Greg Du Toit: The Waiting Game

Photo © Greg du Toit- (Courtesy The Daily Mail) -All Rights Reserved
Here's an interesting story reported by The Daily Mail (a UK newspaper) which tells us that Greg du Toit, a wildlife photographer living in south Kenya's Great Rift Valley, spent 3 months submerged in a wild lions watering hole for three months, just to get what he deemed to be the perfect photograph of these lions drinking.

The photographer had tried to get the right photograph for a year, but failed to get "it", so he waded into the murky pool with his camera where he spent 270 hours and ended up contracting several tropical diseases, including the potentially deadly Bilharzia.

There are some inconsistencies in this story as the Daily Mail's article mentions that the photographer spent 3 months in the watering hole, and then mentions 270 hours. Obviously, the hours (or days) he spent in there were not consecutive, but notwithstanding, it's a testament to Greg's single mindedness. Why he didn't wear a wet suit to protect him from waterborne diseases is another question which is not addressed in the article.

Yes, photography is a waiting game. I think travel photography, in particular, requires infinite patience, certainly not to the extreme lengths this photographer seems to have gone to, but nevertheless persistence and tenacity are needed. "Parachuting" in a remote Indian village hoping to capture a bunch of wonderful images in an hour or two is -unless one is very lucky- an overly ambitious goal...a holy grail kind of thing. For that, one has to spend the time, establish the requisite connections and know how to engage people honestly, respectfully and with kindness.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is the name of a Buddhist temple located at Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java. Location of the temple is approximately 100 km in the south-west of Semarang and 40 km northwest of Yogyakarta.

Borobudur was built around 800 BC or 9th century. Borobudur Temple was built by the Mahayana Buddhists during the reign Sailendra. This temple was built in the heyday of Sailendra dynasty. The founder of the Borobudur Temple King Samaratungga from Sailendra dynasty. The possibility of this temple was built around 824 AD and was completed around the year 900 AD in the reign of Queen Pramudawardhani who is the daughter of Samaratungga. While architects who contributed to build this temple according to the story of a hereditary named Gunadharma.

The meaning of the name Borobudur "abbey in the hills", which comes from the word "coal" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high places) in Sanskrit. Therefore, in accordance with the meaning of the name Borobudur, then this place since long ago used as a place of Buddhist worship.

This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Borobudur-shaped building with railroad punden consists of 10 levels. Height 42 meters before being renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a drag. Six lowest level and square in the upper three floors and a circular highest level of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each level represents the stage of human life. In accordance with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who wants to reach the level of Buddha must go through each of those life stages.



This temple for centuries no longer used. Then because of volcanic eruptions, most of the buildings covered Borobudur volcanic soil. In addition, the building is covered with trees and shrubs for centuries. Then the building of this temple began in the time-forgotten Islam arrived in Indonesia around the 15th century.

In the year 1814 when the British occupied Indonesia, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles heard of the discovery of huge archaeological objects in the village of Magelang district Bumisegoro. Because of the great interest of the history of Java, then immediately ordered Raffles HC Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, to investigate the discovery of the location was a hill covered with shrubs.



After Indonesian independence, in 1956, the Indonesian government requested the assistance of UNESCO to examine the damage to Borobudur. Then in 1963, out of the official Indonesian government's decision to conduct the restoration of Borobudur temple with the help of UNESCO. However, this restoration was only really started to be done on August 10, 1973. The process of restoration was completed in 1984. Since 1991, Borobudur Temple, designated as World Heritage or World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Source :

• http://kumpulan.info
• http://www.yogyes.com/id
• Image : http://biancatours.com
• Image : http://travel.nationalgeographic.com

Book: Charlotte Rush-Bailey: Soul Survivors

I've just received the book Soul Survivors from its author Charlotte Rush-Bailey, who was a participant in The Tribes of Rajasthan & Gujarat Photo~Expedition, and it's certainly a wonderful addition to anyone's travel book collection.

It's essentially a tribute to the people of the Sahel, and focuses on Niger which Charlotte visited in the fall of 2005, amidst a food crisis that had enveloped that nation. Despite the food shortages, Charlotte marvels at how she was welcomed with generous hospitality everywhere she went. The book is full of lovely photographs; many of which are portraits, processed in the photographer-author's signature style.

Published and available through Blurb, the link above provides a preview of some of the book's pages. My favorite photograph of the book is the 5th on the preview strip, which is of a camel caravan. Just a perfect composition.

Charlotte Rush-Bailey's website has more of her photography.

Agnes Dherbeys: Street With No Name

Agnes Dherbeys is a freelance photographer based in Bangkok since 2001. She decided to take up photography as a career after graduating from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques and Sciences of Communication at the Sorbonne.

Since then, she mostly worked in Thailand, Cambodia, East Timor, Aceh), Nepal and the Palestinian Territories. She was recognized with numerous awards, and is member of the photo collective Eve Photographers

Her galleries generally depict social and humanitarian issues in South East Asia, such as Tibetans in exile (Nepal), 5 years after the tsunami (Aceh), the temple of doom (Thailand), and I chose her work in Cambodia titled The Street With No Name. This is a photo essay on the Karaoke girls in Siem Reap, and was photographed when Agnes attended Gary Knight's workshop in July 2009.

Dieng Tourism Village

Dieng


Dieng, is a highland region on the border between the District Banjarnegara and Wonosobo regency, Central Java.
Located about 26 km to the north of Wonosobo regency, with a height reaching 6000 feet. Dieng cool temperatures in the cold approaching. Temperature range 15-20 degrees in the daytime and 10 degrees at night.

Cold, cool and beautiful, that's panorama Dieng Plateau. Tourism which is about 30 km north of Wonosobo, or about 55 km east of Banjarnegara. Dieng Plateau in the district of Wonosobo and Banjarnegara. From these two districts, the most dominating Banjarnegara tourist objects. Dieng Dihyang comes from the word meaning in the days of kings Khayangan Rake Warak Dyah Vanara 809 years BC, as a sacred place to meditate.



Dieng Plateau is a lot of presents landscape, lake, cultural, and archaeological sites.
Telaga Warna Sightseeing and Dieng Plateau Theater in Wonosobo regency. Crater was Sikidang, Merdada Lake, Crater Sileri, Jalatunda Well, Crater Candradimuka and Arjuna temple complex in Banjarnegara district.

Tourism Object Dieng
Some of the cultural heritage and nature reserves have become tourist attractions and in the governance shared by the two districts, Banjarnegara and Wonosobo.
Several places in Dieng visit sightseeing in Wonosobo
- Telaga Warna
- Lake Pengilon
- Crater (sikidang, celery, Sinila)
- Complex of the temple (temple Gatotkaca, Bima, the five Pandavas, etc.)
- Eye Serayu river water (he could make young and can quickly match)

Image Source :
http://yudhi.web.ugm.ac.id
http://www.wisatamelayu.com

Baturraden Tourism Places in Purwokerto, Central Java

http://www.mediaindonesia.com

Baturraden is a tourist destination in Banyumas regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Baturraden located in the northern town of Purwokerto just south slope of Mount Slamet. With height 640 m above sea level. Air temperature ranges between 18 - 25 degrees Celsius with humidity from 70 to 80 mm Hg.

Baturraden air in this very cool, and the scenery was very beautiful and natural. From the town of Purwokerto, the road to this Baturraden only about 14 km to the north, and can be reached by public transportation.

http://aris007.files.wordpress.com

Baturraden also a tourist area visited by many local tourists, as well as foreign tourists, especially on Sundays and national holidays. The condition was causing a lot of hotels, villas and houses to stop here.

http://wongpwt.files.wordpress.com

Antonio Perez Rio: Omo Valley

Photo © Antonio Perez Rio-All Rights Reserved
Antonio Perez Rio is a Spanish emerging photographer with a special focus on documentary and travel photography. He has two degrees in Law and Social Work, as well as a specific training in creative writing. He has traveled to more than 20 countries, and speaks Spanish, English, French and is learning Arabic.

Antonio tells me that he plans to join the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Istanbul (June 2010) to broaden his already considerable skills.

His Omo Valley slideshow features many of the tribes found in southern Ethiopia, including the Hamer, Karo and the Arbore. Antonio's use of flash brings to my mind the photographs made by Brent Stirton in the Lower Omo Valley.

Antonio also documented the various religious traditions of Benin, and the photographs can be found here.

For those of us who keep tabs on upcoming travel photographers, I predict we will see much more of Antonio's work.

Ron Haviv: Haiti

Let's move away from the insignificance of photojournalists conducting photo tours to Haiti (and wherever else there is human misery), and contemplate the work of Ron Haviv of VII Agency who, less than 24 hours after the earthquake hit the island on January 12, 2010, arrived in Haiti without fanfare to chronicle the ensuing devastation and human suffering.

Ron Haviv's photographs will be showing at an exhibition and fundraiser on March 4, 2010 at VII Photo Agency in Brooklyn, New York. VII is also releasing a book on the Haitian disaster. All the proceeds will go to Partners in Health.

This multimedia presentation was produced by telegraph21 and the VII Photo Agency.

Goa Lawa (Lawa Cave ) Tourism in Purbalingga

Tourism in Purbalingga is located about 27 miles north of Purbalingga, east of Mount Slamet, precisely in the village district Siwarak Karangreja. Lawa Cave is also one of the mainstay tourism Purbalingga, which many other Owabong visit. Especially during the school holidays and vacations Lebaran.

As a place of recreation Lawa Cave is very suitable for the refressing because air is cool and clean with a beautiful panorama, because it is located on the slopes of Mount Slamet in altitude ± 900 m above sea surface.

Lawa Cave is also equipped with several means: Lokarta Park, Kenanga Park, Stage Happy and Mosque, and a large parking area.

Unlike the usual cave in Indonesia that is usually located on hill slopes and limestone rocks that will arise Stalactite and stalagmites, cave has a feature that is formed from lava cooling process, so that rocks hard and strong without a Stalactite and stalagmites. In order to see up close the beauty of Goa Lawa, we have ground down the hole and down the hallway, aisle.

Image Source = http://files.myopera.com/purbalingga

Penfires.wordpress.com

A tip of the Iceberg Photos sent by Ms. Cecille

at the sumaging Cave

@left: mt. ampacao trek @right: topload experience to the falls

Check out their Site here Penfires.wordpress.com

Sean Gilligan: Morocco

In my experience, Morocco is one of the most difficult places for people photography. One not only needs the technical skills of photographing quickly and unobtrusively, but also have an enormous reservoir of patience. I think that Sean Gilligan managed to pull it very well with his gallery titled God, King & Country . The title is from the 3rd image of the gallery which shows a mound of dark sand in which the words God, King, Country are inscribed in white.

Sean Gilligan is a photographer based in New York City, whose objectives are to document cultural diversity, unexpected beauty, intimacy, landscape, and individuals personalities. He has a deep connection with Africa and Ireland and has, over the years, been documenting traditional life as it coexists with modern living.

His work has been featured by CNN, Wall Street Journal, Adidas, Fortune, ESPN, Forbes, among others.

His website has been recently updated and apart from his Morocco gallery, features galleries of Paris, Mexico, Namibia and Ireland.

Tangkuban Perahu, Tourism Places in Bandung, West Java

Tangkuban Perahu is one of the mountain located in the province of West Java, Indonesia. Approximately 20 km to the north of Bandung, with a lush carpet of pine trees and tea plantations in the surrounding, mountain Tangkuban Parahu have high altitude 2084 meters.

This mountain became one of the area an attractive tourist destination in West Java. Natural environment is cool, and hot springs in the mountain legs. Rows of elongated craters, the main attraction. Tangkuban Perahu is actually a volcano. Tangkuban Perahu, its shape resembles an upturned boat.



Name Tangkuban Perahu, very closely with the legendary land of the most famous Sundanese, which is Sangkuriang. Tangkuban Perahu, which from a distance looked like a boat upside down, allegedly caused by the power of Sangkuriang that failed to complete its task in making an overnight boat to marry Dayang Sumbi that none other than his own mother. Because so upset it could not complete the boat, the boat finally Sangkuriang kicked it unfinished. The legend that is the close connection in the naming Tangkuban Perahu mountain.

To go to these attractions, visitors can drive a motorcycle or car. Travel time to Sari Ater attractions, namely the town of Subang with travel time approximately 40 minutes to the south of Bandung, while around 50 minutes and from Jakarta via toll SADANG with travel time approximately 3 hours while the hot water attractions with travel time Ciater 15 minutes.
Condition of the road to this area, both from Subang and Bandung is very good. However, keep in mind about the condition of the vehicle, due to the location from Bandung and Subang will go through a pretty tough climb.

Image Source : http://upload.wikimedia.org

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Review

Digital Photography Review is dedicating a massive 33 pages review to the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, granting it an overall rating of 89%. It garners the highest marks in build quality, features and performance (speed).

According to DPR, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV "has the feel of a product that is determined to be as close to perfect as possible", and "From the point-of-view of the tasks it was built to tackle, there is nothing that can touch the detailed, high resolution images that it can deliver ten times a second."

I obviously have to carefully digest these 33 pages before I can make a decision as to whether to buy the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV or not, but I must say that I was pleasantly impressed by the ergonomics of the new Canon 7D. Handling them both today at B&H's Canon counter (I'm still circling around the Panasonic GF1), I felt that the Canon 7D fitted better in my hands. It's also as fast in terms of frames per second as the Mark IV, and is certainly much lighter.

At about $3300 cheaper than the Mark IV, the 7D might make a lot of sense to photographers who accept that its sensor size may not produce the highest of image quality of the Mark IV, nor has its ruggedness. I still use its predecessor, the Mark II, and I consider it a workhorse that never let me down.

Via Engadget

Ed Ou: Journey To The Promised Land

Ed Ou is a Canadian-Taiwanese photojournalist living and working in the Middle East, who covered his first big story during the Israel – Hezbollah conflict from southern Lebanon in 2006, when he was studying Arabic and International Relations in the Middle East.

Since then, he has worked with Reuters and the Associated Press covering diverse stories such as the ongoing conflict in Somalia, child soldiers in Uganda, California wildfires, faith and conflict in the Holy Land, and even fashion in New York City. He is also a featured contributor to Reportage by Getty Images.

Ed was selected by Photo District News as one of the 30 Emerging Photographers of 2008. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, Guardian UK, and many other publications. He speaks English, French, Chinese, and Arabic.

I chose to feature Ed's portfolio titled Journey To The Promised Land, in which he documents some of the Falash Mura, and the surrounding controversy in allowing 40,000 Ethiopian Christians, with claims to Jewish ancestry, to immigrate to Israel.

Nanggroe Aceh D

Some of the resorts frequented by tourists both foreign and domestic tourists as follows:

1. Raya Baiturrahman Mosque
Banda Aceh city center with magnificent stands of a great mosque called "Baiturrahman mosque, single-domed mosque was built on December 27, 1883. This mosque later expanded into a 3 dome in 1935. was later expanded again to 5 dome (1959-1968), this mosque is one of the most beautiful mosque in Indonesia, which has a nice shape, carving an attractive, spacious yard and felt very cold in the room when the mosque.

2. Putroe Park Phang
Phang Putroe Park was built by Sultan Iskandar Muda (1608-1636) was a garden surrounding the Palace is located adjacent to the structure's history. Sultan Iskandar Muda Phang Putroe Park Building and Empress Princess Gunongan To Phang, according to history, Phang princess will always miss his hometown, Pahang - Malaysia, Sultan later learned that the Empress's ire because of Pahang palace is surrounded by hills where the empress could play.

3. Pinto - Khop
Khop Pinto is the connecting door between the Palace and Park. Khop Pinto close to "Gunongan and Phang Putro Park", where bathing and playground Princess Phang.

4. Kerkhoff (Dutch cemetery)
Kerkhoff is an area, where the burial Dutch soldiers who died during the war with the kingdom of Aceh Darussalam. Here was buried about 2200 soldiers, including General Kohler, the bullet penetrated the mujahideen killed in front of Aceh Raya Baiturrahman Mosque. The names of where they died was printed dipintu gate Kerkhoff.

5. Fortress Indrapatra
The fort is located near the beach Indrapatra Ujong Batee, The History of Pre built during the Islamic period in Aceh Lamuri Kingdom. Concrete is made of chalk, strong enough to defend itself from Portuguese attack in the past.

6. Iboih Sabang
Iboih and Gapang are two common places of tourist destination. Facilities to enjoy the beauty of this island is full of tourists who do not bring their own equipment. In fact, there was a high-speed internet cafe to access the Internet, unfortunately, this facility was hit by the tsunami damaged. According to the Internet used to be Junet as free to determine which types of species found in the sea while snorkeling or diving, trip to the Iboh + 1 hour by taxi or public transport minibus. In addition, there are also forest tours and alongside Iboih Rubiah Island Marine Park which has particularly rich in coral reefs.

6. Lake Laut Tawar
The lake is very beautiful and is located near the town of Takengon, capital of Central Aceh Regency. Although much smaller extent than Lake Toba in North Sumatra, but its beauty has the same appeal. Even here also store various legends preserved by word of mouth among the local community. Depik fish is one fish that does not exist in many other places in various corners. In fact probably the only fish species in the world and live in Lake Laut Tawar Habitat and appear only in certain seasons.

7. Lake Aneuk Laot
Lake Aneuk different Laot Luat Tawar lake, the lake is located in the middle of the town of Sabang, Lake Aneuk Sea is a beautiful panorama to be enjoyed at night but we are also a cool place to enjoy the city lights from the hill town of Sabang. The lake is visited by many tourists in the country and abroad.

8. Natural Marine Park Pulau Weh Sabang
At Marine Park Pulau Weh, Sabang there are coral reefs, both hard corals and soft corals of all types, shapes and colors, all of which form an interesting group of rocks to be enjoyed, among other coral reef areas with a lupas, rock deer, rock crackers. Marine Nature Park Pulau Weh has the potential of nature tourism is quite diverse marine such as various types of reef fish colorful coral reefs and the formation of a very beautiful and interesting and there are also natural phenomena such as caves under the sea.
Nature tourism activities that can be performed in Marine Park Pulau Weh is tirta tourism activities such as surfing, boat, swimming, fishing, and diving to enjoy nature with the diversity of underwater coral reefs and fish the beautiful reefs.

Season best visit: March to August.
How to reach: Medan - Banda Aceh traveled by bus from 8 to 10 hours, proceed to the Port Malahayati 20-30 minutes, then use the ferry to Port of Sabang two hours. Sabang port - the location of 1-1.5 hours by public transport. Medan - Banda Aceh (plane) ± 45 minutes. Medan Belawan - Malayahati Port - Port of Sabang (ship).

9. Islands Marine Park BanyakTaman
Taman Wisata Alam (sea) Islands consist of 99 Lots of fruit large and small islands, including Pulau Balai, lord Island, Gulf Islands and the island Bengkaru Nibung. Is a representative type of barrier reef ecosystem, seagrass, mangrove, lowland rain forest.

Regions that have the potential diversity of coral reef ecosystems situated high on the Gulf waters and the island Nibung Bengkaru, and the waters east of the southern island of Pulau lord and my lord. The types of coral reefs constituent include mushroom, needle coral, brain coral, leaf coral, fire coral, blue coral, sea fan corals and soft corals such as root bahar, and sponges found in many parts of the valley of coral reefs.
Seaweed species generally consist of sp Thallasia, Halodule wringhtii, Hallophylla sp, Sargassum sp. The types of molluscs, among others lola (Trochus niloticus), snails goat heads (Cassis cornuta), conch horn (Charonia tritonis), white lola (Tectus pyramis), several types of clam (Tridacna sp), a rock fight (Turbo marmoratus), Conus sp., Nautilus, black tripang, tripang sand, tripang night and tripang milk. While marine mammals that can be found at certain seasons such as mermaids (Dugong dugong), a dolphin (Delphinus capensis) and the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)

10. Jantho Nature Reserve

Flora:
Pine, Mampre, Cashew water, Gleum, Bremen, Sampang, Ara, Damar, Medang, black wood, Ficus benjamina, Meranti, Kandis, forest Rambutan, Tampu, Ketapang, Medang fig, Lukup, looks, Lawang, Semiran, Anang, Jenarai, Kerakau, Rengen, Merbau.

Fauna:
Gibbons, gibbons, Clouded Leopard, Forest Cat, Deer, Deer, Kancil, Napu, Elephant, Goat Forest, Bear, Sunda, slow loris, Kuao.

Trip:
From Banda Aceh (the capital of Province - Janthoi (District) is 50 Km from the area Janthoi Nature Reserve 9 km with ground vehicles. When the best visit in January to June (Season Drought) to enjoy the view / scenery is beautiful.

11. Serbajadi Nature Reserve

Flora
Semantok, Medang Yellow, Meranti Bunga), Merbau, Meranti Sabut, Keruing Oil, Damar Laut, Compass, Tualang, Durian Forest, Bintangur, Pterospermum, Dyera costulata, Kedondong Forest, Lime, manau Rattan, Rattan Sega, Sac Monkey, CENGAL, Meranti Putuh, Red Meranti, Puspa, Kenari, nettle, Keladi Forest, Flower carcass.

Fauna
Deer, gibbon, Mawas, gibbons, Kedi, Deer, Kancil, Kaou Birds, Goats forests, Porcupine, Honey Bear, Forest cat, slow loris, Tringgiling, Hornbill.

Accessibility
From Banda Aceh-Langsa 436 Km, Langsa-Kuala Simpang Km 34, Kuala Simpang Tiga-Island 140 km, the island of Three-Peunaron ± 3 hours (down river). The best time of visit in May to September (dry season) to enjoy the scenery / beautiful natural panorama.

12. Singkil Swamp Wildlife Reserve
This region included in the management of the Leuser Ecosystem, and being sought are connected by a corridor in the village of NACA and Jereuneh Ie.
Singkil Swamp Wildlife Reserve is a swamp forest ecosystem and lowland tropical forests. Vegetation is dominated by the family Dipterocarpaceae include meranti Lime and other swamp vegetation.

Fauna species including Sumatran Elephant, Sumatran Tiger, Mawas, Snake Python, Monitor lizard, Hornbill, Bornean Peacock, Black Crow, Heron, Chicken Forest.
Other potentials of this area is peat enough content in there that reach 6 feet.

How to reach to the location can be done in two ways, namely:
Through Medan North Sumatra - Sidikalang Singkil and locations can be reached by road within approximately 6 hours through Banda Aceh - Tread Master - City of Dawn and the location taken by using the land route approximately 10 hours.

13. Taman Buru Linge Isac
This area is located in the district and subdistrict Takengon Linge, Central Aceh district of Aceh. Is geographically located between 51 ° 4 '- 06 ° 4' N and 25 ° 69 '51 ° -97' E

Field conditions
- Altitude: 450 to 2830 m.dpl
- Topography: Wavy, hilly and mountainous.
- Climate: Type B
- Soil: yellow red Podsolik, reuzina, red podsolik, laterik

F l o r a
Red Meranti, Merawan, Bacan, Melur, Pterospermum, Forest Durian, Guava, Pine.

F a u n a
Sambar, Warthog, Kijang, Kancil, Sumatran tiger, elephant, rhino, Goats Forest, gibbons, Orang Utan, long-tailed monkey, Javan, gibbon, Napu and Clouded Leopard.
Type Ecosystems - Forest Primary
- Wet Tropical Rain Forest
- Natural Forest Pinus sp.

14. Taman Hutan Raya Pocut Red Diamond
This area is located in Seulimum district, Aceh Besar District II and Tiji Padang district, Pidie District with an area of 6220 ha area. Is geographically located between 05 º 25'15 "N and 95 º 45'25" BT.

Flora
Vegetation composition including Pine, Black Wood, Meranti, Temulia, Kemeyan, Tampu, Merawan, Wood Flower, Ulin, Ylang-ylang and Ara.

Fauna
Species consists of Sambar, Elephant, Sumatran Tiger, Deer, long-tailed monkey, gibbon and Sunda.

Source by Bank Indonesia

News Paper Artical about Goroka - from Sydney Morning Herald

The drive up the Highlands Highway from Goroka to the Daulo Pass not only reveals landscapes that earn this area a reputation as one of the most beautiful parts of Papua New Guinea, it's also a fascinating snapshot of the culture of a people who are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.......

This is part of an Article called "Highland Hopping" on the Sydney Morning Herald by Ben Hall.

For a full story, please check

www.smh.com.au/travel/highland-hopping-20090730-e2mu.html

Goroka is one of the mot interesting places to visit in Papua New Guinea, full of culture & treks, from easy one to Mt Wilhelm Trek at 4,509m.

Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia

Kuta Beach



Kuta beach is a tourist place located south of Denpasar, capital city of Bali, Indonesia. Kuta is located in Badung Regency. This area is a tourist destination abroad, and has become a mainstay tourist island of Bali since the early 70's. Kuta Beach is often referred to as sunset beach (sunset beach) as opposed to the Sanur beach.

Kuta is now a tourism icon Bali or better known as the International city because it is a meeting place of tourists from all over the world and also local tourists.

In terms of Kuta facility has complete facilities. Inns or hotels, restaurants, spas and other tourism supporting many can be here too.



Kuta beach is a tourist place that many choose to spend vacation in Kuta. White sand beach was chosen as a place to surf and sport is also very suitable for a place to relax while waiting for the beauty of Kuta beach sunset. Not one of thousands of tourists this beach is always crowded.

Kuta beach to be one choice for surfers, the reason the waves of Kuta Beach has a hard but good use for both surfing beginners and those already experienced in this surf.

Not only in Indonesia, but in many countries in the world, Kuta Beach in Bali is known. Watch the sunset, or just sunbathing, even surfing, It is a lot of invited local and foreign tourists visiting Kuta Beach, Bali.



Image Source :
http://rosit.files.wordpress.com
http://balilovely.com
http://www.swaberita.com

Anamitra Chakladar: Kushti

Photo © Anamitra Chakladar-All Rights Reserved
At the outset of my Tribes of Rajasthan and Gujarat Photo~Expedition, I spent a few days in Delhi where I had the immense good fortune to meet with Anamitra Chakladar, a friend who attended the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Manali last July.

Along with Terri Gold and Wink Willett (participants in the photo expedition) we visited a Kushti akhara (a traditional Indian wrestling arena), and spent a couple of hours photographing the wrestlers.

Anamitra was born in Kolkata, and expected by his parents to be a teacher or an accounting executive/CPA (he graduated with an accounting degree), but chose to be a photographer instead.

He joined an established newspaper as a trainee photographer, then moved on to television joining NDTV, and saw more than his share of world conflicts including the first Gulf War, the ongoing conflict over Kashmir between India and Pakistan, the coups in Nepal and Bangladesh...and getting shot at during the 2001 attack by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists against the Parliament of India in New Delhi.

Anamitra published his photographs of the Kushti training on Photojournale.

Guci - Hot Water Bathing, Tourism Places ini Tegal

Guci is located at the foot of Mount Slamet the north with an altitude of approximately 1050 meters. From the city Slawi ± 30 km away from the town of Tegal, while the travel distance of about 40 km to the south. This tourism object precisely in the village district urn Bumijawa of the most southern district in Tegal regency.

There are about 10 waterfalls located in Guci. In the top 13 public bath shower, there are waterfalls with cold water waterfall named a firearm. So named because once the water around the 15-meter-high waterfall that was owned by a village chief called Lurah firearm. To get around in some tourist attraction can be done by renting a horse with rental rates are relatively cheap.

The facilities available include lodging (up to class five-star jasmine), forest tourism (ecotourism), heated swimming pool, tennis court, soccer field, and the campsite.

This place is crowded visited by tourists because of the guaranteed pemandiannya seger banget. Water is released in the spring is warm water, although containing sulfur but not foul-smelling and colorful.

In the vicinity of the baths have hotels Vases Garden Hotel and some Villa which can be rented with a fairly complete facilities. The price is relatively not too expensive, the standard for rental villa units.

Eurodance Festival 2010, Day 4

On our last day, we had 2 lectures from Andrea Kiefer in the Waltz and the Tango. She was 8 times German Champion Standard Professional. Both lessons were very pleasant and focussed on control of the body and foot pressure.

Op onze laatste dag hebben we nog 2 lessen gehad van Andrea Kiefer in de Wals en de Tango. Zij was 8 keer Duits Kampioen Professionals. Beide lessen waren zeer leuk en gingen over lichaamscontrole en voetdruk.

Previous Major Ballroom Event article: Eurodance Day 3, Major Ballroom Event
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Eurodance Festival 2010, Day 3

On Saturday we had 2 lectures (Waltz, Slow Fox) from Isabel Edvardsson and Marcus Weiβ. This is one of the most popular Professional German couples. We were really impressed by their lectures about leading by using the knees and rotation.

Our 3rd lecture was from Hans Laxholm in the Tango. The topic was on body weight and using the standing leg. Mr. Laxholm is known as one of the best Standard trainers of this time. For us the lecture was too difficult and we didn't enjoy it.

The evening show was unbelievable with demo's from:
- Stefano di Filippo & Olga Urumova (Amateur World Champion with new partner)
- Mirko Gozzoli & Edita Daniute (3 times professional World Champion with new partner)

All video recording allowed by the organisation of Eurodance Festival 2010

Op zaterdag hebben we 2 lectures gekregen (Wals, Slow Fox) van Isabel Edvardsson en Marcus Weiβ. Dit is een van de meest populaire Duitse prof paren. We waren zeer onder de indruk van hun les over het leiden in de dans door gebruik van rotatie en knieen.

Onze 3de les van Hans Laxholm in de Tango ging over het gebruik van lichaamsgewicht en het standbeen. Dhr. Laxholm staat bekend als een van de beste Standaard trainers van deze tijd. Voor ons was de les te moeilijk en niet leuk.

Het avondprogramma was ongelooflijk met Shows van:
- Stefano di Filippo & Olga Urumova (Amateur Wereldkampioen met nieuwe partner)





- Mirko Gozzoli & Edita Daniute (3 voudig Professioneel Wereldkampioen met nieuwe partner)









Previous Major Ballroom Event article: Eurodance Day 2, Major Ballroom Event
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Eurodance Fesitval 2010, Day 2, Show

On Friday, the show didn't include a top standard couple but it was great with:
Op vrijdag, was er geen top standaard paar in de show maar het was toch ongelooflijk met:

- Rock'n Roll from Maurizio and Jade Mandorino


- Latin from Alexei Silde and Anna Firstova (world Amateur Champions)




- West coast swing from Ben Morris and Melina Ramirez


- Standard from a German Juvenile couple


All video recording allowed by the organisation of Eurodance Festival 2010

Previous Major Ballroom Event article: Eurodance Day 2, Major Ballroom Event
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Jatijajar Cave, Tourist Places in Kebumen

Jatijajar Cave is a tourist place of the natural cave, which is located in the village Jatijajar, Kebumen. This cave was formed from limestone. Cave Jatijajar length from the entrance to the exit along 250 meters. The average width of 15 meters and an average height 12 meters while the thickness of the ceiling on average 10 meters, and the level of 50 meters above sea level.

Jatijajar Cave, located 21 kilometers to the south Gombong, or 42 kilometers west Kebumen. Jatijajar cave at the foot of limestone mountains. This tourism object is very interesting indeed. This limestone mountain range stretching from the north and south ends jutting into the sea in the form of a cape.

Within this space, you can see the springs called Sendang. Number 4 is being such a fruit, that is Sendang Rose, kantil, Jombor and Puserbumi. Rose is being trusted has supernatural powers that can make a person stay young, so every visitor is always the time to wash the face with water that Sendang Rose.



In the Cave Jatijajar, there are many Stalagmite and Limestone Pillar or Pillar, namely the meeting between the Stalagmite Stalactite. All of this is formed by sediments raindrops that had reacted with limestone rocks in her translucent. According to research experts, for the formation of Stalactite it takes a very long time. In one year the thickest Stalactite formation thickness is only 1 (one) cm only. Therefore Goa is Goa Lime Jatijajar very old.
from various sources

POV: P As In Professional

Photo © Tewfic El-Sawy-All Rights Reserved
The New York Times' Gadgetwise blog features an interview with Harry Benson, the legendary Scottish photographer, who shared some tips on taking photos in low-light situations. It was also picked up by WIRED's Gadget Lab.

Harry Benson's tips are:

1. Use program (P) mode to get the best results and to capture detail.
2. Remain in the reasonable ISO range, and avoid setting it above 1000.
3. Use manual focus instead of autofocus in dark situations.
4. Avoid using flash which, in Benson's words, makes one lose a lot of humanity.

It's refreshing to read such advice, especially since i've come across many photographers who shudder at the thought of using the P setting on their cameras (or admit to it).

I frequently advise participants in my Photo~Expeditions to set their cameras on the P setting during the first couple of days of the trip, to compensate for the jet-lag fatigue, and for the sudden disorientation we all experience in a new unfamiliar environment, especially if it's at a bustling heart-pumping festival.

I have used, and will continue to use, the P setting on the occasions when I'm unable to achieve the look I seek from a particular scene . This may be because it's a fast moving situation or because it's a low-light, or because I'm too tired or distracted to think straight.

During my Land of the Druk Yul Photo~Expedition in October 2009, I and the participants agreed that the P setting on the DSLRs we carried didn't stand for Program at all, but for Professional.

So my advice is when you're not getting the exact result you seek from a particular scene for whatever reason, set your camera on P and let it rip. The photograph above is an example of this. It was made during a festival in Bhutan's Jakar Valley, and I had trouble getting the right exposure using a manual and Av setting, so I just resorted to P...and I got what I wanted. Elementary, isn't it?

Harry Benson's interview via The Click