Super Blue Blood Moon January 2018

Did you catch the Super Blue Blood Moon tonight?  My viewing attempt was almost thwarted by the rain this evening which resulted in somewhat cloudy skies.  Fortunately the sky was relatively clear by about 21:30.  So I went to the rooftop of a multi-storey car park to get this shot:

In case you're wondering: (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/super-blue-blood-moon-singapore-lunar-eclipse-9914074)

~Photo taken with Fujifilm X-T2 + XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8R LM OIS~

Hong Kong Trip 2017 - Day 5

Day 5 was the day we returned to sunny and humid Singapore to resume our normal lives again.  After we had some light breakfast which consisted of cookies and tea, we just walked around the hotel to explore.

The lovable Mickey & Minnie mouse - LG G5

Hong Kong Trip 2017 - Day 2

Day 2 started at 9 in the morning.  We planned to visit Citygate Outlets (https://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/)  at Tung Chung which is approximately 45 minutes away from Tsim Sha Tsui.  However prior to that we made a quick visit to Jenny's Bakery to buy all the cookies my wife wanted so that we could settle the packing later on that night.

Jenny's Bakery Tsim Sha Tsui - LG G5

Hong Kong Trip 2017 - Day 1

During the March school term break we took a 5 day trip to Hong Kong.  It was the first time the kids went to some place other than Indonesia.  The weather was very nice too, at a cooling 17-21 degrees Celsius.

It was very exciting from the very beginning, we couldn't wait for the plane to take off once we were on board.

Waiting for other passengers to board - LG G5

Intercontinental Staycation

Last weekend I & my wife had a staycation in Intercontinental Hotel Bugis.  It was some sort of a replacement for a holiday for me.  Had it not been for the rain I would have explored further to Kampong Glam area.  But seeing how much time we spent in Bugis alone I guess it makes sense to explore Kampong Glam another time.

Check-in was speedy and convenient, everything was as expected.  The room was marvelous, to say the least.

Deluxe Room in Intercontinental Singapore - Bugis

Gardens by The Bay Christmas Wonderland

My wife and the kids are away for holiday at my wife's hometown since last week.  I'm stuck for some work related issues, although not a lot and mostly are already settled by now.  That also means that I have lots and lots of free time on weekends...  And for me that means going to Gardens by The Bay to see the Christmas Wonderland exhibits and take some great photos.  For this trip, I brought along both my X-T2 + XF 16mm F1.4R WR and D750 + AT-X 16-28 F2.8 PRO FX.  But for this entry, I'm using the shots from my X-T2 only.

I arrived quite early at before 4:15 pm.  My first destination was the Flower Dome where the Christmas Wonderland exhibit is on.  I wanted to scout around for good spots, taking sample shots, adjusting the lighting and shadow/highlight setting in my camera.  These are two of my daylight sample shots which turned out well.      

A foliage tunnel going to the South American Garden

Fujifilm X-T2: MINE!!!

I believe I should be one of the first in Singapore to get X-T2.  I pre-ordered the camera and got it on the first day it became available in Singapore - 8 September.

X-T2 feels very much like X-T1, but the price difference is very steep.  I purchased my X-T1 and approximately $2.2K for a kit set that comes with the XF 18-55mm F2.8-4.0R, while the X-T2 body only costs $2599.  But the difference in price could somewhat be justified; the new auto-focus system is plain amazing, resolution also increased by 50% (from 16MP to 24MP), 4K video, 1/8000 mechanical shutter speed, double SD card slots and an addition of a joystick to select focus points have been added (similiar to Nikon DSLRs) which is an extremely welcome improvement to ergonomics.  The screen has an additional angle for tilting this time around although I haven't found much use to it just yet.  

AF Joystick under the "Q" button - taken by Sony RX100Mk3

Hello End September

Been so long since I last made an entry in my blog - I got flu again, 2nd time in less than a month. Just plain amazing isn't it.... And by the way yes, I made another template change.  I'm still figuring out how to make the post date appear, the time stamp code is there but I don't understand why it won't appear.. /(>_<)\

Anyway, we celebrated mid-autumn festival this month on 15th Sept.  Chinatown is properly decorated as well with lots and lots of dazzling lanterns.  It was the right opportunity to test my recently acquired X-T2.  Oh yes I got my X-T2 already.  This camera is plain amazing.  I'll be writing about that separately.

Here are some snapshots of Chinatown in its full mid-autumn celebratory mood.

The main show piece in Chinatown - X-T2 + XF14mmF2.8R

Surabaya Trip - Part 6

Day 3 is the day we return back to Surabaya.  There's still time to squeeze in a quick trip to nearby Taman Wisata Selecta.  So after breakfast we quickly checked out and leave for Selecta.

A trip to Selecta is like a trip down memory lane.  I remember going there as a 10 - 11 year old when I was still staying in Surabaya.  We went to the swimming pool - which is still there. flower and fruit market, rabbit market and the flower garden.  Well, most are still there, but they look better than what I can remember.

A variety of lowers for sale on display - taken with Fujifilm X-T1 + XF16mm F1.4R WR

Surabaya Trip - Part 4

It's the new year!  And it's also the day we set out for Batu.  Batu here we come!

Yeah look at that traffic.  What's supposed to be a leisurely 2 and a half hour drive turned into a 4 hour drive.

Traffic Jam at Lawang - taken with LG G3

Fairy Tale Display at Gardens by The Bay

Okay, another Gardens by The Bay entry, it almost seems like there's nowhere else to go here in Singapore.  In fact I'm planning another visit there sometime this month for the Christmas display.  Hahaha...

Overview of the Display Centerpiece

Underwater World Sentosa Visit - 2014

Let's break the monotony of Gardens by The Bay entries and have a little of variety, so I looked thru my photo library and I think I'll write on a visit to Underwater World in Sentosa at 2014 (http://www.underwaterworld.com.sg/) - Underwater World has since ceased operation from 27 June 2016.

A large freshwater fish, I can't remember if this is a Sturgeon or another kind

Children's Garden at Gardens by The Bay

Gardens by The Bay is a new favourite haunt for my family; we absolutely love the Children's Garden where the kids can have great fun playing in the water.  There were times where children oriented performances would be held there as well, ensuring great time for the whole family.

A stage performance of fairy tale medley using puppets and mimes - X-T1 + XF23mm F1.4R

When Lindsay turned one

When Lindsay was about to celebrate her 1st birthday my wife had to urgently leave for Jakarta; her grandfather was hospitalized after a critical fall.  Timing couldn't be worse....  But since it was Lindsay's first birthday, I wanted to make sure that she should have it celebrated, no way she should miss it.

So on the actual day we had a simple celebration for Lindsay.  I got a cake and my mom did the cooking while my sister did the decoration.  My brother... well.... He ate the food and sang with the rest of us...  

Lindsay's 1st birthday cake - strawberry short cake

Lincoln's 5th Birthday

Today is Lincoln's 5th birthday.  We woke him up at 8:30 for his surprise - his birth time happens to be 8:30 too...

Main cake + cupcakes - Cars theme

My wife arranged for his cakes and party at school, from setting up the theme, doing the goodie bag and souvenirs.  At 8 am we got the delivery from the lovely baker and her husband, and we couldn't be happier with the result.

No entry for a while

Been so busy lately - sick, going to immigration, etc, etc.  But what's really annoying is that I haven't been well myself for the most of this month.  Perhaps its due to the weather which suddenly turned sweltering hot.  I experience frequent bouts of sore throat with fever.  

I got a new lens XF16mmF1.4 R WR for my X-T1 and its such a pleasure to use.  Here are some photos taken with that amazing lens.

This has got to be my best shot of Gardens by The Bay

Little Nyonya Batik

Today was a busy day, we were helping a good friend with her Peranakan store's grand opening.  So I and my wife were out since morning 10 am till about 8 pm.  I myself was particularly busy being the photographer of the event and for her catalagoue.  I'll say that this must be the most colourful and gorgeous entry in my blog ever. 

Peranakan Umbrella