Sunday, May 10, 2009

My New Camera

I've just bought a new below average 8.1mp camera to replace my 2nd hand old 4mp camera as the latter photo quality was not good especially night scene.

Somehow, I've developed an interest in photography during my tour rides and I still have a long way to learn to take nice photos as compared with my peers.

Every photos taken tell a story or a memory of what, where and when I've been. [the 3-Y analytical tool which I'd used in my work sometimes]

Bought my camera along when meeting Eugene for the photos transferred last Saturday and I've taken 2 photos 'secretly' to test out the quality...

What I can say is I'm pleased with my camera though is not of a high range.

I'm now waiting for my next trip to put my camera into real test...
:)

Eugene lubricating his bike's chain

Sunday, May 03, 2009

3 DAYS EAST COAST TRIP

Day 3 – GENTING & PORT DICKSON [19 Apr 2009]

Completion of 3 days trip


Finally I got the photos & some videos of the trip from Eugene. Nice photoshots, it was well taken and I've still got some photography lessons to learn from Eugene.


Thanks Eugene for sharing the photos & videos!




The weather was cool and road was clear usually in the morning in Malaysia which we’ve encountered these 3 days unlike in Singapore, kind of stuffy and warm. This kind of weather gives one’s a peaceful and comfortable, carefree feeling. Non-stress and is good for riding too…


We left Rawang and rode to Batang Kali which was the route to Genting from behind, less traffic. It suited us well.


Greenery was everywhere on both sides of the road and we’ve a good, pretty clear view of the mountains including Genting in the background while travelling.



Halfway thru Batang Kali, the road was straight with occasionally some bends here and there. We could see rows of plant on both sides and couldn’t resist taking some pictures along the way when nature at its best…..


Batang Kali Route; To Genting; The bends


Out of nowhere and naive we’re, gradually the minor bends becomes uphill of steep bends here and there. We’re kind of 'forced' to cornering at our best [felt like Valentino Rossi again as encountered in Gerik, but speed is much slower, hahaa]


After having getting used and fun of the uphill steep bends, we reached the 3-quarters mark at an altitude of 1265m and paused a while, appreciating the nature.





Rest to appreciate Genting; Eugene's GPS showed we're at an altitude of 1265m


Further up Eugene and I made another stop for photo-takes, at the same time waiting for Daniel. It was a wonderful feeling and a wonderful sight to be with the passing cloud…


Waited for sometimes when we still did not see Daniel, Eugene decided to look for Daniel while I stay put with the bikes. Daniel’s bike had a hard time riding up and his bike couldn’t started.


Eugene gave a lending hand to push started Daniel’s bike, it ended well with the 3 of us gathered for photo shot. Touring with no photo shot is tasteless like soupwithout ingredient. :D


Cool Eugene; A relax me; Daniel,Eugene & Me together


Our bikes


We continued our rides and reached the top of Genting at an altitude of 1647m. What a spectacular view it was.


View of the route & mountainous...

As we walked to take our breakfast at Mary Brown before going to the Casino, people would look at us 'strangely' because we’re in our riding gears, jackets, riding boots, totally different from those tourists in their holiday dressing or businessman in smart suit. We’re kind of out-of-place, but who’s cares. hahahahaa.


We're @ 1647m above sea level; Parked our bikes; Eugene's Vara125 battered rear tire


The infamous graffiti on staircase landing; Mary Brown's nasi lemak


It’s been years since I lasted visited Genting by coach and the rules are flexible. We could enter the Casino with our riding gears. In the past, it would have to be long sleeve [before that with tie] or batik shit.


Time has changed and so was the Casino. There were LCD monitors to show the betting set/scene. Along the column/wall, there were more LCD monitor showing repeated EPL, La Liga football channels.


I tried my luck on the one-arm bandit, probably this is out-of-phrase as jackpot are computerize now without the ‘arm’… I lost 10 bucks for the fun of it and we hanged around for 2~3 hours before we left Genting for North South Highway via KLIA as Daniel had to go back at 5pm.


I’m felt disappointed that we had to go off after we came all the way to Genting just for few hours, it was a kind of touch & go trip. I’ll come back to Genting again if the opportunity come and will not repeated this type of touch & go trip, at the very least I’ll stay a night.


Going down Genting is no joke and we left at a time where coaches began to left Genting. Traffic considered heavy and it was scary initially. After sometimes, I did manage a few cornering with ease but still a lot of improvement needed to make U-turn cornering

DOWNSLOPE smoothly!!!


KLIA traffic volume was high and in a way congested, we’ve to squeeze in-between the cars and stopped for petrol before entering North South Highway.


We parted way with Daniel at the petrol station at 2pm and since Eugene and I had some times, we decided to visit one more place – Port Dickson.


Eugene rode into Ayer Keroh petrol station as I followed him, I signalled to him that my bike’s fuel is enough to reach Pagoh. Asked him is his bike’s fuel enough, he replied ok.


We reached Pagoh exit and lucky at this point, Eugene’s Vara125 fuel emptied, it came to a stop and he had to push UPSLOPE for some distance to the petrol station. Can’t imagine if we’re to stuck mid-way North South Highway, probably I'd top-up fuel at the next petrol station in a bottle and U-turn back while Eugene stay put to look after his bike.


And indeed luck was on his side, after few meter, he ‘rocked’ his bike and able to start with some residue fuel. Guess he was an experience rider/tourer who knows how to react in situation.


After fuelling up our fuel tanks, we proceeded to Port Dickson

beach, clear blue sea with not many activities. After some photo taking, we went to Port Dickson’s town for lunch [too late] or

dinner [too early] or teabreak [heavy teabreak???]. It was hot and I rode with my jacket in my box.




Port Dickson beach


I had mee goreng [look more like cha kway teow] and share with Eugene a plate of rojak. Eugene ordered roti prata…we had ABC [not guiness stout] but ABC ice. It was nice and refreshing, I ordered 2 ABC to quench my thirst. To my liking, not too sweet, just nice.


ABC's stall; ABC ice; My mee goreng + rojak


Eugene roti prata


We had our filled and proceeded to GP Petronas. We met a familiar face at GP Petronas, Eugene has some hearted chat with him as he was well-liked by most bikers. : )


I had some friendly, buddy-like chat with Eugene before we called it a day.

These 3 days adventure were great ... glad I’m did this tour, though we were tired with average riding of 12 hours daily, we managed and experienced the misty weather, tough terrain, the unexpected Eugene bike’s footrest broken, the nasty cricket in my food [though to some is nothing, yeah probably I over-reacted]…blah blah blah, overall we were thrilled with the fun we’re having. :D


For these 3 days, we were lucky the weather was good...and total distance covered 1735km. We've made it round the East Coast of Malaysia...



Pictures and video courtesy from Eugene...




Saturday, May 02, 2009

My Passion My Dream

Still pending for day3 photos because I'm busy these few weeks...will get it soon.

Well, here is a video compilation of the trips that I've been to.

For every new trip, the feeling is different...in terms of road condition, weather, kakis, be it few of us [2 0r 3 person] or in a convoy of 20~30 people.

Every of my trips, I really enjoy the rides, the company and the friendship that bonded...

Last but not least, I want to live my life fullest because we only lived once...

My Passion My Dream = My Life