Traveling with Daniel Peckham & Katie Peckham

India photo highlights have been posted

Daniel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:58:39 +0000

I picked out a sampling of some of my favorite shots from the trip and posted them here. I will most likely share more in the future, but for now enjoy these.

High Res Photos of the Taj Mahal & Kangchendzonga

Daniel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:50:11 +0000

As great as the web is, there’s nothing like looking at a physical print of a photo. Or, at least the full-resolution version of a photo on a computer screen. This is especially true when it comes to panoramas, since they have so much detail.

In processing my photos from India I put together two of the panoramas that I shot, and posted them in high-res (linked below). I used a free flash program called Zoomify which allows you to zoom & pan around the photo. Since it’s based on Flash, almost every browser out there automatically supports it without the need to install a plugin. To prepare the image, I used a small utility (which they provide) that cuts up the photo into small pieces so that only parts are loaded at a time. This is similar to how google maps works.

But enough with the details. Check out the photos:

Taj Mahal High Res Interactive Photo - Combined from 8 15 megapixel photos. Photo taken 11/13/08.

Kangchendzonga Interactive Panorama - Combined from 6 15 megapixel photos, taken 11/11/08 from Darjeeling, India

Back home safely

Daniel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:30:12 +0000

This is just a quick update to let all of you know that I made it home safely last night. I almost missed my connecting flight in Hong Kong due to flight delays, but we landed just in time for me to run through security and board the next plane to LA. I caught a cold the last couple of days, but other than that I’m doing great. Will share more when I can.

Photos from my travel to Delhi

Daniel — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 13:28:32 +0000

A couple photos from the first leg of my journey:

Yay! I love flying. Though it’s not quite as fun by myself.

I was surprised to find out that Cathay Pacific still gives out bags of goodies (toothbrush & toothpaste, socks, mint, and towelette) like all airlines used to do. The personal TV screen was nice for the 15 hour flight to Hong Kong, and then 5 hours beyond that to Delhi. Plus there was more legroom than American.

Taking off from the Hong Kong airport. Only 5 hours for this flight, and the plane wasn’t completely full, so I found a set of 4 seats to lie down on. Very nice.

Welcome to Delhi, India.

I managed to spot and photograph the elusive baggage claim carpenter on official repair business above the lady’s restroom.

Downtown New Delhi. You see thousands of these guys painted the same color. I forget what they’re called in India.

More shots from my short walk the afternoon I arrived (trying to keep myself awake).

According to my taxi driver, these guards on horseback ride around the presidential palace 24/7. Well, ok, probably not the same guards. You can see the presidential statues in the background.

In India Coca-Cola is not enough. If you want to stay in business you gotta sell some tea & coffee as well.

The US election was huge news here in India, as well as all throughout the world. All 3 major papers ran extensive stories. It’s been interesting to get the perspective from over here. The overwhelming sense is positive towards Obama for a number of reasons. The only concern I saw voiced was how outsourcing of jobs might change under the new President.

Alright, there’s plenty more to share but not enough Internet time. I’ll post more when I can.

Enjoying India

Daniel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:26:30 +0000

Internet access is super limited and slow, but just a quick update to say that I’m doing great, and enjoying the people, food, and chai of India. The photography has been going really well, as well as the interaction with the locals and other team members. I’d love to post some photos, but I’m not sure when I’ll get to. Thanks for your prayers

Hong Kong Transit

Daniel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:56:51 +0000

Well, after a 15 hour flight I’m now in the airport in Hong Kong. Too bad it’s the new airport. Landing at the old Kai Tak International airport would have been exciting. It was smack in the middle of skyscrapers and as a result was considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world for landing passenger jets. The approach involved a sharp right turn at an altitude of under 700 feet — just above high-rise apartments. I’ve seen incredible videos of jumbo jets doing amazing maneuvers to avoid the buildings. All that to say that our landing here was very uneventful. Not that I really want to crash. But, you have to admit that being in a 747 as it makes tight turns to avoid sky scrapers would be cool. Ok, you don’t have to admit. But I still think so.

I’ve been told that Disneyland Hong Kong is just down the street. How ironic. I travel more than halfway around the globe, and I’m even closer to Disneyland than when I’m at home in Orange County.

I leave in an hour or so for Delhi. When I finally arrive I will have been traveling for over 24 hours straight. Fun times.

Waiting in line

Daniel — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:32:25 +0000

So my exciting trip so far has consisted of a sad goodbye to Katie (doesn’t matter how much I love traveling-I miss her already), and a long wait in an incredibly slow checkin line. Not sure what the deal is but this is probably the slowest checkin line I’ve ever experienced. Fortunately I’m getting free wifi on my iPod touch (which is why you’re getting this incredibly interesting post). I’m enjoying being the minority white guy again surrounded mostly by Indians & Filipinos right now. Well, gotta run - looks like I can check in now.

Off to India!

Daniel — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:12:57 +0000

I’m leaving in a few minutes for LAX, with excitement and anticipation about this photo journalism trip to India. I pray that I will see things through God’s eyes as I try to capture His heart for this part of the world.

I also pray for my beautiful wife as we are apart.

It’s time to go!

On our way home

Daniel — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:19:30 +0000

We’re in the airport in Amman again, and it looks like this time we’ll be getting on the plane. Thanks for your prayers. We had a fun day yesterday at the Dead Sea while waiting for this flight. We hope the rest of our connections work out, and we make it all the way back to CA soon…

Stuck in Amman for an extra 5 days

Daniel — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:07:27 +0000

We were supposed to be home by now, but due to a series of events (which includes way overbooked flights, and flight time changes), Katie and I are spending 5 unexpected days in Amman, Jordan. I don’t really feel like going into all the details at this point because I’m tired of thinking about it. It has been quite exhausting and stressful to figure out all the logistics and deal with the airlines.

We’re hoping to make the most of our time here to go do some fun stuff, but we’re not sure yet what we’ll be able to afford to do since these extra hotel/taxi/food expenses are really adding up. Plus, I was supposed to be back at work this week.

Anyway, I just wanted to update you on our situation. We’ll post more when we get a chance. Thanks for your prayers.