photography Archives - Page 13 of 89

In Search of the Fearsome, Deadly Komodo Dragon – Photos

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Opher

We left the safety of our ship, boarded small boats and headed in to the jetty and the beach.

Somewhere in the fetid jungle the ferocious dragons lived – mouths full of fangs, dripping red saliva and a bite so deadly that nobody survived. Their reputation went before them.

The could outrun deer and eat them whole.

We were introduced to our intrepid guide who was going to lead us into the interior. We eyed him up for signs of strength and courage. All he had to defend us with was a forked stick. We remained dubious.

We set off and immediately came across a wild pig, part of the staple diet of the dragons. It looked half-starved and petrified. I think it was a nervous wreck.

We set off down the trail through the thick tropical vegetation, expecting to bump into a dragon at every step, peering around us, expecting one to pounce.

Rounding a corner we stumbled upon a giant monster slumbering in the shade. It opened its eye to see who was disturbing its morning nap.

Then it closed its scaly eye and went back to sleep.

The Island of Komodo – Photos

Posted on August 1, 2020 by Opher

We had the rare opportunity to visit Komodo. It is famous for its fearsome Komodo dragons – great reptiles with a venomous bite.

We were only allowed on the island with a guide to protect us against these terrible beasts.

We arrived in the early morning and surveyed the landscape. I think we were half expecting to see the huge lizards basking in the sunshine, waiting to eat people. There were bare hills and some trees. No sign of fearsome dragons.

Some of the local kids canoed out to meet us. For pennies, they dived into the sea.

We dropped anchor and prepared to be taken ashore. There was an air of excitement.

Male and the Maldives – more Photos

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Opher

We walked around Male and then took a ferry out to the islands. There was not a huge amount to see. But we found in interesting – if a bit too hot and sweaty. How those Muslim women manage in all those heavy robes (but I notice the men are in summer attire).

It did not feel great to me.

Male and the Maldives – The Masjid Mosque. Photos

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Opher

As we approached the Maldives in the early morning light it was plain to see how low-lying it was. These sandy islands (many artificially created as holiday resorts by crushing coral into sand) are a great holiday resort – a magnet for western tourists interested in a beach holiday with watersports and scuba diving.

I think that with global warming and rises in sea levels it is going to find itself with major problems.

The city of Male is on an island. You cannot see the island. It just looks like buildings sitting on the water.

It is not very picturesque. The Maldivians are all crammed in here. They then go off to service all the tourists in the plush hotels on the other islands.

We visited one of the few places of interest – The Masjid Mosque. One of the things that worried me most was that religion was compulsory. You had to be a worshipping Muslim to live there. I found that scary. I hate totalitarianism and brainwashing.

I also hate hypocrisy. There was no alcohol allowed – though they could sell it freely to the Western tourists.

Of course, instead of having a look at the place, we could have opted for a luxurious day on the beach being cosseted by the people who live crammed into the city of Male.

Suez Canal – City under construction/Abandoned??

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Opher

About halfway along we came across a strange ghostly city. It looked to be under construction but it also looked abandoned.

Does anybody know anything about this?

The only sign of life seemed to be military. There were lots of soldiers and trucks. Some were messing about with a very gaily coloured balloon.

There were a number of plaques and statues.

Down the Suez Canal – Photos

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Opher

It was interesting travelling down the Suez Canal. What was apparent was that it was a militarized zone. It has featured in the Israeli/Egypt wars. There are military camps, gun towers, pontoon bridges and armed troops all along its length.

The canal also provides a living for local fishermen. Small boats can be seen all along. It seemed a dangerous business to me with all these huge ships heading through.

There were also ferries beetling back and forth between ships.

The towns and cities, with a backdrop of huge sand dunes and foreground of palm trees, sat in the middle of desert sand.