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| Thursday, 15-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort #5
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... come ere honey ...
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... side pose & thanks ...
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... now hang on ...
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... frontal: thanks again ...
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The Eco Park
The Eco Park is one that makes the resort different from many others. BMLTR is one that responded to the new marketing trend of Eco Tourism. The Mini Zoo was nicely laid out. Within it, you have the Bird, the Reptile, the Mammal and the Marine Parks. The walks along the parks were pleasant and educative. The jungle vegetation lends a natural animals spotting setting. The animals too don’t appear to be as stressful as those in traditional zoo.
The main lake is a haven for fresh water fishes. At the jetty, if you throw a handful of fish feeds into the water, schools of Lampam Jawa (Grass Carp) will scramble to the surface from the deep water below. For the fishing enthusiast, if you left your gears behind, you will end up cursing yourself. So don’t leave home without them. For the photographers, make a u turn and come back.
Have a look at this Fan Tailed Pigeon. They are not common. Call her Tuminah bte Albab. Isn't she pretty?
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| Monday, 12-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort #4
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...not zheng he's crew but our fishing kaki..
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... technology not known in Zheng He's time ...
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... not Zheng He's canoe ...
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...not the jetty zheng he berthed...
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Treasure Fleet: The Adventures of Zheng He
Yesterday evening, my much awaited documentary film was screened on the National Geographic channel. The film featured the famous NG photo journalist, Micheal Yamashita.
In the West, not many knew the name Zheng He. In Malaysia, people will identify with Cheng Ho, the Chinese Muslim admiral of the Ming Dynasty who visited Malacca and married off Hang Li Po to the Sultan in the 15th Century (1405). They were the same person. The documentary highlighted of the fact that Zheng He commanded the largest fleet in the world then of about 300 ships and 27,000 men. In 7 successive sea voyages spanning over 25 years (1405~1430), he visited Vietnam, Indonesia (Semarang, Surabaya, Acheh), Malaysia (Malacca), Sri Lanka, India (Calicut), Iran, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia (Makkah), Somalia (Mogadishu), Kenya and Tanzania. Micheal primarily referred to the accounts of Ma Huan (a Muslim) who accompanied Zheng He's voyages.
Zheng He was 70 years ahead of Christopher Columbus (Spaniard) and Ferdinand Magellan (Portuguese), the 2 well known explorers who, from Western History point of view, were touted to have 'discovered' the new world and route to America and Asia. This theory is gradually being challenged. In 2002, Gavin Menzies, a British submariner and historian published a book, ' 1421, The Year China Discovered The World '. He categorically concluded that Zheng He did sail to Portugal and Holland and it was Zheng He who first reached the Americas.
The world was indeed once led by Asia.
Back to BMLTR, it offers plenty of recreational activities. A weekend stay, from my experience, will be barely sufficient to explore all the attractions of the resort. For a photographer, the opportunities for good shots are limitless. I was unhappy as I could not get a shot of the train on its tracks taken from the middle of the lake!
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| Sunday, 11-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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Bukir Merah Lake Town Resort #3
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... shimmering white ...
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... stunning black ...
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Black & White
In the 80’s, one of Micheal Jackson's top hit was the song ' Black or White '. The spirit of the song is noble. Unfortunately, human history has been laden with skin colour division, particularly after the 10th Century AD. The rise of Western Europe further promoted white superiority to an unprecedented level. One of the lowest point in human history was during the slave trade period. Today, it is still a big deal being black or white. Even Micheal himself eventually succumbed and chose to be permanently ‘ white ’.
Not for the animals. Black is indeed beautiful. Black Swan is rare. I jumped with joy when I spotted one at the Eco Park of the resort. It was stunning and graceful in the pool, prompting me to take these shots.
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| Saturday, 10-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort #2
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...here, ducky ducky ...
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... no i am not jumping in ...
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... lunch is served ...
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The Ducks
The resort is about 280 km from Kuala Lumpur. A comfortable drive will take about two and quarter hours. Take extra care when you are on the Ipoh Changkat Jering stretch of the NSE. The scenic view of the limestone hill croppings can distract you during the crossing of the Kledang Range. The expressway climbs up with a steep gradient and the corners are tighter. A good set of brakes on the wheels is essential.
Finding the resort is easy. The exit to Bukit Merah is signposted. If you missed it, go see your ophthalmologist. Oops...
NB: I found this website http://panducermat.org.my . I found the debates interesting. My impression is, we have a long way to go with good driving ethics.
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| Friday, 9-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort
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... the jetty ...
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... for lake tour ...
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... to the fun pub ...
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The Lake Town
The name might be familiar but many may not have been to this lake resort. Most resorts are by the sea. This one, to my observation, is the better of the few lake resorts.
The lake is man made. The British first constructed a dam across the Krian River tributary to provide irrigation to the surrounding padi fields. It was a success and Krian District became the second largest padi cultivation area after the plains of Kedah. The dam has since been upgraded and the lake now covers an area of about 7000 acres.
Even the KTM Railway track now cuts across the northern portion of the lake. I wish I had the chance of capturing the railway on camera as it traveled across the lake. It must be quite a view.
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| Tuesday, 6-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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Malaysian Fotopages AGM
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... the die hards ...
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... ambig's 300d ~ high mileage ...
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... the committee's mood ...
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Recent head count was more than 16,000. That puts Malaysian Fotopagers to be the most dominant in numbers. If non domiciled Malaysians are to be included we could probably hit 20,000.
The AGM was held on the 4th December 2005 at Taman Warisan Pertanian, Putra Jaya. Spirits were high and there were plenty of fun. For once we dropped our working files and conversations became centered on cameras and what makes good shots. Food was aplenty but failed to distract the participant’s attention from cameras and photography. Without doubt, these were a bunch of die hard photographers, amateurs and professionals. Many exchanged shots of one another. For the day, the photographers became models, albeit unpaid ones. Even the background musics were drowned by continuous camera clicks and flashes.
The AGM was smooth and easy. Posts were filled up without fuss. For me, this was my first time attending a Malaysian Fotopages gathering. It was also the first time I met faces that I knew by names before in the net.
A lot has to be done to bring the numbers in. To the new Committee Members, I wish them a productive year ahead. Good Luck.
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| Monday, 5-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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A1 GP Sepang #9
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The end of the end.
I am glad the 8 series of A1 entries have generated some interests and debates on the merits and demerits of A1 GP in particular and motor sports in general. This entry will close the chapter. I need to move on to new subject.
Brief Technical Comparison between F1 and A1 cars:
Formula 1
Weight 605 kg
Engine Cylinders V10 90 degrees
Displacement 3000 cc
Max Engine Speed 18000 rpm
Power Output 950 bhp
Transmissions 7 gears + reverse Semi Automatic
Brakes Carbon Discs & Pads
Tyres Threaded
Tyre Width Front 355 mm Rear 390 mm
A1 GP
Weight 700kg
Engine Cylinders V8 90 degrees
Displacement 3400 cc
Max Engine Speed 9000 rpm
Power Output 550 bhp
Transmissions 6 gears + reverse Manual
Brakes Steel Discs & Carbon Pads
Tyres Slicks
Tyre Width Front 298 mm Rear 406 mm
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| Friday, 2-Dec-2005 00:00 |
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A1 GP Sepang #8
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... a lonely flag amongst the ' die hard ' crowd...
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shot taken from the 'hibiscus' 1km away using 500mm zoom lens
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... distorted reflection...
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Nice picture you have there.
BTW where did you get that F12006 will be our last F1 ? I wonder coz we never received anything form FIA regarding this so far..
And A1 GP, yes there's no crowd as F1. Just let me clarify that SIC was not the organizer & Promoter. Even we get all the details 2 weeks before the event.
Organizer for A1 GP Would be Parallel Media Asia. Those who went last event would see the diff which this organizer selling their ticket at welcome center not at our ticket counter.
But please if you guys out there have suggestion or any comment can email us at sic@malaysiangp.com.my.
sorry for my words
Tue 29-Nov-2005 07:45
Posted by:Ann ann@malaysiangp.com.my
IP: 218.208.18.131
I received this comment from Ann of the SIC. I hereby invite fellow fps to direct suggestions to her above email address to better 2006 F1 event. I have emailed her my opinions.
It was an honour for Ann and the SIC to have read my fp entries on the A1 GP ( I hope she has read all my previous F1 entries as well ). I am sure she would also have read the various negative and positive comments and I hope these feedbacks will act as a basis for SIC's future actions. Similarly, I hope Parallel Media Asia will also respond positively to the comments forwarded by my fellow fotopagers.
Thanks Ann and fp members.
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| Tuesday, 29-Nov-2005 00:00 |
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A1 GP Sepang #7
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Rankling: Great Britain ~ #5 (38 pts)
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Switzerland ~ #2 (65 pts)
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Ireland ~ #8 (29 pts)
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These are shots of the top teams in the A1 GP at the starting grid before the sprint race. These are standard shots, more meant for my record keeping.
I would love to see the A1 GP become a formidable rival to F1 popularity. Already the television coverage for the A1 races are showing to a growing audience. I observed that there were more overtakings in A1 than in F1 races. Aerodynamics of A1 cars are designed for better slipstreaming and overtaking. In F1, procession race has become the norm. The air turbulence at the tail makes close proximity tailing and therefore overtaking, difficult. Isn’t the thrill of racing in the overtaking?
In F1, the teams build their own chasis and engines. Competition becomes the domain of the limited few with huge budgets; Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and recently Renault. The rest just make up the numbers. Minardi was destined, from inception, to be a tail-ender. Its engine alone is nearly 100bhp apart from the Ferrari. In layman’s term, it’s like pitting a 3 litre with a 1 litre car.
In A1, all the teams are equipped with literally the same cars. No car has significant advantage over the other. The drivers’ skills and the team of engine set-up mechanics therefore make the difference.
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| Monday, 28-Nov-2005 00:00 |
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A1 GP Sepang #6
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... the spin & tyre marks ...
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.... this lucky shot ...
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.... push restart ...
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Armaan Ebrahim ~ Team India ~ My Lucky Shot
Armaan's single-seater race experience prior to the A1 GP was the BMW Formula Asia. He undoubtedly lacks experience. Team India hasn’t score any points in the A1 GP series. He made a mistake which is rarely seen in either A1 or F1 GP. He spun as he came out from turn #8.
Usually, for GP races, I will put my camera setting at ISO400. This would ensure I could capture sharp images of the fast moving car or bikes (including the tyres brand). This time, I opted for ISO100. I wanted the images of the ' rubber burning ' to be more visible ( see A1 GP Sepang #3 entries ). Then Armaan did the spin. As Khalil Beschir of Team Lebanon avoided him, I took some repeated still shots. What a result. I got a fully focused shot of Armaan sheltered by a hazy one of Khalil. I treasure this shot. I consider it a lucky shot.
p.s. Sometimes, a good shot is about being lucky.
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