stairway to heaven

This is the longest unsupported escalator I've ever seen. It has NOTHING underneath it as it rises maybe 5 stories in the center of an all glass shopping mall. Where does it go? To the theater complex on the top of course.

I do go to Museums you know

Asia has some great, modern museums in locations you wouldn't expect. This is outside the local museum in Taichung. Very nice.

crowdy everwhere

Did I mention Asia is very crowded, and very fun? At night Mom and Dad, the kids, the teenagers, and grandma and grandpa all go out to eat and party. No matter who you are you don't feel left out, even a blondish white guy.

This is the STREET, it gets even more crowded in the pedestrian only areas. And best of all, not a McDonald's in sight.

feeling blue?

This guy just spray painted his entire bike blue, including part of the chain. Makes finding it very easy, and you know if someone rides off in it. Streets in Taichung, Taiwan.

when crowds are good

Subways in Asia amaze me. At peak hour in Hong Kong subway trains leave every 2 minutes, completely full. Wall to wall people, faces pushed up against the windows, probably more people being transported per minute than LA's freeway system, all handled in perfect efficiency.

well I cheated

This photo was taking many years ago in Hong Kong, but I still like it (I'm trying to only post newer postors, this isn't a best of.) It's near Time Square, on the island, looking up at the buildings. I spun around and took maybe 6 shots, then stitched them together to create this shots. It was a lot of work because I couldn't hold by position very well while spinning, but I think the results are worth it. Stay posted for a modern version of a similar shot in downtown Central.

Yes, that's the sun dead center. How did I do that? Even I don't know.

all the fruit you can eat

Fruit, fruit, everywhere, all different types, know, unknown, all good, usually cut, peeled and packaged for you for almost nothing. For a good time, go to a local market, buy a sharp knife for a dollar, several pounds of assorted fruits, and bring it all back to your hotel room for a food orgy. Throw in a handful of insects for protein, and you've got the start of an excellent dinner.

I fell into a National Geographic magazine

Sometimes I feel like I fell into the middle of a National Geographic magazine. All I have to do is close my eyes, press the shutter and POOF, a great photo that looks like a team of studio artists took all day arranging it. Limes at a local market outside Bankok.

is she unhappy with me?

Is she unhappy with her photo being taken? About to sneeze? Or just a moment in time? She's selling steamed buns on the street, pretty good. This is frequently a family affair, with Mom, Dad, and the kids helping out.

giant caterpillar

OK, it's really an elephant trunk, but I thought it looked cool. He's looking for food, and so the trunk is going any and everywhere, snuffing it out.

Chinese Chess at night

A very popular game, played late at night by old guys on street corners. Usually attracts a big crowd, with up to 6 or so games being played in one area.

did I mention the nail thing?

Every costume change has a new finger and fingernail style. Of course, what else would you expect!

Double click the photo to see it (and the nail thingy) in a larger size.

this is about the 20th costume change

Every dance has a complete change of costume and hair style and fingernail style. Amazing performance

rock out!

After 11 they stop doing the Thai classical dance, and start partying to an extended dance music jam session, maybe 12 minute of tight musicianship, singing, and dancing per song. Naturally, the audience goes crazy and follows along, a classical Thai dance party.

missed me by that much

I was almost in this photo of our tuk tuk driver's rear view mirror - managed to duck sideways in the nick of time. This mirror seemed to be there for the sole purpose to amuse my camera - the driver never seemed to use it.

did I mention the wiring was a little messy?

Well, if I had a garden it would be a lot neater than this wiring in Bangkok. Even if I didn't prune my garden it would be neater. Even the jungle outside Bangkok is neater. It it, however, probably really easy to work on.

how do they make rubber?

Well, first you get a rubber tree, then you get up at 2AM in the morning, then you scrape the tree till it bleeds, then you correct the sap. Take a lot of work even to make a small amount of rubber. Pretty interesting, there is still a strong demand for natural rubber.

sleepy in Phuket

The kids were playing all night while the mom's work, but finally they got tired with this little boy sleeping on what a few minutes ago was a toy fort for him.