John Miles Photography Blog

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2010-04-26T16:49:00.001+01:00

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Cua-Can

2010-04-07T23:17:00.006+01:00

We rented a motorbike for a day on Phu Quoc and braved the dusty unpaved roads up the NW coast. Came across the delightful unspoilt village of Cua Can and enjoyed a coffee while watching village life amble by. But what is paradise for tourists today was once hell on earth for tens of thousands of Vietnamese revolutionaries, who were imprisoned here first by French colonial forces and later by the US-led southern Vietnamese puppet regime. Didn't see much evidence ourselves of this on Phu Quoc but discovered all the grizzly details later when we visited the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City

Cua Can
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Three Sunsets

2010-04-04T00:03:00.003+01:00

You can't beat watching the sun go down over Mango Bay while enjoying an ice cold Mango Daiquiri.

Mango Bay
Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

French Colonial Cambodian Resorts

2010-04-01T23:07:00.010+01:00

We passed through Kampot and Kep on the way from Phnom Penh to Vietnam. These coastal towns were used by the French colonialists for their seaside villas and thrived up until the 60s when the French left and the properties were abandoned and further damaged by the Khmer Rouge in the late 70s. Kampot was a major pepper growing region and is attempting to restore is reputation for this crop. We brought back some of their spicy/fruity pepper and it's now harvested from our freezer.

The Rusty Keyholebar
Kampot, Cambodia

Mon Repos
Kep, Cambodia

Belle du Jour
Kep, Cambodia

Le Mirage
Kep, Cambodia

Kampot Pepper
Kampot, Cambodia

Child Labour
Kampot, Cambodia

Thank You - Thank You
Kep, Cambodia

20th Century Phnom Penh

2010-03-31T21:18:00.004+01:00

National Museum
1925, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Central Market
1931, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument
1979, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cyclo to the Market
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Off to School
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Buddhism in Cambodia Today

2010-03-29T21:00:00.006+01:00

The history of Buddhism in Cambodia spans nearly two thousand years, across a number of successive kingdoms and empires. Today Buddhism is struggling to re-establish itself after it was nearly wiped out during the Khmer-Rouge era. The lack of Buddhist scholars and leaders and the continuing political instability makes its re-establishment difficult. Here are some images of Buddhism in Phnom Penh today plus a Banyan tree flower under which Buddha sat after enlightenment for seven days absorbed in his new realisation.

I Wish ...
The Mountain Pagoda, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Money for Good Fortune
The Mountain Pagoda, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Buddha's Calling
The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Banyan Tree Flower ...
The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Asian Markets

2010-03-23T21:37:00.005Z

I thoroughly enjoy the colour, energy and massive variety of Asian markets. The choice in the fruit and vegetables arena is huge and everything looks very fresh and is generally local. Hygiene and animal welfare can be pretty abysmal in the meat, fish and chicken departments however!

Phnom Penh Markets
Kandal Market, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The Royal Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2010-03-20T22:54:00.002Z

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh has been occupied by the Kings of Cambodia from it's construction in 1866 until present times ... with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. I travelled their by Cyclo, a very relaxing experience compared to a Cyclo ride in Saigon, Vietnam. Cambodia is so much poorer than the rest of SE Asia with nowhere near as much disposable income per capita. The 'Civil War' was a major, major set back for all.

The Royal Palace
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Ta Keo Temple

2010-03-16T22:21:00.003Z

Ta Keo is a thousand year old temple-mountain near Angkor. Work stopped on its construction before any carvings were made on its walls and towers and so it feels quite massive and pagan-like. It is also the first temple to be build solely with sandstone. I was the only tourist there that morning. Spooky.

Ta Keo
Ta Keo Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat Upper Levels

2010-03-14T23:05:00.003Z

The Inner/Upper levels of Angkor Wat had been closed for three years for innovation and they opened on the very day I visited

Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat Sandstone

2010-03-09T22:41:00.000Z

Angkor Wat is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. It is the only temple in Angkor to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation — first Hindu, dedicated to the god Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag and is a world heritage site.
The sandstone was looking gorgeous in the early morning light. These images were all taken before 8am.

Angkor Wat
Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat Dawn

2010-03-05T18:07:00.002Z

I arrived at Angkor Wat at 5am in the dark. Dawnbreak was lovely but not that serene as I was joined by another 200-300 photographers/tourists. So I left the viewing spot by the lake and entered the temple compound pretty swiftly well ahead of everyone. And then the serenity and wonder of the place hit me strongly.

Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Going to School

2010-03-04T11:33:00.004Z

Although some of the young children in Kampong Phluk don't make it to school, most do. We climbed up to the classroom in a stilted house to say hello and leave a few riels in the donation box. The children enjoyed having their photos taken and viewing them on the back of the camera. The teacher made a point of telling them that we were from England and not Australia or America. Good Teacher.

Kampong Primary School
Kampong Phluk, Tonle Sap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Kampong Kids

2010-02-24T22:51:00.003Z

Kampong Kids
Kampong Phluk, Tonle Sap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Kampong Life

2010-02-24T22:15:00.002Z

A life centered on water and fishing.

Kampong Life
Kampong Phluk, Tonle Sap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Kampong Stilts

2010-02-24T18:08:00.006Z

Kampong Phluk is a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake about 16 km southeast of Siem Reap, Cambodia. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them.

Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. During the dry season when I was there and the lake is low, the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6-meter stilts exposed by the lack of water. During the rainy season the water rises 4-5 meters and the village becomes a 'floating' village.

The village is pretty poor and exists mainly on shrimp harvesting. The shrimps are cought, boiled, dryed, peeled and packed with anyone and everyone helping out.

Kampong Stilts
Kampong Phluk, Tonle Sap, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Bakong

2010-02-22T22:24:00.004Z

Bakong was the first sandstone temple mountain (an architectural representation of Mount Meru) constructed by rulers of the Khmer empire at Angkor in 802AD. There is an active Buddist temple on the site and a few temple boys were laying up for lunch...the monks being out collecting their food donations.

Bakong
Bakong Temple, Roulos, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Going Home from School

2010-02-18T23:09:00.010Z

As I was wandering around the outer boundary of Bakong Temple, I was passed by several children on their way home from school. Some were on foot, but most were riding knackered old bicycles. These were adult bikes, donated by overseas charities and are well oversize for most children. But as many kids have to walk up to 10km to school they are much prized.

Going Home
Bakong Temple, Roulos, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Preah Ko Temple

2010-02-17T23:51:00.009Z

Preah Ko (Sacred Bull) was built in 879AD by the Khmer King Indravarman I. This was the first Khmer temple I visited in Cambodia. It is part of the Roulous group a few miles from the main group at Angkor. It's named after the three sandstone bulls in front of the temple who represent Nandi, Shiva's mount.
In the final image, Nandi is being ridden by one of the hundreds of child beggars who ply the temples.

Preah Ko
Preah Ko, Roulos, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Two Wats

2010-02-10T22:47:00.001Z

You can climb up the central prang of Wat Arun. It's very steep and around 75m high.

Wat Arun
Bangkok, Thailand

The gold plated Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho is one of the largest single buddhas. It's 15m high.

Wat Pho
Bangkok, Thailand

Current Bangkok

2010-02-09T22:34:00.004Z

The flower and food markets are glorious. So much choice. First time for me to find a shop selling seven varieties of garlic!

Current Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand

Khlong Life

2010-02-08T23:15:00.005Z

Life along the Khlongs (Canals) of Bangkok.

Khlong Bangkok Noi
Bangkok, Thailand

Gold, Gold, Gold

2010-02-07T18:59:00.004Z

Gold Leaf, Gold Tiles (glass ones from Murano), Gold Paint features pretty heavily the complex of buildings that comprise The Grand Palace in Bangkok. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the 18th century onwards. Construction of the Palace began in 1782, during the reign of King Rama I. The Palace has been constantly expanded and many additional structures were added over time.

The Grand Palace
Bangkok, Thailand

First Sight of SE Asia

2010-02-07T16:29:00.003Z

A typical South East Asia delta with the sun setting as we crossed Burma heading for Bangkok, Thailand.

Welcome Sunset
Myanmar Delta, Burma

Travels in SE Asia

2010-02-05T06:47:00.001Z

I'm now back from my travels in South East Asia. I have lots of great landscapes, seascapes, architectural, street and portrait photos. Over the next few months I will be sorting and processing and publishing. I'm planning to upload one a day here. Enjoy.

Ta Som
Ta Som Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia