Anoma

"Human insecurities, greed and conflicts blur the boundaries between reason and passion and explode the tensions that exist within all of us. We create and destroy in our search for immortality, never accepting life’s unalterable fact – impermanence."

Anoma Wijewardene

http://www.anomawijewardene.com/home.html

The Photography of Alison Wright

An extraordinary woman called Alison Wright. On January 2, 2000 Alison’s life was nearly cut short during a horrific bus accident on a remote jungle road in Laos. Alison’s recent memoir, “Learning to Breathe; One Woman’s Journey of Spirit and Survival,” chronicles this inspirational story of survival and years of rehabilitation, and her ongoing determination to recover and continue traveling the world as an intrepid photojournalist.

Here is a synopsis of the story: http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200502/alison-wright_1.html

www.alisonwright.com

Jack in Sri Lanka

Great Blog! - http://www.jackinsrilanka.blogspot.com/

"Having lived in Sri Lanka for almost 11 years I am finally keeping a diary. I thought I would make it available to anyone who wants to read it for two simple reasons. 1 - stories that we have shared during the last few years have opened some eyes about life in the tropics. The stories, that are all true and recounted from personal experience have caused a mixed reaction - shock; laughter; sadness; bewilderment; concern or all of the above and as such I thought might have the same effect on a wider audience...and 2 sometimes I do not believe something happended and so I have to share it for my own sanity."

Jack Eden, Galle Sri Lanka

Noel Rodrigo - Sri Lankan Leopard Safaris

http://www.leopardsafaris.com/home.html - Sri Lanka

An interview with Noel:

http://www.srilankainstyle.com/the-magic-of-travel-series-Noel-Rodrigo.php

"Having extensive knowledge of the island’s national parks, jungles and wildlife, Noel Rodrigo has created a unique camping safari adventure which brings not only his expertise but also his passion for leopards and everything in the wild. With enthusiasm, he doesn’t only show guests where the animals are, but he trains them to guess where they could be; watching for tracks, listening out for wildlife calls and patiently waiting for that most elusive of creatures – the leopard – to emerge. His method is successful for his record in just one safari has been a staggering 14 leopards. At night, over a delicious BBQ beside the camp fire guests are treated to exciting tales of close shaves, animal conflicts and exciting adventures in Yala, Uda Walawe and the Knuckles mountains before a final walk of the secure campsite to look out for anything that moves. Guests sleep in the luxury of spacious African safari tents with hygienic chemical toilets and hot water showers under the stars. There is little more romantic than this."

Studio Naenna

"Located in a charming and peaceful environment at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Studio Naenna offers you a collection of exquisite clothing and eco textiles in ikats, silk, and cotton designed by our founder, many of which are dyed in natural dyes. Under the direction of Lamorna Cheesman, both the city branch "'Adorn' with Studio Naenna" and the main gallery Studio Naenna have a variety of hand woven products to suit all sizes and tastes. Tailor made and export products are also available. Studio Naenna is a learning experience. At our main studio, you can see our products being produced by hand, using natural dyeing, featuring 100% natural indigo vats and backstrap loom weaving. The Studio was founded in 1988 by Patricia Cheesman, an expert in antique, Lao and Thai textiles, and lecturer in Tai textiles, ceramics and contemporary design at Chiang Mai University."

Studio Naenna
138/8 Soi Changkhian, Huay Keow Rd
T. Changpeuak, Chiang Mai
Thailand 50300
Tel. (66-53) 226042
Fax (66-53) 217707

Ganesh by Mahen Chanmugan

"Mahen's art attempts to present the complex symbolism and iconography surrounding Lord Ganesh in a colourful, contemprary form. His paintings reach back to the past, while looking forward, balancing the challenges between the spirit of modernism and the need to capture the essence of a traditional art form, undiluted."

Mahen lives with his wife Rachel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Around the Fort in 80 Lives

Juliet Combe writes: "Around the Fort in 80 Lives" is built on an entirely new concept in travel writing. Merchant cities worldwide are situated at the cross-currents of history and culture, and are subject to constant renewal. Galle Fort is no exception; the loss of some old families to Colombo and overseas means it has never been more important to document their fascinating history for future generations. This book is a work of passion, and involved going from building to building interviewing people about their family history and current circumstances. Without this documentation, we feel that the buildings would lack real meaning. As storytellers, we view our task as being as fundamental to the preservation of the Fort, as the architectural restoration that is being carried out by UNESCO and Galle Heritage."

Juliet Coombe has deconstructed Galle Fort in the most charming manner. "Here you will find the old man who annoyed his wife by keeping goats in the kitchen and raising the kids in the sink (the goat's, that is, not the old man's). Noor, the diver who harnesses giant octopus, though alas we only have Noor's word for it. The betel seller with a face that has more tributaries etched on it than the Amazon. And the snake charmer who says: "If you see a snake, don't get hysterical. Just give me acall and I'll come and relocate it."

Libby Southwell

Lib... you are going on a Thelma-and-Louise-style road trip with three celebrities. Who would they be and why? Billy Connolly - for a guaranteed laugh. The Queen of Soul "Aretha Franklin"- so she can sing the entire car trip. Dalai Lama - to talk about life...

"Libby Southwell's life is like a luxurious palace surrounded by miles of bad, bumpy roads. Indeed, the international travels and adventures she pursued upon leaving home were neither calm nor boring. She's supervised a casual game of elephant polo in Nepal, worked as a top chef in Sri Lanka, slept in a yak-skin sleeping bag in Outer Mongolia and lived through the Asian Tsunami. In her journey, Libby's experienced both great joy and the most awful tragedies."

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200604/r83302_242811.asx

Joe Cummings's travel soundracks...

Some people need a soundtrack for their trips, music to listen to while on the road. "Once in 1989 I was busing across the mountainous, surprisingly empty expanses of southwestern China, when a fellow passenger passed me a tape of Thelonious Monster. I think I had only three tapes with me on that particular 36-hour ride, and TM sure sounded good. I've been making and trading tapes on the road a lot since then. Some music sounds great in one country, but comes across kind of flat or pretentious in another. Why is this? Don't ask me, but if you want some recommendations, here's some music you might enjoy"

http://www.joecummings.com/sound/

Why does Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the 20th Century Fox movie, The Beach, say, "If I ever meet [Joe Cummings] I'm going to punch his lights out"?

Amongst many other things, Joe is behind the following Lonely Planet Publications: Bangkok City Guide; China; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei; Myanmar (Burma); Southeast Asia on a Shoestring; Thailand; Sri Lanka; Thailand's Islands & Beaches.

Prince Nithakhong Somsanith

Prince Nithakhong Somsanith is not your typical prince. He is one of the last gold thread embroiderers in the ancient tradition of the court of Luang Prabang, former kingdom of Laos.

This art and its techniques used to be passed on from one generation to the next, from mother to daughter of noble birth. Prince Somsanith started his apprenticeship at an early age from his grandmother, with whom he spent time during hot summer days. It was there that he was introduced to and helped with intricate and tedious embroidery tasks.

http://www.princesomsanith.com/