July 14, 2007

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  Time To Move On

  
  

  We had a wonderful relationship, you and I. The memories will stay imprinted in my mind for as long as I live. We’d travelled to faraway places together, shared magnificent views, and enjoyed glorious sunsets in exotic locations. How can I forget the first destination I took you to – New York, my favourite city in the whole world – where I’d lavished you with gifts: a Sigma lens, a Manfrotto tripod, Tiffen filters and that timeless accessory, a Lowepro bag. We’d experienced it all – hot, cold, sand and snow. But it is time for me to move on.

  
  

  You have to understand, it’s not you, it’s me. I know, it’s so cliché but in this instance it’s true. I feel there is room for more growth within me. You’d taught me alot and I will always be grateful but I have found another, one that’s slightly older than you but whose sophistication is quite high. It is just what I need to take me to the next level. I don’t mean to degrade you by that. You’re far better than alot of others in your class. So with that, I bid you farewell and good luck.  

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  Adios Sony Alpha A100 
  
  

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  Hello there Nikon D200

  
  

   

  
  

  
  For those wondering, this was written with tongue firmly in cheek.

  
  

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  Asian Trip: Lijiang, China

  
  

  Friday 5th May 2007

  
  

  My final day in Lijiang was to be one for relaxation. Days of arduous trekking had rendered my legs to latent jelly. Still, I’d managed to conjure up some strength to trudge to the Black Dragon Pond Park, another attraction of Lijiang.
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Upon arrival, one is greeted by the sight of palm painting

  
  

  
  

  
  

  More info

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Peacocks for hire for photographic sessions

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Black Dragon Pond

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Closer view

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Gallery of padlocks

  
  

  
  

  
  

  For a nominal fee you can inscribe a message

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  A few locals actually inhabit the Park, such as this woman washing her vegetables.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  This is only a guess but I reckon that statue is of someone important from China’s history

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Yep, he looks important alright

  
  

  
  

  
  

  This I had to check out…

  
  

  
  

  
  

  …not particularly impressive

  
  

  
  There is also a trail up the hills leading to a panoramic view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Crucially, there is a sign warning potential ramblers to go in groups of no less than four as strangers sometimes wander in to commit robbery. There wasn’t any need for me to go as I already have ample photographs of the Mountain so I’d headed back to the Old Town.  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Cooking up some sort of pancake

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The Old Town

  
  

  
  

  
  

  A novel way of carrying and shielding your kid from the sun

  
  

  
  

  
  

  As long as the kid doesn’t suffocate

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Weaving silk

  
  

  
  

  
  

  “Oh no, I forgot to spray deodorant!”

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Naxi locals dancing to a traditional tune

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Tourists joining in

  
  

  
  

  
  

  She seems quite bored by it all

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Who you lookin’ at? Er, you?

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Naxi performing on stage

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Just what did he kill to wear on his head?

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Naxi dessert. By the time I got round to trying one, they were all sold out.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  That was one robe I would have liked to have tried on…

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Someone clearly bored by her job

  
  

  
  

  
  

  A wide variety of meat on offer for barbecuing

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Mmmm…

  
  

  
  

  
  

  I went to try a selection of tea and purchased quite a few boxes to take back home. I took some to work and my colleagues were particularly impressed by the various flavours, especially our former receptionist.  

  
  

  The next day I had to wake up early to catch a connecting flight in Kunming to return to Hong Kong. My first venture to the Motherland was interesting but if I am to return I will learn some Mandarin first.
   

  
  

  
  

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  Marriage Lies

  
  

  
  There was this couple that was married for 20 years, and every time they made love the husband always insisted on shutting off the lights. Well, after 20 years the wife felt this was stupid. She figured she would break him out of the crazy habit.
  
  So one night, while they were in the middle of a romantic session, she turned on the lights.
  
  She looked down and saw her husband was holding a battery operated pleasure device. She got extremely upset. “You impotent bastard!” she screamed at him, “how could you be lying to me all of these years? You better explain yourself!”
  
  The husband looks her straight in the eyes and says calmly, “I’ll explain the toy if you explain the kids.”

  
  

   

  
  

  
  

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  Unique

  
  

   

  
  

   
  
  

  • 12:05 pm
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