Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

DD the Poser

Don't cha wish your doggie was hot like me! Don't cha

Community Service

Canon Powershot A750, F/2.8
Company Community Service

Pinocchio

D40, F/4, 26mm, 1/200s,
Pinocchio

Along Jonker Street, you'll be able to find a variety of souvenirs from fridge magnet to something like above and most importantly, at a bargain price.

The Christ Church of Malacca

D40, F/4, 22mm
The Christ Church of Malacca

Anyone who paid a visit to Malacca will be fascinated by the famous Dutch Square which is is also known as the Red Square because of the crimson coloured old buildings. This is where lies the historical Christ Church.

Malacca River

D40, F/13, 18mm,
Malacca River

Where to go at night in Malacca? Well... why don't head over to Sg. Melaka or Malacca River. The historical Malacca River used to be an important conduit for trade. The river passes through some famous tourism places such Jonker Street and Dutch Square.
One Aussie told me that he was very impressed with Malacca especially the river and was surprised to why there are not much promotion on Malacca city itself. He jokingly suggested that I should make a DVD on Malacca and sell it on the Internet.
Hmm... maybe I should.

Taman Buaya Melaka

D40, F/5.3, 1/100s
Taman Buaya Melaka

This place used to be a favourite spot for kids during school holidays. I remember visiting the crocodile farm in Malacca when I was in primary 4.
It is currently under renovation due to overpopulation of the crocodiles so it could be a little muddy but with entrance fees at 5 bucks... it is still worth it.

Grasshopper

D40, F/8, 55mm, 1/160s,
Grasshopper

One last look at the fella that ended up as a Dom Dom's toy.

What's up doc?

D40, F/4.8, 35mm
What's up doc?

Apa lu mau?

Dom Dom's dinner

D40, F/8, 1/60s, 55mm
Dom Dom's dinner

Hmm... How should I eat this? Steam it? Stir fried with belacan? BBQ? Bah... I'll just eat it RAW!!

The beginning of the end

D40, F/5.6, 18mm
Paddy Field, Sekinchan

Some say, a hasten decision is a wrong decision but for me, a hasten one is better than no decision.
I will be starting my new journey soon. A journey into the unknown, a journey that promises so much but yet a journey that will leave me with much regret. So much that it will probably follow me for the rest of my life.

If I am to face HIM today, I can only tell HIM how sorry I am...

Bagan Lalang - The impossible journey

D40, F/9, 55mm
The Impossible Journey

At my current age, I am at the juncture of my life where I have to make a decision and I have to make it fast. This decision involved switching the comfortable ground that I have been stepping for the past 3 years, to somewhere or even something… unknown, unfamiliar with, a place which I am not even sure what lies ahead for me.

Some people view this as a challenge but some… well, they rather not take the risk sacrificing for the unknown. I used to belong to the latter group, as a matter of fact, I think I still am but somehow this time it feels different…

Should I take the plunge? To the unknown...

Authentic Nasi Briyani

D40, F/4.2, 28mm
Authentic Nasi Briyani

Looks yummy? Unfortunately the look is much better than the taste. Anyway... taste can be subjective so if you want to try it, feel free to sample it at Bread and Olive, located at Lookout Point.

Redang Island

D40, F/4, 18mm,
Sunrise at Redang Island

D40, F/4, 18mm,
Clear turquoise sea

Redang oh Redang, what can I say beside white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea, rich underwater world with marvelous marine life albeit not as good as it used to be due to tourism. But still, it is one of the better beaches/island in Peninsular Malaysia.

Amber and Zeon having fun at Redang

D40, F/5.6, 52mm
Zeon Lee

D40, F/5.6, 55mm,
Amber Lee

Kid does wonder especially to adult around them. They blow away your frustration and your trouble with their cheeky behaviour. Watching these two fellas enjoying themselves on the beach makes me understand why their parent sacrifices so much for them.

Lookout Point

D40, F/8, 18mm, 9s
Lookout Point

I miss my dom dom...

D40, F/5, 18mm, 1/100s,

Dom Dom

I miss you. :(

Get well soon.

My SLC Colleague

D40, F/5.3, 42mm, 1/30s,
My Super Leng Chai(SLC) Colleague

I am never good at taking portrait and knowing that, I always blame it on my lens saying the lens is not ‘fast’ enough. Hahaha.
Well, the fact is I really like to take portrait but the result is always NOT as per what I imagine it to be. A good portrait is like a good novel, it can tell story, it touches people and it bring people together. I really hope in the future, I will be ‘enlightening enough’ to take such a photo.
Anyway, here’s a portrait of my colleague from Germany. I hope he won’t stumble upon this blog else he will stop ‘supporting’ my request. Hehe.

Feeling blue today?

Feeling blue today?

Here are some colour to add more vibrant to your day.

Tulips

D40, F/5.6, 52mm, 1/400s,
Tulips

I missed the tulips season by 2 weeks when I was in Nurnberg. Only managed this photo where I captured it outside a café at the Old City. At first glance, I did not even notice that it is a tulip because my recognition of a tulip is when it is still in the blooming period. And this one is already fully blossom!
It really doesn’t look at all like tulip, does it?

Palm Oil at Sekinchan

D40, f/5.6, 55mm, 1/50s,
Palm Oil at Sekinchan

I like the striking colour of the palm oil against the dull contrast background.

Nurnberg, Germany

D40, F/8, 18mm, 1/100s,

Nurnberg, Germany

Picture taken on 20th May 2008. Spring time and the weather is great. I bet this picture will be better if only I have a CPL.

Paddy Field at Sekinchan

D40, F/5, 18mm, 1/100s, Paddy Field at Sekinchan

Sekinchan is one of the major rice producing districts in the country. The town has a unique dual character - it is both a fishing village as well as a rice producing area. Once a blogger commented "I live in Sekinchan.. Probably the most beautiful place on earth... Where else in the world.. having gorgeous paddy field in front.. while a scenic beach at the back of your house...." Indeed, he is so right as I found it out myself.
Starting the journey from Puchong at 5.30am in the morning, I hope to reach Sekinchan just in time to catch the first dew of the day. Driving through the NS Highway and turning into Sg. Buloh, heading towards Kuala Selangor, I reached Sekinchan after 90 minutes of driving, stopping for a drive thru to grab some breakfast.
Early May is usually NOT the harvesting season, most of the fields are still 'green' but if you ask around, the locals will tell you to go to Tanjung Karang because paddy are grown earlier there. Harvesting in Sekinchan will only be due mid June to early July depending on which 'plot'.
Picture above doesn't really serve justice to the place but it is the best I can get.

Lotus Flower at Sekinchan

D40, F/5.6, 55mm, 1/400s
Lotus Flower at Sekinchan

Whenever someone mentioned Sekinchan, the first thing that popped up on one's mind is rows and rows of paddy fields. You are right but only half right!
There are more than paddy fields in Sekinchan. You’ll be surprise what is in store for you. I found out when I visited the place early this month hoping to catch the first harvest season. Yes, I saw rows of paddy fields but what caught my eye was bountiful of lotus flower by the road side heading to Sekinchan town. The vibrant pink and green colour of the lotus plant is so vivid on my DSLR’s LCD, I couldn’t believe my eye. It looks exactly the same as the real thing!
This is easily the best flower photo I have ever taken!

Slacking... but no more

I am been slacking these couple of months due to work and family commitment. And because of that, this blog along with all the other blogs are ‘abandoned’… as usual. As a result, I no longer able to meet my ‘A Picture A Day Resolution’. But still… I am committed to this blog more than others therefore I will try to post picture whenever I am free to do so.

Love is in the air

D40, F/5.3, 1/30s, 45mm,
Love is in the air


Everywhere I look around
Love is in the air
Every sight and every sound

Church Wedding

D40, F/5.0, 1/125s, 38mm,
Church Wedding

Lightning

D40, F/9, Manual, 1/8s, 18mm,
Lightning,


First time. Result not good. Will try again.

Phuket, Thailand

Canon Powershot A75, F/5.6, 1/80s,

Phuket, Thailand

Busy Bee

D40, F/5.6, 1/100s, 55mm,
Busy Bee

I like taking picture of insect, especially in the wild. It gives me satisfaction if I managed to get my desired photo, just like this one. The bee might be a bit small but I like the green background with the yellow colour. I think it matches.

Bananarama

D40, F/5.6, 55mm,

Bananarama

His name is Takada. He was in the same group as I am when we visited Sapa. He told me banana is expensive in Japan so I let him have his banana peacefully.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

D40, F/4.2, 1/125s, 28mm,

Halong Bay Vietnam

We did a stop over at a small island in Halong Bay. One can climbs up a small hill to get the landscape view of Halong Bay. If it is not because of winter, I would have already jumped into the water...

Halong Bay Panorama

D40, F/4.5, 1/500s, 18mm,

Halong Bay Panorama

Photo is cropped at the top and bottom to produce a 'panorama effect'. Year end is a good time to go to Halong Bay due to the cool weather but there's downside to it. It will get pretty foggy almost the entire day which makes it hard to get a decent photo.

Military Museum, Hanoi

D40, F/4.5, 1/1250s, 18mm,

Military Museum, Hanoi

Argh... I misses a post yesterday. There goes my 'resolution'. Sigh...

Anyway this picture was taken at the Military Museum, Hanoi. Enjoy.

Harbour Bridge, Sydney

Canon Powershot A75, F/5.6, 1/320s,
Harbour Bridge, Sydney

Waterfall at Blue Mountain

Canon Powershot A75, F/3.2, 0.5s,
Waterfall at Blue Mountain

I am still trying hard to get a good picture of waterfall. Understand the need to control the shuttle speed in order to get a 'fog like' water effect. Tripod is a must in order to achieve that kinds of effect unless your harnd is super steady.

Sunset at Uluwatu, Bali

Canon Powershot A75, F/5.6, 1/1000s,

Sunset at Uluwatu, Bali

Ahh... Bali, another place that I would like to go again someday. Interesting places like Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Kintamani bring back great memories. Too bad I did not manage to cover the entire island during my last trip. But I vow to come back one day but for now here is a picture of Uluwatu's sunset :)

Black Hmong, Sapa Vietnam

D40, F/5.6, 1/160s, 55mm,

Black Hmong, Sapa Vietnam

This woman here is from the Black Hmong minority in Sapa. She is in fact my local tour guide’s mum. I was in Vietnam during Christmas last year and went to a few places namely Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa. Out of these places, I love Sapa the most. The cool temperatures with their friendly and conversant people are really a great company to be with. For nature lover, this is the place for you. You get to see terrace and terrace of paddy fields, incredible mountain view and some really nice waterfalls. Livestock such as pig, horses and cattle wander freely and greet you with their reeking whiff
Too bad the place is getting touristy as I write now but still this is one the place one must visit to truly see how diversified Vietnam is!

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Canon Powershot A75, F/5.6, 1/500s,
Temple of Heaven, Beijing

The only advantage working for my company is that I get to travel once in a while. Took this picture when I went to Beijing last year. It was mid April but the weather was unexpectedly very cold and one part of Beijing was covered in snow. And the sky was always 'yellow' because of the sand storm. I was lucky to have captured this picture as it was the only day the sky is blue during my entire week there.

Torn

D40, F/5.6, 1/50s, 55mm,
Torn

I drafted this post yesterday night. Initially I wanted to talk about how my aunt likes gardening and so does Dom Dom. Whenever I bring Dom Dom to aunt's house; she will wreak every single vegetation reachable except the above picture.
But right now this picture describe my feeling.

Schöner Brunnen ("Beautiful Fountain")

D40, F/4.5, 1/60s, 18mm,
Schöner Brunnen

("Beautiful Fountain")
This is Nurnbergs most famous fountain. The fountain is built to look like the top of a church tower. On the fountain is a metal ring rigged to the grating that is said to be a good luck charm (you have to rotate it 360 degrees and make a wish which I did. Hahaha).

I'll race you...

D40, F/5.6, 1/80s, 55mm,
I'll race you...

I really have no idea what is this. It doesn't look like a flower, more like cauliflower.

Dining at Nurnberg

D40, F/4.5, 1/30s, 18mm,

Dining at Nurnberg

Tried hard but I am unable to remember the name of the restaurant but it is situated beside the river in the Old City. Food are good and portion are large(for Asian).
Edited: The name of the restaurant is KON TIKI

Cappuccino

D40, F/5.6m, 1/60s, 30mm,
Cappuccino

The Germans are good at almost everything, don't you think? My boss said they always over engineered. I don't really agree because the way I see it, they really put their 'heart' into their work.

Morning Glory Flower

D40, F/5.6, 1/400s, 55mm,

Morning Glory Flower

I still remember when I was in primary school, there were tones of morning glory surrounding the school compound. I would pluck them and then throw at the girls. Hahaha. But as I grow older, it is becoming harder to spot this species of flower. I took this picture at the Lake Garden last year while bringing my German colleague around.

Duck

D40, F/5.6, 1/200s, 55mm,

Duck

Trekking along the mountain pass at Sapa presented me with multiple chances to use my camera. From the rice terrace to water fall, things here are naturally breathtaking. Here is a pair of duck taking a break from the daily hustle and just sitting there enjoying the scenery. Now that is what I call LIFE.

Butterfly

D40, F/5.6, 1/400s, 55mm,
Butterfly

I took this during the Pangkor Island Company Trip. From afar I looked like an idiot chasing the butterfly but my effort paid off when I managed to get a picture I desire. No alteration on the photo except cropping and resizing.

Firework - Malaysia International Firework Competition (MIFC)

D40, F/16, 21.5s, 22mm,
Firework - Malaysia International Firework Competition (MIFC)

This is my second time taking firework. My first try produce very bad photo. Did a lot of readup and many tries and errors before producing several 'okay' photos. This is from Team Italy. I think their firework is the best... Too bad they lost

Hong Kong Egg Tart

Canon Powershot A75, F/2.8, 1/125s,
Hong Kong Egg Tart

My colleagues in Hong Kong brought me to this bakery nearby the office 'allegedly' famous for their egg tart. Well, if you think the picture looks 'delicious', wait till you try it. Heavenly