Trip to Zwolferhorn, Salzkammergut

“Odors have a power of persuasion stronger than that of words, appearances, emotions, or will."

These words from Patrick Suskind were indeed the reflection of my thoughts during the first visit to Zwolferhorn mountain in Salzkammergut, Austria, last September. I'm sure you too would have been in the similar situation in life, when the choice is between good and equally good ! And then, how we all wish that something could help us in our decision. For me, it was decided by a lovely Fragrance of the flowers on the Alpine mountain. It was only because of that evocative fragrance, that I decided to go uphill the mountain, yet again. Rightfully the fragrance inspired the travel.

Here , There, but Nowhere, except Salzkammergut !

Based out in Salzburg, it was planned to visit Salzkammergut followed by Munich next day. The fragrance of the flowers on the mountain created such a magical charm that Munich was given amiss. Trust me, No grudges whatsoever !!

Salzkammergut - My inspiration for perfect fragrance

Misty Morning followed by Brilliant Sun-Shine

Your idea of the freshness of the mountain air would be redefined at Zwolferhorn mountain, grand 4990 feet above the ground level. We cut through misty roads, hopping on the first cable car for the mountain from the base of the mountain, St.Gilgen. The early morning rain, before we started, further added the mystic freshness of Salzkammergut. As we started in the Cable Car, Sun cut across the skies to offer us the views that were simply amazing, to say the least. The view of the clean blue water of the Lake Wolfgangsee kept getting better and clearer as we ascended above and Sun simply stood out. The Sun got brighter, the air cleanest and then, we were for a sight of our life time !!

Flowers, Flowers everywhere, and all the drops of mist !

Dew Drops lazing on the flower petals

Image Credits : Here

The early morning winds laden with the fresh mist of effervescent rains engulfed the blossomed flowers on the mountain where the dew drops on the flowers on the mountain kept clinging the petals lazily. Across our sights there were flowers with the picturesque lake in the background. The clouds clamored with jealousy as they flew beneath the eyes. The setting being as perfect as it could get. But wait, it may sound incredulous, but the best was still yet to come!

Fragrance and the views - Zwolferhorn Mountain, Austria 

Image Credits : Here

Aha Fragrance !!

The latest drops of the rains still drenched the earth and well...... the magic of petrichor was as magical as always. The smell of the rain kissed earth rose, romanticizing the ground in fulfillment of its meeting with the beloved. The fragrance of lilies on both the sides of contoured paved path was mesmerizing. The wild flowers with their petals in full swing, danced merrily in the breeze on the music of the passing cow-bells wryly smiling at the rainbow that seemingly sneaked exclusively for the setting. The bells across the grazing cows played music for the dancing flowers. The mesmerizing scent of the Bell-flower further accentuated the evocative fragrance in the air. Hours simply phased out of my watch, but for me the time just stood still!  I treasure every minute spent there and without a second thought, I came back the next day as well, to listen to the cowbells, to view the blue lake below through the shades of the clouds, and foremost treat my senses to the inter-wined fragrance of the Bell-flowers, lilies, wild flowers with a little bit of rain kissed earth. To recreate the same magic.

Flowers in the Wild  Alpines - I

Flowers in the Wild Alpines - II

Contours of the Trail path

Flowers in the Wild Alpines - III

Bell-Flowers - Drenched in Sun light

Wild Flowers in Alpines - Basking in Glory !!

Lily - Flowers in the Alpines

Flowers in the full bloom

Images(above) Credits : Here

The thoughts through the Travel is captured in the following lines:

Across an Alpine visit,

Taking senses for a treat

Bringing a Rainbow along,

Chiming on the Cowbells' Song

The flowers of the mountain list,

With the petals and the colors of the mist

There is an evocative fragrance along,

when lily and the 'petrichor' throng

To inter-wine in the flowing breeze,

Across the woods and its mystic wheeze

As a dream come true for senses' treat,

It was the fragrance that evoked my travel's feast

If a fragrance could evoke a visit, then I'd simply wear the fragrance all the time. 

What do you say ? Little bit of Lily, and a tinge of Bell flower, rain kissed earth inter-wined with the fragrance of the mystery flowers of the mountains, WOW that could evoke senses, and many many travels ! Yearning for that fragrance ever since!! The fragrance that inspired the visit.

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This eventually became a contest winning post - Details here.

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Đạo Mẫu | Serendipity Then Research

One of the main interests that underpins my career as a travel photographer is the documenting of ancient religious rituals, ceremonies and festivals that are still observed and practiced around the world, and the primary objective of many of the photographic expeditions-workshops I lead is to document such rituals and festivals. This interest is somewhat of a brand for me; a brand that I cherish and nourish.

Following my gut instinct, and helped by a degree of serendipity, during my recent photo expedition in Viet Nam, I stumbled on an ancient religious ceremony called Đạo Mẫu, which I photographed on two occasions in Sa Pa and Bac Ha,  and have now uploaded a selection of color photographs on a gallery titled Đạo Mẫu: The Worship of Mother Goddesses.

These photographs were all made with a Fuji X-T1 and a Zeiss Touit 12mm.

Whilst photographing these two ceremonies (one followed the other over two days), I was hampered by a dearth of information regarding these ceremonies. Either the translation was inadequate or the information obtained by those involved in the ceremonies was sparse and superficial...even the name of the rituals differed.

Hearing chants and music coming from the Gia Quoc Cong Vu Van Mat temple in Bac Ha, but finding no one that could understand English, I asked patrons in a nearby restaurant what the ceremony was about, and one finally understood my gesticulations, and told me that it was hầu đồng...words I recognized from my earlier photo-shoot in Sa Pa.

All I knew at the time was that the ceremonies revolved around a medium who communicated with spirits), trances, and religious songs....and I photographed the unfolding ceremony in the Bac Ha temple, as I did earlier in Sa Pa. With other things relating to the photo expedition-workshop on my plate, I hadn't the time to research it deeper than a cursory internet search with the little information I had. Otherwise, I would've sank my teeth in the research like a bull terrier.

I have since started research Đạo Mẫu, or The Worship of Mother Goddesses in Viet Nam, and the rituals of Lên đồng (or Hầu đồng), the practice of spirit mediumship in this type of worship. There are scholarly texts that associate Lên đồng séances to extremely ancient indigenous rituals, which possibly included rites of human sacrifice of mediums possessed by evil spirits.

One of the sources of basic information is Wikipedia, which describes the main ritual, which may last from two to seven hours, as beginning with petitions to Buddha and to the deities for permission to proceed with it, after which the medium sits in the middle of four assistants, whose job it is to facilitate the medium's incarnation of different deities and spirits. Musicians and singers perform invocation songs to induce trances in the medium, at which point he or she is ready to incarnate different spirits. The assistants help the medium to change costumes, and hand over the various props such as swords and torches.

This is precisely what I witnessed during the ceremony (actually, they were two ceremonies back to back) in the Bac Ha temple. The two mediums were flanked by four assistants, and musicians played songs in a corner of the temple.

The color of the medium's four costumes represents a deity who manages a part of the universe. Heaven is red, Earth is yellow, Water is white and Forest is green.

My interest in Đạo Mẫu is certainly piqued, and I intend to continue gathering information on it, online and through friends in Viet Nam. My knowledge of Southeast Asian religious traditions is not as broad as I would've liked, and with Đạo Mẫu serendipitously appearing on my radar, it's certainly time to redress this.

That said, the rituals of Lên đồng (or Hầu đồng) are not easy to photograph. The temples where I witnessed the rehearsal and the ceremony were small, and had devotees sitting on every inch of the floor, so it was difficult to move about and get different angles, especially as the altars are large. The ceremony itself was held at night, with poor and uneven lighting. Although the costumes are gorgeous, with the medium performing unusual rites such as throwing small denominations of cash to attendees, puffing on cigarettes and twirling swords and flags, the rituals are somewhat repetitive, and finding different angles is a must. The mediums appear to be fascinating characters, and would offer interesting insights into this belief system.

In short, Đạo Mẫu is on my list. 

POV: 5 Days, 2231 Views And Counting | Exposure

I've very recently became an Exposure platform full fledged subscriber, and uploaded a few of my photo essays.

For those who don't know, or who haven't followed my recent blog posts, Exposure is aimed at  photographers who are looking to publish their photographs as part of a more meaningful narrative.
It's designed and built to feature large (edge to edge of your computer monitor) photos, and it places these photographs in neat layouts with various presets to choose from.

But that's not the only reason behind this post. Just take a look at the screen grab above. I published Hà Nội Noir on December 10, 2014...and it received 2231 views already, and this number will be higher by the time this post gets published....so it averaged about 450 views a day. I'd say that it's a pretty decent view count for this sort of photo essay.

How did it get there? Well, I promoted it on this blog, on my Facebook page and on Twitter (where it was retweeted a few times by others), and it was chosen as Staff Picks by the nice people at Exposure.

I never understood the commercial reasoning of photographers who spend fistfuls of money to mount exhibitions to enhance their visibility. Printing costs, matting and framing costs, marketing, gallery rental and ancillary expenses probably reach thousands of dollars, and I doubt galleries will attract, or have the space for, that many viewers over the same number of days. Sure, there is the tactility of exhibition prints...the social aspect of meeting like-minded people....the excitement....the ego trip...of having one's prints on walls, and admired by many.

But absent of a healthy bank account, a friend-gallery owner, and/or a marquee name, web platforms such as Exposure, Medium, Storehouse and Cowbird will offer photographers a worthwhile venue for their work, to supplement their own websites.

Prague - The magic of 'Old Town'

After a tired road journey to Prague, we felt completely rejuvenated in our apartment. The morning dawn sneaked in and out, through the curtain panes, suggestively of a peek-a-boo game ahead. The magic of the 'Old Town' of Prague that followed that day, lives and resonates ever since our stay.

*** Dawn of freshness ***

Glancing the view outside the window pane, the sight was simply unbelievable. The ephemeral dew drops lazed their last on the tips of the leaves while the odd white cloud appeared to have the effrontery to face the mighty sun. The morning was bright and as it cast its shine on the grass it added a magical hue to it. I had been to Europe before, but trust me, had never seen the freshness of that like, ever.

Curiosity overwhelmed, and to satiate that frame of freshness, I put the jacket over the shoulders, and as I punched the access card for the front gate of the apartment, the view just took me off my feet. 

Dawn of freshness that I had just glanced from the apartment window soaked me within. As quiet morning walkers passed by, I realized what a beauty lay ahead. Every frame of Prague was worth the visit, well literally even before it had begun. After a continental breakfast in our apartment kitchen, we headed to explore the mesmerizing beauty of the Old Town.

*** A Walk to remember ***

As we climbed uphill from our apartment, for the Old Town. We passed through a wonderful garden in the heart of the city around Karlovo Namesti and should say,it had a decent walkway too.

Lush green  Karlovo Namesti Garden on our way to Prague

We spent some time feeling the beauty and the verve of Prague. With some offices in vicinity, it made up an eclectic mix of office goers and toddlers enjoying Sun. We decided to walk our way to Old Town instead of taking a Tram. It was a judicious decision, as we crossed some of the most breathtaking and beautiful Gothic architecture along the 3.5 odd kms. linear track enroute.

Tram is effective, but we chose to be on feet on the first day.

Well - That was a Statue ! (On our way to Old  Town)

Ubiquitous Photographers - On our way to Old Town

*** The Krown Conundrum ***

The night before, Krowns had already turned out to be an issue, so to avoid any similar sorry situation, we hurried to the first 'money changer' that passed, and exchanged some Euros.

As mentioned in some earlier posts of this blog, currency exchange is an important consideration in Czech Republic. Though Euro is widely spoken to be acceptable, one will invariably end up getting better deals through Czech Krowns (CZK). The train and bus network would also insist on the Krowns. The thumb rule (as in Sept 2013) was that if you get anything above 24 Krowns for a Euro it's a decent deal.

*** The Old Town Square***

Ideally, atleast a day can be devoted to the Old Town to feel its magic. The cobbled streets of the town are as inviting as the roof steppes of its marvelous Gothic Architecture. The Old Town is house to several historical streets and monuments. The most famous among all, however, is 'The Old Town Square'.

Old Town Square - Prague

Old Town, Prague

Inviting Cobbled streets of Prague

The Square lies between Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. Historically, the Old town, was separated by river Vltava (Over which Charles Bridge is constructed) forming precinct on one of the sides. The river still flows with its immense virility. Charles Bridge can offer some breathtakingly gorgeous views of Vltava. Especially around the hours of dusk. (There are some river cruises also available, but then, you'll get far better cruises in Austria and Germany, so better to avoid the cruise part here in Prague if you are planning to be in these neighboring countries.) The best way to explore the Square is to begin early in the day. Earlier the better. The square is abuzz with energy of all the age groups. There are people enjoying their snacks around the array of beautiful flowers.

Kids playing around the large bubbles.

Bubbles in the Sky - Kids love them !

Men manifesting themselves in statues to garner attention by spurt of their activities.

Statue !!

Stiff !!

Now - Two's a team

Take that !!

Odd Social gatherings. Marketing and Advertising are also common.

Then, there are people playing wonderful (read : out of world) music(traditional gypsy style) with clinically accurate beats and brave vocals for the space. Last but not the least, there are people simply enjoying their Camelot under the Sun.

Music makes Old Town special

*** The Church ***

There is a church in the Square, that is rich with history and vintage. It offers splendid views from its different floors, however access to some floors is paid. The church hosts few marriages too, and we were lucky to spot one. There is a floor hosting an art gallery, the access to which is free. So make most of it and do visit to view the best views of the city. 

'Yes I Do !' - Church of the Old Town Square - Hosting the odd wedding 

Prague - From Top of the World

Prague - Yet Another View

Beautiful Prague

Beautiful Architecture all around - Old Town, Prague

Old Ad - New Bottle 

So many so worlds bundled at the Square, that literally the Old Town Square becomes a world of its own.

*** The Old New Synagogue ***

The Old New Synagogue certainly stands out because of its exquisite architecture and unique two-nave design. There's a quiet and peace associated with the place. The History, the preservation and the surrounding mystery of the place are worthy reasons to visit the place.

*** The Astronomical Clock ***

The Astronomical Clock was the personal star attraction in the Old Town. Undoubtedly, the music that is played every hour is a big attraction for all the tourists alike. The music is different for every hour and is played 'Live' on the spot. The atmosphere, the music and the efforts are worth savoring every bit. It will stay with you for long. Large groups of people assemble at the base of the building and wait with a childlike anticipation for the next hourly ritual. Then as if in a military fashion disperse around the Square but not without a huge round of applause, every single time. Also interesting is the fact surrounding the animated figures around the clock. The 4 creatures and their related stories abound the place with magnanimity. No doubts, there are hoards and hoards of snaps being taken of the place.

The grandeur of Astronomical Clock

People dispersing around the Astronomical Clock

*** The Four Figures ***

These four figures are a center of attention for everyone visiting the Old Town. It's the intellect and the philosophy behind these figures that make them even more special. The first figure is seen holding a mirror, and loosely represent Vanity. The second figure with a bag of gold, denote Greed. The third figure is a clear shot skeleton, figurative of death and the fourth on the right most, is one with music instrument reflecting worldly pleasures. Every time the skeleton or the death rings the bell, all the other figures shake their heads cyclically, symbolic to their being adamant to leave. Beautiful !!

*** Leisure ***

Around the Square, there are a lot of open sky restaurants and eateries. It is understood that there are special discounted prices for the meals around the time of noon, but frankly I can't vet the same, as I didn't try. There are some really good souvenir shops around the Square. Some good 'value for money' bargains. Few good shopping streets are also around, so one can head to them after the Old Town Square. Old Town of Prague is really special and its spirit can stay with you eternally.

Open air Eateries - Abound in Old Town

Restaurants - Expect some discount in Noon

Yet another statue - In the nearby market

Lots of Choices around the Old Town Square

Choices - Markets around the Old Town, Prague

*** Travel Facts ***

Stay Duration :        3 days at Prague

Stay Place:              MH Apartment, Prague, Recommended

Travel Companion : Better Half

Travel Phases :        3 days, spent exploring different things

Arrived through:      Agency Bus from Vienna via Brno, Recommended

During:                    Sept, 2013

*** Did you like this Post, Did I miss something about Prague, or rather anything you'd like to share about the post or Prague. Looking forward to your comments on this Post. ***

Ski The Himalayas Update: Ben on CNN!

Speaking of Ben Clark and Josh Butson, there was an update to their Ski The Himalaya website today that included a video from CNN interviewing Ben from Nepal. Ben updates us on progress so far. The guys have been trekking through the jungle, and are on the approach to Baruntse, the 23,390 foot peak the intend to summit and then ski back down.

Ben indicates that they are hoping to climb above the tree line tomorrow, and put the humid and hot jungle behind them. They hope to establish base camp at 17,600, and once that is done, they'll begin the climb in earnest. Ben also talks about the personality of a mountaineer, and what it takes to go on these expedition. Check out the footage below, then head over to the website for more updates.

Gabi Ben-Avraham | Jewish Holidays

Photo © Gabi Ben-Avraham - All Rights Reserved

I've been enjoying this photography website for a while, browsing and savoring its various galleries at a slower pace than usual,  and you'll understand why when you visit it.

Those who follow my work and this blog know that religious festivals, rituals and observances, wherever they occur and of whatever tradition they follow, are like 'catnip' to me. The more obscure and esoteric the more magnetic the 'catnip' is to me....especially if they're monochrome.

If you're like me; a fan of travel documentary work...of street photography...of dark shadows pierced by brilliant rays of sunshine...you're bound to like the broad compelling work of Gabi Ben-Avraham, an Israeli photographer who describes himself as a "hobbyist", and who only received a digital camera as a gift a few years ago.

There's certainly nothing amateurish in Gabi's work, and there are many galleries to admire amongst those he posted on his website.

The one I prefer is his Jewish Holidays, from which the above photograph is featured. It was shot during the Kapparot ritual when a rabbi swings a live chicken over the head of a woman to symbolically transfer her "sins" to the bird. Kapparot is practiced on the eve of Yom Kippur. There are also images made during the festivals of Purim, Sukkot and Passover, or Pesach. The images are brooding and dark; a perfect style for this sort of photography.

Drop by Gabi Ben-Avaraham's website, and you'll be sucked in its numerous galleries, ranging from pure street photography in Tel Aviv, to travel photography in Havana (Cuba), then to his light and shadows exercises.

Just make sure you have the time to delve in all of the galleries, and you'll agree with me. Gabi might describe himself as a hobbyist all he likes, but his work is as solid and as professional as they come.

North Pole 2009: Barneo Camp Opens For Business

A few days back the airstrip at the Barneo Ice Station was completed, opening the seasonal base for business in 2009. The station is located on the Russian side of the North Pole, roughly 100km from that spot, and sitting at 89ºN. Barneo will now begin hosting teams of adventure travelers and arctic explorers, many of whom will be making "last degree" journey's to the Pole in the days ahead.

Barneo is a unique story when it comes to arctic exploration. Each year Russian helicopters search the ice along the 89th degree looking for a smooth spot to set up camp. They then drop some initial supplies, and a team of men, onto the ice, who go to work building the runway, which eventually allows larger supply planes to land, bringing in more supplies, including temporary ice huts, as well as quite a few people, who will use Barneo as their base of operations for these short, but still demanding, trips to the top of the world.

The life of the Ice Station is a short one however, as it typically opens around the first of April and closes around the first of May. At that time, everything is packed up, and shipped back off the ice for another season, and next year a new Barneo will be built in a similar place. If you'd like to know more about the the base, and can speak Russian, then check out its official website.

Anyone else think a last degree journey to the North Pole would be a great adventure?

Night Markets in Saigon in tour VietNam Travel

While they may not be as splendid and sparkling as shopping centers or grocery stores, night markets have their character and are mainstream ends for neighborhood individuals and explorers much the same. For some explorers the day is simply excessively hot to use shopping, and the cooler night air offers a perfect chance to snatch a few trinkets, while for local people the nighttime is a perfect time to meet and accumulate outside and offer a feast or a beverage under the stars.

There is a colossal assortment of merchandise on offer including garments, footwear, caps. hairpins, gems, watches..etc The costs are regularly less expensive than day markets or stores as the dealers pay less for the lease, so there are some extraordinary deals to be had. And also the decision in trinkets there's likewise an incredible scope of sustenance, with numerous road merchants setting up shop to exploit the passing exchange.

Some night markets spend significant time in shabby products for understudies and specialists, and are found away close colleges and material plants, for example, the immense Ky Hoa night advertise on Cao Thang in District 10, where numerous understudy live. In these businesses the costs are regularly less expensive than around the local area and less haggling is fundamental; numerous individuals additionally gone to these business sectors and purchase wholesale to stock their shops nearby.

The nourishment in Ky Hoa is tasty and shockingly shoddy, simply $1 for a dish of noodles or a plate of broken-rice with flame broiled pork and browned egg, in addition to a glass of sugar stick squeeze as an afterthought.

These business sectors are all inside a 20-30 moment drive by taxi from the core, and offer a real flash into true, living night markets, however for the individuals who are short of time or vitality Ben Thanh is in a perfect world arranged in the focal point of Saigon and offers a taster of the bigger night markets away. Despite the fact that the shopping may be restricted to gifts and visitor tat, there is still a wide decision of sustenance and an incredible climate.

There are no less than 20 road side eateries around the business building, with several burger joints social occasion to devour an extensive variety of the best dishes from all over Vietnam. You may spot 'Bún chả' or 'Phở', delectable noodle dishes from Hanoi, 'Banh Nam', minimal steamed cakes in banana leaf from Hue, or Bánh xèo, firm rice flapjacks from the Mekong Delta, and additionally a lot of different treats. You can request delectable crisp flame broiled fish, or delicious grilled pork - with such extraordinary decisions, you can't happen!

A best aspect concerning consuming at Ben Thanh is that you can watch the culinary specialist cooking before you, and take in every delightful scent and sound, permitting you to appreciate the sustenance with all your faculties. The restaurants are additionally not only visitor traps however offer legitimate sustenance and environment - on any night the clientel may be 60-70% Vietnamese families and companions instead of solely travelers.

Related post: travel Vietnam

Consuming and drinking in the city is extremely prominent in Vietnam, and night markets offer an incredible window into the life of the city. In the event that you have a chance we profoundly propose joining the swarms to consume in the city for an air and encounter that can't be matched by an inn rest

The Travel Photographer's Street Photography Contest | Extension

I announced The Travel Photographer's Street Photography Contest mid June, and I'm extending the deadline for submissions from August 31 to the week following September 30, 2014.

Two reasons for the extension: the number of submissions hasn't reached my expectations to make the contest really competitive, and I'll be traveling to Viet Nam by September 2 and I won't have the time to properly curate the submissions.

The street photography contest is open to any professional, student, or amateur photographer at least eighteen (18) years of age. The contest is restricted to residents of the contiguous United States.*

The contest's main theme is daily life in any city, town or village (anywhere in the world), captured through street photography: real, instant images, that grab moments, people, faces, streets, buildings and other elements capable of telling stories.

The sole prize is the handcrafted WotanCraft Ryker Urban Classic 001 which I reviewed earlier here. It's an ideal camera bag for street photography, it's low-profile and is made of very high quality leather.

The requirements and rules are simple:

1. Entrants can submit up to three (3) photographs, color or monochrome.

2. Each photograph must be a jpg 1000x667 pixels at 72 dpi.

3. Each photograph must include your name and a sequential number if submitting more than one (ie JohnDoe_001.jpg, etc.)

4. Each photograph must indicate where it was made (New York City, San Francisco, London, Delhi, Tokyo, etc). 4. Entrants warrant that their submissions are all their original work.

5. The contest is closed for submissions on September 30, 2014.

6. Entrants are to send their submissions to: tes(at)telsawy.com. The email must also include entrants' full name.

7. There are no fees, or any costs to the entrants. This contest is essentially a competitive giveaway, and has received the blessing of WotanCraft Atelier.

Judging: I shall be judging the submissions, and will announce the three top best photographs. These three photographs will be posted on this blog, and public voting will be opened to choose the prize winner. This will now occur during the week following September 30, 2014 deadline.

* Regrettably, shipping to destinations other than in the contiguous United States is not only costly, but also involves an amount of paperwork, as well as potential hefty custom duties to be paid by the eventual recipient, especially with such an expensive camera bag. That is the reason for restricting the contest as I did. My apologies to the multitude of very talented non US-based photographers who may have been interested in entering the contest.

WotanCraft Atelier's website has full information and details on the WotanCraft Ryker Urban Classic 001.

7 day in MaiChau on tour VietNam travel

Get away from the clamor of the huge city and set out on an undertaking through Northwest Vietnam's staggering farmland. This 7-day schedule takes you out of the way on a visit through captivating, expanding valleys and towering mountains to remote slope tribe towns, falling waterfalls and curious pioneer towns...

Your driver and aide will reach you at the hall of your inn and take you along roadway No.6 to Mai Chau: a residential community settled amidst a lavish valley and encompassed by emerald-green rice fields. Delight in pleasant perspectives of the beautiful scene, sown with pagodas and provincial towns. Stop along the best approach to visit the Muong tribe and after that at Thung Khe Pass for a staggering perspective of Mai Chau Valley. Eat in Mai Chau then use the evening trekking off the regular traveler track, along the Song Ma River. Trek through terraced rice paddies and little towns, finding the common magnificence of the valley and experiencing the society of the White Thai individuals, living in the locale. 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. Goodbye to your host of homestay drive to Son La. We should stop in transit 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 shocking farmland. The most beautiful view here is Pha Din Pass, well-known as an authentic site amid the first Indochina War finished in 1954, and an enchanting and hazardous pass at rise 1,300m with amazing perspective. As indicated by 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 molded bowl close to the fringe with Laos, lies Dien Bien Phu, the renowned authentic battleground, where the Vietnamese effectively vanquished the French, denoting the end of French frontier occupation.

Begin the day right on time with a visit to the neighborhood market where you will meet beguiling Thai tribes in their conventional ensemble acquiring their homestead items.

Next, you will visit Dien Bien Phu Museum and A1 slope then proceed to Dien Bien Phu Cemetery to watch a minute's quiet in memory of the saints who gave their lives for the triumph of the chronicled Dien Bien Phu Campaign.

After the lunch, continue to Lai Chau along a rough street, passing an arrangement of ethnic towns of Kho Mu (Xa), Huoi Chan, and Bung Giat. Proceed to Phong Tho on grand streets, crossing the intersections of Da and Na waterways by the method for the Chinese-fabricated Hang Tom suspension span. From here, the street weaves its path northwards through the beautiful and consistently more awesome Na River valley, past more ethnic towns of White Thai, Kho Mu and later Red and White H'mong minorities. Touch base in Phong Tho and use rest of the day to cycle around the town.

At the beginning of today, leave Phong Tho for Sapa. The street is a bit rough now and again, however the unpleasant course is immediately repaid by the brilliant landscape: yawning valleys, slowing down, and standard mountains – a photographic artist's fantasy. The drive to Sapa takes you up Tram Son – the most astounding pass in Vietnam – and perspectives of the Fansipan Peak, known as "the top of Indochina". Stop on the way to visit Heaven's Gate and the Silver Waterfall. You land in Sapa toward the evening. Settled in a clearing valley close to the Chinese outskirt, Sapa is Northwest Vietnam's chief travel terminus. Inherent 1922 as a French pioneer slope station, this interesting town is presently a trekker's heaven, offering trekking courses through terraced rice fields and captivating slope tribe towns. Delight in a free evening to investigate the beautiful town all alone. Eat and stay overnight in Sapa.

See more: travel Vietnam

Appreciate a whole day trekking through Sapa's stunning field. After breakfast at the lodging, start your undertaking, trekking down to the Muong Hoa Valley, proceed one of Vietnam's most wonderful trekking courses. Stroll through pine timberlands, terraced rice paddies and customary Hmong towns. Along the way you will visit a town school and have a cookout lunch along the waterway's edge. After lunch, trek through the Zay town. You close your excursion at Ta Van Bridge, where your driver will take you once more to Sapa. Appreciate the nighttime free at your rec

Absa Cape Epic: Stage 3 Done!

The Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike race is through three stages, and seems to be living up to its reputation as one of the most challenging events of its kind any where in the world. In this case, the race is held in South Africa, with competitors racing through some of the most beautiful, but technically demanding terrain in that country.

After three stages, the two man team of Songo.info, consisting of Swiss rider Christoph Sauser and local boy Burry Stander of South Africa. They hold a nearly seven minute lead over second place team, Bulls, made up of Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm, both of Germany. Bart Brentjens from the Netherlands and Chris Jongewaard from Australia, who together make up Team Trek-Brentjens, are in third place, another 4+ minutes back. In the Ladies division, Sharon Laws of the U.K. and South Africa's Hanlie Booyens hold the overall lead, while team Absa Masters, consisting of Doug Brown of South Africa and Bärti Bucher from Switzerland are in charge in the Master's division. Finally, Adidas Big Tree, with Nico Pfitzenmaier from South Africa and Alison Sydor of Canada, are leading the coed Mixed division.

Stage Four consists of a long 111km (69 mile) route through some very rocky terrain that will test the nerves of the riders and shake their confidence early on. The stage is marked with demanding climbs, followed by crazy drops, that will eventually put them into a dense forest, as the trail narrows to twisty single track that will surely be a challenge for the wary teams.

The "Queen of Pain", Rebecca Rusch is on hand for the race and competing in the Mixed category, along with Matthew Weatherley-White, as part of Team Specialized / Red Bull. She's also blogging the whole experience, which you can read here. She has several posts up talking about her arrival in South Africa, riding the Prologue, and the first few stages. It's an excellent read with some good insights on what's going on in the race.

tips for welcoming the new year in Vietnam in Vietnam Travel

In Vietnam, Tet introduces the New Year and is by a wide margin the greatest day on the national datebook. Tet ceremonies start a prior week New Year's Day, and the initial three days of the New Year are official occasions, yet the occasion guests will truly need to encounter is New Year's Eve. This is the one night that Tet turns into a clamorous festival; whatever is left of the time its a reasonably peaceful family undertaking.

One prior week the New Year, Tao Quan – the three Spirits of the Hearth, found in the kitchen of each home – are said to climb to the sky to cover the previous year's occasions to the Jade Emperor. Sacred places, laden with offerings, are amassed in arrangement for the divine beings' takeoff, in the trust of getting a great report and guaranteeing good fortunes for the family in the advancing year. Nonattendant relatives return home so the entire family can celebrate Tet together.

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A cay neu (New Year's tree) is built to avoid malevolence spirits. Kumquat trees are mainstream all through the nation, while extensions of pink dao (peach blooms) beauty houses in the north, and mai (yellow apricot blooms) are prevalent in homes arranged further south.

This night the Tao Quan come back to earth, and at the stroke of midnight all issues from the past year are deserted and pandemonium follows. The objective is to make however much commotion as could be expected.

The occasions of New Year's Day are urgent as its accepted they influence the course of life in the year ahead. Individuals take additional mind not to be discourteous or show outrage, and its imperative that the first guest of the year to every family unit is suitable. They're normally male – best of all is a rich wedded man with a few kids. Outsiders are now and again invited as the first to go into the house, despite the fact that not generally, so its imprudent to visit any Vietnamese house on the first day of Tet, unless unequivocally wel

Andy Richter | Kumbh Mela

Photo © Andy Richter-All Rights Reserved

"I wanted to go deeper and connect with the Kumbh from a participant’s point of view. I wanted to see what it was like from the inside, to really experience this massive gathering, and photograph that. It was essential to slow down and spend time with people." -Andy Richter (The Leica Camera Blog)

The Kumbh Mela is the one pilgrimage-festival that seems to really emit a powerful magnetic force, gathering not only Hindu devotees, but all sorts of people including photographers and photojournalists from every corner of the world.  It's one of the world's most extraordinary religious events.

Its main objective is to bathe in the Ganges, as it's said that bathing in sacred rivers during the annual pilgrimage breaks the circle of life & death, and allows Hindus to attain moksha. While attended by millions of authentic pilgrims and devotees, it also attracts an enormous number of charlatans, magicians and fake sadhus who are surrounded by the unwary, the gullible, the curious and naturally, the tourists.

I know this first hand having attended and photographed the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, which is reported to have attracted approximately 60 million people, making it the largest gathering in the world at that time.

I am pleased to feature Andy Richter's Maha Kumbh Mela, which was mostly photographed with a Leica M9 with a 35 mm Summilux. One of his essay's photographs shows a mass of pilgrims crossing a pontoon bridge, where I also walked, and I still recall the sensation of being shoulder to shoulder with this moving mass of humanity, giving me the impression I was standing on a flat escalator.

Andy tells a fine story on The Leica Camera Blog, and mentions how he was surrounded by the naked babas bathing in the river...and meeting Alex Webb at the same spot.

Mountain Hardwear 2010 Exedition Sponorship News

Mountain Hardwear has posted a brief note on their Hardwear Sessions blog indicating that their 2010 Expedition Sponsorship Program will be kicking off soon, with applications being made available on May 1st.

Each year Mountain Hardwear offers up some cash to help sponsor worthy adventures around the globe and to help give back a bit to the community. For instance, for 2009 the company gave out a total of $10,000 to help fund two expeditions, Operation: Denali, which will assist four soldiers wounded in Iraq in climbing Denali, and the New Zealand Batura Expedition, which will head to a remote region in the Karakorum to tackle unclimbed peaks there.

Now, I'm sure you're looking at the calendar and thinking, "Hey! It's only March 24th! May 1st is a long way off!" But, it's never to early to start thinking about your 2010 expedition, and preparing to write the application for the MH grants. May 1st will be here before you know it, and you should take advantage of this opportunity when it comes. Sponsorship opportunities may be few and far between in this economic climate, and it's good to see that there are still some out there for adventurers to take advantage of.

North Pole 2009: Two Teams At 90ºN!

It was a big weekend at the top of the world, with two teams accomplishing their goal of reaching the North Pole, while the Barneo Ice Station closes for another season.

We'll start with the Victorinox North Pole 09 Team, consisting of John Huston and Tyler Fish. The two Americans found themselves in a race against time this weekend in order to reach the North Pole and still catch the last plane out to Barneo Station, and then home. The deteriorating ice conditions at Barneo forced the closure of the Russian Base, which meant John and Tyler had to arrive at the Pole by yesterday morning. They worked overtime to get there, and made it, becoming the first American team to go unsupported to the Pole. Congrats guys!

The Peary Centennial Expedition also lists their current position as 90ºN, with team members Lonnie Dupre, Max Chaya, and Stuart Smith all arriving safely after 53 days on the ice, covering 650 miles in the process. The trio arrived on Saturday morning, giving themselves plenty of time to enjoy the view and reflect on their achievement before they too caught the plane to Barneo on Sunday. Congrats to the team for a job well done as well, and a second round of congratulations to Max, who has now reached the "Three Poles", having been to both the North and South Pole and the summit of Everest. Well done Max!

The latest updates on Christina Franco's page indicate that she is heading home as well. There aren't a lot of details to be gathered from her posts just yet , but Christina was making a Last Degree journey to the Pole as a training exercise for next year's attempt at a solo journey from the Canadian side of the ice. I'm sure we'll hear more once she's back in civilization, but it seems she accomplished her goal as well.

Meanwhile, the Catlin Arctic Survey Team seem unconcerned with how they plan to get off the ice. They've now been out for 57 days, and covered more than 230 miles, with another 340 to go before the get to the Pole. But they're carrying sensitive scientific equipment along with them, including ground penetrating radar, and their goal has always been to gauge the healthy of the Polar ice, and determine the effects of global climate change on the region. From all accounts, that mission is going well, but they will be out there for awhile yet.

Finally, the Baffin Babes continue to struggle with illness on their journey across Baffin Island. After a brief respite on Saturday, in which they stayed in a "luxury camp", they thought that they had recovered, but upon hitting the trail yesterday, two of the girls began to feel ill again. Their latest dispatch says that each of them has taken turns with this bout of illness, which includes vomiting and diarrhea, none of which sounds like very much fun when you're also trekking across inhospitable terrain, dragging a heavy load, and it's -30º outside. Good luck girls. Hope you're feeling better soon.

Iditarod 2009: Crowded Leaderboard into Takotna

The 2009 Iditarod continues to be a very competitive race, with a large group fairly close to one another out on the trail. The bulk of the leaders are now in, and out, of Takotna, and making their way to Ophir, where three mushers have already arrived.

As of this writing, the official leaderboard has Martin Buser in to Ophir first, followed by Jim Lanier, with Aaron Burmeister third. Burmeister has a leg up on the other two however, as he has already taken his mandatory 24 hour rest, which will likely come back to haunt Buser and Lanier, as those lurking behind them on the trail have made the decision to take that break already.

Notables that are chasing the top three include Hugh Neff (4), Sebastian Schnuelle (5), Lance Mackey (6), and Jeff King (8), all of whom have taken their mandatory 24-hour rest as well. Schnuelle and Neff recently went one, two at the Yukon Quest in one of the closest races in the history of that race.

The Ophir checkpoint is 444 miles into the race, leaving 687 miles to Nome. At this point in the race, we're beginning to see the contenders start to separate themselves from the pack, and yet there are still a number of teams that can win this thing. The strategy of when to rest and when to go on, is really interesting to watch, as it can make or break the race for some of these guys. The Iditablog, which has some great content on the race, is also making updates via their Twitter feed. In their latest post, they note that Buser has elected to stay in Ophir, while the others get moving again, and the move will likely cost him a Top 10 finish. That remains to be seen of course, but those who have already rested, will pass him shortly.

Long way to go until Nome of course, but it's beginning to look like a race between Neff and Schnuelle with Mackey and King nipping at their heels. Should be fun to watch the rest of the way.