2024 - Akshardham Temple

Sony A7IV ■ f/7.1 ■ 1/1000 ■ ISO 100

My son’s in-laws came to visit them in their apartment and planned to visit the newly built Hindu temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. It was our first time seeing the temple and I could not believe that it was huge.

Currently, it is open for anyone to visit but had to schedule visit time to accommodate everyone. Clearly, the place is not yet complete because there were still a lot of uncompleted construction areas.

I was able to take pictures, mostly outdoors since they did not allow any recording device to be turned on inside the temple. Understandable, it is a place of worship. It was so beautiful inside the temple, and you just need to take my word for it.

Regardless of whether you are Hindu or not, it is worth a visit. I may visit the temple again when it is not sunny to take a much better photos outside. Please click here to see pictures.

Denisha and Ash Engagement

Sony A7IV ■ f/4 ■ 1/1600 ■ ISO 160

My daughter just recently got engaged. Her boyfriend, Ash, asked permission from us before they went on a cruise to Bermuda last month. We saw pictures and videos they posted on Facebook on how Ash proposed. Even though they were with friends during the cruise, Ash wanted the event private. However, he did that during a tour they booked. Everyone that was with them witnessed it and congratulated them.

After they returned from their cruise, they came to our house and told us their wedding plans. They were choosing dates and planning on when they will be sending out “save the date.” I suggested to them that I can take their engagement pictures to add selections from the ones they took with the smartphone.

Good thing that the photoshoot was a family event. My wife, Sinjin, and his wife, Ruchi, joined us at Barnegat Light House to shoot pictures. Ruchi oversaw posing and Sinjin assisted holding reflector to direct light back to the subjects.

It was a cold, windy but sunny day. I normally would suggest either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is not harsh. After the shoot, we went to grab a late lunch before heading home.

I was able to finish my processing after a week and gave them a digital copy of the shoot. I hope that they will find a couple that they use for their “save the date” invitation. Click here for pictures

SINGAPORE 2024

Marina Bay Sands Sony A7IV ■ f/7.1 ■ 1/800 ■ ISO 100

Our Philippine trip this year was through Singapore. My wife wanted to try Singapore Airlines not knowing that the first stop was 19 hours to Changi Airport in Singapore before continuing to Manila for another 3-hour flight. When I pointed out to my wife about the flight, she did not know that it would take that long. Compared to other airlines like Korean Air and Asiana, it was about a 14-hour flight. Singapore Air route was eastward compared to others which were westward.  

Other than the flight time, it was good. Food and service inside the plane is good. Though halfway through our flight our section lost entertainment, and we were given a $200 voucher which we could use to purchase items in the airline shopping magazine. Though, I did not think I received it in my email. 

This was our second stop over at Changi Airport. The first time was last year from India to Manila. Both times we did not have time to go out of the airport to visit Jewel. However, this time around on our return flight to United States from Manila, we have more than 12 hours layover. 

Prior to our departure in Manila, we applied for a transit visa and availed of their free tour courtesy of Singapore Tourism. We were able to go out of the airport on a tour bus and went to popular sites Singapore is to offer. We went to the area where you can see Merlion overlooking the Marina Bay Sands and other stunning buildings. Our tour guide also mentioned that we passed through the street where the F1 cars race is every year. Our tour also stopped by Gardens by the Bay where you can see the super trees. Then at the end of the tour they dropped us off back at the airport with 2 options: back to the gate or stop by Jewel. 

Since we had more time, we opted to get dropped off at the Jewel and walked around and marveled at the indoor waterfalls. We also had dinner at a Chinese restaurant with an extensive line at level B2. I need to go back to my card charges to find out the name of the restaurant. I paid about $40 for 2 people and our table was filled with so much food that we did not even finish. It was good by the way; we just did not know that some of the dishes we ordered were for 2 people. 

We then walked to the airport through the bridge connecting Jewel and Changi Airport. We just waited at the boarding gate on our flight back to United States.

 Click here for pictures