These are two images from the Wat Mai Suwannaphumaham, in Luang Prabang. The first is the generic landscape view of the red interior nave and altar, with its array of gilded Buddhas. Gorgeous enough. Take the trouble to perambulate around to the back however, and you will be rewarded with this peculiar, but stunning detail […]
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Psah means market in Khmer. Located roughly mid way between Angkor and the remote jungle temple of Beng Mealea, and far from the tourist heart of Siem Reap, is one of the largest Psah’s in the area, where villagers from surrounding hamlets buy and sell produce. No sign of tourist tat here, no souvenir T shirts […]
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Bridges become frames for looking at the world around us. ~ Bruce Jackson I cross my 200 mark, with these bridges! Look forward to your company on the journey to the next 200.
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Discover the symbolism behind Angkor Wat temple architecture and details on how to visit these magnificent temple ruins in Cambodia.
Read MoreMy Angkor posts are long overdue. While I struggle to finish my draft between house guests and trips to Bangalore, here is a scene that was the realisation of a longstanding dream. As breathtaking and unforgettable as we had imagined, despite the partly cloudy sky and the scaffolding in the center. Until next time…..happy travels, no matter […]
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The perfumed air gives notice of the visual feast to follow. With its kaleidoscopic array of vibrant blooms, the Pak Klong Talat, is the largest wholesale fresh flower market in Bangkok. It’s proximity to the temple of the reclining Buddha, and easy access from a river pier, makes it an ideal stop to be combined with a city […]
Read MoreI hate diverging from my focus on travel on this blog. But the events of the past few weeks have forced me to make an exception. A reputed gallery threatened for showing a nude art retrospective by renowned Indian artists. (Kudos to Ashish Anand for not buckling under pressure.) A ‘Fatwa‘ issued against a teen girl band. Salman […]
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Perspective and composition, in much of my photography, thus far at least, has been more instinctive and impulsive than deliberate! As has the capturing of light and shadow. I am in the process of learning to remedy that and pay more attention to the rules. In the meantime here is a selection of serendipitous shadows from our travels……. Shadow […]
Read MoreI spot the Otorii from across the expanse of the (Seto) Inland Sea, emerging from the waters like a giant Pi symbol against the dense green mantle of the hills beyond. More bleached terracotta than the vermilion of the postcards, this 52 feet high floating ‘grand gate‘ claims equal billing with Mount Fuji as the iconic symbol of […]
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The steel and concrete tower of the Osaka Castle is a 1995 restoration. Faithful to its Tokoguwa era splendour in appearance, and the final in a series of rebuilding attempts since its founding in the 16th century. The castle’s very modern interior houses a small but informative museum, with exhibits on the Shoguns (warlords), who were an intrinsic part of […]
Read MoreRitual cleansing prior to worship, is an age old practice. The use of water to purify oneself, being obligatory in most world religions until today. Traditionally, this purification was done at a river, stream or seashore. As religions evolved, ablution fountains and Lavers started appearing in the outer courts of places of worship. The temple tank […]
Read MoreI wouldn’t be here if not for the travel editor of our local daily, who edited butchered my article to accommodate his own piece in a weekend supplement. That decapitated article led to the birth of ‘The Urge To Wander’, exactly a year ago today. The start of an uncharacteristically unplanned journey, that I half […]
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The Urge To Wander 