Casio is famous for its selfie functions, beautifully brightening and unblemishing faces in what I describe as a natural automatic photoshop function.

If you see here, the ZR3600 has enhanced the ease of selfies even further by adding a 180 degree flip screen so you can view the screen while taking a photo (and adjust your face and hair accordingly haha).

What’s so convenient too is the button in the front where your forefinger can easily press while holding the camera, a really common gripe of selfie lovers that Casio has wonderfully addressed. What’s more, there’s also the “wave” function where you don’t even need to press a button. Just wave your hand in front of the camera and it’ll automatically take the photo!

The even more awesome news is, this camera doesn’t just take great selfies. It has so many other  amazing functions.

Without further ado, I’ll let the photos during the media trip to Penang do the talking.

Note: All images featured in this post are unedited.

1. Capture Close-up Details without Compromising on Image Quality

There is no need for filters with this camera. All the images come out crystal clear, even when you use the zoom function. Seriously, just look at this.

I zoomed right into the dragon perched on the roof of the temple. All the vibrant colors against the bright blue sky were completely captured.

Look at this magnificent sunrise. The striking orange hues and the gorgeous golden yolk were beautifully captured up close with minimal noise.

This was taken at sunset, when the skies turned into cotton candy shades of pink and purple.

2. Achieve Great Shots with Minimum Time & Effort

 

 

This was taken in a rush, walking along a street when I saw these flowers randomly growing by a colorful fence. See how well the colours turned out, even when I literally stopped and snapped the photo in 3 seconds!
 

 

And this “Of Parallels and Opposites” photo was another 3 second snap, the words of which poetically came to mind while I was rushing down the same street. Mid-street, in between the houses and the bustle, this space just seemed to call out for a shot.

The camera is also able to capture details well. The famous street murals in Penang are a must-see for many tourists and locals, and here are a few in various sizes and intensity of color: the one similarity? They all turned out beautifully with just a simple click of the camera!

This is one giant cat that spans the width of 10 people!

This is one mini cat that is one human head width.

This was at a non-descript, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it area along the street. It was also shaded by trees so the mural appeared darker and less obvious. However, look at how gorgeously rendered it is as the camera picks out the light and shadows!

Look at the detail of the dragon scales, even in this quick sideways shot!

Here’s one of the great moments when I said hi to a durian seller uncle. He was sitting in his chair as everyone passed him by. I was intrigued by the durians in the boot of the car, and told him so. It was a brief connection of two strangers, with a warmth and heartfelt poignancy as we smiled at each other. Sir, I wish you well!

P.S. Yes the mural behind him says “kah lu kong hokkien” (teach you speak hokkien).

Coincidence?

 

3. Achieve Bokeh (Blurred Background) Automatically Without Adjustments RequiredI love how the camera automatically blurs the background while retaining sharpness in the foreground, making the subject come alive instantly. There’s no need to fiddle around with the aperture mode to do this (although there is an option for you to do so if you wish). The bokeh effect may not match up to my usual DSLR camera, but for a regular point-and-shoot camera, this is pretty commendable!

Just look at this snake! Did you know that I was also the only female in the group who mustered enough courage to place this snake around my neck? It may sound frightening, but it really wasn’t!

The food images look fantastic too, again bearing in mind that these photos have not been post-edited in any way. I would consider bringing this camera with me for my food tasting sessions in future.

There are many other functions including a selfie art mode, art mode, and even full HD video recording!

I’m sure Casio’s selfie art mode needs no introduction, but here are a couple of selfies that I took with three of my favourite scene selections. You can choose from a total of five scene selections to achieve different moods and effects.

4. Get Flawless Skin with the Selfie Art Mode

~ Beauty shots with “Selfie Art Mode – Elegant” Scene ~

 I love rain showers because of their massaging effect and was absolutely delighted to find a walk-in rain shower in the bathroom.

During my stay on both occasions, I had access to the Executive Lounge, where I was treated to a tantalizing selection of canapés and drinks every evening at 5.30pm. If you prefer a little more privacy, you could also choose to have your breakfast here instead.

If you prefer
complete privacy, you can always turn to room service for breakfast,
like I did. All you have to do is fill up the order form behind the door
and state what time you would like your breakfast to be delivered. Hang
your order form outside the door the night before and your breakfast
will magically appear at your doorstep the very next morning!  

Feeling peckish after a meeting? For a quick snack or coffee fix any time during the day, you could head to The Food Store at the hotel lobby. Over here, you will find a delectable array of savoury sandwiches and pastries. If you have a sweet tooth, you can satisfy your sugar cravings with some cakes and ice-cream too. In fact, during my stay at the hotel, I got so addicted to DoubleTree’s signature chocolate chip cookies that I decided to pick up a tin to take home with me.

Makan Kitchen on the other hand, is an all-day dining restaurant that serves an international buffet spread including famous local specialties. Enjoy western and Asian delights during breakfast and a variety of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan dishes at lunch or dinner. 

The noodle soup station was my personal favourite as a bowl of warm soup and kway teow is my idea of comfort food. Simple, yet satisfying.

  

For those of you who prefer a party of flavours, you could check out the barbecued meats, fresh seafood and huge assortment of curries before ending the meal on a sweet note with their exquisite selection of desserts and sweets .

Tosca, an Italian restaurant located on the 13th floor of the hotel, is my favourite restaurant in the establishment. The cod fish is my top pick as the fish skin is perfectly crisp while the flesh is moist and tender. 

Fitness junkies will also love the 24-hour gym that offers a splendid view of the outdoor swimming pool. Both facilities are located beside Tosca on the 13th floor. The hotel is also equipped with male and female steam rooms and jacuzzis, perfect for relaxing on a hot and humid afternoon.

What did we like about DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru?

The location of the hotel is perfect for sight-seeing, shopping and cafe-hopping. JW and I had the opportunity to explore Johor Bahru by foot, which was a whole new experience for us as there were pleasant surprises in every alley and that led us to uncover some hidden gems along the way.  

We both agreed that the warm, personable service was one of the key draws of the hotel, and the signature Chocolate Chip Cookies that we received upon arrival added a nice touch too. This, coupled with the luxurious amenities, made us feel absolutely pampered in this home away from home. If you are planning a short get-away to Johor Bahru, you can rest assured that DoubleTree by Hilton will not disappoint.

If you’re interested in the places that we visited, do keep your eyes peeled for my next post on Johor Bahru!

Not sure where to head to during the weekend? Perhaps you could head across the Causeway to JB City Square Mall Level 1 for the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo.

On from now till 4th Jan 2015, the 100 Doraemon Secret Gadgets Expo showcases 100 life-sized Doraemon figurines, 100 iconic gadgets and memorable scenes in Doraemon stories. Even if you’re
not a Doraemon fan, the photo opportunities and interesting
gadgets will certainly blow your mind. If you have kids in
tow, I’m sure they’ll be just as, if not more entertained!

Tickets are affordably priced at RM25 for adults (aged 13 and above) and RM15 for kids (aged 4 – 12). Senior citizens and very young children (below 90cm) can enter for free too.

You can literally find a Doraemon in every nook and corner, and if you follow the comic series, you can probably identify most, if not all of the gadgets. For Doraemon lovers, this is definitely a feast for the eyes.  

Karen, Janice, Raphael and I headed to the expo on a Saturday afternoon. We had so much fun goofing around with the Doraemon figurines, toying with all the fanciful gadgets and discovering new, fascinating facts about Doraemon.

Fun Facts about Doraemon

Did you know that Doraemon is a cat with ears that used to be yellow? I had absolutely no idea!

An unexpected twist of events led to Doraemon losing its ears to a mouse. This incident scarred him for life and caused him to fear mice. 

How did Doraemon become blue then? Poor Doraemon tried to cheer himself up when his girlfriend Noramyako laughed at his missing ears, but instead of drinking a cheer-up potion, he drank a sorrow potion that made him cry for 3 days till he eventually turned blue!

Popular Doraemon Gadgets

At the entrance of the expo, you will find the “Dokodemo Door”, which allows you to travel anywhere simply by walking through the door. 

The “Time Machine” is another popular gadget at the expo. I love how the psychedelic lights create the illusion that you are travelling through time and space.

 Anyone who has caught an episode of the Doraemon cartoon would find the “Hopter” familiar. 

I used to wake up early every Sunday morning just to catch Doraemon at 9.30 a.m. and the “Hopter” is one gadget that left the deepest impression on me. This bamboo propeller is meant to airlift you to safety but it looks more fun to me than anything else. I would love to be able to fly from one destination to the next just by attaching the “Hopter” to my head!

Want to take a peek at what everything looks like in a 100 years’ time?  Place the “Future Glasses” in front of your eyes for a sneak preview!

The “Air Cannon” creates a powerful burst of air that can easily knock out your enemy. All you have to do is attach it to your hand and say “Bang”. Finally, here’s a weapon that doesn’t run out of bullets because it doesn’t require any!

Having difficulties memorizing your notes for tomorrow’s exam or your speech for an important event? Here comes the “Memory Bread” to the rescue! Place the bread against whatever you need to memorize, and a special mechanism in the bread will store all the information required. Thereafter, eat up the bread and everything’s stored in your memory! 

If only this exists in reality.  I would buy a loaf of this bread everyday.

Want to experience a day in the life of a Lilliputian (for those of you who’ve read Gulliver’s Travels)? You could jolly well fulfill your dream with the “Small Light”, a device that shrinks people and objects.

Besides these popular gadgets, there many other interesting gadgets that double up as great photo backdrops.

Iconic Doraemon Scenes

Gadgets aside, a Doraemon expo will not be complete without iconic scenes from the anime. Here are some of the most unforgettable scenes in Doraemon:

1. The First Appearance of Doraemon

Doraemon first popped out of a drawer in Nobita’s bedroom, catching him by surprise.

2. Nobita’s Wedding

Doraemon fans would know that Nobita always had a thing for Shizuka. The pair did eventually end up together.

3. Nobita’s Grandmother

The teddy bear in the photo below was a precious gift from Nobita’s grandmother. Nobita found the teddy bear in his stash of old belongings and it reminded him of how much he missed his grandmother, hence he asked Doraemon to take him back to three years ago when his grandmother was still alive. 

4. Farewell between Doraemon and Nobita

5. Nobita’s classroom

A new scene at the Doraemon expo, fans can expect to sit in Nobita’s class, which comes complete with a teacher and blackboard.

Nobita’s Friends

You’ll also get to meet many of Nobita’s friends during the expo.

 Many thanks to Alvin for sharing the cafe photos with us!

Let’s start with Jonker Walk, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Malacca. Lined with street hawkers peddling local delicacies, knick knacks, trinklets and apparels,
the street is always bustling with life. Weaving in and out of the maddening crowd is part and parcel of the entire experience, and while it can be rather exasperating at times to be stuck in a human jam, there is always something interesting
in every nook and corner, ready to enchant and captivate.

If you are a fan of pineapple tarts, be sure to stop by Madam Goh. There are more than 10 shops selling pineapple tarts along Jonker Walk, but the pineapple tarts here are by far the yummiest that I’ve tried.

I have a penchant for durians and I’ve heard so much about One Bite Durian Puff along Jonker Street.

Encased within a soft fluffy puff pastry, the durian filling is rich and bursting with flavour. As the name suggests, you are supposed to devour the entire puff in one bite, but it was way too huge for me. I took at least 5 bites. With every bite, I had to rotate and contort my wrist in different directions just to prevent the delicious durian filling from oozing out on to my hands.

 Every bite gave me immense pleasure, so much so that I decided one durian puff was simply not enough for me. This is definitely a must-try if you are a durian fan!

Restoran Nyonya Makko

123, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya, Melaka

Tel: 06-2840-737

These were just some of the dishes that we had and every dish was sumptuous. It is quite impossible to go wrong with an establishment that has been around for 27 years and before long, everyone at the table abandoned their cameras to tuck into the splendid spread of Nyonya delicacies.

Chicken Rice Balls are my absolute favourite, which is why I saved the best for last. The most famous chicken rice ball stall in Malacca is probably Chung Wah Chicken Rice Balls, but the massive queues can serve as a deterrent, especially when your stomach is growling.

I have little patience and I get grumpy when hunger gets the better of me, so I was really happy when the Julie’s Biscuit staff introduced us to another chicken rice ball stall that is equally yummy to satisfy my cravings.

Did you know that Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball is apparently the only halal chicken rice ball stall in Malacca?

The chicken rice balls were moist, fragrant and slightly sticky. I especially love the soft and smooth texture, which makes it incredibly easy to swallow. That probably explains why I ate up close to 20 rice balls in one seating.

The other dishes were equally mouthwatering. The chicken was juicy and succulent but in my opinion, the sambal squids took the cake. The sambal chilli was simply superb.

The abundance of good food in Malacca is such a huge draw and I can’t wait to head back to explore and discover new eating places. There is so much more that Malacca has to offer, and what I have shared in this post barely scratches the surface.

Are there any other restaurants or cafes in Malacca that you would recommend?

 Julie’s Biscuits is the brainchild of Perfect Food Manufacturing and being a fan of Julie’s Biscuits (I love the Cheese and Peanut Butter varieties!) since young, I was especially excited when I received an invitation to visit their factory in Alor Gajah, a town near Malacca.

The Julie’s brand was introduced to the Malaysian market in 1982 and has since become a household name that needs no introduction. The biscuits at Perfect Food Manufacturing are all “baked with love”, a motto that all staff abide by and are immensely proud of.

I felt the love immediately upon arrival. We were received by their warm and friendly staff who promptly whisked us off to a cozy reception area where a sumptuous feast awaited.

The desserts that you see here are made using Julie’s biscuits. They’re pretty amazing, aren’t they?

This mission of Perfect Food Manufacturing and Julie’s Biscuits is:

“We bake with love

We care for the society

We love the earth”

True to their company mission, Mr Martin Ang, General Manager of Perfect Food Manufacturing, and his team went the extra mile to ensure that we were well taken care of every step of the way. 

I couldn’t help but get distracted by the tantalizing biscuits that lay before me and I wasn’t alone. In fact, all of us couldn’t resist snacking on the biscuits even when our lunch had barely settled. These biscuits are just irresistible.

To date, Julie’s Biscuits are exported to more than 50 countries around the world. What is the brand’s unique selling proposition? To me, its key differentiating factor lies is the company vision and philosophy. 

To quote Mr Martin Ang, they will never sell a product that they themselves would not eat. I have always believed that integrity is of utmost importance in business, even more so for consumer businesses. This succinct statement from Mr Ang really drove home the point that Perfect Food Manufacturing conducts their business with conscience in order to benefit everyone. And for that, I am truly impressed.

 

In a bid to contribute back to society, Julie’s Biscuits also started “The Best of You” movement. This movement strives to inspire everyone to take a break from our hectic schedules to reflect on our lives and take stock of our accomplishments. 

The term accomplishments here refer to the seemingly small and often unnoticed gestures or everyday actions that reflect the best of you. These accomplishments, no matter how small they may be, are worth celebrating. 

Who is the best of you?

I think everyone in my life is the best of me. I am very heartened that my husband, family, friends, boss and colleagues have always been supportive and understanding towards me and the decisions that I make. While we may have our differences, the love, trust and camaraderie that we share is something very special and irreplaceable. I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life. 

Every single one of you is the best of me. 

After the heartwarming sharing session, it was time for us to head to the factory for some action. Don’t we all look like surgeons?

At the end of the tour, we were rewarded with piping hot peanut butter biscuits fresh from the oven. You could feel the warmth of the biscuits and smell the heavenly aroma of the peanut butter through the packaging. I immediately tore open the packet and savoured the most delicious peanut butter biscuits I’ve ever had in my life.

Thank you once again to Perfect Food Manufacturing and Julie’s Biscuits for their warmth and hospitality!

Givenchy Bambi Clutch

Hermes Kelly Dog

Topshop Pants

Charles & Keith Shoes

Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses

 For more information on Julie’s Biscuits, do check out their website and Facebook Page.