Category: Asia
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Hunder
Hunder Bright white sand dunes, a dark biker, halted. Sand waves gently rippling behind a mirror of still water. Photo of the week: Hunder, Ladakh, India 2019
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Peacekeeping Buddha
Peacekeeping Buddha At Diskit, a village near the confluence of the Shyok and Nubra rivers, a large Buddha peeps over the mountains. His gaze follows the course of the Shyok River westwards towards Pakistan. It is a Maitreya or Future Buddha; the people hope he can prevent another war with Pakistan and protect the village.…
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From LAC to LOAC
From LAC to LOAC Admire the silvergrey course of the Shyok River, close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) which forms the contested border between India and China. Not far from this valley soldiers of the two countries recently bashed each others brains in with spiked clubs, like two hostile, primitive mountain tribes. Now…
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Mani stones
Mani stones You find them near temples and monasteries, along paths and mountain passes, in the middle of nowhere. Piled up by pilgrims they form mounts or long walls that mark the landscape of the Tibetan cultural region. Texts are skillfully cut in relief on the stones. Often it’s the mantra « om mani padme…
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Little Tibet
Little Tibet The robust architecture is in harmony with the severe landscape. We imagine ourselves to be in Tibet but we are in Ladakh, the western corner of the Tibetan cultural region that became part of India in the 19th century. Neighbouring Tibet is now, much to its chagrin, part of China. A ‘Line of…
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Moonscape
Moonscape Hiking in the rarified atmosphere of the deserted mountain scenery of Ladakh, a sporadic cairn may remind you that you are not walking on the moon but on earth. Or else the mirage of a distant buddhist monastery can enlighten you. Photo of the week: Temisgam, seen from Meptak La, 3845m, Trek from Himis…
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Red mountain
Red mountain After last week’s blue lake, today a red mountain. Wonders of the high altitude desert of Trans Himalayan Ladakh. Photo of the week: Between Rongti La and Meptak La, Trek from Himis Shukpa to Ang, Ladakh, India 2019
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Blue lake
Blue lake Unlike Lake Pangong where bullets of the Indian and Chinese armies may whizz past your head, the other big lake of Ladakh, Tsomoriri, is all peace and quiet. At 4500 m. altitude only the thin air may cause some discomfort. Photo of the week: Tsomoriri Lake, Ladakh, India 2019
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The Red Maple
The Red Maple When desperate and tired of the society of men I find refuge with trees Living off water, air, sun their feet firmly planted in the earth their foliage in full splendour overhead and no blood on their hands Photo of the week: Daitoku-ji complex, Koto-in, Kyoto, Japan 2008
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Sento Park
Sento Park The raking together of dead leaves is not exactly an occupation that captures the imagination. Except in Japan. With their neat appearance the lady gardeners show respect and dedication to their work. It reminds me of the title of a book – which I aptly modify here for the occasion: Zen and the…
καιρός remembered 