Loyalty

Somewhere in Mont Kiara

Sunset-tan, Gili Trawangan

I enjoy the beach.

Every where I go, I make a point to watch the sunsets and the sunrises.

Its magical moments to me.

They only last several minutes in 24 hours. Very rare minutes and should be appreciated.

Golden hour, or magical hour - Only the first and last hour of sunlight during the day.

Wherever you are, in Gili Trawangan or Kuantan or Dungun or Pulau Kapas, or the hot dessert of the ARab Emirates or the freezing Himalayas - wake up early. Its a waste to miss it.

Its a good time to reflect, and to chill.

ENJOY


*to appreciate this photo better, please click on the photo and you can enjoy a larger viewing pleasure.

Nenasi, Pahang

Whenever I travel from Rompin back to Kuantan, I always make a point to stop at this little fishing village in the East Coast Pahang.


Very quaint and quiet.


Always beautiful.


Recently I passed by it again. 


I stopped, shot a few photos by my I Phone and


have RM1 of keropok lekor. (quite delicious)


NICE

For the show in Big Apple

These images were printed as posters and displayed in New York during a trade mission by my client.


The look yummy.


These are all frozen food for export purposes.


I worked closely with the chef to style these products. Very long hours required but fun nevertheless.

Dubai Skylines

I have seen the beautiful photos of Dubai skylines. 


To shoot a landscape in a foreign city is not easy. 


I have to find out from the locals (or the concierge) the direction of the sun, and the time sunrises and set.


I have to pay a taxi almost RM200 just to catch this image.


Of course it worths more than that - heheh


Can u see the Burjs?


Have you felt privileged yet? 



;-)

Bijan, Kuala Lumpur

I have to select images to be sent to my web develop. Yes, my website is coming up. It has been a while, I have been working on it a bit slowly. 

Too much distractions.

These were shot in a nice restaurant in Bijan, Kuala Lumpur. 

These are just hours-d'oeuvres

Bijan is one of my favorite restaurants especially when I want my guests from abroad to test their pellet against our Malay cuisines, in a very subtle way, yet with a choice to go all the way to local level spiciness. 

Pedas la juga.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Projections from Obscura Digital on Vimeo.

During my trip to the Emirates recently, we were given a VIP tour of the mosque.

I have to say this is one of the most beautiful mosques I have been to.

Among the record breaking facts such as the biggest single piece of carpet and the biggest Swarovski chandelier, some of the craftsmen who built this mosques were the decedents of the craftsmen who built the Taj Mahal. And, super amazingly, the gold ornaments that top the minarets and domes were commissioned by Malaysian craftsmen.

One of the rare occasions I feel proud to be a Malaysian since Dr. M retired.

EBC - Everest Base Camp - NEXT

This is planned for the end of this year, insyaAllah.

The Trail Conditions:

Straight, Uphill, Downhill, Jig Jag with small rocky, pebbles, muddy, somewhere dusty, manmade stone steps, through the moss covered forests, Rocky glacier or snowy path crossing suspensions metal bridges and wooden bridges over the rivers and streams are the main features of Trekking trials of Everest Base Camp trek.

Fitness:

This is fairly demanding trek. It isn't possible nor necessary to get truly trekking fit before the trek. I trek a daily itinerary that suits loaded porter, who carrying 25 kg loads cover more distance that you might think, but not so much so as to finish you. Over the course of the first or Second Day you'll be amazed at how your fitness improves. You can even get exercise in your city before you come, swimming, small day hiking and physical fitness may help you to hike and climb in Nepal Himalaya. Running a few miles most days is probably the best single physical activity, which will hand. It doesn’t have to be too complicated. While you are training you can also be breaking in those new trekking boats that may otherwise give you blisters on the first day out on the trail.

High Altitude Sickness:

Often times treks that ascends beyond 3500 m would require more days for acclimatization to ensure that trekkers do not suffer from high altitude sickness. The thinner air affects you in many ways and if you go high too fast there is a high chance to get effect.   

AMS - Acute Mountain Sickness Commonly called altitude sickness, this has the potential to affect all trekkers from 2500m and higher. Your body needs time to adjust to smaller quantities of oxygen in the air - at 5500m/18,044ft the air pressure is approximately half that of sea level, ie there is half the amount of oxygen (and nitrogen). This is approximately equivalent to the top of Kala Pattar near Everest BC. AMS is caused by going up high too fast and can be fatal if all the warning signals are ignored. In all my treks I would like to ensure that there are adequate days for acclimatization so that my guests do not suffer unnecessary high altitude sickness.

Weather and Temperature in October

The weather in October is very much predictable. Neither too cold nor too hot, just perfect with clear visibility. The temperature during October will be quite moderate. Our trek will be starting from  Lukla which is 2800 meters while Kathmandu is only 1365 m. So as soon as we land in Lukla the temperature will be cooler about 18 degrees (Celsius) on our first day of the trek Under 3000 meters the temperature will be warm so you only need light clothes. Over 3000 meters the temperature will be about 15 degrees Celsius during the trek and can drop to 10 degrees Celsius at night. You can expect the temperature about 5 DC in Base Camp at mid day and drops to -5  degrees Celsius at night and in the morning. Late afternoon when the sun disappears behind a mountain peak the temperature drops suddenly.

Electricity:

Just in Lukla, Phakding, Namche Bazar,Thame, Khumjung , Tengboche and Pangboche does have hydro -electricity, You can recharge your camera batteries just in those places. After that level you will need to sleep with candles and Solar battery lights just in the Dining Room during the dinnertime.

Telephone and E-mail facilities during   our trek to Everest BC:

You can send email or call at your home or friends from Just in Lukla, Namche Bazar, Tengboche, Pheriche, Dingboche and even in Gorekchep by now. Those destinations have telephone and internet facilities via satellite and quite fast by now. So you do not need to worry about communication gap with your family or friends during your trek.

Insurances of Guide and Porters

 We do our life insurance and Trekking insurance for the duration of 10 or 15 years from reputed insurance company in Kathmandu, Nepal which covers our insurance for the duration of our trek as well.

Water and Chances of getting sick:

However Nepal is second richest in the world for water after Brazil, The water here is just 0.3% of total water is pure. Because most of the rivers flows from the glacier and from top to bottom and hilly mountains. As you know people live in the mountain and the animals graze in the pastures and most of the manual flows together. On the other hand you can buy the mineral water bottle but we feel very sorry to discourage you for not to buy, considering our Environment. But there is an idea, We can purify the water using some Iodine Pills or Purifying drops which can be available in drug stores in Kathmandu. We can use the water after nearly boiled which is safe.

Meals during the trek

All our meals will be at teahouses and, although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. However, the menus in all lodges offer a surprising variety of foods. The Kitchens staffs you will find are trained for cooking, and guest relation and have learned about western food preferences. The foods will be served with according to the Lodge Management Committee approved Menu system providing Nepalese, Indian, Chinese and Continental western foods and offers items such as pizza, lasagna, muesli, sandwiches and ever burgers as well as seasonal vegetables. Beers, Whisky western and Nepalese, Snickers, Mar Bars, Coca Cola, Mineral water, Cerials and many others essentials foods will be available in every lodges. For a quick fix: Tea is available everywhere and Nepali biscuits are cheap, delicious and provide a great energy boost for long uphill climbs.

Rescue? If incase?

Sudden rescue Charge, If incase (Maximum 5000 U.S Dollar Travel Insurance will be enough.

I trek with limited distance everyday so that my every clients can take advantage of being in the Himalaya, However, Some time suddenly or Just incase of your usual disease or other accidental causes may need you to get rescued from Himalaya. So at that duration you will be fully responsible to pay the Helicopter charges as soon as you arrive in Kathmandu by yourself or asking amount from your home country or with the responsible from related Embassy in Kathmandu, which will be paid back by your Insurance company in your country after claiming your paid in Nepal amount with the help of Doctors certificates, Airlines Certificates and other documents given from authorized Person like Guide, Local Govt. Member or People of related fields where you get sick.

If someone gets sick because of any reason such as AMS or bad physical condition… in this case we will have to take a right action on the spot according with the person’s condition and the place we will be. If the case is serious and the person find hard even to walk he or she will have to be accompanied by one of our friend or we arrange a horse or helicopter in rescue propose depending on the person’s physical condition. If rescue evacuation is required I provide every assistance to my clients. I coordinate our service with a recognized private helicopter company in the case of emergency rescue. If the case is not that serious he or she might want to stroll around the place and wait for others or return back to Lukla or Kathmandu in this situation of course one of our porter still will be with the person to carry his/ her luggage.

Medication:

Medication which is a very important issue to be considered during the trek. I have a lot of different experience that people get diarrhea, vomiting during the trek because of water and food, so it is advisable to bring these medications that should match with Himalayan Bacteria and Germs. It would be essential to see your doctor for immunization shorts just a few days ago before you departure. Typhoid, tetanus, meningitis, and Hepatitis A are the norm. Malaria Pills are not needed during our proposed trek to Everest trek. Your own personal medicine is essential. Cold and cough medicine is recommended, as well as bandages and aspirin. Basically, you want to bring your own personal medical kit if you were to get sick. Your doctor can recommend diarrhea medicine or medicine for giardia/amoebas since this is the most common reason for upset stomachs while trekking.

You are kindly suggested to check and bring the following list of medication for our trek to Everest BC.

·  Bandage for sprains

·  Plasters/Band-aids

·  Iodine or water filter (optional) 

· Moleskin/Second skin - for blisters

·  Antiseptic ointment for cuts

·  Anti-bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)

·  Aspirin/paracetamol - general painkiller

· Oral dehydration salts

·  Broad-spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxin)

· Anti-diarrhea medication (antibiotic)

·  Diarrhea stopper (Imodium - optional)

·  Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria

·  Diamox (altitude sickness - can be bought in Kathmandu)

· Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution)  

Clothing / Equipment List

Kindly bring the following list of clothing / equipments for our trek to Everest Base Camp Trek

-Pair trekking boots and waterproofing agent

-Pair lightweight trekking sandals

-Pairs thin walking socks

-Pairs lightweight wind – water proof pants

-T-shirts

-Fleece Jacket

-Set lightweight thermals

-North Face down Jacket (Preferably)

-Small thin towel (sports towel best)
-Soap
-Shampoo
-Sunscreen
-Extra lightweight shirt for daypacks - for stops along the way
-Hat
-Cotton or silk bag liner - optional
-Neck warmer

-Pairs 'thinners' gloves

-Rucksack

-Pack tissues

-Pair sunglasses

-Water filter / Iodine (you could buy boiled water in hotels/ lodges which is safe to drink.

-Camera and films

-Head torch and spare batteries

-Sleeping bag (rated -15(above) deg C during our trek )

Above things are required for Everest Base Camp Trek. However if you do not have clothing you can either buy or rent in Nepal. In this case we have equipment cheaper than Malaysia. 

Suggested Itinerary

Day 01, - Arrival day,

Day - 02:  Kathmandu - Lukla (2860m trek to Phakding) - fly in the morning for 45 minutes then Commence trek to Phakding (2600m) - 3 hours.

Day - 03: Phakding - Namche Bazar (3446m) - 5 hours.

Day - 04: Namche Bazar, one-day rest for acclimatization.

Day - 05: Namche Bazar - Tengboche (3867m) - 5 hours.

Day -06 -: Tengboche- Pheriche (4200m) – 6 hours.

Day 07 –: Pheriche – Lobuche (4930m) – 5 hours.

Day -08: Lobuche - Gorakchhep – EBC – Overnight at Gorakchhep (5200m):

Day -09: Gorakchhep – Kalapattar (5545 m) - Pheriche (4200 m):

Day -10: Pheriche - either Namchee or Sanasa  - 8 hours.

We try to reach Namche, it is too long journey, if you feel tired we can stop Sanasa between Tenboche and Namche.

Day -11: Phakding (6 – 6.30 hours):

Day -12: Phakding – Lukla:

Day -13:  After breakfast we will be flying to Katmandu in the morning and transfer to Hotel.

Day -14: Departure

The Cost

The total cost as per above program – 1235 $ per person based on 7 persons

If you want to upgrade more comfort hotels such as – Himalaya Hotel in Lukla - 1 night, Sunrise Hotel in Phakding – 2 nights, Khumbu Lodge in Namche – 3 nights, Eco Mountain Resort in Lobuche – 1 night, Himalayan Hotel in Pheriche – 2 nights the total additional cost will be 65 US$ per person.

The cost includes

1, Service in Kathmandu

• Kathmandu Airport pick up and drop.
• Sightseeing in Different ancient cities of Kathmandu Valley with a professional tour guide, entrance fee of each sight places.
• Two Nights deluxe accommodation at 3 star category Hotel at Samsara Resort (www.samsararesort.com ) in Kathmandu.

2, During the Trip

• All Surface Transportation.
• 3 times, delicious/standard foods except Alcoholic beverages, bottled, can soft drinks during the treks.
• Clean accommodation will be provided except luxury categories hotels

(I can provide luxury hotels that includes at least 3 star hotel according to location within the price ranges you have selected such as Hotel Everest View in Syangboche charges 285 US $ for one double room per night, Syangboche Panorama, may charges 175 US, Yeti Mountain Home in Lukla charges 210 US per night for one double, Everest Summit Lodges in Monjo and Pangboche charges US $ 205 P/N for one double. )

• Permit and conservation Fees NRS 1000 per head.
• TIMS: 10 US$ per person
• Round trip flight fare to and from Lukla for all of us including domestic airport taxes in Kathmandu and Lukla.
• First aid medical kit
• All Local Taxes.
• Our Sincere Guide service (I will personally be your guide) and honest porter (one porter for two people.)
• All expenses of guide and porter - Salary, food, accommodation, insurance, transportation…

The cost does not include:

• Foods in Kathmandu except breakfast at Samsara Resort
• Alcoholic beverages and Bottled, canned, soft drinks, during the trek.
• Needful clothes.
• Expenses of personal nature (Laundry, tell call etc) and may be donation on the trek.
• Any medical treatment
• Any necessary rescue charge

(Maximum 5000 U.S Dollar Travel Insurance will be enough)

• Buying personal wanted materials, souvenir, gift etc.

Big Mama

The ride was almost the same as the B747. Okay, I did feel like I was in a bigger aircraft when it took off.

Or like a comparison between the ride in a BMW 5 and 7 Series.

I have to say though that was the most comfortable and spacious economy class I have been into. The worst economy class was the Philippines Cebu Pacific.

I was up graded to the business class before landing. The business class is good with horizontal bed and big ass entertainment screen.

I took a peek at the 1st class cabin. The cubicles, to me, was not that impressive. 

Still, Emirates is better than Malaysia Airlines - the aircraft, the crew and the service.

COKE

My recent trip to Dubai really opened my eyes to that part of the world. 

I have been to Mecca in Saudi and Amman in Jordan. Dubai is completely different. 

It’s not typical Arab-land. Good or bad? I am not in the position to judge.

The city skyline is heaven for architects and fan of architecture. 

Dubai is like a desert is like a piece of canvas for architects to express themselves. Very impressive but I fail to feel the Arab spirit when I was there.

For 5 days, I only interacted with ONE person from Emirates. The rest were either Filipino, Indian, Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Chinese.

Dr G

Don't know why I just remember a very good friend of mine. We seldom each other but I think we cherish our friendship dearly.

A medical professional use to serve in Singapore.

I used to visit him a lot, in Singapore.

I remember one of his emails telling me - he was cycling to the gym on Orchard Road with yellow flip-flops. And then somehow or rather he accidentally drop is bright yellow flip-flops in the busy Orchard Road and having to pick it up while the whole world watching.

Kesian, but kinda funny.