Thread It
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:13 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
It's pretty quiet over here in Sekinchan fishing village. There is not much fishing activity. I think the fishermen are still holidaying (Chinese New Year). I stumbled upon this fisherman at one of the platforms.
He was busy repairing the fishing net. I squatted next to him observing the entire process. At first, the net needle is loaded with white colored heavy multifiliment twine that will be used to hold the mesh to the float line and lead line.
In this picture, he was inserting the net needle to repair one of the many rips, tears and holes.
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:13 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
After that, loop the net needle (with twine) a few times to secure the float line and lead line. Continue with one clove hitch after another until the rip is repaired.
Loop It
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:13 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
After that, loop the net needle (with twine) a few times to secure the float line and lead line. Continue with one clove hitch after another until the rip is repaired.
This fisherman is a left handed person. So, it is easiest to work from the right to the left.
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:13 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
Pull it tautly. Tie an extra clove hitch right beside the last to finish off that portion of the repair. Do the same for similar rips throughout the rest of the net.
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:14 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 200
This is the fisherman who repaired the net. At first, I was walking discreetly to him. He was shocked upon seeing mylo standing right next to him :)
Pull & Tie
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:13 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
Pull it tautly. Tie an extra clove hitch right beside the last to finish off that portion of the repair. Do the same for similar rips throughout the rest of the net.
The Repairer Cum Fisherman
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:14 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 200
This is the fisherman who repaired the net. At first, I was walking discreetly to him. He was shocked upon seeing mylo standing right next to him :)
This seems like a tedious, mundane and repetitive task. Fishermen earn very little for all their efforts. An average fisherman takes home perhaps RM 700 (USD 205) to RM 900 per month (USD 264). I have the highest respect and honor for men and women like this guy.
Guess...What Am I Doing Here?
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:17 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 160
Do not scroll down yet. Try to guess. What is this fisherman doing?
Painting In Progress
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:19 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/6.3, ISO Equiv.: 100
A fisherman restoring an old boat with a new coat of paint.
Oh Man, I'm TIRED!
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:19 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 100
It must be really tiring and difficult. He was working under the hot sun.
My Masterpiece
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:19 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 100
After a while, he decided squat and paint - the perfect solution! He looks like Leonardo da Vinci with his final touches on Mona Lisa :)
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:33 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Drying Salted Fish
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:33 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100
Where do they come from? Well, these fishes had been gutted and salted. Now, the drying process is taking place. I saw two hungry cats prowling around :)
Sisterhood Work
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 10:57 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/4.0, ISO Equiv.: 200
Two local Malay ladies and four foreign helpers. The foreign helpers were laughing sheepishly.
Scaling, Gutting & Cleaning
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 10:56 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/4.5, ISO Equiv.: 200
These ladies were busy scaling, gutting and cleaning the fish. There must be hundreds of fish in the red plastic bucket! Can you see the pile of guts?
Hard work
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 10:58 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.3, ISO Equiv.: 800
I've met this lady before (during my fist visit to Sekinchan fishing village). She's still working there.
The Packaging
Location: Sekinchan Fishing Village, Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 11:01 a.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.0, ISO Equiv.: 200
Male workers were busy selecting dried salted fish according to size and quality before putting them into a medium-sized paper box. Look at the background. You'll see stacks of fishes under the hot sun.
I'm Horny!
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:37 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
At first, this adult silver leaf monkey was staring at me. I'm not sure whether it's a male or female. When I focus my lens for an up close and personal shot, I got this horny and sexy look from the monkey. Look at those eyes and tongue. LOL!
What was the monkey thinking about? Any idea???
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:37 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
Eyes Wide Open
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:37 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
The eyes popped suddenly in a fraction of a second! SURPRISE!
Grrr, I'm Dead Serious...OK!
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:37 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
Okay, I got your message loud and clear :)
Curious 1
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:42 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
Another close-up shot. I LOVE to snap junior silver leaf monkeys in A.C.T.I.O.N. But, it's a difficult task. First, you need to establish close rapport with momma. Next, you need to wait for the perfect moment. What you need is a lot of patience!!! Monkeys are not dollies. They climb and jump....all the time.
Curious 2
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:42 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
An older infant still clinging to its momma. This junior is growing fast - the gold colored hair has been transformed into silver. There is still a little bit of faint gold hair.
YUMMY!
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:28 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200
A gold colored infant sucking milk from momma's right nipple.
Nicely Snug
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:28 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 200
I can only think of two words - ALMOST HUMAN! Momma was caring and loving. She snuggled junior close to her warm body. It makes me wonder...."Why some humans appear worse than animals?"
Searching For More MILK
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:21 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
A baby infant looking for more calcium goodies :)
Reaching Out
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:55 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
This infant was reaching out both hands to me. I extended my left hand and both us were finally 'reunited' :)
Guess what? The visitors were impressed upon seeing that. Actually, the silver leaf monkeys were excited seeing their own reflection on the camera lens.
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, Malaysia
Date: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:56 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
PEEKABOO!
Location: Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill), Kuala Selangor, MalaysiaDate: 25th February 2010 (Thursday), 1:56 p.m.
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/5.6, ISO Equiv.: 800
A portrait shot for junior. I would LOVE to frame it up :)
I planned to revisit Sekinchan Fishing Village about a week ago. My first trip was an eye opener! So, I was looking forward for my second trip. It shall be an exciting journey!
As usual, it was a tiring two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur (KL). I parked my car at the roadside. Then, I walked 200 m to the fishing village. The place was eerily quiet, but serene and peaceful. Almost 90% of the fishermen are living in Sekinchan. This is not a traditional fishing village aymore. I would consider it as a modern fishing town. You can see a mixture of old wooden houses and modern bungalows along the way. Some of these residential houses have top notch security features and beautiful ornate gates.
I was expecting to see some fishing activities. But, I was unlucky. There is no fishing activity that day. I guess it will resume after Chap Goh Meh 十五暝 festival. What a big letdown! Nonetheless, I spent almost two hours walking along the fishing platforms. I noticed most fishermen were repairing fishing nets. Some of them were applying new coat of paint on the fishing boat. Never underestimate these menial tasks. It's not as easy as you think! I sat down next to a fisherman to observe the way he repairs the net. These are low paying jobs with tedious and mundane tasks.
Nowadays, almost 70% of the fishermen are foreign helpers employed by Chinese bosses. These migrant workers earn paltry income. I salute them for the fishes they caught for all Malaysians. At times, we look at them as pariah or even criminals. I do admit that some foreign workers are part of our social problems. But then again, majority of them came to our country to earn some decent income. So, wise up Malaysians!
Next, I stumbled upon a medium-sized shipyard. I managed to experience the boat making process up close and personal. The workers were busy sawing wood. Really impressive! Luckily, the supervisor allowed me 'VIP' access.
After that, I walked to another fishing platform. This is a familiar sight. The ladies were scaling, gutting and cleaning fishes to process them into salted fish.
Later, I decided to call it a day. I was driving back to KL. Halfway, I made a right turn to Malawati Hill (also in Kuala Selangor). I missed my 'long lost cousins' - The Silver Leaf Monkeys. I drove up the hill and parked my car at one of the public parking bay. Then, I walked 100 m up to the hill. WOW! The population of the silver leaf monkeys had quadrupled many times!!! The wild silver leaf monkeys are everywhere. I ADORE THEM! These monkeys are TAME & LOVELY. Not afraid of humans at all!
I spent another two hours trying to get the best possible shots. The monkeys were so ACTIVE! You need to be very patient. I approached them gently and try to establish a friendly position. It's pretty difficult to snap baby silver leaf monkeys. The mothers are very protective of the young ones. I stay close to them until I found the perfect candid moment.
The infants are CUTE & CURIOUS! They extended their soft baby hands to me! I reached out to them. It was one of the most defining moments in my life.
Last updated 28th February 2010 (8:21 p.m.)
Kuala Selangor - Directions & Getting There:
By car
If you are planning on driving, you can come from Kuala Lumpur via Sungai Buloh (Route 54) or if you are coming through the North-South PLUS Highway, exit at the Sungai Buloh turn-off and follow the road signboard
By Bus
Take Bus no.141 from platform 23 at the main bus terminal, Puduraya Bus Station in KL. The tickets are bought on the bus. Departs half hourly starting from 6.30am.
Kuala Selangor - Google Maps:
Kuala Selangor - Things to Do & See:
- Sekinchan Fishing Village
- Sekinchan Paddy Fields
- Sekinchan Veggie Farms
- Malawati Hill Silver Leaf Monkeys
- Malawati Hill Lighthouse
- Malawati Hill Royal Mausoleum
- Pasir Penambang Prawn Cracker Industry
- Kuala Selangor WWF Nature Park
- Fireflies Village At Kampung Kuantan
Kuala Selangor - Read More & Useful Links:
- http://tinyurl.com/yk4ksw4 (Read my previous trip to Sekinchan Fishing Village)
- http://tinyurl.com/yl73lh7 (Read my trips to Sekinchan Paddy Fields)
- http://tinyurl.com/ybrgo5p (Read my trip to Sekinchan Veggie Farms)
- http://tinyurl.com/yfxrd3d (Read my previous encounters with Silver Lear Monkeys)
- http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MC_kualaselangor.htm (Article from JourneyMalaysia)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_Selangor (Wikipdia Article About Kuala Selangor)
Hey, I enjoy looking all these pictures. It is fun especially last few pictures.. Love it.
I have experienced the oyster farm work in Taiwan, and really had my hat off for them, so do to these fishermen on your post. Awesome images of the monkeys! What lense did you use for the monkeys'?
yeah you back to sekinchan again? guess you gotta go there again with me next year lol =p erm your long lost cousins? all very cute lmao
great detailed coverage of Sekinchan... enjoyed the commentary with the photos... wonderful job in promoting this fishing village - i am really keen to visit it someday (although no chance i'd be able to come across the huge whale ... that was rare indeed)
a place with great and cheap seafood!
btw, you really love monkeys dont you?
hehe.. just rough guessing
Haha, I love the horny monkey picture! Well captured. Anyway, I am amazed on how you find topics to relate to when you travel. Must be a great talent and keep it up!
Regards,
David
Malaysia Asia
Vigor
WOW! Thanks!
micki
Thanks! These are the many things that I noticed whenever I travel, there are many other parts of life that we take for granted each day. Both photography and traveling open my eyes to the things unseen to me. Seeing how life is lived helps me to become more tolerant.
I'm using only Nikon D60 camera (body and lens). No special lens. It's all about up close and personal :)
fufu
Ooooh! I LOVE them. Ever since I hold an orange utan (hands)I fell in LOVE with them. Look at my avatar :)
Will bring fufu to Batu Caves and Kuala Selangor. Remember to email me!
lechua
Thank you!
Yep, I was REALLY LUCKY to stumbled upon the big fish. There is a little bit of everything in Sekinchan. This place never fails to amaze me!
Carmen
I call them my 'long lost cousins'. I ADORE & LOVE them...forever.
They are so UNIQUE & INTELLIGENT! You don't have to be a biologist or an anthropologist to see how closely the silver leaf monkeys resemble us. The similarities are STUNNING!
Cheers to all!
mylo
It's really hard work for those ppl working in this line... nice close-up shots of the monkeys!!!
I can see your reflection on the little monkey's eyes!?
Were you wearing white shirt?! Ha ha...
Re: Chinese New Year in London / 伦敦的春节 / Tahun Baru Cina di London / ロンドンのお正月
Ha ha... RM0.05?! Did it make the crowd crazy to grab as much as they could?!
Re: 4 and Brollies / 4和雨伞 / 4 dan Payung / ４と傘
Can you watch Channel 4 in Malaysia too? You mean from the Internet right?
I thought they also disabled regional settings...
BBC online programmes can only be watched online in the UK. You can try this too.
eunice
Exactly! Really thankful for their hard labor. Also, you get FREE sun tanning almost everyday :)
You should visit Malawati Hill (Malay: Bukit Malawati). It's a great place for nature lover like you.
1ondoncaller
LOL! I've forgotten the colour of my shirt...I think it's a blue and white shirt :)
Yeah....no more free views. But, I've seen some Channel 4 programs from Google Video... totally FOC. You can even download it into your PC. I missed those programs. Really enlightening and it cover broad issues. I hope to see similar programs in Malaysia.
Cheers!
mylo
I enjoy your photos of the fisherman. Very impressive.