Faces of Indochina

It is hard to find a more hardworking and humble people on earth than in this region of the world. Life is not easy for them but they do not let it keep them down or bring any negative aspects to their interactions with guests in their respective country. They lead a simple life and are simply kind.

Nothing epitomizes simplicity more than monks. I captured these two walking in a light rain just after sunrise in Luang Prabang. Love the contrast in the image – the old, weather-worn and stained wall against the vibrant orange of the robes and the gold vs. black umbrella. Also like the motion of the image.

The mother and son team below were out early heading to the market when we visited the Floating Villages outside of Siem Reap. The image grabbed me because of the colors, shadows and the absolute need for the boy to get his work done. Have been testing the Sigma 7-200 f/2.8 and think it did a great job on the trip and with a shallow depth of field in this image. Scenes like this play out all over Indochina.

Images like this are all over the Floating Villages in Cambodia - just waiting to be captured by you. The simplicity of life is the essence of how these people live.

Contrast that with life in Vietnam – much more fast paced whether you are in Hanoi or Saigon. This young woman was sleeping on the job at Hanoi’s Central Market – it was hot, the store stalls are small and it is crowded.

What do they eat for breakfast on the street in the Old Quarter in Hanoi? Pho’ – yes, even for breakfast and it is awesome yummy eats. Our guide took us to one of the most famous places so we could try ourselves. Can this young woman be wrong?

How does one get his/her haircut in Hanoi? Many visit “stalls/booths” like this one below. Yep, face the little mirror and let the barber work his magic. You can see Mike G’s blue shirt and part of his cheek in the reflection of the mirror. Who has time to go to the salon?

But, get back into the countryside of Vietnam – like north near Sapa and Lao Cai – and you’ll run across small villages with basket makers like the man below who brings out the life in your images with his eyes and beard.

Hope you enjoyed our trip through our story, explanation and photographs.

Find more of our photography based travels at www.mmphototours.com or www.mmphototours.wordpress.com