Sunday, August 19, 2007
Halong Bay, Vietnam, 25-26 July 2007: The Dragons Descendeth
(Poly)Chromatic Fantasy
 Booked a two-day tour of Halong Bay from Sinh Cafe (29 USD per person, twin-sharing). Departed Hanoi and reached Halong City in 3 hours. Once on the boat, time seemed to slow down perceptibly. Relaxed itinerary: lounged around on the boat mostly, visited Sung Sot Cave, swam, kayaked. Overnight stay on Halong bay. The room was warm, so I slept on the deck under the stars. Perfect. Legend has it that the myriad islands of Halong Bay were created by the playful tossing and thrashing of a family of dragons, from which the bay's name originated. Most of the islands were uninhabited, their sharp peaks savage accents on the peaceful waveless waters of the bay. The natural beauty was breathtaking. The sea and islands metamorphosed into strikingly different hues at various times of the day and night. Click here to view the web album. |
 Afternoon, Powder Blue |
 Sunset, Champagne Gold |
 Sunset, Amber Fire |
 Sunrise, Peach Rose |
 Dawn, Cornflower Blue |
 Dawn, Squid Ink |
 Dawn, Indigo Glow |
 Sunrise, Salmon Pink |
 Sunrise, Pigeon Blood |
 Morning, Silver Mist |
 Morning, Lilac Wash |
 Morning, Baby Pastel |
 Morning, Half Light |
 Morning, Cobalt Azure |
 Morning, Aqua Marine |
 Morning, Techni Colour |
 Morning, Charcoal Gray |
 Morning, Peacock Green |
 Morning, Sea Green |
 Morning, Sunny Cyan |
Labels: island, nature, sea, sunrise, sunset, Vietnam
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Bali, Indonesia, 18-23 Apr 2007: Tanah Lot
Sunset
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| Tanah Lot in the Tabanan district of Bali, situated at the island's southwestern coast, is easily accessible from South Bali. Locals and tourist flock here to enjoy the glorious sunset. |
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| Pura Batu Bolong perches on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Relentless waves pound at the base of the cliff, eroding over the millennia a hole in the rocks. |
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| Pura Tanah Lot is one of the holiest temples on Bali. At low tide, pilgrims tread the rocky paths to the temple, gingerly avoiding legendary venomous seasnakes that guard its access. |
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Labels: Bali, Indonesia, nature, religious site, sea, sunset
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Granada, Spain, 21-22 Feb 2007: Heart of Andalusia
View Of The Alhambra From The Albaicin
| Thirteen years ago, I read James Michener's Iberia. His heartfelt and personal reflections on Spain, a country he loves, has fired my fascination. Andalusia in the south of Spain, and above all the Alhambra, beckon alluringly. I finally get to see the palace now: the Alhambra glows a warm golden hue in the sunset. |
Crowds - romantics, tourists, pensioners, hippies - congregate every evening at the Mirador de San Nicolas Church, high up in the Albaicin hill district. Some enjoy the view of the Alhambra quietly, others sing raucously. All celebrate.Labels: architecture, Granada, palace, Spain, sunset
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These are the 30 countries that I have ever set foot on. Airport stopovers don't count!
