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Chapter 21 - The Mist At Genting Highlands
We went up to Genting Highlands on December 27, 1992 at 6.00 p.m. by bus. Genting Highlands, a casino and a place of interest, is not only vigorous but also energetic. The weather is cool and the view spectacular. As a non-gambler, I did not bring a big stake there. Moreover I could not guarantee that I would win. In fact, I always advise people not to gamble. Why? No matter how much you eat, you drink, you play, you enjoy, there is a limit to the expenditure incurred. But it is not so if you indulge in gambling, there is no limit to the loss. Few people can be saved from this vice. A compulsive gambler is willing to die for the cause, knowing that it is a fire pit, and be prepared to jump into it, as if the death will be a comfortable one. The entrance of the casino as designed by a noted geomancy master, is of the shape of an eagle claws. On passing through the roof, the eagle can snatch your wealth away. And the loot will be given to the casino owner. His fortune is derived from the customers' misfortune. It is said the main entrance is guarded by many child ghosts, who can suck away your gambling luck. Without such luck, the gamblers will surely lose. The casino is located on the first floor, so if you take escalator up, you are warned not to touch the handrails as your good hands will be taken away by the child ghosts . As gamblers believe in "luck and good hands", these are taboos for them. As far as I am concerned, the ending will always be the same. You will be ripped off and become a loser, whether your luck is good or not, you are kind or unkind, courageous or otherwise. There is no difference for a saint and a commoner, a hero and a coward. The casino owner will always be the winner, that is why the casino is doing a thriving business. The road leading to Genting Highland is winding and built around the hills. Seen backward, the road looks like a river with nine turns, the sight is spectacular. As the road is very narrow and the ascendence can be quite steep at times, the vehicle takes a heavy beating. Winding rivers, steep cliff and boundless greenery appear from both sides of the road from time to time. As we climbed higher, the greenery became more gaudy. More and more primitive trees met our eyes. The air was even more soothing; we really enjoyed our breathing. The landscape was really " edible". As we continued our journey, we passed through layers of clouds. No wonder, the place is known as Genting ( On top of the cloud in Mandarin). Touring a stupa and a temple on our way to the peak, we saw only mist on reaching our destination, instead of the casino and the lake. The mist was so thick that we could not even see the nearby lake. In fact we saw nothing at all. I presumed the lake must be as sparkling as a pearl. And the water in it deep blue and transparent. The fresh air and colourful flower beds made the place ostentatious. At night, the neon lights will brighten the garden, and the willow will dance gracefully and there will be many tourists around. The building is very modern. Apart from hotel rooms, it has restaurants, amusement park, casino, health club... The scenery must be eye-catching. What a pity we could not see the big and grand garden with its pavilions, since the thick mist was accompanied by strong winds and occasional showers. No green green grass of land, No boundless lake that is full of water. Genting Highlands is well-known though we did not come to gamble. Dressed in Lama costumes and incense pouches around our necks, we came to see the beautiful scenery, to breathe the fresh air. To our disappointment, we saw only the mist. I contend, "Mist is after all a good thing. It is simple and yet typical. It is light and full of simplicity and dignity." "Enjoying the care-free mist is like comprehending the misted heart in a bewildering world leisurely."
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