Yuzhno - September 07 - Yuzhno 125 Anniversary

After Gorniy Vozdukh, we decided to check out Lenin St. as my colleague said there was some celebration when he was there in the morning, so I thought it would be a nice photo taking opportunity, but I guess it was already too dark.


Lenin Square.


Some flowers..


A little girl on pony ride.


Russian girl with Russian flag.


Not sure what actually happened, but we see people start throwing coins and everybody watches while a guy picks them up.

Yuzhno - September 2007 - Gorniy Vozdukh

It was a boring sunday after a long boring saturday, a colleague turned up at my hotel room door as planned earlier.. to visit the Gorniy Vozdukh (mountain air) Ski Resort... no skiing allowed during summer-autumn but anyone can visit to enjoy nice fresh air, free of charge. Called the hotel receptionist to book a taxi, paid 120rubles for the ride.


This is the view from the ski resort, a good view of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.


Cable car and chair lift being serviced.


Nix looking for a perfect shot.


Cable car used during winter to the ski slope.


A little boy, standing at the edge of a higher ground taking a good look at the city.


The Russian flags.

Karting - 1st Sep 2007 Shah Alam (My-Kart Round 9)

Nothing gives me the adrenalin rush just the way I like it except for go-karting or karting. Leaving for Russia again on the 2nd sept, I quickly sign up for my-kart's round 9, the only round my schedule allows this year.


This driver is not too happy getting up at 645a.m. to be on track before 8a.m.


Suiting up for warmups..?


Waiting for K2 race to start, erm.. looks like no umbrella girls like those GT or F1 races.


Kart #6, I can say this is my personal kart of the day.


Rolling start... unofficial marshall flagged off heat 1 group A.


The driver in red hiding under the shade while watching the K2 Group A heats.


Getting ready for action.


Lap 1 first corner... who's going to get the best line, who's going to exit the turn first and who going to brake late, who's taking inside, who's going around on the outside.. nobody knows until everyone exits turn 1.


Leading about 6 tens of a second?


Driver in blue, and red.


This must be Fazz, the my-kart boss... on kart #6.


Is that a hello kitty on the helmut?


The grandstand ..?


K3 flag off... from rolling start too.. everyone's trying to find a space.


Another photographer on the hunt.


K2 drivers watching and waiting K3 drivers to enter pit area so their race can start.


Start my engine.. please!


A very close chase...


Late braking, going wide at the apex and taking the outside line out of the last turn, heading down the main straight in full throttle. Will Kart #20 make it first into T1?


Mr. Viet kong sweeping with my favourite kart of the day.


Another K2 driver.


Fazz on kart #28 in the finals


Oh, maybe should try not to be too agressive to avoid spinning out again? There is always the next turn or another mistakes by the driver in front.


The start for K2.. K3 uses pull-start engine.


K2 kart.


Slicks, these are dry tyres... but they are sometimes used as intermediates :) if it starts to pour in the last few laps. Also, are sometimes Full Wets for K3s.. but too dangerous for K2.


A Lotus Elise found beside the track.


Subaru STi sleeping beside the track.

Kuala Lumpur - Cheras Chilli crab

Due to my jam packed business travels this year, I have not been able to arrange any visit to Macpherson kopitiam for my annual Sri Lankan Chilli crab. So, with only a few days in KL, I managed to get my hands dirty with these ..


Each of these weigh around 1.1kg.


RM80/kg, we ordered one for each of us.


This is what I call crab.


I always thought I could finish a whole crab myself but...

Korea - Aug 07 - Seoul walkabout - part 3

Instead of going all the way to witness sunset by the Han River, I walked to this man-made river.


I believe this is a scene for only summer, where people just lepak around the river around 5-8pm.


These people are walking around the area for food, some shopping and fresh air.


This is the waterfall, the source of the river.


The waterfall, with lighting and darker and yes, I sat there for 2 hours with my tripod.


Some one promoting his own album beside the river.


The faster part of the river.


Some people prefer to stay under the bridge.


Some fountain just above the waterfall.


Waterfall from a different angle.


Walking back to the hotel.


Seoul Plaza hotel, must be nicer than Lotte.


Most of the restaurant have closed so quickly grabbed these donuts.