Category: Thoughts

Kampung Hakka Mantin – Part 8

Kampung Hakka Mantin – Part 8

But apparently not. Almost every house has a Taoist symbol at the door or front entrance that repudiates the theory.

A small altar dedicated to the Chinese Ti Kong or the Jade Emperor God can be seen everywhere. It is seen here as a metal fixture on the wall to the extreme right of the pic. The bright red altars have all faded like the memories of the generations who lived here.

Where is Kampung Hakka Mantin? Map and directions at MyCen Maps: http://www.mycen.my/kampung-hakka-mantin/

Asus Zenfone 3, IS 50, f2 , 1/1250 sec.

#streetphototography #mantin #village #hakka #urbex #abandoned #dilapidated #derelict #urbex #urbandecay #documentary #kampunghakka #taoism #altar #asus

I Saw Mommy Doing A Selfie Underneath The Mistletoe Last Night

I saw a random family posing for selfies last night. Pity the crowd was quite sparse as not many know about this place and its attractions currently. The theme will run until 31st December. There is fireworks scheduled for 8:55 pm tomorrow 17th December at Santa Factory. Subject to fair weather, of course.

Burping All The Way To Timbaktu

At the small town of Simpang Pertang in Negeri Sembilan. The junction town leads to either Titi or Simpang Durian. The latter is a small town that bears the last signs of civilization before a long, lonely drive to Karak in Pahang. The deserted road is rarely used unless Karak Highway is cut off by a major accident or landslide.

Pleasantly surprised to to find out I have a friend originating from the pit stop town of Simpang Durian. It is the frontier town before heading to remote Telemong or Malaysia’s own Timbaktu.

Stopped to drink at a roadside stall operated by a Malay village girl in Simpang Pertang. If you have been to a remote village grocer inside big rubber plantations or FELDA settlements, you would have tried the strange sodas available only in rural areas.

You know they are made in some backyard factories somewhere and contain generous colourings. Always suspect they use recycled soy sauce (kicap) bottles. Yet, they are awesome thirst quenchers under the hot sun.

I love the sarsaparilla and orange flavours because they are super gassy and the caustic soda tickles your throat violently. I burped repeatedly on the way to Timbuktu and that is what a good road trip is about.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f6.3, 1/640 sec.

Nine Emperor Gods Festival Procession In Jinjang – Part 1

The roads here are a maze so I had no idea of the route the parade will cover. Heck. I don’t even know where my car was parked but I did bread crumb my tracks with a pic on my phone camera at every junction or turn during the walk.

Jinjang was a Chinese village notorious for gangsterism and triads many years ago. At one time, no taxis will send passengers in for fear of ambush by the gangs.

The gangs are gone or are silver haired now. The Chinese community solved the gangsterism and associated social problems by sending their kids to college. This broke the vicious cycle but it is to have another impact on the festival which I shall discuss in the next post.

As a photographer, my attitude was to cross the bridge when I get there, prepared to face all eventualities since it is my first time at their parade. There’s smoke, there’s fire and the Pak Thian Kiong temple is beautifully lit tonight. Am loving it but wished they started during the magic hour.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 400, f4, 1/80 sec.