I remember I drew the same thing I was very young and gave it to some girl in class. I must be K2 or Primary 1. I still remember her name, because some HK celebrity has the same name. But it can’t be her:P

Lines!! I love lines.

She’s the funny auntie. Every wedding should have one like her. It livens up the day!

I found the patterns on the groom’s vest and bride’s cheongsam looking very interesting and line right in the middle makes them a pair. Lines again!

Left: Bruce Lee was here. Right: They just happen to be there.

Ribbon = A, hands = V. That’s how I saw it.

One of her friends was saying… “the scalloping” of the dress. Now that’s a delicious way of describing a dress.

You can view the more images in the slideshow here.

A post lasik dive trip. Why not? I went through my calendar and found a 2 week break that fit nicely into my schedule, so I had them blocked and sent a couple of emails to my contact at Twofish Divers. This will be my fourth time there and my second this year. I’m a little like a whale on migration, always going back to the same area year after year.

Just over less than a year, so much has changed here. I was greeted by many new faces, who would after this trip, become familiar faces that I hope to see again soon. Their way of life intrigued me. It seems like the digital revolution hasn’t really hit them yet. Life revolves around family, the sea and music. Almost every night, they will be singing and playing their homemade instruments. Merry making till the last guests turn in at about 9pm. After which some of them will stay back to have a game of chess or watch english dubbed chinese kungfu movies. I didn’t seem to notice all these ongoings in my previous trips. I knew enjoying the experience is going to be of higher priority over photography this time.

I am happy I learned something new this trip. A change in approach and mentality.

Overall, it was a great trip. A trip that offered me more questions than answers. I am already looking forward to the next trip.

Click the image above to view slideshow

Here’s one from a wedding I did last month. Scroll to the end to view the slideshow. Enjoy:)

Their golden retriever is super duper cute and furry! Super manja also.

The wedding cake through the glass:D

It started with glasses. Gotta love this wedding.

You can view the rest of the images in the slideshow here.

Having had some good experiences with Two Fish Divers in the last trip, I decided to go with them again. A couple of email exchanges and the trip was fixed. Before I know it, I was back in that familiar port of Bitung and hopped onto the little boat that ferried me across the straits to the resort. The place had since changed abit, most noticeably the new restaurant/dining area, refurbished office areas plus some tidy landscaping. Nothing too posh nor fanciful about it, but that’s the way I like it, feels like home.

The underwater landscape of Lembeh straits is a little like Hongkong. Rustic, compact and you need a good local guide to seek out the “delicacies” you are looking for. The guides are unbelievably good at finding these well camouflaged creatures in the murky waters, at times, no bigger than a centimeter in length. We often joked that they must’ve had an aquarium somewhere and they’ll put the creatures in their pockets before the dives.

On the first day, I decided I should take the Nitrox course, so I could stay a little longer underwater without going into decompression when there’s a need to. It was a relatively straightforward 1 day course that was conducted by Helen, the resident dive instructor. This was also a good preparation for the coming dive in Malapascua in Philippines, where we might be staying a little longer and deeper to wait for the Thresher sharks.

The best part about traveling alone is you tend to mix with the other travelers instead of keeping to your own group. During my stay, people come and go, some heading to Bunaken, many others returning to Lembeh after spending a few days in Bunaken. Don’t get me wrong, Bunaken is beautiful, but once you get hooked on muck diving in Lembeh, it’s really hard to turn back. These guys completed my trip. We had fun discussing our diving experiences, photography down to which team is going to win the World Cup. The lovely staffs from the resort were extremely friendly too. Felt like I’ve never left home.

Here are some images from the trip:)

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Out of this entire trip, my favourite moment would be the one where I was swimming with the jacks. It’s the first time I have spent such a long time on a subject. The experience was so surreal. I wish I could do more of such dives. When I travel, I always believe in spending enough time at a place to appreciate it. But I have never imagine that to happen underwater as most of times, we will be grouped and it’s a little like guided tours where you touch and go. Finally, I got what I wanted and I will definitely be planning my dives like this. That said, I’m planning more trips soon and very likely, a nitrox course as well. Let’s see how it all pans out once I get my schedule sorted out.

It’s almost exactly 6 years since that dive that broke my eardrum. That was pretty much a turning point in my life. The event that led me to the world of photography. Because of that accident, I picked up my first DSLR and somehow, got started in wedding photography and had never looked back since. The money that was used to buy that DSLR was actually for an underwater camera that I have been saving up for months after I got addicted to underwater world. Being able to do this all over again is like redemption to me. And yes, it was worth the wait.

Here’s a slideshow I put up for the Bali trip.

Click to view slideshow

click image to go to slideshow

During the early drive to Sanur where we took our boat ride to Manta point, I witness some of the most breathtaking scenes I’ve seen for a long time. Beautiful pre-dawn padi field setting with a fogged veiled Mount Agung as the backdrop. I watched in awe as my camera lay in the heavily padded bag. I thought, let’s for once, enjoy the scene. And I knew, that day was going to be special.

click image to go to slideshow

The entire wedding event was held in Chijmes, which was great since we cut down on all the traveling. The couple did a tango entry for their luncheon and it was pretty good, considering they only took up lessons like the week before. And if you think Terry and Laurel are very last minute, here’s the best part, they booked their ticket to Greece 5pm that day (after the wedding) and flew off at 1am. I just love people who travel like that:D

Since it was Mother’s day, they presented bouquets of flowers to their mums. It was funny because Terry joked that his dad never gave flowers to his mum before and he beat his dad to it. It’s always nice to receive flowers. At least I think it is. To all mamas out there, Happy Mother’s Day (oh oh… it came a little late… but you get the idea).

click image to go to slideshow

Lots of emotions flowing during the short and small wedding. In particular the speech by Jesse. Delivered straight from the heart.

To be able to feel is a priviledge. I am honoured to be part of that beautiful experience.

This was followed by a round of speeches by the couple, their family and friends. Through them, I found out alot more about the couple that I ever did during the meeting. I stayed behind after that for a round of drinks and Wii with their dads. It was crazy fun. Man… I thought my bowling was good… till I saw them play (and they claim it’s their first time… yeah yeah… first time thrasing me maybe:P)

All in all, a very simple and beautiful wedding.