Last Working Day of 2017

Nope, I didn't work today, I cleared my leave today so yesterday was my last working day of 2017.  So what I did today was to go to one of the oldest temples (https://shuanglin.sg/en/home/) in Singapore to pray, giving thanks that I have finally (almost) cleared 2017, for all the blessings, the happy moments, the sad moments and well.. I don't know what else to say... 

I really love going to Lian Shan Shuang Lin (莲山双林) monastery.  The monastery has 3 temples inside with a very beautiful garden.  Even Lincoln loves looking at the court which according to him makes him feel peaceful.  Likewise, just sitting and looking at the garden gives me a feeling of peace and some serenity, an escape from the hectic happenings in daily life.

Main court in the second temple

Bintan Memories

As I mentioned in my previous post, I started helping my father in Bintan at around mid-2010.  I really got deep into it at around 2011 and started to appreciate how beautiful the place really is.  The place has wonderful beaches although the capital Tanjung Pinang is somewhat quite underdeveloped - ever since I first started going there in year 2000 until 2010, the main street of Jalan Bakar Batu still looked the same.

But let's talk about the south-eastern coast where my father works.  The name of the resorts are Bintan Agro Beach Resort and Bintan Cabana Beach Resort (http://www.agrobeach.com - I was the one who oversaw the website building, so of course, I'm proud to promote it every now and then! ;p ).

I used the knowledge I acquired from my days holding the D90 and got to know my 5D Mark 2 better.  Daytime shots never disappoint, it's the blue hour shots that I really want to nail with the help of my 5D Mark 2.  I swear that my photos during this period were some of my best.  My favourite lens for these landscape shots was the one and the only EF 16-35mm F2.8L II.     

Here is a photo of a small island about 5 minutes away by ferry ride from Bintan Agro Beach Resort; the island is called White Sands Island.  It's in the itinerary of the Island Hopping activities.

Blue Sky,  Fine Yellow Sand - Cool Drinks and Shades Will Make This Perfect