The Pictures that Inspired BBTB
Welcome to my mini photo albums (yes, there's another one below). And, when I say mini... I mean mini as I have hundreds, and hundreds, of pictures of my time in Southeast Asia. Whenever I write, my travel diary, as well as my pictures are an integral part of the process to ensure I've captured the essence of what I'm trying describe. Please see below, for a sneak peak of how my pictures and experiences made their way in my books and the 'just becauses' because they helped ignite my creativity.
Sunsets & 'Just Because' Shots
One of my favourite things to do when I travel, is at the end of the day make sure I have myself positioned for an optimal view of the sunset. When I was in Laos, I was fascinated that I could sit on one side of the Mekong River and see Thailand so tantalizingly close on the other side. For the Hmong who fought against the Viet Con, after the Vietnam War ended many crossed the Mekong in search of refuge—just as Bao’s Grandmother did. For the non-swimming hilltribe people, this crossing was no easy feat especially during the monsoon season and with guns firing at your back.
Just because I love them I’ve thrown in a few other landscape shots of picturesque Laos and the Mekong River Delta in South Vietnam.
Just because I love them I’ve thrown in a few other landscape shots of picturesque Laos and the Mekong River Delta in South Vietnam.
The Locals & The Monks
nyone who travels will tell you it’s all about the encounters with the local people, so I’ve included various pictures of children from two of the countries featured in BBTB—Laos and Vietnam. In my novel, I wrote about the children at Siem Reap, Cambodia (by Arunny's family restaurant) who target the tourists to earn a little extra money with their game…Where you from? I know the capital of your country? Why???? do I not have a picture of this…ahhh!
And, then there are the monks. I don’t know what it is…but I AM FASCINATED by monks so much so one of the narrators in my novel is a monk. For a more in-depth exploration about this fascination please visit my blog when I share a special monk encounter I had in Laos.
And, then there are the monks. I don’t know what it is…but I AM FASCINATED by monks so much so one of the narrators in my novel is a monk. For a more in-depth exploration about this fascination please visit my blog when I share a special monk encounter I had in Laos.
The Trail, Traffic & More 'Just Because'
I debated about putting this picture in because it is SO unflattering of me (you will know which one I am referring to as soon as you see it), but I’ve erred against my better judgement because I wanted to share how tiny the tunnel entry is into the Ho Chi Minh trail (elaborate trail which winds through the mountains and jungle and was pivotal during the War for moving the Viet Con and supplies from the North into South Vietnam).
I had to throw this photo in—just because—anyone who has toured through Asia will tell you the motorcycle traffic is something else. Can you believe it?! I was terrified crossing the street in Vietnam. How did I do it? Answer: I found an old lady and crossed with her (seriously, 100% true).
The War was not confined to Vietnam it’s impact was very much felt in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos. When I travelled, through Cambodia I went to The Killing Fields; this sequence of pictures is taken from this visit. The Memorial on site Choeung Ek stupa is filled with the thousands of skulls of people who were killed by the Khmer Rouge, the building (S21) was a high school turned prison where many Cambodians were tortured by the Khmer Rouge. And in the last picture, you will notice the indents in the ground—these are mass graves at the Fields. Visiting these places was very emotional and you can still feel the heaviness of what went on during the Khmer Rouge’s Reign of Terror. I was shocked that I was not aware about one of the largest genocides to ever occur and this served as inspiration for writing the novel.
I had to throw this photo in—just because—anyone who has toured through Asia will tell you the motorcycle traffic is something else. Can you believe it?! I was terrified crossing the street in Vietnam. How did I do it? Answer: I found an old lady and crossed with her (seriously, 100% true).
The War was not confined to Vietnam it’s impact was very much felt in neighbouring Cambodia and Laos. When I travelled, through Cambodia I went to The Killing Fields; this sequence of pictures is taken from this visit. The Memorial on site Choeung Ek stupa is filled with the thousands of skulls of people who were killed by the Khmer Rouge, the building (S21) was a high school turned prison where many Cambodians were tortured by the Khmer Rouge. And in the last picture, you will notice the indents in the ground—these are mass graves at the Fields. Visiting these places was very emotional and you can still feel the heaviness of what went on during the Khmer Rouge’s Reign of Terror. I was shocked that I was not aware about one of the largest genocides to ever occur and this served as inspiration for writing the novel.
The Last 'Just Because'
.Another just because…the Pak Ou Caves overlooking the Mekong River near Luang Prabang. I LOVED this sacred cave which houses over 4,000 Buddhas in different positions. It’s places such as this that inspire.
And for my last because…because the title of the novel is Beauty Beneath the Banyan—here’s me and a banyan.
And for my last because…because the title of the novel is Beauty Beneath the Banyan—here’s me and a banyan.
The Pictures that Inspired TFTS
The Incredible Beaches & Betel
The beach pictures were taken on Tioman Island, in Malaysia. I went to an isolated section called Nipah (by today's standard of isolation--you'll notice I was one of 3 huts) and was amazed by the raw beauty of the landscape. The dense jungle stops abruptly at the beach and as I walked, pristine sand under foot, curious monkeys swung vine to vine in pursuit and the buzz of cicadas leaped out to meet me. When writing about Iphim's time on the deserted island, I drew from my mini isolation experience in this underdeveloped paradise.
This is a portable betel street stall located in Yangon, Myanmar. Betel is a mild stimulant. A betel nut is wrapped in betel leaves and chewed. For added flavour lime, clove or cardamom may be added.Regular chewing stains the lips and tongue a deep orange. I didn't like the taste! But I was more afraid of how my parents would respond...after all those trips to the dentist...if I returned to Canada with a bright orange mouth.
This is a portable betel street stall located in Yangon, Myanmar. Betel is a mild stimulant. A betel nut is wrapped in betel leaves and chewed. For added flavour lime, clove or cardamom may be added.Regular chewing stains the lips and tongue a deep orange. I didn't like the taste! But I was more afraid of how my parents would respond...after all those trips to the dentist...if I returned to Canada with a bright orange mouth.
It's All About the People
When I was in Mandalay, Myanmar I had a cyclone driver, whom I adored—I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture of him—and he shared the story of when he was a teenager his father told him he could only have one vice. He had to choose between smoking or chewing betel. He told the story with eyes shining and an endearing bright orange grin. Iphim's father gives her older brother Tok the same choice.
While trekking in Kalaw, Myanmar we saw women on their way home from the market and were amazed by how easily they walk these winding roads with large woven baskets resting against their backs. Iphim's friend Akha tells her about a woman from her village who uses one of these baskets to forage in the jungle and here's some lovely ladies at the market and more chilies than you'd ever want to eat!
I was captivated by Myanmar; my love and enthusiasm for this fascinating country and its people is revealed through Dr. Howard when he spoke to Iphim about his day. Whether it be farmer and ox working in the field, fishing with a little foot assistance, travelling by cart through the countryside, biking in Bagan or a field full of soccer playing monks whose shed robes and flip-flops rested on the sidelines...Myanmar is incredible it's like travelling back in time.
While trekking in Kalaw, Myanmar we saw women on their way home from the market and were amazed by how easily they walk these winding roads with large woven baskets resting against their backs. Iphim's friend Akha tells her about a woman from her village who uses one of these baskets to forage in the jungle and here's some lovely ladies at the market and more chilies than you'd ever want to eat!
I was captivated by Myanmar; my love and enthusiasm for this fascinating country and its people is revealed through Dr. Howard when he spoke to Iphim about his day. Whether it be farmer and ox working in the field, fishing with a little foot assistance, travelling by cart through the countryside, biking in Bagan or a field full of soccer playing monks whose shed robes and flip-flops rested on the sidelines...Myanmar is incredible it's like travelling back in time.
