wah piang.... I just got back this afternoon from Bangkok for work.... didnt know there is a list (which is good to see and very encouraging ) ...... but its useless as a chop-place queue fyi
The purpose of this thread was actually meant to act as a 'shout' to let everyone know that Crossing Bridges is alive and well and that we've been doing work and that this year's trip is happening.
I do apologize that registrations and details have not been announced earlier (this normally happens in March-May every year) ...... the state of our various economies in south east asia meant that some of us has had to spend a little more time on career and work first whilst working out the details of CB6 in between..... so, my apologies, gang.
We (the various forums from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Philippines) have been trying to settle dates. Notice the latest add-in country.... so yeah.... we have a new country and community of photogs joining our merry band this year.
Incorporating feedback from last year, expect evening photo-related talks and presentations for this trip. Food feedback from last year is also being incorporated.
We will TRY to cut down on the 4am departures .... and maybe allow participants to get a little more sleep for a day or 2 and move out around 5am ?
Tiger Airways fly to Padang
from Singapore direct 3 times a week..... Tues, Thurs and Saturdays
AirAsia fly to Padang
from KL everyday
So you can imagine the bargaining going on between ourselves in the emails (ha ha
)
I am trying to make it a Saturday to Thursday trip ...... BUT just be prepared to spend an extra day in Padang before OR after the official trip
So.... please accept my apologies if the details are still not out yet...... should be in a couple of days time.
For those of you who are not familiar with Padang , it is smack in the middle of earthquake country and home of the Minanghasa people. The landscape is breathtaking. Farming of cinnamon (Coke buys alot of this from suppliers in Padang area) , coffee and other spices are major industries.. Its main claim to fame is that it is also the home to Nasi Padang and Satay (5cents a stick lol )
I've been here a few times over the years but mostly for work (I'm in the commodities broking business) and from first hand experience can vouch for the beauty, true down-to-earth nature of the place.
Very few foreign tourists visit here except divers, sportfishermen and hardcore surfers who come each year to catch the waves lashing in from the open Indian Ocean off its shores.
p/s I'm sure newbies and those not familiar with the Crossing Bridges project will be wondering what the heck is this all about?
Essentially its an annual event (going on for last 6 years already) where every year, we put together a 6-7 day trip where representatives and participating forum members, moderators, admin from the various south-east Asian countries meet, make friends and shoot ..... and discuss developments and goings-ons in our various forums
As I understand it..... the membership numbers in the participating forums all combined now represent close to or in excess of 300,000 photographers.... so yes, this is one of the efforts in getting various forums from the different countries in creating ties with one another.
Thus the name Crossing Bridges.
Other comments -
Seats available on a first pay first served basis and we try our best to keep a quota of repeat participants in an effort to get first-timers to join...
Althought the trip has a planned and organized itinerary ........... it allows for personal freedom ....to the motto is simple Time and Tide ... and the CB transport..... waits for no man (hitch a ride, catch a cab/bus/bullock cart, get a policeman ... to send you back to hotel or the group at next location. So punctuality is critical
Another thing we discourage is .... herding.
A herd of cows yes.... a herd of photogs not encouraged (unless its a model shoot) . So dont herd unless you enjoying sharing photos of a subject that EVERYONE has shots of too..... I know this is not going to be easy.... the herd (cow?) mentality is strong within us
.... just try best.
So keep your eyes peeled......
