Samjhana Moon - Freelance Photographer, Adventure Traveller

Mind Body Spirit Competition

2010-08-06T20:03:35Z

Excited to announce this competition in association with the awesome Mind Body Spirit festival.

You have till August 20th to enter! Visit the website for details

Many thanks to Mel and the team for their support!

Juicy wins 'Best in Show'

2010-08-06T19:44:19Z

I was delighted to receive 1st prize at the 2010 Bedford Park Festival Photography Show for my entry 'Juicy'. Colin Thomas awarded me the prize saying "Juicy has a little bit of everything that I was looking for in the winning image"

New Website Launch!

2010-04-11T22:02:28Z

I'm delighted to introduce Goddess Portraiture, reaching out to women nationwide and beyond with the opportunity to experience their beauty within and see themselves as a work of art! I will be officially launching this site with a free Goddess Portrait Session prize draw to be held at the opening party on Wednesday April 28th at Bar Sequence in Islington, London. Save the date, tell your friends, click here for details!

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Feedback from the original 13 participants of "The Goddess Within" project in 2009 has inspired me, astonished me and even brought tears to my eyes! This new website exists as a result of the wonderful feedback I received from the project and this summer I hope to be helping many more women see themselves from a new perspective.

This new website will run along side this existing one where I plan to continue posting my travel photography. I have a lovely selection from a recent trip to Africa to upload and one day I'd like to get to my 10 month Asian trip too! Hope to do so once I get through this launch. Building a company and a new website has been a long hard slog but I hope you'll agree the new website is great!

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of my projects.

Let there be Magick!

Goddess Portraiture 2010

2009-12-05T00:20:00Z

Goddess Portraiture is a creative initiative offering everyday women the opportunity to explore and capture their unique beauty within a natural environment. Intimate portraits embracing nature and honouring the divine feminine, presenting a fresh new edge for women in the world of photography.

The Goddess Within - Images by Samjhana Moon]]> The experience of creating a Goddess Portrait is an uplifting day in natural surroundings that will leave you feeling refreshed and utterly gorgeous! Your Photographer Samjhana Moon will ease insecurities concerning your appearance, which are often simply a result of pressures created by the media in our consumer driven society. There are no limitations with regards to age, height or body size when so much of our beauty comes from within through our expression. When we 'feel' joyful others see our happiness, so when we 'feel' beautiful, others see our beauty. The images captured during your Goddess Portrait session will result in a beautiful piece of art to display in the home from which you can draw inspiration from, will continue to boost self-confidence and promote personal growth through self-appreciation for days or even years to come.

Allow Samjhana to create your Goddess Portrait offering her experience, knowledge and creativity to develop themes based on your unique personality traits and preferred environment. Alternatively Samjhana can breathe life into your wishes and visions in a location of your choice. Samjhana has the ability to direct and coach even the shyest woman into a state where she feels completely comfortable and at ease with herself in order to achieve sensational results. The women featured here are not professional models, they are women just like you. To read about their experience with Samjhana please see the Testimonials below.

See yourself in a positive light today and experience the healing power and beauty of the feminine!

To begin creating your unique Goddess Portrait, please contact Samjhana for a questionnaire and she will reply directly to discuss your vision.  

Custom made gift certificates are available for Goddess Portrait sessions. An innovative gift for milestone occasions such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, career success, motherhood. A wonderful gift for any special woman in your life, an uplifting experience she will treasure for a lifetime.

A few words from Samjhana

"The medium of photography presents me with the opportunity to share the beauty and light I see in the world. My ability for painting with light allows my clients to see themselves from a new perspective and offers them the opportunity to capture a period in their lifetime through creative portraiture.

Goddess Portraiture is a creative initiative offering everyday women the opportunity to explore and capture their unique beauty within a natural environment. Intimate portraits embracing nature and honouring the divine feminine. I offer my clients and enjoyable day out focussed on creating a portrait that will result in a stunning piece art they can display in the home and draw inspiration from.

I love meeting new people, a stranger to me is simply a friend I have yet to met. I have a natural ability to relax my clients, often the shyest are some of my favourites as they are often astonished at the images I capture. When I'm out on location with a new client, I am focussed entirely on their comfort and enjoyment of the experience. Often a client will arrive nervous and unsure, these feelings are soon transformed into a glowing confidence leaving my clients fully satisfied. My aim of the day is to hear a woman say "Wow is that really me?" It is so rewarding for me to show a woman how to feel great about herself naturally, comfortable in her own skin. To present them with a beautiful piece of art which can continue to boost self-confidence and inspire positive action is truly uplifting.

A Goddess Portrait session can have a profound effect on self-esteem. I have seen this experience boost self-confidence in some women to the extent it had given them the courage to begin creating a new life. I take great delight in offering women this opportunity to release insecurities and see themselves in a new light. I feel this is crucial to our existence but sadly lacking in our society today where we are bombarded with false statements and images of what defines beauty. Many women have worries or concerns about creating a Goddess Portrait but I can assure you, these are strongly out weighed by the benefits of this experience, which are beyond your imagination!"

What are women are saying about their experience with Samjhana?

"When I first saw the images on site I was very excited! Humbled and surprised by how great Samjhana made me look, I couldn't believe that the woman on the screen was me!"

"I'm proud and delighted to have taken part of the Goddess Portraiture Project, it is something I will always remember and thank the beautiful Samjhana for. Representing women and their inner beauty... it sounds amazing and feels amazing being part of it!"

"My session with Samjhana was much more than a photo-shoot, a therapeutic experience, truly uplifting and confidence boosting! I feel like I've jumped a couple of stepping stones towards my long path to recovery from my eating disorder."

"I rediscovered my femininity! And I feel more comfortable with my body now. lalalala!"

"I have never taken professional photo's before and wasn't that confident in terms of how they would turn out. The fact that I was amazed and very pleased with the results has given me confidence to take more pictures, I am definitely more confident in front of the camera now!"

"Very impressed when I saw the final images. I felt a sense of pride showing my friends and family the photos."

"Amazing and very surreal to see myself from another perspective thanks to Samjhana's fabulous photography".

"I think this is a wonderful project that will benefit so many women who wouldn't normally have the confidence to do this kind of thing. Samjhana will show them and everyone else, that every woman is beautiful."

"I now have more confidence outside and in, happier with myself naturally and free to wear less make up."

"Lovely experience. Samjhana captured a hidden side of me."

"I found Samjhana very understanding and a good listener. She was very concerned about how comfortable I was about the results of the photo-shoot and went out of her way to make sure I was happy with the final images."

"Everything I believed I was, was reflected back to me when I saw the image. I felt like this was complete truth."

"I was amazed that Samjhana had captured a side of me I have never seen in photos. I loved seeing the final images, it made me feel beautiful and proud! Usually I feel awkward in front of a camera but this didn't show at all. I looked relaxed, comfortable and sexy! Wow!"

"The confidence this project has given me made it possible for me to begin socialising again. I went out with the girls for the first time in 15 years to celebrate my birthday recently. Thank you Samjhana, you're a life saver"!

"Samjhana was very open to new ideas and incorporated any that I had into my shots. I was very pleased with the end result."

"I was glad to be part of the project, and proud that Samjhana works so hard to make other people be happier. We live in a man's world, so this project is important for women's confidence. It could change the face of the world at a big scale, balancing men and women's roles in society."

"After years of feeling burnt out, I feel I have had the spark put back into my life!"

"Samjhana went out her way to find the perfect location and a specific tree which was really thoughtful. Looking back at the final result, I was more then just 'happy', I was amazed and shocked with the final portrait!"

"I loved all my images! Samjhana has got a great eye and insight to reveal the Goddess Within you."

"Samjhana took my suggestions for clothing, setting and mood I wanted and moved it to an amazing new level to create my stunning Portrait."

"The positive feedback I received from Samjhana and her encouragement of how well I took a photo was definitely a confidence boost. I wish I could do the whole experience all over again!"

"Everything was well organised and because Samjhana is trusting life, we even had little extras during the session that were very welcome.... even the rain went away! Oh and she can hold her camera particularly well! :)"

"For years I have lived quietly with my eating disorder. Samjhana has reminded me what's it's like to be back in the real world. To feel the wind in my hair, breathe in fresh air and to feel the power confidence and strength to be alive!"

"I definitely gained more appreciation for nature from the session with Samjhana. The beauty of it and how I felt uplifted when surrounded within it."

"I never thought I could pull off moss green! And I forgot how much fun it was to climb trees - very liberating."

"As one of the photos centres around my tattoo I felt a new connection to the meaning of the quote and it's significance."

"When I viewed the final images I was shocked that it was actually me!"

"The final images were very original and I was proud and amused by people's feedback. 'I've never seen this kind of photo before, it's very avant-garde' or "Samjhana makes you look taller' ahah :)"

"Samjhana made me feel very comfortable, I am very pleased with the results, especially since it was the first time I had 'dolled up' post pregnancy."

"Being naked is both about being vulnerable and strong and in fact these two words are not mutually exclusive but rather synonymous with each other. This project reminded me that being vulnerable is not a weakness but rather a strength. If more people were honest with their feelings of vulnerability and happy to show the soft and gentle side of their character, then perhaps the world would be a better place."

"I was glad to be part of the project, and proud that Samjhana works so hard to make other people be happier. We live in a man's world, so this project is important for women's confidence. It could change the face of the world at a big scale, balancing men and women's roles in society."

To view an online version of the exhibition "The Goddess Within" and read more about my concept and design for the Goddess project please click here

Exclusive 2010 Calendars now on Sale!

2009-11-30T00:57:11Z

Exclusive 2010 Calendars now available to order!

A unique Christmas or New Year's gift, signed by the Artist (with personal message upon request)

A selection of Samjhana's favourite moments from her Worldwide adventures, including some images from her recent London Exhibition "Earth Walk". Quality spiral bound calendars printed with images on glossy card, include standard UK and Pagan Holidays and Moon Cycles!

2010 Travel Calendar - Images by Samjhana Moon

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Wall Calendars - 28cm x 22cm (11"x 9") Closed size (roughly magazine size)
£12 + £3 p&p (UK only, contact for overseas pricing)

Desk Calendars - 21cm x 10cm (8.25" x 4") Free Standing
£8 + £2 p&p (UK only, contact for overseas pricing)

Order by Monday December 7th for Christmas Delivery!

Earth Walk - Photomonth 09 Exhibition

2009-10-18T09:55:20Z

Solo exhibition contributing to Photomonth 09, the UK's largest photography festival

Inspirational moments from a worldwide journey seeking knowledge and understanding captured by an independent female traveller.

Samjhana's images vividly demonstrate the lives of the people she encountered; the beauty of the lands she travelled; and the harmonious relationships between them, as discovered on her Earth Walk.

]]> This is an online version of a solo exhibition shown as part of Photomonth 09 the east London photography festival, is the largest photography festival in the UK with more than 150 exhibitions and events taking place in over 85 venues in East London.

Limited edition prints (18"x12") are available for purchase direct from the artist at £130 framed, numbered and signed. Please make contact for further details:

Images sales from The Goddess Within Exhibit will be gratefully received of which 20% will be donated to DCWC Nepal (Development of children and Women Centre) DCWC Nepal is a registered UK charity based in the Fylde area in the North west of England and was established in 2000 in Nepal to provide relief and support to the many poor peoples of Nepal, especially to women and children, with the emphasis on education, healthcare and the provision of relief items in times of hardship and disaster.

Samjhana Moon is currently based in London and available for assignment. If you would care to discuss any opportunity for special features, interviews, exhibits, sales or commissions Samjhana would love to hear from you.

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Earth Walk

Samjhana's journey as an independent traveller has spanned one decade and five continents. Creating visual accounts of her passage through life, Samjhana frames intuitively and from the heart. Adventuring into wilderness and forming close relationships with peoples of foreign lands is an area in which she excels. She and continues to be enchanted by human expression, cultural variety and the endless diversity of terrain across the globe.

"My adventurous spirit and philosophy takes me on long excursions away from the pressures of modern living. Arriving at a destination and traveling spontaneously around sketchy plans is often extremely rewarding. The freedom of this lifestyle allows me to observe the world with a pure and open mind. Connecting deeply with people and places that inspire me, photography allows me to share my positive experiences with others. As a responsible traveller I embrace the opportunity to offer assistance to individuals and their relationship with the land. I hope that this exhibition demonstrates the beauty and diversity of our planet and its people, inspiring feelings of compassion within the viewer, just as the beauty of Mother Earth continues to inspire me."

Earth Walk Exhibition - Images by Samjhana Moon

October 31st @ Monty's
The launch party on Halloween was lots fun with close friends and street entertainment. Thanks to everyone for making it a wonderful evening.

Earth Walk Launch Party - Images by Samjhana Moon

November 10th @ Monty's
Special event for The London Photo & Graphics Meet Up Group..."Our goal is to bring together a friendly bunch of people interested in photography and graphics who meet on a regular basis, share ideas, get creative, have fun, take photos, participate at digital workshops and much more."

It was great to have support from this group of photographers for my exhibit. I gave a lecture about the show, shared a few drinks and received excellent feedback and advise from fellow members. Many thanks To Cecilia for organising!

Earth Walk Special Event - Images by Samjhana Moon

The Goddess Within - Photomonth 09 Exhibition

2009-10-15T23:16:12Z

Solo exhibition contributing to Photomonth 09, the UK's largest photography festival

The beauty of women from all walks of life is explored by Samjhana Moon in a series of intimate portraits and remarkable locations. In her first UK exhibition Samjhana displays her innate talent for capturing the intrinsic nature of her subjects.

"My focus for this project is to connect women with their inherent Goddess energy, with a view to developing a deep connection to the Goddess within the natural world. These images emanate from the subject, environment and photographer exploring the beauty and true nature of the human spirit."

The Goddess Within - Images by Samjhana Moon

]]> This is an online version of a solo exhibition shown as part of Photomonth 09 the east London photography festival, is the largest photography festival in the UK with more than 150 exhibitions and events taking place in over 85 venues in East London.

Limited edition prints (18"x12") are available for purchase direct from the artist at £175 framed, numbered and signed. Please make contact for further details:

Images sales from The Goddess Within Exhibit will be gratefully received of which 20% will be donated to DCWC Nepal (Development of children and Women Centre) DCWC Nepal is a registered UK charity based in the Fylde area in the North west of England and was established in 2000 in Nepal to provide relief and support to the many poor peoples of Nepal, especially to women and children, with the emphasis on education, healthcare and the provision of relief items in times of hardship and disaster.

Samjhana Moon is currently based in London and available for assignment. If you would care to discuss any opportunity for special features, interviews, exhibits, sales or commissions Samjhana would love to hear from you.

___________________________________________________________________________

The Goddess Project

Exploring vulnerability and challenging society's view of modern women in the present environment, the Goddess Within has pushed boundaries, for both Samjhana and her subjects.

Voluntary participants were asked to complete a short questionnaire prior to scheduling the photo session. Questions enquiring to the participant's enjoyment of Nature's Elements such as;

In which environments or landscapes do you feel most alive, free and connected with Mother Earth?

Which elements of weather do you most or least enjoy?

In addition, participants were asked for their input pertaining any to any scene they would like Samjhana to create or their Goddess portrait. Also to comment on unique aspects of their character that they felt defined them as individuals.

This feedback provided Samjhana with the foundation on which to begin the creative process. Many of the images that appear in "The Goddess Within" collection were conceived during self-guided mediation whilst focussing on the individual.

Honouring the Goddess...Dispelling the myth "unlucky 13"

13 Goddess portraits are featured in this collection, one for each Moon Cycle in the calendar year. Luna energy is ultimately feminine, the 29 day cycle influencing the hormonal balance and timing of a woman's life giving menstruation. "Unlucky 13" is a consequence of the suppression of Women's power through the dark ages by means of Pagan and Wicca practices and ceremony, commonly known as magic or sorcery. These practices often benefiting the community or individuals relating to health, cultivation and relationships. Often mis-understood and feared by many, these practicing Women or "Witches" empower their spell casting by working their magic in conjunction with specific energies produced at waxing and waning stages of the Luna cycle.

A few words from Samjhana

"I feel a tremendous energy is now available to us that is serving the Goddess. In the aftermath of the industrial age, Mother Nature is screaming for our attention, asking humankind to tap into their feminine nurturing depths and offer her the love and respect she so rightfully deserves.

Such great rewards I have received as a result of creating this project. Encouraging women to explore their true nature and capturing the magic that unfolds truly sets my spirit alight. The images I present invite the participant to experience feelings of self-appreciation and love. I feel this is crucial to our existence but sadly lacking in our society today where we are bombarded with false statements and images of what defines beauty.

I truly believe that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. As I look beyond the external image of my subjects and into the soul, my camera allows me to project these observations into the world.

At the end of a successful photo session, I would take great delight in seeing the women depart looking and feeling like Goddesses. It is my intention to continue raising the self esteem of individuals in this manner, for this energy enriches us all and provides hope for a harmonious future within the natural world."

Developments of this project in 2010 and testimonials from the women

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October 3rd @ Monty's
The launch party was a great success with eleven of the fourteen Goddesses present. Many of my guests indulged in personal games of who's who, matching the women with their portraits which in some cases is harder than you might think! Thanks to everyone for making it such a special evening.

The Goddess Within Launch Party - Images by Samjhana Moon

October 13th @ Monty's
Special event for The London Photo & Graphics Meet Up Group..."Our goal is to bring together a friendly bunch of people interested in photography and graphics who meet on a regular basis, share ideas, get creative, have fun, take photos, participate at digital workshops and much more."

It was great to have support from this group of photographers for my exhibit. I held a captive audience of around 30 members, gave a lecture about the show, shared a few drinks and received excellent feedback and advise from fellow members. Many thanks To Cecilia for organising! Check out the event page

The Goddess Within Special Event - Images by Samjhana Moon

London Exhibition - October 2009

2009-09-04T20:54:01Z

Proud to be a contributing artist for the 2009 East London Photography Festival - Photomonth
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October 1st - 29th, 2009

"My focus for this project is to connect women with their inherent Goddess energy, with a view to developing a deep connection to the Goddess within the natural world. These images emanate from the subject, environment and photographer exploring the beauty and true nature of the human spirit."

Monty's Bar & Lounge, 149 Brick Lane, London E1 6SB

Sun - Thurs 5pm - 12am; Fri & Sat 5pm - 2am

Private launch party by invitation only:

Saturday October 3rd, 7pm-2am with live djs and Goddesses!

Contact the artist: 07749 543469 togger@samjhanamoon.com

www.flickr.com

This is a Flickr badge showing items in a set called The Goddess Within. Make your own badge here.

East London Photography Festival

2009-08-04T09:45:33Z

I am excited to announce that I have secured two solo exhibitions as a contributing photographer to Photomonth - the UK's biggest photography festival running throughout October and November.

Hundreds of Photographers will be Exhibiting in numerous venues across the trendy Shoreditch area, I have exclusive use of wall space at Monty's Bar and Lounge in Brick Lane for the duration of the festival.

]]> Photomonth receives thousands of visitors from Europe and beyond every year. My two exhibitions will be advertised alongside some of East London's best-known galleries & bars: 50,000 printed brochure listings will be distributed by the organisers nationwide, supported by online listings at a dedicated website and advertising and via the local and national press.

I plan to hang two separate shows consecutively displaying up to 15 large framed photographs under the following themes:

The Goddess Within - October 1^st - 29^th 2009

"The beauty of women from all walks of life is explored by Samjhana Moon in a series of intimate portraits and remarkable locations. In her first UK exhibition Samjhana displays her innate talent for capturing the intrinsic nature of her subjects".

Earth Walk - October 30^th - November 30^th 2009

"Inspirational moments from a worldwide journey seeking knowledge and understanding captured by an independent female traveller.

Samjhana's images vividly demonstrate the lives of the people she encountered; the beauty of the lands she travelled; and the harmonious relationships between them, as discovered on her Earth Walk".

Returning to England after many years overseas, I have created these projects to contribute to the growing need in western culture to enter harmonious alignment with nature. It is my hope that my upcoming exhibitions bring joy to the viewers reminding them of the natural beauty in our world, so enforcing our respect for the planet and the Goddess energy, Mother Nature.

Earthshine

2009-04-26T22:45:00Z

If you happened to be looking into a clear western sky this Sunday evening, you'd have felt truly blessed to see a stunning show as the night closed in. The new Moon, Mercury and the Pleiades star cluster gathered close on the horizon in a three-way conjunction.

]]> Earthshine.

A truly breathtaking sight and as my night vision kicks in more splendour is revealed. Mercury shines brightly nestled in the fresh spring growth of the tree tops. Just above in the moons wake, the Pleiades cluster whose stars so faint through the city glare, appear like Moon dust as she heads briskly towards the horizon.

City Sprung Equinox

2009-03-21T12:00:00Z

What a glorious day it is for mankind when the daylight hours supersede that of the darkness. Nature celebrates the spring equinox in a dance of colour, light and sound. New shoots appear with the return of the sun, vibrant yellows and fresh greens replacing the lifeless browns that have dominated since the autumnal equinox. As the ever powerful solar mass climbs higher in the sky it's heat and light awakens hibernating types on four legs and on two.

]]> The spirits of the two legged are boosted into action, the barren lawns and abandoned park benches become desirable once more. The gloomy dankness of the winter behind us, smiles and sociability begin spreading faster than the daffodils can bloom. Winter coats are shrug off welcoming the deliverance of the slight increase in air temperatures. Cyclists are increasing in numbers as are the appearance of the bumble bees. If you listen very hard you'll notice that Bird song has a sense of urgency to it now as territories are selected and mates are paired for the season.

This winter has been my first north of the subtropics for over six years and the arrival of the spring equinox has been a long and arduous journey. London life is tough for me at the best of times. I need space, clean air and a view beyond a half mile to remain connected to oneness and in harmony with nature. Needless to say I think my recognition of this Equinox is heightened and more detailed than ever before. My appreciation of the return of the sun from the City of London is shown here in my images, I'll let them do the talking.....

Full Collection on Flickr

Favourites follow

Urban Winter Wonderland

2009-02-10T22:39:13Z

Londoners on mass took a welcome day off work on February 2nd as public transport failed to cope with extreme weather and headed to one of the city's many parks for a frolic with the snowflakes. The great City of London experienced the most snowfall for nearly two decades which transformed the big smoke into a beautiful winter wonderland.]]>
The usual Monday morning gloom and current economic doom seemed far from the minds of those out experiencing an increasingly uncommon sense of community in this urban jungle. The snowfall graces city dwellers with a day of rest or recreation. An opportunity to replenish energy levels, to form new friendships and restore connections with neighbours long neglected.

This is my first British winter in seven years and it's one of the coldest I've experienced, leaving me with nothing but distant memories of my recent lifestyle in more tropical environs. Like or dislike the near freezing temperatures, one cannot deny the beauty and poise of a regular Avenue transformed overnight by nature with a blanket of frozen rain. A rare event in London which personally recovers memories from childhood and conjures images in my mind of C. S. Lewis' Narnia and the ward-robe.

My mind is cast back to one of my earliest childhood memories of a snowy day in London. Upon waking on the morning of my birthday party, which mum was so great at organising, I draw back my bedroom curtains to reveal a foot of snow carpeting the lawn. The excitement and enjoyment it brought to my friends and I that day will live on in my memory as one of my best birthday's ever. My only regret is that mum's party games were neglected as we tossed snowballs and built a snowman under the apple tree.

The most recent of my snow experiences was fifteen months ago at extreme high altitude in the Himalaya, stunning though it was, an urban snowfall offers a different kind of opportunity for the photographer. This current event began on the night of Imbolic, when my Pegan ancestors would celebrate the returning of the light after winter. As night fell upon the city, the amber street lights produce a sepia glow as they illuminate each and every falling snowflake. Areas of darkness now touched by light.

By morning the depth of is shin deep and the snow continues to fall throughout the day. I head out mid morning wandering around this familiar little corner of west London, re-visiting areas of my childhood with an extra dusting of icing sugar. My local park is sporting a family of snow people which have attained a curious celebrity type status with the locals. Pet dogs revel in the novelty of diving, nose digging and charging around in the white fluffy powder while Teenagers struggle to roll gigantic meter wide snow balls across the green which double up as cover from their snow-balling peers.

Away from the central greens, I find a little solitude in the partially closed grounds of Chiswick House. Within the walls of the park, away from busy roads and alone with the sounds of untouched snow underfoot and birdsong. Though it's not native species that dominate here today, although I catch a glimpse of the Robin and Blackbird it's the Alexandrine Parrot that dominates the airwaves. Parks and gardens in the leafy London suburbs have been adopted as a preferred habitat by this Green Parrot and I have no difficulty locating them in the trees. Native to southern Asia, this Tropical bird seems quite at home amongst the snow in the Evergreens, this may seem a novelty but the number of wild parrots living in England is rising at an incredible rate and putting Native species at risk.

Conservation matters aside, it was a beautiful day to be a Londoner. Laughter, fun and creative juices flowed throughout the city and raised the vibration collectively. The happiness and humour reflected in the many snow people created around the gardens and parks, I even stumbled upon a Hermaphodite!

If you would like to view the full Gallery please visit:
http://flickr.com/photos/35271361@N04/sets/72157614038085073/

The King Coconut

2009-01-30T21:56:05Z

The King Coconut is orange-yellow in colour and is a popular road side refreshment for Sri Lankan truckers, three wheelers and cyclists. Sweeter than the more common green variety, the King Coconut is thought to have originated on the Island of Sri Lanka where today 20 rupees (0.15 GPB) will afford you this nutritious snack locally known as Thambili.
]]> Your server will skillfully hack a drinking hole in an immature nut with two or three strokes of a machete. On first tasting you'd be forgiven for mistaking the sweet juice for the nectar of the Gods and you wouldn't be far wrong! The King Coconut is known to the Ayurvedic community for its many medicinal purposes and as a daily tonic one can benefit from it's ability to cool the body as it's a great isotonic. The electrolyte effect it has on the system is perfect for surviving the intense heat and coping with intestinal disturbances. No wonder it's so popular with Sri Lankan people whose traditional dishes include a broad spectrum of fruits and vegetables served up in delicious curries. The indulgence doesn't end with the drinking of this King of nuts though, a couple of sharp blows from the machete and you can enjoy the fine jelly lining the inner shell, scooping it up with a husk cut spatula... Simply divine!

During my three month stay on the beautiful Island of Sri Lanka, I frequented many such stalls and found a favourite along the South Coast just outside the residential town of Ahangama. The owner Dayaratna always greeted me with his machete at the ready, the image softened by his welcoming cherub-like smile. Daya's well groomed stall is his livelihood and it's clear he's a man who takes pride in his work. Palm leaves shade the fresh stock of coconuts from the intense burn of the Sri Lankan sun. Domestic brooms made from the fibrous husk are displayed neatly for purchase. A four posted table for customer use is dressed decoratively with discarded shells mounted on the corner tops. The Azure blue tones of the Indian Ocean provide the perfect backdrop.

I decide to make the King coconut stalls the topic for a small photographic project, there's no contest in selecting a subject. I arrive at Daya's stall one morning all psyched up for a session, saddened to discover his stocks are running low. My inquiry as to why, is met with a frown and empty up-turned palms, "No money Samjhana". The business of a roadside coconut salesman has a very narrow profit margin.

I see the Universe presenting me with the opportunity of offering a gift in return for the images I seek. At my request, Daya informs me that the cost of replenishing stock is 1,000 Rupees, (£8) which is the equivalent of my daily spend as a budget traveller. It's a fair price for a good deed and one I'm prepared to pay.
"Daya, how soon can you have the coconuts?" I ask as I retrieve my purse. A glimmer of hope lights up his eyes, "Tomorrow morning", Daya is now smiling broadly and eye-ing the 1,000 Rupee note now in my hand. I offer him my lined palm in a handshake, joining my left hand over his to hold his attention.
"Daya, I would like to return tomorrow morning to take photographs of you and your stall, do you agree?" He pats me on the shoulder and flashes me a wink in confirmation.

Daya kept his word, and I showed my gratitude by delivering copies of the images.

Welcome to my new website!

2009-01-14T19:38:06Z

As we enter 2009 I'm delighted to get the site up and running, though strictly speaking it is still under development. Travel tales and photographic libraries are in the pipeline so please do return!