Mastodawn

Colourful food in colourful fields

Looking for bright colours is easy in a tropical area. But finding exciting colour contrasts are the real fun.

Along the small inlets and in between the rice fields along Siem Reap river down to Phnom Krom and the Tonle Sap lake, some local restaurateurs build these small huts on stilts in the background. A family or travel party can order food and drinks, and relax in the shadows with a view to this tranquil landscape.

It really is a soothing experience with the hammocks provided.

Or maybe guests can have a small walk pre or post lunch, just to look for colours, shapes, flowers or plants, and birds or other animals.

Alive or not.

#Cambodia #Khmer #food #simply #delicious #2019CE #Ba #beautiful #birdwatching #bluesky #buddhism #countryside #fishing #kingdomofwonder #landscapephotography #lunch #lunchtime #offthebeatentrack #sundrying #dryingfood #fish #snakes #roadtrip #village #wetlands #Tonlesap #visitsiemreap #blue #sky #lunch # #lake #woodenhut #hutsonstilts #birds #fishing #green #deepblue #blue #sky #Cambodia #Khmer #food #simply #delicious #phnomkrom #phnomkraom #58mm #colourful #D800 #f1_4 #lakeside #Niftyfiftyeight #Nikkor #Nikon #restaurant #siemreap #villagelife

Dag-Rune Z Nov 13

“No food after midnight, no water, and stay away from bright light"

The monkeys at Phnom Bros temple are, like most temple monkeys throughout SEA, very used to humans. So much that they tend to be more domesticated than wild animals.

Cheeky troublemakers
These banana-crazed pig-tailed macaques are also quite the personalities, for good and bad. Keeping a distance, especially to their children, is highly recommended.

Unless you want trouble comparable to a mass attack of gremlins.

These monkeys are small, but they are strong and have sharp teeth. So, there is no use try picking a fight expecting to win.

Small gene pools
Another challenge for these monkeys is the few members in some of the local group. That is causing problems with inbreeding due to small gene pools.

First time I visited Phnom Bros there were some extreme examples of what happens when inbreeding Habsburger-style happens. To use a European example of what happens when science is lacking.

Three years later this inbreeding problem was mostly gone. And the monkey numbers were visibly larger. The Khmer caretakers of these animals are smarter than the Habsburgers. They make sure the monkeys are healthier, playing their part in these important cultural heritage sites.

I like that the monkeys also add some personality when visiting. Like the pose of Stripey here.

The Khmer female advantage
Phnom Bros and Phnom Srei are twin temples between Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom. They play an important role in the cultural history of Cambodia when it comes to engagements.

And why it is the man who must seek the lady and her family’s approval of engagement and marriage at the lady's home.

https://drzinasia.wordpress.com/2021/04/27/the-brother-and-sister-pagodas-2/

#2019CE #animalphotography #art #buddhism #Cambodia #countryside #kampongcham #kampongthom #khmerculture #khmerwomen #khmer #monkey #Pagoda #PhnomBros #PhnomSrei #visitCambodia #macaques #stripe #gremlin #Nikkor #Nikon #58mm #niftyfiftyeight

Dag-Rune Z Jul 27, 2025

Moments of sun, rain and always gold

With over 20 pagodas in the city proper, there is no surprise there are visible monks in Luang Prabang.

Admittedly, this one was more visible than most.
It is one of the more stylish approaches to protect against the elements I have ever seen.

Using umbrellas as sun shield was something I first saw in Southeast Asia. Now these phenomena are everywhere.
Even in the Norwegian mountains hikers and trekkers are using umbrellas.

#umbrella #orange #yellow #buddhism #luangprabang #luang #prabang #Laos #LaosPDR #sun #sunrise #Nikkor #NikonD800 #Nikon #58mm #niftyfiftyeight #f1_4 #D800 #citylife #city #ig_countryside #roadtrip #2015CE #countryside #simplelife #หลวงพระบาง : #ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ #Laotian #WorldCulturalHeritage #oldschool #novice #monk #young #citylife #citywalk

Dag-Rune Z Jul 22, 2025

The classic touch from days gone by

There are still some of these classic German luxury cars spread around in South Asia. A timeless symbol of elegance, money and classic German engineering and design.

I have seen them in almost every country I have visited in the region. The Mercedes-Benz S280 was produced in this style between 1965 and 1973. Meaning by the end of the Laos Kingdom before it changed into PR Laos.

Having some well-maintained wooden houses in Southeast Asian style with some French colonial architecture framing this car sort of feels right. It tells a story of a time gone by. And some timeless style and elegance too.

Luang Prabang has been a World heritage Site since 1995. The city has been a capital in 2 former Laotian kingdoms. It has played a vital role as a religious centre for most of Laos history. There are more than 20 Buddhist pagodas in the city and close vicinity.

The city is surprisingly small, but the status as royal residence city for centuries makes for a well-designed city with interesting architecture and art. That includes some French inspired buildings, but with a distinct Southeast Asian flare. Local markets, shops and lots of restaurant and cafes contributes to Luang Prabang being a nice and quiet place. Well worth a visit.

https://www.britannica.com/place/Laos/The-arts

#roadtrip #mercedes #merc #classiccar #town #oldschool #2015CE #architecture #french #novice #monk #young #luangprabang #luang #prabang #LaosPDR #Laos #orange #laundry #cleaning #boy #boys #Nikkor #NikonD800 #D800 #Nikon #20mm #f2_8 #niftyfiftyeight #countryside #2015CE #citylife #simplelife #หลวงพระบาง #ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ #หลวงพระบาง : #ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ #Luang #Prabang #art #Mercedes #Benz #S280 #vintage #car #Laotian #number #plate #numberplate2061 #car2061 #buddhism #citywalk #town #WorldCulturalHeritage

Dag-Rune Z Apr 3, 2025

An evening by Taungthaman Lake

TB to more peaceful and prosperous times
This lake is near Amarapura, the old capital of Burma. Today it is a suburban village of Mandalay.

This photo was taken back in the days when progress in Myanmar was equal to the global normal: young ladies having an evening stroll with their smartphones. And each other.

This stroll was in peace and quiet near another Cultural Marvel Heritage: the worlds longest teak wooden bridge, the U Bein Bridge.

https://www.myanmartours.us/destinations/amarapura-travel/amarapura-attractions/taungthaman-lake/

These days thoughts of hope and well wishes for this beautiful country goes to the survivors after the earthquakes, a successful reconstruction and a peaceful end to the wars and a return to peace and human rights in Burma-Myanmar. Getting the federation back on a democratic track, securing human rights and rule of law for all their citizens in the future.

#UBeinbridge #U #Bein #bridge #burma #Mandalay #villagelife #village #streetlife #worldheritage #worldoftoday #streetphotography #asian #girls #portrait #boat #oarsman #Nikkor #NikonD800 #58mm #niftyfiftyeight #f1_4 #asiangirls #pretty #burmese #ladies #landscape #ladies #smartphones #UBeinBridge #2016CE #burmese #Nikkor #citylife #citywalk #sunsetshot #Amarapura

Taungthaman Lake in Amarapura

Taungthaman Lake is located in Amarapura near Mandalay, Myanmar. The famous U Bein Bridge spans across this lake. This is one of the best places in Amarapura. You can see most of the fishermen prefer wading waist-deep in the muddy water in search of fish.

Dag-Rune Z Apr 3, 2025

Citywalks in Mandalay

Like in the large old temple cities like Bagan, the temples and pagodas are everywhere.

The feeling that these structures sometimes just are there, in the middle of rice fields or grass paddocks. Equal to rice and other farm products, religion is as important for people here. These buildings can mark holy sites, graves, or a memorial structure build to celebrate or in honor of an event or person.

These buildings on a line was just outside one of the small villages outside Mandalay CBD, along this rice field.

These days all thoughts of this beautiful country goes in hope for the survivors of the earthquake, a successful reconstruction and a peaceful end to the wars and a return to peace and human rights in Burma-Myanmar.

#2016CE #58mm #asian #burma #burmese #f1_4 #Mandalay #Niftyfiftyeight #Nikkor #NikonD800 #streetlife #streetphotography #worldheritage #citylife #citywalk #rice #paddocks #field #temple #pagoda

Dag-Rune Z Apr 2, 2025

Night walk, Mandalay

Thinking about the sad news of the Earthquakes hitting Burma-Myanmar and the classic old city of Mandalay and its surroundings.

Visiting Mandalay back before the civil war was a true pleasure, and this city was a nice mix of old and new architecture. Ad the temples and pagodas and there was always something to see and explore.

Including the old capital in the south with the world famous U Bein wooden bridge.

And then you had the locals, nice and friendly, making nightly strolls with a camera a safe and interesting venue.

Thoughts of hope for the survivors, a successful reconstruction and a peaceful end to the wars and a return to peace and human rights in Burma-Myanmar.

#2016CE #58mm #asian #burma #burmese #f1_4 #Mandalay #Niftyfiftyeight #Nikkor #NikonD800 #streetlife #streetphotography #worldheritage #citylife #citywalk #Alley #nightshot