Hari Raya 2008

This is a long overdue entry.

Last October, almost on the spur of the moment, I decided to pay a visit to the PM's national Hari Raya Open House at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

Some of the usual suspects did not go home for the week-long break, so we thought it would be a good idea to do something none of us had done before. As Adrian said, "I was already wanting to go, but wondering whom to go with."


The day began with breakfast at SS2 with Melanie, Adrian and Ai Wei. We saw some people wearing 'Free RPK' T-shirts.


Out of our pyjamas and into fancier outfits, we were ready to go!

(I'm not so sure about the cat, though.)


We met up in McDonald's The Mall and, after some introductions and run-ins with the Hindraf contingent, we got ourselves into the PWTC.


Li Ern and the Ferrari (on display?).


It was very crowded!


Apparently my idea of killing time with T.S. Eliot didn't go down too well with the rest of the company.

I'm not too sure if it was all worth it, but it was certainly an experience not to be forgotten. 'A' was shorter, and 'N' colder, than expected. 'H' was just right, and with his wife gave the guests a very warm welcome at the end of the line.

Kaun and I had some fun on the 'dance' floor.


Tim and I looking very touristy, deciding what to do after our visit to the Open House.


We eventually settled on the Lake Gardens. We decided to scrap the Bird Park idea (cost and lack of time) and started off at the National Monument (Tugu Negara).


The entrance was lined with shady palms which lent themselves very well to some photography.


Naturally, a few jump photos ensued... this might be considered to be our reinterpretation of the Merdeka joy.


At some point in the day, Tim and I discussed bird photography. I suggested that birds need not always be shot with telephoto lenses (Frans Lanting's amazing albatross portfolio comes to mind), but little did we know that the Lake Gardens would provide the perfect opportunity to do so.


Tim Cheng. D40 with 17-50mm lens (25.5-75mm equivalent in 35mm).


My shot (no pun intended) at the geese with a digital compact at 35mm equivalent.


I like this one.


Gorillapod in action.


Kaun and I rekindling some childhood memories.

Has the park grown smaller, or have we grown bigger? *wink*


The day ended for the five of us at the Sri Rampai apartments in Setapak, having dinner in the neighbourhood and crashing Kaun's house.