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Huis Ten Bosch, Nagasaki, Japan.

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Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

Going Dutch? Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park in Sasebo, near Nagasaki. An interesting place to wander around, it is very much like a large elaborate movie set. There are windmills, stores selling cheese, Dutch ceramics, and even a teddy bear museum. However, like a movie set, it tends to look best if you squint, and of course “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”.

Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park in Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan.

Summer / Fall Photography Workshops

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Photography Fundamentals May 2014

Photography Fundamentals May 2014

June 14 & 15 , 2014 – Studio Lighting Intro Workshop with Chris Willson

June 28 & 29 , 2014 – Photography Fundamentals Workshop with Chris Willson

July 12 & 13 , 2014 – Off Camera Flash Workshop with Pete Leong & Chris Willson

October 4 & 5 , 2014 – Photography Fundamentals Workshop with Chris Willson

October 10 & 11, 2014 – Light Painting with Trevor Williams and Chris Willson

October 12, 2014 – Advanced Light Painting with Trevor Williams and Chris Willson

For more details click on the Photography Workshops Tab.

To book a place on any of the workshops please email  chris(at)travel67.com    I will send you a Paypal request for the class fee. Payment secures your place on the course.

 

Diving in Okinawa – Dragonair’s Silkroad Magazine May 2014

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Diving in Okinawa - Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa – Silkroad Magazine May 2014

I have a feature on scuba diving, and the cover photo, in the May 2014 edition of Dragonair’s Silkroad magazine. Along with the cover, most of the photos used with the feature are also mine, but unfortunately I didn’t have any decent Hammerhead shark images. A big thanks to all my diver buddies who helped providing quotes or posing for pics!

Diving in Okinawa - Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa – Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Underwater images shot with the Pentax K5 or K5IIs in an Ikelite underwater housing.

Diving in Okinawa - Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa – Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa - Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa – Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Dragonair 2014 5 Page 4- LE640

Diving in Okinawa - Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa – Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa - Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Diving in Okinawa – Silkroad Magazine May 2014

Ryukyu Rampage 2014

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Ryukyu Rampage - Coming Soon!

Ryukyu Rampage – Coming Soon!

Do you find simply running from A to B no longer a challenge?

Do you envy children as they splash in the mud, swing on ropes, and play with fire?

Do you want to show the world just how fast, strong and awesome you are?

Are you ready to rampage?

Ryukyu Rampage - Coming Soon!

Ryukyu Rampage – Coming Soon!

Coming in November 2014, is Ryukyu Rampage. It will be open to everyone on Okinawa, so whether you’re an Okinawan firefighter, a U.S. marine, or an occasional jogger, all are welcome.

Ryukyu Rampage - Coming Soon!

Ryukyu Rampage – Coming Soon!

The Ryukyu Rampage Website and the Ryukyu Rampage Facebook Page are now online.

James (the organizer) asked if I could take a few action shots for publicity purposes, so we headed down to the beach with a few friends from Torii Gym. A huge thanks to everyone who helped out, it was great to see you all in action!

Ryukyu Rampage - Coming Soon!

Ryukyu Rampage – Coming Soon!

A Cambodian Wedding – Part 3

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Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Day 2 began with a procession to the family home where the day’s ceremonies would take place. The groom and family lead the way followed by the rest of the wedding party.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Most guests arrived with offerings of food or drinks.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The groom awaits the arrival of the bride.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The bride arrives with her bridesmaids.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The couple then give thanks to their parents.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

More prayers, more offerings, more changes of clothing. Pao, the bride, manages to quickly grab some food between events.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Indoors the ceremonies continue with blessings from monks, and then pieces of red thread are tied around their wrists.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Family members give gifts of money.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The official ceremony ends and the couple is married. Congratulations Suon and Pao and thank you so much for letting me be part of your wedding. It was such an amazing opportunity to photography the event.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

A Cambodian Wedding – Part 2

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Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

After the western style dress and suit, the bride and groom changed into the first of many traditional Khmer outfits. I’ve been to Japanese weddings where there were three outfits ( a traditional kimono, then a white wedding dress, then a western dress), but at the Cambodian wedding, over the two days, there were close to twenty.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

After the hotel, events took place at the family home. Tents had been erected outside for the ceremony and there were various offerings to the gods.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Part of the ceremony involved close family members giving the bride and groom a haircut. They’d snip away, without actually cutting the hair, then show the bride and groom the result in a little mirror.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

After another change in clothing, monks arrived and more prayers and offerings were given. After dinner, everyone went home to rest, as the second day of celebrations would begin at dawn.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

A Cambodian Wedding – Part 1

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Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

While in Cambodia I was lucky enough to spend a couple of days photographing the wedding of Suon and Pao.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The groom’s sister worked at the Lotus Blanc Hotel where I was staying. One morning, as I returned to the hotel after shooting the dawn, Suon walked into the lobby in a wedding dress.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

The staff explained that a local photographer would be taking some photos of  the bride and groom at the hotel, before they began the traditional khmer wedding celebrations that would last for two days. Knowing I was also a photographer they said they’d be quite happy if I’d like to tag along and take some pics. Hoorah.

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cambodian Wedding of Suon Kosal (groom) and Pao Sara (bride) Siem Reap, Cambodia

Buddhist Tattoos in Cambodia

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Buddhist Monk with Tattoos, Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Buddhist Monk with Tattoos, Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

By coincidence, I write this post just after reading about a Buddhist British woman being deported from Sri Lanka for having a tattoo of Buddha on her arm. She wasn’t aware that in Sri Lanka this is seen by some as highly offensive, and she was arrested  before she even made it out of the airport.

Buddhist Monk with Tattoos, Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Buddhist Monk with Tattoos, Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Of course, tourists should be aware of local traditions, but this would be an easy mistake to make considering that in several other countries Buddhist tattoos are signs of devotion. In Cambodia many monks had tattoos on their backs and arms.

Monk with tattoos at Lolei Temple ( Roluos Group ) , Siem Reap, Cambodia

Monk with tattoos at Lolei Temple ( Roluos Group ) , Siem Reap, Cambodia

 

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu

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Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to photograph  karate master Naonobu Ahagon at his dojo in Naha City. It was a great experience to meet another Okinawan icon. In October 2013 he was one of 7 karate masters to be given special recognition by the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper for his contributions to traditional Okinawan karate.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Ahagon-sensei is a master of both karate and kobudo (using traditional weapons). These include the kama (sickles) and sai.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

I took a few extra shots of Ahagon-sensei surrounded by some of this weapons inside the dojo. Starting from the far left you can see the eku (oars) then nunchaku, a pair of tonfa, and bo staffs.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

Naonobu Ahagon, Hanshi 10th Dan, Okinawa Karate & Kobudo Shorinryu at his dojo in Naha City, Okinawa.

A big thank you to Sensei Mark Spear of the Black Bear Traditional Martial Arts Center in Connecticut for helping set up the shoot.

Siem Reap Pagoda Cats

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Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Pagoda Cat with monk’s bowl – Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap Pagoda Cats is a small organization trying to help the stray cats that live in around several Buddhist temples near Siem Reap, Cambodia. French ex-pat Josette Vanneur does a daily tour of the temples making sure the numerous felines have food and water, along with arranging medical care including neutering.

If you like cats, or just want to read about someone trying to make a difference, visit their Facebook page Siem Reap Pagoda Cats.

Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Pagoda cat drinking out of monk’s bowl – Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Pagoda Cat! Wat Athvea Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia