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Yellow Hat Monks

Introducing... 
Clyde Heppner 
Clyde Heppner
 Clyde Heppner is a fine art photographer, and we were delighted to welcome him to the Photo Tours Abroad team last month. His work focuses on landscape, cultural, and sporting images, and travel photography is a particular passion of his - he describes it as a 'love potion'. He has travelled extensively, and his body of work reflects his fascination with cultural diversity, saying "The more time I spend experiencing new cultures, learning about them, and creating compositions that reflect my experience, the happier I am."

  

Clyde is a self-taught photographer, though he has studied under several notable photographers to hone his craft. He is particularly interested in photography as an art form, particularly the effects produced using composition, light, and subject matter. A self-described "nerd' when it comes to photography, he also enjoys exploring the history of photography.  
He uses a contemplative approach to his compositions, and his work is also influenced by his interest in Eastern Art and training in Psychology, which is evident in images such as the ones below.  

Clyde has an extensive and impressive artist resume, and has exhibited his work both nationally and internationally, earning awards along the way.   

Lady in a boat

Clyde first came to know Photo Tours Abroad when he attended one of our early workshops, and says he was "impressed by the quality of the experience, from pre-workshop materials to hotel rooms to food to photography.  It was a pretty incredible experience."  He says the decision to join the company was an easy one, working with people he trusts in providing valuable and worthwhile experiences.

 

Clyde will be the Guest Artist for our upcoming Lhasa Discovery tour in January. He excited about exploring the sacred sites of Tibet, such as the Potala Palace and Yamdrok lake, and witnessing the monks debating at the Sera Monastery, a uniquely Tibetan experience. Details will be made available soon, but in the meantime you can check out Clyde's work on his website here.
Blossoms
Spotlight on...Tibet

Tibet is a place whose very name conjures mystery and spirituality, where stunning landscapes and ancient traditions combine. Indeed, it is difficult to avoid hyperbole when describing Tibet, but here the superlatives are justified, and the challenge for photographers here is to translate such emotions into images.

 

The iconic landmark of the Potala Palace, the former residence of the Dalai Lama, is instantly recognisable. Perched above the city of Lhasa it is a labyrinth of chapels, libraries, and shrines, and the scent of incense and yak butter candles, coupled with the chanting of monks, creates an evocative atmosphere.

 

Established in the 15th century, the Ganden and Sera monasteries are two of the 'great three' university monasteries of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, and have provided the spiritual education of monks and nuns for centuries. Of special interest are the debates of the Sera Monastery, where monks gather to debate particular points of Buddhist philosophy in order to reach a higher level of understanding.

No less holy than the man-made temples is Yamdrok Tso lake. The turquoise waters are said to be the female guardian of Buddhism, and as such have the power to bless and protect.

 

The Jokhang Temple, is considered to be the holiest site in Tibet, and its construction in 647 marked the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet. As such it is an important point of pilgrimage for people from all over the Tibetan areas, and it is common to see pilgrims prostrating themselves and performing devotions in the streets around the temple, which hum with street vendors selling all manner of Tibetan artefacts.

 

This January you can join our Guest Artist Clyde Heppner on the "roof of the world" and capture this amazing part of the world for yourself. Details are coming soon, so stay tuned.

Hindi language   
Focus on....language

Before travelling to a new country it is always useful to learn some of the local language - in this way you can more easily interact with people and build bridges to cross-cultural understanding. So when travelling to India it may come as some surprise that you already have a wide range of vocabulary to use when chatting to the friendly locals.


For example, "loot" comes from the Hindi word meaning "to steal", and "thug" comes from the word for thief. The Hindi word for crocodile is Magar, a common material for Victorian purses to be made out of, hence we get the word "mugger" for street robber.

 

When it comes to clothing, we can also thank Hindi for such words as "bandana" (to tie a scarf around the head); "pyjamas" (leg garment); and "jodphurs" (named for the city Jodphur, where they were part of everyday dress).

From Tamil kaasu, we get the word "cash", the Sanskrit khanda evolved into the English word "candy, while the Hindi language gave us "shampoo". "Juggernaut" also has an interesting provenance - it comes from the Jagannath temple in Puri, where during the annual festival temple deities would be carried on huge carts, reportedly crushing some pilgrims under the wheels.

 

If you'd like to try out your language skills, and practise your photography skills with a pro, you can join our Guest Artist Nick Rains in February 2014. We'll have details for you soon, so get out of your pyjamas, shampoo your hair, jump into your jodphurs and grab some cash for the journey of a lifetime! 
Chinese Tea Ceremony  

 All the Tea in China...

For many 'tea' is synonymous with China, where tea plays a prominent role in the culture. However, in China 'tea' is synonymous with Fujian, a coastal province in the south-east, where tea enjoys a history of over 1600 years. The earliest record of tea in the area comes from a stone tablet placed on the top of Lotus Flower Peak, and attests to the early production of tea in the area.

 

The environment of Fujian is critical for its reputation as the centre of tea production - with eco-climates ranging from sub-tropical coastline to alpine mountain ranges, Fujian is able to produce a variety of tea types. In fact, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and scented teas were all pioneered here, and the quality of the tea produced here was good enough to be served to emperors in Beijing. The position of Fujian was also instrumental in introducing tea to the world - the port town of Xiamen was an important stopping place along the maritime Silk Road, and so it was from here that tea travelled to the west.

 

This October, our Guest Artist Michael Yamashita will be leading a photography tour to Fujian. Here you can explore the fascinating architecture and history of the province, and of course enjoy a refreshing cup of tea while you review your artistic endeavours. Click here for more details, we hope to welcome you soon. 

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