Tag Archives: portraits

Head-hunters once lived here.  In spite of the inroads made by nineteenth century Christian missionaries, the men of the Tanimbar Islands were still known as fierce warriors well into the independence fights of the twentieth century. Today, local languages and many traditional beliefs, ceremonies, and dances survive. On the largest Tanimbar Island of Yamdena, the […]

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Even today, scattered pockets of ethnic communities manage to live much as they have done for hundreds of years. I was on a small-group photo-tour in India’s union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. We were staying in traditional wooden houseboats – albeit with hot water, electricity, and wifi – in the middle of Dal Lake […]

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High in the Western Ghats of South India they grow tea. The Kerala Tourism Organisation says the micro-climate at these altitudes produces a tea of exceptional quality with a distinctive flavour profile that sets it apart from other teas. I’m not a tea drinker, so I can’t comment on that – but I can attest […]

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When you think of India, what do you think of first? I think of colour and culture and chaos and crowds. Kerala, in the southwest is all that. But, it is also impossibly green hill stations in the foothills, countless rivers and waterways in the valleys, and the rugged mountains of the Western Ghats higher […]

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Blues musicians rock! The entertainers at the Thredbo Blues Festival last month had me smiling from ear to ear. This little event takes place in the charming alpine village for which it is named, high in Australia’s Snowy Mountains. For two and a half days, the restaurants, bars, and public spaces are bouncing with joyful […]

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