President's Column By President Joyce Mak
Good News - Part II [President Joyce submitted this article on 1 April 2009 - JW] A night out at Knutsford Terrace - Double Happiness
We had the pleasure to host a reception dinner for the Group Study Exchange team from South Africa from District 9270 on 3 March. There were a total of one team leader, PP Jonathan Brauteseth, a business consultant and three other team members: Brendah Gilbert (Network Engineer), Nivashni Vandayar (Chemical Engineer), Santosh Beharie (Programmes Manager at National Radio Station). The forth member, Syanda Ngcobo (Security and Criminal Analyst) was with the team originally, but unfortunately he left HK earlier than the team due to her mom's critical health issue. That evening served multiple purposes: apart from welcoming this Rotary year's GSE team, the dinner reception was also an occasion to celebrate CP John's 'Service Above Self' recognition given by RI and to our surprise¡K we had another piece of good news from John. So as we described that night as 'Double Happiness', CP John introduced his fiancee, Ms. Su Fen Sim.
We were all excited and surprised by this great news from CP John and we longed for knowing the story behind the scene. I believe if two people meant for each other, who cares they have known for just a short period of time. CP John and Su is a great example of a couple where fate has brought them together at this very moment. Su told us that if not because of the financial tsunami, nothing could have happened. I think it's the best time to get away from this financial turmoil and to start a new page with the person that she could trust for the rest of her life. Su worked for a leading investment bank for 17 years as a very successful and professional trader. They announced the big day is on 22 April and to be witnessed by God, friends and relatives. No words could explain John's joy and genuine happiness for this marriage and we truly wish them happy and a long-lasting future.
Just a couple of weeks ago, we invited Su as our guest speaker at our luncheon. When we heard about those stories behind the scenes of an investment bank, lots of frustration and stress she bared for the past years. She described about the market risk and how traders could lose a fortune for the bank purely based on a careless mistake. I commented that she is very lucky and after so many years of buying and selling stocks in the market, she finally found a blue chip where she could hold on to for the rest of her life. All transactions she made before needed to go through a decision process, and now here comes to a moment when she has to make a bet on her marriage to a man whom she knew only for less than half a year. It definitely takes two people to ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take. It is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created, so that, together loved ones become a new creature. We all look forward to seeing Su more often at our Kingspark events as she'll be very soon be part of the Rotary Family.
3 Sister Club visit - Bangkok, Chiangrai and Chiangmai
On Thursday (March 5th), Kingsparicans started to depart for Bangkok for the Matching Grant Project that our club has done with the two other sister dubs (RC of Taipei Chung Yuan and RC of Sathorn Bangkok) and for the celebration of 15th Anniversary of RC of Sathorn. The Kingsparicans who attended this function in Bangkok and Chiangmai were PP Peter and Amy, PP Edward and Alice, PP Thomas and Rosa, Rtn Herbert and Lambda, International Director Michael Au, PP Patrick, Charlotte (friend of Amy) and myself with a friend of mine; a total of 13 people.
The day in Bangkok (5 March)
We arrived at Bangkok airport in two groups and we were welcomed by President Patsri, International Director Apinya, Rtn. Oramat, PP Kulkit, PP Siripan, PP Pradit. We were then being escorted to a traditional Thai restaurant which was right next to our hotel, Montien Riverside. We then met with other Sathorn members and waited for Chung Yuan members to arrive at the restaurant. After we finished the delicious lunch, we were all invited to go for shopping before the celebration dinner at night. The celebration party reception started at around 630pm that was taken place at Montien Riverside Grand Ballroom. Prior to the official celebration, the 3 Presidents were invited to stage and the 3 sisters club alliance agreement. Group photos were taken and three Presidents of the sister clubs - P. Dannie of Taipei Chung Yuan; P. Patsriof Sathorn Bangkok, and myself made our separate appreciation speeches then followed by a relatively long video showcase of all the past 14 Presidents' achievements of Sathorn. I promise this would not happen at our Annual Dinner! We had the pleasure of having PP Peter to represent Kingspark to sing "Country Road" for a charity fund-raising singing session. He definitely was carried away and imagined he was back to HK already. A lot of District dignitaries, sister club from Kishiwada South, Japan and other clubs in Thailand from different districts also attended the celebration dinner. The evening ended with great live band music and joyful memories.
Visit at Chiangrai (6 March)
We all woke up early to catch the flight from Bangkok to Chiangrai, the most northern province of Thailand. The Chiangrai Province is close to the border of Burma, Laos on the east. The province is well known for its crisp mountain scenery and hill tribes. Our first visit after lunch was a place called Doi Tung, which is known by locals as Thailand's Switzerland. An attractive mountain-top destination of forests. Doi Tung is home of the Royal Highness Srinakarindra the Princess Mother (mother of Thailand's current monarch) who passed away in 1995. She initiated Doi Tung Development project and the purpose was to establish means of overcoming the area's social problems through education, training and to make changes in agriculture by helping people to change from opium production to growing crops such as coffee, strawberries and macadamia nuts.
We visited her place called Doi Tung Palace and was being built in a combination of Northern Thai and Swiss styles. Alongside, there were outlets which are locally produced goods, including handcrafts, coffee and macadamia nuts. We then visited Mae Lao Hospital which we sponsored Laryngoscopes for the Matching Grant Project. The extra proceeds they received from the song donation on the first night of celebration were being donated to buy computers for the school children. After the official presentation of 2 sets of Laryngoscopes to the hospital, one of the doctors demonstrated how to operate the Laryngoscope. This equipment is to help children and adults who are suffering from hard breathing problems. After taking over a hundred group photos (or more), we then continue with our sightseeing tour.
We arrived at Wat Rong Khun, a contemporary unconventional white Buddhist temple and construction began in 1998. Since the ceremony at the hospital was a bit delayed, by the time we arrived at the temple, it was already closed. It is a stunning art piece with different Buddha's statues, signs, paintings, animals' statues and each of them has a meaning related to God. We spent about half an hour there after taking photos in front of the temple and all of us were already tired and hungry. We all were looking forward to the special Karaoke dinner reception prepared by Sathorn at Dusit Resort Hotel. A Thai style building with a mix of western culture element which we think it should be a 4-5 star hotel. Apart from the great food at the hotel, the Karaoke dinner reception was full of fun and laughter! Each of the clubs sent representatives to compete in a singing contest. All the members were full of high spirits and thought of different ways to dress up in order to be outstanding among other contestants. Our club sent 3 of our PPs, Peter, Thomas and Patrick, they called themselves - Kingspark Trios! For the very last song, they decided to dress like the "Red Riding Hood", using Rotariannes' scarves to wrap around their heads; their performance was magnificent, hilarious and stimulating. That night all enjoyed the fine cuisine and especially the entertainment given by all the clubs.
Visit to Chiangmai (7 March)
The following morning we left for Chiangrai and visit another province, Chiangmai, the second largest province of Thailand, which located in the north part of the country. It is situated on the Mae Ping River basin, 300 metres above sea level and surrounded by high mountain ranges. We visited Phu Phing Palace, which was built in 1962, a royal winter palace with lavish landscaped gardens are open to the public on weekends and holidays when the Royal Family is not in residence. Since the garden was pretty huge, we all needed to take a golf cart to go around different gardens. There were lots of roses and orchid around the garden, the place was beautifully built with spectacular scenery. Our next stop was to visit Sarapee Hospital, which we have also donated 1 set of Laryngoscope. The presentation ceremony last for about 10 minutes and group photo time has always been the most time-consuming part, probably last for 20 minutes. Of course I have already got used to this formality. The highlight was the Khan Toke Traditional dinner; Sathorn club deliberately rented us the Thai traditional costumes especially for attending this dinner. Suddenly all of us became Kings and Queens of Thailand. It's a famous tourist must go place where traditional Thai dance were being performed by some 30 Thai girls (haven't carefully checked). The night was ended by group dancing at an opening foyer and we did not let go any chance to take lots of photos.
Going back home¡K (8 March)
PP Edward and Alice, PP Peter and Amy left early in the morning as they had an engagement that evening in HK. Taipei Chung Yuan members were also taking an early flight back to Taipei, therefore all the Sathorn and Kingspark members said farewell to Chung Yuan members at the lobby after breakfast. The remaining Kingspark members had the privilege to continue the last two visits, the silk shop and silverware outlet. We as in 'most of the ladies' stayed at the outlet and their 'better halves' were being escorted to another massage place to relax themselves while their wives were spending money at the other end. Finally, it's really time to say good-bye to all the Sathorn members at the Bangkok airport after the flight from Chiangmai.
All the participated members and guests had an enjoyable trip and simple words could not explain our appreciation to RC of Sathorn for their warmest hospitality, their thoughtful sightseeing tour in Chiangrai and Chiangmai and not to mention, their great hearts in supporting the community across Thailand. We certainly look forward to seeing the two sister clubs again in our 15th anniversary dinner to be held on 2 May and hope we are able to reciprocate the same hospitality to them.
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