Thursday, September 20, 2012

work and play in asia

started off a short trip with a hop across the pond to a familiar island destination - where a temple rooftop peaks through a row of residential buildings

to a land where balloons self-levitate in the middle of streets

and leisurely commutes like this at the end of long work days are common sights

walked past a man repairing a doorway to a building that is presently the third tallest in the world

looks too pretty to be real fruit - turns out that it isnt real

outside the doorsteps of a city temple - shoes belonging to schoolchildren visiting from the neighboring countryside
hotel swimming pool late in the evening after closing time

riverside massages can be procurred in luxurious comfort albeit at first world prices
dried and most likely dyed dutyfree fruits at the local international airport

a somewhat macabre floral arrangement greet guests to a fine-dining establishment

a statue in the process of getting a covering of gold leaf

came upon a classroom of buddha's in a clearing in the forests outside of the city

a statue head engulfed over perhaps a hundred years by the roots of a bodhi tree
well preserved ruins in this once proud capital city

inscriptions on a marble wall enshrine words into the permanent record

hotel room laundry is an art form in and of itself - the main challenge is to clothes to dry overnight in an otherwise tropical climate

Sunday, August 26, 2012

where are the rabbits this year ?

i seemed to have made a new friend this year - this little well-fed guy making himself at home in my back yard


Sunday, June 24, 2012

late pics from from a roadtrip



pebbles carefully placed on a tree by a lake by persons unknown

 blue sky clouds snow-capped mountains and unending expanses of grassland 

cowboys casually wear cowboy hats in this part of the world 

a marmot pokes its head up to stare at an unfamiliar photographer

on a lazy afternoon grass-weed seeds float across the picture frame on a light summer breeze

artwork in a window of a downtown store late after closing hours 

as the sun sets to the west shadows form across mountains and prairie lands 

an endless number of meandering streams and rivers cross the landscape 

an eerie grove of ashen and burned trees litter the mountain high above the tree line 


Sunday, June 10, 2012

first part of a road trip

took a drive on a highway that runs through a mountain desert - spotted a lonely cloud 

a local storm system dumping a full load of rain on the valley floor  

a pair of tourists getting their bearings

the only attraction in town attracts a wide range of visitors to this mountain metropolis

a monumental testament to the dedication of impassioned people is quite impressive

inexpensive italian wine in a downtown gastro restaurant 

a colorful street musician with a mended instrument entertaining passersby and restaurant patrons  



Monday, May 21, 2012

downtown

enjoying a cold one at an outdoor cafe near the city - a resourceful waiter collected a handful of sunglasses from nearby patrons to observe the solar eclipse

an exuberant fan of street fairs shows off his bone

graffiti art partially blocked by a couple of port-o-toilets

a crowd of young attention seekers dancing to the hypnotic beat of club dance music

a talented musician performing for pedestrians on a busy sidewalk 



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

late winter trip to asia


it is the end of winter with temperatures hovering about the freezing point - a dreary view of residential rooftops near the high-rise business district

the high-rise business district at the end of a long workday

a cool jazz bar provides a warm setting for conversation drink and live music

a traditional dance performance for tourists and locals at a dinner-theater venue at the foothills of nam-san

a different day and a different city - the location should be obvious from the iconic night skyline

took a trek to one of the most remote spots outside of this city where a rather large statue resides on a hill top

the spot is in an undeveloped and surprisingly peaceful locale

meanwhile closer to the center of town a new high-end shopping mall has sprung up and seems to be thriving in this monied economy

one simple pleasure is the ferry ride - offering a 10 minute respite from the perils of city life

a wet fish shop setting up for the day

a roadside restaurant serving spicy crabs where tables have overflowed into the street forcing loyal patrons to eat while keeping a wary eye out for fast-moving cars


enjoying a nice cold one in a bar with a view of this growing metropolis

the city view from my hotel room

fresh sliced and garnished beef being prepared at a yakiniku restaurant that has a distinct local signature


a video is included here for posterity