Where Your Children can Learn to Handle the DSLR

Have your kids ever said, "Dad, Mum, can I take photos with your camera?"

I get that all the time.  From both boys.

It is apparently a growing up thingy.  They love to explore, they want to try.  Sometimes, they are fascinated with it.

But parents are very beware of it, as some cameras are not cheap!  Some parents pass the older version, or a cheaper version of a compact, snap-away camera for the child to explore.  My boys sometimes use my iPhone, sometimes we give them the older compact camera.  Much often than not initially, we had to try to teach them how to use, where the object of interest should be etc.  And of course, many will agree that sometimes parents are not the perfect people for this job.  :D

So, was I glad when one of the activities at Kidzania Singapore is to be a photojournalist!

Waiting patiently in line for their turn.

Brought to us by Canon, in the 20 minutes, they were taught how to handle a DSLR, where the viewfinder is and what some of those buttons are.  Basically, it is about learning proper camera techniques.

Like a professional!

In the Imaging Academy, there were different backgrounds and objects for them to try taking photographs of.  

They were then brought outdoors, around Kidzania to take some monuments.  Look at how at ease E is handling that DSLR.  And how proud he was, showing me the photos he took on screen everytime he took a shot.

Definitely a good place for the children to learn about handling the camera.  What's more, they were paid (KidZos) and given a certificate each!

Disclosure:  3 of us were invited to check out the Canon Imaging Academy in Kidzania by Canon.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photographs and opinions are true to my own.

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Trip to Zenxin Organic Farm with an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II

It is September?!  And it is the school holidays again?!  Oh my, where did all those time go.

Last school holidays, we went for a road trip to Melaka with friends.  Some 240km drive using the North South Highway, we decided we shall break the journey into 2, by stopping at Zenxin Organic Park.

Starting our journey at around 8.00am, the boys self-entertained by drawing on large Sketch Books from Daiso.

Once we exited from the Air Hitam exit, this is what we saw.  Turning right and driving for a few minutes, we reached Zenxin.

We were there to join the Farm Tour!

Not before we have a family shot!

Entrance tickets seem reasonable for the range of activities.  Additional activities such as archery are charged separately.

The tour starts with an educational video, followed by walks through the park.  A very hot day, little shade so we were all sweating at the end of the tour.  I cannot imagine joining the 2.30pm tour.

That is dragon fruit!

Some of the plants, fruits and herbs we saw.

One of the highlight was this.  Harvesting their own vegetables.  The boys pulled out vegetables and we are allowed to fill up one bag each.  If we were heading straight home, I will fill it up and bring home to cook.  It's organic!

Feeding the pets at the Happy Farm.  Surprisingly, E was pretty enthusiastic and willingly fed and pet them.  

Part of the tour includes milk bottle fish feeding.  Initially, when I read the title on the brochure, I was wondering how it is.  So this is it.  Holding the bottle that has a large hole in the teat, fish feed is slowly being poured / sucked out.  

One of the activity includes a hand-on workshop.  The boys had a try at making curry puffs.  The curry puff dough and ingredients were pre-done and all we had to do is wrap them up and cooking them in the oil.

Now they know it is not easy.  Even folding the curry puffs require some skill and lots of practice.

We had lunch at the Chef Garden Restaurant since it was near lunch time.  They serve set lunch and what interests us was the hotpot.  

It was alot of food although we ordered for 2 pax.  Organic greens are good, yea?

My only issue is the number of houseflies.  Although they provide some repellent, there were still many houseflies!  The boys could not "tahan" aka tolerate it.  I guess we are all used to air-conditioned food courts and our hawkers and coffeeshops are not "swarmed" with flies around.

My friends at some tables (nearer to the inside of the open space, al-fresco concept dining area) had fewer flies visiting them and their food.  So, if you have children or even yourself who cannot eat at ease with such flies, then I suggest either sitting nearer to the cashier area or skip having lunch there.

We ended with a round of archery.  For RM10 for I think 10 arrows, not something we can get here in Singapore.

Zenxin Organic Park

Jalan Batu Pahat, Kampung Melayu Batu Lima

86000 Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

The photos for my Melaka trip are mostly shot using the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II.  I do not exactly need to say the specifications of this camera as Google will tell you everything - the reviews from professional photographers.

As it is a compact with interchangeable lens, I used mostly a prime lens (M. Zuiko Digital 17mm F1.8) this time and I really love my photos.  Especially of close ups.  Colours are vibrant too.  My only rant is that it is a tad heavy with the lens.

Another note is that, with prime lens, I got to make sure that my focus is correct.  Sometimes, when I asked someone to take a photo for me, the focus is on the wrong person, wrong place.  This I believe needs some understanding and of course, checking of the photos after each shot, if unused to it.

Disclosure: We had the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II on loan to us for 2 weeks for the purpose of this trip.  No monetary compensation was received.  All photographs and opinions are true to my own.

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ESCAPE Penang: Escaping to have Fun Outdoors

How time flies and it is 6 months since we went Penang.

One of the highlights of the trip was to go ESCAPE and oh boy, did we try so many new things. 

ESCAPE offers free shuttle services from hotels / resorts along the Batu Ferringhi stretch.  Check with the hotel's concierge as we did not know about this till they told us when we wanted them to help us get a taxi.  We stayed at Golden Sands Resort Penang (read reviews here) and the bus came at about 10.00am.

Each person is given a wrist tag which will also act as the payment card after topping up money in it. As food and drinks are not allowed in the park, one has to buy everything, even water, from the shops in the park.  Lockers are available for rental too as no bags are allowed when "playing" at the attractions.

Here you go... the price list, though I am unsure if it has changed now.

Penang is generally hot.  Very hot most of the times.  Luckily, the trees and greenery make it slightly more bearable.

Sometimes, adults just need to be reminded.

Back to the kampong days...  Please be reminded to be in proper attire and the right sports / trainer shoes.

Each attraction will have their own safety rules and age requirements.  Despite reaching at about 10.30am and leaving about 4.00pm, we did not manage to finish everything.  I believe we will be back when the boys are older as there are some attractions like the Monkey Business that we did not manage to do.

The children went up on this Tots Trail on their own.  And it is quite interesting to see how each challenge themselves, with adults out of the trail and guiding them by the side, to finish the trail and have their reward of a slide down.

Was looking forward to this but it was cordoned off because there was a beehive on one of the trees near it.  Then again, was grateful that they take such precautions too.

So, how much does this cost in Singapore?  S$10?  It is unlimited here!

Can you spot the man who decides to be a Jungle Swinger?

This Gecko Tower challenges you to reach the top.  The bad is when the sun is hot and glaring at you.  Also, the very sensitive to hot adults / children will find the bars, stills too hot to touch.  Why do I know?  Because this little boy complained.  :P

Guess what I am going to do?

Just so proud of myself to try the "Trapeze Americano".  Pretending to be Alex or Gia?

The Foxy Burrow is such fun for E that he went on twice or thrice with his friends and brother.  Just for children, adults can view their movements through these screens outside. 

D actually loved this.  I cannot remember how high this is but D went for this twice.  And can you hear what he said?  Awwwwwwwww.

Would love to be back again because there are lots that we have not explored.  We left at 4.00pm as that was the time the shuttle bus depart ESCAPE Penang to drop guests off at their respective hotels / resorts along Batu Ferringhi.  The boys were hot and sticky, but sweating happy.  :)

ESCAPE Penang

Address: 828 Jalan Teluk Bahang

11050 Penang, Malaysia

Tuesday to Sunday 9.00am to 6.00pm (Closed on Monday)

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