24 Mar 2014

Golden sunsets and emerald waters at Koh Chang

As the last destination of the Thailand Tour of my parents & sister last Christmas, we visited Koh Chang, one of this country's most famous islands and one that I hadn't visited before. We spent there 3 days under sunny skies and great weather, and we really enjoyed the slow pace of the island. Those were days of clear waters and family, cold drinks and strolls, and I did not feel like taking photographs that much. However, I still managed to grab a few stills that summarize quite comprehensively our stay at the island. Enjoy!

Emerald waters I, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
Emerald waters II, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
In case of rain, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
Sunset at Koh Chang I, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
Sunset at Koh Chang II, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

10 Mar 2014

Saffron robes: Buddhist monks in Thailand

Thailand is a country where rooted traditions coexist with modern customs without any issues: they are proud of their culture and they strive to keep it and pass it on to future generations, while they also rapidly and gladly accept and incorporate the latest trends and habits to their everyday life. A short walk in any city of this country will let you find a fancy shopping center protected by a spirit house at the entrance, for instance. Mores and modernity hand by hand, because they believe that in order to advance, there is no need to leave the past behind, as we can carry it along with us, just adapting it to the times. And this is precisely what happens with the subject I wanna present today. 

Grey morning, saffron robes, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm
Crossing the bridge in Si Satchanalai I, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm 
Crossing the bridge in Si Satchanalai II, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm 
Somewhere in Isan, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm

Collecting alms, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
Descending the stairs, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm
Feeding the herd, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
Being a Buddhist country, there are plenty of monks in Thailand, both mature and novice, and it's easy to spot them, specially in the mornings, when they leave their temples to collect alms through the streets. But the monks, as the rest of the Thai society, have also adapted themselves to the challenges of the postmodern, globalized world we live in, hence they can be seen performing tasks that many had deemed impossible just a few decades ago. If there is a lesson to learn from here is, simply, to find a balance between old and new in order to survive, keeping the essences intact but adapting the surface to the changing times.

Afternoon break, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm 
Withdraw or deposit?, GM1 + Lumix G Vario 12-32mm
Trying his mundane luck, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm 
Photo shoot, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm  
Holy selfie!, GH3 + Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm