Photography: Bizarre, interesting and utterly weird images from my last Journey in November 2012
First things first… A Very Happy, Colorful & Peaceful
New Year to YOU all.
Prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun
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Almost in one day… I got the "Beatles in a Sexy Street" a Condom Machine, well that was another day in my small home town. A crooked House, yellow footprints, homeless people, colorful Graffiti, an Octopus on the wall and the saddle-less push bike in Paris…
2012 is gone and we’re already two days into 2013 and this is my first Blog post for the year.

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A Sexy Bus Stop in Hamburg, Germany
The last two-month in 2012 had been very hectic to say the least, traveling to Germany and later to France for my Exhibition. (running until the end of February)
I had very little time for photography on this trip but like to share with you some interesting, bizarre and weird images that crossed my path during my stay in Germany and Paris.

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The "crooked" Building by Architect Rizzi, Braunscheig Germany,
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Strange but true… A Condom Machine hanging on an outside wall in the streets of the
small town Koenigslutter. Note the sign high above; meaning this is a One-way Street.
NO… I did NOT put the small bottle of Vodka there.
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Yellow footprints on the footpath, this is supposed to help children to watch out for traffic on this blind corner of the street before crossing the road. Koenigslutter, Germany.

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Bizarre…in an Alley way on the Reeperbahn, the red-light district of Hamburg, Germany. 
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"Sexy"…text read… please keep the garage entry open Day and Night. Reeperbahn, Hamburg, Germany
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This is where it all started… the Beatles Platz on the Reeperbahn,
St Pauli, Hamburg Germany.
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Weird wall painting on the streets, Reeprbahn Hamburg Germany
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The small sign in front of the man reads... Schaefer ohne arbeit…shepherd without work…Braunscheig, Germany.
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Bizarre…"camping" in front of the sex shops at the Reeperbahn,
Hamburg Germany
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Weird…Express Teller Machine with a Pole dancer…
now that is a good one…
Hamburg, Germany.
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Waiting for it? Or did he got a hangover from the party the night before?
The yellow sign says…80th and 90th Party,
Hamburg Germany.
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An Octopus on the wall… Hamburg Germany.
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Interesting…In Paris they make sure they don't steal your Push Bike, by not only locking the bike but also taken the saddle off for good measures…try and riding this one with out it… he, he.
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We also updated our Photo Tour and Workshop Site changed and listed some very interesting Journeys for 2013 in the Calendar.
Our first two Photo Tours to Burma/Myanmar and Cambodia starting in February are fully booked now and I am really looking forward to meet new participants and see familiar faces again.
This time we have participants from Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, USA, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
We start in Burma by mid February with two separate tours and after a few weeks I continue to Cambodia with two special Photo Tours back to back. By middle of February I am very much out of touch for some six weeks, so please forgive me if my Blogs, FB entries will be very thin during that time.
Plus I have to squeeze in a trip to Palawan and Boracay Island in the Philippines, I guess not a bad start for the
New Year.
GD
Travel Photography: Everyday life from India, Myanmar, Laos & Cambodia in 2011
Everyday life from India, Cambodia, Laos & Myanmar.

Inside the Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi India
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In the past few days I had to go through my personal archives from 2011 before leaving tomorrow for Sri Lanka - Nepal and Bhutan.
I like to share some images in this post that are not yet in my PhotoShelter Galleries and Archives, simply called "Daily Life" from the destinations last year, there are so many more but for now Sri Lanka Nepal and Bhutan are calling and I have to get packing.

Security Guard at the Red Fort in Delhi, India
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Images from all walks of life, places I visited in 2011 alone and during the GD Photo Workshops.
I keep the text very brief and I guess my next post will be upon my return in early April, until then, cheers.
GD

Red Fort in Delhi, India
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"Care Taker" inside the Ananda Temple Bagan, Myanmar
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Children in the corridor at the Maha Muni temple
Mandalay, Myanmar
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Buddhist Monk explaining the history of the temple in Laos
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Good morning…Buddhist Monk brushing his teeth,
Yangon, Myanmar
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Cleaning the dog at the Phnom Kulen waterfall, Cambodia
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The T-shirt reads…Wonderful LADY because of You
my world is filled with Happiness
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Cheeky smile…Inle Lake Myanmar.
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At the Jama Masjid Mosque in Delhi India
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Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
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Traditional fishing in Laos
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Fun in the Rice Paddy, Cambodia
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Keeping it clean, Red Fort Delhi India
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Lunch Time…Yangon, Myanmar
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You love music? Delhi India
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Having a good old chat…Delhi, India
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Feeding the young…Inle Lake Myanmar
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Street Vendor Delhi, India
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The shop keeper…Inle Lake , Myanmar
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Red Fort Delhi, India
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Tonle, Sap Lake, Cambodia
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Flooded Siem Reap in 2011, Cambodia
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Novice Monks…Inle Lake Myanmar
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Looking across the Mekong River towards Thailand, Laos
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Our June 2012 GD Photo Workshop to MYANMAR is very special indeed, we’re not only cover the know areas but venture to more remote and seldom visited places in this amazing Country.
For all the details and Itinerary's and our other GD Photo Workshops in Asia please follow the LINKS.
http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanamar-through-the-lens/
Part two; Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - rare photos of ceremonial & tribal Aboriginals from Arnhem Land, Australia.
The story behind the photos… Tribal Aboriginals from their sacred land in Arnhem Land to rare ancient rock art & burial ceremonies. (Part two)

Dreamtime… tribal elder, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Seldom seen images that date back some 30 years, shot on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age.
Going back in time…Dreamtime “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines,
Part two. Arnhem Land Northern Territory.
Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives, and I also had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.
There were many more images I saw, but could NOT record them in respect for the Aboriginals and their believes, recorded only with my eyes, but the memory still lives very deep inside of me.
“At times I am very contend to take home the memory, instead of pursuing the image, this in turn will gain you respect.”-GD-

Tribal elder in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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During the mid 80th I visited Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park many times, and during the cause of my visits became friends with some Aboriginal tribal elders. I am grateful for their spiritual guidance that I got to know some places seldom visited by others.
But even more important, I learned how to take care of our environment and only take from the land what is needed to survive.
I like to thank my dear old friend “Nipper” for his friendship and trust for allowing me into areas normally not visited by any outsiders.

Hunting in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Australia's Aboriginal culture probably represents the oldest surviving culture in the world, with the use of stone tool technology and painting with red ochre pigment dating back over 60,000 years.
Arnhem Land is strictly an Aboriginal Reserve located next to Kakadu National Park in the tropical north of Australia. Travel to outside persons is restricted and visitors must obtain an entry permit.

Mysterious Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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There are no paved roads and getting around is difficult most of the time but in particular during the wet season when rivers swell and flood the swampy marches. The rivers, swamps and billabongs are also abundant with the large Australian Salt Water Crocodiles and care should be taken when camping near waterways.
An alternative to Arnhem Land is to visit Kakadu National park, which is more accessible, and the Aboriginals left their mark here too, in particular at Obirri Rock, a fantastic gallery of detailed ancient rock art. Or a visit to the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Waterfalls along the Arnhem Land Escarpment is just breathtaking.

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The Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a tall long-necked wading bird in the stork family. It is a resident species across south and southeast Asia with a large population in Australia and is very common at “Yellow Waters” in Kakadu National Park.
A visit to Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park is a must once in the area, a swamp (flood plains) with its amazing variety and abundant of wildlife, huge congregation of water fowls, white breasted sea eagles on trees, monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles that make this area a haven for wildlife photographers.
The Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory have left a great legacy of their culture in the form of art that can be found in caves and rock overhangs where it is protected from the elements. One of the richest of these areas is in Kakadu National Park, the traditional lands of the Gagudju people, in the Top End, west Arnhem Land. There are superb examples of Rock Art in the galleries of Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr, where you can view them easily.

Selection of not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Compared to the arid region in Central Australia, it comes as no surprise with such an abundance of wildlife in the area that in ancient times the aboriginal artist had a lot of motives for their rock art. The area is not only a source of food but played an important role in their spiritual life “The Dreamtime”.
Ubirr, or Obiri Rock for example in the north east of Kakadu, has some of the finest examples of "X-ray art" in the world. The artist not only painted the outside but also the bones and internal organs of the animals, mostly fish like barramundi, but also turtles, birds and reptiles.

A rare detailed painting of an unusual "Hand stencil", more of a
painting then the commonly found Hand stencils.
Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Hand Stencils are also common all over Australia and some can be dated to 50,000 years old. Aboriginal rock art was still being retouched during my visits in the 80th as seen in the photos from Arnhem Land, thus making it the world’s longest lasting artistic tradition at that time.

Aboriginal art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Detailed Bark painting from Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal rock art being retouched in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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A not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Dreamtime… Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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The “Ruined City” near the Roper River Aboriginal settlement in Arnhem Land is called also “ruined city of the Moon.” The Aboriginals call this place “Burrangie” the legendary home of giant people who live in the realm of dreamtime.
The “Ruined City” is considered and ultra-sacred Aboriginal site and is strictly off-limits to outsiders.

The "Ruined City" before sunrise in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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In the early 80th I was extremely lucky to gain permission from the tribal elders in visiting and exploring the area on foot for a couple of days. This is an amazing and eerie place and no wonder it is considered very sacred to the local Aboriginal tribe.

Burial Cave in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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After my visit to the “Ruined City” a burial ceremony took place a few days later at the Roper River aboriginal settlement and after some discussions with the Elders I was permitted to take part in this ceremony…well at least for the first part of the burial, an experience that I never forget.
As for the second part of the ceremony, the elders denied permission and no outsiders were allowed to take part, it is known as the most sacred part of the burial ceremony.

Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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This is another important time for ceremonies on the death of a person, when people paint themselves white as seen in my photos, cut their own bodies to show their remorse for the loss of their loved one, and conduct a series of rituals, songs and dances to ensure the person’s spirit leaves the area and returns to its birth place, from where it can later be reborn.

Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Bathurst Island, home of the Tiwi people, just of the coast of Darwin the capital of the Northern Territory. The facial and body painting of the people here have been described as the most colorful and elaborate of any Australian group.

Bathurst Island - The decorations essentially relate to the Tiwi people occasions for major ceremonies, for example the pukumani (mortuary or burial) by painting their bodies with white clay and pulling out their beards.
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A deep red ochre is obtained from the oval polished red stones found on the beach, which are ground then mixed with water; yellow is obtained from a soft yellow ochre stone, also ground to a powder. (The Tiwi sometimes burn the yellow to produce red.) White is generally taken from a clay found all over the island, and black is obtained from charcoal.

Traditional food sources... Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal women collecting fresh water turtles and File snakes in the vast swamps of the Northern Territory. (Freshwater streams and billabongs of the Northern Territory are home to the non-venomous file snakes; the Arafura file snake gets its name from its rough, baggy skin, which feels like a file. A nocturnal reptile, the Arafura file snake keeps in the shadows of overhanging trees during the day and forages for food during the night.)

Dingo running across the dry flood plains in
northern Australia, Northern Territory,
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The Australian Dingo plays an important role in Aboriginal society but they did not arrive in Australia with the first aboriginals some 60,000 years ago as previously thought.
They arrived some 6000 years ago in Australia and were then adopted by the native aboriginals. Dingo bones first appear in faunal deposits between about 3500 and 4000 BP.
Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some information on the Australian Aboriginals; they are also a good source for further and more detailed reading. Thank You!
GD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corroboree
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-necked_Stork
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_mythology/index1.htm
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/religion.shtml
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
Travel Photography: The story behind the photos, female Elephants dress up for the occasion, kaleidoscope of colors Rajasthan, India.
The story behind the photos…
female Elephants dress up for the occasion.

The envy look…female Elephant full body make-up, Jaipur, India
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Fancy meeting an Elephant in a beauty parlor, now that would be something right, but this is what happen in Jaipur with the exception the parlor is outside.

Who is going to be the prettiest today? Elephant body decor,
Jaipur, India
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During the Jaipur Elephant Festival Elephants turn into a kaleidoscope of colors not only decorated with body paint but also with elaborate glittering materials made form cloth.
Some of these majestic animals are covered from head to toe literally, ready for the yearly parade in Jaipur that is held and coincide with the Holi Festival. (festival of colors)
In India Elephants are regarded very precious since the old days and this is well illustrated in the Hindu Mythology.

The modern look...Elephant body decor, Jaipur, India
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According to some legends at the time of ‘Samudra Manthan’ when demons and Gods were busy in churning the ocean Gods were fortunate to receive an elephant called “Airavata” which later became the divine vehicle (vahana) of India
Since then the Elephant has become a symbol of royalty in Indian culture and many festivals are associated with it.
Jaipur Elephant Festival is perhaps the only festival where Elephants are given prime importance.

Lady in blue… Elephant body decor, Jaipur, India
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Flirting with me… Elephant body decor, Jaipur, India
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"Elephants cute manicured toe's", Jaipur, India
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During the festival, Jaipur comes alive with elephants, dancers and musicians, which draw visitors from all over the world. The elephants parading their decorated trunks and tusks however the most noticeable feature of this festival is that all Elephants who take part in this festival are female Elephants.
So there you have it, even in the Elephant world females go to the Beauty Parlor and dress up in the best attire for the occasion.
Besides having a raging bull in the crowed could spoil all the fun and festivities.

Wow…what a nice behind… Elephant decor Jaipur, India
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If you like to experience this amazing kaleidoscope of colors and roam around those gorgeous female Elephants then why don’t you join us on our GD Photo Workshop in 2013.
Part of our itinerary is Jaipur before leaving for Jodhpur the Blue City and the Thar Desert with its Camels.
For more info please Click this LINK.
Pls. Note: All images have been processed with Aperture 3 no other software or Photoshop has been used.
GD

What a pretty girl…ready for the big day…
Elephant decor Jaipur, India
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Travel Photography: One beautiful afternoon at the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge, Myanmar
Just one beautiful afternoon in Amarapura,
Mandalay, Myanmar.
Thank you for your continuous support, wishing you all
a very Happy New Year!
It was during our last GD Photo Workshop near Mandalay in Myanmar when we visited the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura at sunset. What a beautiful afternoon it turned out to be, blessed and lucky with the weather we encountered some stunning light right up to dusk.

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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The 1.2 km wooden footbridge (longest teak bridge in the world) built by the mayor U Bein salvaging the unwanted teak columns from the old palace during the move to Mandalay.

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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Local boatman at the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in
Amarapura, Myanmar
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Join us for another breathtaking journey through Myanmar on our upcoming GD Photo Workshop in June 2012, visiting not only the well known places but also more remote parts of this truly amazing Country.
Please check for more information and complete itinerary with our exclusive travel agent & partner EXOTISSIMO Website.
Testimonials from previous participants please CLICK THIS LINK.

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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For our other published destinations: Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan - Vietnam - Laos & Cambodia please CLICK this LINK our Photo Workshop Calendar in ASIA for 2012
GD

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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Local boatman near the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in
Amarapura, Myanmar
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U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
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View more images from Myanmar and other destinations in my Photoshelter Archives & Galleries, please click this LINK
Travel Photography: Twelve Asian faces from 2011; thoughtful, bizarre, happy and sad plus one sleepy. See you soon at the ONE ASIA Festival Singapore.
Twelve Asian faces from 2011…
thoughtful, bizarre, happy, sad + one sleepy.

India 2011
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In a few more days 2011 is coming to an end and I am now preparing for my last trip this year to Singapore, leaving in a couple of days.
I am part again of the ONE ASIA Festival - Celebrate the Images of Asia as a Speaker and Judge for the Asia Without Borders Photo Competition.
I am really looking forward to catch up again with Michael Yamashita who was there also last year, and get together with Steve McCurry, Michael Freeman and Manuel Librodo plus many others, and of course with some good old friends.
Hope to see some of you there; for detailed information on the ONE ASIA FESTIVAL please click the LINKS.
But before I report from Singapore (I know the connection will be fine this time) I like to share with you some images taken in 2011, people from Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.
“The bizarre, happy and sad.” People of all walks of life; their culture, tradition and every day life.

Nepal 2011
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India 2011
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India 2011
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Sri Lanka 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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Sri Lanka 2011
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Cambodia 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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Myanmar 2011
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THINK! Nepal 2011
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Just one more…and sleepy.
Myanmar 2011
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PLEASE NOTE:
Check our updated GD PhotoWorkshop Calendar for 2012, with exciting and new destinations throughout ASIA.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html
Adventure Travel Photography: The Students Work from the GD Photo Workshops Laos-Cambodia & Myanmar.
The Students Work; from the GD Photo Workshops
in Laos-Cambodia & Myanmar.
Click on the image above or the LINKS for all the Students Work.
Please note you might have to refresh your Browser.
I keep this text very brief today and rather let the Images do the talking, we have ask our participants to select their personal favored Photos from the last three workshops.
They made their selection without any interference or adjustments by my assistant or myself.
The images posted had been sent to us and we posted them unaltered the way we received them, we only resized them to make them fit for the web.
Please do respect the copyright of all the persons who submitted their images and refrain from copying any images in any way. Thank You.
All of the participants did real well, in particular some our newbies surprised me pleasantly.
Enjoy the photos from the participants who at times had to work very hard to create these cool images.
We have also updated the testimonials and our GD Photo Workshop site with a new announcement in the Calendar for a very special Myanmar GD Photo Workshop in 2012.
GD
Photography: How I love this Quote by Ernst Haas & so fitting prior my Journey to Laos - Cambodia & Myanmar
Through the car window… using the iPhone & my little
Leica, plus my favorite Quote by Ernst Haas.
Through the Taxi window with the iPhone, Manila Philippines
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Finished the last Aperture 3 advanced tutorial at the Power Mac Center last week, got some important meetings out of my way and now the TIME has come…the packing has started (mind you very light) for our Cultural - Archaeological, Travel and Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar.
I report whenever possible but my Blog Posts will be a bit thin from now on, however I try to stay in touch via Facebook and Twitter.

Through the car window with the iPhone, street vendor during heavy
rain selling Sampaguita ... the national flower of the
Philippines, Manila Philippines
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
With the iPhone, on the road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
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In todays post, definitely the last one prior my departure (next one I have no clue from where) I have chosen only images taken with my iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4 which are my companion most of the time and the reason for my favorite quote by Ernst Haas; read the complete story below:

Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Ernst Haas commented on this in a workshop in 1985:
Two laddies from Nova Scotia had made a huge effort to be there and were great Leica fans, worked in a camera store, saved to have them and held Ernst on high for being a Leica user (although he used Nikons on his Marlboro shoots, when the chips were down).
About four days into the workshop, he finally maxxed out on the Leica adoration these kids displayed, and in the midst of a discussion, when one of them asked one more question aimed at establishing the superiority of Wetzlar;
Ernst said, "Leica, schmeica. The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE."
Nobody talked about Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other brand of camera equipment for the rest of the workshop.
He also said, "Best wide-angle lens? 'Two steps backward' and 'look for the ah-ha'."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haas

Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Street Children cleaning the car windows for a few centavos -
through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Just one more…
Ferme le Lundi - French for "Closed on Monday"
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Yep, that is me in 1992 outside a French Cafe in Phnom Penh and my first visit to Cambodia covering a story on the Mekong River for Animan Magazine, no digital…no laptops, etc. just the good old film…and a bit younger mind you. Since then I have been visiting Cambodia almost yearly, continuously discovering the undiscovered…
and definitely Ferme Le Lundi!
Now the endless Journey continuos…until soon from where ever I might be…GD.
Announcement: Important info for GD Photo Workshops in Asia, effective new dates Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan 2012

New confirmed and final dates for
Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan 2012
Check our GD Photo Workshop Calendar for more info
SRI LANKA - INDIA 2012- 5 more spots available
March 11 to March 25, 2012
Max. of 10 Participants
Join us for two amazing Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Sri Lanka and Central India.
Breathtaking wildlife and awesome scenery in Sri Lanka plus amazing culture including the Dambulla Cave Temple dating to the first Century BC and a lot more will be on our itinerary. Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka and discover the undiscovered. Our central India workshop will take you back in time; to some seldom seen Cave temples, namely the Ellora and Ajanta cave system.
BHUTAN 2012 Only 3 more spots available, hurry this workshop is filling up very fast. Bookings will close by latest September 15th, 2011
March 27 - April 05, 2012 - 9 Nights
Max. of 8 Participants
This trip covers the highlights of Western Bhutan and focuses on Talo festival. Talo Tsechu is held in the ground near Talo Dzong or Monastery. The village of Talo, high on the hills above Punakha is located at an altitude 2800m. The village is scattered along the hill slopes. Talo Sangnacholing is built on a plateau with has majestic view of surrounding villages. More details and the complete itinerary is available soon.
For bookings and reservations CLICK this LINK
One week in Bangkok; from high tech to bizarre photography & a short exclusive GD Photo Workshop.
High tech, angry birds and a lot of other
strange things…

High tech...
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Last week in Bangkok was something out of the ordinary with a lot of different situations and images plus a short GD Photo Workshop for some exclusive clients.
Unfortunately I want be able to talk or show some of the high tech images due to restrictions of the project but at least I can share some of the more strange and bizarre photos with you.

Strange…
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Angry birds…
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Weird…
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Bizarre...
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Very different…
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Great smiles…
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Muaythai...
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It was an amazing week in Bangkok including a visit to the Mecca of Muaythai Boxing at the Lumbini Stadium pushing the ISO to 5000 on the Nikon D700.
I am back in Manila now and working on the final preparations for our GD Photo Workshop to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar, which starts in September.
BTW…We are fully booked for Laos and Cambodia now and have only one more spot available for Myanmar, so if you like to join us for Myanmar you have to confirm this to us by latest August 12th, 2011 we can’t except any more bookings after this date.
Also our Workshop to Bhutan in 2012 is almost full and we have only three more spots available, if you’re interested please make your bookings asap. (Final booking for Bhutan has to be made by latest November 10th. 2011)
We still have some slots available for Sri Lanka and Central India in 2012 but these two exciting destinations are also filling up very fast.
There will be an update and some very exciting news on our entire Photo Workshops prior my departure in September on this Blog. For more information and details about our Photo Workshops throughout Asia, including the already popular one to Mongolia and Tibet in 2012.
I am also conducting some Aperture 3 and digital darkroom seminars at Power Mac Center and Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila during the month of August and early September, for more details on those please click on the LINKS.
GD
Just one more...
Everything from the above…except high tech & muaythai.
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Travel Photography: Medieval Labyrinth, Bats & a replica Taj Mahal, discover the undiscovered in India.
A Medieval Fort... a Labyrinth with Bats & a replica Taj Mahal,
discover the undiscovered in Incredible India.

Muslim School Children in Aurangabad Town, India
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Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad, India
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Medieval is putting it mildly... after I paid a visit to Aurangabad and discovered the undiscovered, in particular roaming around all day at the Daulatabad Fort with its spooky labyrinth and fortifications.
This was definitely going back in time… Daulatabad Fort is also very different from other Indian Forts I visited before…medieval is the right description for sure.
But there are many other interesting sights, like the perfect replica of the Taj Mahal or the Aurangabad Caves, yet another interesting cave system.
The Aurangabad Caves are small in comparison to Ellora and Ajanta but showcasing yet another achievement from ancient times.
Located close to the city these caves are visited less by tourists, but rather more often by local teenager using them as a lover’s hideout.

Daulatabad Fort and the Victory Pillar is 210 feet high and is a very good specimen of Persian art in India.
The minar was constructed in memory of a victory over Gujrat,Sujrat, by Sultan Al-ud-din Bahamani (Ahamadshah II ) in 1435 A.D. Aurangabad, India
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The city of Aurangabad is known for its medieval monuments and cultural heritage. It was the seat of the Mughal Empire for a short period. The city boasts of Bibi-ka-Makbara, a tomb that has some resemblance to the Taj Mahal.
I found out later that even most Indians don’t know that there is a “second Taj Mahal” in the country, a perfect replica but only about a third in size in comparison to the Taj in Agra. This mausoleum is also termed as 'poor man's Taj Mahal' owing to it being a poor replica of the Taj.
The importance of Aurangabad is great, owing to its proximity with world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. These sites have Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples.

Aurangabad the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, India replica of the famous Taj mahal Mugal architecture
build in 1678 by Aurangzeb's son in memory of his mother Bgum Rabia Durani, India
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Replica of the famous Taj Mahal, Aurangabad, India
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The heritage of Aurangabad is linked with different Muslim rulers and dynasties of India. The city was founded in 1610, on the site of a village named Khirki, by a local Muslim noble Malik Ambar.

Muslim walking outside the the Bibi-ka-Maqbara,
with shadows of replica of the famous Taj Mahal
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His son Fateh Khan ruled it and named the city as Fatehpur in 1626. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, took over this city in 1653 and renamed it as Aurangabad. Due to its strategic location in peninsular India, Aurangzeb made Aurangabad his capital. He used this city as a base to quell the rising power of the Marathas.
Daulatabad Fort and the Victory Pillar is 210 feet high and is a very good specimen of Persian art in India. The minar was constructed in memory of a victory over Gujrat,Sujrat, by Sultan Al-ud-din Bahamani (Ahamadshah II ) in 1435 A.D. Aurangabad, India
Inside the Fort there is an amazing Labyrinth build as a defense for invading forces, here you see bats hanging of the ceiling, a must but spooky walk.
Oh…how I love these sorts of places…and this one was right up my alley!

Bats in side the Labyrinth at Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad, India
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The ceiling is covered in the Labyrinth with thousand of bats
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My local guide made jokes about it before entering the labyrinth, teasing and trying to scare me…well he didn’t know me yet. After I went through the passages I said to him that like to go back and spend more time inside to get additional photos of the Bats…
he looked at me strangely and said… you’re the first person I met who really enjoyed this… I answered him…
my dear friend, I thrive on this!

A local Girl at Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad, India
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Aurangabad is a good base for visiting the Ellora and Ajanta Caves that I described in my earlier articles and one can spend easy a few days here wondering around discovering the undiscovered.
Aurangabad is definitely worth a visit and I shall return again to this part of the world, yet another Incredible part of India.

Aurangabad Caves excavated between 1st and 6th Century AD, India
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Indian Sikh at Daulatabad Fort Aurangabad
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In 2012 our GD Photo Workshop will take place in this area and if you have a sense of adventure, a love for Photography then why not join us to one of the lesser visited places in India.
GD
Just one more...
Monkeys roaming the Daulatabad Fort
in Aurangabad, India
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