Rapsodi 2008

It is my first time to step into the Brunei TV station - the old building beside Brunei's Library (hopefully will get a chance to tour the new TV station someday) - to attend RTB and Suria collaborated Annual Musical "Live" performance from both the countries 'Rapsodi 2008'. Although the live performances beamed "live" for both nations lasted an hour and a half, it seems eternal for me...must learn Malay asap...hardly able to gasp what the singers are singing...but at least I know Rapsodi means Music in Swedish... yeah?

Lake Ride

The second trip to Tasek Merimbun last weekend was fulfilling as we took the boat ride to have a view of the famous dark water lake in Brunei. The weather was really bad the day before, and lucky enough, our day was a 'dry' one but the clouds were magnificent. The sight of the lake on the boat ride was awesome and while swirling through the mangroove, it kind of reminded me Kranji River back home...

There is a new bridge that will lead you to a BBQ, camping site, a small island on the lake... not advisable to stay overnight... crocodiles loves BBQ food...

Tasek Merimbum

The largest black water lake in Brunei Darussalam - Tasek Merimbum. It is one of the Asean National Heritage Sites whereby declared as vicinity for nature reserve. Remarkably rich in flora and fauna, you get really close to nature when you take the trails. The water lake is really a pretty sight and there are boat rides to get around, if you lucky, encounter some crocodiles...

Dusun is the earliest settlement in the area, and to me the Dusun population do look like Chinese...which I think might be strongly linked to a Chinese original...maybe back to 1421...where Zheng He started to roam around...

Landscape... Land with a View

Horticulture..Landscape...really some big words after you really go into the 'art' of getting plants healthy, lively, blooming and 'dancing in the wind'.

you need to know things that plants live on...potassium...nitrogen...all never cross my mind, and when these merge...you get a land with a view...

A lot of readings need to be done and well I need to read some...impressive books loaned including Istana, Botanic Gardens back home...

and you will start to appreciate these 'balinese styles': presenting the greens in the most relaxing and smoothing manner to your senses, really an art...

Biggest Residential Palace

Once a year, the world largest residential building will open its gates and invite all to have a feast upon celebration of the Hari Raya.

My second visit to the compound is still in awe with the magnificent façade and interior of this structure… everywhere is glitteringly, sparkling and everyone is preparing the coming 3 days of open house – a feat I would say impressive...imagine over 100,000 people coming to visit and everyone is eager to wait for their turn just for that handshake of HIS… spendid job.

Upon chancing to take a few shots of the place, I immediately agreed and garnered energy for this ½ hour stint…with limited space to roam…but still all the pictures are awesome, simply because it’s really grand…

Biennale

Biennale…contemporary art… http://www.singaporebiennale.org/


You should take a look before 16 November, the exhibition venues are quite a few but the art pieces are not really utilizing the given space efficiently.


It is still highly recommended for a visit, browsing art pieces on a weekend with your loved ones and visiting some of the colonial buildings you might have never visited in your lifetime still.

For me, yeah I have never been into most of these buildings…internally; externally you will know them well, because they are great photography backdrops for occasions…













And a time-off, appreciate art and let your mind go from the busy daily schedule...

Home and Passion

My September trip back home was a rekindle of the passion for the art I long lost. Being requested to be the actual day photographer for my young cousin – I took half a day to ponder whether will I live up to expectation or should I just introduce some of the associates who are still in the trade. Eventually I was on the flight back home, simply because I miss my wife, Maggie, a lot…which was more of the decision to head home for a break…









Moments...I have started to rediscover the adrenaline of photography…when in your mind you know you had taken the shot well…you have captured the ‘Moment’…

770i

I have been a freelance photographer since my early 20s, doing actual day wedding photography. And back then eveything was much of film-based. Evolution in technology and stagnation in my craft have made me drifted apart with this passion.

But things evolve so fast...you have 8 megapixel camera phones...

Digital SLR with 20,000+ ASA capable of taking pictures
in absolute low light...it is just amazing. My pictures
remain simple with the simple tools... my camera phone 770i.

The Night Market

The buzzing night market with arrays of cooked food, a long lost scene back home in Singapore. Mostly bbq food like sambal fish, chicken wings and parts, deep fried stuff... and they are tasty indeed.