Monkey deep in thoughts

I used to only see these on calendars… I love the real thing!

Plenty of beautiful fishes in the sea…

It’s been raining all morning today, but when the sun came back, so did the birds. This one was just on the coconut tree outside our room, singing as loudly as possible!

Yesterday we left KL for Pulau Tioman, a little Island. From the moment we left the plane I felt like we had landed in paradise: The coconut trees, the white sandy beaches… the place is plainly amazing. Here I am giving you the sunset I managed to catch before going to dinner…

The batu caves are amazing to see: natural caves that have been made into an Hindu temple. The beauty of the caves, of the vegetation around it, the monkeys running around everywhere (can you spot the two monkeys in this photo?), all this seems to add to the spirituality of this place.

I love the white flowers in the dark hair of the women and the little girls.

This cat was sleeping on the chair of a place in which they serve Roti Chanai, a delicious Malay dish.

I tasted Durian - called here “The King of Fruits” for the first time. It is very unusual but I liked it. I can understand however why most people wouldn’t like it, it is very strange and smells very strongly!

We had a very hard time finding the entrance to this forest reserve, which is located close by to the famous KL Tower (people just didn’t know where it was located - obviously going on top of tall buildings is much more popular than walking through a rainforest). However once there, I realized I should have been wearing long sleves: I was devoured by mosquitos. But it was a nice walk and we saw many amazing looking trees!

Fruit stand in the night

Satay stand

It is so striking to have all the stores and markets open until so very late at night. I love the atmosphere it creates, with the lamps, the warm Malaysian weather, and all the people eating and chatting away.

Luxurious vegetation even in the middle of a huge city! Lots to discover, too little time to talk about. Wait for tomorrow for more!

Hello All,

Today I will be flighing for 12 hours towards beautiful Malaysia… It will be my first time in Asia and I am really looking forward to it. In the next two weeks, expect some great photos on this site! In addition Aral will be back to the places of his childhood, which he hasn’t seen for 15 years. It will probably be a very emotional experience.

See you tomorrow - when I will be landing at 2:15pm local time in Kuala Lumpur.

Looking at the sea, gazing into the horizon and getting lost in the immensity of the world.

Notice the two people on the right of the image who have actually decided to immerse themselves physically into the immensity of the sea in spite of the dreadful weather! I much prefer doing so only mentally

Amazing summer flowers in the Pavillion Garden.

This time, I have been credited! Much happiness
I will most probably go tonight to see the first of the play. From what I saw of the rehearsal I think it will be quite good!

Today’s article.

Mozart looking at Salieri destroying his music.

Note: added 18/07/05 - I have just noticed I also have my photo - credited - on the online version of the article.

This morning I bought The Argus (the local newspaper), excited at the idea of seeing one of my photographs published. When I turned to the right page, my smile was very short lived: they had forgotten to credit the photographer – in other words, myself.

They had not mentioned my name, in spite of my making it very clear that I was releasing my photographs under a creative commons attribution license, even explaining in very plain English in my e-mail what it meant: that my name must be mentioned every time one of my photographs is used, and that I am keeping all copyright of my images.

I had also called the reporter a couple of times, who confirmed both on the phone and in writing to me that I would be credited.

Needless to say I am very upset. My photos are my work, my art, my time, and to have them used without even a mention, I am the one who feels used. I thought having my photograph published in the local paper wouldn’t be bad for me. That is, of course, it wouldn’t have been bad if they had had the courtesy of mentioning who the photographer was!

This is the article I am talking about, published in today’s Argus, on page 26.

This was the original photograph I sent them, taken on Tuesday evening after a dress rehearsal at 10pm.

Here is another one of the photos I took on this evening. I love the costumes I must say!

Finally the sun is back…

Those two cones in the middle of West Street are not the most beautiful, but in the fog at night I must admit they are not quite as bad looking.

Walking in a cloud by the sea….

Hello all,

I’ve been back from France since the 12th but I must admit being so overwhelmed by work upon my return that I haven’t had the chance to put some more photos up! Today I will be making up for two days of silence with more than just one photo!

Now I wish it could have been a very sunny summer image but unfortunately we will have to deal with the current situation, that is, grey and foggy weather!

This being said, it’s good to be back home… though only for a few days as I will be making a big trip in a week’s time. Stay tuned

Little plastic boat on the sea in Carnon, beach of my childhood. The little blonde girl seems ready to take on the world!

My perfect image of the South of France…

Today could have been such a lovely summer day,
But instead it was a day of horror and death.
My heart goes out to all the people who have lost someone they loved,
To all the people who were hurt; to all the people who were scared,
I am grieving with you.

I visited the old part of Jacou today: lots of beautiful, old buildings that fit perfectly to the landscape and to the flawless blue sky of the summer…

It was one of my childhood’s past time to observe ants (and various other insects) for hours during the summer holidays. I guess all of this is coming back to me now!

I am in France this week! Now it really feels like the summer of my childhood: the sounds; the smells; the colours… It feels so nice to be back for a few days.

Here is my mum’s house, which I am discovering for the first time! It is a lovely place, inside and outside.

Aral and I were invited to a picnic in London today, organized by a Turkish web magazine, Professionals Insight. Here you can see Mustafa and Aral finally managing to make some mini kites fly! We had a great time

Very melancholic image!

This little cafe opened a couple of weeks ago next door to where I live. It is a 100% organic and vegetarian cafe which I highly recommend! They have freshly squeezed juices, delicious salads for lunch - which they sparkle with seeds and nuts, and the prices are very reasonable (I had a special with a spring roll + a platefull of various types of salads for £3.95 and I was very full afterwards). I have to try out their breakfast at one point…

So much for summer weather! Yesterday and today have been rainy and gray. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!