SARAY COLLECTIVE, CAMBODIA

Posted on January 15, 2014 by michaelweening

Our destination was a women’s collective that dries water hyacinths and weaves them into mats and other products. You can read more about the Saray collective here and how their efforts are employing 30 local women.

We had lunch at their local restaurant and spent time with the women, learning to weave. They are very fast.

What I did not know is that the water hyacinth is highly invasive and quite a problem … once I learned that I started to look around and notice, it was everywhere.

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After lunch and the weaving we headed out on canoes to visit around the village. Our first stop was where they process the fish. It was amazing to see – they all worked in a cadence, the pounding of knives as they cut the fish.

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The fish on the way for processing.

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As we pulled into the next stop this little fellow was happy. As soon as he saw the nurses waiting to give him his vaccine (an ambush), his demeanor changed considerably. It took a few of the women to get him to the nurses.

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After a few more stops around the village we jumped back in the boat and headed home, with one last visit. Our boat captain stopped off at a home (family, friends or a business partner) to pick up a few 5 gallon drums of processed fish. We were greeted by the family dog (what is it like to be a dog who lives in a floating house?)

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They processed the fish so fast. 3 knife strokes per fish.

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Fish loaded, we pulled away – the day complete.

A very different, insightful and educational experience. If you are in Siem Reap, highly recommended. Thanks for dropping by.

FLOATING VILLAGES OF TONLE SAP LAKE, CAMBODIA

Posted on January 14, 2014 by michaelweening

As mentioned in the previous post, the boat picked up speed and we headed to the next village. One of the first boats we saw as we entered the main village was this floating restaurant, looking for customers.

The lake will rise and fall 9-10M in a year and the people will float from location to location, following the water. It is a bit unfathomable to live your entire life .. floating.

Moored into the trees or to each other, the homes at mid/high-tide. At low tide, those trees will be 20m high.

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The village delivery system … gas, fruit, you name it.

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Everyone drives a boat. No matter how old.

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Some boats with motors.

Many boats with only a paddle.

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Of course, there is a phone store.

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A completely different way of life. Thanks for dropping by.

THE TRIP TO A FLOATING VILLAGE, CAMBODIA

Posted on January 13, 2014 by michaelweening

Our second day in Siem Reap involved a tour with Osmose eco-tours to a floating village. I love doing eco-tours, and this one is about seeing how the lake feeds an ecosystem of plants, animals and people.

The trip began on a boat like this.

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Our captain.

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The village where we launched was filled with motorbikes, loaded with fish from the mornings catch.

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Bagged for transportation. The fish were so small – not sure how they skin them or are they eaten whole?

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The boat had a very loud engine .. that made big waves.

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As we took the 90 minute ride to the village, we saw many other boaters traveling the lake-ways.

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Off in the distance, a fisherman setting his nets (the pictures are darker as I had the wrong filter with me – it was that bright out)

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And a few eco-companions on the way.

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We stopped near a large tree where the guide explained that the tree was 15-17m high with almost 10m of the tree currently under water. The water levels on the lake go up and down by 10m during the seasons. In the tree, we noticed a brightly colored snake having a sleep .. red means poisonous.

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He never did peak his head out.

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Traveling along the water the boat slowed as we entered the first of many floating villages.

Amazing to think that these homes move around with the water level .. and that they all have cell phone reception.

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The village’s floating school.

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Beside a few floating homes.

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With the fishermen/women working on the day’s catch.

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The boat picked up speed as we headed to the next village.

PELELIU, A TRIP TO A HORRIFIC PAST (Part 1)

Posted on August 21, 2013 by michaelweening

One of the targets for the Palau trip was a tour of Peleliu. I have read a lot of World War II history, more documentaries than I can count and throughout my life have been fascinated with WWII. I also enjoy touring the more remote historical locations, where the antiseptic aura of the well kept museum is not present.

Peleliu is one of those place. We booked a boat tour with Sam’s Tours and headed out early in the morning. I was hopeful, the weather looked good.

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It was an hour ride with a single rough spot where rain threatened, but as we approached the island, the sky was clear. As we scooted along I noticed a large object on the reef. I didn’t have time to swap to my 70-200mm and we did not have time to swing out there, so here is the poor shot of a Japanese concrete “ship” resting on the reef. The Japanese built it with the hopes of drawing American ships close to the reef. To me it seems like one of those ideas where a bunch of officers are sitting around brainstorming .. one of those “no idea is too stupid” type of sessions. Only in this case, they obviously missed the joke.

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Our engines started to sputter, and the captain stopped to have a look which gave me a calm moment to take this shot. Two observations from our guide:

The reason why the Japanese picked Peleliu is because it is the only flat island in the area.

If you look carefully you can see a few floating bottles … floating from Indonesia was the explanation (with a trace of animosity clearly present)

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A closer shot. The Americans thought the island looked flat too (they were wrong).

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As we approached the dock, we passed fisherman wading near the reef.

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This is a small island with roughly 500 locals. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone.

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We disembarked, ready to learn the island’s dark history.

RAP MUSIC IN YOYOGI PARK, JAPAN

Posted on August 18, 2013 by michaelweening

Japan has reaffirmed my opinion, rap music is not to my taste regardless of language.

Config: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8.

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I enjoyed their enthusiasm and had a good chuckle at their creative intermingling of the f-word into the Japanese lyrics .. but the music hurt my ears. I stayed for a single Asahi super-dry under a nice Red Bull umbrella (thanks Red Bull, it was 42C)

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Keep on rocking in the free world, young Japanese …

A COUPLE BALI BEACH SHOTS

Posted on May 31, 2013 by michaelweening

My last. A beautiful shoreline.

The pink caught my eye.

The stairs lead to … ?

A wonderful trip.

TOKYO MOONRISE

Posted on May 30, 2013 by michaelweening

It was a clear night and interesting to watch the full moon rise.

WHAT LURKS BENEATH

Posted on May 28, 2013 by michaelweening

As the tide went out on the beach in Nusa Dua, it provided access to the life below. Our first sight was this urchin.

Urchins are usually nasty black things and very painful. We easily steered clear of many in the shallow water, but through the seaweed I saw this fellow. I have never seen anything like it and if colour indicated a warning, this must be a very dangerous urchin.

Never seen anything like it. Having a 70-200m lens on meant that I didn’t have to get too close.

One more shot, distorted by the sun cutting the water. As I got closer with the lens it moved to protect the center.

I have no idea what this is .. but it looks like a cucumber or perhaps some sort of worm.

This millipede was BIG (and fast). He disappeared in seconds.

A lot of legs …

He/she/it was right beside the crabs. Spot the 3 crabs.

Finishing off with a few beautiful color shots, peaking out from under the water.

Amazing natural colors of this anemone, an inch under the water.

It was really hard to get shots of these corals as they were in shallow water and it kept ebbing and flowing.

A moment later I caught the water coming in.

How can I not finish with a starfish.

It was fun to explore the shore.

3 SHOTS OF A BALINESE FISHERMAN

Posted on May 27, 2013 by michaelweening

We stayed at the Westin in Nusa Dua in Bali and you look out on quite a nice ocean view.

While eating lunch I saw this fellow wading out into the surf. I happened to have my 70-200mm lens on the 5D so I took a walk to down to observe. 3 shots …

Love the hat.

At the beach the tide slow recedes through the day revealing that which you were swimming over.

You can walk for 100’s of meters to the edge and the reef. It was fun to see what lurked below … and surprising. (Next post).

A BABY ELEPHANT

Posted on April 29, 2013 by michaelweening

A few days before we had arrived at the Elephant Safari Park, a baby was born. She was shy.

I had to wait around for 5 minutes before she finally sneaked out for a few minutes from her mother’s protective care. She walked with a wobble (smile).

Took one look and trotted back to her mom.

AN ELEPHANTS EYES

Posted on April 25, 2013 by michaelweening

The elephant has the most beautiful eyes.

There is a soul piercing intelligence peering back, as you stare deep into their eyes.

Beautiful.

ELEPHANT SAFARI PARK

Posted on April 25, 2013 by michaelweening

There are two types of parks in Bali, the larger zoo-like park and the more remote Elephant Safari Park.

We chose the second. The notion of elephants in captivity is a tough one, but the facility covers their conservation focus throughout their brochures and website. For animals that would love to be free but are facing extinction and an ever shrinking habitat, this becomes a second best choice.

The facility is beautiful, clean and they clearly take good care of the elephants.

As with everything in this country, the North American notions of “behind the glass” and “at a safe distance” are not in play. At the restaurant you stand behind a waist high fence and get the opportunity to greet the elephants.

It was a moving experience to stand at the foot of such a huge, and majestic animal.

This shot pretty much say it all. I was in awe.

What a truly unique place. To stand beside such a beautiful creature is a true privilege.

TOKYO SKYLINE

Posted on April 19, 2013 by michaelweening

A few shots of Tokyo a week ago. Spring is upon us but it cannot decide if it wants to be warm, cool, cloudy or raining. Handheld HDRs via Canon 5D Mark III with 70-200mm f/2.8.

Makes interesting viewing out the window.

It wasn’t raining, but it was foggy. I don’t know why I woke up, but I took this shot at 2AM.

The sunset against the clouds.

I work in that office .. for a few more months.

I threw my 2X extender on to get this shot (handheld).

Loved looking at this lonely cloud.

A few hours later, it was raining.

Thanks for dropping by.

BIRDS OF BALI

Posted on April 12, 2013 by michaelweening

We had to see the birds in Bali, therefore the Bali Bird Park was on our “to-do” list.

Like the other wildlife, you get to interact with the birds and they are very close. A few shots to enjoy. This outings configuration was the Canon 5D Mark III with the 70-200mm f/2.8.

I love the colors of tropical birds, like these Wreathed Hornbills.

This Australian fellow is a bit homely. Sorry buddy.

Lots of water birds.

Vibrant.

This bird can kill you. Dead. Meet the Cassowary.

He/she (I cannot tell) was unimpressed by my camera.

I found the red .. intestine looking markings on the back of their necks rather disturbing.

At the entrance to the park are a few parrots. I was watching this fellow and it is almost like he looked at me and decided to show off. He slowly maneuvered upside down and then flipped his legs into this position. This is not a natural parrot position.

And of course, a tourist experience isn’t complete without a “birds hanging on me” photo. The bright red parrot pooped on my shoulder (smile).

Worth visiting. Thanks for dropping by.

THE MONKEY THAT GOT AWAY

Posted on May 4, 2010 by michaelweening

We were walking back to our lodge from lunch. My camera was in my backpack (a big no-no), but I wasn’t really thinking that I would see anything that I had not already shot on the walk back. Ayden stopped and pointed up, there was a beautiful Macaw in full view. He wanted me to take a shot.

I pulled out my camera (with 70-200mm attached) and all of a sudden not 2 feet up from my head was a rustling. We stepped apart (Ayden down the path – me up the path) and barrelling down the tree came this Howler Monkey not inches from us.

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He stopped at the railing. I was stepping back (a bit surprised). He paused. He looked at me. He looked at Ayden. Then barrelled across the path and I just held down the shoot (without aiming). Why are they blurry? Because the lens won’t focus that close – below 1.4m – as it is a telephoto. He was almost on top of us.

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