The mind is not here.. again..

Well.. again.. it has been a long time since my last post.. since the last two months.. i participated in a number of outdoor activities.. but the major event only started last month.. a repeated trip to the island where the significant other half of the island where the Daik Mount located.. the Tioman Island.. it was a blast.. i was really living in my words.. ‘it’s between you and the sea’… but i don’t want to talk about Tioman now.. actually.. the mind is not here because.. this Friday.. approximately in the afternoon… again.. a dugong-like figure can be seen floating around at the beach of Nipah Bay.. yes… I’m going back to Pangkor Island… yeay!..

Previous trip to Pangkor.. went with my old school mates.. this coming event.. I will be there along with my office colleagues.. mostly from the premier and expert team.. as far as i think i know.. this group has never gone to any field trip or outing or whatsoever.. this should be the first time for the team.. and could be the last… as most of us will be dispersed to be absorbed to other projects or departments in the near future..

There will be two groups : one will be arriving at Pangkor on this Friday.. which includes me.. and another will arrive on this Saturday.. hence i have been mocking around in the office that i will be swimming around in the sea this Friday while some will still be in the office working on cases without their minds… muahahah.. it gonna be good.. but just now i called my sister.. and she informed that it was raining quite frequently in Ipoh… it rained this morning and again at around 6 today.. whatever it is.. it will also be a pleasurable moment to spend the time sleeping in the resort while we are in Pangkor, if it happen to rain..

After all the one month plan conjured by Yob aka Ashahrun.. this weekend would be the moment of truth.. the first six to arrive on this Friday would be En. Faizal, Haja, Aie, Rosma, Anis and me.. the rest.. Yob and Su and Zidan, Roslee and family (it is only Kamsiah by the way), Abang Nwar with his family (he’s bringing along his sister-in-law, nice!), Farid, Nithiyan and last but not least.. Mr. Lawrence.. yes, Lawrence is coming.. nice!… hopefully everything will be fine this weekend.. let the weather be nice to have an outdoor activity.. let the timing be all more than perfect.. let the food be the most succulent one.. let the trip itself.. be the most enjoyable and the most memorable of all.. more like.. a farewell trip.. so help us God…

Recent happenings..

IT has been a long time since my last post.. what should i write now?.. so many things happened to me lately.. so many interesting incidents happened lately.. which one should I start with?.. hmm.. let’s start with the bad but interesting incident first..

Cheat.. one form of corruption which can occur anywhere at anytime at any circumstances.. The boss of my team, has caught us red-handed for corrupting the integrity of the work for the second month of the year 2009.. the whole team but one got busted for this case.. as for me.. two words lingering in my mind during the scolding time.. shit happens.. i even told my boss about it.. nothing else to do eventhough we were given a choice.. and we had to admit the defeat.. more like a fault actually.. well.. it is all because of the emergence of a new group in the facility.. which has taken up all of our work, and left us with.. well.. not nothing.. but much less things to do.. and still have to meet the quota to fit the requirement of monthly performance.. two words of advice.. don’t cheat.. whatever you do in your life.. never cheat.. the One up there would not treat you any good if you cheat in your life.. it is not like a computer game where you can cheat to finish the game earlier.. but it is life as the consequences of it could be harsh up to the extent where you could lose everything.. some people will think that cheating can be considered as a venial sin.. but in the end.. cheating is still cheating.. you don’t get the punishment in your lifetime.. then you will get it after life.. no one can escape it.. once you cheat.. there is no turning back.. not nice at all..

Putrajaya.. the Malaysian hallmark of a well-planned and exquisite architectural government-initiated city.. recently the host for a world class event.. the hot air balloon fiesta.. first time in Malaysia, i think.. participated by a number of foreign countries like Belgium, France, and Japan and more, as well as the host team, some Hot Air Ballon Sdn. Bhd. or something like that.. did not know that our country has the company for that matter.. wonder what they do everyday.. ok.. back to the story.. first time in my life.. hot air balloons were in front of me.. it’s HUGE!.. went for the night glow event.. well… nothing much to be precise.. supposed to be a harmoniacally orchestrated glows to synchronize with the music being played.. but instead.. the participants just blow the thrusters suka-suka-hati except for a couple of them.. Nothing much then.. second day.. went there with Farid.. and both of us were lucky.. lucky indeed for being on time.. as some of us.. people with cameras are allowed to get into the launch site, while others were barred with the thin steel fence.. quite a privillege as it is the first to see how they inflate the balloon up close and personal.. from the ground to the sky.. credits to the magnificent minds whom exploits the laws of physics.. nice… and that was it.. and thanks to Farid’s family for treating me dinner at Tanjung Harapan.. nice bunch of family.. all look so lively and they are.. different from mine..

A lot more happened during the month of march.. but.. for the time being… this will make do..

MIFC 2008 : Team Spain..

The rain was drizzling.. the wind was blowing towards the lens at a high speed… the result… DISASTROUS!..

All have to bow to the power of God.. again.. this was not our day… it was merely a catastrophe.. i lost one of my umbrella.. thanks to the high speed wind which turned the umbrella inside out… the smoke covered the fireworks.. again, thanks to high speed wind which blowing towards us.. the lens was covered with raindrops.. and again.. thanks to the high speed wind.. luckily the camera could withstand the obstacles of nature… really.. it was not our day…

Few pictures taken.. and only one can be claimed as the best shot among all.. well.. claimed by me of course.. and here it is…

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well.. the last of the MIFC 2008 will be held at the same place on the 29th.. I’ll be back.. razak said the same thing.. farid will see what he can do.. or he need to go up to the extreme in the name of photography.. he will make the decision.. hopefully.. cross the fingers.. the grand finale will be the best of all.. Insya Allah… mark my words.. I’ll be back..

MIFC 2008 – Team China…

MIFC is back.. returned with the second edition which features our Malaysian Team, and three other countries, China, Canada and Spain.. well… missed the opening ceremony of the Malaysian Team.. and from what i saw in youtube.. quite good for our home boys… nice.. so.. last Saturday.. went to see the performance of the country which claimed to be.. the inventor of fireworks… hmm…

Team China.. the inventor, right?… went to Putrajaya with Farid.. his first time in fireworks photography… and first of all… the show was delayed until 10.. but initially it was stated in the website, 9.30pm.. hmmm… my legs went sore, mostly because of extensive walking at the MAHA 2008 before that.. but its ok… its all under the name of photography… so at 10pm.. the show started… at last… been waiting for this for a year..

Camera has been docked into the tripod… apertures and shutterspeed has been set.. once the first shot fired into the sky… the camera was bursting non-stop.. quite a moment it was… but.. quite annoyed as my pictures tend be burnt.. what did i do wrong?… well…. tell you later.. as for the fireworks.. it was some sort of repetition of normal fun-fair-grade firework.. only once when i can hear the people screaming in aw… because for a moments, the fireworks resembled the love signs… nice.. and at that time.. how i wish she was there… but… other than that… nothing much.. nothing extra ordinary… even until the end… the crescendo was not very enticing as well… the colours were not that vibrant… i’m hoping to see more on the shades of blue… as blue or purple colours fireworks are hardest to make.. so that was it… nothing much for the first time this year.. so much for being the inventor of fireworks…

As for my camera.. i think f8 is not enough to capture the colours of it… if I set the shutterspeed to 15 seconds.. this Digic II processor will also take 15 seconds to process the picture.. damn.. for the processing capability.. i have to live with it.. as for the aperture… i need to find a way to hack my own camera.. in order to enable f11… and i think i know how… yeay!… so… i will not be able to see the performance of Team Canada this Wednesday.. in that case.. I’ll be back for Team Spain.. below are the some of the pictures i took last Saturday.. Team Spain.. I’m Coming!….

Pangkor 2008 – Day 2

Pangkor, the second day.. nice morning… nice weather.. nice surroundings.. nice breakfast to start the day with..

Went for snorkeling right after finished our meal.. and hey.. the snorkeling session costs us 15 bucks… not bad.. and whole inconveniences happening again.. had to try to put on the life jacket.. like i need one.. belagak siot.. in the end.. the worker had to tie the life jacket onto me.. whatever it is.. i knew that it will be temporary.. huh.. got a whole boat for myself.. as the boatman thought the boat will not fit to carry a heavyweight with others.. so be it.. as usual.. had to balance myself for a few moments before i can get used to the rhythm of the waves.. and the boatman took me to see some huge stones formation resembles, the head of a whale?… looked like a whale.. with a small tree on top like the fountain the whale has.. hmm.. nice.. not sure whether it’s natural or not.. but by the looks of it.. maybe it is natural.. nice one indeed.. then.. went to see another rock formation resembles a crocodile.. hmm.. where?… i can only see the rocks… but.. only a little like the head of a crocodile.. and after some explanation from the boatman about Pangkor and sorts.. reached the snorkeling spot.. yeay!…

The snorkeling spot.. hmm.. actually it’s a small island located directly in front of Teluk Nipah beach.. Giam Island or something like that.. the place was.. small.. crowded.. lots of ladies from don’t-know-where.. lots of fishes.. and lots more coming.. but no coral at all.. hmm.. as usual.. breads are provided to feed the fish.. not really into it already as i was hoping to see some corals whatsoever.. the color of the fishes also were not that vibrant.. dull colored stripes does not really entice me.. but still i want to feed them.. stones with barnacles everywhere which i had to be cautious to avoid them.. but.. hmm.. something really put me back into the mood.. as i stated previously.. lots of ladies were there.. and most wearing a tudung… as they were soaking themselves into the seawater.. and as i was snorkeling near them.. hahaa.. nice whitey tummies were everywhere.. nice.. a pervert, am i not?… well.. bumped accidentally here and there… and almost bumped onto a boat as people were coming in and out.. after a few snorkeling… or should I say.. perverting around.. went back to the shore.. to shoot some pictures.. nothing much to shoot actually..

Before i forget.. we met our old friend there.. Shairul he is.. merely the same like last time.. after all.. it was a reunion i supposed?.. nice… good to see him there as well.. and.. after some while.. the boatman came back to bring us back to Teluk Nipah.. so.. that was it.. the snorkeling activity in Pangkor Island.. after all.. i had seen better before… whatever it is.. it was a nice experience indeed..

Back to Teluk Nipah.. again.. me with shades back floating around there… all of us soaked ourselves there except for Izwan who preferred to linger around with his camera.. as i see Rahim played around with his family.. i see the enjoying moment of his… at the same time.. i felt the happiness of one being with the family.. hmm.. my time has not arrived yet.. maybe in the future.. i will have my own family.. after some time.. went back to the resort.. to start packing our stuff.. the head back home.. home?.. yes.. back to reality…

After the packing has been done.. we took the pink taxi back to Pangkor Jetty.. but before departing to Lumut.. me and Izwan went window shopping there and at the same time.. want to look for some souvenirs to bring back to KL… hmm.. some key-chains really attracted me.. but.. it was pricey there.. and it should be more reasonable to buy it at Lumut.. if the key-chain is available there.. Rahim bought a whole bag of seafood stuff.. and after everyone’s ready.. we had to queue to board the ferry.. as it was crowded.. normal Sunday at Pangkor Jetty…

Went to the back of ferry with Rahim to enjoy the final moments at the sea.. upon reaching Lumut Jetty… Izwan has fallen asleep already.. well.. he needed the rest as he’ll be heading back to Ipoh and straight to KL later… let him be for the moment.. back to Lumut Jetty.. i did some shopping of anchovies for Mak and some titbits.. the key-chain?.. yes.. i got it there.. cheaper it is.. but could have got cheaper than that.. as usual.. i don’t really care about the price.. rendesvous with Rahim at one of the restaurant there.. and had the infamous cendol there… as last.. last time went here with Rahim and we could not find the seller.. nice indeed.. later on.. head back to Ipoh.. i was really in the fatigue mode.. i slept in the car.. huhuu… we stopped a little while at the pasar malam at Titi Gantung.. bought some cockles, fresh ones for an awesome price.. and continued back to Ipoh.. reached Ipoh late in the afternoon.. and that was it.. another trip to Pangkor.. Thanks Rahim… thanks Izwan.. Thanks Farah and Aman.. I really appreciated you all for being there with me…

One more thing.. before i forget.. below is the picture of the key-chains i bought in Lumut.. If you have one.. which means.. you are somebody in my life.. sorry but the number of them was very limited..

Well. that’s it.. that’s all for now.. thanking in advance…

Pangkor 2008 – Day 1..

My second entry.. yeay.. and it will be about my trip to Pangkor island.. yes.. back to Pangkor like there’s no other place to go.. well.. it took a while to confirm to go there.. as all i wanted is to have a little reunion with my ex schoolmates.. there we were.. me.. Rahim and his family.. and Izwan… and here the story goes for the first day..

Depart from my house with Izwan at 11.30 am.. by the way.. it could have been much much earlier than that.. hmm.. after some delays here and there.. well.. nevermind… the journey was about 1 and a half hour.. so we reached Lumut town at around 1pm.. it was a sunny day.. nice… and got my ammo for camera there.. around 2 something i supposed.. we boarded a ferry and we’re off to Pangkor Island.. yeay!..

As usual, shot some pictures here and there… and.. once we were on the island.. we took a pinky taxi van to Teluk Nipah.. well.. all the taxi vans there are pink in colour… and.. pink is everywhere.. don’t know who picked that feminine colour to be the standard coat for the taxis there.. nice… stopped a while at Coral Bay Resort.. as Izwan needed to return a praying mat there.. well.. his relative went there and accidentally, i think, took home the sejadah which belong to the resort along.. hehee.. and after while.. reached at Suria Beach Resort… quite nice.. but our room was located on the second floor.. more stairs for me… huh… after settling our stuff.. i could not wait any longer.. it has been a year since my last swim in the open sea… a year since Perhentian.. me with my shades… went to the beach first as Izwan said he wanted to take a little nap first.. well.. he deserved it after long journey he had gone through to get here… nice… so… a dugong-like figure can be seen floating around, wearing a pair of polarized sunglasses.. hehee.. floated here and there.. watched the people there… the sun.. the clouds.. at the same time.. trying to imagine how’s the sunset going to be later this evening… and after a while… while walking on the beach.. saw somebody waved their hand at me.. Rahim and his family has arrived.. nice… Had my lunch with them at a stall there… and made a little discussion.. and we’re off to the round the island trip… and yes.. i was in my damp, seawater scented clothes..

From the pictures above.. those were some of the places we went.. Teluk Dalam beach… Fu Lin Kong @ the miniature Great Wall of China.. the Dutch Fort… one of the watchtower.. and back to Teluk Nipah.. nice experience indeed.. took more pictures here and there… but we were also racing with the time as we do not want to miss the sunset at Teluk Nipah.. after reaching Teluk Nipah.. went back to the room to freshen up.. and now.. time for some sunset photography… yeay!..

The sunset.. quite cloudy.. the sun can be seen bare eyes.. quite a nice one sunset.. all of us brought along our tripods.. once the location is confirmed.. the tripods in place.. the shutters were bursting non stop.. and above are some of the picture.. quite nice.. but had seen better.. hmm.. after taking the same pictures again and again.. we went back to the room to prepare for the barbecue.. nice.. the resort provided the place to grill, and i brought some chickens from Ipoh.. thanks to my sister who marinated the chicken for us.. nice.. it’s quite funny when suddenly the coccus Izwan tossed into the red coal went on fire.. and of course.. Rahim, again with his statement.. need an expert to make a perfect red hot coal.. perfect for grilling.. yeah right.. the resort gave us huge bowl of fried rice also.. nice.. but.. it was too much for us… too bad… could not finish it all.. while grilling the chicken.. little drops of water fallen from the sky… which deteriorate our intention to set the pendulum on the seabed.. well… fishing of course.. but after a while.. the rain passed by.. and.. we all decided to go for beach fishing… first time in my life.. yeay!…

The rods in place.. the baits hooked.. three of us.. beach fishing.. and waiting for a miracle to happen.. hahaa.. while waiting.. we chatted a lot about our past experience.. freshen up old memories.. grumbling about our friends.. especially after marriage.. and.. have a thought about the future.. nice moment to be remembered.. it has been a while since we can talk leisurely like that time.. at the same time.. i felt really thankful to Rahim and Izwan for being there.. hmm… as for the rods.. Rahim’s bait was untouchable.. i had to change my baits quite a number of time.. while Izwan had a little twitch on the rod.. and that was it.. nothing more.. nothing less.. no miracle that night.. and.. made a discussion.. tomorrow.. we will go for a snorkeling trip.. yes.. snorkeling in Pangkor Island.. and.. Yeay!…