20mm view of everyday life...

Definition:
"The manta ray (Manta birostris), is the largest of the rays, with the largest known specimen having been more than 7.6 m (about 25 ft) across, with a weight of about 2,300 kg (about 5,000 lb). It ranges throughout all tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs."

We made our 'Manta Dives' in the Goofnuw Channel where the site is named 'Valley of the Rays on the north eastern side of the island.


Pristine...

There is a cleaning station in which this big fishes, including Mantas, come to look for smaller fishes to clean and feed on the parasites that are on their skins and gills.

My first close encounter with 'Zorro', a Manta about 3.5 metres from wing tip to wing tip, was named by resident researchers in YAP's most reputed dive centre, YAP Divers.


Zorro...

The identification is from the markings under their soft bellies and the vis was not great so this was the best pic of our hero that got as close as 1 metre from me while drifting in the current.

Its just a moment of awe that I cannot put down in words.

Nature here speaks to you in so many ways in which I can only imagine. One such instances was when we were on the boat travelling to the dive sites, we would be accompanied by spinner dolphines on some occasions which just elates the child in you.


Spinners...

Will post more pictures of our encounters with silver tip and grey reef sharks, and bottom lying critters.

Hopefully the water will be clearer and the Mantas will come again to see us before we leave this little island in the pacific.

Just visited a rural village and witness a little piece of micronesian culture which I will share with you in a later post.

Jeff

Transition

On the road for 3 days, the furthest reaches of the northern border of North India, were many many scattered camps and checkpoints that monitors the disputed LOC(Line Of Control). 

The famous Tiger region where shellings use to hit the town of Kargil and the roads leading into Leh from Srinagar, is now still heavily guarded. 

The many high passes in the land gave this region its name, Ladakh(Land of Passes) and during the bumpy few days, many civilian trucks bring in new supplies to the towns in this desolate land. The scale of military presence can only be seen by the long ant-like marches of army convoys going down from the north to replenish supplies.

Convoy...

Along the way, we had many stops and for the life of me, I had to know what is in those trucks that bring in supplies to this desolate land. 

This trucks are so spacious in the front that they have 2 to 3 drivers in the truck and they take turns driving as it is a rocky 340km from Srinagar to Leh. They even have a kitchen which I was surprised to see.

Truckers...

While on the road, the scenery changed from Fresh Alpine(Like the Swiss Alps) to Parched Pastures to Moon Land to Sand Dunes before settling to a flat valley which Leh is situated. 

With a night stay at Sonamarg, I chanced upon nomads that bring up their flocks of sheeps and livestock up to the green pastures. Their eyes and smiles just melts my heart.


Sunshine...

The care free life that they lead can only be matched if one can let go of all material things that one possess. 

From the Muslim Kashmir Valley to the Buddhist Land of Ladakh, the slow influence of these religions can be seen changing like that of the land which was passed. 

The very first sight of Buddhism was at Mulbeck, a short drive from Kargil, the second largest town in Ladakn. And there, one will find a Statue of Victory with a small monastery which signifies that Buddism is present.



Puja...


Chortens...

Now my final destination in this long journey...
The land of Passes...
The land of Chortens...
The land of Palaces...

Leh

Jeff

Srinagar - Venice of the East

Srinagar, the Summer Capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir is snuggled in the middle by mountains and with streams meandering into the Valley. 

The slow pace and tranquil city can now only be admired early in the morning or late in the evening as the tourist season is now on and plenty of hot sweating south indians are escaping the heat by flying up north to enjoy the cool Kashmir Valley. 



Florist on Shikaras...



Lau Pat Sat...


Fishing?!?...

There are also lots to see like old Mosques and Old Forts set upon hills as british colonialism and strong muslim influences are still very much felt in Srinagar.


TGIF...

Jamia Masjid, which literally means Friday Mosque, is a place for all muslims to leave their homely mosques to gather in unison on Fridays to pray and give thanks. 

The Mosque boasts of being able to accomodate 33,333 people in one prayer session and is seen as a common place for people to gather and just chit chat. 

For the next part of my journey, its time to pick up my bags and be on the road to my final destination in the North of Kashmir, Ladakh(Land of Passes) Region in the city of Leh.

Will be passing by the disputed LOC(Line Of Control) between Paskitan and India.

Jeff

Nectar Pool

The train ride from the Delhi train station to the Armritsar station was surprisingly comfortable. With the much needed airconditioning and as well as hot food being served like that of the airlines. 

It helps that I am taking second class... haha...

The temperature was the same, if not hotter then in Delhi, but the visit to the Golden Temple of the pass 2 days. Was what made this town such a bustle as sikhs come to this town to visit the most sacret Golden Temple in Armritsar. 

Spring Cleaning...

Cleansing...



Awe...

Also we visited the only border pass between India and Pakistan, the flag ceremony was capped with huge cheers and jeers from each side of the border and it is a sight that must be seen if one is in town. 

The guards shook hands in a fierce but orderly manner with huge strides and colorful uniforms. 

Too bad we were seated too far and therefore not much was photographed. Here you see across the border where pakistan overlooks India which is where I am. Dont Shoot?!?!



Gate Keepers...


Face Off...

only have limited time and very slow connectivity. So hope you guys like these few photos.

Will upload more once I locate better facilities. 

Now i am already in Srinagar, the Summer Capital of Kashmir and will be moving into remote north of the Himilayans which will bring me into the Land of Passes(Ladakh). 

Hope all is well with you. 

Jeff

Chiang Mai Old City

There is an air of mistic that shrouds this northen city which has its own draw of tourist unlike that of Bangkok. It has the bustle but yet also a calm in its temples which are sancturaies for travellers to seek refuge in. This is my second time here and it still relaxes me for i had good company and of course a good massage.

Slow Dance...

Murals...

Flamen...

A vain attempt at photography again but this time with my digital camera. Hope you all like it. Will post more about what i had tried eating while in the Old City, which is a cordoned area where a moat which surrounds the palace of the yester years in Chiangmai.

Till then. I feel the heat is on for work to follow... Finale Yearning Pilgrimage... here i come...

Jeff

Reflection and Redemption

The final lap is draining and daunting,

Can i be triumphant or be tumbled over,

Keeping faith of believe... is never hard nor easy...

Breathing one's gasp with each moment,

Baby steps at a time...

..................................................................................

A little picture i gave a friend for her birthday.

A trip down memory lane, even as i walk my final lap in Uni.

This is Yongxin in Tibet, outside the Holy and Mysterious Johkang Temple in the heart of Lhasa. Comtemplating...

Contemplation...

Live well... Balance...

Jeff

Treetop Thrills

Like a hobbits tale...
all good journeys must come to an end.
But not an abrupt and glum end like most would think.

There are still things to see and places to visit...
people to meet...
food to savour...

Getting back to the heartlands and familiarizing with the familiar became some what interesting this coming weeks.

Being able to just pick up where i left...
Drive on the right side of the road...
Drive essentially again... haha.
Seeing the people that matters...
Eating the spread of local delights...

I am contented that i got back but also because i have time off by myself and with those that i have missed.

I am also thoughtful of the people that i have met in the course of this whole 6 months... all this thoughts and memories and little conversations with individuals with the monks in the monastries in Tibet... to the rowdy moments in shanghai with colleagues and flatmates...

What a ride... what a journey...

Getting back will not be the end as usual for there are still things to experience and seek even in this little island i call home.

Did a little nature trek thingy to the HSBC treetop walk in MacRitchie Reservior this morning...

Getting back to nature even in home soil...
Important? I guess the saying goes... that one should know whats in your own backyard before venturing further for newer horizons.

Seeing lush greenery and being sweaty all over again is something less to be desired but somewhat welcome when i got back.

Shakey?!?!...

1 Way...

Really quite fun...
A morning walk with a hardy lunch made it all good... :) heh.

well well... KL is next.

Jeff

Bi-Cycling

After the previous update. I decided to take a trip round lhasa on a bike. haha.

All my posts so far are done in a Bike/Internet shop of sorts.

Here i have made a nice man by the name of Thaizand.  A man from Sichuan who is crazy about bicycles and brought his dream here to Tibet. He is a very hostpitable man who is always keen to tell. He graced me with a bike to tour around the city on my own and for the first time, i can finally relate to like a china man. heh. Cycling like they would.

Giant...

Thaizand will be bringing us around tomorrow around lhasa on the less travelled dirt roads for a small fee to Deprung and Sera Monastery again. But with a difference i guess. Will take a sneak picture of him and show you the man who made me feel like i am at home when i visit him. :)

soon...

jeff

Out & About

After leaving Lhasa and entering the Qomolangma(Mt Everest, 8848m) National Park for a walk on the wild side.

The view as well as the altitude is nothing but breath-taking. With each pace and each turn of a valley, the landscape, floral and fauna changes with each stride. With our guide and our chef(Moral Booster) which lead us with ease smiling at our every pant.

Getting back to nature was really what i seeked, to get away from the noisy V8(or less) engines. Breathing fresh air and drinking from the streams that flow not from a tap.

A Walk To Remember...

The Himalayan Range that we passed were snowcapped and cloudy most of the time, with the view of Mt. Cho Oyo(8201m) which is the highest mountain planted squarely in Tibet, we flanked left to shorten the distance between us and to the place closes where man can get to heaven on foot, Mt. Qomolangma(Mt. Everest).

Hail Hail...

The weather was hot in the middle of the day, the winds were cold when clouds hide the sun from us, the rain turns hard and splatters on us like rocks that were thrown from above to shoo us away from this natural spectacle. I loved all that was thrown at me when we trekked the mountainous regions.

The different habitats and ecosystems, the clouds that paint murals upon mountain sides and glacier sculpted valleys that sweep from left to right with ease like a hot knife slicing thru butter.

The yaks and mountain goats, nomads and remote villages... simply simple...

Shepherd...

After 3 days of walking and reaching the highest monastery in the world by bus, Rongpu M.. We took a horse carriage that brought us up to Mt Everest Base Camp to view the worlds highest land mass. Although all i saw was a simple camp with make shift tents acting as restaurants and hotels, the elusive Everest remains a dream that was shrouded by clouds.

Elusive Everest...

Behind the signboard in the midst of the clouds lies Everest, although my eyes did not get a chance to view its splendor, i did not feel disheartened like i should. Maybe i was meant to see bigger things, maybe i want to see something else. someone else.

I talked to the travellers that were at Base Camp and was told of unspoken beauty that awaits in the upper Base Camps at 6200m. Shared with me pictures of 'Ice Forests' that spike skywards with backdropped Everest looming over them. Maybe i will come back again to see it with my own eyes for a change, instead of through someone else's olympus. Faith will decide...

Hotel Casanova...

The road over the friendship highway between Tibet and Nepal is heavily repaired and it took us 2 full days to reach the shores of Tibet's highest ocean(saltwater lake), Namtso(4750m).

The waters were turquois under the cloudless sky and sights of seagulls that fly over the vast lake made it all so peaceful. The sweeping waves crashing upon its long shores made me remember how i miss the sea. The Blue Planet as it is, Earth, something that i sorely miss for far too long was again relived. Althought tourism has taken a toll on the once quiet hammerhead of a land mass in the middle of the lake, the quiet moments that i have along the shores soon redeemed its prestine fame.

I met a lovely couple that came to the lake during the evening when the mountain pass allowed traffic through into the Namtso Basin. Ben and his companion looked upon the lazy sun that was soon to go to rest and stories of their misadventures upon their route to see the Elusive Everest as they as well did not have the grace of the gods to have their eyes set upon it.

Noble Namtso...

When i saw them strolling along the shores of 1 of the 4 Holy Lakes of Tibet, there was so much comfort into knowing that they have each other for warmth, even in the cold of wind.

A night at the lake was all i needed, although another would have been more meaningful. I guess the trip out of town(Lhasa) had to end somewhere and i think it ended well for the people that i have met and the things that i have seen... is enough... am happy... am satisfied... am ready... am thoughtful.

Going to go do a little bike thingy around town for the last day(tomorrow) in Lhasa before i transit to Hongkong via Shenzhen for a short stopover. A visit to the Oriental Pearl of the East and flying back to Singapore. Will see what i can do in HK and will update if i see anything interesting.

Frankly, this pass 7 months out of Singapore had been a roller coaster ride that i will not easily forget.

For the things that i left behind...

For the things that i have discovered...

For the things that i have learned...

For the things that i have experienced...

For the things that i have been graced...

I am grateful.

jeff