A Pilgrimage Special: Cradle of Buddhism

One of the attractions in Bodhgaya is the Daibutus or the Great Buddha erected by the Japanese. Here, one can find an eighty feet high Buddha seated on a lotus. It has been said that since Asoka's first visit in 259 BC, Bodhgaya had become the cradle of Buddhism without intermission for more than 1500 years until the Buddhist viharas and shrines were devastated by Muslims in the 13th century. The flow of pilgrims halted and Anagarika Dharmapala had in fact attributed to the extinction of Buddhism in India to Muslims. Anyway, in 1956 which marked the 2500th anniversary of Buddhism, there was a resurgence of activity at Bodhgaya. A number of foreign temples and monasteries sprang up and today, Bodhgaya undoubtedly, became again an important focal point to Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world.

The Daibutus...



Malaysian pilgrims in Bodhgaya...


Other temples and monasteries built by foreign countries...

Nikon: New Website & Blog

Image © Dave Black-All Rights Reserved
Although I'm a Canon kind of guy, I am pleased to see that Nikon has re-entered the competition with new cameras and now an updated website.

Perhaps this will awaken Canon out of its website torpor by providing its users an exciting experience instead of its current ho-hum effort.

Nikon USA website

Nikon's Your Shot blog

NY Times: Salvador da Bahia

Image © Lalo de Almeida for NY Times-All Rights Reserved
The New York Times recently featured the work of photographer Lalo de Almeida in a slideshow accompanying a travel article on Salvador da Bahia, the legendary Brazilian city described by the writer Jorge Amado as “the most mysterious and beautiful of the world’s cities” and “the most languid of women.”

The informative article by Larry Rohter tells us that Salvador da Bahia is reputed to have 365 churches, one for every day of the year, however it is also home for Candomblé, the African-derived religion and Brazil’s equivalent to voodoo. The Candomblé worship ceremonies are held in open-air sanctuaries known as terreiros in the poor neighborhoods of the city. I expect these would be fascinating venues for photography!

I very much like the lovely photograph by de Almeida of this equally lovely (and languid?) Bahian woman...it's exactly how I would've photographed her, against the backdrop of a cobblestoned street and looking away from the center of the photograph...giving the impression to the viewer that there's something else in the scene beyond the reach of the lens.

The NY Times' Jorge Amado's Salvador

NGM: Bhutan's Enlightened Experiment

Image © Lynsey Addario -All Rights Reserved
The National Geographic Magazine brings us a photo essay by Lynsey Addario on Bhutan in its efforts to join the modern world without losing its Buddhist soul. Reading the accompanying article, I was saddened by the inexorable march of the so-called progress fueled by globalism which is now threatening this delightful Himalayan enclave. You will see that the article mentions youngsters who are enamored with hip-hop and American wrestling...a photograph by Lynsey showing a trio of Bhutanese girls (near one of the top Thimpu hotels) dressed in jeans and colorful tops...but the most disturbing of the photographs was the one of 12-year-old Jigme Lhendup and his sister Sonam, 9, showing off their hip-hop moves at their mother's bar in Thimpu.

Although Bhutan's countryside remains relatively untouched by this 'progress', it may be only a matter of time until it too will be affected. I am certainly glad that my Bhutan photo-expedition is scheduled for October 2008...its members will still see Bhutan as I've seen it over the years.

National Geographic's Bhutan's Enlightened Experiment

Tangkak, Muar - Johor.

Tangkak located about 30km away at the North of Muar Town. This town is famous with fabric shop, you will notice many fabric shops along the main road of Tangkak. And also famous of the Tangkak Beef Noodle (Kwang Fei Restaurant) N2°15.935' E102°32.402'
I just like to eat the Roti Canai in one of the Nasi Kandar Restaurant located along the Main Road of Tangkak.
Some photos of the main road of Tangkak.

Tang-lungs (Lanterns) hanging through the streets

I visited one of the "2 dollars" shop and accidentally saw this !! They took Jacky Chan photo for the shocks advertisement! Oh! My goodness!

The situation that day (6th day of CNY 2008) at the Tangkak Toll Plaza was bad!

MY TRIPS - Home

VII In DUMBO (NYC)

VII is announcing the grand opening of its new location in New York on Friday February 29th (3-6:30pm) .

Photographers Lauren Greenfield, Marcus Bleasdale, Ron Haviv, Christopher Morris and Jessica Dimmock will attend the opening, and will be available to sign their books.

From VII's press release:

"What is VII DUMBO? First of all, it is the new location of VII’s NY office. In addition, we will operate a street level gallery space and a bookstore for photojournalism. Visitors will be able to see printed works by the VII photographers hanging on the walls (selected by Hasted Hunt), as well as buy books by VII photographers and other noted photojournalists. We plan to use the space for events such as panel discussions, book signings, lectures and workshops. The simple idea is that we want to create a physical place in NY, where we can support and promote photojournalism.

We look forward to seeing you in VII DUMBO, starting February 29th at 3pm. We will also be open on weekends, to accommodate weekend visitors. The address is 28 Jay Street in the DUMBO district (2 blocks west of the YORK STREET stop on the F line)."

Back From Oaxaca!

Image © Tewfic El-Sawy -All Rights Reserved
I've enjoyed the wonderful city of Oaxaca during the past week, and although I haven't devoted much time to personal photo projects, I did manage to fill a couple of flash cards during that time.

Not only is Oaxaca a wonderful city with excellent weather and food, but its people are charming, courteous and generous, with a fascinating culture and history. I will expand on all of this when I have time to review my photographs and my notes.

In the meantime, here's a photograph I took of Guelaguetza dancers. This is a Zapotec term for a collection of dances from the state of Oaxaca, and signifies "offering". Guelaguetza was the term used to describe the Oaxacan ceremony and celebration held each year to propitiate the gods in return for sufficient rain and a bountiful harvest.

A Pilgrimage Special: Tell Tale Signboards

It is interesting walking around the compound of the magnificent Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya. There's a Pipal tree or Bodhi tree behind the temple which Buddhists truly revered. Lord Buddha sat, meditated and attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree and the exact spot where He sat is now marked by a red sandstone and it is located between the tree and the temple .The tree was not the original tree of course but it was believed to be a sapling of it. Nevertheless, that did not stop pilgrims from picking up whatever leaves that fall from the tree for souvenir. The spot where Lord Buddha sat is called the Vajrasana or Diamond Throne and it is fenced up and one could only peep into it. After attaining Buddhahood on the full-moon night of Wesak, Lord Buddha had spent the first week there, meditating. The next six weeks were spent at different spots in the temple ground and when you walk around the compound, you would be able to find some tell tale signboards...

A Brief history of Mahabodhi Temple...



The Temple Ground...


Pilgrims meditating near the Diamond Throne...

Tell tale signs at Maha Bodhi Temple...

VII Seminar In DUMBO (NY)

VII Photo Agency has announced its seminar in Dumbo for May 16, 17 and 18th 2008 coinciding with its 7th anniversary of its founding. The tickets are for $50 each, and the 3-day event will include panel discussions, keynote presentations and book signings.

I'm currently in Oaxaca, so this post is somehwat rushed but the VII event promises to be an extraordinary opportunity to meet and rub shoulders with (and learn from) VII photographers.

All details are found at VII Dumbo Event

A Pilgrimage Special: Dana at Maha Bodhi Society

I would remember Bodhgaya too as the first place where we performed dana to the monks.Dāna in Sanskrit or Pali , means generosity or giving. In Buddhism, it also refers to the practice of cultivating generosity. Early the next morning after arriving at Bodhgaya, we were ushered to Maha Bodhi Society which was founded by Anagarika Dharmapala. In 1891 Anagarika Dharmapala had visited the Mahabodhi Temple, where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment . He was shocked to find the temple in the hands of a Saivite priest. He vowed to fight for the temple so that it would be cared by the Buddhists themselves and as a first step, hadset up Maha Bodhi Society. It was there where we served some monks breakfast...

Attending a prayer session at the Maha Bodhi Society...




Serving the monks breakfast...

Updated Websites For TTP

I've announced this through my monthly newsletter, but I've finally updated my websites, including 16 photo galleries. I used an overall design that is simpler and easier to navigate.

The short cut for the photo galleries is Tewfic El-Sawy, The Travel Photographer

The main portal page is The Travel Photographer, and leads to my 2008 photo expeditions, previous itineraries, the 16 photo galleries, the slideshows and the TTP blog.

I will be in Oaxaca, Mexico for about 10 days...and will intermittently post from there.

TTP Recap

For your convenience, here's the past week's (February 10-17, 2008) most read posts on TTP:

NY Times: A Genocide In Slow Motion
WP: Tokyo Panoramas
Airy Mac Book Air

Bas Uterwijk: Burma

Image © Bas Uterwijk -All Rights Reserved
Bas Uterwijk lives in Amsterdam, and has just returned from Burma with wonderful photographs made during his travels. Although he recently got interested in photography, he's been telling stories with images for most of his career as a computer graphics artist for a video game company.

His Burma portfolio contains lovely photographs of Burmese novices, monks as well as depictions of everyday Burmese life. The photograph I chose for this post and the rest of his gallery are proof that we'll hear more of Bas.

Video games and photography...what else could anyone want in life?

Bas Uterwijk's Burma

Restaurant Double Lim (Assam Fish), Muar. (CNY 2008 Trips)

Assam fish is the famous food from Batu Pahat and Muar. Between this 2 towns, I mostly visit Muar. So during CNY 2008, I found another restaurant selling this famous food located along the road from Muar to B. Pahat. This shop was recommended by my friend (John Lim) who is familiar with foods around Muar area.

We took about 30 minutes to find this shop and luckily not so many customer during that moment (2:30pm).

Restaurant Double Lim just sit opposite of one Chinese temple.....
N2°02.194' E102°33.746'

My brother in-law order all the dishes and they serve it in 15 minutes! That's really fast!

The order :
* The Assam Fish Head
* Sambal prawn
* Sambal Sotong (Squid)
* Baked fish
* Vegetables





The taste of the assam was Good and so the others......
The damage was : MYR97.00 with drinks for 4 adults & 2 children.

We are satisfied with the foods and their services.


View Larger Map - Map of Double Lim Restaurant, Muar.

Related post :-
* Foods of Bukit Gambir, Muar Johor.
* Leng Kee Bak Kut Teh, Muar, Johor
* Salty Shrimp at Panchor, Muar - Johor.
* Merlin Restaurant (Assam Fish) at Muar, Johor.

MY TRIPS - Home

Vanity Fair: Junger & Hetherington

Image ©Tim Hetherington -All Rights Reserved
Vanity Fair recently featured a video interview with author and journalist Sebastian Junger and photographer Tim Hetherington, discussing the former's article "In the Valley of Death".

The article recounts the men's experiences when joining a US platoon while its soldiers make painfully slow advance in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley; a strategic passage but among the deadliest pieces of terrain in the world for U.S. forces.

Tim Hetherington was awarded the World Press Photo of the Year 2007 for one of his photographs which appeared in the accompanying article.

Video Interview

Article

WP: Tokyo Panoramas

The Washington Post brings us a many faceted mutimedia feature titled Tokyo Stories. It includes videos and panoramic photographs of various Tokyo's cultural and religious sites, including of the Sensō-ji, the ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, and the adjacent Shinto shrine, the Asakusa Jinja.

It's an extremely well done feature, and although perhaps a bit jerky for those who don't have a super-fast internet connection, it's well worth one's time. I haven't been to Japan yet, but this is really a good place to start.

The Washington Post's Tokyo's Panoramics

Jonker Walk Night Market, Malacca (Melaka)-(CNY 2008 Trips)

Came to Jonker Walk (one of the Malacca Tourism area) often but in day time, this time we decide to visit the night market along the street.
After our dinner at Ole Sayang Restaurant, we drive toward Jonker street......get our parking easily beside the Malacca River. This parking area is huge! (N2°11.634' E102°14.832') MYR2.00 per entry.
The area was crowded and packs! Believe it's because of festive season too.

The night market is full of foods, fashion, toys and many others stall.......
It's really happening over here, you can see tourist, locals, visitors and also photographers everywhere!

Strange but common here! It's karaoke session on the stage, senior audiences and fans surround the stage.......most of the oldies was perform that night.

All the Red Lanterns are symbolic the Lunar Chinese New Year!! And......OOOPPppppssss!!

Some stalls...........

The cafe that attracted me along the street.......

Banyan Garden Cafe

This cafe sells a lot of souvenirs and you can spend more than an hour there.

And I forgot the name of this small cafe. It is a No-Smoking Cafe! That's the reason attract me! It's difficult to find a drinking place without smoker over here.....yes, I mean Malaysia.


When you step in, this cabinet on your right is display all the antique vase. The owner of the shop must be fall in love with all this.

The bar counter is on your left....nice environment.

And this is my favorite cafe : Geographer Cafe. This is the first time I visit this cafe during night time and it's full until I can't even squeeze in!


If you want to see more photos of this cafe, please visit : Malacca (Melaka)

He was playing "I Don't Want To Talk About It" from Rod Stewart when I passed by......

We spend our night there until midnight, my daughter was so happy with her new toys but totally exhausted!
We love the atmosphere around this street and will visit again in the future.


View Larger Map

Related Melaka post :-
* Stalls at Jonker Street Night Market, Malacca (Melaka)
* Panaroma Malacca (Melaka) Tour Bus
* An Evening at Malacca (Melaka)
* Stadhuys, Malacca (Melaka)
* St. Paul's Church, Malacca
* Aldy Hotel, Malacca (Melaka)
* Ole Sayang Nyonya Food Restaurant, Malacca (Melaka)
* Malacca (Melaka) River Cruise
* Dim Sum Restaurant at Malacca
* Special Homemade Herbal Tea at Malacca
* Portuguese Village, Malacca (Melaka)
* Famous Malacca's Popiah
* Hotel Equatorial, Malacca
* Taiwan Beef Noodle Malacca
* Nyonya Suan Restaurant, Malacca
* Mahkota Parade, Malacca
* Malacca (Melaka)

* Dinner at Jonker Street, Malacca 2009

MY TRIPS - Home