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monsoonphoto.net by Alan Soon

Portfolio Galleries

2008-07 Sri Lanka :

2008-07 Sri Lanka

2007-10 Cambodia :

2007-10 Cambodia

2007-10 Kunming, China :

2007-10 Kunming, China

2007-12 Sydney Subway :

2007-12 Sydney Subway

2007-07 Myanmar : The generals haven't made it easy for tourists. Charges of human rights violations have been louder than calls for engagement from those outside the country.

Last month, the International Red Cross broke its usual diplomatic silence, denouncing the government for abuses committed against civilians and detainees.

What goes on in the Union of Myanmar remains a mystery. The UN's envoy to the country Razali Ismail quit in 2006 when denied entry into the country for two years. ASEAN, which rallied around the admission of Myanmar into the grouping in the face of international pressure, no longer knows how best to engage the country.

Despite talk of an eventual move toward democracy, the military shows no signs of releasing its grip on power. The EU and the U.S. have maintained sanctions on Myanmar for almost 20 years, in an attempt to punish the military. Sadly, its the citizens that suffer in what is one of Southeast Asia's richest nations given its vast natural resources, such as gas and teak.

The EU has a ban on arms exports to the country and holds a limited ban on investments. The U.S. has a tougher line -- all new investment has been banned.

For tourists, the debate has centered around one question: To visit, or not? I strongly urge you to go. You'll probably not find a single person on the street in Yangon who would advise you against it. Give them a chance to speak and interact with the outside world; the generals won't.

Alan Soon
July 2007

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N.B.: This gallery carried 80 photos when launched on July 22, 2007. Under the advice of fellow photographers, it has since been edited down in an attempt to create a stronger set of photos.

2007-07 Myanmar

2007-02 India : Leica M3 + Voigtlander 40/1.4 / Leica M6 TTL + Voigtlander 21/4.0 / Olympus XA / Kodak 400TX + HC-110.

2006-08 Sri Lanka : Technical specs: Leica M3 + Minolta Rokkor 40/2.0, Leica M6 TTL + Voigtlander 21/4.0, Kodak 400TX, Kodak HC-110.

2006-08 Sri Lanka

2006-04 Hoi An, Vietnam : A living museum, Hoi An is a tiny riverside town in central Vietnam with a history dating to the 15th century. In its heyday, as a major port in East Asia, it stood as a contemporary of Melaka and Macau. The architecture reflects that heritage: the town is home to building designs left behind by the Japanese, early Chinese settlers, and Dutch, French and Portuguese traders. Many of the homes and stores are well preserved, with some over three hundred years old.

Hoi An was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1999, helping preserve the town. Residents still live and work in the old section, which boasts art galleries, restaurants and cloth shops.

2006-04 Hoi An, Vietnam

2006-01 Saigon, Vietnam :

2006-01 Saigon, Vietnam

2005-10 Bali, Indonesia :

2005-10 Bali, Indonesia

Futu Manu: Cockfighting in Timor-Leste : Futu manu ("fighting bird" in the local Tetum language) is a tradition that goes back centuries in Timor-Leste. Cockfights are organized to mark rituals and ceremonies and are the backbone of the country's gambling industry. There are at least three futu manu pits in the capital Dili where bouts take place daily from the afternoon, ending late in the evening. The fights are a male-dominated affair and draw men and boys of all ages and backgrounds.

Even though cockfighting is banned in many countries for its cruelty, it thrives in Timor as a gambling sport. With more than 40 percent of the population living under US$0.55 per day, many turn to futu manu as a fast way to make (or lose) money. "Foreigners don't realize it," said one participant. "But this helps us pay for our children's schooling. It keeps them in school."

Futu Manu: Cockfighting in Timor-Leste

2005-10 Dili, Timor-Leste : Timor-Leste became the world's youngest nation on May 20, 2002, following a long and bloody struggle for independence from Indonesia. Three years later, the tiny country of 925,000 people continues to be beset by poverty and mulnutrition, and remains Asia's poorest nation. More than 44 percent of the population lives under US$1 a day, while life expectancy is a staggering 57 years. About 50 percent of the adult population is illiterate.

Without major industry or trade, Timor-Leste is heavily dependent on international aid just to meet its annual budget requirements. With the U.S. dollar as its currency, living costs are high. "In a few years, there would be no more Timor-Leste," said a local businessman. "It would be a junkyard country."

2005-10 Dili, Timor-Leste

2003-2005 Tokyo, Japan :

2003-2005 Tokyo, Japan

2003-07 Athens, Greece :

2003-07 Athens, Greece

2003-11 Vienna, Austria :

2003-11 Vienna, Austria

2004-12 Tyre, Lebanon :

2004-12 Tyre, Lebanon

2004-11 Beirut, Lebanon :

2004-11 Beirut, Lebanon

2002-09 Washington DC, USA :

2002-09 Washington DC, USA

2002-04 New York City, USA :

2002-04 New York City, USA

2002-12 Siam Reap, Cambodia :

2002-12 Siam Reap, Cambodia

2004-04 Istanbul, Turkey :

2004-04 Istanbul, Turkey

2004-04 Ankara, Turkey :

2004-04 Ankara, Turkey

2004-03 Belgrade, Serbia :

2004-03 Belgrade, Serbia

2004-03 Budapest, Hungary :

2004-03 Budapest, Hungary

2004-04 Urgup, Turkey :

2004-04 Urgup, Turkey

2003-07 Istanbul, Turkey :

2003-07 Istanbul, Turkey

2003-11 Petra, Jordan :

2003-11 Petra, Jordan

2003-11 Amman, Jordan :

2003-11 Amman, Jordan

2004-04 Bursa, Turkey :

2004-04 Bursa, Turkey

Copyright © 2005 Alan Soon. No images on this website may be used without written permission of the photographer.

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