High Altitude Training in the Gym

Scientific studies have shown that the normal body reacts negatively to lack of oxygen in the air. However, well conditioned athletes are being trained in rooms or chambers called Hypoxic rooms and chambers to enhance their bodies physiology and ability to perform in low oxygen conditions. The reasoning is that the human body requires oxygen to perform cardio-respiratory functions such as walking, running, canoeing strokes and all kinds of muscle movement.

My experience is that at 3000 m oxygen level (16%), my body feels like I am burning off 30 % more energy to maintain the same speed of running. So, in effect, my body is improving its physio-kinetic ability and becoming more productive to produce the same output (running speed) for lesser ambient (16%) atmosphere. Hence over time in this special environment, my body will adapt to the reduced oxygen and perform. The longer time I am exposed to this environment, 16% will be the 'new normal' and I will be able to run at a good speed like I used to run when I am at ambient sea level conditions or 20.9% oxygen.

Once the air is set or returned to normal, meaning O2 is 20.9 %. My body will feel it is supercharged and full of energy. Its as if the parachute / backpack which was open on my back has been cut loose. Hence my running speed will be phenomenal.

This is the theory the sports scientists employ to manage, monitor and condition their elite athletes. Its called Hypoxic condiitoning. My company installs such systems worldwide and we are doing projects from Middle East, to Singapore to Australia.   

The future belongs to science. The legitimacy is established by the sporting bodies. So more and more countries will employ such modern techniques to attain sporting glory, trophies and medals for their countries. My business is to provide such equipment to meet those goals. The playing field has never been so exciting. 

Che Part 2

      This is the second part of the Che Guevara Movie Che. Born Ernestito Guevara from an upper middle class family, "Che" refers to the formal name title like 'Mister' of any Argentinian during introductions. He was also referred to the title of 'Commandante' as the overall Commander of the Cuban Revolution. 

     This second parter shows how after the overthrow of the Batista Government, Che 'disappeared'. Watch the show and enjoy. 

     I do not own the rights of any part of the movie. 

Tiong Bahru Yong Tau Fu

                                   S$ 5 dollars for 1 bowl ; Coffee is an extra $1.50 


Today, I ventured to the far end of Tiong Bahru (if the Market is considered the Center), at the corner of  Eng Hoon Street  and Kim Tian Road lies a shophouse. At night, it converts into a drinking pub and the young millennials, Western expats and locals all converge for their nightly 'fix'. Tiong Bahru Yong Tao Fu costs S$ 5 a bowl and since I do like Yong Tao Fu, I tried one.

The main bowl consisted of 8 pieces of dao fu (bead curd cakes collectively) in a bowl of soup. The bee hoon or rice vermicelli was lathered in a red gravy cum sauce and the last was a generous dash of oyster sauce. The whole setup was garnished with some chopped spring onions and fried shallots.

My verdict, pretty delicious on the whole. The vermicelli was springy and tasty, I guess there was some oil in the bowl, the red sauce was sweet and the taste of chili was not too spicy.

The yong tao fu  fish balls were savoury, as were the tao fu which was bean curd wrap over fish cake and the soup was also savoury tasting of not too sour spicy flavour.


Food   :  4.8 out  of 5 

Service :  4.0 out of 5 (the lady boss was very polite and efficient)

Ambience : Roadside walkway cool 5 out of 5

Presentation : 4.0 out of 5  

Overall Rating : 4.5 out of 5        - Excellent !  

Shitoryu Kata - Kururun Fa

Thailand Ram Inthra (Minburi) 24 - 26 May 2017

Chilling out at a small coffee shop selling freshly brewed coffee

           Situated to the North East of Bangkok, some 30 minutes drive, is Ram Inthra in the Minburi district. Our representative there got us a gem of a resort called Syn Siri Resort. It has a resort feel though with no facilities except for a clean room, toilets, friendly reception staff and fresh towels every day. For THB 1000 (S$ 40 or US$ 28) it is a steal especially for us business folk who have no need to base ourselves inside Bangkok and wasting the additional half hour or 45 minutes to get in and out of the city.

        The Ram Inthra Road is a long stretch of road, and our resort was at the flyover turnover near Fashion Island. Further infield lies the Panya Inthra Golf Club, one of the most prestigious clubs within Metropolitan Bangkok.  I had an hour's run during my stay in Bangkok and the footpath is wide and even, something which my joints appreciate !  There are a number of food shops by the roadside selling grilled fish, papaya salad, fried seafood and soups so we always have clean food at very decent prices just at our doorsteps.

View from my room at the 'resort' 

Friendly hawkers 

        The prices offered by the hawkers are very reasonable by Singapore standards, for THB 40 to THB 55 (small or big bowls) which comes to about S$ 1.80 (US$ 1.40) and S$ 2.30 (US$ 1.80) you can have a bowl of nutritious pork noodles with lots of vegetables like spring onions, towgay (bean sprouts), lettuce and morning glory

        Je Kann coffee cafe which is situated right by the roadside, is a gem of a shop with a very friendly owner, Kew and her staff. A coffee latte or coffee mocha freshly brewed is only THB 50 (S$ 2.00 or US$ 1.60). A Cappucino or an espresso is slightly cheaper at THB 45.

      You can sit away in the cool airconditoned cafe by the roadside looking out into the green courtyard with frangipani and other local trees. Very soothing and relaxing indeed  ! 

This is too funny !

Egypt Ramses II - Abu Simbel.

Relief of Ramses 

          The news that the discovery of another 30 odd mummies in the Valley of the Kings comes with very little fanfare. The fact that Egypt over 2000 years ago was the epicentre of technology, mathematics, science arts and culture wandering through the ruins and temples of Luxor, Om Kombo, and numerous others along the Nile river is testament to that.

          Ramses II was the most prolific ruler of that millennium and his likeness in statues, reliefs, cenotaphs and even temple walls is for all to see. Sadly, the situation now is not too conducive for tourists to come and visit, although I would gladly revisit this fascinating country to re-examine many things.

                                        With our Tour Mates outside Temple of Nefetary

  

         He lived till the amazing age of 82 (when the life expectancy of people then was a measly 35 years or so around the 2500 BC era !) That fact alone is testament to his strength and vitality. Many Egyptians feel that the temple at Abu Simbel, some 200 km from Aswan (which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1965) was the work of not just humans and there was some 'extraterrestial' knowhow imparted. The magnificent temple was found submerged and the Egyptian authorities rebuilt it brick by brick. The front temple was dedicated to Ramses wife as can be seen in the picture below.

The Temple of Nefatary with 3 visible statues of Ramses and one worn out due to erosion

         How could the innermost chambers of this temple where the statue of Ramses II be lit up only 2 times a year ? The anniversary of his birth and the anniversary of his coronation ? This, bear in mind, was built some 4000 odd years ago, and the mathematics of mapping the stars and the Sun to be so accurate even by today's standards is mind boggling.