Jakarta Trip 2024 - Part 2

Day 3 started very relaxedly; the missus went to a nearby eyelash studio while I started the day in Mercure's gym to ensure that my blood sugar and metabolism were well under control.  Even after I was done the missus still wasn't so I spent the morning waiting in PIK Avenue.  I started with a cup of palm sugar coffee and cinnamon roll in The Coffee Academics for my caffeine fix. 

Palm Sugar Coffee + Cinnamon Roll @ The Coffee Academics - Galaxy S23+

Jakarta Trip 2024 - Part 1

Last month the missus and I went on a 4 day trip to Jakarta.  It was my first since 2020 before Covid.  I really needed that trip to break away from the craziness at work, gain some balance for myself and just rest my tired mind.  This time we went on a no frills Scoot flight in the late morning. 

That's Our Plane - RX100Mk3

Juggling July

July continued the shitload from June for sure where work is concerned.  The damned project that was rushed earlier has been further delayed to sometime in September.   I'm amazed that I'm proven correct yet again, but everyone seemed to turn a blind eye and just let things be.  I on the other hand cannot stand the way we were made to rush here and there especially when I'm still doing BAU.  So again...  I'm extremely pissed off as usual.  

I went for a 2nd interview for an internal transfer opportunity, unfortunately I don't think I'll get that position.  The interviewer, a Korean long timer since day 0 of ONE was very sharp and immediately asked for the real reason why I wanted to transfer.  In his own words "your answer looking for new challenge and career progression is very general, out of 100 people 99 will say the same, I want to know the real reason why you want to leave".  I gave an answer that was still incomplete as I only mentioned about the friction and dynamics with another department that's been giving us problems; I can't say things about my boss' poor judgement and vanity for sure, and about my team mates' habits of working on weekends as well as just being assholes.  Well.....  in any case this is going to be another miss for sure...  I'm starting to wonder if I seriously need to consider looking outside....  

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip 2020 - Day 4

Day 4, time to go back to Singapore.  We started with a simple breakfast at Mie Aloi which is just next door.  After the delightful breakfast, we returned to the hotel and the kids wanted a little swim.  So we obliged and let them have their splashy moment. 

The Kids Having Fun in The Pool - Galaxy Note 9

Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 3

Day 3 - 春到大地.  No rain this morning and I started the day with a prayer at Vihara Satya Dharma with my father and Lincoln.  That was the first time Lincoln joined me and my father for new year's day prayers.   

Just Right For Spring - RX100 Mk3

Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 2

Well, well....  Look and behold!  Dark clouds, grey skies and a pouring rain!!  And from our hotel room, we could see some parts of the streets submerged in water.  So it could flood after all! 

Heavy Rain in PIK - RX100 Mk3

Jakarta Chinese New Year 2020 Trip - Day 1

We just came back from Jakarta for Chinese New Year on Sunday.  It was a rather quick 4 days and 3 nights trip.  The most important thing is, we got to see 婆婆 again.  We departed from Changi Airport's Terminal 2 this time.  

Just Some Greenery Near The Eating Area - RX100 Mk3

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip – Day 3

Day 3 was New Year’s Eve.  It was a very relaxed day with plenty of time for us to explore and try out new and interesting places during the day. 

My wife suggested that we should try going to Bakmi Orpa in Jalan Malaka II near Kota Tua.  Bakmi Orpa is very well known as the most expensive noodle house around although most people who’ve been there agree that their signature noodle dish is very good.  So we were very curious to try this “bakmi Horang Kaya” - make sure you pronounce the "H" with a heavy grunt 😁😁.  My sister went along with us.

After following the directions on Google Maps, we finally arrived at Bakmi Orpa.  My sister went on a side dish ordering frenzy and ordered Pangsit Goreng, Baso Goreng & Pangsit Kuah.  We also ordered 5 bowls of noodles. 

Bakmi Orpa Shop Sign - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip - Day 2

Day 2 was filled with fun and excitement for the kids, it was a Sunday and traffic was considerably light.  We started with breakfast at Mie Keriting Siantar 19 at the original Muara Karang market outlet.  It was a very tasty and satisfying breakfast.  

Mie Keriting Siantar 19 - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

After breakfast we went to nearby Bakpau A1 to get some snacks and then to Central Park in Tanjung Duren as my parents-in-law prepared to return to Purwokerto in the evening.  Lincoln and my wife had their haircut there while Lindsay and I just waited for them.  As Central Park was extremely crowded, we didn't go anywhere else and just waited at the hair salon. 

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip - Day 1

As per usual practice in the last couple of years, we headed to Jakarta to celebrate Chinese New Year.  This time it was a 5 day trip.  We had the luxury of a longer trip courtesy of the weekend.  Flying by Garuda, we departed from Changi Airport's Terminal 3.  And this time, I had the opportunity to visit the Butterfly Garden with Lincoln prior to boarding the plane.  

Level 2 View of T3 Butterfly Garden @ Changi - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Purwokerto Trip 2018 - Part 1

Hello December, a week has just passed.  And I couldn't think of a better way to start this month's entry than writing about our family trip to Purwokerto.    

We went on our trip just last Friday by taking a flight to Jakarta from where we'd take the train from Gambir train station to my wife's hometown, Purwokerto.  

Upon arrival in Jakarta we got onto the car and set for Pluit Village Mall for lunch at Bakmi Alok.  Again, I had forgotten to take any photos of the noodles.  😑

Going to Pluit - RX100 Mk3

Another Jakarta Trip 2018

About 2 weeks back in end September, I went to Jakarta for 公公's one year passing anniversary.  Instead of the usual Pullman Central Park, this time I decided to stay in PIK nearer to my grandparents' house as we will be going to the columbarium in Mangga Besar.  It was a 4 days and 3 nights stay, I went with just my wife.  Traveled light too carrying only my RX100 Mk3. 

This time I had the chance to experience the new Terminal 3 in Jakarta.  The new terminal looks fancy although it could do with better traffic flow idea.  I don't like how we were made to walk long distances just to reach the immigration counters.  

Going to baggage carousel in Terminal 3 - Galaxy A8+

Chinese New Year 2018

Another year, another Chinese New Year in Jakarta.  Things are a bit different this time....  公公's absence was deeply felt.

We left on the morning of the new year's eve.

Waiting to board - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Chinese New Year 2017

This year we celebrated Chinese New Year in Jakarta.  It was a quick 4 days and 3 nights trip and again, I decided to stay in Pullman Central Park for its convenient location.

The flight was delayed by slightly over an hour in Singapore but the kids were in good spirit as always, if not, too loud at times.  

We were already waiting, but the plane still wasn't there yet - X-T2 + XF16mm F1.4R WR

Purwokerto Trip

Every year at around October or November we always take a family trip to Purwokerto where my wife comes from.  Its a time for the kids to visit their grandparents and for us to take a short break.  This time though I didn't stay long as I didn't have much leave days remaining.

Pukis, my favourite snack from the days I was still in Surabaya, on sale in a roadside stall in Purwokerto

5D Mark III

At About July 2012, I upgraded my 5D Mark 2 to 5D Mark 3.  Mark 3 is a great improvement over Mark 2 in terms of auto focus and perhaps dynamic range (although only marginal).  But the video quality and new auto focus are definitely the biggest draw of this great camera.

With lightning fast auto focus that is so dead accurate, there's no way I could have missed a good shot, unless if I had set the auto focus to "auto" and let the camera decide.  But with zone and single focus points, this camera is like an extremely deadly sniper rifle - fast and accurate.

The ISO performance has been greatly improved as well making it easier to take hand held night shots with natural lighting, but you still need a prime to get best result.

Interior of Marina Bay Sands Shoppes - 5DMIII + EF16-35mm F2.8 L II

Canon EF 24mm F1.4L II

The EF 24mm F.14L II, is a versatile lens that quickly became my favourite from the moment I got it.  Wide enough for landscape, (almost) distortion free for portraits - as long as your subject is in the centre, extremely fast at F1.4, and very sharp wide open.  This lens from Canon really gives Nikon a good run for the money as its considerably cheaper than Nikon's own 24mm F1.4.

Wide enough for landscape yes