SGTrekker's 7D6N Sri Lanka Vesak Day Photography Tour (13th - 19th May 2011)

[ClemC]

Wow, that looks heavy!
Aiyah... this Collin ah.. we all know him too well already lah. He is always either going bare-foot to the seaside, holding his camera way way down low shooting from a low angle, and in the process losing a slipper or two; or going right into the local's faces in temples and monasteries shooting their portraiture in the special Colin's way!
Wahahahaha...!

Yes.. I have also "learnt" about Colin's way during this trip.. Very unique right UP your face approach .. Wonder if he has been told off by anyone on any of the other trips?

Wow, that looks heavy!
Eh.. can you tell me more about what 'washing and salting' the fishes?
You mean, they use sea water to wash the fish and that's all they do to consider them cleaned before putting the fishes into the frying pans to cook?
And this 'salting' thing.. you mean like, putting layers of salt onto the fish to preserve them?

Wee how,
not sure about the salting.. since adrian mentioned salting in the earlier post
I thought they are washing...
basically they pour out those fishes from the blue container into the basket.. then bring it to the sea.. and do some sort of rinsing action.. then put back.. then i believe will bring to sunning them.
The condition of the fish... ahem.. i wont eat them lo. mabe they are making salted fish? lol

Sorry.. whow & nleong.. I think it was me that first mentioned "Salting the Fishes"...
From what I can understand and observe over two sessions at the Fish Market..

1. Smallish fishes caught get untangled from the Fishing Net.
2. Those smallish fishes are subsequently placed in Blue Containers (which are filled with the collected seawater) and left to ferment/salt the fishes.
3. After XX hrs, the salt water (with additional stench) is discarded and the smallish fishes (which has been salted) are poured onto tray basket and brought out to sea to rinse.
4. The tray baskets are brought to another location, where they are spread out and leave to dry. i.e. end of process - Salted fishes...

As to the number of iterations for step 2 & 3.. cant confirm as we didn't stay long enough... What we have witnessed are the respective individual steps.



Anyone for Salted Fish Claypot Rice tonight?

 

[limwhow]

Yes... Someone... accidently deleted all (day1/2) from SD card... (hope it has be recovered by the Mac Program).. that someone has not started posting or appear in this thread yet... but was mentioned in the thread.. hehehheee

Yes, whow - Colin did mentioned it is his second time.. first time Sandisk.. second time Kingston...

Oh... I see I see. No wonder never see her posting her pictures even until now and she so quiet never say a single thing. A** luck. Haha...

 

[SgTrekker]

Anyone for Salted Fish Claypot Rice tonight?[/QUOTE]

The fishermen dumps the basket of fish in the sea as part of the Brine salting process, which is a temporary process of salting fish before they are sun dried, smoked or processed. Apparently it lowers the water content of the fish to the point where micro-organisms are unable to grow while at the same time, firms up the texture of the fish. Salt of course partially dehydrates the fish and kills bacteria...

So reassuringly, i guess i do not mind the salted fish claypot and will resume my fish diet again!

 

[SgTrekker]

After visiting the fish market, we headed down to Negombo town for the fish auctions. Along the way, I came across a local cutting up a Jackfruit, also known as a "Nangka" in Malay (reference courtesy of Shah!) which was used to make curry.

According to our guide Mr Upul, locals who were too poor to afford rice, could just pluck a Nangka, cook it with curry and eat it as such. Apparently it tastes pretty good and the end result looks suspiciously like mutton curry!


Jackfruit by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

The fish auction we went to was a smaller one but the idea was to get a feel of how fish were traded to the retailers and locals. Pardon me but I was abit nauseous at the smell of the fish and couldn't tahan inside for long. I'm pretty sure most of my group mates had far better shots (especially DivineM, with his 'story shot')


Fish Auction 2 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Fish Auction by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

 

[SgTrekker]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61625574@N02/sets/72157626768463022/

Hey Mageman, welcome welcome! hope to see more of your photos yah? i'm sure you have much more to share

 

[Daoyin]

Enjoying this "fishy" tale as it unfolds.

 

[ClemC]

Oh... I see I see. No wonder never see her posting her pictures even until now and she so quiet never say a single thing. A** luck. Haha...

LATEST UPDATE :- Pics RECOVERED (by Professionals at SL Sq).. guess posts will start soon.. we are all waiting for the pic of a stall holder selling banana, fruits... etc... the one that nearly got deleted permamently

The fishermen dumps the basket of fish in the sea as part of the Brine salting process, which is a temporary process of salting fish before they are sun dried, smoked or processed. Apparently it lowers the water content of the fish to the point where micro-organisms are unable to grow while at the same time, firms up the texture of the fish. Salt of course partially dehydrates the fish and kills bacteria...

So reassuringly, i guess i do not mind the salted fish claypot and will resume my fish diet again!

Adrian - thanks for the Science... I started on Fish a few days ado.. guess I'm not affected.. LOL






After Negombo:
We travelled for about 5 hrs (including lunch) to reach the first ancient city of Anaradhapura...

from Wikipedia -
Anuradhapura, (අනුරාධපුරය in Sinhala, அனுராதபுரம் in Tamil), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.

The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world

From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).

[Sorry.. I have forgotten about the fish auction place.. holding my horses.. waiting for "Fruit-Seller" by SimiLing and "Fish Auction Story" by Divinemoment]

 

[SgTrekker]

While i wait for my groupmates to share their fish auction shots (Colin, bring out your prata man shot!), i'll amble slowly to Anuradhapura.

It was a relatively long drive up towards Anuradhapura, about 4.5 hours. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and famous for its stupas and ruins. We visited the Ruwanweliseya, one of the largest stupas built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugemunu.


Monks at Ruwanweliseya 2 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

The dagaba was architecturally conceived to look like a bubble of milk, representing the fragility of life. The large dome represents the vastness of the Buddhist doctrine and the four facets of the box on top represents the 4 noble truths:

a. Life means suffering
b. Origin of suffering is attachment
c. Cessation of suffering is attainable
d. Path to cessation is suffering


Ruwanweliseya Dagaba by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr


Devotees at Ruwanweliseya by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

The concentric rings thereafter indicate the eightfold path that is the way to end suffering: Understanding, Aspiration, Effort, Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Mindfulness and Concentration.

 

[limwhow]

While i wait for my groupmates to share their fish auction shots (Colin, bring out your prata man shot!), i'll amble slowly to Anuradhapura.

It was a relatively long drive up towards Anuradhapura, about 4.5 hours. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka and famous for its stupas and ruins. We visited the Ruwanweliseya, one of the largest stupas built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugemunu.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/singaporetrekker/5739349986/
Monks at Ruwanweliseya 2 by Singapore Trekker, on Flickr

Adrian, the quality of these shots is remarkable. Beautiful arrangement of the orange robed monks. Lovely camera and outstanding lens, not to mention the photographer!

 

[limwhow]

And er... Colin the Ang Moh is going to start posting his photos? Now that is really something!
I've not seen his photos on CS despite so many trips.
Colin, when you successfully overcome the tedious steps of navigating and hot-linking your Flickr photos to finally start posting in ClubSNAP, I am going to buy you, and SgTrekker an emergency beer the next time we meet!
Come on, mate! Looking forward to your shots, our good Ang Moh!!

 

[divinemoment]

LATEST UPDATE :- Pics RECOVERED (by Professionals at SL Sq).. guess posts will start soon..

Not only her photos were recovered, she was so determined to make her pic stand that she bought a PS book !!

After Negombo:
We travelled for about 5 hrs (including lunch) to reach the first ancient city of Anaradhapura...

from Wikipedia -
Anuradhapura, (අනුරාධපුරය in Sinhala, அனுராதபுரம் in Tamil), is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.

The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world

From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).

[Sorry.. I have forgotten about the fish auction place.. holding my horses.. waiting for "Fruit-Seller" by SimiLing and "Fish Auction Story" by Divinemoment]

Well done ClemC, a nice travelogue (something that we missed).

 

[divinemoment]

Every thread in SG trekker contains food photography and in order to continue the trend, this is a poor emulation of limwhow legacy and this the closet I can get for your palate albeit uncooked. Sorry, still at Day 00 at the fish market where ClemC and me ventured there about 5pm. Not many activities going on at this hr.

 

[divinemoment]

Enjoying this "fishy" tale as it unfolds.

Hello my friend, the walking historian.

 

[ClemC]

Day 02 (thanks to Norman for pointing this out.. according to our 6D5N trip.. this should be Day 02)

We travelled to the ancident city of Anuradhapura and head straight to the Ruwanweliseya Stupa/Dagaba. What makes this visit even more interesting is the devotees that have started streaming in (in anticipation of the Vesak Holiday) and there were a lots of visiting monks, a few processions and a monk explaining buddhist teachings.

Mr. Upul (our local guide) explained to us that the coastal towns have much more western influence as they were colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch and British before they gain independence on the 4th Feb 1948. The central part of Sri Lanka was only "invaded" later with the help of some locals. This explain why there are Churches, Hindu Temples and Buddhist Temples along all the coastal towns, distribution is about 1/3 of the population for each religion. Whereas the adopted religion in central areas is predominently Buddhism.

I will just describe the Buddhist Flag (as shown in the above pic), which you will see a lot more in the next few days of our travelogue.

The five colors of the flag represent the six colours of the aura which Buddhists believe emanated from the body of the Buddha when he attained Enlightenment:

Blue (Nila): Loving kindness, peace and universal compassion

Yellow (Pita): The Middle Path - avoiding extremes, emptiness

Red (Lohita): The blessings of practice - achievement, wisdom, virtue, fortune and dignity

White (Odata): The purity of Dharma - leading to liberation, outside of time or space

Orange (Manjesta): The Buddha's teachings - wisdom

The sixth vertical band, on the fly, is made up of a combination of rectangular bands of the five other colours, and represents a compound of the other five colours in the aura's spectrum. This compound colour is referred to as Pabbhassara ('essence of light').​

 

[ClemC]

Day02
Anuradhapura, Ruwanweliseya Stupa - A MONK

 

[ClemC]

Day 02
Anuradhapura, Ruwanweliseya Stupa - A UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.

There are only a very few times in my life where I have hestitated to bring up my camera to shoot a subject. Especially if it is a moment that I know would be good to capture.

At the base of the Dagaba we meet a monk. He was standing with both his feet on a cloth that is only slightly larger that his feet. His monk's bowl was turned upside down and there was a sign that read:

I Do Not Use Money !!
Please Do Not Donate.
Video & Photographing is Allowed.
Please Do Not Talk With Me.
​

An extremely skinny, abnormally thin, and fragility frail person was right in front of me.. you could see the emptiness in his eyes.. yet you can feel the determination of his mind.. the unmovable belief that he has in his religion.


This image has been "haunting" (in a good way) me for a few days and will likely be there for a few moons times.. I am sure it will remain as one of the hghlight in my Sri Lanka trip...

I'm quite sure it will not stir your emotions as much as it affected me.. I guess being there in person is just different.. and maybe there was a link in previous lives or a message that I was suppose to receive/ or learn

 

[divinemoment]

Nice making use of tress to shield the sun and waiting for the flag to flap up.

 

[divinemoment]

Day 02
Anuradhapura, Ruwanweliseya Stupa - A UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.

There are only a very few times in my life where I have hestitated to bring up my camera to shoot a subject. Especially if it is a moment that I know would be good to capture.

At the base of the Dagaba we meet a monk. He was standing with both his feet on a cloth that is only slightly larger that his feet. His monk's bowl was turned upside down and there was a sign that read:

I Do Not Use Money !!
Please Do Not Donate.
Video & Photographing is Allowed.
Please Do Not Talk With Me.
​

An extremely skinny, abnormally thin, and fragility frail person was right in front of me.. you could see the emptiness in his eyes.. yet you can feel the determination of his mind.. the unmovable belief that he has in his religion.


This image has been "haunting" (in a good way) me for a few days and will likely be there for a few moons times.. I am sure it will remain as one of the hghlight in my Sri Lanka trip...

I'm quite sure it will not stir your emotions as much as it affected me.. I guess being there in person is just different.. and maybe there was a link in previous lives or a message that I was suppose to receive/ or learn

I do not understand what his trying to portray or achieve. Though I'm not a buddhist, his "self pity" is not good testimony for someone who wish to embrace buddhism. Money is needed at least to build temples! Maybe his in the process of soul searching the real meaning of life, but if that is the case, I think its better to go to a hidden corner.

 

[divinemoment]

Divinemoment - Tango Yakee.. hope the footprint was not staged as well ... like the water shoreline across the pic.. great if it could have cut across diagonally... but we cant ask for everything.. especially since the tide was fast and furious..

As commanded by you.

 

[ClemC]

Nice making use of tress to shield the sun and waiting for the flag to flap up.

BRO DAVID.. you can READ MY MIND?... that was exactly what I did .. LOL...

I do not understand what his trying to portray or achieve. Though I'm not a buddhist, his "self pity" is not good testimony for someone who wish to embrace buddhism. Money is needed at least to build temples! Maybe his in the process of soul searching the real meaning of life, but if that is the case, I think its better to go to a hidden corner.

Interesting read, interesting difference in opinion... For me, his act got me thinking about what I have in life and how fortunate I was, etc... etc.. how difficult and how strong his motivation is.. I never see his act from the angle of being a "self-pity" act... BUT what you said is definitely a different view, a valid view.. guess with a richer life experience, thinking can be broaden...

Maybe now I can sleep better

As commanded by you.

Divinemoment - dont like that la.. you have the idea.. I was just observing...

By the time I want to play with this "toy", it was taken away for making FISH CURRY!!!!... LOL