Our Travelations

Walking Tan Sri in Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia in 2009

This is Tan Sri, my lovely companion for an afternoon stroll at the Langkawi Animal Shelter & Sanctuary Foundation (LASSie). It was  set up to house and rehabilitate unwanted and abused animals. The non-profit centre also runs the Langkawi Island Animal Clinic that aims to sterilise the stray cat population. Staff are made up of volunteers that take care of the daily running of the centre. We ourselves have two lovely dogs, an old but very feisty silky terrier (or terror!) and a young, angelic cocker spaniel. So, we were only too eager to help the centre walk their lovely canines when we were in Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2009.

~ Jeff

Sorry for the delay, guys! It has been very, very busy for us at work this week. Here is Lenscape #4, enjoy!

Esther

Barracudas at Pulau Sipadan, Malaysia in 2009

This is a battery of Sawtooth Barracudas sighted in the waters off the most famous oceanic island in Malaysia, Pulau Sipadan. Sipadan is an atoll that stands some 600m (2,000ft) off the ocean floor in Sabah, east of the major town of Tawau. The island boasts the richest marine habitats as it is situated in the heart of the Indo-Pacific basin. Many diving journals recommend it as one of the top dive destinations in the world. The island is now a protected sanctuary where resorts are no longer allowed to operate. This is so that the natural process of regeneration can take place.  I had actually stayed in one of the resorts on the island during my first visit in 2005.

These barracudas travel in huge shoals, which also sometimes form vortexes to scare off any potential threats coming towards them. However, on the day we encountered them, they  were obviously not threatened at all by us. I took this photo when the barracudas formed an impenetrable wall which cast a shadow on us as we were diving just beneath them. It was like an eclipse that took away the sun’s rays from our sights. Nature is really just awesome.

~ Jeffrey

Morning guys! Here’s Jeff’s first Lenscape photo, enjoy!

Esther

I snapped this at Washington DC in Spring 2007. The weather was great and there were cherry blossoms in DC (Tokyo gave Washington the Japanese cherry trees as a symbol of enhancing their diplomatic relationship in 1912)!

I spotted this old lady in a poorly set-up tentage adorned with several posters and articles. She was holding a quiet demonstration against nuclear weapons. Apparently, this anti-nuclear vigil has been set outside the White House for 24 hours a day since 1981 and is still there today.

(Captured with my lomolito, loaded with Fuji Velvia)

~ Miss Glitzy (glitzy.wordpress.com)

Good Monday, everyone!

Here’s our first guest contribution for the Lenscape series. It’s from the talented Miss Glitzy – I love the colours in the photo.

The lady who holds the protest is apparently also known as The President’s neighbour!

Esther

The Queen Elizabeth 2 at Sydney Harbour in 2006

The Queen Elizabeth 2, or more commonly referred to as the QE2, is a legendary cruise ship, formerly operated by Cunard. Many of our grandmothers and grandfathers would have lovely memories of cruising and holidaying on this fine ship. In May 1982, she took part in the Falklands War. She carried 3,000 troops and 650 volunteer crew to the south Atlantic. The ship was retired from service in November 2008. Originally, there were plans to turn the ship into a floating hotel in Dubai, but sadly, her fate still hangs in the air.

I took this photo while waiting for the train in Sydney in 2006. I was with my family and we were visiting relatives. It was a clear and sunny day, perfect to greet this majestic ship. Everyone was talking about her and the whole city was abuzz with excitement. But for me, this photo, taken through the windows of the station, showed her gracefulness, even in her giant-ness.

~ Esther

It’s a Manic Monday here in Singapore!

Last night, while winding down and trying to savour the last of the weekend peace, we came up with a cheer-me-up idea. Well, at least we think so.

We present to you our Lenscape series!

Every Monday, we’ll post a photo from our travels – something for all of us to reminisce about, to dream about or better still, as an inspiration to start making plans for that next travel experience.

What will we feature next Monday? Tune in to find out!

Or join us! Send us an interesting picture of your travels (with a detailed description, of course) and we’ll feature it.

Jeffrey & Esther