Let God reign in Maxis

The song "I never can say goodbye", rings true in our lives. Sorry seems to be the hardest word but goodbye? Lately, there were many resignations at my company. Goodbye Maxis but hello to the new company that one is joining. Why do people leave? And why in such numbers? Is this a herd mentality or a sheer lost of faith & confidence in the present company?

I think it's all about the lack of purpose one sees in the current state. What is my role they ask in the midst of the changes that are happening? Who do I trust and why are the top so detached from the real situation. Where is the meaning of what I do. Where is the drive and how do I put the passion back into what I do?

Is it the culture? Is it the leadership or is it the structure? Or is it just indifference? Why is this so? Who is to blame and what must we do? I don't have the answers but I can pray.

Heavenly Father, please bless Maxis, the leadership from the CEO, COO & CFO to the board of directors, the management and the employees. Let them not be distracted by the pressures of the world but let them focus on the purpose and interest of the company and the business. Father, give the leadership the wisdom & integrity to manage well. Let there be transparency and a single-mindedness in turning the company around. Let there be unity and harmony amongst the many departments and let all be focused on the vision & purpose of driving the business to the next level. Take away every spirit of discord and negativism. Replace it with a sense of hope and teamwork. Let there be sincere communications across the departments and organisation. If there is any barrier that has set itself against the spirit of harmony & cooperation, forgive us and let the power of Christ break every yoke of bondage and resistance that is hindering the complete flow of working together with a single purpose. Let every decision that is made be one that is favoured by God rather than by men. Take away every fear that is looming in the minds of those in the top team and let them find a way of working with each other and building one another up. Father, I pray you will forgive me too for my attitude and instill in me the burden to pray for a transformation within the company. Father I ask for your anointing to rain on me and through it, you will break every barrier that is preventing your name from being lifted up and glorified in the company. Father I pray that the Christians in Maxis will rise up and start to pray for forgiveness in the things that have compromised their values within the company. Father, let your love fill every Christian hearts in Maxis and even though this may seem difficult, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, this can be done and your name will be glorified. Father, let the peace of God be our portion and in situations that are pressing, let your glory and power be the banner that will be lifted up for all men to see and run to.

Lord, I pray for your manifestation, and let your light shine forth so that all men will be drawn unto you. Lord, let the gratitude attitude prevail in each and everyone of us and continue to guide, lead and direct our paths in the way that will glorify your name and extend your kingdom.

Father, may yours be the glory, honour and power forever and let the name of Jesus Christ be exalted in Maxis and bring such a transformation.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen

HUANGSHAN

Captivating China

A. Introduction

This is a first hand experience and written from my perspective. Of course before choosing the destinations, some homework has to be done to piece the trip together like making the normal travel bookings online, applying for travel visa, planning the itinerary and then setting out with anticipated discovery.

B. Duration of trip : 7 nights & 8 days

1. Day 1

1.1 By air from Kuala Lumpur to Guilin1.2 Guilin to Crown Cave in Guanyan

Crown Cave is the largest limestone cave and to get into the cave you ride on a Slider which is a single motorized rail cart with a manual lever. You operate the lever to accelerate or stop.
Once you get inside after a ride of 5 minutes, you will meet with the guide who takes you for the cave tour lasting about an hour.

1.2 Guanyan to Xingping

The Li river flows from here to Xingping & the single motorized boat ride from here is pleasant where get breadthtaking views of the hills & karsts along the way.

"This Old Place", an international youth hostel is within walking distance from the harbour. It has nice accommodation & a scenic riverside view. The limestone hills form a picturesque backdrop for catching the sunset.
Watch comorant fishing by the riverside & see the birds at work.
To catch the sunrise, book a boat ride from the harbour at 5.30am to a strategic spot by the riverside and wait for the rising sun. As the embankment is quite compact, the better spots are quickly occupied by the avid photographers who came early to book their spots.
It is also pleasant to stroll along the alleys & watch the locals start their day in Xingping.

2. Day 2

2.1 Xingping to Yangshuo

If you want to enjoy nature & see more majestic formations of the limestone karsts, take a boat ride from Xingping to Yangshuo. Get your camera ready & capture those scenic moments.
Once there, rent a bicycle & a guide and explore the many interesting places like the Giant Banyan Tree, the Moon Cave, Yulong river bamboo rapids and also stop at various points to see the interesting rock formations, each taking the shape of the myths & legends of this area.
At night, catch the majestic & magnificent performance of Li San Chie with the casts of thousands & enjoy the artistic displays of songs, dances & colours. It is an awesome visual & audio feast.

3. Day 3

3.1 Train ride from Guilin to Huaihua

To get to the next destination involves hours of travelling & the train provides the main mode of transportation here.
It takes 10 hours from Guilin to Huai Hua. Make a nightstop at Huaihua when you arrive there.

4. Day 4

4.1 From Huaihua to Fenghuang

From Huaihua, take the bus to Fenghuang
Fenghuang is a quaint town build around a river. It looks pristine with cobbled streets and alleys with colourful shops selling the local fares & handicrafts. It is charming with food peddlers lining the street with their local delicacies. At night it turns into a fairyland with the myriads of lights. The views along the river are just magical & the night life begins with the many pubs & bars raising their volume to draw in the many tourists.

5. Day 5

5.1 From Fenghuang to Huaihua

5.2 From Huaihua to Zhouyuan

Zhouyuan is a serene & tranquil town by the river. The view is breadthtaking with the vertical limestone backdrop on one side and the Quilong cave on the opposite. The Quilong Cave is a splendid architectural masterpiece that integrates the natural cave with manmade pavillions that offers commanding views of the riverside town.

6. Day 6

6.1 From Zhouyuan to Lautun

Lautun is a small town with rice fields and a gentle river flowing through it.The Sister Meal Festival is celebrated once a year at end April. The whole town is filled with festivities with programs like rice field fishing, folk dancing and the womenfolks turned out in full force adorning their colourful traditional costumes complete with headdresses and silver-like accessories.This festival is the time when the single women in the village get the opportunity to meet the eligible men and start a relationship leading to marriage.

As Lautun is 2 hours away from the nearest hotel, it is advisable to have a homestay with the locals. This comes with basic accommodation with a dinner meal. Water supply comes from the well for cooking. For other utilities, the river is the source. The family we stayed with are hospitable and friendly.

7. Day 7

7.1 From Lautun to Shidong

7.2 From Shidong to Kaili

7.2 From Kaili to Guiyang

Spent the night in Guiyang to take the morning flight to Guangzhou.

8. Day 8

8.1 Guiyang to Guangzhou

Visit the wholesalers market at Haizhu

8.2 Take the night flight to Kuala Lumpur

C. Moving around

1. Guilin to Crown Cave - Taxi Y200 for 2 : 2 hours
2. Guanyang to Xingping - Boat Y200 for 2 : 1.5 hours
3. Xingping to Yangshuo- Boat Y200 for 2 : 1.5 hours
4. Yangshuo to Guilin - Bus 1.5 Y30 for 2 : 2 hours
5. Guilin to Huaihua - Train 10 hrs K651 (Y110 for 2) 1330hrs to 0030hrs
6. Night stay at Huaihua
7. Bus to Fenghuang - Bus Y66 for 2 : 2.5 hours
8. Fenghuang to Huaihua - Bus Y66 for 2 : 2.5hrs
9. Huaihua to Zhouyuan - train Y34 for 2 : 3 hours
10. Zhouyuan to Lautun - by taxi Y120 : 1hr
11. Lautun to Shidong - 5 min by car
12. Shidong to Kaili - Bus Y44 for 2 : 2.5 hours
13. Kaili to Guiyang - Bus Y100 for 2 : 3 hours
14. Guiyang to Guangzhou - Flight : 1.2 hours
15. Guangzhou to Kuala Lumpur : 4 hours

D. Accommodation

1. Xingping - "This Old Place" : Y180

2. Yangshuo - "Tribal Inn" : Y130

3. Huaihua - Great Grand Hotel : Y150

4. Fenghuang - International Youth Hostel : Y120

5. Zhouyuan - "Six River Hotel" : Y140

6. Lautun - Homestay : Y120

7. Guiyang - Homytel : Y 200

E. Tips when taking the train

1. Be patient. There's always a queue in China!
2. At the depature hall, some people will jump over chairs just to get ahead.
3. When the gate opens, there will be a surge towards the platform.
4. Check your car or cabin number. Once inside, look for your seat.
5. It's common to find other people straddling your seats. Ask politely first but if they refuse to budge, raise your voice or get the attention of the conductor.
6. For long hauls, be prepared to bring food in case you get hungry. Stock up water too but drink less if you want to avoid going to the toilet because you have a sensitive nose.
7. If you are a non-smoker, you may catch some stealing a puff inside but you have the right to point them to the smoking area.
8. If you embark at the first station you may get a seat easily. If your station is a connecting one, it's all about seat availability. Sometimes no rush, no seat!
9. Every now & then, the staff will move up & down the aisel selling food. If you can, wait to buy before the last stop when the fruit prices go down by 50%.
10. Your seats are shared with 5 others or 3 others depending on which you are assigned.
11. If you are a foreigner & don't speak the local Chinese dialect, then what you can do is stare out of the window because you can't engage in a conversation!
12. Better still, just read!
13. If you observe closely, the Chinese have strong teeth. They bite into sugarcane & melon seeds & as quickly spit them out leaving quite a mess behind.
14. The good thing is that the train janitor will be busy sweeping & mopping when the dirt gets thick.
15. I still don't understand till now why guys need to get their ticket stamped as they enter the departure hall.
16. You may want to get a sleeping berth but that's another story because I did not get the chance to experience it.
17. What about the premiums seats you might ask but I was told there were none.
18. Whatever the situation, you just need to get to your destinations when they are not accessible by flight. So by train will you travel!