Feel the environment

I was at KLCC on Saturday with the intention of taking pictures of the famous twin towers and also the big Christmas trees at the concourse. I believe the twin towers is one of the most photograph place in Malaysia. Do you believe me if I say photography is a way to relieve stress? Especially landscape photography, all you have with you is a piece of tool that allows you to freeze time, just enough for you to capture the essence of your object.

As I was walking outside, the evening wind was blowing. There are a lot of people sitting outside basking whatever that is left of the sun, families, couples, children, tourist and “photographer” like me. I slowly walk toward the bridge in the centre, along the way I could see a mother taking a photo of her lovely daughter, capturing a beautiful smile. Near the fountain, I already saw a “photographer” shooting away with his DSLR at the majestic towers, without any weapon to defend itself, the tower just surrender by displaying its best views.

As I reached the bridge, I remember the pointers that I read from magazines and internet “Feel the environment” they said. I could see there are already a lot of people taking photos, some with their mobile phones, their point & shoot and some with the SLR or DSLR. There are also those who just stand there and enjoy the view, 2 lovely towers standing tall, pride of the nation deflecting the last shine from the sun. I just hoist myself up the railing and close my eyes, holding my bag, the hiding place of my tools to capture the Twin Towers.

Ksssh, the sound of the shutter, freezing time, below are some photos that I took, I guess it’s not exceptional or excellent but I think it’s not bad for someone who is there to just “Feel the environment”….

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The year is coming to an end, last stop is Christmas. Bright lights, Christmas trees, shopping, gifts and smiling faces could be seen everywhere. I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year with some photos I took yesterday at KLCC, Times Square today and in Bangkok. Try to guess where each of the photo is taken. Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle all the way...

Made in China @ Melbourne

We have an “off day” after a tiring few days sight seeing from Fitzroy Garden to Sovereign Hill. We decided that today (27th Oct 2006) will be a shopping day; a day we shop for gifts for relatives and of course our own self. When we read through the brochure that we got from the airport we were interested in a place called Bridge Road at Richmond. It’s a place where a lot of wholesale shop is allocated. We were contemplating on 2 choices, city centre or Bridge Road. We are trying to avoid going to a more expensive place first. We finally decided on Bridge Road. The problem now is how to get there. Take the tram or train?

We decided to take the train. We stopped at Richmond Station. The sky is a bit dark but it did not deter our shopping spirit. We asked for direction and we were told that its less than 10 minutes walk, off we go, walk walk walk, shop shop shop and eat eat eat. Our first impression is that the surrounding building is “tested” with time. It brings out the nostalgia feel.

The direction is simple just walk straight, reach Lincoln Street (I think so cannot remember) and turn left, that will be Bridge Road. We walk, walk and walk. It’s almost half an hour. We passed by old Victorian houses and also houses with graffiti’s but no sign of wholesale shops. We asked another friendly Aussie, “Just turn left and walk until the end”, he said.

Walk and walk, we finally reached bridge road, row of row of wholesale shops, offers everywhere, 50%, 70% discount. The first shop we went in, the quality was quite ok, the design also not bad but Made in China. Are we in China? Blink Blink, we are in Melbourne, but rows of rows of shirts bearing Made in China. We were quite disappointed, we are looking for Made in Australia but it seems this is very rare. Even when we are back in the city center, we went to a lot of main departmental stores such as Myers, we still see made in china although it is designed in Australia. My overall score is one Tee Shirts that is Made in Australia and is those that have the word Australia in front…..hahahaha all the others is Made in China...scratching the head and wonder why...

Sunday Morning, what to do leh?

I was walking around the house, thinking what I should do on this bright and sunny Sunday Morning. Cut my hair? A bit long but it still can hold onto its root with some shape when a strong wind come whiz by. As I was reaching the balcony I saw the fortune flower stand lonely on one corner. The plant is still strong but the flower shows sign of dying soon, dropping like its previous ancestor. I took out my 400D and take what could be possibly the last photo for this fortune flower.

My Wife Nephew

I was at Bangkok last week and here are some photos of my wife nephew. My wife is chasing after me to post this photo hahaha..as she has not actually seen it.

This is the youngest nephew taken when he was 3 days old. (updated - from 3 years old)

This is him now, totally different.


Below is the older nephew

Sovereign Hill Melbourne

Sovereign Hill is a place that you will make you feel that you are in the olden days in Australia, somewhere around 1850’s. The houses, people and even the animal was all properly done and dressed up. I believe even the things sold there were similar to that era. Don’t believe, below is some pictures for you to see.
A photo of me outside of Sovereign Hill and on the right is a statue outside the gold museum.

Old Soldiers patrolling the area and Methodist Church.

Sights of the transportation system.

Cowboy hat for sell.

Red Hill Mining.

Me at the cinema ticket booth.

Three Women enjoying themselves.

Kitchen.

Bowling Alley.

Some old photos.

Evaluation

Do not have much time to continue posting on my Melbourne trip. Have been busy doing evaluation for the staff. It’s quite a tough task. Anyway I guess most of you guys are bore seeing my Melbourne photos and short notes on the trip. Coming back to the evaluation, I have been doing this for few years and I still find it difficult. How is one suppose to put a point to someone performance? It’s so subjective. My 90 points could be meant for Bill Gates and another colleague 90 points could be meant for Krisbeardin and Hairymargin (just a fictitious name for actor of dumb and the dumber).

Especially for staff that newly joins, it’s even difficult. They are just so “new” to this dog eat dog world. They still look at the world through the eyes of an innocent child. Everything could still be one piece of white paper. If the points given are bad it could even cause them to lose confidence. It could be a jolt to them as most I believe is academically strong but they still lack the “ohm”.

Or should I just introduce them to the reality of this world, shake their confidence a bit and let them grow up, slowly blooming. I guess I will do just that by putting what I feel is an honest assessment of them. Oh as for dumb and dumber, I just evaluated you also and my cross has just gone to the other box.

Ballarat WildLife Park Melbourne

There are 2 tours on Sovereign Hill to choose from. We decided to choose the package with the wildlife, paying an extra of 8 AUD. The place is called Ballarat Wildlife. Hence is another round of Kangaroos but this time, is the Kangaroos that chased after us. I believe they are hungry. Below is a video on these friendly Kangaroos.

Some photos, started with a Kangaroo and a Duck below.

A Kaola.

A wombat.

Great Ocean Road Part 5 @ Port Campbell and London Bridge, Melbourne

This is the last post on Great Ocean Road. We spend our tea break at Port Campbell town. When I walked into an eatery all I saw is fish and chips, chicken sandwich and etc So I told my wife that I will spend my time walking outside looking for some photo opportunity while she wait for her tea break of chicken sandwich. Below are some of the photos I got.

As I was walking further I saw this lady fishing. The water was quite rough, wave after wave it pounds the bank.

This is the view looking into the town.

A view on my way back, a sight of a loving couple.

The next stop is London bridge.

After the stop at London Bridge we make our way back to city center, it was quite a tiring day as the schedule was quite pack and is a long drive. We spend most of the time on the road. I believe the best way to enjoy the Great Ocean Road is to travel and stay overnight at hotel or guest house along the way. That will enable you to stop anytime along the road and take photos of this beautiful coast line of Australia.

Great Ocean Road Part 4 @ Loch Ard Gorge Apostles Melbourne

This is another famous attraction. There is a Japanese group filming the place. They took up the best position for some great photos. As they were introducing the place, the word Loch Ard Gorge was mentioned a few times. I waited for quite sometime until I got fed up and took whatever pictures I can. They have the luxury of time staying at the place for as long as they can but we were on a tight schedule. Click onto the picture below and you will get another view.


And it was drizzling and it was really cold, my hand was shaking when I took photos. Here you could see me suiting up to warm myself up. This is the view you see when you stand with you back facing the ocean.

Great Ocean Road Part 3 @ Twelve Apostles Melbourne

When we arrive at 12 Apostle, it was windy. The sky is pretty dark on one side and bright on the other. The wind was blowing ferociously. I understand that one of the rocks collapsed due to erosion which is actually how it was formed initially. Here are some photos.


This is the bright side.

And when we about to leave, the dark clouds seems to be moving further away.

And a video to share.

Next post will be on Loch Ard Gorge.