Sunday, June 19, 2011

Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2011 - Kota Kinabalu

The 26th Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2011 was being held over the two days (18th and 19th June). I went down to the Public Park at Likas Bay this morning ...


... it was cloudy, hazy, but not too hot yet at the morning hours ...


The park was filling up with spectators and ...


... the teams were getting ready. Here's one in yellow and ...


... another team in black with red bandanas (Did you know that the word bandana comes from the hindi word meaning "to tie"?).


My posting last year was more focused on the races. This time I was more interested in the boats and the start of the races.


The teams lining up behind the lane markers; with a good supply of the essential lifejackets!


The boats were waiting ...


... and so were the big waves ...


... making the first challenge for the day; GETTING IN the damn boats!


To speed up the proceedings, they had the participants for the second race go out while the first race was on-going. This kind of rush, to complete the day's events, again showed that a lot the events held nowadays were not really geared toward spectators' enjoyment.


They thought they won! I had no idea who won ...


... but then, I was only here looking for photographic opportunities. I noticed the nice paddles (they should make nice house decorations?).


Did you know the difference between paddles and oars? Oars are fixed to the boat; paddles are not. Rowers using oars have to sit facing backwards (in order to "pull" on the oars). The wonder of the internet!


A paddle with a cover and a plain one ...


... and some in a nice arrangement.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival 2011

The KK Jazz Festival is being held over the two nights (17th and 18th June 2011) ...


... at the covered tennis court of the Sutera Harbour Marina ...


... where stage, lighting, sound systems and seating had been prepared for the concerts over the two nights.


This morning, a free workshop was held by one of tonight's performers ...


... Aseana Percussion Unit (APU). They also work with autistic and spastic children; many do respond well to music.


The workshop seemed mainly attended by members from the Kian Kok School bands.


The Band Leader, Edwin Nathaniel, giving the attendees a free education in percussive intruments, their sounds, the beats, the rythms, and the signals the band used for a good performance ...


... with participation from the attendees ...


... including kids ...


... and even the seniors! No lah, only some foreign tourists passing by.


APU uses all kinds of "instruments" in their show, the main ones being the drums ...


There were all kinds of drums ...


... from many different countries ...


... from Brazil, from Africa ...


... bigger drums (even an extendable didgeridoo) ...


... to a tiny one ...


... and other percussive intruments.


The Band played a couple of short numbers to end the workshop ...


... though I did notice one of the band members who might have got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?

All the event details are available at the KK Jazz Festival website.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

EMDA International Dog Show 2011

The East Malaysian Dog-owners Association (EMDA) held an international dog show at the Sabah Cultural Centre this morning (EMDA has a FaceBook page). As I had never been to the Cultural Centre, I took the opportunity to "kill two birds".

A very nice arena, but lighting on the badminton court area was not quite sufficiently bright. This was only my opinion; no doubt biased, as it was easier to take photos with bright lights!

The area by the wall was used for staging ...

... to enter and win in the many categories ...

... unfortunately, there were no display boards / scoreboards (that I could see); so I had no real idea what was going on.

I presumed this was THE BLUE RIBBON. If they had a knowledgeable commentator keeping the spectators up to date, it would have been more enjoyable.

The above comments are meant to be constructive. I was not complaining; I got to see Big Dogs ...

... small dogs ...

... tiny dogs ...

... dogs you could drape over your shoulders ...

... doggy twins ...

... and THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PUPPY EVER!

12th Borneo Island International Big Bike Festival 2011

I went down to The City Hall for the Big Bike display this morning. But as it was also the sunday fair at Gaya Street, I only managed to park in Kampong Air. I noticed that the dry goods stalls were still operating the tamu.

Some say that you can find your missing shoes here ...

The stalls layout was rather haphazard; its easy to lose your way inside there!

Mostly clothing ...

Anyway, back to the Big Bikes. This was the day they all stopped riding around, and parked all their bikes here while having tea with our Mayor.

Big Bikes was still a "Guy's Thing"; or I was not lucky enough to see any Biker Chicks!

A Big Bike ...

... another one ...

... and yet another one. Beautiful machines!

A nice sunny day = A good attendance ...

... everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves ...

... more bikers arriving. American-size handlebars?

The thing is ... I have NEVER ridden a motorbike!

But I do like the colourful graphics! ...

... and the shiny chrome! ...

... the Bad Boy attitude! ...

... the High Tech exhausts (magnesium!!!) ...

... The Robot (oh, just another exhaust).

The Eagle ...


... and the dog! I noted that he had a handphone! Shouldn't he be in The Dog Show (see the next post)?