May 2006 Holiday Trip: Post-Thai

When we reached Ipoh, for the first night, we had the privilege to stay at Wong GH (kindly sponsored by Po Ling). Uncle Wong was kind enough to drop us off before reaching the GH for a bowl of Chendol famous in Ipoh.

Wong GH indeed is a well recommended GH. Our dear Po Ling even became a tour guide for the day. We visited Kek Lok Tong, one of the more natural 'Holes' in Ipoh. If you're interested in caves, you would love Ipoh coz Ipoh is full of them.

For the 2nd day in Ipoh, we had the privilege to stay at Leow Guest House (kindly sponsored by San Min). Right before we depart from Ipoh to KL, Uncle and Auntie Leow brought us for Dim Sum breakfast! Though I haven't been to Hong Kong, from what I see on TV, this place gives me that HK Dim Sum restaurant feel!

May 2006 Holiday Trip: Thai

Chiang Mai

Mae Salong

In Mae Salong, we stayed at ShinSane GH. This GH is run by a Mr Ho. A very friendly fella, even invited us for liquor session. All he needs to do is ride to a nearby place and pick up more bottles from his friend. We stayed in a 'bungalow', a big place meant for about 7-8 people. 6 people in the room for 500THB per night is quite cheap. The environment is pretty quiet and serene too!

Our Chiang Mai acquaintance, Auntie Jasmine and Uncle Ricky, brought MahJong while they travel! What else is there to do at night? A table was set up right outside the rooms at ShinSane!

One of the things-to-see at Mae Salong is the morning market, which conveniently is very very near to Shin Sane. The light pollution from the sun was intentional. Hopefully the glare adds some feeling to the picture rather than distract the viewer. What do you think?

This was taken at morning market at Mae Salong. While the three girls were busy chatting with the Auntie selling the straps, what else can I do? Just snap away!

Near the morning market, there was this indoor market. The first stall was this stall which sells Thai You Tiao. This shows the ingredients/equipment used to product You Tiao.

Chiang Rai

This buddha statue reminds me of works by Botero. It is located at Wat Phra Singha. Chinese would be able to distinguish that this ain't the Laughing Buddha or Mi Le Fo. This is indeed a slightly plump Buddha. Anyone who knows Thai can help translate the blue sign attached to the base of the buddha?

While walking up to Wat Doi Tong, we passed by a few residential areas like this.

It was not rare to see dragons at Wat(s) in Thailand, but the opportunity to catch a Chinese Dragon is one not to be missed!! Taken at Wat Doi Tong too.

This is the temple, from which I shot the Chinese Dragon. Another very "chinese" temple indeed!

Bangkok

This was taken while we were walking to Viman Mek Mansion from our Bangkok GH. The mansion was a destination prior to visiting the Orchard Road of Bangkok. Check out the colours of the sky without using polariser or any other filter!

When we reached Bangkok, China Town was one of the destination. This trip, we managed to explore the Public Bus system. We boarded a bus from the Grand Palace. Thanks to the kind uncle and auntie and kid we met along the way, we managed to make our way to China Town, Bangkok!

Aah.. let me introduce my favourite model for the trip - Miau. She has gained the award for Best Model in my opinion. =) Natural ain't she? This was located right outside the Zoo in Bangkok, near the Old Parliament.

Another model of the year is Ben, but he is the direct opposite of Miau. He likes to pose, in funny ways especially. This was shot at Grand Palace, Bangkok. Check out his Big Gun!

I nearly forgot about this pic! Well, as requested, I have to cover up their face. BUT.. if you know who they are, and want to know what they were doing, you can ask anyone who was on the trip! It's pretty obvious though... lol

This is one the most frequented stall that I know. It's located at Soi Ramburi, near Khao San Road at Banglamphu area. It sells fruit juice, blended. What you get is blended fruit with only ice. A mixture of banana and mango and ice costs only 20THB. Right before I left, I took 3 cups. Well recommended to all!

As the title suggest, this is the Giant Swing!! Well, we can't see the swing, can only see the frame at which the swing should be swung from.

This is the Democracy Monument! We passed by this when we were walking to the Giant Swing. This is monument is a roundabout itself. Luckily there was divider from which I took this shot, else I would have to stop in the middle of the pedestrian crossing to shoot!!

This is a montage of our final dinner at Bangkok. Let's see, the from Top Left in clockwise motion, I had Carbonara. Miau had Ham Sandwich. San Min and Po Ling had Pineapple Fried Rice each, served in real halves of Pineapple. Referring to the centre pic, Ben had his share of Caesar Salad. This was the most expensive dinner I had in Thai. The carbonara cost 100THB! With another bottle of liquor, the cost of the dinner for me was 220THB!!!

Another shot Bangkok Don Muang Airport near the boarding gate. I just like the contrast and the pattern on the floor which disappears to the bright area.

A shot through the window at Bangkok Don Muang Airport near the boarding gate.

May 2006 Holiday Trip: Pre-Thai

Yes, the title can't be more obvious. I had the opportunity to go travelling right before the next phase of life commences. On 15th, we stopped by Genting. By 17th noon, we reached Chiang Mai. Our adventure started from Chiang Mai, to Mae Salong, to Mae Sai, day trip to Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen, then to Chiang Rai. From there, it was a 12 to 13-hour long bus ride to Bangkok where we spent 3 nights, 2 of which is at a guest house.

It was really fun with the group of people around. At Genting, the group consist of 12 people. That number diminished to 6 for the Thai trip.

As the trip was not themed for photography, I went with rather little gear. My Lowepro was packed with only my D5D and 24-85, with no additional filter other than the attached UV filter. I shot about 300 pictures less than expected initially. The pictures will be posted up shortly as I go through them slowly. Heh. The photos are organized into Pre-Thai, Thai and Post-Thai trip, since the trip originated around the Thailand trip. =)

Pre-Thai

This was taken at malaysia KLIA LCCT(Low Cost Carrier Terminal). When boarding the plane, there was not covered walkway. So while walkingon the tarmac, there was just sufficient chance to fire a few shots.

Taken at KLIA LCCT too!

This was taken at Genting, through the window where we stayed. We stayed at First World Hotel, Level 13 (weird to find Level 13 at hotels though).

In the mist of all the photo shooting at genting, I took this photo. Too bad for Po Ling when she was intentionally made blur. Heh. Check out the enlarged photo of the fingers on the camera. Can you guess who it belongs to?

Shop Front Photography #1

A friend approached me to help shoot his shop front and some of the menus. The whole shoot took 2.5 hours. I think that the time taken was reasonable, considering that not much advanced information on the settings, feel, item to be taken etc was given. Here are some of the shots.

Bakin Boys. Located at Cineleisure, Orchard.

This was taken with D5D mounted on tripod, triggering 2 wireless flash 1 on each side to light up the menu underneath the shop sign.

A closeup of the cookies that is sold.

Below are several packages that would be sold by the shop. I guess for food photography, the important thing is that the picture makes you drool! If you drool, or can imagine the taste in your mouth, or the urge to try, the picture is good. Otherwise, there is room for improvement.