Cold in Melbourne
I’m back in Singapore after one week of forums in Melboune. The trip has been great, but it made me realise some issues I have when I go overseas – and such may affect my physical performance for treks.
First – cold weather. Its quite cold in Melbourne when I was there, and when the chilly winds blow, I can really feel the cold in my feet, even though I was wearing my running shoes. I guess one aspect of good hiking boots is also the wind protection factor. I believe gortex trekking boots would help!
Secondly – dry weather. I’m very much used to the humid weather here in Singapore, but not many countries are like Singapore, where its the sea all round. While it may not be much of an issue when I go to Kinabalu or any part of West Malaysia, it will be an issue when I go to Kilimanjaro! My lips have cracked and my nose was dry and bleeding when I was over in Australia just for one week! I guess I must really buy the necessary moisturizing lotions when I go trekking in less humid places.
My next overseas trip will be to Kinabalu! I’m looking forward to that!
Oh yes, I will most probably be visiting Japan (Shizuoka) late next year, and I may have a chance to get up to Mount Fuji! I don’t know if there is a trek there yet, I think it should be rather commercialised already, considering the number of photos I can find. But then again, it will be great if I can catch a few pictures from the peak of Mount Fuji!
Tags: melbourne
May 13th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Visit hcshi
I think you’ll need special permit to climb the peak of Mount Fuji! I’d been “around” Mt. Fuji and guess what – on one side of the mountain, it sounded like when you’re near Safti – lots of explosion sound. Certain areas are definitely out of bound and used by the defense force for their military exercises.
I think one of the best way to view Mt. Fuji is travelling by Shinkasen. The weather was very good and I see the full view of the volcano. Another memorable impression that I had was on board of the airplane. It was about sunrise and we were about to land. There I saw Mt Fuji peak above the cloud painted in the golden shower of the sun’s ray.
May 14th, 2006 at 2:15 am
Visit sharlet
Eeks… you make it sound so serious… I’ve been to Australia before but my skin was ok, maybe because I was younger then so my skin could adapt… But I do agree about the lips. Somehow being in cold countries is hard on the lips…
Oh, and you are so lucky to be able to travel so often. You must be really loaded huh, if you’re paying out of your own pocket. When I was in the uni I could only afford to go with my mother, who paid for my trip. :’( Tomorrow is Mother’s Day; I must remember to thank her for all those times she took me abroad with her!
And Japan… I’m so envious now!
May 14th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Visit Kian Ann
Heh.. nope, I am not paying out of my own pocket!
Its a sponsored trip by WorldSkills Singapore. Actually its not really a holiday – I went there for the WorldSkills Youth Forum!
I was in Perth for a year sometime back ago also, and my skin and lips were okay then… I think I just need time to adapt to the weather.
May 16th, 2006 at 2:47 am
Visit sharlet
I see… I quite admire you then… And the fact that you are handling so many things at once!