Category: Beyond the Dot

Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2015
Beyond the Dot, Thailand, Yi Peng Lantern Festival

Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2015

After a couple of days in Chiangrai trying to make like a Natgeo photographer among the hill tribes, it was almost time for the Loy Krathong festival which fell on 25th November 2015. We found ourselves back in Chiangmai on the eve of Loy Krathong. The city and it’s people were already busy preparing for this important festival with decorations being put up along the Ping River, temples and major hotels and buildings. Continue reading “Yi Peng Sky Lantern Festival 2015”

Muaythai Fight Club
Beyond the Dot, Muaythai Fight Club, Thailand

Muaythai Fight Club

“In the clearing stands a boxer,
And a fighter by his trade,
And he carries the reminders,
Of every glove that laid him down,
And cut him till he cried out,
In his anger and his shame,
‘I am leaving, I am leaving,’
But the fighter still remains.”

So goes Simon & Garfunkel’s song in my head just as the crowd roared out their support for the 2 fighters in the ring and drowning out all sense of sobriety. It was the last fight for the evening and already into it’s last round. The 2 fighters, tired and bleeding were trying to outlast each other. Continue reading “Muaythai Fight Club”

Chiangmai Streets 2015
Beyond the Dot, Chiangmai Streets 2015, Thailand

Chiangmai Streets 2015

In my previous blog post, I mentioned that Chiangmai would be worth another visit. Finally, I got my chance in November of  2015 when I joined a photography tour to capture the sky lantern festival during Loy Krathong. It was my first time joining a  specialty tour just for photography, and it was a good experience to join with fellow photographers and enthusiasts, sharing a common interest. Continue reading “Chiangmai Streets 2015”

Cave Temples of Ipoh
Beyond the Dot, Cave Temples of Ipoh, Malaysia

Cave Temples of Ipoh

During my last trip to Penang, I also visited Ipoh. This sleepy small town is the state capital of Perak and used to be the tin mining capital of Malaysia. It’s glory days of tin mining are long over and although it’s frequently missed out by visitors to Malaysia, it’s starting to get more popular these days, as people are attracted by it’s low cost of living and good food. Continue reading “Cave Temples of Ipoh”

One Day in Penang
Beyond the Dot, Malaysia, One Day in Penang

One Day in Penang

Like an old friend  that you’ve known for a long time but only superficially, just meeting once in a while to say hello and catch up on old times, but never knowing each other well. That’s how I view Penang personally. I’ve been there many times since school days, always for short business trips, occasional visits for holidays at the beach resorts but without actually seeing much of the island. Continue reading “One Day in Penang”

Trekking the Yellow Mountains (黄山)
Beyond the Dot, China, Yellow Mountains

Trekking the Yellow Mountains (黄山)

My first time travelling in China with nothing but a backpack was in 1998 when after an industrial exhibition in Shanghai, myself and 2 other colleagues decided that it would be a worthwhile adventure to visit Huangshan. Planning for the trip was minimal. We only applied for vacation leave, a quick check on the weather conditions in Huangshan and we were off. What else could go wrong? Continue reading “Trekking the Yellow Mountains (黄山)”

Hutong Visit
Beyond the Dot, China, Hutong Visit

Hutong Visit

After my first trip to Beijing, I made another trip in 2002 but this time it was for leisure. There were a lot of changes to the city back then. Cars were now the kings of the road and the humble bicycles were slowly but surely disappearing from sight, while skyscrapers were sprouting out of the ground everywhere. As the modernization of Beijing progressed, I took some time to see some of the disappearing sights.

Continue reading “Hutong Visit”

Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs
Beyond the Dot, China, Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs

There is a Chinese saying, 不到长城非好汉 which literally translates into  “He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man”.  How did this come about? Read on to find out. So during my weekend in Beijing, I had the Sunday to visit one of China’s, and also mankind’s greatest engineering achievements, to see and climb the Great Wall of China.

Continue reading “Great Wall of China and Ming Tombs”