Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Weekly Photo Challenge: Time Shown on Astronomical Clock
Weekly Photo Challenge: Vibrant Twilight at Sunda Kelapa Port
Location: Sunda Kelapa Port, Jakarta, Indonesia
For more vibrant photos, please visit The Daily Post
Sight of Petra
Petra, the Rose City..
Location: Petra, Jordan
Another Post Card from Istanbul
Bosphorus Channel, Connecting Asia and Europe.
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Another Shot of Lake Kivu
Location: Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The People of Nile
Location: Nile River, Uganda.
Dolmabahce Mosque
Dolmabahce Mosque, Few Minutes before Sunset.
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Market Day in Zanzibar
How to Make Photo Editing Using HDR Toning
Responding request from Gara, I would like to present the methods I used to make HDR Image. Doing this editing, I used Photoshop CS 5.
As exercise, you’re welcomed to use my photo. Photo Below showing original photo, taken from my camera.
Original Photo for Exercise.
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Open your photoshop program, and follow the steps below:
Step 1.
Adjust the brightness of photo as shown on photos below.
Step 2.
Adjust HDR Toning
Step 3.
Do Step 2 for two times.
Step 4.
Sharpening the photo by adjustment the brigtness.
And the FINAL photo will be as shown below:
The steps I showed above are not mandatory. You can adjust anything as like as you need.
Good Luck and Have Fun with HDR.
Lake Toba, Seen from Balige
When you are in North Sumatera and want to enjoy the beauty of Lake Toba, going to Balige can be a good options. That place, can be reached six hours by car from Medan, the capital of provice, or two hours driving from Parapat, its neighbor city that is more famous for tourist atraction. Balige itself is quieter compared to Parapat, with less tourist and less hotels too. However, don’t be afraid. Tourist still could find some good hotels to stay in. Hotel Tiara Bunga, can be a good option too. It’s located next to the lake. Going to the hotel, tourists need to use the boat that operated every two hours, go and come back. Photos below show the places I visited in Balige, during the last going home trip.
Lake Toba, Balige, Indonesia
Hotel Tiara Bunga. Located: Balige, North Sumatera, Indonesia
Batak Traditional Village in Muara, Balige
Lake Toba from other side of Balige
The Crop Season is coming. Location: Balige, North Sumatera, Indonesia
Air Terjun Janji, or in English called Promise Waterall. This water fall is located next to the road, in one of sub districts in Balige.
Thank You
Hello my dear followers,
I realized that I’m not so active on WordPress since early June. Apparently, there are no serious things happened to me, but abundant office works plus the coming of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims, that requires me to fast during the day, made me forget my followers for a while.
Until this morning, I received a short message in my inbox from of one of my beloved followers. She asked how I was and worried since I was not seen on WordPress for sometimes.
This short massage is meant a lot to me. Knowing that somebody out there concern and care about my presence, even though we’re never met in person yet. This short message really made my day. It made me realize that how a simple thing can make somebody’s happy. An email, a call, a short text, a smile, a little help and many simple things that we can do to spread the love and show that we care.
I was thinking to start posting some posts in the next following week. But, I couldn’t help myself to drop some words to tell how thankful I am. This post is dedicated to Amanda Ricks from Surprising Lives, and my other followers that always keep me in mind, no matter what. I love you all.
Location: Somewhere in Jordan.
Camera: Canon 600D
Lake Victoria From the Plane
Lake Victoria, Uganda
Golden Sand of Wadi Rum
Golden Sand of Wadi Rum.
Location: Wadi Rum, Jordan.
On the Way to Somewhere
Somewhere in Jordan
Location: Somewhere in Jordan.
Camera: Canon 600D
Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia.
Before Sun Went Down to the Lake Kivu
I just couldn’t help my self for not sharing this beautiful moment. I was sitting at the resstaurant for my late lunch, and didn’t expect to get this beautiful view. It was a cloudy day, it looked like the rain would come soon. Yet, after sometimes, all grey clouds were gone, replaced by bright sun that started to go down. I couldn’t describe how beauty it was. Just look the picture below.
Lake Kivu, Bukavu, DR Congo
ION Orchard
One of attractive building in Singapore.
Architects: Benoy
ION Orchard, Singapore
ION Orchard, Singapore
ION Orchard, Singapore
ION Orchard, Singapore
ION Orchard, Singapore
ION Orchard, Singapore
Statues at ION Orchard
When the Twilight Comes to Sunda Kelapa
During my stays in Jakarta, five years ago, Sunda Kelapa is one of my favorite places to spend afternoon weekend. Sunda Kelapa is an old port located on North Jakarta District, which recently just accomodates Pinisi, a traditional wooden ship serving inter-islands service in the archipelago.
Usually, I didn’t do anything at the port but wandering around like crazy and shooting some interesting objects. When I was too lazy to walk, I just sat on the corner, observing people or just watching workers working on the ship. I could just sit for hours while waiting the twilight came, brought the sun down until it’s completely gone.
Sunda Kelapa Port, Jakarta, Indonesia
Sunda Kelapa Port, Jakarta, Indonesia
Sunda Kelapa Port, Jakarta, Indonesia
Sunda Kelapa Port, Jakarta, Indonesia
Morning Mist Enveloped Bukavu
Responding to Weekly Photo Challenge, I would like to share a photo showing Bukavu enveloped by morning mist.
Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Weh Island (Beauty of Indonesia #3)
With 17,000 islands, Indonesia has countless beaches throughout the country. What I show below is Weh Island, the northernmost island of Indonesian archipelago. It can be reached by fast ferry from the mainland Banda Aceh in 45 minutes. Weh island is also famous with its snorkling and diving activities.
Sumur Tiga Beach, Weh Island, Indonesia
Sumur Tiga Beach, Weh Island, Indonesia
When the sunrise comes. Location: Sumur Tiga Beach, Weh Island, Indonesia
At Dawn, Sumur Tiga Beach, Weh Island, Indonesia
Sumur Tiga Beach, Weh Island, Indonesia
Gapang Beach, Weh Island, Indonesia
Weh Island, Indonesia
Empty Bench With Million Stories Left Behind
These benches look empty. But actually, million stories are left behind. For more bench collection, kindly visit bench series HERE.
A bench I found at Istanbul Archeology Museum
A bench I found along the street of Oman.
The Path
I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.
– Rosalia de Castro-
Westerkerk (Religious Building #2)
Westerkerk, Amsterdam
Location: Netherlands
Forces of Nature: When the Sunset Comes
Location: Qurum Beach, Muscat, Oman
For more Forces of Nature, kindly check it at Weekly Photo Challenge.
Forces of Nature: The Siq of Petra, The Lost City
Responding Weekly Photo Challenge, here are the forces of nature of giant rocks in Petra.
Location: Petra, Jordan
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
The Siq of Petra
Royal Opera House Muscat
Royal Opera House Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
In the last two weeks, I was on the road and spent most of those times in Sultanate of Oman. I spent 7 days in Muscat, the capital, enjoyed my free times by wandering around the city, and found this opera house along the way. Royal Opera House Muscat, built in 2001 ordered by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, the ruler of Sultanate of Oman, that had been always fan to classical musics and arts. Many performance had been conducted there, such as opera and theatre performances, music concerts, ballet dancings performed by famous artists such as Andrea Bocelli, London Philharmonic Orchestra, American Ballet Theatre, including Arab artist such as Majida El Roumi. It was so bad, there were no music or dancing performances while I was there. However, I still could visit the building and see how beautiful it is.
Royal Opera House Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
The corridor of Royal Opera House Muscat
Royal Opera House Muscat accepts visitor every day (except Friday, if I’m not mistaken) from 08.30 – 10.30 am by paying 2 OMR for entrance fee. There will be guide accompanying visitors during the tour. The building can accomodate 1000 people. The architecture of opera house refllects Omani architecture, consist of concert theatres, auditorium, garden and shops gallery. The floors are covered by Italian tiles. There are no paintings decorating the wall or ceiling, as Prague State Opera House (the only opera house that I ever visited for watching Swan Lake performance), instead beautiful wooden craft using Arabic architecture style. The building has five levels, where 1st level is purposed to Sultan’s family and other VIP guests.
Main Hall of Royal Opera House Muscat. Stairs leading to Performance Hall
Main Hall of Opera House, showing the main entrance for VIP guests
Main Hall of Royal Muscat Opera House.
Performance Hall that can accomodate 1000 people. Sultan and VIP guests are always sitting on 1st floor
The Stage, where many performance had been held, including Swan Lake by Mariinsky Ballet
One of Balcony for VIP visitors
One of decorations of ceiling and walls with Omani architecture style
Instead of covered by paintings, the ceiling are covered by wooden craft
5 Days Photo Challenge: Old Muscat
Old Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
5/5
I accepted photo challenge from Nina to combine two challenges into one. Nina, Indonesian woman expat who has been living in several countries (lately she’s living in England) and traveling to many countries around the globe. I did follow her blog since couple of years ago and amazed with her photography works, especially with her architecture photography. You can check her blog here.
The rules of the 5 days challenge are:
1. On 5 consecutive days. create a post using either a pas or recent photo in B&W only for Black and White Challenge OR in color for Five photos – Five stories challenge.
2. Each day invite another blogger friend to join in the fun.
Old Muscat
Today is the last challenge day. Knowing the fact that I’m still on the road, I’m happy that I can fulfill the challenge constantly. After posting some shots from Africa and Europe, today, I chose to post a place where I’m staying for my short break at the moment. Old Muscat, the part of the capital of Sultanate of Oman. It’s located along Mattrah Corniche and distinguished from modern city of Muscat which has grown around it. The old city is just about 1,5 long and 1 km wide. It can be explored on foot in less than a day. But, with the weather right now, I didn’t recommend you to walk in the middle of the day due to the heat. Most of houses are painted white as shown on the photo, and surrounded by rock mountains.
Old Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Challenge Invitation:
I invite Winny Alna Marlina to participte with the challenge. Winny is another Indonesian woman traveler that had been traveled alone both in local and international. I just followed her blog recently and can’t wait to read more stories. Her photo collection is also wonderful. You can check them HERE.
5 Days Photo Challenge: Windmill
Windmill, somewhere in Netherlands
4/5
I accepted photo challenge from Nina to combine two challenges into one. Nina, Indonesian woman expat who has been living in several countries (lately she’s living in England) and traveling to many countries around the globe. I did follow her blog since couple of years ago and amazed with her photography works, especially with her architecture photography. You can check her blog here.
The rules of the 5 days challenge are:
1. On 5 consecutive days. create a post using either a pas or recent photo in B&W only for Black and White Challenge OR in color for Five photos – Five stories challenge.
2. Each day invite another blogger friend to join in the fun.
Windmill
If in the last three days I posted photos from Africa, this time we are going more to the north, to other continent.
Netherlands is famous with its windmills, which is the most well known icon in the country. During my short visit in Netherlands, I was wishing that I can find some windmills around the city. Apparently, I found nothing. Probably, It’s because I didn’t try hard to find them. However, I found this windmill on my way back to Amsterdam from Delft. I took it from the train, when the twilight started to come. It was a bit blur since I couldn’t hold my camera steadily due to the movement of the train. I hope it looks better in Black and White.
Windmill, somewhere in Netherlands
Challenge Invitation:
I invite Jithin from Pho Trablogger to participte with the challenge. I just followed his blog recently and amaze with his photography collection. His Morning Coffee posted almost everyday day made my day brighter. His blog is also full with photography tricks. You can check them HERE
Weekly Photo Challenge: Intricate
I found this floor paintings in Volubilis, one of Roman Ruins in Morocco, as my participation in Weekly Photo Challenge. These paintings are usually found in big and fancy houses belong to important people in that era. Do you think it’s easy to make these paintings thousand years back? I think, this is definetly intricate.
Volubilis, Morocco
Volubilis, Morocco
Volubilis, Morocco
Volubilis, Morocco
5 Days Photo Challenge: Stone Town
Stone Town, Zanzibar
3/5
I accepted photo challenge from Nina to combine two challenges into one. Nina, Indonesian woman expat who has been living in several countries (lately she’s living in England) and traveling to many countries around the globe. I did follow her blog since couple of years ago and amazed with her photography works, especially with her architecture photography. You can check her blog here.
The rules of the 5 days challenge are:
1. On 5 consecutive days. create a post using either a pas or recent photo in B&W only for Black and White Challenge OR in color for Five photos – Five stories challenge.
2. Each day invite another blogger friend to join in the fun.
Stone Town
Stone Town, is the capital,old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar. Located on Indian Ocean, Zanzibar is part of Republic of Tanzania, one of countries in East Africa. Culture in Zanzibar is influenced by Indian, Arabs that make it a bit different with Tanzanian culture in the mainland.
Stone Town is a place for winding alleys, bazars, mosques and grand Arab houses with beautiful carved wooden door. Most of houses in Stone Town built in 19th century using coraline rock of zanzibar. Its narrow labyrinth street is similar to Medina of Morocco where I spent many iddle hours to facinate and wander around.
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Challenge Invitation:
I invite Amanda Ricks from Surprising Lives to participte with the challenge. I have been following her blogs in the last couple of months and really like inspiration words that she shares on her blog. You can check her works HERE
My Lens and Universe 