Vivienne's New Toy

Today, Vivienne has a new toy, in the compact form of the Olympus Mju 1030 SW digital camera. The main features of this digital camera is the SW, which we think stands for SHOCK & WATER proof!!! But we were wrong, as the sales person told us that it stands for SUMMER & WINTER. Haha. Anyway, it is indeed shock proof (so it states in the brochure) to withstand 100kg weight. Also, it is capable of being dropped from a height of 2m and yet function. It is also water tight until a depth of 10m and is able to function in subzero temperatures. (We have yet to test the limits of this camera) The digital camera is 10MP and can shoot in super macro mode to a distance of 2cm from the object. Vivienne's going to have a field day, putting the 1030 SW through its pace!!!

Life's many surprises!

This afternoon, I got a phone call from a courier service asking to confirm home address. When I reached home this afternoon, there was a package waiting for me. It was from Life Publisher. I recognised the name as it's the same publisher that churns up the monthly Pancing and Rod&Line fishing magazine. The thing is, I have stopped subscribing to both the magazine for a couple of years now and because of that, I have ceased to participate in any of the contest that the magazine usually carry. Even, before opening the package, I knew that it was going to be at least, a fishing reel. When I opened it, I was surprised to see a shiny silvery Tomman baitcaster. Also included in the package were a Fire Eagle cap and a roll of 25lb mono line. I was lost for words. How on earth did I win these prizes if I did not participate in any contest? If only I had such luck with TOTO 6/52 main prize. Haha. Who knows right? Maybe, just maybe the next draw of 6/52 will be mine. A guy can dream can't he? Haha.

I have decided to put this reel up for sale. RM100 (not inclusive of courier charges for buyers outside Kuching). I will even load up the reel with the 25lb mono.

Steven & Ssu Ee, Alfredo Restaurant and Crocs Messenger Bag

Ssu Ee & Steven

Looks messy, but they called it Lamb Chop

The best looking dish that night, Grilled Salmon Steak

Roasted Chicken. They were stingy on the black pepper sauce and the chicken was on the dry side

Lamb shank

Crocs Messenger Bag

See how colorful the inside is!!!

Steven

Ssu Ee

Beer to wash everything down smoothly

Mr Crocs

Another Mr Crocs

Crocs

Crocs

Crocs

Last night I had the chance to return a little favor to Steven and Ssu Ee. The happy couple had recently decided to tie the knot. Ssu Ee is from Kuching, thus they were basically back here to have a wedding dinner banquet the night before. I remembered during our stop over in KL that both of them were nice enough to take time off the their busy schedule to bring me and Vivienne around KL so, last night, for a change, I brought them out for a western dinner.

A few friends have been to Alfredo Restaurant and given their review (that was not so great) of the place. However, since me and Vivienne have yet to try out the food there, we decided that Steven and Ssu Ee together with us go and makan there.

We dined alfresco style. The service was prompt. We ordered salmon steak, lamb shank, lamb chop and roasted chicken. The food were served in HUGE china made ceramic plates. The portion of the food was however, small. The garnishing was unappealing and the same for all the dishes. The taste of the food was nothing at all to shout about. The pricing of the food were also on the high side. (I know of places that serves better tasting food, with bigger portions and cheaper price) All in all, I would rate this restaurant at a 5.5/10. This will also be my last time to this restaurant.

On another note, I had won a Crocs messenger bag a few months ago. The trouble was that I received a voucher to redeemed the bag but the Crocs concept store was located in KL. Thus, I had to mail the voucher to Steven and Ssu Ee to help me redeem it. Thus they had brought it back with them to Kuching, even though their luggages were fully packed with wedding gowns and suits that they rented from KL. Thank you very much Steven and Ssu Ee. I appreciate it a lot.

Wishing Steven and Ssu Ee a happy married life full of blessings.

Tri-banded Sebarau at Giam

the tri-banded sebarau aka hampala macrolepidota

when u catch a fish, u need to pose

behind me, the infamous Giam waterfalls

my trusty berkley blade dancer securely lodged on the sebarau's lip

On 18 October 2008, Noel, me and Vivienne went for a photography trip to the infamous, Giam waterfalls. The place is located less than 20 miles from Kuching.

Since basically, we have 2 cameras only, so I brought along my light casting tackle to entertain myself. Well, I surely am glad I brought along my fishing tackle because I managed to lure a tri-banded sebarau aka hampala macrolepidota using my trusted mini berkley blade dancer.

Basically, I was doing sight fishing as the water was crystal clear. I had climbed to the upper part of the waterfalls. As soon as I reached that place, I saw 2 large sebaraus cruising the shallows. They oso saw me and swam further. I cast my lure to their direction but as soon as the lure hit the water, the swam even further. Many cast later, I decided to shift my focus. Instead of continuously casting to the open water, I decided to cast towards a shady area where the water was fast flowing. My first cast to that location, a silvery figure came out from the shade and whacked my lure, but it did not stick. Missed. Many cast to the same spot yielded nothing. Then Noel reached my location and started to take pictures. He even went into the stream where the silvery figure appeared. So, my guess was, the fish there was as good as gone and I went back downstream to take some photos with Vivienne.

About half and hour later, I decided to climb to the upper reaches again. I said to myself... a few cast at the same place, and if there is nothing, then I would go. True enough... my third cast another silvery figure came and whacked my lure again. It missed, swam back... but decided to make a U-turn. That was when the barb of the BBD attached itself to the Hampala's tough lip, and it was FISH ON!!! A few moments later, a healthy sebarau was landed. I couldn't contain my joy that I shouted so loudly that Noel and Vivienne turned to face me in the midst of the roar of the waterfalls.

Charles, if you are reading this, what say you... CNY sebarau fishing? As long as you can drive... I will bring you there.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri 2008