Scattered Seeds

“Mountain shapes are often fantastic seen through a mist; these were like the wildest creation of a dream” — George Mallory, 1921

I have started posting images taken during the Nepal trek on the photography website. The following are the first four images posted. Enjoy looking at all the other images—one day at a time.

Kids in Kharikhola, Nepal

School Children in Cheplung, Nepal

Corn Drying, Food for Living

Himalayan Donkeys

More photos at mengchwen.com/photography.

Croco-di-lee at the Everest Base Camp

Few hours before I left Kuala Lumpur, I changed my mind and brought Croco-di-lee on the trek in Nepal. Except for two occasions—once for the one photo taken at the Everest Base camp, and the other when I had difficulty sleeping in Lobouche—Croco-di-lee stayed in my backpack and enjoyed the trek.

We’re now back in Malaysia.

I’ve made my way to Kathmandu.
Taking in the sights, sounds and smell,
That send my senses to unchartered territories.

[No pictures captured in binary numbers yet,
But now stored forever in the recesses of my mind.
For now, simply:
One night in Kathmandu is to have stepped through a magical doorway
Two nights in Kathmandu is to have taken first steps
To know the place]

[A stay on the third floor at Tenki in Thamel
Poster; Nepal acronym for
Never End Peace and Love]

That’s all (for now…)
There’s no time to write as I’m waiting for the ride to Shivalaya,
And that’s where and when the trek begins.

‘Tis the coded message of a grand plan:

. D72506
. 9W7055
. 1770
. 3080/2190
. 2580
. 2670
. 2330
. 2360
. 2840
. 2610
. 3440
.
. 3860
. 4410/4240
.
. 4620
. 4910
. 5140/(5550)
. 5364
. 4240
. 3440
. 2610
. 2840
.
.
. 9W7056; D72507

At the Summit for Sunrise

Yes, I trekked up Gunung Ledang again after a few months. And I couldn’t resist leaving my new lens at home. So the really heavy 24-70mm Nikkor lens of mine came along for its first sojourn into the jungle and mountain.

If that wasn’t the best of it all, it was great to have three “old-timers”, Nee On, Adrian and Ikhwan, out together in the wild after a really long time–many many years. And I suppose some people are really wine; there’s so much more to appreciate as they age.

If those weren’t reasons to enjoy this outing, then I suppose the pitcher plants made the trip worthwhile. Charles Clark wrote that the small urceolate N. Ampullaria “is perhaps the most engaging of all Nepenthes.” Perhaps it’s the first time I’ve come across this species, and I was fascinated to see them grow in clusters as they normally do and also in isolation. Though I didn’t get to see all the endemic species there, I was happy to have spotted N. Rafflesiana, N. Ampullaria, and a hybrid of the two (if I am not mistaken).

Nepenthes Ampullaria, with an ant at the edge of the peristome

Nepenthes Rafflesiana

Nee On, with Ikhwan in the background. Photo by Adrian.

Hatso and Towers. An image inspired by Mei Fong

———————

Gunung Ledang Overview
Elevation (feet): 4,186
Elevation (meter): 2,176
Latitude: 2° 21
Longitude: 102° 38
My First Summit: 14-15 April 2000
Most Recent Attempt: 21-22 June 2010
My First Attempt: 6-7 December 1997 unsuccessful; got lost

Can you spot the difference (apart from the fact that the two images were taken from different spots, and other camera technicalities)?

Photo taken in August 2010

Photo taken in June 2008