Pesta Benak Excitements

The Pesta Benak is into its third day now and everything is running fine. The weather is with us for now, though its pretty hot but it adds to the Pesta's heat of events. Everyone is excited about the upcoming Regatta benak which is set to be flag off by the Sarawak Governor.

So far i have been keeping myself busy on the river as the preliminary events start off with semifinals of boat races and pump ski speedboats cruising Batang Lupar at breakneck speed.

We set off on a boat to chase the benak...or rather get chased by the benak behind us as we take shots of its ferocity travelling the length of the river


Huge waves can cause a small boat to capsize if one is inexperienced in manouvering with it


Rescue boats are on the standby to pick up anyone who falls in the water


People from outside Sri Aman came over to witness the Regatta and also the benak


That included Miss Anna Marije Raad from The Netherlands - anyone knows which one is Anna/


Pump ski race in progress - one of the exciting events


Power boat 40 Horse Power Class in progress - the boat pilot Mr. Mansang Jimbai cruises easily on the boat Dare To fail. Most winning boats are from Kapit.....and of course being born in Kapit I can claim to be a Kapitan. We Kapitans race hard and we race fast.....


There is also an exhibition held by government agencies - in the above picture you can see YB Encik Mong Dagang visiting the Resident Office booth where one can get to see the antique weapons used during colonial time


The Sri Aman Kitchen - featuring some famous Sri Aman delicacies and seen above with fancy spectacles are not Men in Black but the famous singer Jennarino Jeraki in the far left and RASA FM radio deejay Edwin Nangga on the right

More pictures coming soon as I get sunburn going around the Pesta sites. This is the time you wish your Nikon D5000 Battery can squeeze more juice as while taking continous shot of the race boats that whiz by you.....and those pretty ladies that smile at you :) Cheers.

We have lift off

Its been a tough month, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds so I guess I will let the picture do the talking. The Pesta Benak Sri Aman 2010 was launched by the Right Honourable Chief Minister of Sarawak today 28 April 2010. At the same time the pictorial book of Sri Aman's pictorial story, moving from the past to present and anticipating the future was also launched at the same time. We thank all our Yang Berhormats who attended the event Members of Parliament and the members of the State Legislative Assembly from Sri Aman who provided their full support to the preparation of the book. Fine weather, good support, superb teamwork by the various departments who backed the Sri Aman Resident office all the way was the recipe for the successful launch. Below are the images of today.

The Right Honourable Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud accompanied by the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang are greeted by YB Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas, the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Malaysia, YB Encik Mong Dagang the Assistant Minister for Tourism and Agriculture Sarawak and YB Tuan Masir Kujat Member of Parliament for Sri Aman.

The Right Honourable Chief Minister is welcomed with a traditional performance performing to the Rentak Benak music

Distinguished guests from both State and Federal Ministries, including senior officers were seated on the stage

Guests invited included the other Residents from the other Divisions - seen here from the right is Encik Nelson Mujah Girie, District Officer Lubok Antu, Encik Michael Dawi, Resident for Sarikei Division and Encik Saudi Narani, Resident for Mukah Division

The recital of Doa Selamat (prayers) : one is able to see Sri Aman's new  Tememggong Kanang Anak Langkau (yellow batik in second row) attending his first few official function

The Right Honourable Chief Minister stressing a point during his launching speech

The Right Honourable Chief Minister launching the Sri Aman Mansang Maju book

The Right Honourable Chief Minister was amused by one of the pictures in the Sri Aman Mansang Maju book and showed it to the audience

The Honourable Member from N.25 Balai Ringin, Encik Snowdon Lawan getting the Chief Minister's signature for his copy of Sri Aman Mansang Maju book

The stage is set for the launching of Pesta Benak 2010 and the officiating of the completed Benak Observation Station ~ renamed Taman Panorama Benak

The Right Honourable Chief Minister enjoying the scenery after the launch with the balloons rising high above into the blue sky

The launching event band performing its famous Rentak Benak

And as I have said ~ we have Lift Off

Inside the Taman there is an exhibition of the Benak or Tidal Bore of Sri Aman and a few pictures of the Tidal Bore phenomenon around the world. Also exhibited are the photos which won the Benak Photography contest 2010.

The tidal bore (benak) came in at 4:18 pm this evening and the huge waves is seen to be swallowing one of the longboat belonging to a regatta participant

It has been an exhausting day, really and so I wish to thank again everyone who made this possible, starting with the Right honourable Chief Minister who was able to come and officiate a three in one function, YB Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas, YB Datuk Hajah Rohani Abdul Karim, YB Datuk Francis Harden Anak Hollis, YB Encik Mong Dagang, YB Tuan Masir Kujat, YB Tuan William Nyallau, YB Puan Hajah Simoi Binti Haji Peri, YB Encik Snowdon Lawan, YB Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and YB Dr. Johnical Rayong. Also not forgetting all the people without whom the launching will not be successful, namely all those from the Resident Office of Sri Aman, State and Federal Departments in the Division, the Chief Minister Office, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Malaysia and the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage plus others that I may miss out. Teamwork made this possible. To all I wish you all Happy Fiesta Time.

Less Than 24 Hours To Go

The whole town of Sri Aman is abuzz today. With Pesta Benak or Benak Fiesta 2010 just a few hours away of being launched the whole town is being transformed by a variety of tents of various colours. Anyway i'll put some pictures of the scenes in Sri Aman at the launch pad of the event.

The entrance balloon to the Launching Tent


The scene from the Tidal Bore Observation Station


The Tidal Bore Observation Station is set to be given a new name - I wonder what it is going to be? Anyone has a clue?


The Tidal Bore exhibition at the launch site - various tidal bore photographers have placed their best pictures in the exhibition. For first timers its an awesome experience.

The scene at the wharve near the temple which is being fitted with the tents


The launching site tent this afternoon


Furious activity at the launching site at night as the various committees fine tune their tasks


Animation picture of today's Benak taken at 3:48 p.m evening

So here's a Hoo hah for tomorrow as I prepare myself mentally for tomorrow's launch. With a batallion of photographers around i hope I can survive their onslaught. Cheers.

The main venue for the Pesta Benak 2010 - the Batang Lupar Riverfront. In the picture above (click to enlarge) one gets to see the completed Batang Lupar Riverine Park on the left and in the middle is the historic Fort Alice. On the right is the Tidal Bore Observation Station, which is set to be launched on 28 April 2010. Welcome to the Benak Town of Malaysia (Tidal Bore Town of Malaysia) folks.

More updates and the programme for the Benak Festival can be downloaded at the Pesta Benak 2010 site which I created to promote the event.

Thank you for the queries via emails, SMSes and in here on accommodation options available in Sri Aman for those coming from outside from Sri Aman. At this present moment most of the hotels are fully booked for the Pesta period but I will try to put in the details of the hotels available as soon as possible. Resthouses are also full also I am informed. The option for Homestay may be considered.

Pesta Benak Sri Aman Around The Corner

Its a matter of days now. The official launch date may be on 28 April 2010 but work has started and Sri Aman town is abuzz with activities in preparation for Pesta Benak 2010 (Tidal Bore Festival 2010). Everyone involved in the organising the event, spearheaded by the Pesta Benak Organising Committee chaired by the Resident of Sri Aman will be zig zagging around to put in the finishing touch. The Festival has not been held for the past two years. Reason being, the infrastructures for the event namely the Tidal Bore Observation Station and the Batang Lupar Riverine Park were under construction. With its completion, Sri Aman is set to show off its latest landmark to partner the occurrence of the tidal bore phenomenon along Batang Lupar River. Which is why the main goal of the event this year is to label Sri Aman as the Benak Town of Malaysia. Friday the 16th of April 2010 a press conference was held by the Resident of Sri Aman to kick off the final programmes of the event. Its the same as clicking the All Systems Go button and we are off to running around the whole part of Sarawak if not the whole country to invite everyone here- it will be the biggest in Sri Aman this year.

Press Conference on the Pesta Benak 2010 by the Sri Aman Resident Abang Shamshudin Abang Seruji. various events beginning 28th April 2010 to 2 May 2010 are being announced.


This view of the peaceful Batang Lupar from the top of the hill where Fort Alice is situated presents a good view over the Tidal Bore Observation Tower and also the approaching tidal bore (benak) waves


The tidal bore (benak) arrives with a roaring sound, negotiating the river banks of Batang Lupar. Its size makes the small boats look like miniature boats


Everyone is excited and this few weeks we got to see several boats cruising the river to see the benak waves up close and also take pictures of its ferocity

With this, Nadai Nama Nama welcomes everyone to Sri Aman, the Benak Town in Malaysia. It will be the best time to witness the various cultural events lined up plus the an opportunity to taste the best cuisines Sri Aman has to offer. This is because there the 'Sri Aman Kitchen' will be one of the features along the riverfront whereby the locals will showcase the best food that is uniquely Sri Aman. Mari Mari to Sri Aman (Come to Sri Aman)!

Related News and Sites:

Sri Aman News Blogspot
Pesta Benak 2010 Unofficial Website
Sarawak Update 12 April 2010
Sarawak Update 16 April 2010

Top Pick of the Sour Grapes Kunos

I like to sing the song 'if Tomorrow Never Comes'. Its rather meaningful in living this lfe day after day. So tomorrow may not come for some of us. Therefore I realise i need to spend some time with my new found friends from Malaysiakini who mentioned my name or typed my name affectionately this past two days. I went through those comment boxes in Malaysiakini and became amused. So when I am amused its usually starts off a Nadai Nama Nama blog entry. Well, it had been my expectation that Malaysiakini, with their army of excellent writers and columnists should attract great minds. However the subscribers who are allowed to comment tells a different story. Some of my good friends are subscribers and they always get their alternative stories there to share. Which was why today I had intended to pick some Top Ten mean comments about me to feature my blog today. The 'Desmond Bashing' I would call it and I was disappointed that it did not meet my expectations and less than ten made it. And I do hope that this level of thought is not an overall representative of all Malaysiakini subscribers' pattern of thinking coz some its so kuno one. Even my loyal Malaysiakini and Malaysia-Today reading friends were alarmed at some of the comments. They even called me up to alert me. Some wanted to subscribe just to reply to the comments but I told them not to waste their time and also their RM20. 

Anyway let's go fish for some worthwhile comments there shall we. The least I can do is thank them for just mentioning me. I must apologize, as (like I say) not all of the commentors made the grade. Especially those with 'hate' tone. This world has too much hate and I would not want it to be a crietria for kunoness. So lets start. The one I will consider putting on top will be that Alice in Wonderland comment as seen below. This comment caused excitement amongst my friends "Hey, someone called you Alice, what bad things have you done to them?" For that effect caused I will put Doc on top spot of the Kunos. Excellent style of writing and I will never know what I have done to offend him. If I was a terminally ill person and my last wish was to meet the Prime Minister, would he have written it that way? Who knows....which is why he should be high on the kuno list.

Which kind of reminds me, the Mad Hatter was the Hero in the movie along with Alice.  And as far as I am concerned YBhg Datin Seri Rosmah was the White Queen since I was on the same table with her and there was no "Off With The Heads" tantrums. Or maybe you sat on the same table with her some time ago and have a different version?  So hopefully Doc does his homework and watch the movie again lest he is the Red Queen's (Malaysiakini) henchman who has 'an eye' (I'll say that again, 'An Eye') for Alice? Very very deceptive Doc.

For Amaso that 'see the trees and not the forest' comment he gets to share this spot with Multi Racial. They share the same Kuno spot for confusing me more. Okay Amaso ~ trees mean many trees and that equals forests right? I have not reached that level of intelligence yet. I was happily talking about getting the bridge which benifitted a lot of people and he is not happy with it. That 'candy' is translated into 'lives' as the bridge wires may snap any moment but why would he care as long as its not his life. Multi Racial mentioned some names (deleted here for I will not 'carry' or advertise for him). Go to the original Malaysiakini if you must see who he is referring to. Simply put, come to our Ulu Ulu area here and mention those names, I am sure the people here will be wondering what he is blabbering about. Its like describing snow to us here when we have never seen it. More points also for telling me not to write my thoughts in my own blog? Yes, My Own Blog paid by Me. My God, if he managed to influence Karl Marx or Chairman Mao not to write on Communism or the Disciples not to write the Bible......I cannot imagine.

Well, I was going to ommit Ferd Tan actually but that last statement about my airfare earned him one of the Kuno spots. Which Kuno level are we now? I forgot. But it doesn't matter because if he cared to read my cheap thrilled entry on the PM's Speacial Tea Party he would have known how I foot the bill. I also expected to be the laughing stock of my many Sarawakian buddies but they were too busy laughing at Ferd Tan's comments that I had to pay them laugh at me with my own money. But spending my own RM1000 to say thank you for a RM400,000 bridge does seem worthwhile, no? I am not good with numbers so I am sorry Ferd. By the way I am still paying for it in installments via my credit card. Next, I put Quigonbond in kuno level list too because I do not know where he is standing - with me or not with me. I just want to thank him for sharing his experience with DSAI and Tok Guru as I shared mine about the PM. Our local DAP like Mr. Wong Ho Leng, Ms. Violet Yong and Voon Lee San, PKR Dominique Ng and Nicholas Bawin are friendly over here too. Wan some teh tarek at our new Dewan Undangan Negeri with our assemblyman be it BN or DAP or PKR you are welcome. I had written some of my entries when I was with them also.

With Gen 2, I do not know how to say this but I just wanna advice him if he can form a party and summon the teh tarik during the upcoming State Election (I don't know when but there are many so callled analyst they can refer to there) and prepare about 800,000 glasses in various constituencies. Just enough to get a simple majority. I can bet he can be the next Chief Minister and our State's Hornbill symbol will be replaced by Teh Tarek. Our Hornbill Skyways will become Teh Tarek Skyways. Thank you for telling us Sarawakians are that cheap my friend but I dare not ask the State Representatives here why they are hiring an army of teh tarek makers for their campaign. So in areas where the DAP won against BN is due to the DAP buying more teh tarek for the voters? Come on la Gen 2, have a cuppa Mayang Tea or Sabah Tea and vote for me.

For lesungbatu I don't know what he is talking about and where he is going. He has more than one kuno comments but well I only accept one for today and it is kuno enough. To make him happy I'll put him at the bottom of the Kunos - good or bad, the readers decide. Though in his other comment he touched on the suspension bridge similiar with another commentor name 'luk', I advice them to go to SK Klassen and meet the students and teachers there themselves since they think its a small matter. For those who have been following my blog, they will also know about my village, Nanga Beguang, Song. No roads, No electricty and No water since Merdeka. I am not complaining by the way and the villagers there still put their hopes on the present Wakil Rakyats. So yours in not so bad after all lesungbatu. Now on the bridge,thanks to the YBs in Sri Aman, the Resident and DO Office and the people of Nanga Klassen, the SK Klassen Bridge is a long story indeed (back to the year 2006 before I came). I saw something extra was needed and it required some communication strategy. All of them chipped in (some covered in my blog) for one major push enabling it to bear fruit with the accessibility to the 1Malaysia portal. YB Senator Dato Sri Idris Jala also had a hand in it.

The present Suspension Bridge in Nanga Klassen ~ March 2010

The story of Nanga Klassen Bridge is not over as the quotation process in appointing a contractor is quite time consuming. Hopefully YB Dato Sri idris Jala can solve this in oneof the labs. For a bridge over troubled water, I hope it can last the weathering, the wear and tear, while a new bridge is being constructed.

Anyway to  wind things up, thanks again to all those encouraging words from many of the people who sent their messages. I am glad for my new found friends, old friends who looked me up after finding me in the news. I have not responded to all. I hope the first time visitors here understand what Nadai Nama Nama means and what it stands for. It means Nothing. A few Iban words would be very educational. Even my Uncle Sawing's SMS (in the picture below) almost made me faint with laughter. Thanks for the support uncle and for those who had wanted to do the same, Uncle's one summed it up for you all. I am cool with these Malaysiakini (and Lowyat Forum) fellas ~ after all this is Nadai Nama Nama (Nothing At All). Try again next time to win kuno awards as I find a way to shake hands with the deputy Prime Minister, if I can lar so don't put your hopes too high.

Anyone who donno what bingking is, well ask your Iban friends. Its not a bad word anyway. Cheers.

Datuk Seri Najib took time to mingle with the crowd at the 1 Malaysia tea-party in Putrajaya last month. - Picture from The Malaysian Insider by Choo Choy May

Nadai Nama Nama wish to thank BERNAMA for their article "Blogger Reveals The Other Side of Najib". The article which is based on my post about PM's Special Party with his Online Friends is reproduced below for your viewing.

The article was written by Rudy Rukimin Rambli

SRI AMAN, April 11 (Bernama) -- When Desmond Jerukan received the email inviting him to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's tea party at Sri Perdana in Putrajaya last March 13, he thought somebody was trying to play a joke on him.

However when the 41-year-old writer of 'Nadai Nama Nama' received a second e-mail inviting him to the function, he realised that it was not a prank.

"Before the event took place, I was really nervous and didn't know what to do although the organiser informed me about the dress code. The only thing that I could do shortly after arriving in Kuala Lumpur from Kuching was to buy a cheap necktie at Sungei Wang Plaza's Parkson," he told Bernama here.

As he is working in Sri Aman, Desmond had to drive for two hours to reach Kuching before boarding a one hour and 45 minutes flight to Kuala Lumpur.

Desmond, an administrative officer in the Sri Aman Resident's Office, said he will remember the trip for the rest of his life as he had never imagined that one day he would be sitting next to the Prime Minister at a tea party.

ONLINE

To Desmond, the tea party was an enriching experience as the only other chance for him to see the Prime Minister is during the official functions in Sarawak.

To be able to meet the Prime Minister in an informal event was a rare moment for him.

"I find him (Najib) to be really sincere in getting to know his online friends. For example when his officer called him through his handphone, Najib's immediate reply was that he was in the midst of an important function and asked the person to call back later," said Desmond.

Even after the function, the Prime Minister repeatedly told the bodyguards to allow his online friends to meet and mingle with him.

He said the Prime Minister even commented on the Black Eyed Peas song "I've Got a Feeling" that was played during the tea party saying that the song set the right mood.

Desmond said the Prime Minister has his own unique way of breaking the ice.

In his blog, Desmond wrote: "The Prime Minister and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were very casual. His friendliness also caught everyone off guard. He broke the ice with me by talking about my camera.

"My, My.... you have a serious looking camera there," And so it started with camera talk and I have to thank my Nikon D5000 for being a saviour."

With that ice-breaking gesture Desmond said the rest was history as he together with other online friends talked about many issues which the Prime Minister listened patiently and attentively.

"The only thing that I could not talked about at that point of time was about Liverpool because I am a big fan of the club but the Prime Minister is supporting Manchester United," he said in jest.

Desmond who has a degree in Applied Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Corporate Masters in Business Administration (CMBA) from Ohio University, United States, said the hi-tea marked a new era for the country's current leadership.

"So far no elected representatives have opened up their line of communication. The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Najib has created his blog, Facebook, Youtube and a website that has been constantly updated with the latest information," said Desmond.

As such, the Prime Minister has taken the initiative to be more accesible to the people by using the latest technology available and at the same time listening to their grouses.

WALK THE TALK

Desmond said Najib administration has brought a new level in walk the talk concept when he would try to solve the problem based on the feedback received from his online medium.

"For example, based on my own experience, through the 1Malaysia blog and Prime Minister's Department on May 2009, I reported the risks faced by parents, teachers and students when crossing the suspension bridge at Nanga Klassen Sri Aman as the cables are in danger of being disconnected from the bridge," he said.

"Several weeks later villagers at Nanga Klassen told me they saw several 4WD vehicles from the State Development Office of the Prime Minister's Department there. We were shown the letter from the Implementation Coordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department for the construction of a RM400,000 semi-concrete bridge at Nanga Klassen," he said.

Desmond said the suspension bridge was the only way to Sekolah Rendah Nanga Klassem and although the elected representatives had tried their very best to get financial support from the relevant agencies it failed to get any attention due to bureucratic problems and financial constraints.

"I am monitoring the progress of the project and this proved that the Prime Minister's website has made it easier and faster to channel development funds to those who really urgently need it," he said.

He said the Prime Minister has shown the power of the Internet in disseminating and getting information as well as taking action for the targetted groups and it should be emulated by other leaders.

On the Najib's walkabout, Desmond calls for more of such walkabouts in the rural areas as not many villlagers have the opportunity to meet and shake hands with the Prime Minister.

On the tea party with Najib, Desmond hopes the event would not be the last as it can be used to as an alternative medium to listen to various problems from the grassroot level.

"The best thing during the event was the Prime Minister and his online friends were willing to exchange ideas for the sake of the nation," Desmond added.

-- BERNAMA --

For those who have not seen or been to SK Nanga Klassen, Sri Aman and their hanging bridge, here is a video presentation by their teacher Cikgu Charles B.

My online buddies also informed me that it seems some online portals like Malaysiakini, also picked up the article. I thank you all for the comments there made by their circle of readers (As stated in their comment box I need to pay RM20 to join them as subscriber to read the whole thing or say hello in there or join their discussion so I guess I'll skip). Its not always I get this attention from their RM20 (or more) paying readers but well when you pay, you have to say your piece or rugi nanti. Keep them coming please because I will keep the more aggressive ones to cherish for life. One day we can meet up maybe 20 years (if we are still alive) from now and we can identify which were the comments made by you. Really, the comical and funny comments almost made me have a heart attack due to laughing and rolling all over the floor. Maybe after 20 years our false teeth will fall off when laughing. I always remind my readers, this Blog Title is Nadai Nama Nama. Translated in Iban for those who do not know, it means "Nothing At All". So do not get 'excited' about Nothing At All. My loyal readers know this. The acronym is NNN, well its not as famous as CNN. My online hits performance seem to shoot up today. Gosh do I have to pay royalty or do I get royalty for my article being in Malaysiakini and people have to pay to read it there? If I allow comments from Malaysiakini readers in here can I charge RM20 per comment? So far about almost 10 are waiting to be moderated. It sounds tempting. Its also really a good time to promote about Sarawak now so please do come visit our beautiful State. Don't come only during elections to prove that you can stay (but not last) in a longhouse and then suddenly disappear after that. We hate that when some people like to put up a show, be it the opposition or ruling coalitions. Also do support the Sarawak-Bloggers site. Cheers mate.

Reagan (in cap) from his picture in facebook. The way I would want to remember him during happier moments

I lost another comrade in arms today. Reagan Hidi, a Nadai Nama Nama enthusiast, who is always giving me input on how to improve my blog. I would say Reagan was one of the first to welcome Nadai Nama Nama into Sri Aman when I reported for duty. Shy at first when he approached me after a few weeks, the first thing he discussed with me was about my blog. But he refuses to be part of my blog's story and be the star in NNN. "Its enough that I help you by the side boss" he told me.

Born on 1 May 1981, he leaves us, short of three weeks of his 29th birthday. He works with the Jabatan Kerja Raya Sri Aman, an important technical partner for our Resident Office. Words will not be enough to describe someone whom you regard as an asset especially on his ever readiness to jump into action when I request for assistance. No paperwork, no beauracracy. Even if he is not in Sri Aman, away for a course or travelling you can rely on him to help via remote control. At one time I needed an outboard engine and boat for one of our jobs, he offered me the most powerful engine that his department had. The other departments also offered the smaller versions. I declined his offer and he was disappointed that I did not use his offer as it was better than the others. I explained to him I would not want to be seen in a Ferrari when I can use a Kancil and he knows that is Nadai Nama Nama trademark. Which is why I say he was unique for he will  give you his best.  Nadai Nama Nama will miss you Reagan. I will miss you. Sri Aman and the State Civil Service will miss you and your spirit of An Honour to Serve..

Images of the Benak on April Fool

As Pesta Benak (Benak Festival) approaches come the month of April, I managed to capture the benak or tidal bore waves on April Fool's Day. Its a great time to be in Sri Aman during the festival as the benak has become Sri Aman's icon. There will be various exciting activities which the organisers are gearing up for the event. When I say the organisers, I mean the whole of Sri Aman is pooling their resources to make it a moment to remember. This is due to the fact that the annual Pesta Benak was not held last year 2009 as the Batang Lupar Riverine Park and Tidal Bore Observation Tower was being constructed. Anyway just to warm things up, here are some of yesterday's rainbow pictures over Batang Lupar and the benak waves that came to Sri Aman town at 6:00 pm on April Fool's Day (that's today).

Rainbow that caught my attention on 31 Mac 2010 at the office ~ looks like a double rainbow

My camera view followed the rainbow's end across batang Lupar River

The rainbow looks great outside the camera scope - i just need to learn how to get the rainbow's colour effect out from that light blue sky

The benak's arrival on 1 April 2010 at 6:05 pm. We see the photographer from OSCAR in a small boat capturing the benak's picture up close and personal

The benak waves hitting the river banks with great force

The waves can be seen to flow along the banks

Coming right at you

An amateurish video of the benak on 1 April 2010 - i was holding my Nikon D5000 at the same time so apologies for the rapid movements

The might of the benak - the small boat is dwarfed by the large waves of the benak

Seeing the benak for one day is of course not enough which is why the (Pesta Benak) Benak Festival at the end of April will be held for a couple of days. The Secretariat will be making some announcements soon so I leave it to the Promotions Committee to do that part. I will be busy clicking away the event as it happens. Let the Benak Fiesta countdown begin! Cheers.