80 feet high

Today I went up on a crane, 80 feet above ground. It was a photo shoot of a building conducted by my company's photographer. As I was on the crane at a height that is despairingly high, it brought back memories of my old 17 storey flat in Penang.

I used to live in a one room flat on the 8th floor. It is a highly densed flats with about 20 over units per floor, multiply that with 17 floors and you will have more than 300 units per block. In the areas where I used to lived, there are about 10 blocks of flats, multiply that with 300 units and you will have more than 3,000 units and multiply that with approximately 5 person per household, you will have..... well... more than 15,000 people.

Rifle Range Flats in Penang

My flat has a balcony (yes despite it being a one room flat) it does have a balcony. My block is apparently the best as it faces directly to campsite of "FRU" (Federal Reserve Unit). I used to run to the balcony each time the sirens goes off and loads and loads of police trucks would drive out. During the evening, I would sit at the balcony and watch the men playing "sepak takraw" and football at the open field. Yes, it is amazing to know that lots of activities can be seen from my little balcony.

The place is practically so convenient, you can find food anywhere and anytime.. ahh.. I still remember "Ah Teik Char Koay Teow", "curry mee" and the economical Fried Bihun Mee... not forgetting "Koay Kak" and on the wheel "fried chicken"... yummy!

The evening market along the main road

Famous "Kek Lok Si" Temple

Beyond the yonder, there are the hills where you can see the famous Pagoda and the beautiful "Goddess of Mercy". It is exceptionally beautiful during chinese new year when the Pagoda is all lighted up.


Well, coming back to being on top of the crane, I have not been up so high for a long time and it does give me the goose bumps when I was up there. I do not have fear of course as I am quite used to height but somehow, today, I still felt a faint quiver when I was 80 feet above ground.. I guess age is catching up on me.