World Image issue 22 July 2015

The Magazine of the Peoples Photographic Society 

Issue Twenty Two - July 2015 

Website = photosociety.net Page 1 email = magazine@photosociety.net

Management Committee: 

International Management Committee: 

Gordon Longmead - England - Chairman 

Peter Hogel - Uganda - Vice Chairman 

Kev Sidford - England - Manager, Adventure Photography 

Scott Hurd - Namibia 

Tom Coetzee - South Africa 

Paul Welch—Australia 

Steve Cook - USA 

Robert Murray - Scotland 

Pokaharel Rabi - Nepal 

Regional Co-ordinators: 

Entebbe, Uganda - Peter Hogel 

Benton, Kentucky, USA - Jack Glisson 

East Herts UK - Gordon Longmead 

Lincoln UK - Dave Walster 

North Scotland, UK - Robert Murray 

Yorkshire UK - Rodger Lee 

In this months issue: 

3 Society Exhibition Review 

7 Chairmans Challenge - Greyscale, by Gordon Longmead 

8 The Cat Survival Trust 

9 Views of Moscow with 75 floors of the tower under construction 

Federation MIBC Moscow City, by Michael Shmelev, Russia 

15 Spring by Gordon Longmead 

16 Chairmans Challenge - Henry By Louise Bradt 

17 The Peoples Photographic Society Exhibition by Gary Bridger 

19 Pictures from Kyrgyzstan, May 2014 - part five by Michael Shmelev, Russia 

20 Hike, Bike, and Kayak Vietnam by Tina Andreasson, Sweden 

27 Exploring Patagonia - Impossible Mountain by Michael Shmelev, Russia 

© Please remember that all articles and images published in this magazine are copyright protected 

Cover Abby by Gary Bridger 


The guide is A5 in size and printed in full colour. 

The price is £5.00 each (GBP) plus postage at cost. 

Payment can be made via Paypal or direct bank transfer. 

Contact 

Gordon Longmead 

lendasnow@hotmail.co.uk 

For details. 


Society Exhibition Review 

It was with some pride that the exhibition was 

staged in my home village of Welwyn. Visitors 

came from all over the country, including 

London, Essex, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and 

Wales. We even had visitors from the Czech 

Republic. 

The exhibition comprised of 450 pictures from 

46 photographers representing 53 of the 84 

countries in which the Society has members. 

It also had many hundreds more pictures and 

video presentations running through the 

weekend as a On Screen presentation. 

The quality of the images submitted by 

members was high and achieved the aim of 

showing the variety of subjects and scope of the 

society. 

So when we begin the event, the hall is almost 

empty and at 9am is a very daunting place to be 

standing. The chairs, tables and piano are first 

removed, then the display panels are 

unceremoniously dumped on the floor. 

To start the show the event for me began on 

Friday but I actually cheated by bringing the 

display boards the previous evening and off 

loaded them into the hall. I suppose the event 

really started in January, but now was the main 

event. 

Monday to Thursday was taken up in arranging 

the logistics of getting everything to the venue 

and packing the car in a proper sequence. No 

point putting the display boards in first then 

everything else on top. 


From past experience I am aware that time is 

not on my side, confronted with the prospect of 

setting up alone, time is important. It takes 

three hours to set up the displays, modify the 

panels where necessary and making the 

presentation right for the event. 

By the close of day one, four of the five 

speakers had withdrawn, the supplier of the 

motorbike for the reception studio had forgotten 

all about it in spite of reminders. 

This was the basic layout which was later 

modified. We try and keep good space between 

the displays to stop the bottle necks as people 

gather in their droves to view a particular 

image. 

At noon Geoff Bowers arrived to help. 

Normally it would take seven and a half hours 

to put up the 450 pictures, based on one picture 

and label every 60 seconds, with Geoff’s help 

we reduced that to three hours. 

Day two, or the first day of the event. Arrived 

at 8am with Gary to discover that Peter from 

Magneflash had been there since 7am. But we 

applied the finishing touches to the hall and got 

the tea urn going. 

9am, in eager anticipation we open the doors to 

allow the multitude to enter and absorb the 

culture of the event. 

At 10am Wendy and her helpers arrived with 

the two models and tea was served. Although 

we did have to rescue one of the helpers from 

the officious librarian. 

By this time the visitors started pouring in, of 

course that could have been the rain, but we did 

have some people in the hall as well. 

Once the display was set up, we could unload 

the car, as though on cue, Gary Bridger arrived 

to lend a hand. 

Once off loaded, Geoff went home and Gary 

and I finished setting up the rest of the event 

with the studio, sales tables and refreshments. 

End of the longest day. 

Wendy was so rushed off her feet she reverted 

to her buggy. The strain of the weekend proved 

to much for the buggy which broke down as we 

got home on the last day. 


And still the visitors came rushing in. Here we 

see Kev Sidford forcing his way through the 

crowd to get to his wife, or perhaps to the cakes 

on the refreshment stall. 

We did put Gary to work in the studio playing 

with the models. I did not really take this one of 

Roger and Gary, the camera fired all by it self 

as I walked past. 

Visitors were so enthralled with the display, 

they really couldn’t decide on their favourites 

and many discussions took place to discuss the 

merits of various images. 

Not certain what Gary was doing here, but he 

was playing with something in his lap which 

made him laugh. 

While I mingled, Kev Sidford and Roger Lee 

manned the door to control the crowd while 

Rob from the Cat Survival Trust did what all 

good stall holders do, fell asleep in the corner. 


Saturday evening saw the ‘staff’ indulging in 

dinner at the North Star Pub close(ish) to the 

venue. Food, liquid refreshment and laughter 

were abounding, but ultimately an early bed 

beckoned to make ready for the anticipated 

crowds on Sunday. 

This morning we had a lay in, arriving at the 

venue 15 minutes before opening time. As it 

happened, this day was just like the previous 

one, just more so. 

At 11.30am the event was graced with a visit by 

the Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough 

Council, Councillor Lynne Sparkes and her 

husband Ian. (see Gary’s article for the picture). 

In total we had just 140 visitors, but do not be 

downhearted, of the five events that took place 

over the weekend we did the best … hurray … 

We had visitors from a few camera clubs just to 

prove they had received our invitations. Rajan 

Gomu arrived after a two hour train journey to 

show his support. 

It is very difficult to be positive when faced 

with the apathy of a community towards events 

staged ultimately for their enjoyment. 

I was disappointed in the turnout, not just for 

the exhibition and all the effort that the 

members had put into the event, but for all the 

events that were held during the weekend. 

We were the best supported, but with the 

advertising and promotion we put out that was 

not surprising. 

For the record, the total cost of the event was in 

the region of £3500, much of which was borne 

by our sponsors, Askprint. 

I would like to thank those who submitted 

pictures and expressed their support from many 

countries far and wide. I would like to thank 

those in the UK who managed to make the 

journey, the helpers and models who gave up 

their time to make the event work. 

The Exhibition Guides are still available from 

me at £5.00 each plus postage. 



Chairmans Challenge - Greyscale 


Many images in the modern world of 

photography are ‘sold’ by their stunning 

colours. This compiled image is no different … 

or is it? 

The conversion to greyscale starts with the 

original image. You must learn to ‘see’ your 

subject in black and white. 

There are many ways in digital to convert 

pictures, desaturation works and can be 

controlled as to the extent of the effect, but this 

image was simply converted to greyscale. 

The picture itself was done as a study in 

layering, it contains 12 layers, 11 of the rose 

each one rotated and resized to create the 

illusion of depth, and the background. 

The colour image sells itself because of the 

vibrant colours in the rose and the background, 

but it is different in the sense that it was also 

produced to create a greyscale image. 

Not all colour images will successfully convert 

to greyscale so you must take care. 

Confession, this was an early digital image so 

the BG was ‘borrowed’ from NASA and 

adapted to suit my own needs, in this instance 

stars were removed and others added and the 

colours were altered. 

The final picture was the effect I wanted and 

the learning here allowed me to move forward 

with confidence. 




Views of Moscow with 75 floors of the tower under construction 

Federation MIBC Moscow City 

Michael Shmelev, Russia 

Last week at the invitation of the Department of 

urban planning policy of Moscow we visited 

the 80-floor tower under construction 

Federation. 

In any case, let me remind everyone, that enjoy 

high-altitude views of Moscow city from the 

observation points and everyone can, and in 

two ways. First - sign up for a tour, which 

includes including a visit to the observation 

platform at 58 floor tower "Empire". 

During the hour jogging on the floor and climbs 

on technical lifts I managed to make some highaltitude 

training and panoramas. Survey was 

conducted primarily with 73-75 floors, as the 

floors above closed grid construction and wind 

screen. 

Another option to see the city from above - a 

restaurant Sixty, located on the 62 floor of the 

"West". 


So the "Federation" looks from below, from the 

shopping center "Afimall." to the top of the 

central tower. 

But all this is true, if you do not mind shooting 

through glass. We were lucky, extra glass 

between us and the view has not been left out, 

and there was only a strict guard to stop any 

initiative, any way in the photographic business 

always enough to look! 

The project involves the construction of the 

Federation two skyscrapers at a podium. 65- 

storey tower "the West" has already been built, 

(first Picture) and the construction of 95-story 

tower "East" is nearing completion. 

But first, the necessary formalities: strict 

instructions on TB and painting in the 

appropriate forms, then we get the vests and 

helmets and go through the maze of technical 

floor to the elevators. Lifts move for temporary 

farm, which is attached to the north side of the 

According to representatives of the construction 

company, with its construction uses concrete 

class B90, the strength of which is twice the 

usual strength that will resist skyscraper in case 

of direct contact with the aircraft. 

tower. 


Lifts moving upward with several transfers. 

Each elevator definitely has its operator, and 

the operator is the same on the interchange 

areas. Everywhere we meet shields with safety 

in Russian, English and Turkish: 

Elevator moves at a speed of about 3 m / s and 

in a closed booth, windy and densely crowded, 

you will understand the fear of a stranger to the 

enclosed space, or not. View an epic 

construction with a second interchange 

platform at a height of 30 floors: 

In the next elevator climb even higher: 

View of the north-west of Moscow, isolation 

TTR and third main streets and pit the future 

administrative and business center. You can 

also see the quarter with a 2-3 storey cabins for 

workers: 

By the way, if a fine urban landscape that is 

what you want to see from the windows of his 

house, and, as if 1 million. $ (Or more) burn 

your pocket, you can keep an eye on apartments 

in the tower of the Federation. 

They just start with 64 floors. Budget way to 

find solitude at height - no one can peep in the 

window, and construction and the noise of cars 

is almost unheard of here. Quite unusual for the 

center of the metropolis … 

While there, lying in the window will look into 

several towers in the neighbourhood, one of 

which is the tallest skyscraper in Europe. 

This Mercury City, whose height is 338.8 

meters. Upper floors Mercury also reserved for 

apartments: 


two of which are perfectly visible in the 

distance. Dull design, a giant in size, it is not 

organic to its project area: 

View of the south-west of the capital, and my 

most favorite high-rise complex, the tower 

"Evolution": Construction work on the tower 

nearing completion and soon it will take the 

project view. For comparison, last year at this 

time, it looked like this: 

But let us return to the Federation. We climb 

higher and jam on three rubles from us farther. 

We also call attention to the smaller buildings: 

Among the old and new recognizable 

landmarks can not help but note the LCD 

"Tricolor" - a set of three high-rise buildings, 

Interesting facts: during the construction of the 

tower "the West" project has undergone a 

number of significant changes with respect to 

the original version and became radically 

different from the project of the tower "the 

West". 

First of all, it changed the size of the square 

floors and visually tower became thicker at the 

base, up to that part of the floor, starting from 

the 11th, a little beyond the 13th site. 

Considerably processed kernel which was 

trapezoidal rather than hex, as in the earlier 

draft. 

The supporting columns are increased in 

thickness by two times, that is 4 times increased 

the amount needed for the construction of 

concrete pillars and thus substantially increased 

total weight of the building. 


Unusual is the fact that the reasons for this 

decision clearly not commented organizers 

construction. 

In the construction of the foundation slab 21-24 

February 2007 set a record, which feature in the 

Guinness Book of Records. Was covered with 

14 thousand cubic meters of concrete. 

Somewhat unusual in the course of construction 

was the fact that over the first foundation slab 

was covered with the second base plate, 

resulting in a complex lost one underground 

floor and there was a delay in construction, for 

at least 5 months. 

In the course of further construction the pace of 

the construction of the tower varied quite 

widely: underground and the portion that the 

building was built at an average rate of about 2 

levels in a month; construction of standard 

floors after the portion that came with the 

higher speed - 4 floors in the month; on 

technical 33-34's the pace of construction of the 

building was significantly suspended the 

construction of the floor lasted more than 5 

months, the replacement of one of the cranes on 

the two more powerful, and has formed a strong 

metal construction outriggers - svoebrazny ring 

stiffness, enhance the rigidity of the building 

and its resistance to wind loads. 

Judging from the photos from the site, builders 

began actively preparing for the construction of 

the first underground floor, but suddenly turned 

work, the crane was dismantled, cut previously 

prepared reinforcement for columns and started 

to work for the second reinforcing the 

foundation. 

Inspired by the rise accidentally got to the last 

at this point, the 80th floor of the tower. Upper 

floors are closed windscreen and here is 

actively under construction - laying fixtures, 

installation of formwork, pouring concrete. 

Fota there was nothing special - just like any 

other construction. 


At the end of reporting a couple of high-altitude 

training and information about the spire. I know 

many indifferent can not sleep at night, 

worrying what will happen with the spire 

Federation. Alas, on April 22 at the first 

international exhibition "High Peace. Moscow 

City. Development Prospects" in his speech, 

one of the authors of the project Sergey Choban 

said that the construction of the spire 

abandoned. 

Perhaps, in addition to the crane operator, who 

smiled at us and smile of the Mona Lisa waved 

from the standpoint of a high-rise crane 

Moscow. 

Safety at work - primarily: To be strictly followed, 

all the dangerous areas are equipped with 

handrails, technological openings closed 

shields, ready floors clean. Favourable 

impression. 

Spire (Tower «C») could become the highest 

part of the complex, and are placed between the 

towers to the "West" and "East". Inside the 

spire had planned to place two high-speed 

elevators with external glazing. At the top of 

the spire, but at a lower level than the height of 

the tower "East", supposed to make the 

observation platform overlooking the western 

part of the city. But, as you know - no steeple - 

no observation deck. Sadness! 

Spring by Gordon Longmead 


Chairmans Challenge - Henry 

By Louise Bradt 

In one of the three containers that brought the 

rest of my brothers belongings was a full 

lighting set up. So now, I am giving it my all 

and plan to give up work at the end of the 

summer and work full time as a photographer. 

The other reason this image is so special to me 

is that I submitted it for review and critique to 

Timothy Sutherlannd, who studied with Ansel 

Adams back in the 70's. I was expecting some 

valuable feedback from him but was completely 

gobsmacked when I received his critique which 

said at the top 

"I couldn't have done any better and applaud 

you for such a beautiful portrait that you and 

your son will cherish for years to come. Please 

print and frame this one." 

This is a photo of my son Henry during 

Christmas 2014. This photo is important to me 

for many reasons:- obviously there is a special 

connection because it is a photo of my child. 

Then there is the fact that the photo was taken 

with a lens that was left to me by Ken, my 

brother in law who passed away suddenly at the 

beginning of December in Chiang Mai, where 

he had only recently moved to. 

He was a huge advocate of my photography and 

was ever trying to push me to do more and to 

try and build my self confidence, because many 

people have taken a dislike to my style of 

portraiture in the past and told me over and 

over again that unless I conform to what I call 

"cutesie" shots I was never going to make it! 

Ken left very clear instruction that all of his 

camera gear was to come to me if and when he 

passed away, and so when my husband returned 

from Thailand he brought with him, 3 lenses, 

70-200mm 2.8, 24-70mm 2.8 & 24mm 1.4, and 

a Pro-foto D1 strobe. 

He then proceeded to give me 10/10 for every 

aspect of this shot. It was as if all the criticism I 

had taken previously just melted into 

insignificance, and my self-esteem took a giant 

leap forward and I have not looked back since. 

A few weeks later, I received an email from a 

gentleman I did not know but who knew 

Timothy Sutherlannd, and he said that he hoped 

he had found the right Lou Bradt, because 

never before had he seen Tim give such an 

outstanding review of anyone’s work, and he 

hoped I continued to work hard at my craft! 

Again I was totally gob-smacked! 

I am far from perfect in what I do. Photography 

is an ever evolving craft and passion and to 

assume you have learned all there is to learn is 

arrogant and in my opinion plain stupid. 

However, you cannot escape the feeling of 

pride you get when someone looks at a piece of 

your work and can see your passion and love, 

and this is why this image is so hugely 

important to me. 

All the Best 

Louise Bradt 


The Peoples Photographic Society Exhibition 

Gary Bridger 

Time had at last court us up. From a long wait. 

from a dream presented to me in Borneo. To 

have my work finally to go on show at an 

exhibition. 

19th of July, Welwyn festival 2015. I took the 

train from Romford arriving 2.30 pm. To be 

picked up by Wendy, Gordon’s wife. To arrive 

at the venue, finding Gordon Longmead. 

Chairman of the PPS exhausted with a couple 

of helpers, putting the show together. This was 

the day before open day. 

The society exhibition displaying class 

photography from PPS members representing 

countries round the world. 

With still much to unload from the car, tables to 

put up, and unloading Gordon,s own work. 

Gordon and I fished at 7 pm. 

Not forgetting months of preparation, lost 

nights, stress and doubtful thoughts, sacrificed 

time organising with supporters, and the 

backing and support of Wendy. 

After I took two long climbs to the top of the 

church tower, and rain threatening the event. 

Sadly yielded 190 people turned out in the 

church yard for the photograph. Against 600 

and more from other times. 

From all the marketing, and estimated 1000 

people. The next day Sunday drew in about 60 

people, over all for the entire week end, 140 

turned up to the Exhibition. 

However, we gained new members and were 

visited by some fantastic existing members who 

came from far afield, and who stayed to give 

support and even helped take the exhibition 

down. 

Remarks from the public that had visited were 

very positive, mainly that the pictures, that you 

can find printed in the Exhibitions 2015 

Souvenir guide, were of such a high standard. 

Wording used included Wonderful, astounding, 

outstanding and quality. 

How did it all go? Your asking. Umm day one . 

Cancellations. The village gathering for the 

festival photograph, oh boy! The out come was 

not looking good. 

Impressive images Produced from an array of 

diverse subject from amateur and professional 

photographers, that for the public, produced the 

enjoyable interaction of judging, everything 

from wild life, architecture, culture, sun sets, 

macro and underwater. The list certainly was 

vast. 


My self having fun with Gordons portrait studio 

set up and the two models, Stacy (above) and 

Abby. Offering crash courses and demos on 

portraits to members and visitors, who 

themselves became ‘willing’ models. 

Magnelight Beverages by Wendy and her team, 

a visit by the mayor and her husband. Made the 

weekend. 

The mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Borough 

Council, Councillor Lynne Sparkes and her 

husband Ian. 

Thank you to those who made the effort to 

come and those who helped. 

Saturday ended with members enjoying a 

wonderful dinner and laughter. Covering all 

sorts of subjects other than photography, at the 

North Star. 

Gary Bridger. 

Equipment was bought in by Peter, the owner 

of our long term supporters, Magnefash, and 

with further support from the team from the Cat 

Survival Trust. 


Pictures from Kyrgyzstan, May 2014 - part five 



Hike, Bike, and Kayak Vietnam 

Tina Andreasson 

One chilly morning in September I caught a 

glimpse of my face in the reflection of a 

window, it was a pale, tired face, with dead 

eyes. It reminded me of the expression "the 

lights are on but nobody's home". Or even 

better: "the wheel is spinning but the hamster's 

dead". Except in my case, I think the wheel 

wasn't even spinning... 

So there was my face, nearly 36 years old, and I 

thought "How did I get here?". It seems like 

just a moment ago I was 22. So I decided to 

have a "long weekend", and take four months 

leave from my day-job to spin that wheel, get 

that hamster running, the heart pumping, to 

bring some rosiness back into these cheeks and 

life into those eyes! 

So here was my starting point, a hike, bike, and 

kayak tour of Vietnam. The schedule was so 

jam packed that I was not sure I would have 

time to write, but first stop, Ho Chi Minh City, 

Vietnam. 

Arrival ... Finally 

A trip that should have taken me 20 hours in 

total took 45 instead, maximum bad luck with 

weather and transfers finally had me arriving in 

a hot and humid Ho Chi Minh City, formerly 

known as Saigon. Exhausted and weary, I was 

disappointed find out my luggage had not 

arrived... 

I found a taxi, and asking the price, knowing it 

should be around 8 USD, the first offer I get 

was 25 USD! Cheeky bugger! The next cab 

agrees to 8, takes me to his van and asks me to 

wait as he wants to find more customers... 

Tired of hanging around as I had done way too 

much already, I tell him to forget it and I go in 

search for another cab who immediately takes 

me to my hotel down town, for ten bucks. 

The traffic in this city of five million 

inhabitants and three million motorbikes, is as 

you may imagine! It's amazing how whole 

families travel on these bikes! 

Suddenly as we wizz along the colourfully lit 

streets, the skies open and rain pours, and every 

one on bikes stop at the side of the roads to put 

on ponchos and carry on. A seemingly 

organized chaos. 

Dinner was had at a nearby restaurant famous 

for cooking on hotplates on the tables, it's fresh, 

delicious, the prawns are cooked alive and grey 

turns to pink. I like that, when grey goes pink. 

The whole point really, but I needed sleep. 

(And my bag!). 

The second day we cycled about 20 kilometres, 

starting a short distance away from the worst of 

the Saigon traffic, and rode in the humid 

warmth to see the Cu Chi tunnels. This network 

of tunnels were used by the Vietcong during the 

war. It's quite amazing how they were designed, 

and definitely nothing for the claustrophobic! 

Directly after we took a flight to Danang, and 

then carried our journey on to beautiful Hoi An. 

Here the air smells of incense burning, the pace 

is calmer and the people very friendly and 

smiles are plentiful. The place is riddled with 

lanterns. 

Smiling Lady 


Hoi An 

We cycled 30 km for a dip in the ocean and 

then returned by boat back to the city. I finally 

got my luggage today so I am happy about that 

although I had made peace with losing it and 

had mentally prepared to survive without it. But 

this is good. 

On day three I'd already totally lost track of 

time and space. Did I EVER have track of it? 

Despite giving in to sleeping pills at night, the 

nights remained sleepless but for a few hours, 

and I was experiencing all in a sleepy haze. 

Lady at the Market 

Bridge 

The second and last morning of Hoi An, I got 

up at six a.m. wanting to catch the morning 

light by the Thu Bon River. Already the streets 

were full of life. People were going to work, 

arriving on the wooden ferries with their bikes, 

heading off to their daily routine. Children and 

adults were eating their breakfasts at the 

roadside squatting on thimble-sized stools 

which seem to suit the slim and flexible 

Vietnamese physique perfectly! 

I found the market, and it was filled to the brim 

with freshness! Of all the food markets I've 

visited on my travels, this one is by far the 

cleanest and most tempting with all its 

wonderful produce. Inhaling the scent of 

coriander and other herbs, I was letting my eyes 

feast on the beautiful array of nutritious foods. 

Dragonfruits, bittergourd, "ladies-fingers", 

fresh tofu, just to name a few. I know my mum 

would be in cooking heaven! 

Market, Hoi An 

Website = photosociety.net Page 22 email = magazine@photosociety.net

Hoi An is definitely worth a visit. The old 

quarter feels a little like you've travelled in time 

and space, (I suspect, even if well rested). A 

strange "Disney-land", with loudspeakers in 

every corner playing Richard Clayderman 

"Asian Restaurant music"... Even the garbage 

truck plays a tune like an ice-cream van! The 

music bit is all a little like an eerie movie to 

me.. 

Once in Hue, a historic and cultural centre of 

Vietnam, famous for its palaces, pagodas and 

tombs, I jumped on the back of our guide 

Huyen's motorcycle as we drove off on a 

different kind of bike-ride through the stunning 

countryside. 

Me and Huyen, I look like a giant 

Lanterns of Hoi An 

But the architecture is a gorgeous mix with 

historic influences from Japan, China, as well 

as Europe. And if you ever want tailor made 

clothes or shoes, this is the place to go, as there 

are several shops where you can get it done just 

over a night for a very good price. 

Passing rice-paddies, along canals lined with 

fish-nets and bamboo canoes, avoiding traffic 

and live-stock and getting soaked by the rain, 

we sped along as the local kids waved to us 

happily. 

In the late afternoon we caught a "dragon boat" 

that took us back on the Song Huong River 

(Perfume River), back to the hotel. 

Before I knew it I was on a bus ascending the 

hills, passing the High Van Pass, one of the 

most scenic points in Vietnam, unfortunately it 

was raining and we were mostly surrounded by 

clouds, so without great view we moved on to 

Hue. 

On the Perfume River 

Please keep in mind that most of the photos are 

taken from push-bike, motorcycle, boat, or bus. 

Canal near Hue 

Next challenge, was the night train to Hanoi.... 


One of my favourite songs is "Midnight train to 

Georgia" by Gladys Night and the Pips which I 

made my cabin-buddy Mike listen to as we 

chugged along through the dark night on the 

sleeper train that took us to Hanoi for day six of 

the journey. 

As soon as we had enjoyed lunch it was time 

for a hike. Climbing the slippery hills was just 

what I needed after all that travelling, to get the 

blood pumping in my veins again. 

In a tiny cabin for four I drifted in and out of 

sleep to the rhythmical rocking of the train. At 

4am the silence was broken by a rooster... After 

13 hours on the train we arrived in Hanoi where 

the travel continued on a four hour bus ride to a 

village in the mountains, Mai Chau. 

Our Homestay in Mai Chau 

That night was spent at a rural homestay in one 

o f t h o s e a w e s o m e s t i l t h u t s . 

Lady Smiling 

This is the home to some of the Thai minority 

people, well known for their hospitality. 

This place was stunning. The rural way of life 

felt like stepping back in time yet again. 

Surrounded by hills and rice-paddies, smoke 

rising into the vast sky from the small fires 

scattered across the fields, the sounds of 

chickens and cows and cicadas, this place could 

fill you with tranquillity. 

Dinner was delicious local food cooked by the 

family, rice wine was drunk from thimble sized 

cups (luckily thimble sized, as that stuff is 

potent), crickets (below) tried and tested, and 

I'd like to quote my fellow traveller Pip to 

describe the taste as she was absolutely spot on 

when she squinted her eyes pensively and said 

"It tastes a bit like.....shrimpy floor!" 

But, of course, there was no time for 

tranquillity! 

Snack Break, Mai Chau 


A simple mattress on the thin bamboo floor 

under a mosquito net, cicadas singing from the 

rice paddies outside, I slept like a baby that 

night 

Another rooster wake-up call and back on the 

bus we went. As we wound our way up the hills 

we went right through the clouds and the sight 

of the sun was a welcome one after days of 

grey. 

It was Friday night in Hanoi, the city's bursting 

with colour, lights and life. People of all ages 

were out, including babies and toddlers who 

were carried along to enjoy the warm night and 

street food and markets etc. But I was shattered 

and in bed by ten pm. 

Back in Hanoi it was time for another rural 

bike-ride. The locals seem so humble and 

friendly and many wave and shout a happy 

"hello!". 

Halong Bay 

The next adventure was an overnight boat in 

stunning Halong Bay. Imagine a dragon 

descending into the water, its scales on the back 

being the last thing seen before fully submerged 

under the surface. 

Cycling through the suburbs of Hanoi 

As we braked for a quick sugar cane juice 

drink, people stopped and stared - in a friendly 

sort of way, mostly curious - seemingly 

fascinated by our big bums, large noses, and the 

height of some of us! Quite hilarious... 

Dinner that night was more scrumptious, 

nutritious and delicious and cheap local food 

enjoyed on the street side in Hanoi. It felt like a 

little tea-party, with the tiny furniture and 

bowls. 

Well, thet is what Halong Bay means - the bay 

of the descending dragon. 

The near 2000 limestone karsts stand 

majestically in the blue-green water, looking 

absolutelylike something taken straight out of 

som of the Chinese fairy tales I used to read as 

a child. Some stories, of course, including 

dragons! 

On the last day together as a group, my "hikebike-and-kayak-buddies" 

and I had our own 

private junk-boat. 

Halong Bay from the Junk 


(the "junk" has nothing to do with garbage but 

is the name of an ancient type of Chinese 

sailing vessel) and on this we puttered along 

slowly with a nicely quiet engine that took us 

out to the bay where we kayaked, indulged in 

sea-food, slept the night, and visited the Han 

Sung Sot caverns before returning to Hanoi. 

My last day in Hanoi I was all by myself. Yet 

another crazy dream-infested night and the bags 

under my eyes were so puffed up I was nervous 

they would make me check them in and charge 

me extra on my flight home! Anyhow, as I was 

awake by six, I went for an early walk around 

the lake to join the other hundreds of exercising 

people. 

Above, Morning Exercise, Hanoi 

below, Morning Exercise, Hoi An 

Halong Bay 

I slept like the dead on that boat, beneath my 

round cabin window which I had opened, 

knowing the giant dragon was descending right 

outside beneath the stars Halong Bay was 

magical. 

At first sight one might wonder if there's been a 

break out from a mental asylum. Some were 

jogging, dancing, playing badminton 

"normally". But there was also quite a bit of 

walking backwards, slapping a tree, moving 

randomly of body-parts in a manner we don't 

often see in the overly self-conscious world of 

the West unless someone is hallucinating or is 

just feeling twitchy. 

But I really liked this! People were out to move 

their bodies, to get some air and to loosen those 

limbs. Not to show off their new fancy sun 

glasses, pumped biceps, fake additions, brandname 

trackies, or extreme yoga poses. Inspiring 

is so much cooler than impressing! 


Walking around in Hanoi I saw lots of old men 

that reminded me of my grandfather (deceased 

since way back). And no, I don't mean the soft 

spoken mischievous baker with the gentle 

southern Swedish accent. 

Back of a house, Suburbs of Hanoi 

I mean "gong gong" (grandfather in Mandarin). 

The serious Chinese man in fine cotton clothes 

who clapped his hands together strictly when us 

k i d s g o t t o o n o i s y o r d i d n ' t 

Behave ....disciplined...But the man whose hug 

or smile then was just that little extra special, 

like all rare things. 

I only met him a couple of times when I was 

tiny but I nearly choked a few times as I 

wandered Hanoi and for a split second thought I 

had him right in front of me! 

Anyway, if he lived now he would be like four 

hundred years old or something (just 

exaggerating a little), but anyhow, grandpa' or 

lookalike, I looked twice (or stared, just a wee 

bit, nothing obvious). 

It is funny how I've grown up with some Asian 

influence in my life (my mum being from 

Singapore and all). I've had the luxury of 

enjoying real Chinese food at its best many a 

time, nutritious and delicious, fresh - and 

Vietnam certainly has amazing AND cheap 

food! 

I'm not a total stranger to Buddhist tradition as 

it runs in the family, nor to the surroundings of 

the colours, scents, and noises that tells me I am 

in South-East Asia. I love it! And I've had a 

most beautiful experience in Vietnam. 

Thanks for listening! 

Sunset, Halong Bay 


Exploring Patagonia - Impossible Mountain 


Surprisingly, in the vicinity of the village of El 

Chalten - trekking mecca National Park Los 

Glaciares, above the endless ice fields dominate 

just two quite similar to each other vertex. 

First - Fitzroy - I have already shown, but the 

second is constantly hiding under the shadow of 

heavy clouds despite the fact that is located just 

four kilometers west of the "smoking 

mountain". Only two weeks later I was able to 

see her clean. 

The second peak - the legendary Cerro Torre. It 

is one of the most difficult in the world, and 

certainly, is among the most beautiful. 

The height of the mountain (3102m) may not 

seem particularly large, if not the height of the 

granite tusk in excess of 1200 m above the 

glacier. 

Technical difficulty climbing the steep granite 

wall combined with the incredibly complex and 

unpredictable weather these places - here are 

blowing strong winds, accompanied by large 

changes in temperature. 

The picture shows what a noble colour in the 

light of dawn gives this mountain snowy gray 

hair, covering the top, like a powder. It looks 

like a frozen ice on the wall surface, reaching 

tens of meters thick. They are called 

mushrooms, or ice "mushrooms", it is 

extremely dangerous for climbers. 

Lionel Terran first conquered Fitzroy in 1952, 

called the Cerro Torre «Impossible mountain." 

The history of the past century mountaineering 

fully confirms his words. It is believed that the 

first time to the top of Cerro Torre man rose in 

1959. 


They were Italian climber Cesare Maestri, but 

the technical complexity of the claimed route 

and the lack of photographic evidence raised 

doubts that the peak was conquered. 

To confirm his words, Maestri returned to the 

foot of Cerro Torre in 1970 as part of a large 

expedition. Within two months of work on the 

wall he was using gasoline compressor scored 

in the bolt granite about four hooks with which 

he almost managed to get to the top, but the 

road was blocked "ice mushrooms." 

Maestri was forced to retreat, but, later, still 

counted himself the second ascent. He 

explained his position that "mushrooms are not 

top and ever will melt." 

In February 2012, the Americans Hayden 

Kennedy and Jason Kruk passed "Compressor 

route", without using pitons hammered Maestri. 

On the descent from the summit they removed 

more than a hundred bolts, explaining his 

decision by saying that "climbing should be 

clean." Werner Herzog took on the top of Cerro 

Torre his film "Stone cry." 

Michael Shmelev 

Kuyimba means 'to sing' in the 

Zambian Chinyanja language and 

this site is a celebration of the 

sights and sounds of southern 

Africa. Join us to experience it for 

yourself. 

Derek & Sarah Solomon 

www.kuyimba.com 



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World Image issue 22 July 2015

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