3-5 June 2011 (Johor, Malaysia)
The first time I was privy to the original observatory design plans, Ying & Min were kids of four and six years. They have grown beautifully, as has their dad's observatory which now includes air-conditioning, satellite TV, two bathrooms, and a spacious area which can easily fit a group of twelve camping there with sleeping bags.
The main observatory itself is smaller, yet cosy enough for four telescope-computer set-ups. The full length of the roof glides easily to reveal gloriously dark skies with a hint of the crowns of the taller fruit trees. It is a zone for collecting stars and for harvesting mangosteens, durians and local duku-fruit.
We have not met up for some seven years since our last stargazing trip to Mongolia. Vin is still working on his pier modification, Loo has gone tech-saavy in his photography. New attempts at imaging old starlight for the guys. I have become contented to sit back, relax and simply admire the sky for what it is without the need to capture starlight.
The only thing left to enhance this trip is a proper tea set with really good tea to enact nights of old Tang Dynasty poets philosophizing under a moonless sky.
Thanks for the roti prata and bak kut teh.
