Zen & The City

I was in Japan recently just before the earthquake and tsunami hit the north east of Japan. Japan is not only a very photogenic country, it is also a very inspiring place. The art and architecture, the tradition and culture, the modern and new, everything comes together perfectly! And its people are the most warm and friendly I've ever met. So it saddens me to see images of devastation in Japan. The Japanese people don't deserve this.

I would like to dedicate this album to the citizens of Japan, especially Fukushima 50, the bravest men and women who are working round the clock to avert a nuclear disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones. Japan will rise again, stronger and better! All photographs © 2011 LimZhu Photography.

The Twenty Niners

When I was in Rajasthan, I took a safari excursion to a Bishnoi village. Bishnoi is a unique sect founded by Guru Jambheshwar who laid down 29 principles to be followed by the sect. Bish means 20 and noi means 9. Hence, Bishnoi literally means Twenty-niners. Strictly vegetarians, the eco-loving villagers are against killing animals and felling trees. They also take great pains to protect and conserve the black buck antelopes which are believed to be their guru’s manifestation after death.

God's Own Country?

I love the rugged beauty of Rajasthan, but I can't say the same for Kerala. Honestly speaking, Kerala is over-hyped. It's old school in a bad way. Totally unlike what you see in Kerala's tourism brochures. I expected Fort Cochin to exude old world charm, but it failed to impress. The famous Chinese fishing nets look dirty in real life. Vembanad Lake is scenic with gorgeous sunsets and sunrise, but that's about it. If you want an exotic beach destination rich in history, I recommend Sri Lanka instead. All photos copyright © 2010 LimZhu Photography.

Jaisalmer The Golden City

The Jaisalmer Fort in Jaisalmer is a living fort where you can find shops, hotels, age old havelis (homes) inside. It gets very crowded on weekends and festivals.

By the way, my 17-85mm lens was damaged during my trip so I could only use my macro 100mm lens to take these pics. Which explains why all the shots are so tight.

Jodhpur The Sun City

I recently travelled to India - Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Fort Cochin/Kerala.

My favorite is Jodhpur. The people, especially the children of Jodhpur, aka the Sun City are really friendly and photogenic. These pics were shot in the walled city of Jodhpur and Sardar Market, "a full-on bustling Indian market with a barely contained riot of sights, sounds and stinks" (Wikitravel)