Mabul-KL

The last day in Mabul July 26th 2009
Departed from Mabul around 1130am, thanks to the other 14 colleagues of this photography trip, team captain Amin, muchas gracias.
Not to forget,thanks to scuba jeff!

In year 2009, i went to Perhentian Island and Mabul Island, two among the best islands in Malaysia and world. Right now, perhaps i just can watch the Sipadan island from Mabul, one day by God's Will, i'll be there InsyaAllah

Travelling and Photography is the best buddy!

Kapalai-Bajau Laut Village

July 25th 2009, the fourth day photography trip to Mabul. We went to Kapalai Resort, one of the luxurios resorts around Mabul. The rate per night around 1000MYR and inclusive the transportation from Tawau-Semporna. For honeymoon couple, this place is heaven! The renovation works still in progress at the island.

Headed back to Mabul around the noon, resting and having lunch. The fish were just so fresh, irresistable. 95% of my photography collections in Mabul until day 4th were taken using available, anywhere that i can apply the simplicity in photography.

The photos at Bajau Laut Village, the story of the daily activities of the people here. I love capturing the kids expressions, emotions that flow continuosly. The beauty of their life and the surrounding that they were living in, made me stunned. Deep in my heart said, it was the natural beauty of Bajau Laut people.

Witnessing the sunset at the jetty, the red yellowish sky in the horizon of Sulawesi sea, will never forget the experience. Then we bought some Yellow Fin Tunas for the barbeque. Yummy!

Semporna-Mabul

Early morning in Semporna, woke up so early after not having enough sleep last night, not to make any delay for the trip to Mabul! Everybody seems to be very happy and in a few minutes we boarded onto the boat and departed to Mabul.

About an hour we reach Lai's Homestay, the water was damn clear. One of the best scnearios was, the villagers went out to the shallow waters around their home (after tide) to collect the shells and dead corals for souvenirs.

Quite a lot of number of divers staying at this homestay, most of them from European Country such as Germany, Norway (to name a few).

Around 330pm, we started to explore the island and i really like the ambient, full of innocent kids and babies, a lot of actions and emotions.

Sunrise tomorrow morning?

Just a quick update for today!!!

The Islands around Semporna !

Now 335am, Semporna Malaysian time. Still at the Arung Hayat cafe from 11pm. Doing some works and just finished them. Alhamdulillah
And i need to write something before the new day starts tomorrow as i want to updates the journal regularly.

After a tiring 1st day journey all the way from Kuala Lumpur-Tawau-Semporna, the 2nd day began with a BIG BANG! Just got really excited, when we arrive at the first island, Omadal,one of the water villages of Bajau community here. The kids showing their natural excitement as we approaching their village.

The second island was Maiga, having a short walk around and shooting the 'subjects' there. I really amazed with the life of the folks, especially the children here. Living such a simple life, far from the busy cities.

Having lunch at Sibuan, the last island of the 2nd day. Snorkling and enjoying the live coral there.

Will update for the third (3) day ! Here the teasers chill!

KL-Tawau-Semporna

We've landed around 1010am Malaysian time at Tawau Airport and the weather is just not that bright, cloudy. Maybe the effect of eclipse that happen in India-some part of China, really cold day but with a little sunshine at first

There were two (2) vans that brought us to Semporna town, to withdraw some cash as there was no ATM at our residential; Arung Hayat. Supposedly, we were heading straight to Mabul island under Scuba Jeff. Due to safety reasons (related to the eclipse and tsunami prediction by Malaysian Meteorological Department-MMD) we have to stay at Arung Hayat for at least two(2) consecutive days. Until now, i still keep on browsing the MMD website to get any latest update about the tsunami.

Tomorrow, fifteen of us will go on island hopping at three (3) different islands. Hope to get the best photos from the activity. I just can't wait to shoot the life of Bajau Laut Community. Ulalallala !!!

Here are some teasers from our 1st day in Sabah, to be exact Semporna! I will put the detail photo updates after completing our stay in Semporna. From now, i will keep updating the news and teasers from here ;) InsyaAllah

Want more?

Packing

it's 1243am Wednesday July 22nd 2009
need to sleep already but still in putting thing into the bag
prefer to do the last minute packing as i don't want my mind to be restless
slowly, all things you need to bring will be inside the bag

In every journey, around 3 days prior to the take-off date, i will start scribbling ideas, things into my small note book. (it's a book not a lappy, coz sometimes i don't bring my lappy). Only few hours left then i start to pack, like im doing now, still in packing stage but find a few minutes blogging; to keep updating

4am i need to wake up, travel as light as we can

Nite all, now 1:05am

Budget hotels in Kuching

Kuching city is 'day-city'
nightlife is just so unexplainable boring (not telling about the clubs)
the shops around the main bazaar will close around 530pm
the same goes to India street shops
The tips is, go and 'see' Kuching life early in the morning starts around 630am

Just google search (i prefer to use with this), try to find some good backpackers hut or hotel there. You will find a good one that suits your budget.

Manchester United Training

July 17th 2009, Man Utd-defending champion of EPL come to Malaysia as part of Asia Tour. Together with Fad, Diba, E-one and Shila we went to Bukit Jalil Stadium to watch the training session and the ambient.

Michael Owen, the new signing from Newcastle also included in this tour team. However, Man Utd had cancelled the tour to Indonesia due to the two (2) hotels bombing early Friday morning.

Up next! the Shout Award at Stadium Putra!

Spontaneous

A few hours before my flight back to KL i spent my time at Kuching Waterfront-main bazaar area. Suddenly i saw this uncle and the rest of 'drama' that last for 1 minute.

Actually, it is the entrance to the Perahu Tambang jetty at Kuching Waterfront and blocked by the construction site. The only way to get there, need to get through the site.
Dangerous!

Enjoy!