My PhotoBlog

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tawau

So here is yours truly for a holiday to Tawau, Sandakan, Semporna, Lahad Datu and the 3 islands off the coast of Semporna; Mabul, Kapalai & Sipadan.

But 1st, Tawau's airport.

Most people are not aware that there is a nice forest reserve for trekking and such. Heck, there are even waterfalls but sadly, it was raining as we got there. So this is all I have. If you're interested, Google out Tawau Hills Park.

A small fall...

Now, we know that East Malaysia is famous for seafood. I'll let the piccies do the talking.
Mantis prawns aka Lai Liu Har anyone?

Lobster going for RM120/kilo and it's a whopper too! Wonder how much this baby will cost you?

What's KLCC, EPF, KLIA, etc got to do with this Seafood Restaurant? They are acronym for drinks and I've basically forgotten them all!

The above was eaten @ Kam Ling Seafood.

My of my... Black sauce chicken. And look at the sausage... and it's that potato???

Yes, your soup comes with pumpkin, barley, dried veggie, etc... a real wholesome soup!

And it's all to be had @ Mongolian Chicken Rice shop! Yup. Mongolian. It's actually steamed chicken in black sauce (I guess). Definitely very different from your run of the mill chicken rice. The sausage is thick and fatless too. A definite must try.

Only problem is though is that spaces are limited and it's kind hot. Else, you gotta have it. Foodie pictures were taken by my wife's Panasonic LH20.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Empire Strikes Back - 30th Anniversary

Yes, I must be quite ancient to say that I've seen ESB in my young chilhood days... by today's web standard, that is. :)

Anyway, here we have our MC starting off the events.

Bear in mind that all costumes are mostly made by the fans themselves. Not sure about the weapons, although some are. Anyway, this gun's barrel can actually rotate ya!

And these were the contestants for the Cosplay event. Pity it's so few... compared to the heydays.

What the...??? Never mind. Something's are best left unsaid and left to individual's imagination.

Don't pray pray ohhhh... Here are the Fett's!

And the trooper's a-coming.

Who decided to ham it up... oh behaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave.

Oh no... Plo Koon? What???

In addition to Cosplay, there is also Light Saber wielding contest; a 1st of it's kind for Malaysia. Now, my files are big as I don't have the necessary software to resize them which will be done once your's truly has made it to the office. The video was shoot with my K7's video capability.

Contestants were judged according to Techniques, Poses and use of the Force.

Now this was cute. A final test that was a spoof of Ep4; whereby a Nerf gun, yes, you read correctly, was used to shoot rubber bullets at them and they are supposed to defend themselves with just the Light Saber! :)

More to come in another post with the video. Ciao for now.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Paintball!

Paintball. If you wanted to have FUN and imagine yourself as a commando or some crack military unit, BUT without the life ammo and the fear of injuries and dying, this is probably the closest you'll ever get.

It's definitely addictive and it'll definitely get your adrenaline going. Of course, as with all other games, prepare to get dirty and messy. So it's best to bring a change of clothes along...

This is Ray. Our instructor. And as you can see from the banner in the background, we are playing in Cyberjaya @ the Cyberjaya Community Club...

They don't call 'em guns but markers. Apt considering it's paint "bullets" that you're shooting. You can see a few of those pellets lying on the ground. The markers use a high pressured gas tank in order to shoot those pellets out. Pellets are added from the top where you can spot the white cover.

A more close up shot...

So this is the layout...

Moi fully decked up in protective gear even if moi wasn't playing but going in as (what else?) photographer! Safety 1st, so it's on with the vest and helmet.

All ready?

Now... what's an old cubbie doing here??? Can someone get it out of my way?

Fiireeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...

Do you see anyone?
Nope? Do you?

Paintball rules of elimination is simple. If you feel that you got shot, anywhere on your body or even on the marker, you're out. And to leave, you just raise your hand and CIAO! :)

Girl: I'll stay behind you...

Come out... come out...

Sneaking around?

While the 1st game was over in like 5 mins, the 2nd game was much harder in that there was more terrain to cover. As you can see... when shot with my 300mm lens... it's far...

So Group 1 is here... and moi happen to be right smack in between...

Group 2 which was not so far away! :P

Oh oh...

Marking out the territory...

Sneaking around #2. And this happened to be 1 meter in front of me! :P

Sneaking around #3...

If looks could kill #1

I bet if I was a target, he would have shot me... :(

Dean scouting for his enemies...

Now... I can see through this... and...

Oh no you don't...

I'll snipe you!

Huff huff... Irwan, You thinking of McDonald's? :P

Ladies coming up.

If looks could kill #2...

The 1st 2 games was Jungle terrain and the next was Urban warfare.. Just tongs placed all over to provide both entertainment and protection for all and sunder.

Like so...

The point of the game was to grab the yellow flag placed halfway in between both groups; i.e. Capture the flag. In this case, left group was about to get the flag.

And he reaches out for it...

Prepares to make his way back...

And get's shot... I wonder whether it was worth it? He must have been a real hot target judging by the number of bullets coming his way. Look around his feet...

Ouch... that has gotta hurt... water, mud and bullets. Bad combo...

Now, the next game involved the marshalls, i.e. our instructor (3 of 'em) vs the 7 of the brave warriors. Before you complain, you'd noticed that these folks, carried extra ammo and use "e-markers" which are like the Porshe of markers against the Proton markers...