Farewell Thailand

So our time had come to an end. The Holiday was over. As mentioned yesterday, we got up before the crack of dawn and began our journey home. After the initial travels, we found ourselves on a plane to Thailand. I followed with interest as the plane made a 360 turn in the middle of the ocean, and then later was notified as we went further North to wait for our landing opening (they never mentioned the full circle!?)

With time to kill (3-4 hours) I endlessly wandered Bangkok airport. As far as airports go, its a pretty nice one. Stretching for seemingly miles, outside is decorated with various giant model/display areas. The architecture reminds me of the framing I made in old balsa planes (all skeleton like).

And then we were in the air. Our last Thailand Sunset. We’d been up for around 14-15 hours at this point. Being I dont sleep on planes, and we had ~12 hours to go in the air (and a stop at Australia yet), I prepared for a long day.

Landing back in Auckland, New Zealand was both a nice feeling, and a bump back to reality. I’d been awake about a day and a half, most of the time spent sitting in a plane, followed by sitting in a van, followed by sitting in airports. It took a few days to actually ‘land’. Here we are landing in NZ…The photo actually makes me look better than I felt!

And thats Thailand!

Ive got a few novelty pictures yet to post, but the travel novel’s over.

Catch you tomorrow.

May 13, 2014 2

The 99th ANZAC Year

Today marks the 99th ANZAC day anniversary. Its a day where New Zealanders and Australians respect and remember those who have fallen in battle/war, giving up their lives, so we could live ours. The date itself marks the anniversary of the landing of New Zealand and Australian soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

Ive attended the dawn service for ANZAC day in my home town for years now. I think as I age each year, the day feels like it means more to me. Unlike many other public holidays that celebrate something, this one is more emotional. No one celebrates those who fall in war. We remember them. Giving ones life is the ultimate sacrifice.

When the First World War hit, New Zealand had a population of just over one million. About 120,000 of our men enlisted and went to battle. Of that 120,000 almost half were casualties of war – be it wounded or killed. Many never returned, and remain in the various unmarked graves around the battle fields of the world. For such a small population, we took a big hit.

Attending the service this morning, I walked away reflective and with a sense of emotion remembering the fallen.

I also walked away a little angry and offended. Why? – technology. A number (a very small percentage – but noticeable enough) of people either took phone calls, or failed to silence ringing phones once the service begun. A number (same percentage comment again) of children/young adults were permitted by their parents to play their digital device (pick your favourite), and play it with sound even. Im not quite at the stage of being a grumpy old man (grumpy young man?), but seriously, I found it really disrespectful. The closest example I could give is someone using their phone or playing games when one attends a funeral service – thats never ok.

Said people aside, it was a great and well attended ceremony. Being essentially a 5am start, New Zealand (and other places) holds a number of ceremonies at different times, and in all main cities, towns and suburbs. Next year marks 100 years. Its going to be big. I just hope people bring along their respect.

Back to more Thailand tomorrow!

Lest We Forget

April 25, 2014 0

Pelecanus Conspicillatus

Pelecanus conspicillatus, the Australian pelican. Shot at the Sydney zoo a few years back on my old Sony A230 DSLR. With a wingspan of ~2.5m, these guys are fairly large birds. Interestingly, you can tell if they are a part of a breeding couple or not by the colour of their bill and circles around eyes. Protected in Australia, they are lucky enough not to be on the endangered list, although some of their native waterland’s have been taken over by our recreational sports.

As above, shot on the Sony Alpha A230 and resized/converted to black & white in Gimp.

May 20, 2013 0

Lest We Forget

In Gallipoli, 25th April 1915 2,721 Kiwi and 8,709 Australian soldiers died in an attempt with allied forces to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and the attempt failed. Such losses for relatively young countries however stirred the public, and began the long standing ANZAC relationship between our nations. On rolled WWII and the ANZAC spirit continued. The day marked losses by those in both wars, and subsequently in modern days, all those who have sacrificed sometimes the ultimate in service.

I rate ANZAC day as one of New Zealands most important, and might write more about this tomorrow. for now however, I’d like to leave you with the song ‘Poppies & Pohutukawa’

Lest We Forget

We Will Remember Them

April 25, 2013 0

The Die

Another Archive shot. Taken in the Powerhouse Museum, in Sydney, Australia.

Not too much to say about today’s image really. It was a brightly lit cube in a dark room. I love the simple yet attractive image it created.

September 20, 2012 0

Tree on the Lake

An archive post today. Shot in 2011 at the Sydney Chinese Gardens, I captured this beautiful tree overhanging the stone work and small pond.

For anyone visiting Sydney Australia, if you have time I would urge toy to visit the gardens. I think (?) at the time of my visit, it was the largest of its kind in Australia. Worth a few hours slowly walking around, and perhaps getting a cup of tea, the garden has some beautiful stonework, plants and an amazingly isolating power – being it is in the middle of the city.

Originally in colour, I converted to B&W in Gimp as it gives it more power and emotion in my opinion. Shot on the Sony A230 DSLR with a minolta 50mm Lens.

September 17, 2012 0

Wild Thing

I was sad to hear this morning about the passing of Maurice Sendak, the author of the great children’s book (or adult children) ‘Where The Wild Things Are’. A story spanning generations I grew up with this book ~20 years after it was written, and those a little younger may have seen the 2009 feature film based on the book. I recall when young going to a stage show of it even. If you have never read the book I encourage you to do so. Also, a simple Wikipedia will give some fascinating background info on the story.

Sendak’s passing influenced me to post up this image I took in 2011, in Sydney Australia. I cant recall the name of this beast, but its a now extinct mammal, about the size of a small hippo. Taken on my Sony A230, 50mm 1.7 lens, took advantage of the selective low lighting to isolate ‘the wild thing’.

May 9, 2012 0