From: Charles Lam
 
Dear Man Keung,

Your enjoyable trip is really my envy. How I wish I could be with you!

It's really hard to find friends like this today. We need to treasure such heart-to-heart freindship. The suggestion to go to
movies on Tuesday night is a good one; I have got some insight from such idea.

Some response to your last part. I haven't got all the answers yet; I am still searching and believe that 'search and we shall find'.

One thing I think will help is: don't think that we have only the last quarter left. Why not the second half or the last third! An advice I have got from others is: if you think you are young, you are young! A bit of 'Ah Q' spirit?

Wish you all (and your families) will have many more such enjoyable times.

Kam Wah
-------------------------------------

Subject: kayaking in the kawksbury river north of Sydney
 
Date:  Sat, 20 May 2000
 
From: Man Keung

Hello everybody,

We Sydney 4 guys have another happy kayaking tour today in lower Hawksbury river
north of Sydney. It's another beautiful day - clear blue sky, green bush, rather clear
green water, warm sunlight, peaceful and charming environment. We gathered at
Chi Hung's house at 7:45, set off at 8:20, arrived Brooklyn(40 km away) at 9:30 and
started our journey at 9:45. We had a time trial between 2 bridges which is about
2.8 km. It took me and Chi Hung 17' 37'' to complete the course. I felt tired in the
middle but managed to finish quite gracefully. How's that timing? It's not too bad
since we're against the tide.
 
We paddled past Peat island which is a hospital /rehabilitation place for the mentally ill.
We tried to land but decided to leave when the patients yelled from their veranda.
We took a rest at a small rocky beach at the other side of the bay which is the staff
hostels area. We were very cautious during landing but when we were leaving,
Kam Hung skidded on the muddy rock and felt onto water. That's what usually happens -
you get caught in a suprise when you're not prepared.
 
We paddled up the river, passing through the Milsons Passage where there are
a small settlement of about 30 waterfront houses with private piers. I talked
about the possibility of residing there, but Bobby's remark was: why live here
if you are not a police wanted person!
 
Our destiny - Bar island was in view when we were out of the passage.
It took us longer time than expected to reach there since we were against
the tide. We landed at the small pocket of sand and oystered rocks besides
a deserted wooden pier. We shared our food, stripped to enjoy the warmth
of the sunlight and chatted about our future life in the coming 20 years which
is at the other end of our life journey. The exchange was stimulating and would
definitely go on in our future trips. Durin the "boy talk", I suggested that we
should try to go out with our other half to the cinema once a week , preferrably
Tuesday since it's the day of movie discount. One of us said that's what he do
on Tuesday night. He then revealed a small secret - his after work time schedule
has been well and fully arranged by the "managress of the house". That's a way
of achieving harmony at home, isn't it? Guess who's that guy among us four!
 
We took some photos on the pier. Before we left, Bobby set up the auto function
of his camera, hurried back to us but skidded on the muddy rock. He was swift
and strong enough to land on both hands and was lucky to have only a small cut
on the knees. I was the third one to fell down later that day, but on muddy lawn,
while washing kayaks at the starting point. That shouldn't be abnormal with old
men like us.
 
We set off our return journey at 1:30p.m. and had another time trial between
the 2 bridges, this time with the tide. Chi Hung was the winner with a good time
of 13 minutes. The others were 1 to 2 minutes behind. It's really tough paddling at
full strength for such a long time. Chris surely deserves the applause.
 
We went back the starting point at 2:45, washed the kayaks, took a few manadrins
and returned. On the way Bobby took us to a small cake shop by the side of the
old Pacific Highway. We sat around a table  on the lawn outside, overlooking
the lush green valleys and hills and a strip of blue waterway down under. The
pies were delicious with coffee and cuppercino, the memories of last weekend's
trip, recalled by the photos, were sweet. We all felt really happy to have enjoyed
such a wonderful day. That's life! That's what we deserve after working hard for
50 years. How many times can we be blessed with the same enjoyment in such a
beautiful and relaxed environment, with our old friends, during our last quarter of
the life journey? I was not particularly philosophical but when you are approaching
or  a bit over 50, it's not unusual to think about the meaning of life. Kam Wah has
got the answer, I believe.
 
Hope to share the enjoyment with you in Sydney!

Man Keung

May 20, 2000

-------------------------------
Subject: Kam Wah's article in memory of Chiu sir
 
Date: Fri, 19 May 2000

From: Man Keung
 
Dear Kam Wah,

I just had time to read through your article in memory of Chiu sir.
I find it an excellent piece of writing in exploring and reflecting the
beliefs, feeling and inside world of Chiu sir through narration of
his early careers, his KCA endeavour, his baptism and his thoughts
before he passed away. The paragraph on Wai Sum is also
appropriate because she was the one that supports and comforts
Chiu sir for 20 years.

The last paragraph summing up Kamching spirit is also very
meaningful.

Is it possible to translate this and Jim's article into Chinese?
I would suggest Kam Hung not to continue with the translation
of my article into English because it's not easy and also not
necessary for most Kamching friends. I would think translation
of Kam Wah's and Jim's article should be of higher priority.
 
I hope that others could write small articles on a particular
event or on one incident which was typical of Chiu sir's character
and Kamching spirit. We can then group them together into
a special memorial article. I hope that some of you could
try to write something this weekend. In that way, the memorial
folder could have a more complete coverage of the life and
achievement of Chiu sir.
 
best regards,
 

Man Keung