The Lion Roars! Pussy Version

This cat is relaxing under the shades and I managed to snap this great moment of him yawning. ^.^
Shot at Perdana Quay when we are going to The Loaf Bakery & Bistro, Langkawi.

D90 35mm f/2 at 1/1600sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

The Loaf, Langkawi

The Loaf is a Japanese style bakery & bistro in Perdana Quay in Langkawi. The Loaf can be found in the row of building in a very European styled architecture facing  fleets of yacht and sails parked at the marina of Perdana Quay. Very relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy a piece of nice pastry in a tranquil environment. Nothing you can find in busy cities and other popular destinations. The Loaf features a wide selection of world class pastry in traditional and creative style. Also in their menu, they serve fresh and healthy selection of A-la-Cart food and beverage to suite everyone's taste. Little that I know that, the bakery is actually owned by our Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. Once you entered the bakery, you will see a big banner Chef Yosuke Imai, Champion of "California Raisin" contest proudly displayed. Truly a world class bakery found only in Langkawi. The Loaf now have several franchises around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor if you are too tight with your schedule and still like to have a taste of their great pastry.
This our second time visiting to The Loaf actually. The first was in 2008 when me and my crazy gang of 13 came and create havoc in Langkawi. Our gang leader Mr. CH Tan and her wifey recommended us to The Loaf. It was really happy trip and also very memorable for me and Furby. ^.^

The Loaf, a Japanese style bakery & bistro in Perdana Quay in Langkawi.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/2000sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Furby at the entrance of The Loaf.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/1000sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Vast selection of bread freshly baked to suite everyone's taste.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/30sec, f/4, ISO 200

Nicely arranged and comfortable interior.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/60sec, f/4, ISO 200

Cozy couches is optional if one is interested for a relaxing treat of delicious bread. This is also the table me and my crazy gang sat the first time we visited The Loaf. Brings back memories.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/15sec, f/4, ISO 200

My 12-24mm found his distant family members. ^.^
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/20sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Lovely Furby waiting patiently for the freshly baked breads to be served.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/100sec, f/4, ISO 200

Bon Appetit
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/80sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

My favorite breads - Butter Croissant, Fungi Cheese and Sausage.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/40sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Healthy spaghetti with zucchini, mushrooms and tomatoes in pesto sauce is our choice of the day.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/40sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

European styled back streets at Perdana Quay. Furby poses after a delicious meal at The Loaf.
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/800sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Happy Father's Day Daddy

Happy Father's Day daddy. You are the best person in my life. Love you so much. Be healthy and happy always. Hope next year I will be at home to celebrate with you. ^^

Picture of my mom, dad and me taken lately in Melaka.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/50, f/2, ISO 640

Panaroma View at Langkawi Island

Nice blue sky, white clouds, beautiful sea
Taken at Langkawi Parade's Multistory Parking
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/400, f/11, ISO200
Stitched from 4 pictures in Photoshop CS2

F&B @ The Westin

We had a great time experiencing food and beverage in The Westin. Most of the time the food is over our expectation. On our first night went to Westin's Seasonal Taste Restaurant for our dinner. Seasonal Taste is a stylish restaurant serving international buffet facing the swimming pools and overlooking the Andaman sea. Their buffet serves great variety of food from east to west including fresh seafood. Did I say seafood? Omg... I miss the grilled lobsters. :p
On our second night, we finished our SPA session around 10.30pm and most of the restaurants have stopped serving food. Our only option is ordering from Westin's 24hr In Room Dining. We ordered for a Food Platter for me and Mee Mamak for Furby. Both dishes tasted way beyond our expectation. The Mee Mamak comes with a unexpectedly huge prawn! Yummlicious.
Two thumbs up for The Westin's F&B!

Furby @ Westin's Seasonal Taste Restaurant
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO220

My favorite beer, Heineken Beer 
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/50sec f/2 ISO450

In Room Dining - Nice Food Platter 
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO1000

In Room Dining - Mee Mamak with big prawn! 
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO560

Heavenly SPA @ The Westin

The first thing that come into our minds when staying at The Westin is to have a relaxing SPA treatment. After all, our main purpose of this time's trip to refresh and rejuvenate our stressed up and tired body and soul. Working 6 days a week in a foreign land and withstanding harsh climate for some time, we really reward ourselves with great treat.
The Westin's very own Heavenly SPA pamphlet can be found easily in the hotel's room, providing all the information you need for you to decide which SPA treatment is best for you. It is recommended to book the time with the reception to ensure that you will not ended up waiting at the SPA for available slot.

The List Treatments by Heavenly SPA:

Bath Treatment
Luxury Kese

 
Beauty Treatments
Beautiful Eyes
Eye Treatment for Men 

 
Body Treatments
Men's Mineralizing and Detoxifying
Lulur Body Glow
Heavenly Body <<< We tried this ^_^

 
General Services
Thermal Comforting Algae Wrap
Shirodhara
Spa by Night
Synthesia: The Ultimate Journey
Ayurveda Calming Detox Program
Spa Package: Heaven

Massage Services
Prenatal Massage
in-room spa
Malay Traditional Massage
Kalari Marma Point Massage
Heaven Scent Milk and Honey Soother
Heavenly Massage
Heavenly Synchronize Massage
Abhyanga Massage
Langka Back Massage
Aroma Stone Massage
Rollersage
Chinese Massage
Royal Thai Massage
Body Massage Salt

 
Salon Services
Mahsuri Hair Cream Bath & Blow Dry
Hair Wash, Natural Cream Bath, Head & Neck Massage

 
Skin Care Services
Purity Facial
Men's Skin Fitness
Heavenly Hands
Illumination Facial
Sun-stressed Spa Facial
Heavenly Feet
After Sun Soothing Ritual
Luxurious Milk Bath
Reflexology
Men's Age Defense
Sheradhara
Renewal Facial

 
Spa Packages
Spa Package: Dream
Spa Package: Wish
Renewal Body Ritual
 

The Heavenly Body that we tried is awesome:
Discover how the intoxicating warmth of stimulating cloves and crushed black rice smoothes away rough dry skin.Then the restorative raja oil massage relieves any hint of muscle tension left in the body.
Highly recommended ;)

The Heavenly SPA is not only for Guests of The Westing but also open to public Guests. Do call their reception at (60)(4) 9608888 and make your appointment before hand ok? ;)

The Heavenly Spa entrance. The SPA is located is a different building, you have to ride a buggy to get to here. A must try hotel facility if you are staying at The Westin.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO1100

Pathway to "Heaven-ly" SPA
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO1100

Merchandise of the Heavenly SPA is available for you to bring back as souvenirs.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2 ISO320

Various body scrub by Heavenly SPA
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO900

Furby waiting at Heavenly SPA's nicely decorated reception area.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2 ISO800

Furby's satisfied pose after completing the Heavenly Body session.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/6sec f/2.8 ISO1600

Unexpected Bokeh shapes
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO1000

Rest & Relax @ The Westin

My previous post showed how beautiful The Westin Resort & Spa is. This post I shall share some pictures of us relaxing at The Westin.

Furby posing at the corridors out side our room at The Westin.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/15sec f/2.8 ISO200

Furby looks good in bikini before dipping into the pool at The Westin.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/1000sec f/4 ISO200

Me and Furby having a great time at one of the three swimming pools in The Westin.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/1600sec f/4 ISO200

Furby and me lazing away at pool side of The Westin. Such serenity.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/3200sec f/4 ISO200

Perfect weather to laze under the shade at pool side at The Westin.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/4000sec f/4 ISO200

Furby in decent look. Very suitable to be teacher. Hehe. Picture cross processed in Photoshop CS2.
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/13sec f/2 ISO1600

P.s.: Next post is The Westin's Heavenly SPA I talked about previously. Stay tuned. :)

The Cycle - by Thom Hogan

The Cycle
June 11 (commentary)--Another pro sent me a short summary of what he's learned over the years. I've re-adapted it and call it the "cycle," and it's a version of what I've been writing about in recent times:

1. We start with a simple, uncomplicated, small camera.
2. We yearn for bigger, fancier cameras.
3. We earn enough to buy a series of bigger, fancier cameras until...
4. We have the biggest, fanciest camera.
5. We get tired of lugging heavy stuff around and learning hugely complex controls, so...
6. We yearn for smaller, simpler cameras.
7. We buy progressively smaller and simpler cameras until...
8. We end up shooting with a simple, uncomplicated, small camera.

It seems that most of the camera companies got stuck producing products for Step 3 and 4. They don't see the value in producing the product we want for Step 8 (e.g., FM3D or 28TiD). Meanwhile, the truly small cameras (e.g. iPhone through Coolpix) get progressively better and are cheap. 

Original Author - Thom Hogan www.bythom.com

Benro Travel Angel A196 M8 + BH-0 Ball Head

Latest addition to my camera bag.
The new Benro tripod line, Travel Angel A169 M8 + BH-0 Ball Head.
Folded length is 378mm weighing only 1.5kg sure suits to their Travel Angel naming.
Max weight it can carries is 4kg and max height is 1515mm.

Information from website:

TRA169
BENRO Travel Angel TRA-Series tripod kits have reverse folding legs and include a BH-0-M Single Action Ballhead. Providing photographers with the most economical and compact tripod available.
Height: 14.9" Folded / 59.6" Extended
Cat# 457-169

Specification from website:

Maximum Load	8.8 lbs (4 kg)
Max Height (24° Leg Angle) w/Column Extended	59.6 in (1515 mm)
Max Height (24° Leg Angle) w/Column Retracted	51.3 in (1304 mm)
Min Height (24° Leg Angle) w/Column Retracted	18.5 in (470 mm)
Min Height (80° Leg Angle) w/Short Column	in mm)
Max Height	in mm)
Height	in mm)
Width Including Knobs	in mm)
Length	in mm)
Folded Length	14.9 in (378 mm)
Number of Leg Sections	5
Leg Lock Type	Anti-dust and moisture seal
Independent Leg Spread	Yes, with 2 stops
Center Column	Rapid
Tilt Range
Drag Control
Panning Range
Separate Panning Lock
Quick Release (QR) Plate
QR Plate - Top Mount Surface
Bubble Level
Fold-Out Stabilizer Legs
Hand Grip and Wrist Strap
Spiked Feet	Optional
Head Mount Thread Size	3/8"-16
Base Mount Thread
Weight	3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)

 
 
My previous night shots for The Westin Resort & Spa were taken with the Benro A169. Overall experience with it is great. It's easy to pack and bring up the plane as the folded size is not too big and fits my carry on luggage perfectly and does not contribute much of the weight to it. Stability wise, I've fitted my heaviest lens the Nikkor AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF to my Nikon D90 (which adds to around 2.3kgs) on the Benro A169. It does not suffer any creep on ball head and tripod leg sections. However it takes more time to set up as it has 5 sections and for the ball head you have to use and Allen-key to fasten/unfasten the quick release plate to the tripod mount on your camera. My old cheapo tripod quick release plate have a built in fastener which I find more convenient. One less item to bring along in my camera bag :p

Benro Travel Angel A169 M8 with BH-0 Ball Head
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/25sec f/2.8 ISO400

The Westin Resort & Spa, Langkawi

Touching down at Langkawi International Airport and hired a car, we headed to The Westin Resort & Spa where me and Furby will be spending our first 2 nights in Langkawi Island. This is our first ever time staying in a 5 stars hotel all thanks to Furby's sister for helping us getting a discounted room rates. What's more, we get discounted price for F&B in the hotel too! 5 stars hotel experience is really great. Your are treated like somebody important, assisted whenever possible, and greeted with a welcoming smile by the hotel staffs. If I have a option to choose where to stay again in Langkawi, I'll definitely choose The Westin Resort & Spa. :)

p.s. : The hotel's Heavenly SPA is really heavenly! It's open to non hotel guests too, so next time you are in Langkawi do have a try of their heavenly spa packages. Your satisfaction will be guaranteed.

Nice clear weather with lots of clouds for a great picture of The Westin
D90 35mm f/2 at 1/400sec f/11 ISO200

The Westin by night. View of the main building and jacuzzi pool
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 30sec f/8 ISO200

The Westin Infinity swimming pool by night. Superb swimming pool facing the sea
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 30sec f/8 ISO200

Lazy chairs, umbrellas and trees beside The Westin swimming pool
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 6sec f/8 ISO200

Our Deluxe Room with extra comfortable King Size bed with en suite bathroom
D90 12-24mm f/4 at 1/10sec f/4 ISO400

Quick Update

I'm at LCCT (KLIA's Low Cost Carrier Terminal) now. Munching and sipping Old Town Cafe's savory while waiting for our flight to Langkawi ^^
Our highly anticipated 5 star vacation at our very own country's jewel island since few months back. We have been dieing for a getaway after working our ass off in the hellish place ;)

That's all for now. Keep tuned for further updates at Langkawi.