swimming hole

Hiking around in the jungle, I came upon this great swimming hole. Unfortunately, it was only about 4 feet deep. "Too bad" I thought, it has a perfect perch to leap from. Returning later after completing the loop, I found a gaggle of boys hanging out and they started urging me to jump. "You can't jump fellas, it's too shallow" I said.

More scenes from China

Here are some more random pictures and reflections from China. This is a typical street scene in Shenzen. Stacked buildings, lots of people, bruce lee restaurant.

This is the horizon pretty much everywhere in Shenzen. It's hard to comprehend the scale of growth that's going on. These buildings are going to be around for at least sixty years. What kind of environmental impact are they locking into place? How many of them are taking advantage of the considerable subsidies the Chinese government offers for integrated solar? How many are even meeting basic building codes? One thing we learned from our research: a lot of the ambitious environmental laws, regulations, and incentives coming out of Beijing don't end up meaning much if enforcement is minimal to non-existent.

The gate outside one of the factories. People on the left are checking out the job board. Both factories we worked with said their number one challenge was recruitment and retention. 1.3 billion people, but not enough workers. There are a number of factors conspiring to create a small labor pool for factories in Shenzen, eventually I will include a link to some analysis for those that are curious.

Set up a projector and screen on the street: you're at the movies! This was a great scene, food carts and other peddlers would come around and it had a sort of impromptu block party feel.

I did not elect to get a massage at our hotel, but if I did: definitely the kidneys. Interesting to note that this was a flagship hotel for Shenzhen airlines, and four star rated, not a seedy place by any stretch. There seems to be a general acceptance and ambivalence around prostitution in China, at least in practice. This surprised me because of the intensity of the censorship in other arenas. But then again maybe I'm just being presumptuous and this is simply a royal secret prescription for care like any other, no funny business.

John and I trying to blend in at a department store. Successfully I think.

Turns out that Barad-dûr is actually located in Shenzen, China, and not Mordor, Middle Earth.

Parking lot A at one of the factories. Unsurprisingly, there is not the faintest hint of self congratulatory pride among the bike commuters here that we sometimes find at home.

On the factory roof, Mark observes the smoke rising from a fire in the adjacent lot. A huge pile of offcuts and scraps from a different factory was being torched by a local "recycling" company.

Not to belabor the point, but it's really something to see the source of all this STUFF. One of the major hurdles facing society as we transition to a economy based on natural cycles (aka reality) is our disconnect from the sources of things. Power comes from the outlet, water comes from the faucet, and STUFF comes from the store.

Everything we buy, but perhaps more importantly every single thing we walk past, the aisles and aisles of stuff in malls and big boxes and grocery stores... it doesn't just materialize. It is made from raw materials and chemicals and shocking amounts of embodied energy. Someone spent their time putting together that sequined leopard print vinyl handbag. What is the appropriate price for such an item? I don't know, but it's not $7.99, that's for sure.

Thailand

The famed beaches of Southern Thailand are justly famed. Sensational.

Transportation is primarily by water taxis, these wooden boats with old car motors bolted on a swivel and a six foot pole for the prop, hence their common name "long tail".

You've gotta expect that an engine block pulled out of an '83 Nissan pick-up flying around in the salt air is going to need some occasional maintenance. Usually this was performed at the actual time of breakdown, floating in the ocean somewhere, but this fellow decided to do it in port.

Captain, our landlord and guide for the first few days on Ko Phi Phi, was a true man of the sea. He slept in his hammock on the beach, and spent the day ferrying people and goods. His boat was a study in Macgyvered ingenuity and efficient material re-use.

John and I collecting salt, practicing being old.

There was stellar snorkeling right off the beach. Captain also took us to some reefs out a ways. Saw lots of incredible coral, also still evident tsunami damage and bleaching as well. Swam along with some big (1 meter +) reef sharks and leopard sharks. Interesting that when a big shark turns and swims towards you it doesn't matter how fully your mind understands there is zero danger, it still kicks in an adrenaline shot and flight instinct.


Some scenery. Really just an incredibly beautiful place. Also, warm. (see last post)




Good advice.

Hanging out, feigning innocence.

An uneasy coexistence.



The bay at Tonsai on Phi Phi. In some beautiful future the Captain Curran's Alize will be here among the yachts...
... and he will look an awful lot like this guy.


This is an awesome utility side car, but the picture I really wanted was the 14 kids riding around on it. It was being driven by committee, with 3 nine year olds grabbing at the handlebars and wrestling for prime steering position, while the rest shouted and pointed in various directions.


Railay beach is an internationally famous climbing destination, and rightfully so. Incredible features, super steep, and mostly above my grade unfortunately. But I did get on several walls and was inspired (once again) to get in shape, but (of course) for real this time. Watching some of the best climbers in the world navigate impossible 5.14 roofs with slow and steady grace was something to see.

Of course, the thesis was always close on our heels, and in the afternoon heat we would often retreat to our office for banana shakes and intensely productive meetings.

Here's something you don't see every day...