CNY @ Kuantan: Part 3

Ahmad warmed up to us while we were roaming the back lanes. He has been working in Kuantan for over 30 years and is witness to the development of the humble town to the modern state it is now.

Ahmad

Ahmad's friends

 
We left Ahmad after he and his friends wished us "Gong Xi Fatt Chai". Then, we proceeded to the main street - Jalan Teruntum.

Main Street

Burnt Down

 

Newspaper man

Masjid Besar Kuantan

Me @ Kuantan Branch

Next: Reunion Dinner and Night Shots!

CNY @ Kuantan: Part 2

The backstreets remained quite the same even after many years, giving me opportunity to photograph some of the oldest architecture in town.

Rustic Red

 

Childhood Memories

That Imperfect Wall

Mossed x Barricaded

 

Grandpa's

 

Beneath the Color...

The Young Passing By the Old

Next: A Stranger's Tale and to the Main Street...

CNY @ Kuantan: Part 1

Okay, 2 days later...I returned to my hometown -  Kuantan, a relatively small town compared to KL.

We went around photographing the older part of town, the scenes while on foot was amazing.

Down Memory Lane

 

Old Barber

We walked along "Ham Yu Gai" - Salted Fish Street. In the olden days, many shops used to sell salted fish and dried sea produce there that you can literally smell them as you walked along the street.

Salted Fish Shop

Cobbler at work

Rusty Grille

 

Me @ newer part of town

Next: We go back streets...

CNY @ JB

This year, I spent CNY holidays in 3 different states. Starting with JB but there was nothing much to photograph except for some night shots from the condo.

Night in JB

Traffic

We also camwhored much, haha!

Brother & Cousin

 

 

 

 

 

So lovely!

 

Me @ photo check

Next Stop: Kuantan!!

Rock The Stance by TDC

Back in college - Taylor's College to be precise, I never had the privilege like the current batch of students have to be involved in a dance club. Not that I'm talented nor cared much about joining extra curricular activities back in the days but hey, if you never try then you will never know, right? Right. 

Fast forward over 10 years and I found myself sitting in the new Lecture Theatre 1, which is modern looking and well equipped to hold performances such as Rock The Stance by the Taylor's Dance Club ("TDC"). From what I gather, TDC is not only a popular club organized by the students who are also talents themselves but the college has actually setup a dance room  proper for practices. How cool is that? But, I really feel cheated of my money for the college did not used to have all these cool clubs and facilities, not to mention the ultra modern Lecture Theatres...but that's another rant for another entry. 

The event was TDC's effort to showcase the 7 styles of dances, namely Poppin', Girl's Style, B-Boy, K-Pop, Hip-Hop, Contemporary and L.A. Style. They had videos of the choreographers giving a brief description of the style before the corresponding dance took place. My hats off to them as a high level of dedication and effort is required to perfect a dance with multiple dancers involved. 

Anyway, less words and let the photos do the talking now. Feel the energy and fluid motion in each of them.

 

Opening Act

 Defy Gravity

B-Boys

Girl's Style...I think.

Uber cute expression

K-Pop (?)

Purrrrrrr......

Them Harley Ridin' Ladies pumpin' it up

 I can punch upwards, hiyakkk! And smile at the same time too!

Give it up for Hip Hop! Whattup!

Contemporary. Very Dramatic.

Totally my kinda thing

L.A. Style - described as a dance style that encompasses almost any or every other element of dance.

In short - ROJAK.

But hey, it looks cool.

And pretty awesome too.

Everyone can soak up the atmosphere

If I can say one thing after spectating the performance is this, I wish I had joined a dance club like TDC because as untalented as I can be, it would feel absolutely great to just be able to express your Emotions with Motions. 

Here's wishing TDC or any other dance club for that matter to greater heights! For you and I know, art form can never be contained and is limitless.

Soaking up the Thaipusam atmosphere

Being a Malaysian, I suddenly felt compelled to at least witness one of the largest festival celebrations in the country. The truth is I kind of regretted it, I regretted not having this level of curiosity to witness it for myself earlier. Also, I would have been able to see so much more if I reached earlier to enter into Batu Caves, which I heard there are many things going on in there that is worth my while. I may have needed to sacrifice some sleep and endure the journey to Batu Caves standing for an hour in the KTM but I found it satisfying that I finally saw the event with my own eyes.

The overwhelming crowd

 

Captivated by its silent angelic might

Offering of prayers

 Let there be Light

The Gods above us

Offering hands

Staring devotee

Such bright colors

Stream of People

In Trance

Devotees with their offerings

The symbol of Thaipusam - The Kavadi

Next year, I shall return to experience what goes on inside Batu Caves.