Random Rambler

Bayon Temple, Siem Reap

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:25 +0400

The Bayon is a well-known and richly decorated Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th century or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. Following Jayavarman's death, it was modified and augmented by later Hindu and Theravada Buddhist kings in accordance with their own religious preferences.

The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. The temple is known also for two impressive sets of bas-reliefs, which present an unusual combination of mythological, historical, and mundane scenes. The main current conservatory body, the JSA, has described the temple as "the most striking expression of the baroque style" of Khmer architecture, as contrasted with the classical style of Angkor Wat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayon

Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Resort

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:27 +0400

Coords: 24°25'14.21"N 54°31'36.87"E
More shifty tiltings going on, this time with the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and Resort.

Honey, I shrunk The Gardens

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:29 +0400

Coords: 25°2'40.49"N 55°7'23.32"E
Aerial shot of The Gardens development behind Ibn Battuta Mall... and before you ask, no it's not an actual tilt-shift shot. Photoshop trickery going on there, sadly this was taken before I got my Lensbaby. Though my mission, after the dust settles this summer, will be to recreate this shot using the Lensbaby.

Edge of the Desert, Hatta

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:07 +0400

Coords: 25° 1'3.19"N 55°46'31.79"E
Here's another aerial shot, slightly more abstract than the rest, this one from a hot air balloon trip over the desert in Hatta, Dubai. We were passing over a point where the dunes and plains met and there was this brilliant contrast in the landscape, it was almost as if the dunes flowed like an ocean of sand.

Lulu Island, Abu Dhabi

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:42 +0400

Coords: 24°28'53.58"N 54°19'50.97"E
Of the two hundred or so islands in the Abu Dhabi emirate, Lulu Island (also known as Al Lulu Island) is man-made and located just off the Abu Dhabi corniche. Completed in 1992, Lulu (along with six neighbouring islands) form Abu Dhabi's Discovery Islands, developed to showcase alternative natural resources in the emirate. This shot was taken from a helicopter on a perfectly clear day... looking down, into the water, you could see stingrays and schools of fish dotted along the reefs!

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:46 +0400

Coords: 13°31'16.85"N 99°57'32.29"E
Located in Ratchaburi, approx 2 hrs drive outside Bangkok, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a touristic reminder of how canals and rivers played an important part in Thailand's early commerce.

The land around the canal is naturally fertile, which makes it ideal for farmers to grow fruits and vegetables all year around. After harvest, vendors would travel down this canal on small rowing boats with other traders displaying their produce for customers to purchase.

While it may be more tourist centric (filled with knickknacks and other souvenirs) today, don't let that put you off from visiting, what people call, the 'Venice of the East'. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is open from 8:00am to 12:00pm, every day.

Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Triclinium, Petra

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:17 +0400

Coords: 30°19'17.34"N 35°27'47.85"E
Along the 2km Siq, that leads to Petra, lies the Obelisk Tomb and Bab as-Siq Triclinium. What makes this tomb unique is that it's actually made up of two monuments which have a mix of Egyptian and Nabatean architecture. The Obelisk Tomb (upper) is named after the four obelisks (guarding the tomb entrance) and was used for burials, while the Bab as-Siq Triclinium (lower) was apparently used as a banquet hall in honour of the dead... morbidly fascinating.

The Quiet Hawker

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:36 +0400

Coords: 29°58'38.70"N 31°8'3.43"E
Part and parcel of any visit to the Pyramids, at Giza, are the various hawkers that either want to take you on a camel ride or sell you an ancient artifact that was recently excavated from a lost tomb. Set apart from the rest of the bullish hawkers was this one boy... the quiet hawker, sitting in one corner of the tombs, who couldn't have been any older than 12.