Travel Ahh… Temple “Tufts,” “Curls” and Pagoda Points

Posted on February 2, 2016 by sglaser

Kyoto, Japan

Asia (Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia)

One of the reasons I love Asia so much is because of the architecture — particularly when talking about temples and pagodas. Part of it is the atmosphere created by the devoted, everyday individuals and families who come to worship. I appreciate the sense of calm that pervades along with the burning incense, circling and wafting up to the temple ceilings and then on up to the skies. But also, I really love the tufts, curls and points of the building edges, sides and roofs. I’m sure there are probably more technical terms for these elements of the designs, but the soft, almost dreamy, connotations of “tufts” and “curls” seem quite fitting.

Vietnam (Cham Island, Hoi An)

Indonesia (Bali)

Japan (Kyoto, Osaka)

japanese bridge next to colonial building

Vietnam (Hoi An)

Vietnam (Hue)

Vietnam (Hanoi)

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Travel Ahhh….Lanterns

Posted on October 3, 2015 by sglaser

red lanterns against green building in saigon

Saigon, May 2014: I loved the contrast with the ascending red lanterns and the green and white buildings.

Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2014.

Lanterns make me happy and I’m not sure exactly why. They are hopeful and often remind me of long-held traditions, but also new beginnings. Perhaps that is because they are so prevalent in Asian New Year’s celebrations. They also provide a pop of happy color. The best place to see lanterns has to be Hoi An, Vietnam. At night, lanterns are friendly night lights. In the daytime, they add an Asian aesthetic to the mustard yellow colonial French architecture. Below is a collection of lantern photos.

Yellow lanterns match the mustard colored architecture in Hoi An.

Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.

Lanterns and lotus flowers, too?! Can’t get much better.

Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.

Turning in for the night.

Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.

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The Travel Ahh….The Phenomenal Conical

Posted on November 23, 2014 by sglaser

I think this woman felt bad that I was such a sucker, so she gladly posed for photos and gave me a lighter for the incense.

At Marble Mountain, near Danang, this woman sold me two packets of incense for five dollars. I didn’t even bargain with her. Feeling sorry for me that I was such a sucker, she gladly posed for photos and gave me a lighter for the incense.

On my recent trip to Vietnam, it was a thrill every time I spotted someone wearing a Nón Lá, the traditional conical hat made out of palm leaves and a prevalent symbol of Vietnam. And, after sporting one in both heinous heat and pouring rain, I soon discovered it is the ultimate all-weather hat. Not much has changed with its design over the centuries. Nothing is more effective than combatting the blistering Southeast Asian sun and tropical monsoons. Here are some photos I took of the phenomenal conical.

Women run the show at the Hoi An market.

Hoi An

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Signs of the Times: Stick Figures in Action

Posted on April 3, 2014 by sglaser

I’m a big fan of stick figure signs, especially when the stick figures have a personality. While never having been electrocuted — just minor tingling when I tried to unplug my hair dryer with a wet hand — I’m guessing the second sign is a more accurate depiction of what it’s like to touch a high voltage power box.

Sign One (sorry about the blurriness)

This stick figure could easily be on a caution sign as someone climbing, dancing, falling off a swing etc.

Sign Two

Now here is someone that accurately reflects (I think) being electrocuted. Plus, how evil high voltage can be!

Travel Ahh….Dads

Posted on June 17, 2013 by sglaser

My dad cheeses it up in London with my mom, Judy.

This is my dad, Ed, and he, along with my mom, Judy, encouraged and supported travel for our family. My sister Suz and I were lucky to go on many memorable trips. I think I’ve always had the travel bug, but my parents certainly introduced it to me. This post is for you dad.

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Travel Ahh…Seagulls

Posted on April 21, 2013 by sglaser

Goleta Beach, California, USA. Seagulls may squawking scavengers, but I love to watch them soar. My kids especially like seagulls because the birds are fun to stalk. Ultimately, I appreciate seagulls because they tell me that water, in particular the ocean, is close.

East Beach, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.

Goleta Beach, California, USA.

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Travel Ahh…Silhouettes

Posted on April 9, 2013 by sglaser

Silhouettes not only capture definite outlines, edges and angles of a subject, but they offer a bit of mystery, too. That’s what I like so much about them. I also like silhouettes because they seem a bit more forgiving when you’re taking a photo. The above photo of the boat I took after a stunning sunset in Kalbarri, Western Australia.

Kalbarri, Western Australia.

Bali, Indonesia. It’s impossible not to take a good photo of Tanah Lot, one of the sacred Hindu temples on Bali.

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Travel Ahh…Sunrise and Dust Bunny Clouds Somewhere over the South Pacific

Posted on March 19, 2013 by sglaser

Around Fiji, Oceania. Changing several time zones forces you to be a morning person. Generally, I don’t have an AM nature, but I don’t mind turning into a morning person thousands of miles from home. Reason? Sunrises. I took these photos, which are pretty grainy, yesterday on my way to Australia (more on this later). I love that the clouds look like collections of lint balls or dust bunnies.

I’m so psyched to be back Down Under. Posts on Travel Oops may be a bit sporadic and random for the next two weeks. Also, I’m behind in answering comments as well commenting and checking out all the Reader and all the great posts out there! In the meantime, I’ll be gathering material…

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The Travel Ahh…Outback Roads and Vehicles

Posted on February 5, 2013 by sglaser

The Red Soil captivated me every time I saw photos of Central Australia. The Outback was the place I really wanted to visit in Oz during my first school holidays as an exchange teacher. Uluru, of course, was a must on the list. Just getting there, however, proved to be almost as surreal as seeing Uluru’s spiritual grounds and the monolith itself.

One minute I’d look out the car window transfixed by the soil and its various shades, and then the next I’d see some wacky vehicle that looked like it drove off the set of The Hangover 3. The Stuart Highway didn’t disappoint either since you’d definitely see the hard core, badass Road Warrioresque machines.