Atoning for the previous generations' sins.
(the alternative title to this blog entry is, "Paying Penance on behalf of Dad")
Dad always so kindly gives me a lift to base camp on the nights before our early morning trips. This time, he gave me a ride to pick some stuff up, which I left there. Ria and Tom took the opportunity to meet Dad, so Dad will know that at least I'm spending quality time doing important stuff with decent (and seemingly normal) people.
Now, one thing about Dad, he loves to chat, and he loves nature, wildlife, and *ahem* poaching, so it was only predictable that he shared stories with us there, outside base camp. See, it was because of Dad I got my nature-streak in me. When I was young, I'd be knee-deep or butt-sunken in mangrove mud, digging for bivalves, or out in the water, netting lots of yummy flower crabs. Thanks to Dad, of course, I got to see Singapore beyond the fast-paced, modern and expensive city it was. There was always stuff to do on weekends, - fishing, cast-netting, walks in the nature reserves, or simply a picnic in the botanic gardens. We sometimes struggled to make ends meet, but I was greatly blessed when it came to experiences like these.
Those who've met my dad, realise he cannot stop. Chatting that is, so one day, when we have time and maybe some coffee and lots of B & J, we can interview him. Maybe even re-enact his old days out on a sampan with him in tattered white t-shirt and straw hat a la olden-days' fisherman. *LOL* Or we could take him along on our trips and catch him in (poaching) action, and see what we could do with the footage. Tom must promise not to take my dad clubbing, cuz even though Dad is pesky, I still love him very very much. (and he gives me rides to base camp!!)
So dad is responsible for my love of getting mucky and slimy, but as Ria pointed out, Dad is/was a poacher and my efforts, however small, in conservation of the BioD in Singapore, is probably to atone for his past "sins". Ria also mentioned her paying penance on behalf of her dad who used to be something like mine. What he did, I cannot recall now due to short-circuited brain.
Perhaps we might see Dad out on our trips with us, he has expressed interest and is willing to transport slimy crew and equipment on his car too! Hmmm, I wonder what are the chances of converting this old poacher...
Dad always so kindly gives me a lift to base camp on the nights before our early morning trips. This time, he gave me a ride to pick some stuff up, which I left there. Ria and Tom took the opportunity to meet Dad, so Dad will know that at least I'm spending quality time doing important stuff with decent (and seemingly normal) people.
Now, one thing about Dad, he loves to chat, and he loves nature, wildlife, and *ahem* poaching, so it was only predictable that he shared stories with us there, outside base camp. See, it was because of Dad I got my nature-streak in me. When I was young, I'd be knee-deep or butt-sunken in mangrove mud, digging for bivalves, or out in the water, netting lots of yummy flower crabs. Thanks to Dad, of course, I got to see Singapore beyond the fast-paced, modern and expensive city it was. There was always stuff to do on weekends, - fishing, cast-netting, walks in the nature reserves, or simply a picnic in the botanic gardens. We sometimes struggled to make ends meet, but I was greatly blessed when it came to experiences like these.
Those who've met my dad, realise he cannot stop. Chatting that is, so one day, when we have time and maybe some coffee and lots of B & J, we can interview him. Maybe even re-enact his old days out on a sampan with him in tattered white t-shirt and straw hat a la olden-days' fisherman. *LOL* Or we could take him along on our trips and catch him in (poaching) action, and see what we could do with the footage. Tom must promise not to take my dad clubbing, cuz even though Dad is pesky, I still love him very very much. (and he gives me rides to base camp!!)
So dad is responsible for my love of getting mucky and slimy, but as Ria pointed out, Dad is/was a poacher and my efforts, however small, in conservation of the BioD in Singapore, is probably to atone for his past "sins". Ria also mentioned her paying penance on behalf of her dad who used to be something like mine. What he did, I cannot recall now due to short-circuited brain.
Perhaps we might see Dad out on our trips with us, he has expressed interest and is willing to transport slimy crew and equipment on his car too! Hmmm, I wonder what are the chances of converting this old poacher...
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