Saturday, February 28, 2009

23rd February 2009, Monday – Today Brunei Darussalam celebrates its Silver Jubilee National Day. The mass gathering was held at Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Berakas this morning.

I can not join other photographers taking photos of the event as I am not feeling well since last Friday night.

And, my intention to personally view the ‘world new record for the most satay grilled in a single occasion’ at Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club was also cancelled. The event started at 1.30 pm today and it was held in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee National Day celebration by The Office of His Majesty The Sultan And Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. Of course, I also want to taste and eat the satay.

May be I still have the opportunity to take some nice photos of the cucul (decorative lighting), the banners, and the arches.

Eventough I can not come to the stadium this morning, my wife, my daughter and my son as well as their grandpa did come. The weather is hot. My son’s and daughter’s faces look red due to that.

The following are some snapshots taken this morning, either by myself, my wife or my daughter:











(Photos: Abdul Rashid bin Haji Tahir, his wife, and his daughter. Taken on 23rd February 2009, using the Canon EOS 350D and Sony Cybershot DSC-w130)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

18th February 2009, Wednesday – Learning photography is just like I am as a snail, who make a journey to a destination eventough it will going to take a very long time, rather than being a Suzuki Swift Sport who is just laying idle in a garage (not moving a single centimetre).

But I wish I am as a Suzuki Swift Sport (or VW Golf GTI, perhaps) who can travel a lot faster than snail. So, the engine need to be started and I need to be driven to the destination. The one that drive me is EFFORT and WILLINGNESS to move, provided I have enough “FUEL” in order to reach the destination (faster, or else I remain as a snail).

p/s: So far I do join the Brunei Forever Forum (BFF)…I put my application to one of the photography associations on hold. I wish I can join them sometimes in the future. For now, joining the BFF should be enough for me.

(Photos: Abdul Rashid bin Haji Tahir. Taken on 18th February 2009)

Sunday, February 15, 2009

15th February 2009, Sunday – This morning I joined a photography outing with Brunei Forever Forum (BFF)’s members. Today, the outing was held at Kampong Ayer. We assembled at Kianggeh Food Court before 6.30 am. The outing began at about 7 am and last just before 10 am.

After the outing, I joined the others having a brunch at Chop Jing Chew (JC), Gadong.

Nikon D300 with Carl Zeiss lens that is owned by one of the member.

In order to cross the river you have to use a water taxi.

Going to the destination.
One of my first few photos.
“Tunggul”
The water pipeline.
Tailoring service is available at Kampong Ayer.
A water taxi.
A window-type airconditioner.
Eventough this photos look blurred, I like this photo.
Electrical pole No. 69.
A view from a bridge at Kampung Sungai Kebun.
Sungai Kebun Fire and Rescue Services Station.
Nasi katok and ice block are available here.
The ladder. It is a 90 degrees ladder.
Watch your steps.
I have been to Kampung Setia A.
The end of our journey at Kampong Ayer.
Leaving far the jetty and going to a jetty at the Kianggeh Food Court.
Roti cucur.
After the outing, I join the others having a brunch at JC. I ate roti kuning (please click HERE for my previous post about roti kuning) and roti cucur (fried yellow bread coated with egg), in addition to iced Milo drink.

(Photos: Abdul Rashid bin Haji Tahir. Taken on 15th February 2009)

Saturday, February 14, 2009

14th February 2009, Saturday – A small birthday celebration was held for my brother-in-law on the 12th February 2009 at our home in Berakas.

Here is the birthday cake.
No more flame. My daughter and my son join their uncle blow the candle.
One of the menu is satay (in addition to spaghetti).
The birthday party hat is hanging on the side mirror of a car model that is owned by my brother-in-law. The car model is on display at the stair area.

(Photos: Abdul Rashid bin Haji Tahir. Taken on 12th February 2009)

Friday, February 13, 2009

10th February 2009, Tuesday – The big flag raising ceremony for Brunei Darussalam’s National Day Silver Jubilee celebration was held at the open area of the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah on 8th February 2009, Sunday.

According to a press report, the big flag measures about 12-foot wide and 24-foot long. The flag is raised on a pole at about 110 feet high.

The Ceremony

Two of the participants are waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Another participants facing the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque.
The road is closed to make way for the ceromony
As usual, the Royal Brunei Navy are given the honour to hoist the national flag.
Shadow of the participants.
One of the Royal Brunei Navy member has received the big flag from Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports.
The Royal Brunei Navy is starting to hoist the flag.
The flag is halfway to the top.
The flag is almost to the top.
At last, “bendera negaraku berkibar megah” (The flag of my country is waving proudly).
A mini flag at one of the VIP’s car.
Royal Brunei Navy and the army cadets are marching out after the flag is hoisted
Some of the participants are waving the flag. At the same time, the choir group is singing the patriotic songs.


The Photographers

A RTB's camera
Some of the photographers.
A member of Brunei Forever Forum (CyberCanon, I guess) is viewing what he has taken.
I guess he is also a member of Brunei Forever Forum.
A press photographer from a local printed media is viewing what she is getting so far.
One of the member of Brunei Forever Forum and Brunei’s famous blogger, Anak Brunei, joins the photo session with the choir group.

(Photos: Abdul Rashid bin Haji Tahir. Taken on 8th February 2009)

PeachPit (Pearson Education)

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