Gallery 1
I thought about picking out 10 photos which I was particularly pleased with and offering a bit of commentary. It quickly turned into 20 and could easily have become 40 (it did, later). But here we go - a selection with some background to add context. The three smaller photos below each selection either flesh out the scene or decorate my musings somewhat!
1. Above: Dawn at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
You are not going to be alone watching the sun rise at Angkor Wat. There are two vantage points either side of the lake in front of the wat, with strong elbows a requirement for securing your patch. Following the rather disappointing sunrise through clouds and a flat light, the crowds shuffled off towards the antiquities. Having set out in the dark at 5am, armed with the hotel's packed breakfast (always hard-boiled eggs - a universal given) and passed numerous 'no food allowed' signs, I wandered to one side looking for somewhere to sit down. Just by a row of souvenir shops were two boys fishing in a pond. The light was perfect, making up for the rather underwhelming main event. I took only two shots but luckily one of them had the boy casting his line. Warning: one of the hard-boiled eggs wasn't - don't crack them on your trouser leg!
You are not going to be alone watching the sun rise at Angkor Wat. There are two vantage points either side of the lake in front of the wat, with strong elbows a requirement for securing your patch. Following the rather disappointing sunrise through clouds and a flat light, the crowds shuffled off towards the antiquities. Having set out in the dark at 5am, armed with the hotel's packed breakfast (always hard-boiled eggs - a universal given) and passed numerous 'no food allowed' signs, I wandered to one side looking for somewhere to sit down. Just by a row of souvenir shops were two boys fishing in a pond. The light was perfect, making up for the rather underwhelming main event. I took only two shots but luckily one of them had the boy casting his line. Warning: one of the hard-boiled eggs wasn't - don't crack them on your trouser leg!
2. Above: Dawn on Phu Thok, Loei Province, Thailand
Just outside Chiang Khan is a conical hill which is a ideal for looking down on a blanket of clouds if conditions are right. You park at the base pre-dawn before being whisked to the top on a speedy baht bus in the cold morning air (kind of helter-skelter in reverse as it swings round the bends). The guy in the carpark said I wouldn't need a jacket, but it was teeth-chatteringly chilly up there; everyone else seemed not to have asked his advice! However, it was a good sunrise despite there not being an over-abundance of clouds on that Christmas Eve morning. Back at base there were multiple outlets serving up hot breakfast. They know how to spot an opportunity! But do they ever sell those t-shirts? Ever?
Just outside Chiang Khan is a conical hill which is a ideal for looking down on a blanket of clouds if conditions are right. You park at the base pre-dawn before being whisked to the top on a speedy baht bus in the cold morning air (kind of helter-skelter in reverse as it swings round the bends). The guy in the carpark said I wouldn't need a jacket, but it was teeth-chatteringly chilly up there; everyone else seemed not to have asked his advice! However, it was a good sunrise despite there not being an over-abundance of clouds on that Christmas Eve morning. Back at base there were multiple outlets serving up hot breakfast. They know how to spot an opportunity! But do they ever sell those t-shirts? Ever?
3. Above: Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand
Like everyone else, I had heard of the famous Wat Pho, but I had a mental image that wasn't particularly flattering, so never put it on the list. When I finally visited, I was surprised at how much there was to see by wandering round the site away from the crowds. The Reclining Buddha is a main draw of course, the shot here shows some unlikely toe-prints.
Like everyone else, I had heard of the famous Wat Pho, but I had a mental image that wasn't particularly flattering, so never put it on the list. When I finally visited, I was surprised at how much there was to see by wandering round the site away from the crowds. The Reclining Buddha is a main draw of course, the shot here shows some unlikely toe-prints.
4. Above: Wat Neramit, Loei Province, Thailand
As you approach Wat Neramit Wipatsana it really looks like it wasn't worth the long detour to get there. Up and down, round and round as you follow the hilly contours. Walking round the laterite brick exterior you might be forgiven for focusing on what you are going to have for lunch later in order to bring some cheer to the day. Once you step inside though, you are facing a red-ochre assault. It is hard to keep your eyes off the rich detail in every nook and cranny. Craning silently upwards, I imagined I heard, 'Your mouth is open, dear,' in several languages.
As you approach Wat Neramit Wipatsana it really looks like it wasn't worth the long detour to get there. Up and down, round and round as you follow the hilly contours. Walking round the laterite brick exterior you might be forgiven for focusing on what you are going to have for lunch later in order to bring some cheer to the day. Once you step inside though, you are facing a red-ochre assault. It is hard to keep your eyes off the rich detail in every nook and cranny. Craning silently upwards, I imagined I heard, 'Your mouth is open, dear,' in several languages.
5. Above: Wat Umong, Chiang Mai
This monk was covered both sides in religious tattoos. Monks are often heavily tattooed, not always in a holy way, which is perhaps indicative of their former ways and a quest for atonement. We had a pleasant chat which was rather constrained by our respective hopeless language abilities. But I was able to determine that Nigel used to be a tax inspector in Dorking, Surrey. I've no idea who he thought I was! We went our separate ways with furrowed brows... Want to stop a dog from barking? Paint its face blue, apparently. Does it work? Absolutely no idea beyond this 30-second encounter.
This monk was covered both sides in religious tattoos. Monks are often heavily tattooed, not always in a holy way, which is perhaps indicative of their former ways and a quest for atonement. We had a pleasant chat which was rather constrained by our respective hopeless language abilities. But I was able to determine that Nigel used to be a tax inspector in Dorking, Surrey. I've no idea who he thought I was! We went our separate ways with furrowed brows... Want to stop a dog from barking? Paint its face blue, apparently. Does it work? Absolutely no idea beyond this 30-second encounter.
6. Above: Naritasan Park in Narita, Japan
Narita is a lovely town near to the international airport. The centre is pretty much like any urban scene in Japan, there does seem to be an imprint comprised of Japanese uniform architecture and the regular franchises dotted about. But, wandering down the hill towards the park are rows of more 'olde worlde' shops selling local foodstuffs (unagi or eel is popular), and souvenirs. The park itself is large and takes some time to traverse, especially if taking in temples as well. I have wandered through several times and in different seasons, with autumn being the prime time, as in the photo above.
Narita is a lovely town near to the international airport. The centre is pretty much like any urban scene in Japan, there does seem to be an imprint comprised of Japanese uniform architecture and the regular franchises dotted about. But, wandering down the hill towards the park are rows of more 'olde worlde' shops selling local foodstuffs (unagi or eel is popular), and souvenirs. The park itself is large and takes some time to traverse, especially if taking in temples as well. I have wandered through several times and in different seasons, with autumn being the prime time, as in the photo above.
7. Above: Phanom Rung, Buriram Province, Thailand
The complex at Phanom Rung is quite remote and stands on a hill in the middle of a flat plain. It is contemporaneous with Angkor Wat and was part of the Khmer Kingdom at the time, seemingly a way-point between Angkor Wat and Phimai. Perhaps it is the building stone or the fact that the renovation was more recent, but the state of presevation at the site is impressive. Of note: the sun shines directly through a line of E-W portals at sunrise, twice per year. Pictured here, a group of monks setting off towards the site along the processional walkway, having first posed for the obligatory group photo.
8. Above: Bagan Market, Myanmar
Bagan has over 4,000 temples scattered over a huge area. You need a driver or an e-bike to get around. Or even a hot-air balloon if you are up for it. The market though is much more traditional and a place where you will find locals going about their business. This lady was nonchalant and completely unfazed. I regretted not giving her a small donation - that old chestnut - does it encourage and debase at the same time? Having said that, it would have cost me next to nothing.
9. Above: Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand
The way you get around the park is by hiring a bicycle. There are hundreds of them stacked together right near the entrance. What might be a carefree couple of hours has to be balanced against an often aggressive sun, the word 'frazzled' springs to mind. Sometimes all you need is the light, so rounding the corner with the sun slightly behind me, I was able to pull hard on my rusty brakes and screech to a halt. This is the shot! Actually, it is one of several that I could have used.
10. Above: Furano in Hokkaido, Japan
What should have been a colourful jaunt around a horticulture farm wasn't quite that - it was tipping it down! Sitting on the tractor trailer with plastic screens pulled down as sheets of rain pelted in sideways, there wasn't much of an urge to get off and explore. Spotting the sunflowers, I asked the driver to wait a minute while I ran up the muddy path to get the angle. The shot was taken balancing an umbrella with the camera shrouded by my coat. There weren't many out on the tractors, most people were huddled in the souvenir shop or slurping down ramen to ward off the cold.
11. Above: Jomtien Beach, Thailand
Sitting in a beach-side restaurant at Jomtien, I just happened to have my camera with me. I tried different settings in the fading light trying to catch some kite-surfers. Then the balloon lady came along. I'm not exactly sure how orange the sky really was, this looks positively Martian, but the light changes by the minute at the end of the day in the sub-tropics, making every image different.
12. Above: Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan
Ikebukuro is a commercial district in Tokyo. Its station is a hub and out pour thousands every day, off to work or to scour the shopping malls. As with all Japanese urban centres, there are shrines and temples off the beaten track. This particular one and its adjacent cemetery, reached via labyrinthine alleyways, was an island of tranquility in the afternoon sun.
13. Above: Tiger Cave Temple, Kanchanaburi, Thailand
The Wat Tham Seua complex south of Kanchanaburi is truly impressive. The toy-town funicular leading up to its base level suggests that your climbing is over - not so - many more steps await you. This shot looks like it was taken by a drone, but it wasn't, it was taken out of the window on the seventh floor of one of the towers. That's a lot of steps. There once was a tiger in a cave, but I guess that was a long time ago, as is the case with several other 'tiger cave' sites in Thailand.
14. Above: Yod Phu Tok, Bueng Kan, Thailand
The gantries round the Yod Phu Tok sandstone outcrop are a little rickety to say the least. Fixed at seven levels, you make your way round before ascending to the next level via more gravity defying wooden staircases. If you have issues with vertigo, this one will test you out. You can edge round, looking dead-ahead, while ducking occasionally to avoid the overhangs. That is your best bet. The views are great, if you don't mind looking sideways, of course. Beung Kan is in the far north-east of Thailand, so far north that it is actually geographically north of Vientiane in neighbouring Laos.
15. Above: Leg-rower, Inle Lake, Myanmar
Inle Lake in Myanmar has a magical charm. Your introduction to this unique community will likely be a 50-minute long-tailed boat-ride to reach your hotel. As you jet across the water ahead of your thunderous plume, you are passed this way and that by similarly speeding folks off to market, heads bent against the spray. The lake is shallow and full of tall freshwater weeds, hence the leg-rowing tradition that has developed to prevent oars getting tangled up. This particular fisherman was out at dawn and happily posed for me as I was being ferried to Heho Airport. Inle Lake, a place lost in time!
Inle Lake in Myanmar has a magical charm. Your introduction to this unique community will likely be a 50-minute long-tailed boat-ride to reach your hotel. As you jet across the water ahead of your thunderous plume, you are passed this way and that by similarly speeding folks off to market, heads bent against the spray. The lake is shallow and full of tall freshwater weeds, hence the leg-rowing tradition that has developed to prevent oars getting tangled up. This particular fisherman was out at dawn and happily posed for me as I was being ferried to Heho Airport. Inle Lake, a place lost in time!
16. Above: Karuizawa, Japan
Karuizawa is an hour or so by the Shinkansen train from Tokyo. If you are wealthy it is the sort of place that you buy your pied-a-terre, or some huge mansion in sprawling grounds. It is also near to ski country, plus there is the attraction of the autumn leaves. Wandering along the back roads leading to the picturesque lakes (or rustling along), I came across this open gate. Everyone's drive looked like this to be fair. In the month of November the whole place is worthy of a film set.
Karuizawa is an hour or so by the Shinkansen train from Tokyo. If you are wealthy it is the sort of place that you buy your pied-a-terre, or some huge mansion in sprawling grounds. It is also near to ski country, plus there is the attraction of the autumn leaves. Wandering along the back roads leading to the picturesque lakes (or rustling along), I came across this open gate. Everyone's drive looked like this to be fair. In the month of November the whole place is worthy of a film set.
17. Above: Vientiane, Laos
Sitting under the shade of an umbrella or three, a monk suddenly came along. Just what the picture needed - a subject! Luckily my camera was on the chair next to me. Vientiane is spread out over a huge area, so if you are ticking off temples it is hot work. You are likely to need a taxi or a tuk-tuk, followed by a sit-down in Starducks, a local coffee shop.
Sitting under the shade of an umbrella or three, a monk suddenly came along. Just what the picture needed - a subject! Luckily my camera was on the chair next to me. Vientiane is spread out over a huge area, so if you are ticking off temples it is hot work. You are likely to need a taxi or a tuk-tuk, followed by a sit-down in Starducks, a local coffee shop.
18. Above: The Bodhnath, Kathmandu.
The Bodhnath just exudes holiness as pilgrims briskly clock up their circular laps. Tucked away in an alcove was this lady totting up prayers on her beads. It doesn't matter where you are strolling in this careworn city, you end up at the Bodhnath. That day, its magnetic pull saw a huge novice ceremony and a Tibetan demonstration in quick succession.
The Bodhnath just exudes holiness as pilgrims briskly clock up their circular laps. Tucked away in an alcove was this lady totting up prayers on her beads. It doesn't matter where you are strolling in this careworn city, you end up at the Bodhnath. That day, its magnetic pull saw a huge novice ceremony and a Tibetan demonstration in quick succession.
19. Above: Karuizawa (again).
The photogenic lakes just out of town do attract a fair crowd. So, you need to be patient, standing on the same spot waiting for folks to amble out of your viewfinder. A complication in Japan is that there are hordes of amateur photographers. They are waiting too, so there you are waiting to see who will blink first, or gesturing, 'After you, sir.'
The photogenic lakes just out of town do attract a fair crowd. So, you need to be patient, standing on the same spot waiting for folks to amble out of your viewfinder. A complication in Japan is that there are hordes of amateur photographers. They are waiting too, so there you are waiting to see who will blink first, or gesturing, 'After you, sir.'
20. Above: Naritasan Park (again)
You can't beat autumn in Japan! Perhaps you can by going to New England, but either way you are in for a photographic treat in October and November. This image would be ideal for a jigsaw puzzle and can be cropped in various places while still holding the viewer's attention. The other thing to bear in mind with autumn leaves is that Japan stretches north and south through many degrees of latitude and offers many vertical metres of altitude. This means that the rusty vistas can be caught at different times in different places. This is also true for spring Sakura (cherry blossoms).
You can't beat autumn in Japan! Perhaps you can by going to New England, but either way you are in for a photographic treat in October and November. This image would be ideal for a jigsaw puzzle and can be cropped in various places while still holding the viewer's attention. The other thing to bear in mind with autumn leaves is that Japan stretches north and south through many degrees of latitude and offers many vertical metres of altitude. This means that the rusty vistas can be caught at different times in different places. This is also true for spring Sakura (cherry blossoms).