Top Ten Photos of 2014

2014 was not such an adventuresome year for us as previous years have been. We did jet off to Kuching for a family visit, and enjoyed a couple of trips to KL, but that was about it. My top ten photos this year are exclusively from Kuantan and KL, and involve more people in the shots.

#10

A close-up of a colourful head used by the Chinese for lion dances during Chinese New Year

#9

Shot this beautiful landscape scene at the gorgeous orchid garden in Kuala Lumpur. I love the leafy frame and the vibrant purple orchids in the background

#8

My favourite shot of the girls from 2014

#7

My parents came to visit us in March 2014. I cheated a little bit with this one, as it wasn't me who took the photo, but I directed my wife as to how I wanted it done, and she didn't disappoint! The waves and the beautiful rocks of Teluk Chempedak complement this photo nicely

#6

Our annual Christmas e-postcard was a real favourite in 2014 due to its colour and creativity. Having all 4 of us smiling nicely for the camera really helps a lot, too!

#5

View of the main entrance of Kuala Lumpur's The Majestic Hotel. Snapped this photo on Malaysia's National Day at around 7:30am

#4

That poor stone buddha! The tripod-cum-weapon! The look of hatred on my dad's face! This is a family photo that will live long in the memory

#3

A combination of four shots of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Just magnificent buildings, a photographer's dream

#2

Walking around the butterfly park in Kuala Lumpur in the sweltering heat, searching for that special photo. I think I found it with this dainty little dragonfly

#1

My favourite family photo is also the top photo of the year 2014. I carried out 4 chairs to the field behind our house, found a nice scenic spot, set up the tripod and timer, and out came this fantastic picture of our family. Couldn't be happier with it!
This is my favourite photo of 2014!

Top 20 Photos of 2013 - #9

#9

This was an instance of discovering something different to what was initially expected. Here at the KL Orchid Garden we were surrounded by a plethora of beautiful orchids growing from the floor, hanging from baskets, lining shops. I went to gaze at a small pond when this pink dragonfly appeared from nowhere and decided to stay put. Slowly preparing my camera I tried to limit my movement as much as possible so as not to alarm this beautiful specimen. I was praying he wouldn't fly away as has happened so many other times. My prayers were answered and I shot several photos of this dragonfly as he perched on this tiny branch.

Our stay at Majestic Hotel KL - Part 2

In Part 1 of our stay at Majestic Hotel KL, I showed you around our junior suite. We really loved our room and spent most of our time in it. If you missed Part 1, you can click the following link to check it out:

Part 1 - Junior Suite, Majestic Hotel KL

For today, we'll look at some of the attractions from the lobby up to the 4th floor. These are the more public areas of the hotel where guests can wander around and appreciate the beauty.

Lauren gazes at the chandelier hanging over the lobby from the 2nd floor at Majestic Hotel KL

Following are some images of the iconic chandelier which hangs from the 2nd floor directly above the lobby:

Looking directly up at the chandelier over the lobby at Majestic Hotel KL

The 2nd floor chandelier looks like an inverted pyramid, Majestic Hotel KL

The third floor is full of meeting rooms. Here is a view of a hallway there:

Another corridor at the guest rooms, Majestic Hotel KL

Block of elevators at Majestic Hotel KL

Advertisement messages appear on a small screen inside elevators at Majestic Hotel KL

Lauren sits comfortably on a sofa in the lobby at Majestic Hotel KL

The gents toilet on the 2nd floor at Majestic Hotel KL. I always judge a place by the quality and cleanliness of its toilets - no problem here!

Orchids are a common occurrence at Majestic Hotel, as can be seen in the toilet (above), in the rooms, and also in the beautiful Orchid Room. The Orchid Room is located on the 2nd floor, between the Majestic Wing and the Tower Wing. The doors are locked and it can be rented out for the afternoon.

The gorgeous Orchid Room at Majestic Hotel KL

Majestic Hotel KL's Orchid Room

In the Tea Lounge at Majestic Hotel hangs these beautiful lights over a piano, enshrouded in a golden dome

Lauren sits in a chair near the entrance to the Majestic Wing

Entrance to the Grand Ballroom on the 2nd floor at Majestic Hotel KL

The Grand Ballroom, Majestic Hotel KL

Lighting in the Grand Ballroom, Majestic Hotel KL

The 4th floor is home to the gym, swimming pool and rooftop garden.

Lift some weights at the gym on the 4th floor at Majestic Hotel KL

View of the swimming pool at Majestic Hotel KL

Fidelia, Lauren and Leah having fun in the pool, Majestic Hotel KL

Here are a couple of views of the rooftop garden:

Spotted the KL Tower from the rooftop garden at Majestic Hotel KL

The Majestic Spa sits by the entrance to the Majestic Wing

Well, there's plenty to see at Majestic Hotel. Hope you enjoyed those photos. The next post - Part 3 - will look at the hotel exterior and the signboards around the hotel.

Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden

The Kuala Lumpur Orchid Garden has an entrance that could easily be missed, a small pathway leading up a hill that blends in with the landscape, but once inside, you should prepare yourself for an orchid explosion!

The KL Orchid Garden is located in the Lake Gardens area of Kuala Lumpur, immediately opposite the KL Bird Park and just around the corner from the KL Butterfly Park. Entrance Fees are just RM1/person on weekends, and it is FREE on weekdays and public holidays.

A cascade of colour decorates the Orchid Garden in KL. Every turn is greeted by various species of orchids. It was really difficult to make a selection of photos for this post - I wanted to just use them all!

I was drawn to these individual petite orchids. . .

Then there were the larger versions . . .

We spent our time at the Orchid Garden with our really nice friends from Kuantan. We had a very pleasant time admiring the beauty of nature together. . .

Amidst all the beauty, I even managed to get one shot of myself!

And here are more photos of these gorgeous orchids . . .

I just can't help but feel happy while I'm around such wonderful creations . . .

We finish with a flurry of red. I could have spent hours upon hours at the Orchid Garden. With two camera batteries. It's my kind of paradise . . .