Pulau Payar Marine Park

On 14 November, a few fellow bloggers (Ray, Wai Hoe, Kean Hooi, Calvyn, Sherming) & I joined a travel exploration trip to Pulau Payar Marine Park. The trip is arranged by Criz Bon Appetite & fully sponsored by Langkawi Coral (Langkawi Saga Travel and Tour Sdn. Bhd.) under the “Travel with a Green Heart” campaign.

The trip started with great weather ahead. We took a ferry ride at 8am from the Swettenham Pier, Penang to Pulau Payar. The journey took about 2 hours.

Heading to Pulau Payar Marine Park on Ferry

We reached at Pulau Payar Marine Park at around 10am. There is a spacious reef platform stationed on the marine park which housed various corals and underwater attractions.

Here We Are!!

On the Reef Platform

At the marine park, basic snorkeling gears (masks & snorkeling vests) are provided for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the corals and various fishes which are available around the platform out on sea.

There are rows of metal seats for visitor to get close with the fishes during feeding. Do bring some bread if you wish to feed the fishes.

Below are some of the photos taken from the reef platform.






Besides that, an observation chamber is available under the reef platform for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the corals and fishes without getting wet.


On top of the snorkeling & fish feeding activities around the reef platform, visitors are taken with short boat ride to the beach to enjoy more snorkeling, swimming, sun bathing, shark feeding and beach walk. Scuba diving courses & packages are available as well with separate charges.

Short Boat Ride to Pulau Payar Beach

Pulau Payar Beach

Wooden Walking Path next to the Beach

Baby Shark Feeding

It is a great place for family & friends to spend a short weekend to do snorkeling, fish feeding, swimming, sun bathing, having some beach walk and scuba diving besides experiencing the wonderful getaway & learning the wonders of the sea. All of us enjoyed the day at the marine park.


Langkawi Coral also provides sufficient shower cubical for visitors to wash up before heading back. Buffet lunch is provided with variety of food, fruits and drinks.

Interested to have some fun at Pulau Payar Marine Park? Grab your tickets now at the ticket counters near Swettenham Pier, Penang!! Prices & itinerary for the snorkeling package are as follows:

Prices:
Adult - RM300
Children - RM200
Infant - RM50

Itinerary:
0715 – 0755 Hotel pick-up from scheduled pick-up points
0730 – 0800 Check-in at Swettenham Pier, Penang
0815 - 1015 Depart for Pulau Payar Marine Park by ferry
1015 - 1230 Marine Park Exploration @ Malaysia’s 1st & Only Reef Platform & Beach
1230 – 1400 Buffet lunch on table sharing basis
1530 - 1730 Depart for Penang by ferry
1730 - 1800 Arrive at Swettenham Pier, Penang & return pick-up to hotel

Contact for More Information:
Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn. Bhd.
16, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Tel : 604-899 8822
Email: sales@langkawicoral.com
Website: http://www.langkawicoral.com

Photoset: Pulau Payar

Penang Bridge Nightscape

One of the reasons I like to shoot nightscape photos is that I do not need to rush & sharply observe to capture the moment that last for one or two seconds as in an event or wedding reception.

Taking nightscape shots is like going fishing. You need to be patient, relax, clear your mind, get some ideas, walk here, walk there & locate the best place or angle to get the best composition. Then, set up your camera on tripod, release shutter... "click"..., wait for a few seconds, sit back & enjoy your drink or a few puffs of Marlboro Menthol, then done! You can review the result and try another few shots until you satisfy with it.

Besides that, you can do experiment with your camera settings to see the effects of applying different aperture & shutter speed to your photos especially on lights & water stream.

Last few weeks, I went to the Penang Bridge for some nightscape shots after a busy day in the office. Here are some of the shots taken.

Photoset: Penang Bridge Nightscape

Merry Christmas 2009

I just came back from Penang Times Square, took some photos on the Christmas decorations.

Wishing everyone to have a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year 2010!

Photoset: Penang Times Square

Permatang Damar Laut Beach

Last Sunday, Kai Chieh, Aegie, Yoke Leng and I went to a beach near Permatang Damar Laut for a short break before dinner. I snapped a few photos...

Photoset: Permatang Damar Laut Beach

Clarke Quay Singapore

"Next station, Clarke Quay..."

In MRT heading to Clarke Quay

Yes, another tourist spot in Singapore as well as one of the most happening places at night.

Featuring five blocks of restored warehouses, Clarke Quay is playing host to a colourful kaleidoscope of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail shops. Besides that, it offers a quirky alternative to mainstream attractions, with second-hand and antique shops and restaurants with an amazing array of food and beverage options. In the evenings, dance clubs and pubs come alive with music from the 1960s to the present.

It's probably one of the places you'll never miss when visiting Singapore.

Night View of Clarke Quay from Singapore River

Around Clarke Quay

Singapore River Cruises

F1 Fever by Johnnie Walker

Guess which one is my signature...

The Clinic Bar & Restaurant

Photoset: Clarke Quay Singapore

Esplanade Theatre @ Marina Bay Singapore

Over the last long weekend, I went back Muar, Johor Bahru and Singapore. It has been a year I didn't visit Singapore. Compared to my secondary school time, I went there almost every school holiday.

One of the reasons I went to Singapore this time is to try out my newly bought Tokina 12-24mm f4 wide-angle lens. I went to a few places and tried to take landscape and cityscape shots with this lens. After all the tryouts, I would say I'm quite satisfied with its performance, built and photo quality. :-D

The Esplanade Theatre (Theatres on the Bay or 滨海艺术中心) is one of my target locations. Located at the waterfront land alongside Marina Bay near the mouth of the Singapore River, Esplanade Theatre is the centre for concerts, recitals and art performances. Its unique architectural design has been said to have an appearance similar to durian. So, we all casually refer to the Esplanade as "The Durian".

Esplanade Theatre with Singapore Flyer

Singapore Cityscape Night View from Marina Bay

Closer View of the Esplanade Theatre

Complete Fenced Track for F1 Night Race

Day View of the Esplanade Theatre

Photoset: Esplanade Singapore