Category: Photography

A Little Piece Of Forgotten History

A marker or stone was erected in 2015 to commemorate the 70th year anniversary of the landing of the British Indian Army. The landing of the 46th Indian Beach Group on 9 Sept 1945 took place here in Morib beach. The memorial stands silently in a shower of thorny conifer-like cones or seeds from the Casuarina or Rhu trees.

There were 42,651 personnel, 3,968 vehicles and 11,224 tons of stores, says this stone marker. Like many historical landmarks in Malaysia, little other information is provided on site, except to deepen the mystery, leaving the visitor grasping for more.

Current generation know so little about our shared military history with Britain, Australia and India. The Indians, including many Sikhs, came to our shores to help repel the invasion by the tanks of the invading Japanese Imperial Army. Many foreigners fought for us, defending our land and died gallantly in battle.

Am honoured to stand before this World War 2 memorial paying tribute to the many brave foreign soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

#morib #seaside #beach #ww2 #memorial #goldcoast #history #roadtrip

All That Glitters Is Gold

The stretch between Morib Beach and the luxurious AVANI Sepang resort in Bagan Lallang was branded as the Gold Coast of Selangor. For me the true beauty of the Gold Coast is at this section where mangrove trees appear half sunken during the sea’s low tide.

Under a golden sunset, all that glitters is gold, especially to someone appreciative of nature. I love the haunting and eerie silence of the submerged trees when contrasted with the the noisy birds flying above the swamps.

Unusual to see so many crows here. Crows are scavengers but not marine birds. Maybe the low tide exposes food. One of them, in mid flight, looked like it had a fish hanging from its beak. I took the Sony A7R out from the bag as it has the rapid firing capability needed for this scene.

This corner is a true eco tourism gem that is overlooked and not promoted. Look for gold yourself at the Gold Coast.

Sony A7R ISO 100, f 22, 1/200 sec.

#sunset #goldcoast #selangor #seaside #lowtide #birds #sea #landscape #ecotourism #nature #sepang

Travel Partners Make Or Break Your Travel

At Tanjung Sepat, I wanted to get shots of fishing nets and related paraphernalia since we were in a fishing town. Alex Wong MF, my helper and driver for that day was extremely accommodating in his willingness to help me get to places we both weren’t familiar.

Can’t stress enough of the importance of a travel partner who share the same vision and who is understanding and flexible. Am grateful for the shots I got and can’t thank this kind, generous and patient man enough.

We found a house which we think was manufacturing fish traps or cages. I told Alex I needed to get the dilapidated house behind and Alex understood my intention.

As with any travel, don’t be too serious about everything. Keep it light hearted and fun. Both are seeing things never before experienced when exploring a new place.

Travel is about observing and noting things together for impromptu discussions.

For example; we laughed when we saw a new housing estate there. Every Chinese house had a massive, shiny stainless steel gate and a pair of stainless water tanks on the roof. A sign of the new rich or a status symbol, perhaps.

In the 80s and before, Chinese families aspired to migrate to Australia when they became rich. Now it is a fetish like passion for acquiring stainless steel or chrome ornaments.

If you think you may also be a suitable adventure or roadtrip mate and would like to learn more about photography or to have a few chuckles together at the same time, please contact me.

Thanks, Alex for making it a fun, productive and memorable trip

#tanjungsepat #travel #adventure #streetphotography #fishing #landscape #roadtrip

World Champ At Their Home Ground

World Champ At Their Home Ground.

The two young men in the previous pic are part of a prestigious troupe known as the Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Association. I was amazed by their acrobatic and daredevil performance on the high poles.

Looking at the troupe’s Facebook Page back home later, it was nice to discover they are indeed the World Champion for the High Pole Category. Dragon and Lion Dance is a sport recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia.

The night (known as ‘Chap Goh Mei’ in Malaysia) marked the end of the 15-day celebration of Chinese New Year. Beautifully-lit Thean Hou Temple was the backdrop for the thrilling lion dance and spectacular fireworks.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 6400, f4, 1/60 sec.

#documentaryphotography #nightphotography #liondance #chinesefestival #chapgohmei #cny #sonyalpha #a7r #zeiss