Ambassadeur Everlasting
Vishnu worshippers
These farmers are all Vishnu devotees, you can see that by their black clothes they wear. After the terrible, non-existent rains last year their pilgrimage to the most important Vishnu temple in Tamil Nadu was in hope of a better harvest.
Mr. P.N. Krishnamurth
Mr. P.N. Krishnamurthy's book stall outside one of the temples in Trichy selling various religious books and comics depicting the most famous Hindu myths. I bought a couple for Zoe and Fay, (our two eldest granddaughters). Although they are in Tamil the stories of Ganesh and Garuda can be followed by the pictures.
Mount Popa II
From dawn until dusk the views are magnificent at Mount Popa and well worth staying the night at the mountain resort. The advantage is not only the views but if you want to climb to the top of Mount Popa, you can do this early in the morning before the day tours arrive from Baga, Thus again you have the temple to yourselves, and the monkeys of course.
Mount Popa
Mount Popa is very close to Bagan and many people make a day trip to the mount, climbing the 700 and so stairs, feeding and avoiding the pesky, cheeky monkeys that roam the stairs and the temple looking for treats. The old temple dedicated to the nat spirits sits on the summit. Having visited the temple many years ago, we decided this time to stay in the mountain resort opposite, away from the chaos and monkeys but with the views. By day we could make nice forest walks or relax by the swimming pool and at dawn and sunsets we 'fought' over the tripod, (we only took one) for the amazing views.
The black (and white)
Blacksmiths have all but disappeared in Europe, though artisan smiths are making something of a comeback. While in Bangladesh every little town still has a blacksmith.
Three for tea
I just thought I might share another photo from one of the Bangladeshi tea estates. A few days ago there was a report in The Guardian (UK newspaper) that the International Labour Organization reports dramatic global drop in number of working poor. The agency highlighted a general improvement in the educational level of the world’s labour force.
All for a cup of tea
Bangladeshi tea workers are mostly indigenous people from India, Dalit Hindus who migrated during British rule. They are among the most deprived and marginalized communities in the country, living in small, thatched-roofed mud houses where they are allowed to stay as long as a family member is working.
Papier parasols
Traditional paper parasols, an art that is being lost as cheap nylon umbrellas imported from China are gaining favour. The traditional parasol is made from Tin-wah bamboo and oiled Mulberry paper. The raw materials are locally produced. The bamboo is soaked for some time in foul water, to prevent it from the danger of insects later. The paper is coated with oil to help repel both sunshine and rain. The head and sliding hub of the parasol are made of teak, manufactured by using a simple turning lathe. The other important parts the framework are, the cover or leave, the rib, the trigger, the handle and the shaft. The measurements of each part have to be so accurate. Putting the covering (leaves) on the frame is the most difficult, to be mastered only after about three years' experience. This is performed by the father, the intricate work of folding was done by the mother, while the daughter makes the crown.
The rush is over
Its quiet with temple worshippers at the moment, the wife steals a few minutes of sleep he takes the opportunity to read his magazine. A little later the street will be busy again and she will sell temple trinkets and he, as a Brahmin, will give blessings as people pass.
The Parrot lick
Many of the seeds and nuts found in the rainforest have toxins in them and animals come to clay licks to neutralize those toxins. This is a daily ritual for many birds in the Amazon. Ecuador has two of the most accessible clay licks in the Amazon and both can be visited on the same day. The clay licks are in Yasuni National Park along the Napo River. The licks are most active on non-rainy days. Five different species of parrots frequent this clay lick including the Dusky-headed Parakeet, White-eyed Parakeet, Blue-headed Parrot, Yellow-crowned Amazon Parrot, and the Mealy Amazon Parrot. The morning of our visit this clay lick was quite active, but mostly with the Mealy Amazon Parrot, but there were hundreds of birds flying to and from the lick and the sound was tremendous.
Hanging out
Travelling down from the surrounding villages to the weekly market also provides the opportunity to check emails and get the latest news. Or just play the latest games.
Entertainment
Entertainment at the Thursday in Guamote. This colorful group were engrossed in watching a busker complete with electric guitar and amplifier, although one lady has her eye on me.
A feast for your eyes
The lively and very colourful weekly cattle market market is held every Thursday in Guamote when people from the surrounding mountains and countryside venture to town. Much haggling is done before the cattle change hands. To sit in the stands of the stadium where it is held is literally a feast for your eyes.
Guamote market
The main feature in the Thursday market in Guamote, is the cattle market. Much money changes hands while bargaining and deals are are done. It takes place in the town stadium, sitting high in the terraces provides a great overview of all that is happening in this colorful spectacle,completely out of the way and unnoticed.
The mystery of the...
We are above Lake Ozogoche which sits at 4000m and is sacred to the local people and holds a mystery. Each year in late august/September migrating Plover birds seemingly “commit suicide” by diving into the icy waters. The scientific theory is that the birds that “commit suicide” by diving into the lake are older and weaker Plovers that are so tired from their migratory journey they fall to their death after hitting a change of air pressure above it. However the Quichua (local) myth which is much more interesting says that many years ago when the birds reached the “Sacred Tribute” (the Ozogoche Lakes) they were accompanied by fog and rain as well as thunder and lightning and a cold wind in the mountains so strong that it howled like wolves scaring the indigenous god-devil Supay into running away. Then suddenly thousands of Plover birds began falling from the sky crying a distinctive song of pain until they hit the freezing waters of the Ozogoche lakes in a mysterious, ancient, and cosmic tribute which they continue to do to this day.
The high school
Literally - the high school, at almost 4000m. Education is the most problematic in this area. Due to not only the inaccessibility of the villages but also poorly trained teachers and lack of community participation. In 2000 illiteracy rate was still 37.55% amongst the population older than 10 years and 44.2% amongst the population older than 15 years.
Cottage industry
High in the Andes, I watched corn being sorted, the wool being spun and the cloth being woven all by hand. Traditional villages that maintain their crafts and charm against the onslaught of modern development that is present in the towns.
Bellavista
I remember very clearly on my first morning in Ecuador, waking up before the sun and climbing to the top of the ridge above the Bellavista Could Reserve in the Mindu Cloud Forest for this beautiful view.
Mary
This is the same little girl that I posted yesterday, Mary, but now without her lamb and a little less shy. At the high altitude Lake Ozogoche
Reisreporter van het.
As we come to almost another year end and the excitement of who will be the next RRvhJ and our new co-ambassador, I had to think of my own year back in 2013 and my prize to Ecuador. This was taken at 5000m close by the beautiful Lake Ozogoche which her home overlooks. I remember it was difficult to breathe in the thin air, and walking from the jeep to the lake felt more strenuous than the short 3 kilometers that it was. I can only imagine how hard life must be in this high barren environment.
Old and beautiful
Of course my attention was attracted to her flowers in her hair, I stopped to talk to her as she squatted (I must add easier than me) by a tea stall in the market. With the flowers in her hair, the light on her face, the glint in her eye and her smile, she was so photogenic. Hinthada morning market.
Moeder en kind
Mother and child at a Karma Vedha ceremony, (piercing of ears ceremony). The head is first shaved and then the ears are pierced, with a hand sterilized needle.
The Tower of Erbalung
Summer holidays, even in Corsica, are not all sun and sea. We also had an incredible storm winds of almost 100kms per hour, which isn't that much fun in a tent, I can tell you, but does render dramatic scenes as the storm subsides. The tower of Erbalunga was originally built in 1488, later destroyed by French forces in their invasion of Corsica in 1553 and was then rebuilt when the French withdrew after the treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis. The tower was one of a series of coastal defences constructed by the Republic of Genoa between 1530 and 1620 to stem the attacks by Barbary pirates.
The last resting plac
Somewhere along our path out on the far end of Cap Corse on a small headland a white family grave, what a peaceful resting place.
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