Lazy Chinatown Morning

JakJazz 2008 in BW

JakJazz 2008

The night race

Images from the first F1 night race ever, Singapore Grand Prix.

Exiled

Their facial expressions said it all. Karen people of Burma suffered terribly under the military junta that still run that country with an iron fist. Driven from their homeland, a lot of them flee to Thailand, where they live as refugee and illegal immigrants. Known for their custom of wearing brass ring around the neck, they were exploited as tourist attraction. The guide that took us to their village assured us that we are helping them visiting them as they get a cut from the travel agencies that arrange the tours, but still I cant shrug off my uneasiness. I resort to using a long lens to shoot from a distance, but even then, I only managed to take a few shot. Sadly they are only a small fraction of ever growing population of refugees and displaced people in the world.

Faces of Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Images II

Chiang Mai Images

Forbidden City Panorama

Behind the Bamboo Curtain

Work took me to the bustling capital of the People's Republic of China. You can clearly see that this Red Dragon is has awaken and flexing its muscle in this ancient and modern city, personified by the brand new $ 3.8 billion new terminal designed Sir Norman Foster with twice the size of the Pentagon, build in record time for the summer Olympics. Beijing really illustrates the multiple personalities that China posses, a capitalistic capital of a communist police state. Freedom to do whatever you wish economically, as long as you submit to the political will of the Communist party with its 2.3 million strong People's Liberation Army, seen here guarding the Forbidden City.
The city is a fascinating face to a fascinating nation on track to be, if not already, a great world power. A good first trip to China.

Java Jazz

It's been at least 10 years since my last Jazz fest in Jakarta. This year's Java Jazz is much bigger and better in terms of performers, organization and audience. Great to see this genre is getting wider acceptance in Indonesia, although I kinda think Peter Gontha is compromising too much by inviting a lot of R&B and other non Jazz performers to attract more paying audience. Also, its a shame that talented Indonesian artist are given the worst venues with questionable sound system while all foreign artist gets the best while not necessarily be deserving.
It was still a lot fun to be there though, with the likes of Incognito and Manhattan Transfer on stage. Plus, what concert will allow you to bring serious DSLR and shoot very close to the stage. Just make sure that your big f2.8 zooms won't bother people around you. I'll be back next year for sure!

The Police Live in Singapore

I got to know Sting first before discovering the Police back in early 90s and have since been a huge fan. I actually saw Sting live twice before, in Jakarta and Buffalo, NY. When I heard about their reunion tour, the first thing I did was to check ticketmasters for a Madison Square Garden show. As always with big concerts in New York, it was sold out in the first few minutes. Lucky I caught them on the tail end of their world tour in Singapore. I could only managed a ticket in the last row, but who cares. And what a blast this was.

Angkor Colours