View of Harbour Front from Sentosa

I wanted to go out on a photo shoot today but it was overcast sky today. So another time.

Meanwhile here is a view of the Harbour Front and Vivocity shopping centers as viewed from the side of Resort World Sentosa. Plenty of garden landscaping around the sides. The blue seawater look very calm but in actual fact the currents are very strong. With the structure of the boardwalk along the bridge heading to Sentosa, you can see the swirl of water currents, even feel the vibration.

Further down on the left bank the construction of the Hard Rock Hotel is still going on. So there are more new development to come in Sentosa. Looking forward to see it.

 

Tropical Island

I was playing around with the art filter the other day. This is one of the result.

I like it. It reminds me a bit of the opening scene in the Star Wars movies. Text are slanted and gets smaller and smaller as they moved further away to the horizon. Very similar to this “perspective” art filter.

This view was on the right side of the jetty of Tioman Island. That is, if you are facing the island and your back is to the sea. Really breathtaking view. We took the same type of boats when we went for the island hopping trip. Do you wonder how the boatmen get into the boats when they are out at sea? By kayaks, sampans and even a wooden raft.

It was really rustic and fitted an idyllic landscape.

 

Blue-Green Sea, Green Mountain – Tioman Island

Tioman Island - view from the jetty

I was just there last month. The beach and mountain scenery is beautiful!

This is the view as seen from the jetty. The bright yellow hut really stands out. The place belongs to a retail shop opposite selling tropical island clothes. There is a store room there and next to it, there are plenty of seats – idyll for watching the scenery goes by and waiting for the ferry. Walk further to the left side, that is where Paya Beach Resort is located.

The sand here is rather course and there are lots of big rocks at the beach. The tides, waves and currents here are very strong. So be careful when swimming. For safety concern, it may be a good idea to wear the floating devices.

You can even see the sea corals from the jetty. Several years ago the sea corals were dying due to overfishing. Today the corals are very much protected. The green mountains are left unspoilt as they should be. There are mountain trekking tours here if anyone is interested. We did not try that as our parents are old and have walking difficulties.

It is really quiet and peaceful here. Bring back memories of living in a kampong.

Related Post
Tioman Island Holiday Getaway
Island Hopping Trip around Tioman Island

 

Red Bridge

Red Bridge at Geo Park, Langkawi

The super bright bridge painted red at the Geo Park, Langkawi Island, Malaysia.

I have always liken these types of bridges as those found in a Japanese garden. Love the reflection. The green mountain range on the horizon is called Mt Mat Cincang or Mat Cincang Mountain. It has been left pretty much intact except for the cable car development and some of the resort huts built high in the mountains.

The colour red. What does it imply? To me, many things. Bold, vibrant, seize the moment, beautiful, courage, danger, attention seeker, culture, brilliance, risk taker. What does red means to you?

Well, if you need a bit of armour or something to brighten up a dull outfit, wear something red. Red shoes, red bag, belt, boots, etc. Feel the difference.

 

Water Lily – Moment of Serenity

Water Lily - Langkawi

This is a close-up of the water lilies in the Geo Park at Langkawi Island, Malaysia.

The bigger and darker ones are the older leaves whereas the bright green ones are the younger generations. The patches of yellow on top are the reflections of the retail shops banners. Pretty pinkish-red flowers. There are two curve bridges across the pond. Tomorrow I will upload the red bridge.

How do you define serenity? Looking at a surreal landscape, by being alone in the wilderness, religion? Whatever that be, I hope you find yours.

Whatever the surroundings, when life gets too tough, just do this simple exercise. It just take less than 5 minutes. Rub your hands briskly. Close your eyes and place the finger tips or the palm there. Feel the heat and think of one moment in time or place that make you happy and give you peace. Visualize it and imagine you are right there.

Seize that moment of serenity.

 

Tranquil Garden

Peaceful Garden at Langkawi Geo-Park

Going by a “Green” theme this week.

This is somewhere much nearer to home. This was taken at Langkawi, one of Malaysia’s beautiful island. Duty free – so plenty of shopping to go around.

I like this place. It is very tranquil. In the middle of the place, among the retail shops lie a Japanese garden. Lots of fish in the water. The cable car station is located in this area. The view at the platform on top is terrific! It is also quite shaky and windy.

Langkawi has many beautiful beaches and a respite from a lifestyle of stress.

 

Smiley Faces in Guda Bishnoi Village, Jodhpur

Photo credit : Danielal from http://www.dreamstime.com/danielal_info

Last Sunday, I had this post about showing a picture from another photographer. It all started because I have accumulated credits for writing blog articles at Dreamstime. I want to make use of the credits and what better ways to use them than to download pictures from other photographers or illustrators. Those photos I can use for writing articles in this blog. The challenge is to write something about those pictures.

About that picture – in Danielal’s own words :
“The boys: We were in Jodhpur, the “blue city of Rajasthan”. From there a half-day trip to several very small rural villages was offered (called “Guda Bishnoi village safari”). Each village, consisting of not more than 3-5 huts each, produces something different. They are all organised, so one village produces for example carpets, the inhabitants of the other produce clay pottery, in one village the woman are knitting etc. Adjacent to one of the villages there was a group of boys playing cricket on a field. When they saw us foreigners, they ran over and asked a lot of questions (where we come from, what’s our names etc). It was a small conversation and we told them, that in our country we don’t know much about cricket. We asked for a picture of the team and they were very proud and happy to see themselves on our camera”.

Why this picture?
I remember well what it was like living in a village. Everybody knows everybody else. So when strangers come by, they are the source of curiosity. Children being children are not afraid to ask questions and may well follow visitors wherever they go. Those happy faces make me smile. What I see in this picture is unity. A favourite sports activity make friends out of strangers. Don’t know much about cricket but I do know it is a national sport in India. I did a bit of research of Jodhpur, India and Guda Bishnoi village.

Interesting facts about Jodhpur, India
– Jodhpur is also known as the “Blue City” – due to its distinctive houses painted bright blue around
the Mehrangarh Fort
– Another name for Jodhpur is the “Sun City” – bright and sunny weather all year, so appropriately named
– Jodhpur is located near the centre of Rajasthan state
– The old city is surrounded by a stone wall
– Handicrafts is a booming industry in the city and there are a number of tours going to the nearby villages

Interesting facts about Guda Bishnoi Village
– The village is about 25 kms from the main city of Jodhpur
– Guda Bishnoi Lake is a man-made lake – an ideal place to have a picnic, observe nature and wild life
– The place is steep in traditions, customs and tribal life

I am glad the villagers show visitors a glimpse of their culture, arts and crafts and heritage. The links below give a wider range of information if anyone wish to see more pictures and information of these places. From what I read, they paint pictures of vitality, great moments for photography and wonderful people.

Thanks for sharing your story, Danielal!

Links
Danielal’s Profile
Wikipedia
The Itch Mag
Guda Bishnoi Village

Google Map

 

Queenstown Panorama

Early morning at Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand

I opted for a grittier look this time. Dawn in Queenstown – the adventure capital in New Zealand’s South Island.

I had seen Queenstown in its many moods. From bright sunshine, clear blue skies, snowy mountains, pretty rainbow to dark stormy skies. So many faces, such interesting scenarios. In this scene, dawn was chased away by the bright rays of sunlight. The right side of the frame was still very dark.

If there is only 3 days to spare in South Island, stay here in Queenstown. There is an endless range of activities to choose from. Skydiving, jetboating, rafting, mountain biking, hiking. Just name your poison. Trips to Milford Sounds and Doubtful Sounds also starts here.

For photography locations, the pier or the boardwalk is an ideal place. The Remarkables mountain range is on the left side. Winter dawn and sunset has a pinkish glow and there are times when a fiery sunset blaze the horizon with trails of colours. If memory is right, sunrise is on the right side of the boardwalk and sunset is on the left side. For a vantage point and a panorama of the scenery, take the cable car to the Skyline.

Really wish I am right there now. Feeling so nostalgic.

Related posts
5 Reasons to Visit Queenstown, New Zealand
Things to do and See in Queenstown
5 Top Places and Activities in New Zealand
New Zealand Airports : Auckland, Christchurch & Queenstown

 

Peaceful Lake Wanaka Black and White

Panorama Lake Wanaka in Black and White

I love coming to Lake Wanaka, New Zealand as I find it laid back and quieter after the adrenaline adventures in Queenstown. They have a big New Market supermarket here for groceries shopping.

Most of all, I love the lake. Take a stroll at either sides of the lake – it is so peaceful. I stood at this very pier a few times to feed the ducks. Where there is food, they will come flying from the air and zap! Hey, the bread is the gone! It was an really amazing sight watching those flocks of birds zooming at you from the air. Attack of the ducks!

It is truly spectacular in autumn with wild ranges of vibrant yellow, amber, orange and all the colours in between serenading the lake. Beautiful.

Related posts on Lake Wanaka
Chill Out at Wanaka
Lakeshore Hiking in Wanaka

 

Ghostly Waterfall in Black and White

Stirling Waterfall at Milford Sound

This was taken during winter on the boat trip at Milford Sound, New Zealand. I had been there twice, in October (spring) and August (winter). I must say the volume of water during spring was much higher compared to winter. Understandable since ice was melting, resulting in the higher volume of water.

It was actually bright daylight but the camera setting was switched to night mode. It came out much darker and resulted in the ghostly waterfall effect by using a much slower shutter speed.

If one look very closely, there are many odd and ghostly shapes in the boulders and rocks.