Hong Kong Trip 2017 - Day 3

Day 3 was when the excitement started as it was the day we moved to Disneyland, the happiest place on earth!  We took the train to Disneyland because we wanted to experience riding the special Mickey Mouse trains from Sunny Bay to Disneyland.

The Disneyland train from Sunny Bay - LG G5

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

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

Fireworks - Singapore National Day Parade Rehearsal

This was the second  time I attempted fireworks photography.  The first attempt was at my father's resort during new year back in 2009; it was a clumsy impromptu attempt.

This time around, I attempted to capture the fireworks in Singapore National Day rehearsal.  This year is especially special as it marks the 50th year of Singapore's independence.  The fireworks on the actual day (9th August 2015) will be twice of last year's.  

 

I came prepared with a tripod and black card.  Unfortunately the black card didn't help much as there were too much light reflections - I should have used black foam instead, and I didn't have a cable release to use the bulb mode with.

So I arrived at slightly after 5 p.m. in One Fullerton, but the place was already swarmed with people ready to take photos of the fireworks like I wanted to.  I had no choice but to walk further down nearer to the hotel, unfortunately the sight was blocked by a structure - the Fullerton Pavillion.

The celebration started with a parachute performance, but dang...  I didn't bring any telephoto lens to capture the photos.  Then there were fly pasts by many fighter planes, chinook and apache helicopters, carrier planes.  I had the 16mm F1.4 fixed on my X-T1, how I wished I had a second body with tele-lens!!

A fly past tribute to Lee Kuan Yew who passed away earlier this year - He is the founding father of Singapore and quite possibly a most important, if not the greatest leader in South East Asia

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