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!
Photo Exhibition Paris, a new book plus info on our Travel Adventure Photography Tours ASIA
A Photo Exhibition in Paris France, a new completely
overhauled website and a NEW Book in the works.
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Iban tribal elder, Borneo, Malaysia
Besides traveling and organizing my Photo Workshops for the rest of the year I am excited and preparing already for my upcoming Photo Exhibition in Paris, France in late November, this was confirmed only the other day, plus there is a new book project in the works too, details will be announced soon on this Blog.
What I can say, is that the Book project is very different from my previous one "A Journey Through Color & Time" this is an interesting and exciting concept, and the images took many years to compile. I guess here is my suspense again…
Oh… before iI forget, by next week my main website received also a complete overhaul with a different look.
Please Note:
Non of the photos featured on this post are in anyway related to the new Book project, I release more details in due time.
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Monks gathering during a ceremony, Bhutan
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Sadhu, Nepal
As for our upcoming photo workshops to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar in September/October this year:
You don't have to be a Pro to join our Travel Expeditions & Adventure Photography Tours,
all levels of photography experience is accepted.
We only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants on all published destinations, providing you the full attention making these workshops very personal, fun and fulfilling experience for you. Stress is not on our agenda.
These workshops are for all levels of photographers who like to gain insight into how to make better photographs for editorial, stock or just for personal satisfaction and having fun at the same time.
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Sri Lanka 2012
Join us for “A Journey Through Color & Time “ on our next GD Photo Workshop, Travel Expeditions & Adventure Photography Tours throughout Asia & you discover the undiscovered.
For all Destinations Click Here to view the Calendar
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/
Travel Photography ASIA: Amazing faces & places discovering Yangon, Myanmar.
Exploring and discovering Yangon, Myanmar…
the faces and places.
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Photo above: This old Buddhist Monk in the market of Yangon is probably suffering from a skin condition called Vitiligo, a condition in which white patches develop on the skin, due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes.
Yangon also known as Rangoon, is a former capital of Burma, Yangon as it is called now has a population of over four million and continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial center.
Interesting to note is that Yangon has the largest number of colonial buildings in Southeast Asia today, a Photographers haven with its busy markets and very interesting Dock/Harbor area.
But most impressive is the Shwedagon Pagoda that has existed for more than 2,500 years, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Burma and the world.
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At the Shwedagon Pagoda, the stupas during a full moon, Yangon, Myanmar
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At the Shwedagon Pagoda, Buddhist Monk meditating near very large Bell, Yangon Myanmar
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At the Shwedagon Pagoda, gathering of visiting Buddhist Monks
Yangon Myanmar
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A teenage girl worshipping at the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon Myanmar
According to some historians and archaeologists, the pagoda was built by the Mon people between the 6th and 10th centuries CE.
The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuine gold plates, covering the brick structure and attached by traditional rivets and the crown or umbrella is tipped with some 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies.
But if you like action and watch hard working-man then a trip to the Port of Yangon situated on the Yangon River is a must. Here is where the real hustle and bustle takes place, dock-workers unloading small and large boats with all types of goods.
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Hard at work, Port of Yangon situated on the Yangon River, Myanmar
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Hard at work, Port of Yangon situated on the Yangon River, Myanmar
Another interesting place for a visit is the Yangon Circular Railway the local commuter rail network that serves the Yangon metropolitan area. The 39-station loop system connects satellite towns and suburban areas to the city. The railway has about 200 coaches, runs 20 times and sells 100,000 to 150,000 tickets daily.
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Boy playing inside the Railway Carriage, Yangon
Circular Railway, Myanmar
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Railway station in Yangon, Circular Railway, Myanmar
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On the way to Insein inside the Railway Carriage,
Yangon Circular Railway, Myanmar
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On the way to Insein inside the Railway Carriage,
Yangon Circular Railway, Myanmar
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Young child on the Yangon Railway station platform
During our last GD Photo Workshop we took a short but memorable trip for about an hour, passing by villages and observing the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people en route.
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At the Insein station about 45 min from Yangon,
Yangon Circular Railway, Myanmar
We disembarked at the small town of Insein, meet with the friendly locals before returning to Yangon to explore the amazing downtown of Yangon exploring Chinatown and Little India.
But Yangon has so much more to offer besides the sights mention above, an amazing city, with its Buddhist monasteries, shrines and temples, I continue soon and talk about this another day.
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Sisters at their small store in Little India, Yangon, Myanmar
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Red teeth from chewing Beetle nut, shoe vendor in Little India,
Yangon, Myanmar
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Muslim Boy in downtown Yangon, Myanmar
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Street scene in down town Yangon, Myanmar
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Street scene in down town Yangon, Myanmar
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Chicken feet…market in downtown Yangon, Myanmar
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Slippers in the down town market area, Yangon, Myanmar
So why you don’t join us in June 2012 for an incredible Journey to Myanmar where we discover the undiscovered and explore other unique places seldom visited by others.
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A very happy Nun at a Monastery, Yangon, Myanmar
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Amazing faces…Yangon, Myanmar!
Our June 2012 GD Photo Workshop 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 please follow the LINKS.
http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanamar-through-the-lens/
Specialist Photography Workshops ASIA, 4 departures in 2012 going, with plans to launch another series for 2013
Specialist Photography Workshops by
International Photographer Gunther Deichmann
Exotissimo tri-annual publication
download the complete pdf file at:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/publications.html
Exotissimo is Happy to announce a new relationship and subsequent series of Photography Workshop Tours with leading international Photographer Gunther Deichmann. This latest addition of niche Tours allows a maximum of 10 Guests per Tour to embark on a Photography Workshop in Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia.
There are four set departures in 2012 going, with plans to launch another series for 2013 that will also include the mesmerizing country of Indonesia. Gunther is also available to book for private tours.
Please Note:
For the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Tours you can chose either one of these or combined them.
MYANMAR: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/myanmar/tours/myanamar-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR June 29th, 2012
VIETNAM: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/vietnam/tours/vietnam-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR Sep 13th, 2012
CAMBODIA: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/cambodia/tours/cambodia-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR Sep 23rd, 2012
LAOS: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/laos/tours/laos-through-the-lens/
START OF TOUR Sept. 8th, 2012
