Siem Riep, Angor Wat
Angkor Wat lies 5.5 km north of the modern town of Siem Reap, and a short distance south and slightly east of the previous capital, which was centred at Baphuon. It is in an area of Cambodia where there is an important group of ancient structures. It is the southernmost of Angkor’s main sites. The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century. A magical place to visit and should be added to the “Wonders of the World.”
The last days in Yakusari…
My service is almost finished and wanted to share the last days of my time at school. It was special working with the students at the primary school. I hope someday they will be able to see these images that I captured of them.
The card sharks……
Playing cards is the favorite past time at the school. You wouldn’t really think primary students would be playing poker and betting ten cents. Which can buy you a piece of gum. I was the financial backer for a few that were promising.
The Scary neighbor’s house…
This house is right next door to me. I have not seen the old man for about one month now. I usually hear him talking to himself while he is drinking his rum at night. Where ever you are old man, I hope your safe.
more images from Yakusari….1/2011
85 more days of Peace Corps life here in Black Bush Polder, Guyana. Pictures were taken in January 2011.
A day at Yakusari Primary School 11/26/2010
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Guyana, first three weeks…
These are some random pictures that I took in my outings and around my house. I did go to the beach in Skeldon and a huge storm was coming, amazing cloud formations. More to come….
The official first post from Guyana…
I will be here for the next five months. I am living in Yakusari in Black Bush Polder (East Berbice) Guyana. My main objective is to setup, teach staff and students basic IT and computer skills, educate residents of Yakusari and create a computer club. I’m Sir Marcus to the students of grades 4-9. The population is mostly East Indians. Black Bush Polder is soley agriculture and the population and education is declining. Here are some pictures of the setup of the lab, I’ll be teaching next week. More to come…
the little boy in Brikama…
I recently found out that this little boy which I do not know his name passed away. When I visited his family to sponsor his older brother, he did not look very healthy. I took this picture last in 2009 in Brikama. Just very sad that he really didn’t have a chance in life or get the right medical care he needed. God bless him.
remembering The Gambia, a few more…
A little tribute to The Gambia, a few portraits that were taken at Genak Island (2010)
The End of the Gambia Project…
My Peace Corps service ended in July 2010. I want to say a big thanks to all that viewed my photo blog and all the great comments! Many of you gave me strength and support during my service. I had a very rewarding time in The Gambia and the memories will last a lifetime. Here is the lone survivors of our two year service.
I have accepted a Peace Corps Response assignment in Guyana that starts in October 2010, so please come back and visit.
Images from Ginak Island…
Ryan and I went to Ginak Island to distribute 100 mosquito nets. What a unique place to say the least. There were so many photo stories there and just want to share some images that I took on the trip. The environment was your typical “up country” feel but most residents spoke exceptional English. Friendly people living a simple life, that’s what its about. More images to come!
From the web about Ginak:
Jinack Island (also spelt Jenack, Ginak & sometimes known as Paradise Island) is located off the north bank of the estuary of The Gambia River, separated from the mainland by the Niji Bolon and is part of the National Park of Niumi which is a marine protected delta area and is aiming to be an eco-tourist holiday destination. The park was established in 1986 and has an area of just over 4,900 hectares (49 sq. km) with (geographical coordinates: 13.30°N 16.30°W) and its boundaries start from Barra Point right up to the Senegalese border at the National Park of Saloum in Senegal then east to the tributary of Masarinko Bolon. The island itself has over 11 kilometres of unspoilt, fairly shallow beaches which are often visited by dolphins.
To get to the island you take a ferry from the port of Banjul to Barra which costs less than 50 pence. From Barra you then take a local taxi heading towards Fass then go left at Kanuma into the park. There are a couple of villages in the area: Jinack Kajata and Niji. It is possible to make a day-trip excursion there from Kololi resort if you set out fairly early in the morning.
A major part of the park encompasses several habitat types such as dry savannahgrasslands, coastal scrub, and woodland which is on an elevated rocky plateau which has the Masarinko . Bolon tributary dividing it. The park itself is riddled with wetlands, thick vegetation, fresh-water marshland, tidal mud flats, mangrove swamps, farmland and lagoons.
Wassu Stone Circles…
My friend Ryan and I stopped by thte Wassu Stone Circles or known as The Gambia “Stonehedge”. Compared to Stonehedge, these are quite small. Interesting to see with my own eyes.
From the net:
The ancient Wassu Stone Circles, in Gambia, are located around Wassu in the Central River Region and are believed to be burial mounds of Kings and chiefs in ancient times over 1,200 years old and has been dated to between 750-1000 AD, and because of this local legend has it that there is a curse on anyone who disturbs those laid to rest there. This may account as to why they have lasted so long with little human interference.
The stones sizes and circular shapes do vary from 10 to 20 stones with sizes from 4 to 6 metres across. Though they were burial sites the stones themselves are of a younger age than the graves. The average height of each stone column is 5 feet 9 inches. The 11 large concentration of circles have puzzled many a traveller over the centuries and have been the subject of dozens of archaeological excavations since the 1800s. Excavations were made on them earlier this century but none came closer to laying bare the whys and wherefores of the site than the one carried out about over 30 years ago which revealed their age. What has been found are iron weapons, arrow and spearheads, knives, pottery vessels and bronze ornaments
The stones were cut out of laterite that occurs in large quarry outcrops in this region and then shaped with iron tools into cylindrical or polygonal shapes. A museum situated at the “Stone Circles” in Wassu Central River Division was opened in 2000. Hundreds of stone circles can be found in The Gambia and Senegambia region. They are part of a geographical grouping of over 1,000 monuments in a wide strip measuring 62 miles wide and along 217 miles of the Gambia River.
This sacred site was declared a National Monument in 1995 and on the 21st July, 2006 93 monuments in the Senegambia region (Sine Ngayène, Wanar) were declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site.
Gender and Development in The Gambia…
I am still volunteering at M.D.I. Institute working with the Gender and Development class. Just finished up a brochure for a upcoming workshop. This will be a great workshop to improve women’s role in leadership here in The Gambia.
Malaria and Earth Day…
I am working with my friend Ryan here on these projects. I quickly designed the logo’s that will be printed on t-shirts for the events. We will travel to Basse, which is located at the far east of The Gambia. By van, it will take about 10-12 hours which is truly not an easy trip to make. Volunteers will distribute about over a thousand bed nets there to fight malaria.
