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My journey

Marina Barrage in the late afternoon

Marina Barrage and Gardens by the Bay, places for outdoor activities in Singapore

By Landscape and cityscape, Lifestyle, My journey
Marina Barrage in the late afternoon (iPhonegraphy)

Marina Barrage in the late afternoon (iPhonegraphy)

Mid of October, during my visit to Singapore for meeting with clients for upcoming wedding assignment, we had a chance to visit to Marina Barrage for the first time.

Henry, my childhood friend traveled together and we then met up with our good friend, Koh Yiaw who works in Singapore. He was generous to bring us around in Singapore.

After meeting up with my clients, we told Koh Yiaw that we had not been to Marina Barrage and Gardens by the Bay, although we had been to Singapore for so many times.

The afternoon in Singapore was warm and windy, a fine day for outdoor activities. While waiting for the Big Trees of the Gardens by the Bay to light up in the evening, we drove to Marina Barrage which is next to the it within 5-10 minutes walking distance, to spend the afternoon before the sun set.

The Marina Barrage is a dam built across the mouth of Marina Channel, to help alleviating floods of same areas and supplying water. On top of that, the facility is further utilized by providing a rooftop park for recreational activities.

Koh Yiaw showed us around the dam and brought us to the rooftop park. There were people there hanging out with friends, picnic, kite-surfing, exercising, drone flying, and some even lying on the grass for sun-bathing.

Henry (left) and Koh Yiaw enjoying sunset at the rooftop park of Marina Barrage (iPhonegraphy)

Henry (left) and Koh Yiaw enjoying sunset at the rooftop park of Marina Barrage (iPhonegraphy)

Later afternoon, as sun was going to set, the crowd started to come in, with groups of tourists, prewedding shooting couples, landscape and cityscape photographers, evening yoga lovers and so on. It was the best time to have the view of sunset over Singapore city with Marina Bay Sands in silhouette.

We could see Big Trees of Gardens by the Bay, the gigantic artificial trees were lighted up after the sun set. We then left Marina Barrage and headed for the Big Trees before the sky turned completely dark.

Big Trees of Gardens by the Bay with Marina Bay Sands in scene (iPhonegraphy

Big Trees of Gardens by the Bay with Marina Bay Sands in scene (iPhonegraphy

The parking of Gardens by the Bay was full and cars were queuing for parking spaces. We did a quick stop to get close to the Big Trees near the ticketing counters, to experience how gigantic the lighted trees. Before the sky went dark, photographing the lighted trees with the colorful sky as backdrop can be interesting and spiced up the mood of the photographs.

Thank you Koh Yiaw again for spending half the day with us showing the two interesting places of Singapore, and also brought us for wonderful meals and coffee.

If you would love to visit the two places, just Google Map and search for Marina Barrage or Gardens by the Bay. The places are reachable with public transport including MRT.

They are next to each other and the admission is free for Marina Barrage and ticket is required on certain areas of Gardens by the Bay. Visit of the outdoor gardens and the Big Trees is however free.

2011 瑞士雪山~少女峰

By My journey, Photography

2011年12月1日 晴天 心情开心

属于我自己的街头漫步 - 瑞士雪山~少女峰

这天是我在欧洲旅游的第八天,也是身在瑞士中部的城镇因特拉肯(Interlaken)的第二天。

早啊,美丽的城镇。这儿的空气清新的不得了,没有喧哗的闹市,适度的温度,使我一夜好眠。早晨6.30的Morning Call与电话闹钟的优雅声在耳边响起,让我不得不离开那张依偎一夜的被窝。今天不是说好自由行吗?那为何那么早起身呢?因为在这2011年12月的第一天送自己一份最好的礼物。我呀,想要让自己在瑞士雪上有称欧洲屋脊的—少女峰留下自己的一步一脚印。套一句旅社留言本上的一句中文:“此生不到少女峰,枉做当年痴情女”。哈,真是这样吗?

早晨7.30待在酒店享用早餐。我在欧洲的这几天,第一次在酒店里享用到有炒饭的早餐,真是感恩啊。牛角面包,芝士,牛奶等不是不好吃,而是中餐突然显得可贵些。或许是因为这儿比较多的旅客是来自亚洲吧。

常言道:早起的鸟儿有虫吃,所以吃完早餐大约早上8.30我就乘坐巴士出发去乘搭欧洲最高铁路~齿轮火车登上少女峰了。瑞士旅游业大部分位于阿尔卑斯山区,所以从因特拉肯(Interlaken)的道路去劳特布龙嫩(Lauterbrunnen)是窄狭也弯曲的。因为巴士沿山而道,所以一路上,入眼的窗外风景都属绿中带黄的草地或是山脉。不过,当巴士渐渐地往劳特布龙嫩(Lauterbrunnen)前进时,看入眼的却是白茫茫的雪地,枯了了的树枝上都像染了点点的白色小球球,白色三角屋塔下的木屋很可爱,山峰都盖上了雪白色,非常漂亮。这样的景色让我觉得自己好像自身在童话故事里。叮叮叮,告诉我圣诞节快到了,快把袜子挂在门前,哈。

早晨,沿途从因特拉肯(Interlaken)去劳特布龙嫩(Lauterbrunnen)的窗外风景。

早晨,沿途从因特拉肯(Interlaken)去劳特布龙嫩(Lauterbrunnen)的窗外风景。

大约一个多小时的车程,我便抵达了劳特布龙嫩(Lauterbrunnen)火车站。我需要从这儿乘坐火车到克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg), 那样我才可以乘坐齿轮火车登上少女峰。(这才是目地)

基本上,无论你在瑞士的任何一个地方, 想登上少女峰就必须从因特拉肯(Interlaken)的东站起程,因为这里是黄金线的中转站。而且在因特拉肯(Interlaken)这儿有火车通往卢塞恩和瑞士首都波恩等城市,交通便利。在因特拉肯(Interlaken)东站出发的火车,有分为两种航线去抵达少女峰。那就是东线和西线。如果坐从西线起程的火车就会经过劳特布鲁嫩( Lauterbrunnen ),这里以其峡谷和瀑布闻名。不过,如果做从东线起程的火车,就会经过格林德沃( Grindelwald ),这儿就以其田园风光,雪山下的民居而闻名。前提是无论选哪条航线都必须换两次火车。这两边航线的火车都会到达克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)。不过所需的时间就得根据途中换乘的连贯情况而略有差别。最后去往少女峰的登山火车是同属一辆火车(齿轮火车)。因为这两条航线的风景各 花入各眼,为了不让自己留下埋怨的声音,所以我选择了从劳特布龙嫩(Lauterbrunnen)登上克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)再坐齿轮火车登上少女峰,回返的路途我就从克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)往格林德沃( Grindelwald )下山,再回到因特拉肯(Interlaken)。来回路线就这样定了。

前往乘搭火车到克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)入口处见到了可爱的温馨标志。

前往乘搭火车到克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)入口处见到了可爱的温馨标志。

火车站有很详细的指示。

火车站有很详细的指示。

买了票根前往克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg),再来就是等待火车的到来。也许太早抵达火车站,我变成乘搭火车的第一班客户。随手在火车站拿了张少女峰的地图,随意的翻阅。得知少女峰位于瑞士旅游城市因特拉肯市正南方二三十公里处。它拥有海拔4158米、纬度46°32′12.5″N,经度 7°57′45.5″E。他是阿尔卑斯山,乃至欧洲的最高峰之一。在少女峰的断层中,其余有两峰为艾格峰(Eiger,3970米)及莫希峰(Mönch,4107米)。1811年,J. Meyer及 H. Meyer这两兄弟第一次登上了少女峰。

一张地图在手,难道就不会迷路吗?

一张地图在手,难道就不会迷路吗?

瑞士是以邦(Canton)联合形成的国家,共有23邦(如没错的话)。各邦拥有主权国家的自主性。瑞士之所以能够坚持永久中立的秘诀就是“邦”的平衡。左边的国旗就是“伯恩邦”的国旗。

瑞士是以邦(Canton)联合形成的国家,共有23邦(如没错的话)。各邦拥有主权国家的自主性。瑞士之所以能够坚持永久中立的秘诀就是“邦”的平衡。左边的国旗就是“伯恩邦”的国旗。

大约等了15分钟,火车终于来了。我就登上了小黄火车,往目的地出发去。火车缓缓向上行驶,山谷、积雪、小木屋,这些电脑桌面般的美景不停地谋杀着我的相机,相机卡匝卡匝的响起声音,我不知道按了多少次的快门。沿途绿色的树木,清新的空气都使我精神奕奕。

嘟嘟嘟嘟~火车带我前往乘搭齿轮火车。

嘟嘟嘟嘟~火车带我前往乘搭齿轮火车。

沿途的风景美不胜收。这一栋栋的木屋拥有很多扇窗口。

沿途的风景美不胜收。这一栋栋的木屋拥有很多扇窗口。

像不像童话故事中描绘的那样?

像不像童话故事中描绘的那样?

不知不觉,火车来到了位于克莱纳谢德格(Kleine Scheidegg)的火车站,我已经迫不及待想要转坐乘搭齿轮火车登上少女峰。为何我会那么的兴奋?那是因为这次乘坐的火车和一般的有所不同,它被称作齿轨火车是因为两条铁轨中间是齿轨,齿轮和轨道的咬合给爬行的火车提供了与地面牢固的结合力,使得火车能以很大的坡度行驶。这条铁路是由瑞士铁路之父”之称的阿道夫.古耶-泽勒(ADOLF GUYER-ZELLER)倡议,于1896年至1912年兴建的,当年1912年8月1日竣工动通。

在克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)站这儿有几家售卖可爱精品的店铺及咖啡屋。也因为这儿也是转换站,所以人潮比较多。

要前往少女峰,就离不开乘坐齿轮火车,它可是瑞士旅游的卖点之一。世界上没有哪个国家可以随便把火车修在云端之上,可见的瑞士人对少女峰特别的器重。 齿轮火车百年不衰,瑞士已将齿轮火车的名气和少女峰、因特拉肯捆绑在一起了。

要前往少女峰,就离不开乘坐齿轮火车,它可是瑞士旅游的卖点之一。世界上没有哪个国家可以随便把火车修在云端之上,可见的瑞士人对少女峰特别的器重。 齿轮火车百年不衰,瑞士已将齿轮火车的名气和少女峰、因特拉肯捆绑在一起了。

克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)的周边风景。

克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)的周边风景。

不久后,我便坐在红色的齿轮火车里,沿途欣赏到每个小镇不同的景致。从克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)到峰顶的这段路程,会有一个长达7.2公里的隧道。坡度却达到25%。现在由Kleine Scheidegg 到少女峰车站,上山需时约50分钟,下山则需要35分钟。这个隧道全部是由工人们用人工凿出来的!隧道非常的狭窄,刚好只容下火车的宽度,在 黑暗的隧道中,火车以时速35公里的速度蜿蜒前进,但是乘客却感受不出爬坡与蜿蜒的感觉(不过,我建议上山时请坐面部向上山的位置,下山时则坐在背靠下山的位置。那是因为会有出现不舒服的感觉,类似耳鸣或头晕)。齿轮火车还会有播放中文解说,而且是在第四顺序(在西班牙语和日语之前)。听见中文的解说,显得特别的亲切。

隧道中间设有两个观景台,火车会各停5分钟,分别是2865米高的爱格尔(Eigergletscher)与3160米高的冰海(Eismeer),从这两个观景台都可以看见连绵的雪山与冰河流泻而下的景色。两个车站都会逗留五分钟。在短站的停车时刻,我触摸了隧道的裸岩石碧,体验与感受这段开辟工程的艰难事迹。同时,这儿里边有一片大片的玻璃景观窗,能够让我们看到艾格峰冰河的辽阔视野,令我惊叹的冰河海景观。

火车在艾格石壁(Eigerwand)停留。

火车在艾格石壁(Eigerwand)停留。

少女峰内建有大型的建筑及复杂的隧道系统,除了车站外,还有酒店、餐厅、冰宫、气象观测站、研究站、电影院等。亦有隧道通往户外,供走到外面的冰原及冰河。

登顶后,首先入眼的是邮箱。我在少女峰了望台上给家人-爸爸寄了张明信片,还兴致勃勃地编着搞笑的祝福。除此,这还有旅游爱好者光顾的纪念品店,这里的价格并不比山下的贵。在这有一台机械,只要用上Swiss Coins 20, 就能压印成一枚印有少女峰标志的硬币。我当然没放过这机会。

在Top of Europe的邮局寄出一封明信片,这可是欧洲最高的邮筒!

在Top of Europe的邮局寄出一封明信片,这可是欧洲最高的邮筒!

就是这台机械能将硬币压印为少女峰的标志。

就是这台机械能将硬币压印为少女峰的标志。

我的成果:硬币与名明信片

我的成果:硬币与名明信片

在山顶还有个餐厅,我的午餐就在这享用-观餐厅Crystal Restaurant。这儿的面包很好吃,外表看是不怎么样,不过口感是好吃的。这餐厅的食物口味都还不错,第二推荐就是这儿自己制作的雪糕。在这餐厅一边吃饭一边看外边的奇景,是别有一番滋味。

少女峰景观餐厅Crystal Restaurant。这家餐厅的雪糕与法式面包很好吃。

少女峰景观餐厅Crystal Restaurant。这家餐厅的雪糕与法式面包很好吃。

喂饱了肚子,争取时间,出发参观万年冰宫。在万年冰宫里面,我双脚可直打滑,走起路来也轻松了许多。这儿让我仿佛在溜冰场溜冰一样,不过冰宫里很冷,温度十分底。或许是因为怕游客的体温融化的冰雕,所以一直有冷气打进来。

参观万年冰宫完毕后,我们继续向前出发。沿途还见到了一些展示角落。报道了在2001年11月13号,世界遗产委员会在赫尔辛基会议上正式确认并宣布了少女峰阿雷奇冰川为联合国教科文组织的世界保护遗产之一。该地区是阿尔卑斯山 脉 中有史以来第一个取得该称号成为世界自然遗产的地区。少女峰被称为欧洲之颠,是著名的旅游圣地加滑雪圣地,还是中国黄山的姐妹山。(少女峰已经和中国的黄山联盟)

少女峰景观餐厅Crystal Restaurant。这家餐厅的雪糕与法式面包很好吃。

在2001年11月13号,世界遗产委员会在赫尔辛基会议上正式确认并宣布了少女峰阿雷奇冰川为联合国教科文组织的世界保护遗产之一。(少女峰已经和中国的黄山联盟)

遠眺歐洲最長的阿萊奇冰川(Great Aletsch Glacier)

遠眺歐洲最長的阿萊奇冰川(Great Aletsch Glacier)

告别展示厅,入眼的就是期待已久的少女峰顶端。根据简单的解说,少女峰主要山峰有三座,呈东西向排列。由东至西分别为老人峰、僧侣峰和少女峰,三峰的高度分别为3970米、4099米、4158米,渐次升高。围绕这三座峰名字的由来有许多美丽的传说,少女峰也因此成为许多艺术家创作的素材。“老人峰”出自德语,其意为“我在这里”(瑞士通用语言主要是德语和法语,而少女峰属于德语地区)。“僧侣峰”则出自奥地利的一种马的名字,“少女”的原意是修女。僧侣峰横在老人峰和少女峰之间,使他们无法接触,也因此产生了种种的解释和传说。

在瑞士,有一则古老的传说:传说天使来到凡间,在一座美丽的山谷里居住下来,并且还为它铺上了无尽的鲜花和森林,镶嵌了银光闪烁珠链,还为它许愿说:“从现在气,人们都会来亲近你、赞美你,并爱上你”,这座使天使都心醉的山说的也是瑞士少女峰。

天使的愿望已经实现。所以,少女峰(Jungfrau)现在已经成为了每一个来瑞士旅行的人几乎都不会错过的地方。

山下云海遮日, 山顶万里晴空, 雄奇雪山, 万年冰川, 看的眼睛生痛(日光太强烈了, 变色眼镜不够用, XDJM们下次去要准备好强力太阳眼镜)。

山下云海遮日, 山顶万里晴空, 雄奇雪山, 万年冰川, 看的眼睛生痛(日光太强烈了, 变色眼镜不够用, XDJM们下次去要准备好强力太阳眼镜)。

到达山顶的达斯芬克司观景台可以俯览边上的EGIER峰和MONCH峰,雪白雪白的山,蓝蓝的天空,远处却又是绿色的一片。壮丽的景色真的让我难以忘怀,去那边的亚洲人很多。 日本人和韩国人特多,还有中国的旅行团。

到达山顶的达斯芬克司观景台可以俯览边上的EGIER峰和MONCH峰,雪白雪白的山,蓝蓝的天空,远处却又是绿色的一片。壮丽的景色真的让我难以忘怀,去那边的亚洲人很多。 日本人和韩国人特多,还有中国的旅行团。

我们参观少女峰两处地带,低一点的地方插着瑞士国旗,代表着瑞士之殿。 最高处是欧洲国旗,代表着欧洲屋脊。

我们参观少女峰两处地带,低一点的地方插着瑞士国旗,代表着瑞士之殿。 最高处是欧洲国旗,代表着欧洲屋脊。

温馨的提醒,可别太靠近。

温馨的提醒,可别太靠近。

最高峰就显示在眼前,我难以置信?

最高峰就显示在眼前,我难以置信?

很活泼的狗儿。

很活泼的狗儿。

峰顶最著名的景点是斯芬克斯观景台(Sphinx Observatory),它也是登顶旅程的终点,海拔3571米,可以观赏到阿尔卑斯山全景。游人可乘搭升降机直上海拔3571米的史芬克斯(Sphinx observation)观景大厅与平台,那是全歐洲最高的天文台,但氣象站是不對外開放。

1996年,瑞士人又在此大胆启用了欧洲最高的观景台及瑞士最快速的升降机(110米垂直高度,25秒钟抵达)。以便到最高的天文台上喂鸟,所谓的鸟,莫过于就是乌鸦,它们是那常见的动物。

1996年,瑞士人又在此大胆启用了欧洲最高的观景台及瑞士最快速的升降机(110米垂直高度,25秒钟抵达)。以便到最高的天文台上喂鸟,所谓的鸟,莫过于就是乌鸦,它们是那常见的动物。

「Top of Europe」的立牌,吸引許多人在此地拍照。

「Top of Europe」的立牌,吸引許多人在此地拍照。

大约下午12点,我们告别少女峰。沿途的少女峰无论是上山或下山的风景都充满了活力和变幻。从山下到山顶,一山之内景观却截然不同。山顶白雪飘飞,雪雾弥空,一派冰雪世界的奇观。而山腰以下,却有着一眼望不到头的青草的翠绿,山花的明黄;和缓的山坡上牛群散布,牛铃声回荡山谷;山谷里村落安详恬淡,人们生活简单、质朴而闲适。难道这就是少女峰的魅力吗?

这一切风景正构成了阿尔卑斯山区独有的迷人氛围,让每一个来到这里的人都会留连忘返,如坠入天境。而我,就是其中一位被这风景吸引这的傻婆。也许是因为家乡还没看见这样两极的景色。

云越来越浓,突然远处一束阳光冲出重云,洒在一个不知名的村庄上。 当时有种神灵降临的感觉。

云越来越浓,突然远处一束阳光冲出重云,洒在一个不知名的村庄上。 当时有种神灵降临的感觉。

云越来越浓,突然远处一束阳光冲出重云,洒在一个不知名的村庄上。 当时有种神灵降临的感觉。

我深深体会,他的美。

依依不舍,克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)

依依不舍,克来雪德(Kleine Scheidegg)

据当地人说,少女峰其实更适合徒步。因为雪道面积小,对滑雪高手来说不够过瘾。而即使是冬天徒步,也有专门的雪鞋、雪杖,不会滑雪的人都能轻易学会。对雪上 项 目不感兴趣的话,就赶紧换趟车,晃晃悠悠上山顶吧。“欧洲之巅”是少女峰顶端的观光项目,费用已经含在火车票里了。

格林德沃( Grindelwald )的小屋,雪儿飘飘。

格林德沃( Grindelwald )的小屋,雪儿飘飘。

格林德沃的风景

格林德沃的风景

美吗?看到它,让我心情大好。

美吗?看到它,让我心情大好。

http://www.jungfrau.ch 这就是票根

http://www.jungfrau.ch 这就是票根

行程结束,告别于见到雪花。如果非要用一句形容瑞士少女峰,只能说那无处不是明信片。那四处如茵的草原、幽静的森林、宏伟的雪山、澄澈的湖泊、风景如画的村庄……

希望它的美能够被保护,四处的环境能被珍惜。瑞士,让我一见就爱上。

Pre-Christmas 2011 in Kuala Lumpur

By My journey, Photography
Pre-Christmas atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur

Pre-Christmas atmosphere in Kuala Lumpur

Christmas atmosphere is almost everywhere in KL’s busy shopping malls now. After the street photography in Pudu with friends, we walked to the shopping area to have our lunch and certainly to feel in the spirit of Christmas.

We made to Time Square first as Fred had an appointment with a customer. Then through Low Yat Plaza and Sungei Wang we went to the Lot 10’s food court. It’s named Hutong Lot 10 food court, is offering variety of non-halal food that took us quite some time to decide what to have. I heard that each of these eateries is specially hand-picked by the CEO of Lot 10, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh. After a yummy meal, we visited Fahrenheit 88, Starhill Gallery and finally arrived at Pavillion.

At this time of the year, most malls in KL are dressed up in beautiful Christmas decoration and create special and magical Christmas experiences for the shoppers. Christmas trees, rein deers, Santa Claus and Santarina, angels, EElves, vibrant and colorful lightings, special Christmas’s delicacy and anything to do with Christmas are seen everywhere. We had recharged our energy after lunch and started to get some shots of the lovely environment.

It had been a decade since I strolled in KL city like this. I always think KL as a busy, stressful and hectic city. This visit however gave me a different perception. It was crowded and busy as usual, yet calm, relaxing and filled with laughter and joy. Perhaps it was simply that the festival atmosphere had taken over. The crowd just having fun, spending sweet time with family or loved ones, and hang out with friends.

So we too had so much fun and glad that we made it to this trip, not to mention meeting up with Robin and Chun-Chow. Thanks to Fred and Kenn-Wai for inviting me, and we are looking forward for a next time in near future.

Here’s wishing you all the joys of the season, may your Christmas be filled with peace and love. Happy Christmas!

Pudu street photography for the first time

By My journey, Photography
morning reading at Pudu's street

morning reading at Pudu's street

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure to meet up with Robin Wong and Chun-Chow in Kuala Lumpur together with Fred and Kenn-Wai. It was drizzling early morning when we left Kelana Jaya where we stayed at the place of Kenn-Wai’s sister. However and it turned out to be clear and sunny sky when we arrived at Pudu LRT station. The weather was really unpredictable in KL.

Even though I always took bus from Pudu bus station back to Melaka when I studied in KL, I didn’t know the place well. Robin does so he became our guide that morning. He first brought us to have a delicious Hakka noodle breakfast. As soon as we were done, so called shutter therapy session by Robin had begun.

Robin got us in the alleys, to the dry and wet markets. We were amazed by how lively the area was, and it was full of locals and foreign workers. Though we hardly see tourist over there. Most of the people there were nice even though some might not seem to be. I guess that’s the reason why Robin loved the place so much for street photography. We just discovered the other face of KL. We got to learn from Robin how he approached the crowd and captured the people so close.

Robin and Chun-Chow are experienced street photographer and familiar with the place. They knew exactly when and where to press the shutter. It was just their instinct. Fred, Kenn-Wai and I also tried to get some nice shots of the street but we rather enjoyed our walk with jokes until we reached the wet market at about 11:00 am. We couldn’t stand the strong smell of the market place under the hot sun so we threaded our way through the market quickly.

The photography session was smooth and everyone had fun. we decided to go Bukit Bintang area to take some shots of the Christmas decoration and atmosphere. While making our way to Time Square, we stopped by Pudu Plaza to have a break and share our captures with each other. Everybody gained valuable experience and intuitive knowledge in street photography from others.

May all beings by happy. Share some shots of the Pudu area:

Aquaria KLCC with parents and aunt Peggy

By My journey, Photography

On the last day of September, I spent a wonderful time to the Aquaria KLCC with my parents and aunt Peggy. It had been ages since I last went for a trip with parents so it made this trip so much fun and memorable.

In the morning, we traveled north from Melaka reached our destination, Kuala Lumpur in the afternoon. The Aquaria KLCC is in KLCC certainly. It is a decent size, seemed very clean and well run aquarium. It costs us (for Malaysian citizen) RM35 per adult and RM25 for senior citizen.

The entrance of the aquarium is at upper level and we were first greeted by the furious piranhas. There was a touch pool just next to the piranhas’ tank where we could touch and feel the crabs, starfish and gentle bamboo shark. We also observed creatures which defend themselves by discharging electricity such as the electric eel, catfish etc. followed by the stream mammals like giant water rat and otter. Then we came to the reptiles, amphibians and insects zone which we saw little crocs, big gecko, colorful yet poisonous frogs, beautiful butterflies’ specimens, venomous spiders etc.

We then walked down the steps to the lower level of the aquarium and first saw a big tube tank ensconces an ancient tree and fishes. This was the section of the fresh water fishes including giant catfishes and huge Arapaimas which live in the nutrient-rich waters of Amazon.

Our tour continued to the 90 meter transparent underwater tunnel. While enjoying the tranquil atmosphere beneath the depths of open water, we walked along the tunnel ‘together’ with Sand Tiger Sharks, eels, giant stingrays, green turtles, and various kinds of schooling fish. We too arrived just in time for the feeding frenzy where scuba divers were in the tank feeding and interacting with the fishes. The show was simply amazing.

Before we exited the aquarium we had the chance to observe the cute little seahorses, mysterious jellyfishes, and beautiful yet sadly endangered corals. More and more coral reefs over the world have been hit by coral bleaching resulting from global warming, when corals lose their color. Soon or later, we will not be able to see beautiful underwater scenery. So it’s our duty to love and care for the environment for a better tomorrow.

Well, the Aquaria KLCC is definitely a worth going place to go in KL especially with family. Before we headed back to Melaka at night, we went to the Look Out Point or also known as Little Genting in Ampang Hill for a dinner with Ah Too and Chin-Sing. The food of the restaurant we picked was OK as in acceptable, however the night scenery of KL was just stunning!

Thanks to my parents, aunt, Ah Too and Chin-Sing for making this trip so unforgetable. I had a really good time and am looking forward for another trip in the near future.

May all beings be happy. Sharing some shots I captured of the trip:

Let’s go Cambodia – sunset by the Mekong River

By My journey, Photography
sunset of Mekong River

sunset of Mekong River

I will continue and complete my Cambodia’s story, with this beautiful Mekong River cruise, by skipping the story to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields.

The second evening when we were in Phnom Penh after shopping at Russian Market, we experienced the rich life and the magnificent sunset of Mekong River. We arrived at the central riverfront area of Phnom Penh and took some photos at the Royal Palace. Then we continued to the jetty nearby and boarded our boat. It was an old fashioned double decker boat and of course we went for the upper deck for better view.

Chams

Chams

We begin to feel the cool breeze of the river and relaxing everything around us. The boat cruised along the central riverfront area and provided picturesque views of the riverfront area including Royal Palace, Wats, significant landmarks, and also Phnom Penh skyline.

Then, the river cruise experience became rural when the boat crossed to the other side of the bank. Here, we met the Cham and visited Cham tribal village.

The Cham are a minority Muslim tribe in Cambodia and they speak Malay language. Most of them are fishermen and they spent their entire life on the boats. Everything just happens on the small boats as we saw on our tour, kids jumping into the river for bath, women cooking on boats, and men out for fishing.

They are living very poor life as they hardly have access to information, good education and training like we get back home. We gave them some goods and monetary donation and continued our tour further down the river, with dramatic river scenery, fishing villages and extensive fishing activities.

Soon the sun started to fall below the horizon, it turned fiery yet romantic. The evening sun illuminated from the rear of Royal Palace and gave us striking silhouette images. Everyone on board kept taking shots before the sun disappeared behind the clouds. 

Cham little girl

Cham little girl

The cruise took exactly 1 hour and we returned to the jetty near the central riverfront area for dinner. We enjoyed the cruise and discovered the beauty of Mekong River, the true Mother River of Southeast Asia.

On the next day, we left Phnom Penh and flew back to Malaysia. We loved the place and enjoyed so much on this trip even though it was only a short trip. It’s one of the best places for travelling, finding culture, nature and mystical wonders.

Special thanks to Kenn-Wai for lending his 17-50mm Tamron lens. May all beings be happy. Sharing more shots of the mystical river and the Cham tribe. This set of photos will be the last series of photos from my old camera.

royal gate

royal gate

Khmer kids

Khmer kids

Royal Palace of Cambodia

Royal Palace of Cambodia

lotus seeds (edible)

lotus seeds (edible)

our pilot of tour

our pilot of tour

walking to the river cruise

walking to the river cruise

opaque brown water of Mekong River contrasts with the green hue of river bank

opaque brown water of Mekong River contrasts with the green hue of river bank

central riverfront area of Phnom Penh, view from the Mekong River's cruise

central riverfront area of Phnom Penh, view from the Mekong River's cruise

Cham fishing boat on Mekong River

Cham fishing boat on Mekong River

tribe on Mekong River, boats are their homes

tribe on Mekong River, boats are their homes

naked Cham boy just love the river

naked Cham boy just love the river

Cham lady living on boat

Cham lady living on boat

Cham children

Cham children

"candy?"

"candy?"

asking for

asking for

Cham

Cham

kayaking on Mekong River

kayaking on Mekong River

sunset of Mekong River

sunset of Mekong River

fishermen's life

fishermen's life

Khmer ladies

Khmer ladies

tuk-tuk

tuk-tuk