Adventure Travel Photography… you can touch the clouds in Nakchu, Tibet
You can "touch" the clouds in Nakchu, northern Tibet
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Awesome landscapes on the way to Lake Namtso, Tibet
This festival is not for the faint- hearted, oxygen levels in Nakchu are approximately 61 percent and temperatures can range from 40 degrees Celsius at high noon to minus one degree Celsius in the early morning.
It all started in August 2006 when I decided that my upcoming Book was not going to be complete until I had ventured into Tibet and so we set off; my Son Mark-Lee and myself. It was an amazing Journey, four weeks cruising the high Tibetan Plateau passing Monasteries and awesome landscapes on the way…we took our time, stopping on the way and staying overnight in small guesthouses or in a Monastery, but our final goal was to reach the province of Nakchu.
After our time in the Nachu province we spend some time in Lhasa and after a few days ventured out again to other remote places within in reach of our permits. Yes, you do need permits, everything is strictly regulated and check points are a common sight.
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Monasteries reaching towards the sky…Tibet
For this post I have selected Images from my archives, photos that did not made it into the book "A Journey Through Color & Time."
There is just so much to see, learn the Buddhist way of life and if you ask me…four weeks is just a drop in the Ocean, I could spend a lifetime exploring this amazing country. Unfortunately it is not easy these days getting into Tibet due to the massive restrictions the Chinese Government has opposed upon Tibet, it is very sad and I feel deeply for the Tibetan people and I do miss my beautiful friends I met during this Journey with my son.
The text below is from a published article I wrote for the Asian Geographic Magazine
a few years ago, but now enjoy a little bit of Tibet...
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Storm approaching on the way to Lake Namtso, Tibet
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We visited some amazing Monasteries along the road….Tibet
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Walking clockwise inside the Monastery corridors, Tibet
Tibet’s province of Nakchu in Tibet hosts many festivals throughout the year, but one stands out more than any other; it is the highest horse racing festival in the world – a spectacle of color, festivities and endurance for participants and visitors alike.
Over 10,000 people will cross high passes of more than 4,000 meters by foot, horse and jeep to make their way to the Nakchu Racecourse, to race, eat, drink and make merry during this annual festival. This racecourse, at 4,500 meters, is undoubtedly the highest racecourse in the world.
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Tibetan Nomads near Lake Namtso, Tibet
But be warned – this festival is not for the faint-hearted – oxygen levels in Nakchu are approximately 61 percent and during the month of August, temperatures can soar up to 40 degrees Celsius in the shade at high noon and go right down to minus one degree Celsius in the early morning. There are few tourists in this area due to the high altitude – that and camping is the only accommodation available.
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On the way to Lake Namtso, we met this Tibetan Nomad family
Traversing the Lhasa-Nakchu-Golmud route along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway features landscapes of grasslands, snow-covered mountains and villages, with the occasional
view of the newly built railroad from China to Lhasa. It is an amazing journey and if you’re lucky, you just might encounter a prostrating pilgrim or two performing their ritual along the way. (we certainly did)
If you decide to travel to Nakchu, check with the local authorities or organize a local guide, then prepare yourself for extreme temperatures. Bear in mind that you are very close to the sun, and as mention you can almost touch the clouds, drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and to lower the effects of altitude sickness.
Travelers should spend a few days in Lhasa to acclimatize to the altitude before hitting the road – when traveling from an altitude of 3,650 meters to Nakchu at 4,500 meters, everybody reacts differently so walk slowly and enjoy the festival; and before you get caught up in the spirit of the festival and decide to jump head first into one of the races, remember that Tibetans are used to this high altitude, you are NOT.
Crowded along Nakchu’s vast hillsides are the white tents of monks, pilgrims, Tibetan nomads, and city dwellers who have come, dressed in their colorful clothing and elaborate jewelry. After a grand opening ceremony, various recreational and trade activities such as horse or yak races, tug-of-war games, sgor-gzhas (a Tibetan group dance), and Tibetan operas will be on display for all.
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Skillful displays on horseback Nakchu, Tibet
Riders perform skillful displays on horseback, while women chat away in groups before their colorful dance; Buddhist Monks stroll the countryside with their prayer wheels, and others, inspired by the laughter and cheers from spectators. Partake in contests of stone-throwing, now these are not your normal stones, I had problems carrying my camera gear at this altitude but these guys oh boy… (see the photo below) and there is a tug-of-war as well, I was getting dizzy just watching these performances…
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Check out this stone-throwing Nakchu, Tibet
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Horse racing competition Nakchu, Tibet
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Local beauties during festival time at Nakchu, Tibet
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Dance performance during the Horse Racing festival Nakchu, Tibet
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Women wearing the most elaborate cloths during the festival in Nakchu, Tibet
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Tibetan women during the dance performance in Nakchu, Tibet
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Buddhist Monks during the festival at Nakchu, Tibet
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Tibetan women at Nakchu, Tibet
The festival lasts for four to five days, with activities held throughout, which makes one wonder where these locals get their energy from – performing these tasks are difficult enough at sea-level, much less at such high altitudes. However, if you aren’t too exhausted by the festival and still have some time to spare, then stop for a day or two at Lake Namtso-Chukmo, one of Tibet’s largest and most sacred saltwater lakes. Here, travelers can find basic accommodation – a pleasant break from the camping grounds of the horse-races and I might mention going to the toilet in the treeless country side.
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Tibetan Nomad and his Yaks at Lake Namtso, Tibet
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Lake Namtso, Tibet
At a height of 4,800 meters, the lake is 70-kilometers long and 30 km wide. It takes Buddhist pilgrims 18 days to complete
a korla, or circumnavigation, and is definitely a worthwhile visit for its sheer size and location. On the way back to Lhasa, travelers can catch a glimpse of the spectacular Nechentangla Mountain range with its 7,816 metre snow capped peaks, bringing a perfect end to this festival of a lifetime.
Now back to Lhasa...
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The Patola in Lhasa during a storm, Tibet
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Debating Monks at a Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet
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Debating Monks at a Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet
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"Shoton" in Tibetan means sour milk banquet. As Tibetan operas are performed and Buddha paintings are exhibited at this time, it is also called "Tibetan Opera Festival" or "Buddha Exhibition Festival." The traditional way of starting the Shoton Festival is to show Buddha paintings. The main contents include Tibetan operas and gala parties, Lhasa Tibet.
GD
More Photos from Tibet are on my PhotoShelter site
Please note: If you interested you can join our Photo workshops, unfortunately not to Tibet due to the restrictions at the moment but we have amazing Photo tours to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam for more details check our Calendar for 2012 & 2013 HERE.
Just one more…
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What a smile for a 78 year old Tibetan Nomad!
Travel Photography: Festivals, cremations, Sadhus and animal sacrifice plus updates on our Photo Workshop Tours in 2012.
The story behind the Photos… Water and a full moon festival,
cremations, Sadhus and animal sacrifice in Nepal.
After Sri Lanka and Bhutan I just finished my editing from my last trip in April 2012 to Nepal; I fell a bit behind with this one due to other urgent matters, but now the latest photos from this destination are in my PhotoShelter archives and galleries.
These are only few images on today’s post, all other photos you can view at my PhotoShelter site. I might also mention the Photos have been processed and edited using Aperture 3.3 using only the basic RAW conversion and adjustments with no other manipulation.
My recent visit to Kathmandu coincided with the full moon festival at the Boudhanath Stupa, the Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival and at Pashupati a lot of cremation took place at this time. Not to mention a visit to the “bizarre” and strange animal sacrifice rituals held twice a week at Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana.
There is never any shortage of things to shoot in this part of the world, when it comes to color and subjects. Sometimes it can be quiet difficult to decide and isolate your subjects, be it for a story or just for this one great image, there is always so much happen all around you and a lot of patience is required.
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Lets start at Pashupati the local cremation area, a place I have visited many times before, there was a lot going on this time with scores of monkeys roaming around amongst the many cremations on this particular day.
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Cremations at Pashupati, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A Sadhus Mirror, Pashupati
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A body is prepared for Cremations at Pashupati,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Sacrifice at Pashupati temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Then there was the Balaju mela Hindu bating festival were thousands of people worship all day long, passing along the water spouts offering rice, flowers and other items, creating an almost carnival atmosphere, yet another colorful spectacle.
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The long line at the water spouts, Balaju mela
Hindu bathing festival, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Balaju mela Hindu bathing festival,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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At the full moon festival at the Buddanah stupa; the area also know as “Little Tibet”, here hundreds of Buddhist Monks from surrounding Monasteries gathered that day, a beautiful atmosphere and by nightfall the whole area was lit by butter lamps and candles.
Challenging photography but yet so very rewarding, especially when I got permission to get very close to the main prayer area at the base of the Buddanah Stupa with all the Buddhist Monks.
Later I wondered around through the ally's; vendors selling candles and other offerings and exploring in low light the base of the Stupa where the Butter Lamps been blessed and kept alight. A wonderful experience, a great evening with the pleasant smell of incense all around.
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Buddhist Monks at dusk, beginning of the full moon festival at the Buddanah stupa,
the area is also know as "Little Tibet" Kathmandu, Nepal
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Spinning the Prayer wheel just outside the Monastery
opposite the Buddanah stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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During the full moon festival
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During the full moon festival, Butter Lamps and candle light at the
base of the Buddanah stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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In the ally's during the full moon festival, near the
Buddanah stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Preparing the candles, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A more bizarre and not for the faint hearted, a strange ritual (not strange for the locals mind you) is been held twice a week about 2 hours drive from Kathmandu (all depends on traffic on this winding road) at Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana the animal sacrifice temple which is truly a “bloody” event.
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A chicken waiting for it's "turn" Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana
the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal 
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A Goat is sacrificed at Dakshinkall Bungamati,
Khokana the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal 
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Worship at Dakshinkall Bungamati,
Khokana the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal 
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After the worship and sacrifice a goat is prepared
in boiling water at Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana
the animal sacrifice temple, Nepal
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All this happens during our last Photo Workshop: we arrived from Sri Lanka with a stop over in Nepal on the way to Bhutan. Then on the way back I did spend a few extra days in Kathmandu to intercept all those festivals, these extra few days were well spend and rewarding.
Of course I might as well mention all those other interesting places like: Bhaktapur (love this place) or the daily life in and around Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square, the traditional villages of Bugmati/Khokana Lolitpur or for just a warm-up on your first day you could stroll around the Thamel area with it's bustling street live, shops and restaurants.
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Colored powder used for rituals at Dakshinkall Bungamati,
Khokanathe animal sacrifice temple, Nepal
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Our next trip to Nepal and this one will be very special in 2013, is an Expedition and Adventure trip in late March - mid April 2013, you have to reserve this one early as we take only 8 participants on this tour.
Note: This is NOT our normal workshop...this will be an Expedition into some very remote and seldom visited parts of Nepal, traveling on horseback and camping, this is by invitation or upon request only. The final itinerary will be available by 3rd quarter 2012.
For more details please contact Gunther Deichmann
See below also some of our other upcoming Expedition Adventure Photo Work Shop Tours in 2012 and you don’t have to be a pro to be part of this, we except all levels of experience.
LAOS - VIETNAM - CAMBODIA – Myanmar 2012 starting on September 8th. You can choose either one of these tours or combine them, for more info and the complete Itinerary please contact me.
Or check our GD Photo Workshop calendar for 2012
Note: Please make your reservations early for Myanmar; due to the recent positive changes in the Country we have to make Hotel bookings way in advance.
Tour starts on October 05 - October 16, 2012 - 11 special days of pure adventure and amazing photography. Max. of 10 Participants on all Tours unless stated otherwise.
Please do not hesitate in contacting me if you have any special request or queries.
On this special journey through Myanmar we will explore the remote parts of the country but also some of the known places. We promise that this will be a very special trip.
This photographic tour of Myanmar takes guests from the captivating capital of Yangon where the sparkling Shwedagon Pagoda glistens at sunset. From Yangon guests take a short flight to Bagan where it's difficult to ever put your camera down.
Countless temples and pagodas are scattered across its desert like plains. Crumbling architecture adds to the inherent beauty of the place.
Visit Tayokye Pyay, an elevated temple with sweeping panoramic views of the plains below. Then Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple with exquisite jataka mural paintings and the elegant Ananda Temple, one of the most impressive masterpieces.
We also head to Myinkabar and Old Bagan to discover lesser-visited sites with unusual stone inscriptions. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset from the terrace of a temple.
For Testimonials from previous participants, please Click this LINK.
Details and bookings/reservations, please Click this LINK
GD
Travel Photography ASIA: In stark contrast to Sri Lanka & Bhutan, the Journey continuous through Nepal
I love contrast... and this was certainly an extreme
if you compare Nepal with Sri Lanka and Bhutan
A Sadhu during the Hindu bathing festival. Balaju Mela or
Lhuti Punhi, Kathmandu, Nepal
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We sadly left Colombo in Sri Lanka and took the flight to Delhi en-route to Kathmandu, Nepal our second stop before leaving for Bhutan.
I love contrast and this was certainly an extreme if you compare Nepal with Sri Lanka (my next post) and Bhutan. I visited Nepal many times before, but every time I find something more unique or bizarre, I just love this place, its mix religion, people, culture, tradition and of course awesome colors.
Sadhu at the Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu
temple in Kathmandu, Nepal
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In the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal
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Oh…those Eyes, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Boy selling sugar candy Durban Square, Kathamndu, Nepal,
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Durban Square, Kathmandu, Nepal,
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Yes, it can be a bit chaotic at times, and the traffic especially during festival times is a nightmare, but it is also very rewarding for photography a constant challenge isolating subjects amongst the crowd.
We made another stop over for a few more days on our way back from Bhutan and intercepted two festivals before hitting back home, this was a welcome change after the higher altitude from Bhutan, a sort of R&R.
The cool one...In the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal
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Child playing with large Prayer Wheel at one of the
Monasteries, in "Little Tibet" Boudhanath, Kathmandu, Nepal
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A pilgrim during a Chaktsal prostration, a powerful way of
showing devotion at the Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Nepal
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One of my favorite places I keep returning to when visiting Nepal is the Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, and my recent visit here coincided with the full moon festival. This ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of refugees from Tibet has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Compas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. It is a UNESCO World heritage Site since 1979, the Stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha. This area is also know as little Tibet.
Right next to the Boudhanath Stupa, this is where the Butter lamps
are kept during the full moon festival, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Movement… start of the full moon festival at the Boudhanath
Stupa, Kathmandu, Nepal
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This is only a small selection of images on todays post, there will be a lot more once I am done with my editing and have uploaded them on to my PhotoShelter site, I keep you posted when that is ll done. I hope within the next few days, cross my fingers.
I might add Aperture 3 performed absolutely flawless, all photos have been processed using only Aperture 3 and only basic and RAW adjustments have been applied.
The ancient Swayambunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple)
is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine.
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Above: I waited a long time to get this shot, standing in one corner for ages, trying to capture a Monkey just in between those Eyes, the original image is only cropped, with no other adjustments except for the basic RAW conversion and a tweak on the color temperature.(Aperture 3)
Perched atop a hill on the western edge of the Kathmandu Valley, the ancient Swayambunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple) is Kathmandu's most important Buddhist shrine. The sleepy, all-seeing Buddha eyes that stare out from the top have become the quintessential symbol of Nepal.
When this temple was founded about 2,000 years ago, Kathmandu Valley was filled with a great lake. According to Buddhist legend, a single perfect lotus grew in the center of the lake. When the bodhisattva Manjusri drained the lake with a slash of his sword, the lotus flower settled on top of the hill and magically transformed into the stupa. Thus it is known as the Self-Created (swayambhu) Stupa.
The earliest written record of the Swayambunath Stupa's existence is a 5th-century stone inscription, but scholars believe there was probably a shrine here as early as the 1st century. Even before that, it is likely that animist rites took place on this hill. Swayambunath is one of Nepal's oldest Buddhist temples and it has an ancient atmosphere, especially when one approaches on foot with the pilgrims.
Bizarre and strange faces…Kathmandu, Nepal
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No explanation needed…street scene Kathmandu, Nepal.
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Hard working…Kathmandu, Nepal
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Carrying heavy loads in the streets near Durban Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Carrying heavy loads in the streets near Durban Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Women with her heavy load in the streets
of Kathmandu, Nepal
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Sadhu at the Pashupatinath Temple,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Sadhu at the Pashupatinath Temple,
Kathmandu, Nepal
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The Pashupatinath Temple the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu. It is not known for certain when Pashupatinath Temple was founded. But according to Nepal Mahatmaya and Himvatkhanda, The deity here gained great fame there as Pashupati, the Lord of the Animals. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 A.D.
The richly-ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage to this temple, that is also known as 'The Temple of Living Beings'.
Wicks are mixed with butter and then set alight, burning for hours during animal offering at the Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana Animal sacrifice Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Worshiping at the Dakshinkall Bungamati, Khokana Animal sacrifice Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal
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The full moon day of April, Lhuti Punhi, is important for both Hindus and Buddhists the full moon festival took place in the evening at the Boudhanath stupa the other festival on the same day but in the morning was the Balaju Mela or Lhuti Punhi
Hindu worshiper during the bathing festival. Balaju Mela or
Lhuti Punhi, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Here Devotees celebrate the festival by visiting Balaju (or Lhuti), about 3 km north of downtown Kathmandu, to take holy baths under the 22 dragon-headed stone water spouts and pay homage to the reclining image of the Hindu deity Budhanilkantha. People also climb the nearby Jamacho hill to worship the Buddhist stupa located at the top.
The hill is held sacred because ages ago, when the Kathmandu Valley was a lake, it was from this summit the the Bipaswa Buddha had cast a lotus seed into the water which blossomed into the flaming holy lotus over which the Swoyambhu stupa now stands.
Near the Nepal traditional vilages of Bugmati/Khokana, Lolitpur
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Did I say in my first sentence…We sadly left Colombo in Sri Lanka… yes that is correct, but I was also extremely happy when I arrived in Nepal…the contrast was just awesome.
Please stay tuned for the next and last part…amazing Sri Lanka featuring some awesome landscapes and wildlife, another very contrasty piece.
Also as a reminder we still have a few spots available for our next Journey with the GD Photo Workshops into Myanmar starting June 29, 2012, book now this workshop is filling up very fast and final bookings have to be made by latest May 20th, 2012.
I am going to announce once I have updated my main website and my PhotoShelter with the latest, more images from Sri Lanka - Nepal and Bhutan.
I hope you enjoy the images from Nepal today, until soon from Sri Lanka…and the contrast continues…
GD
