Seaside photography hunting at Jeram, Kuala Selangor

An angler jetty by the seaside during high tide (30sec exposure)

Selangor is blessed with diversified landscape from jungle(eg Hutan Lipur Kanching) ,mountain (eg nuang), rocky hill (eg Bukit Tabur), paddy field (eg Sekinchan) and even coastal landscape along the seaside (eg Jeram, Kelanang). Jeram is located between Kapar and Kuala Selangor. Jeram is more famous for its seafood such as fresh grilled fish (ikan bakar), squid, and so on.

As with most seaside area, you can always find photography subject. These two picture is taken at Jeram beach along the seaside inner road.

To reach Jeram, the easiest is from Kapar. After around 15-20km you will see Jeram mosque beside a traffic light (there is only 2-3 traffic light along the way after Kapar so you couldn't miss it), take left, after few hundred metre before the jetty area there is a junction to the left, take left, then you'll see aroma ikan bakar on your right, along the way is Jeram beach.

These picture were taken during high tide. Both taken after the sun fully set. I intend to return to this place later during low tide. Credit to few photographer who has been here earlier than me such as Zilzal,Acid,Shazral, Arabischenab (especially zilzal who pointed the exact location of this subject).

An interesting rock formation which form a leading line to the sea (30sec exposure)

Basic google map showing the direction to Jeram beach from Kapar or from Kuala Selangor

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Sunset & sunrise around Malacca - Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah - (Part V)

An angler waiting patiently for his catch during sunset at Pantai Pengkalan Balak

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Sunset/sunrise around Malacca
Part I - Limbongan, Bandar Hilir
Part II - Selat Mosque, Pulau Melaka
Part III - Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit
Part IV - Bachang, Batu Berendam
Part V - Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah

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Within the previous weeklong hari raya , this day is the best sunset of all. Its the last day spent in Malacca. So before heading home i went to shoot sunset at Pantai Pengkalan Balak, near Tanjung Bidara at Masjid Tanah, Melaka. Firdaus Mahadi , (my great photography fren, whom i idolize his work, visit his website at FirdausMahadi.com or his callidesign) recommended this place. His main selling point is the several human made 'anjung batu' (rock structure.. wonder what is the exact translation, tell me pls ) along the Pengkalan Balak coastal.

Lucky for me, apart from the good sunset of the day, i also lucky to be able to potret several human subject which include some angler and also another photographer who busy shooting his beloved wife during sunset.

This was also the first time my wife follow me to shoot sunset. I discouraged her initially as it would be a long session from 6:30 until 7:30 but she still want to follow. While i'm shooting sunset she attended to our son who request to play along the beach. We went for a seafood stall afterward before heading home and back to KL.

The colourful and amazing sunset

An HDR picture of the 'anjung batu' at Pengkalan Balak. Even though i'm not a big fan of HDR, i did use HDR technique in several occasion such as this one when the dynamic range is simply too big. Most of the time i prefer a light tone blending.

The lovely couple, a beautiful wife & a passionate photographer. A perfect silhouette subject for me :D .

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Sunset & sunrise around Malacca - Bacang, Batu Berendam - (Part IV)

Sunset @ Batu Berendam, Malacca (IR)



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Sunset/sunrise around Malacca
Part I - Limbongan, Bandar Hilir
Part II - Selat Mosque, Pulau Melaka
Part III - Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit
Part IV - Bachang, Batu Berendam
Part V - Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah

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Batu Berendam is my hometown since early 1980's. The picture above was taken on 19th June 2010, the next day after my father return to his creator. I would say on that day my mind is quite unstable and i simply need to do something to soothen my sombre or maybe confuse mood.

The next picture is a startrail picture taken in my house compound during the recent Eidul Fitri. While this picture is not related to sunrise or sunset at all, it is still taken in Batu Berendam, :P . The picture is a combination of around 120 picture taken in 90 minutes (each frame @ 30 sec with F/4.5 & ISO 800).

While Eidul Fitri is no longer the same with my father is not around.. Life must move on...  My father's good deeds and amal jariah shall continue with his son & daughter .. ameenn .. My doa will always be with u abah.. insyaAllah..

90 minutes startrail @ Batu Berendam with cactus tree as the foreground

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Sunset & sunrise around Malacca - Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit - (Part III)

Silhouette of Al Azim mosque during sunrise



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Sunset/sunrise around Malacca
Part I - Limbongan, Bandar Hilir
Part II - Selat Mosque, Pulau Melaka
Part III - Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit
Part IV - Bachang, Batu Berendam
Part V - Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah

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In this third installment of sunset/sunrise around Malacca, i would like to share sunrise taken at Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit. This is the official state mosque officially opened in 1989. The architecture is based on 3 tiered architecture of most ancient most within the state which had some chinese architecture influence in it (Pagoda like building).

I had a fond memory of this mosque as almost every friday i would spend my time here after the friday prayer. Even though my real kariah is Batu Berendam.. since the incident where i fainted in Batu Berendam mosque my father switch almost completely to Al Azim mosque except for once every month. Sometime instead of following my fathers back to the office immediately after friday prayer, i opted to stay here and would go home by myself. I  remember catching either the Tuah bus (50 sen) or Batang bus (80 sen) from my home to this mosque during school holiday and spend my time leisuring around the mosque and the library for few hours before the friday prayer. Then after the friday prayer i would go to eat ABC or mee rebus across the street. I even in several occasion walk home from this mosque to my home just leisuring around passing from one housing area to another housing area. At that time it still far safer for a nine years old kid to ride a bus alone to go to Bandar Melaka (without handphone for sure). I wonder whether i would allow my son/daugther to do the same five years from now.


Round shape of sun rising, taken from a compound near the Al Azim Mosque, beside the Malacca Post Office

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Sunset & sunrise around Malacca - Selat Mosque, Pulau Melaka - (Part II)

Sunset @ Selat Mosque, Malacca

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Sunset/sunrise around Malacca
Part I - Limbongan, Bandar Hilir
Part II - Selat Mosque, Pulau Melaka
Part III - Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit
Part IV - Bachang, Batu Berendam
Part V - Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah

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Selat Mosque is among the modern icon of Malacca now. It somehow had become among the subject that most visiting photographer would like to capture especially during sunset. Even though Malacca is my hometown, I'm yet to photograph this beautiful mosque during sunset until last Eidul Fitri.

To capture the mosque during sunset, you need to be there a bit early as the traffic around Bandar Hilir is quite unpredictable. Just go to Bandar Hilir and follow the signboard to Masjid Selat (or Selat Mosque). This mosque is located within Pulau Melaka, an island built from reclaimed sea land connected by a bridge.

Small group of people watching sunset from Pulau Melaka within the Selat Mosque compound

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Sunset & sunrise around Malacca - Limbongan - (Part I)

An afterglow with nearer composition to the ship, not really feel secure here as you are far from the public eye so need to be alert with your surrounding for your safety.



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Sunset/sunrise around Malacca
Part I - Limbongan, Bandar Hilir
Part II - Selat Mosque, Pulau Melaka
Part III - Al Azim Mosque, Solok, Bukit Peringgit
Part IV - Bachang, Batu Berendam
Part V - Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Masjid Tanah

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Its ironic since i have'nt publish anything yet from around Malacca since its my hometown. Normally whenever i went back to my hometown, i prefer to relax and laze around at home. Only on a few occasion i went birding behind my home and another occasion shooting sunset at Muar. Other than that i just spend my time at home or went around to shopping mall with my family. During the last Eidul Fitri however since the sunset during that week seem to be very good i went for sunset shooting almost everyday. After shooting landscape for awhile, you can almost accurately (i would say 80%) predict whether it will be a good sunset or not by looking at the sky condition 2-3 hours before sunset. So during my journey from Kuala Lumpur toward my hometown it seem promising for a beautiful sunset.

Therefore immediately after arriving at home i went straight to Malacca Town. I initially decide to go to Selat Mosque but as somehow bandar hilir is quite jammed, i detour to another nearer location by the seaside at Taman Laksamana, which turn out to be a good spot also. This area is not actually a port, its more like a place for ship repair (maybe). This area maybe is an extension of another area at Limbongan at neighbouring area. The Limbongan location name itself imply it is an area for ship repair (limbungan = shipyard). Another possibility is that the ship is actually carrying construction material for the development in that reclaimed area. Need someone to clarify this. Whatever it is, this place can be a good alternative to the nearby Selat Melaka Mosque.  I'm planning to return to this place for startrail. Just need a partner for safety. Join me? :D

The sun already setting by the time i arrived at the 'port'



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Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranupane to Bromo

Bromo from Mount Penanjakan

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Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo

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After spending the night in Ranupane, we ride the open jeep back to Ngadisari (or maybe Cemoro Lowong village.. wonder what is the actual difference). On our way back we stop for a while at the Ranupane viewpoint, the savanna area and bromo mountain area itself. We reach our homestay at Ngadisari around 3pm.

Pita Looka, the daughter of our jeep driver

Dramatic sky @ Bromo

At night, after having dinner few of us went to the Cemara Indah chalet to capture startrail. Some of us didnt even sleep for the whole night for this craziness. Hehe.

Startrail @ Bromo

Early morning we went to Mount Penanjakan for sunrise view of bromo, and it is magnificent as usual.

Cemoro Lowong during sunrise

Sunrise from Mount Penanjakan

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Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati to Semeru Peak to Ranupani

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Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo

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Compared with previous entry, this entry has the least picture in it. Which would self explain the difficulty in ascending this mountain peak.

Kalimati Basecamp at midnight

We start from Kalimati post (2700m) around 1am. We reach Arcapada camp (2900m) 1.5 hour later. Arcapada is also sometimes spelled/pronounced as Arcopodo. Between Kalimati and Arcapada is a mildly dense pine forest. At some point the trekking path remind me of the path between Kem Pacat to Puncak Pengasih at Nuang Mount back in Malaysia although the Nuang trek is far more extreme.

The dangerous part is when you nearing Arcapada (upper) as there is several dangerous ravine on both side. There is a notorious 75m drop ravine not far from Arcapada camp (nickname Blank 75) which had claim several lives previously. But as long as you stay within the designated track you should be safe. You should keep a close distance with your trekking partner/group all the times here.

After reaching Arcapada, the next point is Cemara Tunggal which is about 45 minutes from Arcapada. Previously there is a lone Cemara tree here (which is why the place called Cemara Tunggal, Tunggal = single/lone) but the tree has fallen down few month ago as reported here.

From here the nightmare begin. High altitude compounded the difficulty. Because of the loose soil combined together with the steep slope, it is difficult to hike for a few step without sliding down back. Loosing 1 step for every two step taken is common. At one point i loose several metres sliding down. Such scenario will leave you fully exhausted by the time you reach summit. But the greater the effort the greater the victory feeling. Some of my friends even thought I wont make it as I take longer time to reach the peak compared to them.

View wise.. the landscape & panorama during the sunrise & early morning is the most amazing view i ever witnessed... It is far more magical and breathtaking compared to rinjani/sibayak/kawah ijen.. the feeling is inexplained.. (even though each of this location is special in their own way).. there were one instant i sit for several minutes just enjoying the breathtaking scenery.. badluck my camera bag is not with me as one of the helpful guide already took my camera bag due to my slowness in hiking up.. :|

I should credit my success to the ever helpful guide especially Mas Candra who patiently accompany me in my ascend (& descent) and also Mas Kaboel & Mas Danang who help in every possible way that they can. I am deeply indebted to them.

Semeru peak (3676m) with small eruption from Kawah Jonggring Saloko

After enjoying the peak for a while,and as thick cloud and fog already surrounded the mountain peak, we descent down. Rest for a while at Kalimati and then proceed going out from mountain area until we reach civilization back at Ranupani village.

My conclusion, it was a tough mountain, but not too hard to hike as long as you prepare yourself physically. Two weeks prior to this trip i went jogging for at least 10-15km/day  but for me it is still not enough as i was in leisure lifestyle for several month (fasting month followed by aidilfitri festival month).

I also realized later that my body suffer from AMS due to dehidration as dehidration deter your body from acclimitazing. I slowly get back to my normal hiking/trekking rhythm/speed when my body get adequate water. Always make sure that your body had enough water supply. Learn more about AMS before climbing any mountain more than 3000m height. Sleepless night, dizzyness,queasiness, inability to breath properly is among the AMS sympthoms.

Edelweiss, Bunga Langka nan Abadi - a common flora within mountaineous area in Indonesia

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Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati

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Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo

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2nd day.. after few hours of photographing the tranquil Ranu Kumbulo, we start to trek toward Kalimati Post. Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati just need around 3 hours of leisure trekking through a beautiful open savannah (45-60 minutes).. mythical pinus jungle  (1-1.5 hour) and edelweiss flower area (called jambangan edelweiss area) (45-60 minutes)

This trekking section is very mild and leisure as the kalimati post is only at 2700m and Ranu Kumbulo is already at around 2400m. Just an additional 300m of vertical height added through out 3 hours of trekking.

In this picture hiker climbing Tanjakan Cinta, the starting point from Ranu Kumbulo towards Kalimati post. Maybe this is the only mildly streneous part en route to Kalimati from Ranu Kumbulo.

Immediately after Tanjakan Cinta, you will be presented by an open beautiful savannah. You will also able to see Mount Semeru at the backdrop. Seem near but require another 3 hours of leisure trekking.

Savannah

Savannah

Kalimati post which is often foggy. But when its clear you can see Mount Semeru peak clearly from post.

Kalimati  (2700m) is the common basecamp for people summitting to Mount Semeru. There is another alternatif higher camp called Arcapada (2900m) (sometime spelled/pronounced as Arcopodo) which is a basecamp within the final part of pinus jungle before the Peak but rarely the local porter would like to go there as there is no water point available there.  Within Kalimati there is a nearby waterpoint called sumbermani is is 20 minutes away from the post. Observing the porter (either from our team or other team, immediately after arriving at this post 2/3 would go to cut some firewood while another 1/3 would go fetch some water.

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Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranupani to Ranu Kumbulo

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Mount Semeru (Part I) - Ranu Pane to Ranu Kumbulo
Mount Semeru (Part II) - Ranu Kumbulo to Kalimati post
Mount Semeru (Part III) - Kalimati post to Semeru Peak to Ranu Pane
Mount Semeru (Part IV) - Ranu Pane to Bromo

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This is unplanned hiking expedition in 2010. What i mean by unplanned is the decision taken to hike is less than 3 month. The original plan by the original team is actually to go to Bromo and Kawah Idjen. But due to some poison.. they 'upgraded' their plan to hike semeru and later i join their expedition team..   What a wonderful experience.. For this expedition, Mas Huda aka Mas Kaboel is our guide assisted by his friend, Mas Candra and Mas Danang.

The first part of the expedition to Semeru is a 12km jungle trekking from Ranupani to Ranu Kumbulo. The path goes along the zigzag hill slope where the steepness is minor to moderate.  There is four hut erected along the way. The trekking duration is around 3-5 hours depending on your speed and resting time. (first hut is about 4km from the entrance.. 2nd hut is a mere 2km from the first hut..  the next is located at about 3km.. and the last hut is facing ranu kumbulo lake - this is only estimation)

Ranu kumbulo is a beautiful place with a medium large lake.  The place is surrounded by other high hill with a V shape at the east side. Located at a relatively high altitude of around 2390m, this area feature alpine like fauna. It is far more picturesque and beautiful if compared with the small lake of Ranu Pane and Ranu Regulo (blogged here during previous trip) at Ranupani Village.

Ranu Kumbulo is the common first camp site for hiker going to Mount Semeru. There is two small house available here which can be used by camper. We camped here. During the night, if the sky is clear.. you can enjoy seing the star.. if you want you can try to do startrail too here (which we did at around 1am until early morning.. :D)

The view of Ranu Kumbulo from the V shape entry point

Side view of our camp site

Another side view of our campsite

Startrail during the night.. taken for about an hour duration

Next day.. while preparing to go for the next destination (kalimati).. found a memorial for Andika Listyono Putra just before tanjakan cinta.. you can read more about him in the news link.. Every mountaineering expedition would involve some risk. What we can do is to minimize the risk. Saying that, after successfully scaled Semeru to the peak.. i would say that Mount Semeru is not an ordinary weekend mountain. You need to prepare yourself physically and be careful not to stray off the safe/correct path. Must always stay in a group especially between kalimati-peak area where you can easily get lost and might be fatally stranded in deep ravine.


In memory of Andika Listyono Putra, may him rest in peace
News 1 | News 2 | News 3 | News 4

Another scenery of Ranu Kumbulo just before Tanjakan Cinta.. you can see the V shape clearly from here.. that is the entrance from ranupani direction

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Khai Nui Island (Phuket Part III)

Rocky structure at one part of the Khai Nui island

Khai Nui island is the final  island we visit in the island hopping package.. An interesting pristine small island with white sandy beaches... with the colourful fishes follow until the edge of the sea... scrambling to get a bite of our bread ..

Crystal clear water along white sandy beaches

You need to pay the rent for each seat... didnt remember the price though..

My family feeding the fish with bread.. my son became scared abit after awhile.. hehe

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Island Hopping to Phi Phi Island (Phuket Part II)

Long Tailed Boats @ Phi Phi Island

On our 3rd day, we went for island hopping package. The island hopping package include boat, hotel transfer, elephant riding and food. One thing that you should not ask around while waiting at the Chalong Jetty is the pricing as everyone would pay a different price for the same package. That depend on where you bought your package from and what season. Some bought from hotel which is the most pricier,travel agent,taxi driver, and independent travel booth scattered around the city. The season also determine the average pricing as during high season the price would be normally higher and during low season you should pay lower price.

The fisherman loading something from his truck to his boat, Chalong Bay Jetty

Maya Beach, Phi Phi Island, East of Phuket

The island hopping package is a must for anyone travelling to Phuket as it is the main attraction there. During the island hopping you'll be at some of the best beaches in Thailand and perhaps top 30 beaches in the world.

This is where Leornado Dicaprio filmed killing a shark for the movie

The first visit is the Maya Bay at Phi Phi Island. This is where the movie The Beach filmed featuring Leonardo DiCaprio. The surround was indeed beautiful but taking picture for landscape photographer would need different approach as the beach stretch is full of tourist and speedboat. We then proceed to the Phi Phi Island main jetty and have a lunch there. Here the Long tailed fisherman boat is far more colourful than the one in Phuket Island and can be a very good photography subject.

A row of long tailed Boats @ Phi Phi Island

Long Tailed boat , Phi Phi Island (IR)

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Phuket Island, Thailand (Phuket Part I)

Wat Chalong, Phuket

In 2009 me,my wife,my sister in law and my son went for a family holiday in Phuket. We brought my sister in law together as my wife family is currently residing in the US (short posting) and she is the only one still in Malaysia apart from my wife. We managed to get a very very cheap ticket from AirAsia . I didn't remember the detail but the total ticket price for three of us is less than RM200 including airport tax,food & fuel surcharge. Only my sister in law ticket is a bit pricier as we bought her ticket later.

During this trip also i bring my first IR camera. A goldie IR version. Was so impressed with the result. But the camera didnt survive long. My sister in law accidentally make it swim at Khai Nui Island. 

Patong beach fisherman going to the sea (IR)

Phuket is an island by itself. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge at the north side. In 2004 this island was also hit by the tsunami that originate from the earthquake at Acheh, Indonesia. We stay at Patong Seaview Beach resort at Patong Beach which is where the focal point of Phuket tsunami tragedy. Staying there is convenient as it is among the main tourist spot in Phuket.

Fisherman village at Patong Beach , this village is a bit hidden at the end of Patong Beach

While the island is small, you will need to rely on taxi to bring you to the attraction within the island. Most taxi has packages for you to choose. You can even bought island hopping packages from them. Another alternative is to rent motorcycle and tour the island by yourself (which is easy as the island is small enough, IMHO very similar to Langkawi Island)

Low tide at Chalong Bay (While waiting for food i went to capture this)

Among few attraction within this island itself is the Wat Chalong (Chalong Temple).. Chalong wat is considered as the important Buddhist temple in this Island. It is also the biggest and most ornate of Phuket's 29 Buddhist temple. Nearby to Chalong Wat is Chalong Bay which has some of the popular (but pricey) seafood restaurant by the beach.

Fisherman boat at Chalong Bay, Phuket

Few of us went to central Phuket Town. Nothing much there unless you looking for cheaper shopping location than tourist place such as Patong beach. It is just a mid size town. Among the location that we go while we were there include Surin Circle and Dalmiyah Mosque. There is a muslim restaurant beside the mosque  which is very delightful for us (as we have'nt eat any chicken/meat for the past 3 days when we visit the mosque :D). There is a sizeable muslim community at the mosque (they speak malay also in Kelantan dialek). From there we we introduced to Awang who later bring us to several muslim food restaurant within the island and also to the Phuket Royal Marina .

The Dalmiyah Mosque dome, Phuket Town

Surin Circle

Phuket Royal Marina

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