Posts tagged Asia

New video out today, on environmental legal reform in China and one NGO’s fight to with a factory that dumped 5,000 tons of chromium six in a village’s back yard in Yunnan Province. This pollution has had devastating health effects on the community and environment. But an amendment to a law, is giving at least one person hope, in one of the world’s most polluted countries.

vimeo.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 363, taken February 19, 2011, Bihar, India. A man reaches for his dinner while a chicken flees for his life. An interesting experiment when traveling, is to always stop in at a grocery store regardless of where you are. Its one of those things that is just a great indication of culture norms of the area. While I try to go to grocery stores when traveling, often times there are no stores and markets are the closest thing. Here’s some thoughts from these experiences in India and in China. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 363, taken February 19, 2011, Bihar, India.

A man reaches for his dinner while a chicken flees for his life. An interesting experiment when traveling, is to always stop in at a grocery store regardless of where you are. Its one of those things that is just a great indication of culture norms of the area.

While I try to go to grocery stores when traveling, often times there are no stores and markets are the closest thing.

Here’s some thoughts from these experiences in India and in China.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 353, taken August 30,2010, Royal Chitwan National Park. This is a close as I’ve ever been to a wild rhino. The animals are just enormous — and ill tempered. Even more concerning is that when threatened they charge. This is Royal Chitwan National Park, on the Southern border of Nepal and India. Living in this environment, is over 700 species of wildlife, including 43 species of mammals. Both the King Cobra and the Indian Rock Python call Chitwan home; however, the real kind of this jungle is the Bengal Tiger. And although you probobly don’t want to be stairing at a wild tiger in the eye, he isn’t really the most dangerous thing living in this park. What you are really worried about is being trampled by a rhinoceroses. To see more photography from Chitwan National Park and click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 353, taken August 30,2010, Royal Chitwan National Park.

This is a close as I’ve ever been to a wild rhino. The animals are just enormous — and ill tempered. Even more concerning is that when threatened they charge.

This is Royal Chitwan National Park, on the Southern border of Nepal and India.

Living in this environment, is over 700 species of wildlife, including 43 species of mammals. Both the King Cobra and the Indian Rock Python call Chitwan home; however, the real kind of this jungle is the Bengal Tiger. And although you probobly don’t want to be stairing at a wild tiger in the eye, he isn’t really the most dangerous thing living in this park. What you are really worried about is being trampled by a rhinoceroses.

To see more photography from Chitwan National Park and click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

blog.jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 351, taken August 28, 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu has to be one of the greatest places on earth to get lost. The old city is an architectural and cultural labyrinth. Surrounded by steep hills, the narrow streets of the city are crammed full of people, temples, sounds, smells, sellers, buyers, trash and your occasional cow or monkey. The place is buzzing with life. For the nomadically curious, this makes Kathmandu a gold mine. Click here to read more and see more photos from Kathmandu. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 351, taken August 28, 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kathmandu has to be one of the greatest places on earth to get lost. The old city is an architectural and cultural labyrinth. Surrounded by steep hills, the narrow streets of the city are crammed full of people, temples, sounds, smells, sellers, buyers, trash and your occasional cow or monkey. The place is buzzing with life.

For the nomadically curious, this makes Kathmandu a gold mine.

Click here to read more and see more photos from Kathmandu.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

blog.jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 348, taken February 25, 2011, Varanasi, India. A couple months back I wrote a post entitled “Kathmandu: The greatest place on earth to get lost.” While I still believe this hyperbole to be true, I do believe I have found a good match — Varanasi, India. On the shores of the great Ganges river is the dichotomous land of funerals and tourism. Hindi people come to the banks of Varanasi to burn their dead before setting them to drift down the river. To keep reading and see more photography from Varanasi click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 348, taken February 25, 2011, Varanasi, India.

A couple months back I wrote a post entitled “Kathmandu: The greatest place on earth to get lost.” While I still believe this hyperbole to be true, I do believe I have found a good match — Varanasi, India.

On the shores of the great Ganges river is the dichotomous land of funerals and tourism. Hindi people come to the banks of Varanasi to burn their dead before setting them to drift down the river.

To keep reading and see more photography from Varanasi click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 345, taken August 28, 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu: Full of mystery, culture, history — and trash. While in the last post I detailed some of the highlights of Nepal’s epicenter, this post focuses on the not-so-nice side of the city. And there is plenty of it. In fact, it is really pretty gross. Trash liters the streets in large piles almost everywhere you go. Worse than that, the place the trash is usually piled is on or next to are ancient temples. Visually and aromatically — this is pretty gross and is certainly one of the dirtier places I’ve ever seen. For those that have traveled in India, I’m sure there are similar sites. I’ve seen trashed beaches in Southeast Asia and witnessed how the North African population deals with their trash (they don’t) — but this was a big step in the wrong direction from those experiences. To continue reading click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 345, taken August 28, 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kathmandu: Full of mystery, culture, history — and trash.

While in the last post I detailed some of the highlights of Nepal’s epicenter, this post focuses on the not-so-nice side of the city. And there is plenty of it. In fact, it is really pretty gross. Trash liters the streets in large piles almost everywhere you go. Worse than that, the place the trash is usually piled is on or next to are ancient temples. Visually and aromatically — this is pretty gross and is certainly one of the dirtier places I’ve ever seen. For those that have traveled in India, I’m sure there are similar sites. I’ve seen trashed beaches in Southeast Asia and witnessed how the North African population deals with their trash (they don’t) — but this was a big step in the wrong direction from those experiences.

To continue reading click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

blog.jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 344, taken July 13, 2010, Anhui, China. In rural Anhui Province, after weeks of rain, the sky opens up for a moment and shines light onto a bamboo forest. While I have seen bamboo forests in other parts of the world, this particular bamboo is very thick. Some of these trees getting wider than your arm. For more photography from China click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 344, taken July 13, 2010, Anhui, China.

In rural Anhui Province, after weeks of rain, the sky opens up for a moment and shines light onto a bamboo forest. While I have seen bamboo forests in other parts of the world, this particular bamboo is very thick. Some of these trees getting wider than your arm.

For more photography from China click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 338, taken February 21, 2011, Bihar, India. Kids pose for a picture in rural Bihar state India. While photographing people in rural areas can be a bit challenging in some areas of Asia, in India its not a problem at all. Kids, adults and animals alike are happy to stop for a photo. For more photography from India click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 338, taken February 21, 2011, Bihar, India.

Kids pose for a picture in rural Bihar state India. While photographing people in rural areas can be a bit challenging in some areas of Asia, in India its not a problem at all. Kids, adults and animals alike are happy to stop for a photo.

For more photography from India click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 336, taken August 27, 2010, Tibet/Nepal Border, Himalaya. Welcome to the “other side” of the Friendship Highway. The amazing overpass which goes from Tibet into Nepal. After passing Chinese border control, entering Nepal on foot is about as easy as crossing the street in your home town. After the “no-man’s land bridge” you end up on a small street on the side of a cliff. Mist, fog and precipitation make the entire town feel somewhat like Rivendale, but with a much smaller GDP and more trash (and no Liv Taylor). However, pending on what time of the year you end up here, you will likely see this. A massive traffic jam on the edge of the Himalaya. Landslides and mudslides are so common here, people almost expect it. And if you are in a rush — your screwed. The road itself is barely big enough for a truck, let alone two way traffic. To see more photos from this cluster-fuck click here. To see more photos from Nepal click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 336, taken August 27, 2010, Tibet/Nepal Border, Himalaya.

Welcome to the “other side” of the Friendship Highway. The amazing overpass which goes from Tibet into Nepal. After passing Chinese border control, entering Nepal on foot is about as easy as crossing the street in your home town. After the “no-man’s land bridge” you end up on a small street on the side of a cliff. Mist, fog and precipitation make the entire town feel somewhat like Rivendale, but with a much smaller GDP and more trash (and no Liv Taylor). However, pending on what time of the year you end up here, you will likely see this. A massive traffic jam on the edge of the Himalaya. Landslides and mudslides are so common here, people almost expect it. And if you are in a rush — your screwed. The road itself is barely big enough for a truck, let alone two way traffic.

To see more photos from this cluster-fuck click here.

To see more photos from Nepal click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 334, taken September 25, 2011, Shenyang, China. A couple in matching “Astroboy” sweet shirts strolls through Shenyang’s lavender field, September 25, 2011. I see couples wearing matching outfits frequently in China. I’m never sure if this is a decision made by both parties or if one party convinces the other that it would be cool to wear matching outfits … but I am happy that I don’t do this. For more photography from China click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 334, taken September 25, 2011, Shenyang, China.

A couple in matching “Astroboy” sweet shirts strolls through Shenyang’s lavender field, September 25, 2011.

I see couples wearing matching outfits frequently in China. I’m never sure if this is a decision made by both parties or if one party convinces the other that it would be cool to wear matching outfits … but I am happy that I don’t do this.

For more photography from China click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 328, taken January 9, 2012, Sichuan, China. A snowy landscape of the Tibetan Plateau in Sichuan Province, China is partially covered by clouds. The photo has an inverse vignette on it, which I’ve very rarely found an appropriate time to use, but in this case I think it adds to the landscape. For more photography from the Tibetan Plateau click here or here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 328, taken January 9, 2012, Sichuan, China.

A snowy landscape of the Tibetan Plateau in Sichuan Province, China is partially covered by clouds. The photo has an inverse vignette on it, which I’ve very rarely found an appropriate time to use, but in this case I think it adds to the landscape.

For more photography from the Tibetan Plateau click here or here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 326, taken February 19, 2011, Bihar, India. A women carries a bag from a market in Bhaglapur, India. The market appeared in a blog entry of mine, “Feeding a city II: From macro to micro” last year. See more photos from the market and thoughts on feeding a city here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 326, taken February 19, 2011, Bihar, India.

A women carries a bag from a market in Bhaglapur, India. The market appeared in a blog entry of mine, “Feeding a city II: From macro to micro” last year.

See more photos from the market and thoughts on feeding a city here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 324, taken August 28, 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal. From China to Nepal, temples can look pretty different. This temple in the heart of Kathmandu is covered with monkeys and shrines. Kathmandu has to be one of the greatest places on earth to get lost. The old city is an architectural and cultural labyrinth. Surrounded by steep hills, the narrow streets of the city are crammed full of people, temples, sounds, smells, sellers, buyers, trash and your occasional cow or monkey. The place is buzzing with life. For the nomadically curious, this makes Kathmandu a gold mine. For more photography from Kathmandu click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 324, taken August 28, 2010, Kathmandu, Nepal.

From China to Nepal, temples can look pretty different. This temple in the heart of Kathmandu is covered with monkeys and shrines. Kathmandu has to be one of the greatest places on earth to get lost. The old city is an architectural and cultural labyrinth. Surrounded by steep hills, the narrow streets of the city are crammed full of people, temples, sounds, smells, sellers, buyers, trash and your occasional cow or monkey. The place is buzzing with life.

For the nomadically curious, this makes Kathmandu a gold mine.

For more photography from Kathmandu click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

blog.jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 318, taken March 12, 2012, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Why not jump? Its fun, it makes for cool photographs, and given the right timing — you can have some strange effects, as exemplified by Maysha in this photo during sunset in Dubai. Don’t believe me? Try it. Hard not to smile at the jump shot. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 318, taken March 12, 2012, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Why not jump? Its fun, it makes for cool photographs, and given the right timing — you can have some strange effects, as exemplified by Maysha in this photo during sunset in Dubai.

Don’t believe me? Try it. Hard not to smile at the jump shot.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 317, taken March 3, 2012, Socotra, Yemen. Long ago and far away (from you, most likely) a sultan’s daughter fell ill. To help his daughter, the sultan announced that anyone who could find a cure for his daughter’s illness could have any treasure in the sultan’s reach, which was as far as the eye could see and as wild as the mind could imagine. Doctors from all corners of the earth came to help the princess, but none could find a cure. And the girl became gravely ill. To continue reading “The Myth of the Dragon Blood Tree” click here. To see more photography from the strange island of Socotra click here. 382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own. For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS - Photo 317, taken March 3, 2012, Socotra, Yemen.

Long ago and far away (from you, most likely) a sultan’s daughter fell ill. To help his daughter, the sultan announced that anyone who could find a cure for his daughter’s illness could have any treasure in the sultan’s reach, which was as far as the eye could see and as wild as the mind could imagine. Doctors from all corners of the earth came to help the princess, but none could find a cure. And the girl became gravely ill.

To continue reading “The Myth of the Dragon Blood Tree” click here.

To see more photography from the strange island of Socotra click here.

382 DAYS - 365 PHOTOS is a series of photographs from the archives of jonahkessel.com. Photographs span over eight years and include locations from all around the world. They fall in no particular order, but their own.

For an explanation of why there are 382 days in this photo series instead of the traditional 365 days, see this link. To make bets on how many days will actually pass by the time it takes Jonah to post 365 pictures, see this link.

jonahkessel.com