Another Sunset

I keep finding new images from the Hukaung Valley expedition. This one is a beautiful sunset over the Tanai River after finishing up the fieldwork. Goes nicely with this and this. Oh, and this, too. See Myanmar 2005 for more details about the trip. [NOTE: Photo by the incomparable Tun Shuang (thx)].

Tumpline

Split rattan mat and the beautiful carved wood and rattan tumpline used to carry it. Photographed near a Kachin encampment along the Ledo Road in the Hukaung Valley of Myanmar (see Kachin Portrait). 

Group Photo

The first time U Tun Shuang tried to take a group photo (see Tea Break and Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey) using the remote control on his camera, the camera went off immediately and took a picture mostly of his head.

The third try it worked quite well, and U Tun Shuang made it to the far left in the back row before the shutter clicked. Five scientists, eight field assistants, two elephants, and two elephant handlers. Unforgettable six week expedition down the Ledo Road.

Plant Collecting

Another example of an elephant being used to collect plant specimens (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). If I remember correctly, the mahouts were trying to get the orchid on the branch above for Dr. Saw Lwin (see Tea Break). [NOTE: The black Eagle Creek duffel bag on top of the white plastic jug on the elephant to the right has all of my stuff in it]. 

Kachin Postcard

Went out walking early one morning at the Tiger Reserve Headquarters in Tanai (see Tanai). Everything was shrouded in a heavy fog and dripping wet.  And then the sun came up. That's Livistonia jenkinsiana thatch on the house (see Tawhtan).  

For all beneficient kharma every manifested through me, I am grateful...

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Next posts will be from Vietnam.

Rattan Landing

Rattan landing in the forest at Mile 20 on the Ledo Road in Kachin State, Myanmar. The collectors are tying together bundles of 20 rattan canes for transport. Further information about what is going on in this image can be found here or here or here (scroll down to Economic Botany 61(1).pdf). 

Tawhtan

Tawhtan (Livistonia jenkinsiana Griff.) is the preferred roofing material in the Hukaung Valley of Kachin State, Myanmar. Villagers occasionally make small plantations of the species (shown above) to have a readily available source of palm thatch. The leaves are harvested and then carefully folded and aligned to make a surprisingly waterproof and airy roof (see Roof Aesthetics 2 and Roof Repair). [NOTE: The tawhtan thatch shown below is somewhat old and will probably be replaced soon.]

Rattan Truck

Still life of rattan exploitation in northern Myanmar. World War II-vintage truck loaded with rattan parked (momentarily) on the Ledo Road north of Shimbweyeng.  I really like this photo. Go here for a look at another great work truck in northern Myanmar. 

Picnic at Transect 3

We always took time out during the rattan inventory work (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey and Myanmar 2005) to have a nice lunch.  We ate a lot of spicy (really spicy) tofu and white rice. [NOTE: Transect 3 was particularly steep and loaded with rattans and everybody was happy to stop and eat the day that this was filmed (thx, Tun Shuang)]

Hukaung Gold Mines

There are several gold mines inside the Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve in northern Myanmar (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey).  Aside from the questionable politics, shady partnerships, thorny social issues, and complex money trail involved, suffice it to say that ecologically this is a really bad idea.