Troi Anderson | Songs of the Spirits

Photo © Troi Anderson-All Rights Reserved

I'm fascinated by the rituals of voodoo ( or voudou), and lament the fact that I haven't been able (yet) to document this interesting religious tradition either in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Readers that know my style of blogging will have noticed the added (yet) in the previous sentence, which means that something is being thought of or is under discussion.

According to Wikipedia, Haitian Vodou, also written as Voodoo, is a syncretic religion practiced chiefly in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora. Practitioners are called "vodouists" or "servants of the spirits".
Voodoo was created by African slaves brought to Haiti in the 16th century who, when forced by their enslavers to adopt the Christian religion, still followed their traditional beliefs by merging them with the beliefs and practices associated with Roman Catholic Christianity. It was declared the official religion of Haiti in 2003.

Troi Anderson's Songs of the Spirits is a gallery of compelling color photographs of the Haitian religious tradition including some that were made in Saut d'Eau; waterfalls in Haiti that hold special significance to both Catholics and Voudou practitioners, as it is believed that the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel appeared on a palm tree there in the nineteenth century.

Troi Anderson is a fine art, documentary and commercial photographer based in Portland, Oregon. His career started in film working for Magnolia Pictures, and later as a merchant marine sailing throughout Asia and the South Pacific. He is the author of two books, Shadows of Time and Decay (Mark Batty Publishers) along with numerous photographic essays. His work has been published in Geo France, The Oregonian, Communication Arts, Eyemazing, as well as being profiled and featured twice in Black and White Magazine. His commercial clients include Apple, Nike, HP, and T-Mobile. He worked for the humanitarian organization CARE in Haiti.

Jeremy Suyker | House of Strength

Photo © Jeremy Suyker - All Rights Reserved

I was introduced to this extremely interesting work recently featured as Editor's Choice on Maptia, and it's from a region I have rarely covered on this blog: Iran.

House of Strength is the body of monochromatic work by photographer Jeremy Suyker, and is about the pahlevani; the traditional Persian system of athletics originally used to train warriors that combines martial arts, calisthenics, strength training and music.

Wikipedia describes it as also merging elements of pre-Islamic Persian culture (particularly Zoroastrianism, Mithraism and Gnosticism) with the spirituality of Shia Islam and Sufism. The traditional gymnasium in which this type of wrestling is practiced is known as the zurkhaneh, or house of strength.

The implements used by the pahlevani are a pair of wooden clubs, a bow, a shield and a bar.

The Persian pahlevani influenced the virtual identical traditional wrestling practiced in India known as Pehlwani or Kusti. This wrestling style was developed during the Mughal Empire by combining native wrestling techniques and the Persian pahlevani. I've photographed the pehlwan wrestlers in Delhi, Varanasi and Kolkata, and the styles seem very similar.

Jeremy Suyker is a French photographer and reporter specialized in sociocultural issues. He reported on the aftermath of the Sri Lankan civil war, and on the historical changes in Myanmar.

He has been to Iran on several occasions since 2013, and is pursuing personal projects around the Black Sea region, Central Asia and Istanbul. His works can be found in publications like Geo, Washington Post, Newsweek Japan, Der Spiegel, L’Equipe magazine, Le Temps, Figaro, 6Mois, l’Actualité, A/R magazine and Vice.

Transport in Vietnam - VietNam travel

on the other hand all types of neighborhood transport in Vietnam its actual to say that a daring and adaptable disposition is essential. Concerning dependability and sought after luxuries, the vehicle in Vietnam can't be contrasted with that of European nations. At the point when making your Vietnam Travel Plan, our travel masters will utilize a mixof choices, providing for you a dauntless and changed trek.

There are numerous diverse types of transport in Vietnam, and assuredly you'll get to encounter the vast majority of them amid your time there. We'll organize the more extended exchanges between urban areas for you, joining the modules together with transport choices we feel best suit your individual trek. We earnestly sway individuals to go by nearby transport in Vietnam, as we feel this makes your trek a more real encounter. It additionally has the included profit of being an extremely financially savvy method for voyaging.

Taxis, motorbikes & bicycle rickshaws 

For the shorter exchanges, for instance from your inn to the airplane terminal/route station or the other way around, its best to take a taxi. These more diminutive exchanges are simple for you to orchestrate yourself, providing for you much more adaptability with your time. We discovered it much more conservative (and fun) to book these exchanges by regional standards. You'll find that the staff at your inns will be more than glad to call a taxi or tuk-tuk for your sake. When you're staying in the towns and urban areas, we prescribe utilizing bicycle rickshaws or motorbikes. These short excursions will cost as a rule $2-5 US dollars, contingent upon your wrangling aptitudes!

Trains

Taking the train in Vietnam is an incredible approach to get a genuine taste of neighborhood life. Invest time viewing the wonderful farmland pass you by, whilst tenderly shaking to the cadence of the tracks.

There is a track line running from North to South which stops at almost the majority of the principle locates along the way. For overnight excursions we book aerated and cooled delicate sleepers in imparted 4 compartment compartments. In the event that you would favor a little security, simply solicit one from our go pros to book the entire couchette for you.

Kindly remember that Vietnam is still a creating nation and its prepare framework can't yet be contrasted with that of Thailand, and offices are very essential. The bunks are wide enough, yet for tall westerners they're a part on the short side.

Inner flights 

To boost your time in Vietnam it may be essential for us to orchestrate one or more inward flights inside your Travel Plan.

As the streets in Vietnam are not as created in different regions of South East Asia, it can take quite a while to cover generally little separations by street. Flight transport in Vietnam offers you the opportunity to do in one hour what may take the best piece of a day by a transport or auto. So where time is element, a speedy and great quality inside flight is the best choice.

Flight calendar progressions are a lamentable event, and happen every once in a while and which we have no influence over. We'll stay up with the latest before you leave, however once there our nearby executors will try their hardest to tackle any issues you encounter.

Neighborhood Transport 

We heartily sway individuals to go by nearby transport in the towns and urban communities, as we feel this makes your outing a more genuine experience. It additionally has the included profit of being an extremely financially savvy method for voyaging and provides for you the chance to get up close and individual with your surroundings, meet well disposed local people and its fun as well. The gathering staff at your convenience can give a guide of the neighborhood transport arrange and prompt on the most ideal route for you to go around in each of the diverse areas.

Related post: travel Vietnam

Obviously by a long shot the most feasible approach to go in each one spot is by walking as you'll see such a great deal more and can drench up the extraordinary neighborhood air. At times for shorter exchanges not effectively included, for example, from your inn to the airplane terminal/track/transport station, the main conceivable way may be to take a Tuk-Tuk or taxi. These are not difficult to organize generally through your inn and its more conservative (and fun) for you to book them by regional standards particularly on the off chance that you are any great at wrangling

Voyaging Sustainably 

While you go through Vietnam we very prescribe doing as local people do and go by foot or by rickshaw. Going by Rickshaw is an incredible approach to encounter the sights and qualities of the city with no carbon foot shaped impression, and also putting your cash straight once more to the neighborhood group (recall to arrange the expense of the excursion before you get in) In littler towns, for example, Hoi A cycling is the route forward. Are they extraordinary fun, as well as bicycle rentals are modest, they have no fuel or sound emanations, and the towns are sheltered and simple to explore, win!

35 Cows And A Kalashnikov | An African Journey

"No boy soldiers. No hunger. No safaris."

Here's a beautifully produced trailer of a movie titled 35 Cows And A Kalshasnikov by Oswald Von Reicththoven.

It's in three parts: a tribute to the stick-fighting Surma tribe of Southern Ethiopia, the dandy movement of Brazzaville and the voodoo wrestlers in Kinshasa.

Stick fighting is a sport and ritual the Surma people take extremely seriously. In most cases, stick fighting is done so young men can find wives, and is a way for young men to prove themselves to the eligible young women.

The "dandy" movement of Brazzaville involves young men who love to wear meticulously in sartorially fashionable dress, and these are known as "sapeurs". Pastel-colored three-piece suits in designer labels are a staple of the Sapeurs' fastidiously assembled ensembles. They stand out among the widespread poverty, strutting the streets like walking works of art.

In the Congo, wrestling is extremely popular, but the main difference between the way it's practiced here is that the Congolese like to introduce a mystical, magical “voodoo” element to the theatrics. So apart from the obvious play-acting, there are also “magical traditions” involving powders, spells and zombie-like transformations of wrestlers.

Oswald von Richthofen is a producer and director, known for 10000 BC (2008), 35 Cows and a Kalashnikov (2014) and Franzmann (1979).

Travel to SaPa - NinhBinh - HaLong in tour VietNam Travel

The 8-day multisport visit is for people, little gatherings who like exploit in North Vietnam. It incorporates such highlights as: trekking Sapa hilltribe towns; biking through emerald-green rice paddies and past old, mountaintop pagodas in Ninh Binh; kayaking on the magnificence of the Halong Bay…

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's clamoring pioneer capital. Your driver and aide will reach you outside the things case of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your lodging in the downtown area. Toward the evening, appreciate an introduction walk, going by some of Hanoi's principle attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. Rest of the day, you are free at recreation.

Related post: Vietnam travel

Today you have a full day to investigate Vietnam's enchanting capital. With its wide tree-lined avenues, French pilgrim structural engineering, quiet lakes and antiquated oriental pagodas, Hanoi is a varied blend that offers something for everybody. Your city visit will take you to Hanoi's key destinations: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the adjacent One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; the Quan Thanh Temple, the quiet Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake; and one of the city's galleries (a decision between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). Delight in a customary Water Puppet Performance – a novel Vietnamese Art structure hailing from Southeast Asia's wet-rice society. At night, relish a welcome supper of valid Vietnamese nourishment at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants – before heading to the train station to get your night train to Laocai.

The train touches base at the Laocai line station in the early morning. Your aide and driver will reach you there and undertake the 40km drive to Sapa, Northwest Vietnam's head travel terminus, named "Tonkinese Alps" by the French.

Revel in breakfast in the town while breathing clean mountain air. At 10:00 A.m, leave the inn and begin trekking. Stroll through the nearby market then take after a street set downhill to Cat Village. The Black Hmong's town is celebrated for its brocade weaving art and its gold and silver gems making. The stroll to Cat Village and its close-by slopes give a chance to see ranches and systems utilized by the individuals as a part of the zone. Thereafter, trek up over to the town and use rest of the day at relaxation.

After breakfast, drive south towards Muong Hoa Valley, and afterward plunge by foot through the biggest terraced rice paddy territory in the Sapa locale. The walk takes you through the town of Lao Chai, home to the Black Hmong minority, then onto the Ta Van town, possessed by the Zay minority. Experience an incredible chance to watch the every day life and customary cordiality of these neighborhood individuals before proceeding to the remote Topas Ecolodge in Su Pan. This extraordinary, eco-accommodating cabin is arranged on two cone structured slopes, set profound in the breathtaking Sapa valley of northern Vietnam.

After a short stroll on the primary street you will slide towards the Thanh Kim River, stop on the way to catch the most lovely scene of the valley. Cross the stream, you will head up to the town where you invest your time to encounter the every day life of the neighborhood individuals and after that take after the primary street to come back to the Ecolodge for lunch and check-out. Head once more to Sapa for some leisure time lastly plummet to Laocai and revel in supper at one of the nearby restaurants before preparing to leave your overnight prepare for the return excursion to Hanoi.

Land in Hanoi in the early morning then drive to Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu, arranged 100 km south of Hanoi, was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty somewhere around 968 and 1009 AD. A portion of the asylums and tombs have survived the years regardless can be seen today. Begin cycling on wide open streets onto Hoa Lu and the antiquated tenth century fortress. Separated from the authentic investment, the zone is likewise one of bewildering characteristic excellence with limestone tops whose wonder is frequently said to surpass that of Halong Bay. Proceed with your ride through the limestone crests to Tam Coc, passing rice paddies and country towns. In Tam Coc lunch is served at a neighborhood restaurant with a perspective over the vessel dock. The visit incorporates being paddled along the Ngo Dong River, which makes for a really life-changing background, passing between towering limestone tops. You close a trip day with a visit to Bich Dong Pagoda.

After breakfast at lodging, your driver will tackle a 4-hour drive passing the farmland of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay. Use 24 hours on a customary Junk Cruise in the astonishing inlet: a common wonderland made out of bulging limestone islands and shimmering turquoise waters. Touch base at the dock around twelve and board your garbage. Relish a gourmet lunch of crisp fish locally available as you cruise out into the otherworldly inlet. Toward the evening, journey around some of Halong's numerous islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the sound's 3 biggest holes (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot) and kayak along the shrouded parts of the inlet. Make a go at swimming (climate allowing), snap photographs or simply unwind as the sun begins to set on the Tonkin Gulf. Pass the night on your garbage, quieted to rest by the tender s

SaiGon on the cheap in VietNam Travel

As vacationers, Ho Chi Minh City can appear to be extremely concentrated on the grounds that not just are a large number of the vacation destinations around District 1, the focal point of the city, however this region is likewise truly smaller. Nonetheless, with 24 areas, the city is quite spread out and a percentage of alternate locale are more than double the span of District 1. In spite of the fact that D1 has a ton to offer as far as society, sights and exercises, there is part more to encounter outside of the city. Getting to alternate parts of the city may appear testing, however there are various open transportation alternatives accessible to you, particularly in the event that you need to get around productively and in a financially savvy way.

See more: Vietnam travel deal

1. Xe Om

The Xe Om (the nearby name for a motorbike taxi) is a standout amongst the most proficient modes of transport inside the city. It may appear dangerous at first yet most Xe Om drivers are gracious and are eager to take you wherever you need to go. Obviously it is completely conceivable that their driving style may be unpleasant, however you can simply let them know to ease off or be more cautious. On the off chance that you feel totally alarmed, you can basically give the ride the ax and bounce off! Remember however that movement is exceptional in Ho Chi Minh City and a certain level of nimbleness and forcefulness is obliged to drive in the city. The costs are typically sensible, around the scope of 20,000-40,000 VND for shorter treks. Outings from D1 to the more distant regions like D2 or D7 is approximately 70,000vnd. It is best to take a Xe Om inside the more focal locale, for example, 1, 3, 2, 7, 4, or 5. Any more distant, and the excursion can be emptying and more unsafe because of parkway driving.

Xe Om drivers may not publicize themselves obviously, yet they are not difficult to spot. On any given road corner, you are sure to see one or two men thinking about their motorbikes – they aren't simply relaxing in the sun for no particular reason! They are indeed sitting tight for somebody to tap them on their shoulder and request a ride. Close touristy parts of town like around Ben Thanh Market, numerous drivers will shout to you yet be cautious of the value that they offer as it can be stamped up essentially. Make a point to deal the cost down in the event that you feel that their cost is irrational.

2. Open Bus 

People in general transport framework is extraordinarily created and immeasurable in Ho Chi Minh City. There are in excess of 100 separate transport lines and courses, large portions of which serve the regions and vacationer areas that are a long way from the focal point of the city. The general population transport is additionally fantastically shabby, where a solitary ride charge begins at 3000vnd. As a vacationer, taking the transport inside the city can be burdensome. Needing to sit tight for the transport in the hotness, and off and on again rain, can be emptying, particularly when you can get around all the more rapidly on a Xe Om, Taxi, or actually strolling. Getting to the more distant ends of the line is a circumstance in which the general population transport is helpful. Taking general society transport is generally all the more speaking to the dashing voyagers, however given that Vietnamese individuals are typically amicable and supportive, we urge you to try it out! It might be less demanding than you might suspect.

To and from the airplane terminal, transport no. 152 is exceptionally advantageous. We have clarified Bus no. 152 preceding in our taxi tricks blog, since numerous individuals fall prey to taxi tricks in transit to the air terminal and back, making this air terminal transport an extraordinary option. Transport no. 13 is an alternate incredible course, which takes you to Cu Chi burrows. As we formerly said on our day treks from Saigon blog, numerous visit transports go to Cu Chi, however Cu Chi Tunnels offers free visit controls on location so you can take people in general transport there and still have a comparative encounter as contrasted with a sorted out visit. It is around a 45 moment ride, which is just a tad bit longer than the auto ride there. Dam Sen Water Park is likewise a prominent vacation destination, and Bus no. 11 goes straightforwardly from Ben Thanh business sector to the water park. All in all, Ben Thanh market and Cho Lon are enormous transport centers and it is truly advantageous to get around on the off chance that you can get to either showcase. The primary Saigon Bus site likewise has a Google Maps based intuitive manual for demonstrate to every one of you the stops inside each one course. Also, here is a complete, yet overpowering, guide of every last one of transport courses in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Uber and Taxis

A month ago, Uber propelled in Ho Chi Minh City, months in the wake of dispatching in Bangkok, Jakarta, and Beijing. For those of you new to Uber, it is an online application that has changed the amusement for taxi benefits far and wide. Essentially, you download the Uber application, put your charge card data in, and get tuned into autos and drivers in the range on an ongoing guide. You put in your pickup area and objective, and the closest driver comes to lift you up! The entire ride is followed on GPS and, best of all, there is no money connection in the middle of you and the driver. The dispatch of Uber is urging other taxi organizations to modernize by utilizing the innovations from Uber contenders like Grabtaxi and Easytaxi. The utilization of this current innovation for taxi rides is additionally making it troublesome for cabbies to trick travelers, which has been a significant issue in this city for quite a while.

Further bolstering Uber's good fortune, Google Maps is generally created and decently exact in Ho Chi Minh City. The capacity to pinpoint your begin and end areas into Uber is extraordinarily helpful for visitors since correspondence between cab drivers who don't comprehend English can be an issue. Furthermore, for ladies particularly voyaging alone late during the evening, Uber is a much more secure alternative. At this moment, riding with Uber is less expensive than taking a taxi. Case in point, a ride structure District 1 to District 2 or 7 is ar

AN EVENING ACROSS BEGNAS LAKE - POKHARA, NEPAL

Picture Perfect

The expectations had been laid on the Prithvi Highway. At Lekhnath, the notches were set even higher.

While the earlier journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara seemed to be a destination in itself, Lekhnath was truly a bliss in itself.

Calm water of the lake. Himalayan ranges on the backdrop, A slow and content local life. Small farms just on the other side the lake. Sky full of birds. Array of colorfully placed boats.

Almost everything about the place seemed like a surreal, and set in different time.

Harmony - Evenness of the Farm and Wilderness of the Mountains

At one point, even the evenness of the farms on the ground harmonized with the wilderness of the mountains and eclectic melancholy of birds. The lush green mountains paved way for the mightier grandiose of the snow capped Himalayas.

At one point, it appeared as if the reflection of the dancing tree leaves had created waves in water!

Ridge demarcates the lake and the farm. 

A ridge across the lake demarcates the farms from the water. This ridge is also perfectly suited to take a fulfilling walk across the lake to immerse in the exquisite surroundings as also to catch a glimpse of the setting sun and the chirping birds.

Ridge - That takes you to the mountain across the lake

Another View of the Ridge

The quaint picturesque setting is amplified with the restive boats lined up across the shore. The visitors can undertake boating in the lake which is highly suggested.

The twirling curl of the lake across the mountain is going to catch your attention.

Restive boats that amplifies the beauty of the place

As one heads towards the lake, a few rock formations are also to be witnessed. These structures definitely add to the beauty of the landscape.

Rugged Landscape - Rocks with their scaling

A picture is worth a thousand words. And landscapes like these, worth a million pictures !

Now that was breathtaking !

Your's Truly

Practical Tips:

• Pokhara is famed for 7 lakes around the city.
• The Lake at Lekhnath and Phewa lake are different and therefore they may be included in the itinerary.
• The place is good for relaxing and watching the nature at best.
• Boating may be done in Phewa, if that is already your itinerary.
• There is a provision of a municipal parking available around the lake.
• There aren't many options for quickbites/snacks around, so pack your bags accordingly.
• The best time of the day to visit the place would be evenings.

Đạo Cao Đài | Tewfic El-Sawy

Readers of this blog know of my documentary interest in syncretic religions wherever these are observed, and Đạo Cao Đài is certainly one of those.

I've just featured Đạo Cao Đài : All Religions Are The Same on the Exposure platform, with over a very large dozen monochrome photographs made at Hue's Cao Đài temple. The photo shoot was held during my 2012 photo expedition-workshop in Vietnam. Although we were warmly welcomed to the temple by the devotees and clergy, it was somewhat hard to photograph because of the temple's columns and of the contrasting light.

In terms of number of adherents to Cao Đài, the religion is quite small with an estimated 3-6 million people following it in Vietnam and elsewhere. It was founded in 1926 by Ngo Van Chieu who claimed to have received a calling from a supreme deity during a seance.

The religion and its philosophy draws upon ethical precepts from Confucianism, occult practices from Taoism, theories of karma and rebirth from Buddhism, and a hierarchical organization (including a pope) from Roman Catholicism. Its pantheon of saints includes such diverse figures as the Buddha, Confucius, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, Pericles, Julius Caesar, Joan of Arc, Victor Hugo, and Sun Yat-sen.

The headquarters of Cao Đài are at Tay Ninh, near Ho Chi Minh City.

North Pole 2009: At The Starting Line

The 2009 Arctic Season is just about to get underway, and there are a few updates today from teams that are getting ready to hit the ice.

We'll start with the Calin Arctic Survey Team, who were apparently planning on setting out today, but ran into a few minor snags, and elected to delay a day in order to take care of the issues. Apparently there is an issue with the team's technology and their survival gear, and while the problems are specifically mentioned, they are described as minor, but they felt it was best to address them while still in Resolute Bay rather than dealing with them on the trail. Considering the conditions they are about to set off into, I'd say that was a wise choice. The plan now is to get underway tomorrow, and begin their survey of the arctic ice using a special ground penetrating radar.

Christina Franco is also in Resolute Bay and continues the process of inspecting her gear and packing for her expedition as well. She'll be making a solo expedition to the North Polo, and in order to begin the acclimatization process for the temperatures she'll experience, Christina has been strolling around the rather small town. She reports that while the walks have been short, it doesn't take long for the cold to sting her face. Bad news Christina, you have two months of that ahead!

Finally, some news from the Baffin Babes as well as it seems they are now down a babe. When the girls set out from Qikiqtarjuaq, on Baffin Island, there will be only three of them, as Ingebjoerg Tollefsen has been suffering with a stomach ailment for some time, and will not make the initial trip. Instead, she'll concentrate on getting better, and join her pals in April, hopefully in Clyde River, to finish up the expedition. Get well Ingebjoerg!

Also, if there are any companies out there that want to sponsor the Babes, they note that they still have room on their hats for a sponsor patch. Obviously this would be a highly visible spot for any sponsor, so drop the girls a note if you're interested. Their expedition should receive a good amount of attention.

By next week we should start to get some reports back from the ice. Good luck to all the teams, and remember, don't feed the polar bears.

Wanderings In NYC | Monochromatic Hipstamatic

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved

I think it was photographer Chase Jarvis who said "the best camera is the one you have with you...", and he was exactly right.

I happen to love street photography and walking...and living in a city such as New York City gives me so much opportunities to indulge in these two occupations that they've become become a virtual addiction. I rarely take a cab or the subway...and provided the weather is reasonable (and sometimes, even if it's unreasonable), I prefer to walk wherever I need to be (or not to be) no matter the distance.

I'm lucky to live in a neighborhood of lower Manhattan that is still relatively multilayered, and that provides innumerable and diverse opportunities for street photography; where I can photograph moneyed tourists shopping on Bleecker Street and moments later, capturing regular New Yorkers carrying on with their daily grind near West 4th Street....or go further to Chinatown and the Bowery.

I frequently carry my Fuji X Pro-1 or Leica M9 with me...these are the days when I decide I will "do" street photography for a few hours...and that's all I do for that time. There are other days when I don't carry any cameras with me, save my iPhone...but, provided I have the time and inclination, I still hunt for street photography opportunities with the same intensity as I do when I have the "real" cameras.

It's liberating to be using an iPhone to make photographs. The simplicity, the portability and the ease of making photographs on the go with the device are just wonderfully conducive to the kind of street photography I am interested in. At this point of time, as far as the iPhone is concerned, I'm addicted to the Hipstamatic app, and use its Watts lens and the monochrome BlacKeys B+W film. I might do a tiny amount of post processing on the resultant images, but the combination is quite adequate for my taste.

Since I need a place to offload these iPhone images, I created a new blog gallery, titled Monochromatic Hipstamatic with a growing number of street photographs made during my wanderings in New York City.

I also continue to "feed" my older blog gallery The Leica File (New York City with a Leica M9, and a Fuji X Pro-1) with my ongoing street photographs of the city that never sleeps...or relaxes.

Masirah Island, Oman - The Beauty's Eternal Address

If you have been thinking to post the cards of your memories to beauty, and wondered where it should go. Go no further, than Masirah Islands of the Sultanate of Oman !

Masirah, Oman :The Eternal address of beauty !

While Oman can capture your senses through its remarkable destinations, however, what would be your best reason of visiting Masirah, is that it indeed is the eternal address of the beauty. If you have lived with the doubts, about what could deserve your time and senses : Soaking in the quaint charm of the desert or being mesmerized by the umpteen lives of the sea. At Masirah, you'd get best of both the worlds, rather all the worlds when you'd realize that this 'desert island' manifests beauty through its uniquely rugged landscape, virile turtle nesting beaches, rustic villages, kitesurfing, water sports, desert camping and phew if there's a list of dreams, that has to be at Masirah!

Through its numerous ends, and through its innumerable means.

Masirah Islands: Re-Captivating Senses !

The rustic village of Ras Hilf would hold you by its heritage and culture, as you cross the rugged desert landscapes that flows along the beautiful sea, you'd realize that dhows literally ornate Masirah's coastline. Happily relaxing with your camelot along the beach, you'd wish to gulp the divine Omani Shuwa, and sip the Kahwa while the history robes you, and you read an unsung poem to deliberately leave it halfway incomplete. And then suddenly the thud of waves of the Arabian Sea would rise across the golden desert sand to narrate the remaining half. Or those eternally repeated tales of the sailor, the sail (sale), and of the littoral glory it impregnates within. For once, your imagination would feel jealous, as you would see the real kitesurfing through eyes.

Rustic Village of Ras Hilf

Dhows - Ornaments of the Sea Coasts

Your thoughts would re-scale themselves, when you'd touch the nature in most pristine and raw form at Masirah Islands. Your camera lens would be treated to the sights of the Flamingos, Egrets and the Turtle doves, as the art of 'Bird Watching' would redefine itself. As the birds chirp and their wings flap, your camera shutter would slap, their motion would cut the noise through the exterior, as it would revive your inner peace with equal precision.

Bird Watching - To a new level !

With a habitant population of a few thousands, Masirah Islands would captivate you as you discover the pristineness of the beaches to yet another level, the highest level. The dynamic water sports would bring vigour back to your estrogens. And life would resonate the Mozart, as you hike your senses across the stellar Jabal Madrub, while you come across the exquisite and unique flora and fauna uphill.

Jabal Madrub Mountain : Strength to your imagination prowess

The Soul-soothing Sun Set would amplify the tone of a glorious day, but wait! your nights here are meant to be equally benevolent !!

The endangered Loggerhead Sea turtle, among other turtle species gets 'panah' at the beach, beneath the crystal clear skies and the twinkling stars above. The reassuring sight of safety gives strength to your soul, as it does, to those nesting turtles. Now, if you could view their lively jousts, while Night camping on the beach, you are, but nowhere except, Masirah Islands, Sultanate of Oman. The Beauty's Eternal Address.

'Panah' at Night for the Loggerhead Turtles

(Images in this post are Courtesy, Google Images)

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Disclaimer : The author has never been to Oman, but dreams to feel the beauty's manifestation through Masirah Islands, one day. 

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We recommend guests to start in Vietnam and end in Laos

We outlines this captivating visit highlights two of Indochina's most outstanding nations. Find Vietnam's unfathomable differences: Walk through the aged city of Hanoi, delight in a vessel journey on the pleasant Halong Bay, encounter a homestay with the Thai tribe individuals of Mai Chau, visit the old French front line in Dien Bien Phu, and wonder about the serene field of the Red stream and Northwest slope tribes. To find the charming place that is known for Laos, traverse from Vietnam through the recently opened outskirt entryway of Tay Trang, head to the tough mountain town of Muang Khua, and afterward down to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. Visit the consecrated Pak Ou Caves, neighborhood towns along the Mekong stream, and the delightful streets of the capital city - Vientiane. This stunning and moving trip through Indochina is certain to surprise you every step of the way.

See more: travel Vietnam

This is a private visit and leaves day by day. We prescribe visitors to begin in Vietnam and end in Laos.

Welcome to Hanoi: Vietnam's clamoring pioneer capital. Your aide and driver will reach you outside the things case of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your inn in the downtown area. At night enjoy a welcome supper at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants.

Use 24 hours on a conventional Junk Cruise in the astonishing inlet: a common wonderland made out of sticking limestone islands and shining turquoise waters. Land at the dock around twelve and board your garbage. Relish a gourmet lunch of crisp fish locally available as we cruise out into the mysterious inlet. Toward the evening, voyage around some of Halong's numerous islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the narrows' 3 biggest holes (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island bay with a shielded white-sand shoreline and take a dunk in the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (climate allowing). Pass the night on your garbage, quieted to rest by the tender shaking of quiet waters.

Up and about ahead of schedule and take an interest in Tai Chi on the top deck or just unwind and watch the dawn over the straight's towering islands. Delight in a morning mug of espresso or tea, before embarking to investigate the close-by islands by dinghy. Come back to the garbage for brunch, then exploit the sundeck to appreciate the astounding rock establishments of Bai Tu Long Bay as you explore over to Halong City. Your driver will reach you at the dock and take you over to Hanoi. Delight in a 3-hour Hanoi City Landmark visit.

Your driver and aide will reach you at the entryway of your lodging and take you along expressway No.6 to Mai Chau: a residential area settled amidst a rich valley and encompassed by emerald-green rice fields. Revel in beautiful perspectives of the picturesque scene, sown with pagodas and country towns. Stop along the best approach to visit the Muong tribe and afterward at Thung Khe Pass for a breathtaking perspective of Mai Chau Valley. Eat in Mai Chau then use the evening trekking off the ordinary traveler track, along the Song Ma River. Trek through terraced rice paddies and little towns, finding the regular excellence of the valley and experiencing the society of the White Thai individuals, living in the area. Stop at a Thai town for the night, eating with a nearby family and appreciating a live move and music execution at night.

Begin the day with a straightforward breakfast with your host crew. How about we stop on the way to visit towns of different tribes including the H'mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao and plantation, tea cultivate in Moc Chau level – Vietnam's chief tea-developing area, before achieve Son La (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch. Toward the evening, proceed with slowing down streets through North Vietnam's dazzling farmland. The most beautiful landscape here is Pha Din Pass, wellknown as a verifiable site amid the first Indochina War finished in 1954, and an enchanting and hazardous pass at height 1,300m with amazing perspective. As per nearby legend, "Pha Din" implies the association in the middle of Heaven and Earth. On entry, weigh in your inn and use rest of day at relaxation.

Settled in a heart formed bowl close to the fringe with Laos, lies Dien Bien Phu. The acclaimed chronicled battleground, where the Vietnamese effectively vanquished the French, denoting the end of French frontier occupation.

Begin the day ahead of schedule with a visit to the neighborhood market where you will meet enchanting Thai tribes in their customary ensemble obtaining their ranch items.

The following is army installation and verifiable site of the First Indochina War. Drive 30 minutes out of city to the base of the Command of Dien Bien Phu Campaign (Muong Phang), found in a primitive backwoods in Muong Phang cooperative to the instructing shelter of General Commander-in-boss Vo Nguyen Giap and Hoang Van Thai.

Return to the town and visit Dien Bien Phu Museum, inherent 1984 on the event of the year 30th after Dien Bien Phu Victory before going to A1 Hill - the most vital camp of the French and Bunker of the French General De Castrie

A View From The Summit of Everest

Check out this amazing panoramic photograph taken from summit of Everest found at Panoramas.dk. The stunning 360º photo rotates around giving us a great view in all directions from the top of the highest mountain on Earth, a view that few of us will ever have the opportunity to see in person.

I sat and watched this panoramic shot rotate around for quite awhile. It was fascinating to me to see just how far your view extends when you're at the top of the world on a clear day, and it was great to look back down the Khumbu Valley and see the ice falls far below. I also had no trouble identifying Everest's next door neighbor, Lhotse, but when I clicked on the "i" icon on the photo, it also identified Changtse, Makalu, and Nuptse as well. Also, you can score bonus points if you can spot the climber in the photo. You have to look pretty close, but he's there.

This is a perfect photo to start off your week with, and something to keep your mind occupied on a Monday morning, when you'd rather be outside yourself. Keep in mind, that at this very moment, there are hundreds of climbers in Kathmandu preparing to take on this mountain, and about six to eight weeks, this is the very view that they'll hopefully have the opportunity to experience.

Thanks to Richard for sending this my way!

Sara Hylton | Holy Town

Photo © Sara Hylton-All Rights Reserved

Vrindavan; the holy little town not far from from Mathura, Krishna's birthplace, and a refuge for Bengali widows, which earned it the nickname of 'city of widows. I visited it some years ago, and -against the odds- was able to photograph at the ashrams where these impoverished 'cast-offs' congregate to earn a few rupees by singing devotional verses for visiting pilgrims. I called them White Shadows because widows in India have to wear plain white saris, with no adornments whatsoever.

During my March 2014 photo expedition-workshop to Varanasi and Vrindavan, my group and I were not allowed to photograph there due to stricter regulations, possibly triggered by bad publicity. It is estimated there are about 20,000 widows living on the streets of Vrindavan, many of whom have spent over 30 years there.

Sara Hylton spent about a year documenting a small community of these widows in Vrindavan, and produced Holy Town, a gallery of 15 large color photographs of these women, achieving a remarkable degree of intimacy with them. As Sara tells us, their story is one of perseverance, resilience and humanity in an environment of poverty and neglect.

Sara is a Canadian documentary and portrait photographer based between Brooklyn, New York and New Delhi, India. She first became interested in photography in 2011 while working with an international humanitarian organization in Uganda. She began taking photographs to document the organization’s work in the field, and discovered a love of visual storytelling. She's especially drawn to portrait photography as a way to share people’s stories.

She holds a Master of Arts in International Conflict Studies from Kings College London, and also recently completed a post-graduate certificate in Photojournalism and Documentary from the International Center of Photography (ICP).

I normally don't include my work on blog posts about other photographers, but I make an exception here since the more exposure given to the plight of these widows the quicker their circumstances might improve. "White Shadows" on my Vimeo channel.

Catching Up with The Rest of Everest

it's no secret that I'm a big fan of The Rest of Everest, the video podcast that does such an excellent job of showing us the ins and outs of climbing in the Himalaya. While I was out of the country, there were two episodes released, and I'm just now catching up. For some of you, this is no doubt old news, but I wanted to share some thoughts none the less.

The first episode is entitled Cowboys But Not Indians, and has Jon Miller, Josh Butson, and Ben Clark once again talking about their attempt on Annapurna IV, which they also hope to make the first ski descent on as well. In this episode, the team actually returns to base camp after their first attempt at an alpine ascent on the mountain. The first climb was good for acclimatization, and making a recon of the conditions higher up, but in the end, they were forced to head back down to regroup and dry out their gear, before making another go.

The team admits that they had a rough first day of their climb, and if you saw the previous episode you know that TIm Clarke, the third member of the team, has decided to give up on his attempt to summit, and will let Ben and Josh go on without him. The team discusses this change and how they will now approach the climb. With the Austrian team they had been sharing BC with gone, they'll have the mountain entirely to themselves.

While the boys are back in BC, they do get some amazingly beautiful shots of the mountain and once again do a good job of capturing the feel of life in base camp. The video gets even more interesting when they also capture a debris cloud that was kicked up from an earthquake in China that has flown hundreds of miles just to dump on their camp.

The second episode that was awaiting me upon my return from the Amazon was an audio only bonus episode that offers some details on Ben and Josh's Spring 2009 expedition. The episode was recorded as Rest of Everest creator Jon Miller was driving Ben to the airport as he was heading out for Nepal, where the team will be attempting to climb and ski down Baruntse, a 23,688 foot mountain located in Eastern Nepal, between Everest and Makalu.

The old Annapurna IV website is undergoing a transformation now to reflect this new expedition, and it is becoming the "Ski the Himalayas" site. In this episode, Josh talks about how much he enjoys climbing and skiing in that mountain range, and that he intends to continue to focus on those ski descents in the near future. He also talks about his approach to climbing in the HImalaya, having knocked off Everest at the age of 23, and now pursuing lesser known peaks not on the 8000m list.

Obviously we'll be hearing more about this expedition in future episodes of the Rest of Everest, and I'll be following it from the website as updates come in over the coming weeks. For now, the show will go on hiatus, while Josh and Ben head off to Nepal to take care of business, and Jon will soon follow with his Everest Trek 2009 project.

Good luck guys! We're pulling for you!

Trip to Pisa, Italy

My wife and I were feeling a child like excitement, the moment we stepped out from our hotel to catch the regional train from Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) to Pisa. We were sure it was going to be a visual treat to be a witness of the architecture marvel, one of the seven wonders, the Leaning tower of Pisa. We hurriedly bought tickets from the Tabak shop on the train station and rushed towards the train. With some breaths up and some down, we boarded the train. There was a bunch of daily travelers who largely alighted before Pisa. The comfortable (odd hour) journey cut us through from some really beautiful rural landscapes.

Pisa greeted us with a bright sunshine, a rather welcome change from the overcast Florence that we had left behind.

Fountain outside the Pisa Centrali station

There is a beautiful fountain just outside the station which turned out to be a popular snapshot point. Few meters away, we could spot a skating surface quite popular among the locals.

Skating surface quite popular among locals

The streets that led us to the 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' were largely commercial in nature. The famed Arno and lovely ponte across it leads to the 'Historical Center' that finally leads to the complex. Along side this street there are some popular brands and restaurants dotting both the sides. Though one has to admit that Pisa could still manage to preserve its town-like feeling. Apart from the main commercial street, there are few other streets, worth visiting in the town.

Clear blue sky in the backdrop

We finally reached Piaza dei Miracloi, the main tourist complex of Pisa, which apart from the Leaning tower, also houses other monuments like Duomo Di Pisa and the Bapistry(Battistero). Against the popular misconception, the compound has multiple monuments around the Leaning tower of Pisa and all of them are worth visiting. Leaning nature of the tower is attributed to the marshy nature of the land that was the base of the tower during construction.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

There is a convenient tourist center located within the complex that can provide useful guidance on how to divide time (and money) among the monuments. On most clear days, one can view scenic mountains behind the Leaning Tower. The  front gardens are quite appealing and clinically maintained. One can easily spend 3-4 hours in the monument complex.

Front gardens outside the Leaning Tower

We left for mesmerizing Venice, the next day, a trip that'll never ever be forgotten.

Shop What

• Leaning Tower of Pisa Souveniers
• If you must, T-shirts.

Bottom Line

• Pisa is a relaxed one day trip from Florence.
• If travelling with less luggage, you can go from Florence to Pisa and then from Pisa to Venice.

Travel Facts

• Stayed : One Day Trip from Florence.
• Stayed at : Hotel Embassy, Florence - Yes, highly recommended.
• Traveled with my better half on a single Day trip 
• Traveled in regional Train from Florence in January 2013.

The Rest of Everest Episode 101: Typically Himalayan

The adventure on Annapurna IV continues this week with another new episode of The Rest of Everest, with climbers Ben Clark and Josh Butson once again joining show producer and host Jon Miller.

In Episode 101: Typically Himalayan, the guys are now a bit more settled into base camp, and have explored the mountain some as well, hiking and skiing the immediate slopes. Early in the episode the team is stuck in their tent, thanks to the lovely Himalayan weather, and they have a chance to reflect some on the climb ahead, and the thoughts that are in their head while they wait for their opportunity to go up the mountain.

Later in the episode, Ben calls home to get a weather report from his father, where he learns that the weather patterns should shift some in the days ahead, but for now they'll have to wait for the jet stream to move. The team will need a five day weather window to make an attempt at the summit, but before they can do that, they'll need to acclimatize some as well. The plan is to make the climb in alpine style.

This weeks video gives us a lot of images from base camp with some shots of the mountain behind it, while the team sits and waits, something that is common in the Himalaya while they wait for their attempt. While it's not the most action packed thing to watch, it is part of the experience, as anyone who saw the 2003 Everest expedition will remember.

Iditarod 2009: "Last Great Race" Gets Underway Tomorrow

The 2009 Iditarod, dubbed "The Last Great Race", will have it's ceremonial start tomorrow in downtown Anchorage, when 73 of the top mushers in the world will make the 20 mile first leg to Campbell Airstrip, where the race will officially get underway on Sunday.

This year's race will be taking the southern route, as it typically does on the odd numbered years. The course is more than 1100 miles in length and stretches all the way to Nome, recreating the famous route that was taken by sled dog teams that delivered medicine to the remote regions of Alaska back in 1925, when a diphtheria epidemic broke out.

The field or racers for this year's event include two time defending champ Lance Mackey along with his arch-rival Jeff King, who is a four time winner himself. They'll be joined by the likes of Rick Swenson, the only five time winner of the race, and veteran racer Mitch Seavey, amongst many others. Sebastian Schnuelle, the winner of the Yukon Quest a few weeks back, is hoping to become the second man, after Mackey, to win both events in the same year.

It should be interesting to see who dominates the front of the race this year. Last year it was a game of cat and mouse between Mackey and King all the way to Nome, with Mackey pulling out ever trick in the book, including pretending to sleep, to get the edge on the faster and more well rested King. It's unlikely that King will fall for similar tactics this year however. Perhaps we'll see some new names rise to the top of the leaderboard, as the race seems to always have a few surprises waiting for us. Can't wait to see what they are! Go luck everyone!

Vietnam Nature Trails - Visits to VietNam

Get up at air terminal and exchange to lodging. Free walk around to investigate Hanoi's 1000 Years Old Quarter (if time grants). Stay overnight at inn.

You will be grabbed at your lodging in Hanoi for heading to Cuc Phuong, around 140 km south of Hanoi by street, is one of Vietnam's most seasoned national parks and thusly one of the best oversaw. It's give or take 22, 000ha of subtropical woodland and karst limestone view, and home to an unprecedented scope of extraordinary species. Separated from investigating the backwoods, you'll visit the recreation center's Endangered Primate Center, where you'll have the capacity to see two of the rarest species on the planet, the discriminatingly imperiled Delacour and Cat Ba langurs. Stay overnight at National Park visitor house.

Maintain a strategic distance from the mid year as the parks biodiversity incorporates an expansive unexpected of bloodsuckers that get ravenous in hot sticky climate. April to May sees billows of a large number of butterflies spiraling in pockets of daylight.

After breakfast, strolling to visit vegetation, fauna and one-thousand-year-old sequoia tree, the hollow of Prehistoric man in Cuc Phuong National Park. Eat in the Park restaurant. Turn over to Hanoi for flight to Hue. Stay overnight at lodging in Hue

Leave at 08: 00am from your lodging, for one and half hour you will land at Bach Ma National Park. The recreation center is overwhelmed by a solitary 1, 448m top wrapped in tropical rainstorm woods underneath and beat by sub-tropical vegetation. You will visit Do Quyen Waterfall - is shocking and tremendous in the lush mountain. It is astounding to watch the silver water running into the splendid red of water-rail blossoms. Where individuals can have a surrounding perspective of massive ocean and encompassing landscape.

See more: travel Vietnam

Morning in the recreation center with strolling around and find the nature to investigate the wonderful view and numerous endemic species, and is especially rich in birdlife. Turn again to Hue airplane terminal for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Stay overnight at inn in Ho Chi Minh City.

Once off Highway One, the street passes through vast regions of elastic ranches before fanning out the expressway on an unpleasant track to the national park. An unimaginable assorted qualities of fowls and warm blooded creatures, live in the timberland and wetland natural surroundings of Nam Cat Tien, including an expected 230 types of winged animals. Imperiled feathered creatures to be found here in thier supper. The Afternoon is used birding along the street from the recreation center central command.

Have a 4x4 drive to Bau Chim and Bau Sau territories, arranging focuses for the day's trek. Trek for over two hours profound into the woodland. In Bau Sau, kayak around a lake, then trek once more to the parking garage for the drive again to the guesthouse. (Discretionary night 4x4 ride into the Nui Tuong timberland to search for nighttime creatures).