tree22's fotoblog

A window into Venice

tree22 — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:03:18 +0000

Venice is city of canals (or bridges), bask in the glory of Grand Canal palaces with maze of narrow alleyways and small canals criss-crossing the city island. Alleyways are flooded with art galleries, artisan showrooms, wines, music, while canals are its highways for slow boats, gondolas and water taxi. It takes a certain imagination to forgo the convenience of cars and even bicycle is non-existent.

Venice, Italy: 2-Apr-2010

Sunset over the Caspian Sea

tree22 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:28:32 +0000

Aktau, Kazakhstan: 18-Oct-2009

St. Margaret’s Church

tree22 — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:59:58 +0000

St. Margaret’s Church is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square. Originally founded in the 12th century, St. Margaret’s was rebuilt from 1486 to 1523 and the church’s interior was greatly restored to its current appearance in 1877.

Westminster Abbey, London: Sept-2009

Summer in “Land of Cheese”

tree22 — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:59:52 +0000

Den Haag, The Netherlands: Aug-2009

Moments to be cherished

tree22 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:35:09 +0000

Pic by Samantha Ting - Miri, Malaysian Borneo: July 2009

Life • New Beginning

tree22 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:36:47 +0000

Kundasang, Sabah: April 2009

Portrait of a bride

tree22 — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:54:32 +0000

Hanoi, Vietnam: Feb 2008

Kelabit lady

tree22 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:12:50 +0000

Kelabit, at approximately 5,000 people, is one of the smallest indigenous groups in Sarawak, Borneo predominantly from Bario located on the Kelabit Highlands. Kelabit people are well-known for their warmth, hospitality and friendliness and, also renowned for their famous Bario rice, beadwork, basket making and great generosity of spirit…..indeed simple desire and life – so refreshing esp in our today’s ever fast-changing and materialistic world.

Like tattoo, once, extended earlobes (left pic) is part of kelabit culture and were regarded as a sign of beauty (also in the pic, the beaded cap is called peta in kelabit). Everyone would have them done. The earlobes that are pierced with a sharp bamboo or needle will be slowly enlarged by hanging a pair of brass ear rings called hornbill ear rings (or abey in Kelabit). However, this practice has since slowly disappeared. It’s a bit like the Chinese traditional bind feet, in time to come this will be a total history.

Bario, Malaysian Borneo: May 2007

Peace on Earth

tree22 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:43:08 +0000

Padi (rice) field — Bario is situated on Kelabit Highlands at 3,280 ft asl tucked in the central north of Borneo, only accessible by air and haven for jungle trekkers and nature lovers. Also, commonly considered as the ‘Green Heart’ of Borneo – they are the cultural homeland of the Kelabit people and home of the largest surviving intact forested and traditionally farmed watershed in Borneo which also serve as an important climate stabiliser and source of near-pristine hydrology.

Bario, Malaysian Borneo: May 2007

Back to Nature

tree22 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:21:30 +0000

Walk in nature…aahh, beautiful lush tropical rainforest. This shot was taken at the Lambir National Park, Borneo: May 2007