Jayvan & Wendy's ROM

   Last weekend was a very busy weekend to me. Shooting for Ching Yeu's Project 46 and also Javen and Wendy's registration of marriage at Malacca. This is my first time shooting pre-wedding and ROM. Thanks you so much giving me the chance to experience and learn. Being my first, the results are not as good as the pros out there. Paiseh paiseh if my shoots are bad :p

The pics are a bit small in this page layout. Click the pics for bigger view :-)

Most shots are taken with my Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 and 30mm f/2. Flash is used in some shots. Hehe... Utilized what I learned during my previous flash class. Comments and critique is most welcomed. :-)

Conquering Mount Kinabalu, KK 2011

    Climbing our highest mountain had been a dream since small but never thought about realizing it. Last year my dear friend in Kelantan contacted me and the rest of my gang to propose a trip to conquer the highest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu in KK. On 4/3/11, seven of us (Bent, Sze In, Kim Fung, Kim Huang, Chin Hong, Luo Yang and me) boarded the plane to KK with one goal in mind: conquer Mount Kinabalu!

Being unfit me, climbing up had been a physical exhausting and mental torturing experience. I am practically out of breath after every 20 steps of climbing, both my thighs crammed causing me to stop so many time and I nearly gave up the climb when we reach the junction where Timpohon Gate climbers meets.My mistake was I did not really exercise my body well ahead (both my thigh crammed N numbers of time, tears nearly rolled out of my eyes due to the pain), carrying my back pack weighing 8kg consisting of my clothes, survival kits and photographic gears! (gave up carrying my bag and hired our guide to carry my bag after 4 kilometers), we took the longer trail from Mersilau Gate where it is further by 2 kilometers compared with Timpohon Gate.

From my friends encouragement and support, I strengthen my resolve and climb up to Laban Rata Base Camp (8.5km from Mersilau Gate, 3000m above sea water level). I nearly cried when reach Laban Rata because I cannot imagine me able to reach there with my situation. We had our dinner and retreated to our room to rest very early due to we will start climbing to the summit at 2.30am the next day. Knowing what will happen during tomorrow's climb, I removed all unnecessary items from my back pack and bought anti-cramp ointment from the base camp's store (at 3x the normal price compared to normal stores below the mountain) and rub my thighs hoping it will be eased.

The climb to the summit was not so bad. My thighs did not cramp once as I keep rubbing the ointment whenever we stop. Chin Hong and me reach the summit at 4008m above sea level. This is the minimum for one to earn their certificate of recognition for climbing Mont Kinabalu. We know our body is at the limit and the further we climb up means the further we have to climb down later. In addition we will descend to Timpohon Gate the same day later. Bent, Sze In, Kim Fong, Kim Huang and Luo Yang managed to reach the optional Low's Peak 4095.2m above sea level. I am proud of you guys! ;-)

This trip is really a satisfying one. We had so much fun together and able to reach the peak of the highest mountain in Malaysia. By the way the highest mountain in South East Asia is not Mount Kinabalu. It is Mount Hkakabo Razi 5,881m height in Kachin, Myanmar. Don't be surprised cause what we read in our text book is wrong ;-)

Ling San Pagoda at Tuaran, KK, Sabah with Journey to the West figures (Sha Zhang, Chu Pak Kai and Yu Long, Monkey King and Monk Tang can't fit to the frame)
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 18mm, 1/320sec, f/8, ISO 200

Ling San Pagoda at Tuaran, KK, Sabah
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/100sec, f/8, ISO200

Road to Mersilau Gate rest area
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/100sec, f/8, ISO200

Two pretty ladies preparing mentally for the great challenge tomorrow
D90 50mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/2000sec, f/4, ISO400

Up close of moss growing on boulders at Mersilau Gate
D90 5-mm f/1.8 lens @ 1/2500sec, f/2.8, ISO400

Lovely couple, Bent Tan and Sze In at a water fall from Mersilau Gate trail
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/30sec, f/2.8, ISO200

Almost there. Ugly Sister peak visible
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/500sec, f/5.6, ISO400

Laban Rata Base Camp at 3000m above sea level
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/1000sec, f/5.6, ISO200

Ugly Sister, King Edward and Tunku Abdul Rahman peaks of Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/2500sec, f/5.6, ISO400

Starry starry night @ Laban Rata Base Camp
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 12mm, 30sec, f/4, ISO800

South Peak, Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/4, ISO400

St. John's Peak, Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/4, ISO400

Ugly Sister Peak, Mt. Kinabalu
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/200sec, f/4, ISO200

Yes! I did it!
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/800sec, f/4, ISO200

There are more pictures of our trip in my facebook account. Click this link if you are interested >>> Mt. Kinabalu, KK 2011 Album

The Big Event

4th June 2010
Westin Resort & SPA, Langkawi

I was wide awake early in the morning. Despite lying on the extra comfortable bed and wonderful atmosphere at Westin, I just could not put myself to slumber. In my heart, I know why I was not able to. It was not just happening on that particular day, it had been a occurring since the last few days.

I made the decision to wake up, brushed my teeth and changed. Looking at the bed, Furby was still deep in slumber. Gently brushed her hair and pecked her forehead, enough to wake her up a little, I told her that I am going out for a walk in the hotel area and take a few shots with my camera. But in my mind I know there was something more than that I need to do.

I walked to the hotel Reception, there was this petite sized lady named Ms. Azlina there talking to some hotel guest. I waited for them to finish their business. When my turn came, I talked to Azlina and told her my requests and arrangements that required the Westin's staffs help. The conversation took about 15 - 30 minutes, several other staffs came and go, some of them got really exited, some gave me a confident smile enough to entrust them with my quest. I left the Reception and headed to the beach and pool. Took a few shots and returned to my room.

Furby is still sleeping when I entered the room. Woke her up and ask her to get herself ready as we are leaving for breakfast and internet session at nearby cafes. Westin does not provide free internet and we opt for free internet hot spots at Starbucks, Big Apple and Kenny Roggers. It was according to my plans perfectly for us to leave the hotel in order for the arrangements to take place during our absent.

We spent around 2 hours and returned to the hotel. I handed Furby the room key and she entered the room with me following closely at the back. Our room was cleaned by the hotel's Housekeeping with something extra that I had requested. Furby was surprised! I could hear her repeating "Oh my god!" and "Why is our room decorated?". Our bed was decorated nicely with rose petals. A bottle of champagne was chilled in an ice bucket. Our room's bathtub is filled with pure white bubble and speck of rose petals. While she was in the mid of confusion, I snuck out a bouquet of roses from the cupboard and approach her from behind. She turned around and looked at me in pure confusion. I lead her to the bed and showed her something is in the middle of our bed. Covered among rose petals. A tiny red box waiting for someone to discover. I took the red box get on knees and opened the tiny red box to reveal its content to Furby.

"Will you marry me?" I asked Furby.

She was in shock, bedazzled and thinking if what she saw in front of her eyes were true. Slowly I saw tears rolling down her cheek. She took some moments to calm down and analyze. Still on my knees my heart was beating crazily not knowing how will she respond.

"I will look after you for the rest of time and love you forever and ever" I said while looking into her eyes. "Will you marry me?" I asked again. At this point of time, my mind was totally blank just waiting for her respond.

Furby's eyes was all watery and she nodded. My heart was filled with joy and I was so happy to see her simple gesture that means a world to me. I lifted the ring and slowly put it on to her finger. (I made a mistake to put the ring to her ring finger instead of her middle finger :-p) Never in my life I dreamed me putting an engagement ring to my beloved woman. I was really a heart-stopping time of my life.
I let Furby sit on the couch to let her relax herself after the mind blowing event that just shocked her. Then I lift up the bottle of Moet & Chandon and pop it open to celebrate our engagement. Must be the sweetest champagne I have ever tasted. ^^

I Love You Furby :-)

The organizers. Super helpful staffs of Westin, Langkawi who executed my proposal plan wonderfully. Many thanks to them especially to Miss Azlina of the Reception.
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/50sec, f/2, ISO 400

Flower petal decorated bed with a little surprise in the middle
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 1/60sec, f/4, ISO 200, Flash fired

Heart and something extra
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, Flash fired

Flower, champagne and ring
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, Flash fired

Solitaire ring waiting for her destined owner
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, Flash fired

Moet & Chandon to celebrate us
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, Flash fired

Champagne champagne ^^
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, Flash fired

Modest complimentary gift from Westin
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/5.6, ISO 200, Flash fired

More flowers ^^
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/60sec, f/5.6, ISO 200, Flash fired

View of flower petal bubble bath from the bedroom
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 1/15sec, f/4, ISO 250

So nice
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 1/25sec, f/4, ISO 200

My beautiful fiancee ^^ (Although Furby keeps complaining that this two picture of her looks ugly >"< )
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/25sec, f/2, ISO 360

She accepted my proposal ^^ I Love You Furby
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/15sec, f/2, ISO 640

Here I would like to thank everyone who helped me for making my proposal a success. Especially my sister Emily who gave me lots of courage and helped me with my ring hunting, Ms. Azlina of Westin for arranging everything so perfectly  as I planned on my behalf and my friends and family who gave me their support and wishes. Thank you :-)

The Andaman - R&R and MISC Pictures

It's been some time since I post about our trip to Langkawi. So I've decided to finish up the remaining posts and wrap up this chapter and move on with some more interesting stuff happening recentely. Some Rest and Relax and miscellaneous pictures snapped at Andaman. Our stay in Andaman is a pleasant experience. The whole environment is quiet and peaceful. Living in the middle of mother nature soothes our heart and releases our mind from the stress at work. Highly recommended to those who wants a place to escape from the busy city.

Furby relaxing and playing her Iphone at the Lobby Lounge
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 24mm, 1/50 sec, f/4, ISO 200

Sweet and sexy
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/15 sec, f/8, ISO 200

Furby's sexy back.
Here I isolated Furby's body and the wooden rail and cross processed the background for a different feel.
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/20 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200

Warning on the hotel room window: Monkeys will attempt to enter your room in search of food! Always lock the window!
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 24mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4, ISO 200

Monkey easily spotted around the hotel. This one is happily eating a banana that I gave them ^^ Here I used my seldom utilized AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8 lens to capture this picture. It's a great lens but just sometimes hard to bring around due to it's huge size. I preferred traveling light :-p
D90 80-200mm f/2.8 lens @ 200mm, 1/1250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Not just monkeys are abundant. Squirrels too!
D90 80-200mm f/2.8 lens @ 200mm, 1/160 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Elegant orchid flower decorated in our room
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/125 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

Another warning sign to beware of monitor lizard crossing! We are really staying in the jungle.
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/15 sec, f/5.6, ISO 500

Rain forest trees have become part of the hotel.
D90 35mm f/2 lens @ 1/15 sec, f/2.8, ISO 900

The view from our hotel room. Cross processed the picture as the original is quite plain
D90 12-24mm f/4 lens @ 12mm, 1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 200

Next up: Final post for our Langkawi Trip