The Photo Pile

Moving House

2009-02-17T23:57:00.002+08:00

THE PHOTO PILE has now transferred to a new home. It's been fun posting on Blogger but I decided to make this baby part of my newly-refurbished webpage. From now on, please go to
http://apps.skylightimages.info/blog/ to see more of THE PHOTO PILE.

Thank you!

Skylight Images Reloaded

2009-02-15T23:31:00.004+08:00

Finally.. after several years, my website has a new look!

Please check it out at:

http://www.skylightimages.info/

Please send me a message with any comments/broken links/violent reactions you might have :)

Incidentally, I am transferring this blog over to my website, so this will probably be my last entry here from now on, kindly log on to
http://apps.skylightimages.info/blog/

Stick it to me baby...

2009-02-11T00:49:00.002+08:00

An Indian devotee prepares to have his tongue ritually pierced during last year's Thaipusam festival, held on the streets of Singapore:

The white stuff on the hands and face is ash, which is supposed to cleanse the resulting wound.

"A Last Look" Reloaded

2009-02-07T11:58:00.003+08:00

"Nayong Pilipino: A Last Look" is the name of the first ever photography exhibit that I did, way back in 2001:

It was supposed to be a last look at Nayong Pilipino before it was gonna be torn down to make way for the NAIA terminal 3. It was to be moved to Quezon City, they said. Eight years later what's left of it still stands on its old location near the airport - now there's the new terminal beside it.

I think you can still take as many "last looks" as you want :)

A Last Look

2009-02-07T11:41:00.004+08:00

SOUTH OF EAST ends on Monday, 9 February 2009. If you still haven't gone down to see it, please drop by the Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel (Scotts Road, very near the DFS Singapore mall). That's six years worth of traveling up and down South and Southeast Asia :)

More information about SOUTH OF EAST can be found at http://www.artsentralasia.com/index.html

Stack This

2009-02-06T00:15:00.004+08:00

How many plates can you stack on one arm?

The waiter of this Padang restaurant in Trowulan can carry twelve. That's nothing special for any masakan padang restaurant in Indonesia, where a full meal can easily take up to 24 plates on one table.

Java Stuff

2009-02-04T04:46:00.005+08:00

Java Coffee:

Cappucino at Java Dancer, Malang.

Java Rice:

Farmers at the East Java countryside.

Java Man:

Photographer Buce Buwantoro tries out my spanking new sheesha pipe!

Remnants

2009-02-01T21:46:00.003+08:00

... of the Hindu empire that once held sway over most of Java before they were overran by the Muslims:

Candi Jago, near the village of Tumpang, is one of the many Hindu temple ruins that dot the landscape of East Java.

Believe it or not, the descendants of this empire are still around. After the Majapahit kingdom was pushed out of Java, the survivors made their way east, to the island of Bali. Now you know why the Balinese aren't muslims like the rest of Indonesia :)

New Year Requirements

2009-01-27T16:09:00.003+08:00

Folks in the Chinese-speaking world make a beeline for the major temples to pray for health, wealth and prosperity in this newly-minted year:

The crowd at Singapore's Kwan Im temple was so thick it had to be regulated by rent-a-cops.

Some folks here say the fact that my birthday falls on CNY 09 is a lucky thing. Well I'm not Chinese so this doesn't apply to me at all :P

Aaaah... Boraaaaah...

2009-01-24T14:33:00.002+08:00

Finally, after almost 4 years...

I made it back to Bora!

Between my last visit in 2005 to now, there's been quite a few changes. The old boat stations 1-3 exist only in name now, and cars are already allowed inside the island. There 's also a concrete road running parallel to White Beach now, and Club Bazzura - poor Club Bazzura - has since gone.

Been around some of Asia's best beaches, though, and I tell you - still nothing beats Boracay :)

We Interrupt this Blog To Bring You a Special Announcement:

2009-01-20T10:51:00.002+08:00

VIVA SANTO NINO!!!!!

It's the month of the Christ Child once again, and its party time throughout the Philippine islands :)

HALA BIRA!!! PWERA PASMA!!!! VIVA SANTO NINO!!!!

In Invitation:

2009-01-09T01:04:00.003+08:00

SOUTH OF EAST: The Travel Photography of Lester V. Ledesma

Multi-awarded travel photojournalist Lester V. Ledesma presents timeless glimpses of Asia in this stunning collection of limited edition photographs at the Art Space of the Royal Plaza on Scotts in Singapore.

The exhibit entitled South of East: The Travel Photography of Lester Ledesma will be presented at the prestigious Art Space from January 15 to February 9, 2009.

The photographs taken over a span of five years, through Ledesma's countless journeys to South and Southeast Asia is a testament to both the natural beauty and cultural heritage of this region we call home.

Photos were taken in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Ledesma is the 2002 ASEANTA Awardee for Excellence in Travel Photography, the 2005 ATTA Silver Medalist for Travel Photography, and the 2006 PATA Gold Awardee for Travel Photography. His work has been showcased in prestigious international photography expos such Chobi Mela Festival of Light in Bangladesh, Photoworld International in Manila, and the Singapore International Photography Festival.

South of East is organized by Art Sentral Asia in cooperation with PSA International, Unilever, and GoodNewsPilipinas.com. For more information and a preview of the photographs log-on to http://www.ArtSentralAsia.com/, or email artsentralasia@yahoo.com

The First Sunrise of 2009

2009-01-06T22:50:00.004+08:00

...was hidden behind thick clouds. Here's the classic view of Angkor Wat from the southern moat.

This shot is so common it's been taken by everyone. But the view is so beautiful that everyone must take it :)

What Would You Do If...

2009-01-06T01:05:00.001+08:00

You are a Buddhist monk walking along the shore in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, and you come across a sea monster on the sand. What would you do? What would you do????

You have a picture taken with it, of course!!!!

The Day After Christmas

2008-12-27T23:57:00.004+08:00

Looks just like any other day in Phnom Penh, Cambodia:

The lady at the bus station told me they had to work on the 25th :)

Santa Stops

2008-12-23T00:45:00.003+08:00

... to take a well-deserved pee:

It's a loooong way from the north pole :)

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Christmas Market

2008-12-21T10:21:00.001+08:00

The parol market under the Buendia overpass:

You know Christmas is here when you see their twinkly lights flashing :)

Smoking Cook

2008-12-19T10:26:00.002+08:00

Seen at a parking lot in Ayutthaya, Thailand:

Cooking sausages was never this dramatic :)

On The Left Corner....

2008-12-14T21:38:00.002+08:00

taking the moral high ground, from hills of Pakistan....

The master of disaster...

The beast from the east...

The god of jihad...

The deflorator of nine heavenly virgins...

The bomber man himself...

Osama bin Laden!!!

Manny Pacquiao can kick his ass anytime.

What the Hell is Mel...

2008-12-11T23:09:00.001+08:00

Doing?

Photographed, believe it or not, for Time Out Singapore.

El Guardia Civil

2008-12-09T12:07:00.001+08:00

Yeah, back then they had flower shop signs written in English:

Just kidding :P

Fire it Up

2008-12-06T15:39:00.002+08:00

This fire juggler went crazy the other night....

They Love The Nightlife...

2008-12-04T10:14:00.003+08:00

The dancers at Zirca have got to boogie...

Clarke Quay's venerable old Ministry of Sound closed down a few months ago, and this is what took its place :)

Do You Want Me To....

2008-12-02T00:55:00.002+08:00

Shoot it?

Swat it?

Get it?

Slam it?

Taken at the recent PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) vs. ABL (Australian Basketball League) basketball challenge double header game at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The Philippine national selection played under the Pampanga Buddies banner - they lost by almost 30 points to the Singapore Slingers. Damn.

Indoresia Numbah Wan!!

2008-11-21T23:11:00.003+08:00

Japanese tourists in Bali's Nusa Dua beach:

Wherever I do fieldwork, the locals always think I am, in order of frequency, a:

Thai
Lao
Japanese
Burmese
Nepalese
Filipino

In fact, I can pass for any of these as long as I keep my mouth shut.

But never ever will you catch me doing the "V" sign. I'm Filipino - I do the "Mr. Pogi" L sign :P

C'mon Punk...

2008-11-20T01:10:00.001+08:00

Make my day.

These monks are not to be messed with....

Khao Soi... shhhh...

2008-11-14T23:36:00.002+08:00

... that delectable noodle curry dish that's served everywhere in Chiang Mai - you can find it in Chiang Mai Palace, Far East Square Branch.

It's not on the menu, and they won't list it in your receipt if you order it. Don't tell anyone.... :P

Shot for Time Out Magazine. Check out this month's issue on Secret Singapore - http://www.timeoutsingapore.com/

Temple Traffic

2008-11-11T23:39:00.001+08:00

The human traffic goes both ways at the Kapalee Hindu temple, the most popular in Chennai:

Medhaaaah

2008-11-07T01:15:00.004+08:00

Medha Raghunath, TV host and former Miss Chennai - she's one good reason to tune into Tamil Nadu's SunTV on Sunday nights:

Chennai's Playground

2008-11-04T11:59:00.004+08:00

The scene at Marina Beach resembles that of a park, resort and a carnival:

Men from Madras

2008-11-01T14:07:00.002+08:00

On the way to work in Chennai, Southern India:

They kinda remind me of the rice gods below... heheh...

Rice Gods

2008-10-28T23:31:00.002+08:00

Their faces blackened with chicken blood, an army of bul-ol statues look back at passers-by:

In the Cordillera tradition, these statues kept watch over the rice granaries of Ifugao homes. Now they guard the doors of an antique store at Tiendesitas Mall in Pasig.

"Kasado na Impeachment vs Gloria"

2008-10-27T16:09:00.002+08:00

"6 Sundalo todas sa NPA"

A divisoria trishaw operator reads the day's tabloid:

The sports headline reads: "All-Filipino sa Final ng U.S. Open Posible"

Bangkok Hot

2008-10-21T00:51:00.004+08:00

The Chao Phraya River on a hot summer afternoon:

The silhouette of Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, in the background screams "Bangkok!!!".

Ladies and Gentlemen:

2008-10-06T23:13:00.004+08:00

Elvis is in the building!!!

If you are anywhere in or around Singapore this month, please drop by if you have the time :)

Burmese Cowboy

2008-10-01T18:51:00.000+08:00

But this dude herds ducks, not cows:

Seen from U-Bein Bridge near Mandalay.

Afternoon in Bagan

2008-09-29T16:47:00.000+08:00

The site of Myanmar's ancient capital glows in the warm afternoon light:

Not much to say now except that the internet connection here stinks. Some sites cannot be accessed. But that aside - damn this is a beautiful country!!!!

Evening in Yangon II

2008-09-27T20:07:00.000+08:00

A young monk does his daily pilgrimage to the Shwedagon Pagoda in downtown Yangon:

I'd say this place is the Buddhist equivalent of Quiapo. Foreigners are simply blown away by this chaotic, market-meets-church atmosphere over here, and many of them say (and it arguably is) that this is one of the highlights of any trip to Burma. Honestly, though, my first impression was: "parang Quiapo ito ah!!!!"

:)

Last Time One

2008-09-25T00:31:00.003+08:00

That's the name of this man's antique shop:

It's located near the corner of Telok Ayer and Boon Tat street in Singapore. There's so much stuff here that you can spend hours just rummaging thru piles of antiques, looking for anything of potential value.

Last week he sold an old Malay kris for S$200 - turns out its real value was over S$600!

Groovy

2008-09-17T03:40:00.004+08:00

Serbian artist Ana Prvacki poses for a Time Out Portrait:

Her last name is pronounced as "Pr-vatch-ki" :P

Old Man and Memories

2008-09-14T13:10:00.003+08:00

The former chief of kampong ubin looks out to his shrinking community:

Eat This

2008-09-12T16:36:00.003+08:00

Satay!!!

That's skewered beef, chicken, mutton or pork (if you're not muslim) that's grilled to perfection on an open flame, then eaten with a tasty peanut sauce and a densely-packed ketupat rice ball.

Fly This

2008-09-12T00:05:00.002+08:00

The view of Singapore CBD from the spanking new Flyer:

Shot for Jetstar Australia Magazine.

Photographer on Top

2008-09-09T04:00:00.001+08:00

of this traveling flower hawker...

More of that delicious, delightful...

2008-09-07T23:01:00.003+08:00

Vietnamese coffee...

French Breakfast

2008-09-05T15:46:00.003+08:00

in Vietnam:

Two bigass baguettes (they call them toast), two omelettes (really just fried eggs), and a cup of strong ca phe sua nong (that's hot coffee with milk). That's the best french bread outside France, and the best coffee anywhere!

:)

Coins for Comrades

2008-09-04T01:15:00.002+08:00

Communist coins and medals for sale at Hanoi's Hang Ga street:

Check out Uncle Ho's familiar profile :)

Kung Fu Grandpa

2008-09-02T08:20:00.001+08:00

An old man practices his moves at the Hoan Kiem lakeside in downtown Hanoi:

Oh this grandaddy gonna kick yer ass like he did the Americans and the French.... heheheh....

Crossing Hanoi

2008-09-01T03:11:00.003+08:00

Look left, then right, then left, then right, then left, then right, before crossing any road in Hanoi:

Man, the traffic here is scary... and they're mostly made up of motorbikes!

Streetside Casino

2008-08-28T00:41:00.002+08:00

Place your bets - kuwarta o kahon, pera o bayong, deal or no deal. Davao's streetside gaming establishments are open 12 hours a day:

Kids are welcome to bet!

Our Lady of Perpetual Kinilaw

2008-08-26T22:40:00.002+08:00

An image of the Virgin Mary keeps watch over the owners of Luz Kinilaw, a popular Davao eatery that has been serving its signature kinilaw and sinugba dishes for the past forty years:

Dayaw Day

2008-08-24T19:44:00.001+08:00

Mindanao's tribes have their day in the spotlight, thanks to the annual Kadayawan Festival in Davao City:

The Meaning of Religious Harmony

2008-08-17T14:19:00.003+08:00

It dawned upon me the moment I saw these muslim tourists imitate the Buddha at a hindu shrine in Bandungan, Central Java:

Now *this* is religious harmony... hahahaha!!!!

Framed Fruits

2008-08-13T10:21:00.001+08:00

The ingredients for Indonesian rojak peer out from the windows of a travelling hawker's stall in Jepara, Central Java:

Good Old Boro

2008-08-12T10:11:00.001+08:00

The Borobodur Temple - still going strong after several hundred years and a terrorist bomb:

Ghost

2008-08-11T10:51:00.002+08:00

A wayang orang theatre performer awaits his appearance onstage at the Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandowo in Semarang, Centra Java:

Front and Back

2008-08-10T16:33:00.001+08:00

These schoolkids look both ways at the town of Demak in Central Java, Indonesia:

Sunday Prayers

2008-08-08T08:22:00.004+08:00

Calling for graces at a chapel in the slums of Payatas, Quezon City:

Art Dealer

2008-08-07T01:50:00.001+08:00

This man sways and carries a kid while dealing art at the Mabini tourist belt:

Do Not Drink

2008-08-05T13:28:00.000+08:00

Seen at the spanking new NAIA Terminal III:

Shot with my trusty old SE K790i :)

David's New Coat

2008-07-31T19:16:00.002+08:00

...of pink. That's the new color that Michaelangelo's "David" is sporting these days at the Singapore National Museum's main lobby:

Photographed with a Canon EOS 450D and a Lensbaby.

Light Concert at the Park

2008-07-25T09:59:00.001+08:00

Seen at the KLCC Park, just behind the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur:

Shot with a Sony DSC-R1

Here's lookin' at you...

2008-07-18T14:00:00.003+08:00

Here at the Paya Lebar market, the merchandise on display looks back at the buyer:

The eyes, when fried, go well with beer :)

Sari-sari Store

2008-07-16T16:32:00.003+08:00

Jayson's little shop in Intramuros is the scene of a midday queue:

Shot with a Kyocera EZ4066

Night Over KL

2008-07-13T17:38:00.003+08:00

The sun falls behind two of Kuala Lumpur's signature landmarks:

The observation deck of the KL Tower in the background is actually higher than that of the Petronas towers in the foreground, thanks to the Bukit Nanas hill which it stands over. The view from the former is much nicer, too...

There's no business like...

2008-07-10T04:08:00.003+08:00

showbusiness, wayang style.

Chinese street opera artists (locally known as wayang) prepare for curtain-call at a show in Singapore. These folks typically set up shop - usually a canvas tent with a stage on one end - in empty fields during certain dates on the Taoist calendar.

Back in the days before TV, they were treated like showbiz royalty. Last night, they played to an audience of about a dozen aging people.

Check out this story I did for Digitaljournalist.org - Wail of the Wayang

Sarong Store

2008-07-09T00:12:00.001+08:00

Seen at Arab Street, in Singapore's Kampong Glam district:

The Indonesian batik are the nicest :)

Shot with a Nikon D3 for Asian Photography Magazine

Boba and Co.

2008-07-04T11:42:00.003+08:00

Boba Fett and his minions (including that eerie anime character in the background - anybody know who he is?) patrol the streets of Chinatown:

It's Cosplay time in Singapore, thanks to the recently-held Singapore Toy and Comic Convention. Snake Eyes at the back is wielding an almost-authentic (save for the dull edge) Japanese Katana, and he and his 10th Mountain Division comrade have somehow managed to openly carry realistic guns, despite the government ban on these toys. The Battlestar Galactica dude, on the other hand, packs a battery-operated speaker system inside his suit, which makes him sound like a walking Knight Rider car. And though Boba Fett's jetpack may not be real, those painstakingly-painted "paint chips" on his equipment sure makes it look so.

These guys are just as hardcore role-players as the Elvis impersonators.

Same same but different :)

Both shot for Time Out Singapore Magazine.

Il Castello

2008-06-26T00:49:00.003+08:00

Sforzeco Castle in Milan.

Elvis Lives

2008-06-21T22:57:00.002+08:00

again!

The main man makes another appearance, this time at the Thompson Plaza mall...

Shot with a Nikon FG, Fuji Neopan 400

Bath Time

2008-06-20T10:49:00.004+08:00

Big Bertha gets a washdown at an elephant garage in Ayutthaya:

Shot with a Voigtlander Bessa R + Skopar 35mm lens / Era 100 film shot at E.I. 200

Game-caught Meat

2008-06-17T02:48:00.003+08:00

Fresh from the butchery and sold daily at Espiritu Santo:

Shot for Time Out Singapore Magazine.

Seeing Red

2008-06-11T00:04:00.001+08:00

Ayutthaya in infra-red:

Back in 2004 this temple was a literal ruin that was then being repaired by the Thai Fine Arts Department. Today it is almost fully restored with well-manicured grassland around it.

Off to the Afterlife

2008-06-10T00:25:00.004+08:00

A funeral in the Dayak village of Pampang, East Kalimantan:

Shot on assignment for Mandala Magazine.

Royston Reads

2008-06-05T10:20:00.000+08:00

Singapore's bad boy film director Royston Tan checks out the morning papers:

Shot for Time Out Singapore Magazine.

Indian and Chinese Man at Gas Station

2008-06-02T00:44:00.001+08:00

Shot during a lull in a Michelin event.

Javanese Massage

2008-05-26T08:15:00.003+08:00

In Singapore you can get a Javanese massage if you go to a swanky spa and pay at least fifty bucks for a thirty minute session.

In Java you can get it cheaply at a parking lot.

The masseur ain't cute though :P

Ernie and Bert

2008-05-23T00:37:00.004+08:00

A pair of Javanese kids show attitude while posing for the camera:

Hello Central Java

2008-05-21T14:02:00.003+08:00

Scenes from two of Indonesia's most well-known ancient monuments. Both are located in Central Java:

Prambanan Temple:

Borobodur Temple:

Elephant Do

2008-05-14T08:30:00.002+08:00

Heavyweight sex at Ayutthaya's elephant kraal:

Note the two humans watching intently at the sides....

Thai Tuyo

2008-05-08T01:44:00.001+08:00

Seen at a roadside market in Ayutthaya:

No fish heads to worry about here :)

A Long Sleep

2008-05-04T12:49:00.002+08:00

A Buddha head is cradled by tree roots on the grounds of Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Archaeologists believe the head was decapitated by temple looters after the fall of this ancient capital. When it proved too heavy to carry they left it on the ground where it was eventually embraced by this growing tree. The whole process took more than a hundred years.

Shot with a Voigtlander Bessa R + Industar 61 lens / Era 100 film shot at E.I. 200.

The Undefeatable City

2008-04-28T19:47:00.004+08:00

That's the meaning of "Ayutthaya", the name of the Thai kingdom that flourished along the Chao Phraya river in the 14th century. In 1767 it was sacked by the Burmese after a month-long siege:

This is what's left of it.

Shot using a Sony K790i camphone

The Boogeyman's Threads

2008-04-24T08:48:00.002+08:00

Bugis weavers from Sulawesi show their wares:

The Bugis people were once known as fierce warriors and pirates who sailed the seas of Southeast Asia. In fact, the word "Boogeyman" - used in the west to scare kids - is said to have originated from "Bugis man".

I wonder if they know that. Can you imagine these ladies jumping out from a kid's cabinet???

What do you do when...

2008-04-23T09:48:00.004+08:00

It's evening in Muara Muntai, a traditional Muslim village on the shores of the Mahakam River?

Wala, tambay lang :)

Bawal inom, bawal pusta, bawal pusoy, Bahasa ang TV at Bahasa ang radyo. But the place is nice... there's a mosque in every other block (yes, block), which means prayers are assured for the residents 5 times a day. The speakers on the mosque towers will make sure you hear them wherever you may be. And that's about the highlight of every day :)

If this were shot on film, I'd have multiplied the ISO x 3 to get a triple exposure on one 35mm frame :)

Another Big, Fu@%^ing

2008-04-22T20:14:00.002+08:00

Tornado!!!!

I came across this while traversing the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. My boatmen didn't seem bothered by its presence... in fact, they asked if I wanted to go nearer...

Man, talk about forces of nature :)

Open Here

2008-04-13T20:54:00.000+08:00

Yup, it goes to the right :)

Fiery Fred

2008-04-11T18:57:00.000+08:00

Kali-Escrima master Fred Evrard from the Nitien school of martial arts practices his jumping vertical elbow strike:

Photographed for Discovery Channel Magazine.

I Want my MTV...

2008-04-07T23:12:00.002+08:00

VJ Taya Rogers:

Yet another reason to sign up for cable TV :)

The Chicken Squad

2008-03-30T01:41:00.004+08:00

Seen at Kampong Buangkok, one of the last few places in Singapore where chickens roam free:

That's wildlife photography for you :)

Photographed with a Voigtlander Bessa R + Industar 61 lens / Shantou ERA 100 film shot at E.I. 200

Blood, Sweat and Stress

2008-03-28T22:51:00.004+08:00

There's plenty of all three at Singapore's Vanda Boxing Gym, where company CEO's and other upper management types take time out to punch away their stress.

More Friday Goodness

2008-03-22T15:59:00.003+08:00

This time from my home village:

The family pieta awaits the procession:

Holy lights:

The Santo Entierro:

The houses here look older and the devotees now look younger, but its nice to know that tradition lives on :)

Good Friday 2008

2008-03-21T21:29:00.005+08:00

Scenes from the Catholic Good Friday celebrations in Quiapo, Manila:

Adoring Christ:

Cultists at prayer:

Noontime procession:

A muslim family watches the procession from their balcony over Globo de Oro street:

There's nothing like holy week in the Philippines. Nothing! :)

Arab Street

2008-03-16T21:46:00.002+08:00

Scenes from Kampong Gelam, the heart of Singapore's Islamic community:

Shot with a positively mean, kickass Holga loaded with lowly Luckypan B/W film.

The Dome

2008-03-15T23:58:00.004+08:00

Two views of the Sultan Mosque in Kampong Gelam, Singapore:

Shot with a positively mean, kickass Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII :)

Marriage on the Rocks

2008-03-14T12:14:00.005+08:00

a soon-to-be-married couple experiences some marital difficulties at Changi, Singapore:

Fortunately for them its only because of the terrain :)

Shot with a Zorki C + Industar 61 lens. Film is Era 100 push-processed to E.I. 200

A Big, Fu@%^ing

2008-03-04T01:16:00.003+08:00

FISH!!!

It's whale shark watching season in Donsol... if you've never seen a Butanding up close, I suggest you drop what you're doing and head there now. The season lasts until May!

Photo was shot for Greenpeace SEA

Another bouncing baby...

2008-03-01T17:46:00.002+08:00

Kris :)

She's Central Javanese and is at least fifty years old. She was confiscated at the airport when I brought her in from Indonesia, which meant I had to pick her up from the police station a few days later. The wavy lines on the blade is a unique characteristic of this weapon.

Unlike the bouncing baby Leica, though, this baby must never be used :)

More from Jakarta

2008-02-29T14:23:00.007+08:00

Waiting for the next move at Pasar Antik, along Jalan Surabaya:

Posing for a picture at the Kota district, near the historic port of Sunda Kelappa:

Dragonfly Bar, an ultra-hip hangout that's gotten accolades for its interior design:

The inside of Cafe Batavia, set in a restored colonial mansion:

This city soooo reminds me of home in Manila :)

The Gunung Sibayak Skyline

2008-02-26T18:18:00.001+08:00

... last weekend was dominated by these fine folks from the Toba Photographers Club:

Peter, Tom and company - you guys rock!