1 pic a day - not! :)

Panda meat, anyone?

2011-04-24T18:32:00.008+08:00

Pic 1376 - 1378.

Panda meat anyone?
No?

If you are horrified at the thought of eating a panda, you should be just as horrified about eating tuna.
Or cod.
Or shark fin.
Or any endangered animals.

Yes, now you see, there are double standards the world maintains toward endangered animals...

Well, ok, you don’t eat shark fin soup. You don’t eat turtle.
But how about cod? And tuna? Wait..., tuna?

Be informed.
Learn more at www.panda-meat.com
and watch www.youtube.com/user/hughsfishfight

...and decide for yourself. And for your children.
And for the next generation.

Ps. No animals of any kind were harmed in this project.

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: Unexpected great companions

2011-04-24T18:12:00.009+08:00

Pic 1396 - 1402: Seventh part out of seven.

#1 always accompanied me for morning walk along the beach.

#2 and #3 always accompanied me for late afternoon reading and sunset time. Couple times they were staying on my front porch in the evening, #3 was doing that more often than #2.

Oh the joy being around the animal...

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: The place I often had my dinner

2011-04-24T17:57:00.001+08:00

Pic 1391 - 1395: Sixth part out of seven.

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: Sunset

2011-04-24T17:47:00.001+08:00

Pic 1387 - 1390: Fifth part out of seven.

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: Wreck on the beach

2011-04-24T17:33:00.002+08:00

Pic 1380 - 1386: Fourth part out of seven.

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: The sky

2011-04-24T17:24:00.006+08:00

Pic 1376 - 1379: Third part out of seven.

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: Diving

2011-04-23T17:27:00.012+08:00

Pic 1368 - 1375: Second part out of seven.

Diving again after absent for six months seven days! Two weeks full of new things, new pespective, new ideas. Eco Koh Tao team was superb; feel priviledged that they let me get involve on their eco efforts in Koh Tao. Thank you!

Big thanks to Nath that had arranged things so that I could learn a lot of stuff within the limited time: EFR, Rescue diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy specialisation, Fish ID specialisation, Project AWARE specialisation, Reef Check EcoDiver program and Marine Resource Management program. Zillion thanks that I was given the opportunity to participate on maintaining coral nurseries and afrtificial reefs, and even transplanting coral fragments... truly priceless experiences. And last but not least, more thanks for opening my eyes that we, an individual, should do something, no matter how small it is. Every little helps!

The first pic was us after Coral Watch survey in Mae Haad Reef. The background is our school along Mae Haad beach. The third and fourth pics were us after cleaning up Lighthouse Reef from coral-eater Drupella snails, which for some unknown reasons, have grown far too many without predators and hence creating lots of coral damages.

The fifth pic was my survey result from Coral Nursery at Mae Haad - pretty happy with the job! The sixth was me transplanting coral fragments into electrocuted dome structure at Hin Fai Biorock artificial coral project - a special experience left a special impression on me. The seventh was me with a Strapweed Filefish at Junkyard Reef, Mae Haad, during my last dive on this holiday.

Pic of the three ladies and pic of me transplanting coral were shot by Nathan Cook. Pic of me with the Filefish were shot by Jennifer Dowling. The pic of me about to do my giant step was shot by Simon Dowling.

Koh Tao, Apr 2011: Intro

2011-04-23T15:36:00.008+08:00

From Wikipedia:
"...Ko Tao (also often Koh Tao) is an island in Thailand located near the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand... In the 1980s the first travelers discovered Ko Tao and their special backpacker network quickly made it widely known and a popular destination... In the 1990s the island finally became known as a diving site..."

In the water around this island I obtained my Open Water and Advance Open Water diving certificates during my year-end holiday couple years ago. So it is only proper if I went back there to get my Rescue Diver certification. However, the key reason why I decided to go back there is Eco Koh Tao, a great school for Marine Resource Management and other environment related courses.

These two weeks in Koh Tao have opened my eyes on how ignorant we, human being, are. There are many big noble things we can do, but there are more than many small things we can do too as an individual. After this trip, I have now been trying harder to participate as much as I can one way or another.

Thanks Nath and the team, you guys are fantastic, the tireless eco warriors...

Pic 1364 - 1367: First part out of seven.

The first picture is Mango Bay dive site. The second picture shows some structures made by Eco Koh Tao for the Junkyard Reef.

From Eco Koh Tao page on Facebook, here is the description of Junkyard Reef:
"... Our (Eco Koh Tao) own artificial reef located a few hundred metres offshore from the dive school. It was developed by a hardy band of eco-warriors a little over a year ago. It is small but interesting and the aim was, and still is to make it a viable place to dive with courses and recreational divers alike. Those divers interested in the ‘little stuff’ can probably spend a dive there while many others find it a little monotonous..."

The last picture is the Thai's style of Maneki Neko - just guessing though :) Taken from the school's restaurant.

pic 1359 - 1363

2011-01-30T14:44:00.011+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 18th post out of 18.

Yes, my favourite: the surreal landscape taken on the hill behind the church. I couldn't capture it, but it was light snowing when all these pictures were taken - maybe that was why the tinted was the most yellowish. Just to put things into perspective, the pictures on the previous post were taken when we started the walk to the tower, and the last picture showing the snow drops under the flash light was actually taken the same time as when these pictures on this post were taken.

The picture were uploaded in the sequence. The last three were taken from the tower, and they themselves were in sequence in term of position. On the last picture, I was hoping to be able to capture the light snow above the bright building, but you can only see the light whitish mist there.

These pictures are far from the reality, really. The yellowish surrounding, the feeling of the snow drop on your chin, the silence apart from the sound the snow made on our coats and under our feet, the occassional breeze slapped on your face, the magical pattern the snow drops made when the wind blew... Surreal.

pic 1356 - 1358

2011-01-30T14:22:00.002+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 17th post out of 18.

Yes, the last picutre was taken not in the same time as the first and second - the tinted surrounding are different. The first and second were rather blurred though, since there was a breeze, and I tried to take pictures with enough light shown by the indicator. Later on, I didn't bother about the light indicator. I just made sure I had enough time to get sharp pictures, and adjusted the exposure later on the photoshop. Yeah, cheating.

This look up at the trees is one of my all-time favourite objects. Only one I had uploaded here before though. It was taken back during my first visit to North Ireland, taken behind Sleaveshannagh, somewhere on the woods at the feet of the Mourn. I love them all, they are all just different.

pic 1351 - 1355

2011-01-30T14:05:00.006+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 16th post out of 18.

Things outdoor.

The second pic was taken in South East of the island where people dug a hole in the frozen see and got bubbles into the water to prevent it from frozen, so some brave people could jump into it. Good for the health, I was told. Unfortunately we missed two people just finished their braveries when we arrived.

The third pic was taken somewhere on the hill behind the church. The last.. well, it was me, picture courtesy of H. I didn't know that I supposed to move my legs too! :)

pic 1347 - 1350

2011-01-30T13:50:00.003+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 15th post out of 18.

We both like to take pictures. The different is: no strobe, or with strobe? Well, I kinda like the leather puppet taken with strobe too - but sorry moustached Mr. Shark, I'd prefer you without strobe - at least above water :)

pic 1343 - 1346

2011-01-30T13:40:00.003+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 14th post out of 18.

Look down, I saw: a rabbit's foot steps, a dog's foot steps, a frozen gutter hole, and my foot. Unless my foot, the rest were taken under the influence of some kind of street light. I kinda amazed on both of rabbit and dog's foot steps... two of their steps are almost parallel!

pic 1340 - 1342

2011-01-30T00:23:00.003+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 13th post out of 18.

Another of my favourites: an abandoned frozen playground. This is where we wandered further to the sea and I created my first ever snow angel. Sweet :)

pic 1335 - 1339

2011-01-30T00:11:00.004+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 12th post out of 18.

One of my favourites: the tower on the hill at the back of the church. It was light snowing then, with that yellowish tinted surrounding. Surreal... and magical.

pic 1332 - 1334

2011-01-29T23:55:00.002+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 11th post out of 18.

Never get enough of the frozen sea.

Another section of the evening walk. The tinted surrounding was still there, but I remember it was somehow rather less yellowish than the other section. I suspect it was something to do with the cloud and the air humidity?

pic 1330 - 1331

2011-01-29T00:35:00.003+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 10th post out of 18.

Along the path - the compacted ones. It was lovely to walk on them, gave me similar feeling as walking on the compacted humid soil, like the main paths of tropical jungles. Yup, I have a wild imagination again here!

pic 1326 - 1329

2011-01-29T00:03:00.009+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 9th post out of 18.

I had a chance to visit An and An's place in Espoo. I was picked in the junction of Aleksanterinkatu and Unioninkatu. It's good to see An again (well, I saw the other An back in Riga). We were excited about her graduation in summer, so meanwhile she is busy as a busy bee.

The pics were taken nearby their place. It was almost dark. The sun has gone down, but it was not dark enough yet. The environment had this bluish tone. The pictures are slightly more bluish than the real though - but I've found it was so diificult to adjust them, so I decided to go with these.

I love those brown grass. Amazed on how they survived the extreme.

pic 1324 - 1325

2011-01-28T01:49:00.002+08:00

Helsinki January 2011: 8th post out of 18.

There were giraffe and camel on the wall!

pic 1319 - 1323

2011-01-28T01:44:00.002+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 7th post out of 18.

Helsinki Cathedral. With an impressive amount of snow on its steps.

pic 1315 - 1318

2011-01-27T23:58:00.011+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 6th post out of 18.

This is another Helsinki harbour, the one on the South West, seen from the island. Yet another mysterious frozen sea, beautiful spot, magical surrounding. And wonderful companion.

Superb.

pic 1310 - 1314

2011-01-27T23:40:00.009+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 5th post out of 18.

And this is one of Helsinki harbours, the one located in South East side. I like the bright sky on the far away horizon. Also like those ice crumbles floating. And yes, another fence pole burried on snow :) The first and second pics are similar - I just can't decide which one I like more.

Compare these pictures with ones on the previous post: when the sun was up, the snow and the air were whitish. When the sun was nowhere, somehow it became tinted. It's cool.

pic 1305 - 1309

2011-01-26T01:17:00.014+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 4th post out of 18.

One of many things delighted me in Helsinki is the frozen sea, covered by snow. It was just... beautiful.

This yellowish tone is how the landscape was in real during our second walk. Not white, but yellowish (sepia?). It was kinda surreal. There was just about before light snow coming down, maybe that is why. For some reasons it was similar tone to one when I was diving in murky water of Pulau Hantu, Singapore (yeah, it sounds like an odd similarity).

Ps. The third picture has just been titled Infinity, courtesy of Owly, my blogger friend who creates many great illos.

pic 1299 - 1304

2011-01-26T00:59:00.008+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 3rd post out of 18.

It was snowing when we left for one of the walks. Just perfect.

pic 1297 - 1298

2011-01-26T00:39:00.011+08:00

Helsinki, January 2011: 2nd post out of 18.

Never get enough of those long nights spent with a person you feel comfortable with... Wriggling my toes on that warm socky red boots, getting hungry with the smell of - funny enough - Indian curry sauce being prepared, watching the snow and trying to follow a snow drop (is it how you refer to it?) fell from the sky to the white earth...

And pretending that there were no summit where in some ways you had to bring your unit's name up to its reputation, and pretending that there is no two days filled with office politics waiting the week after. Ha. *And pretending there were no tasks at work, no paperwork to do for another?* :)

The second picture was taken from the balcony, me wearing a t-shirt breaking my record to -17'c. The white light on the top is actually the moon!

pic 1293 - 1296

2011-01-26T00:01:00.018+08:00

I passed Helsinki on the way to and from Riga. Arranged it in such way that I could allow myself to be captivated again. Can't say enough thanks for such a great time. Couldn't avoid the busy working days for the last two, but thankfully managed to pass through the delicate situation, and a project was ended up well too.

Words of warning: this series might feel like full of small talks to one. But, I beg to disagree. They were not small talks. They were just... real :)

Helsinki, January 2011: 1st post out of 18.

From Wikipedia:
...(It) is an island and neighbourhood of Western Helsinki, about three kilometres west of the city centre. With a population of 19,000, it is primarily a residential area but also contains services, including several marinas and canoe clubs. Although close to the city centre, it is noted for its preserved forest areas and rocky outcrops.

That is where I was staying most of the time when I was in Helsinki. In fact, apart from Helsinki city centre and Espoo, other pictures on this series were all taken there. Here are some mementos in-house. The pickled cucumber... can't get enough of it :)

pic 1291 - 1292

2011-01-24T16:07:00.005+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 20th post out of 20.

Self portraits. Love them a lot, photographically I mean :)

pic 1284 - 1290

2011-01-24T16:02:00.007+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 19th post out of 20.

These are the compilation of Riga inhabitant :) The third and forth pictures are showing the same guys.

pic 1280 - 1283

2011-01-24T15:47:00.002+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 18th post out of 20.

Snow - so beautiful, yet so difficult to capture its beauty :) The best four amongst the packs of snow pictures I took in Riga. All taken on the park along the canal.

pic 1276 - 1279

2011-01-24T15:39:00.003+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 17th post out of 20.

...and just when I should dash back to the airport, the sun was out!! Typical huh. But see how differently beautiful it was when the sun was out. Lovely! I love the third picture so much - you even can see a bit of the snow's texture!

pic 1270 - 1275

2011-01-24T15:29:00.003+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 16th post out of 20.

I perfectly know how depressing gloomy winter days were. I did not feel it in Riga though (nor in Helsinki!), since I was only visiting... so these gloomy park in winter scenes had its appeal still to me :) I particularly love the frozen canal. I wish I had the long lenses with me to take close up of that frozen gutter.

pic 1265 - 1269

2011-01-24T14:45:00.002+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 15th post out of 20.

From Wikipedia:
Love padlocks are a custom by which sweethearts affix padlocks to a fence or similar public fixture to symbolize their love. Most common place of Love padlocks are railings of the bridges... Similar customs exist in Riga, the capital of Latvia, where married couples clamp padlocks on the railings of a bridge and throw the key into the lake below.

pic 1261 - 1264

2011-01-24T14:30:00.005+08:00

Riga, January 2010: 14th post out of 20.

These are my dinner on the weekend eves at Double Coffee. Well, not Latvian at all!

One thing I've found it funky was the mirror on the ladies toilet - on the last picture. It had an advertisement on it when there is no object in front of it. Once you are facing right in front of the mirror, the advertisement just went off :)

pic 1256 - 1260

2011-01-24T14:19:00.006+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 13th post out of 20.

I was so delighted to see these ducks surviving in winter! :) There were on the park along the canal. If only I had more time, I would have been taking more pictures of them :)

The third and fourth pictures are supposedly a play in focus - but since I used wide lenses, not much differences could be captured actually. Huh. For some reasons I like the last one so much, even though I have to sacrifice the bridge's brick patterns to capture snow's bit of detail.

pic 1249 - 1255

2011-01-23T11:56:00.011+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 12th post out of 20.

Ok, this might be a bit painful, since the pictures are rather dark. They were taken in dungeon somewhere in old town, which is used as restaurant now. I felt like Asterix really, having a feast on the medieval long-style table in the dungeon, served by men in robes and fancy accent. The place was really dark. The food was rather medieval too, a big chunk of chewy meat with some kind of grains and plain dry chappati-like bread.

It was a pleasant night though, since this is the first time ever I've experienced this :) There were many interesting stuff there, like the winding stairs, the weight system on the bath room door that makes the door automatically closed, the table design etc., but the place was just simply too dark for my phone camera. The last picture on this post was the decoration on the wall that traditionally would consist garlic amongst others, to shoo off vampires and the likes.

As all pics were taken with my i-phone, no significant adjustment can be made at all. Bummer.

pic 1246 - 1248

2011-01-23T11:39:00.003+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 11th post out of 20.

There is this old, run down building near the river with some out-of-place posters on it. Somehow I like the scene for no obvious reasons. Something that will cheer the passer by?

pic 1241 - 1245

2011-01-23T11:24:00.003+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 10th post out of 20.

From Wikitravel:
Freedom Monument is one of Latvia's national symbols. It was erected after the first independence and surprisingly never taken down by the Soviets (although laying flowers at its feet was forbidden). The statue at the top of the monument is "Milda".

It was Saturday on the day I flew back to Helsinki, and I was trying to squeeze some more minutes to wander around before I had to dash back to airport, when I saw these guards did some manouvre in front of the monument. I thought it was rather tidy, and surprisingly no one paid any attention, so I had this prime place right in front of the monument to take these pictures. When I took closer steps to take pictures of the flower though, suddenly there are two people in civilian attires swiftly approaching the monument from the opposite direction. And my heart rate was dropped - they were just so fierce looking, and one of them flashed the big huge gun on his waist. Just like in James Bond movie. The different was... I thought Latvia is part of the EU?

I stopped. Took the flower picture (that's why the composition was not straight), and walked back looked for the cab. And actually rather scared :)

Darn. Swear, I am just a bloody tourist!

pic 1235 - 1240

2011-01-23T11:01:00.002+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 9th post out of 20.

Doors in old Riga are far from normal door I know. They are grand and rather menacing I might say. But I also captured the simple back-yard door from red planks that could do with some renovation. I somehow love this frame a lot; not sure why. The picture quality could be better though.

pic 1228 - 1234

2011-01-23T10:46:00.004+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 8th post out of 20.

This post is about graphics. One thing delighten me so much was how they made the symbol for 'no parking allowed' captured on the last picture. I think that is so cool. Also love the pink creature on the stripey lamp post.

pic 1222 - 1227

2011-01-23T10:28:00.004+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 7th post out of 20.

When I looked up in old Riga, I was amazed by how beautiful the skyscape was *yeah, not sure if there is such a word :) but I love the sound of it* There were so many towers, and the buildings' roofs have interesting patterns. Most of them were not captured though, since for what I thought as a practicality, I didn't take the long lense with me, which turned out to be a shame.

Anyway, some of them are here. The same problems were occured - difficulties to capture the colour and texture with the dull grey sky as the background.

pic 1216 - 1221

2011-01-22T22:42:00.008+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 6th post out of 20.

I always think that central market, main train station, main post office, local pub/coffee/tea house, and cemetery are amongst the best places to absorb true local atmosphere. So I made a point to visit Riga Central Market. Such an interesting place with things they sell and the buzz around. Unfortunately some people were bit suspicious with my SLR camera, and I didn't have pocket camera with me - so didn't manage to capture the atmostphere and most of the interesting stuff :(

I made a point to visit the central train station as well, but the building is pretty modern and somehow I didn't really feel comfortable to snap around, unfortunately.

pic 1209 - 1215

2011-01-22T21:46:00.011+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 5th post out of 20.

It is kind of shame to upload these pictures, as they are failure photographically (if there is such word?) The worst of the condition: dark red bricks, white snow, dull greyish sky. Anyway, it does not do any justice to Riga if I do not upload these red brick beautiful buildings (well, in real). There are many of them, and they are just lovely to look at.

The first picture actually was taken with the intention to capture the icycle formed on the edge of the roof, and the thin ice on the window surface - but of course, it is pretty difficult to see that from the picture. I love the diferent brick formation made next to the plumbing system on the second picture - was there where the plumber hold onto in the old days? The fifth picture is so bad that the snow is simply plain white. However, I just love the name of the alley - sounds so exotic - so I included it :)

pic 1204 - 1208

2011-01-22T20:10:00.018+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 4th post out of 20.

I am lucky this time to visit four season places while the snow were there! Well, considering I had been living for three years in four season countries, including three winters, and all experience I got from them are couple days of snow which never reached 3cm thick. Huh.

Amongst these pictures of everyday stuff, I particularly love the fence pole along the canal. I wish I could bring out the texture and pattern with those brownish leaves on the snow. I am not really sure about the stuff on the last picture. I have a feeling that it was kind of memorial about something that happened there.

pic 1200 - 1203

2011-01-22T19:31:00.007+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 3rd post out of 20.

One of the things I love about old places is their alleys. Not so narrow in Riga though, or maybe I haven't discovered them since I didn't really explore the place.

On the second picture you see how close it is between the old and the new. Maybe this is what worries UNESCO. I mean, it all looks tidy now, but when the new building was being constructed, surely it affected the old one?

The third and fourth are pictures of one of those lovely holes through the thick wall or building. I just love this one and actually lingered quite a while there admiring the brick patterns.

pic 1195 - 1199

2011-01-22T19:01:00.006+08:00

Riga, January 2011: 2nd post out of 20.

For obvious reason, The House of Black Cats has a special place on my heart, and I actually made sure I would visit it in the day light :) It was built as a reaction of rejection from The Big Guild and The Little Guild to allow this rich young man to be accepted as one of them. The alley picture was taken in between of The Big and The Little Guilds.

Put aside the real reason for the cat house and entertain my passion for cats, yes, I've met a friendly Latvian cat wandering around the snow in the cold morning... well, not surprisingly, in front of The House of Black Cats! :)

pic 1193 - 1194

2011-01-22T18:19:00.025+08:00

The first post in 2011: started with pic 1193.

From Wikipedia:
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia, situated on the mouth of Daugava River. Riga's historical centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is particularly notable for its extensive Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) architecture, which UNESCO considers to be unparalleled anywhere in the world.

I was in Riga some time in the beginning of January 2011 - alas, for work. However, I managed to squeeze some time for walk. Particularly sorry I had to miss taking pictures along the Jugendstil area, since it was dark when we had the tour, and was not sure which roads and paths to reach those buildings I would love to visit back within couple 1 hour slots I managed to grab in day time amongst work, work, and work. Anyway, I have to say I enjoyed those couple short walks, and here are some pictures I took.

Riga, January 2011: 1st post out of 20.

The two pictures here were taken from the same spot on the brink of the frozen Daugava River. The East represents the old, the west represent the new Riga. The tall new building is the main office of Swedbank called the Sun Stone, which one of the tallest buildings in Riga.

While taking pictures in Riga (and in Helsinki as well), I kept facing the challenges on capturing the beauty of the snow in contrast with the things around it. The snow just lost their textures, contours and colours, and just look flat and whitish. Thought about it before the trip, but didn't have time to really look into this. Bummer really.

pic 1187 - 1192

2010-12-26T22:35:00.029+08:00

The last post in 2010: ended with pic 1192.

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

The seventh of seven parts:
You won't claim you were in Shanghai unless you had an evening stroll along The Bund. So much blings now compared to the old days, but the charms of those buildings have been preserved fortunately (at least on my eyes).

The first picture is the classic view of Shanghai (Pudong side), with its Oriental Pearl Tower as its landmark. As I love boats, of course I had to wait until there was a barge passing by :) The rest are all views of The Bund (Puxi side).

The Bund used to be the place for the night life in Shanghai. Still a place to go now, but there are many places in Pudong as alternatives. I decided to go to couple places in Pudong that night (that's why the title of these pics is 'Early Saturday..', ha!), and found out that I still prefer The Bund to those new places without characters.

day 1185 - 1186

2010-12-26T22:28:00.012+08:00

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

The sixth of seven parts:
Mother and daugther in The Bund. I didn't manage to capture the magic unfortunately... but in real, the scene somehow touched me.

pic 1183 - 1184

2010-12-26T22:17:00.006+08:00

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

The fifth of seven parts:

People people everywhere. It is not a photogenic picture at all, but I feel I have to upload this picture of Nanjing Street with its visitors. And no, this is not near Chinese New Year at all.

Another is the picture of a very hardworking policeman. I was observing him for about 5 minutes from a double decker, and decided it was not an easy job at all, as he has to regulate both vehicles and people even though there was nothing wrong with the traffic light. At one point he asked a young woman who jaywalked to get back to where she was. Impressive.

pic 1176 - 1182

2010-12-26T22:09:00.006+08:00

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

The fourth of the seven parts:
Look up around Shanghai city centre. Apart from the Oriental Pearl Tower (the first picture), the rest were taken in Puxi side of Shanghai. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that they have Raffles City there :)

pic 1174 - 1175

2010-12-26T21:57:00.004+08:00

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

The third of seven parts:
Yangtze River, or Chang Jiang, the longest river in Asia... Toward the end of its journey with Pudong and its modern skycrapers as the background. And huge barge going upriver with Puxi and old, grandeur, The Bund as the background.

pic 1167 - 1173

2010-12-26T21:26:00.018+08:00

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

The second of the seven parts:
Couple blocks behind The Bund (Waitan), I've found a bit of buzz that reminds me of China I was familiar with: sweet potato (it used to be my staple in Guangzhou!), stuff made from grains and nuts, halal mutton, traditional butcher...

pic 1163 - 1166

2010-12-26T19:43:00.028+08:00

Early Saturday in Shanghai, Dec 2010.

It is eleven years to the month since the first time I passed Shanghai on my one-way journey from Guangzhou to Beijing in cold December 1999. Nothing I can remember from back then apart from the Oriental Pearl Tower and The Bund, which also have more blings now than the old days. Shanghai has definitely grown up.

The first of seven parts:
The nice part of Shanghai, so I am told. A wee park on the roundabout where the bird enthusiasts showcase their pets (enlarge the first pic and you can see those bird cages lined up in front of those people) and mothers leisurely stroll their only children.

pic 1156 - 1162

2010-12-25T16:21:00.009+08:00

The seventh of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.
Merry Christmas everyone! Wish you a beautiful one with your loved ones..

From this disco ball...

...I've got these four...

(I think you have to see the enlarge version to see the differences)

...and these two (which apparently pretty similar to each other. doh!)

pic 1154 - 1155

2010-12-25T16:02:00.002+08:00

The sixth of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.
Same shot, different white balance.

pic 1151 - 1153

2010-12-25T15:55:00.004+08:00

The fifth of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.
Couple results from playing with focus.

pic 1144 - 1150

2010-12-25T15:38:00.009+08:00

The forth of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.
ION Orchard from different angles.

I must confess that the tree and ION itself actually are nicer than I thought.

pic 1141 - 1143

2010-12-25T15:21:00.005+08:00

The third of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.

Three pictures I kinda like a lot.

The first picture is more how Wheelock Place (well, Borders book shop) used to be one of fav places in Singapore. Still, kinda nice looking picture I might say.

The second; I just love the greenies, and the sparkling background.

The third, I think this is the winner of the this series. I gave myself a task to capture that garish Christmas lights in Orchard Road, to be nice pictures. See the wee picture - that how garish the tree is.

pic 1139 - 1140

2010-12-25T14:57:00.006+08:00

The second of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.
One column, two views.

Pic 1137 - 1138

2010-12-25T14:26:00.007+08:00

The first of seven parts: Christmas lights, Singapore 2010.
Tanglin mall's CD Christmas tree. With its fake snow show. Well, not snow, but foam. Creative, aren't we? :)

pic 1136

2010-12-24T17:22:00.003+08:00

One rainy night in Novermber, Ms LP and I were walking from City Hall to the new Marina Bay Sands Singapore, with the idea to take some nice pictures. Was not really successful, but here is one I pick: the ceiling of the shopping mall, Marina Bay Sands Singapore. I wish I could fly and take this picture from the higher angle.

Will definitely need to go there again when all those construction finished, if ever.

a note

2010-12-24T17:08:00.003+08:00

Hello...

I have failed to keep updating this blog with one picture a day consistently for the last six months. Looking at the state of life I have now, I'd guess it is rather ambitious to continue to do that. However, I love my blog, as there are always urges now and then to take pictures and share them with the world. In fact, in some times, I need it badly, as taking picture is part of me.

So, I am going to keep the blog, even though the pictures are not going to be uploaded every day. Only relation with the original blog's concept is that I am going to upload at least 365 (or 366) pictures a year. I think it sounds good, and most importantly, manageable.

Anyway, I'd better stop writing now, as it's never been my forte. Instead, enjoy the pictures!

Cheers. sara!

day 1135

2010-07-07T13:10:00.001+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 26 of 26 - after the big bang.

I note that the black is not the 'real' black - that's after the pictures' quality have been reduced. A shame. But it is a must to be able to get those pictures shown easily on the web!

day 1134

2010-07-06T13:08:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 25 of 26.

day 1133

2010-07-05T13:07:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 24 of 26.

day 1132

2010-07-04T13:05:00.001+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 23 of 26.

day 1131

2010-07-03T13:03:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Nigth Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 22 of 26.

day 1130

2010-07-02T13:02:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 21 of 26.

day 1129

2010-07-01T13:00:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 20 of 26.

day 1128

2010-06-30T12:59:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 19 of 26.

day 1127

2010-06-29T12:58:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 18 of 26.

day 1126

2010-06-28T12:56:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 17 of 26.

day 1125

2010-06-27T12:55:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 16 of 26.

day 1124

2010-06-26T12:53:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 15 of 26.

day 1123

2010-06-25T12:52:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 14 of 26.

day 1122

2010-06-24T12:50:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 13 of 26.

day 1121

2010-06-23T12:48:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore

Pic 12 of 26.

day 1120

2010-06-22T22:36:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 11 of 26.

day 1119

2010-06-21T22:35:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 10 of 26.

day 1118

2010-06-20T22:32:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 9 of 26.

day 1117

2010-06-19T22:30:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 8 of 26.

day 1116

2010-06-18T22:29:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 7 of 26.

day 1115

2010-06-17T22:27:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 6 of 26.

day 1114

2010-06-16T22:25:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 5 of 26.

day 1113

2010-06-15T22:24:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 4 of 26.

day 1112

2010-06-14T22:21:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 3 of 26.

day 1111

2010-06-13T17:37:00.001+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 2 of 26.

day 1110

2010-06-12T17:27:00.000+08:00

Paraboles 2.0 by Compagnie Off.
Night Festival July 2010, National Museum of Singapore.

Pic 1 of 26.

day 1109

2010-06-11T22:57:00.002+08:00

Mucking around to get my battery flat after the trip.
Version 2: less warmish tone, mirror focused.

day 1108

2010-06-10T22:55:00.004+08:00

Mucking around to get my battery flat after the trip.
Version 1: warmish tone, me focused.

day 1107

2010-06-09T20:41:00.008+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 39 of 39.

It was another great trip, in many ways. No phone connection, no email, no internet, beautiful views, wonderful dive sites, good boat, good crews, good travel mates, good night sleeps, good food, good dives, good lazy time under the sunshine, good afternoon naps. And unexpected good companion.

As mentioned, the trip started earlier. Actually at the date of this post, even though the pictures are dated earlier. Simply because I was not keeping this blog on time lately. Will try to keep the pace now.

day 1106

2010-06-08T20:40:00.002+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 38 of 39.

The important rudder while swimming.

day 1105

2010-06-07T20:39:00.000+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 37 of 39.

day 1104

2010-06-06T20:38:00.000+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 36 of 39.

day 1103

2010-06-05T20:36:00.000+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 35 of 39.

day 1102

2010-06-04T20:35:00.000+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 34 of 39.

day 1101

2010-06-03T20:32:00.001+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 33 of 39.

See the rubbish in the background, the bright blue slipper, for the sense of measurement, that it doesn't do any justice to categorise this guy as a lizard!

day 1100

2010-06-02T20:28:00.003+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 32 of 2010.

Last but not least, the mighty dragon itself. Pictures were taken from Rinca Island, where some komodos were having the late morning sun bathing session.

I swear this guy was smiling and posing for us!

day 1099

2010-06-01T20:24:00.000+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 31 of 39.

Reunionwith Sanur after 14 years, when I had to spend a night each before and after the trip.

And I was weeping. I didn’t even have a heart totake a single picture of the area. Where has that long stretch of white sandybeach gone? Are these buildings everywhere really what Balinese wish? Where arethose empty alleys lined up with traditional gates of the wee charming cottages? Where are those wave’s songs?

Send the answers on one of those post card soldthere please – ironically with picture of Sanur beach as it used to be.

day 1098

2010-05-31T20:22:00.000+08:00

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 30 of 39.