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Some of you may have found out from Facebook or Twitter that Ms. Clover and I took a short weekend trip to K.L, just to relax and get away from things for a while. It has been a stressful period for the both of us and so with a long weekend coming up, it makes perfect excuse to go up North :)

Cheap air fares from budget airlines made traveling in the region so much easier: just click and go basically. Armed with our passports and 1 set of clothes, we headed off to explore KLCC. Not very adventurous this time coz' we just want to go away from our sunny island... only to land in rainy KL for the evening.

Trader's Hotel was our top choice due to its concept liken to G-Hotel Penang but Trader's, being more of a business hotel, lack the cosyness and funkiness of G-Hotel and the spa can't really compared to Danai Spa also.

Okie. I'm being biased here. Its a great hotel to stay in: 4 minutes to KLCC's Suria Mall, 7 mins to Pavilion KL, lovely view of the Petronas tower day and night, lovely view of the garden park in the golden triangle, the staff are professional and warm, love the interior decor of the business centre, executive lounge and the cafes... etc.

Here's some pics from the Ricoh GrD v.1 to share:

Labels: BnW, Clover, Food, Hotel Interiors, Images, Inspirations, Photography, RICOH GrD, Thoughts, Travel, Us, vacation

Posted by ShutterBug at 20:58 | Permalink | Comments 5

A short update from the Land of Smiles as we made our escape to Bangkok this morning. Nothing much to our itinerary (in fact, there's no plans at all!) - just go where our feet and eyes take us :)

We decided to check out a new hotel in the Sukhumvit area called DREAM Bangkok which didn't really impress us that much as from the website but the interiors are starkly decorated with nice clean lines, very nice services, good room pricing and pretty near the BTS/ MRT station. Apart from that, it's a little like the boutique hotel, Cosmos, in HongKong.

I didn't take any interiors of the room coz we crashed almost immediately upon reaching the hotel... Too little sleep the night before and too short of a flight to sleep on the plane which was exceptionally uncomfortable with a bunch of overly excited youths and their b*tching about some classmates' plight.... but the place is comfortable overall, room service food was good and best of all, ample space to even include a L-shaped sofa as seen on their website. Shot the following with the Canon 5Dmk2 to test out the high ISO response... so far, Loving It!

Anyway, here's some pics to share:

Labels: Bangkok, BnW, Canon 5Dmk2, Clover, Food, Hotel Interiors, Images, Photography, Travel, vacation

Posted by ShutterBug at 02:55 | Permalink | Comments 2

Hi everyone!

Here's bloggin from the homely comforts of the villa we are staying in Seminyak, Bali. The days are really hot here and I really to hide from the incredible heat here even though we have the occasional short showers of blessings in the afternoons here.

The place we are staying @ is non other than the Aston Sun Island Villas and Resorts :) We would love to try out The Bale but after looking at the price, we were immediately dissuaded but we can keep on dreaming about it.
We are about 10 minutes (by car) from Kuta town or about 25mins (by walking) so it's a very convenient place to be and here's some pics to share taken with the 5D (really have to get used to the colors output from the camera...) :

Hehehe... after shooting the wedding ceremony of C & JJ on Sat @ Tirtha, Uluwatu.. it was a time to slow down to the pace in Bali to recollect myself and plan ahead for the future.

Today we managed to visit our favourite restaurant, Blue Fin, located @ Kuta Square and I must say, after our last visit 4 years ago, we are still very impressed and overwhelmed by the quality of the fusion japanese food and the impeccable services. It's really something close to our hearts to come back to a familiar place after so long of a time gap to find the restaurant still doing well and the Australian chef still @ the top of his game. If you guys are heading to Bali, do take time to try the food here!

Tomorrow, we will be heading up to Ubud to try out the very famous Babi Guning @ Ibu Oka and of coz, the famous Cafe Wayan (I can hear their signature dish 'Death by Chocolate Cake' calling out to me) which Char Siu Bao introduced to us 4 years ago.. yupz, it was so memorable that I still remember it and have been telling people who is going to Bali to try it if you are a chocolate aficionado. Hoopefully after all these eating, we can still find time to visit the black sand beach @ Karangasem... :p

Ms Clover wants to try Cafe Warisan located in Seminyak which we will do that on Tues before leaving.

Our driver is someone I got to know from C & JJ's wedding and I will blog about the brother team separate tomorrow coz they have made a very good impression on me with their easy-going characters and they are very good in their jobs.

till then... :)

Labels: Hotel Interiors, Images, Inspirations, Photography, Thoughts, Travel, Us, vacation

Posted by ShutterBug at 22:01 | Permalink | Comments 5

Yesterday was a really bustling day for this couple... the Mass turnout was like a regular Mass on Sat: so many people! I got a little crowd-phobia @ both the church turnout and the dinner event.

Labels: BnW, Brides, Grooms, Hotel Interiors, Images, Inspirations, Photography

Posted by ShutterBug at 17:06 | Permalink | Comments 9

I realised that I have not done any long exposure night shots for a long time and so here's 1 taken of the Pavillion. (Nope, I din go into the water to take coz it's too dark by the time we got back from our dinner and seriously, the water is freaking cold!)

Will add on more shots subsequently :)

Labels: Hotel Interiors, Images, Photography, Travel

Posted by ShutterBug at 09:19 | Permalink | Comments 4

to our trip next Sunday to Phuket and to the luscious resort, the Pavilions Phuket.

Yupz, it's the same one as Lil Snooze and Teh Peng went. It was quite an experience deciding whether to get Pavilions or Aleenta but after a few emails and reviews and of coz, God's timely blessings, we decided to go for Pavilions since we have such good 1st hand experience from teh couple :)

* FYI, Aleenta Resorts do not have TV & a private pool unless you book the bigger villas which is way too big for us *



can hardly wait... will be updating everyday when we were there :)

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Now playing: Michael Buble - L.O.V.E.
via FoxyTunes

Labels: Clover, Hotel Interiors, Travel, Us

Posted by ShutterBug at 08:26 | Permalink | Comments 3

Body alarm clock got me up @ 5am this morning... so I might as well take a look at what I've shot last night and do some little work... told you I shot too much yesterday...


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(click for larger version) - the bar @ Copthorne Waterfront reminds me of the Hilton bar in the movie 'Lost in Translation'... I want to go Japan!


(click for larger version) - I seriously need to brush up my Jap again.. I still can understand here and there but can't speak properly liao...


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Labels: Hotel Interiors, Images, Local, Photography, Weddings

Posted by ShutterBug at 06:28 | Permalink | Comments 7

Hmm.. last night of my stay in Hong Kong... decided to get online from the hotel to post some photos...

The weather has been quite gloomy (always grey) and humidity around 80% but it's cooling. 1st day arrival @ the airport made me regretted not bringing a jacket coz the temperature outside was around 15-16 degrees....

Anyway, the couple was very nice and checked me into Conrad Hong Kong while they are in the adjoining hotel, Island Shangri-La


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Yupz... a double bed room for me on the 49 floor... really funny feeling coz I usually travel with Ms Clover and now that I'm alone.. I felt weird.... Ms Clover just SMS-ed me from Phuket.. she's enjoying the suntan and seasports there.. ha! I also want...

Summary - The trip was okie, have to fight the elements to create the shots as well as to produce work that's both artistically satisfying as well as fulfilling the expectations of the client.. stress...
wun say the shots are fantastic but managed to get 1 or 2 out of the whole lot that I like personally

Labels: Hotel Interiors, Ranting, Thoughts, Travel, Weddings

Posted by ShutterBug at 00:02 | Permalink | Comments 0

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Rarely a chance like this came along where the lines are visualy appealing and the lighting is seriously asking for mood.... taken @ Grand Hyatt suite on the 20th floor

Labels: Brides, Hotel Interiors, Local, Weddings

Posted by ShutterBug at 03:41 | Permalink | Comments 5

Yupz, the view's fantastic....

Labels: Bangkok, Hotel Interiors, Travel, vacation

Posted by ShutterBug at 00:52 | Permalink | Comments 2

Update from Bangkok!!!! The LeBua hotel @ State Tower is really leaving a super good impression on us!

Yes yes, we are in the land of truly a thousand smiles (unlike the IMF campaigne lor...) and the weather was a little humid but cooling.

When we arrived at the BKK airport, we were immediately greeted personally by the staff from LeBua who chauffeured us to the hotel along Silom Road in a Mercedes 2005 E class no less :) And it's really privileged treatment with cold mineral water and perfumed towels ready for us in the car.

@ the hotel, the staff greets us by name (and I turned into Mr 'Khoo' for no reason coz the room was booked under Ms Clover's name) and EVERYONE does that wherever you walk (this is really impeccable service to the highest level!) It made us feel very valued to be staying here and the decor.. beautiful! This very chic hotel only offers suites and for the super October value package, it's worth every single cent...

So here's some photos of our room (we are staying on the high floor overlooking the river) - presenting the One-Bedroom Suite:

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handmade chocolate from LeBua and complimentary fruit platter (replenished daily some more.. hehehe...)


the hall aka the living room


the living room view from the entrance


the complete kitchenette including a table top electric stove, coffee maker, microwave and a full size fridge. The best thing, the soft drinks are complimentary as well and replenished EVERYDAY, yup! Everyday...


The toilet is really nice and stark in design but I like it alot coz of the simplicity.


another view


yupz, Bvlgari toiletries... replenished twice daily!


The bedroom.. with the incredibly cosy king size bed!


The study table has connection to 24hrs internet access (complimentary) and the TV even has a DVD player hooked up to it! Talk about entertainment to the max!! Ohh, did I mention the ergonormic chair at the study table? it's soooooo comfy that I want to get one for myself!!


Inviting yes?


Having some fun.. hahaha.. I have always wanted to do this shot for some time now.. heehee :D


2's a company when there's so much fun in jumping on the fluffy cosy bed!


finally, me with a new haircut. Done in Penang by Theatre Hairworks (branch of Pro-Trim Singapore).. heheh....

Okie, update more when we are back from our shopping trip in the later afternoon.

For those who are interested in why we have so many complimentary stuff, do check out their Amazing Lebua Package here!

Labels: Bangkok, Hotel Interiors, Ranting, Travel, vacation

Posted by ShutterBug at 15:40 | Permalink | Comments 7