Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

This is my first ever visit to Sabah. This is not a planned trip, found out that Air Asia got a cheap flight to Kota Kinabalu and I just booked it. Stayed for 4 days 3 nights. Stay at Sri Iskandar Hotel, recommend to book the place thru Agoda, I got the family room for RM84 per night (Actual price RM130). The hotel condition is great for the price and they just renovate the place, highly recommended to stay there. The hotel is just a walking distance to Filipino Market (700 meters) and the daily night market is just in front of the hotel.

I never ate lobster before, people says it is cheap in Sabah, so for the first day my mission is to eat the lobster. The seafood here at Todak Waterfront are very cheap and the price include the preparation of the dishes as well. We ate there while watching the sunset.

Day 2, we go for Island hopping, you can go probably up to 4 islands, but 3 islands are consider hectic enough. We just go for 2 islands, The Island of Sapi and The Island of Manukan. I prefer the Sapi, the clear sea and coral are more beautiful, great for snorkeling. Manukan are great if you want to have a family day, got better facilities and guest houses.

The cost for Island hopping is RM23 per person for an island, every extra island is RM10. RM3 per person for the conservation fees plus GST. Overall, for 2 islands we paid around RM40. For Island hoping you can go thru Jesselton Point or thru Sutera Habour jetty which is more expensive.

Day 3, we rent a car and drive to Kundasang about 95km (2 1/2 hours) from Kota Kinabalu to see the majestic Mount Kinabalu. First location is Desa Dairy Farm. This where most of the tourist come to take a picture with Mount Kinabalu at the background. Unfortunately, the weather that day not very nice and we unable to see the peak of the mountain.

Along the way down back to Kota Kinabalu we stop at couple of destination, The Kinabalu Park and the upside down house at Tamparuli.

We also made a short trip to Sutera Harbour. I always want to see the jetty and all the private yacht there.

The last day, we made a last minute shopping at Craft Market also know as the Filipino Market.

Our flight was scheduled at 3.30 pm, unfortunately it was delay for 4 hours!!!

Overall, we had blast in Kota Kinabalu. Social media app like Facebook (where I got the contact number for car rental service), ride hailing app like Grabcar and Waze made our trip a lot easier. 

All images captured with Panasonic GM1. Lenses used, Panasonic 20/1.7, 12-32mm and Olympus 45/1.8.

 

Fifi & Zulfadli – Solemnization & Reception

This the wedding of Fifi Syarina & Mohamad Zulfadli held at the bride house in Kampung Sri Kinta, Ipohb, Perak. The Solemnization was held on March 3rd and the reception held on the next day.

Selamat Pengantin Baru to Fifi & Zulfadli.

All images shot with the small and nifty micro 4/3 camera Panasonic GM1 attached with the very cheap Fujian 35mm F1.7 CCTV Lens.

More about the lens: http://www.haria-penang.net/bobtaharv2/?p=1793

More about the camera: http://www.bobtahar.com/?p=1561

Comic Fiesta 2016

This is Malaysia’s longest running convention on animation, Comic Fiesta 2016 held on 17th & 18th December 2016 at Putra World Trade Center (PWTC). Last year Comic Fiesta was held at Mines International Exhibition & Convention Center and compare to that, this year venue I felt is much more better.

All images shot with Panasonic Lumix GM-1 + Panasonic 20/1.7.

Comic Fiesta 2015 photo gallery at http://www.bobtahar.com/?p=7756.

Qurban 2016 – Prisma Edition

This is Qurban 2016 held at Taman Melewar.

What is Qurban?

Qurban is an Arabic word which may be translated as sacrifice. As a religous practice it was started by Prophet Abraham by the commandment of Allah (God). Qurban can also be spelled as Korban.

In Islam, the practice of Qurban is celebrated in commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s renowned act of obedience to the commandment of God to sacrifice his own son but which was later replaced by a ram.

Qurban is performed during the Haj season in the first three days of the Eidul Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) and the animals allowed for Qurban are goat, sheep, cow, buffalo or camel.

The meat from the Qurban are distributed among 3 categories of people:
• 1/3 for the poor and needy.
• 1/3 for family members and friends.
• 1/3 for the person doing the Qurban – and this portion can be given to non-Muslims.

God says in the Holy Quran:

“Lo! We have given thee Abundance. So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice.”
(Quran 108:1 – 2)

“Say: Lo! my worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds.”
(Quran 6:162)

Credit: http://www.alhuda.sg/korban.html

All images was shot with Panasonic GM1 + Fujian 35mm F1.7 CCTV lens… later was converted by Prisma app.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.