Alone in Space

Space travel can be lonely.

Advances in Space Travels

Embed from Getty Images

Space, the final frontier, they say. For all we know (barring all those governmental conspiracies) there had not been anyway for humans to go that far but there had always been theories. Some of these theories are starting to materialise and look promising:

1. Photonic Propulsion

With a large, reflective sail, it would be "possible to generate enough momentum to accelerate a spacecraft" via lasers pulsing light from the surface of the Earth.

Just 3 days to Mars and another 3 days back. Wow.

2. Antimatter Rockets

Another cool theory would be using antimatter rockets with energy created when positrons and electrons come into contact to power spacecrafts. Speed can go up to 72 million miles per hour.

via WIRED.co.uk

Travel Photography and the Reality We Don't Quite See

All those lovely photos of tourist locations we browse through everyday online (in the case of this article it's Instagram) have a not so pleasant side to them. Those with billions of views have something real cropped out or intentionally framed out. What we don't see are the long queues, the overcrowded landscapes, etc. A disappointing reality indeed.

via The Telegraph.

中秋節快樂!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival (and that's what the translation say in the subject)! Took this photo at Jaya Shopping Centre - The Heart and Soul of PJ. I suppose it was the heart and soul of Petaling Jaya once before but after a few visits since its launch, I'm quite worried that it might not last because it's always (too) peaceful there.

There are just too many shopping complexes these days and there might not be anything that makes Jaya special. Thankfully there's TGV cinemas there and I'm glad the place still looks clean and nice. I really want the place to succeed because, after all, it brings back much memories (all good ones, I'm happy to say) before the original complex was demolished and finally rebuilt to what it is today.

A photo posted by @ionbuck on Sep 27, 2015 at 7:45am PDT

Half of the Very Big Window

And here's the Instagram version of yesterday's very big window:

A photo posted by @ionbuck on Aug 5, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

A Very Big Window

This is a very big window just outside the lobby at Berjaya Hills and it's so big that it caught my attention.

Closed For The Day

For those who work on Saturdays, today would be your full rest day so this one's for you!

Taken while working at Muar. This not too small town in Northern Johor has plenty of heritage buildings around and most food still cost below the national threshold. A plate of chicken rice for RM3.50!

Niagara Falls Without The Fall

As much as I became curious when I read The Atlantic's "What Niagara Falls Looks Like Without Water" I'm sure you would, too, so yeah, I had to post it here: Niagara Falls without the water, a contrast of what we are used to seeing in the photos. :)

Famous Penang Tau Sar Pheah

Pulau Pinang aka Penang is famous for one particular type of biscuit and whenever locals or foreigners visit the island, they would buy a box or two, or three, or... I've been fortunate to sample the biscuits fresh off the oven once and it was just awesome. A little less awesome if you eat them thereafter. It's (me thinks) got green bean paste as fillings, tastes sweet with a hint of salt. I really don't know which is the original because there are a few brands out there but my colleague bought some and I discovered this particular brand has been around for 155 years and still counting!

Well, according to Penang Street Food, Ghee Hiang pictured above is indeed the original.

Selamat Hari Raya 2013!

A rather interesting top view of the decor at 1 Utama in conjunction with the Hari Raya celebrations later this week. Taken with the iPhone’s panorama mode (from bottom to top) which would otherwise not be achievable for this view from where I’m standing. 

Hibiscus in the Mountains

Hibiscus in the Mountains
Originally uploaded by IonBuck.

Taken at Cameron Highlands Rose Centre. Same place as I took the sunflower many years back. Love this cooling place up the highlands. Too many developments happening, though, that I'm worried the cool would not last for too long...

Wettest Place On Earth

With this kind of heat, it will only be right if I post something about the wettest place on earth!

Drenched with about 500 inches of rainfall every year, Kauai’s Mount Waialeale is considered one of the rainiest locations our world has to offer and hosts the “Wall of Tears.” It’s named for featuring thin, long waterfalls inside a crater wall of dense foliage. The spot isn’t easily accessed, so helicopters fly over and around the region to catch a glimpse of its beauty. The extreme precipitation routinely blocks visibility with clouds that hug the landscape tightly. But as you can see here, few photographers got lucky during their helicopter rides, giving us a peek at phenomenal Hawaiian tropical scenery.

Got to cool down and turn in for the night! Good night, folks!
via Flickr Blog.