Malacca in Black and White

Recently we had a great stay in Malacca, we stayed close to Jonker Street which is full of photographic opportunities. The old shop houses here are fascinating. Sadly I was disappointed with my shots of the frontages. However when I started to really look at some of my photos I did notice there was scope for a few good black and whites.

This doorway was only a few doors the street from the Puri Hotel.
The walkway and front entrances to these houses each have a character of their own.

One of a pair that keep the evil away from a grand old place.
These come in many interesting styles always with a ball propped under their foot.
Apparently this is to stopp them from going to sleep as they stand guard,
because if they fall asleep they will roll off the ball.

I admit I did crop this photo severely in order to capture the flavour of this photo.
This pot was three floors above the ground in front of the shutters.
I wondered if it was once lowered down to the hawkers who would have been peddling food
through the streets of Malacca?

I am now excited about what can be found in  photos of the shop houses 

I think next time I will have a completely different focus. 

What a great journey photography can be!

Malacca River Murals

There is a walkway along both sides of the river.
You can always opt for the river cruise.

We recently spent a weekend in Malacca, well a MAE weekend that included overnight Monday and Tuesday. It was an opportunity for us to catch up with a group of MAE teachers from Singapore. We have decided that we must get down and visit this interesting little corner of Malaysia more often. It is an easy 2 hour drive from KL and once there it is a completely different world.

This face is amazing his eyes seem to follow you as pass by.

This time around Ruth and I took our cameras for a walk along the river where there is some pretty interesting art going on. It kind of tells a history of the development of Malaysia, with some traditional costumes of the cultural groups that have helped to give this area its heritage. The artists are unknown but I think they are amazing. Hopefully you will all enjoy these photos as much as I do.

I love the way that doors have been incorporated into the  murals.

This group have distinctive Malay features.

A definite Chinese influence in this doorway.

Fighting using the traditional Malay swords.

A local Beauty in all of her finery. 

There is a definite Indian influence in this couple.

Random People in Vietnam

Random People in Vietnam who can teach the rest of us lessons of life.

A day spent soaking up the atmosphere along the river front in 
Hoi An, is worth a life time of experiences.

Following our recent trip to Vietnam I returned with these interesting photos of local people going about their daily lives. The differences in the lives of people fascinates me. Hopefully others will enjoy these photos as much as I do. If they haven't visited this part of the world it might even help them to become motivated to go visit. It really is a beautiful country full of beautiful people.

The market at the end of the road in this photo is fascinating,
Watching the people come and go can easily fill in the day.

This lovely lady sat patiently and provided a grand opportunity for a photo,
She was selling whistles made from clay.

The paper boy.
This enterprising young man was riding the streets with a newspaper in his pocket,
When  he sold it  he fetched the next newspaper to sell.

We spent three days in Hoi An, which is a rather special town. I love the heritage part as it provides a real character to the town. The day we spent on our bicycles exploring and enjoying the town, was worth a week of tours with tour guides. Relaxing on the side of the road next to the river seems to bring lots of opportunities to enjoy watching what the locals do. The longer you spend in an area the more accepting the locals become of you. 

We were in Hue and it was morning rush hour when I spotted this guy weaving through the traffic.
He was loaded up with sugar cane, it must have been very heavy.

The produce part of the Hong Da Market in Hue is where the morning action was.
Here you can buy anything and the food is all fresh.

Everyone is on a mission in the market. We were collecting produce for our cooking class.
I recommend going to the market as a part of your cooking classes because you learn so much from
the local chefs in these places. Shopping in the supermarket at home doesn't provide the same experience.

It was time to move on and we waited for our train to arrive at the Hue Station.
These ladies provided snacks from their mobile shop. 

I like this photo of another tourist racing the dragon.
Taken at one of the tombs around Hue.

We have visited Vietnam 5 times and every time we have loved the experience. Every time we have managed to explore somewhere new and every time we have met some lovely friendly people who are full of the joy of living. 

Some of the people we have met seem to have very little in the way of possessions and money.

Yet they are rich in other ways.

We say they have so little but they still have a lot.

I can't wait to go back and enjoy our next Vietnamese adventure.