Today's guest blogger is my friend Dave Ray. Dave and I are planning an August/September 2015 Java/Bali photo workshop, so we thought we'd give you a preview of what's to come.
Shoot me an email to get on the info list.
Take it away, Dave.
As the earth formed, a gigantic ring of fire emerged around the Pacific Ocean. At the SW corner of that ring, continental plates thrust up the ocean floor creating a tropical archipelago of over 14,000 islands. The action continued as dozens of active volcanoes perforated these tropical isles.
Above: Volcanoes Mount Bromo & Mount Semeru at Sunrise, East Java
These volcanoes continually shower their mineral rich ash over the landscape, blanketing these lush isles with some of the most fertile soil on the planet.
Above: Steep field farms in the Tengger Highlands, East Java
And fertile ground meant that there would be abundant food to support a growing population.
Above: Javanese Rice Planters, Trenggalek, East Java
Sufficient food guaranteed that these people would be able to devote much time to pursuits beyond merely seeking their next meal—building great civilizations & developing stunning arts.
Above: Borobudur Crescent Moonrise, Central Java
So, they built huge monuments like Borobudur—still the world’s largest Buddhist shrine 1,200 years after it was completed.
Above: Batik Tulis (TOO-lees)
As Java converted from Hinduism & Buddhism to Islam, some locals opted migrate so that they could keep following Hinduism. They fled across the narrow straits to Bali—complete with an Exodus opening-of-the-Red Sea kind of story. There they grew prolific in building Hindu temples.
Above: Yellow Temple, Bedugul, Bali
And, like their Javanese Muslim cousins, developing the rich arts—including some of the world’s finest wood carvings.
Above: Balinese Religious Procession, Ubud, Bali
Zeal for preserving their traditions assures that you’ll even see their beautiful young children performing in their ancient dance rituals.
Well, that is a quick look at the photographic possibilities that this workshop offers. I have more than 20 years experience living in SE Asia, and I am happy to be working with Rick on this awesome workshop.
I hope to see you on the workshop. To see more of my work, please visit my web site.
Dave Ray
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Dave: Thank you for sharing your images and insight.
Photographers: This workshop will fill up fast, so get on the info list by sending me an email.