Krabi - Day Two

Welcome back, dear friends and visitors.

On this 2nd day, we are going to taste the real adventure as today we are going for a Four Islands trip.

"Pick up your bags and be ready as the Island tour guide is already waiting for us."

My weapons are packed:
1. Olympus UTough_8010 for underwater photo
2. Nikon D7000 with Lens Sigma DC 18-200mm (dream of Nikon lens 18-200mm VRII )

Let's the journey begin.....

The Island tour guide fetched us from the hotel and it took us 10 minutes drive to reach the pier. The weather is sunny with blue sky and the sea is predicted as calm. A great day for the sea adventure.

With joyful heart and eager for new adventure, we got into the Three Engine's Speedboat and head for the open sea.

I am sitting  at the back of the boat to ensure that I won't miss the good view and if I am lucky I will be able to capture some nice photos.


We passed by this beautiful small Island

Our guide in the boat introduced himself as Mr. O, a tan, tall and skinny young handsome man. 

As we ride on, he explained to us our trip route but I am not paying much attention as I am busy with my shooting.

There are a lot of rock formations on the way until we stop a our first Island which is ‘Phranang Cave. 

According to the brochure, Phranang Cave is a very famous cave where a princess spirit house is located. This Spirit house is respected and worshiped by the local people.



The Princess Spirit house is in the fore ground

I do not capture the Princess Spirit House as I believe it should be kept it's privacy.



Ops!! He lost his grip.

Rock climbing is one of the activity that you can do on this island.

After spending for about 45 minutes on this Island, we move on to another Island called Chicken Island.

 

We do not stop at Chicken Island itself but we did stop not far from the Island for our snorkeling and swim with the fish session. 

We were here for 40minutes.

Taken with my Olympus UTough8010

The fishes are friendly but they also can bite your skin. Most of us jump in the water and some feed the fish. 

 As for me, I swim like mermaid with the fish. I really loves swimming in the sea.

I am the last one in the water and then we head for our 3^rd Island called Tup Island. 

 

Tup Island is consisting of two small Islands linked by a shallow sand bank. 

As the tide recedes, the sea is gradually separated by the white sand and limestone beach which will connect the two islands at low tide. I do not swim much here as I more busy with my shooting of these wonderful scenery. We are on this island for another 45 minutes.

The sun is blazing hot in the clear blue sky. 

It’s predicted to be raining but God knows better what is good for us. 

"Thank you, God. You are just wonderful.  We love thy and we praise thy always."

Everyone is hungry as the time shows pass noon. Our guide, Mr. O told us that we will be having our lunch on our 4^th and last island which is Poda Island. We will be on this island for one hour. Before we head for Poda Island, Mr. O distributes the packed lunch to everyone in the boat. 

As we approach Poda Island, the rock formation outside the beach of the island catch everyone eyes.

Poda Island, itself has a lovely white sandy beach and we can see a lot of tourist sunbathing on the beach. For me, it’s a great place to relax with a great view, strong refreshing wind and wonderful sandy beach. It also has crystal clear water and mild waves. 

But do not forget that there are a lot of monkeys on the trees above. 

More image at Poda Island....

Lunch time at Poda Island

At exactly 2.30PM local time, we depart for Ao Nang. 

That’s all for our 4 Islands trip? 

I thought more of it....I am planning to go again on the 3rd day...I just need more of the sea and swimming. But the group plan for 3rd day is shopping at Krabi Town.

That evening, my wife joined the rest of the group for shopping while I am resting and ready for the next day.  

There was no sunset on the 2nd day but still I head for the seashore when the sun come down. I am late for sunset.

 These were the images that I captured...BLUE HOUR....due to oversleep.

Hope you enjoy the four Island trip. 

Images can also be view in my  Johnragai Flickr Account

May you have a great time and see you in Krabi-Day Three.

Krabi - Day One

Glad to see you here again, dear friends.

I would like to share with you my recent trip to Krabi, Thailand.

Come on aboard!!

I am here to revisit my journey with you. 

Upon arriving at Krabi Airport, we were fetched by our Wow Krabi guide, Mr. Kiki. He is a friendly guy with smile always on his face.

We were hungry and yet we prefer to go to our first destination for the day which is Tiger Cave Temple.

 Crab town was our 2nd destination for the day. According to Kiki, this town produce a lot of crabs.

Then we head for our last destination for the day, Krabi Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center which locate fish farm and fishery research center.

After spending around 45 minutes at the center, we head for our hotel.

In the evening, we walked to a nearby beach where locate a restaurant for our dinner.

  Good sunset as we having our dinner.

 After dinner, we walked over to Ao Nang Beach where night market was located.

With his permission, this artist at work will be my last shot for the day. We have to sleep early as tomorrow, we are going for the four Islands trip.

 

See you in Krabi - Day Two.

 

Thank you



This image was taken at Phi Phi Don from a Restaurant on my 3rd Day in Krabi, Thailand. It's raining.

Greeting dear friends and visitors.

Before I move on and write on my Krabi Trip, I would to cement my thanks and appreciation to those who help me in one way or another in my crash course in photography namely:

 Ken Rockwell who has made my selection of camera made easy. His articles on photograpghy open new doors for me. I would recommend everyone who would like to know more on photograpghy to his website. Before you leave from his website, please click on the AD list to help him.

I have chosen a Nikon D7000 and abandoned my earlier choice of Canon 60D.
But this does not mean I freeze my Olympus UTough-8010 which have been my daily companion over the years. It's just my Olympus has a Nikon as new partner in shooting. I carry them both, one in my pocket and one hanging on my neck as I hunt for the 'Wow' images.
I will always remember one of Ken's advice, "In order to improve is to shoot, more shoot and more shoot until you get the image you want."

I also like to thank my fellow blogger, KvinLim with 1SimplePlan where I got to know about Ken Rockwell website. You make my day, Kvin.

My thanks also extend to my new friends in James, David and Joanna from DY Divine Sdn Bhd of Digital Mall, Section 14 where I bought my camera body, Sigma18-200mm F3.5-6.5 DC and filter. This non VR or IS lens bug my mind at first but now I like it as my hands become familiar and steadier. I bought this camera back in August 2011.

The camera is already in my hands but that is only half of the battle.

How to make use of this great tool of photography?
(Camera is only a tool but the brain behind the camera is the main driver. It's like a good pan does no make you a good cook. You have to learn how to cook and it's the same in photography...if I am not mistaken Ken Rockwell said that.)

These photographers help me to handle the 'HOW' part.

My thanks also to Liz-Masoner for her Photography Lessons which really help me to know more about the camera and it's function of beside photograpghy as a whole. I once screwed my Olympus camera because of my overzealous of adjustment to make my photo better but with the knowledge that she imparted to me, my Nikon is in safe hand.  About.com, thank you for making it possible. I also recommend this site to those who want to grow in photograpghy.

My thanks also extend to Photographer Jim Richardson and National Geographic for those great articles on photography. I admire his work and I hope I have those passion that he has in photography.

Ken Rockwell also helps me in the 'how' with his great articles and I thank him for helping me to understand photography better.

For those who gave me a tips or two, I also thank you and I appreaciate your help and comment.

Thank you, Agnes, my dear partner and wife for being there with me.

Thank you, dear visitor who stop by my blog. May God bless you and your family with good health and a joyful heart.
Your comments are appreciated and your click on the AD help my day.

Thank you, God for your loving presence within me.
Thank you, God for creating those beautiful images that I long to capture on my camera.
Glory be to God for ever and ever.

Now let start shooting....and grow in photography together...and give all glory to God.

Spiritual Growth Seminar at SIC

Peace be with you.
May your hearts be always be filled with joy as joy is the best healing for man.
A joyful man is more charitable and has more 'love' to share.
But how to be joyful when the your surround are full of sadness and dissatisfaction.......?

If you are a believer of Christ Jesus, then Spiritual Growth Seminar will help you.

I said 'WILL' because I BELIEVE and TRUST in GOD's mercy and goodness.

My main issue since the begining of the world is "DO YOU TRUST GOD?"

If you trust God, come and join us for the seminar.....and let God do his work on his beloved children as HE will.

SIC Charismatic Prayer Group is organising A Growth Seminar with the theme 'Faith Shines Through Deeds' as below:


Date: 19th & 20th November 2011 (Saturday & Sunday)

Venue: Constantini Hall, Level 2, St Ignatius Church, PJ.

Fee: RM 25

Guest speakers:
Fr Clarence Dass & Fr David Reegon

This is one seminar not to be missed!!

"he who moves not forward, goes backward" quotes John Wolfgang.

You may register at the counter outside church after all weekend masses in SIC or email us your details and we will register on your behalf.

For more information, kindly contact:

Lawrance Choong @ 012 228 2408
Richard Lai @ 019 333 1002
Gail Massang @ 012 942 9411

No to Road Accident - Lafarge

 As we approached the Damansara Toll plaza, the smiling faces of Lafarge's staffs greet us with green bags in their hands.

 The wording of the bag 'No to Road Accident' which handed over by those staff caught my attention. A very good reminder to our road users.

 Wow!! This is good way to remind us to be careful on the road. Special thanks to Lafarge for their great effort to save lives.
A real Malaysian, a 1Malaysia mindset company.

The contain of the bag are one 500ml mineral water, a white hat key chain holder, a pamplet for dangerous route in West Malaysia, a pamplet on Guidance and Tips on Tyre maintenance, Motorcyclist Security Info, a black car shade and a car sticker 'No To Road Accident'.

Lafarge, once again we thank you.

Happy Malaysia Day to all Malaysian and may you have a great and safe journey wherever you go.
May God bless Malaysia and her people.

Just Draw it

Everyday is a different day and everyday is special. Sometime when we SEE something is interesting, we want to treasure the image in physical form for the future viewing or showing to our friends.
All of us can capture the image in our mind and describe it in the words of our mouths.

For example:  While we are walking in our neighbourhood, we SEE a child wearing a colourful dress playing with a green baby grasshopper in a garden by a small stream while her mother is watching. Her mother is pointing to the stream which indicate a warning of the danger even if we can not hear any words.

We can easily tell our friends in words with detail what we saw when we walk in our neighbourhood except the mother pointing to the stream. Why? Because we think it's not relevant. Actual it is relevant as it is an action of the character in our frame of the story.

The better way....JUST DRAW IT!

Pictures tell a better story than words as any action in picture has it's own meaning.

When I learn Tae Kwon Do in my schooling days, I always accompany my description of movement with images as images are easy to understand. It does not matter how bad your drawing is but still the picture stick better in our memory.

Before get my Nokia N73 handphone back in 2005, normally when I SEE anything interesting especially the morning sunrise, I will grab my note pad with my colour pensil and start to draw the best I can of what I see at that moment. My drawings are not so good but all the MAIN subjects are there. The round yellowish morning sun and it's striking rays which attract me in the first place. I can add anything else in the picture later. Then fix it in a frame.

The main point here is 'put in what we want to be in the frame to tell our story' so the other person who see it have the same interest and excitement as we have when we see the image for the first time. You may ask, "What about other structure like building and tree?" Those are things to enhance your picture.

Example: Sunrise at KL Twin tower or sunrise between the leaves of your palm trees lokes better than when you saw the actual sunrise in-front of your house.

I am attracted by the three rays. I saw this sunrise image over Bukit Jelutung as we drive out of Puncak Alam Expressway on the way to St. Ignatius Church on the morning Pope John Paul II passed away.

You can add the rest of the images to your main subject to make it complete. In drawing, you are the main controller. You are recalling what you saw and add something to make it more pleasing to the eyes.

It's simple...JUST DRAW IT!

When my Nokia N73 took over, then it's a different way of capturing images.

The basic of drawing principle still apply but the motto change from "Just Draw it" to "Just Shoot It."

The fact is, when you draw the image is still alive until you frame it; but when you shot, the image is dead except you can do a bit of resurrection for touch up in Photoshop.

Last not least, happy drawing and be back with Just Shoot It.

Selamat Hari Raya Puasa

"Selamat Hari Raya Puasa, Maaf Zahir dan Batin" are phrases we normal heard the people say when the Muslim completed their fasting month of Ramadhan and the feast started.

But what actually happen during this month....

I did the same fasting during my schooling days in Kelantan.

I started fasting in the month of Ramadhan during Form One and quit fasting one year after Form Six. I am quitting as some kampong people said I am weird, fasting and yet I am not Muslim. Furthermore I am really exhausted working alone cutting down sago in the farm without food and water.

In the beginning, I know nothing of fasting and I fast because my Muslim friends are fasting. Our Ustaz and Ustazah at the school really helped in my understanding of what fasting really is. But my friend used to laugh at me for fasting without pahala (grace).

They used to say, "Ah! Ari, your fasting is worthless. You are not a Muslim"

But Ustaz told me that fasting is more than food alone, it include your eyes and your ears, your hands and your legs, your mouth, your tongue and your nose, your desire and your heart.

What a wonderful fast it can be?!

It trains my eyes to be impartial and merciful.

It trains my ears to be attentive to the goodness of others.

It trains my hands to be fast to help others.

It trains my legs to avoid bad hats but fast to go where the help is needed.

It trains my mouth to speak gracious words to encourage and uplift others who are down.

It trains my tongue to hold tight when bad word comes to my ears.

It trains my desire to be holy.

It trains my heart to have love and compassion towards others.

Wonder why they said it's worthless for me!!!!

Even when Allah do not give me anything as per my friend said but Fasting trained me to be a better person.

In a few days , we are having Hari Raya Puasa celebration  and I wish you, brothers and sisters,

"SELAMAT HARI RAYA PUASA. MAAF ZAHIR BATIN."

It's a day to celebrate the training is completed with flying colours. Fasting month is completed full heartedly and the new being emerge with purity of mind and heart and ready to walk amongst the wolves.

It's a celebration of victory over the Evil.

Once again,

"SELAMAT HARI RAYA PUASA. MAAF ZAHIR BATIN."

May Peace be with you.

Durian Time at SS2

It's Friday and I have taken a half day leave specially for this durian eating session at SS2 Petaling Jaya. 

Furthermore my Father-in-law is in town to accompany me eating durian which I never taste since a few yaers ago.

We chose the stall on the left next to the Nasi Lemak stall.

As the middle age man cracked open the first durian, "WOW!"

So inviting as if saying..."EAT ME!!!!"

My head was a bit headache when we arrived at the durian stall but I just ignore it. My mind was focused on tasting this King of Malaysia fruits and my headache gone by the time I took my first bite.

My father-in-law just smiled at me as I took picture of him and he said, "Makan lar!" which meant "Eat!"

Actually he is not eating but his wife is eating the durian with me.

His wife is enjoying her durian. I thought she really can eat durian but the end she is just an average durian eater like me.

While we were eating the sign on the stall, shout at us "EAT UNTIL YOU FULL for RM 9.90".

My wife said we should eat at least three durian each but by the 4th durian, we surrendered.

My wife ask for the camera to take my picture eating durian but I ignore her and took her picture instead.

For those who love durian, now is the good time to have a go at SS2 Durian stall which is just next to the Police station or next to my favourite Nasi Lemak Stall. Can't wait for the second round.

Lunch at MUSE Restaurant Jaya ONE

It's a Saturday, July 2nd and everyone is hungry as the clock shows 1.20PM and yet decided to stay back in the office with the intention of skipping lunch. I thought I have to control my food as my wife is doing the stock count at our warehouse in Klang. This is my chance to go without food.

Just then I heard my phone rings and a voice at the other end is no other than my boss. And he asked me if I want to join his group for a lunch at Jaya ONE, fully paid.

"Ah! I thought, "Free lunch! Why not?! Forget about those diet."

I said, "Ok."

The rest of the group are waiting waiting for us a Starbuck, Jaya ONE and MUSE Restaurant is not far Starbuck.

Mushroom Soup

Coke

 

Seafood Aglio Olio

Grilled Lamb Chop - my choice. Nicely grilled and juicy meat, just nice to my taste.

Italian Herb Chicken Chop

 Lunch is complete and my personal verdict; the food is good and i will recommend my friend to have a round if they happen to be in Petaling Jaya.

The premise is cozy and relax. The music is soothing for the tension mind. The staffs are very helpfully and have good knowledge of their foods & Beverages.

It's time to walk back to our office. The sun is blazing hot and yet we are just happy to walk back.

The Team who make it happen!!!

Tangkak Trip for Yii Hii Ling's Wedding Lunch

Welcome back, dear friends.

Now let us continue our story where we stop in my earlier blog post at an old Chinese Coffee shop eating Fried Oyster.

It's still Saturday night and we should be headed for Tangkak, Johor after our last meal in Malacca. But which route? We are undecided as we had two routes to Tangkak and two captains namely Agnes and Irene. I just sit in the car and let them decide. We drived on but not sure wher we are heading.

I think I have to do something.
Slowly I take out my Celcom broadband simcard and put it into my Nokia handphone and start the Goggle Map. I search our location which will be our starting point and lock our destination (Tangkak) as our end point. Now I am the NEW Captain and navigated our way to Tangkak. Agnes is at the wheel and I give her instruction where to turn.

We reached Tangkak at around 10.00 PM and we checked in to OPHIR HOTEL after we parked our car near the hotel. I booked the washroom for I am the Captain but Irene beat me as I am too slow carrying our bags. She also beat me on my netbook. I am lost again.

After washing ourselves, we took a rest. These two ladies let the temprature of the aircon rael low around
19-20celsius and keep the fan blowing fast. Maybe they are still felt warm after our hot day walk in Malacca.  And yet I can see that they are pulling their bed cover to their necks.

Funny. I am freezing cool.

While they are sleeping, I start my last minute reading/study on the Story of King David and his son King Solomon for my Monday's Bible study Class. About 30 minutes later, I also lost to my eyes and pull myself next to my wife.
In the Bible Reading, I learned about sacrifice and now I sacrifice my comfort for the sack of these two ladies. I am freezing cool and they are sleeping like babies.

On Sunday morning, we wake up late and told them about the freezing cool.

Their answer......
"Why don't you off it when it is too cool for you or you may slow the fan?" Now I think I sacrifice for the wrong reason. I should eat more shell fish and live like normal man as most human are selfish.

After washing ourselves, we go to this Famous Tangkak Bah kut Teh Restaurant which is a few minutes drive from our hotel.

All photos taken with an Olympus uTough 810 - Point & Shoot camera.



Bah kut Teh - Pork ribs in Chinese herbal soup