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  • Elderly Vietnamese woman with a stunning Vietnamese smile.  The Mekong Delta is famous not only for its abundant produce, labyrinth of canals and riverine activity, but the warm friendliness of its people.
    vietnamese-smile.jpg
  • Thai cook proudly displaying her beautifully carved vegetables.  As with most world-class cuisines, the presentation of the food is almost as important as its taste and preparation.  A beautiful Thai smile doesn't hurt in the presentation either.
    thai-smile.jpg
  • Japan has long been one step ahead of the rest of the world technologically. Most people, however, don’t recognize Japan for its innovations or creativity, let alone its knack for all out fantasy.   Some inventions are clever, a few are even brilliant ideas, while others are absurd but in an interesting way.  It has become such a “thing” that there is even a word for it: chindogu.  Mr Kenji Kawakami, an inventor and founder of tofugu.com.  Kawakami describes the products as un-useless, which is to say almost useful but at the same time, so outlandish that people would not want to be seen using them.  He also has a few rules for chindogu:  products may not only be funny but sort of useful and products must represent freedom, never taboo and not patented.  Finally, the products must not be for sale.  Well, a few of them have slipped through the cracks.  Anything to make a buck!   Even 100 Yen shop chain Daiso now has inflatable tits.  Another gold mine for shopping for un-useless products is Don Quijote or “donki” as it is known in Japan.  A few popular items: Lipstick guide stencils for klutses who can’t apply makeup without smudges; karaoke mufffled microphone so you can belt out that song without anyone hearing it;  nose enhancers, and even inflatable swan-shaped penis extenders!
    odd-products-05.jpg
  • Young Vietnamese woman making an origami crane, with that stunning Vietnamese smile.  The Vietnam Delta region is famous not only for its abundant produce, labyrinth of canals and riverine activity, but the warm friendliness of its people.
    vietnamese-girl.jpg
  • Smiling Henro on the Shikoku Pilgrimage - the Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on Shikoku and is believed that all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born at Zentsuji Temple in 774.  To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order.  The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing,  special walking sticks with bells and sedge hats.
    henro-7.jpg
  • Thai Schoolboys mugging and smiling for the camera. Schools are often found within temple compounds in Thailand, and in fact are local centers of each neighborhood serving as a kind of "community center".
    thai-kids.jpg
  • Karen Hill Tribes living along the border with Myanmar in Thailand, The Padaung members of the Burmese Karen are also known as the Padaung or "long-necks" because of the heavy brass rings they wear around their necks. How they came to be "long-necks" is the stuff of legend. Long ago, the headman of the tribe had a dream in which he was told that a tiger was going to kill one of the children in the village, a child that had been born on a Wednesday.  Since tigers kill their victims by first breaking their necks, the headman decreed that all children born on a Wednesday should wear heavy brass rings round their necks.
    long-necks-3.jpg
  • Ride 'em cowboy!  Posing for the camera at one of the giant penises at the annual Kanamara Shrine Matsuri in Kawasaki, Japan. Originally, Kanamara Shrine was a place for couples to pray for fertility so as to have a baby or for prostitutes to ward off diseases as it is today. The annual festival has become, however, a bit of a circus for its novelty.
    kanamara-shrine-1.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors, family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-5.jpg
  • Nepali Woman with Flowers, The population of Nepal is a mosaic of diverse ethnic groups lncluding the Thakali, Tamangs, Newar, Sherpa, Tibetans and Gurung. As such the country is meeting place of Indo Aryan peoples plus Mongoloid people from the Himalaya regions.
    nepalese-woman.jpg
  • Thai family enjoying a puppet show. Thai puppetry, known as hun lakhon lek, is an ancient art form similar to buruku. The shows are usually accompanied by music and narration who tells the story derived from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana.
    thai-puppet.jpg
  • Tea pickers in the Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka, otherwise known as "Hill Tea Country"  Numerous tea estates, such as Pedro, St. Claire and Blue Fields produce much of the premium Ceylon tea for the world market.
    sri-lanka-tea-3.jpg
  • One of the most endearing images of Hanoi is that of its ubiquitous flower vendors peddling baskets of fresh blooms either from a bicycle or baskets balanced on bamboo shoulder poles or at the local source, the Hanoi Flower Market.
    hanoi-flower-market-1.jpg
  • The Miura Peninsula, just south of Tokyo and Yokohama, is one of the most famous spots in Japan for growing bountiful and sweet watermelons.  In winter, the crop changes to daikon radishes, another product for which Miura is famous.
    miura-watermelons-4.jpg
  • The ao dai is now most commonly worn by women. In its current form, it is a tight fitting silk tunic worn over pants. The word ao dai was originally worn at the court of the Nguyen Dynasty at Hue in the 18th century. This outfit evolved into a modern dress in the 1920s and 1930s.   This updated look was promoted by artists and magazines as a national costume for the modern era. In the fifties, Saigon designers tightened the tunic part to produce the version worn by Vietnamese women today.  On Tet and other Vietnamese holidays and occasions, Vietnamese men may wear an ao gam brocade robe, a mens version of the ao dai, made with less bright colors.
    ao-dai-3.jpg
  • Thanaka also spelt thanakha is a yellowish white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Myanmar  commonly applied to the face of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.
    burmese-thanakha-2.jpg
  • Karen Hill Tribes living along the border with Myanmar in Thailand, The Padaung members of the Burmese Karen are also known as the Padaung or "long-necks" because of the heavy brass rings they wear around their necks. How they came to be "long-necks" is the stuff of legend. Long ago, the headman of the tribe had a dream in which he was told that a tiger was going to kill one of the children in the village, a child that had been born on a Wednesday.  Since tigers kill their victims by first breaking their necks, the headman decreed that all children born on a Wednesday should wear heavy brass rings round their necks.
    long-necks-1.jpg
  • Tea pickers in the Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka, otherwise known as "Hill Tea Country"  Numerous tea estates, such as Pedro, St. Claire and Blue Fields produce much of the premium Ceylon tea for the world market.
    sri-lanka-tea-6.jpg
  • In a Japanese bath, the area to wash yourself before you enter the bath is called the araiba which will have showers, taps, buckets and small stools. Entering the main bath without at least rinsing yourself with a bucket or at the araiba is considered very bad form in a public bath, sento or onsen.
    japanese-bath-3.jpg
  • Hatter at Chatuchak Market - Chatuchak Market or sometimes written Jatujak or Weekend Market in Bangkok is the largest market in Thailand, and one of the largest of the world. Frequently called J.J. it covers over 35 acres and contains more than 5,000 stalls not counting wandering vendors and street entertainers. It is estimated that the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors each day. Most stalls are only open on Saturdays and Sundays. The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and even live animals.
    chatuchak-1.jpg
  • Snack Trolley on Filipino Ferry
    philippines-boats-8.jpg
  • Nepali Woman and her Child - The population of Nepal is a mosaic of diverse ethnic groups including the Thakali, Tamang, Newar, Sherpa, Tibetan and Gurung.  This is a meeting place of Indo-Aryan peoples from the Indian subcontinent as well as the Mongoloid people of the Himalaya regions.
    nepali-women-1.jpg
  • Beijing's Panjiayuan Market, once known as the "dirt market" is a huge arts, crafts and antiques market - though it must be noted that most of the "antiques" are repros these days.  A wide array of items are available here including pottery, lacquerware, porcelain, paintings, clocks, statuettes, beads, jade, coins, brass-ware, books, records, scrolls or fans.  On weekends the number of customers reaches 70,000 visitors a day - the name of the game is to get here early.
    Panjiayuan-4.jpg
  • The Chinese drink tea all day long for good health and simple pleasure.   According to popular legend, tea was discovered by Chinese Emperor Shennong when a leaf from a Camellia  tree fell into water the emperor was boiling. Tea is deeply woven into the history and culture of China and is considered one of the seven necessities of life along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce and vinegar.
    beijing-teahouse-2.jpg
  • Friendly Buddhist monk playing with his dog on the grounds of Bayon, Angkor Thom.
    cambodian-monk-2.jpg
  • A Japanese man relaxing at an open air hot spring called a "rotemburo" in Japan.  Bathing in a natural atmosphere, among the trees and under open skies is a favorite with Japanese.  Nowadays it is almost a requirement for any hot spring resort to have outdoor baths thanks to their popularity.
    rotemburo-3.jpg
  • The Hmong are an Asian ethnic group from the mountainous regions of China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Hmong are also one of the sub-groups of the Miao ethnicity in southern China. Hmong groups began a gradual southward migration in the 18th century due to political unrest and to look for more arable land..
    hilltribe-children-3.jpg
  • Man with his Iguana and body painting of Santo Nino the local patron saint of Cebu. Like the image's counterpart in Prague, the figure is clothed in expensive textile robes mostly donations from fervent devotees in the Philippines and abroad. The statue is the oldest Catholic relic in the Philippines and permanently housed since 1565 at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City.
    iguana-man-02.jpg
  • A morning market (Hakodate Asaichi) is held daily from 5am (6am during winter) to noon, just a few steps away from JR Hakodate Station. The market area spans about four city blocks..Products on sale include various types of fresh seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs, and sea urchin. The indoor section of the market has yet more seafood shops as well as fresh produce such as potatoes and other Hokkaido products. .Several fish restaurants can be found in the market area, offering fresh seafood breakfasts if your stomach is up to it. .
    hakodate-asaichi.jpg
  • Friendly Buddhist monk playing with his dog on the grounds of Bayon, Angkor Thom.
    cambodian-monk-1.jpg
  • Siem Reap Morning Market is a large collection of indoor and outdoor stalls selling pretty much everything.  The market starts up at sunrise and remains open until around 12:00 noon.
    cambodian-market-2.jpg
  • Filipinos are a musical people, who love to sing.  Entertainers from the Philippines can be found in almost any hotel lobby or club from Tokyo to Shanghai.  Not only is there a long, musical history in the Philippines but the country is renowned for its hand-made accoustic guitars, especially those made on Mactan Island near Cebu.
    filipino-guitar-player-02.jpg
  • Much of the activity in Vientiane has always centred along the riverside.  Most evenings, people gather to play badmitten, stroll the riverbank, have a sundowner or even buy and sell printed artwork.
    vientiane-art.jpg
  • Hoi An Market Vendor - most Vietnamese markets are very colorful and active humming with activity from morning till noon.  You'll find everything from herbs to fresh crabs and other produce.
    hoi-an-market-6.jpg
  • Filipino Guard
    filipino-guard.jpg
  • Thai Chef - Thai curry refers to dishes in Thai cuisine that are made with various types of curry paste; the term can also refer to the pastes themselves. A Thai curry dish is made from curry paste, coconut milk or water, meat, seafood, vegetables or fruit, and herbs. Curries in Thailand mainly differ from the curries in Indian cuisine and other South Asian cuisines in their use of fresh ingredients such as herbs and aromatic leaves over a mix of spices
    thai-chef-1.jpg
  • Food in Puerta Galera means either one of two things: seafood fresh from the sea, or locally grown tropical fruits that grow in abundance in the area's tropical climate.
    tropical-fruit-3.jpg
  • Green Bananas at Tabgilaran Market
    green-bananas-image.jpg
  • Indian Handlebar Moustache - Indian men are famous for their moustaches, and nowhere else in India is this cultivated more than in Rajasthan, where it is almost raised to an art form.
    indian-moustache-1.jpg
  • The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. It is believed all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born in Zentsuji Temple in 774.  To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order.  The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and walking sticks.
    henro-07.jpg
  • 52.4 Henro 遍路 is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats and special walking sticks with bells. Koyasan is linked to the Kii Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails and the followers of Kobo Daishi who is buried at Koyasan.
    52.4.KII-KOYASAN-04.jpg
  • Thai Senior at Ban Bat Village or Monk Bowl Village where you will find Thai artisans making traditional alms bowls for monks who use traditional alms bowls to receive donations of food in the early morning.
    monk-bowl-village-15.jpg
  • The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. It is believed all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born in Zentsuji Temple in 774.  To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order.  The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and walking sticks.
    henro-10.jpg
  • Wicker Birdcage
    thai-birdcage.jpg
  • Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo, that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas because of the worldwide popularity of these characters. Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-8.jpg
  • Beijing's Panjiayuan Market, once known as the "dirt market" is a huge arts, crafts and antiques market - though it must be noted that most of the "antiques" are repros these days.  A wide array of items are available here including pottery, lacquerware, porcelain, paintings, clocks, statuettes, beads, jade, coins, brass-ware, books, records, scrolls or fans.  On weekends the number of customers reaches 70,000 visitors a day - the name of the game is to get here early.
    Panjiayuan-6.jpg
  • Taking a trishaw ride through Melaka seems to be the thing to do for every visitor. ;There are dozens of them offering this service and the price is fixed these days at 40 Malaysian Ringgit per hour. Unlike other towns where richsaws still ply the streets, the fixed rate ensure a reasonable fare for passengers and an equitable income for the driver. The trishaws in Melaka are colorful with lots of decorations, each with their own individual design. The rickshaws add to the color of Melaka.
    malacca-rickshaw-2.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-3.jpg
  • Lee Anu Chuepa is a young coffee entrepeneur speciaizling in fair-trade, organic coffee grown by his neighbors family and friends in Chiang Rai Province, and a cafe and distribution and roasting in Chiang Mai.
    lee-ayu-chuepa-6.jpg
  • The Tonle Sap is a combined lake/river system of importance to Cambodia and Southeast Asia. The area is home to several communities living in floating villages around the lake.  The stilt and floating villages come into their own during the monsoon seasons, otherwise the lake is shallow and difficult to manage.
    tonle-sap-floating-village-5.jpg
  • The Caffe Trieste was started by Giovanni Giotta in 1950.  Giotta had emigrated to San Francisco, California, from the small fishing town of Rovigno, Italy.  Remembering the espresso houses of Italy, Giotta opened Caffe Trieste which is said to be the first coffee house on the West Coast to serve espresso drinks.  The original Caffe Trieste in North Beach quickly became popular among the neighborhood's Italian residents.  The Caffé Trieste also becomes a convenient meeting place for Beat movement celebrities like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Robert Brautigan, Gregory Corso, Michael McClure, Kenneth Rexroth, and many others who lived in North Beach in the 1950s and 1960s.  Francis Ford Coppola wrote much of the screenplay for The Godfather while sitting in the Caffe Trieste. Its is also the home of the Trieste Saturday Concert.
    cafe-trieste-3.jpg
  • Started as a one time event in 1992 the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market  popularity led to the opening of a regular Saturday market.  Nowadays 15,000 faithful shoppers attend the market because it reconnects them with their food sources. Shopping at a farmers market provides a forum for learning how food is grown, who grew it and why it tastes so good.
    ferry-plaza-market-3.jpg
  • Though mostly a sleepy fishing village devoted to Nuoc Mam or fish sauce, Duong Dong village on Phu Quoc bustles with activity each morning at its market.  As the mid day sun looms, by noon things  shut down and the island resumes its long siesta.
    duong-dong-market-2.jpg
  • The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. It is believed all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born in Zentsuji Temple in 774. To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order. The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and walking sticks.
    henro-20.jpg
  • The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a trail of 88 temples on the island of Shikoku. It is believed all 88 temples were visited by the famous Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon school, who was born in Zentsuji Temple in 774. To complete the pilgrimage, it is not necessary to visit the temples in order. The pilgrimage is traditionally completed on foot, but modern pilgrims use cars, taxis, buses, bicycles or motorcycles. The walking course is approximately 1200km long and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days to complete. "Henro" is the Japanese word for pilgrim - they are recognizable by their white clothing, sedge hats, and walking sticks.
    henro-20.jpg
  • When Myanmar Buddhists go to the pagoda, they know in their hearts that they are treading the noble path to that state where human nature will have a fair chance to manifest itself in deeds of generosity, loving kindness and compassion for fellow beings..The guiding force is faith in one's own karmic deeds. For example, contemplation of the infinite compassion of Buddha, as one makes one's way to Shwedagon's great stupa, is a good karmic deed. The pilgrim, on his way up the steps of the pagoda, buys flowers, candles, coloured flags and streamers. They are to be offered in honour of the great stupa wherein are enshrined the relics of Buddha. This act is the act of dana, or giving, an important aspect of Buddhist teaching.
    burmese-temple-offerings-2.jpg
  • Statue of Jose Rizal who was the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is considered a national hero and the anniversary of Rizal's death is commemorated as a Philippine holiday called Rizal Day. Rizal's military trial and execution made him a martyr of the Philippine Revolution.
    fort-santiago-manila-3.jpg
  • Siem Reap Morning Market is a large collection of indoor and outdoor stalls selling pretty much everything.  The market starts up at sunrise and remains open until around 12:00 noon.
    cambodian-market-8.jpg
  • Papaya Vendor, Vientiane - Though Laos is not a very wealthy country, it has a huge variety of produce available for a song.  This has kept Laotians well fed, along with the bounty of the Mekong River to supplement the diet with protein.
    vientiane-vendor.jpg
  • The Tai Dam or Tai Dum are an ethnic group usually found in Laos and Vietnam.<br />
The Tai Dam originate from the vicinity of Dien Bien Phu,in Vietnam,the original area of occupation of the Tai people in the early history of the Tai people settlement in Southeast Asia. According to the legend of Khun Borom, the legendary progenitor of the Tai speaking peoples.  The ethnic group's name originates from the women's traditional black skirts and head dresses. The black silk is embroidered with flowers and beautiful patterns. The belt is typically bright green. Tai Dam women still wear traditional clothing, especially at ceremonies. The Tai Dam do not have a defined religion but practice ancestor worship.
    tai-dam-woman-1.jpg
  • Indian Handlebar Moustache - Indian men are famous for their moustaches, and nowhere else in India is this cultivated more than in Rajasthan, where it is almost raised to an art form.
    indian-moustache-2.jpg
  • Jaipur has so many markets, it is sometimes difficult to tell when one has ended and another has begun.  Baapu Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Indira Bazaar markets are all a part of the market jumble of Jaipur. In between and embedded within each of these markets are snack vendors, craftsmen and spices on display.
    jaipur-market-1.jpg
  • Every Easter Sunday, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, San Francisco's beloved sect of cross-dressing nuns, host The Hunky Jesus Competition in Dolores Park - celebrating people who take the look of "our lord and savior" and transform it into "our lord and sexy."  The sisters believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and we use humor and irreverent wit to expose bigotry and ignorance.  The Hunky Jesus Competition is the highlight of the Sisters' free Easter party that's been going on in the Mission's premiere public space for over three decades. These events bring all all the drag queens and even a few designers in the city because of features such as a bonnet contest and drag performances..  One of those only-in-San-Francisco events.
    hunky-jesus-contest-7.jpg
  • The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a protest and street performance organization that uses drag and religious imagery to call attention to sexual intolerance and satirize issues of gender and morality.  At their inception in 1979, a small group of gay men in San Francisco began wearing nun attire in visible situations using high camp to draw attention to social conflicts and problems in the Castro District.The Sisters have grown throughout the U.S. and are currently organized as an international network of orders, which are mostly non-profit charity organizations that raise money for AIDS, LGBT-related causes, and mainstream community service organizations, while promoting safer sex and educating others about the harmful effects of drug use and other risky behaviors. In San Francisco alone where they continue to be the most active, between 1979 and 2007 the Sisters are credited with raising over $1 million for various causes.
    sisters-of-perpetual-indulgence-4.jpg
  • Thanaka also spelt thanakha is a yellowish white cosmetic paste made from ground bark. It is a distinctive feature of Myanmar  commonly applied to the face of women and girls and to a lesser extent men and boys.
    burmese-thanakha-1.jpg
  • Apprentice geisha are called maiko literally "dance child". It is the maiko, with her white make-up and elaborate kimono and hairstyle, that has become the stereotype of a geisha to Westerners. Geiko as they are called in Kyoto (Geisha elsewhere in Japan) are traditional, female Japanese entertainers whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.
    maiko-5.jpg
  • Tending toward the traditional, Sri Lankans dress in their particular style of sari when dressing up.  When it comes to more modern dress, jeans and T shirts are the norm.
    sri-lanka-women-1.jpg
  • Tending toward the traditional, Sri Lankans dress in their particular style of sari when dressing up.  When it comes to more modern dress, jeans and T shirts are the norm.
    sri-lanka-female-1.jpg
  • The  Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka, often called "Hill Tea Country"  is the scene of umerous tea estates such as Pedro, St. Claire and Blue Fields who, altogether,  produce much of the premium Ceylon tea for the world market.
    sri-lanka-tea-2.jpg
  • Sri Lankan Buddhist Monk - Buddhism in Sri Lanka is primarily of the Theravada school, and constitutes the religious faith of about 70% of the population.  According to traditional Sri Lankan chronicles Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BCE by Venerable Mahinda, the son of the Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of Sri Lanka's King Devanampiyatissa. During this time, a sapling of the Bodhi Tree was brought to Sri Lanka and the first monasteries were established under the sponsorship of the Sri Lankan king.
    sri-lankan-monk.jpg
  • Tea pickers in the Nuwara Eliya region of Sri Lanka, otherwise known as "Hill Tea Country"  Numerous tea estates, such as Pedro, St. Claire and Blue Fields produce much of the premium Ceylon tea for the world market.
    sri-lanka-tea-5.jpg
  • The  population of Bali of three million live mostly on the island making up 90% of Bali's total.  Balinese culture is perhaps most known for its dance, dramas and frequent ceremonies. It also has several unique aspects related to their religions and traditions. Balinese culture is a mix of Balinese Hindu  religious custom and native Balinese customs.
    balinese-woman-02.jpg
  • The  population of Bali of three million live mostly on the island making up 90% of Bali's total.  Balinese culture is perhaps most known for its dance, dramas and frequent ceremonies related to their religions and traditions. Balinese culture is a mix of Balinese Hindu  religious custom and native Balinese customs.
    balinese-woman-01.jpg
  • Neo Yatai a food court opened in the plaza of Tokyo International Forum crowded with people coming for lunch, snacks or coffee.  At lunchtime, an appetizing smell fills the art filled plaza where people gather as a resting spot. Several vans with a variety of foods and drinks are on offer with stalls with unique menus.
    neo-yatai-01.jpg
  • Man with his Iguana and body painting of Santo Nino the local patron saint of Cebu. Santo Nino is typically clothed in expensive textile robes mostly donations from fervent devotees in the Philippines and abroad. Santo Nino is "big" in Cebu City, though with no known connections to iguanas.
    iguana-man-01.jpg
  • Manila Street Fashion - Nothing explains the Filipino character better than the word exhuberance.  A passion for costumes, dressing up, funny hats and beauty pageants makes the Philippines a natural when it comes to street fashion.  Although the country's hot, humid climate usually requires casual, comfortable clothing, there is usually a bit of flair added for extra value and fun.
    manila-street-fashion-02.jpg
  • Manila Street Fashion - Hat Contest - Waiters at this al fresco restaurant in Green Belt Makati hold a hat contest every year during the Chrismtas holidays.  This year's theme is "recycling".  Nothing explains the Filipino character better than the word exhuberance.  A passion for costumes, dressing up, funny hats and beauty pageants makes the Philippines a natural when it comes to street fashion.  Although the country's hot, humid climate usually requires casual, comfortable clothing, there is usually a bit of flair added for extra value and fun.
    manila-street-fashion-07.jpg
  • Costume Play Maids - A wide variety of "costume play" getups are shown here: goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime,  the sweet-and-innocent frilly look or combinations in between (goth lolly)  Every Sunday, these cosplay characters converge on Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter. Most casual observers say that cosplay is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay girls congregate in Harajuku and Aoyama - Tokyo headquarters of Fendi, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake, others consider it is a reaction to high fashion. Whatever the cause, cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes every Sunday. One wonders what they wear on Monday morning...
    costume-play-maid-2.jpg
  • Japanese university festivals are annual events held by most schools in Japan at which their students display their everyday achievements. Prospective students may come to see what the school and atmosphere are like. .However, most people who visit these cultural festivals come just for fun. Food is served, and often classrooms or gymnasiums are transformed into temporary restaurants or cafés. Dances, concerts and plays are usually performed by  by various clubs such as the dance club, the orchestra club or the drama club..The "bunkasai" is intended to be a fun event, but it is also intended to enrich people's lives by increasing social interaction. Cultural festivals are frequently depicted in Japanese animation and manga, with an increasing number of students dressing up in costume play outfits.
    japanese-university-festival-1.jpg
  • Japanese festivals are traditional festive occasions. Some festivals have their roots in Chinese festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs.  Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival. In Japan, festivals are usually sponsored by a local shrine or temple, though they can be secular. There is no specific matsuri days for all of Japan; dates vary from area to area, and even within a specific area, but festival days do tend to cluster around traditional holidays such as Setsubun or Obon. Almost every locale has at least one matsuri in late summer or autumn, usually related to the harvests. Matsuri almost always feature processions which include elaborate floats and "mikoshi" or portable shrines which are paraded around the neighborhood.
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  • Eating Vietnamese Spring Rolls
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  • Hatter at Chatuchak Market - Chatuchak Market or sometimes called the Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand, and one of the largest in the world covering over 35 acres with more than 5,000 stalls not counting wandering vendors and street entertainers. It is estimated that the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors each day on Saturdays and Sundays. The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, hats, clothing, Thai crafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods, and even live animals.
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  • Japanese service quality is light years ahead of the rest of the world. Almost everybody who visits Japan raves about it.  The Japanese style of service quality comes very much from their culture and upbringing. From young, kids in Japan were taught religiously - at home or in school - to observe being respectful to their elders and to think of others before themselves.  Delightful service encounters in Japan are fairly universal. You can get it not only in five star hotels, but also in the little family restaurants tucked away in the allies.
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  • Scallops at the Hakodate Morning Market  held daily from 6am to noon, just a few steps away from Hakodate Railway Station.  Products on sale include various types of fresh seafood such as crabs, salmon eggs as well as sea urchin.  Several fish restaurants are also in the market area, serving up fresh seafood breakfasts if  your stomach is up to it.
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  • The Hakodate Asaichi or morning market is held daily from 6am during winter to noon.  The products on sale include crabs, salmon eggs and sea urchin. Several fish restaurants can be found in the market area, offering fresh seafood breakfasts if your stomach is up to it.
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  • A morning market (Hakodate Asaichi) is held daily from 5am (6am during winter) to noon, just a few steps away from JR Hakodate Station. Products on sale: crabs, salmon eggs, sea urchin and other fresh seafood.  The indoor section of the market has yet more seafood shops as well as fresh produce such as potatoes and other Hokkaido products.  Several fish restaurants can be found in the market area, offering fresh seafood breakfasts if  your stomach is up to it.
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  • Food in the Philippines usually means fresh seafood.  Here a Filipino chef shows off his catch of the day - a giant yellowfin tuna caught by one of the local fishermen and delivered fresh to the door of the restaurant.
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  • The population of Nepal is a mosaic of diverse ethnic groups including the Thakali, Tamang, Newar, Sherpa, Tibetan and Gurung. In other words, the country is a meeting place of Indo-Aryan peoples from the Indian subcontinent and the Mongoliod people of the Himalaya regions.
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  • 100 Roofs Cafe, Dalat
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  • Black H'mong Tribal Women - The ters Hmong refers to an Asian ethnic group in the mountainous regions of southeast Asia.  Hmong groups gradually migrated southward due to political unrest and to find more arable land.  As a result, Hmong live in several countries in Southeast Asia, including northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Burma.  There are various types of Hmong throughout Asia, including the Black Hmong and Flower Hmong, named after the styles of their clothing and costumes.
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  • Black H'mong Tribal Woman - The terms Hmong  and Mong  refer to an Asian ethnic group in the mountainous regions of southeast Asia.  Hmong groups began a gradual southward migration due to political unrest and to find more arable land. As a result, Hmong live in several countries in Southeast Asia, including northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Burma.  There are various types of Hmong throughout Southeast Asia, including Black Hmong and Flower Hmong, named after the styles of their clothing and costumes.
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  • Flower Hmong girls with a bouquet of yellow roses.  Hmong groups began a gradual southward migration from China due to unrest and to find more arable land - as a result  Hmong now live in several countries in Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Burma.  There are various types of Hmong throughout Southeast Asia, including the Flower Hmong shown here, named after the styles of their clothing and costumes.
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  • Portrait of a Nomad in his Ger - Nomads move around the steppes of Mongolia depending on the season, water availability and whether or not they like their neighbors, this rugged individual included. Nomadic people move from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location. Nomads in Mongolia are usually of the pastoral type following seasonally available wild plants and game, moving with them in ways that avoid depleting pastures beyond their ability to recover.
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  • Philippines Wedding Party
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  • Cambodian Woman Wearing a Krama - Cambodians traditionally wear a checkered scarf called a krama. The krama is what distinguishes Cambodians from their neighbors the Thai, the Vietnamese, and the Laotians. The scarf is used for many purposes - protection from the sun, for your feet when climbing trees, a hammock for infants, a towel or even as a sarong.
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  • Cambodian boy playing on The Tonle Sap, a combined lake and river system of huge importance to Cambodia. The area is home to many ethnic Vietnamese and numerous Cham communities living in floating villages around the lake. The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and is an ecological hot spot that was designated as a UNESCO biosphere in 1997. The Tonle Sap is a branch of the mighty Mekong River.
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  • Costume Play Plastic Jewelry - A wide variety of costume play getups goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime or combinations in between meet up every Sunday in Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter. Many casual observers suppose cosplay is a reaction to rigid rules in Japanese society but since so many cosplayers flock to Harajuku and Aoyama, Tokyo headquarters of Fendi, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake, others consider that this may be a reaction to high fashion. Whatever the cause, cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes. One can only wonder what they wear on Monday morning to the office or school...
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  • Vientiane Morning Market Flower Girl selling her posies at this large market Despite its name the Vientiane Morning Market opens up around 08.00 and remains open until around 04.00 in the afternoon.
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  • Young Lao novice monk adjusting his cap - Buddhism is the primary religion of Laos.  Lao Buddhism is a unique version of Theravada Buddhism and is at the basis of Lao culture. Buddhism in Laos is often closely tied to animist beliefs and belief in ancestral spirits, particularly in rural areas
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  • Luang Prabang Morning Market is a large collection of outdoor stalls selling pretty much everything from sunrise till noon.
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