Tag: selangor

Selfie Epicenter – FGS Dong Zen Jenjarom

The selfie and posing epicenter at Dong Zen was concentrated at the area where giant roosters stood. I like how the temple made a cascading water fountain out of three large ceramic dining bowls with cockerel emblems.

The rooster bowls were significant in ancient Chinese society when agriculture played an important role. The cockerel motifs paid tribute to the rooster as a symbol of hard work, abundance, wealth, fertility and prosperity. Another cultural observation is the prominence of the colour red in wardrobe for CNY. Red symbolizes good fortune and joy.

Rain or shine, selfies go on at Dong Zen. Since its beginning more than 10 years ago, Dong Zen’s CNY themes have always incorporated a lantern and floral fest.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 200, f16, 1/200 sec.

#dongzen #fgs #jenjarom #buddhist #temple #selfie #2017 #cny #candid #rain #rooster #fountain

Water Disruption in Selangor December 2016 – A Resource Page

Water Disruption in Selangor due to maintenance work at the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) substation in Bukit Badong. Water cut in Klang Valley or Selangor and Kuala Lumpur expected from 19th December to 24th December 2016.

This page will act as an all in resource to news, updates and information.
The link to this page is http://www.mycen.com.my/malaysia/water_disruption_december_2016.html

A Simple Plan

The monkeys, they have a plan. When they see a sack of bananas, they don’t snatch it directly. They launch a coordinated sneak attack. One guy lifts her skirt while another grabs her from the back, hoping she’ll drop the stash. This candid moment came about when Carmen was sitting on the ledge as I fine-tuned the camera’s fill-flash settings.

Behind and below is a beautiful view of mangrove swamps and the Straits of Malacca. On a very clear day, one should be able to see Sumatra from up here.

The ‘Near Threatened’ silvered-leaf monkeys on Malawati Hill are in an uneasy but symbiotic relationship with humans. Their antics draw tourists to the hill, benefiting businesses in Kuala Selangor town. In return, they get food and tolerance from the authorities.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 250, f16, 1/250 sec with FL-50R in daylight fill mode.

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#candid #kualaselangor #monkeys

Going Home For Raya

I started on this journey on Federal Route 1 on March 29. I have since covered Rawang, Serendah, Ulu Yam, Rasa, Kuala Kubu, Kerling, Kalumpang, Hulu Bernam, Tanjung Malim, Behrang, Slim River and many tiny places in between.

To tell the story, I visited quaint little towns, rustic villages and wandered through dusty roads and jungle trails. Camped in tents, stayed at dodgy ‘rumah tumpangan’ (lodging houses) but also at comfy hotels, chalets and motels. Met friendly and warm people from all walks of life.

In between, I have also traveled back to my home base in KL several times to replenish and to attend to paying work. Where possible, I try to continue again the next day. Quite tiring but it kept the sense of adventure and exploration fresh in my mind.

I’m going to take a short break to visit the Ramadan bazaars in KL that I love, break fast with friends and make way for the many cars in the upcoming exodus. Will continue with the road trip where I left off after the Hari Raya holidays.

Another reason I need the break is that I must make my new website catch up with the daily pics. Before I can finish adding some of the missing older ones, I ended up acquiring even more new pics and stories to manage.

Nevertheless, the website gives it the much needed interface of systematic sorting, categorization and tagging of subjects befitting an epic travelogue. And unlike Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, topics are easily searchable and there are related links in every article or post.

Look out for more unique images and stories of awesome people, nature, animals, food and places on the route after the break. We’ve only just begun.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f4, 1/320 sec.

Man In The Tree

Sharing more outtakes from the earlier leg of the road trip. Saw a man plucking cikus (sapodilla) on top of a tree during exploration deep inside a village in Ulu Yam. I will continue with the journey after the long holiday weekend.

Someone asked me: Why carry the very expensive Sony A7R and its heavy arsenal of Zeiss lenses when it is safer, easier to use lighter, less expensive mirrorless systems?

The answer is simple. I do carry two other mirrorless cameras but a day will come. This was such a day. The day when a scene will cry out for the brute resolution of the A7r. The camera will clearly define every leaf and every fruit.

It will pick out the details right down to the ash on the tip of the cigarette or make out the motifs on the man’s shirt. Its fine tonal rendition will separate the leaves from the fruits. The excellent dynamic range will keep everything in check, from sky to face, even under the harsh sun.

I can think of more but the most important reason is that this is also an archival mission. Many of the old surviving buildings, towns and lifestyle documented on this journey will soon disappear forever. So why not capture it at the best practical quality for future generations to relive and to appreciate.

Sony Alpha a7R, ISO 100, f4, 1/800 sec.