Ending My Southeast Asia Travel Photography Trip In Hanoi, Vietnam

I have been hanging around in Southeast Asia for the past 9 months and it is time to stop and sort through the thousands of photos I took in a calmer environment. In other words I am out of money.

The last stop is Hanoi where I will be flying home from. Although the colorful communist capital can offer photographic subject matter that would take a lifetime to capture I was not producing anything spectacular during my last few days.

Severed Goat Head For Lunch In Bac Ha, Vietnam

Do not look for scrumptious and mouthwatering food photography of perfectly rolled sushi or smooth Tiramisu from the rugged mountains of Northwest Vietnam, home of the Hmong hill tribe minorities.

Goat head is what’s for lunch!

Nearing towards the end of my eventually 9 month long Southeast Asia photography trip I decided to spend my 41st birthday away from the exhausting intensity of tourist traps and returned to the peaceful and picturesque Bac Ha.

Spread The Word About Elephant Abuse In Southeast Asia!

The price of an elephant trekking tour is not only the sizable dollar amount it costs. Elephants are separated at a young age from their mothers to be tortured, starved and beaten into obedience.

Before I knew this I did think about paying for being carried through the jungle by an elephant, sounds like a lot of fun … for all involved except the elephants.

Then I did some research on the Southeast Asia elephant trekking tour industry.

Read the complete article: Tourists Who Support Elephant Abuse, The Beating Torturing Of Young Animals

Dangers And Annoyances In Don Khong Island, Luang Prabang, Luang Nam Tha, Muang Sing, Laos

Oh yes, my Laos experience! No, I am not complaining, just subjectively reporting.

Even if I asked the kids in the above photo to pray for a successful travel photography trip I do not think that would have helped.

But the wisdom gained from my time spent in Laos will enable me to better enjoy non-photography related personal travel time and be a more successful travel photographer if I ever decide to return.

Days Of Giving Back In Kompong Cham, Cambodia

While I was walking around in an impoverished section of Kompong Cham taking pictures once again accompanied by my 7 year old guest photographer from my last visit I took the above snapshot of a little girl who was crying and kept scratching due to being covered with some kind of irritating skin rash on half of her body.

I took the photo and kept on walking, there are countless unsettling reminders of the harsh life in Cambodia while doing this kind of travel photography.

But her photo kept me up that night:

Photography In Easy Breezy Gender Confused Kampot, Cambodia

I took a gamble on Kampot, the pepper capital of Cambodia not knowing if this quiet town would have enough to inspire me.

The results of just showing up in places which are without “much to see” have swung both ways in the past.

The riverside was relaxing and the views were very nice, I have not been in a town during this trip which had a constant cool sea breeze like Kampot.

Squeezing My Way Back To Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The only reason I returned to Phnom Penh was to get a visa for Laos.

For some reason the capital never appealed to me photographically but I decided to walk around while waiting for my passport and look around again without any pressure to take incredible photos.

One possible reason is the very different feel larger cities and touristy spots offer.

After being “spoiled” with genuine kindness and attention at less touristy areas the “walking ATM syndrome” does take away fromthe authenticity of the visit.

Travel Photography At A Snail’s Pace In Takeo, Cambodia

Takeo is not a must see town, life moves at a snail’s pace and it is mildly recommended by the popular guidebook as a daytrip destination.

So I was eager to stop by expecting close to zero tourists and to witness authentic, simple Cambodian rural life.

The kids on the above picture are racing snails. I felt quite lucky to stumble upon this scene and capture what is probably ordinary to them but unique to me.

Kids And Travel Photography At Its Best In Chau Doc, Vietnam

I can always depend on Chau Doc for kids and travel photography so this is the 3rd time I stopped by on my way to the Cambodian border.

My days spent here have been memorable every time mostly because of the Cham people who live by the riverside across town; they provided me with the warmest welcome and some very nice photos.

The little girl above has been ill and I was told this special haircut has healing powers to help her get better.

Mekong River Deja Vu in Can Tho, Vietnam

I have already spent one day in Can Tho before, the highly touristy and biggest town of the Mekong Delta. I stopped by again mostly because it was on my way from Tra Vinh to Chau Doc and the Cambodian border.

Last time I was in Can Tho I only did a Mekong River boat tour and left after one night.

This time I was not planning to do another tour but after getting a chance to go with someone else therefore splitting the $25 price in half I agreed.

Battling An Acute Rambutan Addiction In Tra Vinh, Vietnam

Tra Vinh, Vietnam is a tucked away town in the Mekong Delta casually mentioned but not even listed as an off the beaten track stop by the popular travel guide.

I was looking forward to visiting this secluded area which is too far from Saigon for the hordes of daytripping package tourists to reach.

The area of Tra Vinh used to belong to Cambodia and is home of Khmer minorities who are unfortunately second class citizens in Vietnam. There also 140 some Khmer pagodas throughout the province.

Stopovers in Cua Lo Beach, Dong Hoi, Danang, Hoi An, Kon Tum, Saigon, Vietnam

Six stopovers in six days covering approximately 1000 miles in bouncing honking buses simply means I was not captivated by Central Vietnam photographically speaking. Some might find this extreme but I cannot pretend inspiration.

It was an unique journey nevertheless only no photos came of it. Well this being a photography blog I am somewhat obligated to post at least one picture per post.

So here is Cua Lo state beach during an overcast sunrise with some typical basket boats resting on shore before being taken out for the catch of the day supplying the long row of seafood and beer restaurants.

Seeing What The Buddha Sees In Ninh Binh, Vietnam

This funny warning sign displayed in the garden of the Bich Dong pagoda outside Ninh Binh is the most appropriate photo I can use to illustrate a post about tourists not showing respect to a foreign country with different customs and religion namely Buddhism.

Wearing a suit and tie in 100 degree heat hopefully is only symbolic but it makes an important point.

Either because of pure laziness to read a couple of paragraphs in any travel book or due to lack of common sense or decency, some tourist are completely oblivious to their behavior.

Body, Mind And Photo Gear Maintenance in Ha Noi, Vietnam

After spending 12 days in the Northwestern mountains photographing the Hmong minorities and the fantastic scenery in Bac Ha I did another stopover in Hanoi before heading South.

No photos again from Hanoi because due to my incredibly short attention span the novelty of the capital had ended after my first visit and my camera was in a repair shop anyways.
But for the sake of running a photoblog, here is a photo of a fan repair shop from the Old Quarter of Hanoi taken during my previous visit.

Flower Hmong Minority Travel Photography in Bac Ha, Northwest Vietnam

While visiting the stunning mountainous region of Northwest Vietnam I had a chance to take a break from searching for Vietnam’s Next Top Model and photograph some naturally beautiful, talented both hesitant and some quite willing locals like the buffalo above.

The pose is bold but not vulgar, notice how the curves of the model are in harmony with the shapes of the mountain top in the background, the picture perfect Paris Hilton signature look back over the shoulder executed flawlessly, the quiet confidence and the innocence in the eyes!

Vietnam’s Next Top Model Interview in Hanoi, Vietnam

The reason I backtracked and returned to Hanoi from the perfect destination of Ninh Binh instead of continuing to head South as planned was to meet a model from MySpace to discuss possibilities of doing photo shoots together in response to my recent post of looking for Vietnam’s Next Top Model.

Daytrip Of Reflection To Kenh Ga, Vietnam

Kenh Ga is a popular day trip choice 20 some kilometers from the perfect travel destination of Ninh Binh.
The waterways of the village which are surrounded by picturesque karst mountains can be explored by taking a boat tour.

I had a motor bike driver take me from Ninh Binh to Kenh Ga through a maze of roads which was a tour in itself.

I can watch banana trees, rice fields, karst mountains and boys riding on water buffalos for hours.

Perfect Travel Destination Of Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Just like the scene on the photo below, Ninh Binh offered quiet simplicity with old time charm and something interesting to photograph around every corner and down every alley during my extended three weeks stay.

Beside the funny incident of getting yelled at by the bus station toilet attendant upon arrival because I did not comply immediately with a small sign written in Vietnamese to pay 15 cents for the use of the facilities things were pretty peaceful afterwords.

Ninh Binh is a highly recommended stop about 90 kilometers south of Hanoi for its spectacular surroundings namely picturesque limestone mountains.

Vietnamese Amateur Model Search For Vietnam’s Next Top Model

UPDATE:
My Southeast Asia travel photography trip ended on September 5, 2008 and now I am back in Hungary to regroup. That means at this time I cannot shoot in Vietnam with anybody but I am planning to return as soon as possible. And no, I am not looking for Hungary’s Next Top Model :)

I have received several inquires from Vietnamese American models from the USA but I only have plans to travel to and shoot in Vietnam not America.
Please use the contact form to get in touch with me if interested in future projects.

Spite that Vietnam is the home of the most naturally beautiful women Vietnamese model search has been a challenge.

12mm Wide Angle Lens Advantage And Elephant Dung

Enjoy my Tokina 12-24mm – Nikon 12-24mm and Nikon 18-200mm wide angle lens comparison post illustrated with stellar examples?

Don’t you just hate when a photographic equipment review site’s example images are not up to par?

I tried to remedy this unfortunate phenomenon by this post. I selflessly risked camera sensor dust by switching my Tokina 12-24mm and Nikon 18-200mm lenses just so you good folks can see the difference!

Spilled Carrots Photographer In Haiphong, Vietnam

Haiphong is said to be a less touristy version of Vietnam’s capital, LonelyPlanet refers to it as Hanoi 10 years ago.

Far away cultures offer interesting experiences around every corner. All that’s needed are open eyes and an open mind.

The sign below is quite bizarre: from 5AM to 9PM it is prohibited to transport a seal on a bicycle in Haiphong! Go figure!

Candid Communist Street Photographer in Hanoi, Vietnam

Notice something on the photo below I took of marching Communist Vietnamese soldiers across from Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum: those two faces on the left side of the picture were giving me icy glares!

Because I have had a … let’s just say hectic Communist past in Hungary … seeing the soldiers’ looks sent chills down my spine and made me pack up and get out of there ASAP.

But first things first: why the heck am I writing from Ha Noi, Vietnam anyways?

All In Ruins At Ayutthaya Sukhothai Phrae Nan and Bangkok, Thailand

Usually every post in this blog covers one town and one stop but in the case of Thailand this one post covers 15 days and five places: Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, Phrae, Nan and Bangkok which account for my entire stay in Thailand.

Everyone loves Thailand so why could I not wait to leave after 15 days spite having a total of 4 months of Visas already paid for?

Yes, I know I am always the black sheep. But thank The Buddha my plan B is pretty nice: a return to Vietnam!

Black And White Photos Of Simple Life From Battambang, Cambodia

Battambang is described by Cambodia guidebooks as an attractive sleepy town with a few attractions nearby.

After the tourist hell of Angkor Wat and not knowing how touristy and commercial Thailand (my next stop) will be I decided to stop over for a few days.

They were not lying, not a whole lot going on in Battambang but it is an OK place to relax and even take some low key, practice photos (no, not trying to save face with that comment, really).

Postcards From Angkor Wat In Siem Reap, Cambodia

I was fortunate (and yes, quite skilled) to capture a split second of a Cambodian Buddhist monk performing an ancient self cleansing ritual at the Bayon of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. It is not an accident why I choose the above photo to be the first of this post.

Discarding all unnecessary from our lives will set us free, the less we own the more happiness we have; it is true wisdom and it is profound.
View my first photo, absorb its message, dig! Dig!! DIG!!! deeper within your soul and you will be on your way towards a better you! Congratulations! Your journey just began!

Seven Year Old Guest Photographer From Kampong Cham, Cambodia

It is very exciting to present the work of my first guest photographer in this blog!
THESE PHOTOS WERE NOT TAKEN BY ME (except the last one) but a seven year old Cambodian boy who became very interested to try out my camera. I absolutely love all his pictures especially the one above.

His photos are so good that it brings up the interesting subject of: what are the ingredients of a good photograph?
The role of equipment, skill, chance, being at the right place at right time, access to intriguing visual material, trust between photographer and subject, open mind and confidence of photographer, innocence?

Photography Of Pagodas And Buddhist Monks In Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Big or busy cities have little appeal to me photographically or as a tourist.

The only reason I even stayed in Phnom Penh was to buy an external hard drive for my laptop. Fortunately there were some unplanned special moments during my stay.

I found the above sleeping cat nearby a pagoda; I choose this picture as my main photo for this post to demonstrate my deeply buried (but still existent) sensitive side.

Boat Ride From Chau Doc, Vietnam To Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Because I am not in a hurry to get anywhere I will not to fly too often within Southeast Asia.

I have already experienced a few crazy bus rides in Vietnam so to cross the border I decided to take a boat on the Mekong River to Phnom Penh, Cambodia out of Chau Doc; a stylish and fitting way to depart from the Mekong Delta.

The price of the boat ride being 20 dollars ensured I would be only with tourists; a sure recipe for someone to put their foot in their mouth and act like a jerk.

New Travel Photography Album From The Roads Of Vietnam

People, cultural and travel photography in Vietnam is the theme of a new photo album (No 5) that has been added to this website.
These are literally travel photos because they were taken though windows of minibuses and a Mekong River tour boat.

These pictures are not meant to be “masterpieces” (it is easy to argue that none of my photos are) I took them mostly to keep myself entertained during trips between Vietnamese towns and during my border crossing into Cambodia.

But I believe the photos are somewhat educational, informative and interesting proving that even when others put away their cameras, true shutterbugs can still find a chance and excuse to snap away.

Colorful Life On The Mekong River In Chau Doc, Vietnam

The reason I returned to Chau Doc, Vietnam was to take a boat ride to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

I could have crossed the Cambodian border at Ha Tien as well but I have taken many bus trips already (and many more are waiting for me) also I had a great time touring the Mekong River on a motorboat while staying in Can Tho, Vietnam.

Due to some gloomy days black and white photos were more appropriate for my last post from Chau Doc but this time the weather was more sunny so this set of pictures can be shown in color.