There are a lot of ways to pay the bills in this world. Some just choose more dramatic ways than others.

Take this man for instance. He's set up shop working the street in the center of Siem Reap is his own way, and he's about to put on a show.

He pulls his trailer down the street, and double-parks his trailer in front of a motorcycle and a minivan with his torturous tools of the trade an arms-length away. The trailer has the worst sounding horn loudspeaker you've ever let pierce your eardrums, and a

Photo EssayDustin MainOctober 16, 2013Siem Reap - CambodiaCambodia, Asia, Fire, Siem Reap Comments

What's Been Going On - August 2013 - New Zealand -> Asia -> Europe -> North America

It's been more than 7 months since I last updated you with what's been happening around here. Seven countries and four continents later, and I've just returned for a short visit to my "home and native land," Canada.

JourneyDustin MainAugust 8, 2013Saskatoon - CanadaAsia, Burma, Myanmar, New Zealand, Berlin, Germany Comments

Unexpected, Overwhelming Hinduism - Myanmar

*A warning to my more squeamish visitors, this story includes graphic images*

The drums: pounding. The crowd: dense. The colors: vibrant.

In a word,

Overwhelming.

It was after 5:00pm, and I had spent the day on nearby Bilugyun (Ogre) Island in the heat of Myanmar (Burma) summer. I was exhausted. So exhausted in fact, that when I caught a glimpse of a line of 150-odd monks walking toward us on the other side of the road my first instinct was to just move on.

Then, something I'd never seen before.

A row of people walking on the other side of the road. Brightly colored garland draped over-top of an apparatus some were Read More

Photo Essay, JourneyDustin MainFebruary 11, 2013Mawlamyine, Myanmar (Burma)Myanmar, Burma, Monk, Monks, Asia, Photo, Photography, Hindu Comments

As the Monks Gather - Chiang Mai - Thailand

Monks, and Buddhism in general, have a strong bond with society in Thailand and other neighboring countries in the region. However, a recent article in the New York Times suggests that as the region becomes more wealthy, monks will lose relevance in the...

What's Been Going On - January 2013 - Asia

So you may be wondering why it has been so quiet around here. The short answer... is Burma (Myanmar).

Back in October I headed back to Burma for another 5 week stint, hiking lush valleys, visiting hilltribes, biking around to monasteries, and talking to the people about their country and democracy. As all of my trips to the country have been, it was quite eye opening, and left me yearning for more and more.

Market Day - Kalaw

It's 6:45am, and the streets are abuzz with activity. They always are at this time of the day in Burma / Myanmar. Even so, today is special in Kalaw, it's market day.

The markets in this area of Shan state, the eastern part of...

Photo of the DayDustin MainNovember 7, 2012Kalaw - Myanmar / BurmaMyanmar, Burma, Lensbaby, Asia Comments

Hands in the Fire - Yangon

Like all good things in Burma / Myanmar, I just stumbled upon this. Coming from a temple in central Yangon were plumes of smoke and ear-piercingly loud music. I entered, watched, and took it all in.

In this ritual, one places their hands to the...

Street Monk - Chiang Mai

Not saying it's because of a hard-knock life, but this monk stood out.

It was his Sak Yant tattoo and his deep red robe. A walk showing an unusual uniqueness in a sea of monks, swinging the fabric as he moved. He walked alone, when there were thousands of others around.

I shot this at an event in Chiang Mai where 12600 monks gathered to accept alms for the flood victims in southern Thailand.

Shot November 27, 2011

A Fiery Lift Off - Chiang Mai

It's early in the morning, and the park is filled with hot air balloons hurriedly trying to set up. For each balloon, teams of people work together to attach the basket, test the burners, and roll out the balloon itself.

Then comes this.

Lunar Eclipse - Chiang Mai

The last lunar eclipse of 2011 happened this evening. For the uninitiated, this event happens when the earth casts its shadow from the sun onto the moon, and it happens roughly 2 times a year on average. If you see it, and whether or not it's full or partial depends on where you are on our lovely planet Earth.

Even though the clouds conspired to obstruct my view for much of the evening, we were able to sneak a peek here and there. This shot, taken as the eclipse crawled towards totality, was about as clear as a shot that I could get.

Overwhelming.

All images and content copyright Dustin Main 2009-2024 unless otherwise specified.