Drive Thru...open 24 hours.

Do you know that one and only drive thru fast food outlet in Sarawak is in Kuching...open 24 hours.

Kuching City-Photographing a Sunset.

This sunset picture taken at the new Kuching water front .Beautiful moments which goes beyond descriptive words.

 

The lure of sunset has been chosen to share with many who missed this golden moments.

I find that photography  is a lifelong learning experience. I don't yet have any of the fancier lenses or a tripod, so I try to capture the best possible image with what I do have.

I use slow shutter to most of my sunset shoot...:)

 

Many people are fascinated with the view of sunset. That is why sunset has been one of the most popular photography  scenes that we come across. For photographers, every sunset provides an opportunity to capture a unique scene, with different set of clouds or things in foreground. Photographing a sunset  view also gives you infinite variations of colours in one evening itself. However, sunset photography can be trickier than what you initially thought.

Photo taken with Olympus E-620 & Panasonic Lumix LX3.

Hari Raya Preparation..

All Malaysian Muslim are getting into a final one third stage of the holy month of Ramadan.In less then 10 days,they will celebrate Eidul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa.

What would Hari Raya be without new clothes, new shoes, new bags and basically lots of new things?

Shoppers throng malls, bazaars and boutiques in search for the trendiest baju kurungs and kebayas (traditional Malay attire for women), latest tudung )(scarf) trends, fashionable shoes, sleekest baju melayu (traditional Malay attire for men) and so forth. There are some who opt for a family colour theme for Hari Raya each year, and will hunt for materials of the same colour. While some can make their own Hari Raya attire or send it to the tailors, others prefer to get it ready-made as it is easier and sometimes cheaper.

 

Spoilt for choices........

It’s not just about the shoes,kopiah or clothes; even Hari Raya delicacies are on sale along with the apparel.

Delicacies etc,etc.......

Children wear etc.etc.........

 

Though it’s the fasting month, many shoppers don’t seem to feel the fatigue or tiredness when hunting for the best deals. While some opt to go shopping at night, after the breaking of fast, many would rather go during the day as there are more shops open and they can get the best bargains.

My advise....spend wisely.

NGOJEK.

Ngojek,Indonesia for "to earn money by carrying passengers or cargo on the rear seat of one's motorbike"

 

Ngojek..transporting heavy load of cargo crossing Malaysia/Indonesia border in Serikin.

Every weekend he works from the town of Indonesia province in  Kalimatan Barat carrying cargo to cross the border.He has to work very hard for it.

Ngojek do good business  carrying passengers to cross the border between Malaysia/Indonesia in Serikin.Bau.

Hari Raya-Everything New........

 

One thing I liked about Hari Raya celebration is I get to see the Muslim liked to decorate their house with new paint, new curtains, new furniture,new decorative lights and not forgetting new cloth & shoes.Some even buy new car...

Strictly Malaysian-Balik Kampung.

Loosely translated, "balik kampung" means to go back to one's hometown. However, it is most applicable when used to describe the annual pilgrimage of city folk to their respective hometowns during festive seasons.

It's not uncommon to find cities like Kuala Lumpur turning into ghost towns during Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year due to this yearly exodus. This feeling of desolation in cities is magnified when festivals fall close together, such as Kongsi Raya (Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year) although this happens only occasionally.

Ramadan-It's not about food .

The food sale at Ramadan Bazaar..

Few hours before breaking fast..a lot of people stampede the bazaar......

 

The magical moment of Ramadan in Malaysia are those market stalls selling a variety of foods and some are only available during Ramadan. Seeing people of all races and religions shopping and buying these foods are images that will forever be etched in one's mind. Ramadan is also that time of the year where family members make an effort to be home for the breaking of fast and be together as a family to enjoy and share those wonderful spread. Ramadan brings the family closer. Of course eating in moderation and eating healthy foods are key to a longer, happier and prosperous family lives.However, in Malaysia, the month itself has been tainted with the extreme gluttony during the entire month of fasting. Not sure what I’m talking about? Well, I don’t mean I am good Muslim then any other Muslim brother but the gluttony among most Muslims in Malaysia can be seen in the Ramadan Bazaar. A few hours before breaking fast, a lot of people will stampede the bazaar in order to buy loads of food for the breaking fast.

Jalan TAR & Jalan Masjid India-Kuala Lumpur.

 

If we talk about hunting for carpet,textile,fabrics and hijab(tundung in Malay),I always talk about this street of Jalan TAR(Tuanku Abdul Rahman).In fact ,Tuanku Abdul Rahman is the name of the first Yang di-Pertua Agong(His Highness or King) of Malaysia.However there is another area near little India(or Jalan Masjid India) that you can find many textile store and fabric outlets.

Normally this place will be crowded when festive season are around "Hari Raya".We can see many new street vendors.For women Jalan TAR & Jalan Masjid India is a place to seek matching hijab(Tudung in Malay) and spending the whole day checking & hunting every store for the perfect colours.

 

 

On saturday and as expected the crowd begin for a night market(Pasar Malam) hunting and bargaining for their goods from the street vendors.

 

 

Beside many textile,clothing,carpet and fabric store I also notice there are many budget hotel around Jalan TAR and Jalan Masjid India.Most budget hotel around this district offer very competitive discount & more discount if we book online.

LRT @ Rush Hour........

 

Taking LRT at rush hour is no fun at all. You are being squeezed like sardines, male and female alike, in a coach which smells of stale air. It is in fact downright unhygienic since if someone with flu sneezes in the coach, most of the passengers in that coach would probably be infected with the same virus. It is also very scary especially to the ladies, since even if you feel someone else is groping you, you can’t even move to avoid and fence off the move.

Sarawak Regatta 2010 in Kuching.

Opening event.......

The history of Sarawak Regatta.........Basically, The Sarawak Regatta in the Brooke Days is known as a game of peace and passion to unite the warring tribes of Borneo. In those days, Rajah Charles Brooke used to send his yatch "Maimunah" to bring in the various 'Tuan Residents' to join the social event......

 

The family get shades from underneath the trees....

 

Sarawak Regatta started on the 30th July to 1st August 2010 at Kuching Waterfront. I just spent half day watching the events (last day Sunday) ignoring the heat from the very hot sun. No doubt along the waterfront you can get shades from underneath the trees but at times really had to go infront to get a clearer view.

 

Sarawak River.....

The Sarawak Regatta, to be held from July 30 with local and foreign participants, would directly promote racial harmony, greater understanding of cultural diversity and promote the tourism industry.

Will this team LANDAS grab the title "King of the River"...........

This has made the races more exciting. Participating teams have done their preparations earlier than usual and are well prepared. This can be seen in their determination to grab the coveted ‘King of the River’ title in the various categories.

Public Bus- Penang.

 

 

On my recent trip to Pulau Penang the public bus as my mode of transportation.I was using the Rapid Penang from Sg.Nibong bus terminal to Batu Ferringhi,bus No 102 and it is inexpensive.The bus itself was very convenient,you can go anywhere using public bus & it is also enable you to see the true color of Penang with it's culture diversity.The cheerful,helpful bus drivers were marvellous.The most important is the 'frequency' schedule was great for us on holiday.

The Sarawak Rainforest Interhash 2010.

The Sarawak Rainforest Interhash 2010 is being held here in Kuching,Sarawak,Malaysia.The city centre is curretly crawling with hashers from around the World.  There’s a lot to be said for holding Interhash in Malaysia.  It’s the spiritual home of hashing, for one thing.  It’s cheap, for another . . . as are almost all other potential hash venues in Asia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, etc.  

The hashers..enjoy to shop for printed T-Shirt .

 

The Hashers...

 

Even local go to shop for T-Shirt here but most item are in US Dollar (US$).

This Interhash 2010 is nothing to do with the coming festival in Sarawak that is'Rainforest World Music Festival 2010'

Draft BEER are ready to serve the Guest..Well, I don't drink this ...sorry.

To be honest..I don't know about this hash...and I have a chance talking to one of the hash member and I ask him What is Interhash? It is where Hashers from different groups get together to run and drink beer together.

 

They were having the red dress charity run,to benefit a few locals foundations.There were plenty of hairy men in red dresses and red hair in town.

Most of the hashers wore fancy dresses. Some men wore women outfits while few others sported American Red Indian headgears and Afro hair wigs. Several were even seen sporting fake horn and tails of the imaginary Red Devil.

To the locals, the culture of these international hashers may be strange and eccentric but the Red Dress Charity Run, in particular, has a unique history.

Barber Shop .

Just had a great haircut,I can't comment on how it looks,but it was a great experience.This Bombay Hair Cut is in Kota Samarahan.I never been to an Indian barber shop before,only local Malay and Chinese one here in Kota Samarahan and Kuching City.Perhap this Bombay hair cut is the only Indian barber shop in Sarawak and open his business beginning of June 2010.Hahaha,it is not the trendy ones but the very basic barber that had thrived.

This shop in Kota Samarahan and the barber from India (legal workers)is probably in his 45 years old.After  the hair cut he did the head massage then ! Crack,crack....before I knew it he had my head in his hand and was doing neck cracking,a little aftershave cologne to sting the back of my neck.All done and I felt lighter with  most of my hair gone and head massage and then got up to pay Rm8.00 ...It was worthwhile and amusing experience.

Another Street Scene......

The fun thing about taking picture on the street is that we can still apply the same ideas,concepts and theme to highlight issue in everyday life.The moving cars,motorbike.shoppers & street vendors.

My aim was actually to capture the busy scenario of India street pedestrian mall which is a well known tourist spot in Kuching.As I was setting up for the shot I saw this newspaper street vendor and had to capture him quickly before being notice or else.......

Street Scenes again...

What I see on the street is everyone of us expresses ourselves in a different way in front of camera.

It's contains in one image a piece of personality........

And life style of the subject...........

Street Scenes.

I decided to capture the beauty and energy of the exciting street around Kuching City by portraying it's different characters and candid scenes and below is some of my project.

The word Selamat Datang ke Sarawak is 'Welcome to Sarawak" .The young tourist  enjoying the heat of the city.

Local lady...in western style.

Spaoh District.

Just  had a walk in a traditional area of the kampong Spaoh . I took some random snaps of what I saw around the village and this wooden house attract my attention.

Gambier Street.

Took these snap while taking a lazy walk on one of the busiest marketing street in old part of Kuching, on a Saturday Afternoon.I went there to shop for a spices & curry paste etc.etc...