Bobcock at Thaipusam in Penang 2011

[Bobcock]

Eventually we walked back to the car park that we had left from 6 hours and 16 km previously. There were still (probably sensible ones) preparing for the walk into the evening hours. There were also a series of floats to be pulled up the road to the final temple.

[Bobcock]

[Bobcock]

This was the centre piece of the biggest float to be pulled up to the temple.



and this guy was at the centre of the team that were going to pull it.....



There were also a couple of women part of the team, the only two female devotees I saw all day with ''piercings'.

[Bobcock]

The chariot as it moved it's way off to the temple....as i quit and started the walk home....

[Bobcock]

Still have to finish this thread, been a bit busy lately..... I've also received an enquiry from someone to buy some of these pictures, will meet with them next week.

This fella was just going into a trance as I snapped this one....



As I wandered back towards the hotel I came across the first temple I had been at some 12 hours earlier and they were just preparing to drag their own chariot dedicated to Ganesh off up the hill.....



This guy was having his hooks inserted....

[sunsetter]

nice thread, they must be fooking mental


as i read it i was sitting here pulling all kinds of faces trying to imagine the pain
anyone else do that?

[Bobcock]

[Mr Earl]

Some American Indian tribes practiced similar eccentricities. I wonder if there's a connection?

[Bobcock]

[Bobcock]

I assumed my Thaipusam trip was over however at 3am the morning that I was flying back (at 8am) I was awoken by a set of large fireworks and looking out of my window I saw a carriage being dragged down the road through a huge crowd of people, so I was off out again....

[Bobcock]

and the final pic iof this thread



Right, that''s me done with this thread....

[genghis61]

thnaks for the excellent photos; when i arrived last month the central streets of George Town were closed for a Chinese (Hokkien) festival that takes place 8 days after Chinese New Year, great mix of cultures in such a small area.

[Bower]

Many thanks again, just love the black & white images.

[WujouMao]

Your pics of bloody amazing as always Bobcock. I've just noticed your post as well.

I've got a few of questions for you if you don't mind answering if its ok with you.

1 - One of the most common ones now doubt is do you ask 1st before taking their photo, or you not sensitive on their feelings?

2 - Was it busy there cos my Thaipusan pics were at 6ish AM and its was major busy with local people pushing and shoving and the odd annoying photographer getting in my way.

3 - A better camera with a long lens/ professional camera is better than a tourist slim compact camera?

Many Indians kept saying NO to me as i was trying to photograph the others in a trance, or get cold looks from others, yet other people still photograph. Am i too sensitive to photograph them? I can't seem to get close to get the perfect shot as i always feel i'm offending them