Travel and Photography

A very Nepali way of carrying heavy loads

2011-12-28T23:29:00.002+08:00

Location: A street stall in Kathmandu, Nepal (27°42'26.99"N 85°18'43.60"E)
Date: 7 May 2003; 3.35pm
Camera: Canon G1

A porter is a relatively high-paying job in Nepal. Unlike some countries such as Pakistan where the daily rates payable to a porter is fixed every year, the cost of hiring a porter in Nepal depends on one’s negotiating skills. Regardless, porter-ing is considered a good-pay though tough job. Furthermore there is a limited lifespan of being a porter- as one grows older, the job gets much tougher. In many cases, especially those who speaks English, porters gradually move on to become guides. Nepali porters are a breed of its own- unlike porters in other countries, Nepali porters uses their forehead to carry the weight. They would organised all the luggage and carry them on a strap weighted on the forehead. This is not peculiar to porters but seems to be the norm for carrying heavy items in Nepal generally. Even in Kathmandu, one very often sees workers carrying heavy loads using their forehead.

Rural scene of Indonesia

2011-12-18T14:53:00.002+08:00

Location: Cemoro Lawang, Java, Indonesia (7° 55' 22" S, 112° 57' 52" E)
Date: 15 July 2008; 6.45pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Cemoro Lawang is a small town at the rim of the Bromo caldera. Its location makes it the most convenient and sought-after base for visiting the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. As a result, tourism is the major economic activity. However before tourism became a major money-spinner, farming was the main productive activity in this town and the surrounding area. The land around here is extremely fertile, benefiting from the volcanic ash of the few volcanoes in the vicinity. All the farms, which are small family-plots grow vegetables. As is the norm in most farming and rural communities around the world, the people here are super-friendly and hospitable.

The symmetrical TianTan of Beijing

2011-12-11T14:17:00.002+08:00

Location: TianTan, Beijing, China(39° 52′ 56.07″ N, 116° 24′ 23.29″ E)
Date: 18 October 2010, 9.50am
Camera: Canon 500D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

To most people, the Great Wall of China with the most accessible portion situated on the outskirts of Beijing, is the most recognisable icon of China. However as far as Beijing is concerned, its icon is actually the TianTan or loosely translated as the Temple of Heaven; more accurately Altar of Heaven. This is where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties came to make offerings and pray for bountiful harvests every year. In the psyche of the Chinese, TianTan held another significance as it represented a symbol of an era of shame when China was forced into signing away sovereignties in unequal treaties with the West under the barrel of canons. The temple complex was occupied and used as a command centre by the Eight Nation Alliance during the Boxer Rebellion resulting in serious desecration and damage to the temple, buildings and gardens. Many temple artefacts were also looted by the Alliance soldiers. the temple and buildings were constructed during the Ming Dynasty but underwent large-scale renovation during the Qing Dynasty. As a result, Qing decorations and adornments predominates in the temple. Today TianTan is a major tourist destination.

Really colourful stupas in Hundar, Ladakh

2011-12-05T14:49:00.002+08:00

Location: Hundar, Ladakh, India (34°37'12.63"N 77°25'51.76"E)
Date: 16 August 2009 5.15pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Hundar is as close as one can gets to the disputed Line of Control between India and Pakistan in India Kashmir. Pakistan is so close, it is virtually just across a bridge in the northern end of the small village. As such this place in the Nubra Valley has a heavy military presence. Hundar is popular and well-known to some extent as the location of the world’s highest altitude sand dunes, at approximately 3,120m. The sand dunes are not that spectacular but attracts a lot of tourists on packages. There are more interesting wanderings to be had at the village proper. Stupas and gompas, old and new dotted the village, some prayer wheels and fabulous views across part of the Nubra Valley. As in most parts of Ladakh, getting to the destination is the adventure and the fun part. Independent travellers have no chance of coming here without chartering (sharing better) a vehicle with others.

Slideshow for Oct- Nov 2011

2011-12-01T14:21:00.000+08:00

One needs a car to visit the outside vicinity of Paris

2011-11-26T23:57:00.006+08:00

Location: Paris, France (48°51′39″N 2°20′09″E)
Date: 26 February 2006; 1.25pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit kens

Independent traveling is a fun way to travel for me. Often I get to see many unexpected places and interact with all sorts of interesting people. This mode of traveling needs a bit more planning and is also more time-consuming as most of the time I have to rely on local transport, whatever there might be. In some countries such as China, this is not a problem as there is a myriad of transport options available, from the publicised train and bus services, to chartered, hitch-hiking and sharing of transport with other travellers. One can virtually get to any secluded corners with a little effort. The same goes for countries such as Pakistan and India. I guess this is a factor of rural hospitality and poverty which makes people more willing to share and help others. This is not the case with more developed countries- in such countries such as USA and most parts of Europe, public transport is only good to bigger cities. Outlying places are not easily accessible by public transport. This is also due to the fact that most people in such countries own their own transport; so the demand and hence, supply for services to more secluded destinations do not exist. Even if options are available such as joining a local tour, these are always only good for the casual look-see, been-there-before type of sightseeing. Renting a car, often is the most feasible option to travel to rural, outlying and secluded places in these countries.

If you are lying from the UK and need to drive to the airport you are stuck with the problem of where to leave your car. Try Gatwick Parking if you are flying from London. Or if you are flying from the North, try parking at Manchester Airport.

Sunset on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, Laos

2011-11-24T00:09:00.002+08:00

Location: Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos (19°53′N 102°08′E)
Date: 2 November 2004; 6.05pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

I have a certain fascination with the mighty rivers. Whenever I visit a country where a trans-national great river flows through, I will make it a point to see the river, be it in Africa or Asia. Maybe it is the importance that I learnt of rivers/water’s role played in civilisation and development of nation and humanity. Perhaps it is just the satisfaction of able to see different stages of the same river in different settings, environments and countries. For example, I saw Lancang Jiang in Tibet and Yunnan of China and also its manifestation as Mekong River in Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Similarly I went to the source of the Indus River in Tibet and travel along its course on parts of the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan. I saw Yarlung Tsangpo Jiang in many parts of Tibet but will love to see it emerge as the Brahmaputra River in India and Bangladesh- one day. The Yangtse River flows only within China but it changes directions and characters, not to mention its name many times while it courses through China before dumping its water into the South China Sea. It is hard to imagine that any of these mighty rivers may disappear soon due to global warming when one is looking at its might and majesty, but the sciences are telling us just that. So make sure you take another good look at the great rivers the next time you are on their banks because they may not be there or the same when you next revisit the same spot.

Land of the Great Outdoors- NZ

2011-11-20T23:39:00.002+08:00

Location: Mount Cook, South Island, New Zealand (43° 35′ 44.69″ S, 170° 8′ 27.75″ E)
Date: 27 May 2009, 8.40am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

New Zealand is blessed with some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, within a small area. Hence it is very easy to enjoy the diversity of sceneries without travelling too far away. This results in, perhaps, a nation with one of the most outdoor-oriented citizenry. Everywhere one turns, there are opportunities to engage in the great outdoors, be it mountaineering, skiing, fishing, hiking, canoeing, you name it. No wonder a country with such a small population excels in so many sports, as evident by the number of world beaters in so many disciplines- rugby, sailing, canoeing and so on. Of course, not forgetting Edmund Hillary. In fact, Mount Cook or Aoraki (see this post) is where the first conqueror of Qomolomgma or Sagamartha or Mount Everest (to the layman) hone his alpine skills.

The accessibility of such wonderful pristine landscape is also one of the reasons that NZ is such a favourite destinations for many travellers. One need not be a mountaineer or outdoor specialist to get close to some of the most amazing landscape or wilderness.

Monks praying inside a Buddhist gompa

2011-11-07T14:54:00.002+08:00

Location: Diskit Gompa, Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India (34° 32′ 28″ N, 77° 33′ 37″ E)
Date: 24 August 2009 7.50 am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

I have wrote that Ladakhis have Tibetan features. They also share similar ancestry and religion. By and large most ethnic Ladakhis practice Tibetan Buddhism with similar Yellow, Red etc sects just as in Tibet. Their gompas and traditions are similar. Anyone who have spent some time in Tibet could easily mistakenly think that they are in Tibet after spending a few days in Ladakh.

“The smoke which thunders” Zambia/Zimbabwe

2011-11-02T23:22:00.003+08:00

Location: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa (17° 55′ 28″ S, 25° 51′ 24″ E)
Date: 5 April 2001; 5.10pm
Camera: (analogue) Canon 500N with slides and scanned

The names of too many great landmarks around the world had been “hijacked” or “christianised” by the Western powers in a bygone era when countries of the Western hemisphere were the strongest (militarily and economically) on the planet. Such landmarks have their local names but were renamed after some Western figures when they were “discovered'”. These are really great insults to the people of those lands as these landmarks are known to them for generations and they do have names for these places centuries before any Westerner had set sight on them. Yet such foreigners had the guts to claim that they discovered such places. The so-called Victoria Falls were known as Mosi-oa-Tunya in the local Kololo language of the Zambians before any white people ever set foot on the black continent. Similarly, Mount Everest had always and will forever be Sagarmatha to the Nepali Sherpas or Qomolongma to Tibetans, whatever the the rest of the world has gotten used to called it. For that matter, the Baltis only know Chogori as the name of the world’s 2nd highest mountain, not K2 as coined by the British in the 19th century. The might of the West is waning, epitomised by the EU seeking out China’s help in the Euro crisis, amongst others. It is about time to return justice and respect to local cultures of many of the world’s great places by at least using their proper and historical names. NZ leads in this respect by reverting to using both Maori and common English names to many of their nature wonders such as Aoraki for Mount Cook and Manahuna for McKinnon Pass.

The Star of Singapore Botanical Gardens

2011-10-29T17:10:00.001+08:00

Location: Bandstand, Singapore Botanical Garden (1°19'18"N 103°48'59"E)
Date: 8 October 2011; 9.50am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Singapore Botanical Garden is one of the main attractions of Singapore. Quite often when one lives in a place, one easily overlook the local attractions that tourists from far afield come to visit. The Botanical Gardens is just one of those- I lives in Singapore but never pay much attention or visit the place unless I have visitors. However it is apparently a favourite of tourists especially the new force-to-be-reckon-with tourists from China and India. These tourists are no doubt attracted by the immaculately maintained gardens and its vast collection of tropical trees, flowers and plants. For locals, one of the favourite spot of the Gardens is the white octagonal shaped pavilion named the Bandstand which was erected in 1930. The Bandstand used to host military band performances in the past- now it is a popular spot for newly-weds to have their photos taken with their full regalia of wedding gowns.

Chinese candy sculpting- a dying art

2011-10-26T22:58:00.002+08:00

Location: Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, Fujian, China (24° 26′ 51.43″ N, 118° 3′ 44.83″ E)
Date: 17 December 2008; 10.50am
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS Lens

If one goes to any major cities in China, one will not feel too out of place as in any other major Asian cities. The country is virtually galloping into the 21st century, at least as far as urban infrastructure and architecture is concerned. That’s why, apart from the mega and very important cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, all the Chinese cities look rather similar in the type of buildings and layout. One of the consequence of this mad rush to modernise is the tearing down of anything that stands in the way- not just physically but culturally as well. Many of the cultural heritage of this 5,000 years of continuous civilisation is fast disappearing together with its rich architecture heritage. Traditional dances, costumes, practices, arts and crafts as well as ethnic dialects are slowly dying. Ironically some of such cultural heritage are still maintained as a result of the creeping commercialism from tourism. Arts such as the face changing technique of Sichuan opera and Naxi traditional music survives mainly because there is demand for such arts performances for tourists. Similarly in smaller scale, traditional arts such as flour dough figurines and candy sculpture (as in photo) still flourished as novelties for tourists.

Heads everywhere at Nemrut Dagi, Turkey

2011-10-21T17:46:00.002+08:00

Location: mount Nemrut, Turkey (37° 58′ 54″ N, 38° 44′ 28″ E)
Date: 17 April 2010, 8.40am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

The fallen large head statues of the royal tomb atop Mount Nemrut (or Nemrut Dagi) in southwestern Turkey must be the most iconic symbols of Turkey after the minarets of its mosques in Istanbul and its Whirling Dervish dances. The site of the tomb is not easy to get to, if one is traveling independently as there is no transport that goes up the mountain. There are buses that go part of the way (for about 8 months of the year) and travellers will have to either hike or hitch a ride. As is the norm for such summit destinations, most travellers would want to get there for the sunrise or sunset. Accommodation options and quality for such activities are very limited- there are a few hotels at the base of the mountain but they are mainly tailored and frequently reserved for packaged groups. Nonetheless it is a worthwhile effort to visit this tomb if one visits Turkey. Apart from the surreal setting and the statues, the view from the summit is a bonus.

Technorati Tags: Turkey,Nemrut

Dong culture is still alive in China

2011-10-15T23:47:00.002+08:00

Locations: Zhaoxing, Guizhou, China (25° 54' 39 N 109° 10' 35 E).
Date: 18 April 2005; 11.15am
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

The Dongs are one of the minorities predominant in Guizhou province of China. They are well-known for their Wind & Rain Bridge as well as Drum Tower. Unlike the big minorities, Tibetans of Tibet and Uighurs of Xinjiang, who were in fact the ethnic people of their provinces, Dongs were never an ethnic group of significant numbers. Ironically because of their smaller numbers, the Chinese Hans had been less zealous in trying to assimilate them into the Chinese culture, so to speak. In any case, as a result of their smaller numbers, they are more inclined to adapt to the Han culture. This is not to mean that they have abandoned their cultural heritage; however, the Dongs felt less threatened by the encroachment of Han into their space. Part of this is also economics- the Tibetans and Uighurs’ homeland are rich in many resources- the other minorities inherits less of such benefits. Managing the major minorities will continue to be a huge challenge for China until they realised and accept that the minorities are different and want different things (not chiefly development) from the central government.

Typically Hindu… this time in Nepal

2011-10-11T11:39:00.002+08:00

Location: Basantapur Tower, Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal (N27 42 14 E85 18 30 )
Date: 28 March 2000; 2.10pm
Camera: Canon EOS 500N (analogue) on slides and scanned

Eroticism, to be exact erotic art, is prevalent in Hinduism. One can see that in many ancient Hindu temples, the most famous of which is the Khajuraho temple complex. Many people find this rather amusing and really puzzling as most other religions refrain from things sexual, explicitly. It shouldn’t be as Hindu erotism is simply an expression of the religion (as well as other religions)’s belief in a different perspective. Like any other religions, Hinduism is a prescription or way of life according to certain codes and beliefs. The final aim of a Hindu is (no surprise) salvation, which is the merging of the individual soul with that of the supreme soul. The pursuit of pleasure or kama is an important aim of life, on the way to deliverance or attainment of salvation. As such, figures of loving couples or “mithuna”, in sexual pose and sex acts, are no taboos or attract any inhibitions, as any other life processes. In fact, worship of Shiva’s lingam (penis) is part and parcel of Hinduism. All of these manifest in many art forms, including sculptures from very early on in Indian civilisation.

Isn’t she pretty?

2011-10-07T23:27:00.002+08:00

Location: Bikaner, Rajasthan, India (28° 1′ 0″ N, 73° 18′ 43″ E)
Date: 10 Jan 2009; 3.40pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS Lens

Indian women are amongst the most beautiful women of the world. Indian beauties have captured the world’s imagination ever since Aishwarya Rai won the Miss World pageant in 1994 and went on to become a Bollywood star. In fact Bollywood movies are instrumental in bringing the world’s attention to India’s beautiful women. Many of the more well-known and popular Bollywood top ladies are of Northern Indian descent, with fairer skin tone and higher cheekbones ala Aryan features. However Indian women from other parts of the country are just as charming and attractive in their own ways. For example, Rajasthani ladies are not only pretty but are also graceful.

Slideshow for Jul- Sep 2011

2011-10-05T22:55:00.001+08:00

These are really pretty, and yes, they are perfectly edible

2011-10-04T23:44:00.003+08:00

Location: Xiapu, Fujian, China (23° 46' 20" N, 117° 2' 47" E)
Date: 16 December 2008; 10.50am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

It is said that there are 3 main events in a person’s life: birth, marriage and death. All these 3 events are celebrated or commemorated in grand fashion by all the different cultures of the world. With the exception of death which is either celebrated as a joyful occasion in some cultures or a sad passing in others, birth and marriage are always joyous moments in virtually all cultures.

Marriage is a huge celebration amongst all the ethnic groups in China. Furthermore marriage is celebrated in different manners even within the different Chinese regions of Han population. Many of them involves the giving of marriage cookies to relatives as part of the celebration. In the coastal towns of Fujian like Xiapu, a colourful, beautiful and tasty wedding cookie is one of the must-haves for a marriage. The cookie is baked with a filling mix of sesame, sugar, nuts and other contents which I do not really know but tastes fabulous, nonetheless.

This looks like Venice- but it is Bangkok

2011-09-28T23:38:00.003+08:00

Location: San Saeb Jetty, Bangkok, Thailand (13° 44′ 49″ N, 100° 32′ 23″ E)
Date: 18 September 2011; 7.35pm
Camera: Canon 500D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Bangkok used to be known as “Venice of the East'” as it used to be filled with canals. Residents used to live on water while carrying on their daily activities by boats- and boats were the major mode of transportation. In the last 10 over years, many of these canals were filled to make way for new roads and buildings. However many of these old canals still remain on the Thornburi side of the Chao Phraya River. People still carry out their day-to-day life along these canals here- floating residences, postmen delivering mails and vendors hawking their wares on boats. Even monks do their alms rounds on boats- that’s also because many of the historically old temples are still situated along these canals. Back in the east bank of Chao Phraya (or “Bangkok proper”) the importance of canals had diminished but not disappeared. There are still many canals served by long boats. This is still an important mode of transport around the city as water transport beats the city’s notorious traffic jams.

Volcanoes are beautiful and symmetrical

2011-09-24T23:07:00.003+08:00

Location: Gunung Batur from Kintamani , Bali, Indonesia (8° 14′ 31.2″ S, 115° 22′ 30″ E)
Date: 28 August 2011; 12.15pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

Gunung Batur is one of several active volcanoes on the island of Bali. It has 2 calderas and a beautiful lake. The area is a popular tourist destination. The area around here is very fertile and there are 2 villages at the foot of the volcano. People in Indonesia are used to living under the constant threat of volcanic eruptions from the hundreds of active volcanoes spread all over the archipelago. Volcanoes are both feared and revered as abode or manifestations of divinity. Furthermore volcanoes are revered for giving fertility to the surrounding area (from its lava). That’s why despite the danger, volcanic areas are still highly populated- and that’s why volcanic eruptions in Indonesia invariably cause big death toll.

This is uniquely Greek

2011-09-12T23:44:00.002+08:00

Location: Samos Island, Greece (37° 44′ 0″ N, 26° 50′ 0″ E)
Date: 3 April 2010; 3.35pm
Camera: Canon 400D with Canon 70-200/f4L USM

At the moment Greece is in the dump economically. I wonder if things has gotten cheaper in the country. When I visited the country a year or so ago, I was surprised to find that it is much more expensive than Turkey- due partly to the fact that it is Euro-based. However I was already wondering to myself as I noticed that the Greeks (at least the ones that I encountered) do not seem very motivated to work hard for a living. This feeling is especially pronounced to me, having just spent a few weeks in Turkey- the Turks just seem to be more hungry. Little did I realised that this appearance foretells a bleak economic reality. In any case, as a tourist I enjoyed its unique character and its rich cultural and historical heritage. I find its unique Mediterranean architecture extremely exciting- such as this church on Samos Island.

Foreigners are seeing less and less of Tibet and Xinjiang, China…..

2011-09-09T00:08:00.002+08:00

Locations: Lhasa Valley, Tibet, China (29° 45′ 28.8″ N, 91° 28′ 30″ E)
Date: 10 August 2007; 9.0am
Camera: Canon 400D with Sigma 17-70/f2.8-4.5

I have to consider myself lucky as far as traveling to Tibet is concerned. I did 3 trips to Tibet between 2003 and 2007 and went to a fair number of places that the Chinese government forbids foreigners to visit. Some of the landscapes and tradition/culture of the people I met and visited are etched forever in my memories. I am lucky because the Chinese government has closed off more and more of the province to foreigners for political and information censorship reasons. In any case, the Han Chinese are changing Tibet so dramatically and so quickly that the character and spirituality of many wonderful places in Tibet are just no longer the same- in some ways one can say the same of the whole of China. Hence I consider myself lucky to be able to experience the magic of these places and their people before their modern and developmental transformations.

A temple atop a chariot from ancient times- India

2011-09-07T15:20:00.000+08:00

Location: Vittala Temple, Hampi, Karnataka, India (15° 20′ 6″ N, 76° 27′ 43.2″ E)
Date: 29 November 2005; 1.30pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

Hampi in Karnataka should be a destination on every visitor to India. It is an atmospheric village strewn with huge boulders traverse by a river. It is both scenic and strange at the same time. Perhaps the most famous of the ruins in Hampi is the Vittala Temple with its iconic stone chariot, which has been adopted as its symbol by the Karnataka Tourism. The chariot resembling a ratha (or temple chariot) in which temple idols are taken out on traditional processions, is actually a miniature temple. Contrary to popular legend, it was not carved from a single rock. Regardless it is still an amazing piece of ancient art- complete with four round stone wheels.

Technorati Tags: Hampi,India,Karnataka,Vittala Temple,stone chariot

Nope- this is not Africa- this is Rome!

2011-09-05T14:51:00.002+08:00

Location: Rome, Italy (41° 53′ 24.61″ N, 12° 29′ 32.17″ E)
Date: 2 April 2005; 3.20 pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

Rome is a city filled with surprises everywhere one turns. Apart from the huge number of churches and fountains, there is history everywhere. Beautiful sculptures adorned every other buildings and undoubtedly most of them would have been from a very early age. If one does not record down what and where, there is simply no way of remembering what one sees in the city. I think I saw this elephant head sculpture at the front facade of a boutique hotel but then I just cannot be sure- there are so many beautiful sculptures at every corners!!

The Pinnacles of Gunung Api, Sarawak, Malaysia

2011-09-01T13:46:00.003+08:00

Location: Pinnacles of Gunung Api, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (4° 7′ 55.2″ N, 114° 55′ 8.4″ E)
Date: 14 November1995; 8.20am
Camera: (analogue) Canon EOS 500N on negatives and scanned

Gunung Api, popularly known as the Pinnacles is situated within the UNESCO heritage site of Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak. It is known as Pinnacles due to its striking smooth razor-edged limestone karst formations, resulting from water erosions over the centuries. The mountain itself is not very high- most of the more spectacular pinnacle formations are close to the summit but not necessary to reach the summit itself. However it can be a rather tough ascend up the mountain to enjoy the stunning views. The ascend is steep at various places and is punctuated by ravines caused by the erosion of the limestone structure of the mountain. The Park Rangers had secured metal ladders, laid out flat, connecting the top of limestone pillars to negotiate such ravines. Visitors should be prepared to go on fours while walking on such ladders. Any visitors to the Mulu National Park itself should attempt to spend a few more days to marvel at this wonder and savour the real sense of achievement and adventure on reaching the destination.

Technorati Tags: Mulu,Gunung Api,Pinnacles,Sarawak