Dominican Republica

I am back....

2009-05-28T10:45:00.002+08:00

Feel so bad to abandon this blog for months. Friends who following up my blog for the aquascaping and keep asking me to update my blog for field trip and etc. Sorry guys... I am not into this hobby anymore. But I am not totally giving up. Still have an aquarium running at home. And there are still lot of aquatic plants keeping in immersed form.

Well. I am into photography since i first got my Nikon D80 + kit lens from my beloved on end of July 2008. I am never regret to have this camera. And I was fully utilized the kit lens. (I will show you my works later on)

Lot of people out there able to hold a piece of good camera...high end DSLR. But they don't know how to take a good picture or fully utilize their camera. Saw some of them just use the Program Auto and just all fully auto to take the photo. Asking them what is ISO for and what is the aperture for? A fella who holding a Nikon D700 giving me a weirdo look when i was asking him why using auto. After seconds, he replied that he is lazy to adjust and explore all of the functions! Lazy!!! What a good excuse. How i wish i can have his camera.

And there are few of the weathy friends basically just a collector. 3-4 pieces of dry cabinets full of camera and lenses. Guess i can have those in my dream only...

Cut it short. I will tell slowly on how I am picking up the photography in the next few updates here. Feel free to visit my flickr at : www.flickr.com/photos/itssg

MicroK SMS + Maxis!

2008-08-20T19:46:00.002+08:00

I was informed by a 68 years old friend of mine last month about this issue. He is a non IT and non SMS or any advance technology guy. He just know how to make call and answer call from his mobile. Don't even know how to save number or read SMS.

You can still see a 70's black and white TV working fine at his house. He didn't really watch TV. But reading. One fine day he brought his mobile and his maxis phone bill to me and ask what is the MicroK SMS thing inside his bill. I got no clue about this. So, decided to give maxis customer service a call.

I was kind of pissed off with the explaination of the Maxis customer service representative. Said that the customer agreed on the terms or the conditions of this serrvice. So that this MicroK SMS will charge into his bill. Asking him when did he registed or applied this kind of service. He said he don't even know how to turn on a PC. Don't know how to read or reply SMS. Don't goto any dealer of mobile to register any kind of service. How to get this done?

It is useless to talk to Maxis Customer Service. They insisted the customer registered this service before. I've told them to block this service. And yes. It is done. After that, I am back at home and check on my bill... OMG!!! This MicroK SMS appear in my bill as well. A month charging RM20-30. If a year, will be RM240-360! That is a lot...

For those who know me well. I am using my company mobile to do all the sms and calls. I am not into all this web games, enews or any eservices. And i am an IT guy. I know what to apply or subscribe if i am really need it. But the truth is, I don't ever have enough time to shit. What for I want this service for. Called up Maxis Customer Service. Same bullshit given by them. They don't even want to rebate to customer. What done is already done. What they can offer is to block that service only.

Glad that i found out early. But guess what. I am going to stop using this fxxx up and irresponsible mobile service. I will switch to their competitor. Better service and better offer and package.

So, for those who using post paid line. Please check out your bill now. I am wondering they are doing this to the prepaid user or not. Since there is no bill provided.

p/s: I will take a picture of my bill which stated this MicroK SMS service next time. If I am not, please remind me.

Pulau Ketam aka Crab Island - Part 2

2008-08-12T11:37:00.002+08:00

Kind of lazy to update my blog recently. Time always not enough for me. Going out to work before I can see the sunshine. When back at home...I can see only the moon. Normally I will spend a bit of time with my fishes, garden and aquarium after I am back from work. Watering the plants and flowers, feeding my fishes and trimming my aquatic plants. And i am a TV guy. I have to spend an hour at least to watch the TV everyday. No matter there is a good programme or not. No TV. No life... :p

Here is our group photo.. Start from the most left.. myself, Stan with a cap, Steven who opened his mouth big enough for a fly, Wai Ye in white and Shaun the cool man with sun glasses.

See...I've told you. Don't open your mouth so big...

My belove in orange.

See... Girls always like photographer. Check out Wai Ye's expression.

Ok...enough for non-sense. Back to photography talk..Below are the residents in Crab Island. Some of them are used to the camera. Some of them are not. As you can see from their face.... Some of them prefer to walk faster or cycling faster to pass by. (There is no car or motorcycle in Crab Island. The main transport is bicycle or the bicycle with a small cc engine to make it run automatically. Can't recall what is it called.)

Here is one of the doggie found in the island. Most of the doggie hunting for food at the sea side. And they are not taking care well. Pity....

Oh...he is not the resident over there. But the Malaysia version of Bugs Bunny... hahahaha....

One of the pretty...she looks like kind of worrying of something...

An indonesian resident showing her happiness...

Here is their kitchen...

The baby....

Friend said he is David Beckam's fan...

But when made it into B&W...... Remind me of my grandpa...

Check out how much she hates us. And the kid as well. hahahaha...

The only Ramley burger stall owner in the island.

The chic...

Another cute chic... :p

Friend once asked is he died? hahaha... nope. He is in his sweet dream...

Has not see this kind of service since many years ago...

I was waiting for him to finish. So that I can try also... But he taking his own sweet time... I will be back!! And try your skill.

We left the island around 6pm+. Don't have time to shoot the sunset. My brother asking me to go with him again to shoot the sunset and sunrise in the next trip. So, we are planning to have an overnight trip. Gonna get a fishing boat and fishing at the midnight....

Pulau Ketam aka Crab Island -part 1.

2008-07-30T10:40:00.004+08:00

Sorry for long waiting. Being busy with works and new toy recently. Friends non-stop sms, msn, ym and pm me for the new update in my blog. Hey dude... I am back.

New toy came with the standard kit lens. 18-135mm lens f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED. Guess it is good enough for a beginner like me to pratice. But still feeling like forever not enough or satisfy me. Eyeing on the 80-200mm f/2.8D ED, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED ultra wide angle lens and the 105mm f/2.8 IF-ED macro lens. Oh man...this will cost another RM10,000!!!

Forget about it. Must get the dry cabinet and flash gun first.

Sometime shooting alone is quite boring. Because of can't share the opinion and others. So, decided to join this trip to Crab Island http://www.pulauketam.com/ which was organized by my photographer friend - Shaun. Knew him through the aquascaping forum. A young man full of energy who giving up aquascaping recently. Gonna brain wash him back into aquscaping later on.

Actually we were msn for quite sometime. But never meet up in person. Managed to get few of my friends to join this trip... This shaun seems like too excited and non-stop msn and sms me to confirm the time and venue to meet up. Hahaha..and the last sms was around 8:30pm a day before the trip. Said he is going to sleep now for tomorrow trip! Wow....sleep at 8:30pm!!!! Or... may be he got an agenda with his gf? Who knows? haha...

Woke up at 6:30am (was slept around 12am). Feeling blur and tired. Steven sms said that he is arrived at Stan's house and waiting for him to wash up. I can't waste a single second and quicky wash up. Waiting for them to arrive and we will car pool to KTM station (Keretapi Tanah Malaysia) aka train station. 7:30am...didn't see their shadow and Stan called up. Said they were lost and stop somewhere near my living place.

Promised to Shuan that we will arrive in Port Klang at 8:30am. And the trip from my living place to Port Klang will take an hour +. Ai.....gonna screw by Shaun later on. I was drove like F1 and meeting up with Steven and Stan. Then to KTM station. We were quite lucky. Because of the train yet to depart. Manage to get in around 7:45am. If we miss the train, we hafta wait for another hour...

It was quite a cooling morning in KTM, Thought to ZZzzzzzz along the journey. But this 2 fellas - Stan and Steven talking non-stop. Guess I gonna have a sleepless journey. Shaun arrived around 8:20am and he sms me....While we were still 10 stations away. Then Wai Ye sms me said that she is going to arrive. Get her Shaun's number and lets Shaun give her a warm welcome hug. :p

We were arrived at 8:45am when the first boat to Crab Island has left. Settle our breakfast at nearby Kopitiam (Local coffee shop) and had the ice breaking session.

The Port Klang...

The speed boat to Indonesia. I was mistaken it is the boat to Crab island.

The cabin of the ferry to Crab Island. Air-conditioned and load with tons of life jackets.

My rangefinder camera Argus C-3bought from ebay...Yet to try it out.

The ferry to Crab Island. They just load all the stuff on top of the ferry.

The ferry which allow to take 100 people. RM7 per trip...

Above pictures courtesy from Wai Ye.

Peeping out from cabin. Check out those old folks just standing outside the ferry while it is moving quite fast.

Shaun busy with his toy...

Ferry vs fishsing boat...

I was quite blur and didn't really take out my camera to shoot any potraits before reaching the island. I should shoot some pictures of the workers in the Kopitiam. I should should shoot pictures of Stan, Steven, Shaun, Wan Yee and Wai Ye... I think I need to have enough sleep for my next trip.

Here is the first potrait of mine.... He was just standing there and let me and Shaun shooting on him. Was kind of worry that he will punch us or slap us. Hahaa... I didn't use PS (Photoshop) to do the cropping or color adjust. Just use the Microsoft Office Picture Manager to do some basic and simple cropping. So, please be patient for my lousy skill.. Trying to shoot more and learn...

Owner of Chinese clinic. Shooting next to his herbs garden.

Shaggy...

Main transport...

Stan (with cap), Shaun with sun-glasses, Steven at the bottom...

Lazy sunny day...

Look Out Point!

2008-07-09T17:40:00.002+08:00

Really have no time to go for photoshoot after got my new toy. New office hours. New assignments and etc. Back at home late. Too tired or too lazy to go out again. (Hahaha...actually I am just got the new toy last 2 weeks only.)

Look Out Point. http://allmalaysia.info/news/story.asp?file=/2006/5/1/state/14076874&sec=mi_selangor (You can get more info from the link) Passing by this place few times. But I am never pay attention on it. Perhaps, I am the driver most of the time and just pay attention on the road. It is around 30 minutes drive from my living place. Was told by my friend that it is a cooling place...IF RAINING! And he mentioned this in the email. But all of us just skipped this or never pay attention on it. So, all of us keep thinking it is a cooling place. (Guess what? I went with a jean, a long sleve shirt and brought along a sweater!)

Journey start at 4:45pm. Reached LOP around 6:00pm. Friend - Jason drove slow as there is a pregnant lady with us. Were kind of enjoyed on the journey. Topics were all about photography, lens, cameras, lighting and etc.

Weather is hot. No rain for weeks. Littar and his wife just run to the restaurant which nearest to the car. Sit down and enjoy the cold drinks. The rest of us climb up to a 4 storey height tower for photoshoot. A newbie like me was thinking that...So damn hot. Not yet sunset. Anything to shoot? Once we reached the top floor...we found this cloud and sun light....

I couldn't stand of the thirst and quicky running down to the restaurant after 30 minutes of the shooting. Due to lack of experience. Nothing much i can get. Friends had the best shoots.

We settled down at one of the restaurant near to 7:00pm. Occupied 5 tables which full with our kits and accessories. And where we were sitting giving us the best view of Kuala Lumpur city. None of us can sit steady. Squeezing here and there to have a better shoot of the day. I was kind of busy with testing different apperture and shutter speed. Missed out lot of nice scene....

Sunset...

Had around 20 pictures of this.... Just with different settings. Sky isn't clear enough. Due to air-pollution and make the sky look very hazy. (Guys, please car pool or take public transport, don't use air-con so frequent, reduce the usage of hair spray and etc.)

Petronas Twin Towers.

2008-07-09T17:18:00.002+08:00

Working in Petronas Twin Tower for years. Never take a camera to shoot any picture here. Kind of shame. As I can see lot of tourists everyday and having different kind of posing to take the best angle of the towers. Perhaps, this make me feel like it is nothing great about.

Was invited by my belove to Philharmonic Orchestra in KLCC on 7th July 2008. To attend the Hossan Ramzy (Tabla King) & his Egyptian Ensemble feat. Serena Ramzy (one of the world wide famous belly dance super star). While waiting for her friends and with a new toy on my hands. Spent around 15 minutes to shoot the below pictures. No tripod was used. No Photoshop CS or Element to adjust the color or cropping.

The horizontal is a bit out...Friend said over exposed. I am remember that. Will try again to figure out the correct apperture.

Was told by many friends that this is the best angle.

And this angle is not nice?

This is the nicest... But horizontal is out! Damn...

Hahaha...Friend said this look like the ID4 spaceship. It is the ceiling at the Tower 2 entrance. Hand shake a bit... (Old man hands shake all the time ya...)

Muar photography trip.

2008-06-16T14:56:00.005+08:00

Has been a month didn't really update my blog. Busy...busy and busy... Too many things to pick up and learn. Works, life, relationship, family, my hobbies.... Yes. I have many hobbies. Hafta slow down and just concentrate on something i am really want. So, I am stop buying any fishes, aquatic plants, nepenthes (pitcher plants) and others.

I am the lucky one to have my belove sponsor me. (Actually not really sponsor. But just borrowed some $$$ and will return to her by 0% interest free installment.) Thank you dear. You are the greatest.

7th June 2008. A big day for me. But I am trying not to make my blog too personal or publish too many personal stuff and life. As there are too many psychotic fellas out there. Invited a group of my friends who are into photography from Kuala Lumpur to my home town - Muar.

Muar, was a small jetty and fishing village many years ago. But now, it is a big and busy town where famous with Otak-otak* and fried Oysters. Living standard getting higher. Price of a glass of drink is same like in Kuala Lumpur. Nothing is cheap nowadays.

I was kind of worried that my friends will cancel the trip to Muar. It is because of the petrol price just went up. But, I feel very touching that most of my friends able to make it. But guess one of their target is to stay in a famous haunted hotel room. (Nothing happen to them. As there are 6 big guys stayed in the same room.)

Below are some pictures from my lovely friends - Steven and Jason. Pictures taken from 11th floor of one of the hotel in Muar which is next to the Muar river. I am grown up in Muar for so many years. Never stop and look at the Muar river so clear.

Above pictures are taken by Steven. Sunset, Muar River.

Above 2 pictures are taken by Jason Ong. I love the night view of Muar town.

Pick Pocket!

2008-05-30T13:27:00.002+08:00

Again...heard someone lost his wallet inside the train. But this time the victim is a father with his son.

I was on the way back from the Popular Book Fair in KLCC Convention Center. Saw a middle-age man stopping me and asking am I Chinese. I said Yes and ask him why. He was kind of shy and told me that he lost his wallet in the Putra LRT. And his kid is hungry and thirsty. So would like to ask for RM10 to buy lunch for his kid. I am feeling kind of sympathy for the kid. So, never think twice and pass him RM10. (I was thinking of giving him RM50...But this is too much and he doesn't need RM50 for a meal.)

Then he is asking for my mobile number. Because his sister is coming and he will return the money to me. Pass him the name card instead. I am fine if he is cheating me. RM10 can be a lot to me when my bank account is empty...and my wallet also empty at the month end. Just that I am believe to Karma. If he is alone and definitely i will not give him a single sen. Just because of the poor kid.

There are lot of people out there asking for money. Giving all kind of excuses. I am not sure they are telling you the truth or not. But most of them turned down by me. And this is the second time i gave money to a stranger. Remember that, I was somewhere in town and had kind of happy mood. Because i was going to clubbing with my the other half. And it was the Guiness Stout Black party in Zouk. Met a Sarawakian in tourist wear. Said that he was left by the tour guide and his group. And now he is rushing to take the LRT to KL Sentral and then will take the ERL to KLIA. And he left his bag and wallet inside the bus. So, asking for RM50....

Remember that i recorded down his mobile number. But ended up that number can't dial through. (I should dial that number on the spot. But I never... ) I was having some kind of weird feeling that...I am 100% believe with what he said. Not sure it is a type of black magic or I was really stupid. Told my the other half after that. She just said...you are too kind. Know that she was trying to make me feel better. Thank you dear... But i'm know that i am kind of stupid...

It is hard to be a good person sometime. You will end up suffering by helping people. And it is hard to be a bad person also. Because feeling sad and down when saw people suffering and we are not helping out at all.

There are few tips to teach you on how to prevent the pick pocket inside the train or bus. (There are Star LRT, Putra LRT, Monorail and bus services in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. And of course there are lot of pick pockets too.)

1) Make sure you are not withdraw the money at any train station ATM. As the pick pocket waiting for target all the time.
2) Make sure you don't put (especially male) your wallet at the back or side pocket. Especially those with very loose pant/jean. As the pick pocket can take out your wallet easily without your notice.
3) Pick pocket mostly come with 2-3 people in a group. If you were hit/bang by someone, hold your bag or wallet tight and make sure your bag or wallet still being with you.
4) Make sure your bag (Female) is zipped or locked. As I can see lot of ladies carrying with big bag. And most of them doesn't care about their bag is wide openned.
5) Try to stay away from the crowd. As pick pocket like to squeeze within the crowd and steal...
6) If you saw any pick pocket, report to the officer in train station or shouting and pointing your finger towards them. Let's everyone know how they look like. As I saw there is an Arabian couple was caught. (I am not offence to any Arabian. As this is what i saw personally in the train station.) A young couple's wallet and mobile was stealing by this Arabian couple. And someone saw it and shouting at them. The wallet and mobile were thrown away immediately. But too many eyes saw what they did and get caught on the spot. Good job people...!
7) Don't showing off your high-tech mobile, PSP or MP3 in public.

C.affinis and C.cordata collection trip - Part 2.

2008-05-30T10:37:00.003+08:00

B and J finally arrived on Day 2 early morning. And we were sharing our experience about the C.affinis scene we saw on the Day 1 at our breakfast. They seem like regret that they can't join us on the Day 1. But keep begging us to bring them back to the hidden paradise for the C.affinis. Hahaha...Too bad. Day 2 is fully reserved for C.cordata var cordata. Since it is almost 2 hours drive from Kuala Krai. And we were spent nearly half a day to drive around. We were trying to ignore B and J's request and told them that I will bring them back to that place on the Day 3 while going back to Kuala Lumpur.

JS. One of the primary school teacher aka our member who crazy about aquatic fauna and flora came and joined us for the breakfast. And he told us that he went to that place before. But didn't take any flora from the stream. As he wasn't really a fan of aquatic flora last time. So, he is decided to join for fun this time.

I was almost fall as sleep after the breakfast and cooling air coming in from the car windows. When i woke up by T and he said that we are almost there. This is a typical Malay village. Most of the people in the village are very friendly. But met few of the young guys riding on a motorcycle and asking for money. T is good in the Kelantan slang Bahasa Malay and he is told him off.

This is the first stream we stopped. It is just next to a resident area.

And you can see there are pails here. Believe some local people bathing at here.

Beside bathing..they thrown the rubbish in here too!!! If compare to the stream which full with C.affinis. This stream is totally horrible. As the local people just never care and littering everywhere.

But we were lucky to see the C.cordata var cordata are doing quite well in here. The whole stream filled with fine sand. It is not easy to unroot this crypt also. Because of their root are growing deep inside the sand bed.

This is the bushy growing at the riverbank. From the root to the leaf, it is around 3-4 feet long. Amazing right? J and myself couldn't help and jump into this area and trying to take a few. But before we are manage unroot anyone of it. B and Littar were shouting at us, said... Leeches!!! J and myself stop the action immediately and quicky swimming to opposite and trying hard to climb up. As we were panic and failed to climb up after several tries. I think we were looked like quite funny. The rest of them was laughing non stop...

I was kind of panic due to what i was told by T a day before. Said that there is a local guy bathing in that stream and the leech went inside his backside and leech laid eggs inside his colon. After that the eggs hatched and there are hundred or thousand of small leeches sucking his blood. Ended up he has gone through several surgeries to remove the baby leeches and eggs.

I was laughing at J and there is a 4inches long leech stayed on his leg and sucking his blood. J stay cool and watching on how this ugly blood sucker sucking his blood. After minutes, this 4 inches blood sucker turning into 6 inches long and 2 inches thick. Look like a sausage filled in with fresh.

After that scene, none of us dare to go down again and prefer to stay at the dry area. Here are some drying up C.cordata var cordata.

One of them just about to bloom...

Manage to collect some of them which i can share with the rest of the hobbyists in Kuala Lumpur. Tired but excited. Worth to drive 5 hours to here.

After we were back to hotel to wash up, found out there is a 5 inches leech stayed at my waist. Littar joking with me that quicky check on my private part. At night, we were joyed and had a wonderful dinner with T and his family by local dishes. (Malay mixed Thai food)

C.affinis and C.cordata collection trip - Part 1.

2008-05-30T10:07:00.003+08:00

It is my pleasure to know T from Kelantan, Kuala Krai. As he was just into planted tank and learning from us on how to indentify the aquatic plants. I was so excited that he sent me the photo of 2 cryptocorynes which he has found in jungle. Hold on hold on... I will introduce to you guys what cryptocoryne species he has found. Let me share a bit of info about Kelantan and Kuala Krai first.

After confirmed the date with T. (Kelantan still praticing of half day or full rest day on Friday. And working on weekend.) Myself, Liitar, B and B's bf get ready to drive for 5 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Krai. Due to B's bf busy work load. They only join us on the second day. Littar and myself start the journey at 5am. We were taking a slow and relaxing drive from Kalak highway - Bentong - Gua Musang - Kuala Krai.

It was a cool morning. After 3 hours plus drive, we decided to stop nearby Gua Musang for the fresh air. Gua Musang is the lime stone area as you can see from below pictures.

As I am remembered that we were pull over at one of the oil palm plantation to warm up. We were climb up and down to look for small stream. But seem like we got no luck. So decided to continue the journey to Kuala Krai as T seem like can't wait to see us. (He was keep calling us. And this is the first time meeting up with him.) T has booked 2 rooms for us in one of the "5 stars" hotel in Kuala Krai.

Once we were arrived in Kuala Krai, T brought us to the "5 stars" hotel in town. As I was told by him that there are only 2 hotels in Kuala Krai. This is the most cleaner and expensive hotel in Kuala Krai - Seri Maju Hotel. The bed room with attached bath room. But the bed room full with the fungi smell. This is not a good sign. But we got no choice as it is the only "5 stars" hotel in town. (I couldn't imagine how was the other not so clean and cheaper hotel.)

This is the picture taken on the next morning. As you can see the whole town covered by fog. Kuala Krai is located on the high land of Kelantan. So that you can see fog is everwhere in town at the early morning.

After checked in the hotel and settled our lunch fast, T brought us to a hidden paradise which is an hour drive from Kuala Krai town. And hafta walk 30 minutes to reach this place. It is still a primary jungle where you can see there are quite a number of Orang Asli riding the motorcycle or walking through this place.

Honestly tell you that, this is my first time i saw so many cryptocorynes. I was stunt and don't know where to start to take the picture. The river is full of C.affinis. Once my leg slowly went into the river, I can feel that i am stepping on the C.affinis. There is not empty space for my foots!

River is very sandy and smooth flow. Below the cryptocoryne is cover with the leaves litter. Follow by the small size of substrate size like 1-2mm and fine sand at the most bottom.

There are some emmersed form.

Those under under strong current are growing longer and greenish. The whole place is under shade.

Some unknown moss growing on the drift wood.

2 of my shy friends T and Littar collecting some C.affinis for their aquarium.

Only the emmersed form will blooming.

We were spent around 2-3 hours just to take pictures, enjoy the scene, catching some fauna and collect some C.affinis. It is not easy to unroot the C.affinis. Due to we didn't bring any tools, but just using bare hands and fingers to dig it out one by one. This is a very painful experience. As all of our fingers were scratched and bleeding. T's finger nail was almost came out...

Life on an oil rig.

2008-05-28T13:49:00.000+08:00

Guess more of you guys thinking of it must be fun to work on the oil rig. Or it is fun to visit the oil rig. But I would like to say....It is no fun at all. (Well..it is a working place. No Fun Fair. Of coz it is not for fun. :p) I was like one of you. Feeling so excited and can't sleep at all when told by my manager that I need to fly to oil rig for some networking related issue.

My first visit to the oil rig is somewhere near the Vietnam. Which took around 1hour and 45 minutes fly from the Ketir air-port by helicopter. Before step onto the helicopter, thought that it is something like the Donald Trump's private helicopter. Must have air-conditional, drinks and wash room. Hahaha...dream on!

This is the one which can take up to 14 people.

Before I am step inside this helicopter, were arranged to sit inside a room for the safety briefing. Teaching you on how to escape from the helicopter if there is any emergency. (Yes. I've learnt that from the survivor training.) And you need to have the HSE Safety passport to work in the oil rig. Different company have different rules applied. And you will need to attend the survivor training and pass few "escape from helicopter exam" to get the safety passport.

Due to the first time, i was quite worrying about not to turn on the mobile, laptop, camera and other eletric equipments. So, unable to snap the picture of the beautiful oil rig which located in the middle of the blue sea.

The pictures in here were taken on my second trip to oil rig which located near the Labuan, Sabah. The first trip was kind of rush and it was "a day trip". Second trip was a 2 weeks trip which need to setup some servers and network equipments. As it was a new oil rig. So, there is no bridge was up to link the DTU (drilling area) with the cabin/office where we are staying. The only way to go up to the DTU is by the crane and a bucket.

So this is the crane which "trasnfering" people and goods. The DTU was around 8 storeys high from the sea surface. If you are lifting up by the crane, then you will be around 10-12 storeys high. The view from top to the bottom is scary but cool. Unable to snap the picture because of both hands were holding the bucket tight.

This is the bucket...Look steady?

This is how we lifting up by the crane. And need to follow the correct steps and position to stand and hold on the bucket. Else, you will make the bucket swing and might have chance to fall into the sea.

There are lot of rules need to be followed while on the rig. Once you break one of the rule and caused the injury. You might be blacklisted and send back to onshore. So, when i was arrived together with other engineers. We were briefing by the rig doctor or the safety officer about all the rules and regulations.

Here is the life boat which can take up to 22 people. And our name tag just place on the board next to the lift boat. Once you are going to the DTU, you need to bring along the name tag and place on the board which next to the life boat on the DTU.

Since i am just a small tinny engineer, I was arranged to stay in a 4 men room. The room is clean and comfy. But the air-conditional is very strong. I was wearing a long-sleve shirt with a jacket + blanket at night.

The laundry workers will clean up your bed and blanket daily. Just like the 5 stars hotel...

I had spent nights here. Most of the time i slept at 8pm. Since there is not much entertain or things to do after worked. So, sleep early and wake up early. (Need to wake up at 5am. Wash up and breakfast. Start work at 6am till 6pm. 12 hours shift.)

Everyone assigned with a blue basket which you can place your dirty clothes including your underwear, stocking and etc inside. Then put it infront of the door. The laundry worker will collect, wash and fold it nicely for you. So, normally i will change mine and put it there at night. And i will get it back on the next morning.

Blue...one of my favourite color. Especially from the deep blue sea.

Imagine you are on the staircase at the raining day...

Sunny day yeah... But we can't really predict the weather... Especially you are in the middle of the ocean.

The fishing boats.... The far big ship is the cubin/office from another vendor. And yes, there are few companies and vendors involving in this billion dollars project.

Check out the top left corner. The screen showing the Katrina was going to passby the rig. And we were advise to abandon the DTU and stop all the works for 2 weeks. So i was there for a week plus and do nothing. Just surfing net...watching the movies. (We have a wall hang 52 inches LCD TV inside the entertainment room.) And can you believe that I had watched The Speed for 7 times!

Overall, this is a very good and healthy place to work with if you have works to do everyday. If not, you will get bored very fast. As you can't simply walk around the rig. You can have nice food everyday. The food here as nice as 5 stars hotel. They will provide the local and western food for you to choose in every meal. And you can eat as many as you want. I love the smoke beef...

I can't stand of the days spending on the rig without doing anything. Jumping on my boss several times. Muahahaha...finally, i am managed to come back before the Christmas.

Here is the last picture taken from the DTU at the late afternoon while waiting the crane to "bring" me back to the cabin.

T

2008-05-13T10:43:00.002+08:00

What a relief after my examination of Citrix Presentation server v4.5. (Job related) Friends keep calling, PMing (private message in the forum), SMSing...and asking why I didn't update my blog. As they are feeling excited to read my blog. Hahaha...There are so many things I want to write. But with my limited English and low end camera I am having. So, i might disappoint you guys sometime.

T. Normally pronounced by the Tarantula hobbyists. Please check out the explaination of Tarantula at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula. First into this when one of my female friend gave me her Grammostola rosea. Said that her boyfriend left her and that was his pet. But due to lack of experience and knowledge of keeping T. It died in my hand after months. Sorry Kit...

Since the Grammostola rosea died. I couldn't look at the empty container and feeling itches to get 1 more to try out. So, I am learnt from mistake and joined the local forum The Malaysian Tarantula Society. http://www.mtsociety.com/forums/index.php. Learnt some tips and the behaviours of the T. I am hunting for a niec T to keep. But $$$ is my another concern. Since I am not a millionare or those who doesn't has any commitment. (Paying few thousand ringgit to my house and car loan every month) Lucky that there is a member from the forum offering me the sling of the Singapore sp blue. Got it dirt cheap... But the only problem to keep sling is, they are very tinny. You can feed them with fruit fry or baby crickets. But it is hard to get baby crickets. So, i have to get the adult crickets (normally fish shop selling RM1 with 15 pieces) and tearing off the leg and feed to the small T.

The most exciting moment is to watch they are moulting. Before and after a week they are moulting. They will stop eating. So, you have to take out their food if they leave it there overnight untouch. Most of the sling T prefer moist and humid enrivonment. That's why we put a layer of moist/wet peat moss inside the container. And please remember that, there is no small gap on the container. The T can squeeze out from the gap easily. I've lost 2 small sling last time. Hopefully, they are not hiding in my living place now. Eventhough their venom will not kill us. But it will still making you suffer.

There are several type of Ts available in the market now. But I am prefer to keep the bird eater. As their size is bigger if compare to others. And it is not advisable to handle your T by using bare hand. The best choice is not to touch them at all. Friends asking am I touching or let them rest on my hand or shoulder before. I said no. I prefer to watch they are hunting for the cricket or the pinky. (Pinky = hamster's baby or rat's baby) Know you guys thinking of I am a psycho and cruel. Why have to feed pinky to the T? Well...it is to provide them with better protein once a a month or once every few months. Then your T will grow bigger and nicer colors.

Here are my current bird eaters.

Nhandu vulpinus. Got the bid in the above mentioned forum.

Cyriopagapus sp.blue . The metalic blue/purple T which I like the most.

Keeping this from 1inch + till around palm size. Growing fast and good appetite all the time. You must watch how it hunt for the cricket. This T like to kick hair when i am getting close to it. (They will kick the hair on their legs to attack you. So, don't get your eyes close to them. You will blind if the hair stay inside your eyes.)

Lasiodora parahybana aka salmon pink bird eater

Slippery Little Sucker?

2008-05-09T12:30:00.002+08:00

Oh man...Cina Ah Pek ** like me first reading it and can't get what is mean. But feeling like it is kind of dirty...What is slippery? And why must be little sucker? Oh...my gosh.. it is dirty... (Sorry. I am a Dirty Cina Ah Pek).

And keep thinking of it is a "dirty" shop for quite sometime. And shy to ask around. (Slap myself... why i was ZZZZzzzzzz....in all my english classes when high school) After a while and explained by one of my banana friend **, said that the SLS meaning is fish!!! And he keep laughing at me. (Come and speak Mandarin with you. And it will be my turn to laugh at you...)

The SLS is owned by Kevin Tan and his partner Joe Lim. (Business partner but not life partner yeah...) Actually I knew Joe since donkey years ago from a forum. The forum was a forum special design for FLOWER HORN! What the hack? Why supporting the hybrid fish? If you are asking me this. I can't really answering you. As I was first saw it, found it was quite a smart fish. You can train it to swim in circle or jump above the water surface to get the food. Ok...skip this and keep for next time.

We were in qutie a big group and Joe is the only one who keeping the pure Southern America and Central America cichlids. As he was trying hard to brainwash us not to keep flower horn. Not a great success he has. But he is managed to get a small group of hobbyists into pure cichlid. That's why we came out a club named as Malaysian Cichlid Association aka MYCA. And I was "put on the table" ** to became the President of MYCA. So shame that a president who doesn't good in cichlid.

Due to lot of conflicts and this club wasn't last long. We were quiet for quite sometime. And Joe "hook" up with Kevin after that. Kevin was introduced to me by Joe. First saw Kevin and made me recalled of "Smiling buddha". He is cheerful, friendly and knowledgable guy into aquatic fauna. Same like Joe. Most of the time I can't pronounce the Latin scientic name of the fishes. But that is just an easy job for them to memorize and pronounce.

On the left is Kevin and the right with cap on is Joe.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/7/26/central/18263003&sec=central

They were first operate their business at Kevin's home in Damansara. All the hobbyists need to make an appointment to pay a visit. This was continue for a year or two before they move in the current shoplot. But i would like to say the new shop is a totally new concept for a fish shop. No dead fish smell. No more wet floor. No more warm and sweaty environment. But with air-conditional, sofa, magazines and display tanks to admire with.

The main display tank at the entrance.

Marine and cichlid display tank at the main hall. Sofa and magazines will make you stay one whole day over there. No more smelly evironment...

This is the fish room. You can select all soft of exotic aquatic fauna from here. Clean and dry floor.

Here is the product sales area. Notice the monitor there? Yes. You can use that PC and online to surf the internet. Pornography is allow too. (Provided no underage kid over there) And if you bringing along your laptop. You can use the FOC wireless also.

Is it different with the traditional fish shop? So far it is the only fish shop selling most of the exotic aquatic fauna/flora with such an comfy environment in Malaysia. Because you will bring along your wife, husband, kids, girlfriend or boyfriend there wihout any complain. So, it is nag prove!

Another reason i like to hang around there is because of SLS always getting the expects like ADA Malaysia distributor, 1st MAC Official Nano Tank Competition Champion and the 2005 International Aquatic Plant Layout Competition top in Asean to host the workshop and sharing all the aquascaping skill, knowledge and etc.

Here is the link for all the workshops.
http://www.slipperylittlesuckers.com.my/workshop.php

If you have problem or you just get "poisoned" and planning to get an aquarium at home. Try to spend an hour or not to read through the articles in there:
http://www.slipperylittlesuckers.com.my/articles.php

Oh ya...another thing is. Bring more cash or credit card if you are going there...

** Cina Ah Pek. Cina = Chinese. Ah Pek mean old man in one of the local China dialect. So, cina ah pek mean a chinese who is Chinese educated. But speak and write in broken english.

**Banana. Banana here is not the banana we are eating. But a chinese who is English educated and doesn't know how to speak, read or write chinese.

** Put on the table mean was force to be in the position which i don't want to. Not Willing to.

What is ISO Speed? What is F-stop? What is.....

2008-05-08T16:36:00.002+08:00

Oh man...was questioned on this yesterday. I was like...WHAT? Not sure what is it all about. Faster google and see whether I can get any answer from google or not. But still blur on all these. Spending 2 days reading on it. Got a bit of info and idea from here and there. Still feeling not really understand about it. Hafta get a few books and read it after my next Friday exam (Citrix Presentation Server v4.5).

What is aperture? Here it is explanation... http://www.homephotog.com/tutorials/aperture.shtml

What is the ISO Speed? Here it is...
http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/iso-speed.html

What is F-stop? Basically it is refer to aperture as well. But check on below link for more info and explanation. I am believing that there are lot of so called photographer don't know anything about this. http://www.paragon-press.com/lens/lenchart.htm

Receiving few messages from MSN and Yahoo. Asking why there is no update in my blog today? Dude, be patient... I hafta get ready for my exam. I am promise you that I will write something interesting for you.

Malaysia Flora Fest 2008 Photography Contest.

2008-05-06T17:28:00.003+08:00

Mel, my office colleague who i always shared my flora photograph with. She has read from the Sun newspaper and forwarded a copy. Asking me to join this competition for fun. I was kind of excited and thinking of which photo should I submit to. But very disappointed after reading one of the rules. One of the rule asking for :

Digital format entries must be delivered in JPEG format file burned in CD/DVD and is no less than 5 megapixels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixel A megapixel is 1 million pixels. And my camera highest resolution format is 2272 x 1704 = 3,871,488 which is only 3.8megapixel only. Thought that my Olympus MJU 410 has 4.1megapixel? (Correct me by leaving the comments if i am wrong.) So, i am disqualified to join this competition. As i am keeping lot of flora and mother nature photographs which are all lower than 4 megapixel. :(

Terrarium to Andrew.

2008-05-06T15:00:00.003+08:00

Guess most of the people do not know what is terrarium. Terrarium is under the category of vivarium. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrarium. As well as Paludarium. (I will cover the topic of Vivarium and Paludarium next time.) Terrarium can be totally dry. Like a desert to keep Gecko and other reptile. But there are some keeping it as species tank. Like the tank for poison dart frog or tank for the helmet orchid. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corybas_(genus)) (I will come out this topic later on as well.)

Y (A doctor and also a hobbyist into Cryptocoryne, wild orchid and carnivorous plants) went to Penang and helped me to collect this Exo-Terra artificial water fountain from Andrew. Here is the back view of the water fountain with a pump.

After connected the pump to the hose...Cover it up.

Here is the front view....

With the cover on...

Here are some live plants for the terrarium. Coral pelia, Spagnum moss, Aquatic moss, Ferns and unknown bamboo.

Here is the Ex0-Terra 1 feet x 1 feet x 1 feet terrarium tank with artificial background. The front with 2 glass doors which you can lock it. Hard this tank since weeks ago. Not yet really have time to do the setup. Until i have received the water fountain last night.

Actually was planned to do this over the weekend. But i can't stop myself and feel like want to up it asap. Due to the tank is only 1 feet height. And the water fountain is almost a feet tall also. I can't place a layer of net to seperate the clay balls from the base of the tank. Else, the water level will be too high. And cause the leaking from the front door.

Place the water fountain in. Fill in with the clay balls. (It is to prevent the soil or sand to go through and spoil the pump)

Place in some river rocks. So that the layout won't look so flat.

Filling in the river sand and then the plants....

And...Ola... It is done. All the steps look like very easy. But it took 2 hours to complete. As I was trying to place the plants in one by one and arranging it nicely. As I had quarantined all the plants and growing it for few weeks before using it.

Some unknown soft type of bamboo.

Aquatic moss. Unknown species. I think it is Vesicularia sp.

Coral pelia...

Know that most of the people don't like this messy look terrarium. Because it will take a month to grow nicely. And require to trim, change water or add-in new plants in between. The left side from background to foreground are fully covered by coral perial. Mosses are cover up the wall. This tank was surpose to up for Andrew to keep his poison dart frog. Was worrying that he might not like it. So sent him this picture this morning and asked for his opinion. He said..NICE! And he will use this terrarium for his new pet -Helmet Orchid. I was thinking like...Lucky. Else, i have to redo again.

Paphiopedilums (slipper orchid).

2008-05-06T11:24:00.003+08:00

Distinguished by their slipper-shaped pouches, which function by trapping insects so that they are forced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit pollinia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady

Attracted by the colors and shape since quite some time ago. First saw and bought it in Cameron Highland. Attemp to keep it alive. But failed. Due to lack of knowledge and humidity. This type of orchid growing under shade. Need high humidity environment like 80%. But can't use the normal garden soil. Suggest to use 80% of Perlite, 10% of spagnum moss and 10% of charcoal or crashed bricks. If you can't get any perlite, then you can try some small stones. It need well drain substrate. The root will melt if the substrate is too wet.

Paphiopedilum callosum. http://www.orchidspecies.com/paphcallosum.htm
Taken by Olympus MJU 410.

Bought the below 3 recently. Can't wait to take the picture before the flower drying off. Trying with my Olympus MJU 410 under a 11W lighting (at night and indoor). Seem like the result is not good enough. Only a word can be described...BLUR. Ended up borrowed the Canon Ixus 850 from the other half which with image stablizer. Wow... The pictures came out very nice. Although the lighting is not strong enough. But the display on the LCD is blur. And I was mistaken that the picture will come out blur also. After downloaded to my laptop and found out the pictures are very clear.

Paphiopedilum bellatulum http://www.orchidspecies.com/paphbellatulum.htm

Paphiopedilum niveum http://www.orchidspecies.com/paphniveum.htm

Paphiopedilum concolor http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week105.shtml

Deal or No Deal?

2008-05-05T14:12:00.003+08:00

My friend, Littar who I knew through the aquascaping hobby for years. He is smart, easy going and friendly guy. He is always there and fight for me. Very appreciate with his kindness and helps. I got his call one fine day and told me he is going for the Deal or No Deal semi-final shooting. Asking me whether I am fine to become his support buddy or not. I was like...very blur and said OK without thinking twice.

I had forgotten about it after a week. (yes...getting old and have the short term memory.) Then he called up again while i was somewhere in secondary jungle. (Yes. My mobile has the signal inside the jungle) Said he is managed to enter the final. I was like...oh.. ok. I will go and become his support body and sitting at the audience seat. He called up again after 2 days and inform me the shooting is on the week day. So, i hafta apply for the annual leave. And i am not going to sit on the audience seat. But going to sit on the 3 seater chair and my face going to show on this show. Oh man...This is my first time on the TV show.

Just few days before the show, the coordinator of DOND called me up and asking me some questions. Like, how long do you know Littar? What is his lucky number? What is my profession? What do we do normally? And told me not to wear black. Not to wear white. Not to wear bright color shirt. Not to wear shirt with stripes. I was thinking like...Should I go in fully naked? Hahaha...

Said that the notice is 9:30am. I seem like can't sleep well and woke up at 6:30am. Reached Littar's house at 7:30am. Arrived in the studio around 9:00am after our breakfast. Saw there are few Revlon models. And most of them were busy with make up and hair... 4 of us was called in to MAKE UP! Oh man...They put several layers of foundation on our face. Gel our hair and put the foundation again and again. And we were arranged in the guest room. So, the director of this show will brief use on what they are going to do and what we need to do while shooting. They want us to act...acting like we are very excited. Acting like we are very nervious and etc. So that the show will look like more fun and more excitement.

After that we hafta sit and wait for hours. Start shooting around 12pm. And i was kind of sleepy. Well...the MC of the show is good looking and friendly. We were disallow to talk to Littar before the shotting and while having break. And we only have 2 breaks among the 2 hours shooting. And we were "advised" to act more and talk more in the show by the workers and the coordinators of the DOND several times. Kind of tiring...and we were not get pay for acting. :(

Since it going to show on either mid of May 2008 or end of May 2008. I will not tell how much Littar won. But i can tell you guys that...Among all the episods, this is the most exciting DOND. As Littar able to keep 50,000. 75,000 and 100,000 till the end.

Oh ya...Due to this is the most excited DOND. The MC forgotten lot of things which he needs to do and mention inside the show.

Batang Kali field trip - Nepenthes sanguinea and Nepenthes ramispina Part 2.

2008-05-02T17:22:00.004+08:00

Shown all the phoographs which taken with J on Batang Kali. L couldn't stand of it. Keep begging me to bring him there. And he keep SMSing me non stop...I couldn't stand of his nag..... and finally agreed to bring him there. Since J is working on Saturday morning and L only free on Saturday morning. So, we hafta leave J out this time.

Since i am driving this time, i am trying not to speeding. And took more than 45 minutes to reach destination. L counldn't stand of it. Hihihi... And keep asking me. Where is sanguinea? Where is ramispina? Till I stop the car and point the direction to him and said...There is ramispina. He just grab his camera and run to the N.ramispina and start shooting.

I was kind of bored to see the same old plant again and trying with my camera again to shoot the other flowers...

Fern...

Spagnum moss...

While i am getting excited with other flowers. L shouting at me and said...Dom... I've found few "big cups"! I turned my head and looking at L. He was standing on top of the hill slope giving an evil smile. So i hafta climb up to him and he pointing this to me...

I was like wow....the lips are so red. Sanguinea in Latin means Blood Red. Saw the "juice" inside the picther? It smell like yeast....

L can't help himself and shooting the N.sanguinea. And he remaining this position for an hour!!

Here is the twin...

Due the to limited space on the hill slope. L never satisfy with the shooting. So I just continue and had the random shoots...

Fungi.

Found a small N.sanguinea growing on the floor.

3 fingers.

Here is the another N.sanguinea with different color of lip. Not sure how many hours we were spending on the top of the hill. But the rain start hitting after we were just packed our equipments. Kind of tiring to drive in raining day. Especially we were skipped our lunch.... L, if you read this. Please remember that buy and bring some food before we goto any trip. I am so skinny and don't wish to blow away by wind.

Batang Kali field trip - Nepenthes sanguinea and Nepenthes ramispina Part 1.

2008-05-02T15:34:00.004+08:00

Planned to go for this trip since last year. But due to busy schedule, couldn't make it. Friends screwing me upside down. So, hafta make it this time. Else, J and L will give me a nick as "aeroplane" king.

Was well planned with J and L. L has to go back to his home town last minute. So, left J and myself. I was spent almost the whole morning in the flower nurseries nearby J's house. The weather doesn't look good to us. Seems like going to rain very well. As J was still in office and will be free after 1pm only. Keep calling J and asking him whether want to continue our plan or not. He said, already planned since long time ago. Why gonna stop by the rain? I was thinking like...Emmm....we are going up to hill top and walking under wide open area in raining day! Are you crazy? We will "BBQ" by thunders anytime. Are you going to delay again? Told J that i will meeting him up at the restaurant near his house. We will see how's the weather goes after lunch.

Just before I start my first bite of my lunch. J arrived. And the sun light is coming out. No sign of rain. Guess J praying hard before he came. Muahaha...

We took around an hour to look for the right place to stop when we reached Batang Kali. As there is no sign of Nepenthes growing there. I am still worrying the weather. As you can see from the below picture. Sky is getting dark.

There are few temperary houses made by the abandoned cargos. Saw there are around 10 male and female foreigner workers walking to work from there.

After few round and round the mountain. Finally we found the place...first I saw this bamboo orchid. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_orchid. Guess that I can find the Nepenthes nearby. This bamboo orchid is very common in Malaysia. You can find it growing on the highland and lowland. As long as the place with higher humidity and moist. It will multiply like nobody business. The below picture taken by Canon 400D.

The close up picture of one the flower at road side.. This picture taken by Olympus MJU 410. Not the perfect picture. As I am not using tripod. Plus the wing was too strong. Can't make the flower stay still.

J was very excited to look at the orchid and snap the pictures non -stop. Told him to be careful as there are snakes. Then I continue to walk further in...and found this! Nepenthes ramispina. There is only a small bunch of them growing at the side of dump yard. Because there are lot of used toilet bowl, sinks, some used furnitures and marble just next to it. Guess the constructor of hotel thrown everything at here.

Since I can find Nepenthes ramispina. For sure I can find Nepenthes sanguinea as well. Since these 2 species growing at the same habitat. After few pictures taken, decided to climb to another slope and check every single inch. When I turning my head... didn't see J at all. After shouting at him, he is replied...I am here. (But I am still can not see where he is.) I don't want to waste any single second. Just try my best to open my eyes big and looking around.

Finally, found the Nepenthes sanguinea. Love this species as it can grow in different color and shape. Due to the sun light and nutrients. All these pictures taken by Canon 400D.

Check out how beautiful they are. The substrate are just sand, small rocks and leaf litters.

Black color lip...

Reddish leaves...

The close up.

After 2 hours photo shoot, J suggest to goto his secret place where he has been there many many years ago. But he wasn't into any hobby at that time. So he was guessing we could find something new.
Just less than 10 minutes drive, and we reached the destination. J was driving and he couldn't see anything. I was the one with "4 eyes"...and found this Nepenthes sanguinea growing on the slope of the hill.
This N.sanguinea appear in different color. I was wondering they are hybrid of N.sanguinea and N.ramispina. As from the record, Nepenthes macfarlanei can be found at here. But seem like i don't have luck...
Seem like N.sanguinea and ramispina are growing everywhere at here. We are not going to shoot the same photograph again. So decided to go down early. And the sky start getting dark again....

Betta ocellata

2008-05-02T10:59:00.002+08:00

Betta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betta) aka fighting fish aka kung fu fish. All these names was given by local fish shop or the hobbyist who doesn't really know about this species. As there are different type of betta in the market nowadays. But most of them are very colorful and they are man made (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_made). So, most of the people attract by the colors of the man made betta.

Betta ocellata is one of the betta species can be found in wild. This species only found in Sabah and Kalimantan area. It can grown up to 10-12inches. The male is with there are green/blue spotted dots at the mask and upper eye sight. Female is just brown color like in the picture. There is no green or blue spotted dots on the face.

The very first time I came across this beautiful species is from a local magazine. Writen by my primary school mate - Martin. Here is the article http://www.bettasocietymalaysia.com.my/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32&start=0

It was quite pricy to get this species from local fish shop. As it was consider as a very rare wild betta. Since not many hobbyist keeping it. It is quite difficult to get it from any local fish shop. But i was the lucky one. A friend Chris from Sandakan, Sabah told me that he caught this fish last time from the stream behind his house. He can get few for me anytime.

I was like so happy and couldn't sleep well for days. And received around 13 pieces of them from Chris. Thank you Chris. Here are some of the pictures which taken last year.

Male

The female.

All the above 13 pieces was passed to all the betta experts to breed. But seems like most of them failed to keep them alive. Most of the cases are, the betta jumped out from the aquarium! Wondering why those experts don't know wild betta are natural good jumper? They are able to jump out from the aquarium if there is just a 1-2cm gap. They can jump up to 3 feet height from the water surface. Yes. I watched my betta jump out from my aquarium once.

So, i wasn't lucky at all for the first time. As none of them were with me. And most of them were died. A year later, Zoo Negara - Herman asking me where can i get this species from. As they need some to display inside the Aquarium of Tunku Abdul Rahman. The first person appeared in my mind was Chris. I hafta be a 'thick face' guy and ask from him one more time. As the condition is put his name as contributor. Herman agreed and Chris just spent days to send me another 9 pieces. (Was told he sent me 12 pieces. But end up 9 only. As he has sent the fishes to one of the fish shop to pack. So i guess the fish shop owner took 3 of them.)

Anyway, I am happy to receive them again. As I had learnt from mistake, i won't simply give to those expert again. If you want, pay to me. Because I need to pay the postage and etc. And it is not cheap at all. So, most of them has been passed to Zoo Negara, Josh and Ming Yuen. I am keeping a pair for myself. Below is the pair which still being with me.

The female.

The male.

After months, didn't hear any good news from 3 of them. Guess that they keeping the ocellata in bare tank. I am a guy who preferred to provide better environment for my pets. Prefer my ocellata to stay in their actual biotope. So, I've spent rm280 for a 2x2x2 feet tank with cover. Putting in some rocks, mosses, ferns and implement a DC fan on top of the tank. Since there is a 36W PL-L tube running for 8 hours per day. The water temperature will reach to 35C. It is not advisable to keep them in such an environment. Fan will help to lower down the temperature to 26-27C. After that, I covered the whole tank by newspaper. As to give them privacy. After a month, I saw this...

The male is holding the eggs inside the mouth. Yes. Betta ocellata is the mouthbrooder betta. The femela will lay the eggs and the male will pick up the eggs and keeping inside the mouth after he is fertilized the eggs. He will release the small fries after a month +. It is depends on the condition of the water. So, before they are mating. You need to feed the male with high protein food. Like live crickets. Take out the female before the fries has been released. As the female will swallow the small fries. Once the fries are free swimming. You hafta take them out in quarantine tank. And feed them with daphnia, brine shrimp, microworm and tubiflex worm. Because the fries will take liver feeder. Once they reached 1cm, you can start feeding them with fish pellet.

Below is the male holding the eggs.

2 weeks old fries.

Nepenthes gracilis in Perak and Johor.

2008-04-30T14:40:00.006+08:00

This is a very common species can be found everywhere in Malaysia. Normally it is growing on the slope of the mountain, road side, riverbank, as well as inside the jungle with low or high humidity. But this is the species require very strong sun light and moist substrate.

Local carvinorous plant hobbyists are not fancy about this species. But those from Europe, United State, Canada and etc are crazy about this species. As it is not easy to grow under low temperature environment. Especially winter. (Malaysia is a tropical country without 4 season.)

Has passing by this place so many times. Not really want to stop and take a look. Perhaps, I had seen it so many times. Here are some pictures taken from 2 different states in Malaysia. Perak and Johor.

Perak
Check out the hill slope. If you are driving fast, you won't notice this species at all. As it is growing together with the ferns, wild orchids and etc. And this hill slope with morning and afternoon sun. Very strong. Temperature is around 32-36C.

All of the upper pitches explore under direct sun light are reddish.

This is another hill slope covered by trees. Quite shady. Most of the pitchers are greenish. As you can see the sun light really make the different. Notice the seed pods?

One of the pitcher cover by ferns and branches...Minimun of sunlight.

This yet to open pitcher shining under direct sunlight... Emmm...make me thinking of something dirty. :p

The male flower... Yes. There are male and female flower.

Johor
This picture was taken in Muar, Johor. Same as other site, as N.gracilis growing under direct sun light. But this is not on the hill slope. But wide open space and very moist area. Picture taken at 10:30am.

The pitcher here slightly yellowish. Saw the fly on top? It drop inside right after i took this picture. Guess this is it's last picture taken. Smile....

If you see carefully, you can there are some water marks still remaining on the leaves. Guess this area is moist at night.

Just love the color....

Small bunch of pitchers. Around thumb size only.

For the expert in carnivorous plant, this species is very easy to grow. But it is not for the newbie. As if you are just into this hobby. Advise you to read more article and google for more advices in the internet before keeping any. Although this species is common and everywhere. But it is still under the protection of Malaysia government. Illegal poacher will end up in jail + fine. So, if you want any. Please buy from flower nursery. Or login to http://petpitcher.proboards61.com/index.cgi to get more infor.

Just love flowers...wild orchid.

Tinny pink flower at the road side.

19th April 2008 - Perak field trip.

2008-04-30T14:05:00.005+08:00

This trip is to get some chocolate gouramis - Sphaerichthys osphromenoides for the biotope setup. As this fish is not a protected species yet. So, i can get some of them from the wild. But I will not enclose the location. So, please don't email me and ask.

This trip was planned 2 weeks ago. First is to get the above mentioned. Second is to learn something new from my friend - Pisces Lim. As he is a specialist into wild Betta. Studying and collecting all sort of wild betta all over the world. And of couse he is also very knowledgeable in other fishes, carnivorous plants and aquatic plants.

Pisces arrived on 18th April 2008, Friday night. But overnight in P's living place. T came all the way from Singapore and arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Pudu bus station at 3:50am on 19th April 2008, Saturday. Both of them came to Kuala Lumpur for the Zoo Negara Earth Day and Wetland Celebration. P suggested to goto the destination for netting at 6:30am. That is early!!! Anyway, I've woke up around 3:50am and goto Pudu bus station to pick T up. Back at home around 4:30am. Can't sleep at all and chatting with T till 6:00am. Then heading to P's living place.

Arrived P's house at 6:25am. P and Pisces quicky wash up and get ready to our destination. After our breakfast, we were stopped at somewhere in between our destination to check out the Cryptocoryne minima site where Pisces can't find on his last trip. (Pictures below are all taken by T. Fujifilm, Finepix E500)

Here is the stream full with Cryptocoryne minima and Barclaya motleyi. But that place full of mosquito as well. I got more than 20 bites on my hands within 5 minutes. Couldn't stand of it... Keep cursing the mosi....

C.minima and B.motleyi are growing together...Very cold water and PH is around 6.4-6.7

After 15 minutes spent at C.minima site, we were continue and drive all the way to our destination where we could find Chocolate Gouramis, Betta livida ( 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), Betta hipposideros (2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), Betta bellica, Paedocypris sp, (Slightly bigger than the smallest fish - Paedocypris progeneticai **n the world. Not yet described) Paros harveyi, Rasbora kalochroma, Channa bangkanensis and etc.
Check out the water color. It is just like a black coffee. This is due to tree leaf litters and create a perfect enviroment for all the black water fauna. PH is 3.2. Temperature on water surface is around 27-29C. Further in or deeper water temperature is around 24-26C.

Utricularia gibb a type of carnivorous plant growing in water, are everywhere and floating on the surface of the water. The tinny yellow thing on it is the flower of U.gibba. As it will capture the live micro-organism inside the water and eat.
Here is the close up of the U.gibba

Here is the close up of the U.gibba.

None of the protected species were collected. Due to the climate, the sea water level raising. The sea water intruded into fresh water stream. Guess this black water stream will disappear together with all the endangered species which can be found in here.
Trichogaster leeri aka Lace or pearl gourami found on the ground. Guess someone caught it and just leave it there to die. Please don't do that. Release them back if you don't want to keep.

After i got my chocolate gouramis and Pisces has his Paedocypris sp. We left this place with wounds on hands and legs again. As there are too many tree branches and plants which can cut through your skin easily.

**Paedocypris progenetica = http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/news/index.php?entry=/pub/20060125-Paedocypris.txt

Spammer!!!

2008-04-30T08:50:00.002+08:00

This blog only up and running for a week. Received a very first spam. Great achive? Because of my blog started attracting public? Or just the spammer broadcast their software and want to try out how good they are?

Dear Spammer,

As all the comments posted has to go through me first before publish. Please don't waste your time to post any comment in my blog ya...

Cheers.

Nepenthes ampullaria "green" and "spotted"

2008-04-29T10:23:00.011+08:00

Before i start writing anything about this species. I would like to let you guys know that, I am just using an Olympus MJU 410 DC only. But not the DSLR and without a tripod. So that some of the photographs are not so clear. And we took only the photographs of this beautiful species and left with our foot prints there. As all of the nepenthes species in Malaysia are protected by Malaysia government law.

Here is a basic infor about N.ampullaria. Perhaps you can spend a minute to read through it before reading mine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthes_ampullaria

27th April 2008. Sunny day. As I woke up at 6:45am to get ready for this field trip. My royal field trip partners - L and J was informed a day before (Last mintute decision) and they seem like can't wait to go for this trip. L keep SMSing me. All the SMS end with a wording...that is ampullaria. Like one of the SMS said that: Ok. See you tomorrow at 8am. Ampullaria!! I can stop laughing while reading his SMS.

J was the one who always offering his MPV. Guess he watched too many times of Fast and Furious -Tokyo Drift and drifting till his brake pad out of shape today. So, I hafta drive and pick up L and J in Damansara.

Arrived in L's living place around 7:40am. He has well packed his Nikon D70S and his 2 days old new toy - Canon FS 100. Since he is appointed as one of the Taiwan Pets magazine writer. He is spending most of his time into photograph, video recording and articles.
We've settled our breakfast fast at the nearby Malay stall. Not yet exit the Sg. Buloh toll, L starting his jokes and playing around with his camcorder. Honestly tell you that, you will never get bore if L is inside your car. Except while he is too tired and ZZZzzzzzz.....

From Sg buloh to the destination were took around an hour +. L still non-stop playing around with his camcorder and video down my "drifting" skill... Ok ok. Back to serious talk now. Actually, this trip is to find the Nepenthes gracilis, Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes x hookeriana and Nepenthes rafflesiana. It is for L's article. I am just tag along for fun...

After 30 minutes from toll exit, we were stop at the road side. Spent an hour to take the
photograph and video of the Nepenthes gracilis. (I will cover this species in the next round.) J and L walked across the road and standing at the road side enjoying their cigarettes. I were trying hard to get my DC on the road side flowers. But still.... forget about it. I walked across the road and asking them what they saw. L was joking with me that he saw ampullaria. (Before that, he just saw the N.ampullaria from the books.) I was like...Really? Once I get close to them and look down to the slope of the hill. I saw this...

The giant narrow leaf of N.ampullaria. This is around 6 feet long with the leaves which are around 2ft long. I've shout... That is ampullaria! L keep asking where is it...where is it? Muahaha...He was thinking of the pitcher of ampullaria must grow on the leaf end. But for this species. It is not. Most of the pitchers are growing out near the root.

Without telling him much. I just jump down to the slope and use my bare hands to move away all the tree branches, ferns and others. Then I found this not so nice looking and not so healthy pitchers. But for L, he just grab his D70S and shooting non stop. There are few big ants bitting his neck and hands. But he is just standing still and didn't move at all. And I was standing behind him and helping him to get rid of the ants. And J was too scare to come down. As too many ants and the slope is very high. Then he keep asking..where, where is the monkey cup? Both of us were just ignore him... muahaha...

15 minutes later, L is decided to go further down to the bottom and check out. Guess he is not satisfied with the unhealthy ampullaria. And J still standing there and refuse to come down. L found a big long hole which made by wild boars. So far, i never worry about wild boars. Since we were at the 45% slope. We can climb faster than wild boar.

Both of us reach the bottom and found lot of Eleocharis sp and Eriocaulon sp. Wild boars foot prints everywhere. It is not easy to walk on the mud. Hafta step on the tree root and branches. L keep making some noise like Wow...this plant i never see before. Wow...this is new species. J couldn't stand it and running down. Hahaha... But then he was screaming like a female. Because he was bitten by the ants. Muahahaha... That was funny...

After J came down, we decided to goto different direction to look for N.ampullaria. Roughly 5 minutes walk, I found a bunch of N.ampullaria "green" pitcher. L and J were busy checking at the small stream with rasbora scissor tail. Shouting at them and got them to check it out....

While L and J busy with their photoshooting with the above.... I have found another N.ampullaria "spotted". Honestly, this is the nicest i ever see.

Just a few steps away...there is another bunch of them.

Is it a lot? No..it is not... Check out the next picture...

This is a lot!!!! Don't know where should I place my foot in. I am totally forgotten about L and J at this moment. Saliva coming out... hands shaking...sweating non-stop. I have to cool down myself and getting J and L to come over.

L still busy with the photoshooting on the first ampullaria "green". J trying to help me to move away all of the dry tree leaves, branches and etc. So that I can take this picture. Yes. I know picture is not clear. Due to low lighting and i didn't use flash. Here is the N.ampullaria "green" close up.

Here is the N.ampullaria "spotted"

Remember what i read from a book said that, monkey cup aka ampullaria is the only species will not capture any insects or small animal. The pitcher is wide open to collect rain water and any object which is falling from sky. Like dry tree litters.

Check out the picture at the bottom. The pitchers are all hanging in the air.

Finally, we left that place with smiling face. DC full with photographs. Shirts, pants and legs full with mud. Hands were full with cutting wounds.

Earth Day 22th April 2008 Part 4.

2008-04-28T12:01:00.003+08:00

Nasir is busy trimming and cleaning the Cryptocoryne minima.

TS helping out to rearrange the sitting position...

Workshop going to start. As the audiaence are coming in. Seats were fully taken. Some were standing behind.

Here we have Hans welcoming the MC of the day.......(you can guess who....)

Oh man...is ME! Worst MC of the day.

Nasir is explaning what a biotope is and how the tank is to be setup to become......

First we'll have the sand as the base. Either river sand or holland sand... both can be use right after cleaning. The layout will look more natural if using river sand...

Oh man...My hand is not long enough...

Then driftwood is place to position within the golden section (What is Golden Section stand for? I will come out with this next time.)

Here, i am explaining to the public why the bag of Guoramis in tea colour water and why that these fauna can only be found in these water conditions.

Dry or dead leaves found where the fish is caught is used to lower down the water pH and condition as well as to provided nutrient for the plants indirectly.

Nasir is started planting...

A bag pf plastic is place on top of the setup. Water is then pour gently on top of it to prevent the force from the water to dispur the setup.

Water is pour till an inch above the soil for easy planting.

Water is fill till almost the top (I need to carry the pail up in order to provide sufficient force for the water to siphon out fro the pail to the tank)

The water is fill almost to the top and mix with the brakish water from where we got the faunas. This wil ensure we have a similar water condition for the fauna so they will not then to stress out much.

Then some portion of the tank water is mix with the water in the bag where the chocolate gouramis is and place inside the tank to reduce thier stress (Joe Lim can explain much detail than me on this...)

Similar floatig plants found on the catching site is place into the tank as well. These are know as a carnivourous plants - Utriculata gibba

Place the whole plastic bag into the tank before release the chocolate gouramis into the tank. This is to make the chocolate gouramis to get use to the tank water temperature.

Finally the water and the guoramis is mix and release into then tank

Done....And of couse, this tank will take months to mature and the aquatic plants will take months to grow and fully covered the tank.

Explaining to the public on the tank and other planted tank setup

Photograph session...

MAC....

Crew of the day....

p/s: All of these pictures taken by Canon 400D. with Sigma len 18-200mm and Sony A200.

Earth Day 22th April 2008 Part 3.

2008-04-28T11:44:00.003+08:00

MAC Banner is up, the crew is ready......

Preparation of MAC Booth...

Main entrance to the hall with MAC Banner

Final setting up and with the Betta Society Malaysia with us at the very same booth location. As I was busy doing some trimming n adjust the rocks...(All out of position after arrived in Zoo Negara)

Finally, 3 nano tanks were up and running. But water still....

1st MAC official nano tank competition champion tank.

6inches Terrarium with HC. Iwagumi setup. Those containers behind are mosses for sale.

Paros harveyi biotope tank... water still...blur..

Myself and nasir discussing on the Chocolate Gouramis biotope tank setup.

The talks of environment issues....

p/s: All of these pictures taken by Canon 400D. with Sigma len 18-200mm.

Earth Day 22th April 2008 Part 2

2008-04-26T22:12:00.006+08:00

Herman gave me a very short notice about this celebration and asking me to invite other related hobbyist club or society to join. I was too excited and just remembered 2 forums at that moment. Jit Sing, the Vice President of Betta Society Malaysia and David, the founder of the Malaysia Carnivorous Plant club were informed by me immediately after i had met up with Herman. I would like to say David was very excited and attacking me with lot of questions like how big is the booth gonna be? How many friends can be there and help out?...etc.

While JS and David busy with their preparation. I was headache of where to get this chocolate gouramis, since none of the fish shop carrying this fish. Worst come to worst...I gonna be the robber of mother nature again. Yes...I have to drive 2 hours journey and spend hours to catch this fish from river. Guess of you thinking that getting this fish is easy. But i would like to say it is not. I will cover the story of this field trip later on.

TS, a cryptocoryne** collector from Singapore. Knew him since years ago. Down to earth and funny fella. Told me that he has just applied annual leave and want to come over to KL and join us. Glad that he can make it this time. But i gonna pick him up from Pudu bus station at 4am!

Pisces Lim, an only guy who studied Betta ** and graduated from UM or USM (Can't remember). He is very knowledgeable but very quiet and shy guy. It is great to have him to come over and help out in CP booth.

Both of them arrived in different time. But we had spent almost whole day (a day before the Zoo Negara Earth Day and Wetland celebration) in Tg Malim field trip.

Woke up at 6:30am. TS and Pisces were still in their sweet dream. I don't want to be late to Zoo Negara as I need to pick up Nasir also. I should take the photo of their sleeping position. haha.... Pisces was slept at 12:00am. Because of busy packing the freebies (Nepenthes sanguinea and some dosera seeds). TS was slept around that time too. As he was busy watching with National Geography in the Astro. Jason called up around 6:45am said he is on the way to my living place and picking us up to Zoo Negara. Glad that he has the Toyota Inova... Edmund called up at 7:30am said that he is arrived in Zoo Negara (while we were still busying upload aquarium, equipments and boxes into Jason's inova) And Terrance from CP club called up right after Edmund. Said he is arrived too. Oh man...you guys really making me nervious now!

While we are on the way to Nasir living place around 8am. And he is just woke up! Oh man... Pisces starting to take his stuff and upload to the car. Me...kicking Nasir and making him to move faster. Helping him to dismentle his ADA Cube Garden 90cm tank. As we need this champion tank for display.

It a cool morning... we reach at Zoo Negara at 8.30am...... The MIB(Man in Black) is David. He is running here and there to get his booth up.

Where are the misting coming from? Oh....it is from the entrance of the Aquarium Tunku Abdul Rahman.

So on with the days...... the direction to the Earthday Exhibition and Talks

The hall.. and our display spot at the corner near to the entrance..

To be continue....Part 3.

** Betta = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betta
** Cryptocoryne = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocoryne

p/s: All of these pictures taken by Canon 400D. with Sigma len 18-200mm.

Earth Day - 22th April 2008 Part 1.

2008-04-26T21:17:00.005+08:00

Those don't have Astro at home. Those seldom read newspaper. Those never bother about surrounding. For sure they won't know what and when is the Earth Day.

I would like to share with you guys about the Earth Day celebration together with World Wetland Day with Zoo Negara on 20th April 2008. Here is the a bit info from the person in charge of Aquarium Tunku Abdul Rahman - Herman Bernard.

Zoo Negara is celebrating Earth Day together with World Wetland Day together this 20th April from 9am-6pm. We couldnt celebrate Wetland Day last month coz of elections and etc. So we decided to lump them together. Furthermore, this Earth/Wetland day celebration is also part of the programs lined out for the official re-opening of the Akuarium Tunku Abdul Rahman which will be held either on August 31st or November 15..still not sure which is better, but I'm trying to push it for November! Anyway, as for the events...not much lah, but boleh tahan..As this year's Earth Day is on Climate Change, so we have to do something in relations to that..but we out of topic a bit to incorporate wetlands (..aquariums, fish, plants!). So that's why I'm inviting you guys to join in. MAC is a good Forum, but I think its time for its members to be a bit more active in enviromental conservation...anyway we are dealing with nature and her beautiful treasures. So I think we should also try to 'go green'!. The talk by MAC would have to tie in nature conservation, especially wetlands, with aquarium keeping. This is also a good chance to advertise this forum to the general public, and I'm sure there are many 'kaki akuarium' out there dying to meet you guys.

1. Tree Planting by volunteers 8-12 am

2. Booths (Orang Asli craft, MAC, etc) 9am-6pm

3. Talks and demo 12am-4pm a. Wetlands in Malaysia b. Climate change c. Akuarium Tunk Abdul Rahman-The Malaysia River Journey d. Use of wetland plants by Orang Aslis' e. Frogs f. Demo: How to set up a Biotope Aquarium by MAC (we have not finalized the list of talks yet!)

4. Earth day Quiz, for kids well apart form that we would alos be organizing a fishing compettition first week of July at the Zoo lake..also in conjuction with the aquarium opening. Also will have plenty of booths there...so start planning for that too.

MAC - Malaysian Aquascaping Club was invited to participate with this celebration. The MAC 1st official Nano Tank Champion - Nasir was invited to be the host of the Biotope** tank setup. And myself was his assistant. After few private messages in the forum, we are finally decided to have the Chocolate Gouramis Biotope setup.

Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides)
Aren't it is cute? Hardly see this fish selling in local fish shop. As it can be found in the peat swamp with very acidic water. Which is PH 3.2. Almost same like the vinegar. And keeping it alive is not easy. Read more articles about it before getting it.

Here is the info about Chocolate Gouramis: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/blog.php?blogid=151

**Biotope = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotope

p/s: This picture taken by Sony A200. It is always difficult to snap moving object. Especially the aquatic fauna inside the aquarium. As my friend - Edmund able to use his first bought Sony A200 (2nd day hands on only) and snap these 2 little fellas. Great job!

Nano nano...

2008-04-25T14:51:00.000+08:00

After moved into my first bought condominium. Crying about the limited space i am having now. I am just can't stop getting more and more aquarium into my living place. Acting like those "kia su" hobbiyst from our neighbour country. Having a 6 footer, 2 pieces of 4 footer...Why I am always not enough of aquarium to keep all my aquatic flora and fauna? (How greedy i am...)

Finally, I am able to solve my greedy attitude temperary by getting the Nano Tank. What is the Nano Tank I am talking about? Here is the little info which was published in Haven, June-July 2005 issue.

I will cover the article about aquatic flora, fauna, and etc later on... If you guys interested into this, perhaps you can check out the forums like http://www.my-mac.net/ (Malaysian Aquascaping Club), http://www.petshrimp.com/ and http://www.shrimpnow.com/ (All about shrimp, prawn, crayfish and etc.)

Newbie into photograph.

2008-04-25T14:04:00.000+08:00

Having this Olympus MJU 410 for 6 years +. Would like to say it is a very long lasting layman camera. Well...before hooking up with a DSLR. The other half suggest to pratice on it before dump all the $$$$ into a DSLR.
I was just like other newbie. Taking my own sweet time to play around this camera when first bought it. Shy to ask. As this is just a simple layman camera... All the outputs was blur, blur and blur. Giving myself an excuse. Said that my hand is shaking as this camera doesn't has the anti-shake function. (Experts out there must be shouting at me now..."Hey...don't you know there is an equipment called Tripod?") Yeah yeah yeah... I know. Slap me then...becaus of I am too lazy to bring the tripod here and there. Lazy to tighten the camera on the tripod. Lazy to adjust the height and balance of the position of the tripod and camera.But now, I've learnt that preparation is much more important if I want a better shoot. Ok set! I have something to shoot...I got the camera on the tripod. Lighting...oh man... This is what i am always headache with. So, I have to move everything out to balcony and waiting for sunshine...Well all above of the close up shoots are NOT using tripod. Perhaps i should giving myself a credit on this.