The above photo was shot at night in Bangla Street during my recent travel to Patong Beach, Phuket Island. “Pardon me!” I know what you guys are looking at! Try not to be predominated by those ladyboys on podium dancing! Try focusing on how they moved their bodies, touched their bodies and how they were dressed…. “Oops! S**t! What am I talking about!! Sorry sorry… Ok ok. Forgive me ladyboys… Let’s come back to the subject. This nightlife scene was photographed under available light, using my cheapo D60 with Nikkor 35mm f1.8 fixed on, shot at 1/60s shutter speed with f1.8 aperture and at ISO 800 (Click the above photo to view at bigger size with still acceptable picture noise level). The essence of this photo is the ability of the lens to capture enough ambient lighting with reasonably fast shutter speed to freeze some ladyboys’ movement sufficiently while still knowing that they are dancing. This will not be achieved by using a kit lens or Nikkor 18-200mm superzoom lens where f-number for the same 35mm viewing angle would be at most f-4 and it shall need at least 1/15 second to capture the same amount of light at ISO800. 1/15second is just too slow to freeze any motion at all. Not even your own hand shake!

we know for action photo, we need at least a lens with wider open aperture in order to capture the same scene with faster shutter speed to freeze the motion. That’s why sport journalists require at least a f2.8 fast telephoto lens to capture sportmen in action. However, fast lens normally means expensive lens! A f2.8 lens normally would cost over USD500 be it either Nikkor or Canon, fixed lens or zoom lens. This was true until the release of Nikkor 35mm f1.8G AF-S DX. Selling hot at only USD200 (RM800 in Malaysia), Nikkor 35mm f1.8G AF-S DX is currently the cheapest and fastest DX lens in the market with silent waved auto focus motor attached. With autofocus capabiliy, this little baby can be used and best be attached with either a D60,D3000 or D5000 entry level body. This combo could deliver everything you need for your travel photography except for really wide angle landscape shots.

Is it the only way to capture a nice ladyboys action scene at night with reasonable picture noise? Off course not. You could also shoot with a standard kit lens at f4 aperture and 1/60s shutter speed but, make sure to attach it to a Nikon D3x body (costs around USD8000) and set sensor sensibility to ISO6400!! So the choice is yours…. I chose the earlier. – Travel Feeder.

The above photo was captured with Nikon D60 and Nikkor 35mm f1.8

Read More From These Related Post:

• Am I Ready To Fly To Phuket Tomorrow? (7)
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• Superduper Shallow Depth Of Field Of Nikkor 35mm f1.8 Lense (3)

As tourism board of Malaysia’s slogan says, “Malaysia, Truly Asia”. Malaysia’s multiculturism due to its complex population structure where Malays, Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups of people live together peacefully and happily, has led to many exciting cultural festival and events held all over Malaysia throughout the year. Not to mention those mouth watering multi-cuisine foods that you can find here.

Same with that is our popular travel destination where travellrs could simply find everything they like to see, do, and explore in a tropical country from highland cooling hideaways, deep tropical rainforest exploration, clear and calm sea snorkelling and scuba diving to crazy madly clubbing and shopping.

Similar to that again is its tropical weather where sunshine, hot temperature with showers could be expected throughout the year, Malaysian people are warm, friendly with smiles on their faces throughout the year.

Among the Top 10 Travel Destinations in Malaysia that travellers must go are:

1. Penang – Mostly populated by chinese community, travellers could find incence and temples everywhere in Penang. The ‘must-do” items includes trying out full varieties of our local foods, site seeing world heritage architechtures, sun-bathing at the beautiful Batu Ferringhi beach as well as exploring the ’spicy’ little Indian street;
   
2. Cameron Highland – The hinterland at highland where you can visit tea plantations in the cool air, sipping tea at cafes, viewing flowers and cactus plantation, as well as trying our local steamboat lunch and dinner. You can also play a round of golf there too;
   
3. Taman Negara – With the thick rainforest surounding you, try jungle trekking, tracking elephants with your leech-proof boots. kayaking and overnight at Kenyir Lake. Fishing and exploring the National Park at Endao Rompin;
   
4. Pulau Redang, Perhentian, Kapas or Tioman – These east coastal islands are best for snorkelling, scuba diving, photographing live corals and sunsetting! You can also witness turtles laying eggs at sea shore if you are lucky;
   
5. Sarawak and Sabah – Climb the massive Mt. Kinabalu, visit the mythical Borneo where you can see wild orang-utans and off course, taste plenty of fresh and cheap seafoods! Off the shore of Tawau is the famous Sipadan “scuba diving heaven” Island;
   
6. Melaka – The historical city with many ancient architectures and cultures herited from the Portugese, Netherland and Spanish. Travellers could learn more on the local Papa and Nyonya community;
   
7. Langkawi – Big island with all sorts of activities to explore includes the Eagle Square, grand Perdana gallery of art by our previous premier, Tun Dr. Mahathir;
   
8. Kuala Lumpur – The capital city of Malaysia. The heaven for entertainment, shopping, drinking, and people watching. Travelers need at least 3 days to visit tourists spots such as the Petronas Twin Tower, Batu Caves, Tasek Perdana with Birds Park, Orchid Garden, museum, zoo, royal palace, chinese temples etc;
   
9. Putrajaya – A new government administrative district where you could visit the lake, botanic garden, mosque and also to appreciate the grand architectures with nine bridges reaching the district surrounded by a manmade river (or canal?), and
   
10. Genting Highland – Need me say more? The 1-stop entertainment, hotels and the only casino in Malaysia, all on top of a mountain over 5,00o feets from sea water level.

All above photos are extracted from Tourism Malaysia website, the Malaysian official tourism promotion board. Visit Tourism Malaysia for more information on travelling to Malaysia. So, what are you waiting for? Come to Malaysia to enjoy your life here! I’m waiting for YOU… – Travel Feeder.

Read More From These Related Post:

• Travel By Photo – LingShan Grand Buddha in WuXi China (4)
• Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best Value Destination To Visit In 2010 – Malaysia Is In! (4)
• Strictly For Ladies! Freshwater Cultured Pearl Factory, Wuxi (2)
• Travel Snapshot – Taihu Lake Water Beer of WuXi (3)
• Travel By Photo – Three Kingdom City, Wuxi (6)

Recently on the 2nd of November, Lonely Planet released its latest issue of Best In Travel 2010 guide and various top 10’s of different categories were published. Among them are the Top 10 Best Value Destination to Visit In Year 2010, Top 10 Countries To Visit in 2010, Top 10 Cities and Top 10 Regions of the world to visit in year 2010.

Off course, what most unexpected while inspiring is my beloved country, Malaysia, is in! Malaysia is selected by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Best Value destination for travelers to visit in year 2010 ! Hurray!  Lonely Planet, the publisher from UK, in its Best In Travel 2010 guide, said Malaysia “is a clever choice for travellers on the lookout for a bargain”.

I’m so excited and wish to introduce briefly my country, Malaysia, to whoever hasn’t or wish to come here. Malaysia is a multi racial nation with Malay, Chinese and Indian as 3 major ethnic groups among others, and they live very well together in a peaceful environment. Moreover, our current premier initiated “1 Malaysia” concept recently which will further harmonize our population.

Malaysia is a tropical country with rain forest covering majorities of our lands. It is separated into West and East Malaysia. They are peninsular with seas surrounding them. So travelers could find beautiful beaches all over Malaysia as well as rainforests and highlands. However, modern metropolitan living and environment could always be found in most major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Ipoh and Johor Bahru. Since Malaysia tropical weather is hot with plenty of rainfall, bright sunshine is throughout the year. Off course, local people are friendly, helpful and cheerful, just like me! Catch Travel Feeder after this for the Top 10 Places To Go In Malaysia…. subscribe my feeds now!

Some of the lists of Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel 2010 Guide are below:

Top 10 Best Value Destination (Alphabetic ordered)

1. Bulgaria;
2. Kenya;
3. Iceland;
4. India;
5. Las Vegas;
6. London;
7. Malaysia;
8. Mexico;
9. South Africa, and
10. Thailand

Top 10 Countries To visit in 2010

1. El Salvador,
2. Germany,
3. Greece,
4. Malaysia,
5. Morocco,
6. Nepal,
7. New Zealand,
8. Portugal,
9. Suriname, and
10. The United States.

Top 10 Cities To Visit in 2010

1. Abu Dhabi,
2. Charleston (South Carolina),
3. Cork (Ireland),
4. Cuenca (Ecuador),
5. Istanbul,
6. Kyoto (Japan),
7. Lecce (Italy),
8. Sarajevo,
9. Singapore, and
10. Vancouver (Canada).

Bali is also among the Top 10 Regions to visit in year 2010! Is your country or city in the list? – Travel Feeder.

Read More From These Related Post:

• Top 10 Places To Visit In Malaysia (0)
• Strictly For Ladies! Freshwater Cultured Pearl Factory, Wuxi (2)
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(Above display shows “The legend of Pearl”). One of the most coveted gems or ornament for ladies, pearls are round shaped gems of various sizes without blemish and with high sheen or luster. They are normally made into a necklace with string of pearls or pearls in combination with other gemstones like rubies or diamonds. Pearls are categorised into 2 types by its origin, natural and cultured pearl. Pearls are an organic gem produced by mollusks, oyster, mussels, conch and abalone. They are normally in whitish colour with some tint of pink, cream or silver except fresh water cultured pearl which would have more colour choices.

Natural pearls are created in mollusks. They create pearls to protect themselves from sand, parasites and other minute foreign objects. These natural pearls are mostly found in the Persian Gulf and are referred to as oriental pearls. Natural salt-water pearls are among the most coveted in the world but have virtually ceased to exist due to pollution and lack of natural supply. On the other hand, cultured pearl growing began with a patented process invented by Kokichi Mikimoto, the founder of Mikimoto and Company, one of the world’s finest pearl growers and sellers. A bead is surgically planted in Akoya oysters to create the irritant that causes oysters to create a pearl. The oysters are then put back in the sea enclosed in baskets. They stay in the baskets from one to three years to produce sizable pearls with sufficient sheen.

Cultured pearls cultivated in Taihu Lake of Wuxi are of freshwater type produced by mollusks. They can be grown in a variety of colors including pink, orange, mauve and golden colors and are usually smaller in size. Their shapes vary from round, baroque, button shaped, drop shapes and irregular shapes.

As usual, when we arrived at the pearl factory in Wuxi, we were brought to a counter where the manager showed us how pearls are getting out from an oyster in seconds. The below photos showed the sequence…

Opening up an oyster with ordinary knife…

… scoop out plenty of pearls from only one oyster…

… then start scooping in money, left with a dying oyster.

After that, it’s our free time to shop around and sales persons approched us from all angles! Strings of pearls were laid and displayed in front of us. As usual again, like the rest of the other factories visit which I considered them as travel hoaxes, we had to wait for others if we were not interested in pearls… I mean interested in buying pearls! The tour guide would tell you this: “Take your time, our VIP, your lunch later would be at the grand restaurant.. upstair only!” No where to run!

All kinds of pearl ornamentations are displayed on the counters to attract you. They will tell you how good quality are their pearls but never told you they are cultivated fresh water pearls which are normally cheaper…

Other than jewelries made from pearls, they sell cosmetics produced with pearl powder as well. We bought some pearl powders as Chinese medication believe that it could heal fever or at least reduce heat of children. My wife and sister bought some pearl day and night facial cream as well! In order to have a better lunch, my niece bought a pendent! Haha…

I’m no expert in pearls. I can’t even differentiate whether they are considered as high or low quality or value. So I posted some photos here for you ladies to judge whether Wuxi Taihu Lake Pearls are what you think good or bad pieces of feminine beloved ornamental gems….

Statisfied, ladies?

This was our last destination in Wuxi. We left Wuxi after our lunch (Thanks, our fellow tour members. Because you spent enough money on pearls, we had a good lunch there!) and travelled back to our first city of our packaged tour, Shanghai. If you love this story, subscribe to my RSS feeds for more free updated stories of my trip to China. – Travel Feeder.

All photos above were captured with Panasonic Lumix FZ28

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For me, there isn’t any problem to try all these different beers for each meal. I think it was some kind of drinking experience to be able to taste some of the local beers in 5 different cities in China! In fact, on top of that, I spotted 3 more different beers in HangZhou when my wife and I went out for our dumpling supper at one of the local shop. There were 3 brands of local beer selling at RMB3, RMB5 and RMB8 for one Big bottle! To be safe (viewing at the price), we tried the 5 bucks option which was actually not too bad!

The above local beer was served in our lunch at Wuxi, China. From the label it read as HuaLun Brand iced beer brewed with Taihu Lake water nearby! Only found in Wuxi! We also tried beers made with Xihu Lake water during our stay in Hangzhou as well! TsingTao Beer is considered as upper-class international brewery in China and we also managed to tried their iced beer in Shanghai (which I can’t find any here…). – Travel Feeder.

The above photo was captured with Panasonic Lumix FZ28

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