Sunday, February 28, 2010
Holi is a festival of color and was recently celebrated all over India. This exuberant festival aims at infusing fresh hope to people as it marks the end of the winter days and the start of summer. Originally, Holi was a festival to celebrate harvests, and to give thanks for the fertility of the land.
Although Holi is observed all over the north of India, it's also celebrated with considerable zest in Vrindavan and Mathura, and other towns which are said to have housed Krishna. In Vrindavan, Holi takes place over the course of two weeks in Vrindavan, and is observed with numerous processions, folk songs, and dances.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 0
Saturday, February 27, 2010
First, I don't recommend attempting to make it through 12 hours at this festival on three hours sleep. I managed to get through some sampling yesterday, but was a party-pooper rather early last night. Still, I made it to the highlights of the Perrier-Jouet BubbleQ presented by the Allen Brothers and hosted by Emeril Lagasse and Friends (fortunately, I didn't have to repeat that title at any point during the night). It was the event to be at Friday night, as hundreds of people spent $350 (and up) a piece for the right to wait on lines for hours. And it was all worth it.
When Emeril puts on a barbecue, he knows how to do it right. This was the most elaborate barbecue I have ever been to. The Perrier-Jouet Champagne was flowing and two dozen Food Network chefs were handing out their versions of everything from pulled pork to lobster rolls. Unfortunately, details were not so clear, but there was a meat mix in a corn pancake I will always remember. For those who didn't like their drinks so bubbly, there was also Graffignia Wines from Argentina (enjoyed the Pinot Grigio), tequila milkshakes, champagne sorbet and an array of treats from Sweet Street Desserts. For the real chocolate lovers (like yours truly), there was dessert for your dessert -- Godiva's Chocolate sin. It was quite a party and only lack of sleep pulled me away before the finish.
After the seminar, I needed to find a contact at the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village. Even though tomorrow is my official day there, I was not allowed to leave (much to my delight) without doing some sampling. I discovered a few treats that I would like to pass along....
Voli Light Vodkas-I just had the Vanilla Espresso and it was delicious on the rocks. These low calorie, electrolyte-enhanced spirits are to be tried and I may have to try some more tomorrow.
Nuvo Sparkling Liquer-Vodka and French wine, infused with fruit. Not as sweet as one would expect. I really enjoyed this.
Zacapa Rum-This spirit is made in Guatemala, from sugar cane that is grown in volcanic soil. Very interesting flavor.
I'm sure there will be many more discoveries tomorrow at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, where I am starting my day at the Wines from Spain seminar.
Saturday, February 27, 2010 0
Here's an interesting story reported by The Daily Mail (a UK newspaper) which tells us that Greg du Toit, a wildlife photographer living in south Kenya's Great Rift Valley, spent 3 months submerged in a wild lions watering hole for three months, just to get what he deemed to be the perfect photograph of these lions drinking.
The photographer had tried to get the right photograph for a year, but failed to get "it", so he waded into the murky pool with his camera where he spent 270 hours and ended up contracting several tropical diseases, including the potentially deadly Bilharzia.
There are some inconsistencies in this story as the Daily Mail's article mentions that the photographer spent 3 months in the watering hole, and then mentions 270 hours. Obviously, the hours (or days) he spent in there were not consecutive, but notwithstanding, it's a testament to Greg's single mindedness. Why he didn't wear a wet suit to protect him from waterborne diseases is another question which is not addressed in the article.
Yes, photography is a waiting game. I think travel photography, in particular, requires infinite patience, certainly not to the extreme lengths this photographer seems to have gone to, but nevertheless persistence and tenacity are needed. "Parachuting" in a remote Indian village hoping to capture a bunch of wonderful images in an hour or two is -unless one is very lucky- an overly ambitious goal...a holy grail kind of thing. For that, one has to spend the time, establish the requisite connections and know how to engage people honestly, respectfully and with kindness.
Friday, February 26, 2010
This is my first visit to what I've been told is one of the ultimate eating, drinking and just plain partying events. The South Beach Food and Wine Festival has been in existence for nine years and its popularity has been increasing with the celebrity status that the Food Network now brings to anything associated with it. This five day event is filled with parties, tastings and demonstrations for anyone who likes food and/or drink. In other words, it's for everyone.
After a good dose of caffeine, the day started for me on the roof of The Betsy Hotel, where I mingled with sponsors, celebrity chefs, organizers and fellow members of the press. The mimosas were flowing along with the yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit and cheese, pastries and salmon & cream cheese sandwiches. While some thought it was a bit cool, I reveled in sunshine and temperatures above freezing for the first time in quite awhile. And the view from The Betsy rooftop (as you can see above) is memorable. Chef Daniel Boulud, an honoree at the festival was introduced as it was announced that this year's event outsold any before -- 52,000 tickets purchased, almost all events sold out.
In the afternoon, I went to visit Maire Griffin, who happens to work for a "little" company called Diageo to check out their latest and greatest and I was not disappointed. There's nothing like a private tasting and it's even better when you get to pick. I checked out some wines, both new and old. The new was in the form of Jade Mountain Vineyard's White Wine Blend. This California vineyard blends Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier and the oak barrel product is a genuine blend of dry and sweet, with just a hint of spice. I also enjoyed the Provenance (another Napa area vineyard) Sauvignon blanc, perfect on this mild day.
Friday, February 26, 2010 0
I've just received the book Soul Survivors from its author Charlotte Rush-Bailey, who was a participant in The Tribes of Rajasthan & Gujarat Photo~Expedition, and it's certainly a wonderful addition to anyone's travel book collection.
It's essentially a tribute to the people of the Sahel, and focuses on Niger which Charlotte visited in the fall of 2005, amidst a food crisis that had enveloped that nation. Despite the food shortages, Charlotte marvels at how she was welcomed with generous hospitality everywhere she went. The book is full of lovely photographs; many of which are portraits, processed in the photographer-author's signature style.
Published and available through Blurb, the link above provides a preview of some of the book's pages. My favorite photograph of the book is the 5th on the preview strip, which is of a camel caravan. Just a perfect composition.
Charlotte Rush-Bailey's website has more of her photography.
Agnes Dherbeys is a freelance photographer based in Bangkok since 2001. She decided to take up photography as a career after graduating from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques and Sciences of Communication at the Sorbonne.
Since then, she mostly worked in Thailand, Cambodia, East Timor, Aceh), Nepal and the Palestinian Territories. She was recognized with numerous awards, and is member of the photo collective Eve Photographers
Her galleries generally depict social and humanitarian issues in South East Asia, such as Tibetans in exile (Nepal), 5 years after the tsunami (Aceh), the temple of doom (Thailand), and I chose her work in Cambodia titled The Street With No Name. This is a photo essay on the Karaoke girls in Siem Reap, and was photographed when Agnes attended Gary Knight's workshop in July 2009.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010 0
Antonio Perez Rio is a Spanish emerging photographer with a special focus on documentary and travel photography. He has two degrees in Law and Social Work, as well as a specific training in creative writing. He has traveled to more than 20 countries, and speaks Spanish, English, French and is learning Arabic.
Antonio tells me that he plans to join the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Istanbul (June 2010) to broaden his already considerable skills.
His Omo Valley slideshow features many of the tribes found in southern Ethiopia, including the Hamer, Karo and the Arbore. Antonio's use of flash brings to my mind the photographs made by Brent Stirton in the Lower Omo Valley.
Antonio also documented the various religious traditions of Benin, and the photographs can be found here.
For those of us who keep tabs on upcoming travel photographers, I predict we will see much more of Antonio's work.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
You don't see a lot of skiing trips that involve liquor, but I found one that combines them both (off the slopes, of course). The Above the Clouds travel package started in December, but there's still time to check it out. The trip will take you through the snowy mountains of Vail and Beaver creek with plenty of time for sport, gourmet meals and mixology classes, thanks to a partnership with Zacapa Rum. It's a group package that could fulfill many dreams. Check it out -- and make sure you let me know how it went.
If you are thinking of Vegas(and I'm planning a trip as we speak), St. Patrick's Day may be the time to go and start the celebration early. The St. Patrick's Day Festival will be held on March 13th at the Mandalay Bay Beach. Musical guests include Everlast and the music of Whitney Ford Singles the Blues, La Coka Nostra and House of Pain in the evening. During the day, admission is complimentary for hotel guests and locals, with Irish bands and DJs. There will be plenty of drink specials for the beach party (and I'm guessing some corned beef and cabage, Vegas style).Tickets to the evening concert are available at the Mandalay Bay Box Office -- (702) 632-7580 -- or at Ticketmaster.
Another way to try out some tasty drinks while traveling is to take a cruise. I sat in on a press conference with Norwegian Cruise Line yesterday and they have some exciting things in the works. First, their mega ship Norwegian Epic is right on schedule for its inagural cruise in June. They are also getting ready to launch service out of Tampa and Rome. I'm always excited to hear about new cruises through wine countries and Rome through the Meditaranean -- including a unique stop in Israel -- definitely sounds like a recipe for spirited travel. If you prefer more nature than coliseums, Princess Cruises is debuting new excursions in Alaska for the summer. Whales, Glaciers & Bears on one tour? It could be fun and I'm sure there'll be a tropical drink at the bar waiting to remind you that you're on a cruise!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 0
Let's move away from the insignificance of photojournalists conducting photo tours to Haiti (and wherever else there is human misery), and contemplate the work of Ron Haviv of VII Agency who, less than 24 hours after the earthquake hit the island on January 12, 2010, arrived in Haiti without fanfare to chronicle the ensuing devastation and human suffering.
Ron Haviv's photographs will be showing at an exhibition and fundraiser on March 4, 2010 at VII Photo Agency in Brooklyn, New York. VII is also releasing a book on the Haitian disaster. All the proceeds will go to Partners in Health.
This multimedia presentation was produced by telegraph21 and the VII Photo Agency.
In my experience, Morocco is one of the most difficult places for people photography. One not only needs the technical skills of photographing quickly and unobtrusively, but also have an enormous reservoir of patience. I think that Sean Gilligan managed to pull it very well with his gallery titled God, King & Country . The title is from the 3rd image of the gallery which shows a mound of dark sand in which the words God, King, Country are inscribed in white.
Sean Gilligan is a photographer based in New York City, whose objectives are to document cultural diversity, unexpected beauty, intimacy, landscape, and individuals personalities. He has a deep connection with Africa and Ireland and has, over the years, been documenting traditional life as it coexists with modern living.
His work has been featured by CNN, Wall Street Journal, Adidas, Fortune, ESPN, Forbes, among others.
His website has been recently updated and apart from his Morocco gallery, features galleries of Paris, Mexico, Namibia and Ireland.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Digital Photography Review is dedicating a massive 33 pages review to the new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, granting it an overall rating of 89%. It garners the highest marks in build quality, features and performance (speed).
According to DPR, the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV "has the feel of a product that is determined to be as close to perfect as possible", and "From the point-of-view of the tasks it was built to tackle, there is nothing that can touch the detailed, high resolution images that it can deliver ten times a second."
I obviously have to carefully digest these 33 pages before I can make a decision as to whether to buy the Canon EOS-1D Mark IV or not, but I must say that I was pleasantly impressed by the ergonomics of the new Canon 7D. Handling them both today at B&H's Canon counter (I'm still circling around the Panasonic GF1), I felt that the Canon 7D fitted better in my hands. It's also as fast in terms of frames per second as the Mark IV, and is certainly much lighter.
At about $3300 cheaper than the Mark IV, the 7D might make a lot of sense to photographers who accept that its sensor size may not produce the highest of image quality of the Mark IV, nor has its ruggedness. I still use its predecessor, the Mark II, and I consider it a workhorse that never let me down.
Via Engadget
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 0
Ed Ou is a Canadian-Taiwanese photojournalist living and working in the Middle East, who covered his first big story during the Israel – Hezbollah conflict from southern Lebanon in 2006, when he was studying Arabic and International Relations in the Middle East.
Since then, he has worked with Reuters and the Associated Press covering diverse stories such as the ongoing conflict in Somalia, child soldiers in Uganda, California wildfires, faith and conflict in the Holy Land, and even fashion in New York City. He is also a featured contributor to Reportage by Getty Images.
Ed was selected by Photo District News as one of the 30 Emerging Photographers of 2008. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, Guardian UK, and many other publications. He speaks English, French, Chinese, and Arabic.
I chose to feature Ed's portfolio titled Journey To The Promised Land, in which he documents some of the Falash Mura, and the surrounding controversy in allowing 40,000 Ethiopian Christians, with claims to Jewish ancestry, to immigrate to Israel.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010 0
At the outset of my Tribes of Rajasthan and Gujarat Photo~Expedition, I spent a few days in Delhi where I had the immense good fortune to meet with Anamitra Chakladar, a friend who attended the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop in Manali last July.
Along with Terri Gold and Wink Willett (participants in the photo expedition) we visited a Kushti akhara (a traditional Indian wrestling arena), and spent a couple of hours photographing the wrestlers.
Anamitra was born in Kolkata, and expected by his parents to be a teacher or an accounting executive/CPA (he graduated with an accounting degree), but chose to be a photographer instead.
He joined an established newspaper as a trainee photographer, then moved on to television joining NDTV, and saw more than his share of world conflicts including the first Gulf War, the ongoing conflict over Kashmir between India and Pakistan, the coups in Nepal and Bangladesh...and getting shot at during the 2001 attack by Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists against the Parliament of India in New Delhi.
Anamitra published his photographs of the Kushti training on Photojournale.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Kantary Hill Chiangmai, has good restaurant which I have customers to hangout there quite often
44 Nimmanhaemin Road, Soi 12, Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
Tel: (66) 0-5322-2111, 0-5340-0877 Fax: (66) 0-5322-324
Taxi Chiangmai: 081 617 2116 Patrick
I have got the confirmation of superb Steak quality from my English Customer today regarding "Duke" see more details from Paul also I would like to introduce "The Steak" near by JJ or the side road after Tesco Lotus, Kam Tiang but a buffet steak just to fill up your stomach then recommend "Brownie", cheap 83 Baht and good location at the riverside near by TAT Office but services are quite poor and unpleasant reception - need to pay right at the reception and any one who join your group without paying buffet is mentioned at the entrance just to wait outside
The Dining Out Group
Coordinated by Paul Schoenkopf
The next outing is on March 4, 2010 at 7:00PM at “The Original Dukes.” This is one of the best western restaurants in town. David, the owner/manager is a restaurateur from the USA and has been doing this for a long time. He likes to hear customer feedback to improve his restaurant.
The following is a 5 year old review. The review still stands in my opinion but naturally disregard the prices.
The Duke’s
Gina Hahn
I love having a menu available before I visit a restaurant, so I was happy when The Duke’s menu slipped out of my copy of Chiangmai Mail and happier yet when I started looking through it. Some of my favorite foods were just waiting for me—spinach and Greek salads, ribs, seafood, pizza, gourmet burgers. The Duke’s was definitely on my schedule.
Located near the “little” Rimping Supermarket on the east side of the Ping River, The Duke’s is open every day, serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. (with lunch specialties) and dinner from 5 p.m. until closing. Look for the large green signs outside the restaurant, and park on the street. The restaurant is roomy, clean and tastefully decorated with seating both inside (air-conditioned) and out.
The menu was planned for the resident expat community and there’s something for everyone, even the kids. Managing partners David and Pin Anichowski lived in the U.S. for 14 years before returning to Thailand with their four children. The Duke’s features the only menu I’ve seen in Chiang Mai with a special Kid’s Menu and a note that says, “Kids are always welcome at The Duke’s”.
There are a few things to consider as you plan your meal at The Duke’s. First, appetizers are offered at a special happy hour price every day. Buffalo wings, steak kabobs, shrimp and a fabulous concoction called “Broke the Mouth”, a huge plate full of mixed starters are all featured.
Second, the amazing desserts are half price on Wednesdays at dinner for eat-in customers. Can you handle toffee fudge double chocolate cake at the usual price of 50 baht or 25 baht on Wednesday evening after dinner? How about a variety of homemade cheesecakes or a stacked high Dutch apple pie with a sweet, crunchy topping?
We started with Chicago steak kabobs served with steak sauce; mozzarella sticks battered with breadcrumbs crisply fried and served with pizza sauce; and deep-fried jalapeno peppers served with ranch dressing. Appetizers start at 65 baht for a sampling of The Duke’s ribs and go up to 225 baht for Broke the Mouth, which serves several hungry diners. The appetizers were followed by a delicious Greek salad filled with plenty of olives and cheese and served with a light, tasty dressing. A sampling of New England shrimp chowder, creamy and packed with shrimp, followed. Salads and soups start at 45 baht for a cup of Brunswick stew and go up to 85 baht for a bowl of the delicious shrimp chowder.
An entrée้ of lasagna arrived with a plateful of The Duke’s signature ribs and a prime filet mignon imported from Argentina. The pasta was cooked just right and the serving was enormous. We were delighted by the ribs, which are prepared in the restaurant’s impressive wood-burning brick oven and come with the sauce on the side. The sauce is slightly sweet and offers a nice contrast to the tender smoky ribs. The medium rare filet mignon, served with the diner’s choice of sauce, was tasty and tender.
Entree้ range in price from 145 baht for fried chicken to 995 baht for a huge combo meal of imported strip loin steak and shrimp fettuccini Alfredo. Filet mignon begins at 565 baht, ribs are 250 baht for a full rack and the lasagna is 175 baht.
The Duke’s also features a wide range of dishes to delight vegetarian diners such as spinach and vegetable lasagna at 135 baht and a grilled vegetable and cheese Dagwood sandwich at 110 baht. Seafood lovers will enjoy a variety of delicacies including a creative honey smoked chili tuna filet at 315 baht.
We saved room for dessert, and were not disappointed by the fabulous Dutch apple pie that easily served the three of us, 55 baht.
I can’t wait to try a few more specialties at The Duke’s - the Cuban sandwich, the shrimp and chicken picatta, and the pastrami Reuben come to mind. So does the homemade ice cream. According to Pin, “We make everything fresh on the premises, except the butter, of course!”
The Duke’s, 49/4-5 Chiang Mai–Lamphun Road, Chiang Mai, telephone 053-249-231, take out and catering available.
Paul’s Ratings
Food Quality 8
Service 9
Ambiance 8
Value 7
Average cost per meal excluding alcohol 350-400 baht
Booking for Group dining: diningoutcnx@yahoo.com
Directions: From the American Consulate follow the river south and cross the Narawat Bridge (2nd left turn). At the traffic lights on the other side of the river turn right and go about 200 meter. You’ll see the big green side “The Dukes” on the left side of the road.
Sunday, February 21, 2010 0
The New York Times' Gadgetwise blog features an interview with Harry Benson, the legendary Scottish photographer, who shared some tips on taking photos in low-light situations. It was also picked up by WIRED's Gadget Lab.
Harry Benson's tips are:
1. Use program (P) mode to get the best results and to capture detail.
2. Remain in the reasonable ISO range, and avoid setting it above 1000.
3. Use manual focus instead of autofocus in dark situations.
4. Avoid using flash which, in Benson's words, makes one lose a lot of humanity.
It's refreshing to read such advice, especially since i've come across many photographers who shudder at the thought of using the P setting on their cameras (or admit to it).
I frequently advise participants in my Photo~Expeditions to set their cameras on the P setting during the first couple of days of the trip, to compensate for the jet-lag fatigue, and for the sudden disorientation we all experience in a new unfamiliar environment, especially if it's at a bustling heart-pumping festival.
I have used, and will continue to use, the P setting on the occasions when I'm unable to achieve the look I seek from a particular scene . This may be because it's a fast moving situation or because it's a low-light, or because I'm too tired or distracted to think straight.
During my Land of the Druk Yul Photo~Expedition in October 2009, I and the participants agreed that the P setting on the DSLRs we carried didn't stand for Program at all, but for Professional.
So my advice is when you're not getting the exact result you seek from a particular scene for whatever reason, set your camera on P and let it rip. The photograph above is an example of this. It was made during a festival in Bhutan's Jakar Valley, and I had trouble getting the right exposure using a manual and Av setting, so I just resorted to P...and I got what I wanted. Elementary, isn't it?
Harry Benson's interview via The Click
Saturday, February 20, 2010
While in Dasada (in the Little Rann of Kutch) during the The Tribes of Rajasthan & Gujarat Photo~Expedition ™, we stopped by a small Rabari village to photograph. We fanned out to photograph whatever caught our eye, and whoever was willing to cooperate.
The previous evening at the Rann Riders Resort, we were shown a wonderful book of Olivier Follmi's photographs; some of which were of the area. One photograph in particular caught our attention, and it was of a Rabari shepherd asleep on a traditional rope bed called "charpoy". It was a photograph that I (and others in the group) was determined to imitate, provided I found the necessary rope-bed and a willing and able photogenic Rabari.
I easily found the charpoy, but to convince one of the Rabaris to lay or sit on it taxed my very limited Hindi and my rudimentary sign language. After some insistence (as well as having to literally drag him by the hand) on my part, the chosen Rebari cooperated and played his part...however, feeling self-conscious being watched by some of his fellow villagers, it didn't last very long at all.
Sharon Johnson-Tennant, one of the group members who was also photographing this recalcitrant Rabari, captured the moment as I showed him the various photographs.
The Rabari tribals live throughout Gujarat, Punjab, Harayana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states in India. Some also live in Pakistan, especially in the Sindh. Their principal occupation is raising cattle, camels and goats.
Saturday, February 20, 2010 0
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010 0
The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic group of the Northern Arakan State of Western Burma, are denied citizenship and suffer persecution and discrimination in Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands have fled to Bangladesh. An estimated 25,000 unregistered Rohingya refugees are living in the Kutupalong makeshift camp in Bangladesh, and are being forcibly displaced from their homes, in an act of intimidation and abuse by the local authorities. Few have been granted refugee status. The majority struggle to survive, unrecognized and unassisted in Bangladesh.
Precious little on Sheikh Rajibul Islam's background is available on the internet, although he is listed on Lightstalkers as a Bangladeshi documentary photographer and film maker. Rajibul has also worked with Benjamin Chesterton of duckrabbit in Dhaka, where they have been working on a documentary about the effects of climate change on Bangladesh.
In my view, Rajibul and his powerful work belong to what I call the Bangladeshi "school" of photography...the dark and brooding style, which showcases social issues which need to be addressed. He's in good company: G.M.B. Akash, Sumit Dayal, Munem Wasif, Andrew Biraj, Tanvir Ahmed, Abir Abdullah, Monirul Alam, Shehzad Noorani, Saiful Huq Omi, Khaled Hasan, Murtada Bulbul, Mohammad Kibria Palash and Azizur Rahim Peu...and so many other talented photographers.
The Rohingya photo essay is showcased by the excellent Social Documentary. Social Documentary is a website for photographers, NGOs, editors, journalists, lovers of photography and anyone else who believes that photography plays an important role in educating people about our world.
Thanks to Benjamin Chesterton of the incomparable duckrabbit for bringing Rajibul Islam to our attention.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010 0
Charlotte Rush-Bailey is the second group member of The Tribes of Rajasthan & Gujarat Photo~Expedition ™ whose work is being showcased here on TTP.
As demonstrated by her photographs here, and by those on her impressive website, Charlotte's quest to explore the unknown and learn from it has always been with her. Her career covered three decades of marketing and communications positions in a variety of global industries including energy, financial services, media, conservation, technology and professional services. This gave opportunities to work with people all over the world, and to learn to appreciate cultural nuances and the influences of socio-political forces.
This is no idle claim by Charlotte. I saw her engage people in the remote villages of Kutch and in the warrens of the walled city in Ahmedabad with an incredible ease, which led her to have no difficulty obtaining the photographs she wanted.
Charlotte immersed herself in her passion of photography, and attended numerous workshops including those at the Palm Beach Photographic Workshops and Santa Fe Photo Workshops. She traveled to more than 90 countries, with a camera as a constant traveling companion. She believes that it was this that gained her more intimacy with people, places and nature.
Charlotte's statement on her website reads:
"These explorations have enriched my life beyond imagining. Most important is the confirmation that humans – regardless of race, creed or tradition – share core values that far outweigh the differences that are so often the cause of conflict. The importance of family, community and spirituality are universal. Beyond humanity, nature has taught me complete humility and reverence. Nothing we humans do can repeal the laws and forces of nature; nothing we create can compare with the beauty, elegance and resilience of the natural world."
She's absolutely right.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thailand wins 'Best Tourist Country Award' from Swedish magazine
BANGKOK: -- (TNA) – Thailand has been named the world's Best Tourist Country by a leading Swedish magazine, marking its eighth consecutive year for winning the award, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Stockholm, the Swedish capital.
Picture: Doi Suthep - Chiangmai, Taxi Chiangmai 081 617 2116 Patrick
Thai ambassador to Sweden Thanarat Thanaputt and TAT Stockholm office assistant director Anchalee Kumwong last week accepted the Best Tourist Country Award presented by the Swedish publication "Travel News" in its 2010 annual Grand Travel Award ceremony.
The kingdom was voted as this year's winner from seven other nominated countries, Australia, Egypt, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.
The Thai envoy said the country won the award because of its unique and wide-ranging tourist attractions.
Not only tropical environment—sun, sea and sand, but also various cultural and beautiful tourist destinations are the strength of Thailand's tourism.
Due to the diversity of tourist attractions, tourists can experience the "3Vs" -- value for money, variety and very Thai (Thai-ness), while enjoying their holidays in Thailand, Mr Thanarat said.
Meanwhile, national flag carrier Thai Airways International (THAI) won a second place award for the Best International Flight in 2010.
The annual Grand Travel Award ceremony, the Sweden's largest travel-related event, has been held by Travel News, a leading Swedish travel publication since 1993.
The awards also feature other travel-related categories including tourist countries, airline and cruise services. (TNA)
MCOT News
-- TNA 2010-02-16
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 0
Kantilal Doobal is the Bhuj-based photographer/guide who accompanied us on our forays in the tribal lands of Bhuj area. He photographed alongside us, and emailed us this group photograph at a Wadha village on the last day in the Kutch.
From left: Sharon Johnson-Tennant, Colleen Kerrigan, Sandy Chandler, Tewfic El-Sawy, Kim McClellan, Terri Gold, Cathy Scholl and Charlotte Rush-Bailey. The fellow in the blue turban is the village's chief. Missing are Wink Willett and Jamie Johnson.
Kantilal Doobal's Flickr stream is here.
