Rainforest Challenge – RFC 2010: Opening Ceremony

This year’s Rainforest Challenge kicked-off at Kota Iskandar in Nusajaya, Johor and was officiated by His Majesty the Sultan of Johor. Participants came from all corners of the world, with Russia making her presence felt in a big way.

Straight from the cold frozen winter of Siberia, the Russian teams are ready to tackle our mud and swamps. The JB Prologue Stage, immediately after the opening, becomes the precursor of the tough terrain ahead (in the Jungles of Johor)…

Good Cop, Babe Cop

Good Cop, Babe Cop

The people of Johor were all friendly and helpful. Policewoman Tiffany is from Sarawak.

2,3 & 4 Wheels

2,3 & 4 Wheels

Earlier, the long convoy of two, three and four-wheeled vehicles departed from Zon Hotel for the opening ceremony site at Nusajaya.

Rain Challenge

Rain Challenge

Heavy rain greeted us at Kota Iskandar. The weather-resistant Olympus E-3 (I used for this shot) was the only camera there that could take the full brunt of the storm without resorting to an umbrella, shelter or any form of protective covering. I was totally drenched, of course 🙂

Luis & Lyla

Luis & Lyla

RFC founder Luis J Wee and his very capable assistant Lyla thrilled by the fitting presence of water.

Monster SUV

Monster SUV

The Johor royal family arrived in this humongous Ford vehicle that became an attraction itself.

The Sultan Of Johor

The Sultan Of Johor

H.M. The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim III and the Tunku Temenggong of Johor, Tunku Idris Iskandar.

Confetti Rain

Confetti Rain

Raindrops became confetti and the 2010 Rainforest Challenge officially begins.

MyCen Media Vehicle

MyCen Media Vehicle

Our vehicle being flagged-off by Luis.  I’ll re-join the competition vehicles in the deep  jungles of Johor later in the week. Back in KL for the KL International Motor Show…

Next: Prologue Special Stage action at Sutera Mall in Skudai

Jump to: The Twilight Zone SS by the South China Sea

See last year’s coverage: RFC 2009

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MAHA 2010 @ MAEPS

MAHA 2010 or The Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show is not for
the faint-hearted. It took a few attempts to even step foot a few miles from the actual
exhibition site. On Sunday, I saw cars parking alongside the SKVE miles before the venue at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang or MAEPS.

Since yesterday was a weekday, I made another attempt and ended up sitting out an hour-long traffic jam inside the MAEPS grounds itself. Of all people, I should have known better. After all, I created the two popular maps to MAEPS (here and here) months before. Both are seeing an enormous surge in traffic, the past few days.

Anyway, all will be forgiven once you find a spot to park, hop on a tram and savour Cendol Pak Ayob or Nasi Ambeng Tanjong Karang or Murtabak Mat Gombak or Mee Jawa Klang or Mee Bandung Stadium Selayang or Laksa Pak Ngah Kuala Kangsar or Laksa Beras Kuala Perlis. I can go on. All these mouth-watering delicacies and more, await you…

When There's A Will, There's A Way

When There’s A Will, There’s A Way

Where there is a shortcut, Malaysians will find it. Two young girls watching their auntie struggle up the steep slope after reaching the ‘peak’ themselves. The white tents are the external booths. My car is parked somewhere near the hills behind.

Hot Hot Day

Hot Hot Day

Don’t try this at home or anywhere else. My Panasonic LX 5 camera was fitted with an accessory electronic viewfinder for this shot. If you look at the sun directly through an optical viewfinder (of an SLR), it will likely damage your eyes. A rear LCD screen can be risky too for framing such a shot as you will be holding the cam with outstretched arms.

Can Drink Meh???

Can Drink Meh???

Long Time No Photograph! Many, including me, were pleasantly surprised by the appearance of our affable ex-PM Tun Abdullah Badawi, the ‘Father Of Agriculcure’ and ‘Father Of Corridors’.

The Balloon Monster

The Jagong Monster

“I Want Your Corn In The Cup” the monster-like balloon seems to be saying. Raising the camera and placing it close, exaggerates its size. There are plenty of photo opportunities if you look around a little.

Flamooshed

Flamooshed

With so many giant halls and tents, I felt the same way too. Now where’s my car?

Previously at MAEPS: Carnival Expo Malaysia 2010
Getting there: MyCen Map to MAEPS

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Peter Pan The Musical

Peter Pan, Wendy, Smee, Captain Hook and the motley crew have just landed at Sunway Lagoon. The musical featuring an international cast of West End and Malaysian theatre professionals is great entertainment for kids and adults feeling young like Peter Pan 🙂 Here are some pics from last night’s Gala Premiere…

Pixie Power

Pixie Power

J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan was first performed as a play in 1904 in London. It was published as a musical by Samuel French Ltd in 1985 and saw a successful West End run in 1994/1995.  This version, which is also Sunway Lagoon’s first staging of a musical, is directed by Chris Colby and choreographed by David Kort.

Fly Me To The Moon

Fly Me To The Lagoon

The short flying sequence was surprisingly effective considering the Amphitheatre was not designed with a catwalk and trap room. Mark Iles is Peter Pan and LJ Neilson is Wendy.

Hooked

Hooked

Michael Morgan is delightful as Captain Hook and Peter Jamieson is Smee.

Pirates

Pirates

I didn’t realise my friend and fellow blogger Callista Chuah (extreme right) was on stage until I read the press kit later 🙂

Take A Bow

Take A Bow

Well done! Aaron Soo, Sunway Lagoon’s CEO (extreme right), is himself a practitioner and lover of the arts.

Neverland

Neverland

Sunway Lagoon’s Peter Pan The Musical is being staged from 26th November 2010 to 2nd January 2011 at the Amphitheatre. Details at their website here.

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