//preload the images first
   var pic001 = new Image(240, 231);
   pic001.src = "../images/img_testimonial001.gif";

   var pic002 = new Image(240, 231);
   pic002.src = "../images/img_testimonial002.gif";

   var pic003 = new Image(240, 231);
   pic003.src = "../images/img_testimonial003.gif";
   
   var pic004 = new Image(240, 311);
   pic004.src = "../images/img_testimonial004.gif";
   
   var pic005 = new Image(240, 311);
   pic005.src = "../images/img_testimonial005.gif";
   
   var pic006 = new Image(240, 311);
   pic006.src = "../images/img_testimonial006.gif";

   //preload the images first (for the internationl skylines)
   var sky001 = new Image(240, 290);
   sky001.src = "../images/skyline_china.jpg";

   var sky002 = new Image(240, 290);
   sky002.src = "../images/skyline_malaysia.jpg";

   var sky003 = new Image(240, 290);
   sky003.src = "../images/skyline_singapore.jpg";

   var sky004 = new Image(240, 290);
   sky004.src = "../images/skyline_thailand.jpg";
   
   var sky005 = new Image(240, 290);
   sky005.src = "../images/skyline_hongkong.jpg";