Siem Reap

Arrange tickets to arrive at the Siem Reap International Airport where most tourists start their travel in the country. If you could book your hotel before arriving, it would be great as during the season (November to March), the most hotels are booked and you may find it difficult to get a decent hotel on arrival. However, don’t worry if you are a budget traveller as there are many budget accommodation places in central Siem Reap area. I recommend Banyan Leaf Hotel in Taphul village, with my personal experience as one very good place. You could use one of those rikshaws on road to arrive as taxi cars could be expensive. Just give the address and agree for the price before you get in to the vehicle. Well, if you still carry US Dollars and wants to exchange to Cambodian currency, do not bother as almost all the vendors in Cambodia accepts US dollars and due to very high exchange rate, you would have to carry loads of local currency notes if you do so.

If you like to cycle around, you can hire a bicycle from one of the many places in the city. But Cambodia has a very humid warm weather that would make you sweat and dehydrate you within hours. Arrange a rikshaw to take you to places.

So, get some rest because you would have to get up early morning next day to start your journey to the history of Cambodia.

Angkor Wat

It is said that Angkor Wat is the largest temple premise in the whole world. Build out of rock, this place has been a castle as well as a Buddhist monastery. If you are planning to photograph the best view of Angkor Wat, you must get up early and be at the place by 5.00am. because it is said, that the best view of Angkor Wat comes along with the sun rise. Thousands of tourists gather around the moat to watch sun rising over the Angkor Wat temple. There are enough places for you to set up your tripod and arrange for the best angle if you go early.

Angkor Wat Temple premises

Once you get you photographs of the outer premise, walk inside. This is a huge temple building with so many corridors and doors and one could easily get disoriented. Observe carefully for the rock carvings on walls as those carvings reveals great historical incidents in Cambodia as well as in their neighbouring countries. Famous Ram-Ravana war in Sri Lanka is one of the prominent wall carvings in the front wing of the temple. There are outer foyers to walk around the temple and see both inside and outside both at once. But careful of your step as the foyer is several feet high from the floor and there are extremely narrow, steep staircases to move from one floor to another a floor.

Wall carvings of Ancient tales

Bayon is the next place to visit. This amazing temple has been a castle of Jayawarman kings and the humongous rock carvings on all sides of the castle has been vividly argued as the faces of Jayawarman kings or Avalokitheshwara: a compassion of Bodhisattva. These huge carvings will be worthy photographic opportunities in your life, so make sure you take enough photos.

Bayon

Have you watched the movie Tomb Raider? Ta Prohm is the place where that movie was shot and you will remember the scenes from the movie when you enter this temple. Covered with large roots of a tree, this ancient building is about to collapse therefore not allowed to go inside. But you can go close enough to take a rare photo of a tree root entangling with the rocky walls and clay roof of the temple. Fix your camera settings to capture the sun rays dripping down the tree during mid-day.

Ta Prohm: The Tomb Raider Temple

You would need another day to come to the historical Angkor ruins site. So, make sure you purchase a multiday tour ticket which allows you to come on another day. The ticket counters are well organized and issues a personalized ticket with your face printed on it. Keep the ticket with you all the time as the guards at the entrance gates come and check tickets time to time. Distance from one ruin to another is long and walking is probably not a good option as the total site spans over 160 hectares with thick jungles on either side of the road. But if you get hungry or thirsty, there are enough local food stalls inside the premise.

Keep the next day to visit other temples such as Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, Phnom Bakheng, Ta Som and Baphuon. These amazing architectural marvels with long corridors and bottomless wells will sure marvel you and your camera. Make sure to use a flasher when taking photos inside building as thick rocky walls rarely provide any light inside.

Angkor Thom

Central city has some luxurious hotels that has cultural dancing shows featuring the ‘Apsara’ dancers. You can go to one of those shows in the evening.

If you are done with ancient ruins, you could attend a full day village excursion and learn to cook some local dishes or have a flight of the gibbon ride in a thick Cambodian tropical forest or have a cycle ride across the city or even a hot air balloon ride to see the bigger picture.

Hot Air Balloon ride over Siem Reap

Siem Reap has some great variety of restaurants so you can make sure to try something new in every meal.

Eat some fruits and have a dip in the swimming pool and get some rest in the last day, because once you are done with Siem Reap, you would take a bus ride to Phnom Penh to see the modern Cambodia.

So, enjoy Siem Reap and be amazed with ancient marvels of Angkor Wat. I’ll see you back on the other side of Cambodia.

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If you want to go to Phuket and first have some partying around, that’s ok, because it’s is just 3 hours away from Phuket and you still can add some rare photos to your library that most other photographers do not capture in Thailand.

Krabi is a large province in Thailand with an airport. But most travellers come to Bangkok first and travel to south. You might use Krabi airport to go back though. This is a much peaceful and less crowded place comparing to Phuket. Here you get to enjoy your time without much fear of being ripped off by a shrewd vendor or tricky thieves who aim foreigners. Go towards Aonang which is the tourist central in Krabi. Every tour starts from here and you can find any accommodation from 5 star resorts to bunker bed hostels.

Phranang beach – Krabi, Thailand

Beyond resorts in Krabi Thailand

Of course, you are an adventurous person and that’s why you explore places where most people haven’t gone. So, pack your bag with necessary items in Aonang and get a boat to Tongsai. The beautiful beachscape for superb photography, rock climbing, deep water soloing, diving, snorkelling, kayaking and of course partying. Keep your camera water proof as you would be travelling in a boat. These boat services don’t provide life jackets so if you are not a swimmer, you better not try standing and taking photographs while the boat is on the move.
Get yourself checked in to a one of the many hotels and get ready to enjoy the place.

Tongsai beach at Krabi Thailand

Rock climbing in Krabi

This is the beach for adrenaline junkies. If you have your own ropes start coiling it… or else, you can register at one of the mini adventure companies there. There’s one conducted by a German lady which has a very good reputation.  You have to go to the other side of Tongsai beach which is East Railey for this. You can walk on the beach or you can take the interior road which falls through a small village. I prefer the beach route as then I get to walk through a beach boulder, a jungle and pass some shallow water line. On East Railey, you will see some beautiful rock climbing spots. You can try those or you can take some beautiful photographs of people sweating over a good vertical climb. Sun is bit too harsh so you should adjust your lighting to avoid burnouts.

Rock climbing in Krabi Thailand

Water sports in Krabi Thailand

Sweaty after a good climbing period? Get a kayak and go around the islands. There are many places to rent Kayaks. This is the best way to photograph sunset behind the rocky islands in the evening. If you love to dive down to that Blue Green water and get some under water photographs, this is the best way to do it… But get information from a local guide on best spots for diving and snorkelling as some places are bit dangerous. If you are still high with adrenaline, you got to do some deep-water soloing. There are companies that facilitates deep water soloing (Harness free climbing and jumping off to deep water) and the places they do this are amazingly beautiful places. Some of the rocks have erupted out of water making caves filled with see water providing you the chance to take some spectacular photos.

Erupting rocks in Krabi

Other sightseeing in Krabi

You could simply lie on beach and watch sunset while sipping a beer. Or you can take some time lapse photographs of how sun sets behind the rocks. Either way, you are going to enjoy it without too much disturbances. Most people go for a dip in the sea before they go to a beach pub for dinner and drinks. Maybe next day you can go see Phranang cave or have a super-fast motor boat ride before go back to Aonang. If you have time, you can go to Krabi National park where you can experience tropical forests.

Krabi is a less crowded and less spoiled area in Thailand. But it has the beauty of a true Thai beach worth enough for you to use your camera. So, make sure, you go to Krabi, when you are in Thailand. I guarantee you, that you will find some wild things to do here that you have never done in your life.

Cheers!!!

I’ll see you there at Krabi.

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Udawalawe lake

This lake is the main water source that keeps the park green and provides water for animals. Apart from that it is a part of the Udawalawe dam that provides hydroelectricity to the main grid in the country. The lake contains many mini islands that surface time to time when the water level drops. Although you are not allowed to kayak in the lake, there are local villagers who would provide you the traditional boat service around the lake. If you love taking photos of crocodiles who sun bath on the river bank or the wild elephants splashing cold water at each other on a warm day, this would be the ideal way to get it done. Do not attempt to dive or swim in the lake as these lakes contain very dangerous currents and usually bring death to a person or two every year.

Udawalawe Lake

Elephants in Udawalawe safari

Before you enter the park, you will surely see one elephant on the road begging for food near the elephant fence. Also, you will see a board saying that not to feed that elephant. Udawalawe elephants have become somewhat accustomed to humans, that they expect food from visitors. But the authorities’ advice is to not to provide any food to these elephants as it could ruin their regular diet. The roads inside are very tricky and you could easily get lost in the maze if you go alone.  Tour guides highly recommend not to get down the vehicle due to safety requirements. You will get to see elephants everywhere in the park. Some with baby elephants, some with the ranch and some alone. The most dangerous are the lone elephants also called as ‘thaniya’ and the female elephants with babies. ‘thaniya’ could get extremely wild and aggressive especially during the mating season. Mother elephants are very protective therefore will be very defensive against strangers. So, if you come face to face with one of these two, be extremely quiet, quickly take a photograph or two and stay still. Tour guides know how to get away from these wild elephants but occasionally, one or two safari jeeps get damaged due to a full frontal attack by these wild beasts.  

Lone elephant in Udawalawe ‘Thaniya’

Other animals in Udawalawe

Peacock is a symbol of Sri Lanka tourism. You will see enough peacocks in Udawalawe national park. Keep your camera ready all the time. Because it is extremely beautiful to photograph a male peacock does his mating dance showing his colourful tail. Peacock feathers are available everywhere. But be careful as these are restricted biodiversity items and could get you in to trouble at the customs. If you have powerful lenses, you might be able to spot the peacocks in far off tall trees.

Water buffaloes are a common sight near muddy water pools around the park. But do not dare to go very close to these buffaloes as they too could be extremely wild and aggressive. But it is nice to see how they immerse in water to cool of their heaty bodies.

There are couple of leopards in the park but you should be extremely lucky to capture one. Due to the high tourist level and harsh noise created by most four wheel drives, these creatures stay inside their caves and come outside only after sun-set. But if you really want to capture some superb leopard photos, go to Yala national park which is just a couple of hours away from Udawalawe. Or else, you could go to Wilpattu national park which is on the North-Western part of the country. Both parks are famous for Leopards.

Water Buffaloes at Udawalawe National Park

Like a local

Tired and sweaty after the safari…? Have a fresh water bath in the lake. There’s a bathing place used by villagers along the road side. This place is very much safe and spacious. Get a dip in the cool water of the Udawalawe lake and refresh yourself. Do not attempt swimming but just simply take a dip and be chilled. You will be hungry as an elephant after the bath. There are many places for food. Good five star hotels with international cuisine as well as local villagers’ huts that serve typical Sri Lankan village food. These dishes are so delicious and so rare, even most Sri Lankans love to eat from these small places.

Elephant Orphanage

There’s one more place to visit before you head back. Udawalawe Elephant orphanage. Among one of the many s in the country, this place is famous for feeding and taking of the baby elephants. Baby elephants found without the mother at the park will be brought to this place and treated properly. The feeding time is the best time and its open to the public. Feeding time starts around 3.00 so right after lunch, you could head towards there. These baby elephants are so disciplined that that they come in a line and get fed. This area could get so crowded with local tourists so you might need to station yourself in a bit higher ground with a good lens to get very good close-up shots. It’s amazing to see the how these baby elephants play with their caretakers.

As it says, once you explore Udawalawe, you will want to come repeatedly every year. That is the nature of ‘Nature’.

Happy Safari…!!!

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It is an old local saying that you are a fool if you have not climbed Adam’s peak once or have climbed it more than once…This beautiful peak is one of the top sacred places in Sri Lanka tourism map and if you are a photographer seeking to take rare photographs, then you must make this journey.

Sri Lanka: A Small island on the Indian Ocean, consisting of many miracles in a small land area. This country is rich with sacred places that has significant religious, cultural, and historical values. If you are touring in Sri Lanka, Adam’s Peak (2,243m) is a place you must insist your tour guide to take you…

Locally known as ‘Siri pada’ meaning the ‘sacred footprint’, is a pilgrim mountain due to the sacred footprint mark on top of the rock. This has attracted four different religious faiths. The Buddhists believe the footprint belong to Lord Buddha’s and then the Christians and Muslims believe it is the footprint of Adam, the first parent of the world according to the Old Testament and Hindus believe it belongs to Lord Siva.

Pilgrim season is between December to April. But off season is best for photography as it will give you enough freedom to experience the climb. Get your camera, rain cover, and enough lenses because during this journey, you are going to face different weathers, lighting situations, rain, and sun. But do not over load your-self as the hike is steep and you will get too exhausted to notice the beauty of the surrounding.

How to go to Adam’s Peak?

There are several routes to climb up to this sacred place in Sri Lanka. None of it requires any climbing gear or skill. All you need is a bit of stamina to do the uphill walk for several hours…Easiest and the most popular route is via an area called Hatton-Nallathaniya route. You can reach this area within 3-4 hours from the Capital city. If you are travelling in a private vehicle, there are lots of beautiful places such as Norton bridge hydro power plant, Kithulgala white water rafting site and lots of lush green tea plantations.

It is advised to dress appropriately and avoid cigarettes and alcohol since it is a sacred place. However, you are free when you are back in your hotel. It is a tradition to start the climb very early morning (around 3am) so that you might be able to be on top to photograph the sunrise. It is said that watching sunrise from the peak is a pure blessing to the soul, eye and of course to the camera. You might want to use extra lights as the path to the top is mostly dark and gloomy.

Entrance pandol at the beginning of the steps (From Hatton side)

Other two routes start from two different places in Sri Lanka and considered to be difficult and longer than the first one. But if you are ready for some adventure, then you must take the ‘Kuruvita-Eratna’ route or ‘Ratnapura-Palabaddala’ route. These two routes are difficult, muddy, rainy, and surely takes more than 8 hours of climbing uphill. These routes are through some pure tropical jungles and is extremely humid, gloomy, and slippery. This is an excellent condition for leeches (the small blood sucking worm type). If you stop in one place to take a photo for more than 1 minute, you are sure to attract an army of leeches. So be careful where you keep your feet when resting or stopping to take a photo. It is best to wear leech resistant socks and apply some menthol application.

In these tropical jungles, you will capture the most beautiful images of Sri Lanka that won’t be seen on travel magazines. There are hidden streams, water falls, and sometimes during off season, you might spot wild elephants and if you are lucky, a Leopard too. Rare and extremely beautiful photographs come with great risk in these wild jungles. So, you better be careful if you are skipping the regular path and walking inside the jungle.

Seetha Gangula: Cleansing stream

It is said that one must cleanse himself before worshipping this sacred place on top of the Adam’s peak. Regardless of the icy cold water, you will be happy to wash your face when you see this stream. ‘Seetha Gangula’ means ‘the cold-water river’ is a place where worshipers use to bath before they start the second half of the climb. This stream starts from a mysterious fountain somewhere in the jungle and flows down and join one of the main rivers in Sri Lanka. Be careful of flash floods during off season, when you have to cross this river in case if you are taking the harder routes. You would find rare angles of the river when if you go up stream.

Seetha Gangula on Kuruvuta Eratna route

Climbing Adams Peak

It’s not an adventure climb you would experience at Adam’s peak. It’s more of an uphill walk with lots of stamina, sweat and thirst. Carry a water bottle and refill it from the stream if you need more. There are small shops at the bottom of the mountain for you to buy Sri Lankan refreshments. But you won’t find any camera batteries, memory cards, rain covers in these shops. So, better be prepared. Even if you take the shortest route, you still must pass more than 5000 steep steps to reach the top. If you take the longer routes, steps will be much steeper and slippery.

Steps at Adam’s peak

On top of Adam’s Peak

On top of this sacred place is a Buddhist Temple. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka. During the season, the temple is very crowded with worshippers. But it’s a good opportunity to capture a variety of South Asian faiths in one place if you love to photograph portrait photos. You would notice some very old people have climbed up and worshipping the ‘sacred footprint. Their faces reflect various emotions and you might love to photograph those if you are a photographer capturing faces of different countries.

View from the top of Adams Peak

If you can be on top of the mountain for the sun rise, you will be able to take a beautiful photo of the shadow of mountain on the other side. But that’s not the only photo you can take. A photo of surrounding mountains will give you an idea how it is to live in a tropical country and the vastness of those thick jungles. Adam’s peak is situated in a mountain range which consists many other smaller peaks and some of those have not been fully explored by the public yet. There are lots of stories about people who have gone ‘lost’ in the surrounding vast jungle. If you are keen to explore these thick jungles, take precautions and make sure to take a local guide with you.

Beware of your behaviour when you are on this journey. It is a local belief that one must be careful with thoughts, words, and actions, when in you travel in this part of the jungle, as ‘God Saman’ who is said to be based in Adam’s peak mountain range could punish anyone who doesn’t respect this sacred place. If you talk to some locals, they will provide a long list of stories about ‘lost’ people to support this belief.

Adam’s Peak is a combination of nature, culture, and faith. It will provide a variety of natural and human objects to fulfil your photographic thirst. This is a must go place in your photography tour in Sri Lanka. So, come and explore the unexplored in Sri Lanka

Cheers,

Till we meet again in Sri Lanka.

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