chilligum

Akihabara Storm

2012-06-10T07:17:00.002+01:00

The neon lights reflected off the wet road. Clear umbrellas shielding and folding against the wind. Waves of rain lashing through the buildings. Echoes of Blade Runner.

Tsjukiji

2012-06-09T04:02:00.000+01:00

It was 4:30am and slightly drizzling. We made the 10 minute walk to the market from the Marriott Courtyard Ginza. Glaring lights on boxes of exotic fruits of the sea. The tuna auction begins. Sushi beckons. We take our seats at the small sushi place around the corner. The family from Iowa joins in - me, happily feasting on raw fish variations - you and rocketgirl shaking your heads.

Tears in Rain

2012-06-09T03:33:00.001+01:00

The man thanked us for visiting Japan. Memories of tsunami footage came back. He made a slow full bow. You and your mom's beautiful faces reflecting in the window on our way to Ginza.

Great Barrier Reef

2011-08-07T00:55:00.001+01:00

Clear azure water beckoning from the seat at the back of the boat. Coral gardens and tropical fish reflecting off the surface.

Diving into paradise.

Mt Buller

2011-07-17T07:04:00.000+01:00

Brown, yellow and red snow gums. Brilliant white snow pockets on the branches. Multicolored figures gliding down slope. Victorian Alps stretching to the horizon. Snow flakes against my visor. The hill going into motion beneath the skis.

Total Eclipse

2010-08-31T16:15:00.000+01:00

The shadow sweeped in from the West. Silence slowly descended. The black moon moved across the sun disk. It was dark. The diamond appeared on the edge of the disk. Dawn flowed in. Total solar eclipse in Musina in Africa.

Black Stallion

2010-07-24T19:16:00.000+01:00

The African savannah started moving towards us reflected on the shining black canvas of the bonnet. Lazy jazz tunes providing a soundtrack to African bushveld and game.

The Black Stallion started to gallop on air towards Skukuza.

Spitfire

2010-06-05T13:44:00.000+01:00

It was a cool September afternoon.

We travelled past the Dover cliffs and came to the Battle of Britain memorial, a young aviator staring at the sky, frozen in stone.

Battle of the Brave.

RIP.

Graffiti

2010-06-05T13:13:00.005+01:00

The room was small with pale white walls. Sun rays entering the small high window.

In the distance the snow capped Alps.

The cell the Man in the Iron Mask called home.

Graffiti held by the walls.

Ile Ste Marguerite in the dusk of Cannes awakening to the night.

Big Apple

2010-04-27T14:16:00.002+01:00

Wandered down 5th Avenue. Horses with their carriages trotting towards the green of Central Park. Yellow cabs hooting.

Two hot dogs with everything on.

Wandered over to the Park.

Skyscraper outlines softened by green brush.

New Yorkers enjoying the Sunday afternoon.

Spring in Gotham.

Windy City

2010-04-27T13:59:00.000+01:00

O'Hare disappeared into the distance.

The Windy City skyline started drifting into view.

The twin spikes of the Sears tower piercing the sky disappeared reflected in the water of Lake Michigan.

New York awaited.

Sacre Coeur

2010-04-27T13:43:00.001+01:00

We have returned again.

The service was coming to a close. The songs echoed through the church.

You and your mom lighted candles.

Our journey would be safe.

Holy City

2010-04-27T13:32:00.002+01:00

The dusk was flowing in. I sat down beside a tree overlooking the Old City walls. The air of history and sense of holiness was tangible anchoring one in place.

David, Solomon, the Crusaders, Knights Templar, Saladin, Marco Polo walked here.

Jesus of Nazareth suffered and triumphed here.

I humbly got up and walked back to the hotel.

Coral Lagoon

2010-04-27T13:21:00.000+01:00

The current took me west. Warm Indian Ocean water gently carrying me centimeters over the multi-colored coral sheltering neon colored fish towards the floating platform where I will rest and wave back to you.

Feast

2010-04-27T13:13:00.000+01:00

The Landrover stopped next to the pride of six lions. Bones cracked between blood smeared lips as the pride feasted on their morning kill.

The dawn pierced through the bush.

We pulled the blankets closer.

Larvotto

2010-04-27T12:47:00.001+01:00

Baby feet making small footprints in the sand. Me and your mother holding your hands and guiding you towards the water. Small feet making friends with the Med at Monte Carlo's Larvotto beach.

Mist over Africa

2010-04-27T11:51:00.000+01:00

The rainbows reflected off myriad falling water drops. The gorge snaked through the rugged cliffs being sculpted by millions of tons of well traveled African rains.

African Renaissance mirrored off the Smoke that Thunders.

Isola 2000

2010-04-22T13:30:00.001+01:00

We winded up the road to Isola 2000. A 75 km trip from Cannes via Nice that I always looked forward to during the working week in Sophia Antipolis. The melt water river was a blue green brown color.

Snow flakes hitting my face as we glided down the slope towards the valley.

Roma

2010-04-19T10:04:00.000+01:00

After the Spanish Steps we wandered into a nearby mall.

Two Italian girls walked over and cooed around your pram - "Bella Bambina, Bella Bambina!"

Two very proud and happy parents and a gurgling daughter bubbled further into beloved Roma.

Ferry

2010-04-18T17:02:00.001+01:00

The Hong Kong skyline oscillated slightly. Ship horns echoed. Delicious smells filled the air drifting over from Tsim Sha Tsui. A light rain began to fall.

Central beckoned.

Huitres

2010-04-18T16:33:00.000+01:00

The pyramid silhouette of Mont St Michel pierced the flat horizon and disappeared behind us.

The small bay of Cancale appeared. Oyster heaven. We stopped the Avis rental on our way back to St Malo and had a feast of two dozen "huitres".

Normandy coast treasures.

Traffic Jam

2010-04-17T19:42:00.002+01:00

The traffic was backed up.
The green leaves were lightly swaying in the early spring Pennsylvania air.
We were traveling no faster than the Amish horse drawn cart in front of us.

The cars behind hooted their impatience.

Bull Fight

2010-04-16T16:46:00.002+01:00

The tension was palpable. There was a sense of fear and excitement.

The matador waved the bull passed and arched over with his swords.

Ole! echoed into the warm Barcelona afternoon.

The smell of blood was in the air.

Pamplona

2010-04-16T16:30:00.000+01:00

Red neck scarves piercing the air. Dancing until 2am. South Africa, Germany, US and Spain passing the Pastis until morning.

The black shadows were ready to run.

Tiger Tiger

2010-04-16T16:11:00.003+01:00

The cigar smoke lifted slowly. Another round, ladies and gentlemen?

Celebrating another successful project.

Tiger Tiger, London, burning bright.