The Week that Was
This has been a full week for me. My wife finally made it to England and I am being the “stay at home dad”, and loving it. But, I am ready for her to be back home so I can figure out where to put all the stuff from our container. As I was unpacking some of my items from the container, I noticed I could not find 5 copies of my latest book, Kashmir, The Mystery. Odd, I know I handed over the copies to the guy in charge of my shipment personally. So I wrote him. He replied,
Your 4 Books are in your BOX no. 43 as I put them and taped the package myself. And there was no separate box made for four BOOKS. Whereas you gave 5 books, but one was gifted to one at the port So instead of 5 the sent item there are 4 only. Please check in BOX no. 43.
Over look the spelling and grammar, did you notice that he “gifted” (I think you know what that means.) the local port authorities with a copy of my book? Without asking me he, ah-hmm, “gifted” this guy with a $40 copy of my book. I would have been flattered had it been a copy of my book that he owned, but it was one of the five free copies that my publisher gave me. As we used to say, “TII” This Is India!
In other news this week, the Lumen Dei workshop with Ami Vitale sold out. We only opened it for applications late last week. So, with in a week, gone! The moral to the story, when we post applications for the next workshop don’t wait, grab it, listen to your heart and apply.
My sponsor, Think Tank Photo release some new bags this week. I guess they are cranking them out for Christmas, smart. The newest in their line is called the StreetWalker, Streetwalker Pro and the StreetWalker HardDrive. The StreetWalker looks to me to be a direct competitor with Lowepro’s CompuTrekker AW. But I got’ta tell you this looks like it has it all over the CompuTrekker AW. But check it out yourself. I am still looking out for the new Shape Shifter.
I was planning a trip in January to go visit and shoot Angkor Wat. It is one of those “must do” every photographer has. But after being pointed by Tewfic El-Sawy to this National Geographic Traveler article. I am having second thoughts. Have any of you been to Angkor Wat recently? Is it still worth the trip? Alou and I have good friends visiting us in January (they are hand delivering my 5D mk II). We were going to take them there, but now what?
I love it. Absolutely classic. This is like having the moving guy sell your couch or favourite chair. The nerve! On the other hand if this is all you paid in baksheesh – small price!
tough call Matt. i guess if you can ignore the reported scaffolding, endless lines of tourists, cordoned off areas…and willing to leave your hotel at dawn, and can’t wait to 2010…then AW is a must!
i think my gripe is more directed towards the unfettered “gold-rush” aspect of hotel developments in Siem Reap. i’m told of traffic jams, construction sites, etc…
if you need the name of a wonderful small hotel in Siem Reap…not expensive but with lovely atmosphere, email me.
Hi Matt;
I was just there in Angkor Wat about 3 weeks ago. Yes, there is scaffolding here and there and some excavation going on, but that doesn’t make one not going to Angkor Wat. The place is huge and exciting to be there with your camera. There are many places that you can get atmospheric images without any construction going on and a few tourists here and there. You gotta go and show us your wonderful images from the 5D Mark II.
On my trip, I just take images of places without scaffolding and come back another time, when the works are done. Angkor Wat is a place to be many times. Have fun ….
Hi Matt;
I was just there in Angkor Wat about 3 weeks ago. Yes, there is scaffolding here and there and some excavation going on, but that doesn’t make one not going to Angkor Wat. The place is huge and exciting to be there with your camera. There are many places that you can get atmospheric images without any construction going on and a few tourists here and there. You gotta go and show us your wonderful images from the 5D Mark II.
On my trip, I just take images of places without scaffolding and come back another time, when the works are done. Angkor Wat is a place to be many times. Have fun ….
I was just there two weeks ago, scaffolding and construction still there but still an awesome place. But Angkor Wat isn’t the only site to see Bayon, Ta Prohm, Bakong of the Rolous group(maybe my favorite hard to pick just one), we heard great things about Banteay Srei.Seim Reap is busy and growing but still fun and freindly. We stayed with a company Journeys Within that also runs a small nonprofit providing education and wells. They were fantastic and had a great B&B.
I have really enjoyed your blog and appreciate your helpful comments on photography.
Ahem. You have PINK curtains?
Thanks guys for all the current updates. Given your thoughts I think we will stick with the plan. Sounds like Angkor Wat has so much to do, that if we can overlook the crowds and the scaffolding we might still have a great time. Besides, you know me, I tend to shoot more portraits than landscapes anyway.
David- lol Yeah, well the curtains came with the house. You can also see if you look closely that my wife is slowly replacing them.
Believe it or not. Angkor Wat was not my favorite place. My favorites are in this order:
1) Banteay Srey (25km away from Angkor, gorgeous and intricate detail carving. I can stay the whole day here)
2) Preah Khan (atmospheric corridors, green moss growing everywhere and a wonderful old nun for gorgeous portrait. Go straight down to the end and look behind your back to see an impressive, huge cotton tree growing on top of the ruin. Awesome sight to see and shoot. I actually shoot the asparas carving right underneath the tree and ruin. These carving are still intacts with moss and liches growing on them, which makes a gorgeous details shot)
3) Ta Phrom (try to be there around 11:00 to 2:00pm with smaller tour group)
Don’t miss the buddha head in the tree. It is hard to find. I actually have to ask the temple’s keeper to show me. The head is small and about 12-15 feet away from the barracade and it is dark, so a good zoom wide open will be needed. Of course, don’t miss the (Hollywood tree, as the Cambodian called it, also sometimes called the Angelie Jolie tree). Lots of detailed asparas still in good shape. Oh yeah, there’s lots of good portraits there too.
4) The Bayon (I was here both morning and the next day afternoon). The light here are wonderful in any light. It is always crowded, so you will have to fight your way around. Go to the top-most level to shoot the face at eye-level. Lots of small chapels with Buddha face showing thru windows. Oh yeah, there is a fantastic reflection of the whole Bayon complex at sunset (a must shoot)
Matt, have fun… I am waiting to see your images from the 5D Mark II
A couple more thing I remember:
Take a tuk-tuk ride from your hotel to the sites. Also, a tuk-tuk ride from Angkor to Banteay Srey is a must. This road is my favorite to view countryside and daily life of Cambodian. Also, on the way to Bantary Srey or back from Banteay Srey, stop and have lunch at a place called “Khmer Kitchen” (the driver should know). This place is authentic Khmer-style cooking with reasonable price and clean atmosphere. Tuk-tuk price are $6-$7/day. Go to Banteay Srey will cost a bit more, I managed to get $5/round-trip ride.
– There are dancers dressed as Apsaras in real costume ready for photography in both Angkor Wat and The Bayon. These ladies are beautiful and worth the $2-$3 (I managed to take about 10 portraits of three ladies)
– I brought my tripod, but used it only once for the sunset.
– I brought my super-long zoom 100-400mm but ended up in the hotel the whole time.
– Must carry bottled water, because you’re going to be in the site a long time, unless you want to walk out to the parking area for drinks.
– $1 for 4100 cambodian reals
– Decent guesthouse cost me $12/day with hot shower, air cond and tv
– The popular night market is cool and the Bar St. is great for cheap beer and several very nice photography gallery (one I like is McDermott)
A couple more thing I remember:
Take a tuk-tuk ride from your hotel to the sites. Also, a tuk-tuk ride from Angkor to Banteay Srey is a must. This road is my favorite to view countryside and daily life of Cambodian. Also, on the way to Bantary Srey or back from Banteay Srey, stop and have lunch at a place called “Khmer Kitchen” (the driver should know). This place is authentic Khmer-style cooking with reasonable price and clean atmosphere. Tuk-tuk price are $6-$7/day. Go to Banteay Srey will cost a bit more, I managed to get $5/round-trip ride.
– There are dancers dressed as Apsaras in real costume ready for photography in both Angkor Wat and The Bayon. These ladies are beautiful and worth the $2-$3 (I managed to take about 10 portraits of three ladies)
– I brought my tripod, but used it only once for the sunset.
– I brought my super-long zoom 100-400mm but ended up in the hotel the whole time.
– Must carry bottled water, because you’re going to be in the site a long time, unless you want to walk out to the parking area for drinks.
– $1 for 4100 cambodian reals
– Decent guesthouse cost me $12/day with hot shower, air cond and tv
– The popular night market is cool and the Bar St. is great for cheap beer and several very nice photography gallery (one I like is McDermott)