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Title: Mr. Sandy or Shā Wùjìng
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:20pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Shā Wùjìng is one of the three helpers of Xuánzàng in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Wujing was originally a general in Heaven, more specifically a Curtain-Lifting General. In a fit of rage, he destroyed a valuable vase. He was punished by the Jade Emperor, who had him struck 800 times with a rod and exiled to earth, where he was to be reincarnated as a terrible man-eating sand demon. Every seven days a sword would be sent from heaven to stab him 100 times in the chest before flying off. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sha_Wujing
Title: ROAR!!!
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:37pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
A pair of faded gold coloured lion guarding the entrance of the cemetery...perhaps warding off the evil spirits. Can you find the three mysterious faces on the statue?
Title: I See No Evil
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:19pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
Sun Wukong (Monkey King) is eyeing for potential danger in the cemetery, keeping the place safe and peaceful.
Title: Ancient MILK BOTTLE?
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:28pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Nope, I think this is an interesting incense burner.
Title: SERENE & PEACEFUL
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:22pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
A beautiful shelter amid the graves. Lush greenery abundant. No wonder the place is named a park...not cemetery.
Title: This way
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:09pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
I think Guan Yin (The Goddess Mercy) is referring to her portable GPS to locate Her next destination. I finally understand the meaning of Guan Yin's vase. The vase represents the compassion she pours out for all Her followers.
Title: Bless
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 3:48pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
A close-up shot.
Title: Fly ME to Heaven
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:09pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
There are over 6,000 urn compartments in the dragon's belly. The dragon' belly is fully air-conditioned. Keeping ashes of the dead is not cheap. The usual price for placing an urn in the dragon's belly is RM16,800. During promotion, the price is (RM8,400.00 + RM1,250.00 permanent maintenance fees = RM9,650.00)
Title: Blue Clouds
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 3:56pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
These blue clouds were part of the dragon...giving an impression of a flying mythical giant.
Title: Reborn
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 3:19pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/4.8, ISO Equiv.: 200
This is the first picture I took after obtaining permission from the corporate office. The baby stone sculpture was lying on a bed of stones. I think the baby symbolizes rebirth or reincarnation in Buddhism.
Title: Into the Dragon
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:12pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
I'm no good in Chinese. Can someone decipher these writings on the tablet? There are 12 gold coloured zodiac animals in the cemetery.
Title: Lay to Rest
Location: Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 4:30pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100
The burial plots in Nirvana Memorial Park (Semenyih) is very systematic. Unlike those old Chinese cemeteries - all jumbled up. There is a saying from the late Dato Choo Ching Hwa "Every person has the choice to a peaceful, tranquil and well-maintained setting as one's final resting place."
Nirvana Memorial Park - YouTube Video:
Ms Bai-Guang. Famous actress & singer died on 27/8/1999 (79 years old)
She was one of the greatest actresses and singers of China. She acted in many movies and recorded many songs. She was buried in Nirvana Memorial Park, Malaysia. The tombstone plays a permanent recording of some her songs, one of which you will hear in the video clip. The piano that you can see is part of the monument. Video courtesy of irenecmk
Title: 1st Waterfall
Location: Gabai Forest Waterfall, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 11:26am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/32, ISO Equiv.: 100
It was a cloudy morning. My first few shots were underexposed. I waited patiently until the morning Sun was 'released' from the gloomy clouds.
Title: 2nd Waterfall
Location: Gabai Forest Waterfall, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 12:14pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/4.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
The entrance to this fall was barricaded with pieces of green wires. I squeezed myself through the wires. This is the BEST WATERFALL in Gabai. It was nearly impossible capturing this shot because droplets of water were flying to all direction. My UV filter was all wet.
Title: Observation Platform
Location: Gabai Forest Waterfall, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 11:37am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.0, ISO Equiv.: 200
One of the several platforms in Gabai.
Title: 1st Waterfall
Location: Gabai Forest Waterfall, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 11:22am
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/22, ISO Equiv.: 100
Capturing waterfall shots are pretty difficult. I was looking high and low for the best spot to place my tripod. After that, I was partially immersed in the water trying to get the best angle. Sometimes, my thigh was so painful after squatting for 5 - 10 minutes long.
Title: 3rd Waterfall
Location: Gabai Forest Waterfall, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 12:50pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/16, ISO Equiv.: 100
These pieces of rocks were wet and slippery. I took off my slippers and walk as close as possible to the edge of the inclined fall. It was quite scary.
Title: Going Down
Location: Gabai Forest Waterfall, Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 13 July 2009, 1:51pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/3.5, ISO Equiv.: 280
Climb up these concrete stairs to reach the second, third and fourth waterfall. I chanced upon a gigantic millipede on my way down.
Gabai Forest Waterfall is located in Hulu Langat, Selangor. The Gabai falls are hidden deep in the kampong area. Along the way, there are some 'orang asli' (translation: aborigines) selling durian kampongs and chempedaks. I parked my car at the main entrance. A 'pakcik' (translation: an elderly man) knocked on my car window and asked me to pay RM1 for parking cum entrance fee.
After that, he demanded another RM5 when he saw my bag of camera equipments. I was shocked on hearing that. So, I unzipped my bag and showed him my Nikon D60 camera. I explained to him my intention is taking photos not making films. He scratched his head for a moment and allowed me to proceed without getting my RM5.
The entrance of the forest was marred by packets of uncollected rubbish. It was UGLY and SMELLY! I dunno why the management decided to put that mountain of waste at the main entrance. Upon entry, I saw a medium-sized waterfall surrounded with lush greenery. I was wearing a pair of slipper...trying hard to negotiate my steps on the wet and slippery rocks. I spent 45 minutes taking some waterfall shots before moving to the second fall.
The second waterfall is way bigger. But the entrance was partially barricaded with wires. I managed to squeeze through the wires. The second waterfall in Gabai is beautiful, windy and picturesque. Later, I climbed up the concrete stairs to reach the third and fourth waterfall. There were loads of people on these two falls. I spent another 30 minutes before going back to Kuala Lumpur. Gabai Forest Waterfall is a nice place but Kanching Waterfall is still the BEST.
On my way back, I lost my way and ended up in Semenyih. Halfway, I saw Nirvana Memorial Park. The Chinese Cemetery looks modern and unique from outside. I stopped my car at the roadside next to the grand entrance. There is a Chinese eatery shop. I ordered a plate of fried rice and a can of COKE. After taking my lunch, I walked into the cemetery. I spoke briefly with the security officer manning the entrance booth. Earlier, a guard told me photography is not allowed in the cemetery. An Indian officer advised me to see Gary in the corporate office to seek his permission.
So, I walked all the way to the corporate office. I was a bit hesitant to enter the office because I dressed in simple T-shirt, long pants and a pair of Japanese slippers. I opened the door and asked the front lady permission to take photo. She looks snobby and unwilling to give me an answer. Fortunately, this girl sitting at the back gave her permission after asking some questions. I walked out of the office and start snapping away. The Chinese cemetery is HUGE. At first, I lost my way walking 500m into the unknown zone. I bumped into a crane operator and he gave me the proper directions.
Along the way, I saw lots of gold coloured Buddha statues. Hailer stations were strategically placed around the cemetery playing soothing music for the dead. This Chinese cemetery does not look gloomy or eerie. The place is simply BEAUTIFUL. The management did a great job making the place look modern and attractive. The world's longest golden dragon was built in the cemetery. The statue of the dragon has scaly skin, big eyes and gigantic claws. There are over 6 000 urns compartment in the dragon's belly.
The graves in the cemetery are very organized and systematic. The cost of burial in Nirvana Memorial Park is not cheap. If I die, I want my dead body to be cremated. The ashes to be splash into the great blue sea. No need to spend a fortune for Taoist ceremony. I HATE those loud and deafening sounds of tong-tong, chang-chang.
Gabai Forest Waterfall - Getting There:
The Hulu Langat road is usually slow every day due to lorries and narrow lanes. If there is no traffic, expect to reach Gabai Forest Waterfall in just over an hour. With traffic add another 30 minutes.
Visit the following website for comprehensive direction:
http://www.nature-escapes-kuala-lumpur.com/gabai-forest-waterfall.html
Fees & Facilities:
Entance & Parking Fee RM1 per person + per car
For further information please contact:
Pejabat Hutan Daerah Hulu Selangor
48000 Rawang, Selangor
Hutan Lipur Sungai Gabai
Tel: 03-691-6131
Fax: 03-691-7533
More Info?
Read these articles before you travel:
http://www.nature-escapes-kuala-lumpur.com/gabai-forest-waterfall.html
http://nirvanamalaysia.blogspot.com/
http://www.nvmc.com.my/
Gabai Forest Waterfall - Google Maps:
Riveting pictures as usual, and they make me pause to appreciate their finer points.
I'm always on the lookout for new places in Malaysia to explore, and your blog has given me a few ideas. Malaysia is a beautiful country but it has a littering problem which has been noted even by some travel guides.
@Roger,
Thank you again for leaving your kind comments!! Glad to know you enjoy looking at those pictures :)
About those litter bugs...there is a saying "Old Habits Die Hard" I called it the "TIDAK APA" attitude. Nowadays, it's a bit better. people are 'learning to flush the toilet' after using it... especially in public toilet.
I noticed you are a well-traveled person. Mind to share the places you've visited in Malaysia?
Cheers!
mylo
haha bro you love to visit temples and all these eh ? I like the "ROAR" lighting..
hehe..
@youliang,
Yep....nature is my number 1 list. Also, i like the religious settings in Malaysia.
Thank you looking at those pictures!
Cheers!
mylo
good picture.........nice blog
@hamung,
Thank you for looking!
Cheers!
mylo
Got some good shots here =D Really like it how you post up the shooting info. Very specific ah! xP
@Stanley,
Hi there! Welcome to my photo blog!!
Thank you for your wonderful comments :) About those shooting infos, I try to make my blog more 'complete' and 'wholesome':)
Cheers!
mylo
You are a real meticulous and dedicated blogger. A report card would say "Keep it up! Alex boleh!"
Roger,
Thanks Roger! You guys keep me going and motivated :)
Cheers!