daybydaybyandy

Given the Western/Christian flavour of my blog yesterday, I thought it only fair to balance it with a more local/Hindu flavour today. This is a view of Kapaleeswarar Temple, basking in the late afternoon Chennai sun. Whilst I could not understand any of the imagery or symbolism, it was nevertheless an impressive place. The worshippers appeared no less devout than those encountered yesterday and were just as tolerant of such an obvious non-believer in their midst.

Definitely a place to return to if possible; next time with a patient guide to explain some of the meaning of the place. 

In AD52 St Thomas, one of the original 12 Apostles of Jesus, arrived in India to spread the word of Christianity. In AD72 he was martyred on a small hilltop outside present-day Chennai. His Tomb rests beneath the Basilica bearing his name in the Santhome/Mylapore district of the city; upstairs in the museum is an artefact containing the original spear tip used to kill him and a bone fragment from his body. There are only 2 other Churches in the world that are built over the tomb of an Apostle; one is St Peter’s in the Vatican City, Rome and the other is St James’ in Santiago de Compstela, Spain.

As with most of the history of the Roman Catholic faith, there appears to be no contemporary, physical, corroborating evidence from the time to prove these facts, or any early supporting, non-contradictory, written evidence either. In fact, it would appear that the majority of available evidence would weigh against the story of St Thomas being true.

St Thomas gave his name to the expression ‘doubting thomas’, because he refused to believe in the resurrection of Christ until he had seen and touched the resurrected Christ’s wounds.

So, doubt in the credulity of what you’ve just read if you will, or, as the woman in today’s photo from the tomb seems to be doing - just have complete faith in what you believe. It’s  one of mankind’s greatest freedoms to believe what you will, express what you believe and not to be forced to believe in what you don’t. That freedom shouldn’t, however, give you the right to force others to your beliefs - no matter how sure you are of them. 

Religions through the ages would have done well to have noted the irony here!

This photo shows the cause of the first of 3 delays in my attempt to go from Hong Kong to Chennai today. Aviation fuel had spilled from the underground re-fuelling point by our aircraft and had to be cleared up before we could finish loading. The chap in red is mopping up the last of it using old rags! On arrival in Chennai we were delayed on the aircraft for over 30 minutes when the motorised disembarkation steps broke down on the way out to us. Finally, in the hotel taxi from the airport, a puncture waylaid us for another similar period. Never mind, I’m looking forward to exploring Chennai in the blistering heat tomorrow.

At a hotel in Paris this morning, swifts were hunting insects and feeding their young in nests built into corners. I spent a few minutes trying to photograph them, but in the main found them too ‘swift’ to capture at a decent size in a telephoto lens.

It may come as a surprise to some that Hong Kong has a lot of beaches - some of them are very picturesque. This one is not one of the best, but at a balmy 27 degrees at 6.30 in the evening, it had attracted families, swimmers, keep fit enthusiasts and one photographer. Yes, the net strung from the lookout tower is there to keep the sharks out - it seemed to be working! 

I quite like this image of a young couple, bags packed, ready for anything, looking seemingly wistfully at the departure board at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. You can almost hear them saying to each other “so where do you fancy going then?”

I’ve photographed Hong Kong from land, air and now sea. Each has its own unique perspective and appeal and each can delight or frustrate with the images it allows. After 3 hours of persistent rain, flat overcast skies and dull images, conditions finally relented to allow this ‘sea’ image mid afternoon today. 

With air travel becoming passé for so many people these days, I wonder whether this ride on a baggage trolley being pushed by his mum, was more exciting for this youngster than the aeroplane ride he was headed for?

19 hours of travel and within 10 minutes of home and, despite every other mode of transport I’ve used up to now being delayed, the coach I’m on has arrived early at the penultimate stop. We get 10 extra minutes of ‘stretching our legs’ in a car park to while away the time. Frustrating; but at least it allowed me to take my one picture of the day. The colour of the bark in this tree is all natural and has had no photo processing applied. 

I just can’t seem to get away from the rain at the moment. Whether I’m in Paris, England, or, as in today’s photo, in Hong Kong, I just keep getting soaked. 

As you can see, I gave in to the elements and bought myself an umbrella!