Posted by leonardus on September 8, 2008
It started terribly as I missed the flight to Melbourne, which then costed me extra bucks to change my connecting flight to Sidney. Fortunately, after a crash course in austral-english with the Virginblue operator, I managed to step my foot on the most favorite city by immigrants, called Sidney.
Within the next three days, I was busy shooting the opera house from various angle … trying hard to find a spot where a never-before picture has ever been taken. Truly, I ended up in vain.
Posted by leonardus on August 31, 2008
When the gates of hell are opened, it is time for the spirits to descend upon the earth and to live among the believers. On the seventh month of lunar year for Taoists, strict rules has passed down to generations: no wedding allowed, no moving house allowed, not even swimming. Performances like Chinese operas and getai show bloom overnight in every street corner of Singapore to entertain the living and the dead. On the other scene, people burns incense sticks to ward off evil spirits, while food are offered to appease the hungry ghost.
During this period if you see candles and joss stick are lit around the streets, do not turn back at night when someone calls out your name.
Posted by leonardus on August 15, 2008
Weekend was coming and there was nothing much to aim for until a friend called and asked me to cover a live musical concert for a local media in Jakarta. There was many talks about this concert, which is claimed as the biggest one in South East Asia. Well, the line up looked promising with some big names like Alicia Keys, Pussycat Dolls, Travis, One Republic, Jason Mraz, Simple Plan, Panic at the Studio, and so on. My reply to her is a clear crystal YESS, opportunity to be positioned under the shaking hips of Pussycat Dolls is something that no straight guys would be able to resist.
And there I goes covering Singfest 2008, squeezing to be the first inside the photographers’ pit, fighting with the rests for the best angle and the perfect shots, the most salable moment for tomorrow headlines.
And what was my rating? Travis is the most impressive with his classy performance. Alicia has great vocal and giant bodyguards, but unfortunately not my type. Rick Astley was simply forgettable, an alien out of nowhere that no one could care less. And as expected, Pussycat Dolls was the real highlight, waking up the whole crowds and the green grass of Fort Canning Park (that was the only period that my “continuous drive” mode is ON).
Spending two nights under heavy loudspeaker was enough to break my nerve and knock me down for the day after. I was really tired … and missing her.
Posted by leonardus on August 11, 2008
I can’t remember exactly how many times I have passed this city, the last one was back in 2002. Not much has changed ever since but further development in Ao Nang made this area more crowded with souvenir shops. And this is what interests my girlfriend more than anything else.
Little amusement can be found here, except this is the transit point to other popular destinations nearby like Phi Phi island, Phra Nang, or Phuket.
Posted by leonardus on July 30, 2008
As the hype of New York is made famous by the scene on “Sex in the City” the movie; the heart of Kuala Lumpur is made infamous by another sex scandal. This time, it involves its Deputy PM who plays against the old actor, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. To make it simple, the drama is nothing but “a murder case of a Mongolian mistress” versus “a sodomy case on personal aide”. Just as dirty as how its capital called (lumpur means mud in Malay), sex and politic are the real deal in Malaysia and those who dares to speak out against the odds have gone missing, unreachable. No one in the country is really sure what is right from wrong; even God will easily get sick of it.
The saga continues; but business as usual in Kuala Lumpur.
Posted by leonardus on July 20, 2008
It was late midnight, when all heads were pointing to the sky and all eyes were focusing to a breath-taking real human puppet show. Every single movement never stopped to wow the crowds and every single second offered a whole new viewing experience. Brought by Studio Festi of Italy; its well-choreographed music, dance, story, and lighting were something you will want to see not once; but more.
Nothing challenges me more than capturing this dance show in well-composed photographs. Out of hundreds takings, only a handful is worth-showing.
Posted by leonardus on July 4, 2008
The day Barrack Obama claimed his victory in Democratic presidential candidate, the world’s largest democracy is right on his way for a true change. And if the change does happen (in as early as next January), the world’s political map will be greatly affected … and be corrected.
Today is 4th July, this is just another day (except that it is the last chance for Americans to commemorate its independence under the disastrous Bush administration).
Posted by leonardus on June 22, 2008
The first thing we did when we arrived in Penang was simply to refill our empty stomach, after a tiring 10 hours bus ride from Singapore. Ranging from Penang laksa, mie siam, wantan noodle, up to the famous bak kut teh … Penang has so much to choose to satisfy our taste buds.
Within two days, I took pictures from various attractive spots including the long waited visit on the Penang Hill. In this island, let your nose and eyes guide you along …
Posted by leonardus on June 9, 2008
I was crossing the Millenium Bridge of London when I noticed a tall chimney out a building, so called The Tate Modern. What is written inside the Lonely Planet was not so attractive that I don’t really expect so much from this museum. But by the time I step inside the main hall, it was a jaws-dropping experience. This simple yet grande art installation, which is called The Crack, has so much to offer to human imagination.
An art it may be for Londoners, a disaster it is for the people of Sichuan in China. On May 2008, a quake measured at 8.3 at richter scales shocked much of China causing more than 50,000 lives. And the crack of London is simply a gentle reminder of how volatile the earth could be (at least to my imagination).
Posted by leonardus on May 25, 2008
By the time John Terry’s penalty kick hit the bar, the fate of Manchester United has been decided and the title of European Champions 2008 is once again back to Old Trafford. Fifty years after the Munich disaster, the soul of Sir Matt Busby may probably linger in the Luzhniki Stadium, bringing the Lady Luck alongside his successor, Sir Alex Ferguson. It was not really a great performance by United but surely enough to finish the game with triumph.
For decades, United fans recognize George Best as the ultimate legendary winger of all-time. There has been a saying: “Maradonna Good, Pele Better, George Best”. From now on, it will continue with: “Ronaldo Perfect”.
