Malaysia: Thaipusam 2011

I witnessed Thaipusam celebration for the first time in my life last year. This time round, I went to Batu Caves again but with my dslr and kitty lens. Being new in photography, I take it as an assignment for myself. The low light condition in the cave was a challenge for me and I got a lot of crappy shots. Here are some "can see" one.

Spinning kavadi with peacock feathers.


Another spinning trance move. I'm thinking of Flo Rida's "Right Round" song while writing this. You spin my head right round, right round...


Could you feel his move? This uncle moved in a slow motion way.


Devotee in trance state moving his body back and forth with the eyes closed.


Hand on the head giving blessings.


A man after fulfilling his vow. Personally, I like this shot other than the lens flare.


Lady devotee looking tired.


Baby devotee.


That's all for now. More shots are available at my flickr set, Thaipusam 2011.

November UNIQLO Opening

Japan apparel store UNIQLO opened its first store in Malaysia on 4th November 2010 11 a.m. I was on leave so I went to Fahrenheit 88 in the afternoon around 1 p.m.


To my surprise, so many people were queuing up in front of the store when I reached there. One of the staffs said that the first customer queued up since 12.30 a.m. Crazy ah?


And more people inside the mall.


A lot more...


I went there again the next day during Deepavali holiday. The same crowds were there. I gave up and went there 2 weeks later and still managed to grab the promoted jeans and fleece. This reminds me of the queue when J.Co Donuts opened in Pavilion sometime ago. Sometimes I think that KLites are over-reacting due to their kiasu-ness.

Malaysia Day

September 16th, Malaysia Day. It marks the formation of Malaysia from Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore in 1963. This year is the first year the day is declared as public holiday. Happy Malaysia Day!

Enjoy the video. HAWT!

The Silver Lightning

KL city skyline during high-voltage lightning strike.

Malaysia: EM Mud Ball Project at Zoo Negara

Some time ago, I participated in the EM Mud Ball Project at Zoo Negara. It's a one-day event to create mud balls which will later pour into the flamingo lake to improve the water quality. 39,000 of mud balls are required to clean the flamingo habitat. These are the materials to make mud balls.


Enzyme is first mixed with the soil. After that, the soil is pressed and rolled into a ball of a tennis ball size. We did not manage to hit the target but our effort was not totally fruitless because we managed to create 25,000 mud balls. These mud balls will be dropped into the lake after going through 3 months of fermentation process.


The flamingos now live in a cleaner and healthier environment.

Malaysia: Thaipusam 2010

During Thaipusam Eve on 29th Jan 2010, I stepped foot on Batu Caves where millions of devotees flock to this place to celebrate Thaipusam in KL. I have no regrets for making a trip there except for not finding out the location of the devotees having bath and getting their heads shaved beforehand. So, I only climbed up the 272 steps to the temple.

Guarding in front of Batu Caves, this large golden statue is Lord Murugan who is the son of god Shiva and his wife Parvati. His mom gave him a spear to vanquish the evil demon called Soorapadman.


It was raining in the evening but it did not stop the hardcore devotees from moving on.


This woman with a skewer piercing through her tongue was walking towards the stairs under the rain with the support from her friend by her side.


Carrying a milk pot on top of their heads, the devotees had to climb up the 272 steps to do the worshiping. It could be a huge challenge to the elderly or fat guys. I had seen some people panting and resting on the stairway. Some of them were chanting during the climb. Afterall, it's will power that matters.


This woman was staggering and spinning all the way in trance state. At a moment, she was about to pass out. The kind-hearted folks gave her water and the priest smeared the holy powder across her forehead. She was then calm and zen.


Another kavadi. Sometimes I wonder would there be holes on his cheeks after he removed the spear.


Trance


Kavadi. The devotee bearing a heavy-weight chariot made a few trance dance steps. After that, he sat down on a chair and his friends helped him to remove a few hooks at his back and the process continued.


This guy was rolling all the way. Red marks on his body could clearly be seen. His supportive family was constantly pouring oil or water onto his body.


Yea, I like this portrait the most. His mother was generous enough to let me take a photo of her boy.


More photo can be viewed from slides below.

Fun Ride

Back in November, my department was having a team building activity at MY Gopeng Resort in Perak. The road to the resort was narrow and meandering and the bus was too fat to fit on the road. So, we had to stop at Gopeng town and ride on a smaller-size vehicle in order to reach the destination. This was the lorry called Optimus Prime DAIHATSU.


This lorry was loaded with girls while the guys jam packed in another lorry. I was really excited to ride on a lorry for the first time in my life.


Since we were standing on the lorry and we could easily hit on tree leaves or branches, the guys standing in front would shout "Incoming..." every time there was tree branch ahead. Upon hearing this, everyone at the back would quickly squat down. We had more excitement during the journey back to the town because it was drizzling all the way. We just put on our hoodie and experienced the fun ride.


Troops disembarked from the lorry after a ride through greenery and durian orchard.


I didn't bring my camera so these photos are courtesy of Mamat.

Malaysia: Skytrex Adventure

During the long weekends, I finally had a taste of Skytrex Adventure at Taman Pertanian Malaysia. We completed the Big Thrill challenge without taking the Chicken Exit. Pats on the back.

However, there's nothing to be proud of when I see all these little heroes and heroines doing the Little Adventure challenge. Looking at this girl, who is only 4 or 5 years old, crossed the string all on her own. Her hands couldn't even reach the cable above. She fell and still managed to complete the challenge. What a courageous kid.


This boy was so afraid of this challenge and only started to move after someone volunteered to accompany him. He held her hand so tightly and wouldn't let go until he's assured it's safe. It's joy to see his fear expression ended up in a smile.


My arms and abs sore like shit now.

Technorati Tags: Skytrex Adventure Shah Alam Malaysia Asia

Malaysia:: Ipoh: Food Marathon

After a heavy breakfast at Foh San, we went to Gunung Lang. It's a recreational park with man-made lake, formerly a tin mine. We just walked around the park and did some gibberish talk. After that, food marathon started.

First stop, Funny Mountain Tau Fu Fa. The funny part is it's actually a drive through tau fu fa shop. The customer will stop the car in front of the shop, order and eat in the car. For walk-in customer, there's only a long bench provided for you to sit.


The tau fu fa is cooked in a wooden barrel. I believe that's the traditional way of cooking that makes it special.


Best tau fu fa I ever had. The texture is so darned good.


Next stop, we went to Yee Hup for Hiong Piah and Ching Han Guan for Lotus Meat Floss biscuit. Unfortunately, the lotus meat floss biscuit was sold out for that day. They should produce more to cater for the brisk business.

Forget about the disappointment, we moved on to Aun Kheng Lim salted chicken. One chicken is sold at RM 16.00. Like that tau fu fa shop, only takeaway service is available.


A sneak peak of how salted chicken is being prepared. Interesting!


We then savored this nicely posed salted chicken in a kopitiam.


The last stop was Kong Heng Coffee shop. We wanted to order egg custard and again they were sold out. This kopitiam offered quite a variety of good food.


Check out the Kai Si Hor Fun.


And also, popiah. We also tried the rojak and satay.


The food marathon reaches the finish line. Burp!

Technorati Tags: Food Coffee Shop Ipoh Malaysia Travel Trip

Malaysia:: Ipoh: Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant

Q: Do you know where Ipoh folks hang out in the morning?
A: Dim Sum restaurant.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. My friends and I were in Ipoh so we headed to Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant. Another famous dim sum restaurant Ming Court is actually located opposite to Foh San. Both also crowded but we picked Foh San.


Take away service.


Look at the queue. Ah Ma also waited until sien already.


We waited for around one hour for a table. While waiting, I walked around and snapped some pictures. Spotted Hua Nam Coffeeshop which I stumbled upon the review at Ipoh Food Frenzy In 4.5 Hours, Hua Nam - Part 3 while looking for food POI before the trip. Ipoh is actually a food heaven.


We had quite a number of people so we ordered quite a lot of different dim sum. Food pics rolling in.

BBQ Pork Bun (Char Siew Pau)


Chicken Pau, Lotus Paste with Egg Pau and unknown Pau


Pork Dumpling (Siew Mai). Thumbs down!


Prawn Dumpling (Har Kao)


Mushroom Dumpling


Seriously no idea what it this.


Pot Sticker Dumpling (Guo Tieh)


Claypot Cheong Fan with Pork. There's another pot with duck meat.


Pork Ribs (Pai Kuat)


Porridge


Egg Tart


Glutinous Rice (No Mai Kai)


Kuih-muih


More kuih-muih


White Radish Cake (Loh Pak Kou)


Chee Cheong Fun, stuffed with prawn or char siew.


Steamed Pork with Century Egg. Someone snapped up the pei dan faster than my camera speed.


Kuih with lotus paste inside. My friend could hardly swallow it. Too sweet and sticky for her taste bud.


Red Bean Cake. Received most compliments among my friends.


Overall rating, OK only lah... Our stomachs almost burst.



Technorati Tags: Dim Sum Restaurant Ipoh Malaysia Travel Trip