W@NnA ShOOt?!!!

"-UC-Davis-"

2010-09-18T01:51:00.004+07:00

Two months in Davis, besides several good friends I made, this is all I have left as memory of Davis.
@Sylyvann

"-Sacramento-"

2010-08-13T05:16:00.001+07:00

Sacramento State Capitol of California.

Old Sacramento.
@Sylyvann

"-YOSEMITE-"

2010-08-05T08:17:00.005+07:00

The view was awesome :) :D
@Sylyvann

"-General Sherman and Sentinel-"

2010-08-03T05:15:00.008+07:00

General Sherman, aged 3200 years old, is the largest living tree in the Planet.

Sentinel, aged 2200 years old, is only the average size of the Sequoia trees inhabited in Sequoia National Park.

Other Sequoia trees.

The trees are amazingly huge @Sylyvann

"-POINT REYES NATIONAL PARK-"

2010-07-25T01:40:00.009+07:00

My third trip outside Davis, the beauty of the Pacific Ocean was breathtaking. However, I wish I will be coming here again in Spring so that I can enjoy more its beauty when green grass grows, colorful flowers blossoms in the field of Point Reyes National Park.

The Lighthouse of Point Reyes.

@Sylyvann

"-Trip to San Fransisco-"

2010-07-12T10:17:00.013+07:00

My first trip outside Davis in the US. San Fransisco is a very interesting city and lively although the weather is quite unpleasant for me. I caught cold after I came back from the trip. However, trip to San Fransisco was worthwhile.

San Fransisco City from the sea.

Alcatraz Prison.

The famous Golden Gate :)

I've never known that San Fransisco is a hill city like this.

Evening dance at Union Square.
@Sylyvann

"-Davis for ME after One Week-"

2010-07-04T11:15:00.008+07:00

The Pacifico Student Housing Co-operative.... That's where I am living and meeting quite a lot of friendly friends here....

The Drew Circle :P

On the way from my place to Downtown Davis...

Downtown Davis...

Well to say the least, Davis is quite a peaceful city; it scares me sometime though :) Nothing much to do or to see but there's a few good places to hang out at night :) The weather is good, people enjoy riding bicycle; however I am still walking most of the time.
@Sylyvann

"-Farmer Market-"

2010-06-27T13:54:00.006+07:00

Well, nothing much to expect from this post as I didn't get many nice shots. Farmer market is open only twice a week, on Wednesday from morning till noon and on Saturday in the evening. All food, fruit and vegetable are organic.

"-Some First Shots In The States-"

2010-06-26T12:34:00.011+07:00

Some of my first shots in the States, well it was between 0800 and 0830pm while I was waiting for my pick up in front of Sacramento Airport.

@Sylyvann

"-10 Hours in Incheon Airport, Seoul; Korea-"

2010-06-26T08:52:00.025+07:00

On my way to the States, I stopped over in Incheon Airport in Seoul, South Korea after 4 or 5 hour flight away from home. I spent 10 hours going around the airport taking picture though I got only less than 3 hours sleep during the night flight. There's nothing much to see around or to do except for a free internet to kill my time and boredom. What a flight to the US???

@Sylyvann

"-FUN TIME-"

2010-05-18T12:00:00.004+07:00

It's fun time in Kep province:)

Can monk drive? hehehe...

@Sylyvann

"-Royal Plowing Ceremony in Siem Reap-"

2010-05-18T11:28:00.004+07:00

As far as I know, it's the first time that the "Royal Plowing Ceremony" is held in Siem Reap province. It has been always celebrated on the terrace in front of National Museum called "Veal Mén" in Phnom Penh. The event attracted hundreds of thousands locals and tourists who almost flooded Angkor Thom. The event is held on the 0205010.

Even the king's car needed to take another route to enter Angkor Thom as its main gate was flooded by both local and international visitor who try to entered Angkor Thom to witness the event.

I have never seen a scene like this before.

They even climbed over the ruined temple so they could see the event.

The Royal pavilion built over the Elephant Terrace overlooking the ceremony.

The acting King and Queen in the ceremony are from Royal family this year.

@Sylyvann

"-BOENG YEAK LOM-"

2010-05-18T11:00:00.004+07:00

Traditional Kreung minority's bride and groom houses near Boeng Yeak Lom.

The bride's house.

The mysterious Boeng Yeak Lom in Banlung, Rattanak Kiri.

@Sylyvann

"-New Model-"

2010-05-05T15:40:00.005+07:00

Khmer Buddhist monk in Angkor Thom during "Royal Plowing Ceremony" in Siem Reap on the 02.05.2010.Though he knew that I was trying to photograph him, he's still acting cool as if he knew nothing about my presence, which was also great for my shots:)

@Sylyvann

"-PREAH VISHNU IN ANGKOR WAT-"

2010-05-05T14:37:00.004+07:00

Preah Vishnu statue at Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province. I don't know much about religion thing, so no comments and details for these pictures:P hehehe...

@Sylyvann

"-Life Along the Railway in Phnom Penh-"

2010-04-29T14:09:00.004+07:00

These are the businesses along the railway.

It's all about playing ground here.
Almost zero activity in this railway station.

@Sylyvann

"-NATAYA RESORT@KAMPOT-"

2010-04-28T10:51:00.007+07:00

Nataya Resort, in Prek Ampil; situated along the road which connects Sihanouk Ville from Veal Rinh to Kampot- 17 km before reaching Kampot town. The owner of this resort must have had a good connection to have owned this beach :)

@Sylyvann

"-Old Shots in Steung Treng-"

2010-03-24T12:03:00.005+07:00

A bridge crossing Sesan River which runs along the provincial town of Steung Treng was built by Chinese fund.

Sun sets over the Sesan river. The ferry transport the locals to Thala Borivat village Typical Cambodian morning market.
These pictures were taken in mid 2008.

@Sylyvann

"-KHLUB- Buffalo"

2010-03-16T16:08:00.003+07:00

It's called "KHLUB" buffalo because of its horn is curving down its ears. The local said this kind of buffalo is rare and it always brings good luck and fortune to its owner.

@Sylyvann

"CHINESE NEW YEAR IN PHN-"

2010-02-14T16:02:00.010+07:00

Let's just take a look at what is usually and popularly eaten during CHINESE NEW YEAR:) when they're not cooked yet!

Vietnamese kids were riding the elephant at Wat Phnom.

Lauk Yeay Penh's shrine at Wat Phnom.I heard the worshippers there call the statue inside Lauk Ta Thum- then it must be Lauk Ta Thum's shrine at Wat Phnom. Khmer lord of death and Chinese god are cooperating well to make the chinese-khmers, vitenamese-khmers well off:)Offering pork meat to the tiger statue, welcome the year of tiger:)He must be Lauk Ta Thum:) Please take care of my family and make all my wishes come true:)

I was surprised to see not only Chinese-Khmers but also many Vietnameses going to Wat Phnom today..... :-? I found this bird on the concrete path on Wat Phnom lying hopelessly as its wing is wounded. There is a tradition to free to birds at almost every worshipped places in Cambodia. Birds can be bought in different prize depending on type and size (I've never known how much exactly though). I know it's a good deed to buy the bird from the cage and free them, but I have never done that. The bird sellers tricked us by wounding the wing of the birds they sell so that they cannot fly away after being fred. It's sad but it's true that those birds are usually caught back by the sellers.

I felt so pity of the bird I found but I felt even worse when I could not do anything more to help it beside taking the bird to the shaded tree near Lauk Yeay Penh shrine. I know it's gonna die anyway :(

@Sylyvann

"-FISHING IS COMING BACK-"

2010-02-14T15:45:00.003+07:00

A newly built concrete river bank along Sisowath Quay is becoming an attractive place for Cambodian fishing enthusiasts. Some spends no more than two hours, while the others might spend either half the day or full day to go fishing there. Homemade fermented salty fish is popularly used as bait. I was told that there are different type and size of fish being caught, from 100g to 1kg. However the big fish is scarce.
I remeber 10 years ago when my brother was still into fishing, I saw many people came to the river front to fish but those fishermen, including my brother; disappeared little by little due to some construction work along the river bank.
For now, most of the construction works are finished; we have new river bank and fishing comes to its life again:)
@Sylyvann

"-MORNING PIGEONS IN FRONT OF THE ROYAL PALACE-"

2010-02-13T15:55:00.003+07:00

Every early morning, PhnomPenhers enjoy running, jogging, dancing, and playing other sports in front of the Royal Palace. The garden of the river front subsequently becomes a sanctuary for hundreds of pigeons who live in the Royal Palace. The Phnom Penhers usually feed them with corn seed and beans.

@Sylyvann

"-BOAT TRIP ON CHAKTOMUK RIVER-"

2010-02-12T10:19:00.007+07:00

No. 014887

PARKING TICKET

Place: CDC- The Council for the Development of Cambodia

Price: 2000 or 3000 Riels? (Sic!)

Date: 11.02.2010

Invalid after 24 hours.The NAGA, hotel; casino and other entertainment facilities.... Wow closed to the National Assembly, Buddhist Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and right in the centre of Phnom Penh. CAMBODIANNA Hotel, built during the late 60s (Sangkum Reastr Niyum Era) and was then also a casino; is now owned by a Cambodian millionaire Neak Oknha KIT Meng.A tall tree in the Council of the Development of Cambodia.

Four months ago, I took a boat trip with a group of friends to take pictures of Phnom Penh at night along the river. We did 3 hours boat trip, and at that time we spent only 12USD/h for the big boat. Yesterday, I wish to rent the boat for another trip again, that boat, as big as the one I took last time; costs me 30USD/h, and the small one costs 20USD/h. I was told that the boats are now belonging to the Boat Association, and the price is set already. I tried to call the owner of the boat I took last time, he charged me 35USD/h for the big boat and 25USD/h for the small one. He's not a member of the Boat Association, but he told me that if he charged cheaper, he will be sued by the Boat Association.

I don't know exactly yet what is the other benefit of becoming the Boat Association beside getting higher price from boat renting. Hope I will figure out later:)

@Sylyvann

"-SUNSET IN SIHANOUK VILLE-"

2010-02-08T20:28:00.003+07:00

A glimpse on the sunset over Sihanouk Ville town. Many has changed during the last 15 years.

@Sylyvann

"-EXPLORING KOH SAMPAUCH@SIHANOUK VILLE-"

2010-02-08T11:21:00.009+07:00

The dock along National Road No.4, it is where we start our journey! A one hour and a half boat trip to reach Koh Sampauch. Life in the sea, I am just wondering how long do they work in the water everyday? 8h/d??
Oysters farm along the way to Koh Sampauch, it is believed that eating oysters will stimulate our libido... well well I eat them but not sure if it's working:)
Thmor Thum village, that's where our boat arrives. We need to walk another 30 minutes across the quiet but clean village and a small forest hill to reach the beach of Koh Sampauch.
Serene and wonderful view of the unspoiled beach of Koh Sampauch.
This wooden fence was put by a private chinese company who invest the money to develop the area to ban the boats and tourists from visiting the beach. The case has been compromised and the boats and tourists are allowed now but we will never know how long they will be allowed.
It's a peaceful place worth visiting:)
Peaceful and clean village well-organized for tourists! The name of the village "Thmor Thum", "Big Rock" in English, is named after the big rock on the right side of the dock."Thmor Thum" is a fishing village about an hour and half away from the dock on the National Road No.4 by boat. There are around 40 families living in the village and most of them are Khmer-Muslim. The village road connects the whole village and its visitor to the beautifully unspoiled beach of Koh Sampauch. We need to spend another 30mn walking across the small forest hill to reach beach.
@Sylyvann

"-MANGROOVE FOREST-"

2010-02-05T08:16:00.007+07:00

This is mangroove forestry community in Peam Krosop, Koh Kong Province. Before most of the villagers who're living in the mangroove forest were either employed or self-employed to cut down the forest and produce charcoal. Mangroove tree can produce the best charcoal and was good for money. Good business led to massive deforestation. However, during the last five years, with the help of the government in cooperation with relevant NGOs, mangroove forestry community was set up to protect the areas. Charcoal production is banned and villagers are educated to protect the forest and to find other means to make income. Tourism is one of the options, the mangroove forest was transformed into tourist destination in the province where villagers can run various business.

@Sylyvann

"-SOVANNAHONG-"

2010-02-04T21:23:00.003+07:00

Traditional Khmer dancing, choreographed by Princess Bopha Dhevi; daughter of the former king of Cambodia, King Norodom Sihanouk.

@Sylyvann

"-SUNSET OVER THE RICE FIELD-"

2010-02-04T13:43:00.003+07:00

Along the way back from Kampong Cham province, National Road No. 6A; the sun was setting over the Khmer's rice field. Most of the rice fields along the National Road almost all over the country were sold to private sector during the time land price is peaking. The Khmer rice farmers enjoyed the money from selling their lands by celebrating parties in the village, buying new vcd/dvd player sets and new moto bike for their children. But what would you guess happen to them when the majority of this poorly educated farmer did not use their money to make money (run business) instead of spending on buying new unnecessary household items?
@Sylyvann

"-@ THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY-"

2010-02-02T20:29:00.004+07:00

It happens right in front of our capital city Phnom Penh, just at the other side of the river!

@Sylyvann

"-THE.LAST.MAN.?-"

2010-02-02T10:02:00.005+07:00

With my first digital camera, I took these pictures five years ago (2005) during my first trip to Rattanak Kiri, a mountainous province in the northern part of Cambodia which is home to many different hill tribe people. The man and his wife were around their 90s during that time and were the oldest couples in this Kreung's village, Krola. They both cannot speak Khmer. The ethnic minority communities possess their own unique culture, language, belief and way of life. But during the last two decades, they were undergoing significant change and transition as a result of the pressure of globalization.

I was told that this man was the only person left in the village who still could play this sort of musical instrument. The younger generation are now fond of modern music and to adapt with the new comer, mostly middle Khmer who come and make wealth out of this forest area, Kreung people unconsciously started giving up their traditional cloth and certain customs they practiced before.

@Sylyvann

"-WATERFALLS@MONDULKIRI-"

2010-02-02T09:48:00.007+07:00

MONDULKIRI is home to many beautiful waterfalls:)

@Sylyvann

"-A.DAY@FACTORY-"

2010-02-01T12:28:00.006+07:00

Garment Industry is the largest industry in Cambodia. Many hundred thousands Cambodia's village people, most of who are young female villagers, are employed in the industry. The eight-hour work will earn them 50 to 60USD a month, or 80USD if they do over time work in the evening. The global economic crisis was hitting hard and many Garment Factories in Cambodia were closed leaving behind thousands unemployed workers.

@Sylyvann

"-BUTTERFLIES-"

2010-01-30T12:26:00.004+07:00

Butterflies in the garden... Live and fly freely:)

@Sylyvann

"-STRONG LADY OF CAMBODIA-"

2010-01-28T11:37:00.005+07:00

The first strong lady of Cambodia, Mua Sochua; who dared to sue the "strong man of Cambodia" Prime Minister HUN SEN, was posting for a photograph with her colleague during Cambodia's Independent Day @ 09102009.

@Sylyvann

"-OLIVER STONE @ CAMBODIA-"

2010-01-27T16:35:00.008+07:00

First time I saw in person a famous Hollywood film maker, OLIVER STONE- though he looks quite funny in the gown (an outfit which I don't expect to see on a film maker); he's making quite interesting remarks about his experiences in film industry and peace buidling.

"Sometime fear can be your friend, your allies; so take it and breath it in!", "Don't get married! Get a backpack, get yourself a ticket to nowhere and get your ass off!", said STONE.

Oh my God! I love travelling and exploring, still I want to get married:)

@Sylyvann

"-JACKIE CHAN @ PHN-"

2010-01-27T13:04:00.008+07:00

My first time to see Jackie Chan in person, though he's been to Cambodia for three times already. He made a very inspirational speech about his life, his career, and his effort to save the world to school chidren in International School of Phnom Penh @ 11112009. Jackie Chan, mostly known as Chin Long in Khmer; is a superstart, a kung fu fighter and a hero:)
@Sylyvann

"-THE RUINS-"

2010-01-26T16:17:00.013+07:00

Some snapshots of the ruined stoned temples from last year@ 02-04.01.2009 @ Always remember the time I was there:)

@Sylyvann

"-PHNOM.PENH@2010-"

2010-01-25T23:51:00.005+07:00

I experienced the bird-eyes view of Phnom Penh from the first tallest building in Cambodia for the first time only to find out that the serene and peaceful views of Phnom Penh are eaten up gradually by rapid development of modern city....

@Sylyvann