Blog entries

Otaru Snow Gleaming Festival 2008

Chris

The Otaru Snow Gleaming Festival as the name suggests is held in a small town called Otaru, about 30 kms from Sapporo. This festival is held concurrently with the more famous Sapporo Snow Festival. Despite the reknown of the larger Sapporo Snow Festival, the Otaru festival offers a much more magical experience with thousands of lanterns dotted around Otaru.

Singapore's T3!

sachaf

Singapore's T3 terminal is a brand new terminal that the locals hope will thrust Singapore ahead of rivals Hong Kong, in the race for the best airport in the world.Checking in is a breeze, and once you get through immigration, you are greeted with seemingly a million shopping options.

Pigeon Point, California

sachaf

Pigeon Point is on the famous Highway 1 on the Pacifc Coast of California. It is is located halfway between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. The lighthouse is the feature of the area and has been a guide to seafarers since 1872. The original fresnel lens is not currently operation, but every November the fresnel lens are put in operation for a night.

Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve

sachaf

While it may be over for another year, New Year's Eve is spectacular in Sydney. If you are thinking of a holiday then Christmas and New Year in Sydney is perfect. The weather is warm, Bondi Beach as seen in Chris' post below is a 15 minute excursion from the middle of the city and you will be treated to a Harbour spectacle that is unrivalled. Fireworks are amazing, people are generally well behaved, and quite simply, it's a blast!

Bondi

Chris

This seaside suburb of Sydney is the setting of the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. This image was produced by combining eight exposures of this scene.

Basilica of the Nativity

Chris

The Basilica of the Nativity was built in 565 by the Emperor Justinian I. It is forms part of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which was built over the site of the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
The Basilica is managed jointly by the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and the Armenian Apostolic churches.

Batu Caves

Chris

Batu Caves is a system of caves found in a large limestone hill near Kuala Lumpur. It was first discovered in the late 1800s with the first Hindu cave temple built in 1891.
The largest cave (100m high ceiling) is known as Temple Cave as it contains a number of Hindu shrines and temples.

The Hanging Church

Chris

Old Cairo's Hanging Church is a coptic Christian church built over a Roman fortress known as the Babylon Fortress.

Pyramids of Giza

Chris

The three main pyramids of the Giza plateau and the Sphinx can be seen here - The Great Pyramid (right), Pyramid of Khafre (middle) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (left). These pyramids are the only remaining wonders of the Ancient world.

Stir Fry Samurai

Stevo

Cooking up a stir fry storm at the open air markets in Sydney's Rocks district, this Stir-Fry Samurai feeds a hungry line of salavating customers.

Canberra the Nation's Capital

sachaf

The first thing that comes to people's mind when Canberra is mentioned, is boring politicians, planned city and lots of roundabouts. There is so much more though, if one were to drive a few minutes. Pictured above is the Mt Stromlo observatory, part of a network of telescopes. About 20 minutes away is the Tidbinbilla Space Tracking Station, which house massive dishes! Few capital cities can have the countryside at their doorstop like Canberra does. Within 15 minutes of the CBD, you're ou [...]

Tidal Refugee - Sea Anemone

Stevo

This poor little sea refugee was washed ashore in the chaos of a high tide and stormy seas. Its stunning depth of pigment and interesting texture made it stand out on a barren, rocky shoreline.

So this is Christmas

sachaf

Yesterday I posted about Chinese New Year not being far away, but more pressing is Christmas. Around the world, the countdown has begun. Last night in Sydney, the focal point was Martin Place, in the CBD. Just after 8, the lights went on and fireworks lit the sky as the huge Christmas tree came to life. Time to do you Christmas shopping!

Chocolates

Chris

San Francisco's Ferry Terminal building is the place to visit for the discriminating foodie. The marketplace is filled with gourmet food providers from organic fruits and vegetables, every variety of mushroom that you can possibly want to indulge in to the most tempting of sweet treats.

An Italian Wedding

Chris

I came across this wedding photoshoot near the Spanish Steps, in Rome. I couldn't tell if this was a modelling shoot or an actual wedding shoot. I didn't see of a lot pro lighting equipment around, so I can only surmise that this was a real shoot.
But there's a lot to be said for Italians and style !

Taiwan Alishan Tribal Dance

mavist

A trip to Taiwan would not be complete without a display of the Native Alishan Tribal Dance. The dancers are usually dressed in colorful costumes and the dance is really trance-like. It is a very interesting experience that should not be missed.

Chinese New Year 2008

sachaf

Hard to believe that another year is over, and for many the holiday season is undereway . While Christians the world over ready themselves for Christmas, Asians as well, know that Chinese New Year is less than 2 months away.
In Sydney, Australia, Chinese New Year is a big celebration as the streets around Chinatown come alive. What's unique about Sydney city is because of the large population of Asians and breadth of Greater Sydney there are multiple Chinatowns. The Ultimo/Haymarke [...]

Brighton Bath Boxes

sachaf

Located in the bay side suburb of Brighton are the Brighton Boxes. These colourful and cute structures have been part of the beach/bay scene for over a hundred years. Sadly, these remaining structures are the only bath boxes which are close in proximity to Melbourne CBD.

Manly Beach

sachaf

About half hour from Sydney city, is Manly Beach. Perhaps the second most popular beach in Sydney, Manly sits on the northern side of the city, and is the start of a chain of beaches that span approximately 20km to the tip of the peninsular, and Palm Beach. Annual events such as the Jazz Festival and Food and Wine festival draw thousands of visitors into Manly.

Turimetta Sunrise

Chris

Turimetta Beach forms part of Sydney's Northern Beaches and is a favourite with local photographers for the dramatic moss covered rock platforms that have been uncovered through beach erosion.