07.03.07
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 9:00 am by Warren Williams
To start the morning off, took a motorcycle ride with my driver, Sou Sok Heng, to the great Tonle Sap lake. As it was the end of the dry season, the lake was 17km away from Siem Reap, however a month or two later, the lake grows from 2700 square km to an amazing 16,000 sq km. The floating village moves throughout the year depending how close their water source is. The boat trip I took was well over-priced from a tourist checkpoint along the main road. The cost was US$20 for 2 hours. Although I’m sure it would have been much cheaper if I wasn’t travelling alone everywhere I go.
Not sure what I was going to encounter, and knowing we’d be going on a bumpy road, I took my old 20D camera out, leaving my 1D back in the guesthouse. The new 24-105L lens continued to excel also, providing a great focal range, as well as macro abilities, as already shown in previous posts.
Looking hungry…
A limbless beggar boy, in a tin cup
On the way to school
After some slight disappointment on this trip, Sou Sok gave me the keys to his motorcycle to ride the bumpy 17km back to Siem Reap. Now that was some fun, zipping left and right to avoid the pot holes, wandering dogs, and speeding buses.
Siem Reap Riverside Guesthouse before I left
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07.02.07
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 7:00 am by Warren Williams
After a hectic day previously, having to negotiate swarms of tourists, I asked my tuk tuk driver to take to a quiet temple, and we came to this peaceful lake, Sras Srang.
My great tuk tuk/motorcycle driver playing around with my 20D camera, whilst I made use of my new Canon 1D MkIII.
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06.30.07
Posted in Landscape, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
After an already hectic first 3 days of travelling, I thought it would be great to keep up the momentum and head straight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. The cheaper flights arrive in the capital, Phnom Penh, but then there’s a 5-6 hour bus ride (314km), to Siem Reap. Transportation is very cheap, with buses costing between US$4-10. I had a bit of a run in with a taxi, who took me straight to a hotel on a back street. I didn’t ask to go there, but he took me there, unloaded my bags, before I reminded him I’m not staying the night, and will be travelling by bus to Siem Reap. The driver swore at me, then said “don’t you speak to me again!” and drove eratically to a nearby bus station. Unfortunately I just missed the 10am bus, and had to wait for the 11:30am bus. First impressions of Phnom Penh were obviously not good, and I was very glad to get out of there.
Flying in from BKK to Phnom Penh, can see the wet landscape of rice fields
At the half way point of the bus trip, we stopped for some lunch… Just at this moment a heavy rain storm passed, which over the next couple of days proved to be a regular occurence.
Once arrived in Siem Reap, there were 50 odd tuk tuk drivers, who charged up to the few Westerners travelling by bus, offering cheap rides of $1. Surprise, surprise there was a young man there with my name. He showed a place of recommendation on the back of the tuk tuk, a simple advertisement. I decided to trust him, and also made mention that the place is only a year or so old. We arrived at “Siem Reap Riverside“, which was actually quite nice to what I had seen driving through the town! Finally something was going well.
The ride can be bone-jarring
Tonight’s dinner
Siem Reap Riverside guest house was 100metres past here on the right. 300metres out of town
My first early night, as I have a 5am get up for Angkor Wat.
NASA image of Angkor Wat
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06.29.07
Posted in People, Travel at 6:30 pm by Warren Williams
Soon after the Cobra show, we were whistled by the Wood Carving Shop. Another way for them to make some money. Some of the displays are highly impressive, however at several thousand US$ a piece, I really wonder where this money is going.
The greatest relief came from the air conditioned luxury van ride, back to Bangkok. I was the last to be dropped off, and was still a further 30min away in traffic, so was dropped off at MBK shopping centre. NZ$100 spent on loads of T shirts, and a DVD, and sent most of it back home to NZ… The parcel cost… Another $100
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Posted in Animals, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
A small van ride around the corner from Damnoen Saduak, and we were at the famed Cobra Show.
The van load of tourists, including myself were all a tad sceptical before going in, and the price was more than other small attractions. I decided to break the ice first, and pay up, and head through the gates. The arena was filled with a few rows, around 3 sides, but I decided to sit down on the front corner, to get the best angles, but also TRY to be safe – Safety… Yeah right. The crowd sits a mere couple of metres from the live shows, with some shallow water, and a 2-3 foot wall providing psychological protection 😉
The show started with an amazing Cobra handler, and came within millimetres of being jabbed with venom. The next couple of acts, included a Python, jumping snakes and some more poisonous water snakes. There was also a Mongoose Vs. Cobra fight, which looked rather nasty – Thailand seems to allow some forms of animal cruelty for pleasure viewing to demonstrate what does happen in the wild. The poor snake did have numerous wounds/scars down it’s scales.
Nerves of Steel
Enough venom to kill several villagers
Mongoose Vs Cobra (2 – 0)
Anaconda 4 anyone?
My, my, what sharp teeth you have
Close shave
Another close one
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06.28.07
Posted in General, People, Travel at 2:00 pm by Warren Williams
The British Airways flight leaving Sydney to Bangkok was delayed by two hours due to a blocked oil filter on one of the engines. We ended up arriving in Bangkok after midnight, where the local temperature was a very sticky 27°C. I found a cheap hotel to stay, just off from Sukhumvit Road, near the centre of some large shopping centres, such as Siam Paragon and MBK.
The heat and smell was as I remembered back in my first trip of 1989. Unbearably hot, street stalls everywhere selling mostly food, and traffic in every direction. As darkness falls, the heat remains, and the nightlife comes out.
The only way to deal with congestion, police traffic wardens at every intersection.
Traffic under the Sky Train network
People walk the narrow railway corrider
The sky train, which provides fast connections between each suburb and shopping centres.
Tuk-tuk’s are everywhere
Hualomphong station, where I walked to from Sukhumvit Road.
My next destination was Ayutthaya, travelling 3rd class with the locals. The fare cost 15 Bhat (US 50 cents) for the near 100km journey North. I think Western worlds need to follow suit 😉
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06.26.07
Posted in General, People, Travel at 11:00 pm by Warren Williams
Been an extremely busy couple of weeks, bought a new 5D camera, but looks like it won’t arrive in time, so today went out and purchased a new Canon 1D Mk III from Auckland Camera.
Kirst was the perfect photo subject to test out the new camera, with my 50/85mm prime lens.
I leave New Zealand tomorrow, heading to Thailand and Cambodia for 12 days, before living in South East London/Kent, UK. Will also spend some weekends away at Hastings beach with family during summer. Farewell.
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06.15.07
Posted in General, People, Sport at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
My sisters boyfriend, Josh, shows how it’s done. Skateboarding at Te Pai Park, Henderson, Auckland
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06.02.07
Posted in General, Motorsport, People at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Manfeild race track, held host to the inaugural DFactor drift series. The weather was on edge, for wreaking havoc, however came under control, and the threatening skies never rained for more than a couple of minutes.
24 cars battled for the Top 16, which saw some of NZ’s top drift competitors battling it out for good prize money.
The final came down to Mr Consistent, Carl Ruiterman, and Curt Whittaker. Curt lead with lots of smoke, and was also very close in the chase, which rewarded him with the Round 1 honours. Adam Richards and Mad Mike rounded out the Top 4.
This is my last drift event in NZ, before travelling through Thailand & Cambodia, before settling in England.
Full gallery can be viewed here
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05.13.07
Posted in General, Motorsport, People at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
The Drift Revolution drifting championship held it’s second round (as Round 2, Pukekohe was cancelled just prior to the V8 Supercars). Rian Herrick and Kylie (Project Bengal Drift) put a lot of effort into this round, ensuring a safe but fun event. Despite small crowd numbers, everyone in attendance had a great time.
Rian Herrick in his newly painted Cefiro
Adam Richards, 2005 D1NZ drift king smoking it up in his new Cefiro
Round winner, Carl Ruiterman leads Mike Turley – top qualifier in the final battle.
G-Mutch in his new WRX, was initially awarded 3rd place, however was disqualified due to this stunt of drifting after the checkered flag.
Mike Turley spraying the bubbles over Carl Ruiterman. Jason Sellers, was promoted to 3rd position after G-Mutch’s relegation. He can be seen in the white cap.
Full gallery can be viewed below:
www.warrenwilliams.co.nz/drift_revolution3/
Images will also be in July’s issue of NZ Performance Car magazine – get your copy soon!
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05.06.07
Posted in General, Motorsport, People at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
JT in his new RX7
Nick Teeboon
Emile Stevenson
Darren McDonald
Click to see the full frame by frame action of Andrew Redward rolling his Nissan Laurel in spectacular fashion
Full gallery can be viewed here
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03.09.07
Posted in General, Landscape, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Spent a day at Motuihe Island, planting trees, and enjoying a BBQ and some sport games. Some good volunteering fun.
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03.04.07
Posted in Aviation, People, Sport, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
My last day in Wellington, involved catching up with Bob Leask and Will Mallinson – two fellow aviation enthusiasts. Started off, where-else, but the airport. We soon drove around to Lyall Bay – still next to the airport, and checked out the surf which was rolling through.
We then proceeded to parliament, however weren’t able to take cameras in, so decided to go to the cable car instead.
The weekend drew to an end, returned the camera gear to Tim, and took the 6pm flight back to Auckland. Waved goodbye to the pristine weather in Wellington, and hello to the thunderstorm over the Manukau harbour on our final approach to Runway 05R at Auckland International.
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03.03.07
Posted in Animals, Aviation, General, People, Travel at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
Kitted with Tim’s 20D and 17-55mm f2.8 IS lens and my own Sigma 120-300mm, I made the attempt to find something interesting to do. Walked along to the information centre, grabbed some brochures, and was off for a quick read. I had my eyes fixed on the Seal visit, but seemed rather expensive, and had seen some in Kaikoura, in late 2005, so wasn’t too worried about seeing them. Decided to check out the wildlife sanctuary up in Karori.
Before heading East, took a quick stroll around Frank Kitts Park, and Te Papa…
A quick 10 min bus ride (yeah Wellington is very small ;)) – and I was already there. Surprisingly the air was still.
Soon through the entrance, I met a young German couple, Daniel & Annalena (hello!) – www.dspiecker.com
Here are just a few of the birds I stumbled across:
After walking for 6 hours practically non stop, decided it was time to head back.
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03.02.07
Posted in Aviation, General, People at 6:00 pm by Warren Williams
I was originally to fly to Blenheim for a wedding in the Marlborough Sounds, however this wedding was postponed, so still took the flight for a weekend away to see friends in Wellington. Travelling light, I left my Digital SLR equipment at home, and took a Fuji point and shoot camera instead – this led to some improvisation.
Bob Leask – www.musice.co.nzÂ
The second half of the day, met up with another photography friend, Tim Wild (www.wildphotography.co.nz)
He was kind enough to lend me use his camera gear for the weekend.
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