[Kotravelog Update] - Penang Sojourn 2009

Since this blog is incorporated inside Kotravelog.com. It's obviously gonna be served as a platform to inform the world of any update of my travelog.

And so here I present to you the latest update - "Penang Sojourn 2009"

(Please click on the above "titlebar" or here to access the log)

SOME OF THE PICTURES TAKEN
Early morning fire at Lebuh Campbell

Roadside stall selling "Kek Gula-Melaka".

So let's enjoy the sight, scene and colours... Please feel free to feedback and comment on any aspect of the log, thank you ...

How and Why I saved my BAG...

For one simple reason - TIMES ARE BAD... simple as that.

This bag may look ordinary, but it's useful to me as it can stuff quite a number of stuff in it. Furthermore, it was a complimentary gift!!

So when recently, the adjustment buckle or fastener gave way due to crack in the piece that holds the strap. I decided to do something like this (as pictured below).

By removed the buckle, that supposed to snap the straps together, that was meant for a waist pouch, I decided to use it as a replacement for the adjustable fastener for the carrying strap instead.

Anyway, not the first time that repair job is being done on this bag, as months ago, the lousy material of the "hook" had made way to allow this metallic ring to hold the strap to the end of the bag.

I would say in times like this, one really have to think hard to be prudent and not being perceived as a miser.

Around Clark Quay at Sunset...for another practicing...

Attempt to look for two re-chargeable batteries proved futile, after my last hope was crushed when the shop where I bought my S2000 told me there's not replacement as they are not sold separately.

Bah, looks like I might have to dump the complimentary charger since not replacement can be purchased off the shelf.

Anyway, on my way out of the shopping mall at Clarke Quay, I decided to seek solace by continue my practicing with my camera.

(Picture above)This is somewhere near "Liang Court", beside the Singapore River, using the "Auto" mode of the camera as I tried to learn to grip my camera (ISO800, shutter speed:1/9sec, aperture F3.5).

As I walked further down to the pavement that is dotted with number of restaurants and clubbing outlet, I decided to snap this picture, with the help of tripod, despite some stares from the rather rapid human traffic that walked past me (ISO100, 2.3sec, F3.5).

Noticed the "ghostly" effect, I decided to change my camera setting and obtained something like the above depicted (ISO320,1/2 sec, F3.5), as we all the see the brightness of the lights seems to dim and managed to "freeze" the motion of those people walking - due to the faster shutter speed .

Further down the road along the way to the Clarke Quay station, I snapped this picture of "Riverside Point" from the bridge that bridged across the Singapore River (ISO800,1/12 sec, F3.5).

To be honest, I don't like taking pictures using flash light, unless I mastered the tactic of using it properly (if not you would have to endure those merciless stares from folks that caught unaware of it), but sometimes, pictures would not turn out to be as good as you wish.

However, the irony part of it is that using flash would help to eliminate some of the "jerkiness" spot in some shots, but the outcome is usually less-desirable (the lighting composition seems unbalance IS01600,1/34sec, F3.5).

Also, I wonder if taking night shot using this camera without flash light is impossible? The picture above seems to suggest that the case, shot like this need higher shutter speed (see the blurred images of those ladies?), but the setting such as the aperture would be compromised, how? (ISO800, 1/3sec, F3.9)

I actually love this above picture I took - the patron chatting with the waitress against the backdrop of the Singapore River and the bridge (ISO800, 1/2sec, F4.3).

However, without the use of the tripod, shot like this needed to be taken with discreet and a faraway distance. Beside a steady pair of hands are required, the condition of lighting, the shutter speed and the ISO is something that require quick decision from the cameraman.

Anyway, still learning or perhaps next time at night, I would either ask the subject not to move and S2000 shall to use to take still picture...

I'm sorry that I have to lie BUT ....

I think the whole idea is wrong.

The moment as I stepped out of my employer-provided shuttle bus onto the pavement that leaded to the Bishan MRT station, I noticed there was a group of I perceived as “financial advisers” hanging around outside the “Citibank” outlet of the station's premises.

It was only after I finished sending my text message to an acquaintance that I realized this group of “advisers” were actually a group of donation solicitors for a charitable foundation, when one of them – a petite lady came forward and approached me.

“I'm sorry to interrupt you for a while, but we are not selling anything.” said the slim young lady as she made her brief introduction to me.

“We are actually here to seek donation for XXX (a charity organization).”she added as she handed over a slightly worn-out laminated placard that detailed the facts, figures and other relevant stuff of the organization she works for.

Two interesting features that stood out on the placard that read something like this (if I remember correctly) –

• We DON'T ACCEPT CASH DONATIONS
  
  
• and above this eye-catching statement depicted three boxes which detailed the monthly figures that required each potential donor to commit after they select one of these options.

Of course, the carrot of the “deal” is all donation made is tax-deductible.

Having listened to what she said, I replied, “I'm actually not prepared to commit myself every month for a certain amount to donate, but I don't mind making a ONE-OFF donation.”

“But it's TAX DEDUCTIBLE, and you pay income tax right?” she harped on.

“Actually, I don't ...” I was telling a white lie as I find it unacceptable for any charitable organization to solicit donations on such “hard-selling” tactic.

I always believe making any kind of donation should be out of own will and such “hard-selling” tactic should be discouraged.

No doubt that fact is some less-privileged groups are seriously lacked of funds to maintain the operating of their organizations, but would they ever feel good if they realized that some of the funds they collected are from this method?

(P.S: anyway, out of goodwill I reminded that lady, "it's getting late...")

Practicing my photo shoot again using still "models"....

Using these oval-shapped balls as my "models".

Using hand-held for this shot.

I used "micro close-up" for this shot while learning to grab the finer details of this ball.

No flash light used as I closed up this shot...

See those "pimpled" surface of this ball? micro closing-up again

Maybe the focusing of the shot was at "Steeden" not "Sherrin".

TO BE CONTINUED .... as I keep exploring the good points of my Fuji S2000.

Pizza Thosay, anyone?

The waiter apologized to me for the almost 35 minutes wait to have my order served.

"We are sorry, as the oven was not working properly while preparing your order." explained the middle-aged man who served me.

"Well, it's OK..." replied a weary-looking me after a day of long hard work chasing the national team in their preparation for their crunch qualifier.

As I suddenly had an urge to have some thosay for my dinner (having skipped my lunch for the day), I decided to head down to Syed Alwi Road's Ananda Bhavan Vegetarian Restaurant (pictured below).

And so when I asked for thosay, I was being recommended the counter cashier to try their latest dish to offer - Pizza Thosay.

"It'll be ready in FIVE minutes." said the cashier after I made my payment.

Nonetheless, I was too tired and hungry to protest why the kitchen broke their promise until the waiter apologized.

So I went on to savour my new-styled Thosay (not those conventional type) that was prepared in a shape of Pizza, with ingredients such as those found in your typical Italian pancake but minus those meat (as I was having my meal at a vegetarian restaurant).

I chanced upon this outlet years ago while hunting around for a place to fill up my stomach with a colleague and saw us having our dinner settled in this eatery opposite the famed Mustafa shopping center.

Since then, whenever I'm around this part of Singapore I would make it a point to have my meal there.