Lost in Hanoi 2

These pictures of Hanoi were taken at the Old Quarter and Temple of Literature. The latter is a little too touristy for my liking. Visit only if you’re into traditional architecture.

Lost in Hanoi

I travelled to Hanoi recently for some R&R, but ended up more stressed! The city is crowded, chaotic and CRAZY! I hate to say this, but to me Hanoi is a very uninspiring city. Traffic is a killer (Hanoians don’t seem to know what traffic lights are for or they just don’t give a damn?), everything looks very old and dated (many buildings desperately need a new coat of paint) and Hoan Kiem Lake, what can I say? It’s OVERRATED! You definitely can’t find peace and quiet here. But if you’re into outdoor aerobics (with Vietnamese techno music) and cheesy wedding shoots, then you’ll have a field day here. I must admit it’s quite an eye opener.

Anyway, Hanoi can be quite photogenic if you know where to look. Caveat #1 – exploring the city on foot is not an option. You have to brave speeding motorcycles, flying spits and potholes. Caveat #2 – Hanoi is not as pretty as my pictures look. It took a lot of patience and luck to get these shots.

Clueless

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!

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.

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.

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.

Colours of Hoi An 3

Besides its old world charm, Hoi An is also famous for its lantern and tailor shops.

Colours of Hoi An 2

The main picture is the interior of the famous Japanese Covered Bridge. A Japanese tourist happened to walk by when I took this picture. How apt!

Colours of Hoi An 1

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.

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…

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!

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.

Stormy Weather

One of the most photographed landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City is the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee or Hotel de Ville as it was formerly known. The French colonial style building was built between 1901 and 1908, and is unfortunately not opened to the public.

I took this picture in August 2007 just before the heavens opened up and rained down on the streets of Saigon. The ominous clouds not only add drama and tension to the picture, they are also a stark reminder of the city’s early turbulent years.