Being a hermit

It's not too bad to be in hermit-mode for a while, which is what I have been doing. I have been at home for past weekends, working on publishing my film photo book about Marseille.

It's a childhood dream of mine to see a book being published, and I'm glad that there were so many kind beings each step of the way, helping me with film knowledge, travelers who showed me a new way to experience traveling and also hosting me, photography enthusiasts young and old who showed me what they knew. Writers and book authors who encouraged me while honing their craft. Finally, this is the final step - I have launched a crowdfunding campaign that would be a great way to validate the idea. I know crowdfunding campaigns are tough but I will put on an armor and fight for my dream!

I can understand a little bit now about the hard-won small successes by entrepreneurs and everyone who is fighting a different battle in life... ... it is not easy to build something for years... Having recently gone through an emotional upheaval, it was surprising that it became a catalyst for me, to really know what I want to try to do. Sometimes, I always get caught up in the hundred things I need to do in work, in my small daily needs that I lose sight of the mountains that are calling me over. I believe I can make it there, soon!

So, I need more support. Please spread the word far and wide about what I am doing, to photography enthusiasts, supporters of the arts, people who love travel.

Click here to watch the video and read more about the project:

www.pozible.com/myeverydaymarseille

=)

Photo Friday: Winter time living in Riomaggiore

Having some time over the last weekend to look through my Cinque Terre trip film photos, I found that I really liked this one. It's the exact image of what I'd like to capture - some authentic images, unposed, not so touristic, of the area. Though Cinque Terre is so picturesque that it wouldn't hurt to be a tourist there!

Many people just ambled off to the surrounding vantage points of the small docking marina of the village of Riomaggiore, leaving me and a another photographer enthusiast who seemed to have an unhealthy obsession with photographing boats (he even climbed into them!!!) There was this great old man with frizzy white hair sticking out in all angles, untangling his fishing nets. And some locals, standing around, engaging in daily chats.

I like the color on the wall.

It was a rainy day, but the sun came out gloriously for the half an hour I was there.

Back from Cinque Terre

View of Vernazza, Cinque Terre, from the hiking trail (enroute from Corniglia to Vernazza)

Two days after being back from Rome and Cinque Terre, I was shortlisted and attended an interview for a programme I had submitted some photos for - A photography mentorship programme. I will know the results in a week or two, and even if I don't get it, it is a first experience for me.

Thinking back to about a couple of months ago, in Da Lat, Vietnam at the end of December. I met, in my hostel, a couple of Lithuanians and one of them created e-books as a freelancer. Perusing through one of the e-books he designed, a black and white photobook of a photographer's travels through a few months in China, I was motivated to have this idea to launch a photobook (or a novel, but that's another story for now), and in the wildest of dreams have my photos in a photo exposition. I've always felt more strongly about having my photos seen in print, as opposed to being seen online. Of course, I don't have such an amazing portfolio of photos yet, just the few rolls I have on the 3 trips I've been so far. I've been lucky that in every trip there are at least a few photos that turned out well or at least captured the concept of what I wished to see - the fragile moments of everyday life, the boy selling groundnuts who rested and sat beside me at the riverside, the farmer lady at the end of the market with her two panniers' full of aubergrines, and long bamboo balancing pole. Also, I'm constantly following my Portuguese friend Pedro and I admire his quest for learning more about photography and constantly attending courses, being a part of a photographic community, to learn from others and to learn from masters. Through looking at his determination, I found the courage to ask others to introduce me to those masters, and also submit my small portfolio of the few photographs from France, Cambodia and Vietnam (really few) and see if I can be able to enter the programme that concludes with a small exhibition at the end of the 10 weeks' project.

I already have in mind what I want to do should I have the chance to do this regularly. =) It's a thought-in-progress for now and also a little secret, but I think it will be interesting. I've always wanted to let others feel a positive spirit after seeing my photos, be it to travel more or to do something amazing, as this hobby was birthed from a time when I was quite hopeless and it gave me something meaningful to do.

Here are some iphone photographs in Cinque Terre, there are so many picturesque ones but here are my favorites. Below, these photos will be the description about the place we stayed and the journey/treks throughout the area.

Hiking paths in Cinque Terre

First day: Hiked the path from our 'home' (The Heart of Cinque Terre), in between Corniglia - to Vernazza, had a morning coffee there, went to Monterosso and took the train back to Corniglia, and hiked from Corniglia to Cinque Terre.

These photos will show the path & hiking trails, they were incredibly beautiful - some laced with groves of olive trees, old bridges, slate walls and mediterranean shrubs and different flowers and plants. It wasn't difficult (ie, I didn't need to use my hands at all), but some of the paths are narrow (could be difficult if you are not sure-footed or if there are many people in summertime.) As it was winter season we only encountered less than 10 trekkers in one trail =) it was the most beautiful trails I've ever been on.

On the second day it was raining so we only started out in the afternoon, walking sometimes on the main road, but we visited the mountain behind, 'San Bernardino'. The trail from Corniglia train station and towards Vernazza is the greenest & wildest and also the town feels like the most 'natural' of them all. Julien liked this trail best! For me, the most scenic would be the first trail we took from Vernazza to Monterosso - except from the vast number of steps at the end, the initial walk was pretty flat - and I was pretty happy! Some parts of the trail at the first two places, Riomaggiore and Manarola were closed as it was not 100% safe - rainy weather made some landslides, so there's always the option of taking the train to each of the places as well.

So happy to be walking in such a natural, alive place!

Walking in one of the towns - I think its Vernazza.

Staying in Cinque Terre

I was always lucky to be staying in amazing places and this time it was no exception - looking at the location and knowing that J likes walking very much, I chose without much hesitation, 'The Heart of Cinque Terre'. Here we stayed with our quiet and intriguing owner, Pierpaolo, who is an amazing genius! Our room's toilet window was a mirror that was shaped like a ship's window (round with gold metal edges) and could actually be opened exactly like a ship's window!

We also stayed with his very famous dog, Leo. Leo was adopted from a Serbian shelter otherwise he would be killed, and saved his owner's life from a sure death by jumping onto his lap in the car just before the mountain in front of them collapsed. This dog brightened our rainy day where we had to stay in and he is a charmer!

There were a few cats in the locale from time to time and I think we spotted 3 of them during our stay. =)

J with Pierpaolo at Corniglia station

The amazing terrace area and Leo!

Place where people attach locks, as a symbol of love, on the Corniglia - Vernazza trail.

After the rains, some wild asparagus 'hatched'. Hehe... They look like mini versions of the regular ones found in the supermarket. I couldn't spot any on the trail, but J managed to collect quite a few for our dinner. They work best in an omelette! And also could be eaten raw =)

Simply delicious, I've never had food that was plucked from the wild before, so not only does it taste well, there is a great feeling of eating something like this.



I didn't need to lift a finger for this meal (not feeling guilty... okay, a little)...

This is the amazing path to our 'home' from Corniglia station.

Amazing hand made bowl souvenirs found in Manarola.

Sights from the rainy day (low clouds) at San Bernardino

View of Corniglia about 1/3 of the trail away.

Cats galore!
I've never seen such picturesque cats + the environment + they are always ready to pose! The one below was drinking from its waterbowl and when I was spotted, it calmly sat beside. It was actually drizzling, and cold, but it wanted me to take a nice photo!

The walkways off Vernazza led to a great place full of pebbles and rocks, we had fun just walking through the area.

This trip to Cinque Terre was unexpected - since the last quarter of last year I've wanted to go to Sardinia (Italy) and thought that it could be feasible to go to both Sardinia and Rome, but after seeing incredible photos of Cinque Terre decided it was a much better trip to spend 4 full days in Rome and 4 in Cinque Terre, Cinque Terre was about 4 hours away from Rome on the fast regional train. Did not manage to do much reading up or planning about both places, and enjoyed it unplanned! I can truly say it's the most beautiful place I've been in and could spend a long time wandering about the little villages. Being my first time to Italy I didn't think that I would be that impressed, but I was, and now, I want to go to Italy again!

Last trip of the year: Onward to Da Lat, Vietnam

Sunrise near Mount Bromo with tourists, Feb 2013. Taken with a toy camera, Superheadz.




Dreams. 

It's nice to have them, isn't it?

Very early on in 2013, I made a small travel wish, a dream I kept to myself. That I would journey to these 2 South East Asian countries that are really, not that far away from Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia. It's almost a shame that given my love for travel and interesting landscapes I've not been to these countries. Early on in 2013, somehow the budget ticket prices were really high, too high for me to make a purchase on these flights. I monitored the ticket prices throughout the year and finally got a great ticket price to Cambodia - booked in May, travel date October. I had also booked a ticket to Vietnam - to see the hill country of Da Lat and hopefully journey to the sand dunes of Phan Rang - but unfortunately wasn't able to make the trip as I was in Europe and it didn't make sense. 

It's actually amazing then, in a couple of days, I am journeying to Vietnam! My new boss gave us an unexpected vacation on the 30 - 31, so despite being new and really wanting to save my leave for something longer, I can go on this trip! It is really unexpected and my heart shines with joy just at the thought of this small wish being completed, surprisingly, at the end of 2013. And who knew that my boss would be the one to fulfil this dream, in a way?

The main plan is to go straight to Da Lat, with cooler weather, and then hopefully visit a couple of villages, the nearby mountain (1900 ft) by jeep, and make my way to the sand dunes at Phan Rang. I'm taking this opportunity to brush up on my film photography skills too, getting over my fear of using the large zoom lens. 

So far, the Tamron lens that I put usually at 50 mm did take quite nice photos. 

I'm glad always that people like what I photograph, part of the joy of travel photography is that I did inspire people to go on such trips - at least two people I knew of went to Mount Bromo after seeing my amateur shots, and that is a reward in itself. Fingers crossed for all the equipment to work smoothly, I don't like to carry anxiety on a vacation!

Photo Friday: In Phnom Penh, by the river's side

Here are three of my favorite film shots, taken at the river's side, Phnom Penh. Film used is the Ilford 400 Black and White. I think I've found my favorite Black and White Film!

I wrote a story about the moments in this trip:
https://medium.com/on-travel/18ef67c7e965

Fatal attractions

'Life will change without our permission. It's our attitude that determines the ride'


There are some people whom we're attracted to, and there are some that are just bad for us.It's not that they are inherently bad, they could be the type of person that brings out the worst in us, causes us to try to be perfect, be less natural, and we'll never be truly happy in their presence. We feel that we're not so clever and definitely not pretty.

It may not be caused by them, no, they could even be completely oblivious to our presence. But just being the way they are and being there brings a deluge of feelings in our soul. This leads me to the question,What makes us change ourselves?Knowing, that the person does not care, or could possibly not even be aware of your existence. Trying to shape ourselves to that person's world, doing what he does and liking what he likes. Why do we do that? Will we like ourselves better if we gave it a chance and went on this little adventure, or will we just regret that we never gave ourselves and 'it' a shot - whatever it may be?

I would like to think that if we had gone down this path too often, we'll never make the same mistakes. But I also think that to a certain extent, we cannot help what we're attracted to, even if it's bad for us. Sometimes it's good to not be entirely 'ourselves', but I think in the day-to-day, it's better to be natural.

Continuing on the thought of getting in touch with nature, I was happy to go on a daytrip across the border to Malaysia, in Pasir Gudang area - inside the Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort, for horse-riding! This was something I've wanted to do more often this year and hopefully I will be able to be a solo rider next year.

I'm always drawn to a great experience in natural settings and brought Dad along with me. His verdict was that this ride through tall oil palms, along the coast where we could see our dear Singapore (Pulau Ubin) across the sea, and in the grassy shrubs and local plants was far more better than the last time I brought him horse-riding in Bali on the black volcanic sands on the beach! I was really happy to have this experience, a mini-adventure of sorts while adapting to the corporate/start-up life in Singapore. I really can't explain the feeling that overtakes you while you are on a horse, trotting in the depths of nature. Just a feeling that I hope I can replicate in the most high tension days in my life.

Here is Mouss' site and he's great to reply on whatsapp on any questions you may have: http://amigoshorse.tripod.com/contact.html


Some more photos:

Photo Friday: Frosty?

Frosty man.

I took these double exposures in Arles, South of France, Provence region. Here there were many sightseers and tourists for the international photographic exhibition and I had great fun doing some street photography. The second time I went to Arles, I saw these pine trees in a park we passed. I thoughts that the pines could look interesting with their almost-fluffy needles. These became the first layer of this double exposure. I was quite surprised when I saw it after it was developed, the photos seem to have a wintry, frosted effect!

Taking photos in film helps me to remember almost every single snapshot I took.

Done with a superheadz camera, using 35mm Lomography 100 film.
  

Frosty boy.

Photo Friday: Crossing 2719 km!

Greetings from the other side of the world :) I am a little afraid of large farmhorses like these, but I do like horses! Here at the Lake Bouillouses (Lac Des Bouillouses) near Font Romeux, France.

After journeying through 3 countries in Europe: The Netherlands, Spain and now in France, I have crossed 2719.87 km on foot, bus, plane, car... that's really a milestone for me.

I didn't really set out to be such a traveler, but my country is so small and dare I say, not too exciting that one has to get out at times to feel alive. This trip enabled me to meet some of my friends I've never thought I would see in my life again, mainly because they are so far away and not likely that either of us will travel to the same areas to meet each other again. It's nice to keep in touch with ones like these, maybe I surprise myself by keeping in touch too, as I am quite unreliable on this aspect - and I enjoy being in hermitage mode at times, going far away from technology!  

Some place I went to were planned, some I have never heard of before until my feet landed in that place, it's a departure from the norm, for me, as I usually schedule daily activities (even while not on holiday!) that it was terrifying at first to have nothing planned and to silence the inner voice that likes to ask 'what am I going to do today'. Lately I also like to explore the unknown places of the city, that's where you get friendly people, unexpected moments, quiet corners to watch the city go by, and just wander by myself to find new places, that's really a bonus from traveling! But perhaps in this trip I have wandered off the beaten path a little too much; the Spanish village I have stayed in for 9 days, even my Valencia city dwellers have not heard of it, despite it being not too far (a two and a half hour) journey away! In other places; I was the only non-Spanish or non-local, places like the beach, even!

Here is where I went so far:

Started my journey at Schipol Amsterdam airport to Delft.

Stayed in Delft; visited The Hague and Scheveningen beach, stayed in The Hague. Went there by train.

From Schipol to Valencia airport by flight, took the metro and changed to renfe train to Xativa.

From Xativa; host drove me to Aielo de Malferit, stayed there for 9 days. Took a bus out to Valencia City and back, also visited by car: Gandia, Ontinyent; Beniarres; finally left Aielo by the same bus to Valencia City; navigated by taxi to the train station Valencia Nord, took the train to Barcelona Sants. Stayed in a place, walking distance from Sants for 2 nights.

From Barcelona Sants took the bus to Perpignan, France.

By car, visited Prades; Vernet les Bains and Villefranche; hiked a waterfall - Cascades des Anglais; went to Fort Romeux and the Lake Bouillouses, onward to Colombieres-sur-Orb, then to Marseille.

My journey is almost over, apart from going to one last destination in France I don't have any other plan! =)

From Windmills, To The Hague (Den Haag) and Scheveningen beach

The interesting Dutch architecture as viewed from the town square in The Hague.  

A very precise One Day's Itinerary in The Hague/Other near and not-so-near parts of The Netherlands.

As The Netherlands has very precise public transport timings, it's easy to do many things in one day if you have a good plan. If the trains were more than a few minutes late, the timings to subsequent stations were updated in real time and flashed on the small screens in every commuter cabin! I was mesmerized. Initially when I reached the trains I asked the nearest stranger if this was the train to my destination, four stops away. He checked the board and double-checked on his smartphone app the exact time I was to reach my station, incredible!

Here was how my VERY packed one day went; here I was visiting a friend who resides in The Hague!

Morning
Started the day at around 9:30 am, commuted to Rotterdam to take a watertaxi (10:30 am) and changed to another smaller boat to visit the Kinderdijk Windmills.
(I find this boat info accurate: http://wikitravel.org/en/Kinderdijk)

Oh yes, don't forget to take a look at the interesting architecture of Rotterdam along the port, the almost unbelievable cubic houses! http://www.holland.com/us/tourism/article/rotterdam-cube-houses.htm

Reached Kinderdijk (11:05 am), walked for 10 minutes to reach the windmills. I just followed the other windmill tourists who looked more sure of the route, teehee.

Having read about the windmills of Holland since I was a child, seeing them now I can say that I really feel blessed to be part of this experience. They are really quite magical when you view them in reality.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinderdijk

Took a bus leaving the place at 1:07 pm (in the direction of Zuidplein), to the train station Rotterdam Lombardijen where the train leaves every :44 and :14 on the hour.














Afternoon
Reached The Hague station at 2.35 pm.

Walked around for street photography at the town square, had a coffee (for 1 Euro!!!)

Wanted to see a museum exhibition and decided on Escher, there were plenty of top exhibitions within walking distance in the area!! Escher was very very good, apart from seeing his famous works there were others that were equally intriguing. I wasn't aware of him being Dutch so it turned out to be a splendid surprise for me! http://www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/

Evening
Left to go to Scheveningen beach around 5 pm, back to my friend's house for dinner and we even had time to catch a midnight movie at the iMAX theatre that was walking distance as well!
http://www.denhaag.nl/en/residents/to/Pathe-opens-IMAX-theatre.htm

The beach was great, full of life; there was a carousel that I really liked, lots of interesting sculpture art scattered around the area, including one of the story of the dutch boy who put his finger in a leaking dyke to save the village - immediately remembered this story from my childhood days when I saw that sculpture! http://www.pantheon.org/articles/l/little_dutch_boy.html

I found the Dutch to be friendly, despite their cool demeanour, many 'Uncles' greeted me as I walked past, both in the small towns and in the beach area, we found a young Dutch who chatted with us as we walked along the stretch of beach with him and his dog, another couple of guys were having a stag party and shyly asked me to sign on his t-shirt; I was sweetly given a rose in return, awwww!

Many locals were just out walking, having grills, skateboarding and bicycling at the long stretch of the beach grounds. It was too cold to bathe at the end of July, but just a week later the suntanning crowd came out in full force as it got warmer.


We saw many well-designed functional bicycle acccessories, here is a crate box! Behind, people having grilled meats for their dinner on the sunny beach of Scheveningen.





I did see many (not so young) Dutch relishing raw herring exactly like this sculpture! (mostly without the fishheads or tails, though.) And the Kerhaus, a grand architectural piece, now a hotel.

Sheepishly, I have to admit that each time I see a carousel I get enchanted and have to take a picture with it!!!

 I signed my name on his shirt!


On the Next Day...

Wandered around the interesting streets and (randomly) chose a place for morning coffee; later found out that it was rated as one of the best places in Holland to have a cuppa, wow! It's moments like these that I like best about travel, and unplanned travel!
http://www.lolabikesandcoffee.nl/lola/Welkom.html

While having coffee decided to visit the Gardens that was a tram ride away to Clingendael. It was beautiful and I can think of no better way to spend a relaxed sunday afternoon. Also, the friendly patrons of the cool coffee place gave us specific directions on how to get there!
http://www.denhaag.nl/home/bewoners/to/Japanese-Garden-in-Clingendael-Park.htm

I had to leave for Delft at 4 pm, so we were back to The Hague and had a small lunch; and visited a flea market, looking like it was mostly elderly people selling off their keepsakes and some for profit. Many old maps and posters, vases; tin boxes, vintage household items, musical instruments, typerwriters. I bought two nice neckscarves for 1 Euro each, a great find!

(The flea market was on a Sunday and located near these Russian sculptures  http://www.thehaguephotojournal.com/russia-xxi-hague-sculpture-2013/)

A Dutch blossom at Clingendael Botanic Gardens, I liked the place very much!

Useful information:

We found the supermarkets were open on sundays until 6 pm!

Taking a direct tram leads to Scheveningen from The Hague's tram stops, it is also possible to walk there if you wish. All trams information and timings are listed on their sheltered stop areas. Strictly no eating allowed on trams...

It is really very convenient to purchase the Dutch public transport pass that is used on all trains; as well as buses, and trams. For one day's multiple trip, budget between 10 - 20 Euros. Alternatively, pay by coins and as the machines usually do not accept cash, you will need to have plenty of coins handy.

Did you know that the tallest people in the world are the Dutch? I have to agree, after seeing the streets of graceful, long necked, poised, tall, and fair ones!

All photos taken in 35mm film, lomography 800