Some Crazy HDRs

Granted HDRs are not for everyone, nevertheless, it's something different.

1 evening in Cuzco

Children of the Andes

Ok, thought I'd share a few of my Portrait shots from the Peruvian trip. The portraits haven't been easy, I only had an ultra wide angle lens with me on the trip, which means I always had to be up in people's faces to get a head shot. But with a bit of luck, some of these I thought turned out ok. And I think these really have some cultural flavour to them.

The girl above was selling traditional alpaca nit wears. And she brought her pet lamb along. Just when I was ready to take a photo of the lamb beside her, she picked it up and swung it towards her, and the moment was just perfect.

I've taken the photo above on my way to the Colca Canyon, which is the deepest Canyon in the world. This little girl, her mum and alpaca were hanging around tour bus lay-bys, waiting for tourists to take photos and in exchange for a few peruvian Soles.  I did feel a bit of dilemma, as I am told that these children would give up school to come here to make a few quick Soles for the family. So by taking the photo and awarding her with money, I have encouraged her to give up school. But if I didn't take the photo, I would have lost one of my favourite photo from the trip of my life time. Trying to make myself feeling better about the act, I simply told myself to accept the way of life there, as it's part of the culture in the region, and if it means she'll have to give up school to bring bread to the family, then I am much rather her family is fed first.  After all, what's good of schools if your stomach is empty?

The girl above was staring at the chocolate one of our travel buddy was eating. Naturally, she received her share, and she seemed very happy about that.

This little kid was a local living in one of the huts deep inside the andes. When we met her, she was full of life, and I think it says it all in her smiles.

More locals we've met on our Lares trek. Sometimes I was really confused about where they actually came from, because at times it seemed there's not a single house for miles and miles. But these children are the real shepherd of the andes, and they all know the region like the back of their hands! photo below, a young shepherd herding his two llamas.

The photo above were taken just after our highest pass of the hike, approximately 4800m above sea level. Around the highest pass, there's a huge blizzard going on, and once you come down/away from the point, things cleared up.

I really like the clothing contrast between the girl above and the people in the background.

A peruvian boy wearing traditional clothing, dashing around the plaza de armas in Cuzco.

The height of inca empire - Macchu Picchu in its full glory

If you have no idea what or where Macchu Picchu is, I highly recommend you to discover Wikipedia.org first!

Enjoy my photos, I was very very very lucky to be at Macchu Picchu on a glorious day such as this. 

p.s. The tall mountain in the picture - Huayna Picchu, Thanks to all the motivation Danny hammered at me, I managed to conquer it and climb all the way to the top!  What an experience that was.  

Life in the Andes as I saw it

It was the 2nd day on my Lares trek, we came across this beautiful landscape deep in the Andes. Some of the most basic shacks, at the foot of mountains, but still 3000m + above the sea level. These shacks, however basic, can house up to 7 or 8 people in 1 family.

Outside the shack, we've met a young mother and her two children. They haul drinks and snacks from the nearest town/village (which is miles and miles away), so that they can sell some of these to the passing travellers. We actually bought the 6 pack of beer in the photo. Danny actually carried it for the whole day of the hike up through 4800m highest pass. But enjoying them under the most beautiful starlight made everything worth while. But again, i'm only saying it because I never had to carry them.

We met the elder of the house, she was kind enough to invite us in for a visit and chat. The old lady and her family have lived here for generations, they live off the land, growing potato and herding llamas.

As you walk into the shack, I almost felt I have travelled back in time a few hundred years. The shack is small and dark, there is only 1 room and it's shared by 7 family members. There are no electricity, no running water, the ceiling of the hut is covered by wood burning tar as there's not even a chimney in the shack. There're all sorts of things hanging off the ceiling, looks as every cubic centermeter of the room is fully utilised.

As we sat down on the floor, I've noticed dozen of guinea pigs running around, dashing between everyone's legs. They are not pets, living in the andes is a lean operation, everything have to have its purpose.  And these guinea pigs (cuy) are simply dishes and food for the family in the coming days.

In the middle of the room, a wheel barrow loaded with a whole alpaca is ready to be prepared into their next meal.

On the way out, we met on of the child living here, she was full of life, I think the smile on her face shows it all. And it occurred to me, she does not have TV, barbie dolls or playstation, yet she can still be happy.

So what is it that makes them so happy? Is it because they do not know a life style outside, or is it simply because they're content.

First, the corner stone...

Hello World,


Inspired by my dear friend Chang Hongzhi, I've once again picked up my camera. Without his inspiration and encouragement, none of the photographs in this blog would been possible. Although it would be nice to build a blog dedicated to travelling, but I do have a full time job, so there will be gaps between travel posts, which I will fill with anything that comes to me or excites me. In my travel posts, I will show you the places I have been, the things I have seen, and people I have met. I hope, for whoever will have the chance to come across this blog, that you will too be inspired to travel, and discover the beauty of our world. 

Photo - Typical carved corner stone inside the Macchu Picchu ruins, Peru