{Photography}

I’ve been researching my next travel destination. I’m 37 years old and not ready for a leisurely sit by the pool or hang in a hammock type of destination just yet. I figured that is what my 50/60′s will be all about. What am I looking for in my next destination you might ask, well adventure, discovery, knowledge and experience.

My next destination Cambodia 2012 (Temples & Ruins)

cambodia angkor wat (not my photo) cambodia-taporhm-temple (not my photo)

Let me shed some light as to the destinations I’ve been and the place I’ve visited while their:
2006 Costa Rica
visited the beaches of Tango Mar and Tamarindo
river rafted on the Saavegre River
visited the Manuel Antonio National Park

2008 Peru
traveling by train to cloud forest of Machu Picchu
toured Pisac Market & Ollantaytambo
stayed in the Amazon Jungle (Posada Amazonas)

2010 India
visited the Taj Mahal & Red Fort in Agra
The City Palace & Jaigarh Fort Amber & Hawa Mahal & Jal Mahal in Jaipur
Chandni Chowk & Naya Bazar in Old Delhi
Qutub Minar in South Delhi
India Gate in New Delhi

2010 Dubai
8 hour layover got me out to visit the city at night (2am) with a night sight seeing tour

2010 Croatia
visited family in Zagreb
visited family in Rijeka
toured the cities of Rovinj & Porec on the peninsula of Istria
visited family in Novalja on the Island of Pag
visited where my Grandfather was born in a village called Popovac
visited family in Belisce
visited the National Park of Plitvicka Jezera (52 natural water falls)

2010 Italy
visited the Rialto Bridge, the St Mark’s Campanile, the Palazzo Ducale di Venezia, the Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice
been to the island of Murano
been to the island of Burano
visited Casa di Giulietta, the Church of Saint Anastasia, the Cathedral di Verona, the Church of Saints Fermo and Rustico in Verona

2010 Hungary
visited my Uncle who is priest in Hungary

If you look at the years, you quickly see every 2 years I’m jet setting to a new destination. So this time it was a toss up between Africa for a photo safari or Cambodia for the Lara Croft experience. I have concluded that is has to be Cambodia. I think it’s the Indiana Jones in me which makes me long for Ruins and Temples of lost cities.

So I’ve been researching photography tours. I found one that is for 16 participants and 4 instructors. Looking at the itinerary it is what I’m looking for! It has all the elements I’m looking for. It has adventure, discovery, knowledge and experience from master photographers who have been to this location.

Look at these short video as this is the Lara Croft/Indiana Jones experience I’m after:

Here is my 2012 Cambodia destination itinerary provided by Jim Cline Tours:

Day 1 – July 16:
Arrive in Siem Reap. Cocktail reception and welcome dinner where you’ll meet your fellow participants and the tour leaders.

Day 2 – July 17:
This morning we’re off to photograph the south gate of Angkor Tom, then to Bayon Temple. In the afternoon we turn our attention to Angkor Wat and shoot until the light fades.

Day 3 – July 18:
This morning meet with one of the instructors for a critique images and to discuss your “personal photo project”. After your critique, four, optional, mid-day presentations provide learning opportunities. This afternoon is spent shooting images for your personal project. Tonight, enjoy a group dinner and an image sharing session.

Day 4 – July 19:
Today you continue working on your personal photo project. After our late breakfast, enjoy four, one hour educational presentations. After the lectures continue working on your personal photo project then we do some afternoon street shooting in Siem Reap, stay in town for dinner, and continue with a night shoot.

Day 5 – July 20:
Today we travel by bus to visit the floating villages on the Tonle Sap, Cambodia’s largest lake. Initially we photograph this amazing area on foot, then board small boats to travel out onto the lake to observe and photograph a floating market. We enjoy lunch at our boatman’s house, then head to Beng Melea temple for our afternoon shoot. We return to Siem Reap after sunset and enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Day 6 – July 21:
Today we return to Bayon Temple and Angkor Wat for a second shoot. This “repeat opportunity” allows you to improve upon your shots from day 1. During the middle of the day today, two optional lectures provide learning opportunities. Late afternoon we visit Artisans d’ Ankgor workshop to photograph local craftspeople.

Day 7 – July 22:
We are up at 5:00 am and travel to Ta Phrom, by 8:30 we’re finished shooting and return to the hotel for breakfast. Today, enjoy four optional photography lectures; two before, and two after lunch. This afternoon we photograph Prea Khan.

Day 8 – July 23:
Today is your free day to shoot, shop and/or prepare for this evening’s “best of” slideshow, punctuating the mid point of our trip. Your instructors are available all day to assist you with “anything photographic”. Tonight we meet for a delicious dinner, followed by the “best of” slideshow, featuring you and your fellow workshop participants.

Day 9 – July 24:
After a leisurely breakfast we board our private bus for an all day ride to Cambodia’s vibrant capitol city, Phnom Penh. Along the way we witness local Cambodian life, rice fields and even stop in a town where fried tarantula is the local delicacy. After arriving in Phnom Penh we check into the world famous Foreign Correspondent’s Club and/or the FCC’s sister property, the Quay, we then enjoy dinner overlooking the river.

Day 10 – July 25:
This morning we are transported by Tuk Tuk to visit and photograph the infamous S21 prison, (Toeul Sleng) and the Killing Fields at Chong Ek. Participants work on this story, capturing a variety of images and sound files that will then be combined into a multi-media slide show. After lunch Karl Gavin and Marco will lecture on the use of Soundslides software and assist you in creation of yet another personal photo project. This evening we do some street shooting along the riverside, then have dinner at a local restaurant. Those interested in an after-hours night shoot, follow Karl and Gavin to the “heart of darkness”.

Day 11 – July 26:
We rise early to capture images of Phnom Penh “coming to life”. Following breakfast Karl and Gavin discuss our road trip to Battambang”. You can spend the remainder of the day shooting, shopping, resting, or just exploring Cambodia’s capitol city, Phnom Penh.

Day 12 – July 27:
Full day photo assignment: “the story of our trip from Phnom Penh to Battambang (all day journey).

Day 13 – July 28:
Meet with Karl and Gavin for critique, image selection and help putting together your ideas for what you will be shooting tomorrow. Tonight’s group dinner is at a local Cambodian, restaurant.

Day 14 – July 29:
This morning we board the “Bamboo Train”, and spend a few hours ambling though small villages, and rice fields. In the afternoon we visit and photograph a brick factory, then return to the hotel. This evening is our big farewell dinner and image sharing party.

Day 15 – July 30:
Today you are transported back to Siem Reap for your international departures.

Now it’s time to save, save and then spend, spend on this fantastic photography workshop. Lucky for me it’s a right off!

Please stay tuned share some of my favorite photographs from others from this destination.

Easter Sunday I had the pleasure of taking part of Rohan’s Thread Ceremony as the photographer. I wanted to provide you all with a “Sneak Peak” as this we a special ceremony.

Also a glimpse of what the Thread Ceremony or “Brahmopadesha” means:

The sacred thread ceremony that invests the wearer with the sacred thread is often considered a socially and spiritually significant rite. It has varying formats across Hindu-Buddhist communities and is also called by varying names like “Brahmopadesha”.

Three Strands:

The three strands sometimes symbolize three debts that must never be forgotten -

the debt to one’s teachers those who have taught the wearer
the debt to one’s parents and ancestors those who have nurtured the wearer and made possible his existence
the debt to the sages/scholars those who discovered knowledge, both spiritual and secular, over the ages, which now enriches the wearer’s life

Thread Ceremony by Anthony Lujan