TRAVEL IDEAS

In Focus: The Atlantic's New Photo Blog

Another great addition to the stable of newspaper/magazine photo blogs is The Atlantic's In Focus whose editor is Alan Taylor (previously with Boston Globe's The Big Picture).

It recently featured the photographs which won recognition at the World Press Photo Contest 2011. The top honor went to Jodie Bieber for her image of Bibi Aisha, a disfigured Afghan woman, taken for Time magazine. However it being shown on the magazine's cover spoiled its impact insofar as I'm concerned...it was a blatant use of photography as propaganda since it was accompanied by the title of ‘What Happens If We Leave Afghanistan’. A hypocritical and cynical misuse of Aisha's misfortune. And by the way, her name is not Aisha Bibi...Bibi is just a title of respect given to South Asian women.

Don't get me wrong...it's a powerful image which highlights the plight of tribal women in Afghanistan and deserves recognition for doing so. What spoiled it for me was its appearance on the magazine pushing a political agenda.

Having said that, my top favorite of the lot is by Kashmiri photographer Altaf Qadri of a funeral in Pattan, Kashmir. It was awarded the 1st prize in the the People in the News singles category at the 2011 World Press Photo awards. To me, this powerful photograph is what photojournalism is all about.

The photograph shows the sister of Feroz Ahmad (who was killed by Indian forces) wailing in grief as she clings to the platform carrying the body of her brother during his funeral in Pattan, some 35 kilometers (22 miles) north of Srinagar, India.

Jain Nuns At Palitana

One the highlights of the In Search of the Sufis of Gujarat Photo Expedition™ was the Jain temples of Palitana. As my intent for this photo expedition was to explore and document existent syncretism (defined the attempt to reconcile contrary beliefs, by melding practices of various religious traditions) in Gujarat, Palitana proved itself an interesting stop on the itinerary.

Near the town of Paltina, there's a cluster of 1,500 Jain temples packed densely together on the hillside overlooking the town. These date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, and are the focus of Jains' pilgrimage or tirtha. From the foot of the hill to the top there are about 3,800 stone steps, and it is these steps that Jains have to climb to reach the main temple on top of the hill.

Dismissing the help of porters and their "doli", a sort of palanquin from which passengers are suspended, and that would have terrified me anyway, I walked the 3800 steps up and down. I must say it wasn't that much of effort, but many Jain nuns I encountered along the way do it a multiple times a day, on empty stomachs...no food nor water! That would be tough.

The story behind the above photograph is that the Jain nun on the right had earlier stepped on thorns, and had been in pain while her companions tried to pull them out. I stopped and gave them water to soften the skin to make it easier. Seeing her in pain, I tapped her on the shoulder shoulder meaning to comfort her, whereupon she recoiled in alarm. I had forgotten that touching a Jain monk or nun was prohibited as it defiles them. I felt terrible as I had added to her troubles...however I saw her later at the top temple, and she smiled and thanked me.

So I hope I was forgiven.

Incense At Mira Datar Dargah

I don't normally post my work so quickly, but having woken up early to follow the latest on Egypt's revolution on the BBC and with some time on my hands before breakfast, I thought of adding this photograph.

It was made at the Sufi shrine of Mira Datar in northern Gujarat. Mira Datar is considered to be an important martyr in India's Sufi lore, and it's said that he was decapitated in a battle with a regional king of the Bhils....possibly during Sultan Ahmed Shah's reign in Ahmedabad.

His status as a martyr gave his shrine an immense importance to Muslims (Sufis or not) and Hindus, as well as Sikhs. A truly syncretic environment. Mira Datar is reputed to cure various maladies, and I saw many pilgrims clearly afflicted with neurological issues, with chains around their ankles and hands to prevent them from causing harm to themselves and others...and others convulsed in the paroxysms of trances, supplicating the Sufi saint for deliverance from whatever ailed them.

In the above photograph, one of the pilgrims/devotees inhales the special incense deeply into his lungs to purge the evil spirits from his body.

In due time, I shall produce a multimedia photo-film of my photographs and audio made at the Dargah of Mira Datar.

Egypt Is Free

Photo © Ed Ou For The New York Times

Egypt Is Free! is the headline in the Indian newspapers here in Ahmedabad...and what a welcome sight it is after two weeks of non stop traveling in Gujarat on the In Search of Sufis Photo~Expedition. Infrequent internet connections, and non existent English news channels on hotels' television meant that detailed news of the historic events in Cairo were sparse.

It's with jubilation that I learned of Mubarak's resignation and the fall of his regime...but as importantly, I'm ecstatic the young Egyptians have more than regained their pride, and their place in history. As many have said, this is a historic and momentous event which will certainly portend freedom for the millions of the Arab youth in other countries. The hard work to establish a working democracy will start soon...and that also will be a test for the fortitude of these admirable Egyptians.

I've seen the phenomenal photo coverage in all the dailies; The New York Times, MSNBC, WSJ Photo Journal, The Big Picture and the rest of them...the excellent work by Ron Haviv, Michael Robinson Chavez, Ed Ou and many others.

However, I cannot help but wonder why haven't the photo editors of these newspapers/magazines also featured the work of Egyptian photojournalists who covered the events as well? Why not give a chance to these young photographers to show how they document their own revolution? They also need the exposure...and it's their revolution after all!!!

Soon Chiang Bak Kut Teh at Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru.

Soon Chiang Bak Kut Teh (顺江肉骨茶) (N1 28.857 E103 46.015) is located along Jalan Maju of Taman Maju Jaya, Johor Bahru. This is one of the Klang's style Bak Kut Teh at Johor Bahru which is serve with dark herbal soup.

As usual, we ordered the Pork Ribs for everyone, Pork Belly, salted vege and bean curd to share...

Pork ribs - Soon Chiang Bak Kut Teh

Pork belly - (my favorite!)

Sated vege

Bean curd

We were satisfied with the meals over here! The Pork Ribs were tender and not too soft like those overcooked. The Pork Belly's pepper soup was just nice! Not too spicy. The salted vege and bean curd (side dish) were average.
We used to dine here those day but sometimes the quality is not consistent. We will be back again and hopefully the quality will be the same. :)

The Damage : MYR68.00 for 4 adults and 2 children included a pot of Chinese Tea.

Rated : 4.5/5

The shop will be crowded during weekend morning, do visit it early. They open for morning till afternoon.

Location map of Soon Chiang Bak Kut Teh at Johor Bahru

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Rabari Dancing "Girls" (or Gopis)

This is my first post since arriving in India on January 27 to lead my In Search of Sufis of Gujarat Photo-Expedition. As my internet connection is somewhat tenuous (even though we're staying at the sumptuous Imperial Palace in Rajkot), this post will be brief. The photo-expedition has progressed quite smoothly in the quest of Sufi centers in the southern part of the Gujarati peninsula. We were welcomed, and treated with the utmost courtesy by the guardians of the various shrines we visited; some were very popular with devotees whilst others were almost deserted...but more will be explained when I do my end of photo expedition verdict in a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, the above photograph is of a small group of Rabari women whom we chanced on on the road to Junagadh. They belong to small sect of Rabari pastorals who believe they are descended from Krishna's dancing girls known as gopis. On their way to a temple (or mandir), they performed one of their dances for our lenses. I have many more of these, but I'm pressed for time so this will do for now.

We are on our way to the tribal lands of Gujarat, and we should be in Bhuj tomorrow for the start of the Kacchh section of the photo-expedition.

Wall Street On FIRE! @ Wall Street Restaurant & Bar

This party event was held on Nov 2010 at Wall Street Restaurant and Bar. This was also my first time witness the Bar Counter On Fire!

Before the party begin...everything was normal at the bar

I was there quite early that night, and I saw all the preparation of the party. The crowd was ok that time...around 8pm.

The Bartenders were busy preparing the Cocktail...

Mr Arab was preparing the performance of the night...

I'm really attracted by this big bowl of Ice with Full of cocktail test tubes! It was colourful!!

The bowl of Ice with test tube Cocktails...

Vincent Yang (Bartender from Shanghai) preparing the dry ice...

After all the preparation, the customers getting more and more...everyone was anxiously waiting for the Party! Once the clock hit 10pm, the party began! Wall Street On FIRE!

At First, Vincent lighted up one side of the Volcano! The other side was help by the other bartender...

Arab was controlling the Fire which burn through the Bar Counter...!

The Flame of the Volcano!

The Bar was burn up less than 3 second! That time, we Only see Fire on the Bar Counter and Arab & Vincent trying to play some fire tricks on the background!

After the first show, Vincent started the fireworks on THAT bowl of Cocktail! The atmosphere was brought to the highest at that moment! Everyone was excited and voices of congratulation - "Yeah" at every corner!

The bowl of Cocktail test tubes was lighted up with fireworks!

It was BEAUTIFUL!!

Once the fire over, the test tubes were given to all the customers in the bar F.O.C. Well, you can't drink it too fast, because they were Strong & Dangerous! Haha!

Even the fireworks was over from the bar counter, but the customers continue to light up the rest and play with it! WOW! That was really NICE! Everyone Like it very much!

The Bar was FULL of smoke just like we were all at Cameron Highlands! Haha!

Once the ventilation system started, the smoke was gone in second!

That night was actually A Farewell party for the Shanghai Famous Bartender - Mr Vincent Yang. He went back to Shanghai on the next day and I believe MANY women MISS him very much! Haha! Because he made the Perfect Cocktail for us and we miss him too!

Mr Vincent Yang from Shanghai, China

That was A FANTASTIC Party at Wall Street Restaurant & Bar at Taman Austin Perdana, Johor Bahru.

Related post :-
* Wall Street The Restaurant & Bar at Taman Austin Perdana, Johor Bahru