香灣西地（二）新一天 Journey to the Land (II) One Fine Day

累，要繼續走嗎？還是開始嘗試找順風車？空氣稀薄乾燥，不能走太快，慢慢來，一呼一吸，一呼一吸，背包很重，肩膝疼痛，要堅持下去。現在應該有零下幾度吧，停下來就冷得要命，幸好有太陽藍天作伴，沿途的牦牛也挺可愛，只是牠們怕陌生人，不能走近。縱使過去幾年周遊列國，卻從未用過這種方式體驗異地，沒料到於這裏誤打誤撞海拔越走越高。

雖然獨自在西藏裏埗步搭車一點也不容易，但路上感受山林脈搏的每一刻都是整趟旅程之精髓，除了經過些小鎮村子外，大部分路段人煙稀少，常要與己作伴。今天好嗎？ 早睡早起，除了未知，就是與山神對話，偶然唆擺到志同道合方向相同的背包客跟我走一段，生活簡單如此，夫复何求？

差點忘了其實有位一直堅守在旁的伴侶－恐懼寶寶：「天色漸暗，仍未見任何住宿，沒車願意停怎辦？他們定在想為何有個沒廉恥不要臉的騙子在公路上裝模作樣。晚上找到旅館的話，拼死也要講價，昨天超出預算，如再下去，便不夠錢回家，或許吃少些，但沒力氣怎能繼續，近日感覺好像又變瘦了，不要這樣！為什麼總是危機處處，問題多多⋯⋯」

藏區正在大興土木，發展中痕跡遍佈四方，原以為可遇到靈性上啟發，可惜眼見塵土亂飛、垃圾亂丟，心痛已蓋過一切。究竟這趟旅程意義何在？如此刻苦就是為了經歷生命的韌度？當思想火車正向牛角尖邁進時， 迎面遠處看到一輛灰黑色吉普車，即使方向不對，我本能地把右手伸起，做出很棒頂瓜瓜的手勢，它竟開始放慢速度，停下來把門打開！車內坐滿五人，前面兩名大漢，後坐三位婦女，他們身穿藏族服飾，司機大哥問道：「小子，你自己一個嗎？上車！」

原已路過，什麼驅使他們回頭載這個素未謀面的陌生人？答案從來都不是最重要。 畫面瞬間由遼闊天地轉到一個細小的移動空間，往後七八小時我們擠在一起，分享了自製牦牛乾、大餅，還有人的體温。今天辛苦了，小休一會，明日再續。

Too frigging cold and dry!  This piece of rock on my back is making my body weary.  Should I start to hitch for a ride now?  Take it slow.  Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.  Shoulder and knee pain are starting to emerge.  Don’t give in so soon yet.  Marvel at the crystal blue sky.  The yaks are flurry and cute, but do not walk too close.  They are not big fans of strangers.  How do I end up walking and hitchhiking here in the middle of nowhere if I didn’t really do it in any other country?

Though it is physically challenging, I enjoy being alone in the mountains.  Nothing compares to the serenity in my heart at those particular moments when I can only hear the rhythm of Tibet.  Grounding myself in the grassland and river yesterday was magical.  It could only happen in solitude.  Companion is comforting sometimes, but it would create an extra layer of human compromise, which is exactly what I don’t need in a soulful expedition.  Guess I am eventually turning into a freaky loner.

Development is shouting at this raw piece of land.  I see trash, pollution, and construction almost everywhere.  No one seems to take care of its natural beauty and culture.  Capitalism and money is the ruler.  Whoever gets in the way shall perish.  Never thought the damage is that enormous until I see it in my own eyes.  Meanwhile, my darling fear continues to whisper in my ears, “It’s getting dark.  What are you going to do if no one offers a ride?  They think you are a fool and liar.  Last week has already been over budget.  You will have no money to go home.  Maybe skip a meal tonight, but you’re loosing weight and energy to sustain till the end.  What a disaster you put yourself into.”

Just when my eyes are losing the sparkles, there is a dark gray jeep approaching from afar.  I instinctively raise my thumb up even though its direction is not correct.  Yet it starts to slow down and opens the door right in front of me. The car is full with two guys in the front and three ladies in the back.  They are in Tibetan clothing.  The gentle but masculine driver asks, “Are you alone, young man? Get in the car!”

They have actually passed by quite a while ago.  What makes them turn around to take me on their wings?  Not to mention I’m the sixth passenger!  Well, I will just let this puzzle sits overnight.  All of a sudden my view shifts from the widest horizon to a tiny moving vehicle.  For the next seven to eight hours, we will be stuck together sharing snacks, stories and most importantly warmth.  Who knows what’s in store next?  It is break time now.  Ciao.

Press on, bitch!

The god of Mountain, please keep me sane today.

An anonymous location where I spent hours lying around.

OMG!  The sky is not blue.  The mist helps to calm the mind into a reflective mode though

Traffic in Tibet?  Nah, the soldier blocked the road for some %#*X$?* construction.

Anything can happen on the road.  This is 10 mins after hopping on the truck...

The famous Potala Palace in Lhasa

Alleyway in Sera Monastery

There is a mountain behind Sera Monastery.  For some reason I felt urged to climb it.  Not exactly the wisest decision. 

The gorgeous view of Lhasa half way through the mountain.  I was catching my breath every few steps.  

Um... yea, that's what I just climbed.

Make a prayer, my dear.

Worshippers prostrating themselves outside of the Jokhang Temple everyday

Walking into the alleys of Bakuo Street where no tourist is found

Calm view of Bakuo Street at night when all shops are closed.

Structure surrounded by beautiful Tibetan prayer flags and the modern looking Yak Museum

"Where are you heading, sir?" with my favourite traveling buddy for a few days

Stop screaming!  I'm trying to help you break free from the fence, baby. 

Truck rides usually take much longer cos they couldn't go fast; yet the experience is surely worth it.

Places I usually stayed look like this.  No toilet, hot water, wifi, + trash everywhere...  I've been trained well. 

The truth behind those pretty images

Road could be blocked for hours due to this... Gosh, it hurts my eyes

Zayu, located in the southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region, is quite a remote location for tourists.  位於藏東南高山峡谷區的察隅是西藏比較偏遠的地方，遊客會較少。

The aboriginal tribe living in Zayu claims to be the oldest and most native one in Tibet.
住在察隅的僜人被稱為西藏其中最古老及原住的族群。

Ran into a young man living in the village.  He took us to sneak in a tangerines farm, haha...

This Chinese girl is 10 years younger than me and called me Uncle.

This random shot outside a monastery is enough to take my breath away.

近日與兩個巴西導演合作了一個MV(tfvsjs - 之between間) ，他們正在用80個MV環遊世界，有幸成為其中一份子！Around the World in 80 MV, baby! What a privilege to create & shoot with two talented directors from Brazil.  Below is the MV & making of:

香灣西地（一）想家 Journey to the Land (I) Miss Home

差不多二十年前剛到美國留學時，曾真心想念盛載美好的老家，經歲月洗禮後，我與香江的感情開始產生變化，每次出國都不太期待歸來，眼中慢慢只剩下這個地方的不是，人多壓力大錢文化平民都要在罅隙中掙扎。要生存就得遵守這裏的遊戲規則，可惜本性難移，內心之呼喊推使我堅持找另類出口：讀藝術，做設計，自己開工作室，再跑出來飄泊，就是不甘心只有一種生活方式。

這樣跑累嗎？坦白說移動旅居提供了不同創作空間及機會，令我一而再在新挑戰中成長，這個階段有它的使命，革命尚未結束，然而在西藏內地遊走了兩個多月後，終於想家了。沒想到踏入落馬洲的一刻，竟有重獲自由的感覺，因沒有翻牆軟件，網絡世界變得有點陌生，但適應內地獨有文明也是一種樂趣，代價是與世界暫時性脫軌。

四個地方都被稱為大中華的一部分，不過文化各異，對國家概念不一，慶幸有機會親身走過：在色達寺廟內與一衆僧侶頌經、藏區獨自步行搭順風車、高雄駁二集會中演講支持正在進行的雨傘運動、釣魚翁上立下與自己的承諾⋯⋯

路上常遇到人羨慕我周遊列國的人生，其實每個緣都由千千萬萬個因組成，走到今天，個人特質及勇氣當然不能少，但如客觀條件缺乏的話，也是沒辦法持續下去。既然上天仍給我選擇的權利，縱使疲憊，還是會繼續帶著一顆純粹的心向未知進發。

When was the last time you miss home?  I have a vivid memory around 20 years ago. Being a little boy who left all the magic in Hong Kong to study in the States, I terribly craved home at that time.  Over the years, my relationship with this island has gradually changed though.  No longer see the apple but its rot, I couldn’t wait to get out of here due to all kinds of personal, political, and professional reasons.  Yet after two and half months of traveling in Mainland China and the Tibet region, the long lost feeling came back.  I finally miss home again.

Mainland certainly has a different culture from Hong Kong and Taiwan.  The unseen security control is obvious, especially in Tibet.  Given that I didn’t get a VPN for Internet, my access with the bigger world is quite disconnected.  Don’t know whether it’s moving under such invisible force or the actual walking plus hitchhiking in the mountains exhausted me.  All I know is the reality and mentality in mainland is curious but undoubtedly not my direction in life.

Many people on the road envied my nomadic way of living.  Each physical result we see is actually formed by a million factors.  Though having particular characteristics and courage are equally important, the path can’t take shape without the objective circumstances. Since the universe still gives me the possibilities to choose, I shall continue to pursue the unknown with a pure heart no matter how hard or tiring it is.  This ongoing journey is my destiny, at least for this stage of life.

Walk or hitch?

Believe it or not, this is where I often hike in Hong Kong.

One surreal scene during the Umbrella Movement last year.

Home has never been the same.

Sending our energy to support HK from TW.

Speaking as a HKer

The magnificent Tibet

One of my lovely rides - China Post truck

Chanting with the lamas at the largest Buddhist Institute in the world - Seda La Rong Wuming Institute of Buddhism.
法會時期在色達喇榮五明佛學院與僧侶頌經

There is no turning back once you begin.

回港後辦了一系列冬季課程來開放心靈 Upcoming Winter courses in HK to open your heart
網上報名表 online sign up: http://goo.gl/forms/7xyoIJbRLl

奇妙的心靈探索抽象藝術課程之旅 A Journey to the Heart Abstract Art Course
網上報名表 online sign up: http://goo.gl/forms/7xyoIJbRLl

多元化的右腦潛能創意課程 Right Brain Potential Creative Course with diverse activities
網上報名表 online sign up: http://goo.gl/forms/7xyoIJbRLl

Formosa

After 1.5 years of struggle in Hong Kong, I finally made the move to look for alternative opportunities and most importantly, a quiet place to create in Taiwan. Why was it so difficult back home this time? I could go on and on and whine about all the so-called practical reasons, but it seems silly to do so now. Who doesn't have baggage, heartache, and responsibility anyway?

3 years ago, things were going smooth. I nonetheless decided to take off to Europe for a life-changing adventure. It turned out to be the climax of my life. Yet the same thing which brings you to the top can also haunt you for the rest of your life. That's probably why so many heartbroken romances leave the couples devastated. Hong Kong simply cannot compare to the inspiring London and blissful Barcelona. It still doesn't have the soil to nurture creativity and the capacity to embrace differences. To be honest, my heart was barely alive in this dark period.

Anyhow, there is no one to blame, including myself. Although something could have been handled better, all was meant to be. I have to learn this necessary lesson possibly no other way. How could I be reconstructed if not broken first? Both the glorious and gloomy time of life clearly show me that nothing is permanent. My priority is no longer searching for more highs to fill the holes but a tranquil dwelling to ground my soul and cultivate my art. Surely inner peace is attained from within not without, but I'm also aware that my spirit is not calm enough to go far at the moment. A location with soothing energy can give me a lift. Thus, this is where I am at, Formosa.  Here I carry on my soulful journey in mindful pace.

在台灣一個月，感覺平靜了。放下香港的工作室及其他瑣事後，我再踏上旅途，這次目標更明確：尋找機會，靜心創作。無需任何華麗刺激的冒險，只要讓我重新感受大地，使困擾已久的心靈得到休息，令差點枯乾的藝術得到滋養，就足夠了。

離開前個多月，胃部忽然感到脹痛，起初以為只是消化不良，嘗試過多種坊間療法，情況也沒有好轉，於是中西醫雙管齊下，入院差不多全身檢查， 但仍找不到所謂的病因。其實心中有數，身體不適往往是生命其他部分出了亂子，從歐洲回港後這年半充滿了深層掙扎，難道我真以為可以免於一病嗎？

謝謝胃病老師，為這趟旅程揭開了一個謙卑的序幕，現在只要稍為緊張急速用餐，身體便會立刻發出警告，終於沒有選擇餘地，要把所有生活節奏 - 慢 - 下 - 來。

近日生命之河帶我到北海岸「海邊的家cafe」駐村創作，每天跑去看天色、聽浪花、寫隨筆，把非筆墨所能形容的觸動幻化成一件件與大自然對話的環境裝置。這裏的體驗讓我有感而發，為總結這篇相隔十八個月的網誌，寫了八句似詩非詩的文字：

「久違了的， 寧靜和平，身心所需，就是如此 ，一切從簡，回歸基本，放空當下，海闊天空 。」

Ready for yet another go?

Teaser for a series of installation/land art by the sea.

And your catch for the day is...

The Blue Monument

Mini Nazca Lines?

Daily visit to the beach.

Precious space, time, and people

Can breakfast be more enjoyable?

Ease

My little cutie chalk drawing!

All set to paint.

靜心 Be Still My Soul

[Kituru] means practice or learning in Paiwan, an indigenous tribe in Taiwan.  LOVE the earthy but minimal aesthetic of this cafe.  [Kituru] 排灣語練習或學習的意思，這家位於台東的原住民咖啡店暫時是我的台灣至愛。

Our lovely host in Hualien.  Thanks for lending me The Path to Freedom by His Holiness The Dalai Lama! I'm learning a great deal about Tibet and the scary liberation by China.

生彩 Breathing Hue

One magnificent view of our mother earth.

Grounded - a closure piece for this life period.  From here on, it's highlight of 2013-14 Hong Kong flashback.

爸爸媽咪，多謝你們一直以來的支持，我會努力的！回來再一起行山！

Let's shout, my beloved sisters in HK! Thank you for your company all along.

The closing ceremony of "Grow On" - a disastrous installation during JCCAC Art Festival.  I squeezed out the last bit of energy from the chaos of life to perform this creative offering.

Paint! Mess! Crap!  Pretty sure JCCAC won't let me do a large scale installation there again but neither would I.  No hard feeling.  It's just over.

My much missed JCCAC art critique group!  Wai, second from the left, is my first and only art residence student from Netherlands.  Mentoring her was a rewarding experience.

Here we're trying the set up of an upcycle X'mas decoration.  This big project wouldn't be possible without the help of many many many friends.

Last touch at Zero Carbon Building.

Colorful rubbish art, baby!

Upcycle wedding decoration for the same client.  All made from abandoned woods and furnitures.

Jeff from Canada, also the first and only resident artist I received, investigated the idea of HOME in HK, where his father was born and raised.

His closure exhibition was a great turn out!  Glad I was able to offer this opportunity to him.

Modelling performance at John McArthur's solo exhibition opening. Drawing by Jack Loo on the right.

Can you find the Tao?

Big thank you to my dear friends who came to help out an important blind-folded session for my Right Brain Potential Creative Course.  Really proud I managed to pull off this class with Conney in the midst of ups and downs.

Close your eyes and see.

Thanks to yoga; I could enjoy the periodic peace and silence.

You can tell who has a better posture OR you can say I'm not a very good teacher, ha...

Thank you, dear, for leaving me with a delightful memory in the beginning of 2013.

2013 is over.  2014 is half way done.  Let the rest unfold in peace.