A River of My Past, a photo from Savannakhet, South

Photographer's Note

Along the Mekong in Savanakhet, all seem peaceful and calm these days. As life flourish here in the country, more business, manufacturing facilities, roads, bridges are being built, finance by mostly Japanese, Australian and some other neighboring countries. Life is getting better, more new houses, more cars on the streets and more streets are being built to accommodate more cars, brighter days are ahead.

However, in the late 1970抯 and throughout much of 1980抯, this river has seen many deaths and bloodshed. When Laos was took over by the Communist in 1975, many tried to escape to Thailand, by crossing the Mekong at night, Many has been shot and killed or captured and put in jail. Sometimes, we could see dead bodies floating down from the north. My family too, tried twice before we were successfully escape.

Being back here to see this sight again is such a bitter sweet moment. I couldn抰 help but felt a lump in my throat as I fought back my tears to enjoy this beautiful and tranquil sunset. A dream I didn抰 know could ever be realized.

This is during the dry season, the water level is very low and not as brown, the river flow gently, the middle ground is an island where people plant vegetables. Te background is Thailand. During the rainy season

rginer, Floydian, clio, roges, holmertz, fulvio52, rodgerg, Jonas_Schmitt, mark_mk, Philippe, tomescuc, phwall, gracious, MarcT, pablominto, patdeph, Sistercosmo, plimrn, mphotographies, trekks, danos, banaei_nikon, macondo, Atousa, paololg, sothy81, shevchenko, avene, BelCan75, Angshu, serp2000 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rginer (881) 2009-05-13 9:22 [Comment]

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Floydian (30970) 2009-05-13 9:37

Hi Way,

Classic, but very beautiful. Soft tones in the sky, but that makes the moody only better, just as the colour toning in the water, great contrast with all that green along the shoreline. Glad we still see some details on the houses, works pretty good in the overal composition. Boat is perhaps a bit to much in the center, bit further to the right would have given an more balanced shot with the sun in the upper left corner, but it's not that bad at all.
A great mood you created here....very nice.

Regards,

Henk

clio (27961) 2009-05-13 9:40

Hi Way,
A beautiful photo for a very moving note. I greet your courage to have returned to this place where you had so much bad memories, but I think that now your spirit will be quieter as is it today the magnificent landscape which you show us.
Great shot,
best regards
Diane

roges (1212) 2009-05-13 9:45

Hi Way !
Splendid landscape!
A perfect contrast of colors. Congratulations.
The description is very interesting.
Have a nice day,
Adrian

holmertz (102008) 2009-05-13 9:54

Hello Way,
There's a marvellous, quiet atmosphere to this picture, I have seen scenes like this and like you felt a lump in my throat, but for quite different reasons. Where I have experienced just the beauty of the scenery and the warmth of people around me, you have a totally different experience which makes this picture so strong.
Regardless of one's personal background, it's a beautiful composition of the soon setting sun and the person in the boat. As always, your colours are the best possible.
Kind regards,
Gert

jemaflor (146312) 2009-05-13 10:04

Hi Way,
Nice result with this perfect light capture, wonderful sun and a composition well managed with this tiny boat, bravo !

fulvio52 (8314) 2009-05-13 10:22

Hi, Way.
Top quality color and definition, and a wonderful, dreamy mood in this one. This is where you come from and what you're sharing with us in your note is fully visible in your picture. I totally understand and appreciate, TFS! Have a great day, my friend. I'll be seeing you,
Fulvio.

dkeus31 (27739) 2009-05-13 10:37

Hi Way,
nice moody picture, the soft tones in the sky are wonderful.
nice presence of boat and sun
regards
didier

rodgerg (55767) 2009-05-13 10:56

Hello Waylim,

A very nice view with the boat and the moon, the two important element of the image.
An image full of serenity, of peacefull, of athmospher too.
Best regards,
Roger

BennyV (34746) 2009-05-13 11:01

Hello Way,

How can I not comment on this one? Excellent capture, great view, nostalgic even without the personal history attached to it. I've posted a few Mekong shots with Laos on the other side, it's great to see the oppositie view in such splendour! I guess next time we'll travel on the other side. The inspiration of the river is endless.

Benny

Jonas_Schmitt (3074) 2009-05-13 11:41

Hello Way!
Looking at your gallery after my little break I discover so many amazing new pictures! And this one is really wonderful, too. A scene like this is a dream for every photographer. And you really made the best of it, technically everything is perfectly done and your point of view couldn磘 have been better. The exposure here is excellent, neither the sun isn磘 too bright nor the landscape too dark, very good. A fantastic motive kept on an amazing picture, really really good!
Best regards,
Jonas

Bartleby (13552) 2009-05-13 11:59

Hi Way,
a moving note and a beautiful sunset scene. I agree with Henk about the placement of the boat but still, one can sense the peaceful atmosphere you talk about in your note. good job, works for me.

Philippe

mark_mk (266) 2009-05-13 12:35

Hi Way,
very nice one, the sun looks awesome, as well as the rower. Composition is top notch and so is the exposure. Do I remember a similiar shot you posted here a lot earlier? I think I saw that location before.
Well, it looks stunning, nice one!

Take care
Mark

Jeppo (17645) 2009-05-13 12:48

"I try not to take things for granted"

this is what you wrote in your intro...and the touching note for this pleasant shot tells us your story and the reason for your mood.

I do understand your mood while being there....past stroke back

I (maybe) felt something similar while travelling across Dortmund railway station in 2005...thinking that some 50 years before that station was jus teard down...and mt granfather was there...ready to take the train home after almost 2 years of war prisony....

well...it's not just what you experienced...but tragic memories never die...you have to be able anyhow to turn them into a engine to cope with difficulties and overcome them

tfs
silvio

emka (157280) 2009-05-13 12:53

Hi wonderful photo. This yellow ball on the sky is incredible. I like the tiny boat on the Mekong. Nice view of the distant village. Mekong looks here so peaceful. Wonderful sunset.
As before, very touching story about your returning to the innocent days (this title sounds strange for me..). As I read it, it reminded me the stories I was told in Berlin in 1980. I also saw many graves near the Wall, of the people who tried to escape and were shot. But of course, I was a tourist only.

warm regards

Małgorzata

Philippe (11836) 2009-05-13 13:29

Hi, Way. Going back to your country is always emotional, in such circumstances, even more so. It's difficult for me to really experience what you felt because I live in a country that has always been at peace since I was born. And I hope it will always be so. There is a very nice atmosphere in your picture with the setting sun still fairly high in the sky dominating the scene. It stands out well against the hazy sky. The contrast between the shore and the river works very well. But what strikes me most is the boat and the fisherman that look so tiny in the landscape.
Have a nice day,
Philippe

bracasha75 (24591) 2009-05-13 14:08

Helo Way
All river run.....the life go to like this river and we are alkl gast here on this earth in time!!!!!!!Beautiful eternity scene of sunset
TFS
Cheers,Braca

sayeed_rahman (6461) 2009-05-13 14:35

Way Ne

Good proportion of colours and arrangement. Once youve tried that the visual appeal is created automatically..controlling the exposure correctly is the key to nature shots and youve done it well here..

If the boat had been towards the right one inch off the edge..it would have in concurrence with rule of thirds..:))

cheers
sayeed

tomescuc (3291) 2009-05-13 16:54

A pristine image. Balanced composition, superb colors, peaceful atmosphere, and a great note to go with.
Cristian

phwall (6787) 2009-05-13 17:35

Hello Way,
I love that sun hanging in the tropical haze. The mauve tones in the sky and reflected in the water are exceptional.
Superb POV and composition, the boat adds a wonderful detail to this excellent capture.
Thank you for a moving note to go with this shot, I hope that by returning to this spot you may have silenced some of the demons from your childhood.
Warm wishes my friend.
Peter

gracious (20025) 2009-05-13 20:35

Sabaidi Way,
It's real good to return home with such calm and peaceful atmosphere!
It's just like a dream picture to me with such beauty!
the man doing fishing is having the time of the world all for himself, how nice!
thanks for the wonderful sharing
take care and warmest regards always
a hug from Tony

pablominto (53746) 2009-05-13 22:09

Hello Way,

The simplicity of the composition is appealing!
The muted colours create atmosphere, with the shimmering water and the glowing red sun...
The man in the boat adds emotion and human presence, and serves well as an eye-catcher in the frame!

Greetings,
Pablo -

vincz (19113) 2009-05-13 23:01

Always so insipring sunsets on he Mekong. I could come back on the river every evening and not to get tired of it. I like the very soft rendering on the river side and the s oorange colors of the sun. Very nice inspiring shot.

MarcT (20964) 2009-05-13 23:30

Hi Way,
A beautiful sunin the sky and taht little man puts everything in perspective. A good image to place near your note.
Best wishes
Marc

sacimar (38173) 2009-05-14 7:24

Hi Way,

a good moment you captured here, I like the sunlight colour, the atmosphere of the place is quiet and calm, the soft tones help to create this, good perspective and composition, thanks!

Best regards

Sergio

dvlazar (6662) 2009-05-14 9:23

A great scene - and a meaningful one - composed beautifully with the golden sun. Nice shot,
Dave

baba_flies (8829) 2009-05-14 11:00

Hello Way! I can understand your feelings and it touches me what you say. But the sun came back again and it shines on your country, so beautifully shown in your photo. I love the little boat and how it floats down the river, all seems so peaceful now and yet so much is not said but very much inside the people. I was on the other side over in Thailand years ago and I remember that we enjoyed the sunset like you did, sharing ideas in the guesthouse we stayed, ready to change the world :))) We never did I guess but what stayed is a long friendship with the woman I travelled and we still exchange xams cards ... Wonderful moment, Way, and no no no, you never become a grumpy old man ... I had to laugh about that ... Barbara.

berek (50518) 2009-05-14 11:02

Hi Way,
beautiful atmosphere with sun. I like simple line effect and light . well framed picture.
Have a nice evening.
Burak

patdeph (35750) 2009-05-14 11:25

hello Way
I love the softness of this picture,the small boat in front of the sligtly misty landscape,and this orange sun with its wonderful contrast!Difficult to believe when we see a such peaceful atmosphere ,that this country and its inhabitants have underwent so terrible moments!I just hope that you can be in peace in your mind now,even if this is unforgetable!
Regards
Pascale

Sistercosmo (242) 2009-05-14 12:45

Hi Way,
what a shot, what a note - very emotional. I can understand your feelings cuz I'm getting choked up just reading and looking at the shot but you've experienced it.
The haziness works well and I love the aura around the sun. And without the man on the boat it would only be half as good. Nice work!
Thanks and have a nice evening!
Linda

plimrn (21344) 2009-05-15 0:21

Hi Way,
There are no words to express how moved I am by your wonderful picture and your note. I taught at a community college where many of our students were escaping from a war-torn homeland. Moving to a new country where everything is different is very difficult, and there are always parts of the homeland that are missed terribly. I am so glad that you were able to see your country at not only peaceful but thriving and I'm sorry that you couldn't take your mother back.

As to the photo, I love the sharp detail of the tiny boat and the way it is balanced by the setting sun.
Wishing you health, love & joy, Pat

mphotographies (1976) 2009-05-15 8:30

Hey Way,

I agree on your thoughts: 扵raveling is not just about seeing new places and meeting new people. It抯 a chance to observe what others do differently without prejudice or judgment. It expanses our mind and broaden our knowledge, it lets us look at life from many different perspectives.�

Revisiting places that had atrocities reminds us what horrors humanity is capable of. The widespread and indiscriminate slaughter of innocent people. Even now somewhere around the world they're still not stopping the carnage happening. Sharing the stories behind each image makes the viewer remember why certain ethics or morals are important. With the beautiful imagery I hope it embrace back those who had fled or encourage travelers who like to discover and go beyond this place.

The endless nature of political society will always haunt us...that's why some of us have to discover ourselves outside our motherland.

Best Regards

Jom

trekks (14348) 2009-05-15 20:05

hi Way

It is not about the river, is it? It is about the sun :)

There is a Chinese poem that talks about raising your head to look at the bright moon and then you lower your head to think of hometown.

But here it is totally different context. You were at hometown with a sunset. A lovely scene with the tiny little boat on the Mekong.

Good work.

tfs, bill

danos (110407) 2009-05-16 9:41

Hello Way,
a lovely scenery and a flashback for me this sunset moments of Mekong river.I like the calmness and the tranquillity of the scene,as the lonely boatman cross the river.Informative your note from the hardships of your family until to escape from the homeland.Well done..

Have a nice weekend,Danos

banaei_nikon (755) 2009-05-16 21:31

Hi Way !
Splendid landscape!
A perfect contrast of colors. Congratulations.
The description is very interesting.
Have a nice day,
**MAB**

macondo (20449) 2009-05-16 23:56

Hello Way.
A beautiful, almost minimalist photo of this quiet evening scene, with just the sound of the boat gliding through the water. One can easily imagine the emotions you describe in your note. The gentle colours and the noiseless quality of this shot really have a tranquilising effect. I like the combination of the subtle green and almost purple tones. A wonderful picture.
Regards,
Andrew

Atousa (7131) 2009-05-18 4:39

Salam Way,

Your note is really impressive..it seems the memories will remain forever but I'm happy that now the brighter days are ahead as you mentioned..by looking at this peaceful scene its hard to imagine those sad events which have happened in the past...nice layers from the river to the sky n I like its softness..tfs
Best regards, Atousa

paololg (31448) 2009-05-18 14:40

Ciao dear Way,
every time that you post a photo, you show us to be one of the best photographers of TE. This is another masterpiece of photographic art that increases the beauty of your gallery. Compliments!
Ciao, have a nice day!
Paolo

angela926 (1884) 2009-05-18 17:22

Hello Way,
Lovely shot, nice peaceful atmosphere, excelletn composition and lovely colors.
TFS
Angela

sothy81 (9646) 2009-05-19 0:04

WOw what can I say? It is amaizing picture from Laos. Beautiful sunset and the colors are amazing. Clean, clear and sharp image. Well done. Sothy

shevchenko (20560) 2009-05-19 23:00

Hello Way,
Nice to see silent and peaceful environment today, impressive sunset view in cool color and attractive big sun on the sky, still able to see some brick houses at agricultural site, hope it will developed fast, thanks for sharing a river flowing togather with many histories.
Ally

avene (12675) 2009-05-21 5:01

hello Way,
love the photo, again so simple, but at the same time so powerful, the feeling of quiet and calm evening is overwhelming. I like a lot the accent of the man in the boat, it adds just the right touch to this peaceful scene. excellent work, I like it a lot.

best,
Kristine

BelCan75 (2201) 2009-05-21 11:57

Hello Way,

This is a beautiful photo! I especially like the person in the boat on the water and the sun you were able to capture like that. Great POV with nice colours and details. Well done!

Greetings,
Ann

PixelTerror (0) 2009-05-23 1:34

Hi Way,
Nice and moody, I like balanced image and this one is a good example, a closer vertical crop could be worth a try as well to get the balance even stronger
Have a nice day JY

Angshu (56760) 2009-05-24 22:00

Sabaidie Way
A classic but beautiful sunset shot. The mist in the BG creates pastel hues on the greens on the other bank. The boat in silhouette is of course the main attraction. A beautiful personal note which makes this picture more poignant than just the beauty of it
Best Regards
Angshu

sookjai01 (0) 2010-06-15 9:05

Waylim,

thanks so much for sharing the pictures as well as your past on TrekEarth. Like you, I am originally from Savannakhet and currently living in the US. Your pictures brought back a lot of old memories, good and bad. And my favorite has to be 揂 River of My Past� http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Laos/South/Savannakhet/photo1076768.htm. Back in the late 70's, as a 17 year-old boy, I swim across the Mekong river alone, approximately a half mile down from where this picture is taken, to escape over to Thailand . This particular image of yours not only brought tears to my eyes, but it also brought a chill to my spine as I closed my eyes and thinking about that fearful night. I could have been shot and killed without a trace and my family would never know that I have gone missing or where to look for me. I considered myself a very lucky person that I am not one of those dead bodies floating down the river as you described it.

Thank you again for sharing.
ktr

serp2000 (47063) 2012-04-11 21:15

Sabaidee, Way,
Some sad story in your note. But life is life, indeed.
Attractive clever composition: the sun, the boat and the river bank are good components of every photo. Well done.
My body locates in the grey rainy Ural town, but my soul still stay in Laos and Thailand.
Best wishes,
Serghei