More photos of the mosquito extermination in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

Following from a recent post on the extermination of mosquitoes in my apartment block in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan where I explained the dangers of improper rubbish disposal and stagnant water, which lead to dengue fever, I'll share some more images of the fogging which took place.

7 tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia

Yes, I've been living in South-East Asia for over 9 years now, and the tummy is still the main issue. I just can't have really spicy food as it messes up the harmony of my tummy. I've learned to 'test' food before I tuck into it, particularly that which is brought from outside stalls which may not be completely trustworthy.

And it's not only the local stuff. Western fast food, especially McDonalds, really makes me sick! (Apart from a good occasional Whopper Burger from Burger King)

I was recently contacted by a lady who has developed a lovely infographic for Gaviscon (as can be seen below) detailing 7 tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia. It was very relevant for me, and I hope it will be beneficial for you too. Go ahead and visit Gaviscon's website.

While being in Malaysia is full of wonderful surprises, looking after your tummy is an important part of being here. This infographic will give you 7 easy-to-follow tips to keep your tummy safe while travelling in South-East Asia so you can enjoy every minute of your journey in this awesome area without a care in the world!

Exterminating mosquitoes in Kuantan

There have been two very recent cases of dengue fever in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan. This results from bites of infected mosquitoes. They like to breed in stagnant water, which is unfortunately quite common in blocked drains by the sides of the roads here. On occasion, people from Health and Safety have been to our home to check for any stagnant water on our balcony, in buckets in the bathroom, even in our toothbrush cup.

I can't over-emphasize the importance of eliminating all stagnant water in our homes and surroundings. At worst, dengue fever is a killer. In hospitals in Malaysia it is usually treated with a drip and believe it or not, by asking the infected person to drink plenty of 100plus, an isotonic drink!

This evening the health officers came with their mosquito exterminating guns and gas masks to fill the entire area with clouds of repellent. We all ran outside to watch and, in my case, take plenty of photos!

This is the best image I snapped, which I think best illustrates the issues of stagnant water, lack of proper rubbish disposal, and the scourge of dengue fever:

A health officer equipped with exterminator gun and gas mask sprays clouds of repellent around our apartment block in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan in response to two recent cases of dengue fever here.

Our stay at The Zenith Hotel, Kuantan, October 2013

We go back a long way with The Zenith Hotel. I began photographing its construction from nothing but waste land to the 5-star hotel, tallest building in Kuantan which it is today. 

Click this link to see some of the construction progress I have captured in photographs.

From watching this hotel grow on our doorstep and possessing a collection of photographs of its progress, it always feels a little extra special for us when we go there.

The Zenith Hotel on a beautiful day in Kuantan

We stayed at The Zenith Hotel in the Deluxe Superior King room complete with living area, reclining chair and king-size bed, not to mention huge windows with panoramic views of Kuantan and beyond.

The Deluxe Superior King at The Zenith Hotel is a big room!

Living area in Deluxe Superior King, The Zenith Hotel, Kuantan

King size bed in the Deluxe Superior King room at Kuantan's The Zenith Hotel

We paid RM400 for the room and were not disappointed. Clean, comfortable, soundproof.

The awesome windows with grand views of Kuantan

Standing by the magnificent windows at The Zenith Hotel with Leah

As it was my birthday the following day, we had some friends around to celebrate in our room.

Following are just a few of the awesome views of Kuantan we observed from our hotel room:

A view of Berjaya Megamall with the South China Sea in the background, taken from The Zenith Hotel, Kuantan

The Pahang State Mosque sits in the centre of Kuantan town

East Coast Mall and Stadium Darul Makmur are prominent landmarks on the Kuantan skyline

We even managed some exercise during our stay at The Zenith Hotel. Fidelia worked out in the gym:

While I expended some energy by jumping on the bed:

Had a very nice buffet breakfast in the morning, and what made it complete was a surprise rendition of "Happy Birthday" sung by the staff in The Dining Room. One lady staff had a very alert ear when we casually told her we were staying here in conjunction with my birthday. Ten minutes later, and a whole group of staff are singing to me and presenting me with a small birthday cake! Amazing! (Gosh, I should have brought my camera down to breakfast!!!)

I highly recommend a stay at The Zenith Hotel in Kuantan. The hotel oozes quality and you can be assured of a great experience!

Kuantan at night on a 30-second shutter speed

The streaks of light from car headlamps race along Jalan Dato' Lim Hoe Lek, Kuantan

This is the junction in Kuantan intersecting East Coast Mall and Stadium Darul Makmur, including Jalan Dato' Lim Hoe Lek and Jalan Bukit Sekilau. These roads are very busy, particularly on holidays, as people flock to East Coast Mall for shopping.

I shot this image from the 18th floor of The Zenith Hotel during our recent stay there for my birthday. Must admit, I felt kind of like a sniper as I set up my tripod and programmed my equipment to shoot at a 30-second shutter speed, allowing the lens to capture all the movement of the vehicle headlamps.

Even with a tripod, I had to be immaculately delicate pressing the shutter button so as to avoid any type of blur. It was a worthwhile and stimulating experiment!

East Coast Mall 2 rumoured to be in progress

Kuantan has experienced a lot of growth right on my doorstep including The Zenith Hotel, East Coast Mall and Putra Square. An old block of flats have recently been demolished to make way for the rumoured construction of East Coast Mall #2.

Work is going on along the side of East Coast Mall

In the following photos taken in October 2013, you can see that work is ongoing all along the side of East Coast Mall facing the now empty plot of land where an old block of flats once stood:

And here is the plot of land just opposite East Coast Mall:

This plot of land used to occupy a few blocks of flats. They have now been demolished and the ground levelled off ready for construction

Looking through a gap in the fence to the empty land which may hold East Coast Mall #2

Kuantan Skies #26

This is part 26 in a series of 26 photographs of the Kuantan Skies taken this year. All but 3 were taken from my window or balcony.

Kuantan Skies #26 - The sun sets behind the hill, leaving vivid silhouettes across the Kuantan skyline

And with that, I thank you for following along with this series. I've certainly enjoyed the beauty of the skies this year!

Kuantan Skies #25

This is part 25 in a series of 26 photographs of the Kuantan Skies taken this year. All but 3 were taken from my window or balcony.

Kuantan Skies #25 - The last remnants of pink sky quietly fade into night over Kuantan

Kuantan Skies #24

This is part 24 in a series of 26 photographs of the Kuantan Skies taken this year. All but 3 were taken from my window or balcony.

Kuantan Skies #24 - Sekilau hill traps pockets of mist as they float around in the wet weather