TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

Indigenous art typically consists of symbols and date far back into the earliest histories of mankind. The earliest indigenous art that we still have today are those carved into rock faces and preserved in the dwellings of our early ancestors, such as caves. Australian indigenous art probably holds the record as the oldest traditional art in the world. In the aboriginal culture, life is typically based on the foundation of "The Dreaming"; the beginning, ancestors, life and death, and power. All Australian Aboriginal beliefs shared this common foundation. Today, indigenous art is often depicted on canvas, sculptures and even body art. I have always been fascinated with Australian indigenous art. The flowing patterns created by the symbols and the artistic deployment of vibrant colours used to depict the stories in each art piece is as fascinating as the talent of the artists who brought these art pieces to life. They all look so beautiful and similar but ye

At all Shinto shrines in Japan, there are water-filled basins where worshippers will use to wash their hands and mouth as an act of self purification before approaching the shrine to offer prayers. This practice is unique to Japan and is followed not just at Shinto shrines but also at Buddhists temples throughout the country. The rite itself is known in Japanese as temizu and the areas where the water basins are located are known as temizuya . Wooden ladles are available at the basins for the worshippers to use to scoop up the water for temizu . In my travels around Japan over many visits to the country, the sight of a  temizuya  has become so common to me that I hardly take any photographs when I see one. Another reason is I usually avoid taking photographs if there are worshippers in the  temizuya  area because I think it is extremely rude to take photos of someone preparing to pray or praying since I personally view the act as both a private and solemn moment for the worshippe

Local food....... Traveling often bring us out of our comfort zone. And this includes food....... what we eat during our travels. Local food encompasses the cultures and traditions of the place we travel to. Other factors that typically shape the local cuisine are economic development, climate and location. Lunch set consisting mainly of ox meat, Luang Prabang, Laos (2017) While I am always game to try out the same food that the locals delight in dining on, there are some "no-go zones" for me. And where does this red line begins? I generally do not eat anything raw; unless it is sashimi or sushi prepared in a clean environment. Health reasons aside, I personally do not delight in putting something that is uncooked into my mouth. Taking this a step further will be eating "live" food. That is another experience which I totally avoid. Besides the cruelty of it all, I am rather squeamish about eating something that is still squirming and moving. So whil

While traveling to Loch Ness, I had the chance to briefly explore the Scottish Highlands. The highlands is a mountainous region north-east of Scotland. Bed and Breakfast Inn, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK (2011) My trip was too brief for me to even scratch the surface of the immense culture and history of this region. Even so, what I experienced during this brief sojourn through the highlands on my way to Loch Ness gave me an insight into the rich cultural and historical significance of the region. I shall plan and return on a longer trip  to explore the region. Until that entry in my travel bucket list is fulfilled, I will always look back at some of the photographs I took during my maiden trip through the highlands and  marvel at the magic that he region has to offer. The mountainous landscape that defines the Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK (2011) Rolling meadows on the outskirts of Inverness, Scotland, UK (2011) Local inn, Scottish Highlands, Sc

The capital of Seychelles is Victoria. Located on the island of Mahé, Victoria was formerly the seat of the British colonial government.   History and Geography While the city itself was previously founded by French colonies in the late 18th century, the name Victoria was given to the city by the British colonial government in the 19th century. Due to its history, the local culture and tradition have strong hints of both French and English influences. This includes the local Creole language which incorporates both French and English words. Clock Tower, Victoria,  Mahé, Seychelles (2000) Climate The climate of Victoria is tropical which translates to year-round warm weather coupled with relatively high humidity.  The months of June and July are typically drier while the months between December to February usually bring more rain to the city, the island of Mahé and generally most parts of the Seychelles. My personal experience was that rain typically pa

Phuket is amongst one of my favourite holiday destinations whenever I craved for  a vacation by the sea. While I do not embark on snorkelling and diving trips during my visits to Phuket, I do enjoy staying at resorts located by the beach. Relatively mundane activities such as taking strolls along the beach at dusk and beach combing at night are typically on my things-to-do list whenever I am in Phuket. Another favourite activity is dining at the many eateries on the beach while at the same time feeling the sand on my feet and listening to the sounds of the waves. This definitely takes away the stress from my daily rat race when I am back at home working like crazy. Afternoon tea while on vacation is a relaxing past-time, JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Mai Khao, Phuket, Thailand (2016) History and Geography   Phuket is a southern province of Thailand. The province includes the main island of Phuket and 32 other islands located on the western coast of Thailand in the

Cameron Highlands in Pahang state of Malaysia is well known for its tea plantations. It is named after British geologist William Cameron who surveyed the district in 1885. My first visit to Cameron Highlands was in July 2018. Visiting the many tea plantations in the area, I was always very amazed by the relative symmetry that resulted from the way the tea plants are organised. I am quite sure this is for reasons relating to the subsequent cultivation and harvesting of the tea leaves, although I cannot confirm that. From afar, they looked to me like stacks of greenery, harmoniously placed in random yet orderly fashion. Taking photographs of the tea plantations became an immediate personal obsession during my trip. Viewed from photographs taken at ground level, eye level and from elevated level, the same tea plantation look similar yet unique. My favourite view is that from an elevated angle as shown in this photograph. Tea plantation, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia (