Introducing....
Travelling With Us
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Photo by Nick Rains
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If you've ever wondered what it's like to join one of our Discovery Workshops, you can find out more by visiting Ian's blog. Ian, our Operations Manager, has just returned from accompanying our guests to Jodhpur, India, and has been busy compiling a trip report that details the ins and outs of a Photo Tours Abroad workshop. Here you can read about how the daily itinerary is structured around the photographic opportunities available, how the range of subject matter allow participants to work on a range of techniques, and also about the surprising subjects that appeared unexpectedly - surely one of the joys of travel generally.
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 | Photo by Nick Rains
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The trip was an enormous success, and our Guest Artist Nick Rains made sure that each participant got the most out of their camera and were able to develop and hone their craft. We'd like to thank Nick for his expert guidance, and also our guests who made the trip so enjoyable. We look forward to meeting you again soon in an equally exotic location.
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Loyalty Discounts
We at Photo Tours Abroad strive to provide quality experiences and service, and we appreciate that it is you, our guests, who have helped us to grow over the last couple of years.
This is a reminder that we like to show our appreciation by offering discounts on all our trips to our past customers -
for your second booking you will receive a 5% discount, with further discounts on subsequent tours - so the more you travel, the more you save!
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Imagine yourself aboard a private sailing boat bobbing around in the clear, turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, a refreshing drink in hand, and the Mediterranean breeze lightly ruffling your hair... if this sounds too good to be true, then read on.
This gulet cruise comprises the highlight of our new trip to Turkey. This tour has been designed to not only take in the cultural history and photographic potential of a fascinating destination, but also to allow our guests to relax in style while getting to know other like-minded people. A gulet is a two or three-masted wooden sailing boat, and their elegant design certainly adds an air of romance to a cruise around the 'Turkish Riviera'. The design may be reminiscent of the past but the facilities provide all the creature comforts of the present day. This allows you to take full advantage of your time on board; whether that be scouting for photo opportunities along the journey, reviewing your photography with your fellow-travellers, or just relaxing and enjoying the views and conversation.
A relaxing time might be just what you need after exploring the other sights of Turkey, which abounds with history and myth. Other highlights include a visit to Ephesus which was the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World, and where the remaining Roman ruins can offer an enlightening look back into history. Also on the itinerary is the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is said to have spent her last days. It is now a place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims alike, and the atmosphere is deeply reverential. For photographic subjects of a different nature we've also included Pamukkale, where the travertine hot springs have formed an undulating landscape of white.
We're planning to set sail this September, so if this sounds just like the get-away you need you'd better visit us here first to guarantee your place.
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Festival on the Roof of the World
The Shotun (yoghurt banquet) Festival may be little known outside of Tibet, but for the people of Lhasa it's the highlight of their calendar and people gather from all over the Tibetan plateau to celebrate.
The origins of the festival date back to the 11th Century when a monk named Master Atisha came to Lhasa from Bangladesh. He encouraged the other monks to cloister themselves in the monastery during summer in order to avoid stepping on, and inadvertently killing, the tiny living creatures that would emerge during the warmer months. This time was given up to quiet meditation, and after opening the doors again the local people would descend en masse to offer the monks tokens of their appreciation - namely yoghurt. Apparently, Master Atisha was a big fan of the stuff and would pray for anybody offering alms of yoghurt, and the giving of yoghurt was also a way to ensure the health of the livestock that had supplied it.
After the mid-15th Century the festival started to evolve, and more and varied elements were added to the festivities including performances of Tibetan Opera. Dances, chants, and songs are used to bring to life stories based on Buddhist teachings and historical events, and masks of different colours are used to represent the different characters in the story, for example llamas, kings, and gods. For a change of pace there are breathtaking displays of horsemanship and yak races, always a crowd pleaser.
And for a sight you can't find anywhere else in the world there is the unfurling of a giant Thangka (religious scroll painting) depicting an image of Buddha that takes place on the hillside of Lhasa. Carried from the Drepung Monastery amidst a cloud of mulberry smoke and with the sound of sutra horns echoing through the valley, the event attracts thousands of local devotees. With such an array of subject matter you'll be thankful that the age of the digital camera has arrived.
This August sees a rare chance for Australian photograhers to join our Guest Artist Nick Rains for his fifth workshop with us - because of the strict visa regulations we can only offer this trip to Australian passport holders. Visit us here to get in the festival spirit! |
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