Kieran

Netherlands: Dutch Masters

What makes a Vermeer is the special fall of light, the stillness of people – young women reading, sitting or standing, but always still – with the light coming from the left.

Lapland: Sámi Ways

Then there’s the quiet of walking through deep snow, bone dry from the sub-zero temperature and with a negative silence that sucks in any sound.

Yucatan: Maya Life

Vast libraries of writings on bark were burnt by the Spanish priests, while as many as two million sacred images were destroyed as idolatrous.

Hong Kong: Go Green

“The Chinese say Shan Shui – ‘mountains, water’ – and that is a very good description of the landscape.”

THE TRIO of steer and two horses explode out of the box at a hard gallop, throwing dust as they chase across the dirt arena. In an instant, the first cowboy has lassoed the steer’s head, then keeps tension on the rope so it is presented in proper position for his partner to lasso theContinue reading “Alberta: Calgary Stampede”

Sierra Leone: Rough Diamond

They are full of fun, egging each other on to flirt with me, then hiding shyly behind their hands if I respond. It is a place of laughter.

India: Tiger Roar

“Our protection laws are stronger than anywhere else in the world but they are largely on paper and not implemented unless there is some sort of crisis. Numbers seem to drop and rebound in a ten-year cycle.”

Cayman Islands: Lion Hunting

“Their only predators are human. We have managed to keep the dive sites relatively clean but if you go out further you will see them. We are catching lots but it’s non-stop and forever.”

Uzbekistan: Golden Smiles

“In the 11th century, ‘Bukhara the Holy’ was one of the most famous centers of learning in the Muslim world.”

Osaka: Second City

“People from Tokyo say we greet each other here with ‘Mokkari-makka (Are you making money)?’ – which is nonsense. We say ‘How are you?’ like anywhere else.”