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Category Archives: {Travel}

My Next Destination Cambodia 2012 (Temples & Ruins)

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)

  (not my photo   (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.

Anthony Lujan Photography
Serving Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Individual | Family | Wedding | Maternity | Newborn | Children | Pet | Travel
www.anthonylujanphotography.com
www.anthonylujanphotography.com/blog

Ferryboat ride to the island of Pag {Croatia}

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Three days left in Croatia. After saying good bye to my family in Belisce,  I hopped on a 5 hours bus ride back to Zagreb where I spent the night at my Aunts house in the city of Zagreb. I woke up early as my cousin Kristijan was picking me up so we could see my Aunt Rezi again to say my final good bye in person.

We took a new route which was beautiful. We drove through the hills and mountains of Croatia. He wanted to take me on the ferry boat to reach the island of Pag. It was cool as I’ve never been on a large ferryboat.

Kristijan was driving fast with his BMW through the hill so we didn’t have to wait anther hour and 1/2 for the next ferry. We were zooming around the bends and saw that the ferry hadn’t left. We were so pleased as lunch was waiting for us.  I was super hungry and getting sick of the speeding turns. :+)

The water in Croatia is super clear! You could see all the fish!

I was excited to be on this huge ferry. I was snapping away.

This next photograph is a panoramic. It’s made up from 12 images!

My cousin Kristijan. See the number 1….he is! hehehe

Took a self portrait.

Coming to the shore of Pag.

Now after arriving to my Aunts house in Pag, we ate and sat around talking about the excitement I had with one particular cousin. We talking about me leaving in two days back home. So we cried a bit. Then all a sudden it started raining.

Then the rain stopped but left a beautiful sunset.

Tomorrow saying my final good bye and headed to the famous Croatian waterfalls.

Anthony Lujan Photography
Serving Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Individual | Family | Wedding | Maternity | Newborn | Children | Pet | Travel
www.anthonylujanphotography.com
www.anthonylujanphotography.com/blog

Lunch and Goodbye’s {Croatia}

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Today I say good bye to my Aunt and Cousins in Belisce. My Aunt Yeliza wanted to fill my stomach with a delicious home cooked meal prior to me jumping on a 5 hour bus ride going back to Zagreb.

Time flew bye quickly and before you knew it, I had to say my goodbyes which I’m horrible at!

Aunt Blasta and I – thank you for everything! I enjoyed spending time with you.

My Cousin Melita and I – Cousin, I wear your braclet and think of you often! I always have a great time with you.
AND I will never forget you!

Lara and I – Lara, your sweet and have a fantastic laugh! Thanks for making me smile!

Karla and I – Karla, you must keep in touch and keep working on your English as your pretty good!

Aunt Vera and I - It was great spending time with you. Thank you for cooking for us.

Aunt Yeliza and I – Oh my gosh so much to say. Thank you for opening your home to me.
I always feel welcomed when I’m with you. So thank you for every thing!

Ante and I – Ante, thank you for driving us all around town. You gave me much insight to all the things around us.
Thank you for pulling the family together. I had a great time with you all. So thank you very much!

Uncle Joshi and I – Uncle, thank you for driving down and spending lunch with me. It was fantastic to see you again.
I know my grandfather is in heaven smiling. Thank you!

Thank you everyone! I had a great time with you all!
Next time I’ll have to stay much longer as this trip was extremely short!

Anthony Lujan Photography
Serving Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Individual | Family | Wedding | Maternity | Newborn | Children | Pet | Travel
www.anthonylujanphotography.com
www.anthonylujanphotography.com/blog

Melita - August 12, 2010 - 6:14 am

I really like this photo of all of us. Maybe the life will bring us back together very soon! Thanks for the nice words you wrote about my family! You could send me this photos too!
Miss you and think of you!!

Ice Cream and my Grandfather’s Childhood Home {Croatia}

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Before we took off to see the house where my Grandfather lived, we stopped off at an ice cream shop in Belisce. This was the best ice cream I have even had!

The shop owner

My tasty, tasty ice cream! Carmel and chocolate mix.

About Belisce where my Grandparents and Mom were born and raised:

Belišće is a city in Croatia, located in the region of Slavonia, Osijek – Baranja county, at the altitude of 93 m. The population of the city is 7,197 (2001), 11,786 in the municipality, the majority who are Croatian. This industrial town upon the Drava river lies near the border with Hungary north from here.

Chief occupations are forestry, timber and wood processing, (sawmill, chemical and mechanical wood processing), corrugated fiberboard, metal industry, chemicals and synthetic material processing.

The influential Gutmann family made a significant impact on the Belišće region in the 19th and 20th century. Once vast Slavonian oak forests were mostly replaced with farmland, and a section of the working-class quarters of Salamon H. Gutmann from 1884 became part of the present-day Belišće.

Major recreational activities include angling, rowing kayak and canoe on the Drava, river and its backwaters and hunting in the broader surroundings.

My Aunt and Cousin took me to house where my grandfather was raised which is in the village of Popovac in Croatia. Even though no current family members reside in the house it was still some thing to see.

Nice wishing well

Beautiful hanging flowers

Side of the house

My grandfather would be so pleased to see all the rose bushes they have

Current resident

The neighbor lady has moved but her son still lives in the house.

Next door to them a shop remains standing. Even though the shop is closed, it looks as if it was frozen in time as the window display has never been changed.

Anthony Lujan Photography
Serving Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Individual | Family | Wedding | Maternity | Newborn | Children | Pet | Travel
www.anthonylujanphotography.com
www.anthonylujanphotography.com/blog

Melita - August 6, 2010 - 10:30 am

Nice to see these pictures! I know your grandparents would be very happy to see you in Croatia and share the feeling of peace we now have here in this region. I am really proud to have you as a cousin!!!!

Visit with Uncle Joshi – Grandfather’s Brother {Hungary}

Monday, June 14, 2010

One of my goals was to visit as many family members as possible while in Croatia. My Grandfather has a brother who is a priest in Hungary. It’s a short trip from Belisce. So my Aunt and Cousin said they will take me as they also would like to see him.

Monday afternoon we took off for Hungary. It wasn’t a bad drive. I was super hungry and couldn’t wait to eat. My Uncle had lunch waiting for us. After we said our hello’s we sat around the huge dinning room table and had a meal together.

After lunch my Uncle took us to his church. I was full of emotions. I kept on thinking of my grandparents. They never had the chance to see my Uncle’s church. My grandparents were very religious and always spoke about my Uncle. So being in his church filled my heart. Before walking out of the church I asked my Uncle to bless me. I so badly wanted his blessings. As he started we both cried.

It’s amazing how much family members look alike. My grandfather and his brothers have so many similar features. I was torn as seeing him filled my heart and on the other hand it made me miss my grandfather more. But my heart was completely happy as I know my grandparents were with me the entire time.

After visiting my Uncle, we went to the cemetery where my grandfather’s parents and his one sister were laid to rest.

Anthony Lujan Photography
Serving Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles Counties
Individual | Family | Wedding | Maternity | Newborn | Children | Pet | Travel
www.anthonylujanphotography.com
www.anthonylujanphotography.com/blog

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