Ambassadeur Everlasting
Santa Zita
The church of San Frediano houses a shrine to Santa Zita, Lucca's saint, whose mummified body is brought out once a year when she may be touched by the devout. Her statue was, IMO far more intersting especially standing in the early morning sun rays streaming through the stained glass windows.
Terra and Ochre
A small canal somewhere in Venice. The foundations of all the buildings are made of the strongest oak piles, the bricks, terracotta and mortar come from the territory of Padua. I like how you can wander around and at each turn of the corner another old peeling building, or open square or hidden church awaits.
One Year Later
One year later, I tried the same technic (as my last upload in Vietnam) just patiently waitiing hoping that the rain held off, I waitied and waitied and eventually two young boys rode past slowly. - CLICK
Patience is a Virture
I sat for ages on the steps, framed the doorway and waited, first a bullock cart went past, but I was so excited that I clicked or rather clunked in such a hurry I missed the moment. So then I waited and waited and finally she rode past on her byclye glanced at me - and my job was done.
Meditation
I was flicking though my photos deciding which to upload on this hot.sweaty day and I saw this and remembered how cool it was that morning in Hanoi. An elderly man, taking time for himself, reflecting, meditating by the Hoan Kiem Lake in the early morning, it seemed a suitable upload for this occasion. I may add that whilst trying to get this POV I almost feel in the lake:)
The Palace, the...ric
Having recently read an article about the deadly overcrowded blueline buses in Delhi, I had to think about the rickshaws and buses in Orchha. (This is the same bridge as my earlier upload with the overcrowded bus)
Devotion
After a hectic day, flying from Bagan to Mandalay, scorching sun, so many impression flying through my mind. Racing from place to place. I sat down in the shade in the Sandamuni Pagoda and let the quietness that was radiating from this lady engulf me. Before I left I took this picture without disturbing her, without intruding into her thoughts. She didnt see me, but the people passing did. By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin' lazy at the sea, There's a Burma girl a-settin', and I know she thinks o' me; For the wind is in the palm-trees, and the temple-bells they say; "Come you back, you British Soldier; come you back to Mandalay!" Rudyard Kipling
Moving On
Mandu attracts many pilgrims to NilKant, (Shiva temple). The pilgrims, dressed in white, usually travel by foot and stay over night in one of the medieval ruins by the village water tank. Early morning the pilgrims are cooking their food and slowly packing their camp to move on to their next destination.
Agony or Pleasure
Agony, pleasure or just a necessity. Ear-cleaners in their red turbans,equipped with hook and spoons ply the streets of Delhi for clients., I was not tempted.....................
MOBY LINES
Die goedkoopste overtocht naar Corsica is met Moby Lines. In vergelijking:- in juli voor 2 personen en een auto met SNCM vanuit frankrijk kost Euro 507. Met Corsica ferries (vanuit Savona) betaalt u voor 2 personen en een auto al iets minder: Euro 384. Maar met Moby lines vanuit Genoa betaalt u slechts Euro 67. Ze varen niet zo vaak maar als je een beetje flexibel bent met vertrek data is het bij verre de goedkoopste optie.
A Winter Tale
Although not as cold as this man would have you think. It is well worth wrapping up on these chilly January mornings to be at the Taj Mahal at dawn, not only do you get to see the Taj wake up through the mist, but its quiet, without the throngs of tourist, and then its possible to appreciate the fact that it is a mausoleum
Smile its Friday
Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone. One of my dad's favourite sayings. Man and wife, they worked hard repairing the roads in Kumbalghar, their laughter was infectious. I am sure there are not many of us that have worked as hard as this couple this week. Enjoy your weekend!
Devotion in Stone
The temples carvings of Belur are exquisite is you open this you will see more detail Belur was once the capital of a powerful empire on the banks of River Yagachi. Belur's main temple, Chennakeshava (dedicated to Lord Krishna and set in a compound with several smaller temples and a pond), was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD to celebrate Hoysala military victories. It took over a hundred years to complete and its architecture is foreign to the prevailing Hoysala style of the 12th century – it is exceptionally large (about 100-ft high) and its decoration very lavish (with a magnificent gateway tower – gopuram) in Dravidian style. It is delicate in its filigree work, with the added attraction of bracketed figures of celestial dancers, called Madanikas and exclusive to Belur, and an innumerable variety of intricate pillars. Contrary to Indian tradition, these Hoysala sculptors signed their work at this temple. The exteriors of the temple are adorned with horizontal friezes, sculptured in succession from the bottom. Stories from the Puranas, the Upanishads and other mythological sources have been executed in most exquisite and authentic detail, as have tales from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
First Class
First class passengers on two days boat journey from Bhamo, (SEE TIP) cruising down the Arrawaddy, beautiful scenery, through narrow gorges, thick jungle to the water’s edge, birds flying alongside, really nice. Our cabin had a small sink to wash, but the water when it came, was from the river and poured out of the taps – brown and full of grit, so washing was no option, but we were travelling in relative luxury, below decks was another story, passengers camped out in between the cargo, families sleeping, eating, living on a small bed sheet for two days, upper deck offered deck chairs. We made a few stops at small towns where the young and old excitedly met the ferry, and vendors clambered on board to sell their ‘delicacies’. Much commotion in the night as we hit a sandbank, the crew jumping on shore to free us with bamboo poles and we were woken up at two in the morning by a vendors selling their wares at a small village stop, who wants to eat curry and rice and two in the morning!!
NOT the boat to Bagan
There is a boat from Mandalay to Bagan that many tourists and tour groups use, its a nice journey but.......there is a boat from Bhamo that is used 99% by locals.You may be told that foreigners are not allwed on this boat, but its not true. Its slower and as a foreigner you are required to buy a cabin, I think it was $20 and it includes 2 hard beds and running water (for a while), no private toilet, you must share with the "first class" passengers. The two day journey is beautiful, thick vegetation along the river, stopping a small villages along the way. As the only foreigners onboard, at first we were a bit of a novelty, attracting stares and pointed fingers, but the two days allows you to become familiar, not to mention endless photo opportunities. The boat does not go all the way to Bagan, you have to get off a little way up river and either get another small boat or pick-up. Both of which were easy to arrange. Enjoy Burma at its best!
Indonesië • Celebes (Sulawesi)
Indonesië • Celebes (Sulawesi)
Stormy Future
The day we visited Tempe lake a storm brewed, providing us with an nice light for photographs. However for the inhabitants of the lake, the outlook continues to be stormy. Lake Tempe in South Sulawesi was once called the “fish bowl of Indonesia“. Today, as a result of chronic sedimentation caused by erosion and water plants, fishing is drying up. The sediment piles on at a rate of five centimeters per year, causing the lake to shrink away in the dry season and overflow in the wet season. Once the lake was 30,000 hectares in area and 10,000 meters deep. (There seems to be some dispute over the original depth of the lake, so lets say it was somewhat larger than today) Now, Tempe is never larger than 10,000 hectares and shrinks to 1,000 hectares with a maximum depth of two meters in the dry season. The Wajo regency administration and several environmental organizations say the lake may remain only a memory in future years. Nine rivers flow into the lake and sedimentation is attributed to upstream erosion. The condition is worsened by household waste and the rampant growth of water hyacinth.
Through the Keyhole.
I am not so tall but the people, expecailly the women seemed to be very small in Sichuan. Walking through a temple in Chongqing my imagaination was captured by this view and I had to think of Alice in Wonderland.
Gone Fishin'
On a recent business trip to China, fortunately I did get to relax and enjoy the surrounding Sichuan countryside for two days. This is Leshan, home to the worlds now, (after the one in Afghanistan was destroyed) largest buddha. later the buddha but for now a relaxed postcard scene. ------------------ Gone fishin by a shady wady pool (shangrila, really la) Im wishin I could be that kind of fool (should I twist your arm? ) Id say no more work for mine (welcome to the club) On my door Id hang a sign Gone fishin instead of just a-wishin Gone Fishin by Louis Armstrong
Blowing in the Wind
It's a beautiful six hour boat trip on the Kaladan river to and from Mrauk U and Sittwe, and so peaceful. The river provides the main transportation artery for the region, and its busy with boat traffic, but the majority of boats rely on wind or man-power to move them to their destination - no motors - no noise.........................
Dragon Rock
Along the south west coast of Corsica you can find not only unspolit beaches (really in July also) but the pink granite rock formations caused by the water and wind create many wonderful forms as in this rock, which we called for obvious reasons the dragon.
Dawn breaks in Corsic
Arriving from Marseille on the night boat, we awake as the sun rises over the hills behind Propriano, full of enthusiasm and anticipation as we begin our corsican holiday.
The Wait
Taungbi Monastery Two young novices wait patiently for their food. At 11:30 each morning the monks receive food donations from the locals and proceed to the monastery to eat. The monks do not eat after 12 noon, their first meal being around sunrise.
Thanakah
Only in Myanamar have I seen faces and bodies decorated with tanakah. Has anyone seen this practise in other lands? A face on the Yangon streets on Martyrs Day. Martyrs' day is to remember late General Aung San, father of the country's independence. Aung San, along with eight other martyrs, were all assassinated 59 years ago on July 19, 1947 before the country regained independence from the British in 1948. The eight other martyrs, assassinated along with General Aung San, include his bodyguard and seven councilor members
Buiten de rajasthani.
Toeristiche Rajasthan, misschien wel de meeste bezocht deelstaat van India. UdaipurJaisalmer, Jaipur,Shekawati region, Jodhpur e.a. krijgen duizenden bezoekers. Backpackers maar ook veel "package tour " toeristen. Maar een paar uren van drukke Udaipur ligt [b]Kumbalgarh[/b]. Een weinig bezocht bestemming , een indrukwekkende fort midden in de eenzame en dun bevolkte Arivali heuvels. Het is mogelijk te wandelen op de oude muren van het Kumbalgarh fort(het is gezegd dat na het grote muur in China dat het de langste muur ter wereld is) Oude tempels doken op uit het weelderige vegetatie. s'avonds is het fort velicht, schitterend gezicht (zie foto). Een hele dag wandeling door the natuur reservaat (veel roofvogels en met mazzel herten,luipaarden en adere dieren ) brengt men tot the indrukkwekkende Jain temples in Ranakpur .En gids is een goede idee en makkelijke te regelen in Kumbalgarh. Voor the miner sportief a jeep tocht van twee uren (heel mooi ) is ook te regelen. Vanaf Rankapur ga je verder na Jodphur. Terug naar de drukte!
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