Ho Chi Minh City- the Far-East Pearl
His posthumous reputation from his struggle for independence against France, then against the United States' involvement. He had been the heart and soul of Vietnamese communism during the earliest day of movement. "Ho, ho, Ho Chi Minh" was the chant of radicals in the 70s.
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the largest city of Vietnam. Upon the victory of communist war in 1975, Vietnam was turn into a communist state with the South overtaken, on 2nd July 1976, Saigon was officially renamed as Ho Chi Minh City in honor of Ho Chi Minh, the pre-eminent North-Vietnamese Leader and spiritual leader of Vietnamese Revolutionary. Today, HCMC is home to what more than 9 millions people, making it the most populous metropolitan area!
++ Shot with film Nikon FE + Nikkor 50mm f1.2 on Kodak Portra 400 & Fujifilm Superia 200 ++
Hasselblad 500C
Like many objects of passionate devotion, the Hasselblad is both physical ornament and mythical marking. Once the technical gear of sterling quality and a facilitator of ritual engagement to the world. My inauguration of Hasselblad 500C came in mid 2012, I'd finally save enough. Months of near constant loitering through the capitals of Southeast Asia, had their mark onto the finer grain structure of Kodak Portra, it was pure joy. This is the second time, i'm putting a halt onto Digital Photography, only this time, i didn't ditch my Digital gears.
I just wanted to slow down and think, the merciless simplicity of Hasselblad answered that call.
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2. 0. 1. 3
Regards,
JW
Christmas in Krabi
the Emerald of of the Andaman.
Boat will take you 400THB to and fro, not on head count, it'll be reasonable for people travelling in group.
After lunch, we head to Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple) from Krabi town, taxi 500THB to and fro, bus 50THB. If you're going for sunset, highly advise to go for the taxi. I took the bus, by the time i came down from hill top, it's already nightfall and no sign of any form of any public or private transport! i paid some 30THB to random motor-biker, to get me to nearest bus stop.
Wat Tham Sua was named after a tiger paw prints on stone, surrounded by ancient forestation. The temple teaches Buddhism called Vipassana (insight meditation), which based on the teachings of earliest Buddhist exists. Aside from meditation center, it is also a place for archaeological and historical interest, mold for making Buddha prints found in excavations.
Night falls during midway down Wat Tham Sua, Hungry and tired. i paid some 30THB to random motor-biker, to get me to nearest bus stop then another 400THB for private taxi from Wat Tham Sua to Ao Nang.
Long Tailed Boat also known as Ruea Hang Yao is a watercraft native to Krabi, long tailed boat races held regularly in Thai province, compete for the status, and prizes! The long tailed boats in Krabi are super-sized of what now become a traditional means of water transport. These boats can be easily found on most beaches, and can be hired for hour or tour.
Hopped on our rented motorcycle, cruise along Ao Nang looking for hotels, guest houses. Driving in Ao Nang is a leisure, in much reduced speed, we're immediately identify as tourists on the bike. Despite the often allegation on reckless driving in Thai, native users on the road have been very polite to us.
We set in a air-con hotel at Walking Street, Ao Nang (2000THB), then head for Italian Food. Foods in Ao Nang are really abundant, here, we can find a restaurant every 20 steps away. Just pop in, check for price and menu, make your choice.
Green Walk towards the Gloomy Merdeka Square
Conflict doesn't lead to stability of a country but the cooperation? is a struggle!
300km Green Walk from Kuantan to Parliament started off with 70 ascetics on the first day (13.11.2012), accumulated to at least 15,000 supporters on last day (25.11.2012). Green Walk participants marched to demand projects review on Lynas Advanced Material Plant (Rare Earth Processing Plant), Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd (Cyanide on Gold Mining), RAPID project (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development), and Baram Hydro-electric Dam Project (Hydro-electric Dam) fighting for the rights to live in hazardous-free environment.
Check post on Green Walk journey.
Approaching the gloomy barricaded Merdeka Square, leader of the Green Walk Movement, Wong Tack and the rest of the 15,000 participants were denied entry into the Merdeka Square (Dataran Merdeka). DBKL officials present that the Merdeka Square was under renovation and no activities will be allowed there, an iconic square where he wishes to have dialogue with the Members of Parliament. He was then sit outside the barricaded square with 80 (or more!) other supporters from evening until the next morning.
The asceticism had inspired at least 15,000 participants but the petition to review hazardous projects had turned down from the governing bodies, deemed as conflict, as chaos in the country by main stream media. Cooperation is a struggle! To a culture that makes no stranger to democracy countries, the peaceful meaning of assembly, protest, rally. To a culture of press freedom, human rights, the concept of respect for people. So, how can we do this? Why can't a declared democratic country cooperate with us, integrate with us, balance with us?
(Malaysia democracy ranking slipped to 82 and press freedom slipped to 104, all out of 150 countries.)
The root of belief, freedom for everyone, freedom of expressing opinions, equality, human rights, with responsibility; law and constitution? That often found contradict each other?
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images shot entirely on film with Nikon FE @50mm f1.2 Fujifilm Superia ISO200 Exp2014 CanoScan
the Green Ranger!
Chanting at Titiwangsa Station, while waiting for the green walk participants
Men, Women, Children marched on despite the weather.
Green Walk asceticism manged to inspire crowds from a wide cross-section of Malaysia society.
a melting pot, the current Governing Bodies failed to achieve over the past 55 years.
Our land is being occupied and the government is colluding with the corporations.
There is no guarantee for the health of our future generations
"Stop Lynas! or die trying!"
My arthritis hurt badly in the morning, i'd been longing for today for 2 weeks,
i begged my husband, son, grandson, i must cheer for them.
Marching towards the Merdeka Square, an iconic place dubbed as a symbol of independence.
妙赞法师也来为苦行者祈福
妙赞法师
pr
ays for ascetics
not only a melting pot but a sizzling cauldron!
Some of what Main Stream Media, reported "2,000 participants".
Wen Tan, who has been an excellent PR for the Green Walk, she takes good pictures,
presented them with beautiful digital artist's work, keep the information flows to the public.
YB Lim Kit Siang, a prominent leader of the Democratic Action Party.
(Jimmy Carter) We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different belief, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. One mission- Stop Hazardous Industries.
"It gives me the shivers talking about Rare Earth Plant."
"After 13 days of walking, we're finally here!" announced Wong Tack.
the barricaded Merdeka Square. Defying the symbol of independence.
Green Walk participants held their head in disbelief, after denied entry to the iconic square.
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We neither walk behind nor in front, we walk side by side, be comrades. We didn't do it for the individual glory, we do it because we loved our home, bestow to liberals' applause. We owed Green Walk participants the peace of mind, we owed them not just thanks and best wishes, but action! We need to take action and every single voice of you makes a difference!
Green Walk might have ended, but the war just begun. Don’t let other people decide your fate; the choice is in your hand. Brace yourself for a greater blockade! Stop Lynas! Or die trying.
Regards,
JW.