Hydrabadi Fish Tikka, Mix Veg Kadai, Dal Bukham, Sada Chawal and Naan. Fresh fruit with curd for dessert and we had plenty of beer.
Shahrul receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Ching Neng Bin receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Lim Min Heng receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Datin Yogaranee receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Lim Ka Tin receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Wong Kok Seong receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Tan Kim Chan receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.

Song Poh receiving his certificate from President of  Explore Himalaya Mr Suman Pandey.




Day 15 (21.10.2013) Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur


The trip ended when we took the 11.10am AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur arriving at 6.10pm.
In conclusion, trekking the Annapurna Sanctuary is:

An Adventure of going through unfamiliar terrain and situations. 
An Opportunity to mingle with international trekking community.
An Educational insight of how forces of nature shaped the earth.
A Self-discovery and the enduring human spirit of achieving personal goals and overcoming mind-set.


Total expenses:
US985 per pax. being 15day fee charged by Explore Himalaya
US 25 per pax. being visa for 15 days
US 60 per pax. being other expenses
RM1,300 being return air ticket

Annapurna Base Camp Trek - Expression of Nature itself  

Click below:

Day 15 (21.10.2013) Kathmandu to KL
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