Weekend in Singapore, 2011

I took my GE x5 for a stroll over the weekend at Singapore. This is my first out-of-the country trip this year (2011) and apart from going to Universal Studios, Sentosa, Marina Bay and other hot spots around the city, I also look forward to taking a lot of photos using GE X5, just like what I did in Taipei. I do hope you enjoy some of the shots using my camera.

Of course, the Universal Studio Logo is a must to be taken. This is an early evening shot of the famous logo that stands in front of the theme park.

This is the Hollywood area of the theme park with a lot of restaurants and souvenir shops.

This is a photo of Battlestar Galactica and the Mummy Ride, two of the most popular attractions in the theme park

Another shot of the logo, we came in early and the park was still closed, so might as well kill time by taking photos.

The following day, we went to Marina Bay area and also took some pictures. This is a shot of the Singapore CBD from the balcony of the Marina Bay Sands Skypark. Here is a shot from another side of the balcony of the Skypark with a fantastic view of the Singapore Flyer

Now here is another angle of Marina Bay Sands from the park adjacent the Singapore Flyer.

Here are some great photos of Marina Bay Sands and other adjacent buildings like the ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Mall, etc. Another night shot of the Singapore skyline Singapore CBD taken from the Marina Bay Sands Skypark.

I just can't help but take more shots of Marina Bay Sands.

GE X5 Fireworks Shots - 2nd Pyromusical Competition

It has been a while since I used my GE X5 for artistic shots, simply I don't have time for the past couple of weeks to do this. But last 2.11.11, I just have to bring my camera and my tripod and watch the 2nd Annual Pyromusical Competition at Mall of Asia Bay Area. I can still remember last year how I used my Canon 1000d for the event and produced great results, but that was a thing of the past. I am confident that with GE x5's manual capabilities, this camera can be at par with the shots I took last year. True enough, this little gadget did not disappoint me, so here are some of the pictures I have taken from GE x5.

The Pyromusical Competition will run all Saturdays from February 12 to March 12, 2011 at the Mall of Asia Bay Area. Ticket would range from Php100 to Php1500. But I would suggest for you to get a decent reservation at any veranda restaurants in the bay area. You can get as much as Php300 per head which is already consumable, depending on the restaurant you want to dine.

Iphone 4 Review, Camera Samples

Iphone 4 Review from a Regular User

Note: This is not a tech review, this is based on a normal end-user.

It's been a while since the last time I made a review of a mobile phone I recently purchased. I was not really an Apple fanboy before, I did not make any big deal about the Iphone and it's iOS operating system. Even with 3 iterations, I would still opt to buy a regular phone from the safer brands - Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.

What made me switch to an Iphone 4 were two things: (1) When a purchased Ipod Touch 3rd Gen, and (2) When I was eligible with my mobile carrier's (Globe Telecoms) loyalty award.

The ipod touch 3rd gen made me introduce to the iOS ecosystem. It was user friendly and the apps were just totally awesome. But the loyalty award was really the deciding factor to purchase one because I only got this phone for Php9000. It was really a great deal.

There are so many good things to say about the Iphone 4, but there are few flaws as well.

The display is was really sharp. Comparing with my Ipod Touch (which I sold eventually), the resolution difference was really clear. The improved processing speed made multitasking easier and responses faster. With the most updated OS, downloading apps was a lot easier since all of them are now compatible on the new version. By default, the pre-istalled apps would do the work of a regular smartphone. But downloading specific apps would make it a workhorse.

One example was when I went to Taiwan for a backpacking trip. I avoided the pains of paying roaming charges whenever I call my family from my hotel, I would use the default wifi connection to do a facetime call (my brother has an Ipod touch 4). Or, I would call him via the latest update on Yahoo Messenger App. I would also do wifi based SMS through the Chikka application.

I was on leave from work when I was in Taipei, but I had to make a few calls and a little work. And Iphone 4 just did the job! I was able to check my emails with attached screenshots. Most phone would just display plain text (e.g. Blackberry). I was able to access my work desktop through the Citrix App. And I was able to facilitate a Webex Meeting. And yes! These are all available on the Iphone.

The map and GPS application helped me find my way in Taipei. The photo and video application (samples below) captured places I have been in Taipei. The music and games kept me pre-occupied while waiting for my flight.

Overall, this is a complete mobile phone. Some of the things that could've improved would be its battery life. At times, it would last for 24 hours under heavy usage. But would last for 3 days if there's a lot of standby time. Buying a case is a must, since it's a fingerprint magent, but this hides the design of the phone, so I would suggest buy a transparent case.

Below are some sample pictures and videos that I've taken during my trip.

Taipei Video shot through GE X5

Here are some video clips that I have compiled during my trip in Taipei last October, 2010. I used GE X5 video recording and the clips were really great.

Weekend in Taipei, Taiwan

This was my first time to travel alone and discover a new place. I went to Taipei, Taiwan last October 23 with one thing in mind, to see Taipei 101. But I got more than what I had wished for. I get to experience the culture, more sites and of course new friends.

I arrived at the Tuoyan International Airport pass midnight. At the arrival area, shops were already closed and there was a couple of bus company's offering last trip to Taipei Main Station. With very very limited ability to understand Chinese, I had a hard time asking folks how much and what bus number I should take, but luckily to old Filipino-Chinese couple helped me find my way through the bus ticketing lane.

When I rode a bus, I also met another person who is Filipino-Chinese who had work there in Taipei, but has a family in the Philippines and he helped me find my hotel near Taipei Main Station. We were able to find my hotel: Chair-Man Hotel.

The next day, after eating the breakfast provided by the hotel, I walked until I reach the Taipei Main Station and alighted the CKS Station for my first stop - CKS Memorial Hall.

It was a very big complex, and on a weekend there were a lot of teenagers practicing dance routines doing group projects in the park, which is not a common thing here in Manila. The complex is free and you can visit the three main buildings of the complex.

Later that day, I of course went to Taipei 101. They had an entrance fee of around NTD90 to reach the observation deck on the 89th floor.

Taipei 101

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

Bohol Weekend Trip

I have been travelling in different places, and most of them happened this year. Most of my friends suggested that I try Bohol. So I waited for the right opportunity, meaning another seat sale. I got my plane ticket for Php78 via Zest Air and a free accommodation via Club Astoria, so it was really a good deal.
This is also a good time to take my recently bought GE X5 to another trip, first one being in Boracay a few weeks back. So below are the pictures I have taken in Bohol.