As a leaving gift my colleagues surprised me with an instant camera! It’s a magical thing which doesn’t require any language to explain and something everyone can join in with.
Below are updates from Instant Asia:
Location: A small island in the Mekong Delta (a few hours south of My Tho)
Before the bridges arrived, boats were king on the Mekong Delta and for the most part they still are, with heaps of little ferries plying motorbike traffic back and forth between the islands and peninsulas. I emerged from one of these onto a densely wooded island and was soon flagged down by the smiley young girl above who came tearing out of her driveway to catch me up on her big single speed bike. We did the usual ‘what’s your name?’ for a few minutes before her dad came by on a motorbike wielding a giant snake. He gestured that this was lunch! I took a photo of the two them which was well received, before tearing off myself (now on the lookout for snakes!).
Location: somewhere on the eternally quiet ‘Royal Coast Road’, not far from Bang Boet Bay
I’d been struggling with the weather on this stretch and was way behind where I’d expected to be. The road was so empty as well, I felt like it was just me vs the rain. Then I met these guys, popping ollies on a skateboard in the middle of nowhere! I loved their attitude, they didn’t care about the rain, they were just out having fun. The guy on the far left is a freelance photographer and we are now buddies on Instagram. (He told me it was his first time on a skateboard!). They put a smile on my face and spurred me on to where I needed to be.
Location: a small house off the one-way road to Ko Klang pier (mainland side), south-east of Krabi Town
I’d pulled over to check directions but was distracted by the huge amount of fish drying in the sun on homemade racks outside this couple’s house. They invited me in and gave me an impromptu tour, explaining each stage of the process. They have a direct buyer in China where the dried fish will eventually end up in soup. I hope the buyer is coming soon as every room in the house was completely full of the stuff! They were delighted I’d stopped by and invited me to stay with them next time I’m in Thailand. Lovely people.
Location: Hat Pak Meng Pier, gateway to the Andaman Islands of Ko Muk and Ko Ngai
In the rainy season the Andaman coast slows down and boats to some islands stop altogether. I showed up at this pier half hoping to take a trip out to Ko Ngai but was happy instead to while away half an hour in the shade and got chatting to Sua. He had driven down from Trang and, unlike most fisherman on this coast, was fishing chiefly for fun. Perhaps a good thing, as all he caught whilst I was there were a few unfortunate crabs! His main job, he said, was as a musician.
Location: a small village amid rice paddies, just outside Kangar on the approach to the Thai border
Yahala spotted me from his house and immediately jumped on his bike to say hello, thrilled to have an international guest in his village. He loved speaking English and was keen to reminisce about his time studying in Los Angeles in 1978. Over tea and roti he explained that an American (running a Peace Corps style clean water programme in the area) had sponsored his studies and hosted him for a year whilst he attended technical college in Oakland. He spoke so fondly of his adopted American family and showed me pictures from the Skype chats they are now having over 40 years later. Now 65, and a grandfather of ten, he knew he wouldn’t make it back for a visit on his state pension, “but I’ll never forget what they did for me”, he said, “I love these people so much”.
Location: Ban Pecah – a quiet fishing spot on the tiny coastal road out of Kuala Kurau
Starting with my helmet-hat combo, I was the butt of many a joke for this group of stallholders on what was a quiet afternoon at the end of a four day weekend. They asked for a photo and the lady with the light pink headscarf posed waving the fishball ‘on a stick’ snacks she was selling. I was glad I could reciprocate some of the fuss they made over me by offering this photo.
Location: a small shelter along the long and empty logging route to the Cameron Highlands
I’d pulled over to filter some water in what was the first bit of real shade I’d come across for around 40km. These young brothers were hauling large bags of durian they had collected, presumably for their families to sell, and also paused to take a break. I shared some biscuits with them whilst they timidly but proudly went through their repertoire of English phrases (though not without conferring for each one first 🙂 )
Location: Between Tasik Kenyir and Gua Musang (Malaysia)
It was durian season during my time in Malaysia and this gent had a small fruit stall adjoining the drinks stand below. He asked for a picture and was really pleased, showing it to each new customer that arrived. By chance he appeared a day and a half later in a restaurant I was in, miles and miles down the same highway. He greeted me like an old friend, much to the astonishment of his wife and everyone else! He interrupted his meal several times to get me to verify different elements the story from across the room.
Location: Between Tasik Kenyir and Gua Musang (Malaysia)
This lovely man had a drinks stand serving thirsty palm plantain workers on the dusty highway to Gua Musang. He refused to take any money for the coconut water I ordered and acted as creative director for this shot, spending a long time directing his staff for the perfect angle (this was take two and he insisted I was in it!). I feel bad I didn’t take a photo of his young assistant, who was very sweet, nodding at all the pictures of elephant dung on my phone as I tried to spin some tales of my previous night’s jungle camp.
Rolling Project 