My Photo Gallery

Gatineau Park Cycling Trail

2009-08-24T19:44:00.001-07:00

Another move

2008-10-04T09:04:00.001-07:00

My photo albums can be found at http://picasaweb.google.com/ptylam

Sunset in Lake Huron 2

2007-05-20T08:50:00.001-07:00

Sunset in Lake Huron

2007-05-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

A picture without a rabbit in it

2007-05-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

To start off the new series, here's a picture without a rabbit in it. It's taken in the Fall of 2006. Those are maple trees.

My Photo Gallery (the first) has been moved!

2007-05-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

Due to the nature of the content, my previous photo gallery on what has been predominantly about rabbits has been moved to Poppy-Rabbit Journal About Rabbits to better serve its purpose.

Sunset and Mountains

2006-08-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

The same sunset as previous photo. We crossed the provincial border into Quebec. Again, I have no idea where I was. But we're up in a mountain as you can see.

Sunset and River

2006-08-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Somewhere outside of Ottawa. I don't know where since I was led there. I think it's a popular tourist spot.

TV Dinner

2006-07-12T19:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't had TV dinner for a long time. A while ago the supermarket had some on sale, so I bought some to try. The way I remembered it, TV dinner usually gives you a slab of mashed potatoes, a conservative portion of corn kernels, and exactly two thin slices of meat. This new Hungry-Man frozen dinner I got is similar, but with everything doubled in size. Seeing how huge it is, I had to buy some to try. It certainly looks good on the cover, but the inside is another story. Although the meat portion is a bit more generous than past experience, the texture didn't feel like real meat. I'm guessing it's just some leftover stuff and they squeezed it into a steak shape. On the other hand, the brownie included is actually pretty good. Anyway, I must say it is acceptable for a quick hunger fix. Just don't expect a gourmet meal out of it.

Bon Echo Provincial Park

2006-07-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

I went to camping for a couple nights at Bon Echo Provincial Park here in Ontario with my dad and girlfriend. The hiking trails there are excellent. Unlike many other trails in southern Ontario, this one actually has lots of hills and valleys to climb. The shower station near my camping site are also top notch. They seem very new and is well maintained on a daily basis. The showers themselves have good water pressure. One thing I don't like about camping there is the close proximity of the camping sites. I stayed on site Sawmill 59. It is surrounded by 3 other sites each just a few trees away. It's also pretty noisy at night as people stayed late. If anyone intends to stay there, I'd recommend some of the 60's numbered site in Sawmill. They're up the hill and provide more privacy. Overall, the place is okay, but I have no plan to return there as there are a plethora of camping places in Ontario.

Kenneth Cole Entrance

2006-03-30T15:03:00.000-08:00

Kenneth Cole's store front (above doors) in New York.

2005-12-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

A traditional street market in Hong Kong. Only a handful of these are still in existence. So in addition to the bargain items, they are also good for sight seeing. The photo is of 花園街 (Garden Street) in Mong Kok, which is much preferred by locals than the nearby 女人街 (Lady Street), as the latter place has become a tourist trap. The buildings at the side are worth mentioning too as they are also from a previous era. I don't know much about these buildings although there are probably some history behind them. The only fact I know is that most, if not all, of them are without elevators, so they are a lot cheaper (almost half) than newer units. And because of the fact that they're old, of course. Considering that Hong Kong's real estates are fairly expensive in most standards, these buildings are preserved because of demands from low income families. Nevertheless, the government has been very active in upgrading low income families to safer and cleaner buildings. There are countless government subsidised properties throughout Hong Kong for people in need. However, even with the many social assistance available, you're bound to run across a beggar or two in Hong Kong, just like any other metropolis of the world. But I have never once been approached by a panhandler in Hong Kong, which is completely opposite to what I experience here in Toronto. In Toronto, I've seen young, able bodied, and cleanly dressed "panhandlers" on the street of downtown Toronto. Most of them evidently don't look like they're in poverty, yet, they have the audacity to ask me for change. Everytime, I have to hold the urge to just tell them to "Get a job, pal!" as they're obviously exploiting the kindness of strangers. Noting that minimal wage here is about $7/hour and people have tendancy to leave at least a dollar or two, this is definitely a better "job" for these lazy people that have no moral. But, I digressed.

2005-10-30T08:52:00.000-08:00

The Hope diamond, est. US$250 million. At the National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. The colour is suppose to be blue, but the camera lighting skewed it. You can read about its long and dramatic history from this link. The centre diamond is a natural blue stone around 45 carats, there are 16 white diamonds surrounding it with 45 in total for the whole necklace. From what I've read, the blue diamond is the rarest of all natural diamonds and this particular gem is the biggest of them all.

Speaking of diamonds. This company sells artificial diamonds of a different kind. They've been around for a few years and I've seen them on the news a couple of times. At first I was skeptical, but they seem legitimate and is actually doing well (seeing that they're still around after some time).

2005-10-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

Took this picture back in July of this year. A clear sky.

2005-10-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Same view as the previous post, but this time at dusk hour. Views like this are getting rarer these days as winter approaches. It's been cloudy often here at Toronto lately.

2005-09-15T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have moved! Here's a view from my balcony. A spectacular view overlooking Toronto downtown, isn't it?

2005-08-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

I thought I might give Tokyo a break for a while as I still have many pictures from my recent trips. This one here is from Mong Kok, Hong Kong. A street-side-snack-seller. I was quite amazed by the sheer number of these places in HK. There weren't as many last time I've been to HK a couple years back. These days you're bound to run into them everywhere you go. The guy in the picture doesn't seem too busy. But pictures can be deceiving. This place is literally jam packed with people at the time. A second before the photo, he was serving customers with one hand, collecting money with the other, and taking orders from numerous customers. I was quite astounded to find that he actually stopped everything he was doing and posed for my picture without me asking (I originally wanted to capture the action). Either that or he was giving me the "look" and wanting me to move out of the way... I never did find out as the crowd grew to like 20 people by the time I'm done. So I thanked him hastily and moved along.

2005-07-27T17:40:00.000-07:00

Here's my "capsule" which I'm staying for a night in Tokyo. At 3000yen, it's more expensive than the budget hotel I stayed in (in a previous post). Let me roll back a bit with some background information. For those not familiar, Tokyo's property prices is one of the highest in the world (I think it's either first or second...). Thus, hotels are very expensive. A couple of decades ago, these "capsule hotels" start appearing. Instead of a room, you only get a "capsule". They are layed one on top of the other as you can see in the picture. And there are many (about 40) of these in a big room. These hotels cater to businessmen that miss the night train home, as most people live in suburban Tokyo. In addition, after work socialization is part of the business culture there, so this is a huge market. Anyway, long story short, because these capsule hotels are so unique, eventually the foreigners catch on and you can find them being mentioned in practically all tourist guides of Tokyo. And that is the reason why I stayed there for a night.
First thought I had when I saw it is that it's pretty good. True that it's no comparison to a real room, but it certainly isn't a coffin either. The height of it is about 1.5 meters, 1m wide, and about 2.5m long. You can easily sit up to watch your personal mini-TV within the capsule. It also has a light, radio, and clock built into the side panel. The whole capsule is more like a plastic shower mold tilted to the side as it seems to be made up of the same material. You have a curtain at the opening for privacy. Ventilation is very good at the place, so don't worry about getting stuffy. The only annoyance I had with my stay is the noise. Late in the night, when the drunk businessmen start arriving, they can cause a racket. Add to that, many snored in their sleep. Lucky that I have my earplugs in. There's a washroom and a common area for people to smoke in another room, so don't worry about being smoked. The Japanese style bath is on another floor. Perhaps I might describe these later on as they're different from the western type. Heck, everything's different there. Anyway, everything's very clean and tidy at the capsule hotel, so I do recommend you try it for yet another "been there done that" experience in Tokyo. Just remember to bring earplugs!
For the ladies though, make sure the capsule hotel you'd like to go welcome female and provide a separate area with equal service (I've seen one where their female room only provide airplane-style recliners instead of capsule beds). As most of these places are male only. Not that for any dirty reason, but merely because there are very few female patrons. My group stayed at Asakusa Riverside and the girls were quite happy with their stay. Furthermore, Asakusa is a nice district in Tokyo with many things to see and do.

2005-07-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

The gate to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. A very long and serene path from this point to the actual shrine. Lots of vegetations and humongous trees. I definitely didn't expect to find a place like this within Tokyo.

2005-07-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

This picture is taken at the end of Omote-Sando, just before entering the Meiji area. Omote-Sando is a street lined with boutiques known for their haute couture. Another destination worth visiting if you're into the fashion scene. Meiji is well known for its Meiji shrine. The biggest shrine in Tokyo. The old meets new, east meets west mantra of this unique location has its effects on the billboards too. However, the main reason why I took this photo is because I noticed that if you were to come up with a story by the signs from top to bottom... (FYI: Sapporo is a beer brand)

2005-07-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

Minami-Senju, Tokyo. The photo is of a street near my hotel. There are many cheap hotels in that area. The cheapest place is New Koyo for 2500yen/night. However, I would strongly discourage anyone staying there. The place is dirty and dark (looks like a prison), lots of weirdos, always a line for showers, and the worst of all, the host has a bad temper! As an alternative, New Azuma is only a few minutes walk from New Koyo and is only slightly more expensive. At 2700yen/night. It has fewer rooms, so less crowd. Simply much better atmosphere for my taste. And the old man and daughter at the counter there are very nice. Both places speaks English, by the way.

2005-07-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

Apparently this is a very famous restaurant at Ginza, Tokyo. It just happens to be under the bridge of a railway. Ginza is THE high-end fashion district of Tokyo.

2005-07-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

I spotted this at Ebisu, Tokyo. No Pizza Hut in Japan. But they have Domino's Pizza! Do they still exist in Canada? Ebisu is a more relaxing urban area in Tokyo. With fair amounts of sightseeings, shops and restaurants. Relaxing as in less cars, less people, etc. "Less" relative to Tokyo central, of course. I had one of the best lunches in Ebisu at a famous, but expensive restaurant. Katsuyoshi in Ebisu Garden Place Tower to be exact. There are many nice restaurants inside the towers, by the way. Might be worth the trip if you have a few hours to spare in Tokyo. I went at lunch on a weekday, so they have "bento" specials. A nifty custom to know in Tokyo for travellers. Here's the gist of it. On a weekday, non-holiday, find a expensive eatery, preferably in a business district, and ask for the "bento" menu. (make sure you do this before you go in and sit down) These are set lunches at about a THIRD of their usual dinner price to attact local business people. Travellers greatly benefit from this too.

Almost up to date!

2005-05-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

I'm finally up to date with my photo postings. Sifting through three years of collection has been ... refreshing. I will move on to posting a few pictures from my recent trip to Japan and Hong Kong. Stay tuned.

2005-05-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

One of the smaller engineering computer labs at University of Waterloo, Canada. Taken during my last term there. 2005/02/23

2005-05-29T14:55:00.000-07:00

Alcatraz, in the middle of San Francisco Bay. 2004/10/09.

2005-05-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

San Francisco, California! On a boat ride to The Rock. 2004/10/09

2005-05-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

one of Toronto downtown's parks. They are having a volleyball tournament that day at the beach. Taken 2004/09/25

2005-04-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Carnegie Museum of Natural History. A very nice building inside and out. Too bad I didn't have a time to go in for the exhibition. 2004/08/26

2005-04-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

a real life Kwik-E-Mart! In Pittsburg downtown, 2004/08/26

2005-04-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Pittsburg's free light rail train around the city core. 2004/08/26

2005-04-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

Taken as I prepare to decend this steep hill with my bike. Didn't turn out too well to say the least. At a side trail of another side trail at Edward's Garden, Toronto, 2004/08/24

2005-04-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

A Norwegian cruise ship passing by the Panama canal. An interesting place where we were our own entertainment. People on the ships and us on the lookout tower foolishly exchange waves and took pictures for the entire time they were passing through the water lifts. 2004/04/30

2005-04-16T21:03:00.000-07:00

A monkey coming for tourist food in the jungle at Panama. Many of them came out of hiding as the tourist boat drifts near. 2004/04/30

2005-04-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Atlantic Ocean taken from Panama. or is it the Pacific? 2004/04/27

2005-04-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

A section of the largest exam area for final exams here at University of Waterloo. It's the gym at other times. 2004/04/16, one year ago today!

2005-04-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

My second speciaty, everything-boiled-together-in-a-pot-with-noodles. 2004/04/08

2005-04-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

The only dish that I cook at school. Everything-stir-fried-together-and-put-on-rice. 2004/03/25

2005-04-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

A small town near Niagara Falls known as Niagara-On-The-Lake, I think. A popular tourist place in the area. 2003/10/13

2005-04-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Niagara river, a section after the famous Niagara Falls. 2003/10/13

2005-04-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

One of my creations at work. As "complicated" as it might seem, it doesn't do much though. 2003/03/16

2005-04-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Interesting clouds covering the entire sky. And it wasn't a storm. 2003/09/24

2005-04-15T18:48:00.000-07:00

Waterloo, Ontario. The railway running by the University of Waterloo. The building at the back is one of the university's residences.

2005-04-15T18:29:00.000-07:00

One of my previous employers. ATI headquarter in Markham, Ontario. 2002/08/30

2005-04-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

huge mushrooms beside a trail at Point Farms, Ontario. 2002/08/24.

2005-04-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Point Farms bluff overlooking Lake Huron, 9:19 pm 2002/08/24.

2005-04-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal, Quebec. 2002/08/12

2005-04-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

Ontario Hwy 12 north bound, 6:55am. 2002/08/12

2005-04-15T17:45:00.000-07:00

Live bait in vending machine. Lake Simcoe area, Ontario. 2002/08/05

2005-04-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

lost near Lake Dalrymple, Ontario. 2002/08/05

2005-04-15T17:39:00.000-07:00

Richmond Hill Dunlop Observatory. It's close to my house.

2005-04-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

The railway in my community. Taken 2002/07/01, Canada Day.

2005-04-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

A farm in Ontario, during my road trip going to middle of nowhere. Taken 2002/06/30

2005-04-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

On one of my bike trips, going north at Queensville, Ontario. Still a long way until Lake Simcoe. The white dot a kilometer ahead is Roger. Took me that long to take out the camera to snap this photo. Photo taken on 2002/06/23

2005-04-15T17:26:00.000-07:00

A million dollar transformer

Under Construction

2005-04-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of posting old pictures to this blog. This will replace my current photo gallery hosted on my school's server. That will soon become unavailable as I am graduating.

2005-04-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

Giant cloth hangers. Electrical class tour. Taken 2002/11/05 at Waterloo sub-station.