NEWS RELEASE - Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer.

Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography
Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer

See below the official release:

burma-myanmar-photography-workshops-asia

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


(Bangkok, 19 January 2012) Exotissimo Travel, Asia’s leading DMC has unveiled a collection of niche photography workshop tours covering four top destinations in Southeast Asia. Each tour lasts between 6 – 10 days and is hosted by international photographer Gunther Deichmann who passes on his expertise in the field.

This novel selection of tours are open to all ages and abilities with professional photographer Gunther Deichmann teaching new techniques from basic to advanced over the course of each. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and gain first hand tutorial as you practice new methods. Gunther’s passion and friendly approach make his tours extremely popular and there is no doubt this series will prove just as well-liked.

All the essential elements of photography are covered with guests leaving confident in knowing how to compose the perfect shot. With over 30 years experience as a professional photographer, Gunther has worked in more than 25 countries with his camera and travelled extensively in Asia. His existing knowledge of the people and places means no time is wasted on these tours.

It's a rare opportunity to explore the unique cultural practices of a country while gaining insight into the architecture and heritage of a destination that few tourists see. The chance for spectacular photographic opportunities is unrivaled in these tours while also witnessing dramatic landscapes and meeting intriguing people that make remarkable subjects.

Gunther said, “I am delighted to be working with Exotissimo on these unique photography workshop tours. Each destination covered has its own distinctive qualities and cultural practices that we expose ourselves to, capturing the essence with our cameras while learning new techniques along the way.”

Ranging from 6 to 10 days, Exo are covering four of the most desired destinations in these photography workshops. This includes the alluring
Vietnam, raw and charming Myanmar, stunningly beautiful Cambodia and enchanting Laos.
Click the LINKS to see the itineraries.

These tours have been designed by photographers with astounding photographic opportunities at every turn. They also encompass Exo’s philosophy of connecting with the people and culture of a place, as they take guests to many areas off the well trodden tourist path and into local areas where its possible to interact with villagers and learn about their way of life.

Gunther is also available for private tours. Please use contact details below for further details.

About Exotissimo Travel
Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. Established in 1993, the company is now a network of 17 locally based offices staffing over 550 travel professionals, with sales offices in Florida, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Melbourne.

For more information, please contact:
Exotissimo Travel Group – Head Office Tel: (66 2) 633 9060 Email: marketing@exotissimo.com


Discover & Explore ASIA with GD Photo Workshops: Updated Calendar & site for 2012 & 2013

Updated Calendar & GD Photo Workshop Site for
2012 and 2013.


gdphoto5


We are pleased to announce a complete update and revised Calendar for 2012 & 2013 on our GD Photo Workshop Site. Added new destinations and exciting places like Indonesia-Australia plus additional special Myanmar tours.

All 2012 dates are confirmed, our itineraries and full details are available upon request or by our agent's Exotissimo website. We're traveling to some places rarely visited by others, hence making our workshops more unique and flexible that makes a lifetime experience for you to remember.

Take for example our new and next Myanmar Journey in 2012 - this Special Trip was designed by Photographers for Photographers.


June 29 - July 09, 2012 - 11 special days of pure adventure and amazing photography.
Max. of 10 Participants only

On this journey we will explore the remote parts of the country but also some of the known places. We promise that this will be a very exciting and special trip.
For more info and details please CLICK this LINK.
GD

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_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar


U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


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_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


U Beins Teak Wood Bridge_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar


Local boatman at the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in
Amarapura, Myanmar

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


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_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar


U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


U Beins Teak Wood Bridge_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar


U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


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_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar

Local boatman near the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in
Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge_ Gunther Deichmann_Amarapura_Mandalay- Myanmar

U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura, Myanmar
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


View more images from Myanmar and other destinations in my Photoshelter Archives & Galleries, please click this LINK



Photography: Singapore ONE ASIA round up & latest NEWS on the Adventure GD Photo Workshops Asia.

Singapore ONE ASIA - Images of Asia round up
& the latest on GD Photo Workshops in ASIA.


Singapore, ONE ASIA, 2011, Images without Borders, Gunther Deichmann, Steve McCurry, Michael Yamashita, Michael Freeman, Asian geographic, Magazine, Asia,Event,


A quick round up from my recent trip to Singapore where I attended the ONE ASIA festival as a speaker and Judge for the Images without Borders together with Michael Yamashita and Steve McCurry.

Besides the event I caught up also with good old friends, in particular Michael Freeman who I had not seen for a very long time.
It was great to go back in time at breakfast in our Hotel or during some quiet moments at the event.

But I also caught up with some of my Photo Workshop Students and friends in particle Christina Feldt from Germany and Chia Loy Chuan with his charming wife from Singapore.
Thanks to Christina and Loy for taken some of the photos during the event.

My gratitude to John Thet, Publisher of Asian Geographic Magazine and Organizer of the ONE ASIA Event for inviting me again this year.

Thanks also to the staff at Asian Geographic Magazine for taken care of behind the scenes and assisting me throughout the event.
I also found the time to get my last roll of film (Ektachrome) processed and scanned in Singapore, I post an interesting article about this exercise shortly.


There is also more NEWS on our Adventure Travel GD Photo Workshops with EXOTISSIMO for 2012.

For the Itineraries, info and the latest updates please click the photos or the LINKS below.
Testimonials from previous participants.

Myanmar,GD Photo Workshops, Asia, adventure, travel, photography,


Myanmar 2012, this is going to be an amazing &
very special Journey.


Vietnam, Indochina, adventure, travel, GD Photo Workshops, Cambodia, Laos, Asia


Indochina 2012, Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia


Other destinations and complete Calendar for 2012

GD

Travel Adventure GD Photo Workshops now with Exotissimo, Myanmar & Indochina 2012, plus One Asia Event Singapore.

Travel Adventure GD Photo Workshops now
with Exotissimo, Myanmar & Indochina.
The Itinerary for 2012…
plus the ONE ASIA Event in Singapore.


I am currently in Singapore as a Guest speaker (Geographical Travel Photography) for the ONE ASIA Images of Asia Festival hosted and organized by the Asian Geographic Magazine .

Also I am part of the Live Judging together with Steve McCurry and Michael Yamashita on December 10 for this years
Images without Borders Photo competition.
So, if you in Singapore please drop by the Suntec Center and join us for this years
ONE ASIA Festival.

Furthermore we have been notified this morning that our Itinerary for Indochina:
LAOS - VIETNAM - CAMBODIA

and Myanmar is now available at the Exotissimo website, our NEW Partner for the GD Photo Workshops in Asia. Click the LINKS for details.

exo-gdpws-myanmar


Indochina Exotissimo


We've worked out some amazing destinations within these Countries for more info click on the LINKS or the images above.

NOTE: There are still a couple of spots available for Sri Lanka - Central India and Bhutan in 2012 (for Bhutan only 2 more spots avail.) for more info pls click this LINK.
GD

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.


GDIndia Rameshwar_Varanasi

India 2011

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

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.


ONE ASIA FESTIVAL Singapore


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.

GD_Nepal_Kathmandu03887 - Version 2

Nepal 2011
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


GDIndia Rameshwar_Varanasi00104

India 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


GDIndia Rameshwar_Varanasi00290 - Version 2


India 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


GDSriLanka00587 - Version 2

Sri Lanka 2011
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Myanmar

Myanmar 2011
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


GDSriLanka00913 - Version 2

Sri Lanka 2011
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Cambodia2

Cambodia 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Myanmar 2

Myanmar 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Myanmar5

Myanmar 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Myanmar 4

Myanmar 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


GD_Nepal_Kathmandu

THINK! Nepal 2011
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Just one more…and sleepy.


Myanmar Monks

Myanmar 2011
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

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.


Students work

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


Travel Photography: Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location...but 12 years later.

Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location…
but 12 years later in Myanmar, the story behind the Photo


I visited Nyaung Shwe also known as Yawnghwe) a town a few kilometers north of Inle Lake in the Shan State of Myanmar for the first time some 12 years ago.
While driving through the town I spotted this amazing Monastery build out of Teakwood during the 19
th Century with a Novice Monk standing at the oval shape window.

Oh boy… what a nice image I thought…so I loaded another roll of film in this case
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA and started to shoot. Years have past now and many images have been produced by a variety of Photographers with and without Monks at this Monastery.

I might add that the shot I took 12 years ago was not at all a setup; it just so happens that this Monk was actually standing at the window when I spotted it and this photo was later published many times.
Now 12 years later and during our
GD Photo Workshop last October we made a stop at this remarkable Monastery again.

 1Teak wood Monastery Myanmar
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA or Digital?
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


I had actually planned this all along to re create the image I took some 12 years ago, but of course there was very little hope that a Monk was standing again at the window. Well…we arrived and sure enough there was
NO Monk standing there.


 2Teak wood Monastery Myanmar
Kodachrome Pro 200 ASA or Digital?
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


OK I thought, let’s recreate the images and I ask politely one of the Novice Monks to stand in about the same position at the window, then I went outside and took the image.

I normally don’t set shots up, but in this case I found it interesting what I could come up with, shooting digital instead of Kodachrome film from the same location but 12 years later.

An interesting exercise and the Monk I had picked was about the same age from what I remembered years ago.
I let you decide which of the two images featured is
Digital or Kodachrome 200 film, I might add that the digital image was shot at the same 200 ISO and no Photoshop or other manipulation has been used.

I only used
Aperture 3 with the raw conversion, some straightening, a little cropping (the same in the Kodachrome Image) added a little contrast, minor sharpening and adjusted the color temperature to daylight taken in to consideration the overcast sky.

This amazing teakwood monastery has not changed much at all except for the surrounding areas that have now additional more modern looking buildings, other than that it was pretty much the same.
The monastery is over 150 years old and sits on sturdy stilts, a protection for occasional flooding coming from the Inle Lake.

Buddha Statues Myanmar
The temple next to the Monastery
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Next to the monastery you can find a small but very amazing temple that is absolutely worth a visit, housing hundreds of little Buddha statues and incredible artwork along the walls.

Myanmar Buddha statues temple
The temple next to the Monastery
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com



So, there you have it 12 years later, little has changed and I hope it will stay like this for many more years to come.
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.

4 Through the car window

Through the Taxi window with the iPhone, Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


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.

3 through the car window

Through the car window with the iPhone, street vendor during heavy
rain selling
Sampaguita ... the national flower of the
Philippines,
Manila Philippines
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

6 THROUGH THE CAR WINDOW

With the iPhone, on the road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


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:

1 Through the car window

Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines

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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


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

5 through the car window

Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines

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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

7 THROUGH THE CAR WINDOW

Street Children cleaning the car windows for a few centavos -
through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines

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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

Just one more…

Ferme Le Lundi

Ferme le Lundi - French for "Closed on Monday"
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

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.

Travel Photography: Asian Geographic Passport just published a cool article & soon reporting from Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar


Shoot it! People & Culture in Asian
Geographic Passport Magazine August 2011


Asian Geographic, PASSPORT 2011 04 SHOOT IT 7

Click the image above or this LINK for a
larger view and the pdf file,
click on SPREADS.


Asian Geographic Passport Magazine has just published an article on People & Culture, Tips and tricks on travel Photography, for more info and other interesting articles get your copy now. (August Issue 2011)

This will also be one of my last Blog posts before I am leaving for Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, not enough time while on the road and some areas have non or very poor internet connection. However I try to update everybody via my iPhone on Facebook and Twitter now and then. Of course and this goes without saying, I try my very best to post an update here on my Blog when ever it is possible…the endless Journey continuos.

Shortly we start our last major GD Photo Workshops for 2011 to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar and for those who could not make it (we're fully booked) check out my report/Blog posts on my return with photos from behind the scenes and selected image by our participants. For previous
photos behind the scene, testimonials and photos by the participant click the LINKS.
For information on all our
GD Photo Workshops in 2012 use this link.

An exciting Journey just around the corner with some very cool surprises and announcements along the way, not to mention our 5th year anniversary in Cambodia which we celebrate at the
Heritage Suites Hotel our base in Siem Reap.

Thanks and welcome to our NEW Partner in Asia EXOTISSIMO,
more information about this very exciting news very soon.


Travel Exotissimo


Laos is going to be amazing with its mountains and spectacular scenery and our base in
Luang Prabang at the Satri House, in Cambodia we venture into some of the lesser know areas by 4x4 wheel drives, then in Myanmar we have a the full moon with us in Bagan and on the Inle Lake intercepting a very cool Burmese festival along the way.

Thanks again to all my participants for joining this Workshop and
I am sure all of them getting ready and excited now to discover the undiscovered.

GD Photo Workshops, Asia, GD

Our new mini Poster available as pdf upon request.

If I don't find the time anymore for another post prior my departure pls. stay tuned or check your Twitter and Facebook for updates via my iPhone.

GD



Preview of three amazing destinations; Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar, with the GD Photo Workshops Asia.


Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar…
three amazing destinations with the
GD Photo Workshops.


Thailand, Hill tribes

Hill Tribes at the Thai-Lao Border

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


hill tribes, Thailand

Hill Tribes at the Thai-Lao Border

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


September is only around the corner before we set off to another adventure, traveling from Thailand on the 22nd by road to Laos, from here we go overland to Luang Prabang exploring this amazing country by road.

I have included some photos from my previous trip to Northern Thailand and Laos, images I took on assignment covering the Mekong River for Animan Magazine in Switzerland, a three month Journey many years ago and taken on Kodachrome film.

After about a week in Laos we travel from Luang Prabang by plane to Pakse and then again by road to Siem Reap in Cambodia for our second
GD Photo Workshop.

BTW this is our 5th anniversary for our workshops in Cambodia and I am sure we find some time to celebrate it with some drinks at our Base the Heritage Suites Hotel. After Siem Reap we hit the road again to Battambang where we spend our remaining days in Cambodia exploring this amazing town with its french colonial buildings and the surrounding areas including a trip to Phnom Ek and the Killing Caves.

After Battambang some participants will join me for the road trip from Siem Reap to Bangkok, here we wait for others to arrive before we fly out two days later to Myanmar for some 10 days… discovering the undiscovered.
I am sure everybody is getting excited by now, including myself for this truly adventures Journey soon to start in Bangkok, only a few more weeks and we're on the road.

I am also happy to announce that we're fully booked for all three workshops and for those who missed out this time please check our
Calendar for 2012, exotic destinations are planned to Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan (for Bhutan only two more spots available) Tibet - Mongolia and later in the year Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia (for this one we have worked out a very special Itinerary, this one will be awesome). We're also taking bookings now for Sri Lanka-Central India and Bhutan.

For more info,
testimonials from previous participants, behind the scenes, students photos, bookings/reservations and Calendar just click the LINKS, thank you.

My thanks to all our partners who have been instrumental in preparing and organizing some of theses difficult destinations; Alexia from
Exotissimo Travel Thailand and Laos, The Heritage Suites Hotel Relais & Chateaux and The Heritage Adventures in Cambodia and the Satri House Relais & Chateaux in Laos.

But most of all my sincere thanks to all the participants who are coming from the USA, Australia, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia and the Philippines…almost a United Nations gathering…ha, ha.

Of course once on the road I try and report from our locations and update my Blog, but that depends on the internet connection and speed, however you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter for some short updates via my iPhone.


Laos


Laos has a rich history stretching back 10,000 years. At its height, it ruled over present day Laos and much of neighboring northern Thailand. Landlocked and laid-back, it’s a unique spin on the Southeast Asia experience.

Hill Tribe Laos

Luang Prabang, Laos

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Luang prabang Laos

Luang Prabang, Laos

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Here Buddhism permeates every facet of life, change comes slowly, and cities bed down early. The perfect place to break from office politics or put a pause in a hyperactive travel agenda, this land of mountain, mists and untamed natural beauty tempts with unrivaled peace and serenity.
Open your heart, open your mind, and let the genuine faith and generous hospitality of Laos replenish your soul.

Cambodia


Situated on the Indochinese peninsula, Cambodia is bordered by Thailand and Laos on the North and Vietnam on the East and south. The Gulf of Thailand is off the western coast. The size of Missouri, the country consists chiefly of a large alluvial plain ringed by mountains with the Mekong River to the East. The plain is revolved around Lake Tonle Sap, which is a natural storage basin of the Mekong.

Monks, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat Siem Reap, Cambodia

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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Siem Reap, the provincial ancient capital of Cambodia serves as the gateway to the millennium-old temple ruins of the Angkorian-era Khmer Empire. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon and the legendary Angkor Wat, whose artistic and archaeological significance and visual impact put it in the same league as the other iconic wonders of the world like the Pyramids, Machu Pichu and Taj Mahal.

women priest Cambodia
The temple ruins of Angkor, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


To experience an inimitable Cambodian culture, history and life, you will visit historic monastic complexes like Pre Rup, Preah Khan, Ta Prohm and Phnom Kulen and the Tonle Sap Lake.

Child, Boy, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Shy Boy at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

Butterfly,PHNOM, KULEN, Cambodia


Butterfly's at Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

Bayon Cambodia 1

Bayon and its many faces, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


Not to be missed are Heritage sites like Angkor Wat and The Bayon as well as the Cambodian sunrise, which all provide great photo opportunities for you to hone your photography skills and capture your tapestry of Siem Reap’s rich culture, people and heritage as seen through your Eyes.

Temple Cambodia

Hidden temples during the wet season, Cambodia

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© Gunther Deichmann -
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Cave and Monk Cambodia

Buddhist Caves
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com


Depending on weather conditions, we always have a couple surprises visiting also places seldom seen by others. This might change our original itinerary slightly...but this can certainly be very interesting and adventures.

Myanmar

Amazing Myanmar

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© Gunther Deichmann -
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Myanmar/Burma

Slightly smaller than Texas, Myanmar occupies the Thailand/Cambodia portion of the Indochinese peninsula. India lies to the Northwest and China to the Northeast. Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand are also neighbors. The Bay of Bengal touches the Southwest coast. The fertile delta of the Irrawaddy River in the South contains a network of interconnecting canals and nine principal river mouths.

Hill Tribe Myanmar


Hill Tribes in northern Myanmar
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

Silk Myanmar

Myanmar Silk

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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


The ethnic origins of modern Myanmar (known historically as Burma) are a mixture of Indo-Aryans, who began pushing into the area around 700 B.C. , and the Mongolian invaders under Kublai Khan who penetrated the region in the 13th century. Anawrahta (1044–1077) was the first great unifier of Myanmar.

Market Myanmar


A happy face amongst eggplants, Yangon Market, Myanmar
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com


In 1612, the British East India Company sent agents to Burma, but the Burmese doggedly resisted efforts of British, Dutch, and Portuguese traders to establish posts along the Bay of Bengal. Through the Anglo-Burmese War in 1824–1826 and two subsequent wars, the British East India Company expanded to the whole of Burma. By 1886, Burma was annexed to India, then became a separate colony in 1937.

Just one more…

YangonMyanmar

Monk watching a local Soccer Game, Yangon Myanmar
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© Gunther Deichmann -
www.deichmann-photo.com

GD




Light of HOPE ? Burma/Myanmar...how much longer? Is it becoming GENOCIDE? The suffering continues...

BURMA/Myanmar how much longer?
Another reminder!

It is the Typhoon/Monsoon season... how would we feel if we had to suffer like these beautiful and gentle people in Burma? The hard line Regime is still not moving, thousands more have to die...Why ?
A Country I got to know... not only for its culture but for it's beautiful people, they had a difficult life before... but NOW it is Genocide.
GD


Light of Hope?

© Gunther Deichmann - On the banks of the
Irrawadi River near Bagan,Burma/Myanmar 1996
(Original Image taken on Tri-X black and white film)
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