Redang Trip Part III: A Paradise of its own

Marching home
(Gambar senget, a technique)

This is my last entry of Pulau Redang with a few pictures I that like best.
There are two pictures of sunrise with the time difference of a few seconds. It was on the first morning where I placed myself(tummy on the rocks ;)) on the suitable slope that i found earlier the day before. The sun was up but shielded by heavy clouds over the horizon thus producing the golden yellow-reddish effect, 'crimson skye'. The colourful reflected colours from the sea with small waves was enchanting. Sunrise on the second day was not that spectacular. I settled for some silhouette shots with the tourists enjoying 'the sunrise'.

Sunrise at Pulau Redang

At the marine park, the water was crystal clear with the blue reflection from the sky. Snorkeling is a must for visitors who want to see the beautiful corals, fish and other underwater marine life. There were better places such as Pulau Tiga and Pulau Lima but our time was limited.

Snorkeling at the Marine Park

Follow the bait
(The guide helping out)

Under The Sea
(A shot from the jetty- using a polarizer)

By just walking along the beach either in the hot sun or under the shades, something will catch your eyes. With a camera in hand, you can share your little adventure with your family an d friends or you can just enjoy the magnificent sight with the cool breeze caressing your skin.

Going Kayaking? Anyone?

7 'S' - Sun, Sand, Shelter, Shade, Sea, Skin and Shoot.

Trying to cajole the girl- with the help of 3 musicians

Exhausted dad and his sleeping beauty

As for me who had never gone to see the 'extraordinary' beaches of the Caribbeans or the Mediterraneans, this place was indeed beautiful and worth visiting, my very own paradise.

Sunrise at Pulau Redang


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Edited Trying to cajole the girl- with the help of 3 musicians by removing the 3 people at the back.

REDANG TRIP PART II: Vacation at Redang Island

View from the marine park jetty

Redang is definitely a beautiful place to have a vacation. What is so interesting about Redang. What has it to offer. Which place should I go and how do I plan my stay. What sort of vacation should I have.

Laguna Redang Resort

There are various types of resort at Redang, from a 5 star Berjaya Redang and Laguna Redang to a no star wooden chalets on a quiet beach. Most of these resorts offer packages which include the transfer fares, rooms for the night, meals and snorkeling trips. For those who want to be pampered with confortable rooms, large variety of western and local meals, a fresh water pool with a jacuzzi, recreation centre with a number of games and sports to choose from, a la carte menu, go and get the 5 star resort.

Beach at Laguna Redang

The adjacent cove

For those who can settle with decent rooms for the night, stay outdoor most of the time, satisfied with simple meals to save the extra for other recreational activities, the no star resorts offer cheaper rates (a difference of RM80-150 per person compaired to Laguna Redang). Surcharges will be imposed on public and school holidays.... ha ha ha vampires!

Sunrise at Laguna Redang
(Facing the open South China Sea)

The sand is clean white, soft, cool even on a hot day. The shore at Laguna Redang was free from litters. I found cans, glass, plastics and concrete blocks washed ashore on the othe three other coves. It was minimal but irritating enough to know that there are still irresponsible visitors or construction worker spoiling the beauty of Redang.

Boats at Laguna Redang Jetty

(south east cove)

A Jetty at another cove
(south)

At Laguna Redang Beach
(different operator)

Ships the Laguna Redang Beach
(other operator)

Here are pictures of activities occuring along the beach at Laguna Redang and its adjacent cove. For more information, just visit their homepage.

Morning Stroll with Dad

Paroi Swimming meet April 2006

I was at Paroi Aquatics in April 2006 to give moral support to our dear niece Diyana Qistina Redza. She is DITH sister's eldest daughter who stays in China. She reperesented Selangor junior team and bagged 4 gold medals. Congratulations Qistina.

The Great Chase
(The boy with the black cap was really good, third swimmer in medley relay)

The 2 pictures i posted were 2 junior boys. It was my first 'sports coverage.'
He he he ... sorry azahar.

Towards Victory
(individual free style)

REDANG TRIP PART I: The Many Faces of Redang

Catching her breath
(Tired after snorkeling)

On my recent Redang trip, I had the opportunity to cross paths with many people and I can't help but make analysis on them. ( I am a thinker as drroza claims, :P). Many were pleasant and helpful, thus I am not losing hope on Malaysians being a polite nation, after all!

Photographer on the move
(On one of the many cliffs with his 55-200mm lens)

On reaching the Merang jetty, we were received by the travelling agent, (employed by Pfizer), called Jamie who made us feel at ease with her friendly gestures. As there were a number of us who arrived much earlier than scheduled, she made a considerate decision to arrange for an earlier ferry ride. The few doctors in this early group however were not that amicable though. I tried to make eye contacts but to no avail! Perhaps still tired from their long journey, I thought.

Ways to disembark
(Back from snorkeling trip)

On board, I chose to occupy the top-deck. Everyone else chose to take the bottom deck. Well, better that way, I thought, as I needed space to manuever when I take photo shots. Few minutes later, a guy (a spouse of another doctor) came up and started chatting with me. We exchanged info on our background and I felt better. At least someone was friendly, after all, :P

Walking with an intention
(Laguna Redang swimming pool and jacuzzi)

After 45 mins, we reached Laguna Redang Resort's jetty and we were greeted by friendly and polite staffs who made warm welcome gestures to us. Not to worry about our luggages we were told. All were taken care of. Up on a tram we went for short pleasant ride to the main grand block. On entering the main lobby, the sofas were all occupied by many guests who have checked out and waiting for the ferry-ride home. Most of them looked bushed and didnt offer us any smile. Oh well, I thought.

Enjoying the sunrise
(Second morning with heavy clouds)

Various ways to observe the sunrise
(Second morning wait)

Searching for gems
(Morning after sunrise)

Memorable pose
(Morning after sunrise)

Budding architect
(Late Evening at Pasir Panjang, Redang Island)

Baby and dad, lost and found search team
(Morning walk after sunrise)

I made several obseravations whilst I was there.From day one, I observed that the staffs were all well trained and executed their chores wth great earnest. Many of hotel employees were locals and I see that they are friendly and show good 'adab'. Many of the guests were either foreigners or local chinese. In fact the guests of other resorts were mainly chinese too and most of them were youngsters. This could be a new trend amongst them to go on big group vacations to such places. A trend still not caught by other races yet.

A ride to the jetty
(Bon Voyage)

This entry will concentrate on candid shots of people there. Study these pictures and you'll find that each of them tells it's own story. These are pictures of people vacationing on a beautiful Island, trying to savor every bit of pleasure they can, of
the transparent blue sea water, of the saltish sea air, of the easy-going atmosphere, of walking-on-the-beach on a moonlit night and most importantly of harvesting the treasures of the deep-blue sea!

A long shot of a serious discussion
(DITH, Dr. Hazelynn and Dato' Dr. Yeow)

You are welcome to make your own observations too (Paul Moss included! After that respite at Redang, I can face any harsh comments from him, hehe)

I would like to thank DITH for helping me with this entry.

Jogja Trip Part III: Land of One Thousand Memories

Gunung Sumbing is an inactive volcano that can be seen from Borobudur.

On our first day after we had landed in Solo, we went straight to Jogja and checked in. After a short rest we went for a city tour. The places we visited were The Keraton, Pasar burung and Pasar Batik. Pasar Batik is at a place called Malioboro, a shopping area. You can choose to ride a 'beca' or a 'kereta kuda' if you are interested in ala Jogja city tour.

A clean street in Jogja. The white building is the Pos Office.

Later in the evening we left for Parangtritis to view the sunset from a cliff.

Parangtritis

Local legend claimed that Parangtritis Beach is the location of the palace of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, the ruler of the Southern Ocean invisible world. Parangtritis beach is one of tourist attraction offering a beautiful sunset, Langse cave and other interesting sites.

Sunset at Parangtritis. The ray started to shine on the clouds.

Gumbirowati Highland
This is the place where we get the pleasure of viewing the Parangtritis sunset.

The Langse Cave
The Langse cave is located on the foot of Parangtritis slope. It is a known place for meditation . According to legend, the Langse cave is Kanjeng Ratu Kidul's cave where Mataram's kings often visit. It was also said the opening of the cave will be covered by water during high tide thus preventing entry or exit at that particular time.

On the next day we went to Ketep Pass to see the peak or lava dome of Gunung Merapi. On the way, we had a short stop to view Candi Prambanan, Candi Seribu and a few other lesser candi.

Candi Prambanan and Candi Seribu

Prambanan is a beautiful region. In ancient time, it was capital of a Kingdom known as "Kraton Boko". Candi Prambanan is a hindu temple and there are 237 big and small temples in it. On certain nights they have plays of 'Ramayana and Mahabbrata'.

Candi Prambanan view from afar.

Not far from Candi Prambanan complex is a smaller candi called candi seribu or candi Larajonggrang. It was said that a creature with supernatural power wanted to marry a princess and a condition was given to him that he had to buiid a temple with 1000 figurines in one night.

Candi Seribu an interesting sight always.
(I used the wrong lens;55-200mm, there was no time to change to18-55mm)

Gunung Merapi

Gunung Merapi is located to the north of Jogja and has been erupting for 10,000 years. Its one of the most active volcano and has more pyroclastic flow than any other volcano in the world.
The word Merapi comes from a Javanese word Meru means mountain and Api means Fire.
Gunung merapi stands 2920 metres with it peak known as Puncak Garuda.

We stayed at Manohara Hotel on the second night which is in the same compound with the Borobudur.

Candi Mendut and Borobudur

Candi Mendut is 3 kilometres eastward from Borobudur. It was built in 824 AD during the Cailendra Dynasty. There are 3 big statues inside.

A farmer and the egrets
(a view from Manohara Hotel)

Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist temple of the world and one of the best-preserved ancient monument.

Borobudur: Early morning mist

The meaning of Borobudur remains vague. It is a compound of words Bara and Budur. Bara from Sanskrit has a meaning of complex of the temples. While Budur reminds us the Balinese word Beduhur, which means above. Accordingly, Borobudur means monastery on the hill.

Borobudur: Ready, smile, click.

I could still remember an advice from an article to share. "Get up early and stay out late, thats when you will find the best subject to shoot at".

Kotagede

On the third day, we left Jogja for Solo via Kotagede. Kota Gede was the capital of The Mataram Kingdom. Kotagede had being a capital city of Mataram until 1640. Later the third king of Mataram, Sultan Agung moved the capital to Desa Kerto, Plered-Bantul. A few relics and important buildings of early Mataram that can be seen are the cemetery of Prince Senopati's clan, piece of wall and foundation of one of pendopo (the front room of the palace) and Sendang Selirang(a pool where the royal family bathed). All are located in the compound of Masjid Agung Kotagede.

Masjid Agung Mataram: After the Friday prayer

Surakarta(Solo)

Solo is a short name for Surakarta. Bengawan Solo is the longest river in Java Island has its source at Gunung Lawu. Gunung Lawu in Solo is an inactive volcano. I guess many of us still remember the keroncong song "Bengawan Solo". At Solo, we went shopping at the Pasar and the mall. We flew back to KL on the next day.

At Jogja, there were lot of happenings dated long before Malacca. Jogja is rich with history. Their civilization is far earlier than the people in the Malay Peninsular. Their literacy may be less than ours but their culture, their mind and their spirit are far stronger than most of us. We can actually learn a lot from them. We may be a better peson if we do not look down on the Indonesians. Wallahu 'alam.

My travelling companions.

Jogja Trip part II - The people We Met

This picture was taken 5 min. before landing at Adi Sumarmo Airport, Solo.
The flight KL-Solo took 2 1/2 hours. That mountain is not Merapi.

As our plane touched down at Solo, we we greeted by Anang our would be 'supir' for 3 days. Anang was born and brought up in Jogja. He is a true Jogja born Javanese, descendent of great Java warriors during the peak of its civilization. His knowledge about his hometown is well respected.

On the street in Jogja.
This is a traffic light junction musician with a home made instrument.

Another traffic light junction musician going from window to window asking for charity.

Pengayuh Beca waiting for customers. There are so many beca and a very limited number of passengers. The rate for a day rent can go as low as Rs 25,000 that is equivalent to RM 11.

She is waiting for a ride but look! The Pengayuh Beca is sound asleep.
This place is within the walls of Keraton, Jogja.

Jogja was the capital for many rulers of Java. A land full of history of many religion from Hindu to Buddha and later Muslims with lot of artifacts and structures of old empires to be seen. At Prambanan, we can see Prambanan Temples and Chandi Seribu. An hour drive from Jogja you will find The Borobudur and Chandi Mendut. At Kota Gede about 15 minutes from Jogja lies the royal mausoleum of The Mataram Kings.

At Kota Gede.
Guests are required to change into traditional costumes before being allowed to enter the mausoleum of the Mataram Kings.

One morning at Borobudur.
Visitors are trying hard to reach the statue inside the stupa. It was said that it brings luck to those who succeed.The guide is doing his duty telling the myth.

People of Java speaks bahasa Jawa and bahasa Indonesia. According to Anang Bahasa Jawa is supposed to be more detailed than Bahasa Indonesia. The usage of its vocabulary depends on the person to whom one is talking to.

Buying Apem at a pasar.
The people here are very polite and friendly (berlemah lembut dan bersopan santun).
This girl had just finished her upper secondary and had to work.

At Pasar Batik.
This nenek sells anak itik. She was trying hard convincing us to buy the ducklings.
Working hard to get sesuap nasi at this age.

From our transport, a 'Kijang' we realised that there were almost no wooden houses. It seems that the Javanese had mastered the art of masonary hundreds of years ago thus buildings were made from bricks and rocks. Keraton a place where the royal family dwells is surrounded by layers of stone/brick walls. Within the walls there are shops, houses, gardens, farms, administrative buildings and of course the royal palace.

Pasar di Jogja.
Selling vegetables at the market. They are really friendly but camera shy.

Still at the market not far from our hotel. She is selling timun, serai, huge tempe etc.

Her product is just banana, leaves and the fruit. I wonder how much she makes a day.