Travel & Underwater fotografy.

Comin' Home 2

2010-05-31T07:52:00.004+04:00

I am actually pretty excited now at the thought of going home. The more I think about it the more I become convinced that this move would be for the better good personally as well as professionally. I can also tell that the Singapore office seriously needs it's mojo back. It doesn't hurt that my new T&C are quite agreeable too considering the circumstances.

So much to look forward to. 2 weeks in Alaska and then the move home. However there seems to be two conflicting versions on when I am actually expected back. My future boss tells me that there is no real rush but the MD and HR director says to return after I complete my trip to Alaska. I think it best to heed the instructions of the MD. After all why stay here longer then necessary?

I am disappointed though that I would not be able to travel this region as I wanted to.... Shiraz, Petra, Jerusalem etc. But on the up side, being in Singapore would place me that much closer to places like Bali, Manado, Lembeh and even Ambon to indulge in my main love of scuba diving and underwater photography.

Mobbed in Angkor - It all started with an Apple (and a melted Snickers bar)

2010-05-26T16:25:00.013+04:00

The one thing that seems to be common in Siem Reap these days are the street touts. They basically consist of very young children of around 7 to 12 years and they can be very persistent as they surround you and break into their chorus of "You buy one for one dollar, ten for one dollar, very nice you see, one two three four five six seven eight nine ten, you buy ten for one dollar, you give your wife you give your girlfriend"...well you get the idea.

As Heisham and I emerged from Preah Khan (I think), we like every other tourist there would naturally be surrounded by these touts and the only reprieve we could look forward to would be to get into our waiting car and drive off. But no, it was not to be. Our driver Sok Pee had decided to play good samaritan to a fellow driver in getting said driver's car jump started... so all Heisham and I could do was sit it out in the car and the kiddie street touts seeing how we weren't going anywhere surrounded the car and began their chorus with renewed vigour! One big mistake we did before getting into the car was giving away our goodies, an apple in Heisham's case and a melted Snicker's bar in mine. I mean hey it wouldnt hurt we'd be far far away before the kids let on to their mates on their good fortune but as mentioned it was not to be.

Our driver Sok Pee at right..

In other words, we became sitting ducks. Some other kids learnt that some goon tourist were giving away their goodies and all wanted in on the action. So hence the chorus surrounding us in the car changed to something like "Apple! Give me Apple! Apple Give me Apple! Apple! Apple!"

Being Mobbed while taking refuge in the car.

At this point I wanted to throttle Sok Pee by the neck. Gosh who would have thought that these kids would be so enthused by a simple apple and it then hit me how underpriviledge these kids must be. After a while I started to feel bad that these kids were still giving it their best shot at getting a sale or an apple out of us and decided to come out of the car to try and chat with them. I found that chatting with them and asking about their lives breaks away their persistent tout personae to reveal them for what they really are - kids with hopes and aspirations like kids everywhere. I think one wanted to be a teacher and like most other kids there, they get pulled in to help out with sales after their schooling in the mornings. Gosh it made me wish I had a sack of apples with me then (Probably not wise as we'd really be swamped then). However before I got the chance to get melancholy about this, the kids sensing that chat time was over launched into their chorus of "You buy one for one dollar, you buy ten for one dollar...etc" all over again. They just don't give up do they? Thankfully by this time, Sok Pee sensibly agreed that said driver's car was a lost cause and we got out of there.

Comin' Home

2010-05-24T09:30:00.004+04:00

It seems that our time in Dubai is coming to an end. I am to be posted back to Singapore and can expect to be gone by mid July. Obviously I have mixed feelings about this. I will dearly miss the life style I was able to live whilst in Dubai, the peace and quiet of the apartment, the wonderful view (as above), having a set of wheels, the large amounts of personal space, and friends particularly Kamar and Shireen.

However I am looking forward to a few things like being able to catch up regularly again with Heisham and Beaver, easy access to better dive sites, film developing lab down the street, better access to good food, and joking around in the office.

I think I will do well in Singapore.... I feel like a coiled spring here. I try to learn as much as I can but hardly have the chance to pratice what I learn. I can only hope that what I've learned so far will put me in good stead there.

I guess we all knew this day will come sooner or later...we just didnt expect it to be sooner.

One more month..

2010-05-17T07:40:00.002+04:00

It's a month more 'til Alaska. To some extent I feel guilty at going off on leave again after having just returned from a long one (even if half of it was on no pay). But an opportunity to see Alaska is just too good to pass up. However despite any excited anticipations we may have, we do have to mentally prepare ourselves for a few things. Like for example,

1. We cannot expect a comfy hotel room and bed after a very long flight.
2. There will be a lack of privacy on the RV.
3. We will all have to share a bathroom/toilet.
4. We will have to eat meals prepared in the RV's kitchen.
5. We will be on the road often.
6. We may not even feel comfortable on the RV.
7. We may not even get along with Bill's friends or daughter.

Just the same we intend to make the best of every situation. It's not everyday one gets to go to Alaska!

Scuba Diver Australasia Photo Competition

2010-04-19T15:06:00.003+04:00

Back in mid April, I finally got around to submitting some of my photos for an underwater photography competition with Scuba Diver Australasia. Half the challenge was actually learning how to tag metadata to a photo and copyrighting it. I think it would be too much to expect my photos to get anywhere within the competition but hey, if one of them gets published as part of a collection of of submitted entries, then it'll be good enough for me! If one gets nominated for an honourable mention then I'll be over the friggin' moon.

Results will be out in July so we shall see what happens.

Alaska in June?

2010-04-14T21:18:00.002+04:00

So my mom's wedding will be in June in Alaska and my brothers are going. There is really nothing major stopping me from going... the 32 hour travel time there is really off putting and the travel time back may even be a whoppin' 43 hours! And there are a total of two layovers involved each way.
But a chance to photograph Alaska is just too good an opportunity to pass up and can only add to my "portfolio".

I have already decided what cameras and lenses to bring.

1. Nikon D700
2. Nikkor 14-42mm f2.8
3. Nikkor 70-200 mm f2.8
4. Nikkor 60mm f2.8 Macro.
5. Leica M8
6. Nokton 35mm f1.2
7. Color Skopar 21mm f4
8. Leica Elmarit-M 28mm f2.8

Heck I can even look forward to renting a car there.

Shooting Underwater

2010-04-14T11:05:00.007+04:00

One thing that is pretty evident from looking at underwater photos is how easy it must all seem. I must admit that if creative intent was not an issue, all one has to do was just ensure one's camera and strobes are set up correctly and then fire away.

However there are always a few difficulties encountered when shooting underwater that are easily forgotten when reviewing the best of one's photos in the comfort of one's home.

I mention the "best" because for every one decent photo taken, there are probably five out of focus, disjointed, crap looking ones that accompanies it.

Some of the difficulties I personally have encountered are as follows,

1. Strobes not strong enough (Diffusers left on)

2. Auto Focusing cannot lock on even with bright focus light especially when shooting at a 105mm focal length.

3. Subject keeps moving.

4. Underwater camera rig getting heavier and heavier causing arm to ache.

Take these cute little Hippocampus Denise Pygmy Seahorses for example. I was shooting with a 105mm macro lens, had both strobes on and had a huge focus light on. I guess because the subject itself is ridiculously small, the auto focus function of the lens had a heck of a time locking on to the subject, and in this case I wanted the eyes to be the tack sharp. The seahorse kept moving which didn't help and at this point I will stress the importance of a really good dive guide who understands your needs enough to do what is necessary without going so far as to traumatising or injuring any marine organism for the sake of getting the shot.

And all this while my rig kept getting heavier and heavier and my arm muscles felt close to breaking point!

Hence after careful review of what transpired, I realised that for the really small stuff, one really needs to go manual on the focusing. Secondly having buoyant strobe arms are an absolute must.

These are lessons I hope to build upon as I plan for next year's trip to Bali and Lembeh.

As for the subject itself, I was thrilled to have been able to photography these guys and if diving physiological concerns were not an issue, I could have stayed on for hours.

Blogger Font styles - all seven.

2010-04-13T22:47:00.004+04:00

Arial - I am great

Courier - I am great

Georgia - I am great

Lucida Grande - I am great

Times - I am great

Trebuchet - I am great

Verdanas - I am great

I wonder how many font styles does wordpress have?

A test session on Blogger..

2010-04-13T22:22:00.004+04:00

..to see how I can be a little more creative with my photo displacement

Orangutan Crab

2010-04-12T13:55:00.003+04:00

One interesting critter commonly found in Bunaken or Lembeh is the Orangutan Crab (Achaeus japonicus) probably named so because it has red hair covering it's body like the jungle primate. I never really had much interest in this crab until my last trip in Lembeh when I came across this crab and doing what appears to be picking stuff off it's hairy filaments and eating them...much like picking one's nose and..... oh nevermind.

So I guess here's how it feeds. It uses it's hind legs to secure itself to some sponge or tunicate in the current.

It lets passing debri or stuff get caught in it's red hairy filaments....

It proceeds to pick the stuff out..

and more picking...

Then it feeds on it...yum yum!

For a clearer view of it's red hairy strands here's a shot of it on some sponge coral.

I guess this one wasn't hungry.

An Outlet for my Mind..

2010-04-12T09:03:00.003+04:00

I think I understand now why I blog more frequently when I'm in the office. It is the only outlet for my mind.
Back in Singapore there were a number of ways I could seek an outlet. The frequent bouts of good natured jesting in the office certainly was one. Or I could go downstairs for coffee. Lunch times were definitely a great outlet as there were many places to go to within walking distance. And most of all, it was still home.
Over here it's different. Having your boss sit right behind you doesn't help. No large variety of lunch time venues within walking distance and no fun jovial office to joke with. It is mostly all seriousness and when the jokes do come around, it's on another level that I am unaccustomed to.

So hence, I blog.

Photo taking in Angkor and Beng Mealea

2010-04-11T16:27:00.008+04:00

When we started off to Siem Reap, I had in mind what I wanted to achieve. I felt that on my last trip, I was content on photographing the ruins and it's beautiful carvings which I guess is a natural thing to do. This time around however, I wanted to photograph the life around the ruins. The people for whom the ruins mean a religious calling, a means of livelihood or simply just a place to play. These are some of what I got...

Most of the above were shot on Fujichrome Velvia 100 with the exception of the guy playing the musical instrument which I believe was done on Kodak Ektachrome E100VS. As you can tell I like high saturation colour slides. Film just has a certain character and quality about it that digital just cannot replicate which will see me along with a lot of other film afficianos using this medium for a long time to come.

God bless film...

Return to Siem Reap

2010-04-11T13:36:00.013+04:00

On the 10th of March, Heisham and I went to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor ruins it being a second trip for me. Siem Reap is just the place for taking pictures if you're into travel and photography and I was glad to have a good friend along for the trip.

Angkor Wat at dawn.

Angkor Wat with Heisham in the distance.

However the main purpose for my wanting to visit Siem Reap a second time around was to visit Beng Melea which is a little farther out from Siem Reap in the opposite direction of Angkor Wat. It was a short trip with a full Thursday spent visiting the Angkor ruins and the good part of Friday morning visiting Beng Melea which was about an hour's drive out of Siem Reap.

As I wanted to be a hero, I decided to travel light this time and shoot entirely on film and on two camera bodies mainly a Leica M6 and MP (I left the Lomo LC-A out at the last minute). Everything went into a Think Tank waist pouch and voila! Travel Photography made light and easy.....somewhat. And I must say I found it such a liberating experience unlike the first time I was here with cumbersome slingbag with DSLR and heavy tripod in tow! The waist pouch camera bag concept is just revolutionary as all that weight is transfered to your hips allowing one to traipse gaily over fallen rocks and boulders without much effort like so..

Beng Mealea

Beng Mealea was simply breathtaking. It was a damn good thing we got there early before the tour groups arrived because being there alone, amidst the forested ruins, one can't help but feel a sense of awe and adventure.

The toppled entrance to Beng Mealea.

Unlike the rest of the Angkor ruins which are now mostly well kept and manicured, Beng Mealea has been left to the jungle and it's growth has been allowed free rein. This may not be a bad thing as not only does it add to the "lost quiet jungle ruin" atmosphere but it more importantly provides protection and shade from the sun!

The Beng Mealea experience was simply a beautiful and breathtaking one, that is until the noisy Chinese tourist horde arrived with their shrieks and howls. It all then went downhill from there..

Nevetheless we got the hell outta there...

Last Night at Home

2010-04-06T21:11:00.002+04:00

So this it. The last night at home. I guess I had a pretty darn good time at home. Who can complain with over a month spent at home with the first 3 weeks doing what one loves, mainly scuba diving and traveling. I've also managed to get my hands on some much longed for camera bodies such as a Leica MP and while not exactly an M9, an M8. I've had my fair doses of Mos Burger, Thai Express, Sushi Tei, Mee Rebus, Mee Siam and Nasi Padang. I've took in my fill of Orchard Road, took on more of our excellent public transportation and carried out my filial duties to my father while Aileen was back home for her own vacation.
I picked Aileen up this evening from the budget terminal. Although I was glad to see her I could see her sadness at having to leave her children (age 6 and 4) behind and not see them again for the next 2 years.
Anyways Aileen was sweet enough to buy us stuff from the Philippines. She got Norman and me Bermudas and she even knew what size to get us!
After having had to play maid to my father for the last 2 weeks, I have developed a healthy respect for what she has to go through. I am glad though that she has her sister and friends here to come back to so it won't be all that bad. Just like how I always looked forward to going back to Dubai because of my mates.
However this time around, it will not be the same anymore. sigh.

Kasawari Lembeh Part VI - The Resort

2010-03-31T20:06:00.004+04:00

What can I say about the Kasawari Lembeh resort that hasn't already been said over and over? The only thing I can do now is just rave about it in my own words.

This was our accommodation, villa number 5 nestled among lush well kept greenery. They were kind enough to let me use the same villa again on my second trip 2 weeks after the first.

First off the bits I could really live without. Wonky internet connection, nil mobile phone reception in the villa and frequent power outages. But I don't really see this as too much of a hassle as the main idea is that you are supposed to be out there diving for most of the day.
The bits I like- the main room and bathroom was nice and spacious. And I really mean nice and spacious! Short stays here just do not do it justice.

However it is their camera room that really takes the cake. Nice and spacious with individual workstations with two multipin power sockets for charging batteries and stuff. With the huge group the "Night Safari" experienced, it was still pretty roomy and no one really got into each other's way.

However on my second stay, another diver and myself were the ONLY ones to use the camera room. And I could hardly even see the guy's stuff giving me the impression that I was the only user of the room.

Each workstation had a small laminated numbered card with a clip that you attach to your housing so that when the staff return your kit to the camera room (after rinsing in freshwater) they will return your kit ato your workstation according to it's number. Neat eh?

The infinity pool for you to spend your surface intervals at. Oh the green is not algae but the colour of the tiles. I checked.

The view of the inviting water as you walk out onto the jetty to the dive boat.

Add in great company and there you have it... :)

Kasawari Lembeh Part V - Young 'Uns

2010-03-31T14:22:00.007+04:00

While at Lembeh for the "Night Safari" event I had hoped to see acts of predation being carried out among it's critter denizens and even better, capture it on camera. While I did see a long arm octopus reach for and grab some small fish for it's snack, I did not see anything else "exciting" unlike Eugene's fantastic picture of an octopus feeding on a wrasse or Tony Wu's typical Lizardfish having a meal shot.
However I did see a great number of juveniles hanging around which must surely be a good thing for they are the "future".

This baby frogfish is so tiny than it's smaller than a pea! I was really lucky in spotting this one. I was poking around a ball of old fishing net at Jahir when I noticed this minuscule movement of something that resembled a micro mini frogfish. True enough it was a micro mini frogfish! I only managed to get two shots of it before it disappeared back among the bottom debris for which Lembeh is so fabulously famous for.

This juvenile scorpionfish tried "yawning" in a vain attempt to get me to scoot off. It didn't work of course.
This juvenile flamboyant cuttlefish was just the cutest thing ever. It trotted along the seabird on two tentacles to a sort of cadence. It was so darn cute that if one could, one would cuddle it.

The following shots while not taken during the "Night Safari" event are also of juveniles.

Juvenile Frogfish at Jahir.

Juvenile Lionfish at Pante Parigi.

Ah...God bless the juveniles...

Life at Home after the travellin' is over...

2010-03-25T14:46:00.002+04:00

So there you have it...both Lembeh Straits dive trips and Siem Reap trip over and done with. And I so recall that euphoria just before the "Night Safari" event at still having a week of diving to go, a photography trip to Angkor and a final trip back to Lembeh to look forward to. On the bright side I still have about 2 more weeks left to go before I head back to Dubai, which is the average time anyway I'd spent at home on leave. On the other hand, the next 2 weeks ain't exactly vacation time for me. Now I do not want to go into detail here as I do not want to be seen as clamoring for pity or good praises but I am beginning to realise that to do what I do now at home will require 3 things.

1. No expectations of thanks or reward.
2. The carrying out of tasks without grudge or complaints.
3. The putting aside of pride and scrounging up of every common sense I can muster.

However whenever I feel myself faltering in these areas I just recall that wonderful feeling of jumping into that cool Lembeh water and descending to a black sandy oasis full of photographic anticipation and excitement....

I guess I've had my fun...and now it's time to "pay".

Kasawari Lembeh Part IV

2010-03-15T20:48:00.002+04:00

This last Lembeh trip was centered around night diving hence the name "Night Safari" and was supposedly organised between Tony Wu, Fins Online and Scubacam. However with due respect to the former two, I saw no real involvement from them except for the publicity they provided and when the event finally arrived I found the whole thing so "clique'ish" with the known personalities sticking to their own with a groupie or two thrown in.
In a funny sort of way I did warn myself that my own expectations may not be met on this trip and I guess in a way, my foreboding was all not for naught. However.. I am indeed glad to have met folks whose company I enjoyed tremendously and ended up having a blast....like bitchin' that the fishing boat with lights that did jack shit for us, sharing whiskey and talking crap until the whiskey ran out so the trip was not a total loss on the relationship front. Well I guess we can't have everything in life and it's all about managing one's expectations.
However I for one am GLAD to be going back to Kasawari Lembeh this Wednesday for a another quick trip before I pack up my dive kit for good until next year. I have decided to put off diving in the UAE for good. With Heisham gone it just seems pointless to drive 2 hours to the east coast for mediocre diving and then have to lug everything back to Singapore all over again if I plan another trip to Lembeh next year. Nosiree all my dive gear and U/W photography kit will be left at home this time. As such this week's dive trip will be my last for a very long while so I intend to make every full use of it.

Kasawari Lembeh Part III

2010-03-15T14:27:00.003+04:00

I will make no secret that I am a fan of Tony Wu's underwater photography so I consider myself lucky to have come across this opportunity to obtain a similar shot of his from his book "Silent Symphony" (with William Tan) of a porcelain crab residing in the anus of a sea cucumber!

Oh how I love to regale to anyone who would listen how I managed to obtain such a shot! The time and patience required staring at the wrong end of a sand gobbler observing the pulsating opening and closing of it's anal opening awaiting the right moment for the little crab to show itself... :)

I call this series "I have Crabs"

Kasawari Lembeh part II

2010-03-15T14:01:00.006+04:00

The week in Kasawari Lembeh passed fast and we got to meet some very fun people. Apart from Sanah, there was also David of Scubacam, Heok Hui, Eugene, Colin and Kamarul and we had a barrel of laughs especially when it came taking the piss out of David.
Although I did not get to capture on camera the sort of critter behaviour I was hoping to capture ie: mating, hunting, I did managed to get some pretty cool shots of fish lying in wait for dinner to swim by.

I call this series "Hello..Nice to Eat You"

"Hello...Nice to Eat You" because I imagine a small little fishy ambling along the dark bottom of the substrate in search of food only to come across a pair of eyes shining in the dark looking intently at it and in a split second dash...nothing but darkness as the little fishy contemplates it's new role as nutrient giving food to it's sinister lie in wait predator. Burp.

Kasawari Lembeh - Finally!!!!

2010-03-01T08:09:00.002+04:00

Well I am finally here and here are some sample shots..

The first full day of dives truly were checkout dives for me. After these dives I discovered that I was shooting at ISO 1000, an exposure compensation of -1.3 and on the last dive I had accidentally activated the "timer" mode and spent half the dive trying to figure out what the hell was wrong. It being a night dive only added to my confusion! Well now I know I know better and feel more sufficiently prepared for the next three nights of diving. It's going to be a full moon so we're expecting to see some pretty amazing stuff.

More photos to follow!

This time next week....

2010-02-21T07:19:00.002+04:00

...I will be into the first day of a full day's diving in Lembeh....

It's always the last few days before you fly home that's the worst. The build up can sometimes be too much to bear. I guess on the plus side, I believe I will be relatively busy the next 3 days to sufficiently help the days go fast.

This time next week....

2010-02-18T14:48:00.002+04:00

I think I would be done for the day with most of my shopping for my Lembeh trip.. and will be sitting somewhere for dinner and drinks with someone or other..

This time next week...

2010-02-17T07:21:00.000+04:00

...I will be stepping off the airplane at Changi... :)

Dubai..

2010-02-15T07:51:00.004+04:00

I know I told myself that I'd steer clear away from any negative postings but I cannot help it anymore and just need to get it off me chest.

I hate this place and I am just counting down the time until I can get out of here next week, even if it's just for a month. And this statement is as polite as I can get.

I wanna go home I wanna go home I wanna go home.

Having said that, I know there will come a time in April when I will be back here, behind this desk, wondering where hell the last 6 weeks went and wondering what else is there to look forward to in Dubai.

Sigh...

Paradise City

2010-02-10T07:37:00.007+04:00

This time in 2 weeks, I would have just landed at Singapore Changi International airport. I've travelled a fair bit over the last 10 years for work and especially when I was a seaman and the Guns & Roses song "Paradise City" always plays in my mind whenever we land in Singapore..

"Take me down to the Paradise City...

Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty..."

This pretty much sums up what Singapore means to me.. nevertheless early Guns & Roses remains one of my all time favourite 80's band...

Blogger really sucks man...sometimes it doesn't do what you want it to... like leave a freakin space between selected sentences.....sheesh I really need to find a new platform...

"The Underwater Photographer - 4th Edition"

2010-02-10T07:23:00.002+04:00

I had the most pleasantest surprise this morning when I checked my e-mail and see a message from Amazon that my order for this book has been shipped. I made the pre order back in November 2009. The book not released then was slated for release sometime early 2010 and it was my hope that I could get my hands on it before returning home for Lembeh. However it's release kept being delayed and the latest word was that it was due for release in March 2010, which would mean that I would already be in Lembeh then. But this morning's message informs me that this has been shipped and I can expect delivery of it on the 12th February. I paid priority international courier for it because I really wanted my hands on it before the trip home. It's that good. Now I will be trying to minimise whatever I bring back home from Dubai due to airline weight issues but if it's any book that I am bringing home...it will be this one.

Planned 2nd Outing to Lembeh

2010-02-07T09:11:00.004+04:00

There...I've gone ahead and done it. I've booked a second flight to Manado for the 17th March with a return on the 20th. Hopefully I will be able to secure a nice discount with the resort seeing how I'll be staying there for a week beginning of the month. If I'm really lucky I can even leave my dive gear behind. Hopefully this time around I will be the only diver around so we will be a bit more liberal at where we can go.

Some of the critters I hope to capture photographically are

1. Yawning Rhinopias
2. Striated Frogfishes
3. Feeding Lizardfishes
4. Feeding Cephalopods
5. Snake Eels
6. Nudibranches and shrimp.

And of course how can anyone go all the way to Lembeh and not take a shot of a Pygmy Seahorse?

17 Days more....

2010-02-07T07:56:00.002+04:00

By Golly I have got to stop doing this... I have got to try to start thinking of something else! I started packing up my dive gear over the weekend and it weighed to about 15kg. I think I can pack in another 10kg of clothes and I will carry everything else, my underwater photography kit, cameras and lenses as carry on luggage. My clothes will be the bare minimum I need. Why carry back what I can easily buy back home? I always bring back more that I ever use anyway. First priority would be everything I need for Lembeh and Siem Reap.
Despite all this eager anticipation at going home and to Lembeh and Siem Reap, there lies in the back of my mind the thought that one day in April, we will be getting onto that return flight back to Dubai and this return trip will be the hardest one I would have ever made because Heisham (and Beaver) will not be there.

Quick Photography outing to Global Village

2010-02-06T14:16:00.004+04:00

It has been ages since I shot on film. So I decided to have a quick fling with the one lens I feel has been the most under utilized, my Canon 50mm f1.2. With a roll of Ilford Delta 3200 we were off to Global Village for the evening yesterday.

The Canon 50mm, f1.2 on Leica M6. The following are just some of the results.

This woman was in a group and appeared to be making some "roti prata"ish dish. I've always wondered on the purpose of the brass face mask they wear. It makes them look fierce and if I dare say "hideous". Perhaps this is to deflect any unwanted male attention but this practice seem to be common among the older generation.

The Global Village is really a treasure trove of photographic opportunies.

An Epiphany!

2010-02-04T07:36:00.005+04:00

I've just had an epiphany. Seeing how I will have the whole of the 3rd week of March free, I could perhaps return to Lembeh again. After all my stay back home will now be extended to the 7th April and I will have all this time until the 7th April free albeit the last two weeks will see me fulfilling the function of stay in maid. No doubt I predict I will get bored pretty fast.
Furthermore this is the only time I can really put in time for some quality diving with great underwater photo opportunities. I could always return to the Kasawari Lembeh resort for a few days. After all I will be a part of a major event 1st week of March and I could always arrange my accomodation there and then for the 3rd week. The other alternative would be to go to Pulau Aur and there is no way I'd want to lug all my gear there just for a weekend, packed full of other divers and for mediocre photographic ops.

If I pull this off I think i would have settled my Scuba Diving and U/W photography fix for the next 6 months. I would have no need to contend myself with the UAE east coast!

Of course if I wanted to I could just arrange for another photography trip to Siem Reap but since I will have my entire set of scuba gear and U/W photography kit with me, I might as well utilise them to the fullest.

It's February...continued..

2010-02-01T09:53:00.003+04:00

Man it's been really really quiet of late... just like it was in December last year. No phone calls...no e-mails... I almost feel guilty being in the office! And to make it worse my boss sits directly behind me but I can tell that he too is finding it quiet these days. But he sitting behind me makes it difficult to whip out a book or do anything else besides pretend to be doing something work related. As such I find myself planning for my various trips back home. Like making out shopping lists and arranging for flights and hotel bookings... making notes... planning my shopping schedule for those few days before I set off to Lembeh... all these actions if done correctly can look as if it's work related... (gosh I hope no one from work reads this!)

Over the weekend I finally found what I was looking for. A traditional wooden arabic door. I believe this door if need be can be used as an actual door but I think it will make a cool decorative piece for an apartment. It will be cool to one day bring this back to S'pore to place in our very own apartment. It will be a rarity.

It's February!!!!

2010-02-01T08:56:00.002+04:00

23 days left to go! Vacations like these are what dreams are made of...week long dive trip, siem reap photography trip... road trip to Kukup with great pals and a possibility of even a short dive trip to Pulau Aur! A full month at home...who can ask for more!

Unexpected Jitters

2010-01-31T10:52:00.000+04:00

Alas, in less than a wee month I will be in Lembeh on a trip that I have been dreaming of for the last 8 months. However over the weekend, I have unexpectantly developed some jitters over the trip. I began to realise that I may have been having high hopes and expectations for the trip. No doubt it will be a very good trip but I think I have to manage my expectations a bit better and remind myself that I am there to dive and take cool under (and above) water pictures and nothing else. I think I am worried that I will find myself having to keep up with and be as good as everyone else... I must perish this train of thought!

I am there for me and me only and to do what I love best....and I will be glad to have the wifey with me.

Underwater Photography..

I admit that now that I can afford to enjoy this hobby and all the related gear that comes with it reasonably well, it is easy to be blase about it. I have to remind myself that this stuff don't come cheap and that I have to limit myself. There will always be people out there more experienced, will take better pictures and have better gear than me. The trick is not having to feel like you have to keep up. I do this for me and me alone. I don't make a living out of it and if people enjoy what I take then it's a plus.

Exciting Trips for Back Home

2010-01-27T11:24:00.000+04:00

Although it is sad that Heisham will be leaving us soon, it will be a happy time for me when I return home next month (I finally get to say "next month!). Apart from my much anticipated trip to Lembeh, Heisham and I will be off to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor ruins for about a day and a half. Yes it is short but we will narrow down what we specifially want to see.
It is always wonderful to do such a trip with a fellow photographer and natural early riser.
This being my second trip, I am now more aware of the kind of images I would like to make and have narrowed down the cameras and systems I will bring with me.
I think of Angkor and the image of a lost holy city being found and reclaimed from the jungle comes to mind. This lost holy city would consist of some beautifully sculpted apsaras that have previously been hidden by undergrowth and co-existed with wild untamed nature for the last few centuries...until now.
As a result of Angkor being revealed to the world and being declared a World heritage Site, hordes of tourist from around the world have descended onto this place and as a natural result, touts and vendors have flourished.

So therefore my main themes will be as follows,

1. Old dark ruins of an old holy city re-emerging from the jungle (B & W for added drama)
2. Beautiful faded craftmanship of Aspara sculptures co-existing with nature ie moss covered etc
3. Young child vendors representing new life being breathed into Angkor.

To acheive the above I will use the following systems

1. Nikon FE 2 with Nikkor 28 mm f2.8 and Red Filter with Ilford Delta 400 (B&W film)
2. Nikon D700 with 85mm f1.8 mm (for portraits)
3. Leica M6 with Summicron 50mm f2 with Fuji Velvia (for general use, a roll or two of Ilford Delta 3200 will also be brought along for night shots)

I have reminded myself time and time again in the past to travel light. Ah to be free of encumbrances and just wonder around with one body and one lens. However I am always torn between getting the kind of images I want and doing what would be as stress and care free as possible. And seeing how we only have a day and half to do this, I think I would opt for the former.

Apart from the Siem Reap trip, the following Saturday will see Beaver, Heisham and I go on a short road trip across the border to Kukup in Johor Bahru. There will be seafood, there will be durians and there will be Ramly Burger! Mmmmmm! And of course, more photography.

Dwindling Dubai Company

2010-01-25T09:20:00.000+04:00

Alas the time has come. We all knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Heisham's efforts at securing a better job back home has finally paid off and soon he will be back home with Deutsche Bank.

Heisham photographs some fishermen's catch

Heisham of course is over the moon at being able to finally get out of here. He has had enough of Dubai and who can blame him. I imagine that having to deal with the local bureaucracies and what nots can take it's toll on you pretty fast. First it was Beaver and now Heisham. And Heisham and Beaver will almost be office neighbours although Beaver is with Barclays.

Heisham (and Beaver) were instrumental in my well being during my early days here in Dubai. I have to admit that having Heisham live 300m down the road from me has been a real blessing. When I didn't have a driving license yet, having Heisham live 300m away was a God send. It made participating in our frequent outings that much easier and if I dare say, less guilt free, (apart from say having to drive across town to pick me up). I am glad to say that I am now able to repay him for all the favours.

Heisham's last day in Dubai is the 4th of March. I would have left for home by then on the 23rd February and Heisham will be shacking up at my empty place. Once heisham is gone, that will leave only Kamar and Shireen left here in Dubai.

39 Days...

2010-01-17T11:08:00.000+04:00

As of today, it is 39 more days 'til I am home. We've been through all this before, the counting down, the anticipation and the increased thoughts of home.
In previous cases it used to help me fall asleep just thinking of the process of leaving my Dubai apartment, checking into the airport and wondering around the airport waiting for my flight.

This time around I think I try to avoid this thought process because I know for this trip home I will be laden with dive equipment and underwater camera gear so it isn't really an exciting thought. This time however I imagine myself getting off the plane at Terminal 3, arriving home and lugging all my gear up those stairs, stepping in, sitting in front of the fish tank to see how they are doing, dumping my stuff in my room and then heading off again to get in 3 days of as much shopping and catching up I can do before flying off to Manado.

I like to imagine the little things now - like the interior of the cab that takes me home, the high number of hatchbacks on the road, the sound of the traffic outside my room, the late sleepless nights I will encounter, my first bite of Sushi Tei or Mos Burger. And once it all happens it will as always, feel as if I've just come out of a dream. Or maybe it's that i walked into one. Either way I am looking forward to being home again. Who wouldn't be?

Coming home to a Home Cooked meal

2010-01-12T11:49:00.000+04:00

Coming home to a home cooked meal...now this I can get used to! However I realise that I am lucky in this respect. I know that in most cases, both partners in a marriage work day jobs, especially back home in Singapore and neither would have the strength or inclination to want to whip up a meal after getting back from work. However the wifey here is currently not working and and has taken up cooking. In my opinion she has had more hits then misses and I truely am the fortunate one. So this is what it's all about. :)

By the way it's pineapple rice and tom yam soup.

Memories from 1st Quarter 2003

2009-12-21T15:39:00.000+04:00

Sometimes as my mind is wont to do, it brings me back to a time before this company, when I was desperate enough to work at the Dolphin Lagoon, tearing tickets and ushering guests back in early 2003. It feels like it all happened in a dream now. I can't say I fully enjoyed my time there. It was a means to an end and I desperately needed money. I cannot fully understand the snergy of the place and the working relationships between the various parties that made it all work. And we're not talking about some high powered corporate outfit where office politics decides whether you're in or out. We are talking about some (in my biased opnion) low level tourist attraction hovel that gets pink dolphins to turn tricks for tourists all in the name of "education" and "awareness".
There was this one particular individual (a show presenter, can't remember his name now) who seemed like he went out of his way to be difficult with me. He didnt bother to get to know me, to know what my background was, what my life experience was or even how old I was (I was older than him) and he treated me as if I was a student working part time during the holidays. His attitude really didn't help and in turn he was not on my good books.

In essence the place was the bottom of the dredges and it reflected my own life then perfectly.

As a disclaimer, I will say that (as with most places) there were a few characters that made my time there bearable and pleasant enough. To these few, I thank you.

Sometimes, memories like these are important to help bring one back down to earth and I like to think that this little "flash back in time" episode was for this very purpose, least I get too big in the head at where I am now compared to the early days of 2003.

Avatar, the Movie

2009-12-20T10:54:00.000+04:00

Kamar, Shireen, Heisham, the wifey and I caught this movie yesterday. To tell you the truth I was a bit apprehensive as I was worried that the movie would not live up to all this hype surrounding it. But boy am I glad that my worryin' was all for naught.

This is a scene where the dastardly humans are blasting the home of one of Pandora's indigenous tribes the Na'vi in order to get them to leave. Damn you human! Damn you!

I know you'd probably hear this over and over again on the internet but Avatar is frankly one of the best movies I have seen in a long while. It grabs your attention within the first 5 minutes and you eagerly lap up every scene as the story unfolds for you over the next two hours and forty minutes. But I shall refrain from turning this post into a movie review and shall just state that I utterly enjoyed my movie going experience yesterday. We caught the 11am show at Dubai Mall and avoided the crowds so the cinema hall was thankfully empty. Gosh I feel like watching this again. I always say that I'd rather watch a good movie twice than a bad one once.

And speaking of watching movies more than once, one show that has definitely seen it's fair share of repeated viewings by me is District 9. Another piece of great movie story telling albeit done on a much tinier budget than Avatar.

I guess 2009 is the year for Sci Fi movies. Star Trek, District 9 and now Avatar.

Impending Dive Vacation to Lembeh Strait

2009-12-17T11:40:00.000+04:00

Back in May this year, I was esctatic to learn that Scubacam was organising a trip to the Lembeh Strait with FiNs magazine and underwater photographer Tony Wu for February of 2010. In true S'porean kiasu fashion I signed up right away as the purpose and main function of the trip was to photograph Lembeh after dark and I have been counting down the days ever since. Every diver worth his salt will know that the good stuff come out /happen at night and there was no chance in hell I was going to miss out on this marvelous photographic opportunity.

The entire trip has been dubbed "The Night Safari 2010" and I must admit the first thought that came to mind was why on earth was Scubacam organising a trip to the Singapore Zoo?

In view of preparing for this trip, I spent the last few months at building up my underwater photography rig and attempting to hone whatever skills I may possess so that I will experience the least amount of fumbling and fiddling when I finally arrive in Lembeh. I even started a scrap book to make notes on how best to improve!

Well it won't be long now for February 2010. I think I can throw in about two more dives here on the UAE east coast to experiment with the various lighting techniques I would want to use in Lembeh.

The dive resort we'll be staying at is the Kasawari Lembeh Resort. What apparently makes this resort so special is that it has been specifically built and catered for discerning underwater photographers/videographers with a dedicated camera room with individual work stations for rig assembly/dissembly, battery charging and other shenanigans that come with delving into underwater photography.

If you click on the Kasawari Lembeh Resort link, you'll get to see how smashing the place looks. The resort also has massage services, a bar (important) and an infinity pool! As the wifey will be tagging along, these facilities will surely come in handy at keeping her occupied.

Yessiree it's only 2 more weeks 'til 2010 and before you know it, it'll be time to get onto that big bird home and onwards to Lembeh.

iPhone Photography

2009-12-16T11:14:00.000+04:00

I am beginning to be amazed at what one can achieve with the built in camera on the iPhone and with various photography applications available on the iTunes store.

I use to discount cameras built into mobile phones as something not worth getting into and not being able to acheive much. As such I find myself being amazed and humbled at the same time that something I did not have any high regard for is just the very thing to re-ignite my love and passion for the hobby.

I found that with technicalities out of the way, I could concentrate on just looking for good photo ops and composition.

It really just goes to show that you do not need a fancy camera to take nice decent pictures. However please do not take this to mean that I will gladly live with my iPhone camera. I still want this lil' baby someday!

Another life changing moment

2009-12-15T12:09:00.000+04:00

If you may recall, a few blog postings ago I wrote about the people that kept me sane here in Dubai. And I guess along with everything else, all things come to an end...somewhat.

Beaver finally hit the jackpot and landed a better offer for back home in Singapore. On top of that he is also now an expectant father of twins. It was a sad moment for the rest of us here when he finally had to go but we were of course happy for him.

I have had the pleasure of Beaver attending my wedding and of having him shack up with me for a week before his flight home. They were good times. Beaver is one person I can totally be crass* with. Nothing that came out of my mouth would shock him. We will miss his humour and his good company.

It will not be long now before Heisham too is gone.

*Yes, I am naturally a very crass person but with self control and perserverence, I maintain a certain degree of decency.

Blog mantra for 2010

2009-12-15T11:36:00.000+04:00

I will endeavour to refrain from bitching, whinging or whining on this blog as honestly, who the heck wants to read all this negativity? I'll be grateful enough if anyone even bothers to read this blog at all!

As Talahassee in the movie Zombieland said, "It is time to nut up or shut up". I take this to mean to take crap in life like a man.

Okay I know Zombie movies isn't for everyone but this one makes one of my favourite movies for 2009. It was relatively easy convincing the wifey to watch this with me last Friday by stressing that it was a comedy (it really is) and I was glad that she admitted that the show was more entertaining that she expected.

My one defining life changing moment

2009-12-15T10:43:00.000+04:00

We tied the knot in July 09 and then scooted off to Bali for a few days. It was a great 3 weeks at home and Bali was fantastic. As always everything went by so fast and it all seems a blur to me now, especially the big day in question.

Bali was a great opportunity to wind down and relax after the wedding. It is the one place I wouldn't mind going back to over and over again. The only thing I find disappointing about Bali is the "local cuisine". I think it has been too "watered down" for tourist taste, especially for those of the Caucasian persuasion. No spiciness at all and somewhat bland even.

We were better off ordering Lamp Chops or something.

Test Result

2009-12-13T11:12:00.000+04:00

Okay...changing the template seemed to work. I guess back then I didn't have the patience to figure out what was wrong.

I have lots of to say. The last 6 months have seen some life changing events. And I shall cut the crap on any angst related issues...

Test test test

2009-12-13T10:57:00.000+04:00

This is a test to see if my pictures still come out wonky. If it doesn't, then I may just start blogging again because I am just so freakin creative and just so chock a block full of creative ideas...

Folks with Over Inflated Opinions of themselves

2009-06-29T10:06:00.000+04:00

A new term that I have learnt from my boss is "Over Inflated Opinion". He is fond of saying something along the lines of .."His problem is that he has an over inflated opinion of himself". Funnily enough at the same time of me learning this new term, I begin to see it a lot in a couple of people I work with. There are two individuals that particularly stand out. Without giving too much away as to who they are (in case they stumble onto this blog), they are as follows,

Individual A has been around these parts for like..when time began, or so he likes to think. He is also very actively involved in his religious activities and to give credit where it's due, is also very good at his job. However as a result of all this, I feel individual A has been besotted with a certain sense of high handed pride. He is not directly boastful, but he is very good at subtly inserting self praise into his conversations and it doesn't help that he seems to be in love with the sound of his own voice. He is also fiercely protective of what he's supposed to do and what he feels he's not. I guess generally this is a good trait in itself but if you're part of a team, well... if you're deep set in your ways and resistant to change, this means you're probably on your way out already. Just the same, Individual A is already set for retirement soon. He probably expects to be exalted at his going away do and to hear laments that the office will not function as well without him (which is probably true by the way). But when he starts, man he can just verbally squash anyone else's voice with his heavy authoritative, self righteous conviction that borders on a church reading of a squeally voice that all I want to do is to tell him to shut the %&*# up.

Individual B. Individual B probably feels that because he has been giving a great opportunity for advancement amongst his peers, this puts him on an elevated pedestral with given rights to act like a Mister Know It All when he himself requires guidance and correction. With people he feels that are lower in station than himself, he acts like you are inconsequential. Like Indivdual A, Individual B also has a certain self conviction about himself. However unlike individual A, if you can be proven wrong, then this makes it all the more galling! It leaves me smirking on the inside actually to see this happen.

But hey, I get my pay every month so who am I to argue? :)

Transformers 2 - Revenge of the Fallen

2009-06-28T10:30:00.000+04:00

It saddens me to say that this movie borders on being one of the WORST movies I have ever seen. They have tried too hard to ride on the same formulas for success that pulled of the first movie so brilliantly. And the equation then was "Hot chicks + Transforming Robots = Movie Success!" But this time around it was generally flogging a dead horse. This time around they must have thought "Let's turn up a few more notches on the hot ass action and cool transforming bots and we'll have the same fanboys drooling a thousand times over!"

If this is ever at all possible I would like provide some word of advice to the Decepticons.

1. Kidnap Sam's parents (as done only to be let free in the desert for no Goddam apparent reason)
2. Kidnap Mikaela
3. Torture all of the above until Sam gives them what they want.

Problem solved.

Oh and as an extra, it wouldnt hurt for them to squish Sam's college room mate who in my opnion was a bloody annoyance more than providing any comic relief.

Sadly Revenge of the Fallen only warrants a 2 out of 5 stars from me.

Life in Dubai - Update

2009-06-17T07:51:00.000+04:00

There were times during the last few months that I felt I was moving backwards. Now I feel like I'm standing still. I used to feel all beat up and sorry for myself because I worried about not meeting expectations of my superiors and colleagues and of myself.

Now I feel like I don't really care about it anymore. They just have to deal with me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay. They have to get used to me as much as I have to get used to them. So in a way, things for me now are much "better" than they were say a couple of months ago and I think I can narrow down the reasons why to two main contributing factors,

1. I started to drive gaining my own mobility (very inportant for living here!)

2. I stopped caring about what other people think of me.

Perhaps now I can finally move forward.

It's Bitchin' time..

2009-05-26T13:59:00.000+04:00

I have more or less given up on this damn blog already what with the wonky download settings of photographs and all but alas I need to spew and it's inappropriate to do it on Facebook.

After a long delay I finally got around to getting a HSBC sales officer to come to the office and speak to me about finally opening a local bank account. Now I normally like to think I am a patient person and very forgiving but this sorry excuse of a sales officer from HSBC really takes the cake in setting me off the deep end.

1. He didn't bring his own pen so I had to let him use mine (expensive one you know).
2. He didn't bring his own writing pad so I had to pass him some (which is really no biggie)
3. His mobile phone kept ringing throughout our meetingand he kept taking them. His excuse was that it was a call from India (like I freakin care)
4. He had this annoying facial spasm/bad habit that saw him widely opening his mouth and eyes and sticking tongue out all at the same time! (EEeeaaargh...I know we all have our quirks but this was too much man!)
5. He seemed to rush through his entire "presentation" (using my pen and paper) on what different accounts were available to me.
6. He didn't seem to take the time to fully understand what my needs are.
7. He ended up misunderstanding what my needs are.
8. He called me "Pare" even AFTER checking my Singapore passport. (How stupid can you get man?!)

Ok this was yesterday. Then today.

1. He informs he'll come around 11am, he doesn't but at least he called and said he'll be here at 12 to 12.30pm.
2. Come 1 pm the fat ass still hasn't turned up or called so I said f&*k it I'm going for lunch.
3. During lunch he calls and says he's waiting outside, there isn't any parking so could I please come downstairs. I says I'm out of the office and having my lunch so he says okay then after my lunch then.
4. After lunch I foolishly went down to meet him, got into his grimy vehicle, signed a few more forms, and left. I heard him honking his damn car (apparently he forgot to get another signature) but i ignored him. If he needed something else, he had better get his fat ass up to my office.
Apparently he did have a parking lot but he just didn't want to pay for parking!
5. I went up...let off steam to the accountant.
6. Fats ass sales officer finally comes up and gets my signature. He then broaches the subject again about me transferring all of my salary from Singapore to Dubai (The fat f$&ker has not been listening all along) and I told him "Look, it's not going to happen! I need to maintain my salary in Singapore!"

After this entire episode of no confidence, why on God's green earth would I EVER want to place all my eggs in Dubai HSBC's basket? I would be a freakin' MAD!

Musandam Dive trip 8th May 2009

2009-05-09T13:17:00.000+04:00

With the warm weather finally settling in, Heisham and I headed out to Musandam, Oman for a Dhow dive trip with Al Boom dive centre. I was pretty much psyched because this was the first time my Nikon D80 would touch water apart from the swimming pool test a few weeks ago.

After a 2 hour drive we crossed over the border into Oman and arrived at Dibba Port. We found our dhow and waited for the Al Boom people to show up and after about an hour and a half, we finally cast off for Musandam.

The waters around Musandam were a lot calmer than from I last visited last year. The Dhow in itself was nice and very spacious however in my opinion, not exactly built for diving from as it had a very high freeboard ie distance from deck to waterline.

Ok so the following are the first examples from my Nikon D80 and a Nikkor 60mm Micro lens housed in a Nexus housing and lens port. An Inon D2000 was also use. They were shot in RAW and then tweaked in Photoshop Elements and cropped where necessary.

I kept my eyes peeled for them Nudibranchs but there were none!!!!

Still No Nudis! And during the second dive I lost the protective cover of my lens port despite taking Clifford's advise to secure it with a cord. I am absolutely convinced that the sole purpose of that piece of plastic is for it to get lost!

Still no Nudi...sigh..

Have YOU seen any Nudis around?

Well overall it was a pleasant trip and Heisham and I rushed backed to Dubai to meet the gang for some sumptuous Mandi! (Fish of course)

Ramblings..

2009-05-03T13:55:00.000+04:00

Its funny how I'm experiencing a different sort of stress right now. Initially I felt the stress of feeling inconsequential and unimportant and of how my efforts had no real effect, which is something I am not used to. I am used to seeing the results of my actions and gaining satisfaction from them.
Over here...satisfaction is eluding me. But now with Babu on leave (which is a sort of a blessing as well) I find I am just swamped and the only way forward is to put in extra hours even if it means working over the weekend, and as always I feel my efforts will have no real outcome.

To sum it up on how its like so far being Marketing Manager for the Dubai office, its a lot of work for almost nil gain. That's if until a boat of ours secures a charter as a result of my actions.

So I've spent a good part of the day going through a mind numbing contract while trying to salvage some form of job satisfaction from it. And the thing that keeps me going are pleasant memories from home that I force my mind to conjure up in between contract clauses.

It'll go something like this...

"Where an invoice is disputed, the Charterers shall in any event pay the undisputed portion of the invoice but shall be entitled to withhold payment of...

...Peninsula Camera shop window shopping...

the disputed portion provided that such portion is reasonably disputed and the Charterers specify such reason. Interest will be chargeable at the rate stated in Box 24 on such disputed..

...dinner and drinks with gf Geraldine or cousin Colin at Timbre/Paulaner Brahaus/Archipelago Brewery/Brewerks..

amounts where resolved in favour of the Owners. Should the Owners prove the validity of the disputed portion of the invoice, balance payment shall be received by the Owners within 5 banking days after the dispute is resolved. Should the...

..Sushi Tei

Charterer's claim be valid, a corrected..

..Bak Kut Teh..

invoice shall be issued by the Owners. In defaultof payment as herein specified, the Owners may..

Mos Burger.

require the Charterers to make payment of the amount due within 5 banking..

***censored**** (it involves the gf)

days of receipt of notification from the Owners"

Yes...something along the lines of the above....

The Doldrums

2009-04-22T07:55:00.000+04:00

I used to think it was a real blessing and a great opportunity being sent here. Now I am feeling it is not all as I thought it would be and the obstacles to overcome are much bigger than I expected. These days I am just plain miserable at work. Perhaps I shouldn't have come here.

Finally...

2009-04-12T10:47:00.000+04:00

Finally. Easter Sunday had been good to me. As you can see I finally passed the driving test and although I would like to think that it was because of my magnificent driving skills, I am inclined to believe that it is all pre-determined. I only drove for two (yes... as in the number 2) minutes and I already had a hunch that I passed. As you can see, the test checklist isn't really used. Nothing has been ticked off or marked. If the examiner wants to pass you, he will pass you.

So for the last week I have been comuting to and fro from work by the company's Jeep Cherokee. It feels kind of weird...not ever having to take the bus again. To some small (and I mean miniscule small) extend I will miss taking the bus. You can just sit and relax and let the driver worry about the driving.

Flickr ban, once again.

2009-04-11T11:25:00.001+04:00

Once again, the web based photo sharing site Flickr has been banned by some Mr "know it all" here in this country. They must have found a way to disable the Firefox plug in/firewall thingamajig that fools the local ISPs into allowing access to Flickr. I cannot help but shake my head at this feeble attempt at protecting local values from the harmful influences of some content that can be found on Flickr (uTube, you're next!). You have teens raping their fellow classmates, drivers running over pedestrians, and a total lack of efficiency and sense in running the public sector and they want to ban access to a website like Flickr? It's all just an attempt at protecting a people that is just too stupid for their their own good (if that made any sense) and drawing attention away from their own glaring deficiencies.

Anyway I believe its only just a matter of time now that someone will find a workaround this problem. Smeone like that brilliant Iranian chap that came up with Access Flickr 1.11 for Firefow Mozila.

Arab Summit in Doha

2009-03-31T07:00:00.000+04:00

"Libyan, Saudi leaders walk out of Arab Summit after a spat
By Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Editor in ChiefLast updated: March 30, 2009, 18:45
Doha:

Another charade by maverick Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi almost spoiled the Arab summit on Monday, when what was initially thought to be an apology to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz turned out to be another insult. The Saudi King left the meeting hall angrily, but returned shortly following an appeal from the Qatari host. Gaddafi, meanwhile, stormed out of the summit but the two leaders later met to "clear the air". "I have been waiting for six years to tell you that you are the liar. You were made by Britain and protected by the United States,” Gaddafi said, addressing King Abdullah as the rest of Arab leaders looked stunned.
Gaddafi’s remarks followed the opening address by the summit host, Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, who failed to stop the Libyan leader from continuing his barrage. Gaddafi was referring to a spat with the Saudi King during an Arab summit in 2003 in which King Abdullah described the Libyan leader as "a British-made and an American agent". This followed a comment by Gaddafi, saying Riyadh helped the US invade Iraq. The two countries have also had tense relations since the publication in June 2004 of a media report in the United States and Saudi Arabia accusing Gaddafi of plotting the assassination of King Abdullah, then crown prince, who was on a visit to the holy city of Makkah. Gaddafi on Monday said he was willing to mend fences with the Kingdom, despite the initial angry burst. "I am ready to visit you and for you to visit me," he said. The Emir of Qatar then managed to stop Gaddafi and offered a surprise apology; Gaddafi said he only wanted to apologise and open a new page with King Abdullah, who by then had left the room in protest. But Gaddafi went on to say that he was "the dean of the Arab leaders, the king of kings of Africa and the leader of the faithful,” before he himself stormed out of the meeting. Sources told Gulf News that he "went to visit the museum of Islamic Arts". A Qatari mediation managed to bring Gaddafi and King Abdullah together later in the day. Sources close to the proceeding said that most delegates didn’t consider Gaddafi’s remarks as an apology. "It will be another blow to the much hoped for Arab reconciliation," said the sources, referring to the absence of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Analysts said Mubarak stayed away from the summit because of differences with Qatar over Doha’s relations with Iran and the Gaza war coverage by Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel, which Cairo considers as anti-Egypt. - With input from Jumana Al Tamimi, Associate Editor "

Classic example of why peace in the Middle East is elusive and a very long time in coming. What do you expect when folks can't even get their act together amongst their own kin?

Why No Updates?

2009-03-22T07:30:00.000+04:00

Yes...it has been yonks since I've last updated. I still have not solved the problem of my photo upload settings and its a real hassle. The last thing I want to do after work is tweak around on a computer when I have been staring at one the whole day. And a blog without photos is as boring as piss so why bother.

It has been 10 months already since I've been here. And I still feel I am not in my element. Visiting the S'pore office last week made me miss my time there dearly eventhough when I was there I felt bored and unfufilled. It's been like a real struggle so far. I still have no idea what I've achieved. However newly made friendships in Dubai have kept me sane. And I had mentally prepared myself for the long haul going solo. So Heisham, Beaver, May, Kamal, Shireen and Kamariah thank you for helping keep this kid sane.

L to R: Beaver, May, Kamar, Shireen, Kamariah and Heisham.

And the latest bit of info to anyone out there who actually bothers to check my blog for updates.

Geraldine and I are getting married.

More updates to come, and hopefully this time with pretty pictures.

Hungry Protesting Students

2009-01-08T16:41:00.000+04:00

"New protests against the Israeli offensive were held around the world. Hundreds of Muslim students stormed a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in the Indonesian city of Palu waving Palestinian flags and burning the US and Israeli emblems. "

AFP

I guess demonstrators need food too. However couldn't they have entered the premises in an orderly manner? (They are students after all). I guess if the article was reworded as

"New protests against the Israeli offensive were held around the world. Hundreds of Muslim students entered a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in an orderly manner in the Indonesian city of Palu waving Palestinian flags and burning the US and Israeli emblems"...

it wouldn't have sounded as zesty and would be in contrast to the angst and grief usually displayed by such protests. The KFC staff must have had their hands full.

Conversations with an Indian taxi driver

2009-01-08T14:03:00.000+04:00

On the way back to the office in a cab and behind a bus and it goes like this..

Driver: You have plenty friends driving bus (motions to bus in front)?
Me: No
Driver: Plenty Filipino drive bus no?
Me: I'm not Filipino.
Driver: Oh so where you from?
Me: Singapore, and take THAT! (I bash him in the face)

The above is just so typical of the generalisation and assumptions that go on here and is extremely annoying but I can't help the way I look any more than he can help assuming that all Filipino looking characters ARE Filipino. (They could be Malaysian or Indonesian or in my case, Singaporean) This incident is not the first and it sure as hell ain't going to be the last.

And no, I didnt bash him in the face, although I would have liked to.

Back in Dubai

2009-01-08T11:00:00.000+04:00

As expected, time has flown and I am now back in Dubai. The trip home was a good one which in no small part was due to the fact that I took it slow and did not plan too hectic a schedule for myself. I also managed to cross everything off my list from eating what I wanted (Chilli crab - twice!) to getting my brushes and paints. I also took almost every opportunity to stuff myself silly and get myself drunk. Why at the Xmas office lunch party I was blind drunk by 5pm! (Something I told myself never EVER to do again.)

The Malacca trip to attend the inaugural Sequerah clan reunion was okay but the trip was more to catch up with second cousin Cecilia and spend time with Geraldine who graciously put up with going up that rotating tower contraption with me.
The National Service reunion was also a blast although a few people whom I was hoping would be there did not turn up. Big thanks to Alfee for driving me home that night! (yes...I was drunk).

And I finally got to meet Geraldine's mother (twice) who said I was a "nice boy". I have been told that this in itself means high praise already.

Towards the end of those 16 or so days at home, it felt like it was time to go "home"... It also helped that Geraldine would also be flying out to Dubai a few hours after me.

Happy as a Pig in Shit.

2008-12-18T13:49:00.000+04:00

I am as happy as puck! It's only half a day more in the office and then it's 2 weeks of hardcore eating, drinkin', camera equipment shopping and lotsa bonin'.

Heeeeyah!

This time next week..

2008-12-13T08:25:00.000+04:00

I will be home!

Photography by the Creek.

2008-12-11T08:31:00.000+04:00

We had a photography walkabout by the creek last week when it was nice and cool, unlike the oven like conditions we experience a few months ago.

As usual the creek was bustling with activity.

There was a marathon going on. The recent rains left lots of large puddles.

This guy was probably so overjoyed with the weather that he couldn't resist a few cartwheels for my photographic benefit.

The last week was simply wonderful as we had 3 days of public holidays because of Eid, which back home would be Hari Raya Haji. So from Friday to Tuesday we did bugger all. I may have gained a few pounds though but that's okay. With the cold weather setting in I'll need the insulation.

Almost a week more...

2008-12-11T08:11:00.000+04:00

As the days past and my fly off date approaches, my motivation to do anything (particularly work) declines. It feels like the 12th of December is going to be some sort of release for me. I used to think that the Xmas lights along Orchard road were corny but now I somehow cannot wait to see them!
Will it feel like it did the last time going home, like waking up from a dream?

Rainy Season in Dubai

2008-12-07T22:39:00.000+04:00

It has been raining a lot the last week or so. Its a nice change. Temperatures in the mornings can be down to 12 to 16 degrees. The rain isn't torrential. It ain't like back home in Singapore.

Still it is such pleasant weather. Why yesterday afternoon I could just sit at my desk and watch the lightning strike the top of the Burj Dubai again and again.

Not Long now..

2008-11-30T07:19:00.000+04:00

A sure fire way for me to drop off to sleep every night now is this. In my mind, I go through the sequence of events that I will have to take the day I fly home (3 weeks more!). And normally, before the bit where I am about to get on the aircraft, I am deep in slumber.
I am just so glad to be taking Singapore Airlines this time. How on earth Emirates can win best airline is beyond me.

IF I could.

2008-11-27T15:13:00.000+04:00

If I could start over. I would have pursued an education in one of the following.

1. Political Science/Economics
2. Marine Biology

Just as well I didn't. I don't think I could have afforded to go to University anyway!

Pleasant surpises

2008-11-27T09:59:00.000+04:00

When I was walking home yesterday evening through Satwa, a wad of cash, ok not exactly a wad, but about 20 dirhams fell out of my pocket as I took my iPod out. I didnt realise it as I had earphones on. A guy who must have been Pakistani picked it up and ran after me to give it back.
I was actually astonished at this man's honesty and sincerity at returning money.
Maybe he did it only because there were others around and if he had pocketed it, he would come off as being dishonest.
Nevertheless it is nice to be surprised once in a while at what can happen. Just goes to show that it takes all kinds and I'll be sure to remember this the next time I feel like generalising

To whoever this man is, I thank you.

Life in Dubai - Trip to Hatta

2008-11-24T13:38:00.000+04:00

Heisham, Beaver and I went to Hatta a few weeks back to look for old forts and this supposedly famous rock pool. We didnt find the rock pool but we saw a few cool looking fortified outposts.

Thanks to Heisham for the photo of me.

We didnt find the rock pools as we were quite restricted at the offroad areas in Heisham wheels. But all that will be solved once I get my driving license and the company's 4x4 Jeep Cherokee. Then it will be my turn to contribute to our road trips.

Life in Dubai

2008-11-24T07:54:00.001+04:00

Ok I think I managed to sort out the kinks on this blog regarding the sizing of my photos but I don't think its a permanent solution. The blog just isn't doing what its supposed to be doing.
Anyway blog aside, I can feel things are looking up because,

1. The weather is cooler.
2. I go home for 2 weeks next month.
3. I'm half way through my driving lessons.
4. RTA Dubai started a new bus service with a newer and bigger bus with an increased frequency.
5. Taxi's seem easier to flag down at 6.30am onwards negating the need for me to wake up at 5am.
6. The first 2 weeks of December are chock full of public holidays!

Life in Dubai - Chums

2008-11-17T18:33:00.000+04:00

I cannot stress enough how important it is to have good company, especially living in a place like Dubai. These are the guys (and gal) that have kept me sane and who's company I look forward to at the end of some very trying days.

From L to R: Me, Beaver, May and Heisham.

This was last Friday when we all went out into the desert to watch the sunset, start a campfire and look at the full moon. Felix and his wife joined us a little later with GPS coordinates provided for by Beaver. Anyway this first trip was a primer for what was to come. The collapsible chairs we bought were indispensable. It was actually easier to walk around barefoot. We actually forgot that there were scorpions and snakes at night. Thankfully the nights were cool and breezy and it got chilly a bit.

Tripoli, Libya

2008-11-15T19:15:00.000+04:00

Ok its been a very long while since I last blogged. No excuses, I have been feeling lazy...and I have lots to blog.
My trip to Libya and Tunisia was quite an interesting experience beginning with the flight to Tripoli. Of all the coincidences in this world I sat right next to another Singaporean on the flight to Tripoli from Dubai. Apparently he and a couple of other S'porean chaps were going to some town in Libya to do city planning.
Our hotel in Tripoli was right next to the old walled city of Tripoli and this got me all excited. This is the view from my hotel room.

Thankfully I had a few hours to kill on the second day we were there so I got to explore old Tripoli with my D80.

Old Tripoli is chock full of history. The walls and some of the buildings date back to Ottoman empire/Barbary pirate times with narrow pathways and arches.

After venturing about 600 metres into the city I came across this fabulous looking Roman archway! I've since discovered that this is the Marcus Aurelius archway built to commemorate the Emperor. I finalky got my chance to lay my hands on some ancient Roman history. There is a restaurant right next to the arch and the dining area is nestles amongst some roman ruins as well. Judging from the ground level of the arch and the elevated streets of Tripoli surrounding the arch, it is probably safe to surmise that the existing city had been build directly on top of the roman city and many more Roman archeological treasures lie beneath the current city!

However to have these excavated would probably mean demolishing an equally historically important heritage of Tripoli.

With Libya accepting responsibility for the Lockerbie disaster, announcing it's plans to scrap it's WMD program and renouncing terrorism, Col Qaddafi in one fell swoop has caused the lifting of sanctions on his country and the welcoming of Libya into the welcoming arms of international community as well as the major Oil & Gas exploration companies. As a result, Libya has become a boom town and is rapidly transforming itself.

However there is still a heavy security presence in the country with armed guards everywhere. I was not even allowed to take photographs of the hotel. Everyone had to enter and exit the hotel at the main entrance and pass through a metal detector and have your bags x-rayed. Adults are friendly but generally wary of a foreigners especially one toting a camera. Thankfully these kids had no qualms about posing for me. Their exuberance is a reflection of things to come for their country.
For my next trip to Tripoli I will plan it such so that I can go visit another set of ancient roman ruins in the desert, Sabratha.

Trip to Jabel Hafeet and Al-Ain Hot Springs

2008-10-25T20:44:00.000+04:00

On the wee hours of Friday morning at 4.30am (what was I thinking?) I met up with Heisham, Beaver and May (and one of their colleagues) for a trip to Jebel Hafeet in the Abu Dhabi Emirate to catch the sunrise. Despite the early morning start, we still missed it.

Nevertheless it was quite pleasant up there with a very cold wind blowing. The huge block of mountain on the right hindered us from getting a full view of the sun rising over the landscape.

The summit itself was fenced off to prevent folks from falling over so that made it a bit inconvenient for landscape shots. However I got to test out my Mamiya 645 Pro at the base of the mountain.

The hot springs were at the base and there was lots of greenery kept fresh by a very active fresh water sprinkler system.

And yes...the water was hot...I think it would have been fabulous in winter.

By 10am, I was nodding away in Heisham's car on our way back to Dubai.

Life in Dubai - Cost of Photographic Gear

2008-10-23T07:04:00.000+04:00

The cost of a Nikkor Micro AF-S 60mm f2.8 here is about 2600 Dirhams (approx) which is about SGD 1000. The cost of the same lens in Singapore, according to the Clubsnap forum is SGD 738. That's almost like a SGD 300 difference. I had contemplated getting this here then thought the better of it, deciding to wait until Singapore.
Its mind boggling how they price certain goods here. Mac products, Suunto dive computers...I think they follow European standards of pricing.

Life in Dubai

2008-10-22T12:26:00.000+04:00

Well looks like my Libyan/Tunisian trip of this week has been postponed to the next. However it's Wednesday and our flights this Sunday are still waitlisted. The last thing I want to do is to arrange all our meetings only to have to cancel them again like I had to do last week. Its been a busy hectic week. But busy in the good sense. Busy with a sense of purpose and a feeling of self worth.
End of October its North Africa, 2nd week November its India, and Egypt with the boss early December. Then come 19th December its that flight home. Singapore Airlines this time thank God.

We got a vessel into charter for Libya yesterday and although it was largely due to the brokers efforts, I still feel pretty good about it.

I had a parking lesson today. What I find frustrating is the language barrier that ocassionally crops up. I think I'm doing what the instructor is telling me to do and when I get it wrong, he doesn't (or cannot) tell me what exactly I'm doing wrong. I think it is actually up to me to gauge where I have gone wrong and then deviate a little from his instructions to get it closer to getting it right.

Personal life all fixed, driving lessons ongoing and a more sense of purpose at work. At least I am beginning to get somewhere now.

Scuba Diving - UAE East Coast

2008-10-18T23:07:00.000+04:00

Went for a dive yesterday with Heisham to the east coast. While Heisham carried out his training dives for his Advanced Diver certification, I went for a leisure dive. I was grateful to have been able to hitch a ride with Heisham in his car, otherwise I would have had to settle for the dive centre's mini bus.

Hawkfish on the Inchcape 1 wreck

The first dive was done on the Inchcape 1 wreck. This small crew boat was sunk on 12th December 2001 to form an artificial offshore reef. At 32m, it restricted our bottom time to 18 minutes and along with strong surface currents, poor visibility, a huge cluster f@#k of divers all exploring the small wreck and wanting to do a safety stop at 5m on the ascend line all made it a very undesirable dive experience.

Chromodoris annulata nudibranch on the Inchcape 2 wreck.

Thankfully, the second dive on the Inchcape 2 wreck was much better. The Inchcape 2 is a another crew boat that was sunk on 24th April 2002 based on the success of the sinking of the Inchcape 1 and the marine life it attracted.

Lionfish on the Inchcape 2 wreck.

The wreck lay at 20-22m and visibility was good, current non existent and marine life prolific. The icing on the cake for me was finding two nudibranches that I had not photographed before.

Mating chromodoris annulata nudibranchs on the Inchcape 2 wreck.

Hypselodoris Kanga nudibranch on the Inchcape 2 wreck.

The schools of snapper that surrounded the Inchcape 2 were really something as well. I hope they will still be around when I can finally shoot wide angle using my D80 in a Nexus housing and a 10.5mm lens.

I am glad that after this weekend, Heisham would have his Advanced Diver certification and I can have a regular dive buddy that lives a scant 300m down the road from me.

Then on the way back to Dubai we stopped over at the Friday Market where I bought two silk carpets, one for my study and the other for my hall. We also met up with Beaver and wifey in Deira to eat mandy with grill fish. Now my mandy experience is complete.

Life in Dubai - The Things I look forward to.

2008-10-13T13:39:00.000+04:00

In order of achievability..
1. Scuba Diving this Friday at Fujairah with Heisham.
2. Next week's work trip to Libya and Tunisia
3. Geraldine coming to Dubai for a few weeks (Nov hopefully)
4. Dec 19th's SQ flight home.
5. Housing my Nikon D80 with a Nexus aluminium housing.
5. Driving test (hopefully in Jan 09)
6. Finally driving the company's 4x4 Jeep

Phuket 2007

2008-10-12T12:48:00.000+04:00

Surin Beach, Phuket March 2007.

I am recollecting a wonderful memory of my short trip to Phuket last year with Geraldine.

The love of my life. I'm sorry I took so long to realise this.

Life in Dubai - Changing Seasons

2008-10-12T09:22:00.000+04:00

You can tell we're entering Autumn. It now gets completely dark at 6.30pm. I guess in a way it's good as it'll remind me that I have to get to bed earlier if I want to get up at 5am.

These days I am just so pissed off at work. I used to be depressed, but right now I am just so damn pissed. I think if I could, I'd go home right now and to heck with this stint.

Life in Dubai

2008-10-12T06:23:00.000+04:00

It is 6.15am and I am sitting in my office. The last week or so has been a real shocker for me. My days of leaving the apartment at 7 am and getting a taxi within 5 mins are over, probably until next year when summer comes and the school vacation starts.
The last week or so has seen me taking almost 2 hours to get to the office which is only about 5 or 6 km away. With the amount of people waiting for taxis at 7 am, it was impossible to get one. And it was a 15 minute walk to the bus stop. A 1 hour wait for the bus, a mad scramble to get on the bus and a short 15 minute bus ride to the office. If this place was more pedestrian friendly I think I could have WALKED to work.
So therefore from this morning on, its waking up at 5am just so I can leave at 6am and get a cab to work. I guess I better try to turn in early. A 2 hour commute to work can be a real b*tch.

Dibba - Musandam

2008-10-10T13:39:00.000+04:00

Scuba Diving - Musandam, Oman 4th Oct 08

2008-10-08T23:02:00.000+04:00

I finally go to put in a dive here. I signed up with Al Boom Diving down the road to go up to Musandam in Oman last Saturday. It was a 2 hour mini bus ride to Dibba in Oman and an hour's speedboat journey to the dive sites.

The water was unfortunately quite choppy but Musandam's rugged scenery was something to behold.

I was actually quite surprised with the dives. They exceeded my expectations and I was thoroughly pleased. They reminded me of Pulau Aur but with a lot more marine life.

Fishes generally did not seem too bothered by divers which is great for an underwater photographer. Unfortunately this chromodoris nudibranch below was the only nudibranch I saw that really excited me.

What I also love about Musandam is that there is no sign of human habitation. The desolate rugged landscape above water is in direct contrast to what lies beneath the waves. A place so abundant with marine life! And at one look you know no one is going to go build a 10 star hotel here at such an "inhospitable" place.

However on the downside, a 3 hour commute one way just for 2 dives is just too tiring, which leads me to believe that diving Musandam is best done on a liveaboard over a few days. All the other numerous dive sites are way up north anyway.

Nevertheless I am excited at the prospect of diving Musandam more in the future.

Photo info: All shots taken with Canon Powershot A620 in Ikelite housing with Inon underwater close up macro lens and Inon D2000 strobe.

Photographer: Me lah.

Life in Dubai - Dinner at an Iraqi Reztaurant

2008-10-08T22:52:00.000+04:00

On the 3rd day of Eid, Heisham, Mr and Mrs Beaver and I went out for Iraqi food (We bloody couldn't have Mandi two nights in a row now could we?). So off we went to Samad, Iraqi Restaurant!

The food was really really good.

What was interesting was how they grilled their fish. Apparently you have to order this 2 hours in advance.

The interior decor was really quaint and lovely. Now I know what you're thinking, No there were no portraits of Saddam. It looked just like any other Arabic restaurant. And service was really good as well.

There are only two branches of Samad Restaurant. Baghdad and Dubai!

Life in Dubai - Eid's all Good Day 3

2008-10-03T00:32:00.000+04:00

This evening Heisham, Mr & Mrs Beaver and I went to the Mall of the Emirates to a walk around and have Thai food at the foodcourt where a young girl accidentally punches me in the groin.

Life in Dubai - Mandi

2008-10-02T09:51:00.000+04:00

Beaver has been raving on and on about this local Arabic dish called Mandi. Seeing him all excited just at the thought of Mandi, how could I not give it a go? So last night, we all went for Mandi.
The concept of the restaurant is pretty traditional, everyone sits on carpeted floors and tucks away using their right hand. The dish is simple, yet extremely delicious and is enjoyed communally. Comes with the option of Chicken, Mutton or Fish but they were out of fish last night.
Since we had Mrs Beaver with us, we got to use the "family rooms" which in essence is just a covered eating area at the back. It basically looks like the inside of a tent which only adds to the Arabic experience of Mandi. They only thing they need to do now is to simulate a camel sticking it's head into the tent opening to complete the entire Arab experience.

To complete my Mandi experience, it is only right that we go back again to try the fish.

I am eating waaaaaaay too much here.

Geraldine...

2008-10-01T23:05:00.005+04:00

After a lot of soul searching the last few weeks, I decided to get back with Geraldine and agree to her "Terms and Conditions" (for lack of a better word) for any future postings my company may have in store for me. I didn't want to be in a situation a few years down the road where I realise I turned away my only real chance of settling down for an expectation that did not materialise. After all, my company is not going to send me someone to grow old with so why should I give my full loyalty to them?

I used to think that my only real chance of getting anywhere and having any chance of competing with the bright young British Uni grads we employ was to not say no to anywhere my company may want to post me and to a great extent, this is true. However I also realise that I am not getting any younger. The above argument can stand if I was in my twenties. But in 5 years time I will be 40, and I don't want to look back then and feel regret.

So therefore, Geraldine and I are back together. I will be asking her to marry me and she's expecting this. However we're still a long way of getting anything settled or finalised but still, it's a start. The last few weeks have made me realise that she is the one for me. She will be coming with me to Malacca end of December so she'll get to meet the entire Sequerah clan! (a great way to start eh?). After all she is going to be a Sequerah soon.

I am whole again...

Life in Dubai - Eid's all Good Day 1

2008-09-30T22:58:00.000+04:00

Today I spent close to 12 hours hanging our with Heisham and Mr and Mrs Beaver. We all gathered at Heisham's place at around 10.30am and in true Hari Raya fashion, stuffed ourselves silly with Lontong, Serondeng, Beef Rendang, Spicy Prawns (courtesy of Mr/Mrs Beaver) and my Nasi Goreng Kampung. We then watched two movies on Heisham's fabulous BenQ plasma flatscreen before resuming food consumption round 3 (round 2 was the mid movie snacks).

In the evening we then adjourned to our usual coffeeshop haunt downstairs until about 10pm.

And I have just completed my online booking to go home in December for 2 weeks. My trip home will take in Christmas, the unprecedented Sequerah clan meet up in Malacca on the 28th as well as New Year's eve/day.

Life in Dubai - Eid is Good!

2008-09-29T20:55:00.000+04:00

Tomorrow the Eid Al Fitr holidays begin. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have been declared public holidays. So along with the weekend of Friday and Saturday, that gives us FIVE days of no work! My fun begins tonight. And knowing full well how time will eventually fly and all this will be but a pleasant memory, I am going to blog each and every day for the next 5 days so that I can relive them all over again when eid's (pardon the pun) all over.

Yes, eid's all good (yes..that bad pun again)!

Life in Dubai

2008-09-28T00:21:00.001+04:00

I thinking I am eating waaaaaay too much here!

Life in Dubai - Cookery..

2008-09-27T15:26:00.000+04:00

Since my planned scuba diving trip got cancelled I decided to give Mama's grilled chicken recipe a go.

I think I overdid it slightly with the black peppers and nutmeg powder but the chiken turned out "ok" enough. Note to self: Go easy on the black pepper and nutmeg the next time.

Once again folks, NO home deliveries!

Life in Dubai - I was really really Bored.

2008-09-27T14:48:00.000+04:00

Ok I was really really bored so I decided to goof around and experiment with new concepts for profile photos. I put on my diving hood, wetsuit top, placed the 80mm on the D80 on a tripod and held my rangefinder lenses to my face.

Toy Soldiers

2008-09-27T01:02:00.001+04:00

I LOVE Toy soldiers! Its been a love I've had ever since I was a child.

British Napoleonic Soldiers, 15mm AB Figures

15mm Portuguese Napoleonic Soldiers.

All these figures have been lovingly collected and painted by me. Unfortunately I do not seem to be painting as much these days...

Life in Dubai - Caught by the Paparazzi!

2008-09-26T17:40:00.001+04:00

2 photographers were going around taking shots during last week's UAESG.com Mid Autumn Festival do at the Consul General's residence. As a result some of our faces got published in yesterday's Khaleej's City Times under "Party Patrol". Although I would hardly call it a party as there was no booze. Yes, your eyes do not deceive you for that is I at the extreme left with the baseball cap on.

If you asked me, I feel the best part of the entire hot and humid evening was when I finally took down the last of the lanterns and I was handed an ice cold bottle of Tiger Beer by CG. The first few gulps was pure joy...

Life in Dubai - Cookery..

2008-09-26T12:43:00.000+04:00

Thanks to Dira, I managed to get Mama's (Grandmother) recipe for Nasi Goreng Kampung! Without going into the nitty gritty details, here's how you do it.

Grab some garlic, onions, red chillis and belachan (important).

Cut them up and chuck them into a mortar (Or blender if pounding ain't your thang).

Pound like there's no tomorrow until like so..

After heating cooking oil in a wok, fry the pounded contents until fragrant. Then break in an egg.

Add in rice (cook the rice first lah) and fry away. Add in a bit of Sweet Soy sauce if this is desirable to you.

Viola! The final mouth watering product. I assure you my nasi goreng kampung tastes a whole lot better than Noodle Bowl's. SEDAP!

(and no I don't do home deliveries.)

Life in Dubai - The World is Small.

2008-09-24T22:50:00.000+04:00

About 2 weeks back I got to know Jane, a fellow Singaporean in Dubai. We were part of the team that contributed to the Mid Autumn Festival get-together at the Consul General's (that's him in the back) residence. Over the last weekend, we made the startling discovery that we were both from the same secondary school and entered secondary 1 at the same time! And we have not even met each other before! On top of that she was classmates with my childhood friends and neighbour! The world is small indeed. :)

Life in Dubai - Belachan!

2008-09-24T19:31:00.000+04:00

THANK YOU HEISHAM FOR THE BELACHAN!!!!!!!

Sacred sacred belachan. Only one but it's more than what I need. I told Elaine to bring 5 more! At least I can repay Heisham back.

Life in Dubai - Food and Photography

2008-09-22T09:51:00.000+04:00

Thai Go eatery

Leica M6, Nokton 35mm f1.2, Ilford Delta 3200.
Weekly eats with Heisham, Beaver (yes, his real name) and his wife, May. Last week we went to this small Thai food eatery. It was as close as it could get to the real thing and boy was it good. Thankfully they do home deliveries as well so I took a menu. Then after dinner we went for ice cream and coffee and ended up feeling absolutely stuffed and satisfied. And it was great knowing we could all wake up late the next day.

These shots were taken on my all time favourite film Ilford Delta 3200 and developed in Ilfosol 3 in my study bathroom. I discovered they sold Ilford developing chemicals at Wafi mall's photography section. Its good knowing I'll have an alternative to using my HC-110 which I can reserve solely for my Kodak rolls.

Life in Dubai

2008-09-17T07:49:00.000+04:00

I am beginning to realise that I suffer from a very short attention span. Perhaps that is why I have so many hobbies. When I tire of one I can move on to the next easily and my attention gets rotated. However this can be a real problem in my current job as going through contracts will be a huge monumental task.
I have problems retaining information and I lack concentration. And when I wear a tie it gets worse. I have Gingko Biloba but I keep forgetting to take them.

Life in Dubai - I was bored.

2008-09-15T22:14:00.001+04:00

Ok...I was "bored" or just messing around with scanning negatives, working on photoshop and surfin the net. I developed a roll of Ilford 3200 earlier this evening and they had pictures of Zee's Birthday BBQ back in April or May this year. needless to say it brought back fond memories.