Saturday 18 February 2017

A DIFFERENT VIEW - Mini-Series Part 3 - MALAYSIA

Malaysia is split between two land masses. West - or Peninsular - Malaysia is sandwiched between Thailand and Singapore. East Malaysia lies on the island of Borneo and shares that huge island with Indonesia and Brunei.

Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur on the peninsular, is regularly depicted by the iconic Petronas Towers. 



All very dramatic, but let's travel east across the peninsular for a different view.

















Now, let's cross the South China Sea to Borneo for another view - 
and I'm not referring to Malaysia's most famous ape, the orang-utan. You can see my orang-utan photos from last April's A-Z Challenge: O is for Orang-utan.


Away from the sophistication of Kuala Lumpur, and the jungles of Borneo where a few wild orang-utans still survive lies a world of tiny islands, with white beaches the texture of talcum powder, shimmering under a hot sun.











Kota Kinabalu


For me, the biggest attraction of East Malaysia's city of Kota Kinabalu was the wonderful, friendly locals.

I can almost taste those barbecued fish.








Kota Kinabalu



Before you ask, I have to confess I can't tell you what they were grinding. If anyone knows, do tell!















Please let me know if you've enjoyed this post. I'll reply to all comments when I return from my travels in March.




Saturday 4 February 2017

A DIFFERENT VIEW - Mini-Series Part 2 - RAJASTHAN

Whether or not you have visited this fascinating sub-continent, India surely conjures many iconic images. 

Who hasn't seen photos of the Taj Mahal? I almost skipped a visit to Agra on the grounds that I didn't need to see a building I was already well acquainted with. Fortunately, I did go and for the first time in my life I was reduced to tears by a building. 

The moral of this story is: if you have an opportunity to visit a world renowned place, just do it!

Anyway, I digress...

I could show you photos of the Taj Mahal and a variety of other famous places and buildings in India, but, in the spirit of this mini-series, I'm going to show you a different view instead.


Sam sand dunes, Thar Desert


I prefer to capture people in my photos, if possible.


Pushkar






Failing that, I'll settle for animals.
















Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary



Or a gorgeous sunset.


















But people going about their daily lives are always a source of fascination for me.















Although sacred cows are ubiquitous in towns and cities and the locals barely notice them, it's a thrill for the visitor who bumps into one in a narrow street.


Jaisalmer


But people photos are my favourite and if I can only capture a silhouette, then so be it.


Thar Desert



Please leave a comment if you've enjoyed my snapshot of Rajasthan. 

I'll reply when I return from my travels in March.