Kampung Melayu, Geneva

AKULA WAS HERE : MAINAU, KONSTANZ, GERMANY

2011-04-18T14:35:00.000+02:00

Sorry, tak sempat nak sembang merapu.

Just nak update blog ni dengan gambar kat Mainau, Germany.

Its spring, so tulips are the craze right now.

More tulips pics here and here.

THE THING ABOUT US: INSPIRASI

2011-03-25T07:23:00.001+01:00

Semalam balik kerja, terus tengok basikal yang tak diusik sepanjang musim sejuk lalu.

Semua dalam keadaan baik. Brek, gear okay. Cuma rasanya rantai nak kena gris sikit. Penat giler pam tayar. Sebab cuaca dah makin elok, cun melecun, cadangnya nak start biking balik minggu ni. Semalam dah test naik 32 minit. Semput sikit.

Anyway, tahun ni dah set target untuk berbasikal sekeliling Tasik Geneva. Tahun lepas cuma dapat buat 3 suku tasik jer. Hopefully tahun ni boleh bagi habis. Kena banyak motivasi diri.

Actually, susah betul nak dapatkan inspirasi untuk eksais tiap-tiap hari lepas berjaya kuruskan badan tahun 2009 dulu. Betul la orang kata nak capai sesuatu tu senang, tapi bila dah dapat, nak kekalkan tu yang kerja paling susah. Bukan tak eksais langsung, tapi tak sekerap masa nak turunkan berat badan. Sambil lewa jer. Dulu lari, sejam pagi, sejam petang, tiap-tiap hari, sibuk la macam manapun, biarlah cuaca hujan kilat sabung menyabung pun, panas terik bahang jalan tar pun. Tetap buat. Sekarang ni cuma buat sekadar buat jer. Badan pun dah mula berat balik.

Masa lulus stress test rasanya diri dah masuk bab berlagak dengan riak sewenangnya.Time to shut my mouth and concentrate.

Set target dah. Eksais secara serious pun dah start balik.

Kena continuously paksa diri semula.

PS: For my brothers out there.

Bro, its time. This is not for our own self satisfaction. Do this for our children's sake.

For Halim Kunta, Mat Awet, Pak Pi and Azrin.

TAKING A BREAK

2011-03-10T10:27:00.000+01:00

Having a little break from blogging here.

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : MACRO SHOTS

2011-02-17T16:10:00.001+01:00

Memang dah lama geram nak buat shot ni bila tengok dalam majalah atau kat dalam Internet. Macam manalah diorang buat.

Ni aku pakai manual mode dgn manual focus. Tripod, biasalah mesti ada avoid camera shake. Guna lens macro. PC nak kena ada sebab mata nak tangkap reflection dari PC. Model mata? Heheh sapa lagi, wifey ler.

Jenuh le dok klik, focus, klik focus nak dapat reflection yang sharp. Udah naik masam dah model aku ni. Nasib baik ler dia sabor, kalau dak mesti aku dah kena hamput. Hehe

Kira ok ler untuk cubaan kali pertama.

Yang best lagi, boleh personalize message kat dalam PC tu. Kira aku teromantik sikit masa pikir apa benda la nak taip. Boleh print, frame and buat hadiah.

Ha ah, aku ni ada jugak sentimentol sesikit,

Eleh, macam ler engkorang tak de feeling feeling kat wife engkorang.

Chait! Pigi dah! ;)

Happy Shooting!

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : PAINTING WITH LIGHTS

2011-02-06T15:42:00.001+01:00

Dok tengok balik gambar-gambar ambik dulu, foreground dia semua gelap.

Maleh nak pakai flash sebenornya ambik gambor landscape, sebab kengkadang abih semua diiluminasikan. Dok pikir camna nak buat kalau nak highlightkan sesatu benda dalam foreground. Riki punya riki, jumpa website Karl Taylor, sorang jurugambor pro. Dari situ belajor ler teknik cecara nak buat painting with lights ni.

Si Karl Taylor ni pakai lampu suloh power giler.. Terang betoi cahayanya. Aku pakai lampu suloh cokia, yang macam jenih pakcik aku pakai suloh derian kat dusun dia.

Pagi tadi aku menerai ler teknik ni. Jadi ler jugak. Cara dia, set shutter 15-20 saat, aperture set dalam f4 ke, atau secukup rasa peh tu snap. Untuk elakkan camera shake, pakai remote atau cable release. Tak de, pakai time delay. Masa tengah tunggu tu, suluh ler mana-mana benda yang nak dihighlightkan. Jaga jangan tersuluh kaki ke, peha ke, udah sebab nanti kamera capture sama. Sebab kita dok bergerak, imej kita tak dicapture sama, tak nampak dalam gambor. Nak buat ni, penggunaan tripod adalah wajib sama sekali..

Hasilnya cam ni ler.

CUBAAN PERTAMA

Nak highlightkan batu sebelah tebing. Tak berapa jadi.

Nak higlightkan jalan tu pulak. Pun tak berapa jadi.

Last-last yang macam ni pun jadilah.

CUBAAN KEDUA

CUBAAN KETIGA

Batu tebing tu gelap kalau tak dihighlightkan. Jadiler jugak walaupun nampak cahaya suluhan lampu suloh tu bersepah-sepah.

CUBAAN KEEMPAT

Tengok beza tempat yang di suloh kat depan dengan yang kat kiri gambor.

Semua gambor tak pakai flash.

Nak pegi beli lampu suloh power ler pulak.

THE THING ABOUT US : CERITA PASAL HANTU

2011-01-31T15:26:00.000+01:00

Masa kecik-kecik dulu, selalu benor kena takutkan dengan citer hantu. Macam-macam jenih hantu ni, hantu kepala anjing, hantu raya, hantu tinggi, langsuyor, toyol, penangge, polong, jerangkung. Banyak benor spesis hantu, sampai tak terkira lagi dah. Tu belum masuk bab nak kencing kat luor rumah kena minta izin tok nenek lagi. Kalau tak burut telor katanya. Itu kalau budak laki. Kalau budak pompuan tak dibagitau burut apa pulak. Ase ada jer busut jantan, ituler tempat segala macam hantu lepak. Masuk senja balik ler rumah, kalau tak disorok hantu. Kalau nak ambik kira semuanya kena masukkan sekali spesis orang Bunian dengan Jin segala macam bagai.

Yelah, masa kecik-kecik apaler yang tau, percaya jelah cakap orang.

Pikir-pikir balik, rumah-rumah yang pernah duduk semua dekat kubor. Kat Pengkalan Pegoh, kubor betoi-betoi belakang rumah. Kat Kampung Pasir Putih, rumah sebelah masjid, sebelahnya kubor. Yang bestnya, jamban luor rumah, dah ler pulak pokok kekabu tinggi kat sebelah. Depa kata tempat langsuyor bertenggek. Letrik ada dah masa tu, tapi entah pasal apa, tak di wiring nyer sekali jamban tu, kena pakai lampu suloh, kalau lampu suloh abih bateri pulak, pakai pelita minyak tanah. Gilernya rasa horror nak buang ayor tengah malam buta. Kat Rapat Jaya ler pun kubor jauh sikit, tapi nak pegi rumah kawan kat Binaria, kena lalu kubor, peh tu kena tempoh pulak jerat Cina. Kalau naik beskal laju ler sikit. Kena jalan kaki, mata melior perati kubor, mulut komat kamit baca ayat Qursi. Lepaih jer area tu, tak boleh bayang ler macam mana rasa lega hati tak jumpa hantu, selamat. Masuk sekolah menengah, banyak ler pulak citer hantu kat asrama. Biasalah citer kat asrama, yang paling poplar, hantu jepun dengan hantu ragbi. Ada ler pulak kawan terserempak langsuyor ataih pokok, siap dia boleh senyum sambil mengilai lagi. Masa Tingkatan 2, heboh dengan citer asrama kena serang hantu, Citernya, masa sekolah nak dibina, tempatnya keras, orang dulu masa tu upah bomoh halo semua hantu-hantu tu, pagor ler keliling kawasan sekolah. Kuat ilmunya tu sampai 25 tahun jer, Udah abih tempoh ler maksudnya tu, tu yang hantu-hantu tu mengganeh usik bebudak sekolah. Heboh betoi citer budak kena sakat, sampai Pengetua terpaksa bercakap isu hantu ni dalam assembly.

Ikut-ikutnya udah boleh fobia dengan citer-citer hantu. Ye ler pun, dari kecik telinga dok kena asak, kalau tak nak percaya pun udah jadi percaya.

Pengaruh TV, wayang pun kuat jugak. Ingat lagi masa citer pontianak tayang kat TV, takut ler semua satu kampung, nak keluor pergi ngaji pun jalan ramai-ramai. Mana-mana pokok besor, mampuih tak lalu. Sakat kawan pun selalu jugak ler, tambah kalau budak pompuan balik dari surau. Depa repot kat orang tua, kena sesah dengan tali pinggang. Tak der seriknya pun, esok lusa buat lagi. Benda-benda nakal ni memang seronok, mana nak berenti. Kata orang pontianak kalau dipaku kat leher tukor jadi pompuan cantik. Betoi ke idak tak tau ler. Buatnya tukor jadi rupa Jessica Alba ke, ok ler, tapi kalau tukor rupa jadi Dennis Rodman versi pompuan, adoi! Mau mampoih nyesal pergi paku tengkok pontianak tu.

Jessica Alba in Sin City

Mr ooooops Madam Dennis Rodman.

Rasa-rasa aku ler, ni semua ada kaitan sikit sebanyak dengan sikap masyarakat kita. Mana tak, kalau budak kecik tu bising sikit dalam rumah waktu malam, mak bapak cakap, " Ha, bisingler kamu, kang hantu datang usik" " Pergiler tempat gelap tu ada hantu". Contohnya ler, Budak ni pun diamler, sebab takut hantu. Udah besor, terbawak-bawak perasaan takut tu. Teruih saiko dengan tempat-tempat gelap. Ituler, kita ni suka benor takutkan anak-anak dengan benda-benda macam ni. Cuba ubah sikit. Takde ler dema percaya dengan yang karut.

Dulu masa kecik macam tu ler, takut jugak, tapi lepaih banyak kali jogging dekat jerat cina (dekat Tambun Inn/ Wat Siam) masa sekolah dulu praktis cross country, lelama jadi kurang. Tak pernah terserempak pun. Dah besor panjang, pikir pulak benda-benda ni tak logik mana. Belajor ugama macam tu ler jugak ustaz bagitau. Ada pun minta lindung dengan yang kuasa. Jangan sampai taksub takutnya udah.

Dulu ada member sorang ni, belajor sampai obersi, ingatkan dah tak de la percaya dah dengan benda-benda ni, yelah, orang dah berpelajaran, dah matang pikiran, tapi tak jugak, masih lagi percaya dengan perkara-perkara macam ni. Kalau setakat percaya macam tu jer, takpelah jugak, biasa ler tu, tapi idak, ini sampai jadi udah lain macam takut benor dengan hantu, nak bawak keter memalam sorang-sorang pun mesti kena ada kawan. Tak de kawan meneman, mampoih tak nak bawak keter keluor malam. Bior ler tunggu siang. Siang tak de hantu katanya. Pikir-pikir, cuba ler jadi kawan yang diajak meneman malam-malam tu rupanya betoi-betoi hantu.

Tak kelam kabut dibuatnya member tu?

THE THING ABOUT US : CERITA PASAL BAHASA

2011-01-27T10:58:00.004+01:00

Seronok jugak tulis dalam Bahasa Melayu ni. Mencurah-curah idea. Laju jer datang. Ye lah, Bahasa Inggeris bukannyer bahasa ibunda. Tersangkut-sangkut pikir nak cari perkataan. Belum masuk bab grammar lagi tu.Tapi baguih untuk latihan. Manalah tau kot nak guna English, tak ler tergagap-gagap menjawab atau Me Speak No English/ I dont know sepatah haram. Boleh ler hidup kat tempat orang.

Dulu masa duduk Siam, macam tu ler. Tak paham langsung depa cakap apa. Nak berkomunikasi dengan Bahasa Inggeris, depa tak blajor pulak kat sekolah depa masa kecik-kecik. Payah betoi. Staff aku nasihat, tak susah sangat belajor cakap Siam ni. Suruhnya aku hapal satu perkataan sehari. Peh tu dibelikannya satu buku nota kecik, macam buku tiga lima dulu tu. Aku pun start le hapal, satu satu tulih dalam buku kecik bahasa Siam ni. Aku ingat lagi perkataan first sekali yang aku belajor - Mai maknanya Tak. Peh tu tambah ler perkataan lain lepas Mai .............macam , mai dai, mai au, mai pai, memacam mai lagi lah. Pelan pelan lelama boleh le cakap Siam. Tak ler fasih sangat, tapi lepaih la setakat nak naik tut tut. Peh tu yang bestnya, orang Siam tak tau aku boleh cakap Siam. Tiba masa nak ambik teksi kat Bukit Kayu Hitam, kalau aku dengor jer depa sok sek sok sek cakap sesama depa nak caj rega lain, aku pun put Thai ler. Depa pun tak jadi ler caj lebih.

Tau bahasa lain ni baguih sebenornya.Untung banyak. Cuma kat sini, entah, maleh pulak nak belajor bahasa French ker, German ker. Udah berumur kot. Memang umumnya orang dah berumur cam aku ni makin hari makin maleh nak belajor. Tu yang respek sangat kat member-member sebaya yang masih mengadap buku dengan anak merenyut-renyut. Ye ler, dengan anak-anak lagi, dengan kerojer lagi, dengan bini lagi. Nasib baik ler bini satu. Buatnya dua tiga, tak haru? Kira depa ni tahap dasat ya amat ler. Memang patut respek depa-depa ni.

Masuk bab ilmu ni aku segan sikit, sebab belajor takat untuk boleh kerojer elok jer.. Kot nanti mulut orang kata, eleh dia tu bukannya tinggi belajor pun, pandai pulak nak nasihat orang. Mulut orang kita, memangnyer cam tu. Kengkadang tu lebih mulut dari akal. Aku pulak jenih pikir, belajor formal, memang tak leh ler lawan. Tapi kalau bab pase belajor cara tak formal, sesapa pun boleh buat. Tak de hauk ngikut sijil berjela dengan naik stage je la bezanya pun.

Dulu dalam blog ni ke, blog lama aku ntah tak ingat, ada la tulih pase bab anak-anak aku tak berapa nak boleh cakap Melayu sebab besor kat obersi. Ada sorang minah tu accuse aku tak ngajor anak-anak cakap Melayu, tu sebab depa tak boleh cakap Melayu. Huh! Angin giler aku. Aku dengan member aku teruih sound, kalau tak rasa sendiri dok kat obersi dengan persekitaran semua dok pok pek cakap bahasa asing, jangan ler dok belagak tau camna susahnya anak-anak nak belajor cakap Melayu. Ate, celik mata jer, bukak TV, bukan nya bahasa Melayu yang keluor, pegi sekolah, bukan sekolah ada budak Melayu, pegi memana pun, tak dengor telinga depa bahasa Melayu. Peh tu aku tanya Minah tu, pernah duduk obersi, tak pernah jawabnya, ada anak, tak de katanya, belum kawin lagi pun. Dah tu? Kawin pun belum, anak pun tak de, tak pernah duduk obersi pun, hapa ke jadah nya belagak macam tau benor pengalaman orang lain besorkan anak kat luor negeri? Main tuduh jer, ikut sedap mulut jer cakap. Bengong ke hapa? Hish!

Anak-anak aku sekarang ni dah paham kalau mak bapak dia cakap Melayu, tapi nak menjawab dengan reka ayat tu susah sikit kot.bagi depa. Yang tua sekarang ni dah boleh lawan cakap Melayu. Tinggal lagi dua tu, harap-harap Insya Allah boleh ler gamaknya dah besor sikit nanti.

Anak-anak aku tu, sampai sini dulu, aku masukkan sekolah tempatan setahun, bahasa pengantor bahasa Perancis. Weh, penin! Depa memberontak, berat betoi nak pegi sekolah, yelah tak paham sepatah pun, nak suka macam mana. Paham ler sebab apa depa tak suka. Yang tua tu sampai madamoiselle cikgu tu bagitau, dia tak join aktiviti belajor, asyik bagi alasan, homework tak buat sebab tak paham. Tapi paksa jugak pegi. Alhamdulllah ler, bila abih setahun boleh ler dapat cakap dengan paham bahasa Perancis. Lepaih tu masuk sekolah baru ni ada kelas bahasa Perancis, sebab udah ada basic, senang ler depa dapat tangkap.

Cerita pase belajor bahasa ni teringat pulak motto dengan ltajuk agu sekolah, Ilmu Panduan Hidup. Masa sekolah menengah dulu mana nak ingat apa ke benda maksudnya. Asyik main ketuk kerusi depan ikut bunyi piano masa nyanyi lagu sekolah dalam assembly. Sekarang ni baru terpikir betoi ler jugak benda tu.

Bangunlah wahai teman-temanku,
Berkorban segenap tenagamu,
Bersama berusaha memajukan bangsa,
Serta tanah air kita.

Bangunlah tuntut segala ilmu,
Tunjukkan kebaktianmu,
Jangan membuang masa,
Dengannya sia-sia,
Kerna ILMU PANDUAN HIDUP.

Tak de ilmu huru hara ler kot idup jadinya..

AKULA WAS HERE : THE INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL - CHATEAU D'OEX, SWITZERLAND

2011-01-25T16:17:00.000+01:00

Hari Ahad lepaih, pergi tengok belon.

Bukan belon jual kat funfair tu. Ni belon besor. Kecik-kecik dulu aku tengok kat TV punyala cantik. Ni la masanya merealisasikan impian masa bebudak dulu. .

Festival belon ni depa buat tetiap tahun kat Chateau d' Oex. Dalam bulan satu, masa tengah sejuk ya amat. Hari pegi tu -10! Sejuk, abih hidung, mata semua berayor. Nasib baik tak beku teruih. Gagah jugak ler dah nak tengok.

Tempat ni memang poplar dengan belon ni. Ada muzium, belon, souvenir pun jual belon kecik, Orang rumah aku cukup minat ler dengan fridge magnet macam ni. Dok kumpul dah banyak jugak, dah tak rupa pintu peti ais. Abih di lekatnya. Sebab murah ok jer la. Jangan dimintak benda mahal rega beratuih, udah. Tak upaya ler nak membelinya.

Udah tempat belon, jalan pun dinamakan Jalan Belon

Tengah siap-siap nak terbang

Berator tunggu giliran.

Ni dua orang ni polis tiket. Kalau tak ada tiket kena bayor CHF 9.00. Abih dilatanya semua orang yang menengok. Tak kira la duduk mana pun, ataih bukit, bayor, ataih jalan, bayor, kamu tengok kamu bayor.

Nak landing

Nak landing jugak

Cemaih jugak rasanya depa tu ataih nu.

Ni tak de bakui tak de apa, duduk macam ataih boyan.

Gambor favourite.

Belon-belon ni berangkai.

THE THING ABOUT US : CITER AUTA

2011-01-20T16:14:00.000+01:00

Kengkadang orang suka sangat mengadakan benda yang tak de. Seronok sangat gamaknya citer sampai bersembor ayor lior.Tak ingat hapa dah selalunya. Syok abih la kot boleh gebang kat orang keliling.

Mana tak nyer. Citer mestiler best, menarik perhatian, boleh jugak up diri setakuk dua, goreng dalam kuali bontot hitam, masuk bakul tekan butang lif. Dasat ler katakan. Orang lain tak leh celen punya.

Aku memang maleh nak melayan spesis-spesis ni. Angin satu badan. Memang maleh sangat. Selalunya dapat ler lari, nampak jer kelibat teruih hala kaki ke lain. Tapi sangkut jugak 2-3 kali. Dulu ada member macam ni la baguihnyer sembang. Masa tu aku pakai keter ganaih gak la. Boleh la lari sampai satu nam, stereng menten, tak gegor. Member aku ni, aku tau dah cakap berdegor, tapi layan gak ler. Udah member, nak buat camna, kang tak dilayan kang, menangih dah la pulak, balik ngadu mak bapak.

Member aku: Wei, dengor citer keter kamu lari besit gilanyer.

Akula : Takat satu nam tu ok lagi tak gegor stereng. Aku jer yang gegor dada.

Member aku : Eleh, kamu tau keter aku lari 220, Abih meter! Kalau meter 300, sampai dah 300.

Akula : Kamu pakai keter apa yop?

Member aku : Proton Saga.

Maleh aku nak layan, teruih blah.

Bukannya apa. Nak auta kot la, bagi la citer logik skit. Ni sampai abih meter. Proton lak tu. Lain ler kalau Proton tu pasang enjin Porsche. Percaya la jugak. Tu pun aku rasa abih telanjang bolin kot body Proton tinggal tempat duduk kena tiup angin laju.

Sorang lagi citer pasal jumpa rimo kat Ulu Yam. Lari panjat pokok katanya. Aku ni tak ler pandai sangat, tapi rasanya ingat, ingat balik rencana Nat Geo yang aku tengok kat TV, rimo bukan ke boleh kerabat pokok dengan senang lenang nyer? Kot ler aku ni sekolah tak tinggi tak pe la jugak. Ini sekolah aku bangunan tinggi 3 tingkat. Tu belum kira Menara ITM tu. Tinggi sayup gak.

Pengajaran citer aku ni senang jer. Nak eksen auta pun biorlah logik boleh percaya.

Tak gitu yop?

THE THING ABOUT US : GILER

2011-01-19T16:44:00.000+01:00

Adoiiii Sorry ler, Sibuk sangat dengan kerja dari bulan lepaih..Tak abis lagi. Blog ni pun dah maleh nak update.

Aktiviti Latihan Amali ambik gambar tetap jalan gak. Tapi cuma masa weekend. Nak jugak upload, cuma masa jer yang tak berapa nak free.

Semenjak dua menjak terpikir kenapa kengkadang ramai orang jadi giler. Banyak la jenis giler ni, kalau nak taip panjang pulak ler list. Aku pun memang tengah maleh.

Cumanyer, kalau memang dah jenis giler sebab hakikatnya memang dah giler dek ketentuan, tak pelah kot, sebab iyelah, memang udah giler. Nak kata apa lagi. Boleh ler mahapkan. Tampoi ada, Tanjung Rambutan ada. Pilih jer mana nak hantor. Dak pun kat hospital wad sakit jiwa nu. Susah hapanyer.

Tapi giler yang yang bukan natural giler, yang dibuat-buat sebab tak suka ke, benci ke, tak puas ati ke, angau ke, nak kan glamer ker, apa ke jadahnyer? Tak tau ler kot memang tebiat sejak azali menetek susu mak suka buat-buat jadi giler la kot.

Kalau pulak giler buat-buat ni dia sorang jer, pun rasanya tak de mengapa. Ikut dia, lantaklah nak jadi hapa pun. Nak salak bukit tetengah malam ke, melolong sampai serak suara pun ikut suka. Jangan kacau ganggu orang udah.

Tapi ituler, bab yang macam ni actually nyer mana yang tak de kacau orang. Mesti orang keliling pun kena badi terpalit sama. Ni ler yang palatnya.Kot orang tak melawan, diam jer pun tak boleh jadi jugak.

Heh entah ler.

Kotnyer kena kat aku, senang jer aku kata ..

"Ada aku jentik telor kamu?".

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : MONTREUX CHRISTMAS MARKET

2010-12-20T16:29:00.001+01:00

All over Switzerland, this is the time where Christmas market sprung up in towns and villages.

I do think its kind of fulfilling a basic economic theory, where there is demand, there is supply. Just like in Malaysia, people tend to spend more during the period leading up to a festival. People need new stuffs to celebrate the coming celebration and are more than willing to part with their hard earned money.

SBB (the Swiss Rail company) offers good rail tickets discount (30%) for those who wants to visit these Christmas markets. If a person have a 1/2 fare card, it will be double, meaning 30% off the Christmas market discount plus the 1/2 fare, for a total discount of 80% from the the original ticket price. Children below 16 travels for free provided they have a Junior Card and travels with at least one parent. Since my love one and I have the 1/2 fare card, its a huge savings for us. Besides, I could enjoy the scenery on the train and not stress out trying to find the always elusive and difficult to find parking space.

Perhaps KTM could learn a thing or too from SBB and offer something similar since its a good way of promoting, attracting and encouraging people to visit.

I think I dont have to write about Montreux since its already famous and need no introduction. I mean, the jazz festival, the place where they sort of adopted Freddie Mercury need no more write up from me, right?

I observed the Christmas Market in Montreux do offer a variety of stuff that are not sold in the next door supermarket. Locally made handicrafts were featured prominently on the display, in between cheap clothing with its Made in China labels.Lots of good food too. Apart from that, there are stalls that sells Christmas ornaments and biblical figurines. And as usual in this kind of place, there are always something to attract the children.. A giant ferris wheel rose above the stalls. Its crowded, hectic and very fun place for people watching. The Christmas Market location right on the shores of Lake Geneva guarantees a great sunset view of the lake and the Chablais Alps.

These are some of the pics I took.

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : FESTIVAL ARBRES & LUMIERES

2010-12-06T14:08:00.000+01:00

Geneva is having its annual Festival Arbres & Lumières (Trees and Lights Festival) starting from the end of November until early January 2011. Its too tempting not to go and capture as much pics as possible of the event despite the below zero temperature.

The reflection on the lazy flowing river and lake are simply stunning and I hope I have done enough to convey the amazing sights with my camera.

I have also submitted 2 entries for this event photo contest. Better to do something with the photo than to keep it in my hard disk. A win would be nice, but the most important thing is that I finally have the courage and the confidence to let my work be judged in a competition. (Thanks for the support and encouragement, FB friends!)

Still got a lot to learn.

Enjoy the pics.

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : SNOW DAY - THE AFTERMATH

2010-12-03T16:23:00.000+01:00

This is a series of pics I took right after the snow storm subsided in Geneva. The pics turns out quite nice. People walked past me heading for home when I took these pics and I was the only one standing with a tripod taking photos.

Anyway, please enjoy these.

Should have lowered the tripod to capture that footprint. Isk!

Spookyville.

This is my favourite!

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : SNOW REPORT

2010-12-02T16:45:00.005+01:00

Geneva was hit by a severe snow storm yesterday, paralyzing most of the public transportation. It snowed from Tuesday's night for about 24 hours non stop.

People walked to their work place since buses were stranded on the streets all over Geneva. Those who drives, found their cars and motorcycles under a deep blanket of fresh snows on Wednesday morning. Those who did not change their summer tires quickly found out that its a slippery world out there, with their cars skidding on the road.

By mid afternoon Wednesday, some people took out their skis and actually skied to the office. Seriously. Unfortunately I was not there to snap the pics and have to rely on what was seen by my love one and a colleague. (They swear its true!)

I was amazed to see a few guys cycling to to work in the deep snow. As far as I know, there are no snow tires made for bicycles.

The snow blizzard finally stops around late Wednesday night after its success of disrupting the normal, everyday life of the people in Geneva.

The children however just simply loves it, and were spotted happily sledding and throwing snowballs.

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : GENEVA DAWN

2010-11-22T15:18:00.001+01:00

Dah 2 minggu dah tak lepak pepagi kat Pekan Geneva ambik gambor. Sebabnya aku demam, omputih kata flu. Ni pesen takde paneh badan. Seram sejuk, lesu jer badan. Lama pula tu, sampai 2 minggu tak leh lepak memana.

Geneva ni memang tahap pekan sebenornya. Tak besor sangat pun. Keliling naik beskal tak sampai sejam abih dah.

Lepak pepagi ni seronok sebab tak de orang. Lecehnya kalau ada pulak orang sini yang bawak anjing datang eksais. (Undang-undang kat sini anjing tu kena bawak eksais, kalau dak jiran tau dia report polis. SIRIUS! Tak menipu aku nih!) Di lepaihnyer pulak anjing tu. Dah ler aku ni memang phobia ngan anjing sebab kekecik dulu kena tokak anjing jenis anjing polis. Ada parut lagi tang betih aku. Aku ushar jer dengan penuh curiga kalau nampak depa bawak anjing.

Ni jambatan yang rentas hujung Tasik Geneva. Kat sini kalau nak buat jambatan kena ada referandum, semua penduduk sekitar kena setuju. Tak setuju tak buat. Kalau rajin ada la depa letak bendera kat tiang-tiang bendera kiri kanan jambatan tu. Cantik jugak nengok.

Hotel

Kat sini tempat shopping. Tu yang tertera Louis Vuitton, aku cukup ngelak kalau keluor dengan orang rumah. Hala ke lain je la aku pun.

Memang banyak bot-bot kecik, saiz sedang depa parking kat Tasik Geneva ni. Seronok ambik gambor.

Pandangan dari sisi bawah jambatan.

Yang ni gambor tingkap display beg tangan LV, tengok menarik gak cahaya lampu dia kat sini. So aku teruih snap. (Untuk rekod, aku memang tak minat beg LV!).

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : AUTUMN

2010-11-12T09:58:00.004+01:00

Autumn this year is fantastic. Lots of sunshine with occasional rain which is really great for outdoor sports. Last year, I remember that it was raining all the time. Wet and cold.

Autumn is hands down my favourite season of the year. The picturesque golden and yellow leaves, especially when the sun is shining bright is simply breathtakingly beautiful. Forest floors covered with fallen leaves makes it more interesting to admire at.

It is the time however for the people here to bring out their winter clothing,.I have to say the colours are quite dull since usually the main choice is dark. Dark blue, dark green, dark grey and black. But I have seen quite a few ladies here wearing red hot RED outer wear and jackets and obviously it stands out in a crowd of dull clothes. Thats the way to do it to attract attention. For shoes, boots, worn knee length with skirts are popular among the women. Really nice to look at.

Daylight is also getting shorter. The sun now sets at 5.00 pm and by 8.30 pm, it feels like midnight. The nights are long and cold. And theres the Daylight Saving Time which means adjusting the clock backward 1 hour. I am still confuse about this thing even though I have experience it many times. Luckily, now almost every electrical appliances with a digital clock adjust itself automatically while I am asleep when its time to do that.

Autumn means that drivers flock to their mechanics and their favourite autoshop to change their vehicle summer tires to the winter ones. Motorcyclists brings our their full face helmet, even those who do not own a big bike since its very cold and the intention is obviously to keep their heads warm. Leg blankets to cover their exposed knees are attached to the motorcycles to keep the wind away. Gloves are a must for those who still ride their bikes at this time..

It is a common practice for shops here to sell their summer stuff at a very low price to get rid of the things they could not sell during the summer time since people just wont buy it at normal price. This is the time to buy summer cloths if `the waiting' to wear it for next year's summer is not an issue.On the other hand, winter jackets and clothing prices is so damn expensive. For instance a good, warm winter jacket can cost around CHF 250.00 - CHF 350.00. Imagine, like me, I have to spend quite a lot for all five person in my family. And that does not include shoe wares, sweaters, etc. So of course my strategy is to buy those things in off season sales since it cost much, much less that way.

The changing weather also means that its a season of getting those common colds, fever and coughs.Cant escape that since its quite infectious. I was accused of spreading it in my office since I was the one who got it first! If only I knew from whom I got it from in the first place. :)

I have mentioned in the earlier part of this post, autumn is also great for outdoor activities since its much cooler than those summer months, and as far as that is concern, I sort of admire the people here.

From my observation, Swiss consistently go out to do some outdoor activities, never mind what kind of seasons they are experiencing. In autumn, people are still cycling, jogging and hiking even though its cold. And come winter, apart from all that, they will take up winter sports like skiing, skating and snowboarding. Being active is but a second nature to them. Its no surprise to see people in their 60s and 70s still actively exercising. I met quite a lot of them doing just that in my weekend walk about shooting pics.

As for me, I really enjoyed autumn this year where I got bitten by the hiking bug and have not miss a weekend of viewing beautiful scenery in places that I will never have gone too if I drive. Took a lot of awesome pics as well.

Winter is just around the corner, and that means a whole range of new outdoor activities for me to experience. But no sledding this winter, since I have been scarred for life by the broken tail bones incident last year. (I somehow has developed a phobia of getting my butt on a sled).

Skiing looks like a fun alternative, but we'll see.

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : PRICE OF CANON 7D AND 60D IN GENEVA

2010-11-10T10:46:00.003+01:00

Cameras in Switzerland is damn expensive!

I just checked the price of a Canon 7D (body only) and its CHF 2,039. It would of course be more with additional standard lens kit.

In the online shop B&H, a Canon 7D Canon with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Kit cost only about USD 1,799.95. and shipping to Switzerland is USD 145.82, which means, the total cost if buying online is USD 1,945.75.

Much, much cheaper.

In addition, I was made to understand there is however an import tax levied,by Swiss custom, but still, the final cost will be much less than buying it in Switzerland.

In other related stuff, Canon 60D is finally out here on the shelves in Geneva and it sells for CHF 1,122.00 which is about RM 3,570.85. Price check with Canon Malaysia shows that for 60D (body only) the price is RM 3,338.00. Where else in B n H, it sells for USD 999.00 @ RM 3,086.41.

So again, its much cheaper to buy from B n H.

That being said, there is of course the risk factor buying online, which I am sure we are quite well aware off.

Canon 60D review here.

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : LURUH III

2010-11-08T11:28:00.001+01:00

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : LURUH II

2010-11-08T11:15:00.001+01:00

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : LURUH I

2010-11-04T14:30:00.004+01:00

Malas giler nak pikir bubuh caption! So belasah je lah. :)

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : LOW LIGHT AT DUSK AROUND GENEVA

2010-10-27T11:28:00.004+02:00

This blog is fast becoming a photoblog! Really cant help it though. This is the only site I have to share those pics I took apart from Facebook.

Enjoy!

A street in Geneva

The trainyards

UN compound entrance which I never saw open actually, heard that its only in use if some worlds VVIP is coming here.

The `Broken Chair'square iluminated by lights.

Trainyards

The Broken Chair at dusk. My favourite shot.

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : APERTURE PRIORITY IN A VERY LOUSY WEATHER

2010-10-21T11:44:00.003+02:00

Last weekend, the sky was really cloudy with dark clouds hanging in the sky. But they say (the pros, that is), its the best time to go out and take pictures, so I packed all my stuff and headed out to Nyon, 23 kms from Geneva. At 6.30 am.

It was a teeth chattering windy morning. And cold. Very cold. In short, its just not comfortable for a sun loving Malaysian to be out there, that freezing morning. Fingers and cheek felt numb. Even the Swiss stayed indoors. Looking around, I realized that I was the only one there.

So I guess this is what pros had to endure in their quest to capture that magical moments. And I am sure my uncomfortable condition that morning was but a fraction of what they had experience.

These are what I came up with that cold morning.

HIKING 101: MOUNT PELERIN

2010-10-18T15:40:00.011+02:00

As you can see, I am having problems with the new WYSWYG blog template to adjust the pics to be tidy and neat. So please forgive the unjustified arrangement of the pictures. Bear with me until I figure out how to do this properly.

Anyway, Mount Pelerin is located at the other end of Lake Geneva from Geneva., in Vevey, where the Nestle HQ is.(I have Malaysian friends who works there). There is a funicular train servicing the Vevey- Mount Pelerin line. Buy tickets at the ticketing machine at the station. CHF 14 for adults and children are FOC if I am not mistaken. The funicular route cut across the Lavaux Vineyards which I wrote about not too many posts ago.

The hike itself was quite interesting, where we walked with the aim to circle the mountain top, through electrified cattle farms and thick forest, climbing steep hills until finally we lost our bearings (Cant find the trail markers), so we decided to double back to the funicular station.

Hiking time was 3 hours.

The Funicular Train tothe top of Mount Pelerin.

Trail marker "untuk pejalan kaki sahaja"

We were definitely not in Perlis la. Another trail marker.

The forest.

Tall, dark and straight up!

Mentari mengintai!

The forest entrance.

In the middle of a cattle farm. Berkabus lagi.

View? What view?

HIKING 101 : NENDAZ, SWITZERLAND

2010-10-18T11:01:00.012+02:00

Nendaz is a winter resort. Never been here before. Definitely will go again this coming winter months just to see what it looks like with snows blanketing it.

Welcome to Nendaz!

There are kms after kms of hiking trails as indicated in the sign post.

Trail markers.

Stone fences.

A typical Swiss house.

Seriously, this is the first time I stumbled upon atap zinc. Common to us back in Malaysia, not so here. Its thicker.

A NOT so typical Swiss house, with a wall that could transform to a balcony.

Biri-biri

Kuda kenit, we are but a common sight for him.

Local school kids along the hiking path.

I like this!

The Bernese Alps mountain range

Honestly, I don't know what these were.

The Bernese Alps

The only stream we came across.

Autumnland!

Private parking lots, jangan cuba la nak parking sini, keter kena angkut. They guard their parking lots seriously here.

The wooden bungalows is for sale. Harga? Mak aii, sejuta RM ada kot.

Cool eh?

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : APERTURE PRIORITY

2010-10-14T16:31:00.004+02:00

Seriously, lagi sekali I am too lazy to do a write up on these shots. But suffice to say, I am quite satisfied with the results although I know theres a lot more to learn. Practice, practice, practice.

By the way, sesapa nak cilok ambik letak kat your pc as wallpaper, ambikler. Just dont forget to mention my name if your colleagues, boyfriend, girlfriend, pak sedara, mak sedara, wan, opah, tuk berkenan dengan gambar ni pulak ye.

PEACE ON EARTH!

Dawn in Geneva

Gambar ada sikit senget, seriously kena beli leveller!

Cantik dak? Hehehhe

PARENTING 101 : A CHEESY CONVERSATION WITH MY DAUGHTER

2010-10-14T09:20:00.003+02:00

This morning, I sent my youngest 6 year old daughter to her school. Since its still early, I walked her to the play ground, when suddenly she stopped, held my hands, looked straight, deep into my eyes and said;.

Arissa : Abah, whats the capital of USA

Akula : Washington.

Arissa: Whats the capital of Malaysia?

Akula : Kuala Lumpur.

Arissa: Hmmm.........am I a capital of something?

Without hesitation I answered,

Akula : Of course, you are the CAPITAL of my heart.........

I know, I know its sounds really cheesy......................right? But thats the only thought I could come up with.

.......and I really meant it..

HIKING 101 : LAUTERBRUNNEN - TRUMMELBACH

2010-09-28T09:20:00.002+02:00

This time I decided to bring my family and along with my regular hiking friend we headed out to Lauterbrunnen. Quality family time (we need more of that, okay!) The plan was to hike the Lauterbrunnen - Stechelberg route.

THE HIKE - LAUTERBRUNNEN TO TRUMMELBACH

Unfortunately, at halfway point to Stechelberg, my plan was abruptly shot down by my youngest 6 year old daughter who complained her feet hurts, "Its the new hiking boots fault, Abah." she insisted. And who am I to argue with such well thought excuse?

So we went to see the Trummelbach falls instead. Which was great and we had loads of fun there. and the children competed with the roar of the glacier fed rushing waters to see who could make the loudest noise. I was cool with the alternate screaming activity as long as they were having fun. After all, I recently acquired a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 prime lens to take pic in low light situation and the decision to divert our route to see the Trummelbach falls was great for me since what better place to test the prowess of this much talked about lens than in a dark and cold man made tunnels.

Enjoy the pics.

Staubach fall

Yeap, thats 2 of my girls.

Another waterfall

Moutain walls rising on both side

Fellow hikers

The trail markers

And winter shows its face again...

TRUMMELBACH FALLS

The entrance

The tunnels to the the viewing platforms


Rocks and the mountain walls being illuminated by spotlights placed strategically to enhanced the wow factor

Long way down!

Bus Stop

The Swiss Rural bus (Macam bas Mara la)

HIKING 101 - LA CURE, SWITZERLAND

2010-09-20T14:51:00.000+02:00

Place : La Cure, Switzerland, just a few kilometres away from the Swiss/ France border.
Weather condition : Damn cold and frosty.
Hiking time : 2 1/2 hours.

The foggy area is France, actually.

The hiking route was through a cattle farm. So a lot of careful stepping to avoid the taik lembu booby traps on the trail. To no avail. Terpijak sepiring (Looked like a pancake with icing because of the frost. Boih! Chis ko lembu!

Trail marking so you dont get lost. We did!

The trail sign on where to head next and how long it takes to get there.

And of course, we managed to cross the border to France, somewhere up the mountain, without even knowing it. We were surprised to see the Swiss custom and border office greeting us when we tracked back to La Cure using the paved roads.

THE THING ABOUT US : SEMBANG POLITIK

2010-09-17T10:24:00.012+02:00

In a chat room....

Blog Reader: Kenapa tak tulis pasal politik lagi dalam blog u?
Akula: Dah pencen. Blog tu pun dah tutup kedai.
Blog Reader: Missed your pendapat and views.
Akula: Alah, biasa je, pendapat and views orang lain lagi dasat.
Blog Reader: Btw bro, not that I nak kutuk you, but your current blog sucks! Citer pasal hidup and traveling jer! Masa kat NLNT (Nasi Lemak Nescafe Tarik) meletup-letup.
Akula: Hahaha, memang pun. Maleh la nak citer pasal politik.

Well, thats the opinion of a loyal peminat, when we chat a little while back.

I have to agree, my current writing focused more on the subjects that bore readers to death. Life for example, or traveling, and stayed away from discussing about politics.

My now defunct blog Nasi Lemak and Nescafe Tarik used to attract about thousands of hits a day, especially when I wrote about hot political issues. It was even featured once in a while in Malaysiakini if I quoted stories or articles published there. Readers actively participate and left comments to argue their point of views. Some liked my writings and others hated it of course, but none were shy to let their opinion be heard. Just the way I wanted it to be. I was even approached by a friend who was very active in politics to write some research materials for his political masters, which I politely declined to guarantee impartiality in my writings.

Then one day out of the blue, I decided not to write about politics anymore, and shut down Nasi Lemak and Nescafe Tarik after 3 years of active service.

I guess I just got tired of the never ending soap opera shit in politics. Nothing seems as it were. Promises were made and never kept. Ordinary people on the street like you and me were being made to feel as insignificant as the single cell amoeba. We were taken for granted and our intelligence were being insulted and stabbed brutally left and right by politicians. Morons reigns supreme.

Got tired of it all.

But that doesnt mean I didnt follow the happenings in politics.

I really think its vital for us to at least update ourselves with those current issues since it will helps us decide whom we will choose to lead us. I dont subscribe to the notion that the political leaders are the one who would determined our course. It should be the other way around. We, the man on the street, holds that precious votes and the choice to choose whom we think our leaders should be and what direction we want them to lead us. We are definitely not subservient to them. We reserved the right and the liberty to question and raise matters that involved our interests.

Its easier said than done.

I would describe our society as a society of sopan santun, berbudi bahasa and taat pemimpin. We were brought up that way and we were taught by our elders not to be kurang ajar. Thats what we are. We kept our opinions deep inside us and dare not question our leaders. When we finally had the courage to speak out, others including our colleagues and friends will label us as tak reti bahasa, takde adab, tak hormat. For me its not about being kurang ajar and all that, its about our right as the one who put them (our political leaders) up there in the first place. They owed it to us to at least listen to our opinions and what we have to say. Policies made should be sold to us, the ordinary citizens first. It should not be bulldozed and implemented at their whim and fancies since the end results will severely impact our life, not theirs.

I think, today, we are politically mature enough to decide whats best for us. Those days of simple carrot and stick methodology that were practiced and adopted widely by our leaders would not work anymore. We are more aware of our rights, more outspoken with our thoughts and are more diligent with our choices. When all these clash with the guards of those old, outdated thoughts and ancient way of doing things, it cannot but end in political chaos.

Interesting, yes. But at the same time its exhausting. Perhaps I will write again about politics when its volatile and swirling dust calmly settle down in the near future.

In the meantime, I'll stick to writing about travels and life in this blog that sucks.

:)

HIKING 101 : THE JAUN-SCHLUCHT GORGE, BROC

2010-09-16T11:42:00.004+02:00

Seriously, too lazy to write about this hiking trip.

Place : THE JAUN-SCHLUCHT GORGE, between Charmey and Broc.
Hiking Time : 2 hours (more or less)

Enjoy the pics, though.

THE THING ABOUT US: DEMI CINTA SETIA

2010-09-15T11:28:00.012+02:00

When I was courting, some of my ex's asked me to choose between her and cigarettes. Demi cinta setia. I really dont know why this was (and still is) the favourite love test of all time among ladies. I knew some of my friends chose the love of their life over the burning tobacco sticks. Good for them. Live long and prosper and healthy and lots, and lots of love all around I would say.

Its great, isnt it? But come on, if that is the measure of love, those tall, dark and handsome men in the romantic world of Mills and Boons will surely have fall on their muscled knees on the grounds, and laugh themselves silly. I'll go for death defying acts, or to copy David Blaine, expose myself to dangerous stunts like being buried alive or hanging upside down hundreds of feet on the air for days. Break the records and win a woman's love. Thats the way to do it.

Men are no better either.

In our society, its not unheard of that men asked his girlfriend to berubah and wear tudung. While the intention is good, ie, following the sacred religious dogma, what guarantees the act as ikhlas? More often than not its done because of cinta, which in my book is but a wrong reason to do it in the first place.

In short, the question that bugs me the most is why the imposing act? Kalau tak impose tak boleh cintan maut ke?

I couldnt help but think that sometimes the phrases and the supposed noble acts of demi kasih, or demi cinta setia is one of many contributing factors in the crumbling morals of our society nowadays. Men would definitely take advantage of the lovey dovey situations and girls might be blinded and sacrificed what they hold dear to prove their love. Be smart, boys and girls. It will not be a lovey dovey situation to be in, 9 months after that!

I am of the opinion if a person loves the other person so much, he or she should accept all that comes with the package, flaws, shortcomings, buck toothed or mata juling included. I mean, isnt that the greatest act of love that a person can show to his loved one? Accepting them for what they are?

I really think, sometimes changes that were asked for from the other is just to suit a particular person's thinking and lifestyle and the demi cinta setia factor was used blatantly for justification. For me, suggestions and discussions is okay, but to demand and to impose kehendak and then argue that its because love demands it, is very, very wrong. Seriously, we do not live our lives according to some Bollywood movie scripts and a person have every right to think and act for themselves as long as they do not disturb peaceful existence of other people.

Having wrote that, there is nothing wrong if someone wants to change on their own for the better demi cinta setia. Love should be the inspiring factor, and not to be used as emotion bargaining tools.

The thing is, changes must come from within oneself. Its never a good idea to impose our will, whim and fancies unto others.

Especially demi cinta setia.

Akula's note

For the record, my relationship with the above mentioned ex were burned off because she cannot accept my hazy, smoking self. ;)

HIKING 101 : LAVAUX VINEYARDS

2010-09-13T18:21:00.014+02:00

Lavaux Vineyards is a UNESCO World Heritage site. So its no surprise that this is next on my list to visit, or to see, or to hike for that matter.

These anggur terraces stretched for miles and is located between Lausanne and Montreux by Lake Geneva. For those not in the know, basically there 2 types of grapes, one is for makan/ consumption (which back in my childhood days, were categorized as buah-buahan untuk orang sakit. A kilo of black anggur was very expensive then and only the sick, with the objective of pampering them, would have the opportunity to taste it, thus the label. Its also a popular buah tangan for my parents to bring whenever they visited their sick relatives or friends). The other type of grapes is for making wine. Grapes grown in Lavaux is for the latter.

As usual, I will leave my place at as early as possible to arrive at the intended destination before sunrise to capture some pics of the first sunlight. I went with my love one who obviously shared the same hobby as mine (that, or she wants to keep an eye on my outdoor activities! hehe). Daughters could not make it this time. I think its very hard for them to part with those comfortable, warm blanket and braved the cold morning.

We left Geneva at around 6.00 am and arrived at our destination at the Lutry train station where we parked our car. Grabbed our gears and backpack we walked up the marked path up the hill and unto the vineyards itself.

We walked passed by farmhouses and small villages. Some of these vineyards owners produced their own wine and this was marked by the roadside sign advertising their products. Grapes are usually harvested starting from late August to early October grape. This are also the time where many of the small wine makers arrange wine testing for interested buyers.

It as still early and theres not a lot of people around until the hiking path merged with a paved road. Stopped by to take pictures of the views which were simply (for a lack of a other words) breath taking. Its sort of different feeling and viewpoint from up the terraces, since we were no strangers to this area having driven along the road down below many times before. Continued our hike to the lakeside town of Cully to catch the train back to Lutry.

Enjoy the the rest of the pics.

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI : SCOTT KELBY'S BOOKS

2010-09-13T10:38:00.004+02:00

Recently, I bought Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Volume 1, 2 ,3 from Amazon as additional reference material on how to improve my amateurish photo taking skills.

Scott Kelby tells it how it is. Forget all the technical jargon and those mind boggling photography terms. In this book he explained in a clear tone how to take a picture as if you are his shooting partner. Let say you are wondering how to capture those magical sunrise moments, Scott Kelby will tell you what aperture to use, how to set your tripod, what to expect and avoid, etc, without referring to the technical terms and the `why'. Its very practical and easy to follow. He also mentioned in this book, that hopefully once the readers know how to produce great pictures, they will be inspired to learn the more in depth aspect of photography. And he wrote it with humour too to keep this boleh bagi tidurnyer subject interesting.

I practiced with those tips in the books and the pics turns out much better than before. Take it from me, I have been doing this for quite a number of years and had accumulated a lot of reference books in my library shelves but I never come across a very good how to book like this one. Believe me, once you read a book about the fine points of photography, you are bound to counter the same materials again and again from other books as well.

I would go as far as to suggest that if there is ever one book you should read about photography, this is the one.

And no, Scott Kelby did not pay me money for writing this piece about his books. Not one single cent.

Happy shooting.

HIKING 101 : THE FIRST FEW TRAILS

2010-09-12T14:44:00.001+02:00

I really was hooked with hiking.

The thing was, I never thought I will get into another activity since I am quite busy with all the running, cycling and traveling. And that does not include snapping pics!

How did I get into hiking?

Well, one morning about 2 weeks ago, I went walking into a forested area to find a waterfall, to do some practice of shutter speed shots of running waters. And of course, its a 2 -3 hours of walking to where it was located. Unknowingly, the search for the waterfall became a hike. To my complete surprise, I like it so much and was immediately and completely hooked.

In Switzerland the hiking trails are well marked with a very visible yellow signpost. Information of hiking durations and destinations were put up to give clear information to the hikers. Maps of the trails are readily available in the Internet. Difficulty rankings were given as easy, medium and challenging.

So far I had done 3 hiking trips, the first one along the de l'Areuse Gorge, Jura Mountain, the second at the Nozon Gorge, Croy and the third one was at the Vevey vineyards. Each trails were about 2 - 3 hours hike. The views were spectacular to say the least. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of kilometres of marked hiking trails to choose from. Really-really cool. I am planning to hit those trails near Geneva first.

Photography and exercise.

GREAT!

LATIHAN AMALI FOTOGRAFI: SHUTTER SPEED

2010-09-04T21:56:00.002+02:00

I always wonder how people took that amazing silky look of running water/ waterfalls. There are a lot of websites that explained how to do this. My favourite is The Digital Photography Schools website. The language is easy to understand, technical jargon is kept to minimum and lots of sample shots to show how a shot was captured. There are also a lot of simple tips and ideas on how to take great photos.

My second source of reference is from friends who I considered as veterans tahap sifu in this field. Some are great amateurs who did this untuk mengisi masa lapang, others are pros, making a lot of dough from their photos but both are very, very passionate.

My third learning source is from books, photo blogs and websites. There are a lot of good books out there, but I found out some are a little bit expensive for my budget. I love to visit photo.net to view and study their photographers published pics.

Having been into this since about 7 years ago, I really think photography is a lifelong learning process, and still consider myself as a low rank amateur. But the satisfaction of viewing the end result of a photo really worth all the efforts and preparations to capture it.

Enjoy the pics.

THE THING ABOUT US : MAAF ZAHIR BATIN

2010-09-03T09:30:00.015+02:00

What is Aidilfitri without asking for forgiveness for past our sins and mistakes, realized or unrealized from someone?

Grown ups, men and women alike, sobbed and cried when they performed the solemn age old tradition of salam mintak maaf zahir batin in the morning of Aidilfitri from their aging parents. Some slowly wiped their tears of regret with hujung tudung or selendang. Wife and husbands berlinang air mata, asked forgiveness from each other. Friends hugged their closest brother/ sister friends while shutting their eyes tight, feeling remorseful, begging and hoping their friends would have that compassion and a gracious heart to forgive them.

This same sombre ritual will be repeated year after year during Aidilfitri, by millions of us, in every house and mosque. The least a person would do during this time is to utter the 3 hopeful words of Maaf Zahir Batin while greeting the other person they met, while some others would simply say "kosong-kosong aaa", indicating they had forgiven the other persons sin and hope for a reciprocating gestures at the same time. Forgive and forget is the feeling of the moment.

It is an act of redemption, an attempt to purify one's soul. And hopefully these kind deeds will be rewarded in the afterlife.

With kepala ditunduk, jari disusun, tangan dihulur.............

I humbly seek forgiveness from those I have wronged.

MAAF ZAHIR BATIN

PARENTING 101 : JANGAN MEMBAZIR MAKANAN

2010-09-03T07:21:00.001+02:00

When it comes to food, I am very, very strict with my children. They have to finish their nasik, bread, cereal, whatever they are eating. Punishment beckons if they don't. And if there is only little portion, ada sikit jer, they must share it with others. "Tinggal kat orang belakang sikit" my elders used to remind me and my siblings, again and again. The idea of course, was to share whatever we have with everyone in the family so that semua orang boleh rasa.

In the childhood days, there were some difficult times when we dont have enough financial means to buy lauk-pauk. I remember when everybody in the family have to share little portions of ikan seekor during dinner. To make the bland rice more delicious for our tekak to accept it, we mixed it with kicap tamin and the cooking oil that was used to fry the fish. I could still remember the taste now, which was simply delicious. At that time, we dont have much, but we make do with whatever we have.

Ayam, daging and ketam was really a luxury back then. If I remember it correctly, we only had the luxuries during the gaji time. For the rest of the month lauk were ikan kembung rebus (difficult to find nowadays, but lots of it were sold in Pasar Besar Ipoh @ Superkinta then) ikan kering, sadin cap ayam, telur masin or telur ayam. For vegetables, we had pucuk ubi, kangkung, jantung pisang, bayam, to name a few. If we were craving for some fruits, pelam or jambu air for example we just find the appropriate tree in the kampung, climbed and plucked the desired choice or throw some sticks at the fruits to get it. We usually asked permissions first but stealing fruits were not out of questions either especially if the owner was a kedekut haji bakhil type.

But even with the financial constrain, I also remember that we ate all the time. Beside lunch and dinner, there were breakfast of nasi goreng with ikan bilis halus topped up with fried cili kering, tea time with cekodok, goreng pisang or keledek or sometimes the simple ubi rebus with kelapa parut.

The food back then were simple and basic but it did the job to feed us. I guess since almost all were planted in abundance and readily available around the house or the village, we were never short of food supply. Things that we dont have, we pinjam from the neighbours and vice versa.

If there is a Maulud Nabi function or some prominent religious figure giving ceramah at our local surau, which was made compulsory for me to attend, we got to eat nasi beriyani or nasi minyak with kari daging kambing. The same goes if there are weddings in the kampung. The mouth watering rendang tok was my favourite.

Fast food was considered as another luxury, not like nowadays. If we want to satisfy our taste bud, and have a go at it, it only happens once a year, which during the first and second day of Aidilfitri, we will hit all the houses in the neighbourhood and our kampung, to collect duit raya. Then on the 3rd or 4th day, we'll go to Ipoh and spend our hard earned coins on root beer, burger and fries at the A & W ( the only fastfood outlet back then, no KFC, no McDonalds, no Pizza Hut) in front of panggung Cathay. Thats it, once a year.

We never wasted our food since it was drummed into our brains, to do such things was really bad. If we did that, the usual punishment like kena tibai dengan getah paip, or the ever popular lempang will swiftly be executed by our parents. When it comes to wasting food, thats how strict they can be. And because of that, I grew up with the thinking to never ever membazir makanan.

Thats why I am very strict with my children when it comes to food. I always tell them to remember these three things:-

i. Never membazir makanan. Finish it all off.
ii. Tinggal sikit untuk orang belakang yang belum rasa.
iii. Jangan tamak ambik banyak-banyak, kalau tak abis, kena buang jer makanan tu.

I followed those rules right up till now. Hopefully my daughters will too.

AKULA WAS HERE : PEOPLE WATCHING - WATER FOUNTAIN, UN PLAZA, GENEVA

2010-08-31T18:15:00.013+02:00

In the summer months, I love to bring my daughters here and let them loose to play with these series of subterranean and synchronized water jets near the Broken Chair monument, located right in front of the United Nations plaza.

Of course, as what the pics showed, children are not the only one who were having loads of fun! Dads, mums, grandparents, nannies, singles, married couples, all were having their share of happy water playing moments. Bathing suits, bikinis and the ever popular seluar katok (its a universal thing!) were the dress code for this popular spot. Even the Middle Eastern tourists hang around here, in their purdah and chadors.

A great place to do some people watching, especially the antics of the children who really enjoy themselves playing with the water.

AKULA WAS HERE : ZERMATT AND MATTERHORN

2010-08-31T12:02:00.003+02:00

The one thing Matterhorn reminds me during my young and ignorant days is that it was the name of a cheap cigarette brand back then. Its a menthol, so I guess thats what it refers too, you know, cooling menthol cigarette like the the cool Matterhorn. Its just a theory of course, but I strongly suspect, that was the connection. :)

Zermatt, the Alpine tourist village where Matterhorn lies just nearby on top of the mountain range, is about 3 hours drive from Geneva. Of course, this is a must visit place in Switzerland, and I planned to hit all the top tourist spot while I am here. Alang-alang dah duduk kat sini, rugi kalau tak pergi tengok.

With my love one and daughters tagging along, we drove to Visp, about 2 hours drive, park our car there and hop on the train to Zermatt. The number one reason I did that was they dont allow any fossil fuel run vehicle to be driven in Zermatt. Its banned. Meaning, no fumes discarding transportation are allowed. Its to keep the air in Zermatt especially, fresh and clean. The second reason was that, taking the train will allow me to indulge in my picture taking hobby, without any interruption. (Not that I tried taking pics while driving though, if you are wondering).

Gorgeous viewS, with valleys, and rivers along the way while the train heaved itself up the mountain tracks. Arrived in Zermatt after about one hour.

Zermatt was packed with tourist from all over the globe. Thats the best way to describe the hustle and bustle of this alpine town. From here one can go hiking up to Matterhorn or visit the many glaciers on the mountain range. Mountain biking, para gliding are but many other options available for the active and nature loving tourists.

Us? None of that, thank you. We just strolled in and out of the cobbled streets and and alleyways in Zermatt, soaking up its busy atmosphere. Horse carriages were not a rare sight here. Its served to transport the newly arrive tourists to their respective accommodations. Theres the small and compact taxis, run and fed by their battery juices of course. If you dont like getting cramped in the taxis, choose mountain bike instead and if that still doesnt suit you, just walk to get around.

The best place to view Matterhorn is on the bridge in the center of the town near Zermatt's old chapel where its cemeteries are packed with graves of fallen mountaineers who unfortunately met their final destiny while scaling the majestic Matterhorn. I went to visit the cemetery and read the their families final farewells and thoughts carved on their tombstone. Some were really quite moving. About 500 climbers had died 1865 up to 1995. A deadly mountain, to say the least.

The children wanted to learn something about the Zermatt's and Matterhorn, so we hit Zermatlantis, a local museum dedicated in preserving the history of both places. Old climbing gears, cameras, even the original clothing of a dead mountaineer were prominently displayed inside the museum. The children thought it was cool, since they could see how things were back then.

Its interesting to note that Matterhorn are shared by both Italy and Switzerland.

Food was rather expensive in Zermatt, and so were other stuff. Souvenirs cost a lot more here than other popular tourist spots I have been in Switzerland. Its the same phenomenon all over the tourist world, I suppose. Charge the tourist as much as they could. Capitalism and free market at its worst.

That aside, we had a wonderful time in Zermatt. We viewed the famous Matterhorn (the mountain, not the menthol cigarette, mind you), had a blast learning a little bit about the history of this alpine kampung and its famous but deadly mountain.

AKULA WAS HERE : RHINE FALLS, SCHAFFHAUSEN, SWITZERLAND

2010-08-29T15:19:00.000+02:00

When I was in Vancouver, Canada, I wanted to go visit the Niagara Falls. But since it was so far (driving non stop would take me about 2 days) and the very expensive air tickets costs (2 adults, 3 children) deterred me from going there.

Being here in Europe, taking cue from Switzerland's Tourism website I went to see Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. I first saw this falls in Amazing Race, the reality TV series where the contestants have to cross the river the big rock in the middle of the falls, climbed to the top and retrieve the race clue in the cluebox . I remember thinking it must be so cool to actually be there on top of the rock amidst the thunderous gushing waters on both sides.

Located near the town of Schaffhausen in the north of Switzerland and near the German border, the Rhine Falls is 150 metres wide, 23 metres high and the average volume of water that rush through this nature's monster are 700 m3 per second.

The entrance was easy to find and after parking the car, we went to buy the tickets at the counter. Major currencies accepted.

Trails leading to the river and waterfalls are paved and was quite easy to follow. We crossed a rail bridge to get to the other side of the river where there were boats to bring deliver you up close and personal to the Rhine falls.

I, of course wasted no time to get to the rock. "Rugi kalau tak experience pegi lepak kat batu besar tu jap". My love one and daughters decided not to go since she and I thought it looked a bit dangerous for young children to climb it.

The boat revved up its engine, fighting the strong current to land us at a wooden jetty at the bottom of our rocky destination. Surprisingly, we were sheltered well enough by it walls from the mist of waters around us that we did not get wet. The metal stairs to the top were narrow and slippery. Who says traffic jam happened only on the road? It occurred here too, since the viewing platform was so small it can only accomodate about 10 people at any one time. So we have to stand and que up on the stairs until someone up there decided they had soaked up enough views, experiences or whatever and leave, and gave other eagerly waiting crowd a chance to do the same.

I was finally up there on the jotting rock in the middle of Rhine falls. The views were quite awesome, the sound of roaring water easily drowned any voices and the rushing waters were spectacular to look at. I wasted no time and snapped the obligatory pics. After about 20 minutes, I made the way down to wait for the pick up boat. It was a really cool experience.

I meet up with my family, took the boat to cross to the side and climbed the inclining path to by the cliff to where we parked our car

Another good outing day.

AKULA WAS HERE : GENEVA - DOLMODOSSA (ITALY) - MENDRISIO - GENEVA

2010-08-25T19:51:00.000+02:00

Early June this year, I took a break from my weekly cycling ritual and instead, packed all my family and a friend, JD into my second hand SUV and went off to explore the mountains of Italy and Switzerland.

My aim was to drive through roads less traveled by tourists and explore the mountain region of Switzerland, all the way to Mendrisio, where the most talked about factory outlet Foxtown is located and drive back to Geneva through the (almost) 17 km long Gotthard Tunnel, (the third longest road tunnel in the world).

I did not planned to drive pass through ITALY, but more of that later.

View Larger Map

GENEVA - BRIGS

We started our journey at 7.00 pm and drove towards Montreux and continued on to the place where the river Rhone more or less orignated, town of Briggs. (Some people say Rhone started its long flows to the Mediterranean from Andermartt, a town located further up the mountain road. And perhaps they are right). Weather was pretty bad with dark clouds and occasional rains. The view however, was still beautiful and breathtaking. We passed through Martigny (where I cycled to last week). The A9 highway passed through the Rhone valley with the two majestic mountain ranges looking down on from both sides, its slope dotted with vineyards. Wheat farms and other plantations carved the valley floor on each side of the road for miles. We drove through medieval villages and pretty little towns along the way.

BRIGS - SIMPLON

Arriving in Brigs, we stopped for a little while from bathroom breaks. Its been almost 2 hours drive from Geneva and the A9 highway ends somewhere here. I plotted the GPS for the route to Mendrisio and JD took over the driver's seat. Following the GPS direction, we continued with our journey. Half and hour later, JD told me that he had drove pass this part of the country but looking at the surroundings and the view, he cannot recall anything that look familiar. We glanced at the GPS and its still giving out instructions and routes to take. I said "GPS bagi route lain kot?". JD shrugged his shoulders and commented " Kalau tak betul dia dah recalculate dah. That means we are on the right track." Putting our trust in the modern technology marvel, we decided to press on.

The view was really breathtaking with the valley spread like a carpet at the foot of the mountains. Its also very high. For a person with a fear of heights like me, its quite scary since the road we were traveling on was cut through the very edge of the mountains, and I was looking at thousands of feet of sheer drop. Other parts of the road were built on high cliffs hugging the mountain slopes. I could see the whole valley, tiny houses and square shape farmlands thousand of feet down below (tried not to look down out of the car window too much since darah berderau).

We drove for about one hour climbing the mountains until we reached the snow lines. Yes, snow still on the mountain top here, even in summer. (Snow lines normally formed at the height of nearly 2,800 feet above, so imagine how high we were). My youngest daughter, who has been very quite at the time, suddenly said "Ibu, I think I am deaf. My ears keep on buzzing and popping!" We all laughed at her remarks and my love one explained to her "No, you are not getting deaf, your ears is just fine, it happens because we are high on the mountain, swallow as often as you can, and it will get better".

JD and I were still discussing about the GPS when we arrived in Simplon. We were still confident we would not deviate from our planned route going to Mendrisio via the Swiss mountain road when suddenly, we saw a sign post "Doune". " Damned! Its the Swiss/ Italian border and we didnt bring our passports. Without which the Italian border officials could turn us back and after negotiating the horror of the high mountain roads for almost 2 hours, we were quite reluctant to turn back. We decided to try our luck anyway. Surprisingly, the border officials lazily waved us through the check point. (Note: Traveling between EU countries does not require stamping of passport. The problem was, Switzerland is not an EU country and we did not bring our passports since our plan was to travel within Switzerland). We shouted thank you to the Italian official and quickly continued our way to Mendrisio through the unplanned Italian route to our destination. I was cursing the GPS under my breath. I was thinking that perhaps this border crossing was located so far away that the Italian border officials adopted a very relax attitude. Looking back, we were more lucky to cross the border without any traveling documents way before the 2010 World Cup, since I suspect Italy's elimination in the first round will definitely adversely effect the border officials emotions.

SIMPLON - DOMODOSSOLA (ITALY)

We drove to Domodossola, the next Italian town in our way according the cursed GPS.

I was surprised to see a lot of cyclist here since these mountain roads and the elevation was so high, with long narrow elevations. I observed that the numbers of elderly man and woman cyclist more or less equals the younger ones. Which really say something about these Italians. No wonder they are a force to reckon with in the cycling world, and no wonder some of the best road bikes and bicycles were designed by the Italians. If an average old guys could cycle up the mountains with ease, then the younger ones should, logically top that with no problems.

The thing is, I'd observed the people here really are into the active life thing. Not just with cycling others jogged and even skied, never mind in the middle of summer, like the guy in the pic below. That should say something about these people way of life.

There's a lot of contrast I noticed after entering Italy. For one, the drivers were not as disciplined as the Swiss on the road. Road condition was quite bad, tunnels were dirty and not well maintained compared to Switzerland. But I have seen worse back home.

We arrived in Domodossola, after a long way down the mountain.

DOMODOSSOLA - LOCARNO (SWITZERLAND)

From here we head towards Locarno, a Swiss town about 45 km away. We had to climb a mountain again and crossed the Italian/ Swiss border near the Swiss town of Cameda. This is the Italian part of Switzerland and people here speaks Italian. (Note: Switzerland have 4 official languages which are French, German, Italy and Romansh).

The road was really narrow and can fit only one car at one time. High cliffs on the left side of the road and deep gorges and ravines on the rights side. A river cuts through the gorges down below, flowing towards Locarno and ends up at Lake Maggiore. Reminded me of the old James Bond movies location.

We dont have any problems exiting Italy at the border, since there was nobody there at the entry point. No nothing, just a run down old building in the middle of the road. So we just drove passed through slowly and continued our way to the Swiss border post which was also the same. No one there too. I guess thats not very odd here since not a lot of tourists who came this way and perhaps only local people uses this road.

We continued our journey to Locarno.

LOCARNO - MENDRISIO

After Locarno, we pushed on to Mendrisio. I was glad since the route there was a highway all the way. There was accident and traffic froze, bumper to bumper. Beat the traffic jam by entering a maintenance road (which were not allowed, but hey, we are Malaysians, and we do that sort of thing!) and headed towards Bellinzona and drove through the old road to Lugano and straight to Mendrisio.

FOXTOWN, MENDRISIO

Foxtown is a factory outlet which (supposedly) sell designer labels products at low price.

I have to say that I was really not impressed with this factory outlet. I mean, back in Malaysia, our malls are much, much more bigger and spacious compared to Foxtown. The prices were not that cheap as advertised either. Anyway, its just not my cup of tea.

MENDRISIO - GENEVA THROUGH THE GOTTHARD TUNNEL

We went back to Geneva using the other route and this time its via the third longest road tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Tunnel. 16.4 kms to be exact!

Its a weird feeling to drive through this long tunnel with the whole mountains on top. The children were counting the km mark as we passed each one.

After a long almost 6 hours drive, we arrived back in Geneva. Its a long and tiring journey but was well worth it since the journey was truly off the usual beaten track and we had the opportunity to see those wonderful and breathtaking views. Credit to my daughters for being on their best behavior and a good sport.

And no, I still didnt get over my fear of heights.

AKULA WAS HERE : LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

2010-08-04T00:33:00.000+02:00

I heard a lot about this UNESCO listed place. With castles (or chateau as they were called in French) scattered along the river Loire and its tributaries, it just begs me to visit it.

I booked an accommodation in Mettray, a small village on the outskirt of the city of Tours through Gite.com, recommended by France Guide, the official France Tourism website.

(Gites or holiday house are available to rent all over France. Offering basic accommodation facility comparable with most hotels, it is cheaper to rent, especially for families. Price range is from EUR 350 - EUR 1,000 plus, depending on high/ low seasons and locations. A good alternative to be considered for long vacations.)

The journey to Loire Valley took about 6 hours from Geneva through France central region. The highway is excellent by any standards but as in Malaysia, tolls charges have to be paid. The countryside was line up with miles and miles of cattle ranch. Wheat and sunflowers fields also dominated the view on the way to Loire Valley.

DAY 1 - DISNEYLAND

I promised my children a visit to Disneyland, so the first day program was solely concentrated on the Mickey Mouse affair. Needless to say, they were quite happy to spend their time there and accumulated a whole lot of Disneyland souvenirs. A lot of people as expected, being at the height of summer and all, but very, very fun. (It is my humble opinion however that Disneyland lack rides, thus the long queue). Regardless, there were still a lot of things to do and explore. We hit all the `lands', watched the Disney's characters concert twice and before we knew it, the day was over.

DAY 2 - THE TOWN OF BOURGES AND CHATEAU DE VALENCAY

Off to the town of Brouges, France about 1 hour drive from Mettray. Ever since reading Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and the highly controversial The Holy Blood and The Holy Grail, I wanted to view Gothic architecture and theres one cathedral there in Brouges where I can view the magnificent high ceiling and beautiful stained glasses incorporated in its walls. I was really impressed.

On the way back we stop at Chateau de Valencay for a tour.

DAY 3 - CHATEAU DE CHANONCEAUX AND CHATEAU DE VILLANDRY

Let me say that, sometimes GPS will avoid main roads and gave directions to go through a backroad just because its the calculated route is shorter in distance to the destination. Thats what my GPS did, anyway.

We were on our way to see Chateau de Chanonceaux, when I suddenly realize that we had left the main road at a turn somewhere and ended up being on a narrow back road in the middle of the nowhere with 2 huge wheat harvesting machines heading straight toward us. Cant compete to stay on the road with these 2 huge beasts, so we back up and unceremoniously, let them passed. I swear the French farmer made a mocking, grinning face at us when they drove passed our car.

In GPS we trust? Erkkk, only sometimes!

Chateau de Chanonceaux was impressive to say the least. It was built right across the river Char. Spent the whole morning and had our lunch there.

We then drove to Chateau de Villandry to view its famous medieval garden. The castle itself was a okay, but the garden just took my breath away. Neatly arranged were rows of flowers and plants across a huge compound. I am running out of words to describe it, so take a look at the photos.

DAY 4 - PARIS

Visiting Eiffel Tower, I really think it has lost its charms, no thanks to the horde of souvenirs peddlers at its base. They are so many of them around! Its no an exaggeration to say that their numbers were as many as the visiting tourists. I was surprised when one of them approached and asked me, in Malay "Sudah beli ka?. I just smiled and thought, wow, there must be a lot of of Malaysians who visited Eiffel Tower since I am sure the souvenirs peddler must have picked the language from them.

I chose to walk along the river Seine from Eiffel Tower to Musee du Louvre, enjoying the Paris street scene and dragging my children with me. Thankfully they did not complain since it was quite a distance for them (4.9 km).

We ended our French Holiday visiting the Hard Rock Cafe Paris, a must go place for my love one and me. Yeap, we collect HRC tshirts and souvenirs. (I am a HRC member too!). :)

I would say Paris does have a lot of interesting places to visit and I regret that I dont have enough time to visit it all.

Perhaps thats a reason enough for me to think that a visit to Paris is in order (again) next summer.

AKULA WAS HERE : THE TOURIST'S ESSENTIALS

2010-07-22T11:18:00.000+02:00

A friend asked me for some advice on what essential items to pack for a day trip.

I am not well qualified and not well traveled enough to give such advice, but personally , I think it really varies, depending on the duration, mode of transportation, personal preferences etc, etc.

For me, the things I'll usually bring with on a day trip are:-

1. Backpack - a strong one with not too many pockets. Some empty spaces in the bag for souvenirs.
2. 1 extra t shirt/ jackets - just in case I need a fresh one.
3. Camera with a standard and a telephoto lens, two 4 gig memory cards (one functions as a backup) - better to be prepared than sorry. There is nothing more frustrating than to find out the only one memory card I brought is full/ corrupted/ damaged.
4. Mineral waters.
5. A packet of Panadol.
6. My love one will usually pack some sandwiches/ cekodok or biscuits for snacks in case the children got hungry.

I am comfortable with loose shirts and knee length seluar pendek for ease of movements. Good walking/ running shoes is must since there will be a lot of walking around. Definitely no kasut kulit or selipar jepun since it will limit movements. I would also not recommend high heels shoes for ladies.

Both hands should be free. I am not in favor of holding souvenir bags or whatever, because it will restrict my movement in case I need to act quickly and decisively, like stopping my children whenever they have that sudden crazy urge to cross the streets, or holding their hands in crowded places. Having plastic bags curled around the fingers will definitely slows me down.

No high heels or slippers for my daughters since being children, they will want to run and play. Sport shoes/ sneakers is the best option. They wear pants, capri or sometimes long skirts, again, for ease of movements.

I noticed a lot of people dressing up as if they are going to a dinner or on a date, but like I said, its their preference. I personally would not though, since obviously traveling its not like we are going on a date.

Travel light. Its more fun.

AKULA WAS HERE : ANNECY, FRANCE

2010-07-18T06:44:00.000+02:00

I have put off the trip to Annecy, France many, many times.

The thing is, living in Geneva, there are these nearby places and towns around that should made wajib pergi destinations since, its really not far, doesn't cost much and can be visited and covered in a short time. Well, because of that, I always think that I should go and visit those faraway places first, and those near ones, can be visited later.

I think I have postponed it long enough, since who knows, before we know it, I might be posted to somewhere else already.

I made it a point to read about a place before visiting it. Apart from the gaining background information, I want to prepare myself, in case my second daughter (the inquisitive one) ask me questions about the place. The brief write up in Wikipedia is usually sufficient enough for me to arm myself with the local knowledge and satisfy her curiosity.

Annecy is formerly the capital of Canton of Geneva and became part of the House of Savoy in the 15th century and was then conquered by France during the France Revolution. (You can read the rest of its sejarah here since I know that I bore you to death!)

Its a small town located at the shore of Lake Annecy. The main attraction is its medieval old town, with its ancient buildings wonderfully preserved. A lazy, clear and VERY CLEAN river runs through the old town, flowing to the Lake Annecy. Lot of tourists around, exploring the town and along the shore of Lake Annecy.

Enjoy the pics.

ANNECY, FRANCE : THE VIEW

ANNECY, FRANCE : PEOPLE WATCHING

AKULA WAS HERE : THE SWISS CHOCOLATE TRAIN : THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

2010-07-07T14:41:00.000+02:00

AKULA WAS HERE : THE CASTLE GRUYERE

2010-07-07T14:35:00.001+02:00

AKULA WAS HERE : THE SWISS CHOCOLATE TRAIN : THE CHEESE FACTORY

2010-07-07T14:32:00.000+02:00

AKULA WAS HERE : SWISS CHOCOLATE TRAIN : THE VIEW

2010-07-07T14:29:00.000+02:00

AKULA WAS HERE : THE SWISS CHOCOLATE TRAIN

2010-07-07T14:25:00.001+02:00

Malas teramat sangat nak tulis pasal trip ni, sebab banyak sangat yang nak diulas. Enjoy gambar jer la yek.

CANON EOS 5D MARK II

2010-07-07T08:33:00.000+02:00

Its been a long while since I buy a DSLR.

The Nikon D70S I have right now was acquired way back in 2005 when I was in Vancouver, where at that time not too many people were into DSLR. Now, almost everyone I know have at the very least, an entry level DSLR camera since it becomes more affordable for the mases to own one.

Over the years, I was tempted several times to upgrade the Nikon D70S with the introduction of several new DSLRs in the market. Nikon's D90, Canons 50D and 7D were very, very hard to resist, but I told myself, if I want to upgrade I should get the best one available and not to do it just for the sake of upgrading.

Anyway, after months of saving every loose change, depriving myself of buying BD Movies, DVDs, CD's and traveling only to those places where it doesn't cost any extra expenses (sightseeing in towns and parks), I saved enough to buy myself a Mark II. With extra lens, I might add.

The best thing was, the prices was further cut down for a total of about CHF 800.00. Further research and a lot of walkabout window shopping here in Geneva, revealed that all Canon DSLRs prices was brought down. I dont know the reason, but the rumour mills were flooded with the news that a new Canon DSLR will be unveiled in the near future.

The situation is also the same with Nikon DLSRs. For instance, the D90 (body only) is offered at CHF 998.00 with a CHF 200.00 cashback, meaning the current price is a mere CHF 778.00. A bargain compared to the tag price of CHF 1,343.00 early this year.

Crazy summer sales.

But, I have no complains at all. Less money to spend and any extras will enabled me to look for additional lenses.

I dont want write anything on the Mark II since the it has been covered by a lot of photography experts on the Internet. I am, after all, not a technical expert on a DSLR's anatomy.

Suffice to say, I am very happy with the Mark II and are still trying out and testing its extensive features and abilities.

As for my old Nikon D70s, I will still keep it since dah banyak jasa capturing those beautiful moments and memories of my children growing up from their toddler days.

A GASTRONOMY ADVENTURE : SUMMER BBQ

2010-06-29T15:33:00.000+02:00

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : THE SHELL GAME AND THE PICKPOCKETS

2010-06-17T15:39:00.000+02:00

THE SHELL GAME OPERATORS

I was walking along Rue de la Croic d' Or ( the famous shopping street of Bel Air) the other day when I noticed that near every street corner there were people who were putting a bet for a shell game.

What is a shell game, one might ask?

From Wikipedia;

The game requires three shells (thimbles, walnut shells, bottle caps, plastic cups, and even match boxes have been used), and a small, soft round ball, about the size of a pea, and often referred to as such. It can be played on almost any flat surface, but on the streets it is often seen played on a mat lying on the ground, or on a cardboard box. The person perpetrating the swindle (called the thimblerigger, operator, or shell man) begins the game by placing the pea under one of the shells, then quickly shuffles the shells around.

Once done shuffling, the operator takes bets from his audience on the location of the pea. The audience is told that if a player bets and guesses correctly, the player will win back double his bet (that is, he will double his money); otherwise he loses his money. However, in the hands of a skilled operator, it is not possible for the game to be won, unless the operator wants the player to win or if the player is allowed to touch the shells, in which case the player has a chance. The player must turn over any two shells saying that the pea is under neither of these. Since the pea is usually palmed, it is not under any of the shells and the operator has no choice but to pay up.

BIKING 101 : VILLENEUVE - MARTIGNY - VILLENEUVE

2010-06-14T06:50:00.001+02:00

Last Saturday, I rode the Villeneuve - Martigny - Villeneuve route. This road is a small part of the Rhone Route, one of the 9 official Swiss National Cycling Route. (Details of other routes are in the following website, Cycling In Switzerland). Nestled in between 2 huge mountain ranges, this route climbed up until the small town of Brigs, where the the glaciers and ice from the all year round Alps turned into a raging river.

Villeneuve is about 102 km from Geneva, which is about 1 hour drive. Woke up at 4.00 am and went through the preparation again. I asked a friend to drive me there since I planned to start the ride at 6.00 am. We depart Geneva at exactly 5.00 am.

At 6.00 am we arrived in Villeneuve and unloaded the bike at Mc Donalds parking lot. Its still early, but the morning light already illuminated the country side. It was a cloudy morning, and I was afraid it would be raining since I didnt pack the waterproof windbreaker. Luckily the weather holds and although the sky was overcast, it did not rain through out the ride.

VILLENEUVE - ST MAURICE

There were scarcely any vehicles on the road. I rode slowly, negotiating the corners of the small towns and villages along the route. After the small town of Roche, rode pass terraces of vineyards on the mountains edge at the left side of the road. Cycled through vegetables and wheat farms.

The river Rhone flows in the opposite direction beside most part of the road all the way to St Maurice. There are some hills and elevation but not difficult to climb.

Just before the medieval town of St Maurice I was pleasantly surprised when I found a 500 year old fortress. It was first built in 1476, and was reused as strategic defense point in World War II.

I decided to stop at the fortress to have a break and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

SAINT MAURICE - MARTIGNY

After the break at Saint Maurice, continued the ride to Martigny passing by small towns of Monthey, Massongex and others which name I cant remember since theirs were a little difficult to pronounce.

Before the town of Vernayaz, I spotted a pretty waterfall and thought how nice it will be to have a picnic there. A few people were there in the parking area, complete with haversacks. I guess they were getting ready to go hiking. Stop and snap a few pictures for the album.

This medieval castle is located on top of a mountain overlooking Martigny. I imagined that in those days, those lords and knights must have a difficult time to go up there on their horses with their full body plate armor to rescue their damsel in distress. But its a pretty cool view, nevertheless.

I arrived in Martigny at around 8.00 am. It was still deserted, not many vehicles on the road. Saw a few other cyclist on the road. Theres a lot of tourists mingling around in front of a hotel, waiting to board their bus. I guest they were on their way to Zermatt, to view the world famous Matterhorn.

Took short break, and gulped down a power gel (which by the way taste horrible! And they labelled it as berperisa lemon.) This was a very new thing for me. Information gleaned from the Internet and a friend tells me the body absorbed and transformed the power gel into energy, faster than power bars, so I decided to do a little test to see whether if its true.

MARTIGNY - SAINT MAURICE - VILLENEUVE

Rode back to Villeneuve using the same route.

After Saint Maurice, I stopped by a wheat farm beside the road to watch this farmer working on his land. Wheat, which gave me a lot of happy snack time moments in the shape of cekodok ikan bilis, cekodok pedas, cekodok manis, cekodok pisang (and loads and loads of other cekodok species as well) looks just like padi, minus the water and lintah.

My curiosity satisfied, I continued my journey back to Villeneuve. Traffic was getting heavier and other cyclists started to crowd the road with their MTBs and roadbikes. This is a popular cycling route after all.

I arrived at the Villeneuve's Mc Donalds at 10.30 am.

Loading the Colnago into the car, I saw these para gliders swooping down from the sky. Quickly snapped a few pics and thought how wonderful the view must be from up there. Winds rushing, adrenalin pumping, fantastic views, free like a bird.

Hmmmm..................

Para gliding next?

Note:
The power gel, despite the yucky taste, did work. Felt re energized and alert after a few minutes.

THE STATISTICS

Total distance : 82.04 km
Ride Time : 3 hours 28 minutes 07 seconds
1 Power Gel - YUCK!
3 Power Bars
4 stick of Dunhill
2 bottles of water

THE THING ABOUT GENEVA : SUMMERTIME

2010-06-08T14:31:00.000+02:00

Summer is here, finally.

Last year, in the same period, I was still working during weekends and the workload only eased off at the beginning of July. No weekends for 2 whole months. Seriously. But this time, I was spared the agony and the frustration of not having the weekends off thanks to the current economic slowdown back home.

In Switzerland, and in every other four seasons country (I think), summer is the best time of the year, where schools are closed for nearly 3 months, employees are given holidays and offices get by with only skeleton staffs. Even the United Nations Office here in Geneva, which are always crazy busy through out the year with meetings and conferences, stop their activities during summer.

Weather wise, its hot, dry and berbahang. I found it funny sometimes when meeting other Malaysians here in Geneva, being the friendly and concern lot they are, will offer thousand pieces of advises on how to survive summer time, "Eh you kena minum air banyak tau, nanti dehydrated" said one guy, "Sini panas bukan macam kat Malaysia, kering, nanti you tak tahan nanti" advised another, assuming of course this is my first time abroad. I just nodded and thank them for the being so considerate. And when they asked me whether this is my first time living in a four season country, I'll always feet guilty for making them a little embarrass since I have been doing this (living abroad) for quite a while. But thats how Malaysians are, always trying to help in any way they could.

The days are getting longer and nights are becoming shorter. Sun rises at 5.44 am in the morning and sets at 9.27 pm. At the height of summer it will be as early as 4.30 am and would only be completely dark at around 10.15 pm. In my first summer abroad, in Zagreb, Croatia, I remember that I had to hang a thick blanket over the window to block the sunlight, because the sun was already shining brightly at 5.00 am. (I am still doing the exact same thing).

The city of Geneva holds its annual Fetes de Geneve during summer at the shore of Lake Geneva. This year the festival will be from the 29th July - 8 August 2010. There will be free outdoor concerts, fireworks show, hundreds of stalls selling everything from food to souvenirs, amusement parks and thrill rides. This should definitely be fun.

Switzerland is a tourist friendly country, and they flocked here from everywhere. But the most prominent of them would be the those from the Middle East. They came to Geneva in droves. Some would even bring their own bulletproof and custom made cars from their country. Its no surprise to see a car with, let say, Kuwaiti registration number on the road here.

Parks and public places are full of people enjoying the excellent weather. Children took advantage of the longer daytime and stayed outside for as long a they could even if its already late and time for them to go to bed. People are exercising, running or cycling till late and determine to enjoy every bit of sunlight before its gone for the day.

Summer is the time to have a picnic outside, be it in their own private garden, or in an open field and public park. Barbeque is a must, and sometimes smells of grilled meat could be noticed from far away. People would find any excuse to hold a barbeque sessions. It is time to gather all friends and family members, enjoying the good weather, good food and good company.

One thing for sure is, people wear thin and loose clothing. Colourful shorts, skirts, and singlet is the theme of the current season. After almost 6 long months covered in thick, heavy winter clothing, it is the time for people here to expose themselves. And of course to get some tan for their pale skin. And yes, they like their skin tanned. And yet others would go to the extreme and sunbathe naked in the open, in the public park and on those many yachts and boats in Lake Geneva. It is attracting and jaw dropping to see them flaunting all of their private assets. especially for those who came from a conservative society like us Malaysians,. To the people here its nothing more than a normal accepted behavior every summer. They dont even bat an eyelid.

As for me, I will explore more of Switzerland this time, since last year I just arrived and did not have the opportunity to do it. I am planning to travel by train with my family, to see for myself the famed beautiful Swiss countryside. I will also ride the roadbike and follow the many available cycling route scattered all over Switzerland.

Its summer time!

BIKING 101: FROM 104 KILOGRAMS TO 108.47 KILOMETRES

2010-06-05T18:17:00.000+02:00

View Larger Map

I did it! Broke the 100 km barrier yesterday. Needless to say, I am so happy and satisfied. One year and seven months ago I was 104 kg, and the most I could do was walking for 7 - 10 minutes. Tu pun dah mengah giler, lidah terjelir sampai perut. High blood pressure, borderline diabetes, a high cholesterol level of 7.8, gout etc, etc were all lingering around then. Alhamdulillah, beat all that just with regular exercises.

I never thought I could ride for more than 100 km.

THE RIDE AND ROUTE

This time I chose the France's side of Lake Geneva to conquer since I am very familiar with the route here in the Swiss side. My goals were to;

i. Check out the lake route there since I am planning to ride the whole length of Lake Geneva.
ii. Break the 1ookm barrier. The furthest I rode was 60 km.

I was nervous the whole day on Friday just thinking about he ride. I don't know whether I have the stamina, endurance and the will to do it. I prepared myself by drinking a lot of water and ate high protein and carbohydrate food. Strictly no cili api.

Things that I brought along.

i. Passport
ii. ID
iii. Spare Tube
iv. Pump
v. Multi Tools
vi. Power Bar
vii. Water Bottles
viii. GPS
ix. Ipod
x. Camera

I retired early to bed to make sure I had enough rest.

FIRST LEG: GENEVA - EVIAN

I set the alarm at 5.00 am, since I wanted to leave at 6.00 am, but somehow woke up at 4.30 am. Tried to sleep a little bit more but then decided to get up and went through all the stuff again. After a quick shower, started my ride at 5.40 am. Here, the sun rise before 6 am during this time of the year.

Rode through Geneva to get the other side of the lake. It was really quite except for the occasional traffic and the early morning public city workers. Did not see other cyclist.

Evian-Les-Baines lies 44.5 km away. I rode on normal speed, bearing in mind I had a long way to go. The road was clear, and once in a while a car passed me by. No big hills to take on except for a few low mounds. Arrived at the Swiss/ France border after the Swiss town of Maison Neuves, which is about 12.3 km from Geneva.

Entering France, I found out that the road condition was quite bad. It worries me a bit and I had to look out for pot holes. The uneven surface slowed down my progress and pace. Traffic was still light. The day was getting warm and I stopped near Filly to take off my windbreaker since I was sweating profusely. I have been riding for almost one hour. On both side of the road, farmlands stretch for miles. Theres a lot of farming machines lying around the farms, some with weird shapes and quite huge. I continued the ride towards Thonon, about 11 km away.

In Thonon, riding through the town, I lost my bearing and was not sure which way to continue. I asked an old man who was just about to get into his car, "Monsieur, Evian?" with my right hand pointing down the road. He was startled but quickly recovered and said "Oui, oui". I guess that meant I was on the right track. And sure enough after a few kilometres, I saw the road sign to Evian. Good.

I arrived at Evian at around 7.50 am. I headed out to the Evian lake front and took a rest. The first leg from Geneva to Evian took me about 2 hours and 10 minutes of the 44.5 km route, more or less. Ate 2 power bars for breakfast. Evian seems to me like a standard tourist town with a lot of hotels by the lake. Saw a lot of tourist buses. It was still early. Not too many people around the park where I stopped. And yes, this is the place where the world famous Evian mineral water came from. A friend of mine told me to visit the place where I can get free mineral water, straight out of its source, but I decided not too, since I dont have a lot of time to search for it.

SECOND LEG: EVIAN - BOUVERET- VILLENEUVE

This leg consist of a long climb since the road was cut at the very foot of Chablais Alps.

After a 20 - 30 minutes break, I left Evian for Le Bouveret, Switzerland. The road started its ascend immediately and this continued until I arrived in small village of St Gingolph. Its not to too difficult to cycle but keeping my neck comfortable was the real challenge and it started to get stiff and sore. It bothered me a lot. Met a lot of other cyclist along this stretch of the route, but they were heading in the opposite direction. Perhaps it made much more sense, since the road was downhill the other way. Argggghhhhh!

Nevertheless, climbed all the way to St Gingolph. The view was breathtaking and I could see the other shores of Lake Geneva, running parallel with the road I was cycling on. The France and Switzerland borderline cuts through right in the middle of St Gingolph village, dividing the sovereignty and to a certain extend I guess, its people's loyalty. Interesting.

I left France and entered back into Switzerland in St Gingolph and proceeded to Le Bouveret. A few more kilometres and I will arrived in Villeneuve, the next stop. I rode through the farmlands there, stopped to take some photo of the Chablais Alps I just left behind before crossing the river Rhone. The Rhone emptied into Lake Geneva before continuing its course again at Geneva to the Mediterranean.

Arrived in Villeneuve for a well deserved break. Its been a long 28.8 kilometres. Neck hurt like hell!

THIRD LEG: VILLENEUVE - MONTREUX - VEVEY

I rested for about 30 minutes in a park at Villeneuve lakefront. Called and confirmed with a friend was going to pick me up in Vevey, the final destination of this whole ride.

Again, my neck was hurting badly, while other parts of my anatomy seems in good condition. A little sore on my behind as expected after a long period on the saddle. Did some stretching to loosen up the muscles. Applied muscles pain reliever cream to the back of my neck to temporarily relief the pain. Ate another 2 power bars to boost the withering energy and drank a lot of water to avoid dehydration.

Posted an update in the Facebook. My Iphone battery was dead and so did the Cyclometer, the Iphone GPS application to track and record the ride progress. From here on, I would have to depend on the Cateyes to tell me about distance and ride time. Made a mental note on my head, to check out Garmin GPS, which has a reputable battery usage of 15 hours.

I push on to Montreux, 4.9 kilometres away. En route, there was one small hill to conquer, and I continued to ride to Vevey.

What I didnt know, a friend who live in Vevey read my update in the Facebook and he decided to look for me and joined in. I was concentrating to take on the hill near Vevey when he found me and yelled "WOI!" from the other side of the road on the opposite direction. I told him Vevey was my final stop to which he replied "Lets ride until Lausanne. Its only about 2o kilometres away. And you could break the 100 km barrier". Total distance at Vevey was 89 km and seriously, I was tempted to continue riding to Lausanne. We went to Starbuck and discussed the ride plan. After much thought, and a high sugar content drink (cant remember what it was) I decided to push for Lausanne, with painful neck and all.

FOURTH LEG: VEVEY TO LAUSANNE

Applied some more of that muscle pain reliever cream to block the pain and proceeded slowly to Lausanne. The friend was already an veteran rider and he rode slowly to accommodate my tired pace. Its already in the afternoon and the day was getting really hot. I glanced over to the France's side of Lake Geneva shore that I rode earlier in the morning and realized it has been a very long way. 10 kilometres into the ride I noticed that the Cateyes has clocked over 100 kilometres, Yelled at the top of my voice "WOHOOO! YES!, YES! YES! A CENTURY! I DID IT!" Upon hearing this, my friend joined me in celebrating the achievement by chorusing similar kind of excitement much to the amusement of the people on the road side.

After 18.4 kilometres we finally arrived in Lausanne and headed out to the Olympic Park, where another friend was waiting to pick me up.

THE STATISTICS

Total Distance : 108.47 km

Time : 4 hours 43 minutes and 54 seconds.

2 bottles of water.
4 power bar.
1 Starbuck drink of I dont know what.
7-8 sticks of Dunhill
A lot of under the breath mutterings of " I CAN DO THIS, I CAN DO THIS!"
2 friends.

NOTE :-

I am 41 years old, was 104 kg a year 7 months ago, AND I JUST CYCLED 108 KILOMETRES.

YOU CAN DEFINITELY DO IT TOO!

BIKING 101 : HOW IT ALL STARTED - PART II

2010-06-01T16:17:00.001+02:00

Arriving in Geneva, I continued to ride the GT MTB during weekends. I noticed that theres a lot of people cycling but most of them use road bikes which is of course much lighter and faster than the MTB.

Since I had achieved my target weight at 80 kg, I felt confident enough that I have the stamina to go riding for longer hours and distances. After months of scouting around for a good and affordable roadbike, I decided to buy a Colnago. No Ah Chai this time, (damn!) so I had to do a lot of research and talked to a lot of sales people at the bicycle shop (using a lot of body language and hand signs plus a lot of guessing since they dont speak a word of English and I dont know French at all!) .

HOW TO KNOW WHICH IS THE RIGHT ONE?

Roadbikes comes in different sizes and according to heights, theres the S, M, L sizes. Ladies requires a different bike frame because of the percentage of the woman's body proportions of longer leg length relative to torso length. Seriously. My love one had to shorten the handle joint a few times because of that. And thats how I knew.

The correct saddle positioned is very important and must be correctly positioned. Usually the people at the bicycle shop could do the adjustment or read the tips about this here (I am sure Ah Chai didnt know about this. Hmmm...).

SO A NEW ROADBIKE, SO WHAT?

With the new bike, I need these:-

i. Cycling Shoes - Paid CHF 167.00
ii. Cleats - Came with the shoes.
iii. Pedals - Pedals was not included with the bicycle. Bought a CHF 60.oo Shimano roadbike pedal.
iv. Cycling shorts with paddings - a must, or suffer the excruciating butt pains CHF 189.00
v. 1 long sleeves cycling jersey - Spring time, its cold. CHF 40.00 ++
vi. 1 short sleeves cycling jersey - for summer CHF 50 something I think.

Riding a roadbike was a totally different ballgame from the MTB. It took me a few days to be comfortable with the new riding style. I watched a lot of `how to ride a roadbike' videos easily available from You Tube. And read a lot of cycling blogs for cycling tips.

So there.

I am still new at this, okay (the cycling, not the blogging). If my facts are wrong, please dont be shy to point it out.

P/s: Mr Udinese. Pueh hati?

BIKING 101: HOW IT ALL STARTED - PART I

2010-05-31T14:58:00.000+02:00

I took up biking/ cycling in January 2009. Thats only about a year plus to date.

HOW DID I GET INTO THIS?

I was doing my 'power walking' rounds at the majestic PICC then (in all seriousness, PICC do resembles the alien that Fox Mulder and Dana Scully frequently encountered in the X Files tv series), when a group of people whizzed pass me riding their MTBs. I thought to myself, "Now, that looks like fun". I was referring to the seemingly effortless and smooth movement of the group, which to my tired eyes, looks like they were gliding on the road. (I was dead wrong of course in my assumption. Cycling, like other physical sports, requires a lot of stamina, energy and kederat). That encounter with the MTB bikers sparked my interest in cycling considering:-

i. I already know how to ride a bicycle,
ii. I was bored stiff with my everyday power walking routine (I cant run yet at that time, and was still a fat and overweight person then),

So I went back home, searched for a bicycle shop near my house and bought one GT MTB for me and a Jamis MTB for my love one from Ah Chai's Kedai Basikal Dan Barang-barang Dapur Lain. For information, besides selling the usual MTB, road bike and other cycling accesories, Ah Chai also sold barang-barang dapur lain of course, and to name a few, periuk belanga, dapur tanah, cili kering, ikan masin, gula, milo and serbuk teh. Oh...... and the ever popular multi purpose and comfortable toto was on display too in his shop.

A good MTB price average was around RM 1,000.00 to RM 2,000.00. Its cost more for those top of the line models. I did not pay any particular attention to the brands since I sort of jumping into this on impulse and did not have any idea whatsoever what model or brand to buy. I just asked Ah Chai and put my trust on his experiences and judgement (selling barang-barang dapur) to recommend to me what he thought best. Imagine my relief when researching the Internet after I bought those MTB's, that both GT and Jamis were listed in Wikipedia with links to their their impressive websites and information. These two models even won awards.

BICYCLE DONE, WHAT ELSE DID I NEED?

1. Cycle computer- RM 30.00 - RM 50.00. Cateyes. Polar is good too according to a friend of mine.
2. Gloves - RM 15.00 above. (Yang cikai punya jer, I was broke after buying the MTB's)
3. Iron Mag helmet - about RM 40.
4. Bicycle tyre pump - Cant remember what the price was(or was it because Ah Chai gave it FOC?).
5. Spare tube - RM 8.00
6. Water bottles - RM 10.00. Bought two for 15.00 after much haggling with Ah Chai.

WHERE TO CYCLE?

With its good road system and highways, Putrajaya is definately a safe and an excellent place for newbie cyclist like me. Not too many traffic is a plus point too. And no, I did not go anywhere else since Putrajaya was just near my house and I was too lazy too find/ drive to other places.

To angkut both mine and my love one MTBs, I got myself a bicycle carrier. And yes, I bought it from Ah Chai (again). The price was about RM 125.00 discounted (and seriously, Ah Chai was making lot of money from me alone!).

Putrajaya was an interesting place to explore. With a MTB, I gained access to those parts of the administrative capital not normally visited. I discovered pathways and shortcuts, got to meet with the hordes of gardeners who kept it clean and also found out that there are actually a lot of Putrajaya Holdings security guards scattered all over Putrajaya stationed at their makeshift guard posts under the bridges or near the unused public toilets.

My last biking adventure in there was the Feb 2009 Putrajaya Critical Mass (PCM). I wrote a post of the event in the my old defunct blog Nasi Lemak And Nescafe Tarik. PCM is still going strong and just celebrated their 2 years anniversary.

At that time, I could only ride for about 20km - 30 km (tops) since I was still in the process of shedding my weight.

I got posted to Geneva in May 2001 and brought the GT MTB with me.

To be continued in Part II

BIKING 101: GRAND SACONNEX - LAUSANNE

2010-05-29T18:19:00.000+02:00

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After a few weeks of hitting the 50 km mark on the Nyon route, I decided last night today I will try to go for Lausanne, which is about 59 km from Geneva.

GRAND SACONNEX - NYON

I started cycling at 6.40 am. My intention was to beat the crowd, since usually, from 8.00 am onwards there will be a lot of cyclist on the road. The weather was nice, no rain and at 6.40 am the sun has already came out, shining. The good thing about going out this early was that, theres virtually no traffic at all on the road. It was quite and peaceful.

I am quite use to this route since I cycled every week to Nyon and back. Met with a couple of riders who obviously started much more earlier than me.

After 23 km, and 55 minutes later, I arrived in Nyon. Decided to stop in a park by its waterfront for a break.

NYON - GLAND

Put on my Ipod Nano, and with Iron Maiden songs playing in my head, I headed out towards Gland, 4.8 km away. Traffic was still light. Just one hill to conquer along the way.

GLAND - ROLLE

This 6.8 km stretch was quite straight with a lot of vineyards on both side of the road. Met a lot of other cyclist which seems to appear out of nowhere. A lot of small hills and elevation.

ROLLE - MORGES

This section of the route is the most challenging, since this 15.1 km route were dotted with hills after hills, elevations after elevations to take on. I felt tired and at times could feel my legs and my hands went numb. I could feel the increasing pain at the back of my right knee. My neck and back stiffened with every round of cycling. My mouth was dry and I was struggling to beat those hills. There were a lot of instances I considered to stop to take a break, but shaking off the temptation, I forced myself to continue. I too, reminded myself that if the fat, out of shape and never exercise in his whole life Eddie Izzard (Britain's stand up comic and actor) can run a full marathon everyday in 52 days, there is no reason why I cannot do this.

The last hill to conquer in this section was near Aubonne, and I breathed a sigh of relief since the town of Morges lies just a few kilometres after that.

I arrived in Morges in high spirit and felt elated.

Lausanne was next.

MORGES - LAUSANNE

The final leg of this route is about 9.7 km.

At first I planned to stop for my second break in Morges, but since Lausanne was just abut 10 km away, I decided to push through. I was taken aback when I found out the road to Lausanne had long stretch of elevation, three hills in sucession. To translate, I had to climb uphill 7 kilometres non stop. There was no other choice, of course, so I gathered all my energy, (baca Bismillah sikit) put my head up, changed the gear to the lowest possible and cycled slowly up the hills. Very slowly.

At this juncture, 5 other cyclists overtook me. They really seems like almost flying. I took a glance at their legs and noticed that it looks like batang kayu balak, compared to my own. I think I could see the blood vessels popping out out everywhere on their well tuned leg muscles. I comforted myself by thinking that they have been doing this for years and after all, I had already clocked over 50 kilometres from Geneva and they just started. Plus maybe they even lived nearby as well.

I managed to pull through and arrived in Lausanne in one piece, happy but tired. Met with a friend who drove all the way from Geneva to pick me up.

And no, I did not cycle back. Like I said in my previous post, my goal was to cycle to Lausanne . I did not say anything about cycling back to Geneva.

Hehe.

Maybe next time though.

THE STATISTICS

Total Distance : 59.11 km
Climb : 105 km
Calories burned : 21, 361
Air sebotol
2 Power Bar
2 batang Dunhill
Ipod Nano and Iron Maiden songs.
Age : 41 years old
November 2008 body weight: 104 kg
Current weight: 83 kg

And.... oh, if I can do it, there is no reason you can't.

AKULA WAS HERE : NYON, SWITZERLAND

2010-05-25T07:53:00.000+02:00

Too many pics, huh?

Taking photos is a passion, to say the least. :)

Well, last Saturday I was on a sailing ship cruise to Yvoire, France, organized by the the Malaysian Ladies Association here in Geneva. I enjoyed the trip very much. (Good job ladies!) I have uploaded and shared the said trip pics in 3 parts, here, here and here. I am too lazy to write a review of my trip there. Will update those posts once these tired lazy bones recovers. :)

Yesterday was a public holiday in Geneva. My friends and I took the opportunity to visit Nyon, about 23 km from where I lived. Nyon is also one of the town I cycled through on my routine cycling route.

Apart from the normal jalan-jalan, we also went there to satisfy our cravings for its famous ice cream.

SHOTS OF NYON WATERFRONT

NYON'S FAMOUS ICE CREAM PARLOR

Ice creams were sold at CHF 3.00 per one scoop. Its so delicious that all the members of our group took 2 scoops each. Mine was a mix of tiramitsu and caramel. I forgot to take a pic of that since I was so busy enjoying it!

Simply delicious!

SHOTS OF NYON (CONTINUED)

One thing I noticed and observed here in Switzerland, come summer time, there are a lot of big bikes around, with its riders clad in black leather jackets and pants. (Well, not in the above pics). And its not just the guys, the aweks too seems to enjoy riding motorbikes. I can say for a fact that its affordable for most people to own a big bike here.

Strolling along Nyon waterfront, I noticed this guy was playing to what seems like a gambus to my eyes. I guess he's from the one of the Middle Eastern countries since the music that he played sounds like a typical padang pasir tune. He must be 'in the zone', ignoring all the people who walked by him. Really, really cool.

So thats it. I had a good weekend, with good friends and consumed a lot of good food.

Really looking forward for summer time here in Geneva.