Travel Photography: Water is life… traveling during the stormy rainy season can be rewarding for your Photography
Water is life… it’s fury can be devastating
but it can also be tranquil and enchanting.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
The photo above was taken some years ago with my old trusted Minolta X700 film camera in a Hugyfot underwater housing during the hight of Typhoon "Huaning" right at Manila Bay, note the lone person in the background. Make sure you take good care during this Monsoon and Typhoon season!
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Photo above: worshipping the sacred waters of Phnom Kulen.
...two years after Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III in AD 800.
King Jayavarman II ascended to the top of Mahendraparvata (today’s Phnom Kulen), and declared independence from the island of Java. There he proclaimed himself devaraja, heavenly ruler of the ancient Cambodian religion and cult of the “god-king”, and founded the Khmer Empire.
A devout leader, King Jayavarma II soon had the river on the mountain hilltop diverted in order to carve hundreds of lingas into the riverbed, hence its name – river of a thousand lingas. In the event, Mount Kulen was blessed and beatified.
Above text Courtesy of my good friend Jamie Irenaliena Keet from our joint article in the Asian Geographic Magazine "The hidden treasures of Phnom Kulen."
Our bodies are largely made of water, as is much of the food we eat. Without water, we could not exist… it is that simple.
In some countries we worship water and in others parts of the world we take it for granted, it is more precious then anything else on our planet.
Water… the reason for my post today; the Typhoon/rainy season has started with our first tropical storm blowing outside my window.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
The rainy season has arrived…Palawan, Philippines
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Lightning storm over Manila Bay, Philippines
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
The towers of Angkor Wat reflecting in the Water pools
during the wet season, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Flood plains of Northern Australia during the wet-season
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Dramatic cloud formation during the monsoon, Palawan Philippines
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Bathing and worship in the Ganges River, Varanasi, India
I captured many "wet" images during my travels, experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly, crossing mighty rivers, wading through flood revenged areas or just sitting along side beautiful and tranquil lagoons watching the sun go down.
Covering many countries, the selected images on this post showcasing water in its fury and tranquility, its direct connection between man and nature.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Unfortunate street children during the
Monsoon season, Philippines
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
During a tropical rain shower children selling sampaguita
flowers to passing cars, Philippines
Teaming with life…whistling Ducks on a Billabong
(fresh water pond) just before the wet season, Northern Australia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Shimmering leafs in a small stream, north Queensland, Australia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"Merging" with the water, teenagers having fun in the
Phnom Kulen river, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Rainforest and waterfall during the wet season in Palau, Micronesia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Simply Nature…Phnom Kulen during wet season, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Monsoon time in Cambodia 
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nature and man made… wet season in Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Fishing… Water the source of life…Laos
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Wet season storm approching in the Pacific, near Chuuk, Micronesia
It is not only freshwater that we need for our survival but also our Oceans that support us with life.
Water is so precious and man has the "intelligence" to protect our oceans and natural resources, so please don't take water for granted; we’re lucky (some nations are not) to be blessed with this amazing liquid we call water.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Aerial view of the Northern Territory Flood Plains
during the wet season, Australia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Enjoying a tropical downpour, Battambang, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Simply Nature… water the source of Life, Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"Taken shelter" from a tropical rain shower, island of Chuuk, Micronesia
Tip:
If you do go out during these rainy days make sure to pack some water proofing; a raincoat and a "Condom" for your camera and of course a good water proof camera bag.
But most important, take care of yourself and watch out during strong storms and Typhoons… remember Safety first!
GD
Just one more…
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Photo composite; we have to take care of our Planet before it is to late.
Published article in Asian Geographic - A Walk Through Time - Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
A Walk Through Time…
Kulen's past and present.
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Below is a very short excerpt from a seven (7) page article in the latest Asian Geographic magazine on Phnom Kulen and its hidden treasures in Cambodia.
| Asian Geo 1/2012 (WHEN MOMENTS MATTER) |
I am grateful to the publisher/editor/graphic designer for publishing this article from my beloved Cambodia and of-course my gratitude to Jamie Irena Rayer - Keet who wrote the excellent text for this story. Love you Sis!
But I like to thank also Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventures and Heritage Suites Hotel without his help and input this article could not have been possible.
GD
It may only be forty-six kilometers away from the august Angkor Wat but this is one Cambodian paradise where you won’t be seeing busloads of Teva-sandaled, video-cam toting tourists anytime soon. An hour’s drive northeast of Siem Reap, past the hordes of out-of-towners traipsing all over the remnants of the 10th century temple Bantey Srei, lies the serene lushness of Phnom Kulen. A hilly terrain famed for its extensive history and natural resource of red sandstone, Phnom Kulen also boasts a national park, refreshing waterfalls, peculiar rivers and a massive 8m long Buddha reclining at its summit.
With more than two-dozen ancient brick temples scattered around the mountain, Phnom Kulen holds more mysteries than the average Mount Meru. Over the centuries she has played host to hermits, communist revolutionaries and even royalty. Lately however, she has been seducing archaeologists and leaving intrigued historians trailing in her wake, gambling life and limb as they tread through her dense jungle in their quest to unearth more of the secrets embedded within her elusive rupestrian treasure…
READ MORE and other amazing stories in the latest ASIAN Geographic Magazine ○ no. 86 issue 1/2012 | 97
