“Ko Yao Yai (island) is the largest island in the Ko Yao Archipelago. The island group is in Phang Nga Bay in the Phang Nga Province. Ko Yao Yai means “big long island” ~ Wikipedia
Canon 6D, F11, 1/3 sec, ISO 100, 17-40L, Joby mini-tripod 31.8 cm
Koh Yao Yai Village – Phang Nga, Thailand Baan Taranya ResortAirAsiaThailand Thailand Thai Airways
Wiki: “Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan or Wat Arun (Thai pronunciation: [wát ʔarun], “Temple of Dawn”) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, Thailand, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna,[1] often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks and the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence.[2] Although the temple had existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II. A Buddhist temple had existed at the site of Wat Arun since the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. It was then known as Wat Makok, after the village of Bang Makok in which it was situated. (Makok is the Thai name for the Spondias pinnata plant) According to the historian Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, the temple was shown in French maps during the reign of King Narai (1656–1688). The temple was renamed Wat Chaeng by King Taksin when he established his new capital of Thonburi near the temple, following the fall of Ayutthaya.[3] It is believed that Taksin vowed to restore the temple after passing it at dawn. The temple enshrined the Emerald Buddha image before it was transferred to Wat Phra Kaew on the river’s eastern bank in 1785.[4] The temple was located in grounds of the royal palace during Taksin’s reign, before his successor, Rama I, moved the palace to the other side of the river.[2] It was abandoned, for a long period of time, until Rama II, who restored the temple and extended the pagoda to 70m.[2]”
Canon 6D, F11, 2 sec, ISO 320, small Joby tripod
Phra Buddha Palilai, Wat Pho – Bangkok Thailand
Canon 6D, F9, 1/40 sec, ISO 1250, handheld
This scene really interested us when we saw it. Out minds again explored the link between Hinduism and Buddhism. We wondered why the monkey and elephant were kneeling in front of the Buddha. I know one person (Nirun) that will either already know the answer or who will explore this link:http://www.watpho.com/buddha.php?id=5&lang=en
“Bangkok (English pronunciation: /ˈbæŋkɒk/[5]) is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋ tʰêːp mahǎː nákʰɔ̄ːn] ( listen)) or simply About this sound Krung Thep (help·info). The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over 8 million, or 12.6 percent of the country’s population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, dwarfing Thailand’s other urban centres in terms of importance.
Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew in size and became the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of Siam’s (as Thailand used to be known) modernization, during the later 19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was the centre of Thailand’s political struggles, throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. The city grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact among Thailand’s politics, economy, education, media and modern society.
The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a major regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and has emerged as a regional centre for the arts, fashion and entertainment. The city is well known for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its notorious red-light districts. The historic Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world’s top tourist destinations. It is named the most visited city in MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index, and was named “World’s Best City” for four consecutive years by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Bangkok’s rapid growth amidst little urban planning and regulation has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure systems. Limited roads, despite an extensive expressway network, together with substantial private car usage, have resulted in chronic and crippling traffic congestion. This in turn caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve this major problem. Four rapid transit lines are now in operation, with more systems under construction or planned by the national government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.” ~ Wikipedia
Canon 6D, 24-105 mm, F10, 1/160 sec handheld, ISO 100 taken from Mercure Ibis Hotel roof top.
“The Grey Goose which is situated at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains, offers a sense of tranquillity and promises your stay to be a home away from home, come enjoy your stay with us whether its work or play we guarantee to give you the stay you will remember. We are proud to be one of the few places in Newcastle to offer a variety of fun activities that you will enjoy without having to leave Grey Goose. Our activities include fishing, horse-riding, breath taking game drives, picnic walks, exhilarating helicopter flips and a two day hike up the Northern Drakensberg mountains” ~ www.greygoose.co.za/
Ideal for weddings to get some amazing sunset shots after the church / ashram and before the drinks start flowing
F11, 6 sec, ISO 640 Canon South Africa 6D, 24-105mm
5 Star Durban Grey Goose Game Lodge Newcastle Advertiser Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Strictly Weddings
On Sunday morning, Mother’s Day, I encountered a chain of events within the hour that led to me being unexpectedly being invited to a Zion church meeting (I was on my way to have coffee at The Coffee Guys – South Beach near Moyo uShaka Beach). What a lovely encounter and great start to the day. There are many photos, some of which I will post in the days to come: all taken on the beach in front of Afro’s South Beach Durban, South Africa.
“The Zion Christian Church (or ZCC) is one of the largest African initiated churches in southern Africa, with members belonging to the main ZCC star and members belonging to the splinter group Saint Engenas ZCC. [1] The church’s headquarters are at Zion City Moria in Limpopo Province, South Africa (Northern Transvaal). The main church is led by Bishop BE Ramarumo Lekgenyane and the splinter group is led by Joseph Lekganyane. The church fuses African traditions and values with Christian faith. As opposed to the mainstream European churches, the church has sought independence and autonomy in terms of theological and dogmatic approach” ~ Wikipedia
Canon South Africa 6D from Orms, Canon EF 17–40mm lens, F16, 1/80 sec, ISO 160, Yongnuo storeflash (single) from CameraStuff off camera – photo “We Pray”
I Love Durban 5 Star Durban Celebrate Durban! I Like Durban Show Me Durban SA-People – for South Africans in South Africa and expats
The Praying Woman Worship Central Jesus Culture
— in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
“Everybody’s looking for the “ultimate way”. But the thing is, the “ultimate way” for each person is going to be different. That’s why we have all these wars going on between people. This diet is the best, you should have kids, you should have a big wedding, you should do this type of exercise, you should drive this type of car. No. Look within first. Discover what you value, what’s important to you and that will become your “ultimate way”. Other people will have different ways and that’s OK. That’s for them. Your ultimate way is truly your ultimate way.” ~ Brian Kim
Canon South Africa 550D, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens, F7.1, ISO 800, AV, speeds 1/800 – slightly slower sec, handheld, 4 portrait images stitched in PS. Location: Wilson’s Wharf Durban, South Africa. Saturday 2 May 2015 at 06:47. I’ll say it again: the 550 and 50mm 1.8 is a really entry-level kit but it continues to surprise me.
Anyway, it’s time for breakfast. I think KuDta On Wilsons Wharf will be a good bet at ZAR 22 for 2 eggs, bacon/macon, 1 toast, chips & coffee. One of my photos is on their wall as wallpaper – I think this photo “I am Durban 031ZA” would look far better wink emoticon. The TIF file is a healthy 800MB and it’s sharp!
I Love Durban 5 Star Durban Celebrate Durban! Show Me Durban
What’s on Durban Kudta
This is my second photo from my recent visit to Durban Harbour. I prefer it to the first but can see that I have a third one which may topple the first two (holding thumbs). The “story” from the first post is included below:
“When we were youngsters, we would fish overnight and / or the entire day at Durban Yacht Mole in the harbour. When the tide was out, we would walk the sandbanks fishing off the edges. As the tide came in, we would retreat, keeping the water at waist height, until the water forced us onto the pier or green embankment.
Choice bait was white cracker shrimp, and the area in front of you now (sandbank at low tide – between Wilson’s Wharf & main yacht mole) produced some of the finest stumpnose in the bay. “Stumpies” and grunter would venture onto the sandbanks at high tide in search of cracker shrimp.
Other fish in the channels, which we often netted or caught, were “banana fish” or mullet; both tasty on fresh white bread (including the sardines you never used!!) despite what some may think.
When fishing was boring, fun could be found on the banks in the foreground of this photo (a dried reed / stick with a blob of clay on the end was a great “weapon” to sting the hell out of your mates – use stick to launch clay blob at opponent’s body at high speed).
These were the days that you safely walked kilometres from home to fish and then back again, exploring along the way. We would often explore the edge of the harbour all the way from the dry dock right up to the old north pier, on foot or on BMX (I also had a Raleigh Chopper for a few years).
There were no electronics involved, huge respect for the law and our parents (although we did transgress a little); and we knew our land well. Although Apartheid laws existed at the time and were strictly enforced, we fished with all fishermen (Poobal from the Congella Barracks was a regular as well as Ernest – our maid’s son)”.
Canon 6D, 17-40mm, ISO 100, F11, 1/13 sec shortly after sunrise for sky + another photo before sunrise shot on Bulb Mode setting 121 sec, F14, ISO 100 for land / water – Wilson’s Wharf, Durban – South Africa
I Love Durban 5 Star Durban Celebrate Durban!People’s Weather East Coast Radio Wilson’s WharfPoint Yacht Club Royal Natal Yacht Club
#ilovedurban #pointyachtclub #yachtmole#durbanharbour
— at Wilson’s Wharf.
This photo was taken in Sarnath not far from Varanasi India.
“Sarnath is a city located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Gomati rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Singhpur, a village approximately one km away from the site, was the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism, and a temple dedicated to him, is an important pilgrimage site.
Isipatana is mentioned by the Buddha as one of the four places of pilgrimage which his devout followers should visit, if they wanted to visit a place for that reason.[1] It was also the site of the Buddha’sDhammacakkappavattana Sutta, which was his first teaching after attaining enlightenment, in which he taught the four noble truths and the teachings associated with it” ~ Wikipadia
This photo was taken across from Amapondo Backpackers at Port St Johns second beach Transkei; home of Old Transkeians…… and near Juliet Leslie‘s Delicious Monster Restaurant.
This is a photo about adapting and never giving up. It was taken after my alarm clock didn’t go off and I thought it was too late to make it to the beach to take photos. It was a work trip that involved difficulty; but in that it was an obstacle that became a golden opportunity.
“Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that you shall live” ~ Marcus Aurelius
Amapondo backpackers Port St Johns South Africa
Andrew Harvard Photography 