Matang Mangrove Swamp

When I was back home, my family and I decided to visit the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve one day. With the exception of my mum, the whole family set off for Matang, armed with our cameras. My younger sister had just bought a new camera, the Nikon D70s and she wanted to try it. I of course had my trusty Canon and my elder sister had her Canon Powershot as well.



The mangrove forest reserve is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) in Malaysia. It was gazetted as a permanent forest reserve since 1906. It is located in Perak and stretches 51.5km, covering more than 40 000 hectares.



The mangrove swamp is still use as a sustainable source for mangrove woods like Bakau minyak and Bakau kurap. It is home to many flora and fauna though on our short trek there, I only saw one bird but plenty of flora which I, unfortunately, could not identify.



The swamp is also used by migatory birds, as many as up to 80 000 birds according to the Malaysian Nature Society. The swamp itself houses up to 75 different species of birds.



It is a beautiful place, quiet, with all the trees surrounding you, all the greenery in different shades. Gorgeous. And to see the roots growing in such intricate patterns. While we were there, there were several families on the same mission as we were and a few joggers utilizing the wooden walkway.



That's my sister, aiming her Nikon at something. Ethan enjoyed being out there - he enjoys going 'kai-kai', however, he was a prime target for all the mosquitoes and insects, poor thing.

Kiyomizudera in black and white

Kiyomizudera temple is one of the more famous temples in Kyoto. Just mention the name and eyes will light up in recognition. Everybody just flocks to this place - it is amazing to see the amount of people on the narrow streets leading up to the temple.



The crowd is worse during the favourite seasons of spring and autumn which is why I avoid this place during those times. Being squashed in the crowd in the temple is one thing, but being squashed like a pancake in the bus leading there is something I do not want to experience again anytime soon.



The view is no doubt gorgeous; the fascination with this place is justified. The temple buildings are beautiful and old. The temple grounds are huge and there is the famous verandah where you can view the valley below and the pagoda on a small hill (not pictured in this post but in my older posts about Kiyomizudera). The valley is colourful during autumn, with the beautiful red, yellow and green foliage and during the sakura season, there are many sakura trees that the tourists can appreciate and admire.



I took these pictures when I went out with my friends late last year. Having taken coloured pictures of the place, I decided to take advantage of the full sun to try out my B&W mode. And I am happy with the pictures. They turned out better than I expected.



I still have a problem with noise though when I take B&W pictures. I am still to lazy to flip through the manual to figure out why!



I think I prefer the pictures in B&W than in colour of this place. The temple is old and full of history - I think the B&W mode suits it better.



I took my friends as far as the entrance, after that they were on their own. I have been in there too many time already! So all these pictures are just from the free grounds. I love this dragon spring-fountain.



Argh....the piping spoilt the picture!

Definitive 200

Oh yeah - somebody had came up with the ultimate album list! The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had came up with this list of 200 influential and popular music albums that everyone should have. Those highlighted in red are those that I have - which is not many. And also pay attention to the fact that these albums are in ranking order and that they were compiled by NARM retailers.


1. BEATLES – SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
2. PINK FLOYD – DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
3. MICHAEL JACKSON – THRILLER
4. LED ZEPPELIN – LED ZEPPELIN IV
5. U2 – JOSHUA TREE
6. ROLLING STONES – EXILE ON MAIN STREET
7. CAROLE KING – TAPESTRY
8. BOB DYLAN – HIGHWAY ‘61 REVISITED
9. BEACH BOYS – PET SOUNDS
10. NIRVANA – NEVERMIND
11. PEARL JAM – TEN
12. BEATLES – ABBEY ROAD
13. SANTANA – SUPERNATURAL
14. METALLICA – METALLICA
15. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – BORN TO RUN
16. PRINCE – PURPLE RAIN
17. AC/DC – BACK IN BLACK
18. ROLLING STONES – LET IT BLEED
19. DOORS – DOORS
20. GRATEFUL DEAD – AMERICAN BEAUTY
21. SHANIA TWAIN – COME ON OVER
22. WHO – WHO’S NEXT
23. STEVIE WONDER – SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE
24. FLEETWOOD MAC – RUMOURS
25. PINK FLOYD – WALL
26. ALANIS MORISSETTE – JAGGED LITTLE PILL
27. NORAH JONES – COME AWAY WITH ME
28. EMINEM – MARSHALL MATHERS LP
29. OUTKAST – SPEAKERBOXX-LOVE BELOW
30. DR. DRE – CHRONIC
31. BEASTIE BOYS – LICENSED TO ILL
32. GUNS ‘N ROSES –APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION
33. DIXIE CHICKS – WIDE OPEN SPACES
34. MILES DAVIS – KIND OF BLUE
35. EAGLES – HOTEL CALIFORNIA
36. DEF LEPPARD – HYSTERIA
37. SOUNDTRACK – GREASE
38. MARVIN GAYE – WHAT’S GOING ON
39. BEATLES – WHITE ALBUM
40. SOUNDTRACK – SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER
41. JIMI HENDRIX – ARE YOU EXPERIENCED?
42. BEATLES – REVOLVER
43. BOSTON – BOSTON
44. BON JOVI – SLIPPERY WHEN WET
45. U2 – ACHTUNG BABY
46. WHITNEY HOUSTON – WHITNEY HOUSTON
47. LED ZEPPELIN – LED ZEPPELIN II
48. DAVE MATTHEWS BAND – CRASH
49. ROLLING STONES – STICKY FINGERS
50. GREEN DAY – DOOKIE
51. LED ZEPPELIN – HOUSES OF THE HOLY
52. JONI MITCHELL – BLUE
53. ELVIS PRESLEY – ELVIS AT SUN
54. AEROSMITH – TOYS IN THE ATTIC
55. LAURYN HILL – MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL
56. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN – BORN IN THE U.S.A.
57. 50 CENT – GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’
58. AC/DC – HIGHWAY TO HELL
59. NOTORIOUS B.I.G. – LIFE AFTER DEATH
60. VAN HALEN – VAN HALEN
61. GREEN DAY – AMERICAN IDIOT
62. BLACK SABBATH – PARANOID
63. EMINEM – EMINEM SHOW
64. JEWEL – PIECES OF YOU
65. COLDPLAY – RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD
66. MEATLOAF – BAT OUT OF HELL
67. USHER – CONFESSIONS
68. KID ROCK – DEVIL WITHOUT A CAUSE
69. GEORGE HARRISON – ALL THINGS MUST PASS
70. BILLY JOEL – STRANGER
71. EAGLES – HELL FREEZES OVER
72. VAN MORRISON – MOONDANCE
73. REM – AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE
74. PHIL COLLINS – NO JACKET REQUIRED
75. METALLICA – MASTER OF PUPPETS
76. FAITH HILL – BREATHE
77. JOHNNY CASH – AT FOLSOM PRISON
78. JOHN COLTRANE – LOVE SUPREME
79. PINK FLOYD – WISH YOU WERE HERE
80. MICHAEL JACKSON – OFF THE WALL
81. MARVIN GAYE – LET’S GET IT ON
82. BOB SEGER – NIGHT MOVES
83. PAUL SIMON – GRACELAND
84. LINKIN PARK – HYBRID THEORY
85. PRINCE – 1999
86. DEF LEPPARD – PYROMANIA
87. JANET JACKSON – CONTROL
88. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK
89. DIRE STRAITS – BROTHERS IN ARMS
90. TUPAC – ALL EYEZ ON ME
91. MATCHBOX TWENTY – YOURSELF OR SOMEONE LIKE YOU
92. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – CALIFORNICATION
93. LED ZEPPELIN – PHYSICAL GRAFFITI
94. NELLY – COUNTRY GRAMMAR
95. CREED – HUMAN CLAY
96. CLASH – LONDON CALLING
97. CELINE DION – FALLING INTO YOU
98. NEIL YOUNG – HARVEST
99. SOUNDTRACK – DIRTY DANCING
100. DIXIE CHICKS – HOME
101. TOM PETTY – FULL MOON FEVER
102. VAN HALEN – 1984
103. SOUNDTRACK – TITANIC
104. CROSBY STILLS & NASH – DÉJÀ VU
105. TLC – CRAZYSEXYCOOL
106. BECK – ODELAY
107. KENNY G – BREATHLESS
108. NWA. – STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
109. SEX PISTOLS – NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS
110. BEATLES – RUBBER SOUL
111. RADIOHEAD – O.K. COMPUTER
112. SIMON & GARFUNKEL – BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
113. DIXIE CHICKS – FLY
114. METALLICA – AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
115. MICHAEL JACKSON – DANGEROUS
116. MARIAH CAREY – DAYDREAM
117. SOUNDTRACK – TOP GUN
118. ELTON JOHN – GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
119. POLICE – SYNCHRONICITY
120. NO DOUBT – TRAGIC KINGDOM
121. ROLLING STONES – BEGGAR’S BANQUET
122. R KELLY – R
123. TOOL – LATERALUS
124. OASIS – WHAT’S THE STORY MORNING GLORY
125. BOB MARLEY – EXODUS
126. JOURNEY – ESCAPE
127. CHRISTINA AGUILERA – CHRISTINA AGUILERA
128. JAY-Z – BLUEPRINT
129. ALICIA KEYS – DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS
130. SOUNDTRACK – O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?
131. CARS – CARS
132. ENYA – DAY WITHOUT RAIN
133. NATALIE COLE – UNFORGETTABLE WITH LOVE NATALIE COLE
134. SOUNDTRACK – FOOTLOOSE
135. LIONEL RICHIE – CAN’T SLOW DOWN
136. SARAH MCLACHLAN – SURFACING
137. BONNIE RAITT – NICK OF TIME
138. METALLICA – RIDE THE LIGHTNING
139. SHERYL CROW – TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB
140. FRANK SINATRA – IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS
141. EARTH WIND FIRE – GRATITUDE
142. ZZ TOP – ELIMINATOR
143. WILLIE NELSON – RED HEADED STRANGER
144. JOHN LENNON – IMAGINE
145. TONI BRAXTON – TONI BRAXTON
146. ETTA JAMES – AT LAST
147. ELVIS PRESLEY – ELVIS PRESLEY
148. CAT STEVENS – TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN
149. SMASHING PUMPKINS – MELLON COLLIE & THE INFINITE SADNESS
150. DAVE BRUBECK – TIME OUT
151. JANET JACKSON – JANET
152. QUEEN – A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
153. OZZY OSBOURNE – BLIZZARD OF OZZ
154. WILL SMITH – BIG WILLIE STYLE
155. PRINCE – SIGN OF THE TIMES
156. PUBLIC ENEMY – IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK
157. BOB DYLAN – BLOOD ON THE TRACKS
158. GEORGE MICHAEL – FAITH
159. BOYZ II MEN – COOLEYHIGHHARMONY
160. DESTINY’S CHILD – WRITING’S ON THE WALL
161. JAY-Z – BLACK ALBUM
162. AVRIL LAVIGNE – LET GO
163. FUGEES – SCORE
164. MADONNA – LIKE A VIRGIN
165. LED ZEPPELIN – LED ZEPPELIN
166. STEVIE RAY VAUGHN – TEXAS FLOOD
167. STONE TEMPLE PILOTS – CORE
168. ORIGINAL CAST – PHANTOM OF THE OPERA HIGHLIGHTS
169. JETHRO TULL – AQUALUNG
170. TUPAC – ME AGAINST THE WORLD
171. DAVID BOWIE – RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST
172. SHAKIRA – LAUNDRY SERVICE
173. SOUNDTRACK – FORREST GUMP
174. AL GREEN – CALL ME
175. CURTIS MAYFIELD – SUPERFLY
176. LIVE – THROWING COPPER
177. GEORGE BENSON – BREEZIN’
178. WHITE STRIPES – WHITE BLOOD CELLS
179. LYNYRD SKYNYRD – PRONOUNCED LEH-NERD SKIN-ERD
180. SADE – DIAMOND LIFE
181. FLEETWOOD MAC – FLEETWOOD MAC
182. PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS – BAND ON THE RUN
183. BEYONCE – DANGEROUSLY IN LOVE
184. ANITA BAKER – RAPTURE
185. NAS – IIIMATIC
186. BARBRA STREISAND – A STAR IS BORN
187. EARTH WIND FIRE – THAT’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD
188. ANITA BAKER – RHYTHM OF LOVE
189. JAY-Z – IN MY LIFETIME VOL 1
190. LL COOL J – MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT
191. STEELY DAN – AJA
192. WILLIE NELSON – STARDUST
193. ARETHA FRANKLIN – SPARKLE
194. ANDREA BOCELLI – ANDREA
195. BOB DYLAN – BRINGING IT ALL BACK HOME
196. LUTHER VANDROSS – NEVER TOO MUCH
197. U2 – ALL THAT YOU CAN’T LEAVE BEHIND
198. RUSH – 2112
199. OUTKAST – AQUEMINI
200. GRAND FUNK RAILROAD – WE’RE AN AMERICAN BAND


I have to say that I don't agree with some of the selections and ranking order; some of them left me scratching my head - Avril? Shania? Forrest Gump's soundtrack? Will Smith - Big Willie Style???? Faith Hill? as classic-must-have-albums? Shania and Santana ranking so high up in the ladder? The fact that Avril and Kenny G were even in the list in the first place makes me think that they have made a serious blunder with the title "Definitive 200". Definitive it is not. Another gripe that I have is that there were more emphasis on American artists - Metallica having 4 albums in the list and Dixie Chicks 3? I love them and all that but 4 albums? Now, on second thoughts, I rather think that I quite like not having that many albums on this list!

(Note: My parents have the Grease soundtrack and I have listened to it countless of times; I have the Led Zeppelins, Pink Floyds and Doors but I rarely listen to them - don't kill me)

How many do you have?

For more info, please visit Definitive 200

Caffeine addiction

Hands up all coffee lovers! I readily and unashamedly admit that I am a coffee lover. I need my cuppa every day or else I feel as if something is missing in my life. I can drink up to three cups a day - but that is hardly a record considering that many others practically live on that stuff!



I have my parents to thank for that! My dad especially needs his caffeine fix everyday without fail - one cup in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night. So we kids followed in our dad's footsteps. Coffee drinking is a family affair - one that I remember with much affection. We would be watching tv or reading book or doing something or another at night (after dinner) when dad will inevitably ask - Anyone wants coffee? Ah......I miss those days. Bonding over coffee.



Coffee culture is fast spreading, thanks to Starbucks and the likes. I know that some of my friends have this self-policy against the green and white coffee chain, but I really don't bother. I have this thing for their white chocolate mocha (hot of course) because it is so creamy...ahhh...But it is also a place for people to gather or for people watching. I know I have much fun watching and eavesdropping on other people's conversation (hey, I can't help it if people talk too loud okay?). I know that back home it is a place to be seen because the chains are always located in some upscale place. The prices are high and to afford it you gotta be reasonably well off (or willing to sacrifice some $$) especially when you can get much cheaper (and nicer) coffee in the kopitiams. I remembered when I went to Coffee Bean in this "high-end" place to get some coffee dressed in just a simple top and jeans and I was on the receiving end of some condescending stares. Why? Because I made the faux pas of NOT dressing up - to get coffee!



Damn....all this coffee talk is making me drool! Ah....kopi ais satu!


(Note: Pictures were taken during birthday and graduation celebrations)

Happy Chap Goh Meh

Yes, I know that I am a bit too late in wishing everyone a Happy Chap Goh Meh. Oh well, lost track of time a bit yesterday. And I also just realised that I had not posted about the Chinese New Year - Year of the Fire Pig. Well, there was nothing to write really about the CNY celebrations here because.....er...nothing happened here. There were no fireworks, no Chinese lanterns and not even a mention of the day itself (there is no Chinatown here). A stark contrast to the Christmas celebration whereby the stores will begin to put up Santa in various poses three months before the actual event. And Christmas isn't even a holiday here!



Anyway, to make up for the lack of festivities here, my friends and I decided to treat ourselves to a nice Chinese dinner in a Chinese restaurant located at Kyoto Station. It is a nice place and the food was not bad. I love the pau there, I miss good ol' pau! I half expected the restaurant to be full seeing that it was the first day of CNY but it was rather empty. After that, we had a little Starbucks and went home. I contemplated throwing oranges into the Kamogawa river for tradition's sake - Chap Goh Meh was such a lovely day here yesterday; the sun was bright and shining and for once, I did not need to wear my heavy winter coat! But I decided against it because for one, oranges are expensive here and therefore should be eaten and not floating along the river and two, I will probably get caught for littering! And the full moon was gorgeous. So here we are at the end of the Chinese New Year celebration and at the brink of a lunar new year. What will it bring?