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Yellow Flower on Rocks in Thailand – Thong Nai Pan Beach, Koh Phangan, Thailand
On the northern part of the island of Koh Phangan, on the eastern side of Thailand, there is a beach named Thong Nai Pan. I stayed for 2 weeks at a bungalow on this beach for the equivalent of $10.00 a night, having my own private hut complete with shower. One day, after viewing from afar a particular rock outcropping, complete with small monument - I decided to climb to it. I thought it would provide a pretty vantage with which to take a shot of the beach. When I arrived at the spot I'd chosen, I was of course overwhelmed with the scene and did manage to take a number of panoramic pictures. However, my sights soon became set on the smaller scene at my feet. Looking down I noticed a single yellow Frangipani sitting on the rocks. As it was such a beautiful combination of soft and hard, light and dark, living and static – I had to immortalize the moment.
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Rice Paddy Lady - Nha Trang, Vietnam
Nha Trang, Vietnam has become a post beach town destination for many international travelers. However, a number of interesting sights surround the area and it's worthwhile to spend some time away from the ocean to soak in all the culture that the area has to offer. During one such day trip, my motorcycle driver stopped so that I could photograph a rice harvest. It did feel somewhat intrusive to walk down to an unknown field and start snapping pictures. However, the people I met were all gracious and I managed to see at least a bit of traditional Vietnam - in the midst of more modern developments at the beach.
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Female Monks Umbrella Man – Tashilumpo Monastery, Tibet
After signing on for a 7 day overland trip from Kathmandu, Nepal to Lhasa, Tibet the Tashilumpo Monastery was the first real attraction that we visited. Natural scenery in the Himalayas is amazing but, Tibetan Monasteries have a special quality to them as well. Each has a beautiful mix of monks and pilgrims, both male and female. I noticed this scene immediately when I arrived and was lucky enough to get a picture of it before I started my larger exploration of the Monastery.
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Church – Taos, NM
In an effort to show my English girlfriend portions of the American West, we drove throughout the “4 corners” area of the country for more than 2 weeks. We visited Santa Fe, New Mexico. We visited Durango, Colorado. We visited Moab, Utah. We visited the Grand Canyon. And somewhere along in the midst of all this traveling we came across this beautiful church set in the afternoon light. It took some effort to get the picture framed correctly but I was struck at just how blue the sky above it had become.
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Orange Door – Johkang, Lhasa, Tibet
This picture is set at the Johkang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet. The Johkang is Tibetan Buddhisms most holy temple and thousands of pilgrims make their way there annually. With so many devote followers a strange mix of people soon develops as travelers from around the world weave through Tibetans doing “kora,” a religious practice of circling a holy site 5, 7, or 11 times. However, though the inside of the temple is gorgeous and contains this interesting cultural interaction, as well as centuries of historic art, statues, and texts – it's also very crowded. Consequently, after exploring the interior of the building for a bit, I ventured outside to find a more peaceful area. On the roof, far and away from the Chinese tourists posing with each other in cowboy hats, I found this peaceful scene.
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The Beach – Mahya Bay, Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
Mahya Bay was popularized in the 2000 movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DeCaprio. When I arrived I saw why. The bay is surrounded on all sides by rock walls, save one entrance and exit point to the ocean and the beach is situated opposite the opening to the bay. It's a small place flush with tourists, all wanting to experience a bit of the wonder displayed in the movie. As I set off with my girlfriend to explore, it struck me that this place would be hard to enjoy with so many people about. So we headed to a quieter corner of the beach for a closer look. It's at this point that I snapped this picture.
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Emei Shan – China
Emei Shan is one of the holiest Buddhist mountains in China. It has an extensive history dating back to the first century AD and a number of temples that dot it's landscape. With a 60 km trail to it's peak, the mountain serves as a pilgrimage site for many, hiking from the nearby town of Emei. However, there are mini-buses and trams available for those individuals who don't want to spend the 2 days necessary to walk to the top. With this in mind, I heard the the walking trek categorized as “saintly;” while the bus/tram trip was called the sinners method. Having already begun my 37.28 mile hike to the top, this bit of information gave me heart – especially after being confronted with what seemed to be an endless number of steps, built into the side of the mountain. The two day journey was amazing though. Along the way, I spent the night at a Buddhist temple and was fortunate enough to witness a number of moments like the one pictured here.
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Santa Fe Cross – Santa Fe, NM
In the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico stands a spiral staircase that is said to have been built by a mystical carpenter who didn't use traditional methods. Visitors come and view this staircase daily while exploring the town. However, when viewing the larger attraction they sometimes miss some of the more subtle nuances of the chapel, such as these prayer candles. Consequently, I decided to take a picture of them for posterity and was awarded for my efforts.
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Sleeping Girl – Phnom Phen, Cambodia
After a day of touring the genocide reaped on the peoples of Cambodia at sites such as The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng, I and my two traveling companions thought it best to unwind by going to visit a local park in Phnom Phen. This park has a resident Elephant who will pose for pictures, it has a number of vendors, and even a troop of Monkeys. But I think the most beautiful thing that I saw there was this scene. In 3rd world settings where individuals have a much closer relationship to the outside world, you'll often find people sleeping in the most unusual places.
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Boudhanath Stupa – Kathmandu, Nepal
I spent 2 and a half weeks enjoying the culture and identity of Nepal, while based roughly half a mile from the Boudhanath Stupa. As you can see from this picture, it's one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world. Each night hundreds of Nepal based Tibetans, Hindus, and travelers circle the structure in what's called a “Kora.” They pray silently to themselves and enjoy the company of the other attendees, while walking around the structure 3, 5, 7 or 11 times – sometimes moving the prayer wheels that line the structure while they walk. I snapped this picture one evening as I sat and had dinner on a rooftop restaurant overlooking the scene.
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Church Scene w/ Emma – Oxford, England
Churches and temples are normally built to convey a sense of peace and reverence. In an almost proportional manner, the bigger and older a temple or church is, the larger the sense of wonder that can be gained from it. Consequently, when I arrived with my girlfriend at this chapel in Oxford, England, we were awestruck. The lighting was soft and warm, the ceilings were high, and the stained glass was back lit and beautiful. In a moment of inspiration, I managed to catch this shot of my girlfriend as she stood soaking in the scene.
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Basket o' Cats – Lijiang, China
When I arrived in the town of Lijiang China, I had been pointed to a particular hostel/hotel known only as Mama Naxi's. As the Naxi people, who have a matriarchal society, are indigenous to the area – I decided that staying there would afford me some glimpses into their culture. I had also heard that it was inexpensive and full of a certain class of traveler, of which I was now a part. After being picked up at the bus station by a driver that Mama had sent, we made our way to the hotel. There-in, I was introduced to Mama and given the tour. A single bed was 30 yuan a night, roughly 4 dollars, and that price included dinner and a light breakfast. What struck me immediately was that there were many animals about the property. And as I sat surveying the courtyard from my room, I noticed these cats all sitting in a basket, their attention directed at yet another feline visitor who had just appeared on ...
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Dali Wall – Dali China, Yunnan Province
Dali, China is a bit of a backpackers paradise. Located in the northwestern part of the Yunnan province, Dali maintains a traditional walled city in its historic district. After arriving in the city and finding lodging, I took what would become a customary exploration of the surrounding area that I happened to be in. In Dali, this wander took me to the wall of the old city and then outside it. This wall enjoys a magnificent scale, with a wall length of 6 kilometers (3.73 miles), a height of 7.5 meters (24.6 feet) and a thickness of 6 meters (19.7 feet). But outside it, you'll find beautiful landscaping and a backdrop of mountains, as is pictured here.
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Dogs – Street, Zhondian, China
Cultures with more of a communion with nature frequently have a population of dogs that roam the streets in packs. Sometimes these packs are full of large imposing animals and sometimes they are merely a combination of local house pets, out for a good wander. I think this picture shows the latter. As I looked from a window, I noticed a number of small dogs making their way around the neighborhood, enjoying each other's company and heading whatever direction they wanted. I was fortunate enough to take this photo as two of the animals came close enough for a picture.
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Berries, Trees – Shangri-la Park, Zhongdian, China
Zhongdian China has been renamed Shangri-la by Chinese Officials in the hopes that this new name, and it's identification with the book, will draw more visitors to the region. In a park of the same name I came across this scene while I was exploring. Sometimes a good pictures appears by merely looking up.
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1000ft Sign at Arches National Park – Utah
Arches National Park in Utah is a favorite park of mine as it contains some breathtaking scenery. After a full day of driving, my girlfriend and I arrived at the park at sunset. While each monolithic structure has it's own qualities, I was struck at the juxtaposition created by having a street sign so close to this particular rock formation. I then managed to take this photo with some clever camera positioning.
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Hip Shot Arches – Arches National Park, Utah
I'll often take hip shots with my camera as a way of capturing an image without intruding on a moment. This technique works best with people but sometimes its worthwhile to take a few randomly aimed photos of any setting, as was the case in this image. Driving through Arches National Park in Utah, I noticed the sun basking off of this rock face as I drove by. So, with camera in hand, I simply aimed towards the rock while driving and was rewarded with this photograph after a quick click of the shutter.
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Sideways Face – Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor in Cambodia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the archaeological remains of the bygone Khmer Empire. In a roughly 400 sq km site, there are numerous temples constructed from the 9th - 15th Centuries. Each is huge in it's scope and profound in it's beauty. While in country, I was fortunate enough to tour these amazing structures, some of which that are 2 miles square, for a 3 day period. On my 2nd day there, after bearing 100 degree temperatures for 8 hours, I asked my motorbike driver, Adem, to take me back to the hotel I was staying. However, he was insistent that I view Angkor Thom before returning. As I roamed around this gorgeous temple, I was struck at the serenity of the faces it features; each smile having a calm that relaxes. I took this picture in the hopes that I could capture at least a bit of that serenity.
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Boat Halong Bay at Night – Halong Bay, Vietnam
Halong Bay is often touted as the 8th “Wonder of the World.” With limestone mountains protruding from the bay's turquoise waters, it's a must for every visitor to northern Vietnam. I arrived as part of a 2 day tour, arranged at a local Hostel in Hanoi. After boarding a boat, seeing various sights, and kayaking into a Bay completely surrounded by rock – save for a cave allowing access – we moored in the bay for an overnight stay. With my fellow travelers headed towards bed, I ventured above deck to take this picture as the boat swayed in the ocean.
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Green Leaf Incense Holders – Luang Prabang, Laos
People around the world possess a resourcefulness that develops with necessity. The incense holders pictured in this scene are a result of that creativity. I came across these beautifully crafted leaves and flowers one day when I was out and about exploring the city of Luang Prabang in Laos. Luang Prabang has an extensive French history, but it's Buddhism that still has a strong hold here. This incense thus, was an offering to whatever deity that was being celebrated, as I started a trek up to a temple on a hill overlooking the city.
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Laos Waterfall – Kouang Si Waterfall, Luang Prabang, Laos
When traveling extensively you'll often meet people on your way who will enrich your trip. In the town of Luang Prabang, in Laos, I managed to make friends with 9 such people from a variety of countries. One afternoon we decided to head to a local waterfall named Kouang Si, by way of tuk-tuk. After arriving and jumping into the turquoise waters in a nearby waterfall and pool, we made our way upstream to witness this scene; each of us dazzled by the setting and our good fortune to witness it together.
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Medium Temple Shot – Drepung Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet
The Drepung Monastery in Lhasa Tibet used to be the world's largest. At one time it housed over 10,000 monks. Sitting on a hillside sloping upward, Drepung has a number of roads & temples that can be explored. It also has many people in need; families seemingly so ashamed that even asking for assistance is hard. But perhaps this notion of giving, to those truly in need, is akin to a truer spirituality that places like this emote. For as I walked on from my own pledge, I soon happened across this temple, bathed in the mornings light. It was filled with incense but mostly vacant and every step I took towards, in, and around the temple - seemed to offer peace and beauty.
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Medium Temple Shot – Drepung Monastery, Lhasa, Tibet
The Drepung Monastery in Lhasa Tibet used to be the world's largest. At one time it housed over 10,000 monks. Sitting on a hillside sloping upward, Drepung has a number of roads & temples that can be explored. It also has many people in need; families seemingly so ashamed that even asking for assistance is hard. But perhaps this notion of giving, to those truly in need, is akin to a truer spirituality that places like this emote. For as I walked on from my own pledge, I soon happened across this temple, bathed in the mornings light. It was filled with incense but mostly vacant and every step I took towards, in, and around the temple - seemed to offer peace and beauty.
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Thai Long Tail Boat – Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
The traditional boats used in Thailand for transportation are called “long tail” boats. They're called “long tails” because of the long propellers that jut out from the massive engines the boats have in the rear. Normally, each boat is elaborately clad with ribbons and wraps as you see in this picture. I came across this particular long tail boat while exploring a low tide on Koh Phi Phi in Thailand. The tide fell so low that is was possible to walk into the middle of the bay and several local Thai people were doing just that to dig for crabs. A setting sun out in the ocean provided light and this boat soon became a focal point for my girlfriend and I while we enjoyed the scene.
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Monk Shot – Angkor, Cambodia
Theravada Buddhism has persevered in the areas of Angkor, mainly because the ancient capitals were converted to serve as temples after the Khmer empire faltered. Consequently, you'll see many Buddhist monks traveling through the ruins, just as any normal tourist might. However, these holy men do have a certain aura about them. On my first day at Angkor I went to watch the sunset from the highest set of ruins, built on a hill overlooking other temples. The site was flush with large groups of travelers but I was lucky enough to take this shot of a monk as he surveyed the scene.
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Monkey – Phnom Phen Park, Cambodia
I love monkeys. They're such fun little creatures that taking pictures of them just makes me smile. This little guy seemed to be having his lunch while I visited a park in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. Consequently, with a bit of calm and nimble encroachment I was able to get close enough to take this picture. Being as the park wasn't really any larger than a city block, I was surprised that it was home to so many monkeys. But as they're apparently a tourist draw I understand how they're able to survive: free meals.
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Mystic Chicken – Roadside stop, 2 hrs west of Lhasa Tibet
After the land rover caravan, which I was a part of, stopped for lunch on a road leading to Lhasa, Tibet – there happened to be a brief amount of time with which to explore the surrounding area. The people involved in this group all roamed their separate ways, but all made their way to a holding pen in the rear of the restaurant building at one time or another. There we found live cattle, pigs, and chickens awaiting their ultimate demise. At a certain point, I looked up to see this rooster surveying the entire situation. He was not trying to escape but had an air of defiance about him. He also looked so regal on the rooftop that I couldn't help but take a picture of him.
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Orange Flower Jinghong, China
Jinghong China is in the fabled golden triangle region of Southeast Asia. This includes Northeastern Thailand, Southeastern Myanmar (Burma), Northwestern Laos, and of course Southwestern China. In this region you'll find a number of native hill tribes still living in the traditional ways. I arrived in Jinghong at 5 am after spending 1 long night on a sleeper bus. Then it took a long walk down some dimly lit streets until I found lodging. However, after spending a number of days in the city, I decided to abandon my overall travel plans, staying there longer because it was so beautiful. Palm trees line the city streets and there are many beautiful parks to explore. I found this flower in one of those parks. It's part of a larger plant that apparently sprouts these little 2 inch flowers like a bush sprouts leaves.
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Nepali Elephant – Chitvan National Forest, Nepal
There are roughly 30,000 elephants left on the Asian continent. The Chitvan National Forest in Nepal contains a large number of them as it hosts a breeding and training center within it's bounds. Consequently, in and around the park you'll see a number of travelers being transported via elephant, whether it be through town or through the larger parts of the forest. Riders board elephants because other animals allow these elephants to approach, whereas a human would either be predator or prey to the regions many Bengal Tigers and one-horned Rhinoceros. I noticed this elephant and it's elaborately painted face after it's daily tasks were completed and it was being taken down to the river for it's daily bath.
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Palm Tree Sunset – Koh Tao, Thailand
Koh Tao is an island on the eastern side of Thailand known widely as a diving mecca. Although I personally did not do any diving there, the island still has much to offer in the way of entertainment and beauty. Since the island is rather large, I decided to rent a moped from a local shop with the intention of taking my girlfriend to see every area we could ride to. Thankfully, at around sunset we found ourselves on a hill overlooking the bay that we stayed on and I was able to take this picture as the sun went down.
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Medium Panda Shot Eating – Chengdu Panda Reserve
There's not much to do when you're a panda. You either sleep, eat, procreate, or play. Their procreation is minimal at best, their play more average, but their eating and sleeping goes on all the time. So I felt it was a good bet to take as many pictures of this eating panda as I could, before he went to sleep. I was lucky enough to find him eating at a relatively close proximity to the edge of his enclosure. And with the help of my friend Carl's zoom lens, I shot this picture as this panda considered his next bite.
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Medium Panda Shot Eating – Chengdu Panda Reserve
There's not much to do when you're a panda. You either sleep, eat, procreate, or play. Their procreation is minimal at best, their play more average, but their eating and sleeping goes on all the time. So I felt it was a good bet to take as many pictures of this eating panda as I could, before he went to sleep. I was lucky enough to find him eating at a relatively close proximity to the edge of his enclosure. And with the help of my friend Carl's zoom lens, I shot this picture as this panda considered his next bite.
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Panda Eating Horizontal, Large Head – Chengdu Panda Reserve, Chengdu China, Sichuan Province
The Chengdu Panda Reserve is a breeding and research facility for the Giant Panda, native to the Sichuan province in China. From my friend Carl's apartment in Chengdu it's about 30 minutes travel time to the reserve. We made our way there one overcast afternoon with the intention of viewing the wildlife. Thankfully, it lived up to the billing. There were a number of animals about and for a nominal fee, you could even hold a young panda. However, it was fun just to sit and watch them play. I shot this particular picture with a loaned lens in hand as this panda munched on his bounty of bamboo.
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Panda Eating Horizontal, Large Head – Chengdu Panda Reserve, Chengdu China, Sichuan Province
The Chengdu Panda Reserve is a breeding and research facility for the Giant Panda, native to the Sichuan province in China. From my friend Carl's apartment in Chengdu it's about 30 minutes travel time to the reserve. We made our way there one overcast afternoon with the intention of viewing the wildlife. Thankfully, it lived up to the billing. There were a number of animals about and for a nominal fee, you could even hold a young panda. However, it was fun just to sit and watch them play. I shot this particular picture with a loaned lens in hand as this panda munched on his bounty of bamboo.
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Red Panda – Chengdu Panda Reserve, China
It's estimated that fewer than 2500 Red Panda's survive in the wild, due mostly to habitat loss. It's an unfortunate thing because these creatures, which seem like a cross between a house cat and a larger panda, are truly enjoyable. I was fortunate enough to hold one while visiting the Chengdu Panda reserve in Chengdu, China. Thereafter, with the help of a loaned telephoto lens, I managed to snap this shot. The panda, who seems to be smiling, was surveying the action going on beneath him at the base of a hill.
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Pink Frangipanis – Royal Palace, Phnom Phen, Cambodia.
Flowers have a way of standing out from the world around them. Even in esthetically pleasing settings a flower can sometimes overpower the surrounding beauty and distract your attention. Such was the case when I took this picture. I was inside the grounds of the Royal Palace in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. It was raining slightly that day but the weather didn't deter me from visiting and I'm glad it didn't. For, after wandering around the grounds I noticed these pink Frangipanis wet with the rain that was still falling.
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Square Light Shot – Angkor, Cambodia
This shot comes from inside a temple spire at the Angkor ruins in Cambodia. Every temple there affords a vast opportunity for exploration. If you're fortunate enough to venture away from the crowds, the setting may even give you insight into what it must be like to be an “Indiana Jones” type of figure; standing in the middle of some massive ruins, alone, and full of wonder. When I saw this light coming through the spire's opening, I was struck by the beautiful uniform squares projected downwards. I stood basking in their glow for a good minute or two before sensing the need to move on. Fortunately, with camera in hand I was able to record the image for posterity.
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Stonehenge, England
Stonehenge has been immortalized in more pictures than I care to remember. However, on a recent 3 day trip to England, I felt I needed to add my name to the list. My girlfriend and I arrived at the scene as a rainstorm was blowing in and I was fortunate to take this picture before the sun disappeared.
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Tuk Tuk at Night – Bangkok, Thailand
Tuk Tuk's are still the preferred mode of travel for anyone visiting Thailand. A 3-wheeled Rickshaw complete with motorcycle engine, the Tuk Tuk has seating for about 6 people in the rear. It also has a driver and they are known to be fearless. I was able to hail this particular Tuk Tuk, after spending an evening in the Suan Santichaiprakarn park watching break-dancers wow crowds with acrobatics. As the driver weaved in and out of traffic, I snapped a number of shots of him, in part to document the wild ride he was providing.
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