Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Ho Chi Minh City, Southeast Asia, Travel, Urban, Vietnam
A typical street scene in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I love how people effortlessly gather, no matter the time of day, for a simple yet gratifying meal around a small table, seated on small chairs. And don’t forget that yummy Vietnamese coffee. Yummy and cosy.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. November 2009.
Smena 8m
I could extol the virtues of the Icelandic landscape for a long time. And I shall.
I went to the geothermal area to visit the original Geysir. Geysir, due to tourists throwing stones to generate a reaction (i.e. eruption), has been pretty inactive the past years. So Stokkur provides most of the entertainment. Wander around and you’ll find this cool blue lad, sitting quietly confident, away from the crowd.
It is au naturel and the eeriest shade of blue I have ever seen. The smell of sulphur was really pungent in the air.
Iceland, June 2009.
Smena 8m
The first time I went to Norway, I was completely in love with everything I saw and experienced. The Oslo-Bergen train ride is a must-do if you’re ever in that part of the world as the sights are simply amazing. Although I seem to be there only in winter, and hence can’t see the border between green and white on mountains, the sheer whiteness that covers the peaks is astounding and breathtaking.
Oslo to Bergen, Norway. January 2008.
Smena 8m
I love snailmail. This may come as a surprise as patience is a virtue I have little of. However, I am a fan of the old school.
There’s something about waiting that makes the outcome that much sweeter. I have forgotten this, as I crave immediate solutions, fast results and efficiency (ok, this I NEED, especially in logistical matters). It feels as if society has conditioned us for this and we race through life with utmost pragmatism and, dare I say it, efficiency. But there are variables, like a science experiment, that we cease to have control of and thus, can only…wait.
It’s time to slow down and pace myself – I love snailmail, afterall!
Amsterdam, November 2008.
Smena 8m
I’m off!
I have some weird affinity with the Dutch, it seems. When I was in primary school, I had a Dutch penpal (she used to study in the same school as me). We’d send each other cute updates of our lives, written on papers decorated with flowers, doodles and perfume. It was the best penpal relationship a kid could have. I was eight years of age when I step foot on the Netherlands to meet up with her after she left Singapore, and ever since then I’ve been returning time and time again.
2010 is no different, and I am horribly excited.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. August, 2004.
Action Sampler
Paradoxes, I’m sure we’re all acquainted with them. Things that seemingly contradict each other, yet coexist and make perfect sense.
I crave, yet loathe, permanence. Familiarity is such a comfortable thing and after years of moving around, a welcome change to my gallivanting ways. However, 2 months in the same place, and I’m itching for my next adventure.
Here’s one that represents wanderlust.
Volendam, The Netherlands. September 2008.
Olympus Trip 35
I am currently in the midst of filtering, labelling and organising YEARS of 35mm photography. I bought 4 makeshift boxes from Ikea to help in this arduous task but, alas, they were not enough!
My strategy is to organise them according to year, with each year having its own box – starting with 2009 and working my way backwards in a chronological order.
Through doing this, I realised just how MUCH I’ve travelled for a person of 24, and also how early I started taking photos (a simple point and shoot in primary school). Photos of mountains, lakes, beaches, snow, waterfalls, icebergs, friends, laughter, churches, temples, cliffs, clouds and urbanity – it was pretty overwhelming. As a child armed with nothing more than a camera and an imagination, clouds were my favourite theme. After collecting my rolls from the photo shop, my parents would chuckle and ask why I took so many pictures of them (a seeming waste of money, I suppose). I think they represented changeability and constant movement to my young, growing mind – elements that triggered a keen sense of exploration and adventure.
Needless to say, I feel extremely lucky and grateful for all I’ve seen and done – none of this would have been possible without the support of my parents and friends. Europe is where I’m headed in a week’s time. Friends are actually taking trains/flying in to Amsterdam and London to come meet me. This is hardly the first time it has happened, for which I am utterly thankful.
I didn’t just organise photos today. I counted my lucky stars – and felt extremely loved.
A youngish me in Cambodia. June 2006.
Supersampler
PS: I am still FAR from completing my task. “Ikea boxes” is on my To Buy list.
Happy 2010, everyone!
May you have a great year ahead – love, life, health and wealth! Let it also be one filled with adventure, good times and achievement(s).
You know this is gonna be another year of travelling for me 
I’m determined to make it so!
Much love,
Sufen
Singapore. October 2009.
Smena 8m
I love road trips. That immense sense of freedom pulsing through your veins as you floor the accelerator, preferred choice of music blaring away. The company of friends’ chatter, teasing and planning; the silence as you peer out the windows. Australia is perfect for that and the red and blue makes for a stunning juxtaposition as you drive into the horizon.
Somewhere north of Perth, Western Australia. August 2006.
Frogeye
Dear Readers,
May this be a time of love, peace, happiness and simple content for you and your precious ones. Enjoy yourselves and thank you for popping by every now and then
Merry Christmas!
X,
Sufen
Singapore, December 2006.
Smena 8m
