BLOG | Dr. Kwan Kew Lai | Disaster Relief Doctor

kwankew

6 days ago

2024, Year in Review

Aurora Borealis in Fairbanks, Alaska There are so many wars in this world and it is disheartening that we as human beings are still not...

kwankew

Oct 8

Greenland, Svalbard and Polar Bears

The autumnal equinox marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. During the pandemic, our lives were filled with uncertainties...

kwankew

Apr 19

Hanami

In March, I was in Japan doing a 13-day tour starting in Tokyo down to Matsuyama and back up to Tokyo passing Kyoto twice, Hanami was not...

kwankew

Mar 9

A Trip to Jordan, Syrian Refugees

I just returned from Jordan volunteering with the Syrian refugees under @IMANA. The days were long but rewarding. All in all, we saw...

kwankew

Dec 17, 2023

2023, Year in Review

2023 is fast coming to an end. It is always sad and nostalgic to say goodbye to an old year, feeling that time has slipped by....

kwankew

Dec 1, 2023

Farewell to the Belmont Public Library

On the last day of the Belmont Public Library, I felt nostalgic about our little old library. It has served us well, at least for my...

kwankew

Aug 4, 2023

Aleutians Adventures

Map showing the route taken by the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry In July, I flew to Dutch Harbor or Unalaska of the Aleutian Islands where...

kwankew

Jun 8, 2023

My Adventures in April, May, and June

At the Everest Base Camp On April 27, 2023, I trekked to Everest Base Camp, after 8 days of trekking, from Lukla where all trekkers to...

kwankew

Dec 22, 2022

2022 in Review, Blessings in Abundance

The COVID pandemic still lingers and refuses to leave us in peace. Travel restrictions are waxing and waning, but life goes on. This...

kwankew

Aug 1, 2022

The Mount Marathon Race

Have you ever heard of the Mount Marathon Race in Seward, Alaska? I had not until early this year when I was planning my trip to Seward....

The 40th Midnight Sun Run 10K, Fairbanks, Alaska

kwankew

Jun 24, 2022

The 40th Midnight Sun Run 10K, Fairbanks, Alaska

Last summer I was in Fairbanks awaiting the birth of my first grand twins, Lucas and Sam. The Midsummer Sun Run was a virtual one because...

kwankew

Jun 10, 2022

Farewell to Ah Yee

My sister Eng texted me, “Mom is very sick.” The previous evening, I had just said goodbye to her, my brother, Boon, and his wife, Janet,...

2021 in Review, COVID Pandemic Continues

kwankew

Dec 27, 2021

2021 in Review, COVID Pandemic Continues

The COVID Pandemic continues to rule. Omicron dethrones delta and is now the reigning monarch. While our country continues to grapple...

Shiprock: A Beacon of Hope for the Navajo Nation during the COVID Pandemic

kwankew

Mar 5, 2021

Shiprock: A Beacon of Hope for the Navajo Nation during the COVID Pandemic

“How’re you doing, Mrs. Begay?” While volunteering during the second wave of the COVID pandemic at the Navajo Nation, I made my first...

2020 in Review, the year of the COVID Pandemic

kwankew

Dec 26, 2020

2020 in Review, the year of the COVID Pandemic

2020, what I did during the year of the pandemic.

The Winter Solstice and The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

kwankew

Dec 21, 2020

The Winter Solstice and The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn

Today we celebrate the Winter Solstice and the rare great conjunction of the two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn of the solar system;...

My Brother Wee: Living a life for Others

kwankew

Dec 14, 2020

My Brother Wee: Living a life for Others

Today we mourn the passing of our brother Wee and celebrate a life well-lived. Shortly after mid-night last night, I went to Rock Meadow...

Lest We Forget: A Doctor's Experience with Life and Death During the Ebola Outbreak

kwankew

Sep 27, 2018

Lest We Forget: A Doctor's Experience with Life and Death During the Ebola Outbreak

Two years ago I posted in my blog this question: Should you still care about Ebola now that the outbreak is over? I received the author...

kwankew

Aug 14, 2018

Hunger and Children

An unexpected day-off. I would rather run a clinic for Rohingya but it was not to be. Had I known that we had no clinic far ahead of...

kwankew

Aug 13, 2018

Last Day

The tides were low this morning, the ocean seemed a long way away. Many men and women were crouching over buckets of ocean water to dish...