In light of the many uncertainties that transpired in 2008, I thought it’s fitting that I close the year with this picture of a clueless monk taken at Thien Mu Pagoda. Hopefully, we’d all have a better idea of what we’re doing in 2009. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady
Legend has it that an old lady once stood on a hill and told the people that a Lord would come and build a pagoda for the country’s prosperity. Lord Nguyen Hoang on hearing that, ordered for the construction of the pagoda in 1601.
Sitting on the Hà Khê hill, along the northern bank of the Perfume River, the seven storey-high Thien Mu Pagoda is the tallest stupa in Vietnam.
Sitting on the Hà Khê hill, along the northern bank of the Perfume River, the seven storey-high Thien Mu Pagoda is the tallest stupa in Vietnam.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Winter in Hue
Before Hoi An, I was in Hue for four days. Hue boasts magnificent monuments and architecture from the Nguyễn Dynasty. A fine destination for culture and photo buffs, but the weather was awful when I was there. It was raining cats and dogs with overcast skies. Everywhere was wet and slippery. Hazardous (for my camera) and difficult conditions to take a decent photo. To prevent my Canon D40 from getting wet, I used my Canon G7 instead. Small and light, I could snap pictures with one hand and hold the umbrella with my other hand. The result was not too bad like this photo taken at the Citadel.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas 2008
It’s Christmas! I would like to take this opportunity to thank one and all for your support this past year. And I wish you a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!
The photo in my Christmas e-card was taken at the summit of Hai Van Pass or Pass of Ocean Clouds, located on the border of Danang and Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, near Bach Ma National Park. Shrouded in misty vapours rising from the sea and boasting panoramic views of South China Sea, Hai Van Pass is one of the most breathtaking mountain passes I’ve travelled on.
The photo in my Christmas e-card was taken at the summit of Hai Van Pass or Pass of Ocean Clouds, located on the border of Danang and Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, near Bach Ma National Park. Shrouded in misty vapours rising from the sea and boasting panoramic views of South China Sea, Hai Van Pass is one of the most breathtaking mountain passes I’ve travelled on.
Labels:
Christmas 2008,
Hai Van Pass,
Travel,
Vietnam
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Colours of Hoi An 2
Monday, December 22, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Flirt
As promised here’s the posed shot I was talking about. Intriguing, huh? As a matter of fact, there’s a funny story behind this photo. I was walking along Bach Dang Street when this old lady approached me. To my surprise she spoke in English. “Please take my picture. I like very much,” she said and gave me a wink. I got goose bumps. Not sure if it was the way she brazenly flirted with me or how astonishingly photogenic she is. But one thing’s for sure, this is one of my all-time personal favourite photos.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
People of Hoi An 2
Here are more candid shots of the friendly folks in Hoi An. I like to photograph people when they are at their most natural. But sometimes a posed picture can be a classic like the one I’ll be posting here tomorrow. Stay tuned…
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
People of Hoi An 1
I’ve travelled to three cities in Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City, Hue and Hoi An. Which city speaks to me the most? Hoi An without a doubt. The city is bursting with colours, it is quaintly atmospheric (I felt like I was on a movie set with brilliant art direction) and the people are easy to photograph. They wouldn’t demand money from you or give you dirty looks like the people I encountered in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.
Here are some portrait shots taken in the old quarters of Hoi An, where I spent the whole afternoon exploring. Everywhere I turned there was a photo opportunity. Women in cone hats rowing boats, men enjoying a drag while playing chess, and folks young and old haggling at the wet market… Hoi An is a photographer’s dream come true!
Here are some portrait shots taken in the old quarters of Hoi An, where I spent the whole afternoon exploring. Everywhere I turned there was a photo opportunity. Women in cone hats rowing boats, men enjoying a drag while playing chess, and folks young and old haggling at the wet market… Hoi An is a photographer’s dream come true!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Quaintly Hoi An
It’s been a busy month for me. A deluge of assignments and deadlines have kept me away from my blog for a while. For fans (if I have any) who missed seeing my photos on my blog, well, you’re in for a treat! I just returned from Hue, Hoi An and Siem Reap, and I have brand new photos to show off. First up is Quaintly Hoi An, a photo essay on the colorful inhabitants of the charming UNESCO World Heritage listed town in Quảng Nam province, Central Vietnam.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Ma Du Zi
We all know that now’s not a very good time to travel to Bangkok with the international and domestic airports still shut, but if you’re planning to go there in the not too distant future, may I recommend Ma Du Zi – an ultra chic boutique hotel conveniently situated in the Sukhumvit business district. Ma Du Zi means come and see in Thai, and it’s definitely worth more than just a look. Hotel and fashion aficionados will go ga ga over this gorgeous hotel.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Temple of the Dawn
This is Wat Arun at dusk. Contrary to its name which means Temple of the Dawn, the popular tourist attraction is at its most magical when night falls.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Mai Pen Rai
Bangkok is in a state of chaos with the shutdown of Suvarnabhumi Airport, leaving tens of thousands of tourists stranded. Many of whom will be missing Thanksgiving back home because of the unrest. Well, as the Thais would say when face with a setback, mai pen rai which means never mind. That’s life, so just grin and bear it like this photo which I shot with my Canon G7 in June this year.
The farang looks troubled as he waits in a yellow cab stuck in Bangkok’s notorious traffic. The smiley decal is an interesting contrast to the lad’s glum face. I can imagine there are many more glum faces in Bangkok as I write. Hopefully, the crisis will end amicably soon... but I won’t hold my breath.
The farang looks troubled as he waits in a yellow cab stuck in Bangkok’s notorious traffic. The smiley decal is an interesting contrast to the lad’s glum face. I can imagine there are many more glum faces in Bangkok as I write. Hopefully, the crisis will end amicably soon... but I won’t hold my breath.
Labels:
Bangkok,
Photojournalism,
Thailand,
Travel
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Flower Saucer
If you think you’re looking at a UFO, you’re right! This unique flower object was taken at Amangalla, Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.
Labels:
Amangalla,
Amanresorts,
Favorites,
Galle Fort,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Still Life
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Still
I like to play with natural light to create different moods, turning a simple subject into an object of beauty. This picture was taken at The River House, Balapitiya, Sri Lanka.
Labels:
Balapitiya,
Favorites,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Still Life
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Shadow & Light
I’m putting together a series of still life photographs for my collection aptly titled Still. This photo was taken at Kahanda Kanda hotel in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Labels:
Favorites,
Galle,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Still Life
Monday, November 10, 2008
Golden Oldies
Still on the subject of old age, here are portraits of “golden oldies” I took in Bali and Central Java. The lady in the main picture asked my guide/fixer with a giggle, “Why is he taking my picture? I’m so old not pretty anymore!” I said to my guide, “Please tell her that I think she’s very beautiful.” And I speak from my heart. These old folks have something that most of their younger counterparts do not have and that’s inner beauty.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Virtues & Emotions
Here are more pictures from Voices from the Heart, Living with Dementia.
This project was quite a challenge. The brief required me to capture pictures that convey the following virtues and emotions: Patience, Frustration, Strength, Optimism, Filial Piety, Love, Encouragement, Hope, Despair, Challenges and Communication.
So I spent several days in Chinatown, Botanic Gardens and a daycare centre for old folks to take the pictures. It was not easy. I had to hide behind trees and pillars to secretly take the pictures. Thank goodness for my Canon Zoom EF 70 - 300mm lens!
This project was quite a challenge. The brief required me to capture pictures that convey the following virtues and emotions: Patience, Frustration, Strength, Optimism, Filial Piety, Love, Encouragement, Hope, Despair, Challenges and Communication.
So I spent several days in Chinatown, Botanic Gardens and a daycare centre for old folks to take the pictures. It was not easy. I had to hide behind trees and pillars to secretly take the pictures. Thank goodness for my Canon Zoom EF 70 - 300mm lens!
Labels:
Editorial,
Singapore,
Voices from the Heart
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Old and The Beautiful
These pictures are from the dementia resource book, Voices from the Heart, Living with Dementia.
Taking photos for the book was an eye opening and humbling experience for me. We all dread the idea of growing old and will go to great lengths to stop the signs of aging with botox, mesotherapy and collagen supplements. I guess the media is to blame for our obsession with youth and beauty. The skinny wrinkle-free (airbrushed) models and celebrities in glossy magazines certainly do not help boost our self-esteem.
If we look beyond anti-aging creams, wrinkles and liver spots are beautiful. Each line and freckle represents a moment in someone’s life. Taking his first baby steps, celebrating his 21st birthday, getting his first job, marrying his sweetheart, keys to his new home, carrying his firstborn in his arms, mourning the loss of a loved one, enjoying his retirement in Maui… all these are told in one’s face. The frown and laugh lines are our life story. So I don’t see why would anyone want to erase his life story with botox?
Taking photos for the book was an eye opening and humbling experience for me. We all dread the idea of growing old and will go to great lengths to stop the signs of aging with botox, mesotherapy and collagen supplements. I guess the media is to blame for our obsession with youth and beauty. The skinny wrinkle-free (airbrushed) models and celebrities in glossy magazines certainly do not help boost our self-esteem.
If we look beyond anti-aging creams, wrinkles and liver spots are beautiful. Each line and freckle represents a moment in someone’s life. Taking his first baby steps, celebrating his 21st birthday, getting his first job, marrying his sweetheart, keys to his new home, carrying his firstborn in his arms, mourning the loss of a loved one, enjoying his retirement in Maui… all these are told in one’s face. The frown and laugh lines are our life story. So I don’t see why would anyone want to erase his life story with botox?
Labels:
Editorial,
Portraits,
Singapore,
Voices from the Heart
Friday, November 7, 2008
Photos from the Heart
Voices from the Heart, Living with Dementia, a resource book for dementia patients and their caregivers is now out in stores!
I had the privilege to photograph the cover for the book and some of the inside pages. Although they’re not my best work (I find it hard to get inspiration photographing in my backyard), I am happy to be a part of this “labour of love”. The photos, taken in Singapore, photojournalism style, celebrate old age. Be it an uncle laughing with a few missing teeth, two white-haired ladies enjoying a chat, or an Indian man catching a few winks in Chinatown, each of these photos has a story to tell.
I had the privilege to photograph the cover for the book and some of the inside pages. Although they’re not my best work (I find it hard to get inspiration photographing in my backyard), I am happy to be a part of this “labour of love”. The photos, taken in Singapore, photojournalism style, celebrate old age. Be it an uncle laughing with a few missing teeth, two white-haired ladies enjoying a chat, or an Indian man catching a few winks in Chinatown, each of these photos has a story to tell.
Labels:
Editorial,
Singapore,
Voices from the Heart
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Lonely Planet Bali
The Australian government has issued a travel advisory for Bali. The island is on high alert with the impending execution of the three JI terrorists responsible for the senseless bombings in October 2002 which killed 202 people. These “holy warriors” have promised revenge if they are executed. And I think these guys really mean business.
This picture was taken at Jimbaran beach where the second Bali bombing took place in 2005. With its golden sunsets, great surf, verdant rice terraces and hospitable people, it makes one wonder how a place so idyllic can also be so dangerous.
This picture was taken at Jimbaran beach where the second Bali bombing took place in 2005. With its golden sunsets, great surf, verdant rice terraces and hospitable people, it makes one wonder how a place so idyllic can also be so dangerous.
Lonely Planet Indonesia
This photo was shot at a kindergarten in Magelang, Central Java. The little girl’s cherubic face, wholesome smile and sparkling eyes make her a beautiful covergirl.
Labels:
Central Java,
Editorial,
Favorites,
Indonesia,
Lonely Planet,
Magelang,
Portraits,
Travel
Monday, October 27, 2008
Lonely Planet Sri Lanka
What I like about this picture is its energy and spontaneity. It makes a great cover for Lonely Planet Sri Lanka, don’t you agree?
Labels:
Editorial,
Favorites,
Lonely Planet,
Madhu River,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Lonely Planet Singapore
We usually see glamorous shots of the Singapore skyline, its skyscrapers, and iconic buildings like the Durian (Esplanade) in Singapore Tourism Board’s advertisement campaigns. What we don’t see is the real Singapore – the heartlands where folks dress down and literally put their feet up. I think this picture of an old man playing Chinese chess is uniquely Singaporean. It may not be a pretty picture that shows a squeaky clean modern Singapore, but it’s a lot more interesting than the generic and staid images we are bombarded with.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Lonely Planet Laos
I reckon this shot of a young man bathing in the Nam Kham River, Luang Prabang makes a prefect cover for Lonely Planet Laos.
Labels:
Editorial,
Favorites,
Laos,
Lonely Planet,
Luang Prabang,
Travel
Friday, October 24, 2008
Lonely Planet Bhutan
Here’s my dream cover for Lonely Planet Bhutan. This picture was taken at Dechen Phodrang Monastic School, Thimphu, Bhutan.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Lonely Planet Cambodia
No, you’re not looking at the new cover for Lonely Planet Cambodia. It’s just something I did for fun. But seriously, if I could I would love to do it for real. I’ve told a few friends that it’s my dream to do a cover for Lonely Planet travel books. Maybe my wish will come true someday?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Happy Go Lucky?
A trip to Cambodia last October was a life changing experience for me. It was my first time in Phnom Penh and never in my life had I encountered so many destitute children begging in the streets. “Please mister, give me money, please!” they would plead with sad puppy dog eyes. While I really wanted to help them, I knew that if I gave them money, it would encourage them to beg even more. And who knows where their hard begged money went?
Prompted by what I saw, I started a project littlematchkids.org to raise awareness about their plight, but sadly that didn’t take off. Despite numerous emails to friends about the project, the response was pathetic – as bad as the plight of the Cambodian street kids. Maybe I’m not trying hard enough? While I am discouraged by the underwhelming response, I have not given up my hopes and dreams for these children. Ironically, the kids may be poor and live in slums, but their smiles are aplenty (but for how long?) as this picture shows.
Prompted by what I saw, I started a project littlematchkids.org to raise awareness about their plight, but sadly that didn’t take off. Despite numerous emails to friends about the project, the response was pathetic – as bad as the plight of the Cambodian street kids. Maybe I’m not trying hard enough? While I am discouraged by the underwhelming response, I have not given up my hopes and dreams for these children. Ironically, the kids may be poor and live in slums, but their smiles are aplenty (but for how long?) as this picture shows.
Labels:
Cambodia,
Favorites,
LittleMatchKids.Org,
Phnom Penh,
Portraits
Monday, October 20, 2008
Three Sisters
A smile never fails to brighten up someone’s day. Here are three lovely sisters from Galle Fort, Sri Lanka, with smiles worth a million dollars. With that, I wish you all a great week ahead!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Amangalla – The Legacy of Luxury
At the heart of Galle Fort, lies Amangalla, a beautiful reincarnation of the New Oriental Hotel (or NOH as it is affectionately known). I had the privilege to photograph this historic hotel which operated as the NOH for 140 years before its acquisition by Amanresorts.
Amanresorts had done a fine job with the restoration. Nesta, the previous owner would surely approve. The original teak wood floors and antique furniture – planter’s chairs and pettagama chests are left intact. One can relive the glorious yesteryear and even feel the presence of colonial ghosts. Rumour has it that Room 25 (the room has since been renumbered after the renovation) is haunted. Fact or fiction, one thing’s for sure, Amangalla is a classy hotel deserving of the many accolades it has received and definitely worth the splurge.
Amanresorts had done a fine job with the restoration. Nesta, the previous owner would surely approve. The original teak wood floors and antique furniture – planter’s chairs and pettagama chests are left intact. One can relive the glorious yesteryear and even feel the presence of colonial ghosts. Rumour has it that Room 25 (the room has since been renumbered after the renovation) is haunted. Fact or fiction, one thing’s for sure, Amangalla is a classy hotel deserving of the many accolades it has received and definitely worth the splurge.
Labels:
Amangalla,
Amanresorts,
Architecture,
Galle Fort,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The River House
Here’s another lovely hotel from Taru Villas. With the Madhu River at its doorstep and verdant jungle all around, The River House is a gorgeous hideaway, offering peace and quiet for the tired soul. The five suites are spacious and luxurious. I would recommend the Kanya suite as it has wonderful views of the river and boasts its own private garden. Bliss.
Labels:
Architecture,
Balapitiya,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Taru Villas,
The River House,
Travel
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tamarind Hill
Here are more pictures of Tamarind Hill, Galle. The boutique hotel has 11 rooms and two suites all exquisitely decorated with antiques and objects d'art. The food as I’ve mentioned in my previous blog is outstanding – must try the rice and curry set. The manager, Mr Manoj and his staff are warm and friendly. They really made me feel at home. I highly recommend this lovely hotel.
Labels:
Architecture,
Galle,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Tamarind Hill,
Taru Villas,
Travel
Twiglight Zone
I love nightfall when the sun goes down and the sky is bathed in pink and purple hues. And I love shooting silhouettes of people and plants against the beautiful backdrop.
This picture was taken in the gardens of Tamarind Hill, Galle. I stayed two nights there and loved everything about it – great food, romantic ambience and elegant décor. The owner of the hotel happens to be Sri Lanka’s most sought-after designer, Nayantara Fonseka aka Taru. She did a magnificent job with the hotel. A must-stay if you’re in Galle.
This picture was taken in the gardens of Tamarind Hill, Galle. I stayed two nights there and loved everything about it – great food, romantic ambience and elegant décor. The owner of the hotel happens to be Sri Lanka’s most sought-after designer, Nayantara Fonseka aka Taru. She did a magnificent job with the hotel. A must-stay if you’re in Galle.
Labels:
Favorites,
Galle,
Hotels,
Sri Lanka,
Sunset,
Tamarind Hill,
Taru Villas,
Travel
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Miss Sad
Here’s a picture of gloom. I couldn’t help but notice this pensive looking lady walking very slowly along Church Street in Galle Fort. The sadness in her eyes was intense. I wonder what’s bothering her? The global financial crisis maybe?
Labels:
Galle,
Galle Fort,
Portraits,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dusk Ritual
There is a thriving muslim community in Galle Fort. At dusk, you can see men in traditional garb gathering at the Meera Masjid mosque, adjacent to the Galle Lighthouse for evening prayers.
Labels:
Galle,
Galle Fort,
Meera Masjid,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Lady and Her Bird
I shot this picture at Kahanda Kanda hotel, inland of Galle. Whilst I did not really enjoy my stay there (it’s a sanctuary for insects so mosquito repellant is a must), I had a field day taking pictures of the hotel which I must say is quite photogenic. And the food especially the curried pumpkin soup was delicious.
Labels:
Architecture,
Galle,
Hotels,
Kahanda Kanda,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Friday, October 10, 2008
Black Beauty
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
A Little Church on the River
For a predominantly Buddhist country, it is a pleasant surprise to find a church in Sri Lanka, especially one which is on the tiniest island I’ve ever seen. As you can see, Madhu River has tons of treasures to be discovered!
Labels:
Balapitiya,
Madhu River,
Seascapes,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Monday, October 6, 2008
Virgins & White Tea
It is said that only virgins are employed to pluck tea leaves at Handunugoda Tea Factory, purveyors of fine white tea. If that’s the case, maybe I can apply for a job there ;-)
I had the privilege to tour this lovely lowland tea estate in Tittagalla, Ahangama, with Mr Malinga Herman Gunaratne (the proprietor himself) as my guide. He’s a learned man with many interesting anecdotes to share, including one of his golf game with Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew.
Appended is an article from Associated Foreign Press – best enjoyed with a cup of Handunugoda’s Kilburn Imperial white tea of course!
Sunday March 6, 2005
New Cuppa for Kings
BY AMAL JAYASINGHE
INSPIRED by a French perfumer and egged on by an English aficionado, a Sri Lankan master tea maker has revived a centuries-old Chinese tradition to make a brew that few but an emperor could afford.
Connoisseurs will have to pay through the nose for the “white” tea – the price is a staggering US$1,250 a kilogram, or 750 times more than the average price of high-quality pure Ceylon tea.
Malinga Herman Gunaratne, 60, said he is recreating a Chinese method of producing a tea that was demanded by finicky emperors.
For the manufacture of “Kilburn Imperial”, the tender-most innards of the tea bud are prised out with gloved hands to be sun-dried under surgically sterile conditions, all without any direct contact with human hands.
Gunaratne said his product is possibly the world’s most expensive tea commercially marketed. It is not available except at his own plantation, about 160km south of Colombo, and at a tea museum in Seoul, Korea.
Named after Seoul-based Englishman David Kilburn, who pushed him to making the exotic variety, Gunaratne said the new tea would be mainly sold at Kilburn’s museum in Seoul.
Visitors to the tea plantation can see, but not touch, the tea bushes that give the most expensive tea that Sri Lanka, the world’s top tea exporter, has ever sold.
Great care is taken to keep out oil and perspiration from tea pluckers’ skin that would contaminate the buds and spoil the delicate aroma for connoisseurs who may be hyper-sensitive to the scent of people.
Gunaratne hit on the idea after Kilburn told him how a French expert perfumer is able to distinguish between jasmine oil from Morocco, China and elsewhere simply by the smell of the sweat of the flower pickers.
Chinese emperors of the Tang Dynasty are said to have demanded that their special tea be untouched by human hands. Gunaratne claims to have perfected the method. “The only time the tea will come into direct contact with a human is when it is drunk,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s tea trade has welcomed his initiative and believes there should be more like him producing high-end speciality teas to boost revenues.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Association, Mahen Dayananda, said the high-priced Kilburn Imperial underscored the niche market for exotic teas. “The way it is made is what makes the difference to this tea. I have not drunk Kilburn Imperial, but one of the country’s top tea tasters described it to me as being ‘very interesting’.”
Kilburn Imperial is known as a “white tea” because it is not fermented and put through a process of “firing” and instead allowed to wither in the sun.
Tea experts say most white teas, such as Golden-tips and Silver-tips, do not have a great aroma although they still appeal to connoisseurs.
“This tea is about perceptions. Only the very rich will buy this tea. It is usually placed on a platter and shown to guests before drinking,” Dayananda said. “It is also said to be an aphrodisiac and to have some medicinal properties.”
The time-consuming process carried out by five tea-pluckers means that Gunaratne’s Handunugoda plantation, where tea grows in the shade of coconut and cinnamon trees, can produce only about 35kg a year.
Common or garden black tea is made by first plucking two tender leaves and a bud of the Camellia Sinensis, or the tea bush, with bare hands.
The gourmet Sri Lankan Golden-tips and Silver-tips teas, said to be aphrodisiacs, are made using just the buds. The Kilburn is even more specialised.
Sri Lanka’s tea industry earned US$683mil last year by exporting 298 million kg of black tea, marginally up from the 292 million kg exported in 2002. – AFP
I had the privilege to tour this lovely lowland tea estate in Tittagalla, Ahangama, with Mr Malinga Herman Gunaratne (the proprietor himself) as my guide. He’s a learned man with many interesting anecdotes to share, including one of his golf game with Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew.
Appended is an article from Associated Foreign Press – best enjoyed with a cup of Handunugoda’s Kilburn Imperial white tea of course!
Sunday March 6, 2005
New Cuppa for Kings
BY AMAL JAYASINGHE
INSPIRED by a French perfumer and egged on by an English aficionado, a Sri Lankan master tea maker has revived a centuries-old Chinese tradition to make a brew that few but an emperor could afford.
Connoisseurs will have to pay through the nose for the “white” tea – the price is a staggering US$1,250 a kilogram, or 750 times more than the average price of high-quality pure Ceylon tea.
Malinga Herman Gunaratne, 60, said he is recreating a Chinese method of producing a tea that was demanded by finicky emperors.
For the manufacture of “Kilburn Imperial”, the tender-most innards of the tea bud are prised out with gloved hands to be sun-dried under surgically sterile conditions, all without any direct contact with human hands.
Gunaratne said his product is possibly the world’s most expensive tea commercially marketed. It is not available except at his own plantation, about 160km south of Colombo, and at a tea museum in Seoul, Korea.
Named after Seoul-based Englishman David Kilburn, who pushed him to making the exotic variety, Gunaratne said the new tea would be mainly sold at Kilburn’s museum in Seoul.
Visitors to the tea plantation can see, but not touch, the tea bushes that give the most expensive tea that Sri Lanka, the world’s top tea exporter, has ever sold.
Great care is taken to keep out oil and perspiration from tea pluckers’ skin that would contaminate the buds and spoil the delicate aroma for connoisseurs who may be hyper-sensitive to the scent of people.
Gunaratne hit on the idea after Kilburn told him how a French expert perfumer is able to distinguish between jasmine oil from Morocco, China and elsewhere simply by the smell of the sweat of the flower pickers.
Chinese emperors of the Tang Dynasty are said to have demanded that their special tea be untouched by human hands. Gunaratne claims to have perfected the method. “The only time the tea will come into direct contact with a human is when it is drunk,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s tea trade has welcomed his initiative and believes there should be more like him producing high-end speciality teas to boost revenues.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Association, Mahen Dayananda, said the high-priced Kilburn Imperial underscored the niche market for exotic teas. “The way it is made is what makes the difference to this tea. I have not drunk Kilburn Imperial, but one of the country’s top tea tasters described it to me as being ‘very interesting’.”
Kilburn Imperial is known as a “white tea” because it is not fermented and put through a process of “firing” and instead allowed to wither in the sun.
Tea experts say most white teas, such as Golden-tips and Silver-tips, do not have a great aroma although they still appeal to connoisseurs.
“This tea is about perceptions. Only the very rich will buy this tea. It is usually placed on a platter and shown to guests before drinking,” Dayananda said. “It is also said to be an aphrodisiac and to have some medicinal properties.”
The time-consuming process carried out by five tea-pluckers means that Gunaratne’s Handunugoda plantation, where tea grows in the shade of coconut and cinnamon trees, can produce only about 35kg a year.
Common or garden black tea is made by first plucking two tender leaves and a bud of the Camellia Sinensis, or the tea bush, with bare hands.
The gourmet Sri Lankan Golden-tips and Silver-tips teas, said to be aphrodisiacs, are made using just the buds. The Kilburn is even more specialised.
Sri Lanka’s tea industry earned US$683mil last year by exporting 298 million kg of black tea, marginally up from the 292 million kg exported in 2002. – AFP
Labels:
Gourmet,
Handunugoda Tea Factory,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Keeping it Brief
If there is such a thing as a secret garden then Brief would be it. The garden located in Alutgama, nearby Bentota, is the creation of the late Bewis Bawa. Fun, fantastic, erotic and quirky, Brief garden and house are filled with astonishing artworks, including an impressive mural by Donald Friend (completed in a week), that would make visitors go “wow” and raise a few eyebrows. And this is where time (and phallic symbols) seems to stand still.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Sunset Rendezvous
I took this photo at Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 400 year old fort built originally by the Portuguese is very quaint and atmospheric, it’s like stepping back in time. The best time to walk along the ramparts is at dusk. In fact, it’s a daily ritual for many Sri Lankans, especially lovers who’d hold hands or sit on a stone bench, whispering sweet nothings as the sun sets. A truly romantic sight.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Munch
My fixer cum boatman spotted this squirrel eating a banana on one of the Madhu River islands in Balapitiya. The river is a great place for photography with lots of interesting inhabitants. And the best thing about it is that it’s virtually tourists-free (it’s not even listed in Lonely Planet!).
Labels:
Animals,
Balapitiya,
Favorites,
Madhu River,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Splash!
It’s the 1st of October – Children’s Day! Let’s make a splashing start to the new month with this photo taken at Madhu River in Sri Lanka. It was just before dusk when I spotted a few kids playing in the river. But there was a snag. I was at the other side of the river from where they were. To reach them, I could either swim (with my expensive camera and lenses, I didn’t think it’s a good idea), kayak or take a boat. In the end, I took a boat which was half filled with water from the previous day’s rain. All went well until I tripped when I was getting off the boat and cut my knee… things we do for a great shot.
Labels:
Balapitiya,
Favorites,
Madhu River,
Portraits,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Seeking Nirvana
A sense of calm and spaciousness. That was what I felt when I made a boat trip along the Madhu River in Sri Lanka. The massive river has about 62 islands, including a 150 year old temple where I took this picture.
Labels:
Balapitiya,
Favorites,
Madhu River,
Portraits,
Sri Lanka,
Travel
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Surrender to Serendib Part 2
Sri Lanka used to be called Ceylon and sometimes Serendib. Like its latter namesake, there is something bewitching about this teardrop shaped island. Behold these beautiful landscapes, seascapes, sunrise and sunset shot at Galle and Balapitiya. They are enough to make you want to pack your bags and surrender to Serendib, huh?
Labels:
Balapitiya,
Favorites,
Galle,
Landscapes,
Seascapes,
Sri Lanka,
Sunrise,
Sunset,
Travel
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Surrender to Serendib Part 1
I’m back! The last 10 days in Sri Lanka was amazing. Even though I had a few misadventures – got a health scare (salivary gland infection which made my face swell up like a moon), cut my knee while getting off a boat and almost got ‘mugged’ by a drunken man, I had a wonderful time there. I took close to 1,000 photos. It’s exhausting, I’m practically with my camera 24/10, despite the hiccups, it was a very rewarding experience.
Over the next few days, I will be showcasing my favourite photos from my newest collection titled “Surrender to Serendib”, right here on my blog. To kick things off, here are some portrait shots taken in Galle and Balapitiya, South West of Sri Lanka. They say “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, and that adage holds true in Sri Lanka! Be prepared to pay your models 250 rupees or more for every picture taken (don’t say I never warn you!). I was lucky I took these gems free of charge.
Over the next few days, I will be showcasing my favourite photos from my newest collection titled “Surrender to Serendib”, right here on my blog. To kick things off, here are some portrait shots taken in Galle and Balapitiya, South West of Sri Lanka. They say “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”, and that adage holds true in Sri Lanka! Be prepared to pay your models 250 rupees or more for every picture taken (don’t say I never warn you!). I was lucky I took these gems free of charge.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Chasing Ceylon
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Red Alert
Melbourne is a city of vibrant colours as shown by this picture taken along the promenade of Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct, aka Southbank.
A retail, dining and entertainment hub on the southern bank of the Yarra River, Southbank boasts many iconic buildings like Crown Casino and Eureka Tower. The riverside promenade is my favourite spot for an evening stroll.
A retail, dining and entertainment hub on the southern bank of the Yarra River, Southbank boasts many iconic buildings like Crown Casino and Eureka Tower. The riverside promenade is my favourite spot for an evening stroll.
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