Slides & Summicrons: Captured moments in Bali

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Was in Bali last weekend. Brought my Hexar RF along with 2 Summicron lenses: The 28mm ASPH and 75mm APO. Lucky for me, the weather was sunny throughout the 4 days I was there so I could shoot comfortably with the slow slides (Provia 100F and Kodak E100VS) I had with me. And yes, I made sure the films were not scanned in the x-ray machine during customs check!

Faces of Bali

I spotted this Balinese idol in Seminyak. The people make offerings to it and Coke was apparently on the menu. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 75mm APO]

Our friendly Balinese diving instructor. Sadly, I can't for the life of me remember his name. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 75mm APO]

Quick shot of a Balinese farmer while travelling to the snorkeling point in Tulamben. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 75mm APO]

It was a hot Friday afternoon and these ladies were probably off to attend a ceremonial function somewhere. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 75mm APO]

Heavy traffic throughout the journey. In someways, the traffic congestion in Bali reminds me of Singapore. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Snorkeling at Tulamben

This lady was nice enough to pose for me -- even though I was half-naked wearing just my swimming trunks! [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 75mm APO]

Not sure if he is related to her. But they seemed like siblings from the way they interacted. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 75mm APO]

One of the helpers who helped with the logistical aspect of our trip. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

The guy on the right was pestering me to buy a shirt from him. I eventually relented and bought one for 70,000IDRs [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Sadly, I find Tulamben a so-so place to snorkel. It's a haven for divers but the waters are too murky compared to places like Semporna or Koh Samui. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - A full day in Ubud

Day 2 and I was out and about again. This time, it was off to the north to visit the temples in Ubud.

Plenty of students running about on Saturday as Indonesian schools apparently operate on a 6-day basis. This girl gets a lift from daddy. [Fuji Provia 100F; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

One of the many padi fields we passed by on our way to Ubud. [Fuji Provia 100F; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

More padi fields. Some of the rice terraces were quite spectacular. [Kodak E100VS; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

Our first stop in Ubud was the holy site known as Goa Gajah (or Elephant Cave). [Kodak E100VS; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

According to my "guide" the place -- Goa Gajah -- is over 300 years old. [Kodak E100VS; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Goa Gajah

Many religious rituals are performed in Goa Gajah, according to my guide. Here, a devotee performs an act of worship. [Kodak E100VS; 75mm Summicron APO]

Local devotees gathering at Goa Gajah. [Kodak E100VS; 75mm Summicron APO]

Many tourists flock to Goa Gajah to catch a glimpse of the idol inside the cave. Sadly, the cave is dark so no pics I could take! [Kodak E100VS; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

From inside the Goa Gajah cave. [Kodak E100VS; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

Aside from the cave, the other unique feature of Goa Gajah is the spring water gushing out from 7 stone idols carved on the wall. [Kodak E100VS; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Goa Gajah

With Goa Gajah being a popular tourist destination, it was hardly a surprise to see dozens of shops just outside the entrance.

[Fuji Provia 100F; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

[Fuji Provia 100F; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

[Fuji Provia 100F; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

[Fuji Provia 100F; 28mm Summicron ASPH]

[Fuji Provia 100F; 75mm Summicron APO]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - The Monkey Zoo

From Goa Gajah, we made several quick trips to other popular parts of Ubud.

These ladies sell bananas that you can purchase and feed to the monkeys. I didn't try eating it, though. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

The local "handler" keeps the monkeys in check. Unlike the Uluwatu monkeys, the ones in Ubud were remarkably well-behaved! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

It was unnerving at first having all these monkeys scampering about. But you soon get used to their presence. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

But don't get too close --these monkeys can (and will) attack if they feel threatened. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

No doubt tired after watching the Holland - Denmark match the night before. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 75mm APO]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - The Grand Palace of Ubud

This place was just a few minutes drive from the Monkey Zoo.

The Palace was closed in several quarters. Visitors could only visit selected areas. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Nice Balinese architecture. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Me so lonely. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Opposite the Palace was a market of sorts. This lady sold me a nice blue scarf for 80,000IDR. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 75mm APO]

Noooo! Not the cameraaaaa!!!!! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 75mm APO]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Pura Tanah Lot

This was the place I really wanted to visit since I set foot on Bali after hearing about the majestic views. Took me almost an hour to reach it from Ubud but in the end it was worth it.

Never thought I'd run into a KISS fan in Bali! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Modern day warriors. Instead of blades, these guide-cum-cameramen are armed with DSLRs. Hmmm, sponsored by Cannon perhaps? [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Ahh! So they are sponsored by Canon after all! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Finally, the fabled temple itself. Good news was it was low tide, so I could walk to the temple. Bad news: By then, I had already run out of film! Sob! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Last shot of the day before I exhausted my entire roll of Provia 100F. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Uluwatu

So the fourth and final day I traveled south towards the province of Uluwatu to visit a another reportedly spectacular temple site.

Just before I left, I managed a shot of these ladies who were waltzing through my hotel. Apparently, they work in the spa section. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

A guide at the Uluwatu temple. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Another guide. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Not a guide. I'm not sure what she does but she was just chillaxing by the area. Another nice Balinese who obliged when asked if I could take her picture. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 75mm APO]

Balinese kids are a lucky lot. They have so many places to go for school excursions! [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

sinned79 · Jun 19, 2012

nice! maybe i should try shooting some slides using my Konica RF too

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Uluwatu Temple

Of all the temples I've visited in Bali, this temple had the most steps. Hardly surprising I guess since it's situated atop a massive cliff. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

But if you can walk the entire length of the cliff wall, you'll be rewarded with magnificent views. [Kodak E100VS; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

The other side of the cliff wall. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

From time to time, you'll bump into the odd monkey or two... [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

...and even some really cute fellow tourists. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - Uluwatu Temple

It seems that every tourist here uses a digital camera. I think I must be the only bloke there shooting with a film camera! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

More steps to climb! [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Monkey victim No.1: This kid had her snacks stolen and eaten by the Uluwatu monkeys. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 28mm ASPH]

Monkey victim No.2: I took a pic of this lady on the sly. 2 minutes later I heard her screams -- a monkey had just stolen her glasses. Moral of story: Mind the monkeys while texting.[Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 75mm APO]

Monkey victim No.3: Hairy harassment! An Uluwatu monkey drops from a tree and latches itself on an unsuspecting boy. Luckily. his dad came back to chase away the monkey. [Fuji Provia 100F; Summicron 75mm APO]

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

sinned79 said:
nice! maybe i should try shooting some slides using my Konica RF too

Haha. Thanks! Shooting film is fun. Just remember to bring enough, especially if you are travelling overseas. I was burning film all day and didn't spot any camera shops in Bali selling slide film. I brought along 6 rolls worth of slides for the Bali trip. Another thing with slides is the tricky metering due to the narrower latitude. So outdoor light conditions will be a concern.

sinned79 · Jun 19, 2012

FBA said:
Haha. Thanks! Shooting film is fun. Just remember to bring enough, especially if you are travelling overseas. I was burning film all day and didn't spot any camera shops in Bali selling slide film. I brought along 6 rolls worth of slides for the Bali trip. Another thing with slides is the tricky metering due to the narrower latitude. So outdoor light conditions will be a concern.

thanks for the tips!

FBA · Jun 19, 2012

Faces of Bali - The resort I stayed in.

It's called the W Retreat & Spa Bali. Nice place but so are many other resorts in Seminyak.