Off to the airport!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.