Wild Photography....

How I wish to be a wildlife photographer cum nomad/wanderer, being armed with camera and be gone into nowhere where there is a very little trace of humanity...Look at these beautiful photographs taken from the website http://www.wildthingsphotography.com/. I love the photos of whales with the sunset as the magnificient golden backdrop. Nature is a beauty of its work...Why why why art thou so beautiful???



Yesterday I was chatting with Raymond about his job as a cameraman. He used to work as a graphic designer for a few years before he gave up his cushy job to be a professional photographer. Gradually, he went into line to produce films for documentary companies like NGC and Discovery Channel. I was very curious about his work so I asked him alot about his work. He shared that the NGC sent him to film on the Great White Shark in South Africa where he has to be enclosed in the cage while the bait had been thrown in the sea water to lure the shark. Within few minutes, the shark appeared from nowwhere and swam towards the cage. It could be a very scary moment to have a legendary JAW coming at you! I was simply blown away by his experience though he did not elaborate further. Perhaps Raymond is quite reticient and more introspective than me. Unlike me, I am more extrovert, chirpy and tend to give VERY full detailed account of my story.

Furthermore he shared that he was sent to Africa to film on lions and lionesses for 15 days with no shower and no jeep. He has to carry heavy camera equipment by himself! Amazing amazing..I have never had a closest encounter with any wild animals in my life and imagine yourself with a group with no proection against the wild animals. What if the lions caught the whiff of human scent and would chase you! I could imagine all kinds of possibilities but it is amazing to know Raymond is definitely intrepid to film lions and great white shark. Awesome!!!! Awesome!!!!

Then I shared my personal experience of solo expedition to Nepal and Mongolia. Raymond told me that he had always wanted to visit Nepal but he rather waited for his children to grow up first and then he would make a plan to visit Nepal. So, I shared with him that I had suffered AMS there and how I endured the freezing temperature in the inn where there was no heater at all. "Oh my god" look was registered on Raymond's face and he asked me why I wanted to go there alone. I told him that i enjoyed travelling alone, savouring the quiet moments! I had to endure 2 snowstorms and when I was resting in the inn, the snow accumulated so fast that it virtually covered up the window! I could read his mind that why I must punish myself to go to these tough places. Perhaps I enjoy pain or suffering...I could be mad!

Then I shared my experience of my journey to Mongolia in classic Trans-Siberian Railway. I quickly brought Raymond into his studio to demonstrate how big the ger camp was. If you were there, you could see me that I was very chirpy and animated cos I was so excited to share with my friends about my journeys. I dun mind of repeating them countless times. I made an imaginery circle on the floor and I pointed to a chair. It represnted a low door which you have to cower to get inside the tents. Then when I stepped into the imaginery ger while Raymond was standing outside the imaginery ger tent, I pointed at the water basin for washing your hands on one side. I pointed to the wall and told him that there were 2 beds on the opposite side. Then I pointed to my back and it would be an altar or sofa for the visitors. I pointed to the centre part and it would be a furnace on which the family would prepare the Mongolian dish. I pointed to the top where the beams would be conjoined on top of the tent with the chimney bellowing the smoke out of the tent. I could see Raymond's face being lit up with wonder and amazement. Raymond asked me what about the floor. Oh..it wouldbe covered with carpet! Then I got out of the imaginary tent and I tagged him along to show him my handphone photo of myself standing outside ger camp. Wow wow wow were these words I heard from his mouth. Amazing Mongolia, isn't it? Then I shared with him about horse racing, Mongol's traditional sports and it was simply magnificient to ride on a horse, soaking yourself in wide expanse of land which is devoid of trees and is covered with snow!

Raymond, being married with 1 son and 1 daughter and I could hit it off so well cos we love the outdoor so much that we are simply crazy and we tend to forget about the safety! We just feel the pulses of our love for outdoor to savour once-in-the-lifetime moment!

When I left his office, I kept thinking about Raymon on how he had mustered so much courage to follow his dream to take off-beaten road. He told me that even if he felt his age was catching up with him, he wants to be in this line. No wonder he is so fit that he has taken part in many adventure races. I met him at the adventure workshop organised by renowned adventurer Ian Anderson. He will be my team member for NUS Adventura Race this Sunday with other ang-mo partner, Frank. And Raymond and Frank will be participating in Action Asia this coming September. Oh oh oh I was so crazy about adventure race or to travel to many places like Easter Island, Galapagos, visiting Maya Civilisation, trekking across Antartica, and so many places..Oh...dear I simply can't wait to relish the feeling of lone ranger, wander, wander wander into unknown places! Once again, I am simply crazy, lunatic and mad for adventure! A big and insatiable thirst for adventure!