Journeys From A Small Room

Live footage of the Bamboo Train Battambang

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Kingdom of Cambodia. Tagged: #landmark, #old, #outdoor, #tourism, #tourist, #travel, attraction, axis, bamboo, bamboo train, battambang, bush, cambodia, crop, engine, fisherman, fishing, forest, guilin, hand, jungle, lorry, man, mat, nature, nori, norry, overgrown, plant, province, rail, railroad, railway, rudimentary, rundown, shrub, station, taxi, track, train, transport, transportation, tree, trolley, vacation, vegetation, vehicle, warped, wheels. Leave a comment

In 2013 i was in Cambodia as part of my bigger Central and SEA tour for just over a year. In Battambang I took what is fondly referred to as “The Bamboo Train”, their proper name is a Norry or Nori and can get upto speeds of 50kmh. It certainly felt like it!!

Norries have low fares, and are frequent and relatively fast, so they are popular despite their rudimentary design, lack of brakes, the state of the rails (often broken or warped) and the lack of any formal operating system. Its simple construction and light weight means that a norry can be easily removed from the track – if two meet on the line, the one with the lighter load is removed from the rails and carried round the other. At the end of the line the vehicle is lifted and turned.

Theyyam Muthappan

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Indian Subcontinent. Tagged: #colour, #costume, #cultural, #culture, #dance, #detail, #drama, #exotic, #expression, #face, #festival, #fire, #flame, #folk, #folk art, #folk art pattern, #god, #hindu, #hinduism, #illustration, #india, #indian, #kannur, #kerala, #makeup, #malabar, #mask, #ornamental, #people, #performance, #performer, #red, #ritual, #temple, #teyyam, #theatre, #theyyam, #tourism, #tradition, #traditional, #travel, #unique, #vector. Leave a comment

In 2015 I was fortunate to be travelling round the Southern part of India on a 6mth Journey of Indian Culture and discovery. In the place of Malabar in the state of Kerela I was deeply honoured to meet Kierian from “Costa Malabar” who arranged for me to not only visit but film and photograph openly some 3 Theyyam ceremonies. Lasting from a couple of hours to all day and all night and most of the next day. A tiring experience for the onlooker but a marathon for the participating Gods.

The people of Malabar and the Gods made me feel most welcome and it was a deeply touching cultural experience I will never forget. I can only hope that these images and videos give you a taste of what I witnessed.

The worshipping place of Muthappan is called Madappura.Many Madappuras are there in North Malabar .Of all such Madappuras; Parassani Madappura is the most prominent. Here Muthappan devotees of Muthappan who throng here being supplied with Tea, steamed pear and a small piece of coconut. Relief and consaltion is accorded to all devotees of Muthappan who come here and conolation is accorded to all devotees of Muthappan who come here and after the lighting of the lamp called Deeparadhana.Devotees are blessed with the ‘Holy Darsan’ by both Cheriya Muthappan and Valiya Muthappan when they conduct Thirivappana Vellattom

Hotan Bazaar

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: People's Republic of China. Tagged: #craft, #culture, #handicraft, #illustration, #old, #people, #red, #tourism, #tourist, #traditional, #travel, #white, arabic, asian, bazaar, bright, colorful, decoration, decorative, design, east, egyptian, glass, grand, grand bazaar, illuminated, istanbul, lamp, lantern, light, market, middle, oriental, ramadan, sale, shop, souvenir, stall, store, style, trade, turkey, turkish, vintage. Leave a comment

Hotan Sunday Market Hotan’ s bazaar is also called The Sunday market. Local people call it Chukubaza (meaning is low location market) located in the north-eastern corner of Hotan city. It is one of the biggest markets in southern Xinjiang. It has many special sections for the market. The Bazaar in Hotan is active every day, but the Sunday is special day, when it gets flooded by hundreds and thousands of people on Sunday. The kind of people who come to the market are people from seven counties of Hotan and some other prefecture of Xinjiang. They sell all kinds of special local Hotan such as beautiful styled dresses can be seen or bought and many sweet fruits and delicious dishes as well as snacks can be tasted. Minority Products and Souvenirs local made carpets and roll jade. local people say that it is possible to find everything accept Chicken milk, cows egg in Europeans style. While you are in the market, please remember the word “posh” that means get out of the way in Uyghur language, as soon as you hear this word, please watch yourself. The best time to go to the market is after 8:30 AM Xinjian time.

Wat Pa Non Sa-at

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Thailand. Tagged: #culture, #heritage, #hindu, #hinduism, #landmark, #monument, #old, #religion, #site, #sky, #stone, #temple, #tourism, #tourist, #tower, #travel, angkor, archeology, asian, buddha, buddhism, cambodia, cambodian, civilization, famous, historical, history, jungle, khmer, lake, reap, reflection, religious, river, ruin, siem, sunrise, Thailand, thom, tomb, tree, tropical, unesco, wat, water. Leave a comment

A beautiful collection of the sculptures within the grounds of the Wat and the itnterior of the Wat itself. I visited here whilst on my way back to Nong Khai via Looei in The North East of Thailand

Chiang Dao

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Thailand. Tagged: #landmark, #outdoor, #park, #sky, #stone, #summer, #tourism, #tourist, #travel, adventure, beauty, cave, cavern, chiang, chiang mai, cliff, cloud, dao, doi, field, fog, forest, geology, hill, landscape, light, limestone, luang, mai, mountain, national, natural, nature, rock, scenery, scenic, stalactite, sun, sunrise, sunset, thai, Thailand, tree, vacation, valley, yellow. Leave a comment

Chiang Dao lies above the Menam Ping gorge on the green slopes of Doi Chiang Dao Mountain. The name means “City of Stars”, and derives from its earlier name Piang Dao, or “(at the) level of the stars”. True to the name, limestone peaks reaching a height of 2,186 m (7,174 ft) make Chiang Dao an impressive area. Chiang Dao is the third highest mountain in Thailand. The village is a quiet little picturesque area, with a quaint northern Thailand feel. It’s located in Chiang Dao national park. Chiang Dao is cover by fog almost of the year and temperature is always cool in winter and rainy season.

In 2013 when I was 2/3rds of the way through my trip across Central and South East Asia, I stopped in Chiang Dao for some rest and stunning scenery and It wasn’t disappointing. I walked along the Lisu tribe village road and deep into the country side. Along with visiting the famous Chaing Dao caves and the Phare Mahajadee Rachsamjammadhevesrivechai Temple both beautifully surronded by stunning Landscape. Nthing of course out does the Peake; Doi Luang Chiang Dao (ดอยหลวงเชียดางว)

Ürümqi

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: People's Republic of China. Tagged: #grass, #landmark, #modern, #park, #sky, #skyline, #summer, #temple, #tourist, #tower, #traditional, #travel, #view, #white, artificial, beauty, boat, bridge, china, chinese, cloud, day, forest, green, heaven, high, island, lake, landscape, mountain, nature, office, panorama, skyscrapers, snow, sunny, tianshan, trees, urban, urumqi, xinjiang. Leave a comment

In 2012 I crossed from Kyrgyzstan in the the Western corner of north China, along my one month journey across China, I stopped at many places and this is a quick snapshot of one of my favourite Chinese Cities, Ürümqi.

A very big city that has managed to keep hold of it’s historical architecture and modern buildings in an eclective mix. Along with three amazing and beautifully landscaped parks along with their own historical buildings which have been made central features to value them and where they can be appreciated by many.

Sanjao Posuea

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Thailand. Tagged: #culture, #destination, #illustration, #landmark, #old, #ornament, #palace, #red, #religion, #symbol, #temple, #tourism, #tower, #traditional, #travel, #vector, abstract, asian, buddhism, buddhist, china, chinese, decoration, decorative, design, door, drawing, dynasty, east, element, gate, house, isolated, japan, japanese, landscape, museum, oriental, pagoda, pavilion, roof, structure, style, Thailand. Leave a comment

Sanjao Posuea ( ศาลเจ้าพ่อเสือ ) 171, Soi 5, Thaosura Rd ; Tel 044 259246

This is clearly the biggest and most richly decorated Sanjao you can visit in Korat. It is made up of a main building, quite spacious and with several internal shrines, plus five or six more external shrines (one of them placed on a second floor), a votive pole, an incineretor, and other votive objects and accessories. It is found outside the eastern city gate, on a lane extending to the east into the homonymous community.

Internal decorations, ornaments and objects in the main building are gorgeous and they, alone, deserve a visit. If you are lucky you can assist a particualr religious ceremony taking place inside. The full name includes also the words Tung Swaang ( ทุ่งสว่าง ).

Turkmenbashi Gypjak Mosque

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Turkmenistan. Tagged: #detail, #mosque, #old, #red, #religion, #turkmenbashy, #turkmenistan, #white, alert, antique, believe, believe faith believer, believer, bell, decoration, door, door bell, doorbell, electric, entrance, faith, green, gypjak, handrail, home, horror, horror vacui, islam, islamic, knocker, mosquee, plastic, press, ring, ring bell, round, shia, shiite, stairs, sunni, sunnite, urban, vintage, wall. Leave a comment

The mosque was built in 2002-2004 on the initiative of Turkmenbashi and named after him. Its word-for-word translation means “the mosque of Turkmenbashi spirituality” or “the mosque of spirit of Turkmenbashi”. By the way the mosque is located in Gypjak – the Turkmenbashi native village which i visited in 2012.

Bulls & Angels Christmas 2015 in Cochin

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Indian Subcontinent. Tagged: #illustration, #indian, #old, #road, #vector, #wheel, animal, aviator, badge, bike, biker, black, chopper, circle, classic, club, custom, cycle, design, drawing, elephant, emblem, engraving, garage, graphic, helmet, isolated, label, lettering, logo, logotype, moto, motor, motorbike, motorcycle, patch, print, protection, race, racer, retro, ride, rider, service, sign, speed, sport, t-shirt, vehicle, vintage. Leave a comment

So during my trip round southern India in 2015, I spent Christmas in Cochin.

What does one do in Cochin on Christmas day?? I hear you ask, well you go and watch the Bulls and Angels do their motorcycle stunts of course. Quote from their FB page

Bulls Angels Motorcycle Club Welcomes you – a consortium of die – hard bullet enthusiasts, who swear by nothing but the bullet. If you believe that life is not about the air you breathe but what makes you breathless, welcome to a world where the road is endless, the nature is your best friend, and bullet is your machine. Say hello to fellow brethren, learn and exchange experiences, and relish the freedom to unshackle yourself.

Purton Hulks a ‘Ship Graveyard’ on the River Severn

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: United Kingdom. Tagged: #old, #sky, #travel, abandoned, barge, barges, beached, boat, boats, canal, coast, crystal ball, decay, decayed timber, england, erosion, gloucester, gloucester-sharpness canal, gloucestershire, graveyard, hulks, hull, lighter, nails, purton, purton ships graveyard, river, river severn, rotten, rotten wood, rudder, rust, rusty, severn, sharpness, ship, ships, shipwreck, shipwrecks, stranded, sunny, texture, tidal, timber, timbers, water, wood, wooden, wreck. 1 Comment

During my very brief visit back home to the UK in July I visited the Purton Hulks on the Severn estuary .

The Purton hulks form the largest ships graveyard in the UK, beginning when several hulks were used in the early 20th century to shore up the bank between the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the River Severn, there are currently approximately 80 vessels located along the riverbank at Purton.

Dan Kwian

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Thailand. Tagged: #craft, #culture, #handmade, #luxury, #modern, #old, #sculpture, #tradition, #traditional, arabian, arabic, asian, brown, ceramic, clay, craftsman, design, earthenware, fashion, fine, kitchen, market, material, metal, mosaic, nizwa, object, oman, omani, pattern, pot, potter, pottery, retro, sale, souq, square, surface, texture, textured, Thailand, ukraine, vintage, work. Leave a comment

Images from the Pottery Village at Dan Kwian, just outside Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat for short.

Erawan Museum

Posted by Annette Johnson on April 10, 2018

Posted in: Thailand. Tagged: #culture, #holy, #landmark, #monument, #ornament, #palace, #red, #religion, #sculpture, #sky, #statue, #stone, #temple, #tourism, #traditional, #travel, #white, animal, antique, asian, bangkok, black, buddhism, ceiling, classic, decoration, design, elephant, entrance, erawan, glass, head, history, interior, museum, pattern, prakan, religious, sacred, samut, style, thai, Thailand, three. Leave a comment

During my stay in Bangkok during the funeral of King Rama 9 I visited the Erawan Museum on the edge of the city.

A fantastic place with an enormous three headed elephant on an equally gargantuan pedestal. Beautifully ornate and stunningly detailed inside you find two dragons curling their way round the interior of the building creating the spectacular stair case.

As you ascend through the three floors you are taken higher and closer to heaven where you can see a most amazing coloured stain glass ceiling. Above that yo reach the nirvana, or temple of Buddha with again such wonderful blue painted sky and gold adornments. Half way down yo can look out through a window (the elephants stomach) and see across Bangkok.

The Gardens are full of not only beautiful plants and flowers but also detailed Thai sculptures and water features. The Elephant itself weighs a hefty 250 tonnes and stands at 29 meters high and 39 meters long and made from Bronze.

Journeys From A Small Room

Live footage of the Bamboo Train Battambang

Theyyam Muthappan

Hotan Bazaar

Wat Pa Non Sa-at

Sanjao Posuea

Turkmenbashi Gypjak Mosque

Bulls & Angels Christmas 2015 in Cochin

Purton Hulks a ‘Ship Graveyard’ on the River Severn

Dan Kwian

Erawan Museum

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ivisa.com

http://photo4me.com/profile/AnnetteJohnsonPhotography

http://www.redbubble.com/people/polum2

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Thejohnsons Travels Blog

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