Perth

A grouchy looking wombat at Caversham Wildlife Park - my favorite shot of the trip! I knew very little about the wombat before this trip, and certainly did not expect it to be as big as a bull-dog in actual size! I remember its sleepy red-eyes following my every movements as I got close to him. The wombat carer said this fella is just a 4 year old teenager, with its grouchy demeanor & sleepy red-eyes ~ it certainly was full of character! I am still amused looking through the photographs now :)

Jogging along Perth's beautiful Swan River - what better way to start your day. The sun illuminated the city skyline & we had the privilege of enjoying the inspiring views & sunrise as we jogged along Swan River.

Took a short drive & ferry ride across to Penguin Island - we chose to explore the island using the well-constructed boardwalks but didn't see many wild penguins (saw just the one!), instead we were squawked at by thousands of gulls who were all ferociously guarding their eggs (it was hatching season!) ~ & it was fantastic being able to get so close to them & taking photos. Picnic lunch couldn't get anymore adventurous as we took shelter inside a cove as the rain had started coming down just as our tummies started growling.. the wife got it right when she said it was such a Nancy Drew setting! :)
 

Bushwalking at Bells Rapids - sadly there weren't any rapids & the river was totally dried up. I learnt it is usually in the winter months when there would be more rain & water flow. Nonetheless the walk was certainly challenging (plus we got a bit lost!) & was a good primer to the flora faunas of Oz (& the intensity of the Ozzie sun!). Our picnic lunch had the perfect setting ~ on some big boulders overlooking Bells Rapids, in the shade & with a lulling & much-needed breeze, and a view of Perth city at a far distance. We later saw our first wild kangaroo as we explored deeper towards Mount Mambup (& it was huge roo!), which without a doubt got our hearts pumping a bit & had been unanimously voted as our first Ozzie moment! :)

Chilling out at King's Park with the locals and tourists - the weather picked up towards the end of the week & we were happy just to spend the afternoon lying on the soft grass & taking in the city view. The skies were gorgeous & we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wrap-up to our visit to Perth.

The Glorious Sunset of Kota Kinabalu

It's hard to imagine the beautiful sunset of KK is a daily affair, it's no surprise why many wedding photographers are based here in KK! I had the privilege to photograph this glorious vista at the beachfront over Labor Day holidays & I hope the pictures chosen are worthy of its beauty!

Awaiting the sunset..

Rolling skies lighting up as the sun starts to set.. towards the horizon, a light shower from the low hanging clouds adds to the dramatics..

Hues of purple starts to set in not long after, and the sea calms as the tide recedes further.

The final scene sees the skies torching up &  finally consumed by darkness.. this glorious vista knows little parallel in Malaysia.

Ching Ming 2012

The Ching Ming Festival is an opportunity for the Chinese to remember and honour their ancestors. For my family, this means a visit to the ancestral graves, followed by a visit to the temple where grandma's ashes are kept. This year's Ching Ming took place on 1 April in Malaysia and our family observed the same procedures as previous year's.

The young and old with offerings to be burnt in the temple for their ancestors.

A lady reaches out for the Chrysanthemums she left by the window. This building is where ashes of the departed are kept, and whose spiritual presence are believed to reside.

Throngs of visitors share the limited space to place food offerings for their ancestors.

Back from a long day of Ching Ming celebration, father relaxes with his newspaper & is briefly disturbed by a distant thunder. The cool evening rain is a welcome relief after a warm & humid morning.