the Caffeinated Traveller’s Photo Gallery

The best caffeine views – Panama Boquete

I’d thought I’d share some of the best views I’ve had with my caffeine: tea or coffee

Here’s the first one in a series. At the entrance to Boquete town in Panama, on top of a hill, sits a large information centre. Inside is a cafe offering good coffee and panoramas of the valley below and the mountains beyond.

After sitting here and soaking in the view, I know why Boquete has become popular with expats from around the world. Why wouldn’t you want to be here?

by Cate

Kotowa is a Panamanian company that has transformed it’s once poor labour practices and policies into a progressive employer. With the aid of an American Coffee giant. Since it’s transition Kotowa has increased in business and size. Nice work.

by Cate

by Cate

The good life….

Caffeinated Traveller

Mother of all grapefruits – pomelo love

I was watching a food travel show recently where the presenter was making his way through the foods of Phuket, Thailand. He came across the pomelo and used it in a wonderful scrummy salad. My first encounter with this fruit– a citrus relative to the grapefruit — was in the town of Ipoh Malaysia. Pomelo shops are found everywhere in the back streets as this fruit is grown widely around the area.  Unusually large the pith is thick and hard to peel without a knife, the fruit inside is firm, not very juicy or sour.

by Cate

One of these beauties will last a day. Big bold and green.

by Cate

Caffeinated Traveller

Watch out I spout – Chicago

Another interactive sculpture that is worth photographing on a sunny day. This sculpture has two large screens facing  at opposite ends. Each one displays a digital face and there are around two thousand facial images on show.

by Cate

The fun part is that the face just blinks and stares for a couple of minutes but then, it puckers up the mouth and spouts forth:

by Cate

Now that is what I call family fun.

Caffeinated Traveller

Chicago? Bean there done that

Downtown Chicago has a large collection of interactive sculptures, Millenium Park is one place in particular where you can go with family or friends and walk among the art. The Bean as it is affectionately dubbed by Chicagoans, is not only brilliant in its design but its chromed glare. On a sunny day dark glasses are needed, plus a camera.

The sculpture’s show name is called Cloud Gate, either way it’s a marvel in design and engineering, taking two years to make and finish, this beauty has no seams.

Talent, vision and hard work like that has to be appreciated. If you’re in Chicago take a trip to Millenium Park and have some fun.

Caffeinated Traveller

Not everything in Singapore is perfect

There is a misconception that Singapore is a clean city with strict rules and laws, even I fell victim to that. The reality is that it’s a city like any other city, crowded, noisy, busy and a place to express yourself.

And occasionally advertise your blog:

Caffeinated Traveller

Street Life – Xi’an

There is always activity going on around the street somewhere in China. Whether it’s an old lady stubbornly protesting the demolition of her antiquated shop;

cate

Or some maintenance in need of safety guidelines;

cate

Or a penniless person making the most of recycling programmes;

cate

Want to see more? Scroll down for more images

Caffeinated Traveller

Temples – a closeup

I love wandering around Buddhist temples and pagodas. There is just so much to see, in detail. Xi’an is famous for the Terracotta Warriors, but it also has some other points of interest worth visiting. For now take a closer look at the ”Wild Goose Pagoda”: candles, bells and carvings.

Just a small look at the historical temples around Xi’an and there are a lot of them, making this city one of the more interesting places to visit in China.

Caffeinated Traveller

The Greatest wall of all

Can the Great Wall be seen from space? Legend has that it can be seen.  American traveller-explorer Richard Halliburton started this debate back in 1938 and it has continued ever since. Space experts claim it can be seen through binoculars if you know where it’s located. Yet a Chinese Taikonaut (astronaut) Yang Liweil claimed he couldn’t find it when he was  in space.  True the Great Wall is long – 8,851.8 kms (5,500 miles), but it is less than 9 metres (30 feet) wide. You decide.

Caffeinated Traveller

Emerald Hill -Singapore

Walking around this tranquil area just off Orchard Road is like taking a step back in time. Shop houses from time gone by. Many of these have been renovated, some neglected. What these places all have in common, is their unique design; and charming shuttered windows.

Cate

Some homes till retain a touch of the Orient.

Cate

The occasional home reminded me of places back in New Zealand. Renovated turn of the century, blending natural and synthetic materials, textures and colours.

Cate

Caffeinated Traveller

Everest

There is nothing more spectacular than seeing creation at its best. Everest has to be high on the list. The sheer size of the mountain, it’s girth and rugged peak, no sculptor could have crafted this better than mother nature herself.

Cate

I really enjoy telling tall stories about the time I walked to Everest base camp. After gasps of admiration the truth comes out. A four wheel drive took me most of the way (Tibetan side). Then I walked the remaining 200 metres or so, which took three hours; the hardest walk of my life. 5500 metres above sea level and not much in the way of oxygen. Mountaineers have my complete respect.

Cate

Reaching Everest from Tibet maybe one of the easier routes but if you choose to walk that last 200 metres expect it to be hard.

Caffeinated Traveller

Late afternoon strolls in Olympic Park – Seoul

When I have to think ideas over and reword writing, I take myself to Olympic Park a five minute walk from my home. Call me lucky. It’s a park full of colour, texture, shapes and constant movement. No matter what time of day and what season.

Cate

A park that compliments the city surrounding it. Given the right time, lighting and natural effects, the park enhances all things concrete.

Cate

It’s a park packed full of simplistic beauty. Too often ignored.

Cate

And it’s a park that will be missed when I leave Seoul in May. Thank-you Olympic Park, you have provided me with ideas, thoughts, images and exercise.

Caffeinated Traveller

Colour can be found anywhere, anytime

At times I become too wrapped up in searching for an interesting subject, that I miss the obvious. When I unfocus my eyes and clear my mind, colour meets me head on. Seoul’s desolate looking landscape during the winter months acts as a natural canvas for colour. It’s usually found in the smallest places, where my eyes don’t often go.

Cate

Cate

Cate

I still need one black and white shot for balance.

Cate

The best places to find colour and interesting subjects are often found in fruit markets and souvenir stalls.

Caffeinated Traveller

Brunei’s Royal Umbrellas

In Brunei, umbrellas are more than just protection from the climate. The Royal Regalia Museum in the country’s capital, has on display royal memorabilia used in the sultan’s crowning ceremony–including umbrellas. Umbrellas mixed in patterns, colour, and value; all of which I know nothing about.

Cate

Dutifully standing to attention as though guarding an invisible sultan.

Cate

Finding a good angle was virtually impossible due to the ever watchful eye of the female guards (scary).

Cate

If only I knew why these umbrellas, protectors of weather and sultans, are highly regarded in Brunei. Any ideas?

Caffeinated Traveller

BOH Tea Plantations – Cameron Highlands Malaysia

Lush plantations all thriving in the rich fertile earth. The clear mountain air, the rolling landscape that continues on and on, beyond the mountains, non-stop, until it meets the sea. In these highlands it is easy to see nature at its best. And sample some of its bounty–tea.

Cate

For tea drinkers around the world, believe me when I say BOH tea is addictive. There is something in their blends.

Cate

And the magical surroundings. Enjoy — the tea’s on me!

Caffeinated Traveller

Hilton Washington Dulles Airport

This luxurious hotel has some rather nice looking seating in its lobby area. Striking, contemporary, and beautifully crafted.

Almost like stepping into Willie Wonka’s factory. Any moment now, expect to see Mr Wonka himself walk across the polished floor, top hat and cane, accompanied by his loyal Oompa Loompas.

J.R.May

Mixes in textures, hues, curves, and lines are elegantly framed within a border. Making this scene into a picture itself.

by J.R.May

What’s even more attractive is the comfort factor. As long as you stay upright.

Thanks to guest photographer Joe May, who captured these images on a recent stay at the hotel.

Caffeinated Traveller

Hong Kong Island

If you thought Hong Kong island was nothing more than a fast paced city complete with stress and high blood pressure–guess again.

cj

It’s good to know that even the busiest of places can stand still for a short moment; and watch someone else do the work.

Sometimes though, reality has to be checked and accepted.

c

If you happen to come here to read my blog, just click on archives or categories on the right sidebar and you’ll be taken to the latest post.

Caffeinated Traveller