I added four galleries of photographs taken at various points in Malaysia during trips made in 2000 ~ 2002. The photographs were taken in Johor Bahru, Pulau Besar, Tioman Island and Kuala Lumpur.

I added three galleries of photographs taken on the Indonesian island of Bintan during trips made in February 2001, May 2001 and January 2002. Bintan is part of Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago and is only 40 kilometres from Singapore. There are a number of resorts on the island. I believe they are funded by Singaporean capital and are somewhat separate from the rest of the island. The black amd yellow mangrove snake in the photograph was one of the highlights of the first trip. Shao Ping and I were being given a tour of the local mangroves in a small boat and the mangrove snakes were curled up on the branches overhanging the water. I took that photograph holding my camera in my right hand and the branch with my left hand. Took a few quick snaps and carefully retreated.

My Nikon D70 is getting cleaned. Yesterday some dust got into the camera when I was changing lenses and the cleaning job is a bit too tricky for me. I did some research on the Internet and decided it was best to get a professional to do the job.

Anyway I dropped into Wollongong Camera House in the mall in Crown Street, Wollongong and asked if they could clean the camera. They said they could not. I took off the cover on the camera body and I mentioned it was simply dust and probably not the sensor. As I took off the cover the shop assistant exclaimed repeatedly like a little child, “No, no, no, no!” She was so peculiar and her reaction resulted in my comment “Is there anyone in Wollongong who can repair a camera?” That is the last time I go to Wollongong Camera House. She was ignorant of her business. They sell digital cameras. They should at least know what is involved in cleaning and servicing the product that they sell.

We went to Jens Madsen in upper Crown Street. The service was excellent and they knew what they were talking about. The camera will be in good hands.

Today it was brought to my attention that an online photo-essay that describes Singapore has been published online. The surprising thing is that all of the photographs in the photo-essay are mine and borrowed from my web site. The author finally tracked me down via this blog. I have now given the author permission to use the photographs. The creator of the photo-journal is a Singaporean now resident in the USA. She has an interesting and enriching live journal.

Anyway, the story that Yueni has written together with my photographs is quite wonderful in its simplicity and may interest you. Please follow this link to the photo-essay created by Yueni at The Sound Of Wings. I am quite touched by what Yueni has done with my photographs. She has given them a life and a feeling that I find very special.