Surabaya: Coban Rondo Waterfall

One of the interesting place which I visited during our last trip to Surabaya was Coban Rondo Waterfall which is located at Pandesari village, Pujon District which is about 32 km away to the West from Malang.

Coban Rondo waterfall is a beautiful waterfall on the slope of Mount Panderman and the height of waterfall is about 60 meter. The small stream flow from the foot of the waterfall is a very good spot for slow shutter speed photography. The surrounding scenery are also very scenic for portrait photography though the light is abit low.

On that particular day, the weather was not good, cloudy and drizzling.

Place of interest: I would recommend this beautiful place should you visit Surabaya, Indonesia.

Here are some of of the images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.

Coban Rondo Waterfall

Surabaya: Jalan Ampel

We continued our journey to our next stop which was Jalan Ampel, the historical earliest Arab Muslim settlement in Surabaya. According to our tour guide, Ms Kimi the dwellers of these street are still practicing their old trades as can be seen in the streets of Jalan Ampel.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 with lens Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.

Mr Chew is roaring to go and capture some good images

 

Surabaya: House of Sampoerna

As we drive on, our tour guide informed us that our first stop for the day will be House of Sampoerna which is now a muzium and used to be a cigarette factory belong to the family of Putera Sampoerna. We were told that we will see the human robot where they can rolled and packed seven pack of cigarette per minute. We were very excited but unluckily we were not allowed to captured their images. For this experience, you have to see them yourself. They are really like robot, efficient and yet effective. They are REAL fast with their fingers and hands.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.

Surabaya: The Arrival

Greeting friends,
I would like to share with you our 4 days 3 nights trip to Surabaya recently and it was on April 20th to April 23rd to be exact. Though it was tiring but enjoyable and fulfulling for us the first timers to Surabaya beside we have a very talented, energetic and resourceful tour guide whom we known as Ms Kimi. The Ridy Indonesia Tours which we engaged for the trip is also very good in their logistic management, meal time and their selection of the tour guide is very commendable.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.



At KLIA LCCT before departure

Dalat as I see it

Dalat is one of the town that we passed as we drive home from Sibu which is also my hometown. Dalat is the town that most of the villages used to visit when they need any food supplies or medical treatment.

Armed with my buddy Nikon D7000 matched with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC, I roamed the street and along it's beautiful Oya River.

This Dalat as I see it either during the day or night.

Let's start with something close to the Melanau as I am a Melanau by race.
The symbol of Dalat is Jerunei or Kelidieng as it is called in Melanau language. This symbol also shows that Dalat is a Melanau town where Melanaus are the majority beside Iban and the Chinese.

 It's raining when I captured this images and I hope my camera can cope with a bit of water drops. Yet I am hoping to get something weather sealed camera like Olympus OMD-EM5 one day.

Singapore Trip D1: Here we come

I have been waiting for this date, September 20th, the day for our trip to Singapore. Agnes and Irene have planned this trip for weeks. Irene has settled our accommodation as her sister Rose Aik had allowed us to stay with her family in Singapore.

In the beginning, we planned to go by air but Agnes has another plan.
She preferred to go by road. She called a bus company, Five Stars to be exact and they informed her that they have a promotion of MYR 55.00 to Singapore and S$55.00 return. If the rate is at 2.51 for S$1.00, that will come up to MYR193.00 for transport. (This is the original price) Then we still need to purchase the Universal Studio Singapore (USS) ticket which cost us another S$70.00.

Agnes is really good in asking fantastic question like 'Do you have any bus fare promotion?'
The lady at the Five Star ticketing counter said....."Yes, we have. We have a special promotion for bus fare with return ticket at MYR 71.00."
Agnes tell Irene about this good news but Irene could not believe it. Thus Irene make a call to Five Stars bus company as she thought it must be a lumberjack lorry to be so cheap. The bus company confirmed the information on the transport cost.
Then Irene inquired about the USS ticket promotion. The bus ticketing lady revealed to Irene that USS has a special promotion with the return bus fare at MYR 178.00

On Monday, Agnes purchased the USS ticket plus bus fare with return at MYR 178.00 per pax.

Agnes and Irene really know how to shoot a great questions to get a fantastic result.

Thank you, Five Star.. Thank you, Irene and Agnes for the hard work.

All images were taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

We gather at the DKSH Malaysia HQ

Tanjung Sepat: Bagan Lalang

Our final destination for the day were Bagan Lalang where we were having our dinner and took some sunset shots. By the way I prepared all our food and drinks from home. We are a budget traveller.

Based on my quick observation, this is a great place for outdoor activities such as picnic, kite flying, sunbathing, bury in the sand, swimming, enjoy the sea breeze or just walking on the beach.

Great place for photography either landscape, portraits, street candids or macro of the beach crabs and insects.

All images taken with Nikon D7000 and lens Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

Agnes walked on the beach.

Tanjung Sepat: Coffee and Pao

Now we are more familair with Tanjung Sepat area and our next destination will be at Lorong 6, Tanjung Sepat based on our GPS.

If Lover Bridge gives us fresh air, aromatic coffee poluted our air with it's aromatic freshness.

Our travel GPS based on our travel guide indicated the coffee and the pao were at Lorong 6, Tanjung Sepat and the truth is at Lorong 3, Tanjung Sepat. We made a few rounds at Lorong 6 then we gambled at Lorong 3 where we found the place.

The full information on the Coffee and the Pao:

Kwo Zha B Coffee
No. 15, Medan Selera Lorong 3,
Tanjung Sepat.
Tel: 012-686 2221 / 012-322 7784

The shop

Tanjung Sepat: Lover Bridge

It's a bright sunny day and our next destination after Passion Fruit Farm is Lover Bridge. Lover Bridge is just few meters from the Passion Fruit Farm where you may see a few seafood restaurants along the way to the bridge. At the end of the bridge is a jetty for the fishermen's fishing boat.

Why it is called a Lover Bridge?
Normally couples came here to spent their time with the sea breeze blowing and freshness of sea air filled their young lungs. Nice view and have a sense of serenity.

All images were taken with Nikon D7000 and Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 VC.

 Seafood Restaurant

Tanjung Sepat: Passion Fruit Farm

At the last minute, we changed our destination from Lover Bridge to Passion Fruit Farm. It is located just before you reach the Lover Bridge.

All images taken with AF-S nikkor 50mm f/1.8G and tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC

 The Entrance to the Passion fruit Farm

Tanjung Sepat: Ganofarm Homestay

When we moved on from Morib Beach, we were a bit lost as we do not know where we should go next. We just drive and drive until we see a sign says, Mushroom farm.
We made a U turn and turned into an unknown route which I believe lead to Mushroom farm. Sure enough at the end of the road, we see the name 'GANOFARM'.

You may ask, what happen to our GPS?
We could not key in our destination as we do not know our next destination. We just follow our instinct for direction and of course the signboard. We only know two things in this area namely Special Pao and Special Coffee but we do not know where.

All images taken with either of my lens AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G or Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC.

This signboard looks familiar. We have been here four or five years ago .

Tanjung Sepat: Pantai Morib

After we have enough of Kelalang Beach, we move again to our next destination which is Morib Beach. We do not know that Morib has two beaches namely old and new.
The old beach is the one that is closer to the army camp which I have visited back in 1976 with my Sarawak Foundation Student group.

These are some of the images taken with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC and AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

 As we drive out of the Kelalang Beach area, we were stopped by a group of friendly Kelalang Beach Coast Guard (Monkeys).

A Traveller from Oracle

Saturday is always a special day for me but this particular Saturday I just lost my guts to shoot the subject on the street as I used to be. I feel so dry, no push and no motivation. I am really not in a street shooting condition or mood.
Why?
Maybe I am tired and my mind is not creative and my vision of what to shoot just vapourise in thin air.
Maybe the night before I slept late and my body is a bit tired.

But deep within me still want to do the shutter therapy session. That I would say is passion for what I like to do. The push from within oneself.

Early in the morning, I did my morning prayer as normal but added a special petition which goes like this.

"O God, I am too weak today and yet I want to walk the street. Grant me the grace to meet Robin Wong or anyone that will walk with me. In Jesus name, I ask. Amen."

As we drive from Puncak Alam, I make a new plan with a change in shutter therapy route. Today I will cover Petaling Street, Pudu, Jalan Masjid India, Dataran Merdeka and Tugu Negara.
This means I am deverting from my normal route of Jalan TAR and Chow Kit Road.

As I roamed through Jalan Masjid India, I decided to move on to Dataran Merdeka and there by the road I saw a man looking at the signboard for direction.

I greet him with a simple, "Hi. Where do you want to go?"
He reply with "Masjid India!, I want to go to Masjid India."
I explain to him how to go to Masjid India but deep within me said, "Show him!"

Tanjung Sepat: Kelalang Beach

One of the thing that my wife and I like to do is travelling. If we have time we always want to visit new places and meet new people and learn more about that particular place.

During Hari Raya Puasa, we went to Kuala Selangor area namely Pasir Penambang, Kampung Bagan Pasir, Remis Beach and Pantai Jeram.

This time we headed South to Tanjung Sepat, Selangor.

We plan to visit the place of interest namely:
1. Pantai Kelalang/Kelalang Beach
2. Pantai Morib/Morib Beach - old and new
3. Ganofarm - A mushroom farm.
4. Lover Bridge and Passion fruit farm
5. Kwo Zha B Coffee at Lorong 3
6. Pernigaan Pao Hai Yew Hing at Lorong 3
7. Pantai Bagan Lalang/ Bagan Lalang Beach
8. Some nice Seafood Restaurant for dinner

For this trip, I bring along my two lens namely Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC and AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G. My Travel Photography gear will be more complete with Super Wide Lens such as Nikon 12-24mm f/4G or Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 (cost range at MYR 3K - 3.6K) or a cheaper Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF). We need this lens to capture the bigger picture to sum up the story of one particular place that we visit.

Our journey was 100% depend on the GPS device to guide us to our desired destination.

Kuala Selangor: Kampung Bagan Pasir

The Jetty

Our next destination after Kuala Selangor-Pasir Penambang was Tanjong Karang and Kampung Bagan Pasir to be exact. We log into our GPS, 'Bagan Pasir' as our next destination.

Kampung Bagan Pasir is a fishermen village where you can see fishermen's boats and also you can buy some fresh fish from the fisherman.

Kuala Selangor: Pasir Penambang

We have been planing for this trip to Kuala Selangor for quite awhile as we are also staying in the Kuala Selangor area.

As it is a holiday, we are well prepared for this trip in term of food. I specially cook some rice, vegetables and fried eggs. I also bring along some soft drink namely 100Plus and Ice Cream Soda to quench our thirst as we drive on.

For photography purpose, I packed my Nikon D7000 with two lens namely AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 VC. I also bring along my tripod in case I need it. Beside this I also take my old friend Olympus UTough 8010 in case raining and I still can shoot. I thinking of upgrading this UTough 8010 to UTough TG1 when my budget permit.

Malacca - Johore Trip 2012 - Final Part

This is the last part of Malacca - Johore Trip 2012.

Early Sunday morning, Chew Chee Long went out to Pasar (Morning Market) with his auntie to buy some breakfast for us. When we woke up, they brought home a lot of packed food.

 Heavy breakfast at Auntie's house.

After breakfast we headed for our first destination which according to Chee Long's cousin is a good place to visit when you are in Batu Pahat, Johore. It's a Tou Pekong or a Chinese Temple.

 The road to Tou Pekong.

 As we approached the Tou Pekong area, a tourist bus was already there. The building behind the bus is a building for Bird rearing project to get their nest.

 Tou Pekong's guide explained to us about this horse and the horse master.

 A statue of the deity in the small house behind the horse.

The Tou Pekong, Batu Pahat, the praying place for those who believe.

Entrance of the Tou Pekong where the visitors light their joysticks.

Irene Aik is pouring water on the Golden Frog as according to the Tou Pekong guide, good luck will follow you if you batch the Golden Frog and stroke it's back.

A bronze Turtle carrying wealth on it's back which is located next to the entrance of the Tou Pekong.

As I am busy taking photos, the Tou Pekong's guide  motioned me to follow him to the new Tou Pekong building to show us a new additional attraction. The building is still under construction. I wonder if I am look more like a reporter to attract his attention.

First is a place of prayer and worship.

And the second is an image of a Tiger which changed color every second based on the light source that shine on the image. It looks interesting and a great work of art.

We thanked the Tou Pekong's gentleman who show us around the temple.

Then we drove on to another destination recommended by Chee Long's cousin which was Pantai Minyak Beku as shown by the sign by the road side.

The Sign.

 Nicely laid stairs to a small chalet.

 A jetty for the small ship.

 Our group at the jetty with Pang Wee Seng and Samantha.

 Samantha, the one that Pang's love.

And below is the sharing of tissue as a sign of love.

"Thank you, Pang and Samantha for being with us."

Alas! As we turned out from the beach area, an alligator stopped us as the alligator walked in the middle of the road.

After we passed, the alligator crawled to the side of the road. Is that a sign?

We were a bit hungry and thirsty.
We went to a Famous Kedai Makan Soon Lai for our lunch.

We have LOBAK which was tasty and mouth watering good.

Then we have special noodles which remind me of the same delicacy in Sarikei.

Our last meal were a mixer of Herbal hard boiled Eggs, taufu, pork meat and pork inner parts.

The cook and his team serving their customers. Their moment really fast and it's seems that everyone knows
what they are doing, they are more like automatic robots.

Our last stop was at the famous Renggit Coffee.

We bid good bye to Auntie and Chee Long's cousin.

And off we go and head for Kuala Lumpur then Petaling Jaya.

When we approached Kuala Lumpur, It's already dark as the sun was hiding in the horizone.

 

That night we arrived home in Puncak Alam almost 11.00pm. 

On Monday we were having a half day leave and I am also not so well which resulting in missed my Bible Study Class that Monday evening.

That's completed our journey to Malacca and Johore 2011.

I hope one day, you will visit these interesting places for sightseeing and to taste their delicious and mouth watering foods.

Peace be with you. Good night.

Malacca - Johore Trip 2012

Upon cheking out from the hotel, early the next morning which was a Saturday with a refreshed body and crystal clear mind we started our journey again. The sky was dark in the horizon as a sign that the rain is coming our way.

Good prediction!
After only a few kilometers drive, heavy rain start to hit the ground. Mist everywhere and we just have to follow the car PDP 1238 in front of us for direction. The car driver is our friend Mr. Pang Wee Seng.

According to Mr Pang, there is a special Noodle which we have to taste when visiting Malacca. These Noodle is called Fried Shrimp Noodles which can be found at Kampong Lapan.

Pang Wee Seng taste the first bowl of Fried Shrimp Noodle. The noodle taste is good but the environment is noisy due to strong wind and heavy rain.

We ignored the heavy rain and continued our journey for the next food destination which happen to be in Malacca Town.

 The man who cooked the Noodles.

 The Noodles price list paste on the side of his Noodles Stall.

 Hand Make Fish Ball - delicious and soft.

 Duck Noodles (Mee) - in soup : Tasty and the meat is soft.

 Duck Noodles (Mee) - Dry

 Duck Noodles (Mee Hoon) -  Dry (after stir)

Satisfying faces after consuming the delicious food.

Please note that we always split the food into two meaning two persons shared one bowl in order to budget our stomach space for the next food destination. That's why it's good to travel in pair of four or six.

By now the rain has stopped and the Brother Sun is smiling at us.

Our next stop was at a Nyonya Shop who sells Nyonya delicacy namely Bak Chang or wrapped stuff glutinous rice.

Wrapped Glutinous Rice hanged at the entrance of the shop.

 The colored glutinous rice to be wrapped and stuffed with meat to add flavour and taste.

The mouth watering Famous Nyonya Bak Chang.

We also tasted their delicious Nyonya Rolled Popiah which according to Mr Pang is a must taste delicacy when visiting Malacca.

Then we drived on towards Muar, Johore while Mr Pang is heading home as he is having a badminton Tournament in the evening at Malacca.

 My street photography alertness kicked in when I saw the driver in the taxi next to us checking his lucky numbers. Hopefully he will strike one of those numbers in the near future.

 As street photographer is always a street photograher.
I started with, "You have a great black hair. Those curl on your forehead makes you looks handsome."
With that I took a candid shot and respond with, "Some say I looks like Shah Rukh Khan."
Then we have a good laughs at the petrol station.

With a joyful heart and our car tank full, we head for Muar, Johore.

The sign shows that we are at Muar, Johore.


As it's was lunch time, we headed for some Wantan Mee (Noodles).

And some famous Muar delicacy especially Otak Otak or minched fish cake.

BBQ Otak Otak.

After finished the Otak Otak, four of us as shown in the reflection went to Chew Chee Long's friend shop. Her name is Ms Annie. She is beautiful, generous with her smile and helpful. She will be our private tour guide in Muar.

Some of the interesting building in Muar Town.

Then we followed our guide to an Otak Otak Muar factory for a sightseeing and purchase some otak otak to bring back to Petaling Jaya.

At the factory, they also sell the ready cooked otak otak beside the frozen packed uncook otak otak.

Then we drived on by following the car driven by Ms Annie and we passed a goft course not far from a river.

At the end of the ride, we stopped at a wharf called Jeti Tanjong Emas Muar.

The group striked a pose...Ms Annie, Mr Chew Chee Long, Agnes Ngieng and Irene Aik. After this we split with Ms Annie and we head for batu Pahat, Johore.

At Batu Pahat, we stayed for the night at Chew Chee Long's auntie's house.

Famous landscape in Batu Pahat.

As we drive home to Chew Chee Long's auntie house, I managed to capture this image of a Catholic Church, "Gereja katolik St. Henry".

We have not much activity in the evening and this is my last shot for the day, some of the interesting old shops in batu Pahat.

As we are a bit tired, we took an early sleep.

The next day we have a new destination based on Chew Chee Long's cousin recommendation.
Hope to see you again in the last part of this journey.
Stay healthy and drive safe.