Top: World's first 360-degree Panorama of Ushguli, Svaneti, Georgia, Feb 24/2009, from 12 separate photos...

Friday 27 June 2008

Luara Aprasidze, 1963-2008

This was one funeral I had to miss, being away in the UK now.

Luara Aprasidze was the youngest of 4 children, never married, and a good friend of mine. She grew up in this house, in Ladreri, Svaneti, and often hosted me there - it's become a home to me in the village. She hated having her photograph taken, and rarely consented. But here she is: in the top photo, far right, with other immediate family members, in 2001. Her surviving brothers and sister are the 3 at left. Her father and brother-in-law, also both deceased, are to the right of them, and the rest are nieces and nephews. In the bottom photo, seated front left, in 2002. I don't think I have any other photographs of her.

Luara got cancer some time ago, spent a while in Tbilisi, and died there a few days ago. Her funeral was yesterday, in Etseri. I last saw her about a month ago, soon before I left Tbilisi - she was still on her feet, and I had hoped to see her again in August. Not to be.

A beautiful woman, brave soul, far too critical of herself, hiding many gifts. Rest in peace, dear sister, and see you in heaven, I believe.

Indonesia picures will be back soon.

Wednesday 25 June 2008

Indonesia, December 1993

The top three from an active volcano on south-east Java which my family and I saw (I don't remember what it was called). We were revelling in the slightly cooler air (being almost exactly on the equator), while some of the locals were buying balaclavas to put on for the coldest weather they'd ever experienced! It's all relative.

Bottom - a hibiscus and local Javanese landscape.


the w()rd: Welsh singer

Duffy:
http://www.iamduffy.com/index2.html
Check her out. Amazing voice.

Tuesday 24 June 2008

the w()rd: New Zimbabwe Link

http://zimbabwesituation.com/
If you don't know why I'm posting this link at this time, get yer head out of the sand and look into the world a bit. Start at the above link.

Sunday 22 June 2008

Indonesia, December 1993

More from the beautiful archipelago. Top to bottom:

- Visiting from Lombok to an even smaller island
- Plant closeup
- People
- Bamboo