22 September 2018

I was last in Burma 32 years ago on a five day tour as that was all that was allowed those days.

I had fond memories of the one leg rowers and the naturalness of the scenery.

We stayed at a hotel of my sisters recommendation  as it was perched on the lake with great views. The food at the hotel was the best we had  (western style) in our whole journey.

I had a chance to try the  wine from the local vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc(SB). Those people who know my drinking habits know I am not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, but I do appreciate a good one. I am from Marlborough – the biggest SB wine exporter in NZ. Verdict….. drinkable and it tasted like a bland SB but without the cats pee and gooseberry. Glad I only ordered a glass,  pass the beer please.

I read comments online that Inle lake is too touristy, and the tours are spent going to various shops. A bit like I have experienced in China. However the difference is that it was among the peoples natural surroundings and there was no hard sales or pushyness. This presented me with more  photo opportunities than the enclosed fluorescent lit rooms with a security guard on the outside!

The leg rowers  were a challenge though. Most photos of them are posed  at sunset and their body positions do not represent normal fishing practices. They do this for a donation which we didn’t mind helping them. I also tried to capture them doing their everyday thing and also record the natural activities on the lake. They even grow tomatoes on the lake-pass the ketchup.

Apparently they are in the process of building another 60 (!) hotels around the lake.

So get there before it even gets more commercialised, but hopefully not more polluted !

1. 26 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso400    200mm    f9.0    1/1000sec    Nikon 70-200f4

2. 26 April 2018    Nikon D3s    iso200    24mm    f11    1/180sec    Nikon 24-700mm f2.8

3. 26 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso1000    200mm    f6.3    1/500sec

4. 26 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso 900    200mm    f8.0    1/1000sec

5. 26 April 2018    Nikon D3s    iso 1600    38mm    f4.8    1/125sec

6. 26 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso200    300mm    f5.6    1/1000sec    Nikon 300mmmf4 PF

7. 26 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso400    72mm    f7.1    1/1000sec

8. 26 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso450    200mm    f8    1/1000sec

9. 26 April 2018    Nikon D3s    iso200    28mm    f8.0    1/1000sec

10.    Nikon D3s    iso200    52mm    f8.0    1/1000sec

11.    Nikon D750    iso360    110mm    f8.0    1/1000sec

12.    Nikon D750    iso1000    95mm    f7.1    1/1000sec

13.    Nikon D3s    iso200    55mm    f9.5    1/180sec

23 September 2018

In order to experience the countryside  we decided to do an overnight trek with a nights stay in a village with simple accomodation- that is sleeping on the floor with mosquitos for company.

The fields were very dry as it was the end of the rainy season and into summer. I asked the guide whether there was any advantage doing a three or four day trek? He said not really it is more of the same! Anyway it was a great experience as I felt we saw the real Burma. Life was easier as I had a porter to take my camera gear and tripod. I definitely felt like a colonialist and the natives were very friendly ! The guide and porter also did the meals when we were at the homestay. They did a great job and the food was as tasty as any restaurant we had eaten at previously.

1. 24 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso160    24mm    f10    1/250sec    Nikon 24-70mmf2.8

2. 25 April    Nikon D750    iso360    200mm    f10    1/200sec

3. 24 April    Nikon D750    iso 360    200mm    f10    1/320sec

4. 24 April    Nikon D750    iso2800    70mm    f5.6    1/160sec    Nikon 70-200mm f4

5. 24 April    Nikon D750    iso 100    26mm    f8    1/125sec

6. 24 April    Nikon D750    iso 2200    90mm    f8    1/250sec

7. 24 April    Nikon D750    iso 5000    200mm    f8    1/250sec

8. 25 April    Nikon D3s    iso800    86mm    f9.5    1/180sec

9. 25 April    Nikon D3s    iso 800    200mm f6.7    1/180sec

10. 25 April    Nikon D750    iso 200    86mm    f10    1/250sec  

The Irrawaddy River (unofficial name) is an important river that runs the length of Myanmar.

It runs through Bagan and like the temples is part of the daily lives of the locals.

I spent a lovely evening wandering up and down the river bank photographing the people.

1. 19 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso 2800 (!)    70mm    f8    1/1250sec    Nikon 70-200mm f4.0

2.  19 April 2018    Nikon D3s    iso200    24mm    f8    1/250sec

3.    19 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso200    82mm    1/125sec

4.    Nikon D3s    iso200    27mm    f6.7    1/60sec

5. 19 April 2018    Nikon D750    iso200    82mm    f8    1/125sec

6. 19 April 2018    Bagan  Sunrise    Nikon D750    iso200    112mm    f16    1/80sec