Bern, just like most of Switzerland is an unbelievable place to live. It is consistently rated as one of the top cities in the world for quality of life. Believe it or not, you will hear mostly German being spoken on the streets. Continue reading
Posted in Switzerland
Is there any city quite like it on earth? Probably not. Almost every nationality has its own neighborhood, shops, and languages present. For those who like photography, it is a great place to shoot urban landscapes. For those who like history, it also has its place. I think the main thing to do in New York is to try and remove yourself from the daily grind and fast paced style of the locals, and to just look around and take it all in. Take mental snapshots, visit a corner street stand for lunch, start a conversation with a local. New York means something different to everyone who has ever been there. Being the point of entry for several immigrant generations, New York and Ellis Island will always hold a unique place in American history.
Posted in United States of America
Tagged New York, New York Photograhy, NYC, Statue of Liberty
Yes, Geneva is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live. Many waiters and waitresses make around twenty five dollars an hour and still can’t afford to live in the city. Geneva is regarded as an international city because of the Geneva Convention papers and also because it houses many U.N. offices. Being that things are so expensive, Geneva ranks third in the world in standard of living. You will find evidence of this wherever you look. Geneva is a play ground for the rich and famous looking to escape the summer heat in their own countries. Many Middle Eastern oil millionaires come to Geneva in the summer to hang out and do whatever rich people do. Continue reading
Berlin is easily one of my favorite cities. It really has everything: history, tradition, famous universities, pubs, museums, churches, cosmopolitan areas, east/west, public transit…etc. If you are looking for photographs, this is more of a structural city. By that, I mean it is a place where you photograph buildings not people. I am not one that likes to really square up a building and take a general tourist shot. I would rather capture a local person at a coffee shop, moments, they only last for a second in time. Anyone can go to the Reichstag and take a picture. Continue reading
Agra was one city I had highly anticipated when backpacking India. After getting to the Taj Mahal, I was able to capture several decent shots in and around the area. Since I was shooting mainly in RAW, I have not converted all the photos to jpeg yet. Continue reading
Bangkok lies about 14 degrees north of the equator. This sprawling city is one of the most cosmopolitan in all of Asia. After walking around for a few days it is impossible not to feel the warmth of the Thai people. Even in the most meager of establishments, change is often returned on a small tray, under the accompaniment of a bow with both hands folded.
Bangkok’s current population is listed at over 11 million. With this many people it is still easy to get around using the MRT or the BTS Sky Train. The hostel I stayed at was within a short walk of the Sky Train which allowed easy exploration of the entire city. Unlike some cities, Bangkok does not really have a downtown area. The skyline is vast and covers more than one viewing area.
Phra Nakon is the district where I spent the most time. Located here are governmental agencies and ministry offices. Most of the well-known tourist attractions are also in this area as well, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Democracy Monument.
Bangkok is a perfect city for anyone beginning their Asia travel experience. It is easy to get around, almost everyone speaks some English, and foreigners are not hassled too much. Watch out for smaller scams but nothing out of the ordinary. If you get in a taxi, request a meter, if the driver refuses, get another one. Taxis are everywhere, probably more plentiful than in NYC.
Bangkok is also a great starting or ending point for any backpacker who wants to explore more remote areas in Thailand. I will probably make a return trip at some point to photograph southern cities such as Phuket and Songkhla. I would definitely recommend Bangkok to anyone traveling in the region.
Delhi is the starting point for many backpackers that want to experience northern India. It only takes about two minutes out of Gandhi International Airport to realize you have left many western comforts behind. Instantly, your senses are surrounded, and at some points, overwhelmed. India is a place where you can experience extreme beauty and also want to cancel the rest of trip within a matter of fifteen minutes.
The first thing that any visitor notices is that there are very few rules of traffic. Buses, cars, scooters, tuk-tuks, rickshaws, pedestrians, and animals share the streets. Intersections consist of everyone honking and inching their way through. As a pedestrian, you have to just walk out to cross the street. The traffic, which is moving at low speeds, if moving at all, will form around you. The only traffic pieces left from British colonial rule are the occasional roundabouts, and driving on the left side of the road.
The native language of Delhi residents is Hindi, which is also the national language of India. Almost everybody you meet will be able to speak Hindi. However, many people will also be fluent in English.
Because of its large size, Delhi is not really accessible to travel by foot. The cities overcrowded buses will overwhelm even the most seasoned traveler. Furthermore, the lack of street signs and navigational tools make this type of transit almost impossible. The best mode of transportation is to hire a driver. We had several personal drivers during our stay in India. When available, train travel is a great way to integrate into daily life in India. I had strangers share meals with me and provide hours upon hours of great conversation.
Delhi is divided up into New and Old Delhi. New Delhi was planned by Edwin Lutyens, a 20th century British architect. The city is known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and houses numerous national institutions and foreign embassies. Old Delhi, is exactly that, old. One of the oldest inhabited places on the face of the earth – Old Delhi is believed to have been inhabited since 3000 B.C.
Most of the top tourist destinations are found in New Delhi. The India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) are with in a short walk of each other. Many first time backpackers joke that India, stands for {I’ll-Never-Do-It-Again}. The main reason many westerners are can be stressed in India is the amount of begging and hassling around landmarks and tourists sights. However, besides tourist sites, I found university aged people to be very welcoming and interested in conversation.
Most backpackers expecting fabulous palaces are shocked when their first impressions are dominated by poverty instead. Prepare for the following:
If you had one trip left and wanted to see and experience as much as you possibly could in one country, India would have to be it.
高雄 is the second most populated city in Taiwan. Located in the southeastern corner of the island, this city of nearly 1.5 million inhabitants serves as Taiwan’s major trading port. The port of Kaohsiung is the 6th biggest seaport in the world.
A new city-wide MRT opened in March 2008, just in time for the World Games which Kaohsiung hosted a year later. In the city center the MRT trains run underground and then gradually progress above ground as they move toward outlying areas.
The cities heavy reliance on industry and sea trade has not just had positive effects on the region. This focus on industrialization has led to high contents of air pollution, which the city has made strides in recent years to curb. Today Kaohsiung has made active pledges to use green space while expanding the city proper.
Over a dozen water taxis serve locals and tourists alike as they connect to different parts of the island harbor. The top deck is for pedestrians on foot to congregate, while the lower level is filled with scooters. When the boat pulls in to its destination a mad dash of bikes race out when the gate is let down.
Unlike the capital city of Taipei, Kaohsiung has a wide streets centered on a western grid system. This urban planning allows those with cars the luxury of less traffic to navigate in. For the backpacker, this city is easy to get around.
Compared to many Asian cities Kaohsiung sees less tourists than other metro areas of similar size because of its location. Now that the High Speed Rail connects Taipei with Kaohsiung, (3 hr ride) this is slowly changing.
Be be prepared for a joyful welcome to westerners from locals, espcially from smaller children. During my time walking through the tight city streets and markets, several childern would follow close by, say hello in english, and watch with a unique inquiry, every move we made.
Located in the middle of South Carolina, sits the capital, Columbia. It was here that General William Sherman stationed thousands of troops during the Union army’s rampage through the South. Much of Columbia was destroyed by Union troops, including a devastating and controversial fire that left most of the city in ashes.
Today, Columbia is at the heart of the Midlands. Recent revitalization near the Congaree River has seen Columbia become a solid tourist destination. On Saturdays throughout the fall loyal South Carolina fans flock to Columbia to support Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks. Most SEC games sell out but it is possible to get decent seats for non-conference games at less than face value. Located on the USC campus is a new convention center and college basketball arena that can host concerts and other events.
Nicknamed “The Capital of Southern Hospitality” Columbia does not disappoint. Its rich history offers several museums as well as access to the capital building when it is not in session. For those wanting to unwind check out the Vista or Five Points for restaurants and spirits.
For those traveling the States without access to a car, the easiest way to get to Columbia is via Amtrak. The train station is located within walking distance of the central business district. Air travel is also a possibility but due to the small size of Columbia Metropolitan Airport, fares to Charlotte are more reasonably priced.
Check the official city website for more informaion- Columbiasc.net
Posted in United States of America
Singapore is a city-state located in Southeast Asia. It is a former British colony, which is known for a variety of Malay, Indian, Chinese and British influences. Being located 1.5 degrees north of the equator; Singapore experiences a hot and humid climate. Even during my stay in late November (monsoon season) the temperatures were constantly in the 90’s during the day.
When many westerners think of Singapore, they think of the incident that took place in 1994 involving American Michael Fay. He was convicted of vandalism and sentenced to six strokes of the cane. This incident brought to the forefront Singapore’s strict stance on crime.
If you are a woman don’t worry, caning is only reserved for male criminals aged under 50. The Criminal Procedure Code allows caning for thirty different violations. Chewing gum is also technically illegal. This makes the streets and sidewalks look noticeably better than anywhere I have traveled. I was looking for a piece of gum stuck on the sidewalk or litter anywhere I could. It basically turned into a personal scavenger hunt. Results: In five days, one bottle of water spotted.
The death penalty is also strictly enforced in Singapore. Drug trafficking carries a mandatory death sentence. Those convicted and sentenced to death by hanging are usually hanged within seven days of the conviction.
The island itself is very small. A backpacker can rent a bike and ride across the island in half a day. Most of the action though, takes place in the central business district. Here companies from around the globe are trying to get a piece of Singapore’s booming economy. The adjacent harbor is the busiest in the world. A constant line up of cargo ships in the ocean is an impressive sight from shore.
Overall Singapore is similar to the U.S. in terms of diversity. Most of the population is of Chinese descent but the secular society prides itself on a variety of religions and customs. Singapore has four official languages, and several official religions including: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Taoism, Islam, and Confucianism. The people are very friendly on the island as well. Singapore has definitely found the right mix of eastern and western culture.
K. Wahlgren 