Its Saturday morning. We woke up early by 8AM and got ready for the day trip to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR). It was a fairly sunny morning with occasional light breezes. We reached BTNR by 10.30AM. My first impression of the place was "WOW!". There was a Visitor Center's Exhibition Hall, which we skipped. I heard that there are some interesting glass displays of products that could be made of plants found in the reserves and specimens of different types of leaves and flowers. As none of us were interested in these details we straight away took the map of the place and started exploring.
There was a steep road ahead and lot of tall trees right from the entrance. When we saw the map we could see Blue, Yellow, Red an Green lines. Each line has some distance and the longest was around 1.8KM. We were a bit disappointed with such a short distance of trekking. So decided to go through the longest way possible by crossing these lines here and there. The highest point of Singapore is here at BTNR and the height is just a meager 164mts.
At around 11AM we started off the trek through a mud road through tall trees on either side and steps going down. We were a little worried about the rain. The temperature was warm and climate was humid. As soon as we started the walk everybody was sweating because of the humidity. We started on the path- South View Path. The first thing I saw was, of course, lots and lots of trees which looked almost the same to me. I had absolutely no clue to the different species of the trees. All I noticed were that they come in all different heights and colors and thickness.
After a while the air was refreshing and I could feel light breezes every now and then but the sweating did not stop. The feel of the tropical rain forest has been very much provided here. I had the serene feeling and felt at ease away from all the busy world. As we trekked further using the steps that have been carved out for hikers, guys wanted to stop every now and then as they were feeling tired because of the trek. I was feeling at ease because of the 5KM walk that I am doing everyday.
We saw different kinds of trees and the leaves. There were also plants that grew on other trees or structures such as railings and hedges something like creepers. We could also see the leaf litter on the ground near those majestic trees. We could also see some small waterfalls during the trek. Besides observing the trees around us, the ground I could also see that the ground was in different colors. I could see soil dark color and yellow in color which might have its own reasons for that coloring.
We also saw some fallen tree trunks which we thought might have been kept artificially by BTNR to have the look of the forest. We were also hearing the continuous buzz in the back ground which we were not sure whether it was natural or a tape going on. The walk through the forest took around 2 hours in total. There were some tough routes in the reserve which had many steps to climb. As usual we took so many pictures in this trek also.
At last as we came down and had some water and posed for some pics. We took some pics of the monkeys that were around. At around 2.30 we took a taxi back home. The hike certainly reinvigorated me and though the paths are rocky, I found the trip an interesting and enriching experience that I could share with my friends. However, I feel that the trip was too rushed as my friends were very much tired. May be some other time I shall go for a longer route.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Weekend at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Weekend Wake Boarding at ECP
The long awaited wake boarding finally fulfilled. The first weekend when I met Surya in Singapore long back in first quarter of the year, we discussed about going for Wake Boarding. we've been talking since and trying to plan everything smoothly. But nothing worked out till last weekend. Me, Surya, Nagaraj, Vidyadhar and Srinivas planned for the wake boarding and started off to ECP. On the way we thought it wasn't that sunny, but by the time we reached ECP the sun was at his best. It has become a hot scorching day by then.
As we went near to the place I was excited to see the people going around the artificially made setup for this. I saw people falling into the water very often. I was just wondering if I could actually make it. But then I decided I had to try wakeboarding when I have got this opportunity. wake boarding is S$42/hr on the weekends. Here it is not the typical wakeboarding that I have seen on television. Here we are not pulled by a boat, instead, a mechanical line pulls us around a small lake. Before we enter the lake we will be trained a little bit. We must navigate through special booeys given to us. We were not told how to navigate while switching the towers.
The first time I made it just one turn and then sank while switching towers, because it momentarily looses tension! Now I understood how we have to navigate while changing the towers. The second time I made a full round but at the end the rope was released by the personnel there as there was someone in the way of the track. The third time I did almost 3/4th turn but tried something different and sank then.
After wakeboarding, we went for a drink and late lunch at around 4PM. We went to Long Beach Restaurant and had some vegetarian, chicken and some sea food. Later we took some pictures at the beach.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Weekend Trip to Sentosa
Weekend started off well on Friday itself with all the friends coming home. We cooked food, had some drinks, saw movies and then slept late at night. Next day morning we had plans to go to Sentosa. At around 10.30 we all woke up and everybody was feeling the hangover and were actually not in a mood to go anywhere. After lot of discussion there were many new plans popping up. After all the negotiations we started off to Sentosa at around 2PM.
We took the MRT from Lake Side and reached Harbour Front. From there we started off to Sentosa. At Sentosa we stepped down the train at Beach station. We were clear of what we were going to do today in Sentosa. From the beach station we walked till Palawan Beach and wanted to spend time there. We bought some beers to start with.
Meanwhile Surya bought a Frisbee to play. Once we saw the Frisbee everybody was in a mood to play. I was having bad headache since morning and hence did not enter the waters. While the guys were playing in the water with the Frisbee I started clicking some pictures. I tried some Black and White pictures also. I was busy taking pictures of the beach people and the folks with me.
After sometime we took the second round of beers and got rejuvenated. The whole weekend was sponsored by me with regards to my match for marriage. It was till 6 that we played and then everybody went to get fresh. Meanwhile I took a small nap to soothe my headache. At around 6.30 we took some snacks and beer and waited till 8 for Ganesh to join us for dinner. We later went to Samundar restaurant to have dinner. We had heavy dinner and started back home at around 9.30 in the night.
Overall the day was really really nice away from all tensions and doing nothing all the day. I was very much relaxed with this short trip to Sentosa. The beach was looking good, the crowd here was good with lot of families with kids were enjoying the serenity of the beach, the food at the Indian restaurant was good and over all of this I was with my friends for the whole day just spending the time in playing around.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Singapore Grand Prix - Day 2
Last night I was very tired, but still as I was excited about the qualifying session I woke up early. When I woke up my eardrums were still hurting because of the last nights action. As the Day 2 is the F1 qualifying session which was scheduled at 10PM, I thought I shall meanwhile cover the other races and then shall be ready for the qualifying session.
After a quick brunch, I was off to the race tracks again. I saw the races which involved the GTs like Aston Martins and Porsche's. Today I felt the exhaust notes from these cars were loud, but are a bit easier on my ears. From the walkabout ticket holders I heard that they can hear the sound from 1.5KM away. So, you can imagine what the experience is like hearing a whole group of them, highly modified ones, revving their engines simultaneously just 5m away from me.
Today it was a day of sweltering heat. With in fifteen minutes of reaching the track, I was drenched in my own perspiration. Meanwhile today I also heard the songs at the stage near the pit stop grandstand. By the time I finished taking pics of some of the cars in the practice session, Surya and Nagaraj called me from the Walk About area. I thought I shall survey some areas which I still haven't seen. So I left the grandstand and went to the walk about with them.
So I have seen the main F1 practice session walking through the walk about area in the huge crowd present there cheering for their heroes. I would say this was definitely a truly international event. In the grandstand and While wandering around, I have noticed fans from Brazil, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Korea, Japan, China and many many more countries. The most common thing observed for Aussie fans was they all were seemingly drunk.
But the only thing we missed doing the walk about was, I was not really sure who got the pole position. At the same time I was a bit bored today watching the same cars going so fast before you and there is nothing much you can actually capture. Later after coming back home I heard that Felipe Massa from the Ferrari team would be starting on pole the next day, he clocked the best timing of 1m44.801s.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Singapore Grand Prix - Day 1
It was 26th of September and the highlight of the Singapore sporting calendar for this year has arrived. It was the Day 1 of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix (GP), the first ever night race in the FIA's history. I knew that Day 1 is the practice session for the different racing teams. Also there were BMW Formula Asia, Aston Martin Asia Cup and Porsche Carrera Asia Cup races being held at the circuit. It was all electrified.
It was Friday and I had a deliverable at the office which I had to complete by three and leave for the race. But it was already three and I was still in the office while I heard some roaring sounds of the cars. The BMW Formula Asia tournament has started. From my office building we had a great view of the race. Everybody on the floor was stuck to the windows to watch the live action. I guess I was the only person who was not interested to stand at the window but to complete my work as I wanted to see the whole race as closely as possible.
At around 3.30 I changed my dress in office and wore my favorite team Ferrari's T-shirt and walked as quickly as possible to reach the MRT. Took a train from City Hall to Lavender and from there we had pickup bus to the Gate 1A. By the time we were taking the last turn in the bus at Gate 1A, I was already hearing the sounds of the engines. Got down the bus and swiftly walked to the Gate where there was a bag check and some security checks done.
Once I went inside the gate it was a great feeling. As soon as I entered the gate I bought the $2 worth ear drum protection and a protection from the rain. I heard that this amount would go to some charity. The F1 practice session was scheduled to start at 7 pm. So before that I wanted to go around the circuit area and see what are the important things to see.
I took out my camera and started clicking pictures. As I further went into the circuit area, I could see the official F1 merchandise shops, team merchandise shops, ATM's, Restrooms, Performance area etc. Just after going some more deep into the area, I heard some drum beats. There I see the Go-Go dancers dancing to the tunes of those beats. People were enjoying the dance and at the same time they were posing with the dancers for the pics. It was fun.
I went further and came across the food and drink bars. Also have seen an ice cream parlour. I wanted to go there first, but I thought I shall go and check my seating and then go ahead with other things. My Seat number was 19 in row 6 in block A11 in Pitstop Grandstand. As I entered the grandstand, it was a great feeling. I could see the pit stops right before me. My seating was just before the Force India pit stop. Meanwhile the other races were going on and I was listening to the beautiful sound of those engines. The problem at the seating was that I can see the cars and the race but cannot take the pictures properly. So I went forward to Block A27. From there I could take the pictures of the cars at the 23rd turn of the track. I got some very good pictures.
Now as the clock hit 7 sharp, The first race car zoomed past the start line. Till now I had no problem with the sound of the cars. Then the second car and then the third car. Now I realised the importance of those ear drum saving buds and immediately wore them. The whole crowd in the grandstand cheered them. Most of them were standing to their feet to watch the live action. I was even more excited and stood up on the seat when the Ferrari car went past.
Kudos to the organizers and the staff at the circuit. The crowd management was very very good. The spectators had no problem in entry and exit to grandstands and the walkabout the circuit. There were food stalls for people who are hungry, there was entertainment programs for people who were getting bored waiting for the race, there were health centers for people who got hurt and there were many many many staff people to guide us to the right place at the right time.
The noise emitted from each car was bearable for most of the time, but as more and more cars zoomed past, it was so loud that it drown out the "live" commentary from the giant projector TV just in front of me. As I had my ear plugs, I thought the noise was bearable for most of the time. Overall the action was so much closer and the experience is a must once atleast in a life time. I shall update the day 2 very soon.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Mails from Managing Editor - Picture.com
Mail - 1:
After thoroughly reviewing and discussing your photograph, I am pleased to inform you that our Selection Committee has advanced your contest entry, "Elements of nature," to semi-finalist in the International Open Amateur Photography Contest.
Mail - 2:
After thoroughly reviewing and discussing your photograph, I am pleased to inform you that our Selection Committee has advanced your contest entry, "Feel my love," to semi-finalist in the International Open Amateur Photography Contest.
I have got two mails from the Managing Editor Jeffrey Bryan from Picture.com. Two of my photo entries have been selected for the Semi Final in the International Photography Competition. I am really feeling good and it also boosts my confidence to learn more and more techniques in the photography.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My Trip to Melacca
Recently I have been to Melacca. Its a historical place in Malaysia. People come here to explore the place and know the culture of Malaysia. The whole town is preserved to depict the French and the portugese rule on Malaysia. You can see the 200 year old culture there. The buildings are old. The roads are narrow. The people here live almost only on tourism.
Most of the old buildings and churches are restored here. The color combination of the paint for the buildings is so vibrant. The whole town is very colorful. The day when we were there it was so hot that I didnt really enjoy the trip. Though people were excited to go there I was not at all in a mood of enjoyment. I was waiting for the time to run fast and I get into the bus back to Singapore.
We started at 8AM in Singapore and reached Melacca in the afternoon by 12. None of us had any idea on the places to go. So we thought we will just try some travels to actually take care of this. We booked a mini bus and started off for the tour. The AC in the mini bus was also not working. So the overall experience became worse now.
The driver was speaking continuously and took us to some of the heritage places and temples and some honey selling shop. The city was so small that we moved around and almost reached the same spot everytime. We took many a pics of the place and surroundings. The driver also showed us the River Esplanade. We took some pics there. We got on to a ship model which was exhibited there.
Overall this trip was not at all exciting nor was so interesting for me or for Srinivas or for Mahesh. I shall update the pics very soon. If you really want to see and enjoy the trip in Melacca then I would suggest you to go in Winter and take a bike ride along the city. That would actually give a complete idea of what the place is all about.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Gambling at Genting
We never had a plan to go for Genting Highlands. I heard a lot about the place but did not really plan for it in this KL trip. As we were able to cover Petronas, KL Tower, Batu Caves, Times Square Berjaya, China Town and the Night life in just one day, we thought of checking out Genting on the second day. Genting is basically a hill top entertainment weekend getaway for the Malays and there is not much for tourists really.
Genting Highlands Resort
View of the Resort from the Flying Coaster AreaFor safety reasons, it undergoes periodic maintenance checks. And we were the most unlucky people as the maintanence started the day we went there. Hence it was closed. During the maintenance period, they use Awana Skyway, which is a bit less exciting than the Genting Skyway. But after seeing the queue there and the time limit that we had we thought of avoiding it. We took a taxi straigh to the Genting resort.
Flying Coaster
Train Experience to see the whole resort
Me at the Casino EntrancePeople stay in the Genting resort hotel over night to enjoy all this fun. They have bowling games, Indoor theme park, nice buffet for lunch and dinner and a theater. But of all these I would say Genting has three primary attractions which are Casino (Casino de Genting), Theme Parks (Indoor and Outdoor) and the Rope ways (Genting Skyway and Awana Skyway).
Aquarium inside Casino
Fishes at the outdoor theme park
On way backThings to be taken care are:
It rains there most of the time - take umbrellas, raincoats etc.
You need not stay overnight - best plan to go early morning and come back to KL in evening
Vegetarians - Do carry something
Ropeway - take a call looking at the weather - do not judge weather in Genting with that of KL
Night Life at KL
aIn KL we booked a hotel by name Pondok Lodge through the Hostel World. I have read some reviews and just booked it. When we reached there in the morning at 8AM we saw that the street was empty and deserted. We went out for the full day tour of the city and came back to hotel at 8PM. When we reached there we couldnt recognise the hotel. The road which seemed so calm in the morning was looking wild with music and people all around. Now we understood that we were staying in one of most happening streets in KL.
We got ready and started to check out the night life there. First pub we visited was just below our lodge. The crowd and the music there was awesome. As the place was really small we couldnt really stay there for long time. We went forward asking people about the beach pub. Following the directions we reached the beach pub. There was huge crowd dancing around. There was some live band playing really nice songs from different genres. We further went down and reached Aloha pub. The music here was simply superb and I would say one of the best I have seen till date.
The roads at 2AM in the morning were full with cars, taxis, bikes and people. You would never feel that you are on the road at 2 in the morning. While coming back we also saw that McDonalds and KFC were still open and were serving. But avoided both of them and sat at a local food court road side. The time travelled so fast from 9 to 4 that we did not realise that it was already 4 in the morning by the time we reached back to hotel. Finally I would say After Phuket, Night life at KL rocks.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
KL Tower & Times Square Berjaya
Most of my second day in KL wound up being a tall buildings tour. From Batu Caves we headed over to KL's forgotten tall building, the Kuala Lumpur Tower well known as KL Tower. Its actually a fifteen minute walk from the Petronas. We saw that there were lot of counter at the KL Tower reception. We found out and took 4 tickets for the KL Tower observatory Floor. Once we reached there we felt it was well worth to go there. Unlike the Petronas Towers sky bridge, the KL Tower offers panoramic views that are from a much higher vantage point.
We took many pics from there and came back to the ground floor. We were feeling hungry and inquired about any restaurant near by. We were surprised to know that there was a revolving restaurant above the observatory floor. We booked 4 seats and again went into the lift line to reach the top floor of KL Tower. When we entered the restaurant we were excited to see our selves in a revolving restaurant at such a height. The view from here was much much better than from the observatory.
We sat down and asked what was in there for the menu. The menu was total continental which also had some rice. We were able to eat well and there were lot of varieties of icecreams too. Meanwhile we took many many pics of the city. We were also able to see the Batu caves from the tower. It was an awesome experience. We spent for about 2 hours in the restaurant. We then headed for the Times Square Berjaya.
Berjaya Times Square KL is a building containing a huge shopping centre and two five star hotels. It has the largest indoor amusement park in Asia. It also has wide range of 900 retail shops, 12 levels of entertainment and shopping, 65 cafes, bistros, restaurants, fast food outlets, 9 screen cineplex and 2 departmental stores all under one roof. Me and Srinivas were excited about the mall as there was a amusement park which had roller coaster in the building itself. We have never experienced a roller coaster ride till date. We went to the 7th floor where the entrance for the amusement park was available. Firstly me and Srini took the tickets to get in while Nagraj and vidya were taking our pics.
We wanted to sit in the first seat of the roller coaster, so we skipped one of the ride which was going on. We did not think about any other ride which was available. We got our turn and we were sitting in the front seat. Finally it started and we were going a bit slowly at first. It went on and on and on and finally picked up the speed. It was a great experience. We were going up and down and side ways and up side down and there were lot of things happening before we could even realise. It was just a 2 minute ride. We had great fun.
We then convinced Nagraj to come into the amusement park while Vidya went out to talk to his son. Nagraj and Srini tried Robo Crash. I just stood outside and took the pics of them. From there we went on for DNA Mixer. This ride was dangerous in a sense. We will be upside down most of the times. The ride was a bit jerky and hence I did not feel good once the ride was complete. I was not in a mood to go for other ride as I was suffering from headache. We further went for the Spinning Orbit ride which only Srini tried. We took many pics and finally came back to the starting point. We then started off for the Petronas Sky Bridge walk which was scheduled for 6.30PM.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Murugan at Batu Caves
3 years back when I was a working in Goldstone I used to get lot of forward mails. One such mail had pictures of the worlds tallest Murugan statue. It was simple superb. The idol was 42 meter height in golden color. At that time I didnt even know where it was located, but actually wanted to visit that place once. Finally after 3 years when I went to KL, I was able to visit the place. Before going to KL when I was searching for places to visit in KL, I came across Batu Caves. When I read about that caves and saw the picture of the same murugan statue, I was excited and immediately thought of going there.
Batu Caves
Worlds Tallest Murugan Statue
Entrance
First Steps
On the way up
Monkey with another monkey
View from 272nd step
huh end of the steps
Entrance of the cave
Hindu Shrines
Look at the tall ceiling
Temple
There is also a murugan temple inside. There are again about 50 steps which would take us to another temple.
View from the inner cave
We took many pictures of the cave, the temples and the monkeys seen around. On the way back we saw one more cave which was referred as the dark cave. This cave has some amazing rock formations and has different types of bats inside. We didnt really show interest in going there as it was like an educational tour and it would take more than an hour. We saw a guy with a python around his neck. We gave him 10 Ringgit and we (Me and Srinivas) tried the same.
Scared the shit out of him :P
Colorful Fishes