—Categories: cambodia, Uncategorized

At a floating Village, Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia

I have been away for last three weeks travelling through South-East Asia, in Myanmar and Cambodia. As my journey is nearing its end, I am at a small Cambodian town north of Phnom Penh – Kampong Chhnang. Here is an image from a floating village community adjoining the town, on Tonle Sap River.

Floating Village at Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia

When travelling through Myanmar last year, I first got acquainted with the floating way of living in South East Asia. I was amused first, and amazedwhen I understood how much of their lives are lived over water.

Tonle Sap, where I was this morning, is the largest freshwater lake in the region and home to a large fishing community spread over many villages. Being on the water, however, doesn’t make then any isolated. They are connected with all worldly installations such as electricity, schools, religious services and are only a short hop away from land. For now though, they will have to live without roads and make do with boat transport. And occasionally this happens in style, when a young brat who can’t have his own boat yet uses an aluminium bowl to get out of the house and meet other young brats on aluminium bowls.

This village, south of the main lake, on the main channel of Tonle Sap River is extra special among those special habitations. Much of the lake dwellers live on stilted houses that are often called floating. But people here build houses on bamboo rafts, making them true house boats. Don’t be surprised if you come here on a dry-season, when the water recedes, and see the village missing! The entire village would have drifted away and have reinstated someplace else that has more water!

—Categories: photos, Uncategorized

Durga Temple, Anegundi near Hampi

Some images are serendipitous. I was charmed by the colourful bundles hanging on the branches, tied by people who came to the temple seeking blessings. I aimed my camera, and this lad immediately ran in and decided that he should pose for the camera. I normally don’t like it much when there is a distraction to a preconceived image. But this boy was adding a lot of life to an otherwise inanimate image. I was more than happy to press the shutter-release.

Durga Temple, At Anegundi

At Durga Temple, Anegundi. Across the river from Hampi.

—Categories: Uncategorized

On the way from Manali to Rohtang Pass

A photograph, from somewhere between Manali and Rohtang Pass.

Manali to Rohtang Pass

The road from Manali to Rohtang is where I have seen easily one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Himalayas. Dhauladhar Mountains climb quickly after leaving Manali, making one of the steepest climbs that one can witness. 

I could spend months here photographing the landscapes. But the terrain comes with its challenges. The weather is unpredictable, often wet and foggy. Traffic jams bog the journey when the weather gets bad. Good photographs can be made only if one can remain patient, and willing to return day after day.

We were a group of a dozen when I was making this photograph. Others were right behind me, and arrived at this spot less than a minute after this image was made. But alas, the weather here is such that all that they got to see was a blanket of fog, mountains already hidden beneath them in such a short span of time!