Rice processing - Cambodia

Once harvested, the first step of the processing is the separation of the straws from the spikelets. The straw is kept to feed the oxes during the wet season. The spikelets are then placed in a machine that separate the grain from the bran (above). The bran is mixed with yeast in water and later distilled to obtain rice alcohol. The bran is then used to feed the pigs. To complete the circle, the excrement of the pigs, oxes (and humans) are then used as fertilizer in the padi field for the new crop... All lost grains in the process are found and eaten by the hens running freely around the area. No wastage.

Rice harvest - Cambodia

The rice plants are cut a few inches above the ground with a sickle and bundled for transport.

Rice harvest - Cambodia

When the rice turns yellow, it is ready for harvesting. Farmers are concerned about rain at this time as it could spoil a crop or require the drying of the harvest prior to processing.

Rice planting - Cambodia

November is an interesting time to visit Cambodia as one can witness both the planting and the harvesting of the rice.

Above, ladies are planting rice between two field almost ready for harvest.

Backcountry beyond the temples - Cambodia

Around Siem Reap, farming lands can be found just a few hundred meters from the most famous temples of the Angkor area. As agriculture still occupy over 80% of the population, a visit of the countryside was high on the agenda.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Back from a trip to Cambodia with approximately 1'500 photographs in raw format, I do not quite know where to start... So I chose the obvious: a sunrise over the Angkor Wat. The early day was mostly covered but the sun did light up the clouds giving the sky an orange glow. Note that a little change in white balance and some underexposure (to create the silhouette and hide the on-going renovation work) did reinforce the effect somehow...

While one has to leave the hotel at 5am to reach the site prior to the first rays of the sun, the location I had chosen to take full advantage of the reflection was already crowded and I had to request some seriouls favours in order to plant my tripod in a decent spot. Definitely not very original but a nice picture to have of Angkor Wat.

Light Festival at Marina Bay

Light sculptures have been displayed at Marina Bay starting from Depavali and hopefully till the end of the year. "Hopefully" as during my first visit, as soon as the lights went on the rain started pouring down. Additionally, best night pictures are actually not taken at night but just when the sky darken, so the window of opportunity is narrow... So I hope to have a second shot at it. But first, an exciting trip to Siem Reap is planned and images of Angkor are on the way!

Images of Little India

A window decoration at odd in Little India.

Images of Little India

Unusual view of a shopping street.

Images of Little India

Garland of flowers and other offerings for sale by the temple.

Images of Little India

Ganesh is the favored deity of this vegetable shop owner.

Just Vegetables

Just vegetables... Really? In fact fruits and roots...

Tekka Market - Little India (7)

And to round up the visit of the Tekka wet market, a stall offering curry powder, spices and peas.

Tekka Market - Little India (6)

Seafood anyone?

Tekka Market - Little India (5)

Ready for BBQ...

The Tekka Centre with its wet market, hawker centre and Indian clothes shops on the second level is still a landmark in Little India, which attracts multi-ethnic customers. Some Chinese stallholders have learnt to speak Tamil and Indians Hokkien.

Tekka Market - Little India (4)

While the ice has melted by the end of the day, a mountain of crabs, seas of prawns and squids are still available for sale.

Tekka Market - Little India (3)

When resizing this image for posting, I could smell the fishes behind the computer screen, just by looking at the photograph...

Tekka Market - Little India (2)

The afternoons are however clearly not as busy as the mornings. The shop attendants are seen waiting for customers in the alleys.

Tekka Market - Little India

Heading to the Tekka Centre in Little India to beat the rain and grey skies. It features one of the few wet markets in Singapore that is still opened for business and active in the afternoons.

Cockatoo - A Portrait

One the of cockatoos that can be seen at the Animal Resort, Seletar West Farmway 5.