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.
Showing posts with label Magelang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magelang. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Magelang Gemilang 3
These images were shot at Selogriyo about 30 minutes drive from Borobudur. Virtually free of tourists, the village has sprawling rice terraces (gives the rice terraces at Ubud Bali a run for their money), flora and fauna that are one of a kind, and the nicest (and most chatty) people I’ve ever met.
If you ask me which is better – Borobudur or Selogriyo, I would have to say “Selogriyo wins hands down”!
If you ask me which is better – Borobudur or Selogriyo, I would have to say “Selogriyo wins hands down”!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Magelang Gemilang 2
Here are more portrait shots from my latest collection, Magelang Gemilang.
The villagers in Magelang are really wonderful people. Goodwill is all around. I told my guide: “You can’t find such warmth and friendliness in my country. Almost everyone there seems so uptight. Point a camera at them and they will either give a dirty look or walk away. But here, the people are so approachable and genuine!” My guide replied: “We believe in making more friends and less enemies. That’s our culture.” Cool! If you’re looking for a place without strangers, Magelang is definitely it.
The villagers in Magelang are really wonderful people. Goodwill is all around. I told my guide: “You can’t find such warmth and friendliness in my country. Almost everyone there seems so uptight. Point a camera at them and they will either give a dirty look or walk away. But here, the people are so approachable and genuine!” My guide replied: “We believe in making more friends and less enemies. That’s our culture.” Cool! If you’re looking for a place without strangers, Magelang is definitely it.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Real Taste of Java
We call it coffee, the Americans call it java. It’s actually quite apt as coffee was widely cultivated in Java (part of the Dutch East Indies) in the 17th century. Today Java's remaining colonial-era plantations provide just a fraction of the coffee grown on the island. And I dropped in at one of these, Losari Coffee Plantation (which is now a 26-suite boutique hotel and spa with a working coffee plantation on site) for a cuppa. I must say it’s one of the best coffee (100% organically grown) I’ve ever had!
P.S. This post is dedicated to my former classmate, Dr Leslie Tay, blogger extraordinaire of ieatishootipost.sg.
P.S. This post is dedicated to my former classmate, Dr Leslie Tay, blogger extraordinaire of ieatishootipost.sg.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Mountain of Fire
Another iconic site in Central Java is Mount Merapi or Gunung Merapi (Mountain of Fire). It is located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, and is the most active volcano in the country. Its last eruption was in 2006. I shot this picture while I was on my way to the airport in the early morning when the lighting was at its best. The two-hour drive from Borobudur to Solo is one of the most picturesque I have ever experienced…
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Amanjiwo - The Other Awe-Inspiring Site in Magelang
Only five minutes (by car) from Borobudur is the equally spectacular Amanjiwo. Designed by world renowned architect, Ed Tuttle, Amanjiwo is undoubtedly your best accommodation option in Magelang. But only if you can afford it.
I had the privilege to shoot pictures of the hotel when I was in Magelang. The architecture bears a striking resemblance to Borobudur, which from the lobby you can see the mystical temple in the distance. It almost feels as if Amanjiwo is an annex of Borobudur!
Says Rohini Nordmann, General Manager, Aman Sales and Reservations, who has seen my pictures: “You may not be a painter, but you have a painterly eye for detail and an artist’s love of beauty, form and balance.”
I had the privilege to shoot pictures of the hotel when I was in Magelang. The architecture bears a striking resemblance to Borobudur, which from the lobby you can see the mystical temple in the distance. It almost feels as if Amanjiwo is an annex of Borobudur!
Says Rohini Nordmann, General Manager, Aman Sales and Reservations, who has seen my pictures: “You may not be a painter, but you have a painterly eye for detail and an artist’s love of beauty, form and balance.”
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Mistique of Borobudur
The area surrounding Borobudor is shrouded in mist every morning. It adds an air of mystery to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where millions from around the world visit each year.
As the weather was mostly cloudy during the four days I was there, I couldn’t capture a sunrise shot of Borobudur. And it was difficult to shoot with many tourists hovering around. I felt like I was in Disneyland…
As the weather was mostly cloudy during the four days I was there, I couldn’t capture a sunrise shot of Borobudur. And it was difficult to shoot with many tourists hovering around. I felt like I was in Disneyland…
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Magelang Gemilang
I just got back from Magelang, Central Java today. Magelang is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur, known to be the largest Buddhist monument in the world and perhaps the most photographed tourist attraction in the whole of Java.
The weather was not too kind while I was there over the weekend. Most of the time, it was cloudy and hazy. The sun was nowhere in sight (it magically appeared today just when I was leaving!). So a visit to Borobudur at dawn on Sunday was a big letdown. “What? I woke up at 4am to see clouds?” My guide told me to try again the next day. But going by my gut feeling, I decided to give it a miss. And thank goodness I did – it was even cloudier on Monday!
As I did not manage to get good shots of Borobudur, I went to the villages instead to shoot pictures of the local folks and kids at work and play. I must say I’m very pleased with the results. Here are some portraits from my new collection titled Magelang Gemilang (Glorious Magelang).
The weather was not too kind while I was there over the weekend. Most of the time, it was cloudy and hazy. The sun was nowhere in sight (it magically appeared today just when I was leaving!). So a visit to Borobudur at dawn on Sunday was a big letdown. “What? I woke up at 4am to see clouds?” My guide told me to try again the next day. But going by my gut feeling, I decided to give it a miss. And thank goodness I did – it was even cloudier on Monday!
As I did not manage to get good shots of Borobudur, I went to the villages instead to shoot pictures of the local folks and kids at work and play. I must say I’m very pleased with the results. Here are some portraits from my new collection titled Magelang Gemilang (Glorious Magelang).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)