Car Show by Enter K @ Crowne Towers

Went to Crowne Towers car park where the Car Show organized by Enter K is held after the recommendation by Nelson of NPS Enterprise Car Accessories.

Many cars are on show, from local to imported; vintage to modern.

Cars which caught me eye: Fairlady, Lancer, BMW.

Some of the photos taken:

1. Mini Austin - look at those power amps!

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3.Fairlady with a gorgeous showgirl..

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5. Nice rite?

6. Michelin R20 tyres

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8.One whole row of BMWs

9. BMW Cooper-S

10. Lancer

11. 2 Lancers

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13. BMW 526i.

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18. Michelin 285/30 2 R20 tyres

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20. The showgirls.


This is my Sunday practically. Shooting session at Crowne Towers. I'm not that satisfied with the pictures taken this round though. Any comments how to improve?

Nikon D3x is OUT!

Nikon’s new FX-format digital SLR combines 24.5 megapixels of stunning resolution and image quality with the renowned handling of the D3


Tokyo — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the Nikon D3X digital SLR. This exciting new camera employs a Nikon FX-format CMOS imaging sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm) with an imaging area equivalent to 35mm film, and its 24.5 effective megapixels deliver images of striking quality and resolution.

Designed to meet the demands of a growing multitude of serious professionals, such as studio photographers, for whom exquisite detail is a vital part of their work, the D3X achieves resolution comparable to medium-format cameras — with an entirely new level of operating ease. It’s perfect for the broadest range of detailed work, from fashion and product shootings, to weddings, architecture, landscapes and large poster production. And it shares the robust body structure of the D3, for superior mobility and operation in virtually any shooting environment, indoors or out


Newly developed Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm sensing area)
24.5 million effective pixels
Superior-resolution image quality equivalent to medium-format digital cameras
High-speed continuous shooting of up to approx. 5 frames per second in FX format (24.5 megapixels) / 5:4 (20.4 megapixels); 7 frames per second in DX format (10.5megapixels)*1
Wide ISO sensitivity of 100 to 1600 at normal setting, with low noise performance
Two Live View modes — Handheld and Tripod
High-density 51-point (world’s largest number*2) AF system
*1 In 12-bit A/D conversion mode
*2 For a digital SLR camera (as of Dec. 1, 2008, based on Nikon research

Development background

The Nikon D3 digital SLR, released November 2007, has garnered glowing tributes for image quality, sensitivity and speed performance from leading professional photographers throughout the world. This stunning success has prompted a mounting demand for a similar Nikon model that would offer a greater pixel count and higher resolution. A camera that would provide superb mobility and ergonomics while offering image quality equivalent to medium-format digital cameras.

In response to these requests, Nikon has developed the D3X, an exciting new digital SLR with a Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor (35.9 x 24.0 mm sensing area) that delivers 24.5 effective megapixels, uses the same body structure as the D3, and boasts the same outstanding mobility and operability.



Major features

Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 megapixels
The D3X employs a new Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 24.5 effective megapixels covering an area of 35.9 x 24.0 mm to achieve truly amazing resolution. What’s more, we’ve optimized the pixel characteristics to provide a higher S/N ratio and wider dynamic range by securing a greater amount of light received by each pixel, thereby reducing lost highlights and shadows, and ensuring smoother tone reproduction with minimized noise.

Wide sensitivity range starting at ISO 100
At normal setting, the D3X offers a wide range of sensitivity — from ISO 100, suitable for stroboscopic setting in studio shoots, to ISO 1600. It realizes superior image quality with less noise at ISO 1600 as well as at low sensitivity settings. What’s more, the sensitivity range can be increased by two stops (up to ISO 6400 equivalent) and decreased by one stop (down to ISO 50 equivalent), offering an even greater diversity of shooting possibilities. Auto sensitivity control is also available.

New EXPEED-based image processing
A new image processing system, based on Nikon’s comprehensive EXPEED digital image processing and specially optimized for the D3X, provides superior image quality, faster processing speeds and lower power consumption. This advanced system achieves precise color reproduction for the broadest spectrum of hues, plus vivid saturation and smooth gradation, conveying colors as you see them, even with the slight changes in color tones you perceive. Furthermore, Nikon’s advanced noise processing function, which was designed to minimize noise occurrence, achieves this without interfering with other factors, including hue.

High-speed performance meets the most rigorous professional demands
Just like the D3, the D3X achieves a start-up time of 0.12 second*1 and a shutter release time lag of 0.04 second*3*4. It delivers a continuous shooting speed of approx. 5 frames per second in FX format (36 x 24) or 5:4 (30 x 24), and 7 frames per second in DX format (24 x 16)*4*5. Also, the D3X is fully compatible with UDMA, the new-generation high-speed card that enables 35-Mbyte recording equivalent to the D3. The D3X is capable of recording approx. 7.1 MB (JPEG, image size L, NORMAL) of data captured in FX format at speeds of approx. 5 frames per second.

*3: Based on CIPA Guidelines
*4: In 12-bit A/D conversion mode
*5: The maximum frame rate can be chosen using Custom setting d2 [Shooting speed]. The rate is tested under the following conditions: focus mode set to C, exposure mode set to S or M, shutter speed set to 1/250 sec. or faster, with other settings set to default. If VR is on when a VR lens is used, the indicated speed may not be attained. The maximum number of shots at the maximum frame rate is determined by the selected image size and quality. The frame rate slows when the memory buffer fills.

Realizing reliable auto control: Scene Recognition System
As with the D3, the D3X recognizes subjects and shooting scenes using a 1,005-pixel RGB sensor that precisely controls exposure by detecting not only the brightness but the colors of the subjects as well. The results are applied to control Autofocus, Auto Exposure, i-TTL Balanced Fill-flash and Auto White Balance, thereby achieving control of the highest.

AF system employing high-density 51-point AF
The Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module, originally incorporated in the D3, offers proven outstanding performance. All 51 focus points, including the 15 cross-type sensors located at the center, are effective in all AF NIKKOR lenses with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. Three AF-area modes — Single point, Dynamic-area AF and Auto-area AF — are available to maximize the use of the 51 focus points by selecting the most suitable one to match subject conditions. Moreover, in Scene Recognition System, subject identification and tracking information is applied to improve subject acquisition performance in Dynamic-area AF mode and focusing accuracy for human subjects in Auto-area AF mode.

Superior durability
Magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, chassis and mirror box to ensure light weight and rugged reliabilty. Strict O-ring sealing at critical connected parts effectively restricts dust and moisture. The shutter unit, developed and manufactured by Nikon, employs a new material (carbon fiber/Kevlar® hybrid) for the shutter blades, guaranteeing excellent durability through 300,000-cycle release tests with the shutter actually loaded. Precision is also maintained with a shutter monitor.

High-resolution 3-inch LCD monitor with approx. 920k¬-dots (VGA), 170° wide-viewing angle and reinforced glass
The D3X incorporates a large, 3-inch LCD monitor with ultra-high resolution of approx. 920k-d¬ots (VGA). Enlarged playback images also appear in extremely high resolution for easy focus confirmation. The wide viewing angle of 170° makes it easy to check composition in Live View shooting for both high and low angles.

Two Live View modes available
In Handheld mode, which allows the frame to be recomposed prior to actual shooting, ordinary TTL phase-difference AF using all 51 AF points is activated. Tripod mode is designed for precise focus with still subjects and tripod stabilization; It allows focal-plane contrast AF on a desired point within a specific area. Optional software Camera Control Pro 2 enables monitor focus and control shutter release from a computer. And optical Wireless Transmitter WT-4 enables wireless remote camera control and image transfer.

Picture Control System
Picture Control System offers four kinds of Picture Controls: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, and Monochrome. Choose one and use as is, or adjust image creation factors (Sharpening, Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, and Hue). Optional Picture Controls (Portrait, Landscape, D2XMODE I, D2XMODE II and D2XMODE III) are available at the Nikon website for downloading and installation to your camera.

Active D-Lighting — reproducing brightness as you see it
In settings with strong contrast, Active D-Lighting, used in combination with 3D Matrix Metering II, determines an exposure by utilizing a gradation of highlights, detects lost shadows, then reproduces them after digital processing. Rather than simply expanding the dynamic range, Active D-Lighting prevents images from looking flat through localized tone control technology, and creates realistic contrast while compensating lost shadows and highlights. Choose from Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low or Off setting prior to shooting.

Electronic virtual horizon
An accelerator sensor incorporated in the body of the camera detects inclination and displays it in the LCD monitor. In Live View shooting, virtual horizon is displayed in the LCD above the monitor image. It can also be displayed in the top control panel and in the exposure indicator of the viewfinder.

UDMA-compatible memory card double slot
The CompactFlash (CF) card slots are UDMA-compatible for high-speed data transfer. With the double slot, you can choose from Continuous recording, Backup recording, and RAW + JPEG Separation recording (records the same image in RAW and JPEG on different cards). You can also copy the data from one card to another.

GPS Unit GP-1 (optional)
GPS records shooting information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and date of shooting. Coordinated with map information, you can create an original map using images.


Other features

Lateral chromatic aberration reduction creates images with a clear periphery using original image processing technology to significantly reduce color aberrations
Vignette Control effectively prevents reduction of light at the periphery
Optical viewfinder achieves approx. 100%*6 frame coverage and 0.7x*7 magnification in FX format
Three sensing areas: FX format (36 x 24), DX format (24 x 16), and 5:4 (30 x 24)
Customizable function button
Choice of black or white letters for shooting information display
AF fine adjustment with professional standard of accuracy
Compliant with HDMITM for high-definition image playback
Lets you shoot up to approx. 4,400 frames on a single battery charge*8
*6 Approx. 100% (vertical/horizontal) in FX format, approx. 97% (vertical/horizontal) in DX format, approx. 100% (vertical) and approx. 97% (horizontal) in 5:4
*7 With 50mm f/1.4 lens set at infinity, -1.0m-1
*8 Using EN-EL4a lithium-ion battery at Single-frame [S] mode; based on CIPA Standards

Christmas Day 2008

A year has again be marked its near to end by the coming of Christmas day, a day of joy and happiness. What is the true meaning of Christmas? Is it buying all those fancy gifts, celebrating or countdown in clubs or attending mass in churches or whatsoever? Well, as for me, I'd been celebrating Christmas day countdown and celebration by attending midnight mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral since 2006. I find this way a more meaningful and peaceful way of appreciating the true meaning of Christmas rather than partying around. I apologise if anyone is offended here. Dont mean of insulting party goers. Just saying out what I felt.

An excerpt of Christmas from Wikipedia:
Christmas (IPA: /krɪsməs/), occasionally referred to as Christmas Day or Christmastide, is an annual Christian holiday celebrated on December 25 or January 7[2] that marks and honors the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.[3][4] The nativity of Jesus, which is the basis for the anno Domini system of dating, is thought to have occurred between 7 and 2 BC.[5] December 25 is not thought to be Jesus' actual date of birth, and the date may have been chosen to correspond with either a Roman festival,[6] or with the winter solstice.[7]
Modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, church celebrations, and the display of various decorations—including the Christmas tree, lights, mistletoe, nativity scenes and holly. Santa Claus (also referred to as Father Christmas, although the two figures have different origins) is a popular mythological figure often associated with bringing gifts at Christmas. Santa is generally believed to be the result of a syncretization between Saint Nicholas and elements from pagan Nordic and Christian mythology, and his modern appearance is believed to have originated in 19th century media.
Christmas is celebrated throughout the Christian population, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. Because gift-giving and several other aspects of the holiday involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, Christmas has become a major event for many retailers.


As usual, attended midnight mass. But this year, its even merrier with more friends around. I brought my sister, kakak, Janice and also Shean Tyng together to attend this mass. Its the first time going to church for my sis and Shean Tyng... Wonder how they felt about it. To my surprise, I even met my FIS lecturer, Ms. Wendy and also my Marketing Concept and Marketing Planning lecturer, Ms. Edith Lim and both of them still remembers me..Mass last night ended at around 1.30a.m. and we went supper at Open Air after that. By the time I reached home, it was already 3.00 a.m.

Some of the pictures taken during the mass:
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I would sincerely like to wish everyone reading this a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!... Its a day of joyful celebration...So, embrace it and enjoy to the fullest!..So long 2008, embrace ourselves for the coming of the new year, 2009!

Union Trip 2008

20-22 December 2008, Tomodachi again organized a trip to Union Retreat, Lundu. 18 of us participated and generally it was a trip where everyone of us took it as a chance to get together and to get a good rest. Lots of people sleep throughout the trip. It was a great one though. I guess its really not easy to get so many people along at the same time. Well, the acid test of the strength of the friendship bond is time I guess.

Not many pictures were taken during the trip. Only 1 group photo and some random shots.

1. Group picture of all participants and also my family, Jenny and her family too. 26 of us all in ALL!

2. The new chalet

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6. Christmas celebration @ The Spring

7. She's singing Silent Night

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10. Reflections

Australia

Australia - a Baz Luhrmann film. Starring Nicole Kidman & Hugh Jackman.

Plot Synopsis: In northern Australia at the beginning of World War II, an English aristocrat inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn stock-man to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country's most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier.

I watched this movie last night and generally, its a nice story with a touching storyline. It relates how sacred the aboriginal culture is in Australia and how determination brings together people in times of difficulties. Its a long story though, almost 3 hours of screenplay time. But, its highly recommended.

A Tribute to Ms. Jenny Lim

Ms. Jenny Lim, a person whom I know and respected very much. She is the one who watches me grow up, from a little kid when I was in Primary school, to secondary school and up to University. She is the one whom gave me an 'ang pow' which I still remember and keep the packet up to today when I first entered USM.



She is the one whom have been through lots of obstacles with us, be it company problem or even family issue. Starting off with working as a clerk with the then Stor Rakyat Sihat in 1994, her preseverance and her attitude of treating people with a true heart brought her and us through lots of events, be it pleasant or unpleasant, personal or official.



I guess in the year 2001, she left the company to operate her own business as a hawker selling kolo mee at the previously known 'Highland Disc Center' at Ang Cheng Ho. Now, why she left such a promising job to operate such an tedious business must be backed by tonnes and loads of reasons. I truly wanted to extend my apologies to her for not only work for us, but also bear with lots and heaps of our family issues. I guess its a series of events that resulted in her making such a shocking decision to leave the company.



The company was left in a piece of havoc when she left and even more, the manager also wanted to resign at almost the same time soon after she left. Its really a pressure and lots have to be done back there and there is merely no one who knows the operation inside out, even my mum whom is still new in the company. I wonder the person who caused all these ever felt bad...or even felt sorry.!



Well, since Jenny is the one who knows everything inside out and is a trustworthy person, my parents went to her coffee shop and met her a few times, trying to persuade her to come back to help out. I still remember going to the shop in my school uniform with my mum, pretending to have lunch there just to meet her and to talk to her....And thankfully, she agreed to come back to the company.



7 years later, its 2008. Heaps of events happened caused by the same person again even before I left to Perth. And, finally in September, I guess Jenny cant stand the stupid and unnecessary pressure and in addition of another better job offer, she resorted to leave the company. This only came to my knowledge after I have landed in Kuching on the 2nd December, few months after everything happened. I guess mum don want me to be worried of this silly stuff so much and concentrate on my studies..

Well, I sincerely want to extend my gratitude to Ms. Jenny for being with us for such a long period of time. A big Thank you!..

We had a thanksgiving dinner at 18th mile restaurant on last Sunday, 14th December 2008. Before the dinner, we had our usual monthly safety meeting and I guess this will be the last time Jenny will be with us. On that dinner, many of us just cant control our emotion and start to shed tears including me, my sis dad and of course my mum. My mum also then adopted Jenny as her foster daughter..Hahaz..

Well, I guess that's all for this post. Below are some of the pictures taken during the dinner.

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4. Group photo

5. Me, Dad, Sis, Jenny and Mum.


All the best in your new career Jenny..

19th Kuching City District Camp

Again, 2 years have elapsed. Memories of the last district camp still remains fresh in my mind and yet another has came and passed. 19th Kuching City District Camp is being held from 11-15th December 2008 at SMK Santubong. The memories of those winnings and the success in defending the Lucas Chin Trophy is now being replaced with failures and also surrendering of the Trophy to 14th Kuching. The fact is 14th Kuching is really far more prepared than 05th Kuching this time round. The camp that they built is undeniable of its high standard, a result of intense preparation.

What to do. Crying over a spilt cup of milk wont help us win back the trophy. I guess overconfident and lack of preparation is the cause of this time failure. We cant even manage to secure a number 1 in any event in the District Camp this time. What a shame I would say especially backwood's cooking. I still can remember we got 1st in the State Camp back in 2002. Well, standard has dropped and everyone really need to be on earth and start to reflect on ourselves and think what steps that are needed to revamp our group and start intense training to better prepare ourselves for the next round of District Camp.

To those who participate in the camp, I know you all did put in lots of effort in the camp. Congratulations for securing the 2nd and 3rd if not the 1st. There is no such thing as definite winning in this world. Its time for us to be on earth and start reflecting on ourselves. Well, I know it feels bad. Get over with your emotions and do something fruitful so that the Trophy can once again be secured!..

Cut the crap. Some of the pictures I took during the camp: (its a whole load of pictures which gonna take ages to load)

1. Camp Chief changing in public....

2. Poor Cat..

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4. Lunch time

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6. Senior Patrol

7. Opening ceremony

8. Games

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10. Casualty

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13. Camp Chief painting participant's face

14. So happy yea?

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17. Beach Games

18. Nice bangalow?

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21. I became first aider?

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23. Girls Patrol

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28. 14th Kuching - nice rite?

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32. Senior Patrol

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34. Photoelectric light

35. Calvin Klein? waliu eh...

36. Camp Chief kacau kacau nia...

37. West Malaysia Scouts

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41. Dancing session..

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43. Singing session..

44. Gang Show

45. Camp Chief serving food..

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47. 05th Kuching

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49. System shut down..

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51. Watery eyes...

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53. EEE?

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Western Australia Day 3 & 4

28th, 29th November 2008, day 3 and day 4 of our trip in Western Australia. My apologies for this late posting. Had been trying to catch up with time and schedule ever since I came back. My life is returning to the usual activity packed days again. I'll just combine the two days into one post to make things simple.

Well, we started our journey to Albany, which is a town South of Western Australia, approx 350kms from Perth. We started around 1.45a.m. that morning and took turns to drive the long, straight and lonely road except for kangaroos on the road side looking at us as we pass.

We reached Albany around 6.15a.m. It was still early and practically, all the shops are closed except for McDonalds. Being having no other choice, we resorted to have our breakfast at McDonalds. We then hang out there till around 9.30a.m. and we were just in time to meet the officer at the tourism center who help us plan our journey. She gave us a few places of interest and armed with a map, we started our incredible journey in exploring the Southern West Australia.

Practically, we drove quite a distance within these 2 days of the South Western Australia trip.
Our schedule on the 3rd day is as follows:

Albany Wind Mill - The Gap, The Bridge - Whaling Station - TreeTop Walk (closed) - Busselton Jetty

Schedule for day 4 is as follows:
Leeuwin Estate Winery at Magaret River - Cape Leeuwin Light House at Augusta - Perth

We even slept in the car for the night of Day 3 because we are just so reluctant to pay AUD30 per person to get a room.

Overall, we traveled for around 1500km within these 3 days. Just a comparison, its the distance from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu or even Tawau. Far right?

Being lazy to explain, just view through the following pictures:

1. Sunrise at Albany Port

2. "Campong Road" at Albany

3. The mighty Wind Farm!

4. Human wonders....Imagine how huge that thing is? Have u thought of the angular velocity at the tip of the blade since it has a long radius?

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6. Denmark Beach...

7.Navigating with a map, me being the navigator sometimes.

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10. Whaling ship...It really wrench ur heart once u noe how they whale...I cant believe how tortorous human can be...

11. This whale skeleton is BIG!!

12. The Bridge

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16. The Bridge

17. Enormous waves hitting The Gap

18. The Busselton Jetty - 2km long and its the longest jetty in Australia

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20. Busselton Jetty at Sunset

21. Busselton Jetty at Sunrise - ITS LONG ISNT IT?, the long black line...notice that?

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23. Leeuwin Estate Winery - the vineyard

24. Chee Shing and Me - submerged in the vast vineyard

25. I nearly broke my lens when I slipped and fell - luckily its the Hood that's broken, saved the lens...

26. Wine Storage at the Cellar

27. Augusta Beach - The weather makes the sea looks dull...


28. Cape Leeuwin LightHouse 'where the 2 oceans meet' - The LightHouse overlooking the meeting of the Indian and the Southern Ocean.


That's all for my trip around Australia this time round. Chee Shing went back to Sydney on the 30th November and as for me, I prepared myself to go back to Kuching on the 2nd December. With this, I concluded my first half of the year in Perth.

Results was released on the 10th December and I am glad that I did well.

Next post: 'A Tribute to Ms. Jenny' & 19th Kuching City District Camp 2008

Western Australia Day 2

27th November 2008, the 2nd day of our trip in Western Australia. First thing in the morning is to take the early bus down to Perth City to collect our reserved car.

After collecting the car, we proceeded to Joy Garden, wanting to have some dim sum as breakfast. Who knows the shop only opens at 10.30 a.m. So, we drove around the city area which is basically quite empty and cold during that time.

Our schedule for the day is as follows:

Joy Garden - Burswood Casino - Swan Valley - Magaret River Chocolate Factory - Hillarys Boat Harbor - Dinner at Cicerello's Fremantle - Cottesloe Beach

Our timing is again not correct. All the vineyards grapes are yet to ripe. Another month to go before they are ready to be harvested for wine making. Haiz... Grapes are still too small.

Here are some of the pictures of the places we went:

1. Vineyard that we visited


2. Yet to ripe grapes

3. Chocolate heaven!...

3. Hot chocolate

4. Chocolate flowing....Chocolate factory...

5. Hillarys Boat Harbor

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7. Hillarys

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10. Fremantle

11. Sunset at Cottesloe

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My last post for the time being for the next 5 days. I'll be heading off to Santubong for camp from 11th-15th December.

Western Australia Day 3-4 will be back after the 15th with loads of pictures...Stay tuned.

Sneak Peak:
-Australia's Longest Jetty
-The Gap
-The Bridge

Sydney Day 5 - Western Australia Day 1

26th November 2008, my last day at Sydney and also my first day of trip to Western Australia. We have to catch the flight at 9am that morning to fly back to Perth. Having missed the first and only train we can catch 4.30a.m., we have to resort to taking the cab which cause us sixty bucks each and also cause us to be dizzy cause of the terrible driving skill of the cab driver who likes to jerk his car much.



First day of Perth tour around was nothing much with just city walkaround, basically King's Park and Murray Street.

First thing after we landed at Perth was to head down straight to NorthBridge to Good Fortune to taste its famous roasted duck rice!.. Thanks to Delia for picking us up from the airport as well.


Some of the pictures taken during the day:

1. Swan Bell Tower

2. A view of Perth City from King's Park

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While walking around, we came across this camera shop closing down and was having an auction for all its stuffs.. It really attracted me and Chee Shing as most of the items is DSLR and lenses, auctioned at quite a low price.

Next, we placed an reservation for a car to be rented from AVIS car rental, the same company as we rented our car in Wollongong. The car we chosen was an Camry Altise, ready to be collected the next day, 9.30a.m.

We then head back to my place after dinner at a Japanese restaurant at Murray street before catching the bus back to my place and by then, everyone was really exhausted and we were fast asleep time to minor time difference and the whole day of travelling around.

That's all for the day, stay tuned for the coming days of more exciting touring around...

Sydney Day 4

25th December 2008, my 4th day at Sydney. We have to return the car we rented today at Avis Wollongong by 8.30 a.m. After returning the car, we took train down to Sydney and began our walk and tour around Sydney, targeting mainly a few places such as the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House. Upon arrival at Sydney, the first thing is to have lunch at Fish Market before walking around.

Here's some of the pics shot during the day:
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Kuching High School Fire Aftermath....

The remains what survived the fire that gutted our school, SMK Kuching High on 2nd December 2008.

Its 7th December 2008, 5 days after the fire and I went on a tour of the fire scene. Here's some of the shots taken around the scene.

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10. Temperature inside the fire scene...hot till thermometer break..

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19. Who are those in the pics?

20. First aid kit with burnt gauze.

21. Front part of the library that survived the fire.

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31. Gas tank that flew from science block to office block.

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33. Totally devastated library.

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35. Imagine the heat.


36. The library counter table

37. Old fan switch.


Stay tuned for more pictures from my Sydney-Western Australia trip.

Sydney Day 3

24th November 2008, my 3rd day in Sydney. The initial plan was a Hot Air Balloon flight 5am in the morning. We purposely came down the Sydney the night before to hang around, thinking of taking some nice shots of the night view before going for the hot air balloon trip.

Who knows, due to the stupid weather, when we called to confirm the flight at 3am, the operator told us that the flight was cancelled and need to be rescheduled. Having nothing much to do around Sydney, we went back to Wollongong and by the time we reached back in Wollongong, its already 4.30am.

We slept till around 1pm that day before preparing ourselves and drove back down to Sydney for a singing session, Korean food and then a better shoot of the Opera House and also the Harbor Bridge.

The cancelled hot air balloon caused me to lost AUD64 just because I cannot reschedule as I'll be going back to Perth in 2 days time...What a loss!..and how unfortunate I am, else I'll be able to fly pass the famous Blue Mountain early in the morning and I'll be given a chance to take more exciting pictures!..

Well, some shots from the day:

1. A view from George Street

2. The car we rented - Camry Altise

3. Korean food

4. Aiyer.....

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6. A better shot of the Harbor Bridge

7. Opera House and Harbor Bridge ...A wide angle lens will make this shot better.....


8. A cooler temperature shot...Which one you prefer? this or the previous?

9. Harbor Bridge night view

10. Chee Shing and me with the Camry Altise we rented below Harbor Bridge.

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Sydney Day 2

23 November 2008, my 2nd day in Sydney. Weather today aren't that promising as temperature dropped to around 15 degrees the night before. Wind was also blowing hard throughout the night.
We then rented a car for the day and the day becomes merrier as Chee Shing assembled a whole village of his friends from uni totalling up to 15 people divided in 3 cars.
Unfortunately, the weather that day was really terrible. It rained the whole day and the cloud was as if chasing us, following us where ever we went, forcing us to cancel most of our pre-planned activities.

A summary of Day 2 schedule:

Breakfast at McDonald's - Tree Top Walk (cancelled due to strong wind and heavy rain) - wildlife center - Jamberoo water park (cancelled as we arrived too late) - dinner at a Chinese restaurant - movie at Wollongong (Quantum of Solace) - back to UOW hostel - drove down to Sydney around 11pm.

Overall, its really a rainy and unfortunate day for us. 80% of planned activity was cancelled due to rain. Worst, as we went down to Sydney to take some night view of the Harbor bridge and the Opera House, most of the lights were off. In addition, the lights of the Harbor bridge was turned off one by one as we drove cross the bridge! What a mess!

Spent the day driving around, enjoying the lush green view of the countryside where cows graze of patches of green green grass on both sides of the road.

As for the details, pictures will speak better:

1. Chee Shing and his '师妹' , 丹青

2. Ostrich

3. Snakes - Chee Shing's phobia!...Throw him a snake and he'll faint

4. The day trip members - Chee Shing is taking the picture

5. The Opera House

6. Look at the lights of the Harbor Bridge - OFF!

7. Opera House from North Sydney


Not much pictures for the day as I'm on the wheels. Stay tuned for Day 3..

Sydney Day 1

21st November 2008, Delia sent me to Perth Domestic Airport around 11p.m. for me to catch my flight DJ438 from Perth to Sydney departing on 0045hrs Perth time.

The flight took around 4 hours plus and by the time I touched down at Sydney Domestic Airport, its 0700hrs local time. Sydney really have a beautiful view from the plane, with landmass of buildings flanked by the great blue ocean, the Pacific Ocean.

Having touched down, I proceeded to the train station to meet up with my brother there, Chee Shing and his friend, whom is also from Kuching, Kim Shin. Just to meet up with me at the airport, they purposely took train down from Wollongong as early as 4am.

We then went down to Sydney and it was still early in the morning then. Most of the shops are still closed and so we came to this Chinese restaurant at Chinatown and have our breakfast of dim sum there and to kill time. Spent quite sometime there catching up with them especially on scouting stuffs. Its been long since I last talked about scouting with someone familiar and knows what am I crapping about.

As for the places we went, I'll just post the pictures I've shot all along the trip. So, basically this will be a photostory of where I went though some might be incomplete. I'll explain more by words if some pictures are missed out.

1. Prior to touching down at Sydney

2. Virgin Blue

3. Darling Harbor

4. Darling Harbor


5.


6.


8.

9. Cockle Bay Wharf

10. Nemo?

11.

12. Sleeping Koala

13.

14.

15. A view of Sydney from the tower

16. Sydney Tower

17. Aussie Burger

18. Warship for tour

19.

20.

21.

22. Central

23. In the train back to Wollongong


In summary of the places visited:

ChinaTown-Darling Harbor-Sydney Wildlife Centre-Sydney Aquarium-Sydney Tower-Australian Maritime Musuem

Stay tuned for more posts..

On the way Back to Kuching

Boarded SQ216 flying from Perth to Singapore at 0250am Perth time today and reached Singapore around 0740hrs.

Waiting was long at Perth International Airport as I reached the airport way ahead time. Reached Singapore, need to wait again. And so, blogging is a way to kill time. Half way typing this post, the boarding commence and I've to continue typing in the plane.

Slept the whole way through from Perth to Singapore until the air stewardess who wanted to pass me my birthday cake also cant do it and only pass it to me when they landed. Such a nice flight, even give me a birthday cake on the plane. Guess this is the first time I received a cake from Singapore Airlines. Unique huh?

Well, I've just adapted to the slow lifestyle in Perth and now I'll have to readapt to the usual Kuching lifestyle. OMG... So many changes and adaptation within half a year time. As I changed from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2, the feeling of nearing home is becoming more and more intense. I cant deny the fact that I'm really eager to get home though I hate the adapt and readapt process!

The flight to Kuching from Singapore is scheduled at 0840hrs. By the time I reach Kuching, it'll be 1010hrs. First things first, KOLO MEE! GREEN ROAD ONE! hahaz...really missed that lar.. and then it'll be distributing apple strudel that I brought back from Perth to colleagues, relatives and friends. I brought back one whole bag of chocolates and mangoes..nothing else..

I guess everyone must be waiting to see the pics of my Sydney-Western Australia trip. I'll try to spare sometime to sort out the pictures and also do the posting. Overall, it was a great trip and journey. I should called it journey instead of trip for the distance we've traveled both in NSW and WA. I guess combined journey in both states is approx 2000kms. Besides, the scenery in WA is really spectacular. We all cant believe just the view that comes into our eyes when we get there.. Well, will write a log for the whole journey. Gonna depart soon.. Till then..