Architecture that brings Solar into the Landscape

This is interesting and challenging at the same time.

For the architects and landscapers with 'green tint' at the back of their mind, it would be interesting to find out if solar energy and energy efficiency can blend well with beautiful architecture. Folks at Spotlight Solar came up with this idea.

Likely applications

Suitable for commercial and public properties of many kinds - schools, science museums, city halls - these unique products help in differentiating system integrators services and brand. They could dramatically elevate the visibility of your buildings.


'Curve' offers striking and functional design. It is fresh and inviting, bending toward the sun and visitors.


'Lift' design offers flexibility and dynamic look.





Also a great idea for landscape design.

They build structures that complement other energy projects, adding reputation value to the ROI on green building investments. By making solar more visible and attractive, they hope to accelerate the adoption of solar energy.

The Green Mechanics: Put solar panels where people can see them. And like them.


Source: Spotlight Solar, http://www.spotlightsolar.com. All photos are shared from their website.

Unique and beautiful tree in Kota Belud

On your way up north to Kota Belud (the town of the 'Eastern Cowboys'), look out for a big but not-so-tall rain forest tree by the road side as you approach Kg Kelawat.

The locals have stories to tell about this tree but we couldn't confirm or verify if they are legend, myth or just a bedtime story. The umbrella-shape tree was captured by a niece of mine who stays not far away from this tree and I have the permission to publish the pics.







Looks green; unfortunately those leaves don't belong to the tree. They are parasites.



Sense of size? Maybe she should be standing next to the tree


Happy Labour Day from TheGreenMechanics. That'd be tomorrow.

Sunset at Tanjung Aru beach, Kota Kinabalu

Take sometime off during good weather and if you are lucky, you will be able to see the sun 'sinking' slowly into South China Sea. While the sun actually move in a slow motion, you find yourself running out of time. You realised that you were not actually watching it; you were just hiding behind the camera lens and miss the actions all together.

I have some shots to show, but you can also look at more of them here.


In the mood


Some sort of fiesta going on here?





D90 + Nikkor 18-200mm. Versatile lens but may not be the best glass for shooting this.











So, don't be like me. I capture the whole episode but wasn't actually watching the sunset.

Anyway, this is a must-visit attraction when you are in Kota Kinabalu. We have three beaches and this one (First Beach) is the longest of the three, most equipped, and most visited beach.

Just stone-throw away from the beach is the Perdana Park if you prefer to jog, walk and do a little exercise. It is fully lit and the jogging tracks are comparable to the modern builds elsewhere in the world.

Visit my photo-blog here to see more pics.

Sembulan River Park - A beautification initiative by Kota Kinabalu city

The once neglected river that flows through Sembulan in Kota Kinabalu has now been beautified as part of the City Hall's effort to clean up the area and provide recreational facilities to the city dwellers.

This is the first of a 2-phase project earmarked for Sembulan.


The opening of the River Park was officiated by Datuk Musa Hj Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah on the 24th June 2012.

View towards Sembulan

River side, facing Kg Sembulan

There is a stage suitable for performances. The park is equipped with CCTVs.

View towards Karamunsing, from the stage

Beverly Hotel is facing the river

Other than recreational activities, there are plenty of birds to watch. Just watch out for their droppings

"Bon voyage"

The sensible thing to do next is to restructure the village to rid it of the transient population and give deserving citizens proper basic facilities. It can then become tourist attraction, or at least piece of mind to the folks jogging at this park.

Mount Kinabalu from different perspectives

The older generation believe that Mt Kinabalu is the heart of this land. By heart, they mean the life of the land - if you take it out, this land will destabalise like a driver-less boat, floating aimlessly into the open sea. Anyway, I'll leave it to the folks to tell the story to the young.

Not too long ago, it was taught to be the highest peak in South East Asia but with the emergence of better technology, the highest peak is now known to be somewhere in Indonesia. With this fact known, you still think that Mt Kinabalu is one of the most spectacular looking mountain around.


Scenic view from Mengkabong Bridge, Tuaran



Pekan Nabalu, few kilometres away from the actual location of Mt Kinabalu



Visitors enjoying the spectacular close range view of the mountain at Pekan Nabalu observation deck



Afternoon view from Kasih Sayang Resort, located above Kokol Hill in Menggatal



Wider view from Mengkabong fisherman village located around 60 km away

Sunrise at Donggongon town of Penampang


I've heard that the views from around Kota Belud area are just as magnificent and some say that the best place to get a glimpse of the dangerous cliff is here in this district.

I hope to make a trip there soon.

This Time For TAMPARULI

This year's month long Karamayan Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) will kick off in a small West Coast town of Tamparuli. For several years now the month of May has been officially declared as the State's Harvest Festival celebration month. The beating of gong to commemorate the traditional festival will be on 1st May 2011 at Dewan Tun Hamdan, Tamparuli.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, all pictures in this article were taken by the author himself.

Related opening ceremony which happened on 1st May 2009 in Papar can be viewed here.

Image credit: Sami Bangud, PKR of N11-Kiulu

Picture showing of one of the Walai (traditional dwelling house) constructed to give a brief impression of the kind of shelter our grandparents had in the olden days.

So, lets throng Tamparuli this Sunday and get to witness first hand, not just the celebration but the taste of foods you wouldn't find elsewhere, the culture and especially the warm welcome and friendship you will feel as you walk among the folks.

Let's revisit some of the images I personally captured about Tamparuli:

Bukit Ruhiang (some call it Bukit Prahu):  The World Class Paragliding - Sabah Malaysian Borneo XC 2010 competition was held here in June 2010. Note the tiny size para-gliders waiting to be flagged off.



"Digital age":  A man in traditional costume taking picture of the crowd during the World Class Paragliding - Sabah Malaysian Borneo at Tamparuli Tamu  ground.





" Sebenrnya ramai juga saudara-mara saya di Tamparuli in..", Datuk Masidi Manjun - Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Sabah as he officiated the World Class Paragliding in Tamparuli.



"Satu kilo dua ringgit saja."  Scene of Tamu traders negotiating sale of Langsat

The two bridges of  Tamparuli. Remember the song Jambatan Tamparuli?

Tamparuli Tamu  ground. The weekly bazaar is on Wednesday. The hill at the background is Bukit Ruhiang, the highly potential take-off spot for paragliding enthusiasts.





Sun setting behind oncoming rain, seen from Jalan Ranau, Kg. Minangkob Tamparuli.




Mount Kinabalu viewed from Pekan Nabalu, Tamparuli. If you are travelling to Ranau, Sandakan and Tawau, don't forget to spend sometime to enjoy the spectacular view of the South East Asia's tallast mountain from this location.


**Picture on page top: Unduk Ngadau 2010, Miss Crystal Eve Huminodun (middle) is flanked by 1st runner up Miss Rochelle Fayrenie (left) and 2nd runner up Miss Lydia John Alai (right)**

The TOWERS - a Second Chance

"It's 7.01pm by my watch..."

I shot these iconic towers not too long ago during year-end holiday with my family. It was somewhat touch-and-go kind of result, a.k.a not very impressive.

To say that I did not have long enough time to get some decent shots would be too lame an excuse. I guess it was a combination of many things such as lack of experience, creativity, time, weather and equipment that caused this sort of stuff.

When you are travelling with certain kind of itinerary - with photography being low on the pecking order - I guess a compromised pictures quality has to be deemed acceptable. Luck plays quite a big role especially when travelling during wet season.

A second chance? Yes! Especially when we are talking about paying another visit to these spots later this month. Later this week, to be exact.

For me this should be a very good opportunity to better my personal achievement since 3 months ago. Fingers crossed that I'd be blessed with fine weather, and with some inspiration from fellow shooters hopefully I can achieve something more decent.

The less popular Maxis Tower beside Petronas Twin Towers

Kuala Lumpur Tower is essentially a communication pole.

Panoramic view the national capital from KL Tower

When it is hazy, you would not get the view you are after.

Alternative view of the famous Twin Towers.

Evening fountain at KLCC.

Without tripod, you have to crank up the ISO to something like 3200 to get a reasonably usable image.

Better Way to Unleash "That Talent"..?

 A lot of people in Kota Kinabalu are very talented and we have lots of youngsters (and not discounting the older ones) who are very good at "painting" our walls with graffiti.

Mention public or paid washrooms at shopping malls and gross graffiti immediately comes to mind. Go on, check out some toilets at Centre Point Sabah, Wisma Merdeka, especially male toilets, and get entertained with scribbles, sketches, and fancy hand written arty expressions; mostly vulgar words.

I like the efforts by some street artists turning the appearance of the ruins of the old North Borneo Land and Survey building into something more pleasing to the eyes. Stroll along Standard Chartered Bank building towards Tong Hing and you will not miss the sight.

Built in 1910s the wooden building was destroyed by fire in 1992. It remained abandoned until today and in the middle of a developing city it is an eyesore to the passers by.

Look at it today, the remaining columns are interestingly painted and decorated. Subjects of painting is up to the talents. They have messages of their own. I was parked the other day and it so happened that few young people were busy doing what they do best. Great sight.





The building skeletons viewed from Suria Sabah

ms. tweety on the floor

"The facets of misery goes beyond human skin" - interesting caption.

  

Spray painter should at least wear mask, such as him.

"I Love My Antu gonie"




If you ask me whether I've asked for their permission to take their pictures, yes I kindly requested.

Me : Bro, boleh saya ambil gambar kau kah?

Him: Boleh bah, ambik saja.
Me: Great work here! Kamu kena kasi bayarankah buat lukisan banyak ni?
Him: Teda, kami saja2 bah ni buat. Ramai lagi org yg lain buat.

Me : Oo bah, trima kasih aah (kemudian beredar balik kereta).