World Travel Zone: Just one of those days really

Linda and I had a bad day of thought yesterday. We have tried to get a grant or two to help the expedition financially, but rejection is all that greeted our proposals and requests. This is definitely something we are used to as we have approached over 300 funding sources with about 291 no’s, and of the 300 only 3 companies/individuals providing financial assistance. So the reason I mention this is simply because we sometimes feel that what we are doing is not good enough, maybe we should be doing more. We question our images constantly and after submitting to a few photo contests with no reply, kind of knocks one down really. We had a good discussion about this all yesterday and thrashed out some possible ideas why we feel like this, after all look at how many positive people we have seen, filmed and highlighted to the world. I think it is because of certain organizations and or events that we feel like we are inadequate, like National Geographic, or BBC, or the film festivals etc. We always film and take pictures striving for posts in these iconic institutions/events, but their interest in what we are doing is well non-existent. Well our only solution is to forget they exist entirely and do the work as selfishly as possible. By this I mean we focus on people, their stories, focus on inspiring events, positive people etc, with no regard as to whom or where the images will be published or distributed. I think this constant striving for the ultimate publication is hurting us on the ground so to speak and this is what is bringing us down. I also think we are searching to big for funding as really who is giving us credit, we are young and I have only 1 scientific publication behind my name, so with respect to scientists (who definitely have their egos attached at the hip), you don’t get very far.

Please do not think this is a pity mail or a plea for finances, IT IS NOT, it is just how things feel to us at times as we progress on this ambitious project. We often feel our filming is inadequate, yet those who see it say its great, but why do we feel like something is missing…. Not sure, but one thing I do know is that we will finish the expedition then reveal the plans for the end of the year and into 2011… really exciting.

Tomorrow we hit India running, literally. We have had to send all our video images of China, Vietnam, and Hong Kong back to South Africa and to Dubai, so that we carry as little as possible while traveling through India. As it stands we have to lug 2 pelican cases (large), 2 rucksacks (large) and a huge tripod. We have to pack as to avoid extra weight, which means literally all our clothes stay behind. Our budget seems to be thinning due to the expense of hard drives and sending them back to South Africa. Nonetheless we have watched a few documentaries on India to try gauge image potential and what makes India well India. We have spent hours preparing our homework, so to speak and are finally as ready as one can be for the Indian leg of the expedition.

Just an update our journey through Yemen is looking slightly bleak, but we are communicating to a number of people who live there regarding security issues. We have formulated a plan B though which includes heading back into Dubai after Oman and shipping the car from there directly to Djibouti, then it is all down hill until we reach South Africa.

SOME PICS (will update the album when Linda wades through the 2000 odd pictures give us your honest opinion… please…

fisher woman in Vietnam

China’s housing in Xiamen – the most beautiful city in China apparently.

Bears caught up in the bile trade are rescued and sent to the WAR (Wildlife at Risk) rehabilitation sanctuary.

Young mangrove stands aside his mates as they finally have a chance to grow, the work done by the China Mangrove Conservation Network

Pets or off to market, your guess is as good as mine.

Rice fields in the mekong delta… Vietnam’s biggest trade commodity

Vietnamese women spreading the shrimp catch off the day on the pavement to be dried.

Need I say more

Selling of dried squid in the streets of Saigon, a common sight…

Hong Kong skyline… crazy the buildings size

The unregulated and often illegal Hong Kong fish trade…. good work guys… This is a menu in a local restaurant. Fish mostly come from Philippines and Indonesia. Oh the tank water is pumped directly from the harbour, lets just say not the healthiest waster….. ever….